Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
Zevander delivers another bloodstone to Dolion and learns the septomir requires a final, elusive bloodline from Mortasia. Armed with vivicantem and a passage spell, he resolves to cross the forbidden Umbravale despite execution-level risk. Dolion’s visions foretell Cadavros’s return and a devastating pestilence, raising the stakes of Zevander’s quest.
Summary
Zevander moves through a moonlit city to the Black Salt Tavern, masked and avoided by fearful villagers. He notes a spindling child outside and, inside, quietly assesses patrons, including a hooded stranger and a man branded Rapax. The sight triggers fragments of Zevander’s own abuse and enslavement memories.
Zevander meets the disgraced mage Dolion, to whom he delivers a red bloodstone harvested from a slain patriarch. They debate guilt and power as Dolion adds the stone to others intended for the septomir, a scepter Dolion claims can purge the sablefyre corrupting Zevander.
Dolion describes visions: a misted forest (Hagsmist), an arch of bones, and the need for a seventh bloodline likely found beyond the Umbravale in Mortasia. He warns of Cadavros’s looming return and a Black Pestilence. Zevander dismisses the hysteria but focuses on ending his curse. Dolion supplies pure vivicantem and a rare cantafel to pass the ward.
Despite the crime and risk of execution, Zevander agrees to breach the boundary to retrieve the final stone, while threatening Dolion against betrayal. He leaves the tavern armed and resolute, noticing the hooded watcher has vanished.
Who Appears
- ZevanderFeared Letalisz assassin, cursed with sablefyre; delivers a bloodstone, secures vivicantem and a passage spell, accepts the Mortasia mission.
- DolionDisgraced Elvynira mage with foresight; collects bloodstones for the septomir, warns of Cadavros’s return, provides vivicantem and a cantafel.
- Hooded strangerSilent tavern observer who draws Zevander’s suspicion and disappears before Zevander departs.
- Rapax-marked manPatron bearing a predator’s brand; his presence triggers Zevander’s traumatic memories.
- Spindling childHorned, magicless youth outside the tavern, reflecting Nyxteros’s brutal caste divides.
- BarmaidServes drinks, warily watches Zevander; facilitates the tense meeting’s privacy.