The moon was low and hidden that night, sending no light through the tall windows of the Silver Seers' Temple. The great hall was quiet, except for the soft glow of sacred candles around the ancient fire pit at the center, where the silverflame burned.
But the silence did not last.
A woman in a grey cloak slipped through the narrow servant's passage. She moved slowly, her footsteps barely making a sound.
At the base of the fire pit, the figure knelt and pulled out a small vial. Inside was thick, dark blood.
The woman uncorked the vial and poured it on the floor. The blood made a burning sound when it touched the stone, then it began moving like it was alive. Then it crawled into the fire pit.
When it entered the fire pit the silverflame turned black for a moment before settling back into its pale silver color.
The woman then leaned close, whispering some strange words into the base of the fire. Then, without looking back, slipped quietly back.
