Serevin looked up.  Hundreds of purple-and-gold cloaked men filled the
room.  In fact, the entire cult was probably here.  He smiled grimly.
Whatever the High Priest had called them for, it couldn't be good news.  It
had been only a month since the last meeting.  Not a good sign at all.  Then
there was the fact that the Priest was late.  Serevin shook his head.
  Just then, a black-cloaked young man entered from the back of the room,
stepping up to the podium.  He gazed over the cult members with blood-red
eyes.  Serevin smiled, knowing he was one of the few people in the room who
could avoid flinching when that gaze passed over him.  The aura of evil
emanating from the High Priest was powerful indeed.
  "I have called this meeting," the High Priest boomed, voice filling the
entire chamber, "on the orders of our Dark Lord himself.  He has told me
what we must do.  Our plans are at a delicate stage.  We cannot afford to
have anything, or anyone, upset the balance.  And so it is that there are
three tasks we must accomplish.
  "First, this Keyla," he spoke the name in disgust, "seems to be trying to
get herself killed prematurely.  She must stay alive, at least for the
moment.  So, the Ice and Death orders will be assigned to protect her.  If
you fail in this mission, I will be very... displeased."  Serevin smiled
as a shudder rippled through the room.  He knew fully what the High Priest
did to those who displeased him.
  "Second, there is a newcomer to our land, a newcomer by the name of Jaroh
Magus.  Find out more about him.  If he is not useful to us, finish him.  He
has been... delayed... on his travels.  Find him, and make certain that he
will not harm our plans.
  "Third, there is one who calls himself Scarecrow.  He could work for
anyone, and may damage our plans.  We know almost nothing of him, and the
attempts of the Thorn order to learn more have failed.  And so it is that I
call the Black Plague's first Hunt:  Scarecrow must die!  The man who kills
Scarecrow will have power almost equal to that of mine.  You will kill
Scarecrow!"
  The final word echoed through the cavernous temple.  For a long moment,
nobody dared even breathe.  Then one of the Priests spoke up.
  "I anticipated this desire, o Great One.  I have already sent Scarecrow on
a suicide mission, to kill King Edgar and Prince Sabin.  I know that this
will not damage our plans, and however powerful this Scarecrow is, he cannot
defeat both of them.  He will never suspect my plan."
  The High Priest smiled faintly, before giving the Priest his darkest stare.
The object of his gaze cowered in fear.  "You dare attempt to second-guess
my plans?  No one does anything until I GIVE THE ORDER!"  The cowering
priest began screaming, staggering as though dealt mighty blows.  "NOW!  Is
that clear?"
  The wounded priest struggled to remain standing.  "Yes, your Greatness.  I
will not fail you again."
  "Good.  Now, remember never to underestimate your opponent.  I doubt this
Scarecrow is such a fool that he will fall right in to your trap.  So...
spies report that Scarecrow is crossing the ocean.  It would be best for all
of you if he never made it to the other side.  Dismissed!"
  The High Priest turned and stalked out of the room, leaving the cult
members to begin shuffling out.  Serevin smiled.  As Master of Beasts, his
job was to find and breed more powerful monsters, so that one day the Black
Plague would have armies of twisted creatures at it's disposal.  There was a
new creature he had found, his most powerful yet.  Scarecrow would never
stand a chance.