Torus turned and walked away, his men followed him.
Sinsot was standing for a minute watching them leaving with a disgust.
- Follow me! - he spitted and started walking towards the fortress.
You were leaded throught the gates into the inner yard. There was the dog on a chain greeting dwarfes happily barking and wagging it's tail. In despite of it's friendliness Nux preferred to sneak by hiding behind your back.
Next you passed the Trade Depot and had a long way down the main stairs right into the mountain deeps. You saw some dwarfes while, they greeted Sinsot and watched you and the Kobold curiously. Some of them tried questioning Shasad about her journey, but she answered that she is busy and she'd tell everything later.
You were asked to wait in office, which, looks like, was empty for a long time. Later a bucket with water was brought so you can wash youtself and some food: plumphelmet caps and stripes salad and a mug of dwarven wine.
An hour passed before someone came for you. You were guided to the throne hall and the Likot-shaped throne got your attention immediately, that's why you didn't notice Sinsot in the first place, who was sitting at a big desk.
- Please, sit down! - he invited you - I'm pleased to welcome you in the Akrulaban. I've already talked to Shasad about her visit to Arol-Iton. She said that trade agreement with the queen was signed and other questions were solved successfully. So what is YOUR purpose of visiting the Akrulaban?
- I have an urgent message for you King, but it can be delivered personally only.
- The King haven't returned from the campaign to the caverns. I'm his vicar - Sinsot frowned - so deliver it to me.
- I can wait - you answered.
- You don't understand - Sinsot leaned over the desk towards you - We consider him missing, but, more likely, he is dead.
- Likot died? - you chanted beeing not able to accept such a shocking news.
- I'm afraid so - he sighed.
- No, no, no..- you mumbled lowering your head - this can't be!
You couldn't imagine how something could happen to Likot. The Likot, who always was an example for you, who allways could find a way out of any mire. For a moment you felt an anger to Sinsot, but it faded like a sparkle in a perception of failty of all existance flooded you mind.
- How did that happen? - you asked still lowering your eyes.
- The King went on an expedition with a bodykeepers squad. A few days later a huge cave-in happened in the deeps: all citizens of the fortress felt the ground shaking. The saving expedition was lauched immediately. We discovered signes of cave-in, but because of new cave-in danger and risks of meeting cave creatures we cut down searches. Anyways they would have ran out of supplies a week ago.
You were silent.
- I see you are shocked - Sinsot continued. The discontent notes appeared in his voice again - however... - he reached you and shaked you by the shoulders - look at me! - he growled - The message, if it is really important, I demant you to deliver it now to me as a ruler of the Akrulaban.