The golden glow of Olivia’s hair… No, it is a distant fire. Should I fly to its flames? I should not, but I can’t stop myself. It is a huge funeral pyre. Who has died? It is Uncle Jeremy. It is Magister Cornelius, but it can’t be. Please, my Magister is not dead, you are burning him alive! Somebody help! Olivia! Amir! They all are gone… Father turning his back on me, mother mother moth… Moth, that is me. The pyre is for me, let the others go! I have to save them all!

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  Michail's world swam back into focus through a haze of throbbing pain. The sickly scent of stale sweat and blood lingered in the air as his eyes fluttered open, his vision blurred and unfocused. The world swayed around him, spinning like a grotesque carnival ride, leaving him nauseous and disoriented. He found himself lying on his bed, the coarse woolen blanket scratching against his bruised skin. The flickering candlelight danced upon the walls and ceiling of his room, casting eerie shadows that seemed to breathe with a life of their own.

  “Ah, you're finally awake.”

  (The rest of the chapter has been removed to prevent further copyright infringements.)