A/N: Ehem. For those of you who are wondering, I wrote this prologue up after I published the first few chapters of the story, so the spoiler warnings and disclaimers are in the next chapter. Fear not! I won't put any spoilers in this. I hope you enjoy and I humbly request that, if you can, please review.
Four figures stood in a semicircle around the throne, each awaiting their separate orders. Had there been windows in the small room, pale moonlight would have been filtering in. Midnight. The air inside the chamber was rank with anticipation and, just slightly, fear. No one had ever dared create such a dangerous plan before. Because of that, no one would see it coming. Not even those it was meant to destroy – especially not them. That was the whole idea of this swift, silent attack. There would be no warning.
The tallest of the four stirred slightly, the hem of a heavy black cloak brushing the cold stone floor. Amber eyes gleamed from the shadows of the figure's hood. The other three remained still as statues. Only the tall figure was confident enough to appear restless when their lord was present. As it was, the fifth form that was seated on the throne turned his head to stare at his uneasy second-in-command. Bright brown eyes locked on the amber ones, and the tall figure stopped moving.
"We have waited long for this night," the man on the throne said. His voice was soft and quiet, but with a cold undertone that made the other four shiver slightly. The tall one dared to take a step forward.
"Sir, what are your orders?" The voice was barely a whisper and rather gravelly, but distinctly female. The other three glance from the tall one to their leader and back. There was silence for several moments.
"You, my eager comrade, will bring our guests to us. Though for the redheaded one…are you certain your personal feelings won't get in the way?" their leader asked sharply. The tall one bowed dramatically, a vicious smile briefly on her face before she straightened.
"Of course, sir. I will not fail you."
"Good. The rest of you," the leader continued with a stern look towards the other three, "will return to your stations. Be certain that all is in order. Any mistakes could cost us everything, and you all know what would happen then. No punishment I could think of would possibly be worse." The tall figure shuddered and backed away from the throne.
"I shall take my leave now, sir," she informed the leader calmly. He nodded to her, and she vanished in a swirl of dark magic. The other three bowed deeply.
"Sir," one of them said excitedly, "We won't disappoint you!"
"Hmph. Let's just hope nothing gets in our way that we can't handle," another one added dryly. The shortest member of the group nodded uncertainly. Their leader eyed them all.
"Go." The three bowed again and vanished like the first, in a whirl of black smoke and dark magic. The leader stayed where he was for several more minutes, thinking. Then he slowly rose from his chair and left the room.
A/N: I'm sorry, that was really really short for a prologue. The next chapters are considerably longer. This was just a taster. Hopefully some people will read and enjoy, and maybe even review. –Poke- Please? I know it turns into a shameless self-insert, but I swear it's no Mary-Sue. It would make my day if some people actually kept reading and reviewed to let me know if they like it! Yes, yes, I'm begging. I'll shut up now.