The Tower in the Shadows

“I am going to call that a fairy.”

She (and it was clear it was a she) had travelled into my Dungeon. I noticed as soon as she entered my aura, but the lack of alerts of any type was the most alarming thing. So far, everything entering has triggered some form of notification.

The fairy stopped in the open section of the tower and made a series of musical sounds.

“Is she trying to talk to me?”

She had paused as if expecting an answer. But I had no idea of how to communicate with her.

I watched as she moved through the tower and looked at her wings when she stopped. I could see the differences between her and the pixie once imprisoned in the lantern and why it was easy to confuse the two. There was a magical glow around her, but not as pronounced. The dress was not a collection of leaves and other materials but a designed cloth outfit. The most significant difference was her wings. They were patterned like butterflies but less crystalline than the pixies.

Larry was aware of her, but I held him from attacking. The rest of my creations were mindful of my unease and knew something was happening. Puck was hiding down in the tunnels on the third. I was unsure of what to do. She was not hostile for the moment and I was willing to play this out.

“Let's see what she does.”

She travelled down the stairwell, briefly stopping on the floors, making the musical sounds as she travelled. I noted as she travelled that she did not leave a trail of dust like pixies behind her.

“Are you talking to me or yourself?”

By now, I was sure the music was some sort of speech I could not understand. I thought about my Companionless restriction from Oda. This might be what is at play here.

According to some literature, a fairy is the one that finds the Core early on and bonds with it to supply information and an anchor to prevent madness. Other stories had other creatures filling this role. Maybe she was here to do this?

She reached the third floor and began moving towards the first room. I expected her to fly in and stay well out of reach of the boars, as there was plenty of room to do this. Larry was moving cautiously down the stairs. Puck was still hiding but wanted to get involved. I mentally “instructed” it to stay put.

Reaching the entrance to the first room, she stopped and looked inside. I had noticed that her facial features were human(oid?). I was able to figure out some of the expressions she was using. The one now was confusion, I was sure. Maybe?

However, she did not enter and instead returned to the stairwell. This was getting concerning now. She flew around the stairs and landed in front of my Cores hiding place.

“Fuck! Larry, get down here!”

The musical sound of her speech began again as I knew Larry was on his way. She spoke several times and then said something that freaked me out.

Astraus

The name hit my mind like a punch to the face. I knew that name from the book about the Gods of this world I had read.

Astraus, Goddess of Dungeons……..Amongst other things.

“Shit! This is bad!”

My Godless restriction was also playing its part here; I was now certain. She was standing there as if she expected a response. She got one, but not the one she expected, as Larry arrived and got hostile.

With a look of fear, she took to the sky and fled up the stairs to the tower and was gone from my sight.

“Divine attention was the one thing I was hoping to avoid!”

“Fuck!”

“So, what’s next?”

## ## ## ## ##

Lord Ranus Goldwind stepped out from his tent and looked around at his lands.

What he saw was a few tents that made up the camp, the river, the Dungeon and a lot of trees. His ship had just returned from Tyboon, delivering letters and buying more supplies. More craftsmen were acquired in the town to help in building the community. They were focused on the new pier that was being built. Once that was done, the temporary housing, then other buildings.

Assessor Woodland had been assigned as the Guild Leader for Shadow Vale, with Gran and his team supporting her. They had agreed to help defend the encampment as shadow wolves were stalking the tree line at night. Thankfully, there had been no significant issues.

The rest of the camp was stirring and fires were already lit with food being prepared. The scent of woodsmoke and cooking food filled the air.

“Good new day, Lord Goldwind.”

“Good new day, Guild Leader Woodland.”

She had emerged from the tent next to hers. Upon her order, no further Dungeon delves were allowed until she had finished her required tasks by Guild and Divine writ. He was still unsure of what they were but had other more pressing issues at this time.

“We should start on the new buildings in a few more days.”

“Thank you. Finally, having a bed is something I look forward to.”

“I would imagi…”

“Sail approaching!”

The call came from a lookout who pointed to a sail emerging from behind the river bend leading to Tyboon.

“Are you expecting anyone, Lord Goldwind?”

“No, Guild Leader Woodland. You?”

“No. So it seems that the first of our unexpected arrivals has begun.”

The two walked down to the almost-finished pier. The work team leader, a woman named Morg, shooed off the ogling workers. Many were watching to see what was going on.

Ranus could easily make out the ship now coming up the river. It was the Eternal Profit, a river/sea ship that his family-owned. She was low in the water, meaning fully loaded. He frowned, as he now knew who was here.

The ship turned and was guided to the pier then tied down. A ramp was extended and hit the dock with a solid thud. A well-dressed figure strutted from his ship and Ranus’s fears were confirmed: his oldest brother Rassal had arrived.

“Ranus! So good of you to meet me!”

His brother was intelligent, handsome and charismatic to all who saw him. Ranus knew his darker side hid from the sight of everyone but his family and enemies.

“Rassal. Good to see you. What brings you here?”

Be polite, be polite, Ranus thought over and over.

“Ah. The local Guild Leader, I assume. Well, this will make things easier.”

Ranus’s question was ignored as Rassal focused on Woodland next to him.

“Guild Leader Woodland.”

“Well met, Guild Leader Woodland. I, Rassal Goldwind, heir to the Goldwind family, claim the Right of Discovery by my family member Ranus Goldwind in the name of my father, Hector Goldwind, his due as decreed by the Gods and the Guilds. As such, I will act as proxy for Lord Goldwind until he arrives. Now let us take stock and plan for what comes next.”

Normally, Ranus would be furious with his father and brother, but it was all he could do not to burst out in laughter. For once in his life, he had been able to outmanoeuvre his family. Rassal had a smile plastered on his face as Guild Leader Woodland replied.

“I am afraid that is impossible, Rassal Goldwind, as the right of discovery has already been claimed.”

If she had struck him, the effect would have been the same. The smile vanished and his brother frowned.

“That cannot be right. It was a Goldwind who discovered the Dungeon and brought it to the Guild's attention. We have the right of discovery.”

“Indeed, Rassal Goldwind and it was claimed.”

Rassal was about to speak to express more outrage but stopped. His mind quickly realised what the Guild Leader had said and turned his attention to his younger brother.

“You! You claimed the right!”

He was outraged and furious. His and his father's dreams of a noble title and control of a Dungeon suddenly disappeared. Ranus revelled in the feeling of power over him for the first time in his life. Smiling, he said.

“Yes, brother. You may address me as LORD Goldwind from now on.”

## ## ## ## ##

“This is an attack on me through my Divine Mantle!”

Astraus was raging. She was storming around Oda’s office with Nictor and Xandus watching on. Astraus was an interesting Goddess, being almost neutral in her outlook to the two courts. She moved between the two, depending on her desires.

“A dungeon that is operating on its own and can refuse to communicate even when my divine name is enacted! The only way that can happen is if another God protects it!”

Oda was sure she was looking for something to throw, but his spartan office lacked targets or means. Nictor and Xandus were watching, both concerned as they had no idea what was happening with this situation, which unsettled them. Oda had hoped for longer, but his creation was proving more creative than planned.

“Indeed, it does, Astraus.”

She spins to face him, sitting behind his desk. He moves in his chair to get more comfortable. The day was going rather well before she stormed in, followed by the other two.

“Then who would perform such an outrage? I demand to know!”

He let out a sigh, knowing the conversation ahead.

“I did.”

“Then I demand th…”

It took a few seconds for what he said to get through to her and bring her to silence. The other two were looking at him with shock on their faces. He knew what they were thinking. Did I just hear what he had said, right?

“Y-you?”

“Me.”

Oda stood from behind his desk and walked around it. He moved, and Astraus turned with him until they stood facing each other. He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes as she looked up to his. She was confused by what was happening.

“I apologise for my transgression, but it is required for the benefit of all.”

“Oda! This is against everything you stand for!”

Xandus had found her voice, it seemed. Nictor was not to be outdone.

“This crosses the divine rules we all stand by!”

Coming from them, Oda nearly laughed. But he knew that he was going to have to explain.

“Oda! Why?”

This came from Astraus. The hurt and surprise in her voice did strike at Oda. Plans were already made and he implemented them.

“I shall tell you Astraus and the head of the courts. But first, I will need your divine oaths that nothing I say will leave this room…”

## ## ## ## ##

Across the world, whispers and rumours were spreading no more than Kyber itself.

A new Dungeon.

A new chance for wealth and power. A new means to grow and walk the Paths.

The Guilds had not made an official announcement yet, but that did not stop the rumours. Those with and in power took notice. Investigations were launched, reports made, prayers/offerings made and bribes offered, depending on who was asking.

The answer returned was: yes, there was a new Dungeon!

It would not be too long before the masses found out and began to act. Opportunity was in the air.

## ## ## ## ##

Elian Woodland had retired from the “conversation” the Goldwind brothers were having, as it had been ongoing for the entire morning. She could still hear them arguing even through the canvas of her magically enchanted tent. She sighed, glad to be away from them. She had made sure the Guilds position was clear: Ranus Goldwind held the title and that was the end of it. Sitting on her cot, she began to remove a boot.

It was then she noticed she had a visitor. Standing on her travel chest was a fairy.

“Greetings Guild Leader Woodland. Shezar am I herald of her divine splendour Astraus, Goddess of Dungeons.”

“I greet you, Shezar. Are you not the Dungeons fairy?”

“I am not. I bear a message from my mistress to the guilds.”

“I understand and am ready to bear witness to her words.”

The fairy nodded and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and began to recite her message from memory.

“It is the will of Astraus that this dungeon be opened to the willing seeking to test themselves. The normal Guild requirements are to be ignored at this place. But there are several restrictions you are to inform those you need to know and enforce. First, the community growing here must not reach beyond the point it is now towards the Dungeon. It may expand in every other direction but that one.”

Elian had never heard of such a thing, but the fairy was not finished.

“Secondly, the Core must be left in peace. If discovered, it may be examined but not removed or tampered with by any. Also, do not seek to commune with any within.”

That was strange again but was easy to obey as no Core had been tampered with since the Folly. It was clear that the Core was off-limits like other Dungeons. But why was it remaining hidden? Also, why were any attempts at communication banned?

“Finally, any beast or monster that attacks the Dungeon must not be interfered with. Do you understand these instructions?”

“I do and I will relay them to the Lord of these lands and the Guilds.”

Elian mind was spinning even as she remained outwardly calm. What was happening here?

“Then I shall depart and leave you to your work.”

“Then my work is done and I shall depart.”

A small oval of swirling colour and light appeared behind her and she stepped back into it and disappeared along with it. Leaving Elian alone.

“By the Courts, I wish I never came here!”

Elian complained to herself. Nothing was as it should be here and that conversation only increased the strangeness of everything. Sighing, she stood collecting her message scroll to write an addition to her report and inform Lord Ranus. She had no idea what the reactions would be to what she had been told. Many would check through prayer or divination, but she knew the message would only be confirmed.

As she left her tent, she could feel a headache coming on.