[Lyra Greenleaf]

Sammael was raising his cup to his lips when he heard a shout from behind him.
"To The Eye!" cried the leader of the acrobats.
"To The Eye" echoed Zasfal, still standing beside Sammael.
So that's it, is it? Sammael thought with a grin. The old man was right all along, no doubt. No matter.

Sammael was unperturbed to learn that Zasfal was indeed not to be trusted. There were very few people he did trust, only Damodred. Still if Zasfal thought to play him for a fool, he would get no such opportunity. He stood in thought, considering the best way to deal with this new knowledge.

The doors of the citadel flew open as if pushed by some wind, but all that appeared were two priestesses of the Eye and one priest. Sammael had little regard for priests- women could quite easily deal with the work and that left men to do the other work that was necessary, like this journey. If this priest had wanted to dedicate himself to the Eye he could have become a Citadel guard.

One of the priestesses was obviously in charge; she had an aura of power about her which was only increased by the blood that spattered her clothes, hair and face. She was a beautiful woman, but for once that was not what Sammael noticed. He could feel nothing but respect for her. As she approached each person one by one, Sammael found his hands clenched. He could not tell why- fear, anticipation, or something else?

He watched her talk to a man he had not noticed before, a southern tribesman by his look. Sammael nodded approvingly, a little local knowledge could go a long way. It seemed she agreed with Sammael's own thoughts regarding the costume of the acrobats, as she spoke to their leader she doubled over with laughter. It was an eerie and rather unpleasant sound. This laughter seemed to fit in far better than Sammael's own to the atmosphere of the Citadel.

After talking to Zasfal she came to Damodred. The old man unemotionally pledged loyalty. He did not have the same respect for the dark religion that Sammael had, but he was not stupid enough to be anything but zealous here. Finally she came to Sammael. Quickly he made the sign of respect, then introduced himself. He gave his pledge with a far stronger oath than anyone else had, and she smiled coldly. It was only then that Sammael realised he was grinning himself. She must think...I know not what! he thought agonisedly. It was nothing but a relief when she moved on, and it was only then that Sammael noticed his palms were bleeding from the marks his nails had made.