The Tale of Gaven Morren: The First Night--Into the Dark (Part 2)

I take a few minutes to let my eyes adjust to the gloom. To pass the time, I try and remember all I can about how this city is laid out.

Miir lies across the only route through the Western Ivthian Mountains. To the west, the dark peaks rise. To the east are scrub deserts.

Miir itself is shaped roughly like a wheel, split into three sections known as The Bastion, The Pen, and The Cobwebs.

In the center is a great Tower, around which all the rich homes and Great Houses cluster. This is the Bastion.

Once past the Bastion Wall, you are in the much larger middle section of the city, where most of the merchants and skilled workers dwell, called The Pen. The merchants must adore the implications.

Past the Pen wall are the hovels, gambling halls, and the flotsam of the city. All the unskilled and slaves dwell here in misery. The Cobwebs. Fitting.

When I was in the Bastion, I noticed Fireglass lamps blazing at every corner. And even here there should be brazers, but they're all out.

Why aren't there any lights here? If everyone was so afraid of the dark, why not keep the fire lit until dawn? Uh-oh. Something is MOVING!

I hate this city. It was just a piece of canvas that got loose from a stall. This place has me jumping at shadows *already*.

I haven't seen any crossbow-wielding guards *yet*. Perhaps this Exile truly is what they said: The freedom to run around the city at night.

If that's the case, then the nobles are fools. I've got rent to pay, and really only one way of using my talents to make a living.

Most of the windows are shuttered tightly. Probably barred, as well. If I had my tools, that wouldn't be a problem, but I need to improvise.

Ah! Luck! there's an open window over there! I can see a lit candle, but no movement. The wall is stone...an easy climb. I look inside.

There isn't much here. A bed, a desk, a footlocker, some tapestries on the wall. No one inside. This is good...easy access to the house.

I check the footlocker first. Just some clothes. Feminine. There's a nice leather cloak I slip on to ward off the chill. That's better.

The desk has a few drawers. The bottom one is locked. There's a letter, an inkwell, and DRAGON CLAW QUILLS! These will fetch a tidy sum.

I pocket the quills--a dozen in all. But how to open the locked drawer? Hmm...The quills are brittle, but they might serve. I pull one out.

I work the lock with the quill. Damn, it broke...but the drawer is open now. And it was worth it. There's a glow from inside. Excellent. It's a dagger, made from Ivthian Fireglass, which is this obsidian-like rock that glows with its own inner light. This is a real find here.

I smile. This is the first house I've hit tonight, and already I've scored well. Now on to the rest of the house. I turn to the door...wait.

Where is the door? All I see are blank walls. Where is the door!? WHERE IS THE DRAGON-DAMNED DOOR!?

I look to the left. WALL! To the right! WALL! I tear down the tapestry. WALL!

I'm TRAPPED!

I stumble back to the window, half expecting it to be gone as well. Nope, still there. By the Dragon, what is going on?

I go to the desk, frantically, and look through the drawers for answers Nothing useful. Then I remember the letter. I pick it up and read.

Dearest Jessamine. I now have no choice. Please forgive me, and may the Shadows have mercy on your soul. Eric. Not helpful. Damn.

OK This is no time to panic. Obviously, the watch set this trap up, and are on their way. It's time to get out of here. I turn to the window.

There is a slight breeze, and suddenly the candle goes out. And then I hear a single word. "Thief." My blood freezes.

There is a figure at the window. The glow from the fireglass doesn't shed much light, but I see he is thin, tall, and pale. And very angry.

"You have taken from me, Exile." He whispers. How did he get up the wall without me hearing?

Perhaps its not too late to escape. If I strike quickly enough, I may be able to silence him before the alarm is raised. I lunge.

The Pale Man is quick. I don't even see him move, but there is a flutter from his cloak and I collide painfully with the window sill. Ow!

Then the world tilts, and I am spinning through the cold night air. I meet the ground even harder than the wall.

Struggling to breathe. Pain in my side is incredible. Must have fallen out the window. Think I've broken a rib. There is laughter above.

"Entertaining." His voice, right above me. How did he get down so fast? "I did not come to fight you, Gaven Morren. I want what's mine."

"How do you know me?" I gasp. He shrugs. "You chose Exile, Gaven. You gave yourself over to the night. Were you expecting no consequences?"

I feel a boot rest lightly against my throat. "So. You're my keeper, then? I didn't know I was going to be chaperoned."

"We can play these games later, Gaven. Hand over what you have taken, and I shall leave you to your own devices." The boot grinds down.

I consider my options. I can't fight like this. The guards may be on their way. the Pale Man has the advantage here. I'll get revenge later.

"Take your bloody dagger, then." I grunt, and release the blade. I don't see him move, but the boot is off my neck. He looks the blade over.

I think something is wrong. I can't tell, but the Pale Man isn't pleased. "You would play me for a fool, Gaven?" he utters. I blink. "What?"

"She isn't here." His voice is calm, but ice cold. There was a seething, venomous rage lurking just beneath it. "Who isn't...?"

The boot jabs into my wounded side. It suddenly occurs to me that I've given up my only means of protection to a madman in the dark.

I feel the blade at my throat. "Listen to me *very* closely, Gaven" he hisses. "You will find her, and return her, before dawn."

There is a lunatic with a blade at my neck. There is only one reasonable course of action. "Yes, sir. Whatever you say, sir."

The dagger lifts away, and I let out a breath that sounded more relieved than I intended. I stand, the broken rib grinding in my chest.

"Here." He tosses the glowing blade at my feet. "You will need a light to see by. When you find her, simply summon me and I shall appear."

Fat chance. He'd armed me, and I won't be fool enough to let go of the blade again. When I'm out of sight I'll be gone like cobwebs in a fire.

Still, I need to make him think he's getting what he wants. "What name should I summon you by, then?" He smirks. "Call for Naros Miir."

"And remember, Gaven. The Shadows are always vigilant. You have until the sun rises over the Pen Wall and no later. Do not fail me."

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