A Sojourn

[Martok]

The heavy iron door squealed in protest as it was opened inward.  Immediately bowing his apologies, the sentry stepped to the side to allow Kimpek into the dusty and poorly lit chambers.  

Looking up from his book, Martok frowned in disaproval.  "I told you not to disturb me Sentry," he sneered with anger.  With a large thud he slammed his book upon the desk and turned his gaze towards his visitors.

"Again, my apologies Ancient, but he would not take no for an answer," replied the sentry with sincerity.

Kimpek walked towards the chair in which Martok sat and extended his hand that held a wax sealed letter.  "This arrived for you some time ago at your estates to the north.  You never said where you were going, or where you were going to be.  I must say, it took me some time to find you."

Ancient Martok enjoyed spending time in his chambers within the basement of Olympus.  Few people traveled deep within the castle, and even fewer knew where his dank chambers were located.  With a frown, he snatched the letter from Kimpek's hand.

"I understand you are now the Senator of Trades.  You don't look much the part.  Hippocrates and White Chocolate much more suited the position than ye," Martok snorted as he broke the seal upon the letter.

"And you look little the part of an Ancient.  Beside your age, you can be as witless as a begger in the streets of Britain," Kimpek retorted.  "And my position is only temporary.  I only hold the office in confidence until another is found."

Martok snorted at Kimpek's words, then continued to read his letter.  Thick wrinkles appeared on the Ancient's ageless face as he finished reading the letter. Extending his arm, the letter burst into flames.  The few ashes that remained dropped to the floor as the red-white heat of the flame that consumed it dissapaited.

Martok stood from his chair, and grabbed his cloak.  "That letter was more than three weeks old.  I must be off at once!" his voice boomed.

"I take it you receive ill news, old friend?" asked Kimpek with deep concern.

"Indeed it is.  Lord Malric is in need of aid.  He apparently is held up north of Deceit.  He says his great beasts are injured and are unable to travel.  He asks my aid to both heal his beasts and to bring him home."

"I might be gone for some time.  I only hope that I am not too late.  Centurion Malric has been a good friend to me over the years, and I shall not let him down."  With a curt nod towards Kimpek he gathered a satchel upon the desk, and folded his cloak over his arm.  "Inform the Emperor of my leave.  Give him my regrets that I could not inform him in person, but the situation is urgent."

Kimpek nodded his head and watched Martok begin to walk out of the chambers.  As Martok entered the torch lit hallway outside his chambers, he pulled a black amulet from his pocket, and placed it around his neck.  

As Kimpek and the sentry began their journey out of the catacomb-like basement of Olympus, they found no sign of Ancient Martok.  They did, however, find his footprints upon the ground, and they found where it appeared his footprints ended.  

The sentry gave a slight jump as they came upon the large-winged raven that flew through the underground halls.  "How do ye suppose that got down here?" he asked.

Kimpek did not answer the sentry, he only smiled and chuckled quietly to himself.

[Lord Ser Brightblade]

.....interesting