Friends

Much more prominent than the sling is a statue of the Living Dead that stands near the altar. Carved and painted in the northern style, the slave stands naked except for an iron mask in his hand, representing the moment upon which he receives his freedom. His face is scarred from wearing the mask for so long, but in his eyes lie hope.

Although the statue is intended to represent all of the Living Dead, both men and women, it is based on the likeness of one of the last men to be freed from slavery before the Emorian occupation: Kester son of Hoare, who died in the attack upon Council Hill by the Emorians. Although free at the time of his death, he was present at the palace on the day of the attack because he had voluntarily chosen to return to his place of slavery, in order to help other slaves survive their misery. The statue was commissioned and paid for by Kester's son, the present High Lord of Koretia.

[Translator's note: Kester's story forms part of Death Mask.]

In the corner of the sanctuary is a small table with a boys' sling upon it. Far from being a mistake, this is one of the most moving monuments in the sanctuary. The sling represents the thousands of orphan boys who, over the centuries, were forced by their guardians – the priests – to serve in this sanctuary's Rites of Death. The Jackal, who was raised by the priests, has many memories of such services, which he, like the other orphan boys, was given no choice but to participate in. The sling was donated by a later orphan boy grown up, who once used the sling to pitch stones at the priests' house, out of anger at the priests for what they had done.

[Translator's note: The life of one such orphan boy takes an unexpected turn in Blood Vow.]