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I stared up at the tower, which was nestled halfway up the steep hillside. It was a hauntingly eerie image in the fading light. I could have gone up the stairs, I suppose, but then I would have had to face ridicule from the servants and guards, if there were any. So I chose, instead, to take the back route. I had been this way once before but that had been in daylight. The area I had chosen to climb, sheltered by plant growth from any view from the tower, looked a lot steeper in the dark! The initial stages were easy enough. The ground was rocky with tufts of grass sprouting here and there. They gave enough purchase for me to haul myself up with. I was past the halfway point when I came across the real problem. An overhang, like a miniature cliff, towered at least twelve feet above my head. The rock-face in front of me looked like a bowl standing on edge. The rock itself was as smooth as glass. I would have turned back, had I not seen this place before. Skirting my way around the lip of rock that made the bottom edge of the bowl, I eventually came to the thin crack that ran from the bowl's base to its top. With a little effort, I managed to squeeze into the fissure. It widened slightly just above my head and I was able to grab on to the rough rock and pull myself up, bracing my feet against the rock to stop myself falling. Had I been just an inch thicker around the waist I would never have been able to do this. There are times when being a titch has its advantages. By reaching and bracing, reaching and bracing, over and over, I eventually managed to drag myself out of the bowl and onto the overhang above. Once there I just fell on my back and stared at the stars, panting.
The tower itself was perched on a small shelf halfway up the tall rocky hill. The tower could be described has having two parts. One, its wide mansion-like base, sprawled itself out across the shelf in an irregular shape consisting of rectangular units with arched roofs, some connected by short hallways. It filled up the shelf quite nicely, leaving little room to walk, or even stand. Many of the units and halls protruded out of the rock-face, which lent one to conclude that their was much of this house hidden inside the hill. From as much I could see by the light of the lampposts in the front of the house, the entire structure was made from black shiny stone, ornately decorated with all sorts of relief carvings and stained glass windows (very original ones at that- not a single builder or trickster or keyhole displayed in any of them) which circled the structures, and did not seem to repeat. The entire mansion gave a clear sense of non-symmetry, non-redundancy, and carefully calculated randomness. No two vaulted structures were alike, both in shape, orientation, or decoration. One approaching from the stone path and stairway could not see any of this, for it was blocked by the dense foliage and fences, channeling any visitors to the front door, and disallowing any exploration of the property. Part of me wished I had come this way during the daylight hours, for I knew there was much of this magnificent structure I was missing.
The tower part itself was too distant to be clearly made out by the light of the lampposts up the front walk. It was overcast, so not even starlight could illuminate its features. It was tall, very tall. It was also a good way into the manor’s structure, standing free of the vertical rock-face that made up the rest of the hill, towering several hundred feet above the tip of the tower. Searching for the most efficient way up, I circled around the structure in front of me, glancing at the relief carvings as I went past. (They seemed to be forming a narrative. This particular one showed a man doing battle with an iron gollem, and upon defeating the beast, was given a large shield with an ankh on it.) I saw my path up as soon as I went around the bend.. There was a narrow passage between two of the structures, and beyond that was the base of the tower itself.
I was level with the tower's base now and a short dash brought me to its stone clad walls. I walked around to its sides, careful to keep in the shadows, avoiding the windows, and searched for my goal. Spotting the dark window near the top of the tower was not easy, especially with the moon's light blocked out by the clouds. Finding the ugly gargoyle that was perched on the wall above it was much easier. The gargoyle also made getting to the window easy. It overhung the wall slightly and a wooden platform had been constructed to support its weight. I pulled two pieces of wood out from under my baggy top and placed one of them, a rope arrow, on the floor. I held the other between the palms of my hands and whispered a short chant. The wood in my hands shook and grew until it stood as tall as my shoulder. I couldn't hold back a smile at the sight of that bow. It had been a gift from a young mage named Tanya, whom I had met on my travels but a year ago. I hooked the arrow in place, raised my bow and took aim. When I released the string the arrow rose with a whistle which was followed by a resounding thud a few seconds later. The rope uncoiled, its end hanging level with my face. I returned the bow to its original size, slipped it back under my top and began to climb.
I grabbed for the windowsill with my left hand and pulled myself forward. At the same time I released the rope I had used and then pulled myself through. It was dark inside and I could just make out enough to know I was in the right place. The bed. The wardrobe. There was no sign that the one I had come to see was there. I tucked myself beside the wardrobe and waited.
My hands were sweaty with nerves, and I could feel them shaking. A glance at the window told me it was getting very late. Just as I was beginning to wonder if he would ever come, the door swung open and he walked in. There he was. All I could see was the silhouette of a tall man wearing a hoodless cloak. My mind went blank. Everything I had prepared was forgotten. He was already stripping off his clothes before I remembered why I was there. My presence suddenly seemed highly inappropriate. I pulled the letter from my pocket, stepped into the light. "This... This is for you," I blurted out, then hurriedly jumped back out the window and scrambled down the rope before he had a chance to reply.
**
The midnight hour approached as I slowly climbed the spiral staircase to my chambers, near the peak of the tower. I had been unable to get any construction accomplished on the galleries of The Circle that day, in spite of the wealth of new content, which made me slightly frustrated. "Never enough time in the day," I muttered to myself under my breath. I reached the top of the stair and passed through the grand double doors leading to my chamber. Upon entering the room, I immediately felt a presence nearby. Spotting a huddled figure by the wardrobe out of the corner of my eye, I decided to pay it no mind, and simply observe what it would do.
The minutes passed as I emptied my pockets onto my desk, and placed my formal cloak on the hook by the door. Just as I began to undress for bed, suddenly the familiar silhouette of Jyre sprang from her hiding place, shoved a letter into my hands, muttered something about it being for me, and dove out the window. She is a fascinating woman, to say the least.
Replacing my tunic, I turned on the lamp at my desk and opened the letter to read.
Your servant,
Master Nightfall,
I paused for a moment, considering, and then quickly penned a brief letter in reply to her. I set it into the "out" chute by the desk. A servant shall find it in the morning and one of my agents will deliver it promptly to her. Then, finally, to bed.
Good, you have been. Understanding. I feel... I must tell of myself to you. Me words, please forgive, are not good. Me learning of letters came late to me. But I will try. You take my goods. Pass them on. Fair of me it is to reveal to you your source.
Orphan I be. Me dad I never knew. Me mum... Dead she is. Many years dead. Street rat am I. Thief, steal, rob. Those were my deeds. For food in me belly and clothes on me back. Understand, please. I had to survive! Twelve I did be when I were caught. A young man he were who found me. Rasan. That were his name. A guard he were. For the Lady. Rasan did see me starved. Filthy. Pity was his kindness. Took me home. Fed me. By the fire I sat all night. Such warmth I had not known before that time. Handsome, he was. Black of hair and green of eye. Loved him would any lass, sure of it am I.
Innocent I be'd. He... took advantage of me. Drowsing by the fire were I when he... touched me! "Quiet," says he. "Do as I say, or kill you I wills. You think they will miss one of your kind." Please, say you understand. I was lonely. He... The memory pains. Please.
Morning bright did wake us and to him his feet did leap. "Come," he commanded. To the lady did we go. And to her did he make plea for my service. I was a guard that very day. Do not judge me by this! I serve or I die. He gave me no choice!
I train, work hard. Learns much. Letters was I taught, and stealth. Watching. Protecting. Did I enjoy? Yes. Guard I was and guard I was happy to stay. Food I did have and much health. And Ranson did I have to fill me where I were lonely. Happy content. That was me.
But a mistake I did make. To patrol the house was my duty and I did see many a time that things were no good. To my captain I did go. And explain I did. But never, never, never did he listen! Angry I grew! Frustrated! "Tell the lady," be all he ever did say. To tell her I tried but always were she busy. Unimportant, I was. And so ignored. When to him I went to tell of bad lights, he did shrug and say "tell the lady." Hit him I did. Hard. We fought much. Everyone saw. She saw! Bitch!
Arrested. Both of us. Captain Els was whipped. I... Put in a cage and left to rot. Hunger. Fever. Fear of death. No other memories have I. The rescue I do not remember. Going on the ship... It was captain Els who did freedom give me. His life was risked for mine. Obliged was the word he used when I asked why.
Time passed. Strength I gained. Guard I was again, for a short time. Then return did we to my homeland. It is revenge we seek. The captain and me. The lady she... She is evil! It is from her I steal my goods and to you they are passed. Though thief I be, I am not a bad person. Wish only to stop the lady do I.
This is me. This is who I be. Now you know the truth.
Jyre.
**
I was honestly enjoying myself as I trailed behind that fat merchant, having already picked three of his pockets, and found tasty trinkets in each. Only five more to go and I would have milked that poor sucker dry. The marketplace was busy enough that day for me to stalk him quite closely without him ever noticing. Besides, he looked to be the type who never looked a peasant in the eye unless he wanted to sell or buy something, so even if he did see me twice, he wouldn’t have acknowledged it. He just bounced along, the folds of flesh beneath his layered garments jiggling with every footstep, which made it all the more easy to grab something without him ever giving it a second thought.
Imagine my displeasure when suddenly a small boy dressed in rags ran right into me. I scarcely got a word out in protest when he whispered, "Master Nightfall sends his regards!" winked, and vanished into the crowd. I didn’t even get a good look at the lad, though he appeared no more then a boy of maybe six or seven. Quickly looking back up, I was relived to see the fat man still in view, flirting with a comely peddler woman, and judging by the expression on her face, we was getting nowhere fast. My next instinct was to check my pockets, and sure enough, where a few of the merchant’s gold coins had been, there now rested a note. Cussing under my breath, I pulled it out, and scanned it quickly. Then my face lit up.
First allow me to congratulate you. I know that this seems odd to you, but it is what came to mind as what I should first do. If your tale is true, and I have no doubt that it is, then you have survived much suffering and hardship, and grown strong as a result. For this, I congratulate you. Also, to a lesser degree, I’d like to welcome you to the land of the written word! I see you are quite new at this, and you managed to put forth a valiant effort. I know of many poor feeble minds who, in spite of proper schooling and a wide knowledge base in the field of language, cannot seem to tell a story half as well as you did. Anyway, that is enough babble from me.
So you and the captain wish to reap revenge upon this cruel lady… did I gather that correctly? I’m curious to hear of your plans. Please, tell me more
Sincerely,
P.S. If the boy steals anything, I shall reimburse you.
I reread the letter and wondered if there was anything I have forgotten. Hearing the courier's impatient shuffle of feet, I wrapped the letter in cloth and handed it to him, along with a silver piece. "Run straight and true boy," I told him. "As we agreed." The boy nodded once and departed.
Jyre,
Surging with excitement, I quickly dashed to a courier post, making a small detour to relieve the merchant of his gold pocket watch. Arriving, I rang the bell to summon a message carrier, and quickly pulled out a rag and stick of coal to write the master a letter in reply. A tall gaunt fellow in his early twenties arrived shortly, and stood there, staring at me as I sketched out the letter. "You need me to carry letter lady?" the man said, through a mouth with as many teeth as I could count on one hand. "Yes," I said plainly, "and if you do not delay I shall give you two gold pieces upon your return." Grinning ear to ear, a sight I really wish I hadn’t seen, he nodded vigorously and stretched out his hand to take it. "As soon as I'm done," I said, sensing his anxious nature.
~Master Nightfall,
Of The Circle
**
My reading was interrupted by Jossimer, one of my chief servers. He approached slowly, knocking on the doorframe as he entered. "Sir," he said, with his thick aristocratic accent, "a rather disgusting man rudely dropped off this letter at the front gate. He claimed that it was urgent. Shall I dispose of it, sir?" I looked up from the book I was reading, "Ultima Underworld I: The Stygian Abyss", and gave him an expression which usually meant, "this had better be good." Jossimer approached in his wide stiff gate, the light from my lamp catching in his bifocals to make him look like some sort of mechanical creation. He held up the letter between his thumb and forefinger, as if he did not wish to touch it, for fear of catching some disease. I reached out to him, the universal signal for ‘give it to me’. He did so, and then stood there, absentmindedly dusting off his black formal coat. I set my book aside, marking my place with Lord Bafford’s favorite bookmark, and opened the letter.
Inside was a rag, with writing scribbled on with what looked to be charcoal.
Your praise, it lifts my heart. My thanks I do give you. Of my revenge you would hear? Then tell will I, best I can.
Your faithful servant, Jyre
p.s. A hunting lodge has she. North. In the woods. We go there tomorrow. And seek us our proof.
Master Nightfall,
"Will that be all, sir," Jossimer suddenly blurted out. I swept my hand towards him, the universal signal for 'go away', and he did so. Folding up the letter and placing it in the inside pocket of my cloak, I went to speak to James.
The Lady, powerful in our city is she. Much monies and rule does she have. The guard of the city are hers to command. Feared she be. Despisied! Listen in the shadows. Hear their moans. Listen in the streets. Hear their praise. Such is her hold on us! But there is weakness. Yes. And find it will we. Exploit it will we.
Revenge. That was my word. But deeper than that it goes, I think. My people suffering I see now I am home. So. Freedom now is the need. That will my revenge be.
A few short weeks ago we did thief from the Lady, the captain and I. Into her house we snuck. Through her things did we look. The captain, he fears she is connected with the dark ones. That is what he says. And so does her evil rise. Proof it were we sought of this. And through every room and garden did we search it for. My ears did echo the sounds of my blood. Bmmbmm, bmmbmm. My heart did my excite pound and my fingers did my fear sweat. The captain, he be brave. Calm did he keep me. And safe. Always safe. He knew every patrol, every post. And round each one did he guide us. Once, I fear we was seen but pursuit followed us not that night. Paintings I did find, which now you do posses. Some gold. Some jewels. Not to alert her, most of this did we leave. And letters, many letters. But none, the captain did me tell, that would serve as proof. But one thing did itself appear. A map of many places unknown where her things she did keep. Hovels, sewers, caves and such.
Searched them one by one we have but nothing did we find. To the captain, I say. "What good proof. Listen to us they will not!"
"We find her wrongs, we find her weakness. And that we exploit! Riches she loves, we take them. Contacts she has, we shatter them! Rumours we spread. Foul and dark! And bit by bit she is broken and eventually will fall! To get to her we must first shatter her foundations. And to do that we need knowledge! Patiance, Jyre. You must have patiance!"
To seek revenge in this way we do. Her downfall will we bring about. And then she the beggar will be. Hers will starvation be! The picture is sweet to me. Peace in my heart it grants me.
But misjudge me not. I seek not her death. Such is not my way.
On to Chapter 2
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