Chapter 1

"You called for me, master?"

A plain, cloaked figure strode towards the one she called master. Her white locks, covered by the hood, were trying desperately to escape from the veil. Even through the darkness her grey eyes shone like diamonds. She was fair, even beautiful, but she hid such things underneath the midnight robe flowing around her like a gentle swirling breeze.

The master didn't answer immediately. She had her back turned, playing with trinkets and rifling through tomes kept on her ancient wood table.

"Yes" she began. "I did." She turned about. Suddenly, the cloakéd one became aware of her surroundings. The smothering darkness seemed to permeate a cool light. The ceiling was high and domed. She stood in the center of a square with four massive obelisks erected in the corners. The walls were smooth and perfect, yet their faces danced in some grotesque manner. Patterns of darkness writhed around bands of light, mixing the two like poison in wine, then moving apart like oil on water.

"I must thank you. As you know, I am imprisoned within these halls; not, perhaps, by force, but by nature. Though they would line up within moments of my call, most of my agents stalk the overworld, leaving me alone in my prison. You, however; you have not. You, despite the vileness of my domain, remain at my side and for that I thank you; for even the most powerful warlocks have not immunity to the pains of loneliness."

The cloaked one slowly bowed. "I owe you my life, master."

"Which brings me to my next request. I am a puppeteer of many. I have strings stretched to every corner of this city, but one has eluded me. "She lifted her fist to the cloaked woman's eye. "The King" As soon as she muttered the words, her fingers shot apart like a trapped creature bursting from its cage. A wispy figure the underling recognized as the King's castle fortress materialized in the palm of her master's hand.

"I'm sending you the castle to work as a servant. There, you will sow the seeds of my control. The King, through, is a Goliath. His person is altogether too powerful to gain control of directly, so we must plant strings indirectly." The image in her palm was suddenly swept away in a whirlwind. "The Prince" The whirling storm subsided and, in its stead, stood a handsome young man. "He is the key to controling the King. But to acquire this key, I need him here - in my domain. Fortunatly, most of the work can be done for you. The Prince is young, ambitious, blind. All you must do is give him an inkling. Hint at my existance and he will come."

"How will I make him trust me?"

"The Prince is valiant and noble. He will protect his friends at all costs. Show him that you are among these people and he will trust you without question."

"As you wish, master"

"Speak with the Bounty Hunter. He will lead you to the castle. Good luck."

"Thank you, master"

"No. Thank you"