//------------------------------//
// Lurking in the Shadows 
// Story: Twilight is Banished from Death 
// by Sunsette 
//------------------------------//

The harsh winds of the Northern lands are deadly to those who can't stand the cold. While it is true that the first migration of the Griffons were harsh and full of hardship, nonetheless they were blessed with lands as green as the Everfree leaves. There on the final stairsteps of Ukrueridge, a Griffon cloaked in a black hood journeyed through the intense fog that covers the valley and the stairs. 

After assassinating the Princess of Friendship, he was not filled with pride or grief, but he had a desire to slaughter those who she love, yet he cannot do so, as his mission was to kill the Princess only and leave her dead body for her friends to mourn for their lost friend. He chuckled darkly at this thought, but that was not to be, for the next step of this stair, lies the ancient and majestic city of Ukrueridge, the crown jewel of the Griphonia Kingdoms.

Once a village in the great migration, now a bustling city filled with life and excitement. The street's itself is filled with Griffon children chasing one another happily, while the rest enjoy their times idling about near the Tree of Light -- the tree that lights up the dark skies and clears away any danger from their hated neighbours the Equestrians. Long have they pushed further into their lands, causing several major cases of famine all across the border towns, and unrest in the major cities, yet the city of Ukrueridge was always the centre of peace and enlightenment, where all the problems of the world fades away, and one could enjoy themselves a belly full of mead.

Boromîr walked down idly across the crowded street's of Ukrueridge, and treaded with caution, for he was a wanted Griffon for his actions. The local guardsmen no naught of his true intent or his allegiance to the Dark Lord himself, so they attacked him whenever they see him, but always fail they will. He eyed the peaceful Griffons selling and trading their goods to other Griffons, and their closest allies -- the Minotaurs -- walking slowly among the crowds, trying not to squish the smaller beings before them.

Ukrueridge was the centre of knowledge all across the known civilizations. So great were they're libraries, that the Canterlot libraries pale in comparison to the Hall of Knowledge, located deep within the city centre. The city was also well known for it's impenetrable walls, for in the Second Age of the World, the dark forces of Sombra tried to overtake the city, but his army failed to do so, for the Tree of Light protects the city with a barrier unknown to Celestia herself. 

Boromîr took comfort that the ponies that would be hunting him down won't be able to get near him anytime soon. He climbed the stairs of Ukrueridge once more, and his journey is filled with silence. As he reached the top of the mountain, a beautiful marble building stood proudly on one of the many steppes of the mountains. 

He walked his way through the vast halls, and as he entered the next room, a golden statue of a representation of the Dark Lord himself, stood proudly, and the gold shine's off to the most distant of lands. Thus the Beacon of Manwë was born. Boromîr kneeled down before the statue and recited an ancient Mordor text. His vision goes to black, and the Dark Lord himself stood right on front of him.

The Griffon bowed down before his master, causing his Master to groan. And as he stood up, the Dark Lord spoke; "What news have you come upon thee?" The Griffon looked up at him and pulled out the feathers and the horn of Twilight Sparkle. The creature chuckled darkly and picked up the items below him.

"You have done well my humble servant, I'm sure ye would be good in thy next assignment yes?" Boromîr nodded as he continued to sharpen his claws. He gave his master a dark grin, and his Master understood what he meant. The Dark Lord walked around the vast empty halls of the Pantheon, and when they went outside, the Dark Lord chuckled menacingly.

"The ring has yet to come to me, and when it does, all of Middle Earth and Arda will fall under my dark hands" Boromîr nodded again and bowed slightly at him. "I shall go now my master, for I have pending meetings to attend to." And with that, Boromîr climbed down the thousand steps once more, and departed for the next city; Cazorath, the Capital of the Griffon Kingdoms.

While Cazorath is much smaller than Ukrueridge, it is the first known city ever established in history -- other than Canterlot of course. Thousands of Griffons flocked to this ancient city, that the reservations for each hotel was always full, and the fine restaurants packed with customers alike. Though when Sombra's army came to destroy the capital, it did so and leave very few buildings standing. To this day, the ancient ruins of old Cazorath can be seen on the outskirts of the city.

And this is where Boromîr and the Griffon counsel shall sign the declaration of war against Equestria.