At night on Anchor Street in the Maze, Marcel Sandoz sleeps on the steps of an abandoned temple to Anibal, the death god. The temple is avoided by most people because of superstition, which usually lets Marcel remain undisturbed.

Marcel wakes from poppy-addled dreams when three strangers approach the temple. Expecting Vigilants, Marcel hides behind a marble column, but the figures are dressed in black rather than official uniforms. One bald man speaks in the harsh language of Malgasi, a secretive kingdom east of Sarthe.

The woman leading the group orders the man, Bagomer, to practice Castellani. She surveys the abandoned temple with approval, then commands the scarred man Janos to send a message to Artal Gremont: the Princess of Malgasi, heir to the Belmany throne, has arrived in Castellane.

Marcel realizes that becoming involved in royal affairs is dangerous and tries to crawl away. Marcel accidentally knocks an empty bottle across the marble, drawing the strangers' attention. The Princess uses invisible force to seize and throw Marcel onto his back.

Marcel begs to be spared and promises not to tell the Vigilants, but the Princess decides he will tell no one. The Princess raises her hand and releases a bolt of flame, revealing magical power as she burns Marcel to ash.