The hurried shuffle of feet scraped over stone as a lone, stout figure raced through the hallways. Dawn would soon be approaching. The quiet of the castle would be shaken within the hour. As it stood, guards were already exchanging shifts, maids were cautiously clearing chamber pots and stoking fires to combat the drooping temperatures, and some were racing to deliver news which would not be well received.
Many times he'd traveled these halls, carrying with him elixirs, news, or even just food. His position as his Master's servant covered a wide variety of tasks, to the point where he sometimes wished he never saw the view from the Mage Tower. But, no time for regrets. He lived in the Assembly now. His training continued alongside the odd chores he accomplished for his Master. He lived a content life.
At least until moments like this. When he delivered news that would surely enrage the Master. "Why must I always be the one to bring such tidings?" he whimpered, trudging up the last stair leading to the royal chambers. Several hallways branched off from the stairs, and he took the center one, fast as his feet could carry.
Reaching the end of the hallways, a deep inhale could be heard as he approached the grand doors, gold lining the edges rather than iron. An ostentatious display in his opinion, but what did he know?
Nodding to each of the guards standing on either side of the doors, he gently rapped his knuckles thrice against the wood and patiently waited for entry.
His nerves were frayed. Ever since he felt the wave of magic from Alteja, he'd been dripping sweat, fingers fidgeting incessantly. There were no prophecies to forewarn them, no way to be on alert. Only time would tell if they'd prepared properly for this moment.
Finally the doors slowly swung open, silently and quickly. He scurried inside, the wood slamming shut behind him.
Silence filled the room as he approached the large mahogany desk. Intimidating and imposing, he swallowed around a dry mouth as he bowed.
"Speak."
That voice rumbled from the other side of the desk, shrouded in shadows, even as hues of purple and pink and orange painted the skies. The enormous window with a glorious view did nothing to sooth nerves. He could only wonder if he would be thrown from those glass panes after delivering his message.
"There is news from the south, my lord," he said, as calmly as he could. He practiced for this moment so his voice wouldn't shake. A hand flippantly motion for him to continue. Smoke rings came from the shadows, calm and unshaken.
He swallowed once more and said, "The spell has been activated."
The smoke rings immediately stopped coming and like nightmares come to life, a pair of yellow eyes peeked from the darkness, narrowed.
"The…the Realm Walker portal has opened and several living beings have been brought to our world." He paused, regaining his footing in the conversation. "The Mages are saying they will be our downfall. That they will undo your work. That…they will be your end."
Silence.
Only his own heartbeat could be heard and he was certain he felt more than heard even that much.
Finally, an inhuman sound came from the darkness, shattering glass and splintering wood. Those eyes flared, that voice hissed, and for the first time in so long, Idlir felt so very afraid.
"I'll kill them!" It snarled, pacing back and forth behind the desk. The footsteps were thunderous, the magic flowing into the room completely made of dark and decay. "Where are they? Where are these…threats?"