Chapter One
He sat alone at a table in a strange, round room, windowless and having no door. A soft light faintly lit the chamber, he knew not where it came from. Upon the table the light revealed seven candles, unlit, standing in a circle atop bronze holders. Upon his wrists were iron bracelets linked by a heavy chain. In a corner, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared, like mist in the form of a man, a red cloak swirling behind it. He felt menace in that shadow, a momentary fear which gripped his heart. The fear became stronger when a sword appeared before the shade, its smoky hands taking hold of it and moving it in a circle. He was about to rise and flee to the furthest side of the chamber when suddenly, the candles lit up all at once, flames springing into being. At the same moment he saw a cup and a piece of bread in the midst of the candle holders. The sword moved again, gleaming in the candlelight, threatening steel. He pushed down the fear it called forth f...