Okay, everyone, here is the beginning of my first chapter! I hope you all enjoy it and please feel free to comment and let me know what you think! 🙂

Shadows swirled around in a room lit only by the flames of a massive fireplace. Reflections from the flames danced across the rough stone floor. Seated in a heavy chair of black walnut was a man clothed in slate grey tunic and breeches. Thick blond hair edged with grey at the temples was brushed back, revealing a broad face that was almost harsh in appearance. Light from the hearth flickered on deep lines etched around cold blue eyes.
Those eyes were fixed intently on a large dark red orb, pulsing with sparks of light and tongues of flame inside, which lay on a carved stone stand. Images spun rapidly across the orb’s glassy surface, yet the man’s eyes saw each one. A slow smile crept across his craggy face as he watched the scenes unfolding before him.
At long last it will finally be mine, he thought eagerly. It had taken many years of waiting and planning but now everything was coming together exactly as he wanted.
Ruval rose to his full height and turned away. As though answering a silent signal, the images on the orb faded away and it grew dark. He strode over to the nearby window and pulled back the thick drapes to let the fading afternoon light in. Outside, the sky was dark with thick grey clouds that looked about ready to burst.
He eyed it with a frown and turned away, not perturbed by the sight. It would be a little while yet before the storm arrived but it mattered not. The weather wouldn’t hinder his plan from proceeding forward.
He stepped over towards a heavy table darkened with age where a tall pitcher and a plain pewter goblet sat. He poured some wine into the goblet before striding over to the fireplace. The fire was burning low so he grabbed a chunk of wood and tossed it in. Sparks flew upward in a lazy spiral, almost hypnotizing in their ascent, glowing brightly for a brief second before winking out.
Ruval sat back down, glancing impatiently at the door to his side. What was taking him so long? He’d mind-called the boy before leaving his study, which would have given him plenty of time to arrive about now if he hurried.
He sipped his wine and drummed the fingers of his right hand irritably on the chair’s armrest. Of all the times to dawdle the boy had to pick today. He used to be more punctual when he’d first arrived, fear keeping him from doing anything that might displease him, but over the years he’d watched that fear slowly abate. It was something that he wasn’t pleased to see.
After several minutes had passed, a firm knock echoed outside the chamber’s door causing Ruval to glance at it crossly. Finally. It had taken him long enough. “Enter,” he commanded.
He turned his gaze towards the hearth and didn’t look as the door opened quietly and soft footsteps came towards him. “What took you so long?” he demanded. “Almost fifteen minutes passed before you showed.”
“I apologize for the delay,” a deep voice answered. “I was outside when I got your summons. I came as quickly as I could.”
“No doubt,” Ruval said wryly. “I’m sure you spared no time in getting here.”
There was no answer from the speaker. Ruval sighed and waved him forward. “Stop lurking in the background, Darvir, and get over here. I have a task that needs taking care of and there is little time.”
A tall brooding man dressed in black from head to toe came into view. Thick dark hair fell around a face as hard and unreadable as flint and eyes as blue as the ocean stared at Ruval with a cold light. “What is it?” he asked evenly.

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