The Black Tower
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 15094
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The princess Astra sat against a large bulging rock that jutted out of the
desert sands. The knight Fred stood some feet away scanning the horizon.
Astra looked at Fred, not for the first time. What kind of man was he to
treat her so well? He was a stranger, an Allarian and a man for that!
Yet he took no advantage of this situation, not that she couldn't fend for
herself. Since being warded by that mysterious Voice and materializing
here in the desert she had studied the knight. She saw how he walked, the
movements of his arms and hands, she was studying his manner and seeking
his weaknesses. This was the amazon way, after all. She still wasn't
sure if this man was earnest or simply a good liar. The whole episode in
the cavern could've been a set up, just another trial at the hands of the
dragon-mage. Yet her instincts were to trust this man.
"Princess," said Fred. "We may have lodging for the night after all. Do you see it?" Astra squinted, following the line of vision pointed to by Fred's hand. She saw something set off against the horizon where the dunes seemed smoother. "What is that?" "It's a structure," said Fred. "Are you sure?" "Positive, m'Lady. See how the moonlight glints about the shape in a regular, predefined shape?" "No." "Ahh. Please do not take offense but I am trained in matters such as these. I could not have become a soldier in my liege's forces until I was able to spot the number of freckled children in the Holy Day crowd from the top of the highest spire. I am trained in matters such as these. I am positive that there stands a tower, and hopefully our salvation from this dry death." Hours later they reached the foot of the tower. It was a thousand paces around and rose into the sky such a distance that they could not make out the tip. It was black as the night but easily showed their reflections as if unto a mirror. "Fred," said Astra. "I confess a misgiving about this tower, its nature is strange and unusual." "Yes, yes it is. I know not of a material that can reflect light in such a manner as this. But we have so few choices." "It's not an....hallucination?" Fred scratched his chin. "No, it is not. It is real, for all its oddness." "Is it supposed to be here? These are your lands, what do you know of this desert?" "My dear Princess. Though the Great Kingdom does indeed claim the southern reaches of this northern desert, this desert is of such an expanse that I would not be surprised as what could be found within its blowing borders." "I see....any idea of how we are to enter?" "Yes, in fact I do. I have noticed that my reflection carries a kingly signet ring on it's right pinky though in fact I do not." A chill ran up the princess' backside. "That then must be the clue. Touch it with your ringless pinky." "You took the words right out of my mouth. Please stand back." Astra retreated a pace as Fred took a step closer. He raised his hand and brought it forward, the pinkies touched. The reflection of Fred upon the black stone seemed to smile and then....all was whiteness for Fred and Astra.
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Y (excerpted heavily from Lots42 ep.935)
1/22/2001 4:19:16 PM
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