The creature clapped two of its four hands together. "Excellent! I do so appreciate cooperation. Now then, Nero already knows what needs to be done. But there's a proper order to these things. First, the array must be drawn. Then the mixture prepared. And finally, the words spoken. In that sequence and no other."
It moved across the chamber floor with surprising grace despite its grotesque appearance, stopping at a point perhaps thirty feet from where Arthur and Jacob lay.
"The center of the array goes here," it said, tapping one clawed foot against the fungus-covered stone. "Nero, if you would? I'll give you the pattern now."
Nero straightened, grimacing as his broken ribs shifted. "The same way as before?"
"Indeed."
Nero walked over to where the creature stood, his dagger still clutched in his good hand. The creature raised one finger and pressed it to his forehead again.
