The throne room was large and empty.
Black stone walls rose on every side. The ceiling was lost in darkness. Grey light came from the walls themselves. It pulsed slowly. It made the shadows move.
The King sat on his throne at the center of the room. He was tall and thin. His body was wrapped in grey cloth. His skin was grey and cracked. His eyes were pale and they glowed. He looked at Nathan and he did not blink.
"Welcome," he said again. His voice was soft and dry. "You are the first to reach my city in a very long time."
Nathan kept Moonlight raised. The party spread out behind him. Everyone had weapons ready. The summons were alert. No one spoke.
The King did not move. "You do not need your weapons. I will not harm you. Not yet."
"What are you?" Nathan asked.
"I am the King of Ashes." The King tilted his head. "Or what is left of him. What is left of all of us."
