We meet our embattled hero brought forth before an aged magistrate—a beacon of benevolence whose manner does little to quell the accusation brewing against him. Several stand as witnesses, their accounts painting a terrifying picture of death discovered upon a humble fishing excursion—a horrified stumble over an all but lifeless form on the shores, culminating in the shocking revelation of the corpse bearing signs of a violent end.
As the chapter unfolds, feel the protagonist's dread as he is escorted by the magistrate and his entourage to the cryptic heart of this mystery—the place where a deceased friend was laid. The sight triggers an outpouring of anguish so extreme that it engulfs him in a feverish madness. Immersed in his guilt, he envisions himself as the hapless puppet of a cruel destiny that continues to exploit his existence.
