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The cool dark air left a wonderfully spine-chilling cut to the wind that echoed through the dark stone corridors of the place of assembly, a larger room shadowed by a darkness contained purely by the drab stones that made up the place, crude by solid, a place of cold practicality. It seemed an apt setting for what the only occupant currently there had in mind. A place of gathering, cold and absent of life, but soon to battle this unnatural state as all come together with purpose. That was the intent, at least. Knowing those that were to gather, the possibility of an amiable meeting were perhaps just as likely as the other outcome.
A bloodbath.
Perhaps it was an appropriate setting for that, too: an open space, no furniture to obscure the motions of violence that were a common enough happening among beings such as those that were to gather here. Emotions would be roused, tempers might flare, weapons might be drawn and any chance of agreement might be scattered to the winds, obliterated in a torrent of violence that would end as abruptly as it would no doubt begin.
The darkened room was adorned with but a single feature: a bonfire made of dry, cracked natural wood, the best that could be scavenged from this dead rock. Taboth wasn't exactly an ideal choice as planets went, but it was barren, bereft of civilisation and centred in a sector of space that was one of the most civilised in the galaxy, even if centred upon a race famous for their arrogance and devious, cut-throat politics. All the more reason to place ourselves here, surrounded by such emotions even at a distance. And a planet abandoned of all but plant life and themselves...that, too, was a compelling reason.
Flames crackled into existence at a gesture, the wood igniting from a spark and raising into an inferno, crisp and crackling, spitting out embers that cooled on contact with the cooler air, the bright orange and red flames dancing as they were pushed this way and that by the air currents and their own energy. Light spread throughout the cold room, warming it and casting an orange glow upon the dull blue-grey stones that constituted the walls. But even as it created light, so too did it deepen the shadows cast by it, giving the room an atmosphere that it perhaps had lacked before.
Only one being stood within, holding herself back from the fire, carrying herself in stern repose within the circle of darkness beyond the reach of the light, distinct only by being a very solid personification of that darkness, a humanoid shape of pure black, unsullied by the illumination, cast into sharp relief. She was not of imposing height, nor build, but stood still as a statue, the dark clothing that attired her concealing her form such that one might only tell her gender or nature by close examination. Even her face was veiled, concealed by a gentle fall of soft material that allowed only hints of what lay beneath it. Cold eyes gazed out from under the veil, watching all that they encompassed with a weary watchfulness. Knowing that they would come, and simply giving it time.
None had been summoned, but a silent invitation had been extended to a chosen few, those who had piqued the interest of those responsible for this. No paper nor flimsiplast had carried written words with details that might be needed, nor had any commlink sent forth a dispatch to bring them here. Only those capable of receiving the message sent might comprehend the invitation, and then only if they were skilled enough to discern the details kept hidden even then. If they are willing and able, they will know where to come and when, to hear something that might be of benefit to them.
What had been left unsaid, had any words been spoken, was that participation was a risk to all, for it was to be done in secret, concealed from larger powers in the Galaxy that would prevent it if they could. And even were such secrecy maintained, if agreement were not reached, an accord not satisfied, it was likely that none would live to tell that it had ever taken place. Just as it should be: simply arriving here will be a commitment of proportions unlike any other. The woman allowed herself to savor that thought, anticipating the anguish that might be caused at either success or failure here, considering it worthwhile.
But when he comes, who knows what will happen?, she thought, reflecting that only one other person beyond herself had ever spoken of what was to come openly, and even then, only to her. It would be interesting to see what would happen when others learned of it. If they have the courage to come at all. If not, well, she'd know them for what they were, and would take considerable pleasure in teaching them the consequences of refusal.
And I shall take my time doing it, too.
A bloodbath.
Perhaps it was an appropriate setting for that, too: an open space, no furniture to obscure the motions of violence that were a common enough happening among beings such as those that were to gather here. Emotions would be roused, tempers might flare, weapons might be drawn and any chance of agreement might be scattered to the winds, obliterated in a torrent of violence that would end as abruptly as it would no doubt begin.
The darkened room was adorned with but a single feature: a bonfire made of dry, cracked natural wood, the best that could be scavenged from this dead rock. Taboth wasn't exactly an ideal choice as planets went, but it was barren, bereft of civilisation and centred in a sector of space that was one of the most civilised in the galaxy, even if centred upon a race famous for their arrogance and devious, cut-throat politics. All the more reason to place ourselves here, surrounded by such emotions even at a distance. And a planet abandoned of all but plant life and themselves...that, too, was a compelling reason.
Flames crackled into existence at a gesture, the wood igniting from a spark and raising into an inferno, crisp and crackling, spitting out embers that cooled on contact with the cooler air, the bright orange and red flames dancing as they were pushed this way and that by the air currents and their own energy. Light spread throughout the cold room, warming it and casting an orange glow upon the dull blue-grey stones that constituted the walls. But even as it created light, so too did it deepen the shadows cast by it, giving the room an atmosphere that it perhaps had lacked before.
Only one being stood within, holding herself back from the fire, carrying herself in stern repose within the circle of darkness beyond the reach of the light, distinct only by being a very solid personification of that darkness, a humanoid shape of pure black, unsullied by the illumination, cast into sharp relief. She was not of imposing height, nor build, but stood still as a statue, the dark clothing that attired her concealing her form such that one might only tell her gender or nature by close examination. Even her face was veiled, concealed by a gentle fall of soft material that allowed only hints of what lay beneath it. Cold eyes gazed out from under the veil, watching all that they encompassed with a weary watchfulness. Knowing that they would come, and simply giving it time.
None had been summoned, but a silent invitation had been extended to a chosen few, those who had piqued the interest of those responsible for this. No paper nor flimsiplast had carried written words with details that might be needed, nor had any commlink sent forth a dispatch to bring them here. Only those capable of receiving the message sent might comprehend the invitation, and then only if they were skilled enough to discern the details kept hidden even then. If they are willing and able, they will know where to come and when, to hear something that might be of benefit to them.
What had been left unsaid, had any words been spoken, was that participation was a risk to all, for it was to be done in secret, concealed from larger powers in the Galaxy that would prevent it if they could. And even were such secrecy maintained, if agreement were not reached, an accord not satisfied, it was likely that none would live to tell that it had ever taken place. Just as it should be: simply arriving here will be a commitment of proportions unlike any other. The woman allowed herself to savor that thought, anticipating the anguish that might be caused at either success or failure here, considering it worthwhile.
But when he comes, who knows what will happen?, she thought, reflecting that only one other person beyond herself had ever spoken of what was to come openly, and even then, only to her. It would be interesting to see what would happen when others learned of it. If they have the courage to come at all. If not, well, she'd know them for what they were, and would take considerable pleasure in teaching them the consequences of refusal.
And I shall take my time doing it, too.
