Prologue

A dark, foul-smelling smoke swirled in the air, causing the stone cavern to be filled with the odd smell of charcoal and burning hay. The pot that contained said mixture was the absolute finest: made of pure gold and not a trace of any dust, dirt or ashes could be found deteriorating its beauty.

Two figures could be seen standing on either side of the pot, their weary, anxious gaze focused on the smog that filled the small room. They said not a word nor gave a glance to each other; they only stood like statues and watched the smoke, as if they were beggars staring at a large gazelle that had been recently killed.

A fire flickered in the corner, its lapping flames giving the shadow-y figures pelts a luminous glow. Their orange and black pelts were dull, faded and crusted with mud. They had tired faces, and ribs that could be seen poking out of their sides. It was if they were skeletons that had tried on their former fur after many years. Yet, despite they're under weight frame, they were large: larger than any cheetah or wolf could ever claim to be.

One of the two mighty felines finally stirred, shifting her weight from one paw to the other.

"I do not understand, Thoth," she murmured, her eyes shining with confusion, "In the smoke I see less than a bat does in the darkness…. How could this be?"

Thoth glanced up from where he stood, giving the smaller one a short glare of disapproval.

"Hush, Ibis!" he scolded, his deep voice rumbling in a growl, "The spirits shall not show a mere apprentice a thing if she is impatient!"

The she-cat ducked her head in apology, her ears flattening to her skull. After a moment, she raised her head once more and gazed into the smog….

A shudder.

A pained yowl.

Ibis collapsed; only able to hold herself up with her trembling front paws. Her large body shook in tremors, her eyes wide and the fur along her spine bristling. The flames in the corner bristled as well, spatting and spitting out as if they were surprised at the sudden commotion.

Thoth felt his hackles raise in alarm and he raised over to the young apprentices side, his large paws grasping her shoulders until the spasms finally came to end just moments later.

"Ibis?" he mumbled, his ears perked, "Ibis, can you speak? What did you see?"

Her eyes opened weakly, and stared at the ground weakly for several seconds before widing in alarm.

"T-the spirits!" she whispered hoarsely, "They…they showed me! Oh, Thoth the showed me what t-that…that rat of a prince will do to us! He cannot be the heir! The spirits cannot allow him to-!"

Her mentor raised a paw for silence and her jaw shut tightly, her eyes still showing fright and confusion at the recent events. Thoth slowly released his grasp on her shoulders and looked into her eyes with a new understanding.

"I know it is hard, young one, but you must tell me what they have spoken to you. Now, take a few breaths…Yes, yes, good… Now, tell me exactly what they have told you."

Shakily, Ibis swallowed and closed her eyes to remember the words she had been told.

"When the throne is

lost in wretched blood,

then we shall truly fear the chosen one.

Fallen from grace,

and left in rags,

there will be the first and last

of the Godly ones. "

Silence fell and the only noise that was heard was the crackling of the fire in the corner. Hearts beats past and finally, Thoth inhaled a small, shaking breath.

"Well then… We should inform Lord Voltaire of this…message, yes?"

It was returned with a small nod and the two made their way out of the room and down the corridor.