The winds stirred little around the ancient keep of Tewith. Nothing stirred the hundreds of banners ringing the walls and the banners upon the towers moved not a bit in the still evening air. At the highest window of the central tower Mistrew stood, his wispy white hair lying against his head. His face was twisted by disgust as he looked down upon the army below him, feeling fear for the first time since he and the others had first found this land during their flight. In truth before him he saw his destruction but his very pride forbid admitting that he was defeated. Not even the armies of Fae had been able to get him before he and the other six had escaped. Now though the Seven had turned against each other. And without their combined power there was no escape for him this time. His pride in his strength though was evident even now as he stood on the balcony, defiance written in his every fiber. He was a man who had not bowed to anybody in over 2,000 years, since he and the other six had betrayed their Master, sacrificed him in fact to power the spells that had brought them here and hidden their world from the creatures of Fae, only moments before the Fae armies overwhelmed their former Master’s armies.
Now though his former Apprentice had raised an Army that even now stood outside the walls of his massive citadel. He had the supplies to hold them off but not the troops, or demons anymore. Several of his demon lords had apparently been unchained by his advesary. And rebound to his enemy’s army. For the first time in centuries he had been forced to call in all of the surrounding humans, and their tents and shelters dotted the space between the walls and the citadel itself.
Mistrew’s introspection kept him from noticing the sounds of feet on the stairs. As the door opened he awakened though and turned to look over the young man robed in black and the wretched creature that may have once been a man beside him.
“Master, I have brought you a slave as you asked me to. One of the proper birth and age,” the robed apprentice said quietly, fear in his voice.
“Slave? Oh yes the ritual. Lead him to his place and prepare him. And wash him off a bit. I don’t want anything to possibly damage this spell and I don’t know what would happen should that filth covering him be mixed with his blood.” Mistrew spoke sharply, more to hide his own nervousness. He turned back to the window one more time looking out over the army and after a moment his face became a feral grin and he spoke quietly, “Your doom comes and you will soon know why I am First amongst the Seven.” He turned quickly and walked away from the window to prepare himself for the ritual. He never saw the first drop of rain that fell quietly on the windowsill.
Now though his former Apprentice had raised an Army that even now stood outside the walls of his massive citadel. He had the supplies to hold them off but not the troops, or demons anymore. Several of his demon lords had apparently been unchained by his advesary. And rebound to his enemy’s army. For the first time in centuries he had been forced to call in all of the surrounding humans, and their tents and shelters dotted the space between the walls and the citadel itself.
Mistrew’s introspection kept him from noticing the sounds of feet on the stairs. As the door opened he awakened though and turned to look over the young man robed in black and the wretched creature that may have once been a man beside him.
“Master, I have brought you a slave as you asked me to. One of the proper birth and age,” the robed apprentice said quietly, fear in his voice.
“Slave? Oh yes the ritual. Lead him to his place and prepare him. And wash him off a bit. I don’t want anything to possibly damage this spell and I don’t know what would happen should that filth covering him be mixed with his blood.” Mistrew spoke sharply, more to hide his own nervousness. He turned back to the window one more time looking out over the army and after a moment his face became a feral grin and he spoke quietly, “Your doom comes and you will soon know why I am First amongst the Seven.” He turned quickly and walked away from the window to prepare himself for the ritual. He never saw the first drop of rain that fell quietly on the windowsill.
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