Seranni peeked over the wooden barrel that concealed her from the view of those she watched so intently. She heard their voices, her curiosity running wild at the thought of what they were whispering about. She had heard the stories of Cyrodill. She knew that there was truth in the rumors, she was no fool. She herself knew of secrets that the citizens of the Imperial City were frightened of.

She watched as the Breton man handed the Bosmer woman a package. Afterwards, the Bosmer left, glancing around as if someone was watching. Seranni smirked, knowing she was concealed in such an obvious hiding place. She sat, pretending to be a mere beggar as the woman passed her. When she was gone, Seranni looked up, watching her walk into the alley way that led her down to the slums of the Waterfront District- just where Seranni wanted her to be. Was it really going to be that easy?

Seranni stood, looking around her slightly, following the woman. The Bosmer looked back for a moment, but didn't seem to notice Seranni in the small crowd of people that were doing their day-to-day activites. She kept walking, seeming eager to get to her destination safely with the package. She turned suddenly, going behind the houses, bushes hiding her trail. Seranni followed, keeping her eyes on the woman. She saw her stop, talking with a Red Guard man, handing him the package after saying a small phrase that Seranni had heard before in the Waterfront- "Shadow hide you." He returned the phrase, and she walked away.

Seranni watched her, but stayed crouched in the bushes, out of sight. After the woman was gone, she looked at the man, who turned his back as if to gain more privacy as he unwrapped the package. Seranni took this change to pull out her dagger and grab him, putting the blade to his neck forcefully. She hushed him as he started to make a strained noise, not wishing for the guards to take her in for questioning about her actions, should she be caught.

"Shh." she soothed, making the man calm slightly. "Don't move. All I want is the book."
"Who are you?"
"I want the book."
"Wh-"
"Give me that book." she said, knowing he was stalling. "Now."

He slowly held it up, letting her take it from his hands.

"Why do you want it?" he asked.
"Thank you." she said, looking around to try to map out her trail of escape.
"Why-"
"Armande?!"

Seranni snapped her head in the direction of the raspy voice, making the Red Guard face it aswell. The Argonian standing there looked surprised, putting his hands up at the sight of what was happening.

"Shut up!" Seranni hissed, realizing this book was now causing her more trouble than she thought it was worth. "All I want is this book, and you gentlemen are going to let me walk away with it. Understood?"

They said nothing, but Seranni took it as an agreement that they would remain silent about her assault on the Red Guard. She let him go quickly, running in the direction of the bushes, letting herself be concealed within them again. She exited them quickly, knowing the guards would be after her within moments. She walked swiftly, hearing the Argonian yelling behind her. Looking back, she saw guards running for her, making her bolt away from them. She had always been a fast runner, her feet light, letting her reach the trees quickly that lined the Waterfront District's borders. She didn't dare look back, running until she was out of breath. She stopped and placed herself behind a tree quickly, her breath fast but silent as she listened for any sounds of armor behind her. She slumped, satisfied at the quiet air around her, happy that she had accomplished what she had went to the city to do.

She took the book out of her pocket, looking down at the leather cover. It had no title, the binds were worn, the pages yellowed with age on the outside. She untied the bind that kept it closed, opening it with great interest. She noticed the hand-writing, knowing it was not a book known to the public. It was private, someone's diary. The name Amantius Allectus was nicely printed on the first page on the bottom corner. She flipped through the pages, gathering that it was information about hybrid vampire plants. She knitted her eyebrows, wondering why the Red Guard had went through so much trouble to get it. She didn't understand why he wanted something so unusual. She closed it, dropping it on the ground; it was of no use to her now. She had to start over. She was determined. She would find them if it was the last task she ever set out to do in her lifetime. She would not rest until she found the truth of the guild that Waterfront was rumored to be tainted with- The Thieves Guild.