"Her name is Mara or Misa or Mali or something," Estelle said, handing Erik the composite sketch.

Erik frowned at the doe-eyed girl on the page. "What did she do?"

Estelle raked keen eyes over his face and body language. "She hurt innocent people. She broke the rules. Don't let her appearance fool you, Erik; remember what happened last time you did."

Erik's mind flew back to the memory unbidden; Estelle was good at making people want to obey.

"I got confused," Erik said. "I saw what I wanted to see and missed the monster behind the mask. I nearly got myself killed."

Estelle nodded once.

"I won't let it happen again. This I vow," Erik's fingers sought out the stamp on the hilt of his sword, reaffirming his commitment to the guild, to his boss.

Estelle smiled. "You will kill this monster," she began, the ritual as old as time.

"I will kill this monster," Erik echoed, his eyelids growing heavy under the weight of his promise.

"You will take back what was stolen. You will right the wrongs."

"I will take back what was stolen. I will right the wrongs."

"You will restore the balance; you will bring justice."

"I will restore the balance; I will bring justice." Erik strangled out.

"This I witness; this you vow."

"This you witness; this I vow," Erik breathed as his knees buckled and the floor rushed up to greet him.