What had taken Evrin away? What was more important than Killian's own quest? While Killian was deep in the mountain, fighting for his life against Saryah — the twisted creature that had once been the High Templar, changed by the Primate's elixir — where was Evrin?

Killian ran his hands through the fiery red hair that curled to the base of his neck and glared up at Stonewater. There was something here, he knew. The mountain held the secret.

Killian paid his bill and left the tavern, grimacing at the few coins he received in change. Of course Sailmaster Scherlic had left him to pick up the bill.

Killian squinted up at the mountain, trying to see to the top. The mountain had billowed smoke like a volcano, people said.

Killian suddenly stopped. How could it have? What had caused the light to stop shining?

Killian could climb to the top, following the pilgrim's trail, although there was a chance the trail had been blocked off, and the last people Killian wanted to see were templars. There was an easier way.

~

"GOOD day, sir," the shopkeeper said. As he took notice of Killian's clothing his expression turned to one of distaste. "Ah… Perhaps you'd like to try one of our sister stores, near the temple district. Our prices might not suit what you're after."

"My master sent me to buy a looking glass," Killian said, his voice gruff. "One of those seeing devices the artificers make. Here." Killian flicked a silver coin, his last, in the shopkeeper's direction. "I have more."

The shopkeeper's expression smoothed. "Of course." He opened a glass cabinet and withdrew a thin disc about the size of Killian's hand. "Is this the kind of device you're after?"

Runes covered the edges of the disc, while the centre was blank and shone like a mirror.

"How do I know if it works?" Killian said.

The shopkeeper frowned, and then looked at the window. "I can demonstrate it here?"

"That works," Killian said, "but not that window. Can we look out this one, up at the mountain?"

"Of course," the shopkeeper said. He led Killian to the window and showed the younger man how to position the seeing device in front of his eyes. "To activate it, you say 'semara-sulara'."

At the shopkeeper's words, the symbols around the rim of the disc Killian held in his hands lit up with alternating colours of blue and green. The mirrored surface at its centre showed brown rock, dust and rubble.

"That's the mountain," the shopkeeper said.

"Hmm," Killian said. He tilted the device, and suddenly he was looking at the sky. This was harder than he had thought it would be.

"I'll have to ask you to give it back now."

"Just a moment," Killian said. He moved the device but now it was pointing too low.

"Please, sir, give it back now."

"Just a moment!" Killian growled. He glared at the shopkeeper, and the man backed away.