Paul pushes open the door to the castle and drops his sword and armour on the rack. There is a note on the table from Rae telling him that Kathnak called and that there are a group of Bulmäs looking for “the head in the fridge” as she puts it. Mention of the prize from the battle calls to mind the unanswered question. He tests the air
“Gen, Tobe?”
“They have gone out Shoko-sama. Sukiyama-sama took them to the temple.” His maid, Miko, appears at the door, bowing low as she speaks.
He looks at the short Japanese girl with her hair twisted up in a complex knot. Her eyes are down cast at all times as if it is painful to look up. She is wearing a kimono with a Pheonix mon embroidered into it. “What time did Rae-san leave this morning?”
“Late. My Lord.” She responds.
He nods realising that he has some time.
“I am going down to the stores. Inform me the moment any of the family return.”
“Of course sir.” Another low bow.
He turns and strides down the stairs.

The head is on a shelf in the cold store. He ensures the door is firmly closed behind him before turning his attention to it.
“Now lets see what answers you have.” He challenges the head.
Blue lightening crackles from the end of his finger tips as he reaches out and places his nail against the forehead. The eyes snap open. Fear in them; and confusion at suddenly not being dead.
“Speak.” Paul’s words carry a weight of command. The head struggles to obey the voice cracks with no wind the long vanished lungs to forms the words. Paul’s frustration shows in his face and the expression on the head becomes more desperate. Mouthing it’s pleas to him for mercy.
The daemon in him isn’t interested in it’s pleas. But it does want the answers. He calls on the castle. A current of wind forming in the cold room, drawing air up through the severed neck and out of the mouth. It gives a voice to the dead.
“Let me die. Let me be reborn.” It begs.
Paul just stares at it.
“Who sent you to the Island?”
“I do not know.” The head responds.
Paul turns as if to leave
“No.” It begs. “It was an order. A mission from the council. Some one very high. May be even the god himself.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“It is truth. What would I gain from deception?”
Paul turns back to it. “Name your field.”
“Zeintfelt.” The creature responds. “I am Helox of Zeintfelt. Now give me death.”
“Zeintfelt.” Paul states. He knows the name. Kathnak spoke about them once. If it’s true then may be they are not kidding about the god being involved. His earlier pessimisms is beginning to feel all too justified.
He looks at the head. “You want death?”
The creature almost looks relieved at the promise in his voice, and then Paul lets it see what he is really offering, the black claws reaching through the creatures eyes and drawing out it’s soul.