Daniel De'Silver - Overwatch Command Centre - Tinsdal
He could feel the fatigue, the aching, working through him and weighing down the lids of his eyes to beckon him to a dark and dreaming slumber. He wanted to sleep and the temptation was almost too much. It had been a long day, a long couple of days maybe, or so he thought.
Here, below the district streets, the room held no windows, no source of natural light, just the pale light of the hanging lamps that bathed the Library in a sickly glow. Somewhat fitting with the essence of musty paper, dust, and aging books.
Daniel De'Silver slumped back in his chair, listening to the sound of strained wood, creaking, groaning, as he shifted his weight once more. It seemed whoever had crafted the chair had gone out of their way to make it uncomfortable. He might even get a bad back after all this. Had the Library not been a hive of activity and noise it might have been noticeable to the others, engrossed in books, or pouring over maps. No doubt as a cause for great irritation. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he looked up at the carved stone ceiling. It felt like the imprint of inked text from the books had burned itself into the back of his eyes.
'Want some coffee Daniel?'
A sweet voice filled the air, slightly hushed, he smiled and nodded more than once.
'Gods yes. I think I might collapse in this stupid chair.'
She giggled. 'You could always ask Isabelle for a break you know? You don't have to push yourself so hard.'
'I know Helen but I can't rest until we hear from Katelyn. And we should have. She finished her job and should be back here flipping sarcastic comments to her mother, as usual. As much as Isabelle hates it'
Helen offered a sympathetic smile and handed down a large mug, Daniel smiled in response and looked down at his tired reflection in the steaming black liquid. It was fresh from the pan, a welcome sight from the luke-warm coffee he had been drinking for the past hour.
'Thanks.'
Bringing the mug to his nose Daniel let the rising vapors enter his nostrils, just the smell alone perked him up, but his mind returned to Katelyn. Where the hell was she?
Gently blowing his drink he took a small sip and savored the bitter taste of the beans, gazing out across the Overwatch Command Centre, or the Library as it was otherwise known. Someone had scrawled an update on the chalk board at the far side of the room. It turned his stomach. The Warfleet was now twenty days from landing.
His gaze flicked onto the world map, carved into the wall, spanning two floors in height. Crowded with pinned notes and red twine to mark connections. There was no time to waste. Placing his mug down on the desk Daniel took a hold of the next folder and read the title.
'Notes on the Six Sigils.'
