The midnight moon shone on the lake. Frogs croaked and birds tweeted. But suddenly all went silent.

A shape came from the horizon and landed next to the lake. The dark figure had rippling muscles and powerful wings like a bat, but it had black scales all over. It wore a metal helmet which dipped down over its snout like the beak of a bird of prey. The creature was a dragon. It knelt down and took a long drink from the lake sending frogs scurrying out of its way.

Minutes passed and another figure came from the opposite direction and landed beside the first. The second dragon was smaller than the first but long and thin. It had black scales like the first creature, but with gold scales around its neck and twisting around its arm like a venomous snake. After landing beside the first figure, the second locked its wings behind its back and bowed even though its expression looked as if it wanted to do anything else.

"Rise Auhek." said the first creature in a deep resonant voice. The smug look on its face showed that it thought itself to be superior among its kind and expected orders to be followed. "You're late."

"Excuse my tardiness." Auhek replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The first either did not notice or pretended not to.

"Do you have the artifact?"

"You should know I went through a lot of trouble to get this." Auhek pulled an object from the pouch around his neck.

The object was a amulet with a thin gold chain and a stone that was black as night in some lights and red as blood in others. Yet it emitted such a evil and powerful atmosphere that a bird that happened to be flying overhead at that moment dropped dead with fear and every animal around the lake scampered away with terror.

The dragon with the helmet reached out its claws greedily. Almost faster than the eye could follow, Auhek snatched it away from him. "Ah, ah, ah." He tut-tutted disapprovingly. "I believe we had a deal."

The larger dragon scowled and handed a bag full of gold coins to Auhek. "Your prices are too high." he complained. Auhek spread his arms helplessly, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Hey a guy has to make a living, you know that, Romzn."

Romzn scowled even deeper. "That's Lord Romzn to you, you miserable pickpocket."

"I prefer crook, prowler or maybe even embezzler to describe my profession. Pickpocket just sounds too ordinary. And besides, you're not king yet. Maybe you never will be-" Auhek was interrupted when Romzn lashed out and grabbed him by the neck. Auhek choked for air as Romzn spoke in a voice that was soft but yet edged with the purest evil, his black eyes bright with malice.

"Doubt my strength again and I will personally tear out your heart." He held on for a few more seconds to make his point, then let go. Auhek collapsed to the ground gagging and breathing heavily his own amber eyes filled with hatred.

Romzn turned his back."Now begone. I've no need of you or your "skills" anymore and I tire of your pompous attitude." To Auhek, it seemed as if he couldn't fly away fast enough. He would have his revenge of course, but he would wait until Romzn was weak and at his lowest. Then, he would swoop in to deliver the final blow. But for now, he darted towards the horizon and disappeared.

Romzn stood at the edge of the lake for a minute more then flew off clutching the amulet that would soon be the cause of a great and terrible battle in one of his talons.

And the lake was silent once more. The frogs started to croak again and it was all as it was before. As if nothing had happened and all was right with the world.