Sanctuary was cold, cobblestones felt like ice on her bare feet. She looked at the altar again and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to remember whether she forgot anything.

“Bone of slave and bone of noble. Hair of friend and hair of enemy” deep voice echoed from the shadow. She shivered and looked up. But still nothing, just darkness seemed to be thicker behind the altar.

“Jewel stolen and jewel earned. Relic sanctified by opposing. Dishonoured weapon of justice. I see you brought all of them.“ Shadows swirled behind the altar, revealing the speaker. He was tall, towering to nearly 3 metres yet so gaunt it seemed like a miracle he is able to stand. Overflow of blindingly white hair covered smiling face, skin as black as shadows, left half covered by a silver skeletal mask. His long tattered black cloak opened, revealing his four arms, beneath it armour, moulded from polished bones, decorated with a plethora of tiny runes, each rune glistening with different dim colour.

“But items themselves are meaningless. It is the story they carry that gives them value. And I hope you will weave one for each of them before I accept your gifts and provide mine”

He passed through altar like it wasn’t even there, stopping just before her. She had to look up to see his face, to see black and green flames dancing in his eyes.

“Now let me take a good look at you” he reached forward, to the buckle holding her cloak.