Meanwhile, back in the Slums...

"Shit!" TheVoiceofReason had just walked down into the library. Expecting to see just a mess of papers to pick up, it completely caught him by suprise to find blood splattered all over the walls and shelves, a small intestine laying on a desk, and the top half of a man sewing his own arm back onto his mangled body. "What the hell happened here?!", yelled TheVoiceofReason in complete disgust and horror.

"Well, to make a long story short, I wouldn't suggest touching anything until I've pulled myself together. You might make it a little more messy."

"...So then he came here." Matthew-Kaine decided that he might as well explain the day's events, considering the situation he found himself in. TheVoiceofReason listened with interest, and in complete understanding. Matthew-Kaine had been in contact with him for quite some time now, so it made explanations a lot easier. "Well, what do you think I should do?" He didn't really want to stay here anymore, because he now knew that Count knew where he was hiding. "Well, first I would suggest you- DUCK!"

But it was too late. As abrupt as there meeting had started, it ended with a knife from the window, with poison and all. "So much for that...", thought Matthew-Kaine before promptly running for the window.

-----------------------------

In the Emperor's Chambers...

"I don't know what you're talking about. No, Count Confusion isn't a name I am familiar with. Why do you ask?" The emperor either was an amazing liar, or something about Matthew's story was terribly wrong. "Wow... I'm terribly sorry for this. I was... misinformed.". "No need," Dogbert said with complete calmness, "but I was wondering whether you could no bring it up again. No need for false rumors going around."

Iamthey didn't like this. There obviously was something wrong, but he wasn't sure what to do about it. But whatever it would be, it would have to wait. It was getting late, and there was still much Council work to be done before resting.

When he finally came home, Iamthey found a note by his bed.

"Your friend VoiceofReason is dead. I pray we can meet again in the morning."
-MK

There was a black rose resting by the note. It combusted and slowly burned away.