Poisonous Tower
The city of Ravel, the very same city that had a habit of burning their dead beyond the city walls, had a solitary tower that rose high above the battlements. It had been taken up by a wealthy minister named Adator. It was odd how a man so concerned about order, put his tower in the north eastern corner of the trapezoidal city...he spent his days writing in that isolated tower, but took a certain pleasure in watching the people of Ravel from his noble perch. In short, he was considered gentle, yet, quirky.
And the very same night that a young man, known as Curtis, was sent off to heaven, the odd minister looked on through his looking glass.
Adator: I too have a son. That looks to be Delores the butcher Jared's wife, making her way through the night.
Haiken: Well father, you have more than just one child, but I'm flattered.
Adator: Ye, but you remain among the living. Alas, the fire is burned out.
Haiken: Gracious, why do you watch every procession? You'll invite the dead to your perch while you sleep!
Adator: I take interest in the way people act. But curiously enough those magicians were present.
Haiken: Hold, you mean someone we know has passed without us knowing?
Adator: Doubtful, they're odd.
Haiken: Like you.
Adator: I'd say of a different sort. Magic is an invisible practice. I prefer the genius of minds, manifested in form.
Haiken: Like the sword, or something more refined, like ah, catapult?
Adator: Tools of war. Well, your brother is fighting even now I suppose.
Haiken: Why he joined the army is beyond me.
Adator: It is beyond us all! I thought Nir to be too timid to sell his life to death and terror.
Haiken: Timid only when ignored. There's not a stronger will I've ever seen that of Nir.
Adator: Well so be it! If he comes back to us, the gods will have my thanks, least I turn out like Jared the butcher. I'm off to bed.
Haiken: Good night father, I'll stay up a moment.
* * *
The city was quite different after the sun rose. The gold plated statues on the palace stairway glistened at first light, and the north and south gates opened to trade. The high H'tari Mountains loomed over the east and west walls. Though the capital, and home to the royal family, Ravel was straight on the border between two nations. Every speck of trade ran through the crowded streets. Though the slums grew ever larger, prosperity was to be had in such a place.
Sinking beneath the high pillared palace, was a small, mostly underground unit that housed the most suspicious order. It was here, that members of the magician's court carried out their business.
Tae: I've never seen you so insistent on working hard during our day of much needed rest.
Vae: That girl has my mind, but first, of Curtis, I am most interested.
Tae: Curtis? The butcher's son who was but a container, has your mind now? You hardly knew him!
Vae: Few in this city did, but it was our business to get acquainted...his body was covered in dark cloth.
Tae: It was strange how much they intended to keep him hidden.
Vae: Beneath the veil is a mystery I intend to unravel.
Tae: Under what pretense? Any action taken, must have some precursor. And with you, it's always a dark one.
Vae: I'll say it lightly then. There is a chance that Curtis may still yet live.
Tae: Impossible.
Vae: Did you see his mangled body beneath the tarp a'fore it went in flames?
Tae: No, but first I felt his life force waning in his attic home, I knew that he was who he was. His mother had to look upon him truly.
Vae: But even so...the time of death was never set. A melancholy soul has a way to heal itself in clever ways.
Tae: But faking one's death is a hard trick! We'd surely tell if it were so, the girl's spirit is proof enough.
Vae: This plot reeks of Nir, I hate to stain our kindred's name, but it felt too closely to his mark.
Tae: That would be a horrid thing! But then again, to Adator's tower did she flock.
Vae: That tower is filled with poison. I have no trouble with our uncle, but it is sad that he must live in such a haunted place.
Tae: Shall we then take our investigation there? Adator loves his sisters, and as such, he loves their children too. Ah, and it is the fifth day! Our cousin Haiken will be lodging there, lest he's already parted to Manessa.
Vae: This is so! Off with me!
Tae: And I as well.
The two magicians work their way through the streets, coming upon the tower they claim to be filled with poison. The black gates stand tall, and yet, before they can knock upon them for entry, they swing open and the finely dressed Haiken emerges, greeting them with a bright smile, and a pack slung over his shoulder.
Haiken: Dear cousins! I was just about to find you before I left, since last night my father saw you both at a secret burning from his precipitous perch.
Vae: What a eerie hold he has on Ravel!
Haiken: Indeed, I find it strange as well. But would you tell me the nature of your visit here? You've saved me time as I am en route to Manessa to my mother's home.
Tae: We thought a magic came unto your father's tower proceeding the pyre's fire. It is, a frequent event, but my sister thinks it to be peculiar.
Haiken: I have to aptitude for magic, that's my brother's trade.
Vae: Fighting in the fools war is he.
Haiken: Aye, it is so. We pray for him to return.
Vae: Sooner than later, I fear.
Haiken: I'd dislike you for such comments cousin, if my father had not made them himself last night.
Tae: This matter is most morbid, I concur! Safe travels cousin Haiken, we must conduct our work within.
Haiken: Fare thee well, and to you, keep thy sharp tongue sheathed.
Vae: I will try.
The magicians entered the tower, finding it dim, and unlit. Only through tiny slits did the sunlight stream, and they carefully ascended the stone steps, leading to the various chambers and studies. Only at the top was there any dissemblance of comfort and homeliness. As they walked, they kept quiet, until they reached the apex, and yet it was empty, the final door securely locked.
Vae: I quiver, sister.
Tae: At what anticipation?
Vae: Fear.
Tae: In the daylight too! You are a sensitive child, but even so, this unsettles me now.
Vae: The young girl's spirit has fled from us.
Tae: Where to did she go?
Vae: I feel she's passing north.
Tae: To Savaris then?
Vae: Indeed, if she were to fly as straight an arrow would, to Veris of Savaris she is bound.
Tae: Do we pursue?
Vae: Too easily we'll be lost from here unto that godly spire. Even so, she may become lost again. Let us return, and rest, and enjoy this day. I do not wish to know what truth it is just yet...
Tae: If it were Nir, to Veris he would undoubtedly go.
They quickly left the tower and gladly took their day of rest. For now, the issue seems to have changed.
Vae: This is so! Off with me!
Tae: And I as well.
The two magicians work their way through the streets, coming upon the tower they claim to be filled with poison. The black gates stand tall, and yet, before they can knock upon them for entry, they swing open and the finely dressed Haiken emerges, greeting them with a bright smile, and a pack slung over his shoulder.
Haiken: Dear cousins! I was just about to find you before I left, since last night my father saw you both at a secret burning from his precipitous perch.
Vae: What a eerie hold he has on Ravel!
Haiken: Indeed, I find it strange as well. But would you tell me the nature of your visit here? You've saved me time as I am en route to Manessa to my mother's home.
Tae: We thought a magic came unto your father's tower proceeding the pyre's fire. It is, a frequent event, but my sister thinks it to be peculiar.
Haiken: I have to aptitude for magic, that's my brother's trade.
Vae: Fighting in the fools war is he.
Haiken: Aye, it is so. We pray for him to return.
Vae: Sooner than later, I fear.
Haiken: I'd dislike you for such comments cousin, if my father had not made them himself last night.
Tae: This matter is most morbid, I concur! Safe travels cousin Haiken, we must conduct our work within.
Haiken: Fare thee well, and to you, keep thy sharp tongue sheathed.
Vae: I will try.
The magicians entered the tower, finding it dim, and unlit. Only through tiny slits did the sunlight stream, and they carefully ascended the stone steps, leading to the various chambers and studies. Only at the top was there any dissemblance of comfort and homeliness. As they walked, they kept quiet, until they reached the apex, and yet it was empty, the final door securely locked.
Vae: I quiver, sister.
Tae: At what anticipation?
Vae: Fear.
Tae: In the daylight too! You are a sensitive child, but even so, this unsettles me now.
Vae: The young girl's spirit has fled from us.
Tae: Where to did she go?
Vae: I feel she's passing north.
Tae: To Savaris then?
Vae: Indeed, if she were to fly as straight an arrow would, to Veris of Savaris she is bound.
Tae: Do we pursue?
Vae: Too easily we'll be lost from here unto that godly spire. Even so, she may become lost again. Let us return, and rest, and enjoy this day. I do not wish to know what truth it is just yet...
Tae: If it were Nir, to Veris he would undoubtedly go.
They quickly left the tower and gladly took their day of rest. For now, the issue seems to have changed.
