Issin Duralt wandered the halls of the palace trying to find something to take his attention away from how dull the day was. Yawning, he entered the audience hall, where he had heard voices. He found Damien and Selphrin locked in conversation. "The rebels were finally defeated, Lord Emperor," Damien said. "They were killed to the last man on the plains of Vacknar two days ago. They are no longer a threat."

"Good, Damien. The extinction of the rebel army is a great show of power that we need the peasants to see, so they can get back in line. How many rebels fell prey to your flame in the battle, General Damien?"

"Seventeen were slaughtered by my hand, Emperor."

"Impressive, General. More impressive," said Selphrin, noticing Issin's entrance to the room, “than General Issin's fourteen at the battle for control of Windan Heights, two months ago."

"Thank you, Lord Emperor. I shall take my leave now."

Issin glared enviously at Damien as he left the room, but his jealousy quickly subsided. He approached the throne and made a proper ceremonial bow to Selphrin before speaking. "My liege, I request a combat assignment."

"Did you not hear Damien's report just now? The rebels have been eradicated. The civil war is over. My reign is now complete."

"Lord Emperor, there must be something that can satisfy my bloodlust! Some peasants that refuse to pay taxes, perhaps?"

"No, Issin. There is nothing more I…” as Selphrin was saying this, the Hooded One appeared at the door and approached Selphrin's throne. "What is so important that it requires you to interrupt?" interrogated Selphrin.

The Hooded One's dark and raspy voice seemed almost a whisper. "I must speak with you, Your Lordship." He turned toward Issin. "Alone."

"If this concerns the research I had you do, then Issin may stay."

The Hooded One shrugged. "I have found the locations of all the relics you seek, save one. I recommend that the search for these items begin immediately."

"Ah, yes. Perfect. Issin?"

Issin stood at attention. "Yes, my Lord?"

"You and Damien will begin the search for the first of these relics immediately. Which of the relics is closest to the palace, Hooded One?"

"The nearest lies one hundred miles south of here in a large complex that was buried during the Dead Winter after the Last War. It is the Sword of Drakmord, sire."

"Excellent!" Selphrin said gleefully. "Give the two Generals all the information they need. Issin, you and Damien will take forty soldiers and claim the artifact in the name of the Emperor. Report back to me when you have the Sword. Then I will decide how it shall be used."

Issin's grin became gleeful as he and the Hooded One left the room in search of Damien, but it was nowhere near as gleeful as Selphrin's. “Soon the relics of the Forbidden Technology will be mine,” he thought. “And with the defeat of the rebels, nothing can stop me from the conquest of Omerta. Who knows, perhaps the entire world will one day bow at my feet.” The happy thought easily overode the slight fear of a rebel resurgance, and he spent the rest of the day reviewing casualty records with a pleased grin on his face. “Soon the entire continent will be mine!”