The Dark Queen The Dark Queen looked down from her throne, at the surface dweller that was on his knees at the bottom of the dais. She studied his tortured bleeding body. "Why is it that your kind always comes down here looking for our treasures? Is there not enough wealth upon the surface to entertain thieves like you?" Her voice was a soft luring hum, like sweet music soothing yet menacing. "You are resilient I will give you that," she smiled. You have out lived your companions. What is it that makes you cling to life so?" She asked. The human looked up at her through swollen eyes, spit the blood that had been building in his mouth upon the floor. "Perhaps I have something they lacked."He said through raw cracked lips. "As long as I live there remains hope."He smile though the act brought sharp pain to his bruised face. "The Queen repeated, her head tilting to the left as she looked down on him. She stood, her tall slim body swaying suggestively as she descended the steps of the dais. She circled him, like a cat playing with its prey. "Hope? Hope is what you should have left behind when you entered our domain."She bent over him and with a gentleness he hadnt believed possible from such as she, lifted his face towards hers."Tell us what is this hope that you hold so dear?" He looked into her silver eyes. "My wife, she knows where I am at, and she is coming for me, so everyday I stay alive there remains hope."He smiled bigger this time. The dark Queen smiled an evil smile, and let go of his chin. "Oh a wife, how sweet. She comes to your rescue sweeter still," her voice was softer more lyrical. She looked to the two male warriors that had brought the captive to her. "Take him back to his cell, clean him up, no more harm comes to him. We cant have him looking like this when our guest comes to rescue him." The guards smiled at the amusement of their Liege. Then all turned to the man on his knees as he started to laugh, a deep real laugh. � Oh Dark Queen, you are evil to the bone.You are mean, hard and cold, but you haven met my wife. You have no idea. If I were allowed to wager on this out come, all my wealth would be put on her."His laugh grew softer. "Hope, is that which you will have none of when she enters here!" The queen gestured to the guards. "Remove him." She said, her voice had lost some of its softness. As she watched the surface dweller being dragged away, a sudden chill ran down her spine. "Such assuredness we must not underestimate this Wifes coming."