Prologue
The room was filled with intensity. Five men and a young woman were seated around a rectangular table with a single three-branch candlestick in the center.
On their faces showed the frustration from the hours spent seated in that same spot. Waiting.
"They should've arrived by now!" A man in a suit paced around the room.
"Most of you have travelled far to be here. Please wait a little longer, I'm sure they will be here soon." The man at the head of the table reassured the group. He wore a purple kingly robe, much different than the other man's imported clothing.
The woman ran her fingertips over the cold metallic blade of her katana which lay flat on the table.
The woman stood up, "His Majesty's right. We got a letter from them, confirming their arrival last night."
"You told us that their letter said they had found the leader of The Order and they were travelling to tell us in person, correct?" One of the other men questioned, he leaned forward over his blade. An "S" carved skillfully into its handle.
Before anyone could answer, there was a frantic knock on the door.
The door opened and a guard stumbled in.
The king stood up. "Didn't I say this meeting was not to be disturbed unless truly necessary!"
"Your Majesty! General Kinara! An arrow was shot at the guard's station near the southern palace wall! There was an envelope attached to it. We believe it's a threat, which is why I was sent to ensure it was delivered safely." The guard panted as he handed the young woman an envelope.
She motioned for the guard to leave. She carefully opened the plain white envelope. A note fell onto the table. She brought it over to the light. Instantly the colour in her face drained.
The note was written in dripping red ink.
'Add two more to the list. You'll never destroy us. We are inevitable. This shattered Aurora will soon meet its doom.
Your friend,
The Order'