The girl was shivering.

She was tied to a stone table, in nothing but a damp chemise. This was her life. Doing anything and everything she was asked to, without hesitation. This was because she knew well what would happen to her if she didn't obey her orders…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Lord Blackwood was furious. "What gives you the right to interrupt my personal time with issues of WORK?" he spat at the man in the black cloak, who was cowering in fear.

"P-p-please my Lord…if you'll only listen…"

"Oh I'll listen all right…to the sound of your bones crunching under my boot! Is THAT what you want!?"

The man cringed at the thought. At that moment, another man in a full black cloak stepped in.

"My Lord, Dunstan here was only trying to bring you're attention to a few issues with the plan."

Blackwood turned to face the man, who was obviously braver than Dunstan. His eyes narrowed.

"Later. As I said, I'm busy. He then turned to leave.

"It would appear as if your "toy" has become a distraction from more important work, Blackwood."

The man regretted the statement as soon as it fell from his lips. With a flash of steel and a scream of pain, the man no longer lived, his body crumpled on the floor.

Blackwood bent over, pulled his knife from the man's body, and began cleaning the blade.

"Let that be a warning to ALL of you. ANYONE who dares to get in my way will pay the same price".

And with that he stormed out of the room.