The evening shadows lengthened across Grim's study as the last echoes of footsteps faded from the corridors.
Grim remained seated at his desk, the mysterious book resting before him like a sleeping serpent.
The leather cover seemed to pulse with dark energy, and the revelation of its authorship continued to send shockwaves through his understanding of Imperial history.
"Truth of the Empire. By the First Emperor," he murmured again, running his fingers across the ancient binding.
[You shouldn't trust everything written in old books,] Caius said, his voice heavy with concern that bordered on alarm. [Especially books that appear mysteriously on your desk without explanation.]
"Are you suggesting the First Emperor would lie about his own empire?" Grim asked, though he kept his voice low despite being alone.
