What passed for night in the Kingdom of Color had long since fallen. The sky was a deep blue and the millions of stars shone as brightly as the moon itself.

Down in the city it was boisterous. A late night festival kept many of the citizens up late. The laughter and music could be heard all the way from the palace, where the last remaining group of Darklings crouched in shadow.

There were only five. All had dark hair, all were dressed as servants, and where the whites of the eyes would have been on any other creature, on the Darklings it was black.

Arc, the tallest and leanest of the group, was the leader. His black hair was slashed short by hasty dagger work. Between the black in his eyes was a thin circle of green. He slowly stepped out of hiding and his companions followed.

Iirst, Arc's wife, stood closest to him. The other three, Gairst, Xerr, and Everest, all identical, slipped away toward the servant's entrance.

Iirst and Arc walked casually around the side of the palace. There was no need for stealth, for there should be only one person in the palace.

A window on the third floor was lit by flickering firelight. That was where they needed to go. It would not be a difficult climb. The royal family did like their flowering vines. Liked them so much as to put up a wooden structure all along the side of the palace.

Iirst went up first with Arc right behind her. The two moved quickly, the rustling of the leaves moving in their passing sounding like wind.

The pair stopped when they reached the window. There was silence inside. Not for long, however.

A sharp knock on the door, followed by a rustle as the person inside stood. "Come in," Prince Reed III called.

Iirst opened the window silently and climbed inside. The door opened across the room and Xerr stepped in... Alone. "Your Highness," Xerr panted. "You're in danger!"

This wasn't the plan. Iirst leaped into motion toward the Prince. The Prince shouted for guards. Arc threw himself through the window at Xerr.

"What have you done with Gairst and Everest?!" Arc demanded, throwing Xerr against a wall and holding him there.

Xerr cried out. He shook under Arc's harsh black glare. "I-I knocked them out. We shouldn't be doing this Arc!"

Arc whipped out a dagger and buried it deep into Xerr's chest. He leaned in close. "We don't tolerate traitors among the Darklings."

Xerr likely didn't hear Arc. His eyes closed quickly and he slumped to the floor.

The Prince screamed behind Arc, making him whip around. Iirst had her dagger in his belly. She yanked it out and slit his throat. She stood and wiped the blood from her hands. It was done.

Arc smiled. "Come on, love. Let's go."

Iirst gave him an impish grin and hooked her arm though his. They turned to the door and were immediately met by eight guards. Before either could react, they were surrounded and pulled apart.

"It has been Scripted!" The Caller had to shout to be heard by the crowd gathered at the edge of the Inkbane Forest. "It has been Scripted by the His Majesty King Avlorn himself! Arc Drake and Iirst Drake of the Darklings shall be banished into the Inkbane Forest!

From the moment they enter, they nor their descendants may cross the border into the sunlight! The heirs of all generations shall be cursed with horrible trials! This shall continue until the Scribner's council deems they have suffered enough for the death our dearly beloved Crowned Prince Reed the Third!"

There were no cheers or applause. Only silence. Though it was clear the crowd disapproved.

"The fates of the other two darklings, Everest Storm and Gairst Cairn, have yet to be decided!"

The Caller turned to Arc and Iirst. He stood proudly in his robes of bright yellow. His face was hidden by the hood and his hands were tucked in the sleeves. He gave them a cold nod. "You have ten seconds to enter the forest."

The couple needed no prompting. They stepped into the looming, dark shadows and seemed to vanish from sight. They were swallowed by darkness.