Adventure of Lucien Draken 1

The silver arch releases Lucien Draken and Raven into the hospice's outer receiving hall. Moonlight pours through a vaulted ceiling of star-cut crystal, washing over white stone and quiet prayer alcoves.

A robed moon-priest hurries from the inner chambers, balancing two steaming healing bowls. Her gaze drops to Raven's wound, then sharpens with alarm.

As Maelis reaches for Raven's torn clothing, black lines glimmer beneath the injury. They spread like ink through veins, forming a sigil that pulses against the silver light.

A horn sounds far below on the mountain path, deep enough to tremble through the stone. Maelis freezes, bowls poised above Raven, and listens toward the sealed entrance.

Lucien Draken braces Raven firmly against him, keeping her lifted clear of the moonstone floor as Maelis lowers both bowls toward the sigil.

Maelis pours the first bowl across the black lines. Silver vapor coils over Raven's wound, and the spreading mark contracts beneath the healer's steady chant.

The second bowl seals the wound in a pale crescent. Raven's breathing evens, her weight settling safely against Lucien Draken instead of sagging toward death.

But the dark sigil leaves a thin seven-pointed star beneath the inscription, and its shadow stretches toward the sealed entrance with each fading horn note.