Prologue: The Betrayal
As the clock ticked in the pitch-black night, the absence of stars lent an eerie cloak to an unassuming house nestled amidst the sprawling vineyards.
This small and timeworn dwelling, masquerading as the property of a humble grape farmer, cradled within its aged walls the clandestine dreams of those who coveted power, satisfaction, and wealth.
The air, heavy with the weight of secrecy, transformed this seemingly tranquil abode into the covert stage for a gathering of individuals dwelling on the fringes of society.
The flickering light revealed the faces of those gathered – shadows dancing upon the walls, their features etched with a hunger for the forbidden fruits of influence and riches.
The creaking floorboards beneath bore witness to the weight of their whispered conspiracies, each word exchanged adding another layer to the clandestine symphony.