[Salkonan] - A Mix-Up in Paperwork
“Looking forward to another long night, Sunsear?” Delathis spoke with the perfect mix of mocking overtone and serious inquiry to make her colleague’s eye twitch slightly. As always, her robe was impeccable, even after a long day of working with enough ink to drown a moderate-sized Tauren.
Fortunately for him, Salkonan Sunsear’s back was turned to her as he sorted through a stack of papers. “Just a bit of paperwork that needs to be put right,” he said, carefully schooling his voice to keep his annoyance as nonchalant as possible. Yes, that’s right, nothing for you to stick that hideous nose of yours into, he thought to himself.
“Well, maybe you’ll finally get a promotion,” Delathis said. “Hard work always pays off in the end, doesn’t it?” She laughed loudly as she left, her voice fading almost as swiftly as the sharp rap of her shoes on the hard stone floors.
Salkonan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his muscles finally relaxing as even the sounds of his colleague faded away. Only the light-crystal above his desk now illuminated the large room, the light from it barely sufficient to do more than create a small pool of light in the massive hall. Rows and rows of desks, each bare except for an inkwell, a quill and some with a few neatly-stacked papers resting on them.
He reached into his own somewhat larger stack, pulling out a small sheaf. He leafed through them, checking again the quality of his own work. Each of them was an application for position of “relic analyzer” (whatever that meant) with the Reliquary, a job that he’d heard was little work, and good pay. Probably just looking over the ancient chamber pots they dragged in, and confirming that yes, this one was used by a dwarf.
It may not be glamorous or particularly well-paying, but it’s the best I can do, Gigi. Glancing around quickly, to make sure the room was free of prying eyes, he stood up and moved quickly to Delathis’ desk. He’d hated the work of buttering the woman up, but the weeks would finally be worth it. She was the one in charge of filing the paperwork for the hopeful few who’d be selected to fill this Reliquary position.
Now just a small switch, an accident with the other papers, and Aquilegia Sunsear will be the most qualified applicant for the job. He suppressed a chuckle, immensely pleased with himself that things were going so well. The simple plans were always the best, after all.
He grabbed the papers, confirming quickly that they were the right ones, and with a well-practiced motion slid his own stack of papers in there. Perfect, he thought to himself. Now just to make sure these ones get “mis-filed.” He smirked smugly to himself, a brief flash of flame bursting in his hand. He brushed his hands together, the light dusting of ash all that remained of the original papers floating gently to the ground to be swept up by the enchanted brooms and never to be seen again.
He turned back to his desk, a happy bounce in his step. He made it halfway there before he noticed a figure standing in the doorway, face obscured by shadows but robes of office clearly marking a Magister. Salkonan froze, fighting back his initial reaction, to start and scream. His mind instantly began whirling, a million different questions and excuses running through him. Howlonghashebeenthere? DidheseewhatIdid? Iwasjustgettingsomemoreink! Justabitofpaperworkthatneedstobeputright!
“You will come with me now,” the Magister said, beckoning and then sweeping out of the room.
“O-of course, sir!” Salkonan replied, fear bubbling in his stomach as he hurried to follow behind. Oh, Sunwell, what have I done?