Private The Emperor and the King

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It would not be the first time he was summoned here, it would certainly not be the last. Yet, what could be called surprising of this summons, was that as the time slowly ticked by, it seemed unless something catastrophic had occurred that he was soon to hear of...

...

...No, well then, what could be called surprising about this summons, was that it called for his appearance in the Dark Council chambers that thus far housed three, of the raven, wolf, and viper, he was the only one in attendance. It was enough to cause his stomach to tie itself up in knots, it was hardly the first time that he would be alone with... that... it would hardly be the last time that he would be alone with... that...

Suffice it to say, the Emperor was not one whom Malum enjoyed summons from, especially private ones. Yet, taking a position by the head of the table, standing when his broken foot was still on the mend would have much rather been sitting, his caustic breath continued to blow against the metallic shield that the replica mask represented upon his face. He could not help but remember, truly remember, what occurred to the one who wore such a mask when they faced an immortal emperor. Malum might have enjoyed a great showing that such would never occur again.

Yet, even with his Sith Sword upon his back, even with the coldness of the Soulsabre in the depths of his robes, and standing armoured with all the tools and utility that had been found and made for him in his seasoned, but not yet long career. He had very little confidence in anything that would occur here tonight, he had even less confidence in winning whatever bout would inevitably flare up between these council seats.

Yet, what other option had he? To pawn off the summons was simply not an option, even if injury might have provided enough of an excuse. The last thing he needed was for the Corpse King to come to investigate what lived under his nose upon Malum's worlds. Suffice it to say, especially at this moment, for all which he was distrusted by much of the Empire, for all that he knew he was under watch in some way, he did not need the all-seeing eyes of the Emperor on him any further.

So the dutiful lord had answered his liege's summons, yet as the uninjured foot made a constant rhythm against the hard floor, as he gazed down upon the red sphere which signified his appointment to this vaunted and... in his opinion, dysfunctional Council, as the seconds ticked by, turning into minutes.

His hairs rose on the back of his neck, as masked red eyes drifted to the door.

He was here.

Darth Empyrean