All lights are out but she can be seen sitting regally, drumming her fingers on her throne , deep in thought.
"Silas" she called . " yes,boss", he said emerging from the shadows .
" I will be taking a long trip" , one which I might not return from if I find what i'm searching for.
"but milady, where do you intend to go , should I pack for a trip or are we travelling light." he asked.
"In as much as I would love for you to come along , this is a trip I must make alone". she said decisively her fingers still drumming on the armrest.
"what....." he asked shocked, he always went on every trip with his boss , every single one.
"So I will be leaving the den in your care,make sure harm comes to no one".
"Boss permit me but you sound like you're leaving completely, "
"Yes , Silas I am leaving but if I don't find what i'm searching for I will be back"
"Boss I pledged to serve you till I died, where you are that's where I am, I am your human shadow" he said while remembering the events that led to that pledge his boss had saved his life and the lives of everyone in the den, they were forever indebted to their boss , they could even pay with their lives.
"Silas you are my most trusted aide, you have been faithful to me for years and now i'm leaving the den in your care because I know you will take care of it and everyone ".
"But....."
"No buts , I have made up my mind this is what I must do".
"Boss , what are you searching for , I can help with the research, I can ask...."
"I'm searching for the piece of me that money or power doesn't seem to fill." she said devoid of emotions.
"At first it was just an ankle length intrusion, then a knee-high disturbance ,but then it became a waist-deep pool that I have been drowning in for the past two weeks since the last raid and no matter how much I try I can't seem to push the feeling of emptiness away."
"I ...I". Silas stuttered he didn't know what to say his boss had always been calculated and sure and now she sounded confused and unsure"
"Don't try to dissuade me , I have made up my mind." she said with a note of finality"
"Pack for a long trip Silas, I will be gone for a while.
"Yes boss". he said while giving a curt bow.