The vault turned out to be not a treasure warehouse, but a sanctuary. In the center of the hall, under a dome dotted with a star map, a creature sat on a stone pedestal. It was made of polished, dark wood and pale, bone-like porcelain, with the thinnest silver wires instead of tendons. His face was devoid of a mouth, and his large, almond-shaped eyes of frosted crystal were closed. It resembled both an ancient sage and an elegant puppet.