Chapter One
Vect tapped his fingers on the right armrest of his throne, waiting for the report on the dealings of Xadikib Warpsnarl. The slave finally came in, quivering with fear because he was late.
"Well then, what do you have to report?" asked Vect
"Warpsnarl has been lying low for the past ten years. He's done his best to remain undetected"
"So in short; you have no idea where he is"
"Actually no, my lord"
"You have discovered something?"
"Our best spies have found out that Xadikib has brought out his own doom. Our spies are all over Commorragh and two of them saw a Dark Eldar with the mark of the Rending Talon on his arm. They followed him to a derelict fortress in the wilds of the Iron Thorn and entered, finding Warpsnarl. Once they confirmed it was Warpsnarl's base, they reported it in"
"That is good news. In return, I give you your life, instead of killing you for being late"
The slave nodded happily and ran out of the room, lest his master change his mind. Vect looked out of a window and decided all that would be left to do would be to tell Malek. Vect frowned; where was Malek?
Kaelis screamed. It hurt so much, she wanted it to stop. She kept screaming in pain. The pain was unbearable. She was sure that the Dark Eldar around her was taking great pleasure in hearing her scream and feeding off of her pain. She knew it hurt but she also knew that she would need to push on through.
Malek paced back and forth. He could hear her screams. He wanted to tell her that everything was alright, that he was with her but he knew he couldn't. He could feel her pain and felt disgusted by those who were taking pleasure in listening to her screams. He sat down, sighing deeply. He prayed again and again to his ancestor Khaine that she would be alright. The screaming soon stopped and Malek's head shot up. He looked over to the door on his right and walked over to it, knocking on it. Someone opened it and looked at him. Malek raised his eyebrows and the door answerer let him in. Malek ran over to the bed Kaelis was in and put his hand on her cheek. Tears were pouring from his eyes. He kneeled beside her and Kaelis smiled. He looked at the bundle in her arms and laughed quietly. Kaelis gave it to him and he stood up. He was so happy, so happy that he wanted to scream the good news to the whole of Commorragh. He kneeled down again, giving the bundle to his wife. She laughed happily; it was a baby girl.
"My lord, our spy in Malek's court has given us some new information"
"Sybarite, the time has come"
"It has?"
"Yes" answered Xadikib "The process is almost complete and I shall overthrow my brother. Then the line of Sythil shall be no more, for he has no heirs"
"Ummmmm, about that…."
Malek walked out of the room and to the crowd of friends downstairs, smiling like an idiot. He walked to the entrance of the room that they were gathered in and let out his happiness in one large shout:
"It's a girl!"
The crowd went nuts, going over to Malek to congratulate him. They all filed upstairs to Kaelis to give her their congratulations. Some asked to hold the baby, some were happy with looking at it. The crowd soon left and Malek and Kaelis were sitting on their bed, discussing names for their daughter. They were still deciding when Serelia thundered into the room, eyes widening at the small bundle in Kaelis' arms. She squealed with delight and ran over to her, taking the baby in her arms.
"You'll be godmother?" Malek asked
"Yes Malek, I promise you that no harm will come to her if you two die" answered Serelia
"That's good then"
"Oh, I just remembered; there's another visitor" said Serelia
"It's not Xadikib is it?"
Before Serelia could reply, the door swung open and a small group of elite Incubi entered the room, Lord Vect closely following. He looked at his advisor, Kaelis and their new daughter and smiled.
"My lord, this is a surprise" Malek said, bowing
"No need to bow Malek. I am here incognito"
"The Sceptre is back at the palace then"
"Yes it is. Now tell me the results of this happy occasion"
"Come over here my lord to see for yourself"
Vect walked over to the bed and looked down at the baby. The baby looked up at him. Vect bent down, putting his hand out to the baby. The baby grabbed one of his fingers and started sucking it like a pacifier. Vect chuckled, taking his hand away from the baby.
"Have you decided on a name for her?"
"Not yet my Lord but we are close to coming up with one"
"Well, I'll leave that up to you, you'll have no help from me with this dilemma"
Vect walked out of the room, his guards following him. Serelia said she would leave them to it and walked out as well, shutting the door behind it. Malek locked the door using a tendril of darkness and looked at Kaelis. She smiled at him and then she thought of a name;
"What do you think of the name Yaeilna?"
"It sounds good. Yaielna Sythil, heir to the mantle of Supreme Archon of the Kabal of Dark Souls"
"My lord, Malek has an heir"
"What?!" shouted Xadikib "We cannot let this happen; we must eliminate the child"
"Sir, killing your brother's child will do nothing but bring about your doom"
"We'll discuss this later, how is our spy?"
"He seeks an audience with you"
"Very well, let him in"
The Sybarite walked back to the door he had entered and a hooded figure entered the room, bowing before Xadikib. Xadikib felt powerful with this kind of respect. He told figure to look up and the figure did, staying in his bow.
"What is thy bidding, my master?"
"You may rise"
The figure rose and stared straight at his master, expecting an answer. Xadikib walked over to one of the main window that overlooked the Dark City.
"Look at it; such a sprawling mess"
"I agree; Commorragh is in need of good beating"
"Commorragh is in need of a new ruler"
"You plan to overthrow Vect?"
"I intend to do more than overthrow him; I intend to replace the Thirteen Foundations of Vengeance with my own laws"
"And I shall replace Malekith"
"That is what our agreement states my faithful spy, your efforts will not go unrewarded"
"I have grown tired of being under the control of that idiot"
"Anyway, I want you to stay close to Malek whenever you can. Now go do my bidding"
The spy left the room and the Sybarite that was talking to Xadikib entered the room once more.
"My lord, must you wear that hood?"
"I do not wish to show my burns and scars"
"Is it true that your entire body is burnt and scarred?"
"It is true. The last encounter with my brother left me almost dead"
"How did it feel? The dark lightning?"
"It was very painful. It felt like my entire body was on fire. Many of my nerves have been cauterized"
"What do you intend to do about your niece, sir?" the Sybarite asked
"I am willing to wait a couple of years for her to grow up. There are plenty more tricks up my sleeve so this will be just a minor setback"