Darkness enveloped a dark forest on the border of the kingdom of Tabor. The only light of the night was the full moon. The endless silence was broken by the croaking of ravens that headed for the crumbling walls of Dol Grudon.
Two figures in masks in the shape of a raven's beak emerged from the forest and headed for a broken bridge that had to be crossed to get to the ancient temple, the god of darkness, Maog.
"How many months are unsigned?" Asked the taller of them, named Corvus.
- Will be a year and a half. She must have called us the last time before the war for Tabor, answered the lower one.
"What do you think, Oxlius, what is she going to do next?"
- He now has an errand boy for the war. Vorgath is like a rabid lion. Will do the job at any cost. I heard that he was heading towards the old continent, and more specifically towards the country of the Stuarts. ', Okuslius replied patiently
-He's going like a storm. Our lady must be very pleased with him.
"We'll have to do something Vorgath can't."
They climbed steep stairs and traversed several corridors, past the skeletons of those who dared to enter Dol Grudon.
"I am worried, Corvus, that Gideon is approaching our side," Oxulius said, wondering where to go now.
"The old wizard has been seduced by the queen," sneered Corvus.
- "Supposedly he wanted power and respect for magic," muttered Oxulius.
-Ravenna can give it to him. But he is in charge of the Great Council. I still do not trust this maneuver.
They both entered the round courtyard in the center of which stood a statue of Maog. Around the pedestal were gathered figures dressed like Corvus and Oxulius. The robes of the 15 figures flapped in the gentle breeze. They all wore raven masks, which ennobled the Order of the Raven. They were trusted supporters of Ravenna. Their mistress only summoned them when it was necessary. Finally, birds croaked over Dol Grudon, announcing their ruler. A flock of black ravens landed with a thud in the courtyard, and after a while
She formed from the whirl of wings. The Fairest of the people, ruler of all lands to the horizon. Ravenna, the First of that Name, Lady of Darkness.
-Welcome friends. We have a lot to talk about, she said in a soft but strong voice.
She was dressed in a black feather outfit and a crown of obsidian and black glass proudly rested on her head, unlike any in the world. The Order knelt before their mistress and bowed their heads.
Ravenna paced slowly around the courtyard, eyeing the arriving supporters.
-It's been a while since we last saw each other. Then I planned to conquer Tabor, and today the kingdom is mine, and more are on the way - she began, enjoying each syllable. -The map of the continent is becoming redder than our flags, but the most important fights are still ahead of us. More and more people join our army with a hard-to-reach piece of land.
She stopped in front of the pedestal and took out the rosary. She waved it away, and the maog statue split in half and fell apart with a thud in the stillness of the night.
-My old master is the past. It was me who reopened the gates of Exodor where machines work again. The Orcs fight in our battles, and the fire of their forges does not go out. The power of the Land of the Dark is finally at our wishes, my brothers and sisters.
-Lady, you called us for a reason. The sign stung us all, exclaimed one of the masked ones adoringly.
Ravenna nodded.
-Philip, my stepson and heir to the throne, has disappeared from my radars. Not a problem at the moment. Most of Hammond's army was wiped out in the Battle of the Deer Jar. However, if he comes within our range, kill him without there is a reason why we are here today. My mirror told me that children endowed wit hForce had begun to be born on the lands of the continent. In the past, I would have treated it like you. I would study and train in the dogmas of the dark side and black magic. Today, however, I sense a potential threat. Force is no longer singular to the elect. We have to get rid of this. Seek them and kill them before they become a threat to our empire. We must be quick before our enemies overtake us.
"It will be as you wish, Lady," Oxulius assured her.
-And now the right question-Ravenna said softly- Have you found the stone?
One of the masked men stepped forward and devoutly took out a small box. Ravenna grabbed it and opened the lid. A small glowing purple stone appeared before her eyes.
-Great. We already have one artifact, five remain.
Many kilometers away, the queen's adopted daughter, Snow White, got up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat.