Blacksmiths daughter

The Dark Council

Like shadows, they slipped through the woods. Their faces, hidden by black cowls, reflected nothing else than hate and despise. There were many, twenty, thirty, forty maybe.
Like a dark mass, they assembled in a clearing around a single figure. Tall, straight, menacing. Their leader. At last they were all together, like a sea of shadows and terrors. They were still, waiting for the meeting to start.
Then, starting from silence, voices started murmuring.
In the first age, they will come from the seas.
More voices joined them.
In the second age, there will be war.
The words got louder and louder.
In the third age, times will change and the swords be put down.
Now, the entire assembly was talking, their voices humming their dark melody in the night air.
Then, a child.
Eyes like a leaf, using the Power.
The Imlaka.
For that word, their voices were angry, they growled.
And with the Wyal, she will be the end.
At last everyone was silent. Their voices cut off, all of a sudden. No more noise.
The unmoving figure in the center finally stirred, and lifted his head.
"you all know why we are assembled. It has been 13 years since the last possible person to be the Imlaka has been tested and failed." his voice was strong, menacing and deep.
"but there are rumors... Rumors of another woman, with eyes like a leaf." he was an accomplished speaker, he knew what to say, when to stop to give effect to his words.
Indeed, many figures started murmuring among themselves. One other person, that could be the Imlaka?
"she is a young woman of about 19. I will choose one of us to hunt her, and capture her." everyone was still.
They all wished to go. To capture the Imlaka was a great honor, and all wanted recognition from their leader.
"Zadic." the leader spoke, and a great shiver went through the group. One had been chosen.
A circle appeared around a lone person, who slowly stepped forward to stand on front of the leader.
"after hunting the mother, you now have the honor to hunt the daughter." a cruel smile could be heard in the leaders voice.
The man, Zadic, bent his head.
"it is an honor." he spoke, and drew the sword from his side. In a swift motion, he cut his palm. As his black blood dripped on the forest ground, he spoke the oath.
"I swear that I will do my best to hunt, capture and bring the Imlaka here, until either the mission is completed or my life ended." the leader nodded and Zadic sheathed his sword. He didn't seem to feel his wound.
With that, the leader lifted his hands.
"the meeting is ended!" he called, and like shadows, the dark figures flowed back in the forest and disappeared. The leader and Zadic now stood by themselves.
"I gave you a second chance. Do not disappoint me again." the leader hissed, then strode into the forest after the others.