The Trumpet Player: The Prologue

[pre]The room was dark, lit by only a few candles and a small window. Through the window, charred ruins of decades past could be seen. Even with such dim light, it could be seen that the room was elaborate and grand. Where the ceiling met the wall, there was a lavishly carved molding, with large, gaping gargoyles at each corner, who glared heavily at all who even dared to glance in their direction. The walls themselves were hung with crimson velvet, and decorated with exquisite paintings displaying portraits of unknown greats, beautiful sceneries and creatures and scenes of lore.

The room was nearly void of furnishing, save an ornately carved, velvet armchair. Seated within that very armchair was a dark man, even darker than the room. His hair was dark, his eyes were dark, and it could plainly be seen that this man’s very core was dark. One could simply not imagine this man anywhere where light was to be held.

Next to the dark man stood a beautiful shell of a maiden. Her eyes, the deepest hazel, looked forward into nothing at all. Her face, which seemed as if it was meant for laughter and warmth, was utterly devoid of human emotion, or any, of that matter. Not one hint of smile, or frown was there. Nor was there a furrow of the brow, nor expression of the eye to be seen. The maiden’s hair was lavishly done with curls and tiny, pale flowers, contrasting with her dark red hair. Her dress was grand and simple at the same time. The woman’s pale, graceful hand was rested on the arm of the dark man’s chair, and his hand rested upon it, though of neither things was she aware.

A young man came into the room, and bowed his head to the dark man. “Master, Miss Selene has arrived.” He announced.

“Yes, thank you, Gregory.” The dark man said, his voice deceivingly pleasant. He waved his hand to the other man, ushering him out. He bowed again and left. Moments later, the door opened again and a petite, young girl entered, presumably Selene. She appeared about 15, with long, liquid black hair and cat-like green eyes that seemed to glow in the semi-darkness. Selene, too, bowed to the dark man.

“Mi’Lord. You sent for me?” She raised her head to him, respectfully avoiding his eyes and instead focusing on a rather angry portrait just above his head.

“Of course I did. Who else would I send for such an important job as this, but my darling Selene? Your face is that of a dark angel, it brings chills to my heart.” The man leered down at the young girl, sickly resembling a proud father. Selene blushed, invisible in the darkness, at her master’s flattery.

“What is the job my master wishes me to perform?”

“I have someone I need you to deal with. It is vital to our mission.”

Selene stood to her full, yet insubstantial height. “Who? Anyone who opposes Lord Morven shall fall at my sword!” She vowed, her lips forming a poisonous scowl.

The dark man laughed. “You never cease to amaze me, my dear Selene. Such fire, contained in such a small body! It is a girl, by the name of Daphne Miller. And, optimistically speaking, I am hoping you will be able to retrieve her alive. The Eye told me that she is too powerful. Not as powerful as me, of course!” He laughed again at his own jest. Then, his face fell back into gravity. “But she is still most certainly a threat. Locate her. And let me tell you, our old friend will be looking for her as well. If he finds her first, kill them both, but if she is on her own ‘befriend her’ and bring her back to me.”

“Him.” She growled, her every expression filled with hate.

He shook his finger joviously. “Tsk tsk! Holding grudges is not becoming of a young maiden! Am I correct, my benevolent bride?” He said, looking adoringly up at the woman beside him, stroking her motionless hand. “Don’t take too long killing him, should the opportunity arise. Sadism, although sometimes called for, is not an admirable trait. Now… Gregory?” The other man from before returned, and bowed.

“Yes, Master?”

“Be a good man and collect Alexander for me, would you not?” Gregory nodded, and left, bowing as he did.

“I am to be attended by that oaf?” Selene said.

“Now, Selene don’t be so judgemental. Alexander can be of value sometimes. Additionally, he compliments you.” Selene scoffed. “That’s enough of this. Now go.”

Selene nodded to the dark man. “Yes, sir. I will do as you command.”

The dark man smiled. “Of course you will. Oh, and one more thing. The girl is in the Other World. You will have to travel illegally, so be wary. I can’t have my secret weapons exposed because of a failed execution.”

She smiled wryly. “I’d like to see them even try.” With that, Selene bowed her head and left the room. She walked down the hall, lit by perhaps hundreds of candles, making her way towards the expansive doorway to the mansion in which she, her master, and many other of His close circle resided. Alexander was already there waiting. For that, she thought, he gets two seconds added on to my patience with him.

“

Why, it’s the Ice Queen herself, privileging us with her tiny presence, all the way from the coldest regions of Boldov!” He boomed, making a teasing bow to her.

One, two. One might describe Alexander as a great bear; Large, playful, but dangerous. But mostly Selene thought of him as a stupid oaf of a being. She made her way down the stairs, her boots thudding on the cold stone, and met up with him, feeling incredibly short in comparison (another reason why she disliked him).

“Are you ready, Your Iciness?”

“Alright. Number 1: Shut up. Number 2: Call me tiny again, and you’ll be in every city in existence at once, understood?”

“Aw, sensitive much?”

“Let’s just go.”

The two men on either side of the huge, thick wooden doors pushed them open as Selene and Alexander walked forward, into the ruins that surrounded their Master’s mansion, and on into the world of Lambard.[/pre]