Editing Dreams of a Fallen Crown:Characters:Almun FaShazzad (section)

== Meanwhile, in Yu Shan... ==

Lytek sighed in disappointment. For over a year he had tried to scrub the blemishes from this spark, and for countless times he had thought his work done. However, each time under closer examination, he found the flaw remained. As he took up his tools for another attempt, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," Lytek said, as he placed the spark on the rack behind him. ''I'll get to you later.''

A young courier god opened the door. "Sorry to disturb you, Daimyo. Just some papers from the Bureau that need your signatures."

Lytek set down his tools and approached his front desk, taking up his quill. In a flurry of paper and wind, the courier erupted in a whirlwind of documents, each pausing for a short moment to receive Lytek's seal before returning to the stream of scrolls. The Daimyo of Exaltation grumbled as he worked his way through the stack,"I really wish they would trim down this signing business. I have important work to see to!" 

The courier took the moment to look around the office so as to hide his eye rolling. "Yes, of course. At least it's a relatively quiet day, hmm?" A knock at the door summoned muffled groans from both the occupants.

An officious functionary strode into the room, chest puffed in pride. "I have come for the completed sparks, Daimyo, that they may be redistributed into Creation, as in accordance wi..."

"Oh, fine, fine! Glad you made it! 3 and 17 are on the stands and are ready to go," Lytek called out from the far side of the spinning vortex of paper.

With a look of consternation from being cut short in his display of ceremony, the functionary huffed over to the workbench and retrieved two sparks and a stack of papers. With a nose turned high to the world and heaven, the functionary announced,"I shall see to the proper distribution of these sparks in accordance wi..."

"Jolly good then! I'll have some more ready soon." Lytek waved as his other hand saw to the unending list of signatures. With an almost shocked look at being cut off twice, the functionary headed to the Loom.

Finally, the signing reached its end. "I appreciate it, Daimyo. Any deliveries going out?" the courier asked as Lytek walked over to his workbench. 

Lytek shook his head as he began taking up his tools once more,"No, that should be it, than..." The Daimyo froze mid-sentence, his mouth agape in shock as he stared at the shelves of sparks under preparation, where in slot 17 a glowing spark still hovered. The courier quirked an eyebrow in curiosity,"Umm... Daimyo? Is something the matter?" Slowly Lytek turned his head to face the courier. 

"I need to speak to Chejop Kejak ''immediately''."

-----

Chejop Kejak heard a knock at his door. A young sidereal peaked his head into the office of the Head of the Bureau of Destiny. The high-backed chair was turned to face the massive window overlooking the Loom of Fate. A voice echoed out from the chair," What is it? I am busy right now."

The young sidereal nodded, and despite his better judgment, spoke. "Sorry to disturb you, but Daimyo Lytek says he needs to speak with you. He says it's extremely urgent."

A hand waved flippantly from the side of the chair,"Of course, everything is terribly urgent, it seems. Have him schedule an appointment and I will meet with him then."

The sidereal nodded and began to shut the door, when Lytek bursted through. "Kejak, this is no trifle I am here about!"

The chair turned slowly around to show the stoicly unamused face of Kejak."Of course not, Lytek. I'm sure that at a later time we can work through whatever is the pressing concern that has you breaking all good forms of protocol and etiquette." The old sidereals eyes bore into Lytek with a sense of quiet intensity.

"Kejak, I am here because The Watcher is loose."

Chejop Kejak sprung from his chair,"What? What do you mean 'loose?'"

"There must have been a mix up in the last depatures, but his spark is gone, just the same."

"I thought we agreed to put him away forever! How could it have been anywhere -near- the depatures?"

Lytek hesitated, clearly embarrassed,"I know. It's just ''so close'' to perfect. I was working on it as a personal project. I'm just certain I could get it fixed with just a bit more time."

Kejak closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, his jaw pulled tight. "Fine... I will see to this. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Daimyo." Each word escaped from the Director's mouth like shards of jutting ice.

Lytek nodded and began moving for the exit,"If it's any consolation, I do think it will be in much better condition that before."

Kejak sunk into his chair,"It's not. Thank you"

''The hour won't finish before all of Yu Shan will know.'' Kejak sighed heavily as he turned back to the Loom. "Very well then, Watcher. The hunt begins again..."