The warehouse master returned carrying a single tray, which he carefully set down before Emery.
Eight small spatial shards lay on its surface.
Emery stared at them, his disappointment difficult to conceal.
"Why so little? Do you not have any larger ones?"
The warehouse master gave an apologetic bow. The larger shards had already been taken and were being used to craft spatial artifacts for the war effort, primarily for troop deployments. Almost nothing remained in storage.
Emery let out a quiet sigh. It could not be helped.
"I'll take them all. And if more arrive, please set them aside for me."
Still unwilling to give up on the larger shards, he asked about the person in charge of crafting the spatial artifacts. If the shards were being put to use, he wanted to meet whoever was working with them. The warehouse master explained that the man could be found in the workshops. Emery made a mental note to visit him later.
But he was not finished.
