I no longer trusted Archer the way I had before.

We stood in front of the door to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. I stepped up to the large skull shape with a red handprint.

"What. Is the music. Of life?" the door said in a gravely, hissing voice.

"Silence, my brother," I said.

"Welcome. Home." The door made a grinding sound as it pulled to the side.

I turned to Archer, Shay and Kharjo. "You all first."

Archer gave me an annoyed look and stepped through the doorway. The door hissed. "You are not welcome!"

"Astrid commanded them to come," I told the door. "So you can just be quiet."

The door made an unhappy rumbled, but didn't say anything more. Shay walked through the open door, then Kharjo, then me. The door ground closed behind me, leaving only the candles as light.

The hallway opened into a large room with two doors leading opposite directions. Astrid leaned on her desk, looking down at the map. She looked up when I pushed by the others.

"We have returned, sister," I said when I stood next to the table.

"Good," Astrid smiled at me. "I knew you two could do it."

Kharjo walked to my side. I turned to face Archer and Shay as Astrid walked toward them.

"Hello again Archer, Shay," Astrid said. "It's good to see you again."

Archer scowled at her. "Is it? Really Astrid, I thought you would think otherwise."

Astrid clicked her tongue. "Ah, Archer. I see you haven't gotten any wiser."

Archer snorted. "Maybe you just aren't wise enough to notice. Father of Understanding indeed. It seems he hasn't guided you very far."

Astrid stepped right up to him, and I could imagine her glaring even without seeing her face. "Who do you assassins look to? Your old and dying Masters? Some other mighty lord?"

Archer looked at her calmly. "No one but ourselves, and our team. That much cannot be said for you."

Archer leaped forward, knocking Astrid to the ground. I started forward to help Astrid, but she waved me off. "Stay back sister! This is my business."

Something didn't feel right the instant she said that. She wouldn't have turned down help to take down her target unless she didn't need it. This was different. Archer wasn't her target, she was his. It all fell into place in that one second. Astrid wanted Archer on her side, a powerful ally, yet unpredictable.

I looked at Kharjo, who was watching nervously. I knew he trusted Archer more than Astrid just by looking at him. I turned back to Archer and Astrid.

Shay looked like he was waiting for an opening. I heard someone coming. A second later Veezara, the only one besides Kharjo, Astrid, and I who was still alive, came into the room behind Shay. He took one look at the commotion and slapped his scaly tail against Shay's legs.

That does it, I thought as Shay fell, crashing into a bookshelf. I jumped forward, catching the shelf before it could fall on him. It was much heavier than I had expected.

"Rapier!" Veezara exclaimed. "What are you doing?"

I turned enough to see him, looking right into his gold reptilian eyes. "I'm saving a friend."

Shay was half way standing. He stopped and looked at me in surprise. I glared at him. "Would you hurry up? This bookshelf isn't getting any lighter."

Shay stood up hurriedly and Veezara stared at me. "Have you gone mad Rapier?"

I sighed. "Maybe a little bit. After all," I smiled at Shay, "I forgave this sorry man."

Shay glanced at me and pounced on Veezara. Veezara crashed into Astrid's desk, sending papers in all directions. Shay ducked Veezara's tail, but wasn't fast enough to dodge his powerful punch. Shay slammed into a wall full force and crumpled to the floor.

Kharjo drew his mace and swung it hard, hitting Veezara in the back. Veezara fell to the floor as well.

I turned my attention back to Archer. He wasn't doing so well. Astrid had him pinned against the floor with her hands around his neck. Her legs held his arms down. He was gasping for air.

I crept up behind Astrid, glad I was wearing my silencing boots. Astrid was so busy saying something to Archer that she didn't notice me until I drew my thin silver sword. She stopped talking and looked up at me.

I pointed my sword at her. "Let him go Astrid."

Astrid didn't let go. "Are you feeling alright sister? Perhaps you should go get some rest. I'll be with you in a bit."

I twirled my sword around and lashed my tail. "Have you ever fought with someone named after a sword?" I asked. "If they tell you to let someone go, you had better listen."

Astrid stared at me in shock. "Come now sister. Be reasonable!"

I looked at Archer nervously. He had closed his eyes and stopped struggling. That couldn't have been good. "I am being reasonable! Let. My. Friend. Go." I was surprised at how calm I sounded.

Astrid hesitated, but when I didn't move she stood up. Archer gasped and started coughing.

Astrid drew her sword. "Is it a fight you want cat? Then it's a fight you'll get."

She lunged at me. I easily sidestepped and sliced her arm with the tip of my sword. Astrid turned and swung again. I blocked and slashed her left leg. She stumbled and I swung again, cutting a long, deep line across her chest. She collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

I sheathed my sword and knelt by Shay. He groaned and squinted at me. "Rapier?"

"Good morning," I said.

"I'm not dead."

"I know, thank you Captain Obvious," I smiled.

"You're welcome Lieutenant Sarcasm," Shay looked around. "Where's Archer? Is he alright?"

I stopped. I'd been so worried about Shay, I hadn't thought about Archer. "I think so."

I stood and jogged over to Archer. His breath was shallow and his eyes were closed. "Archer?"

Archer didn't open his eyes. "I need a nap. Leave me alone."

"Fine," I said, throwing a blanket on top of him. "I'll wake you up in half an hour."