The castle was waiting. Tall, strong, isolated on its little hilltop, its green spires reaching up into the cloudless blue sky, it looked majestic and almost alive. It was a reassuring sight to the man in the cloak. He and his kind had done well - it looked as though it had been there forever, waiting and watching for its victims to arrive.

For that was what they were - victims. He had been watching them, and they were foolish, childish. They would laugh and embrace the idea of it and throw caution to the wind because they didn't know any better. And in return they would be stolen from and killed.

That was the way of the world, he supposed. The victims were always the innocent. There would be more victims, and there had been plenty of others in the past - even him - he pushed the thought away.

He was only a part of the world. These things would go on as they always had. It was nearly time - soon the waiting and the hiding would be over. The scepter would be in the hands of someone who could use it properly. This time, they would win. They had to. And they'd have some great parties. Not that he'd most likely be able to enjoy them...

He sighed, turned, and stepped noiselessly back down the hill, and there was silence

The castle stayed, standing proudly and strongly, not knowing or caring what in a few days time would take place within it.

The castle's only job was to wait...