Diedrick snarled as he turned away from Muunokhoi; as much as he hated being the one to disturb the mistress, lateness was not tolerated among minions, and Diedrick would share in Muunokhoi's punishment for causing it. "Wait here," the older demon called back as he mounted the grand steps leading up to the entrance to his lady's chamber.

Muunokhoi would have rolled his eyes, had he possessed a pair. Instead he scoffed at the self-important demon and cursed under his breath. He watched as Diedrick grabbed a hold of the thick knocker on the doors. The circle of silver was held in the maw of an ornate gold jaguar head. The eyes, perfectly cut rubies gleaned from the slave mines held by the syndicate, stared with startlingly real intelligence at the demon as he lifted the heavy ring and dropped it. The knocker, which was so heavy that it required someone of supernatural strength to lift it, fell with a heavy ringing sound against the ebon doors.

After a few moments of tense silence, the jaguar's eyes truly came to life as the statue became animate. Diedrick stepped back as the jaguar lowered the ring to the ground with its golden tongue and spoke. "The lady is out?" he grumbled in a voice that spoke of deep caverns. He cocked a metal ear, as if listening to some distant sound, and then continued. "Her partner, however, bids you enter. Welcome, Muunokhoi." Muunokhoi drew himself to his full height, unimpressive as it was, and mounted the steps. He nodded his thanks to the demon artifact, and it nodded back as its long, pointed tongue snaked around the massive ring and drew it back into its mouth. As soon as its mouth closed, the twin doors parted silently. Muunokhoi sniffed pretentiously at Diedrick as he passed. "Thanks, Diedrick. I'll let you get back to washing your hair," the grey fiend called back.

"I washed my hair an hour ago," Diedrick returned with a laugh, but then caught on to Muunokhoi's veiled sarcasm. He grimaced and scoffed, then flared out his wings and returned to his duties, ignoring the slight from the ugly lesser demon.

Munokhoi chuckled softly as he walked down the dark hall, his steps falling quietly and steadily. The darkness was absolute, denying those within it knowledge of exactly where the walls were. The stark abyss was only there, however, to enhance the effect of what Muunokhoi knew was coming. He walked forward with confidence, for he was immune to the blindness that overcame all who stepped beyond the magic veil separating the entranceway from the throne room.

All those with normal modes of vision would step from the darkness absolute into light so bright that the visitor was rendered blind. An audience chamber of modest size was filled with bronze and flame. Great braziers, each five feet in diameter, roared with pillars of brilliant flame that made every inch of the bronzed walls shine like gold. The path to the central dais was a bronze grille that shone from a bed of embers below. The overall effect was to make the visitor question whether they remained in Rhy"Din at all, and that the abyssal hallway did not take them to some new dimension. The hall's owner was homesick for a certain hellish plane, and loved the thought that her demesne could make her guests think of the same place.

Muunokhoi stepped forward into the blazing chamber and whispered a charm that would protect his feet against the incredible heat of the walkway. His head bowed in respect, the demon approached the bronze dais. The jaguar sentry had said that the mistress was not in, but Muunokhoi had to show as much respect to her partner as to her. When the demon reached the foot of the dais steps, he dropped to one knee and greeted his lord. "Master Lion," he said respectfully.

Lounging on the bronze throne, his sharp nails clicking on the armrest in boredom, Lion sat waiting. "And what has my lover's favorite worm brought today' A new slave, or perhaps some interesting item?" the greater demon asked in a disinterested voice. His blue-green eyes were glazed over with sleepiness and apathy, and he was hoping that Muunokhoi would provide something interesting for him to play with.

"Just a new slave, my lord. Unfortunately, nothing that would be too interesting to you," Muunokhoi said in feigned sorrow. The baker's daughter was pretty, but Muunokhoi new well that Lion preferred only the carnal company of the mistress.

Lion sighed and rose from the throne, then stretched his tall, muscular frame to shake off his apathy. "Come, Muunokhoi, don't make me wait. Bring in the girl," the demon said lazily. Muunokhoi merely bowed and sent a thought servant out through the dark hallway to where Gresnick waited. The thought servant, manifest as a blue wisp of flame, flew straight and sure out of the room. Its smooth flight was the sign of an orderly mind, but Muunokhoi's brain was far from peaceful at the moment. He was irritated that his mistress was not present at the appointed time, and he disliked interacting with Lion, whom he viewed as a layabout and a leech on the flank of the syndicate.

The grinding of the jaguar's gate and a bit of orcish stumbling heralded Gresnick's passage through the dark. He entered the chamber, the young Sophia over his shoulder, and bowed low to Lion.

"Let's see what you've brought us today, Moonie." Lion said, grasping the unconscious girl by the back of her dress and lifting her from Gresnick's back. Muunokhoi flinched at the use of the nickname. He hated the diminutive, but could not stop his masters from using it.

Lion set the unconscious girl on her feet and held her up by her shoulder as he passed a hand in front of her face. Strands of mana, barely visible, floated out of the demon's hands and wormed their way into the girl's head through her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. A moment later, Sophia quietly awoke, as from a long sleep. She groggily peeled her eyes open and took in the scene before.

It only took her a few seconds to realize that she was not at home, and definitely not safe. She tensed her features and opened her mouth to scream, but Lion snapped his fingers and magically silenced her. She screamed with all of her might, but no noise escaped her throat. Panicking, Sophia grabbed at her neck, and Lion's next words did little to soothe her fears.

"Relax, my dear. I merely silenced you. If you promise not to scream, I will give you back your voice," he said soothingly. The girl nodded, and the demon waved his hand.

"Where am I," she asked haltingly, testing her voice.

"You are in the darkest place in Rhy"Din. This is the beating heart of evil in this land," uttered a sinister female voice. All present turned to see who had spoken, and a tall, slim, muscular woman stepped out from a hidden doorway. At first glance she appeared to be an angel, but the ebony feathers of her mighty wings betrayed the illusion.

Muunokhoi and Gresnick immediately dropped into a deep bow. "Mistress?" the grey-skinned demon said in a reverent tone. Lion grinned and winked at his partner, then grabbed Sophia around her shoulders and drew her to his side in a mock show of friendship.

"Hey honey, look," he chimed in false exuberance, "We have a new toy!"