Order of the Thorne – 5 days to go!

The Grand Master of the Order of the Thorne looked up from her desk as Kunchen, a Monk of the Order, was escorted into her chambers. “Greetings, Brother. Thank you for coming so quickly.”

“Of course, Grand Master. I am always at your service,” he replied while he looked around the Grand Master’s chambers. The furnishings were sparse, as he had expected from someone of her position, while the bulk of the room was taken up by the large oak desk which the Grand Master was currently sitting behind. Everything on the desk was in order, neatly stacked piles of papers sat to the side of the one she was currently working on while her quill and ink-well sat neatly above them. The only other item on her desk was the seal of the Order, used on any official communications such as the letter which brought him here today.

“Brother Kunchen, I’ve asked you here today to take on a very special mission for the Order. Our monestary in the Faerie Realm has been left unmanned for a number of months since our brother there passed away. I’d like you to take up the monastary there, conduct any repairs it may require and fly the flag of the Order, so to speak,” the Grand Master said.

Kunchen was taken aback at the request, “Thank you for the honor Grand Master. I would gladly do so.”

“Good! Good. Speak to my chamberlain about anything you require for your journey when you leave,” she said by way of dismissing him. “I will Grand Master. And thank you again.” Brother Kunchen walked out of the room and closed the door quietly behind him, his head already full of the plans he had to make for his mission. The Grand Master watched him leave and for a moment envied him. To run a monastary was a high honor. Of course, to be Grand Master was also a high honor, but with much more responsibility. Sighing, she returned to the paper she was studying before Brother Kunchen had interrupted her.

“Not good. Not good at all,” she whispered to herself. “We should have heard back by now. I shall have to send someone to see what’s happening there. Brother Caradoc should do.” Making a note on the paper she put it aside and took the next one from the pile, quickly reading it. “Why would the crystal mines have stopped production…”