The Brotherhood of the Abyss

CHAPTER VI – CIRINIAN AND MIGANIAN

And not too very far from the Order’s hiding place, something is indeed lurking in a bush at the foot of a fir tree.

     “The coast is clear,” a voice of a young boy reverberated from the bush.

     “This is stupid, we should go back,” another voice, this time of a girl replied. The bush quivers and two small figures jumped out. One seems to be an eleven year old boy with red cheeks and untidy black hair. The other is an annoyed looking little girl with well-groomed curls. Both are draped in strange brown robes and cloak, something that are not usually worn by normal children.

     “We must hurry, the sooner we find her the better,” the boy said urgently while brushing dry leaves off his hair.

     “I’m going home Cirinian! This is pointless,” the girl shrieked.

     “No one asked you to come so go ahead, Miganian my Sister!”

     Cirinian, as what his sister called him heaves his chest and marches forward. But a few paces after, he stops.

     “I thought you won’t be coming,” Cirinian muttered after noticing his twin sister trailing behind.

     “And got nagged by mother for not keeping you out of troubles,” Miganian replied sourly.

     “Why you people worry, nothing in this forest will harm a Worldly Wanderer.”

     “How can you explain what happened to Camilla? And it’s not right for us to wander at these times.”

     “Camilla had been missing for days; we cannot just sit around and do nothing. And those stupid humans need to be warned, something dangerous is loose in their place,” Cirinian replied stubbornly.

     “Camilla, always her, and come to think of it our magic is not even good enough to jinx a rat.”

     “There is always a way, I mean we could get tips from the humans about Camilla’s whereabouts.”

     “And do you think those humans will believe a wild tale about a loose creature in the woods told by a couple of weirdly dressed kids?”

     “THERE’S GOT TO BE A WAY, THERE MUST BE. IT’S MY FAULT WHY THEY TOOK CAMILLA. NOW IF YOU WON’T SAY ANYTHING HELPFUL JUST LEAVE ME HERE AND GO HOME!”

     Cirinian is breathing heavily after saying those words. Miganian gave him a comforting tap.

     “I don’t mean to offend you. I too was worried about Camilla, but running around here recklessly will not solve anything. Goodness we didn’t even have a plan to begin with!”

     “But we must do something at least; the Elders had ignored our plea.”

     “I know, but first sit down and let’s plan our next move.”

     “I won’t be sitting down! Let’s do this while walking.”

     Tired of arguing, Miganian did what his brother wished.

     “Sorry if I shouted,” Cirinian apologized.

     “As if that matters, I always know you as a hothead.”

     “So, any suggestions,” Cirinian asked.

     “Let me see. We could visit the place where Camilla disappeared, we might find clues there.”

     “Great! Let’s go.”

     This is a thing Miganian will regret.

     “Wait! I mean the place might be dangerous.”

     But it’s too late to stop Cirinian now. And Miganian noticed something odd about the surroundings.

     “The mist seems to be a bit heavy today,” she muttered while attempting to catch up to the speeding Cirinian.

     “The cold season is coming,” Cirinian replied.

     “And I don’t like how the thing stares at us,” she added while pointing at a large soaring eagle. Seemingly it was following them.

     “Sister that’s normal eagle behaviour, it must be looking for a rabbit,” Cirinian answered absentmindedly.

     “Are you sure? The brute must be seeing us as its next meal.”

     “Miganian eagles don’t attack anything bigger than a fox, let alone a Worldly Wanderer.”

     “Really, I once saw one killing a deer. And I think we’re not going anywhere, just how long are we running?”

     Cirinian never took those words seriously until the bush where they came out passes them. It was easily recognizable due to its strange red blooms.

     “Sister, please tell me this is not the only bush around here,” the worried Cirinian said.

     “Well, things could look the same around here,” Miganian replied. And to be sure Cirinian raises a finger and burns a large X on the fir tree trunk.

     “Hope we won’t see this one again,” he yelled at the tree. They scampered away without giving the place a second glimpse.

     “We’re far away now,” Cirinian declared sounding triumphant. But to his horror the bush, along with the marked tree showed up again. Now in deep panic they rushed away. They tried running disorderly, zigzagging and flitting between any available corners but in no avail.

     “What’s wrong with this place?” Cirinian cried, further messing up his untidy hair.

     “We’re just lost,” Miganian said, though there are hints of uncertainties in her voice. Then a disturbance behind them brings new surge of worries.

     “Cirinian, do wild dogs here grow that big,” Miganian said as she points a trembling finger at the source of the noise. The twins watch in horror as a beam of sunlight reveals a hulking outline of a massive wolfish hound crouching among the bushes. Long murderous teeth protrude from its mouth as steam issues from the creature’s nose.

     “Avoid its eyes, and be still, you don’t want to provoke it,” Cirinian whispered urgently. They fight the urge to run for this could excite the animal. And to their horror, they then discovered that they are actually surrounded by a whole pack of these terrible creatures. This left them with no option.

     “Denebrus Tegur Noc!” Miganian cried. The words meant Haze conceal us in their ancient language. Thick smoke is conjured and Cirinian grabs his sister by the arm.

     “Let’s fly, Whentis, eit, transduna!” He cried (the words meant Wind, take us!).

     And they are airborne. Though their magic is only enough to take them along the tree branches.

     “Those things, where did they come from,” Cirinian gasps. Those hounds look more terrible when seen from above.

     “What do you mean?”

     “Those creatures are bewitched! I know a living animal when I saw one; those things are like ghosts of some sort.”

     Then a squadron of goshawks came swooping like arrows, missing Cirinian’s ears by millimetres. They began circling the twins and before Miganian realized what is happening, Cirinian grabs her.

     “They are trying to take us!” He panicked.

     With the aid of magic they dived. This had been a clumsy manoeuvre. With only a few years of magical experience and no formal training in flying, they crashed head-on to a tree. Luckily Worldly Wanderers are more resilient than humans and the twins are only partially unconscious. Though dazed and in pain Cirinian felt firm hands lowering him gently to the ground.

     “No please don’t take me there, the dogs will eat me,” he said dreamily. But when he is fully awake, he saw to his horror that the hand grasping him by the shoulder is no hand at all. It is a robust talon, heavily scaled and bearing dagger-like claws. Only one talon holds him, the other carries the limp form of his twin sister. It is amazing how those claws did not even hurt their skins. With a soft thump they are lowered on a makeshift nest of feathers, leaf litters and moss. Cirinian’s inside made a horrible somersault when he felt the talons leaving them. Its owner is an enormous eagle, the same one Miganian saw. And now he is facing eight pairs of eyes all furiously blazing like hot coals. The hounds surround them, the misty air mingling with their steamy breath.

     “We’re done for,” Cirinian said to himself miserably, “I’m no use. I’m here trying to save Camilla yet I cannot even protect myself and my sister.”

     Wild ideas came to Cirinian. Magic will be useful. But with the hounds on the ground, the birds in the air and the fact that they are undertrained, there are really not much they can do.

     “Be still, the hounds won’t hurt you.”

     The twins almost jumped. A magically magnified voice belonging to Boniface echoes as the mist around thickens.

     “They are only here to watch you, these creatures are trained to attack only when provoked,” Boniface added.

     “Who are you?” Miganian asked.

     “That is something I cannot reveal. But tell me why do you stray so close to the home of men? I know you meant no harm, but you entered a place not reserved to your kind.”

     And the dazed Cirinian suddenly kicks to life. He stood up looking nobler and braver.

     “Tell me, are you the one sent to protect the humans? Maybe you could help us. My name is Cirinian, and this is my twin sister Miganian. We are from the land of the Worldly Wanderers near the foot of the mountains overlooking the eastern woods. We came here to give warning and seek help.”

     “This must be a trap,” Miganian cautioned him.

     “But this is our only chance, besides they should harm us a while ago. Anyway, please hear our story. Recently a friend was taken by an unknown form of evil while we explore the western part of the forest, the portion nearest to where the humans make their homes. And we are here to warn the humans that any day soon, the menace might venture into their place to claim victims. At the same time we are here to seek help to find our lost friend. And as a protector of humans, you might aid us in the circumstance we are in.”

     There is a moment of silence before Boniface replies.

     “This sort of evil you are talking about, what kind of entity is it?”

     “We never found out. We decided that running away and saving ourselves are more important. All we knew is that there is a flash of light and our friend is gone.”

     “Are your Elders aware of this,” Boniface answered.

     “We have already informed our Elders, but they did nothing,” Cirinian muttered, “Seemingly all those stuffs about not entering into conflicts had made them loose their nerves.”

     More silence follows, Cirinian is becoming impatient. But to his surprise Miganian step forward with an air of a hardened soul poised to fight.

     “Excuse me,” she started, “Up to now I still find it hard to trust you, who would rather stay out of sight and let his animal do the hard work. And as for my brother’s antics I really don’t support his reckless action of going out into the cruel world unprepared. You might be here to trick us, but…”

     Miganian fell on her knees as Cirinian stares at her open mouthed.

     “We really had no one to turn to and after seeing what you can do, we thought that you will be a great help in finding our lost friend.”

     “You must be aware that this is the affair of the Worldly Wanderers, this should be left to your kinds to solve.”

     “But our kinds had never solved anything. As what my brother told you, we have become a race of cowards. And please understand…”

     She then drops into a low prostrate.

     “We are doing this not to make our cowardly race proud, or to gain favours among humans. We are doing this for a friend who is now in mortal danger.”

     Cirinian is caught between amazement and surprise. He is now seeing his sister in a new light. So much are his astonishments that he never noticed how the mist continue to thicken.

     “We have a foggy morning today,” he whispered absentmindedly to Miganian. Everything around is reduced to a blur and her sister is completely unrecognizable.

     “Well, you said the cold season is coming,” Miganian answered with a hint of sarcasm. But instead of an annoyed drawl, funny grunting sounds came from his brother.

     “Hey you’re not saying bad words are you. Cirinian, you okay?”

     Those grunts are actually snores. Cirinian had fallen asleep.

     “The mist, it’s bewitched! Hey what do you do Cirinian?” She shrieked at the unseen Boniface as she covers her nose with her cloak.

     “Our Captain,” Boniface replied, “he wants a word with you.”

     “Wait,” she said, but she suddenly felt too drowsy.

     “You two are given passage into our World, but to get there you must be placed under an enchanted sleep to survive the journey in the Abyss. You will receive protective charms a temporary deterrent to Velruthiel’s strong magic,” Boniface explained. His voice sounds like it came from a distant tunnel.

     “Vhow-kahn-vho, enjurr . . . ow,” Miganian muttered like a drunkard, “I v-mean, h-how can you ensh-ensure our safety.

     She is now struggling with every word as she fights the urge to sleep.

     “The Order doesn’t harm its guests.”

     Finally Miganian gave in. She drawled, “make sure you, Vrobid ush, sorry, provide us w-with beds and snacks.”

     And she collapses, snoring louder than her brother.

     “As what you told us Sir, they are asleep,” said Boniface as he casually leans on a tree. Deep in his mind Kane replies.

     “Velruthiel will come to pick them up, make sure they are unharmed.”

     Boniface then turned to Duncan who is still eyeing the twins suspiciously.

     “Duncan,” he said to him, “I really appreciate your concern here but, I think you should not be too rough on the twins. They are just children.”

     “The twins are about to lost control in their flight. I sent the goshawks to keep them from crashing. And yes they are children indeed, but children trained in magic.”

     “Well, the birds did scare them.”

     “That was unexpected. And I think it would be wise if their Memories should be checked,” Duncan answered coldly.

     “What do you mean?”

     “In the city a few miles from here, young children are used by criminal gangs to commit theft and robbery. The law is too soft to underage law breakers and they are easily released once caught. What if…”

     “Okay, I understand,” Boniface hastily replied seeing how insensitive Duncan can be.

      “Just being cautious Boniface.”

     “You could have murdered someone.”

     Then the ghostly form of Velruthiel came out from the mist with the slumbering twins in her arms.

     “You better come with us Duncan,” Boniface said.

     “The twins do need someone to nurse their head lumps,” he replied.

***

Miganian is expecting to see chains and prison bars when they woke up, but a spark of light reveal a splendid sight. They seem to be in a handsome chamber with an elaborate carved walls coloured by the lights coming from the stained glass windows. Curious Light Orbs seems to welcome the twins’ awakening as they stir on a couch of soft down. To complete the picture of perfection, a beautiful woman appeared holding a tray laden with a crystal flagon, nuts and berries.

     “How’s your nap children,” she said merrily.

     The twins really want to know where they are or how they get there, but traditional courtesy of their kinds came first. They sprang from their couch to do a low bow.

     “Before everything else my Lady, we like to thank you for the lodging you provided,” Cirinian said, “but please tell us where we are and who you are.”

     “You don’t have to be so formal,” she chuckled, “you could call me Velruthiel. And welcome to my World, the place where the Order reigns.”

     And Miganian suddenly remembered the voice of Boniface whom had spoken to them.

     “Wait, I think someone from here wants to talk with us. Is this have to do with our friend Camilla? About the help we are asking,” She added.

     “It could be. The Order will help but we have to do some questioning first.”

      Miganian’s head starts to stir; she really had no idea what Velruthiel meant. But her brother is too busy admiring Velruthiel’s beauty to even care.

     “And I almost forgot! My name is Cirinian,” he said absentmindedly, “this is my sister Miganian, and we’re OOOUCH!”

     Miganian just gave his dazed brother a pinch.

     “I think it is better if we take a seat first,” Velruthiel said while trying hard to suppress a laugh.

     They all take their places in the couch as Velruthiel serves them with fruits, nuts and cold tea. These are the usual treat for forest dwelling Worldly Wanderers who are known to reject man made sweets and cakes.

     “Don’t worry, it’s not bewitched,” Velruthiel chuckled as Miganian examines the berries.

     “It sure is,” Cirinian said after taking a mouthful. Miganian chooses to be more cautious by taking only a few bites

     “Excuse me,” Miganian asked now sounding business-like, “I thought someone here wants to see us. Where is he?”

     “Actually he is already here. You cannot see him but he is here.”

     And Kane, Boniface and Duncan are all hidden behind a trick wall magically modified to function as a one-way mirror. They chose to remain out of sight for the fear that they might scare the twins. The same thought must have struck the twins for they never dared to ask questions. The monster hounds and eagle had frightened them enough.

     “We will now be relaying the questions to you,” Kane said to Velruthiel using his mind. Velruthiel turns to the trick wall and gave a wave.

     “Now before anything else,” said Velruthiel after receiving the first question from Kane, “let’s get to know each other…”

     The twins look at each other, seemingly deciding who will start. Cirinian took a deep breath.

     “Again My Lady my name is Cirinian, this is my sister Miganian. We’re Worldly Wanderers from the foot of the mountains overlooking the west. We’re children of commoners and currently undergoing magical education.”

     “How old are you children,” Velruthiel asked.

     “44 season my Lady,” Miganian explained, “meaning the world had made a turn around the sun for eleven times since we are born.”

     “11 years old,” Duncan thought.

     “And tell us something about your kind,” Velruthiel smiled.

     “Our race is more humanlike than the others; we are gifted with physical bodies though we are known to live for centuries. Our leader is the Grand Chieftainess, the oldest, the wisest and the most magically powerful of our kind. Our way of living is similar to most human communities though we manage things through magic. And like humans, we as children must attend school or be instructed by a private tutor,” said Miganian.

      “And your friend,” Velruthiel continues as Kane relays questions in her mind, “Camilla is her name right?”

     Suddenly Cirinian’s face twitches into a grimace, as if he is keeping something embarrassing. His cheeks begin to go red. Miganian let go a snort of laughter.

     “Is there anything wrong,” Velruthiel asked.

     “Err-nothing actually, nothing at all,” Cirinian muttered before letting go a fake laugh.

     “Mind if I answer your question my Lady, my brother here is in no healthy mood right now,” Miganian said with a wicked smile.

     Miganian straightens her face and moves on.

     “She isn’t just a friend,” she said, “Camilla is our teacher and our big sister. In fact if not for her, we will not be here having tea with you. Camilla is unlike most of our kind. She is not originally from our place and it was a season ago when she first came to us. We knew very little of her and we could tell by the feel of her magic that she is different. Special if one might call it. How she got into our place and how the Grand Chieftainess came to accept her is pretty much of a mystery. It is a secret as some suggest between her and our leader. Yet you might be aware of our kind’s attitude towards stranger. Worldly Wanderers are very distrustful and yes our people don’t really liked Camilla that much. For a time being our Grand Chieftainess was greatly criticized by our Elders for accepting a complete stranger. We felt the same way towards her but those are about to change one day.”

     “It was a fine day actually,” Cirinian interrupted with a relished smile on his face, “a fine summer morning when our private tutor suddenly had this wild idea of showing off. He will be performing this illegal form of spell known us as…”

     “The Summoned Spectre,” Miganian said after seeing the blank expression in Cirinian’s face.

     “Ah, yes, of course, the Summoned Spectre, right,” Cirinian said, “anyway, we did our best to bring him to his senses. We never wished to risk our lives for the sake of our teacher’s ego. This type of spell could easily get out of hand. Countless had died trying to attempt this. We are not sure what got into our private tutor and we suspect that this had something to do with our parents’ promise of a salary raise if he does advance magic. In the end our teacher never listened to us and he begins performing the spell.”

     “And what follows is pandemonium,” Miganian said, “the spell is meant to conjure magical creatures, and it takes a certain level of skills to control the thing. And a second later, we are looking eye to eye at this horrible fiery serpent the size of a willow! The poor bloke never managed to control it, and seemingly the thing never wished to be called upon for it started thrashing about anything near it.”

     “And it sees us as its next meal,” the wide eyed Cirinian added, “the thing had its jaws on us, and our teacher did nothing but scream don’t panic, it won’t hurt you if I’m here. He then got walloped by its tail and passed out. We are about to get eaten when someone steps in, it was Camilla.”

     “Her brand of magic is serious indeed. Through enchantments she managed to control the rampaging beast and reverse the summoning spell. She returned the creature to its own world unharmed,” Miganian explained.

     “I still remember it. She came for our aid, throwing herself between us and that foul creature, her hair flaring behind her like blossoms of trees.”

     Cirinian’s face starts to blush.

     “He fancies her,” said Miganian with an evil smile.

     “Oh shut up sister.”

     “Hmm, can you tell me what she looks like,” Velruthiel asked.

     “She got ruby red eyes like yours My Lady and her face is brighter than the moon. She is not exactly tall though, just the height of an average human but her hair is long and dark,” Cirinian said grinning

     “Being mysterious, beautiful and magically powerful, it’s no wonder why many hated her. But after saving our life, she earned the respect of the whole village.”

     “And as for our private instructor,” Cirinian chuckled, “he got sacked and was replaced by Camilla. Our parents were impressed on how well she handled the Summoned Beast; that’s advanced magic.”

     “And instantly the three of us became friends. She is the ringleader of our little band. We are inseparable. Camilla could be warm, cheerful, funny, and serious all the same. As a teacher she is not overly strict and dominating like many of our educators. She will inspire her students, not intimidate. We learn a great deal from her, and our flying skills should be perfected if she is not taken. And as a friend, Camilla would never let you down. We found a big sister!”

      “Each day we will start our lessons early in the morning before taking a walk in the forest. Camilla barely talks about herself though. She had a gift of changing subjects whenever we ask her about her life,” Cirinian added.

     And the twins took turns sharing stories about their admired friend.

     “Camilla had to use her charm once, after you wreck the Elder’s house remember,” Miganian said fondly.

     “That was his fault. He was illegally brewing wine in his cellars and the fumes ignited while I’m conjuring flame.”

     “Yeah and remember when mother had thrown a thanksgiving feast after Camilla helped you master levitating objects. Goodness, you are terrible with that one!”

     “And how about when this bloke tried to court Camilla, and you set his pants on fire,” Cirinian retorted.

     “You’re the one who did it. Who is the bitter one when the bloke showed up with an armful of roses?”

     “I was sick during those times. I collapsed after you made me sample your cooking!”

     And after some minutes, Velruthiel jumps in.

     “Err, children,” she smiled.

     “Oh sorry,” Miganian said, “Well, we simply loved her, that’s all. Yet great things in life are sometimes too good to last, and friendship is one of those.”

     The twin’s smiles begin to shrivel.

     “Can you believe that? One moment she is here laughing with us, and all of a sudden she is gone. It’s me who should be blamed.”

     “It’s nobody’s fault brother, no one saw it coming.”

     “I was too curious with the world around us and look what that caused us.”

     “Can you tell me what happened,” said Velruthiel in a comforting tone.

     “It was two weeks ago My Lady. It was a cool day and the three of us had finished our morning session…”

     “Two weeks huh,” Duncan suddenly said after hearing Cirinian.

     “As usual we are having our daily walk in the forest,” Cirinian continued, “when suddenly… well quite suddenly.”

      “He began to hear something,” Miganian explained.

     “Yes, as we cross a particularly misty patch of the wilderness, I began to hear strange noises, like a hum or a crackle. I supposed that some humans had sneaked in with their machines as occasionally poachers and loggers would go there in secret. As a Worldly Wanderer, it is my job to frighten those folks away to protect this wilderness. So I sneaked in and sprang out. But instead of a band of men chopping down trees, I saw something else. I never knew what it was, it was just light, but it threw me away paces from where I stood. Then I heard Camilla screaming for us to run away.”

     “Camilla could sense an evil presence in the blinding light. Then an unseen force tried to pull us towards the light and Camilla had to step in to stop it. She threw herself in front of us to help us escape,” Miganian recalls.

     “But we cannot leave our Camilla behind. The lights are now pulling her towards its centre and we attempted to save her. She had done enough for us, now it is the time to return the favour. But upon seeing the light we found ourselves too afraid to move. Scared and in shock, we are brought back to our senses when Camilla performs a spells which flung us away from the light’s reach. And then we are running, running away and not daring to look back.”

     Cirinian’s face is hard to read, it is somewhere between guilt and regret.

     “We’re useless,” he added.

     At that point Velruthiel stood up.

     “Cry if you want, this will make you feel better,” she said to them.

     “I don’t think crying will help us now, it’s now time for serious actions.”

     There is no hint of bitterness in Miganian’s face; the girl is prepared for the worst.

     “And that is the reason we sneaked out from our place, to do something about this. As we mentioned, our Elders are too afraid to act. Unfortunate incident, that’s how they call it, nothing could be done now. It is my fault why Camilla was taken; we will save her then with or without their help!”

     Velruthiel then beamed at the twins.

     “Well seeing on your state, there’s really nothing you can do. But…”

     Velruthiel first turns to the trick wall to give Kane a wave. Kane just relayed an important message.

     “Children, before anything else, remember to never engage in this sort of reckless behaviour again. What will your friend thinks if she found out that the children she saved are harmed? And just to be sure, we will find her for you.”

     “You mean,” Miganian said, her eyes wide with anticipation.

     “Yes, we will help find Camilla.”

     It took several seconds for the twins to digest such good news. There is a strong urge to jump, cry, laugh and give Velruthiel an embrace. And without knowing it the two are flinging their arms around her.

     “How can we thank you?” Cirinian said breathlessly.

     “Just stay safe. Now stay here as we make arrangements for your safe return.”

     The twins are left to enjoy the remnants of their berries. On the other hand behind the trick wall, Kane, Duncan and Boniface are huddled around a piece of parchment. This is the official letter from their Grandmaster that gives the Order authorizations to aid the twins

     “He really had a thing for children,” Boniface commented.

     “A hasty decision if you ask me,” Kane added.

     “We need to meet their leader then; I wonder how they will react on this Sir.”

     “I’m not sure Boniface but I bet they will be glad that someone will now be doing their work for them,” Kane said sarcastically.

     As they all knew, common problems were not the concern of the Order. This includes crimes and disappearance. Under special circumstances they could offer help, but this needs lengthy reviews. However the Grandmaster is now allowing the Order to get involved even without reviewing the Twin’s case.

     “A report should follow this but I guess it won’t be necessary,” Kane muttered.

     “The Grandmaster must have his reasons.”

     After Boniface said those Kane goes serious. He caught Duncan’s eyes and instantly Duncan guesses what he is thinking.

     “It is connected,” Duncan suggested.

     “Sorry,” Boniface asked.

     “Camilla’s disappearance and the attempts to enter the World of Men have connection,” Kane explained.

     “And as what the Twins said, their friend disappeared two weeks ago, the same time I     saw the False Spectres.”

     Silence then ensues, a kind of silence where one is formulating ideas.

     “The place where the Twins lost their friend needs to be checked,” Boniface suggested.

     “It is in the West, close to the place we call as Urduja’s Hollow,” Duncan added. 

     “If that’s the case, you know what to do Boniface. But we have to return the Twins to their place,” Kane said to his men.

     “Sir, can I come,” Duncan said suddenly, eyes blazing.

     “Sorry Child but not now. That will be your punishment for the goshawk incident. And I need someone to assist me on some pressing issues.”

     This time Duncan didn’t dare complain.

     “Issues sir?”

     “I need someone to help me check the Silver Box,” Kane replied.