1. The Dark Is Rising

The night was hot and humid, a distant thunder rolled far away in the east and then there was silence. A lone rider pulled their horse to halt and pushed back the hood. The dim light of the diminishing moon shone gently upon the rider's hair, casting eerie shadows all over their face. The rider glanced around, as if unsure which path to take. Then they pushed the horse forward, this time coming at a very slow speed. The animal moved carefully through high grass. They were riding across marshes, having the previous day left forest. A delicate gust of wind, carrying the heavy scent of herbs, weeds and - which was odd - mud - murmured through the plain. The horse lifted its head and neighed, causing the rider to pat its neck in a rather irritable manner.

'Hush now' the rider spoke to the animal, their voice gentle and definitely feminine.

The horse shook its head and sped up slightly. The rider sighed deeply. After some time they came across a giant boulder. Hundreds of years ago there was a cromlech on the marsh, where High Priests of some forsaken cults performed their rituals, now however, only one stone remained, a sad and mesmerizing memoir of days long gone.

The rider halted the horse and got off, boots gently thumping against the ground. The woman grabbed the reins and walked the horse till it was sided with the boulder. She pulled a rope out of the saddlebag and tied the animal's legs loosely. Then she pulled a blanket and threw it casually on the grass. She pulled one more thing out, this time it was a small sack of dried foot. She sat crossed legged on the blanket and began eating in silence.

The horse neighed once again and turned its head westwards, ears shooting wildly. The woman got up calmly, packed the rest of the food back into the bag and leaned against the animal, glancing casually around. Soon after another rider appeared.

They were coming at an easy pace, two men, one extremely large, the other much thinner. The woman never twitched, waiting for their arrival with utmost ease. The incomers halted, she was concealed within the shadow cast by the boulder, it would take Drow eyesight to spot her or the horse.

Magical light appeared: a white bulb rising from the smaller man's arm, the moving upwards until it came to rest above his right shoulder.

'Hello!' the giant man boomed deeply.

'Well' she finally came to life 'you're late.'

'Hey' the giant man sighed with evident relief. 'it's you who chose this spot. Had it been me -'

'It's safer that way.' she cut in, quite briskly. 'Why don't you come over here? We have sparse time and a lot to discuss.'

Not so long later, the three of them had built a small fire and established a camp of sorts. They were seated now besides the fire. Its light danced across their faces, adding extra life to them. The giant man was bald, his head shone up like a beacon occasionally, leaving the rest of his face encompassed in darkness. He had a large, broad forehead, a straight nose and massive jaw, therefore he bore the resemblance of a statue, meanwhile his companion was more rat-like in both features and movements. The mage had a curly bear, a nose ring and small, calculating eyes.

'I'm glad you both made it.' the woman said. Her hair was shoulder-length and wavy. 'I was afraid those recent... developments...would delay you.'

'Ha!' the mage mutter viciously 'Like that's an option.'

'What do you mean?' the woman's voice cut a like a dagger, both silky and cold. 'There always is a choice. Even if the other option is death.'

'Well, maybe for you -' the mage began, but the giant man cut in

'I do believe it's business, not banter, that got us together?' he asked dryly.

'Indeed. I shall delay no further.' she straightened up and pushed her hair back 'Our southern friends have reacquainted. The plan has been fully concocted. Soon the world as we'd known it will be no more. Some shall fall, others shall fail while those who chose wisely, shall bathe in splendor no man has ever seen.'

'Are there any orders from the south?' the giant man asked after a moment, his voice carrying hints of irritation. 'My lady, I have not ridden from Athkatla only to rethink a bargain I once struck. We are eager to act.'

'Patience is a virtue. However, there are things you must do. The orders are: gather intelligence. How many of them are currently residing within Amn or even further north. Where is she and who holds her allegiance? Two things. On the military side: we need men. My lords, your gold is invaluable, your lands are to be sold, your business deals are to be sold, your men must be transferred south.'

'Ugh' the mage grunted 'You will strip us bare.'

'My lord. I have asked you to ask your fellows to join us. Yet you have failed to do so. The Cowled Wizards aren't powerless enough -'

'They lost their keep!'

'It was not of your doing. Who holds Brynnlaw now?'

'The pirate lords?'

'Desharik is dead. There is no authority residing there. It must be seized. And not by the Cowled, not by Amnian forces - we need mages to re-enter Spellhold.'

'It's deadly.'

'Well, she made it.'

'Well, she's one of them.'

'Yes. And they are our future. The world will burn. From the ashes a new master raise shall emerge. It's up to you, the decision on which side of the whip will you be.'

'Yes.' they both said after a moment of prolonged silence.

'My lords. We need both things: mages and nobles. Mages are power and nobles are wealth.'

'I have a friend in the Council.' the giant man said 'Who has friends within the Twisted Rune. Many are eager to join.'

'And what of the Shadows Thieves?'

'My lady' the giant man rubbed his head 'for the time being they are on their knees.'

'Dear, dear.' she muttered to herself 'She is becoming an issue now. I wonder, I shall report this straight to the Five.'

'My lords' she spoke out 'Where are your men now?'

'They stand a day's ride westward.'

'I shall accompany you to the encampment. I will require one of your trusted men to carry some orders back south. Meanwhile, I will be returning with you to Amn.'

The mage only ts-ed.