[Abe Sargent]

You twist the portal’s silver handle and, to your relief, you discover it is unlocked. You push it open and step across the threshold into a small chapel dedicated to Goddess Ishir. Standing before a wooden altar draped with a silver cloth stands a Priestess of the Moon, a devout acolyte of Ishir. She is clothed in a beautiful robe of shimmering white silk interwoven with threads of fine silver. She leaves the altar and walks towards you with her delicate hands crossed upon her chest.

‘I am Priestess Song Tao,’ she says, softly. ‘Welcome.’

You sense the aura of goodness that she exudes and it flows over you like a cool refreshing breeze (restore 1 ENDURANCE point). You introduce yourself and tell her that you are the Kai Grand Master whom Anseng had been sent to escort to Pensei. She asks after your guide and she is deeply saddened to hear what became of him. She closes her eyes and a single tear trickles down her pale cheek. Slowly, she opens her eyes and holds you with a mesmerizing stare. Your Sixth Sense tells you that she is looking into your mind. When she is sure that you are indeed a Kai Grand Master, she uncrosses her hands and beckons you to follow her.

‘There are some important people that are waiting for you. Come with me.’

Priestess Song Tao leads you to an alcove behind the altar and traces her fingertip around one of the engravings on the wall. It activates a secret panel which slides open to reveal a spiral stone staircase. You follow as she climbs to a landing near the top of the tower. A silver-plated door stands before you. Song Tao knocks on this shining door before opening it.

You follow her into a large and impressive circular chamber. Its smooth walls and ceiling are midnight blue in colour and studded with clusters of tiny Caronese crystals. The effect is stunning; it is as if you have just stepped into deep space and are surrounded by thousands of tiny twinkling stars. The chamber is dimly lit by an oil lamp resting on a circular table in the middle of the room. Song Tao raises its wick and the light becomes brighter. It illuminates three people who are seated in winged armchairs on the far side of the chamber. They stand up and Song Tao introduces them to you.

The first is Lord Honos, a journeymage from Dessi. The second is Zautro, a curate Herbwarden from Bautar, and the third is Captain Jian Tzu, the commander of Dwala’s City Guard. He is also the leader of the Watchers and a loyal friend and ally to the Elder Magi. It was Jian Tzu who sent Anseng to meet you on your arrival in Chai and to be your guide. When you tell them what has happened since your arrival in Chai, they are relieved to see you still have the Eye of Agarash safely in your possession. They are also shocked and saddened to learn of the regrettable loss of Anseng, Chao, and Lieutenant Quang. Lord Honos assures you that their sacrifice will not be in vain, and neither will it be forgotten. Zautro the Herbwarden steps forward and asks to see the Eye of Agarash. The others, too, are anxious to view this infamous artefact and they gather round.

When you open the leather satchel, you are assailed by a wave of evil energy that drains you of 6 ENDURANCE points.

The insidious effect of the Eye leaves you unsteady on your feet. The others support you until the weakness fades and you are able to stand unaided. They all sense that the Eye is responsible for your plight.

Captain Jian Tzu says that they will send word to Lord Rimoah that you are now in Dwala.

‘How is this so?’ you ask. ‘The storms are making it impossible to leave Dwala by boat, and it will take weeks to reach the Kai Monastery of Lorn overland. It would be difficult to keep the Eye of Agarash hidden from the enemy throughout such a long journey.’

Lord Honos politely interrupts and answers your question on behalf of the Captain.

‘Grand Master, I am a Journeymage and I have a Speaking Stone given to me by the High Council of the Elder Magi. I use it regularly to send my reports to the High Council Elders in Elzian. They will relay my message to Lord Rimoah that you are now here, in Dwala, with the Eye of Agarash. When Rimoah receives it he will surely come and collect you in his skyship.’

Lord Honos excuses himself and leaves the chamber to fetch his Speaking Stone. While you wait for him to return, Zautro and Song Tao offer to help you to recover from the rigours of your perilous journey to Dwala.

Priestess Song Tao places her hand gently on your chest and intones a prayer to Goddess Ishir. As she speaks the words of the prayer, you feel a healing warmth flow through your body that restores 5 ENDURANCE points. When she finishes her prayer, she offers you a potion of Laumspur (will restore 4 ENDURANCE when taken after combat) which you may keep in your backpack, space permitting.

(I let her keep it, I don't need it)

Lord Honos is holding something when he returns to the chamber. Inquisitively, you all gather around him. Cupped in his hands is an apple-sized crystal with a milky opalescence. You sense it has magical properties. He brings the stone to his chest and presses it close to his heart. With his eyes firmly closed, he makes silent mental contact with the High Council in Elzian. A minute passes before he opens his eyes and says:

‘It is done. Now we must await their answer.’

There is a knock on the chamber door, and Song Tao says ‘Enter.’ The door opens and into the chamber come two Moon Maidens, devoted assistants to the Priestess. Their names are Kwe and Jia Zhai. They are bearing two silver platters of food and Priestess Song Tao invites you all to partake of this delicious selection of grilled fish, boiled rice, and steamed vegetables. You are eating when Lord Honos suddenly jumps up from his chair as if he has been stung by a bee.

Honos is receiving a message from the High Council. He presses the Speaking Stone to his chest and closes his eyes. Another minute passes in silence as you wait for him to conclude his mental contact with his distant elders. He is smiling when he opens his eyes.

‘I am happy to report that my message has been relayed to Lord Rimoah and he’s replied most promptly. He will fly directly to Dwala aboard the Comet and attempt a landing in front of the North Gate at noon tomorrow, so long as the weather is not too severe. He has also sent a warning to you, Grand Master, that the Eye of Agarash is now known to have revealed your location to the enemy from the moment you departed Pensei.’

‘If this is so, then they will know that you are here in the Tower of Ishir,’ says Zautro, anxiously.

Song Tao uses her goodly powers to calm the Herbwarden’s fraying nerves and she recommends that you all should now retire and get some sleep.

‘I will pray to Ishir to grant us a break in the storm so that Lord Rimoah shall be able to land in safety tomorrow,’ she adds, and calls forward Jia Zhai to escort you to your room. You bid good night to the others and follow the Moon Maiden as she leads you out of the chamber and down the spiral staircase to the alcove behind the chapel’s altar. She beckons you to follow her to another alcove and she opens a secret door to a comfortably appointed room with a bed and a narrow stained glass window. She wishes you a peaceful night’s sleep before leaving.

You remove your oilskin cloak, your boots, and your backpack and place them beside the bed. You are feeling weary and it does not take long for you to drift off into a deep sleep.

Your dreams are haunted by a vision of Chao the Watcher lying dead on a muddy highway. Dark swirling shadows writhe all around his lifeless body. You walk towards him and look down at his face. It is relaxed and serene as if he is sleeping peacefully. You fall to your knees and slowly you move closer and closer until your face is almost touching his. Abruptly, his eyelids spring open and two jets of scarlet flame issue forth from the pupils of his glaring eyes, burning and melting and mutilating you. The dark shadows grip you tightly and you cannot move a muscle. There is no escaping from the horror that engulfs your body and soul. It consumes you utterly. Lose 4 ENDURANCE.