Yula568

Well in that world, the gelfling clans send essence as tribute to the castle. The thing is here, that the skeksis were loved by their palace-servants. As they were getting old, Tek did the same experiments, but realizing the extraction of the essence kills the host, they decided not to use it. However the servants who loved them decided in secret that they will make a sacrifice for their beloved lords and made the clans all go into a deception. They told the skeksis that gelfling can get the essence from Thra naturally, without causing harm and they gave them essence in every trine. In truth the lawbreakers and criminals get sacrificed like this in secret and it is strictly forbidden to tell the skeksis about this. However by the time the story takes place, serious crime is so rare, that now every little transgression can get you being sent to the Bastion of Sacrifice. Mira is arrested and taken there, where Rian tries to free her but fails and sees her being drained. This starts the plot as Rian goes on the run.