Somewhere, sometime, three cloaked figures sat as they chatted with each other, the cold metal walls as their sole witnesses.
Large Cloaked Figure: "The young ones were raided today. This is no good, Brother."
The largest figure spoke with a deep voice. The cloak they wore barely concealed their bulk, and their large, muscular forearms were clearly visible as they grasped their mug. While their hood concealed their face, the orientation of the hood was a clear indicator that they were looking at the middle-sized hooded figure.
Small Cloaked Figure: "This is your fault."
The smallest of the three chugged their drink in a single gulp, complaining with a shrill voice to the middle-sized hooded figure.
Small Cloaked Figure: "You should've just disposed of that ambitious rat instead of saving him. You wasted valuable time."
Their frame was completely concealed beneath their robes, but their wrists and their hands were small.
Large Cloaked Figure: "If he had been left there, he would be taken by the magistrates and –"
Small Cloaked Figure: "And divulged everything he learnt from us? Perhaps even the nature of his blessing? I assure you, he already spilt those. If he didn't, why would the young ones be raided? That ambitious rat had pride in excess. Just because we deemed him momentarily useful, and you gave him your blessing –"
Medium Cloaked Figure: "Have no fear."
The middle-sized figure reassured the small figure, their voice average in every way.
Medium Cloaked Figure: "Just as you foresaw, I had anticipated this and nothing of value was told to him. He was a useful pawn, nothing more."
Small Cloaked Figure: "But is it true, Brother? Did he lose your blessing?"
A silence descended over the trio.
Medium Cloaked Figure: "Yes, that is true."
Large Cloaked Figure: "Then that is grave yet heartening news indeed. Only – "
Medium Cloaked Figure: "Do not entertain that possibility. While it may have held true back home, here in this forsaken void everything is different. Even if it truly is the Fourth who did it, recovering them will be difficult. They are in the hands of the magistrates and did not recognize my blessing. The transit must have damaged their memories."
Small Cloaked Figure: "Bah! Let those three fanatics deal with recovering their missing Fourth. While we're at it, why not give the rat to the First as well? As a thank you gift for dealing with the memories of the young ones?"
Large Cloaked Figure: "I agree. He was compatible with your blessing. His unique mind may yet be reworked into fertile ground if allowed to fallow in their care."
Middle Cloaked Figure: "Then it shall be done, even though I do not wish to give them more fuel to stoke their internal conflict."
Large Cloaked Figure: "That being said, why did you leave behind the tyrant's corpse? Surely his body must still hold secrets?"
Middle Cloaked Figure: "There is no point anymore. That which we were looking for is no longer there. It has slipped through our fingers like the desert sands. But the rocks which birth the sand still exist. We must go after those, after the tyrant's progeny."
The middle-sized figure finally drank from their cup, taking only the barest sip, their drink having grown cold during their long conversation. Once done, they looked at the space between their two companions, and asked a question addressed to both.
Middle Cloaked Figure: "What of the Midasian? And the Hadeans?"
Large Cloaked Figure: "The Midasian honours his deal. His lineage is surprisingly receptive and compatible. They are well primed to accept us."
Small Cloaked Figure: "The Hadeans are not united, as we anticipated. But their motivation is uniform, and we can provide the spark they need. Most of them will fall in line. There are a few who still resist, but they will crumble soon"
Middle Cloaked Figure: "Good. Things may not always go according to plan, but we will adapt. We will succeed."
The middle-sized figure stood up from their seat. The barest image of a grin poked out from within the shadows of their hood as they raised their cold drink in a toast.
Middle Cloaked Figure: "Glory to the North Star."
Small & Large Cloaked Figures: "Glory to the North Star."