The undead dragon gave a barely visible nod to Vincent.
-"The non-agression pact has been accepted. Thank you."
With these words, it jumped off the wall, opening its wings. It started gaining altitude... and then crumbled to pieces in mid-air. It seems that it has served its purpose... The scroll it was holding burst in flames, leaving no remains.
---
"Eldridge took the bait. Not like he had much choice... I suppose I could've worded the message better, though. It seemed a bit too opressive. However, in the end, it did not matter. I succeeded, and that's what is most important. Now, it is time to make final preparations for the war. I descended one floor lower, into the council chamber. Somewhat strange were the skeletons in steel cages hung up on the ceiling, but every palace needs a decoration. The twelve Masterminds were at their posts, as always. They were seated around a circular table. I sat down at the throne in the middle.
-"Kandarin prevails, Marshal", sounded the chorus of voices.
-"Kandarin prevails. Now, before I continue, are there any important news I need to know of?"
-"Yes, my lord." I turned around to Hazeel, who had a concerned look on his face.
"There is a great army massing up, and preparing for war. Not much is known about them, except that their leader is a mortal enemy of the demon Abodahon."
This was new. I was not aware of any other major superpower.
-"Tell me everything you know about them so far."
The Mastermind took out a narrow, but long piece of paper, and began scanning it with his eyes.
-"Well... from our reports, it says that they are somewhat advanced in the ways of magic. They also posess several powerful weapons, but lack an army large enough to deal any major damage. In short, they are nothing to be concerned about."
This somewhat relieved me.
-"Very well. Now, to the matter at hand. As I mentioned earlier, a new opportunity arose. The largest force at the continent has been thrown into disarray, but I managed to make an alliance with its remains. If we are..."
I was interrupted by the sound of doors being slammed open. A short man holding a charged fireball ran in.
-"DIE, TYRANT!!!"
He threw the fireball at me. Hmm... I think something has to be done about the loyalty of my subjects. I raised my hand. The skeletons in cages over me fell apart, and their individual bones formed a barrier between me and the fireball. The fireball exploded, dealing me no harm. I slowly walked over to the man in the doors. There was sheer terror in his eyes, and he dashed out of the room. A quick spell silently muttered, and a series of large blighted trees grew out of the ground in the doorway, cutting off his route to escape.
-"Y-you! You executed my wife! You enslaved my children! How could a human being be possibly capable of...!"
-"Silence, maggot. I made this empire. I made YOU. And now, I can just as easily unmake you. However, I will not just yet."
I snapped my fingers, and the trees moved a little, allowing two half-decayed guards to pass through. They siezed the the man.
-"Bring him to the square, and summon the townspeople. I will arrive shortly. Prepare my tools." With these words, I stormed out of the chamber."
