How to Pickpocket a Pickpocket

Chapter 32

Brynjolf's head broke through the surface and he gasped for air. With shaky arms he dragged himself up the ground to safety, breathing heavily and coughing up water.

"Brynjolf!" Karliah was at his side instantly, "Thank Nocturnal you're alright, that Artis found you!"

He looked at her with furrowed brows, "Found me? What do you mean?"

Karliah's body went cold, "You mean to tell me that she didn't save you from the water?"

He shook his head.

"By the gods... she's still in there!" she cried and rushed towards the water, "Artis! Artis, can you hear me?!"

Brynjolf's knees felt weak when realizing that the water has risen to the roof of the cave. Any chance of catching air was gone. He threw of his hood and weapons and dove back in, leaving Karliah panicking for two people's lives.

The redhead swam into the dark depths of the cave, almost bumping into objects his eyes could make out. Where was she? Was she still alive? He prayed to whatever Divine or Daedra could hear that he'd find her before it was too late. He swore if he'd find her, he will tell her exactly how he felt and then swear to never leave her again. For Mara's sake, if he'd find her alive, he'll go buy an amulet of Mare the very next day to give to her. That was how much she meant to him. Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes as he swam on and on, his breath becoming less and less and still, he hasn't found her.

But then a faint light caught his attention. With the little strength and breath he had left, he swam towards it with hope. Brynjolf's heart nearly leapt out of his chest when discovering that it was her. However, as he reached her, he discovered that she was drowning. The light faded in and out of her hand, telling him that she didn't have much time. He ignored the burn in his chest, his body's desperate need for air and grabbed hold of her waist. Brynjolf started swimming like he never did before, racing against time to save both their lives. If only he could remember where the opening was...

Karliah waited and waited. Her heart hammered in her throat and her stomach churned and turned. It almost left her dry heaving from the stress and panic. If they were dead, then she would be alone again. Not just in the Nightingale Hall, but also in the Guild and in the world. They were her companions, her friends... losing them would take her back to losing Gallus. Living with that pain and loss again would be her undoing.

"Nocturnal, help them." She prayed with a voice breaking out in sobs, "Divines, save them. Anyone, bring them back to me..." Her prayer was interrupted when two figures emerged out of the water. Karliah was on her feet and at their sides immediately, "Thank the Divines, thank Nocturnal, you're alive!"

"No..." Brynjolf gasped and coughed, "Artis... she... air..."

The Dunmer hooked her arms underneath Artis' limp body and dragged her to dry ground with Brynjolf following. The Dragonborn's face was sickly pale and her lips a pale blue. Brynjolf took her from Karliah and lied her down before pumping onto her chest furiously. Karliah made herself useful and rummaged through her bag for any potions that might be useful in this moment.

"Come on, lass..." Brynjolf muttered and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers and blowing air into her. He continued to press down on her chest and repeated the process several times, "Come on, lass. Come on..." His cheeks were wet from both water and tears as he blew more air into her, "Don't leave me, lass. Please, come back to me. I need you, I can't lose you. Please."

By some miracle of a higher power, Artis' chest jolted as she coughed and chocked up a mouthful of water. Brynjolf quickly helped her to sit up, allowing her inhale as much as she could to catch her breath again.