With a shimmer, the black horse with flaming hooves appeared in the tower once more. After rearing up on two legs, the burden it was carrying fell to the ground. It stomped on the ground twice, and waited. After a while, a man appeared, an older gentleman with a well-groomed beard.

’Your rider seems to have failed. Pity" he spoke. "But you have done well in returning her to the Tower. For this service, we will remember your true name, and call you again when it is time to ride forth and wreck havoc. I will see that you have a reward that suits you better than mere coin.

“Take your prize” continued the gentleman, heaving a heavy saddlebag over the creatures back. It snorted fire in appreciation, and faded away as suddenly as it had arrived.

“I suppose we’ll have a visitor soon. Ill have to see that Fiosa’s remains are waiting for her arrival. We’ll let her get comfortable, then we’ll discuss her failure.