The hulking demon lord sat his throne, glowering down on the elderly spell-caster. The human stood before him, cowering in the intensity of those burning eyes.

“Lord Martez, as you commanded, I have an idea for bringing the queen here to Yrganu.”

“Tell us this plan of yours.”

The sorcerer cast a nervous glance at all of the master’s lackeys gathered around the room, their forms so dark that they seemed to devour their own shadows. They were all watching him, some merely bored, others sneering with cruel anticipation, white foam slavering over the corners of their curled lips. He looked back to the throne of Lord Martez, no less intimidating.

“Master, I suggest that we try to seduce the girl into seeking us out. If it’s power she wants, power she shall have – or so we shall say. If it’s men, we can bring her princes from every corner of the world. What female could resist such an offer? But above all, she need not know who we are.”

The crowd of minions looked their master, curious to see his reaction. Lord Martez’s eyes narrowed.

“And how do you propose we initiate such a … seduction?” he asked.

“We could write a letter for beginners, my lord.”

The demon’s eyes bulged. “Write… a letter?” he stood from his throne and slowly approached the wizard. When he was finally close enough to see the blue and red veins in the human’s eyes, he whispered, “You fool. This is a matter of huge importance, and you suggest,” he continued, his deep voice rising with every word, “You suggest what we write a letter?!”

The wizard stammered. “Or – or perhaps another method might be more acceptable…”

Martez stared hard at the human, then began chuckling softly. “What a fool,” he whispered. He turned as if to return to his throne, still chuckling. The wizard breathed a sigh of relief.

“What a fool!” Martez roared furiously. He whirled around, striking with one razorsharp talon. The old man’s head rolled across the floor, an expression of instant fear forever etched upon his wrinkled face. His mangled body slowly crumpled to rest in the gathering pool of blood at his master’s foot.

“What a fool!” Martez roared again. A few smaller demons in the back scurried away. The remainder where frozen, fearing to even rustle a wing. Lord Martez settled in his throne, pulling his black cloak closer around one arm. His bulging eyes subsided a bit, and he spoke.

“The humans have withstood us and made our power dependent on theirs. It is time for us to pay them back and steal away their queen.” He paused, his eyes glinting evilly. “We will strike them with their own kind.”