A group of goblins and dwarves sets out from their homeland, a culture that values tolerance, even of cultures that others would see as savage [1]. They overcome many perils [2] to reach the Ring of Carcer and free the angel trapped within. The goblins are too weak to withstand the flames and turn back, heading east to explore the nearby ruins of Letum Frigus, but the dwarf presses on.
The dwarf finds Brigit chained within the ruins, but when he strikes the chains to free her, an Azer appears. The Azer speaks with great admiration about the dwarf's many victories in the wars against the Sheaim and the Grigori. She offers the warrior a feast from the Goddess of Fire and Strength, if he leaves the renegade archangel alone.
The dwarf refuses, declaring he fought those wars to free the people of Erebus from their chains, and Brigit is no different. He speaks of the virtues of the Eloheim civilization and their Captain Uldaanor who made peace with the orcs [3]. He speaks of the bright future Erebus will have.
The Azer laughs. She reminds the dwarf who created the orcs and shows him visions of all the savage and petty folk of the land rising against Eloheim forts, scouts, and cities. Visions of the horrid bloodshed that would come about if he should offend Bhall here. How, she asks, could the freedom of one be worth the deaths of so many?
Again, the dwarf does not relent. He strikes the chains for a third time, and speaks of his devotion to Kilmorph, and to the teachings of personal responsibility and integrity. He is acting to free someone who has been unjustly chained. He is righting a wrong done to an honest being. How Bhall chooses to act in response is her responsibility, not his.
The Azer snarls, and shows the dwarf a final vision: His goblin companions and their wolf, who traveled many moons with him into this frigid waste. They stand in Letum Frigus, guided through the ruins by a lizardman. They do not see the poison knife the lizardman has in his belt. The Azer shows the dwarf his companions leaving safely with the light of the Ring of Carcer illuminating their exit in the long polar night. Then she shows their bodies dead in the moonlit snow outside Letum Frigus, a poison blade in their back. How, she asks, could he condemn his faithful compatriots to die?
We see the place where Mulcarn and Kylorin fought. We see the lizardman's eye's narrow as he clutches his pendent of Acheron. Then we do not see, because the light of the Ring of Carcer sharply dims. We do not see, but we hear a scream [4].