The doorway opened and the Consuls poured out of the room, some with looks of anger on their faces and others lost in deep thought. Battle Lord Kraval Novir nodded to the few that glanced in his direction as he moved towards the conference room where Grand Master Sarin still sat. Outside the viewports the Parthovian Cluster consumed the entire spectrum of color and visibility as the Autarch’s Fist drifted in space. Strolling forward the Master at Arms approached the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, his metallic boots clacking against the floor.

“Didn’t I send you off to inspect something?” Sarin stated as he looked at the cluster.

“Indeed,” replied the Battle Lord. In his hands was a polished box of a dark stained wood which he set down before the Grand Master. Stepping back Kraval bowed to his superior and turned on his heels. The black cape swirled around the shoulder spikes of his armor as he moved towards the door again.

With faint curiosity Sarin opened the decorative box as the doors sealed shut behind the Master at Arms. Inside golden satin fabric lined every inch and in the middle of the container an Emerald Dagger, which was polished and finely cut, sat with a small collection of datachips each containing the words from the recommenders. A smile formed and as quickly disappeared from the Grand Master’s face as he closed the box and gazed back out into the cluster.