Shadows of the Moon
Part one: Eclipse
Nightmaster.
The coveted rank that only one could achieve: Undisputed master of the religious orders of Haldrine, second only to the emperor himself. The Nightmaster controlled much, both officially and unofficially. Only the most loyal, cunning and ruthless could rise to the rank and retain their loyalty to the empire.
Syan Ravenshadow, patriarch of clan Ravendshadow was Nightmaster. He had held the title for a short time over seven years and was hailed as one of the greatest the foxes of Haldrine had ever known.
Syan sat in his study alone, a leather-bound book in front of him, crimson eyes dancing hungrily over the words, seeking to devour each and every one.
He was alone that night, in front of the crackling fire that consumed the dry wood in the corner, ceremonial robes wrapped around his slim figure. A golden furred paw reached down to gently turn a page, crimson eyes glinting slightly as they read the words inscribed with the runes upon the next page.
Any looking at the slim, tall golden fox may have thought they were looking at a dedicated scholar. They would have been incorrect. Syan was the second most powerful figure in the empire and as Nightmaster he held the lives of thousands in one tattooed paw.
One golden furred paw lightly dipped a small, feathery quill into a small holder containing ink ground from berry juice. Soaking the quill in the fluid he raised it to a small piece of parchment, copying several words and symbols, pausing only to turn the pages delicately.
A knock on the door snapped him out of his trance. His head turned to the door and he replied in a soft manner. "I gave strict orders I was not to be disturbed, Palik."
The voice that answered was certainly not Palik. "I would not have disturbed you if I had no reasons, Nightmaster Ravenshadow."
The book closed, the parchment folded delicately upon it and the pen returned to a holder upon the oak desk. Only when he accomplished these tasks did Syan voice his reply. "Enter."
The door opened and a tall red fox strode in, taller then Syan by several inches. He was clad in an odd uniform, the entire left side of the tunic was gone. A golden mask concealed his features, slits for the eyes and nose had been cut in but aside from that, Suzaku's true face was anybeast's guess.
"Suzaku," Syan replied in the same bored tone. His manner was mild and unassuming but the larger fox was not fooled. Gold foxes were notorious for their cunning and ambition, which made the caste perfect politicians and religious leaders. A gold like Syan did not rise to the top by being a pleasant, gentle creature and even Suzaku could respect him.
"Nightmaster." Suzaku bowed from the waist, his tone was laconic, even sarcastic but so far his services had been exemplary.
"Why does the Crimson Pheonix honor me with his presence." This was fancy for 'get to the point.'
"The gathering has been called, Nightmaster.all the clan leaders are to be in attendance, so the emperor has ordered."
Syan could just sense the biting sarcasm and curled lip behind the mask as Suzaku replied. "There are other problems as well."
"Let me guess." Syan replied to the red fox. "We have another issue to security?"
"Something like that." The paw at Suzaku's side tightened briefly over the hilt of a sheathed sword.
"You need not have bothered me about it, Suzaku.deal with it in whatever manner you may find entertaining..."
"Does it have to be." The Crimson Pheonix's voice trailed off, making it sound like glass upon steel.
"Deal with it any way you want, as publicly as you like."
Syan noted with some humor that Suzaku's mood had just improved, he, being one of the few that had ever seen Suzaku's face-one of those still alive anyways-could imagine the smile that spread across his mouth, revealing the hungry look of a predator ready to destroy everything in its path.
Syan nodded suddenly. "Oh, send Palik to me.and remain here.I think I'll ask him a few questions of proper etiquette before I go.you don't mind do you?"
No objections were raised, instead Suzaku sat back on the desk, arms crossed over his wide broad chest and Syan could just make the slurping sound of a tongue being drawn upon hungry lips.
Part one: Eclipse
Nightmaster.
The coveted rank that only one could achieve: Undisputed master of the religious orders of Haldrine, second only to the emperor himself. The Nightmaster controlled much, both officially and unofficially. Only the most loyal, cunning and ruthless could rise to the rank and retain their loyalty to the empire.
Syan Ravenshadow, patriarch of clan Ravendshadow was Nightmaster. He had held the title for a short time over seven years and was hailed as one of the greatest the foxes of Haldrine had ever known.
Syan sat in his study alone, a leather-bound book in front of him, crimson eyes dancing hungrily over the words, seeking to devour each and every one.
He was alone that night, in front of the crackling fire that consumed the dry wood in the corner, ceremonial robes wrapped around his slim figure. A golden furred paw reached down to gently turn a page, crimson eyes glinting slightly as they read the words inscribed with the runes upon the next page.
Any looking at the slim, tall golden fox may have thought they were looking at a dedicated scholar. They would have been incorrect. Syan was the second most powerful figure in the empire and as Nightmaster he held the lives of thousands in one tattooed paw.
One golden furred paw lightly dipped a small, feathery quill into a small holder containing ink ground from berry juice. Soaking the quill in the fluid he raised it to a small piece of parchment, copying several words and symbols, pausing only to turn the pages delicately.
A knock on the door snapped him out of his trance. His head turned to the door and he replied in a soft manner. "I gave strict orders I was not to be disturbed, Palik."
The voice that answered was certainly not Palik. "I would not have disturbed you if I had no reasons, Nightmaster Ravenshadow."
The book closed, the parchment folded delicately upon it and the pen returned to a holder upon the oak desk. Only when he accomplished these tasks did Syan voice his reply. "Enter."
The door opened and a tall red fox strode in, taller then Syan by several inches. He was clad in an odd uniform, the entire left side of the tunic was gone. A golden mask concealed his features, slits for the eyes and nose had been cut in but aside from that, Suzaku's true face was anybeast's guess.
"Suzaku," Syan replied in the same bored tone. His manner was mild and unassuming but the larger fox was not fooled. Gold foxes were notorious for their cunning and ambition, which made the caste perfect politicians and religious leaders. A gold like Syan did not rise to the top by being a pleasant, gentle creature and even Suzaku could respect him.
"Nightmaster." Suzaku bowed from the waist, his tone was laconic, even sarcastic but so far his services had been exemplary.
"Why does the Crimson Pheonix honor me with his presence." This was fancy for 'get to the point.'
"The gathering has been called, Nightmaster.all the clan leaders are to be in attendance, so the emperor has ordered."
Syan could just sense the biting sarcasm and curled lip behind the mask as Suzaku replied. "There are other problems as well."
"Let me guess." Syan replied to the red fox. "We have another issue to security?"
"Something like that." The paw at Suzaku's side tightened briefly over the hilt of a sheathed sword.
"You need not have bothered me about it, Suzaku.deal with it in whatever manner you may find entertaining..."
"Does it have to be." The Crimson Pheonix's voice trailed off, making it sound like glass upon steel.
"Deal with it any way you want, as publicly as you like."
Syan noted with some humor that Suzaku's mood had just improved, he, being one of the few that had ever seen Suzaku's face-one of those still alive anyways-could imagine the smile that spread across his mouth, revealing the hungry look of a predator ready to destroy everything in its path.
Syan nodded suddenly. "Oh, send Palik to me.and remain here.I think I'll ask him a few questions of proper etiquette before I go.you don't mind do you?"
No objections were raised, instead Suzaku sat back on the desk, arms crossed over his wide broad chest and Syan could just make the slurping sound of a tongue being drawn upon hungry lips.