“Ah,” the old man replied softly as he nodded his head. “There are dangers involved. Are you sure?”

“Am I sure?” retorted the priest. “No, I am not sure. I do not even believe in such nonsense, but others tell me that you claim to have the mythical Pit of Death down here.”

“There is nothing mythical about it,” countered the old man. “It is the last resort for those whose life is ending. It can save your life, but the cost is steep.”

“Steep?” questioned the priest.

“You may die once you enter the Pit of Death,” the old man said quietly. “Or you may be cured and allowed to live a healthy life once again. The price to enter is all of your worldly belongings.”

“All of my belongings?” Vand balked a little too loudly.

The customers in the mud pit looked to see who was talking, and the old man guided Vand towards the rear of the room and away from the others.

“If you die,” shrugged the old man, “you will have no need of your belongings. If you are healed, we will tear the paper up, and it will have cost you nothing. What good are belongings to a dead man?”

“It sounds like a way to make yourself wealthy at the expense of others,” snarled the priest. “I should have you shut down and run out of the city.”

“I suppose that you have the power to do so,” shrugged the old man, “but then your life will be lost. Look at you. You are practically dead already. I am surprised that you even made it here without help. I will get the contract for you to sign. If you don’t wish to live any longer, then leave and have us closed down.”

The old man turned and left. Vand watched him leave, his mind filled with fury. He seethed as he rolled the man’s words through his mind. No one dared to talk to the High Priest of Kaltara in the manner the old man had. He would make that man sorry for his impertinence. He would indeed have the shop closed. Yet, Vand’s feet did not move towards the stairs. In a few moments, the old man returned with a contract. He handed it to the priest. Vand snarled as he grabbed the contract. His hands moved to tear the paper in two, but he did not have the strength to do so.