Note/L10N/Windfall/1.0/Books/WFBook01I?
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<DIV align="center">The Gambit<br>
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<DIV align="left"> In an age long ago, there was a poor man who went by the name of Astien. He cared for the Lord Vineri's famed horses, as well as saddled them whenever Vineri wished to go riding. This was rare, as Vineri was a lazy man, comfortable in his wealth. He rarely left the comfort of his own home, and when he did, it was merely to another noble's mansion.<br>
Aurora was another matter, however. Being the Lord's daughter, she would go out with her bodyguard every morning, and return every evening. Some believed she rode out in the countryside so often to meet with some mysterious lover, while others said it was merely to escape some trouble back home. They were rumors that Astien was familiar with, but whether or not they were true didn't matter to him. He was in love with Aurora Vineri. But being a mere pauper, he never let his true feelings show when greeting her.<br>
One day, as he was walking to the stables to prepare Aurora's mount for the day, a stranger stopped him on the road.<br>
"Good morning, sir!" he exclaimed cheerfully. "How are you this fine day?"<br>
Astien was not certain what to think of the slightly plump gentleman, but he knew he instantly liked him. He as a noble would, yet he was no noble himself.<br>
"I can see you are taken aback by my sudden appearance! Allow me to introduce myself. I.."<br>
"Excuse me, but I haven't the time for this," Astien said, as he continued on his way. "I must prepare Milady's horse." The gentleman did not seem surprised by this statement.<br>
Astien had not gone far when he heard the gentleman's next words.<br>
"I've seen how you look at her. You love Aurora Vineri."<br>
Astien, shocked, immediately whirled around to face the man.<br>
"H-how did you know that?!"<br>
"Does it matter?" said the man. "I've been watching you for a few days now. And I believe I have the means to help you win her hand, my boy."<br>
"How...?" Astien asked, and the gentleman began to tell a story. An amulet of great power was said to be held within the depths of a large fortress. And not just any fortress, but the Keep. For ages, it had remained a mystery, a place of danger and despair. More than one adventurer had lost his life over one rumor or another. With it, one could alter the way someone saw another.<br>
"So?" Astien said. "It's an amulet that makes people like me more. They sell those on the street by the dozen."<br>
"Fool! Have you listened to a word I have been saying? It doesn't just charm people. It bewitches weak-minded individuals into believing whatever you wish! You could make Vineri think you were nobility, and would be able to take Aurora as your wife!"<br>
Astien gasped at this, as a revelation came to him. If this were true, he could do much more than just "convince" Vineri to give his daughter's hand in marriage.<br>
"Where is this Keep, again?"<br>
"Have you never heard of it, boy? Everyone knows of the Keep!" Astien must have looked puzzled still, for the gentleman took his head and turned it until Astien was looking at a small mountain range.<br>
"Do you see that rather large fortress right there in the center? That is the Keep, and that is where your prize lies. In its central chamber you will find the amulet. But now for the warning. Danger surrounds that amulet; a barrier that saps the strength from any who try to approach it. Only a strong-minded individual may make it through. Once you enter that barrier, you will die unless you claim the amulet, and place it around your neck." While Astien was still staring at the Keep, the man slipped away, leaving him alone.<br>
A day or two later found Astien outside the large doors of the Keep itself. He had to steal one of the horses to get there, and had taken a weapon or two from the Lord's collection. So long as he got the amulet, he could merely persuade Vineri that he had given them to him. He might even consider taking Vineri's wealth from him, and make him into the servant instead.<br>
Gathering his courage, Astien entered, all the while wondering if he was making a big mistake. As he kept on moving through the long abandoned Keep, he saw not a thing, nor did he feel this barrier the man had spoken of. Yet, though he wasn't entirely sure, he could almost swear he heard the faint scraping of steel on steel, but it was so faint he began to think he was imagining things.<br>
As he entered another chamber, he instantly felt himself becoming more and more fatigued. His eyes immediately darted toward a pedestal, upon which lay a bronze amulet. This had to be the amulet!<br>
Willing one foot in front of the other, he grew closer and closer. Time seemed to slow, his senses dulling, and after a while it felt as if he was not moving at all. He was within an arm's reach of the amulet when he could not move at all.<br>
"How easily the fly is caught in the spider's web!" said a familiar voice, though Astien could not turn to see the gentleman, who now held a knife. Though he could see his followers. All of them were dressed in black robes.<br>
"Prepare the sacrifice, and get rid of that worthless amulet," ordered the man. Even before he felt the knife digging into his spine, Astien knew he was going to die at the hands of a Daedric cult.<br>
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