The hall was stark in the deepening shadows, its huge windows stretching several stories up to reveal twilight's pastels in the sky. Its splendour could only belong to a grand palace, but around the edges lurked decay; the creeping signs of neglect showed in dusty corners and cracking plaster. The two figures who walked down the hall were dwarfed by its immensity, but one wore about him a cloak that seemed to swell and fill the surrounding space with golden brightness. It snapped and curled like fabric but it was clearly made of light; nonetheless he seemed agitated by it and flicked it off one shoulder in irritation.
"I thought he would have come by now. We've had Dawn for three days." He was dark, with smooth black hair and charcoal eyes though his skin was pale in the way of the Percontors. At that moment, his lovely face was misshapen by a scowl that made shadows in the corners of his eyes and lips, somehow making him more sinister. His companion was dressed in the traditional white, his arms bare in the cool evening, revealing three thin red ring marks around his wrist to indicate his rank; number three. His hair was cropped very short; it dusted across his skull like gold. He folded his arms behind his back and smiled faintly.
"Dusk is in the mortal realms, my lord. Have patience. You know the link between them grows tenuous when one crosses without the other." His tone was soothing. "He will know we have taken the girl by now, which means he will be back soon enough to try and save her. Once he realises what has happened to Dawn, then I'm sure he will be more... agreeable. Have no fear, my First."
His pacification seemed to be working. The Percontor in the cloak made of light sighed a short, sharp sigh of frustration and then took a few deep breaths. "And the other?"
A secret smile crossed the Third's face as he considered for a moment. "Oh yes. Everything will work out just fine. The Balance restored." The last part was intoned reverently.
The First nodded, his eyes shining with fervour. "The Balance restored."
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