In a secluded courtyard on the western side of Rivendare Manor, Baron Rivendare was chatting with a blonde woman.
"What a surprise. I was just worrying about how to complete Lord Dar'Khan's task, and this boy delivered himself right to my door." Rivendare stroked the woman's cheek. "Now we won't need to buy magic materials farther afield, and I'll have more time to spend with you, Anastari."
The woman he called Anastari giggled. "Once you've finished this, can you make me your baroness in more than just name?"
Rivendare nodded. "Of course. With Lord Dar'Khan's support, no one will stand in our way. Don't forget, with enough magic materials, Lord Kel'Thuzad can be resurrected too. I've always been loyal to him, so he'll support me as well..."
Anastari chuckled. "Good. Then all we have to do is wait for Maleki to bring back what he stole. Are you sure he didn't make a mistake?"
"He wouldn't," Rivendare said. "The runes that boy carries were made from felweed. That's the ideal magic material for Lord Dar'Khan's Dark Ritual. We can just sit back and wait. Maleki should be finishing his task any moment now."
As he spoke, Rivendare drew Anastari closer.
Anastari was about to wriggle out of his arms with a giggle when urgent knocking suddenly came from the courtyard gate.
Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!
The sharp sound was especially jarring in the stillness of the night.
Frowning, Rivendare went over and opened the gate, only for an assassin carrying a short blade to rush straight inside.
"What's got you in such a panic?"
Rivendare was about to reprimand him, but the assassin was gasping for breath, looking utterly terrified. "H-horrifying... How could anyone be that terrifyingly powerful?"
"Powerful? Who?" Rivendare asked in confusion.
He glanced outside, then