Being back in the blacker-than-night Nightingale armor made Macayla feel like she had stepped back in her skin, but standing outside Mistveil Keep and knowing what they were fixing to do was uncomfortable. After discussing their plan on going to the Jarl a bit more, they had decided to wait until nightfall before entering to prevent more eyes from seeing them. So they waited in the darkness of a tree until time.

When the guards began lighting torches, Brynjolf turned back to her and Karliah. "Ready, lasses?"

Karliah chuckled dryly. "No."

Macayla agreed with her. "We'll never be ready, but we have to," she whispered. She nodded to her husband. "Go ahead, Brynjolf." They had decided that he would take charge to keep focus off Macayla—word could've gotten around that the new Guildmaster was female and if she was seen as leading the Nightingales, she could be figured out.

Brynjolf gave her hand a squeeze, then with a steadying breath, turned around and stepped out of their cover of darkness; Macayla and Karliah were right behind him. The two guards on either side of the palace doors jolted in surprise seeing them emerge out of the shadows; they immediately drew their swords.

"Halt! What business brings you here?" one demanded. Their full helmets prevented their eyes from being seen, but Macayla could feel them focusing hard on them—in the dark, it was easy to lose their forms.

Brynjolf raised his hands to placate them. "We bring no danger; we seek audience with Jarl Laila Law-Giver."

"No danger? You look like danger."

"Please, we do not seek to harm the Jarl; only warn her of a possible threat."

That caught their attentions; they glanced at each other before sheathing their swords. "Fine, bring your warning, but we'll be watching you. No sudden moves."

They all nodded in understanding and ascended the stones steps up to the wooden doors—the guards' eyes never once left them. Brynjolf opened the door to let them go in first; as the door closed behind them, Macayla heard them wondering if they were Nightingales.

Mistveil Keep wasn't as grand as the Blue Palace in Solitude, but it still portrayed the wealth of a Jarl: colorful tapestries and banners holding the crossed-daggers of Riften hung from the rafters; mounted animals and weapon plaques dotted the walls; silver dinnerware and plates of food occupied the tables encircling the roaring fire in the middle of the room. At the back of the room, on a raised dais and in front of a doorway leading to the Jarl's chambers and bedrooms, was Jarl Laila Law-Giver seated in her throne.

The Jarl of Riften was a mid-thirties Nord with part of her blonde hair braided back out of the way. She wasn't as beautiful as Jarl Elisif the Fair, but she was attractive; her face held laugh lines, but her eyes were hard—she didn't have much to laugh about anymore. Jarl Laila Law-Giver had received her name from being unafraid to deal punishment to criminals—she had even jailed a Black-Briar from him being unable to pay off a debt; his mother, Maven Black-Briar, hadn't been able to persuade Jarl Laila into shortening the sentence.

Their entrance quickly drew her eyes away from speaking with her Steward, along with every attention in the room—the easily distracted court wizard and every Thane turned to them. The Steward, Anuriel—a High Elf—seated beside the Jarl straightened; Jarl Laila Law-Giver's housecarl moved to her side, eyes locked on them and looking for the slightest reason to draw the two-handed greatsword on his back.

They maintained an easy pace as they walked around the tables as to not appear threatening to the protective housecarl; they stopped before her and bowed.

"My Jarl, we have come with dreadful news and hope that you will lend us your ear," Brynjolf began.

"If that is what you told my guards outside, it is no wonder they let you in," Jarl Laila Law-Giver said. "But before I let you begin, enlighten me; long has Riften been plagued with the question of the authenticity of the Nightingales. You three surely resemble what the writings describe; so, are you in fact Nightingales?"

Brynjolf nodded. "Yes, my Jarl, we are; our existence relies on secrecy, but need requires us to break it."

"And are you a splinter of the Thieves Guild who worships the Daedric Lord Nocturnal?"

Again, Brynjolf nodded. "Yes, my Jarl; we serve the Night Mistress and this is how we learned of a danger to all of Tamriel."

"One more thing: from the tales, you are not seen, but from your masks, I can see that you wish to remain unknown. Even though I am greatly curious, I will not request that you lower them, but may I ask why all of this secrecy?"

Macayla expected her to use her power and demand them to reveal themselves; this was a pleasant turn. "We have lives just like anyone here—friends and loved ones; we wish to protect them."

She nodded. "I understand; thank you for answering my questions. Now, what is this danger you speak of?"

"This, you will not be appreciative of." Macayla saw the turn of Brynjolf's head as he looked around. "What we have to say is not for every ear; may we speak only to you?"

Jarl Laila Law-Giver stared at them long and hard. "Clear the court."

The Steward looked at her. "My Lady..."

"Clear the court; you, Unmid, and the guards will stay." She looked at Brynjolf. "Or are those still too many ears?"

"No, my Jarl; I expect that they will be told later."

Even though the Thanes were disappointed they would be left out on the news, they left; soon the room only held the Jarl, her Steward and housecarl, the Nightingales, and four guards.

Brynjolf sighed. "I wish I did not have to say this: Mehrunes Dagon is close to entering our world again."

Complete silence overtook the room; Anuriel's eyes practically bulged out of her head and Unmid Snow-Shod's firm stature slackened in disbelief. Jarl Laila Law-Giver's mouth slightly popped open, but she quickly snapped out of her shock. "You are sure about this?"

All three of them nodded. "Unfortunately so," Brynjolf answered. "Lady Nocturnal told us herself, and she was frightened; I've never thought Daedric princes could feel fear."

"What can we do about this?"

"She has instructed us on what actions we should take if he opens a Gate but we think it best if not everyone knows of our plan."

Anuriel became offended. "You think we would betray you?"

"If a Gate is opened, dremora will be released and we believe they will hunt us specifically because we will be attempting to send them back. Dremora have ways of turning friends into enemies—no one can betray us if no one is told. And there may still be worshippers of Mehrunes Dagon, like the Mythic Dawn."

The Steward opened her mouth to argue, but Unmid stopped her. "No, Anuriel; I see their reasoning and I agree with them."

She turned back to them. "Why did you request the room to be cleared? They all needed to hear that they are in danger."

"No; inciting mass hysteria never helps," Brynjolf declared.

Jarl Laila Law-Giver finally thawed and lowered the hand over her mouth. "You are right; we do not need fear consuming the masses." She looked pointedly at the two guards at the doors. "This will not be discussed amongst one another; you cannot tell friends or family. I will gather Captain Saetus and instruct him to inform your fellow soldiers—I will stress the same order. Am I clear?"

"Yes, my Jarl," they said behind them; the two behind Jarl Laila Law-Giver echoed them.

The Jarl looked at the two people on either side of her. "This order also goes for you two."

They nodded in understanding and responded the same.

"So, as you three search for a way to banish Mehrunes Dagon, what do you propose the rest of the world do?" the Steward asked.

Macayla had enough of Anuriel's haughtiness. "Fight back; Skyrim is not known to lay down. This is our world too; we don't want to lose it." She turned to the Jarl. "Since your Steward believes we are telling you what to do, this is what we suggest: send a message to all the Jarls, informing them of the situation, and instruct them to prepare in secrecy. Each Hold needs to be on the lookout for the opened Gate; we must know where to confront Mehrunes Dagon so we can send him back."

Brynjolf looked back at her, as if in exasperation. "Sorry," she whispered. He chuckled as he faced straight again; she even heard Karliah snickering softly to her left.

Jarl Laila Law-Giver looked over at her Steward with humor twisting her lips; Anuriel had her arms crossed and mouth set into a firm line. The housecarl flicked his nose to hide his smirk. "Excuse Anuriel; she does get touchy sometimes." She turned back to them. "But I will take your suggestion. I was trying to think of a way to warn others, and this will do." She told her to get some stationery.

When she left, Jarl Laila Law-Giver turned back to them. "Not too long ago I thought Riften a loss; then the Thieves Guild revived it. I have a feeling it is largely in part to you three, so thank you for what you have done for this city and for what you are doing for the world. At least the thieves we have here aren't so bad."

"No. No, we aren't," Brynjolf said.