Margaret walked through the darkened corridor, shivering as shadows cast by the torches danced around her.
"It has been a long road, child, but we are almost there," said Penelope, halting at a great wooden door. She knocked, paused a moment, and then knocked again, letting the sound reverberate down the hall.
"Enter," came a voice from within.
The Dark Queen opened the door, revealing the room beyond; a circular chamber, with steps leading upward in all directions, reminding Margaret of the stadium seating in Shrewesdale. There were seven seats arranged about the centre, only one of them empty.
Penelope advanced to the middle of the circle and stopped, looking around at those assembled. Margaret watched from the doorway as the six that sat there looked with interest at the woman who n
