"I failed."

"... that depends on your definition of failure... did you make physical contact with the target with the device you were provided?"

"... yes."

".. you have not failed, merely not succeeded. This contact remains outstanding."

"I see."

"Now attend to the more immediate matters, you still have a war on your hands, in case you had forgotten."

".. what of..."

"Those that remain...? Do you really think your fury and strength alone is enough?"

A gentle hand laid upon a shoulder clad in leather, and for a brief moment the surroundings were forgotten, there was no stone, or marble, or glass. There was just the two of them, the soldier and the general, and the general smiled a bleak, empty smile. One she returned weakly.

"It is over.. let it go."

A mute nod and she rose to her feet, her gaze hardening and the soft expression falling behind the mask of that which made her what the outside world was required to see once more, in her hand, the blue disc that she had been provided with. He took the disc and nodded slightly, packing it into a box and sealing it.

"She will come back.. one day. On that day you are no longer asked to capture, you are asked to destroy, and that order comes from me personally. It is highly improbable she will withstand the artifact's influence, if she does your original orders will remain, this time however... She is expendable, if she will not allow the destruction of that artifact."

".. and punishment? I..."

"You will live with that day, and that is punishment enough. I have seen what becomes of the servant of a fallen empire, even one that was but a ruin for the few who clinged on to a dream that was long lost. The land is fertile now, things will grow from it, but by your hand? That is not for us to say."

"... she is not a foe to take lightly..."

"She holds those... seals... we will work on a counter for that in the meantime, this world is made of opposites, and there is an opposite that exists even for them. That she abused them now means we know what to face. When the time comes, you will have all the knowledge and tools you need to see this through. I imagine you hate loose ends as much as I do, wind trader."

A weak grin surfaced among the face of glass, and a more confident nod as her posture straightened, she threw her typically lazy salute and turned on her heel, walking out in measured strides.

"This is not over, wind trader. Just remember that fact, and remember that a job remains in this. Now focus on the present, and do secure that foothold on the Sunwell somewhen soon, hm?"

"Yes sir."

The general beckoned over one from the corner and nodded to him.

"So we can trace the whereabouts of the artifact and the holder?"

The technician paused, considering his answer for the briefest of moments.

"In time... we can, physical contact was enough. We will have a location, and that will suffice. That however may be months, years, more. Who knows when.. but.. we have waited before in such matters, we can wait a little longer. You really think she's up to this?"

"... do not question my judgment, she is one of the few who could, and will remain that I feel. Come, let us go and attend to today's business."

For the first time in many a month, the spire became silent and still.