2001-03-11: A Doorway To Darkness

Napa Valley Edition

A Doorway To Darkness

Author: Unknown author

Published: March 11, 2001

The figure sat hunched over the table, dwarfing the miniature map of Trinsic that lay there. Candlelight flickered, the only illumination within the dank room. After waiting for so long, the figure finally had a plana doorway to darkness had at last been opened

Riodan looked down upon the tiny pieces that covered the map below him, and it was one in particular that caught his eye. His quarry.

Smiling, he recalled the events of the previous eveninga night which had set much in motion. And would, he hoped, be only the beginning of the end

“Citizens of Grimoire, you are challenged this evening. You must prove your worth to me, that you are worthy of my Master’s presence here. It will not be easy; it will be a test of blood that you must pass. Let us not talk of the consequences should you fail.

You must choose a champion who would best me in combat. That is my test to youthe choice is yours.”

And so, Dyastro FarkasMayor of Grimoire, stepped forwardblade at the readyprepared to take the burden upon his own back.

The combat had been swift, but brutalboth men choosing to coat their blades with a sticky mixture of Nightshadea deadly poison when correctly applied. As if by some cruel twist of fate, both men fell that evening. But it was Riodan who fell firsthis blood mixing with that of prior combatantsand quickly joined by that of Dyastro’s.

But the test had been met, and Grimoire had succeeded in convincing Riodan of their worthiness.

“Will you aid my Master?” Riodan puffed, his body bruised and shaken. “We will.”

The bargain had been set.

Riodan smiled darkly to himself and began rearranging the piecesthere was much to be done.