Haldore roared in anger as he swiped all of the items off his desk, the books flopping to the floor while the glass shattered.
"That blasted child! That ungrateful, unforgiving idiot! To kill one of my best men in the most humiliating way possible?! If death is what they seek, then so be it. They shall have it! But not now, it's too soon. I have other matters to worry about."
Haldore turned from his messy desk towards a nearby pedestal, where a book rested upon it. Haldore brushed off the cover and rubbed his hands along the crisp, leather cover.
'The Heavenly Principles, And Ascending To Godhood, A Guide.'
Haldore cracked the book open and looked down at the browned page. A recipe was there, one which displayed items instead of ingredients. Artifacts of infinite potential, and unimaginable power. Two blades, an orb, a staff, and two amulets.
To make the ultimate artifact. A staff of ultimate being, to infuse me with all of their power, before being rendered useless. And it will be mine. No matter the cost. A shame I'd lost my best warrior. Malrik was truly a one of a kind warrior. But there are others. And some with a bit more finesse to their step, and a bit more cunning. But who to pick? So many good choices. No. There is only one choice. Kalsh. He is a master of his craft, and perhaps even the most cunning of all. Yes, he'll do nicely. And all I'll have to do is watch as Artuck's band gathers the artifacts for me, Yes.
"I will let them do the work for me. And all I have to do is lead them to it."
Haldore conjured a pen and paper and began to furiously write. Once he finished, he sealed the letter with purple wax, and summoned one of his messengers.
A dwarf with a stocky build, brown hair and beard, suddenly appeared in front of him, and upon seeing Haldore, the dwarf averted his gaze, and bowed deeply, and stayed bowed.
"What can I, a lowly servant, do for you, oh Lord?"
"Deliver this message to Mitrax Zorlasar, do you hear? Oh, and have them go to Calke. There's something there I believe they'll pick up for me. As well as sort out their problems."
Without moving, the dwarf nodded. He then stood, and without looking at Haldore, accepted the letter, and left.
Now, once again, I shall wait. Wait for Artuck to make a mistake, wait for Christol to come crawling back to me, wait for the day the world betrays Artuck. And I will be waiting for him, arms outstretched, a knife hidden behind my palm…