The Three Hungers Of Argost

Over the forest, a single stone tower came into view. It was several stories tall, with steeple shaped windows marking every floor…save one. The brickwork was worn, vine twisted and disheveled…as if the earth had shifted in its sleep and jostled the stones from their once perfect alignment.

The young girl rode steadily on upon her horse, gazing up at it in wonder. She wore a light vest over a green tunic, dark trousers as well as tall brown boots. Each of them sat in iron stirrups that dangled at her side over the wide back of the steed. Her honey brown locks were braided to the back, where it lay over the rest of her hair…tucked neatly behind her ears. Though her face showed her years, her pale blue eyes spoke of many more…like the kind of eyes who had seen much, and had weathered many storms.

Compared to her, the tall brown horse was a giant. Made for tilling thick, hard soil…it was both broad and well tempered. The handsome white mane tossed lightly as it lumbered forth, its hooves clopping rhythmically on the stony dirt path. After weeks of traveling, they were both tired.

“Just a little further Merra…” she said leaning forward.

She tapped the thick muscular neck of the horse, now damp from perspiration. Merra blew from her nostrils, as if she understood…and continued at her tedious pace. The girl sat up and sighed, squinting her eyes at the way forward. The narrow path wound its way over thick wooded hills, offering fleeting moments of shade from the afternoon sun. Before long though, they came to a clearing. Standing before them, was the ruined tower…looming tall into the clear blue sky.

It appeared abandoned, and the very thought of it made her heart sink. After so many days of searching, only to find it without its owner…would’ve dealt a heavy blow indeed. Still though, she held onto the hope that whoever the caretaker of the lonely keep was…could still be inside.

She dismounted not far from the entrance and slung her bow over one shoulder. With a short quiver fastened at her waist she went cautiously up to the large wooden door. Black iron hinges held the dark red timbers in place, with a black iron ring for a handle. Oddly, there were several peering slots…all at various heights. She breathed deep and sighed. Raising a hand, she knocked.

“Hallow…” she called out, and listened for a reply.

With an ear to the door she waited…but there was no sign of movement. She knocked again, harder this time.

“I’m looking for Argost Tower…” she railed. “…this is it…isn’t it…?” she took a step back and gazed around the sides of the round building. “…I was told…that someone here…might be able to help me…” she called aloud, but there was only silence.

Frustrated, she turned to see Merra…grazing at the long grass by the path. There was no one here…she had come all this way for nothing. With sadness welling inside her, she made to go back to her horse. Just then, a clang of thin metal like a pot…rolled across the floor inside.

She turned and stared at the door, wide eyed.

“Hallow…is someone there…” she took a step forward.

‘Dag nabbit…who keeps leaving this by the stairs…’ a shrill old voice spoke.

There was more clamor inside, as several more pots fell to the floor.

‘Oh…oh…out of my way…’ the voice cackled, then a thunderous crash followed.

Dishes were smashed and chairs were turned from within. After a moment, only a lone still rolling pot spun against the stone…then it was quiet. She pressed her ear to the door to listen. Several more moments passed, when from above her…a peering slot opened.

‘Yes…who’s there…?’ the voice was just beyond the door.

She backed away to see, but it was the highest slot…well out of her line of sight.

“I’m here…” she called. “…come to the shorter one…”

The small wooden screen, slapped closed. A second later, the one below it opened.

‘Yes…what is it…?’ the voice was closer.

“No…the bottom one…” she leaned up on her toes. “…I’m not very tall…”

‘Make up your mind…would you…’ the voice was irritable.

The screen shut and not a moment after, the bottom one slid wide. There, staring back at her was an eerie old man…or woman…with long white wispy brows and spotted skin.

“Um…” she backed slightly. “…I was just…”

“Yes, yes…get on with it…what do you want…?” the pale green eyes pressed into the rectangle slot, examining her intently.

“Well…is this…Argost Tower…?” she asked timidly.

The eyes narrowed.

“So what if it is…?” the old…person…seemed wary.

“Well…” she gulped. “…I was told…that this is where the…Trials of Argost…are held…”

“The what…?” the person leaned an ear forward.

“The…Trials of Argost…” she spoke louder.

“Ah yes…” the old person nodded. “…that it is…and what of it…?”

The person stared again at her.

“Um…well…I’d like to…”

“You…?” the voice scoffed. “…you…want to take the test…?”

The girl thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes…” she seemed resolute.

The inquisitive old eyes studied her.

“A bit young…aren’t you…?” the voice was softer. “…you know…kings and great warriors have come through here…and not made it past the second floor…” the eye pressed closer. “…what makes you think…you…have any chance at all to succeed…little girl…?”

She looked down, searching for an answer. After a moment she looked up, determinedly.

“Because…I must…” she said, holding her hands.

The old person lingered a stare, then shut the screen before her. She backed away, looking over the door. Suddenly a knock of dull metal came from inside the red timbers. The large door was pulled back, cracking as if it hadn’t been opened in years. It swung ajar, and the room inside became visible. Hobbling away before her was a hunched figure, adorned by a thick cloak. With a staff in one hand the short figure moved toward a tall desk at the far side of the stone space. A number of small felines darted away…out of sight. She came inside, carefully stepping over the bits of porcelain that dotted the dusty floor. The air was musty, a broken broom sat against an overturned chair…and a number of pots and pans were scattered all over.

“Come along…this way…” the cloaked person disappeared behind the desk, which was as tall as she was…then the figure reappeared above it…as if topping some steps.

“And leave your bow and quiver…no outside weapons are allowed…” he pointed to a table beside her.

She reluctantly took her bow and arrows and placed them on the table that was next to her. The figure reached for the large book that sat before him and turned it open. Grabbing a quill, then tapping an ink pot…he…or…she gazed down at her.

“Name…?” the person asked.

She approached the tall desk, nose barely above the counter.

“Um…Emriel…” she said, staring at the book.

“Emriel…?” the person asked, making a face.

She nodded.

“Yes ma’am…” she added.

The person stopped, just as they were about to write.

“I mean sir…” she added again, looking desperate.

His/her eyes narrowed.

“My names…Avery…” he/she scowled, then continued to write.

“Oh…okay…” she smiled, then frowned.

The name didn’t help at all, she thought.

“Occupation…” Avery asked, licking the pen.

“Um…my family owns a farm…” she shrugged. “…so thats…”

“Laborer…” Avery said flatly, scribbling the word.

“Reason…?” he asked next, somewhat impatient.

Emriel toyed with her hands.

“Well…our crops…failed this year…” she looked down. “…again…and well…”

“Subsistence…” Avery said, and wrote the word. “…alright…” he dotted the page then gazed down at her. “…so…what do you have to wager…” Avery lowered his chin.

“Wager…?” she made a face. “…I didn’t know about any…”

Avery sighed.

“You must have something to offer to take the test…in the event you fail…which you likely will…you must then forfeit said item to the house…which then becomes my property…”

Avery peered at her.

“So…what do you have…to wager…?” he asked again.

“I…don’t have anything…” she said with pleading in her voice. “…I just came with my horse…”

“Ah…so…” Avery raised a finger then began to write. “…one…large…steed…”

“Wait…” she leaned forward. “…no…I can’t…” she said pushing up on her toes. “…that’s the only thing my family owns of any value…you can’t take her…”

Avery paused to look at her.

“I’m not…taking…anything…” Avery grumbled. “…you either have something to bet…or you go home…with nothing…” Avery stared. “…whats it going to be…?”

“We’ll…I can’t go back with nothing…” she stood flat on her feet. “…we’ll starve this winter…” she shook her head. “…I…have to do something…” she looked down.

“So you…will…wager the horse then…” Avery made to write again, slowly.

Tears began to well in her eyes, but she made no objection. Avery scribbled the words onto the page of the large book before him.

“Now…” he said dropping the quill into its holder. “…there are three floors above this one…” he pointed to the ceiling. “…you must pass a test on each floor…to continue to the floor above it…” he leaned forward. “…if…you are able to pass the final test…at the last floor…” he smiled. “…then you will receive…as a reward…a hundred times the value of your wager…” Avery leaned back and stared at her. “…fair enough…?” he grinned.

“Um…”

“Good…” he slammed the book shut.

He made his way down the steps behind the desk.

“Now…be on your way…” he called from behind the wooden structure.

“But…” Emriel went around to meet him. “…what kind of tests are they…”

“Can’t tell you…” he said hobbling round to see her.

“Well…what should I expect…?” she asked, now walking beside him.

“Can’t tell you that either…” he smiled.

“Well…can I have a hint…?” she begged.

He sighed, then turned to face her.

“The obvious choice…” he narrowed his eyes. “…isn’t always the right decision…” and he gazed at her wistfully.

“But…what does that even mean…?” she made a face.

“Nothing more…” he wagged a finger. “…now move along…” he motioned for the steps leading up to the second floor. “…be on your way now and…” he paused. “…good luck…” and grinned a wily grin.

With a raised arm, he stood at the bottom of the stone steps. She looked at the door waiting above her, then to him. He nodded. She took a deep breath in and sighed.

“Alright…” she said and started on the stairs.

Every step closer to the door made her weak with doubt. How foolish this had turned out to be, she thought. To come back with nothing would be one thing…but to return to her family without Merra…well…she wouldn’t dare to think of it. After all, she had taken the horse without their permission. And with her father sick, it was up to her to save the farm. She reached the door and took the handle. Glancing behind her, she realized that Avery was no longer there. With another deep breath she faced the door, and pushed it open.

Inside, was a round room lined with tables along the walls. Each one held platters, piled high with all kinds of delicious looking fruits. There were seeds and nuts, and even small fish. She came into the room slowly, observing everything before her. Not after she had gone a few steps did the door behind her slam shut. She turned with a start and immediately noticed the hourglass above the door turn…causing the sand inside to run. She went to the door and pulled, but it was locked tight. Looking above her, the sand inside the hourglass gave her at most several minutes…and they were going by the second.

She turned to face the room, panicking. Without any idea of what to do…or what even the test had been…it had somehow already started. She went forward into the space, then spied the large cage at the far side of the room. It seemed to be the only thing that really stood out. She approached it quickly, to see what was inside.

When she got close, she observed a dull and sickly looking creature. It was a bird, sat weary looking and weak. She leaned close and the bird raised its head to her.

“I hunger…” the bird whispered.

Startled, Emriel stepped back.

“What…?” she asked, holding her hands. “…you can talk…?”

The bird did nothing, so she leaned forward again.

“I hunger…” the bird spoke again, looking at her.

Emriel stood back again, then glanced about the room. She had to feed the creature, that was the first test…it must be…she told herself. She ran to the nearest table and looked about. Frantically she moved her hands along each dish and platter, passing bowls of fruit and even plates of worms and other bugs.

“I don’t know…” she frowned and looked at the bird. “…what do you like…?”

She stomped her foot.

“I don’t know what to pick…” she turned and continued along the tables.

She remembered Avery’s words suddenly.

“Nothing too obvious…” she kept repeating to herself.

But, the more she searched…the more she questioned herself. It all seemed delectable…for a bird anyway…but nothing to clearly state that it was what the bird wanted. She glanced at the hourglass and her heart sank…more than half the time had passed. Faster, she moved along the tables at the walls, searching for something the bird might want to eat. On the verge of tears she came to the end of the last table and threw her hands. There were only moments to go now in the hourglass. And just as she was about to despair…she noticed a small hanging key…on a hook by the door. She stared at it without conscious…about to give up. Then a thought occurred to her.

She twirled toward the cage. There was a lock on the front, near the tiny door. She gulped and ran to the key, taking it in her hand. As fast as she could…she ran to the cage, fumbling the key at the lock for what seemed like ages. Finally, the key went in and she turned it. Looking behind her the last bit of sand fell into the lower portion of glass. She turned toward the bird.

It raised its tired wings and began to glow suddenly. So bright, that Emriel backed away from it and closed her eyes. When the flash was gone, a beautiful bird of many colors had taken the place of the drab and weakly one that had been in the cage. The tiny door flew open and the bird flapped with life and vigor. It hopped to the doorway and looked at Emriel. She leaned forward as it spoke.

“I hunger…for freedom…” the bird said.

Then, with a burst of fluttering wings…the transformed creature flew out to the open window and disappeared from the room. Emriel stood there, stunned by the magical occurrence. From above her, the door to the next floor…clacked a dull metal sound and swung ajar. She stared at it a moment, then made her way to the stone steps leading up. As she went by a table she lingered, gazing at the platters of fruit. It had been a while since she ate, and the abundance of food was tempting. She went over and took a ripe pear from a tray and stuffed it in her satchel…then went up the steps.

At the door, she pushed it open. It was darker than the last room and there were no windows, making it quite harder to see. Torches lit the walls and gave the space an eerie glum aura…like a dungeon. Emriel pressed inside but just enough so that the door wouldn’t close. Immediately, the sight of glinting steel caught her eye. To her grim surprise…the tables that lined the room weren’t filled with food…but with an array of weapons instead. Spears…swords…shields and axes…all laid out in no particular fashion. There were enough here to supply a small army of men, she thought. Then, the slow sinking realization that she might have to employ one of them…filled her with dread.

Besides her bow, she had never even held a weapon like these…meant for a soldier. She looked above her, to the hourglass. This one was fairly larger, giving her more time than the room below. Only…there were two distinct colors of sand in this one…a thick red layer…resting below the normal white sand. She wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Ahead of her, at the far side of the room…was darkness. The only thing she could clearly make out were the iron cell bars that ran from floor to ceiling. A number of scenarios flirted her mind…would she have to fight something…she wondered. Then, remembering where the key had been last time, she decided to look behind the door. As she peered around the wooden frame she could see another key rack. This one held a ring of keys and…a thick iron lock. As she leaned forward on her toes, the door swung shut suddenly…thrusting her into the room. She fell back a step and gazed up…the hourglass turned.

“Oh wonderful…” she muttered.

She grabbed both the lock and keys and stuffed them in her pockets…then spun round to gaze at the cell. It protruded nearly a third of the way into the room, each side held with brick. Cautiously, she went along the wall to see inside. As she did, she noticed the air felt increasingly cool…to the point she hugged herself to brace from the chill. Beside her, the sharpened steel shown on the tables…in a number of deadly shapes. As she passed a torch, she took it from the wall and held it out before her. Then, inching her feet forward…she came nearer to the cell. With every step she took, the temperature dropped even further. Before long, she could even see her own breath in the air. And, as she was just by the bars…her teeth were nearly chattering. Something in the shadow of the cell moved, giving her pause.

“Hallow…” she shivered, listening intently.

The sound of chains clinked, then a pair of gleaming eyes came toward her. She moved the torch to see it better…and the sight of it made her gasp. It was a wretched creature with slick blue skin and mottled hair that hung like seaweed. It glared at her with wide desperate eyes.

“I…hunger…” it spoke with a gargled voice and gripped the bars with sharp claws.

Horrified, Emriel shrank back. As the thing shifted from side to side, she got a glimpse of a steel collar wrapped at its neck…attached to a chain. Unable to look away, she stared woefully at the creature for several moments. She regained her composure though, realizing that her time was running. She ran to the tables and passed the torch over the weapons. She shook her head anxiously, wondering if she was meant to kill the creature.

“Nothing too obvious…” she whispered scanning the table.

Then she remembered the keys. She took the ring from her pocket and stared at them…then turned. Going to the cell, the creature became seemingly subdued…raising the steel collar toward the iron bars. The air was cold again as she approached. Placing the torch into a nearby sconce…she grimaced and took the collar into her hand.

It was slimy and the odor was awful. She fumbled with the key, trying to overcome her fear and disgust. She pressed a key inside and turned…it didn’t budge. She lowered the ring to find another…and the creature shifted on its feet. Thats when she saw it…the end of its chain sat dragging on the floor…and wasn’t attached to anything. Emriel took a step back, alarmed.

Something wasn’t right, she told herself. She glanced up at the creature. Why would she have to unlock the collar if it was already freed…she wondered. Taking the torch, she held it up to see inside the enclosure better. Searching the cell, she saw a single iron ring on the back wall…likely where the chain was supposed to have been attached…only…it wasn’t. She leaned closer to study the wall. Strangely, the iron ring hung at a place where a window used to have been. The unique shape of the stones outlined where the window once was…though it had been bricked up for some time.

From above her the ceiling made a strange noise. She looked up, raising the torch. A moment later and the bars suddenly dropped…disappearing into the floor with a loud metal thud. Shocked, Emriel stood there holding the torch. The creature straightened slowly, now bristling with a menacing energy. With nothing between them, Emriel backed quickly away. As the creature came slowly forward, she backed into a table. She peered down at the weapons then turned to face the beast in horror.

She reached out with a blind hand and happened upon a shield. Bringing it close to her shoulder she readied herself for an attack. It seemed wary of the flame in her hand, moving to her right. She waved the torch before her, glancing at the length of chain dragging behind the beast and the iron ring at the back of the cell. If she could just get close enough, she could attach them…giving her something of a chance at least.

With careful steps she neared the cell, the creature moving in measured fashion toward her. As the end of the chain drug near her feet, she lowered her shield…keeping the torch waving out in front. Resting the bronze disc against her leg she knelt, reaching for the length of chain. She took her eyes away from the creature only for a moment, but that was all it took. The thing lunged forward and swiped the torch at her hand, sending it bouncing off the cell wall. Emriel fell backwards and raised the shield just as the beast fell on top of her. Sharp claws wrapped the edges of it and a gaping mouth snapped at her…just above it.

Reaching with her free hand she gripped something solid on the floor…like a club. She swung it at the creatures face, connecting with a loud crack against its head. It fell back suddenly, giving her a brief moment of reprieve. She looked at what was in her hand…realizing it was a long white bone. She dropped it in disgust, then saw the end of the chain just beside her. Taking it quickly she grabbed the lock from her pocket and stood, clasping it to the ring on the wall in one smooth motion.

By the time the lock clicked the beast was upon her again. It slashed at her, tearing the satchel from her shoulder and sending her into the wall. The pear that was inside her bag rolled across the floor, distracting it just long enough. Emriel ran while it knelt down to devour the fruit.

After a few steps she tripped and fell hard upon the stone. Looking behind her, the creature was already standing tall…gazing at her. Emriel backed away on her elbows frantically, and the thing came for her. Just as it was upon her…the chain at its neck drew taut…jerking it in place just over her. Claws swiped and its sharp teeth clacked in a mad frenzy. The further she backed away, the harder the creature pulled the chain. The iron ring at the wall gave slightly, pulling the bricks with it.

First, a single beam of sunlight penetrated…then another. With a final lunge, the ring tore from the wall…sending a burst of light into the space…causing the creature to shriek. It raised a hand to block the immense brightness, but it was over. The creature began to glow bright just before her eyes. In another quick flash, it transformed…then went dim again.

Emriel gazed forward, wondering what had happened. Wide eyed, she saw a woman walking forth from where the creature had once stood. She wore a cloak…and she was beautiful.

“I hunger…” she smiled. “…for warmth…”

Emriel went to stand, gawking. She had never seen anyone so lovely. The woman just smiled, as she scrambled to her feet. Looking behind her, the hourglass was already spent. Somehow, she had done it. The door at the top of the stairs clacked…the lock opened and the door swung ajar.

The woman just gazed at her, as Emriel made her way to the stairs. Looking up, she took the first few steps and glanced back toward the woman…but she was already gone. Emriel paused, looking around the now well lit room…but there was no one there. She stood there a moment, then pressed on.

At the third and final door, she pushed it wide. There, taking up half the room…was a sleeping dragon. The sunlight came in from both windows as dust meandered about…giving the space a dreamy air. Wings folded at its side, head resting curled beside its long spiked tail…it lay. She stepped inside cautiously, wondering if it too…might try and devour her. She went slowly forward. The door behind her creaked closed, then shut. She turned to see an hourglass above the door only…there was none there. She whirled around, taking stock of the items that lined the room.

There were only two tables here, one held a blank canvas with a number of brushes and paints beside it. The other, held a large unchiseled block of stone…along with a number of hammers and chisels. She walked along and scanned the items curiously. Above the first table, there were several paintings hung on the wall…each depicting the reptilian beast in all its fearsome glory. Below the second, were several stone replicas of the dragon…in varying pose and likeness.

She couldn’t make sense of the room at all. She turned to see the sleeping dragon, but its head was raised…just beside her. It stared with a piercing gaze, yellow and red eyes…cracked by thin black vertical slits.

“Oh…hallow…” she managed and gulped.

The scaly green beast observed her, then spoke.

“I hunger…” it growled in a low resonant tone.

“Okay…” Emriel nodded, taking a step back. “…um…you hunger…I know that…”

As she went away from it, the dragon just stared at her. It didn’t seem dangerous. If anything, she thought it looked sort of bored maybe. Under its unyielding gaze though, she eventually turned her eyes to the floor…holding her hands. There, along its scaly belly she noticed something. It was a quill…wedged beneath its immense body. Strange…she thought. The dragon leaned its head forward.

“Right…” she said and turned.

She looked around the room. Statues and paintings…what did he hunger for…she asked herself. He couldn’t eat these things…and there was no chain at his neck…so what could it possibly desire. She looked at the creature again. It was old, and wizened…she could tell. As if it had seen the world in its entirety…and had come to rest here…at the end of its long journey.

“You want…something…” she muttered. “…statues…paintings…” she gazed about the jagged features of the dragon. “…you hunger for…” she shook her head searching her thoughts. “…something that looks like you…?” she shrugged, making a face.

The dragon looked nonplussed.

“You want…” she paused, thinking to herself.

An idea came to her and she looked right at the eyes of the fantastic beast.

“You…want to be remembered…don’t you…” she whispered.

The beast just blinked lazily at her, but didn’t seem to object.

She spun round, then glanced over the two tables. All of these statues and paintings were from previous attempts she guessed. Had they failed…or succeeded…she wondered. She turned to the dragon.

“May…I ask you something…?” she asked it.

The dragon narrowed its eyes.

“You may ask…one…” its words rumbled low.

Emriel nodded, then turned to face the tables once more. She figured she had a fifty-fifty chance at getting it right…clearly it was either a statue…or a painting that it wanted. She took a step toward the tables. She could ask if one or the other were the right decision…she thought. That way, no matter the answer…she would know which medium it wanted to be remembered by. Simple enough, she told herself and smiled. Then she paused. No…there had to be something more, she thought. Avery’s words came to her…nothing too obvious. She raised a hand to her chin…could there be a third choice she wondered. Her eyes lit up. She turned suddenly to face the dragon and took a step forward.

She cleared her throat, gathering her courage.

“Um…excuse me…” she began. “…I have my question…”

The dragon just gazed at her.

“Could you…” she paused and pointed near the floor. “…stand up…”

The dragon narrowed its eyes.

“…please…” she added softly, taking a step back.

The dragon breathed out a sigh, and to her surprise…it got up. Rising up onto its four legs it stood…back nearly to the ceiling. And, just as she suspected…there was something beneath it. Resting on the floor, was a black book…just behind the quill. She reached down and took it up into her hands…blowing the dust from it. Standing tall, she stepped away…allowing the creature to sit once more.

“I know…what you hunger for…” she said and held the book up before her. “…I think…this would grant your wish…” she stepped toward the beast, who eyed her carefully.

“I have not hands to write…” it spoke angrily, raising a claw for her to see. “…are you sure…that is your choice…” it leaned forward, glaring.

Emriel swallowed, thinking to herself. Then she nodded.

“If you wish…speak to me…” she whispered. “…and I will write your tale…”

The dragon raised its head at her, staring hard.

“Do not forget…your promise to me…little girl…”

Then, it shut its eyes…and began to glow.

“But…how will I know your story…?” she called out.

“You will hear…my voice…” it trailed off.

She covered her eyes from the light.

A moment later, and the room was dim once more. She opened her eyes and looked carefully. At the floor, where the dragon had once sat…was a small wooden chest. Emriel blinked her eyes at it, not sure if she had succeeded or not. Racing forward she knelt…and took the chest into her hands…then opened it. There inside…were a pile of gold coins…gleaming in the light. They were riches of the likes of which…she had never seen before. A single one of the coins…could feed her and her family for months…and there was enough here to last them more than several lifetimes.

She took a handful and let them fall from her fingers back to the chest. They clanked and sounded and they were real. Beside her, the black book still laid at the floor. After staring at it a while she tossed it inside the chest, closed the box and latched it shut. With some effort she hoisted the chest up and wrapped it close to her. One by one, she made her way down the tower floors until she came again…back to the first.

The weight of the gold, reminded her that it was real in her hands. Grinning, she went quickly down and came to where Avery should have been…only…there was no one there. She did however see her bow and quiver at the table, just where she had left them. Resting the chest beside them, she donned her effects and took the box into her arms again. Without tarrying, she went outside. Merra was there, still tending the long grass.

“Merra…look…” she called, walking it over to her. “…I’ve done it…”

She came beside the large horse and kneed the chest up onto a saddle bag…where she tied it fast with some thick straps. Still grinning, she turned behind her to look at the tower once more…but it too…had vanished. There was nothing there. Emriel stepped forward and gazed about at the clearing of grass on the hill. There was not even the impression of a building upon the ground, where it once stood. Had it been some trick…she wondered. Turning to the saddlebag, she ran. With no small amount of trepidation she opened the chest once more…imagining a pile of rocks would be there.

To her great relief the gold was still there…that…and the little black book.