The Shadow Falls

Chapter 3

Lady Astra and Raven watched as Captain of the guard Morgan approached with the two guests. Kyran, the Dark Storm, was easily recognizable. He had typical Drow features with black hair fading to blue on the tips. His clothing was a mix of armour and ornamentation with a long cloak covering his right arm. Only his eyes gave away that he wasn't entirely a dark elf, they were yellow with vertical slits that narrowed as he saw Astra and Raven. Astra wasn't familiar with the other one. He was with black hair and green eyes. His clothes weren't anything special. He was looking very cold and his eyes didn't give any emotion, like he was coming here everyday. Lady Astra recognizes that he was wearing nearly the same orb as Blacka on a silver chain around his neck, but with different symbol in it. She remember that her friend know the name of the stranger, maybe they knew each other... The fact that they seemed to have teamed up didn't bode well. Astra was glad to see that Morgan still looked formidable in his armour next to them.

Morgan saluted just for the show of it and made to leave but Astra surreptitiously motioned for him to stay.

'Greetings Sir Kyran and Lord Rodofo' said Lady Astra inclining her head to them. Sir Kyran gave a curt bow back but Rodofo did not respond.

She lead them to the great hall where they took their seats and Astrinka pour drinks, managing to conceal her nervousness well. Without any preamble Lady Astra addressed Kyran and Rodofo.' I am glad you have left your army army outside the city but what brings you here with such a large force?'

Kyran picked up his glass and studied the contents 'the same thing as last time, I want you to open a portal to Chaos' he said bluntly looking up at them.

'Then the answer is the same as the last time. There is no proof that your wife has been taken there and the risk of what may come in is too great' said Astra coolly. Kyran smiled slightly and took a big gulp of his drink.

'I have some friends of yours at my camp,' he said arching an eyebrow 'I believe their names are Karazia and Domino Jack?'

'So that's their game!' thought Lady Astra as Morgan and Astrinka looked startled next to her. Raven snorted 'you'd do the world a favour by getting rid of Domino Jack.'

Astra leaned back in her chair, she knew Raven was right and she had to call their bluff and hope that Blacka could rescue the captives somehow. 'I am a descendant of the Fay, I have no interest in mortals or what goes on in their lives.' She paused and then went on pointedly 'our other guest has yet to say anything'

Rodofo the Half-Dead one, who had been idly swirling his drink in his glass with a finger as if bored, looked up.

  'Excuse me, lord Rodofo can I know why the portal is important for you?' asked Astra

'Oh, it's not the portal I'm interested in, I'm waiting for an old friend. I don't think you know her...or maybe you do?' answered Rodofo

  "Her? Maybe Blacka? And in his tone...he knows something...but what..." Lady Astra thought "no, I'll keep my thoughts to myself." And she answered 'I don't think so' She stood up and went to the window to look outside. It was windy. She closed her eyes for a second and then sent all that had happened to Blacka. The wind traveled like a bird in the sky and with the leaves that he took, Astra's prayer flew away. No one saw what happened...

***

  The wind blew and Blacka heard it. She turned her head and said 'Hello my little friend... you are carrying news from Lady Astra? Good, let me see them'... she was talking to the wind. Then she closed her eyes and the wind bird flew into her medallion. In her head she was seeing all of that what happened in the great hall. She woke up some seconds after that on the ground, she looked around and said quietly 'Rodofo, you idiot, have you gone mad?!'

  She grabbed her medallion and next to her appeared a wolf, a jaguar and a falcon. All the animals were black. She addressed the Jaguar and Falcon 'Okay boys, Ziuko, Cherniack you two go and look for Them... and Charniack don't mess with Ziuko, Ziuko don't eat Cherniack, am I clear?'

  'Yeah, yeah' they answered.

  'Fine, me and Ferir are going back for some people ' she said, looking up during the last two words.

  As she finished, the Jaguar and Falcon organized themselves and set off at a fast pace. Blacka got her wolf back in her medallion and turned into him, her simple wolf form.

'I see' said Lady Astra, still facing the window. She turned back to her two guests 'we will consider your offer and give you an answer tomorrow.' Kyran leapt up and slammed his fist on the table, making Astrinka jump. 'I demand your answer now!' he snarled as overhead the skies suddenly darkened. Astra cast a significant glance at Raven but neither of them spoke.

Rodofo leaned forward slightly. Now Sir Kyran,' he said smoothly, 'I'm sure we'll find them amenable if we let them sleep on the idea. What harm does a day make?'

Lady Astra looked at her unexpected ally, 'it would seem that our sinister guest has another plan in mind' she thought. Aloud she said 'thank you, Morgan will escort you to the gate,' Sir Kyran and Lord Rodofo rose and allowed themselves to be shown out.  

 

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