Chapter 2

The two mages, master and apprentice, had been working together for over three years when Lilaena had finally found the courage to seduce him. Admittedly a brief span in the lives of two Altmer, who often lived for a upwards of a few hundred years, but for all intents and purposes, the apprenticeship was expected by both parties to continue for at least another several years. Lilaena hoped that in this time, their obvious lust for one another would also continue, and evolve into something deeper and more meaningful.

Lilaena knew of the vicious rumors. She knew that Vanus Galerion, a fellow student and former friend of her mentor, had fervently insisted on many occasions that the rumors were true and that the Order should publically sever all ties with her mentor and send him far away. Even so, he would still arrive at his study day after day, as if all was still good and right in their world. And it was. Until one day, he just wasn't there. Lilaena found this concerning, but not terribly so, as he had been late before. Never this late, but she decided to investigate before she flew into any sort of panic over it. She found her way down the familiar halls to his quarters and knocked on the door. She received no answer. She knocked again, growing more alarmed.

"Master," she called politely through the aged wooden door. She placed her ear against it so that she would be able to pick up even the faintest response. "Hello, are you in there?" She repeated, knocking again. She felt a cold wave of dread wash over her. This was not in any way typical of her mentor. She feared he was injured or gravely ill, lying helplessly somewhere, unable to respond - or worse. "Master!" She cried, panic making its way into her voice. "It's Lilaena!" Silence greeted her once again. She pounded loudly on the door. "Hello? Are you alright? Answer me please! Mannimarco!"

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It startled her, and she jumped. She spun around to see Galerion. He regarded her quizzically. "Why would you be calling your teacher by his given name?" The question was obviously rhetorical, as before she could respond, he continued, with a slight air of satisfaction, "He's gone. He won't be back. You will be training with me from now on."

A sick feeling came over her. It felt as though a large rock had passed through her chest cavity and was now settling into her guts. "No…" she whispered. She wanted to cry; she wanted to pounce on Galerion and smash his head into the stone floor.

"Don't be ridiculous," Galerion replied casually. He took her by the wrists. "Come along now. I need to see what you know – outside of playing with dead things, of course."

Lilaena found her voice again. "No!" She snapped, yanking her arms out of his grasp. "Where's Mannimarco? What have you done with him?"

Galerion smirked. "Oh, come now, be serious. You think I had something to do with this? You know as well as I do that no one tells Mannimarco what to do. I haven't done anything with him," he chuckled smugly. "He left. Of his own volition. In fact, I seem to recall that he said you were the reason he was leaving. Something to do with you following him around constantly, like a needy little child. He wanted to get away from you; that's why he left."

Lilaena was horrified. It couldn't be true! Her mentor had always welcomed her company, and it was quite obvious he enjoyed spending time with her. He often went out of his way to invent reasons for her to join him after hours and during his days off. Certainly he would have said something had her presence been getting on his nerves. "I don't believe you," she retorted. "He always wanted me around. He is my friend! What've you done to him?" Tears stung her eyes. She looked away, trying to hide them from Galerion.

"Oh, he was more than just your 'friend'; we're all well aware of that. You two thought you were so crafty. Trust me - the only reason you weren't punished is because we have no proof," Galerion laughed. "But if you don't believe me, why don't you have a look at this?" He produced a scroll from one of his pockets and handed it over.

Plainly written in her mentor's usual scribbly hand, Lilaena read the scroll silently to herself, hot tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Lilaena,

"I am writing to tell you goodbye. I am sorry I did not warn you of my departure, but it is for the best. I hope you will understand. Please do not try to find me. I am officially ending your apprenticeship and I will not be able to contact you again. Take care of yourself.

"Regards,

"Your Teacher"

He hadn't even signed his name. But there it was, clearly written by his hand. Had he been coerced? Lilaena didn't know what to think. She was terrified for his well-being. Surely, having known him for so long, she'd have been able to tell if he was growing restless in his station at the Psijic Order or in his relationship with her. There had to be something sinister behind his disappearance. The only other possibility, she thought, was that maybe they'd made him some sort of amazing offer he couldn't refuse. Perhaps they'd bought him off, thereby ridding themselves of the supposed indignity his presence brought to their Order and ending the illicit relationship between the two of them, without actually causing him any harm. She certainly preferred this explanation. She tried to stifle the great sobs that shook her, telling herself that this was the most likely eventuality. The Psijic Order wasn't an evil, murderous organization. Surely, her beloved teacher was alright, wherever he was.

The thought comforted her slightly but the uncertainty of his condition still weighed on her. And the stark, painful realization that if this was, in fact, the case, he'd willingly left her behind. She'd like to have been sure he wouldn't have done something like that, but in all honesty, she wasn't completely convinced. They'd been in this covert romance for some time now, and yet he'd never actually told her he loved her, or made any future plans that included her at all. Maybe he had just abandoned her without a second thought.

Vanus Galerion regarded her as if she were insane and reached for her arm again. She turned around and fled. She ran out of the ancient building and around to the garden, hysterical sobs shaking her whole body. She couldn't stop crying. Hiding just outside the garden wall, she cried until she was spent, and even then, the flood of tears wouldn't stop. It was growing dark outside. Exhausted, Lilaena dragged her aching body back to her quarters and collapsed on her bed.