A/N: Yes, I know, I know... Another really short one. Shortest one yet, actually. But! You get a sneak peek at what's going on on the other side. Opinions? Leave a review! XP
Chapter 6:
The Dark Side
"Breoc!"
The black wolf looked up toward the crow that perched atop the cold dark stone. It eyed him with its red eyes, and squawked. "She will see you now."
Breoc nodded, and continued on through the doorway at the end of the corridor. The stale air barely moved in his slow wake, and his red gaze created a scarlet aura about his head as he entered into the dark room. The shadows hid any and all forms, save for that of a great looming throne, covered in bleached bones and lit by but a small shaft of moonlight that streamed in from a hole in the ceiling high above.
The wolf sunk into a low bow, awaiting instruction.
For the longest moment, nothing moved. There was a breath of sound from the throne, but its occupant was hidden in the shadows of its high arch. Only a pair of glowing green eyes shone out, staring intently down at him.
"Rise, General. I hear you have news for me."
Breoc rose, nodding as he did so. He kept his head bowed as he spoke, for even a great Dark One such as he could not dare look the Beast in the eye. "Yes, Mistress. The guardian… is dead."
Those green eyes widened, and when she spoke again, her voice rang with disbelief. "Dead? How can that be? I thought he was impossible to kill."
"Apparently not. The humans blame the Dark Ones, but his true killer remains unknown. They found his clothes, bloody and torn at the border of the woods. And wolf prints all over the snow around it. They assumed the worst – now, the heiress has ordered a task force to be established, with the Raven as their head. I heard that his brother will also be joining them. They are all ordered to kill any wolf on sight."
Silence fell over them. He heard her shift, her fur rustling against the cool smooth stone. She sighed, and he could almost feel the warmth of her hungry breath.
"Hm… How… interesting. Truly an unexpected development." The green eyes closed for a moment. "They are certain he's dead?"
Breoc nodded. "Certain, milady."
"And… there will be a funeral for him, yes?"
"More than likely."
Her eyes opened again, and he could almost see her smile, whiskers twitching. "Well, then… Perhaps we shall have to use this… unfortunate… misinterpretation… to our advantage."
He felt a grin tugging at his black lips. "And how will we do that, majesty?"
She chuckled, the purring sound rolling over him like her wicked black breath. "Every mortal has their weakness. And her weakness is those she cares about. Take away all of that, and she will be too devastated to be a threat to the conflict. Then, Vessalius will be pleased and, in turn, so will the Dark Lord. And we shall have our reward."
A chuckle rolled itself up his throat. "I see. And what would our first objective be?"
"We'll take down the easy targets first. Send in Pythos after the grandmother."
"Yes, Desiree."