As he observed the scene, Torben felt the same sense of dread grow in him that he had felt when he looked at the mask that hung around Aristotles’ neck, but he also felt a growing sense of curiosity as to what was going on. He tried to suppress the feeling, knowing that he should trust his gut, that whatever the thing was on the throne was to be avoided, but he could feel himself being drawn forwards. Barely aware of what he was doing, he began to move from pillar to pillar along the back wall, staying out of sight of the throne. As he reached the last column, he crept into the shadow of one of the braziers that stood directly before the throne. Even though he was now so close to the flames, he couldn’t feel any heat being given off by them; indeed, the purple fire felt as if it was drawin
