The air was thick with bad smells and the strong scent of old herbs and bubbling mixtures. The flame in the room cast strange shadows on the stone wall. In the middle of the room, Sage lay on a straw mat, hurt and battered.

Sage was in agony. A burning pain filled his entire body, like his bones were on fire from the inside. He took short, difficult breaths, each one making a soft rasping sound. His eyes were closed, too heavy to open.

The Seer sat down next to him, He focused intensely, his ...