The fourth dream

Through the night, Zailith remembers more of his past through a vision. A sense of clarity descends, different from a normal dream. Like going through a memory. Nothing is overly surprising.
 
Zailith finds himself in a cave beneath the monastery with eight other people. Know them all, in some shape or form. All have been summoned by Amrandir (or sent by Tholis).
 
Everyone is nervous. Some stay silent, others engage in chatter/jokes. The ones Zailith knows well are all connected to the Church of Ayoun in some way, all very impressive.
 
Ahead, Amrandir is making preparations. Tracing out a complex symbol on the ground, using salt and candles. Moving confidently but with great care. The salt creates a continuous line, forming glyphs. No breaks.
 
Amrandir has instructed everyone in the words in the rite. Carefully, but clearly. Unpleasant language to speak. After each practice, Zailith feels thirsty. Just the language has an effect.
 
Amrandir calls everyone forward. They take spaces around the circle, equal distances between them. At his signal, the group takes up a chant. Starts very hesitantly, but people grow in confidence.
 
After the first part, Zailith feels his head buzz with dizziness. Seems to be the case for everyone. No one stops chanting.
 
The candles stutter and sway. Unpleasant smell rises. Feels certain eyes are on his back, despite no-one else being there.
 
Silence follows the first part of the right. People look around anxiously.
 
Amrandir draws a knife across his palm. A deep cut. The blood falls inside the circle, not disturbing the candles or salt. Steps back as the blood sizzles. Candle flames turn blue.
 
The more nervous of the group are even more so now, but everyone holds their place - despite some looking desperate to leave. The circle shouldn’t be broken, and Amrandir’s gaze holds everyone in place.
 
A figure steps forward. Present, but not fully. A burning metal smell appears, like that of Avernus (first plane of Hell). Figure is more pleasant/elegant than expected. Not hideous, but compelling.
 
It is an Erinyes (emissaries of the Obsidian Court - fights with poison) - a type of devil in the upper levels of the hells. Warriors/diplomats/emissaries. Carries a longsword with an oily sheen and a coiled whip (more dangerous than the sword. It looks around slowly, studying each person. Makes no move to leave the circle. Nods to Amrandir, a nod of acknowledgement/familiarity.
 
As he wakes, Zailith thinks back about the dream. Amrandir wanted to ask the devil for a favour, but he has been cagey about what the price might be. Zailith and others have asked but he has been reluctant to speak about it. Some people are definitely second-guessing themselves. Zailith thinks the devil’s gaze lingered on him slightly longer than others. Looking back, the devil now looks familiar in a way that it didn’t at the time. Can’t put his finger on the reason why, but it’s tugging at his mind.
 
Zailith wonders if he could recreate this rite if needed. The details are hazy, especially the salt pattern. Very complex. Firm maybe.
 
There’s more to this vision.