It was cold and it was dark. A solitary candle burned before a figure sitting with his back against the wall. The person had their head bowed and the gleam of wood from a wand reflected off the floor before him. To his left lay a five small bundles wrapped in black cloth and to his right sat a half full cup of dark wine.
Another figure approached, the sounds of booted feet upon loose rock echoing loudly in the chamber. The candle fluttered for a moment, then steadied, illuminating a tall figure in a black cloak. The new arrival pulled the cloak off and crouched before the bowed man.
The candle showed a hard scared face of a man in his middle age. A close cropped beard peppered with gray covered his face and dark eyes stared at the other man. He sat there for a moment, only the sounds of breathing and the creak of leather filling the space.
"It's done, Samuel." The arrival said, his voice low and rumbling. "Alex and the others are ready."
Cold gray eyes looked up to the arrival. Samuel's face was expressionless and empty. "Any word of Damon's whereabouts, Able?" He asked after a moment.
"Nothing, Samuel." Able responded.
There were the sounds of clattering stones and heavy breathing coming from the darkness. Another figure approached, a slim woman with dark hair and violet eyes. She brushed back a lock of hair and glanced at Samuel and Able.
"Bad news, Sammy." The woman said, crouching down beside Able, her movements smooth and graceful. The candle flame didn't even stir. "Looks like the kid and the girl showed up. Minus Damon."
Samuel stared at the candle. "Is he dead?" He asked.
The woman shrugged. "They all fell into the Dark. The two kids came back. My guess is Damon's so much worm food." The woman replied.
"How many know of this?" Samuel asked.
The woman glanced at Able and shrugged again. "I was skirting the Great Hall in cloak to see what the Professors were talking about. I heard a scream and the two kids showed up, collapsing dramatically in the entrance hall." The woman explained. "I was the only one assigned to the Great Hall and I came here as soon as I came. I didn't tell anyone beyond you and Able here."
"Keep that information to yourself, Lilith." Samuel said. Lilith nodded, understanding the unsaid threat. Samuel looked back at the candle. "How longs before we can begin?" Samuel asked.
"We got the damned thing uncovered. Henna and Bryson are mapping out the charts. Say in about a day or more." Lilith replied.
Samuel nodded, rising smoothly to his feet. "We've been wasting enough time. It's time to open the Well." The two nodded and followed Samuel, leaving the candle burning. After a moment the candle fluttered and then went out.
"Pity the damn kids." Lilith muttered.
XXX
Awww…this is the last chapter!!!