We had reached the bottom of the tower, and even Selene found she was out of breath. Her control over her magical abilities is well honed. A quick motion of the hand, with a whisper, and the blue barrier sealing us in the observation deck was gone. As we pushed out into the city, we could see the clockwork golem still climbing the outside of the tower, a few more grips, and it will find the edge of the open balcony.
If I never have contact with that monstrosity again, then I shall find it a blessing. The ticking was quiet, and I only noticed it if I listened. The machine’s movements were slow,and methodical, quickening only when necessary. As it reached the windowsill, in a snap, the golem was gone, a frightening display of its control.
Selene insisted on showing me a building in the middle of town. She saw how fond I was of the tomes I had found throughout the tower, and brought me to a library. Large hunks of rubble piled up out in front of a run down city block. It was impressive to see a society so focused on the passing of knowledge.
We made our way to the entrance, passing through the large rubble in front of it. The chunks of stone were like the ones I found near the tower. An amalgamation of crystals, spliced together in long ribbons. The smooth faces contrasting the rough jagged ones, ment that something carved was destroyed. Under several large pieces, a large box sat with the inscription still legible and intact. “Hala Hasan, One of three named, but the only one to rule.” The shape, and engraving made it look like a caskette.
I was mesmerised by the skill in the detail of the stone work, a level far above commissioned work. The love, and respect, is apparent in each smooth curve, and solid bold color. I was pulled from my daze by Selene. She ushered me into the building, where I found tears whelling in my eyes.
The overwhelming smell of soot rushed over my lungs. The ash swelled as we pushed past some rubble into a scorched room. The fire must have been massive, and uncontrolled, as the chamber walls held burn marks several stories high. Selene waded through the sea of debris, and I followed close behind.
My eyes were still blurry from the tears, both from the ash in them, and at the thought of the loss of so much knowledge, all at once. The value stored here would be priceless a thousand times over, if all the books were still legible. As we got to the smaller wings of the library, the pillars holding up the celiening did not look as badly burned. There even was a small room that still had a table accompanied by a few chairs.
We rested here for a moment, and I took the chance to eat some hard rations. I offered some to Selene, but she refused, claiming she just needs to meditate to get sustenance. Even with me bartering the treasures I found, I was unable to get Selene to teach me such a useful magic trick.
Her refusal came with an awkward pause, filled only by my crunching on the biscuit. When I was finished, silence stained the air, and I decided to break it by continuing the story I had recently found.
***************************************
I have tried several different means of controlling the golem, but the interactions are too inconsistent to gather any useful information. It will take a command, and do it to the fullest, however, when complications arise in the task, it is difficult to guess how it will react. I sent it on an errand for supplies, the shop was out of a certain item, and the automaton leveled the place in an attempt to find it.
I feel that the dragon’s energy may be complicating my own when I give the orders. My bracelet should provide me with ample authority to control such a simple creature of cogs, and gears. The dragon proves to be a problem in other ways as well. Due to Meka’s tactics, it refuses to eat anything brought to it, so it starves itself to death with each passing day.
***
Today I made my way down into the pits with a small jaqqi. I was hopeful that the live animal may spark some kind of hunting instinct. It worked at first, watching such a divine beast stalk a small jaqqi was quite entertaining. However, when the single blow was struck, and the jaqqi laid motionless on the ground, the dragon lost interest. I got frustrated, and commanded the beast to eat it’s meal. My Bracelet of Command grew heavy on my wrist, and pulled much strength from me, but the beast opened its jaws, and bit.
It was far too much of a struggle to keep the creature alive. Having to bring myself to a short breath whenever it needed a meal was unacceptable. So I knew it was time to end this encounter.
The dragon had not been out of the tower since Meka had traded for it. Imprisoned for several years, it did not take to the intense sunlight kindly. Screeches, and roars erupted from it, and caused several buildings to shake. It quickly slithered out of the short cover, and made its way into a nearby horse stall. The other animals evacuated as the monster made its move. It was extremely undernourished, but still had a dominating size.
The dragon was in the shade for several hours, as I encouraged any priests left in the city to offer aid in any way that they could. Some saw fit to offer a cooling breeze, others misted its ruby skin with cloud spells. Eventually, as the sun began to set, the beast was cooled enough to function. I instilled words of confidence, and vigor into its soul, and ordered it out into the desert, to find a free life.
Like Meka, the beast was breaking the horizon within an hour. I hope it is able to survive on its own.
***
I have made minor strides with controlling the golem since the dragon has left. Although, I still find even the most clear, and simple tasks can go misinterpreted. The machine’s brain is much like its creator I believe, easily distracted.
I’ve managed to keep it confined to the tower, mostly in hopes of keeping it from destroying anything else. I find that this keeps me in the city more, which for now, is probably a good thing. The people need to see that their ruler is another person of the city, not a statue placed on a pedestal.
***
It is always a difficult day when the sands shift, and reveal a regal caravan passing close by. I had my hopes that it was Metris, however, the massive following ment that it was Ptha. So many men, and beasts corralled the dragon through the scorching desert. As they approached the wall, the temperature dropped to a much more bearable level.
His dragon that carried him appeared from the mist that surrounded it. The opalesce of its skin shimmered in the light. Its brightness staunch as an ebony neck produced a furious looking head. The beast had become an abomination, seemingly stitched together, and experimented on. The flaming red eyes of the black head singed a darkness into my being.
Ptha was doing a “routine” check, which he had failed to do in the months prior. Easy to fall out of an unwanted routine I suppose. It was clear the actual intent of his visit was to take advantage of a shattered city. No doubt word had spread from Votumn of Amun, and her followers, arrival there.
He was unaware that Meka no longer held ground here, and the look on his face when I exclaimed the dragon's release, will allow me to die happily. After he found that there was nothing here for him he quickly made his way, but not before mentioning the Bracelet of Command. Calling me too weak willed to wield such power.
His words were calculated, and formulaic. I knew he said it to further dislodge my hold on my city, but the words of encouragement from my people held me high above his slurs.
***
I have taken much time with the golem. It seems that it lacks a higher decision making intelligence. Only able to do basic tasks with ease if they are exactly laid out in front of it.
I thought I found a solution when I ordered the golem to stay in the tower to defend it, however the passing of a visitor made it clear that nothing was going to be simple. The unfortunate soul came to the tower near the end of the day, and even with my protest, they still insisted on breaching the tower's door. It was over a private matter they wanted to discuss face to face.
I quickly rushed down the stairs, and they were lucky I was the one to greet them. I ushered them up the tower, but we ran into the golem in the stairway. It was slowly walking down the steps when it stopped abruptly besides us. A still moment passed, and I worried to myself if things were going to escalate.
The golem must have picked up the panic in my face, and mistook it as I was being threatened. With lightning quick moves, the golem had disabled the citizens shoulder, and was continuing to assault him. I shouted for the man to make haste out of the tower to safety, but the golem tracked him down through the city, finally ending his life in the town square.
An outcry from the people came, and I found my only option was to seal the tower, with the golem inside. I find I am the only person the golem allows to cross the barrier of the tower. I make infrequent trips there now, to refresh my reading material, and to observe our surroundings.
***
I find more, and more people are leaving the town, as I lose my grip on it. The heat continues to build, and now great storm clouds are starting to fill the sky in the distance over Pazmoltae. Even the great high priests, with Meka’s machine, are unable to control such an unstable ecosystem.
I have decided on storing my bracelet in a secure spot in town, in hopes that if someone capable comes along, they can utilize it’s powers for a better purpose. I find all I do with it now is settle people’s impending doom. Those with the desire to wield it, will be the ones who find the storage space, and the ones with the knowledge, will hold the key.
***
My trips to the tower grow more frequent, as the storm clouds continue to shut out the skyline. Using Meka’s instruments I am able to observe that the clouds are made mostly of ash, and sand. Thunderous strikes of lightning can be heard from miles away, and continues to grow louder with each day.
***
The clouds are upon us, but it seems we are still just on the edge of the storm. No rain comes from the coal filled clouds, only fiery debris. I am unsure what is causing such a storm, but it is clear that myself, and the people I command, will not last long. As I see my people deteriorating in front of me, I feel this town’s name shall be changed to Sorrow.
I hope that someone can revitalize the spark of the city from the ashes, and to do so, they will need many otherworldly forces to achieve it.
***************************************
The words on the pages ended there, but the book still held its weight near the back. It was a bit sticky, but as I turned to the next page, I revealed a compartment inside the book. Putting it on the table, it looked as if the book had doubled in thickness by flipping through the pages.
I peered through the opening, and found that there was more than one treasure inside of the book. A small silver signet that laid around a chord, and a small copper circle. When I picked up the copper component, a tingle surged through me, and I could feel it going to the other copper components I had found.
I laid them all out on the table, and found that they became quite hot. The table was left charred, as the pieces began to wiggle, and bounce together. They arranged themselves in a flash of light, and now all that was left was to put the attunement crystal in.
Even holding the crystal near, I could feel the pull from the copper cog. I didn’t even place it into the slot, it was sucked in, and quickly ensnared by three posts. It floated up from the table, and the cog began to spin slowly around the outside of the housing. Selene, and I both looked at each other with astonishment.
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