Before True Light: The Awakening 2nd Edition

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  Scribbling noises from continuous pen strokes against parchment was the lone indication of life within the small, imperceptibly-lit room. An opaque cloud of cigar smoke lingered about the face of a man hard at work at his desk. A wooden box on the desk made a ringing noise, and the man shouted orders into it to send another man into his office. As the other man entered, the scribbling noises ceased. It was clear that the man entering the room was a subordinate, for he saluted the man at the desk.

  “How did your mission go?” the man at the desk asked, as he blew more cigar smoke from his mouth.

  “Sir, I could hardly call that a mission. For all the years I’ve served under His Majesty’s Army, I would like to put my experience to more beneficial uses. However, I did as you asked and I did not observe anything out of the ordinary,” the other man said.

  “I know how you must feel but, being on the brink of catastrophic war, we must act accordingly. The enemy has uncovered a threatening means of power. They are already too many steps ahead of us. But, if my suspicions are correct, we may still have a chance… bring them in,” said the man at the desk.

  “But sir, we don’t have any cause for arrest. How can I bring them in?” replied the other man.

  “Just do it…I have strict orders from the King to do so,” said the man at the desk.

  “The King himself gave such an order!? Well, if this is the case then I will prepare to carry out such an order,” replied the other man.

  “Thank you, my friend, and good luck. Remember to take special precautions on this mission,” said the man at the desk.

  “May I speak freely, sir?” said the other man in a more casual tone.

  “Yes?” replied the man at the desk.

  “You may be my superior officer, even though I greatly outnumber you in years, but I want you to know it has been an honour for me to serve under your prodigious leadership. Also, smoking that much is not very good for your health, sir, but soon you won’t have me around to keep an eye on you and your bad habits,” the other man said, as he turned to walk out of the office.

  “You’re probably right, my friend, but don’t worry about me. I told you I will quit,” the man at the desk said with a slight laugh. Once he was left alone, he turned off the desk lamp and spun his chair to face the window that was behind him. His golden eyes grew dark and he gazed into the night. He reached over to put out his cigar then leaned forward with his elbows on his lap and rested his jaw on his hands. “Please don’t be what I think it is,” the man at the desk whispered to himself.

  Chapter 13