He listened at the man's angered outburst, unblinking and motionless for the whole time, a blank expression on his face; only a small quirk of his eyebrow showed the hint of annoyance he was trying without any real effort to conceal.
When the other was finished and fell quiet, he closed his eyes for a moment and then spoke again. Unlike his interlocutor, he clearly had not intention of letting any kind of emotion influence his words.
"Taking this stuff here was of no bother to me. And I was interested in meeting you as well, which gave me the opportunity of stashing a favour from Ra'zeth while doing something I was already going to do anyway, at some point."
He paused a little, only to press his fingers briefly on his eyes
"But now that I am here, I can clearly see that this has been probably a waste of my time, considering how you seem only inclined in venting on me your... frustration, whatever the cause for that may be. Which I am sure, is none of my business.
About the propaganda you mention, I have no clue what you are talking about, but if it was on the S.I.G.I.S. it must have been surely of importance." Sarcasm leaked from that sentence, only to disappear as soon as he spoke again, "for the rest... yes, the owner of the engines has been found and will soon be taken care of. Ra'zeth, instead... in a couple of days you'll probably see him around the Cage again," he said with another slight shrug. "In the meantime, yes, he may receive visits."
A Brief Visit To The Armory
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The man lifted a faint grin satisfaction as Rhistel countered his aggression with own even if there was little emotion behind them. Perhaps imaginary but he could feel the hatred and like a stranger on foreign ground he now stepped into a more for him natural habitat.
"A waste of your time? While here I have been the receptor of such a genuine offer of my own profit as to rewardlessly act in benevolence? But you are of course in no err of statement. Time itself is by it's nature a waste, that is why some value it it is a measure of deterioation. I think your interest in philosophy to be less profund so there is little use in immersing ourself in it."
"Betrayal is only important to those involved." He retorted quickly after Rhistels comment about the S.I.G.I.S remark.
"But as I said enough. The past is a corpse, it will fester and rot without our assistance. There is indeed benefit to be reaped from this meeting. For yourself and may or may not include Ra'zeth and not necessarily the Fated. Where entropy stand to gain I am willing to lend my aid who it is that gather the spoils is less important."
"A waste of your time? While here I have been the receptor of such a genuine offer of my own profit as to rewardlessly act in benevolence? But you are of course in no err of statement. Time itself is by it's nature a waste, that is why some value it it is a measure of deterioation. I think your interest in philosophy to be less profund so there is little use in immersing ourself in it."
"Betrayal is only important to those involved." He retorted quickly after Rhistels comment about the S.I.G.I.S remark.
"But as I said enough. The past is a corpse, it will fester and rot without our assistance. There is indeed benefit to be reaped from this meeting. For yourself and may or may not include Ra'zeth and not necessarily the Fated. Where entropy stand to gain I am willing to lend my aid who it is that gather the spoils is less important."
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*Serena
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"Time has value only to that which is affected by entropy... but only those who do benefit from it can really make a distinction between it being wasted or put to good use," he replied with a slight grimace, a cutting edge to his otherwise blank tone. "Time itself doesn't really care; defining it a waste 'by it's nature' is really restrictive.
But you too are right on something: my interest in philosophy is definitely less profound if compared to your interest for conflict," he remarked plainly.
"Anyway, I would never take credit for your time being wasted. That I suppose will be on Ra'zeth.
And then again, accepting or refusing is your choice only... Why would you do that, in any case? Are you perhaps among the ones that believes everything is running toward its end too fast? Or will you repair his equipment in hope of more entropy being brought by those items?"
He asked, now clearly mimicking the tone the other had used with him just moments before, hard to tell if by choice or just unconsciously.
"I would like to hear about betrayal brought trough that rag that is the S.I.G.I.S, though, especially since it seems to have affected your opinion quite a lot.
Maybe the day we'll both feel like not enough of our time has been wasted, you will indulge me with the tale.
In the meantime, yes, I do agree that focusing on something more... useful will probably be better."
But you too are right on something: my interest in philosophy is definitely less profound if compared to your interest for conflict," he remarked plainly.
"Anyway, I would never take credit for your time being wasted. That I suppose will be on Ra'zeth.
And then again, accepting or refusing is your choice only... Why would you do that, in any case? Are you perhaps among the ones that believes everything is running toward its end too fast? Or will you repair his equipment in hope of more entropy being brought by those items?"
He asked, now clearly mimicking the tone the other had used with him just moments before, hard to tell if by choice or just unconsciously.
"I would like to hear about betrayal brought trough that rag that is the S.I.G.I.S, though, especially since it seems to have affected your opinion quite a lot.
Maybe the day we'll both feel like not enough of our time has been wasted, you will indulge me with the tale.
In the meantime, yes, I do agree that focusing on something more... useful will probably be better."
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"At the end all ambitions crumble, little does it matter where they die achived or not oblivion will claim them all. Sentinents are all flawed so we press onward despite the utter futility. Flesh shiver at the cold so it seek warmth to rid itself of it, but there is no purpose in the warmth itself. The mind seek domination because it fear being dominated. A bored mind seeking forgetfulness through luxuorious surroundings, the fleeting pleasures to chase away the sorrows of the meaninless truth. Stilling ravenous flames of hungers.The quest for the freedom that cannot be attained. Chains broken are replaced by another bond. The Only sensible path in this existance is to break the core of those bondages spring from. Existeance itself and everything in it."
He maintained his crooked smile and took a few steps towards his desk with his back turned against the entrence. "What exeeds the other I wonder my thirst for conflict or yours hailing yourself the winner? But it suits you, it is within even the meekest of beings."
"We create ruin. Ra'zeth I believe will extract a fair amount of it when he finds.. the source of his late predicaments." He laughed mirth-heartedly that was stifled into a chuckle.
He looked back over his shoulder with a canted head his ghostly pale cyan eyes beaming with mischievous glee.
"A maelstorm of broken bones, rendered flesh, torn bodies and as always the just as sweet taste of sundered plans and shattered dreams and the extiction of a misguided hope that shall never be rekindled."
"If only he had the insight of where he truely belonged." He said with a fegin falorn tone. Sighing a little theatrically. Turning his head towards the dark wall infront of them. Seared, with flecks of cinders and largely blackened.
"He will have arms and being of the generous nature as I am something extra.. on the account of our common grounds."
His smirk faded and he spoke quite diplomatically in contrast to the approach he had just moments ago as he turned to face him fully again. "So Rhistel what is it you specialise at? I sense the analytical nature from your remarks. But such skills can be plyed in numerous fields. Riches? Political powers? What has value to you?"
He maintained his crooked smile and took a few steps towards his desk with his back turned against the entrence. "What exeeds the other I wonder my thirst for conflict or yours hailing yourself the winner? But it suits you, it is within even the meekest of beings."
"We create ruin. Ra'zeth I believe will extract a fair amount of it when he finds.. the source of his late predicaments." He laughed mirth-heartedly that was stifled into a chuckle.
He looked back over his shoulder with a canted head his ghostly pale cyan eyes beaming with mischievous glee.
"A maelstorm of broken bones, rendered flesh, torn bodies and as always the just as sweet taste of sundered plans and shattered dreams and the extiction of a misguided hope that shall never be rekindled."
"If only he had the insight of where he truely belonged." He said with a fegin falorn tone. Sighing a little theatrically. Turning his head towards the dark wall infront of them. Seared, with flecks of cinders and largely blackened.
"He will have arms and being of the generous nature as I am something extra.. on the account of our common grounds."
His smirk faded and he spoke quite diplomatically in contrast to the approach he had just moments ago as he turned to face him fully again. "So Rhistel what is it you specialise at? I sense the analytical nature from your remarks. But such skills can be plyed in numerous fields. Riches? Political powers? What has value to you?"
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*Serena
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"Let them struggle, let them crave... what does it change?" He replied with a small gesture at his surroundings after listening at the man's speech, his tone now almost uncaring "In the end, entropy doesn't need you or me. Entropy will exist even when no one will be there to acknowledge it.
And it's true that when we'll be scrambling alongside Gehenna's slopes nothing of what we did during our existence will matter. But I've been born, and still haven't died. I feel no need to anticipate something that will come whether we want it to or not..."
"To that other question of yours, though.. while having a clear idea of my predispositions, I'm afraid I still don't know you enough to give you an answer." He replied blankly, gaze still on the other as he turned to the desk.
Then, when Ra'zeth was mentioned again, he fell silent, and Mauric could see him from over his shoulder standing with his hands on his hips and chin down as he stared thoughtfully the floor before his feet.
When he spoke again, his tone had fell considerably and was now just a pensive muttering
"Oh, I believe he has more than a simple insight. Still, he made his choice... One I can appreciate, for what it's worth.
And if we're lucky, it's not the Cage that will witness the maelstrom you describe..."
It was to the man's last inquiries that he suddenly raised his head again, on his face a slightly distrustful look, soon repressed: it was unmistakeable for a moment how the simple and apparently harmless questions had managed to put him on the defensive when everything else until then barely seemed to have any effect on him.
After a couple of seconds, though, he finally breathed out a reply.
"I am an... Arcanist. Of the non spontaneous kind, we may say.
And as for the other question... what has value to me... How does it matter to you?" He asked, this time a hint of curiosity colouring his tone.
And it's true that when we'll be scrambling alongside Gehenna's slopes nothing of what we did during our existence will matter. But I've been born, and still haven't died. I feel no need to anticipate something that will come whether we want it to or not..."
"To that other question of yours, though.. while having a clear idea of my predispositions, I'm afraid I still don't know you enough to give you an answer." He replied blankly, gaze still on the other as he turned to the desk.
Then, when Ra'zeth was mentioned again, he fell silent, and Mauric could see him from over his shoulder standing with his hands on his hips and chin down as he stared thoughtfully the floor before his feet.
When he spoke again, his tone had fell considerably and was now just a pensive muttering
"Oh, I believe he has more than a simple insight. Still, he made his choice... One I can appreciate, for what it's worth.
And if we're lucky, it's not the Cage that will witness the maelstrom you describe..."
It was to the man's last inquiries that he suddenly raised his head again, on his face a slightly distrustful look, soon repressed: it was unmistakeable for a moment how the simple and apparently harmless questions had managed to put him on the defensive when everything else until then barely seemed to have any effect on him.
After a couple of seconds, though, he finally breathed out a reply.
"I am an... Arcanist. Of the non spontaneous kind, we may say.
And as for the other question... what has value to me... How does it matter to you?" He asked, this time a hint of curiosity colouring his tone.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"There is no change. There has never been any fundamental change to existance. It is at it were in the dawn of ages. The cycle spins. A saviour that came to set the children free? A demon that came to lay waste to all that hope so feebley tried to create? The same. Every day we can shorten for the inevitable doom is a effort well spent. Our collective ingenuity may even be what springs the calamity of the last. That thought is all the motivation and conviction I and mine need. We care little for the fleeting joys of life."
"A man can never know another nor will he ever know himself. Still the belief acertain us with the studied false mirrage and we feel.. safe. But the murderers dirk is all more the often fond in a familiar hand rather than a strangers." He retorted quickly in a resolute sharp tone.
"I care little of where blood slakes the ground aneath his feet and most likely if walls surround him at the occation. Favourablely elsewhere though as I have more use of him free within the Cage so to speak." The warlock grinned a crroked grin once more. But it faded just as fast.
He took several steps forward stopping by the desk leaning over it as he put his right hand on the corner of it. Little was seen of him besides his long hair falling over the mantle of crudely sewn together skins
"And so we came to the interesting part." He chuckled softly as he took his hand from a small pin he had just fixed in place.
"Very simple and very obvious. All beings have their own currancy. The fiends their souls, the bards their insperation, the merchants their jink. You know mine already. If we are to be benefiting of one another the very fundament for that is knowing what currancy the other want to attain. Unless we want to waste our time by guessing and main offers the second part of the deal have no interest in. Practicality is a vital factor in all things. Some are quite prone to toss out a deal that is worthless in every single aspect I am certain you have had such offers in plentitude yourself. It matters in regard to what I may see you have a profit in and more likely to partake in. Basic calculation nothing more."
Giving himself a light push he stood straighed and walked over to the center of the desk. He considered something under a pensive mien broading over his pale face. Some time passed before he begain plucking up a few pins and pressed them down in different positions. His torso slightly turn towards their left.
"The destruction itself. Tools of ruin. Even a source such as rawmaterial to make them from can be counted into this catagory. A seed of future devastation. And so forth needless to state at this point methinks."
"A man can never know another nor will he ever know himself. Still the belief acertain us with the studied false mirrage and we feel.. safe. But the murderers dirk is all more the often fond in a familiar hand rather than a strangers." He retorted quickly in a resolute sharp tone.
"I care little of where blood slakes the ground aneath his feet and most likely if walls surround him at the occation. Favourablely elsewhere though as I have more use of him free within the Cage so to speak." The warlock grinned a crroked grin once more. But it faded just as fast.
He took several steps forward stopping by the desk leaning over it as he put his right hand on the corner of it. Little was seen of him besides his long hair falling over the mantle of crudely sewn together skins
"And so we came to the interesting part." He chuckled softly as he took his hand from a small pin he had just fixed in place.
"Very simple and very obvious. All beings have their own currancy. The fiends their souls, the bards their insperation, the merchants their jink. You know mine already. If we are to be benefiting of one another the very fundament for that is knowing what currancy the other want to attain. Unless we want to waste our time by guessing and main offers the second part of the deal have no interest in. Practicality is a vital factor in all things. Some are quite prone to toss out a deal that is worthless in every single aspect I am certain you have had such offers in plentitude yourself. It matters in regard to what I may see you have a profit in and more likely to partake in. Basic calculation nothing more."
Giving himself a light push he stood straighed and walked over to the center of the desk. He considered something under a pensive mien broading over his pale face. Some time passed before he begain plucking up a few pins and pressed them down in different positions. His torso slightly turn towards their left.
"The destruction itself. Tools of ruin. Even a source such as rawmaterial to make them from can be counted into this catagory. A seed of future devastation. And so forth needless to state at this point methinks."
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*Serena
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"I can easily believe those motivations are enough for you," he replied quietly, his tone now fallen again in its previous apathy "one wouldn't have expected less. Commitment to a cause such as the Sinker's isn't one taken lightly, afterall... especially once some lines are crossed." He concluded plainly
"For now, I suppose we can only agree there's a reason we.. belong where we belong."
He paused at the man's other words, considering them carefully with an expression of mild interest on his face. Still, if he had an opinion on the matter, he clearly decided to keep it for himself, speaking again only when the other argument was brought up.
"Oh, of course... one should always appreciate practicality," he replied without any sarcasm perceivable, slowly crossing his arms on the chest.
"Well, I walked across the whole Cage to deliver a pile of rubbish, only to gather a faint idea of what kind of person you were... I suppose you may guess well what I value."
"Knowledge, informations, as long as they're not trivial... People and their motives, as long as they can be useful. You didn't strike me as a fool, I believe you will have no problem in deciding whether something could be of interest to me or not."
He paused another moment, running his fingers trough the hair, head slightly bent as he moved his gaze one the floor for a moment.
"Still, as superfluous as it may seem, let me specify that, unlike you, I appreciate destruction only when it serves my purposes."
"For now, I suppose we can only agree there's a reason we.. belong where we belong."
He paused at the man's other words, considering them carefully with an expression of mild interest on his face. Still, if he had an opinion on the matter, he clearly decided to keep it for himself, speaking again only when the other argument was brought up.
"Oh, of course... one should always appreciate practicality," he replied without any sarcasm perceivable, slowly crossing his arms on the chest.
"Well, I walked across the whole Cage to deliver a pile of rubbish, only to gather a faint idea of what kind of person you were... I suppose you may guess well what I value."
"Knowledge, informations, as long as they're not trivial... People and their motives, as long as they can be useful. You didn't strike me as a fool, I believe you will have no problem in deciding whether something could be of interest to me or not."
He paused another moment, running his fingers trough the hair, head slightly bent as he moved his gaze one the floor for a moment.
"Still, as superfluous as it may seem, let me specify that, unlike you, I appreciate destruction only when it serves my purposes."
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"That is within my calculations yes. Just like Ra'zeth. There is knowledge to the extent a mortal mind cannot accumulate. And trivality that depends fundamentally on ones own Points of veiw. Had you not known my motivations or objectives I assume most things that you regard as useful to me ould have been utterly useless. But that knowledge Changes the nature of usefulness. I ask only that I recive the same from you. Whether it is coin or power. Something of substance."
"Once I was like you. Hidding for the sake of depriving my opponents of any slightest clue to the truth. The one who plays without risk will lose to the ones that does. That person is utterly destroyed now. He served his purpose and now he is dead. Gathering intel will only get you as far as you yourself can step. Forging a stronger alliance however break the bonds of those limitations."
He seemed to be elsewhere in his mind as he regarded the schematics before him with a serious grim expression.
"The players at the table will not accept any part to without his cards while they show theirs. And the tables Changes players so often it differs little who takes the seats in the game."
"Information you have said. Information about what I ask? Myself I care only about information regarding my own sphere of interest. I can only assume you care for the semae yourself."
His metal prothese glimmered faintly in the dimmed tourch light. Blackened but the edges of the myriad of intersecting plated shone as hit by the light. Sharpned no doubt.
"Like Ra'zeth I do not believe you have any deepr thoughts of destruction. It is merely a aftereffect for you to obtain what a second or thrd party also wish to obtain. Might so be de deciding factor as whom deliver it to the other but the reaping were always the motivation. As with most beings. If I am making a proposition I would make sure that if successful your maw is sated."
"Once I was like you. Hidding for the sake of depriving my opponents of any slightest clue to the truth. The one who plays without risk will lose to the ones that does. That person is utterly destroyed now. He served his purpose and now he is dead. Gathering intel will only get you as far as you yourself can step. Forging a stronger alliance however break the bonds of those limitations."
He seemed to be elsewhere in his mind as he regarded the schematics before him with a serious grim expression.
"The players at the table will not accept any part to without his cards while they show theirs. And the tables Changes players so often it differs little who takes the seats in the game."
"Information you have said. Information about what I ask? Myself I care only about information regarding my own sphere of interest. I can only assume you care for the semae yourself."
His metal prothese glimmered faintly in the dimmed tourch light. Blackened but the edges of the myriad of intersecting plated shone as hit by the light. Sharpned no doubt.
"Like Ra'zeth I do not believe you have any deepr thoughts of destruction. It is merely a aftereffect for you to obtain what a second or thrd party also wish to obtain. Might so be de deciding factor as whom deliver it to the other but the reaping were always the motivation. As with most beings. If I am making a proposition I would make sure that if successful your maw is sated."
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*Serena
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"I don't believe I will need to worry about not being able to hold any more information... my death will probably come first as long as I remain mortal.
But yes, it is true that triviality is subjective. I had to acknowledge that sometimes even the smallest thing can hide something interesting," he added lowering his voice. "A golem believed to have been stolen turns out to have, in fact, gained self awareness thanks to an unknown artefact... An event as weird as an attack from a Harmonium guard to a kid, leads to the uncovering of a sect who was supposed to be dead, but instead still grows..."
He then paused a little, his right hand scratching lazily at his left forearm.
"Still, you're right, my answer as truthful as it may be was too vague for your purposes.
For simplicity sake, let's just consider my... sphere of interest, as you mentioned. While I do not disregard learning about different things, my main focus will always be the arcane... Useless to mention it is also where I end up being more apt."
"And should there be chance, you'll find out I can cooperate... as long ad the other parties are willing to do the same."
Finally, he turned around and took few slow steps, apparently with no real purpose if not to simply move, leaving the spot he had occupied since he arrived and finally running his gaze around the room even if clearly with no interest at all.
"Not merely an aftereffect. I can consider destruction as a purpose to accomplish... I merely don't consider it as a reason to guide my actions." He tilted his head, fixing his gaze on a single blackened scar on the wall. "Not anymore, anyway."
But yes, it is true that triviality is subjective. I had to acknowledge that sometimes even the smallest thing can hide something interesting," he added lowering his voice. "A golem believed to have been stolen turns out to have, in fact, gained self awareness thanks to an unknown artefact... An event as weird as an attack from a Harmonium guard to a kid, leads to the uncovering of a sect who was supposed to be dead, but instead still grows..."
He then paused a little, his right hand scratching lazily at his left forearm.
"Still, you're right, my answer as truthful as it may be was too vague for your purposes.
For simplicity sake, let's just consider my... sphere of interest, as you mentioned. While I do not disregard learning about different things, my main focus will always be the arcane... Useless to mention it is also where I end up being more apt."
"And should there be chance, you'll find out I can cooperate... as long ad the other parties are willing to do the same."
Finally, he turned around and took few slow steps, apparently with no real purpose if not to simply move, leaving the spot he had occupied since he arrived and finally running his gaze around the room even if clearly with no interest at all.
"Not merely an aftereffect. I can consider destruction as a purpose to accomplish... I merely don't consider it as a reason to guide my actions." He tilted his head, fixing his gaze on a single blackened scar on the wall. "Not anymore, anyway."
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"Indeed odds and ends of a thread found randomly in the streets. A shecme gone awry? A plot to have the lost being found for the purpose of the following happenings? The living shall always find peculiarities scattered before their feet. Some more peculiar than others."
There was a momentarily silence before he continued.
"Some roots grow and creep far beneth the earth without the thinest shred of light. If one wish to weed it away permanently one has to prudently remove evry single fiber making its consitence. A preserved thought can be a cancer reemerging again and again."
Mauric listened while he moved to the right side of the desk setting his index andlong finger on the edge thrumming it a few times.
"I see. Hidden spells that seldom finds it's way to the wizards spellbook. Devices of similar capabilities. Now we are talking. Arcane leverage, like a good weapon I see no reason why such lore should not spread across the verse. Misuse is the fate of any weapon and a weapon is little than a destructive force at the behest of ones mind. Be it twisting the weather or elements or a sharp object a weapon just the same. Unlike me I believe you rather hold this knowledge alone however."
Heavy plates adorned the righthand wall. Afixed with rows of massive rivets and bolts. Trails of rust could be seen in a rillet of dark ruddy discouloring getting narrower at the bottom and broader at the upper source. On the left hand side of the desk a crudly forged grit embossed with hefty bars mortared into the floor and ceiling. Too dark to see the end of it.
"It is as with most beings. You are far more interested in what the destructive force can do to hamper your advisaries than the effect itself albeit you must know it to master it. Fear of retribution what would the takers be without it I wonder. I had expected nothig less. It is within the calculation alredy."
There was a momentarily silence before he continued.
"Some roots grow and creep far beneth the earth without the thinest shred of light. If one wish to weed it away permanently one has to prudently remove evry single fiber making its consitence. A preserved thought can be a cancer reemerging again and again."
Mauric listened while he moved to the right side of the desk setting his index andlong finger on the edge thrumming it a few times.
"I see. Hidden spells that seldom finds it's way to the wizards spellbook. Devices of similar capabilities. Now we are talking. Arcane leverage, like a good weapon I see no reason why such lore should not spread across the verse. Misuse is the fate of any weapon and a weapon is little than a destructive force at the behest of ones mind. Be it twisting the weather or elements or a sharp object a weapon just the same. Unlike me I believe you rather hold this knowledge alone however."
Heavy plates adorned the righthand wall. Afixed with rows of massive rivets and bolts. Trails of rust could be seen in a rillet of dark ruddy discouloring getting narrower at the bottom and broader at the upper source. On the left hand side of the desk a crudly forged grit embossed with hefty bars mortared into the floor and ceiling. Too dark to see the end of it.
"It is as with most beings. You are far more interested in what the destructive force can do to hamper your advisaries than the effect itself albeit you must know it to master it. Fear of retribution what would the takers be without it I wonder. I had expected nothig less. It is within the calculation alredy."