"Take her away." The man said nodding at a guard dressed in white armor.

"Yes sir." Binding her ankles in chains, the guard brought the woman out. She squinted against the harsh sun. Her hair was raven colored, long to her breast's. Her eyes were a pale blue and her lips full and plump. She wore leather leggings with a cotton shirt that had elastic sleeves. Her boots were brown and worn, peeling in some places.

"I want to go for a ride." She said looking longingly at a skinny horse grazing in the fenced in field.

"Not today."

"Why?" She asked as she entered the palace.

"Because He is busy today. You will have to go later." The guard said as he threw her into her cell after unlocking her chains. She put her hands on the bars.

"I have been here for three years! I need air."

"Don't be greedy, you got your fresh air today." The woman snorted and opened her mouth, but the guard left before she could say anything. She growled and flopped down onto her mattress on the floor, dreaming of the day she would run away.

Back outside, the man had come out from the cave. He had brown hair almost black, his eyes an inky black as well. He had the shadow of a beard across his jaw and around his mouth. He wore a black shirt with bits of silver sewn into a swirling pattern, brass plates were placed across his chest. His pants black as well. Over his shoulders and to his ankles was his kefta with it's upright collar.

"She's getting stronger." He said into the air.

"Yes she is." An old bald man said coming from behind a tree. He clasped his hands behind him.

"But it's not enough." The man said, placing a hand on his hip.

"What is it you need Morris to do sir? Why do you need her to get stronger? The bald man asked.

"It's none of your concern Daydam." He said, frowning at the man. Daydam sighed.

"You're right. It's not my place."

"Sir?" A new voice said, this young younger sounding.

"Yes Melkallum?"

"She is requesting fresh air again." Alexander shrugged his shoulders.

"So let her." Melkallum's eyebrows shot up.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, go and release her." Melkallum bowed his head and headed back for the palace. A moment later, they watched her race for the horse tied to the tree. She got on it bareback and hightailed it out of there.

"I assume you have a tracker following her?"

"Yes. But she won't get too far."

"Why?"

"I have her linked to a heart render and a visioner. If they see she is getting too far away, they will stop her."

"Isn't that harsh?"

"No. Not when you're me. The Darkling is never harsh. Just making sure that people know their place." He said as he pressed his lips together.

"She will never forgive you Alexander."

"I don't need her to forgive me. Her anger makes her power spark more. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in my thinking room."

"Of course sir. You shan't be bothered." Daydam bowed as Alexander walked into the palace. The Thinking Room was a small square room with one tiny window high above in the wall. Entering the room, Alexander locked the door, and lit a lantern that gave off a small light. And then he sat down on a silver throne and placed his finger tips together. He breathed deeply and closed his eyes. The room turned dark and then blue lighting began to crackle about the room.