Between the men on the floor was the smallest circle of all upon which nested the “jewel”. It was dark grey but smooth on all sides in the shape of a pyramid. The jewel was ragged at the top as if the top was missing which Shay knew was indeed the case. The top would be the next drop from the crossing.

Shay looked up to where the men’s swords crossed. It seemed as if a thread hung from the crossing. Shay took a closer look. She surmised that what looked like a thread was the same material that had formed the jewel. It had dried like a thread over...