South Bridge District, Harvest Cathedral.
Before going to teach Cosmi Odora a lesson he wouldn't forget, Cyril sought out Father Utravsky first.
"Father, I need to record a few more Storms of Light. It would be best if I could add the Dawn Armor and Sword of Dawn as well.
"I'll let the payment accumulate and bring it all to you next time."
Father Utravsky gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged.
"That's fine, but you'll have to wait a while. I need to finish today's prayers first."
"No problem."
Cyril nodded and sat down on a bench at the back of the hall.
City of Silver, at the top of the Round Tower, in Chief Colin's room.
Knock! Knock! The sound of someone rapping on the door suddenly rang out.
Colin, seated behind the long table, glanced toward the door and said in a deep voice,
"Come in."
The door creaked open.
Derrick pushed it open and stepped inside. After closing it behind him, he came to Chief Colin's desk and placed a small worm with twelve transparent segments on its surface.
A flicker of surprise crossed Colin's deep, weathered, pale-blue eyes. Then he fixed his gaze on Derrick and asked calmly,
"What do you want to tell me?"
Derrick pressed his lips together. Images of Justice Audrey and the Hanged Man Alger teaching him conversational techniques flashed through his mind.
He took a deep breath, then said,
"This is a Worm of Time, which Amon used to create his avatars. Earlier, when you cleared out the Amon avatar at the bottom of the Round Tower, he had secretly parasitized me.
"But later, someone discovered it when I prayed to another being. That being gave me a secret pact ritual. After I performed it, an Angel under his command