There were 8 monks in all in the monastery. All of them were quite old too. Even though elves did live a very long time, eventually their faith would die out unless they found new recruits. But despite this, they were very polite and not pushy at all when discussing their religion with him. When he asked Soldain about this, the monk only replied that either those who heard the call would come or they would not – it was not their place to force their beliefs on others.

Much like other light-based religions, the legend went that Solataiel's life-giving light had banished the darkness and the vile beasts lurking there, basking the earth in warmth and giving birth to his chosen people, the elves. Raviel did have the courtesy not to ask where the other races had come from then.

Overall, the atmosphere in the monastery was very warm and friendly. He was given a small room in the dormitory, shared the meals, was allowed to study in the library and take a look around the temple, although not during the service – since he was not a believer, that would not have been acceptable. The monks had gathered a good deal of monster lore inside these walls, so soon enough Saska would not be able to call him ignorant anymore.

Four days later, at breakfast table, Soldain had good news to him. "Not much longer now. Everything will be ready by the time of noon service."

"Really?" Raviel put down his spoon. "Don't I need to bring Saska here first?"

The other elf shook his head. "That won't be necessary."

"Why? Surely-" he stopped abruptly and blinked a few times. Why was his vision getting blurry all of a sudden?

"Because everything we need is already here." The words he heard were getting increasingly hazy too. "The highest possible honor for a heretic. You should consider yourself lucky."

Raviel tried to reach for his sword, but it wasn't at his hip. Right. To respect his hosts' faith, he had left his weapons in his room, believing that if there was any kind of trouble, he could deal with it with magic.

The last thing he was aware of was hitting the floor as he fell from the bench.

Once he woke up again he was staring at a stone ceiling with some kind of circular...lid that was moving aside to let sunlight in. His hands and feet were tied, and he was still feeling groggy. Damn it, the porridge had been full of some kind of sedative.

He turned his head to watch Soldain light candles on the lower tier of a circular altar in the middle of the room. On the higher tier, probably at least 15 feet above floor, stood a golden statue of...something. He couldn't really see it well from this angle, only the glint of metal on sunlight.

"What..." He had to swallow and wet his parched lips with his tongue to find his voice. Was it just his imagination or was it getting hot in here? "What are you doing?"

Soldain lit the last of the candles and turned back to his captive. "As I said, the highest possible honor for a heretic." He sighed. "I really wished you would hear the call, but perhaps it's your heritage that makes it impossible. Raviel of the Nightblade clan."

Raviel frowned. He had not taken any of the monks for madmen. "What are you talking about?"

"Just as Solataiel's holy rays bring life, they also take life from the unworthy. This never ending cycle also renews his power. Life for a life, see? And now you will be given the chance to offer up your life, so that his followers might continue to serve him a little longer."

That was where he had seen that name mentioned! He had been studying the history of the cursed realm – or whatever scraps were known of it – and had found a mention of an ancient cult of a sun god, where the believers sacrificed people by burning them. If his memory served him right, that had been soon after the subjugation of the resurrected Lord of the Dead, probably in retaliation to his threat. But the alliance that had fought the undead menace had not taken kindly to this new practice either, and the entire cult had been banished through the portal.

"Listen, this is insane. My death will not benefit you in any way."

"Don't worry. It will."

"What about Saska? Will you just let an innocent child die?"

"I'm sorry for your friend, but there is nothing that can return a soul once departed. We will pray for him, of course."

Raviel tried to think. Soldain was also a mage. Had to be, since Solataiel's followers all had magic powers – at least according to the book he had read and what Nightshade had said. So if he started a spell battle, he would need to finish it in one blow. And he was tied and drugged. He couldn't be much more at a disadvantage.

"What place is this?" he tried to play for time by asking.

"The back hall of the temple. Once the sun is at its highest – in an hour or so -, the floor will become enveloped in holy flames. Don't be afraid, there will be no smoke. You will only feel the blinding radiance of our god. And you will live forever as part of him."

Being burned to death instead of suffocating to the smoke really was not any better alternative. One hour. If Soldain left – and he had to, lest he be burned too – he might be able to summon Phoenix to protect him. No, that wouldn't really work. Phoenix's flames would not touch him, but the likelihood of them blocking out fire of other kind was next to none. He didn't know how long the inferno would last or how hot it would be either. The only really reliable solution he could think of was getting out of here before it started. But how?

"Please don't look so concerned," Soldain spoke. "Clear your mind. Let him take you into his embrace willingly, and I'm sure you'll find salvation."