"So you come to me..."
The voice echoed through the vaulted room like the north wind passing through sheets of steel. Aphar stood at the base of the great dais, a small man looking up at the black shrouded figure that towered over him. Behind the prince of Khand stood the remnant of the warriors that had traveled with him, no more than twenty men who barely kept their feet in the terror of Carn Dûm's great throne room.
Aphar paused a moment, then with a slight tremor in his voice began "I..."
The shrouded figure wheeled around, nothingness burning it's gaze upon the man who stood at his feet.
"I return to my kingdom; my lieutenants are scattered, my forces in disarray.....by what? One such as you? You bear the mark of my brethren...do you dare to tell me they plot against me?"
Aphar found his voice. "Never! Oh great lord! One would be a fool to set himself against the greatest servant of the Tar-Mairu!" He bowed deeply before the figure that seemed to writhe in its disquiet. "I come to offer my service."
The black figure became quiet, a lurking shadow. "Service? What service could one such as you do me?"
Aphar gathered his voice and spoke in the most princely tone he could muster, "I have found the whereabouts of one who does much to hinder the works of the Great Master. I ask that I be fitted to seek her out and destroy her...remove her hindrance so that the shadow of the Tar-Mairu may claim what is his and bring all into his thrall."
"Who...who is this?"
"O Great and Magnificent lord, she is an ancient elf....versed in magicks and trickery. She holds many weak ones under her sway, yet one of her minions fell into my hands..."
The black figure hissed, "And what did you learn from this...follower?"
"My lord, she was taken from my hands before I could break her completely...but what I did learn led me to the lands not far south of here."
" What is the name of this ancient elf that poses such a danger to my Master's plans?"
"O Great One, I speak of the Iaurmenel Alkawen."
The shrouded figure said nothing, but a low hiss echoed off of the cavernous walls.
