Ginette cradled the book in her hands, absent-mindedly running her hands over the red leather cover. Her fingers stroked the slight bumps of the golden letters, spelling out "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes: Book One". Mankar had left her the book, along with a few comforting words.

Mankar gazed down at her, his eyes calm and contemplating. Ginette clenched her jaw, prepared for whatever might come, be it harsh judgement or a dismissal of her responsibility. He stared at her for a few more moments, then spoke quietly. "I am sorry. You should not have to bear guilt for what happened. It was an accident. A terrible accident, but an accident nonetheless."

Mankar shifted his weight, withdrawing a book from a pocket in his robes. He handed it to her, murmuring, "We are a family, Ginette. Would you like to start anew with us?"

She stared at the book, her eyes narrowed, but she did not draw away. "After what you've done? Your so-called family murdered the Emperor and tried to do the same to me."

Mankar closed his eyes, bowing his head. "We had to. Sometimes the end does justify the means."

He rose to his feet, gesturing at the book. "Read it. Everything will be explained."

Ginette took a deep breath, opening the book and beginning to read by the soft crimson light in the caverns.

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Ralen strode quickly down the worn path, his steps too hurried to admire the beautiful countryside. Shadows stretched over the fields, meshing with the smoke rising from his home. He rushed forward, pushing the front door of the cottage open. Furniture was strewn everywhere. The table was overturned, its wood smashed apart. The windows were broken inward, the glass shards covering the floor. A patch of blood was splattered upon the stone floor, its red streaks leading down through the scattered remains of the cellar door. Ralen hesitantly took a step down the stairs, carefully grasping a piece of glass for some illusion of safety.

He made his way down the stairs, the darkness sweeping over him until he could see nothing. He nearly gasped as his feet hit the floor, wincing as the glass cut into his palm. Ralen stood still, shivering as he heard a rough snort. He felt something nuzzling his leg, and he jumped, releasing his make-shift weapon. The glass crashed to the floor, the shatter splitting through the silence. He turned, racing back up the stairs. His breath came hard and fast, his heart beating wildly in his ears, but he could still hear a loud bellowing following his footsteps.

He tripped at the top of the stairs, falling forward out of the cellar, cutting his hands upon the broken glass that was scattered on the floor on the floor. He scrambled to his feet, closing his eyes against what he saw. His mother was impaled upon the remains of the rafters, her normally dark skin pallid and blood-streaked. Ralen turned away, but could find no escape. His father laid spread-eagled in a pool of blood upon the floor, as if he were a broken doll. Ralen fell to his knees, retching. A loud creak came from the cellar, and the blood in his veins was replaced by fear. He crawled backwards away from the cellar, frantic tears running down his cheeks as his back hit the wall. Ralen huddled in the corner , turning his face away from the hulking shadow that pulled itself from the darkness of the cellar.

Ralen bolted upright in the bed, a sheen of cold sweat upon his body. He ran a hand through his black hair, pushing it away from his face as he tried to still his rapid breathing. A knock rang out on the door, and he wearily pulled himself from the bed, dressing quickly and pulling his armor on.

Jauffre was waiting outside, pacing impatiently. As soon as he saw Ralen, he spoke. "There is no time to waste. I just received a letter from my intelligence in the Imperial City, Baurus. He said that he had learned something important, but dared not put it into a writing as someone has been following him."

Ralen straightened up, his gaze questioning. "Could it have been about the assassins? The Amulet? We need to retrieve the information as soon as possible."

Jauffre smiled. "That is where you come in. I need you to pay a visit to Baurus at Luther Broad's Boarding house in the Elven Garden district of the Imperial City. As speed is key, your horse has already been readied."

The Dunmer winced mentally at the thought of the long ride awaiting him, but nodded. "What of Líadain?"

"She believes that she will be of more use here, a sentiment that I agree with."

Ralen acknowledged the point, turning towards the stables.

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A/N: Sorry for the long wait, everyone. The whole update tomorrow thing didn't quite work out. Unfortunately, I won't be able to update until the school year, but that's not that far away. Also, review replies!

Sanima: Thanks so much! I really feel like I'm getting better with the story. And pottery? Totally true, but you left out accidentally spilling your slip bucket on yourself in front of everyone. :)

Paintball Willie: I think I might just have you beat. For starters, my clay came off the wheel and hit someone else in the head, but not before I knocked my bucket of slip over. My bowl ended up as a spoon holder, too. Oh, well. In other news, I would have loved to see them wearing the Knight Helmet.

Review please!

Oh, I almost forgot. There's a new poll up, and I need your opinions.