[Carillon]

The vial made a clear chiming sound as it struck the edge of the desk. Jaelle would later think that was ironic, but in the moment she merely watched in shock and dismay as the glass struck the floor and shattered and the current of warm air carried colourful grains of sand to pool in front of her. They shifted and danced in the breeze until a vague but familiar image resolved itself.

Jaelle listened with growing consternation and amazement to the clear, sing-songy message, then watched the grains of sand wink out one by one like stars from the night sky. All that remained was the spreading puddle of the decoction she had just spent an hour preparing. She jumped to her feet, crying out in pain as she managed to slice the sole of one foot on a stray shard of glass.

“If this is her blood price ...” she muttered darkly as she carelessly poured a potion over the wound and shoved her feet into a pair of leather slippers. She winced as she put her weight down onto the foot and it throbbed obediently in response. “That is it! I am going to kill that bloody ...”

The rest of whatever she had been about to say was lost as she stalked out of the room, limping, to look for someone.