Kalila Blackstone sat in Hannibal Traven's office just as she had countless times throughout her stay at the Arcane University. She sat up straight, her green eyes lowered as though she were in trouble. Her hands were neatly folded in her lap. Traven couldn't help noticing that her green robe lacked any adornments. Most students added their own touches, like a colorful sash or some jewelry. Not Kalila. Strangely, it was her lack of distinction that made her stand out among her peers.

Traven smiled gently at her and received a slight one in return. He couldn't remember ever seeing a full, beaming smile from her. Not even while Clarissa had been alive. The girl was just too damn serious.

"So," he said, his hands folded on his desk. "Graduation is coming up. Have you given any thought to your plans afterward?"

"Sir?" She looked questioningly at him. "I've told you the same thing every time you have asked me for the past ten years. I am going to be a battlemage."

He nodded, chuckling a little. "That you have. You know, most students come here with a goal in mind but it changes drastically over the years. By time they've graduated, they want to pursue something completely different."

"Not me. I've known what I've wanted for years."

"Alright, well let's see how you're doing academically."

Traven set out a piece of parchment and tapped it once with a wand. Before their eyes Kalila's grades appeared.

Kalila Rhianne Blackstone

Senior, level II

Mysticism: 8

Restoration: 3

Alteration: 7

Destruction: 10

Conjuration: 7

Illusion: 8

Alchemy: 9

Traven nodded as he looked it over. "I see you still require assistance in restoration." He looked up at her. "Have you considered joining the Mages Guild? There's one in Anvil that would greatly help you with restoration."

Kalila hesitated before speaking. "I had considered it briefly," she said. "But I'm not so sure I'd want to join. Even here, I'm known as Tara Karminova's kid sister. If I do well, it's attributed to her. If I fail, then they remark how good Tara was at it. I would much rather be merited on my own skill, not hers."

Traven nodded. He, too, had been guilty of that crime when they first met.

Even if she weren't a skilled mage, it was obvious that they were related. They shared many of their mother's facial features and many of the same mannerisms. Traven quickly averted his eyes. He had never noticed it before, how similar she was to Tara. Beautiful Tara… He cleared his throat.

"It's true that the Karminova family has produced some especially talented mages. Your mother, though she dropped out, had extraordinary talent, as does your sister, and you as well. It may be a little annoying to be under their shadow, but I assure you that you will make a name of your own, especially with your skill in destructive magic."

Kalila didn't say anything.

"You know, I was head of the Anvil Mages Guild and we did train a lot of people who went on to become wonderful battlemages."

Her eyebrows raised slightly.

"You see, it's not all shields and fireballs. You have to be able to heal yourself or one of your allies in case of serious injury. That said, the Anvil Guild is a wonderful place not only to learn, but it would be a good opportunity for you to go out and see more of Cyrodiil. You've never left the Imperial City area. Anvil is a beautiful place. Its right on the coast, so you can have the most amazing views and you wake up to the scent of the ocean."

He could tell that she was considering it. After a long pause she sighed. "And you're sure this will help me?"

"Kalila, I would never steer any of my students in the wrong direction. Just think it over and if you decide that's what you want, I will write you a glowing recommendation."

Her eyes lowered for awhile before raising back up to his. "Alright."

She stood up and turned to leave.

"Oh, Kalila?"

"Yes, sir?"

He paused, trying to appear nonchalant. "Will Tara be attending your graduation ceremony?"

"Yes, she will. She told me last week that she decided to work from home for awhile, so I know she'll be here."

"Ah." Traven nodded, once again unable to get the image of Tara from his mind. "I look forward to seeing her."

Kalila left the room and sighed deeply. She tried not to view it as a setback. She knew Traven was right, after all. Her restoration was atrocious compared to her other skills and it would prove necessary on the battlefield. Still, she had planned on going into training straight after the University since childhood. Instead of a setback, she tried to think of it as a slight curve in the path.

She walked back to her dorm room and once she was there she stared out the window. Her favorite thing about her room was that it had a view of the training field. She watched the battlemages train for a moment before deciding to close the curtains. There were so many of them and not a single one was able to respond to a distress flare? Disgraceful. Though everyone told her not to place blame on anyone but the murderers she couldn't help holding them at least partially responsible for Clarissa's death. For heaven's sakes, it would have been a mere five minutes to their house on horseback. There was simply no reason why Clarissa should have died!

She sat on her bed, tears threatening to fall. Clarissa was only a child when she died. She had such a bright future ahead of her. Traven was right. The Karminova bloodline had produced many skilled mages: Tara with, well, anything, Kalila with destruction, and Clarissa was already good at alchemy without any formal training. She would have been great, even better than Claudette Perrick on her best day.

Tara was laying in the corner, a dagger sticking out from her stomach. A pool of blood seeped onto the floor, surrounding her. Clarissa was bleeding as well, though instead of from her stomach, it appeared to be coming from her back, dripping and swirling down thighs, her neck bent at an impossible angle as she swung from a noose. Kalila felt a sharp pain in her back, followed by another. She looked down and saw the arrowhead protruding from her shoulder.

Her hand flew up to her chest and her legs clamped shut.

She woke in the Arcane University's infirmary. Tara was sobbing on the bed to her right. The pain in her back was dulled. She could feel stitches in her shoulder. There was a small body on the bed on her left. The sheets were pulled over its head. Tara was screaming for Clarissa. "Bring her back," she screamed. Some people injected her arm with something. She quieted down soon after.

"Bring her back," she whispered. If only.