The Tower and The Shadow

The Tower

"Are you sure about this?"

"Definitely."

"Really, really sure?"

"Of course I am. Why not?"

"Are we not going to regret this?"

"No! It is a wise decisionand its backed up by the King himself."

"Ive heard the tales about Nerva. And all of them are not good."

"Nonsense. Why should his highness suggest Nerva alThor as our guide?"

"Listen to me, Wealthow! This Wizard is a lunatic! A madman! Youre risking our safety here!"

Wealthow heaved an impatient sigh and shot a look full of daggers to Theodoric. The Priestess flecked off a bit of dust from her mantle and lifted her lilac eyes to the solemn figure of the famed Geffen Tower, which loomed like a fortress above them.

"Bugger. Ive never climbed in that one." Altair spoke, shifting his hammer to his left shoulder as he pleased. "Poison Spores sound good, but the fact that Nerva alThor is imprisoned in there makes my hair curl in terror."

Wealthow faced her party. "Gods sake, people! Weve discussed this before! Nerva alThor is not to be called criminal! He hasnt been proven entirely guilty for the Byalan Incident! Hes going to be part of our party so I suggest we all treat him as a comrade! I would have thought we agreed on this on the first place?!?"

Altair and Theodoric looked back at her helplessly. They agreed in the first place because Wealthow didnt mention about getting Nerva from the Tower. She just said that theyd be in for a surprise. It was such luck that Signy and Sibyl werent with them. Wealthow would have had a lot more protests to deal with.

"Wealthow, Theodoric and I are only" Altair began.

"Do shut up, Altair, as I am not talking to you." The Priestess snapped. "I suppose the Wizards are already expecting us up there. We should show them hospitality for accommodating us. Now lets go."

"Oh, bugger." Altair groaned.

Wealthow led the way into Geffen Tower. They were expecting some sort of splendid welcome like that thrown by Payon and Prontera, but they did not have any of the sort. The tower was empty as ever; dirty, unkempt and derelict as it always had been. Wealthow, Theodoric and Altair walked slowly, their footsteps echoing in the ominous halls and sending little clouds of dust in their wake.

"Wizards." Theodoric wrinkled his nose. "Theyre probably the worst lot Midgard has. How distasteful. In Izlude we even have those amazing fireworks for welcoming ceremonies!"

"Or maybe they know were coming for a madman that theyre afraid were mad as well." Altair added as a whisper. "Bugger."

"Fifth floor. Thats where were supposed to meet the High Elder." Wealthow informed the two.

They climbed up noiselessly until they came upon a great gilded door studded with the One Eye. Altair shook his head in distaste; he could never understand why these magical people worshipped a fake eye that a relic of wasnt even worth half a zenny.

"Ill knock for you." Theodoric volunteered, raising one of his enormous, metal-clad fists.

But he hadnt even knocked when a rather harassed-looking old Wizard popped out of nowhere. Theodoric, in shock and fright, shrieked and stepped back in alarm, clutching his heart. Altair had to suppress a handful of shrill giggles because of this.

"Damn you! Man my hearts going that fast" Theodoric glared at the Wizard. "Couldnt you people show more respect for visitors by trying not to pop out like that?"

The High Elder lifted doleful gray eyes at him and spoke, "I need no words of criticism from you, Knight. You are not in Izlude but in Geffen. I can turn you into a warty toad with merely my will."

Altair could have sworn that Theodorics usually handsome face turned into puce, and displayed the disgusting color of black currant and yam ice cream. Wealthow, sensing that Theodorics temper was having a bit of ascent, quickly stepped between him and the Wizard to ease the tension.

"Gentlemen, please," said Wealthow. "We are not here to fight. Theodoric, stop. Stop! High Elder, forgive my companionhes not just the type who you say boo behind, hes so worry-warty"

"Worry-warty?" Theodoric burst out in angry protest. "Worry-warty? Whore you calling worry-warty?!?"

Wealthow stepped on Theodorics foot with all her might. The Knight howled in pain, and Altair was having a harder time keeping himself from laughing.

"And you are Priestess Wealthow?" the High Elder asked, ignoring Theodorics curses of pain.

"Yes I am." Wealthow replied. "And these are some of my partymates. Theodoric Raleigh and Altair Thornevald."

"Oh bugger, you didnt have to tell them my disgusting surname, you know?" Altair frowned. "Its Altair Thorne, not Thornevald, okay?"

"Ah, I have known that Firnheild is the best quest party Midgard has." The High Elder smiled, revealing five missing teeth. "But where are Signy Brynhild and The Sibyl?"

"Signy is out doing a favor for a friend." Altair replied. "Shes off hunting the Gold Thief Bug, but shell be with us shortly. As for Sibyl, shes still busy dodging the police, but shell shake them off somehow and be with us as well."

"What a great quest party you have here." The High Elder sighed. "But are you really going to fulfill the Order written by the foolish Pronteran king?"

"How dare you besmirch the name of King Tristriam!" said Theodoric, outraged.

The High Elder laughed. "We Wizards do not obey anyone. We are the masters of our Fate. We are not dogs to some foolish man who wears a crown on his head. We do not lick someone elses boots and offer them large tributes."

"Yeah, and your lot are no doubt the foulest." Altair retorted, his temper finally getting the better of him.

"Whatever." Wealthow said loudly, careful to stress the word. The High Elder, Altair and Theodoric stopped their argument and looked at her. "Geffen might be the greatest of all the city-states of Midgard, but this place should have been destroyed if it wasnt for Prontera sending you reinforcements to hold off Odins Vanguard. And so you are still in debt to "our" King."

The High Elder could not answer. He looked at Wealthow as if he had never seen anything quite like her. Suddenly Theodoric felt a rush of admiration to the Priestess, but he felt no pity whatsoever for the arrogant, toothless old man.

After an awkward silence, the High Elder finally dropped his guard.

"You would not want to awaken Nerva alThor." He said in a hush. "I can give you other Wizards who are far better and deserving to be part of Firnheildyes, I am willing, but nevernot Nerva alThor."

"What do you mean awaken? You people shut him up in a gas chamber or something?" asked Theodoric, raising his eyebrows in the process.

The High Elder tensed and started to fumble with his gnarled fingers. "You peopledo not knowwhat NervaNerva alThor can do."

"As far as we know he is not yet guilty of the whole Byalan Incident, where his whole party was found dead in the island and he was the only one alive." Altair spoke. "The authorities might have found him bathed with the blood of his comrades, but what if his comrades died protecting him?"

"Nerva is mad. He is insane." The High Elder shook his head. "A complete lunatic."

"Please," said Wealthow. "The King requested for Nervas release specifically. He will be under our custody for the whole task. The King wants us to go to the North and investigate the mysterious events that have taken place. The King knows that Nervas previous party, Swastika, is the first victim of the mysterious event. Only Nerva knows what is out there because he is the sole survivor who have seen it face to face, and for that we need him as our guide."

"Bugger, and were not leaving until Nervy is with us." Altair added.

The High Elder knew he was defeated. He had to hand in Nerva.

"Please follow me. This way." He said, beckoning to the three. "I can see I have no power left to alter your will. I do pray that you will not regret this decision. Firnheild does not deserve to meet the same end as Swastika."

Nobody answered to this. The Wizard led them higher still, until Altair thought they were already at the very top of the tower. The place was a lot darker and shabbier than the lower floors, with nothing but candles to light the way. Echoes were louder and sharper, and Theodoric could even hear the slightest clank his armor made.

The hall was a low arc made with flat stone slabs cemented together. At the end of it there stood a single door embedded with The Eye. An ominous air seeped from the other side.

"Oh bugger, now it gives me the creeps." Altair whispered.

"I-is hein there?" Wealthow asked softly.

"There is no other safe prison for him." The elder answered. "Nerva is the greatest child Geffen has seen. He can do things that even I cannot match. The magic in him is very powerful. I remember him when was still a Novice. He was easily the best in everything. He graduated from the Midgard Academy on the youngest age of 13. He became a Mage at the age of 15, and became the youngest Wizard in history at the age of 19."

"What connection does that have with his being locked up here?" Theodoric asked.

"He was awake when the Pronteran authorities handed him to us. We locked him here, but he kept casting powerful spells like Jupitell Thunder and Meteor Storm to get himself out." The old man replied. "He kept screaming he was innocent. He kept banging and kicking at the walls until his limbs bled. At night he yells in his sleep. Then he cries. He did manage to escape one day, though."

"What happened?" Wealthow asked. "How did he do that?"

"He killed the young Mage sent to bring him his food. He blasted these doors apart and made to flee until we Wizards subdued him outside the eastern gate. He was very strong. A crazy light illuminated his eyesthose same eyes that showed wisdom and enthusiasm to learn years ago. He still maintained his innocence when we chained him. By the time we returned him here he became quiet, but he was crying."

"Hes sentenced to Reclusion Perpetua, isnt he?" Theodoric whispered.

Wealthow nodded. "Ive heard that even when the jury was trying him, he was stammering and seemed incapable of telling what really happened. He was afraid. This led to his sentence."

"Bugger." Altair said.

The High Elder brought out his Arc Wand and tapped the central Eye of the door. Then they heard the clanking of gears and chains somewhere and the door creaked noisily open. They went inside.

Wealthow felt a shiver run down her spin when she observed the room. It was a small dome made with the same slabs of bricks. Four lamps provided the dim light. The roof, walls and floor all bore the same marks: burns, scratches and dried blood. There was even a long list of sticks etched at the far end of the room, which Wealthow presumed Nerva used to count days with.

There was a bed in the middle of the room. Nerva alThor was lying down on it, eyes closed and mouth slightly open. His short red hair was all over the pillow. Altair looked at him closely and saw that his was a handsome face wasted over to hunger. Nervas cheekbones were visible, and teardrops were clinging to his long, furling lashes. His long cape was spread all around him, revealing his thinned body and the clothes hanging loosely around his frame.

"He looks pretty helpless to me." Theodoric mouthed. "Ive never seen a starved Wizard before."

"Why is he like this?" Altair inquired.

"W-we subjected him to a Sleeping Draught." The elder stammered. "He kept screaming and banging that he began to scare off people from the Tower. We had no choice. He had to be stopped. Hes been asleep for 5 years now. We arent sure if hell wake up even if I remove the Draught."

"Weve got to try." Wealthow said firmly. "You have the permission of the King."

The elder gripped his wand tightly. "If I can still alter your will to this last chance, Priestess. We can tell Tristriam that the Draught cannot be removedyou can still choose other Wizards for this. I am only concerned for your lives."

"No." Wealthow answered resolutely.

"Very well. Please step aside."

Wealthow retreated. Theodoric and Altair shielded her from view. The red pentagram appeared beneath the bed, and a bright light encompassed Nervas limp form. The High Elder recited words they cannot understand. Then a strong gust filled the room. Theodoric, Altair and Wealthow shielded their eyes with their arms. And, as quickly as it began, the light, the gust and the red pentagram vanished.

But Nerva alThor still lay sleeping on the bed.

Theodoric approached Nerva and picked him up by the collar. "Hes dead!"

"Step aside." Altair said impatiently. "Ill wake him up."

"Dont touch him!" said the Elder.

But Altair already started to shake Nerva like a common rag doll. The Elder gasped and Wealthow did as well. Theodoric tried to stop Altair but he got kicked away. The Blacksmith kept shaking the Wizard, who's head trembling and snapping dangerously on his neck.

"Altair, stop that!" said Wealthow.

"Oh bugger, hes still out cold." Altair spoke. He then readied his fist. "Come on, Nervy, rise and shine!"

CRACK!

"Altair, no!" gasped Wealthow.

A trickle of red blood began oozing from the corner of Nervas pale lips. Altair rolled his eyes and dropped the Wizard back onto the bed with a flop.

"Hes dead!" Theodoric repeated.

"That would prove better." The High Elder said, looking down at Nerva with a mixture of fear and disappointment. "I see you have no choice. Nerva is dead. We will just have to bury him later after we see you off with a more suitable companion. Follow me. I have some excellent students in the third floor training with those Poison Spores"

The elder, Theodoric and Altair started piling out of the room. Wealthow remained where she was, her eyes kept at Nervas troubled face. She took a few cautious steps back to the bedside and knelt down, looking at the Wizard.

She reached out a hand and touched his face. Oh, he was one who could do with a Blessing or a Sanctuary

Nervas eyes snapped open. Wealthow, shocked, shrieked and fell back. Things happened very fast. The next thing Wealthow knew was that she was leaning against Nervas body and the solid ebony of his own Arc Wand was tightly pressed against her smooth neck.

Wealthows shriek had attracted Altair and Theodorics attentions, which immediately came back to see her. The High Elder gave a great shuddering gasp of fear when he set his eyes on Nerva.

"Oh bugger!" Altair burst out, taking one great swing to bring out his giant hammer. "Let Wealthow go! Youre supposed to be dead!"

"Take it easy!" said Theodoric, who was brandishing his lance. "We wont harm youjust give her back to us!"

"No, Altair, Theodoric!" said Wealthow as she struggled against Nervas grip. "Dont go nearughkdont harm him! Dont harm him!"

"Bugger, Wealthow, bugger!" said Altair in disbelief. "Youre still worried about his safety?!?"

"I was afraid of this!" the High Elder sobbed from his place.

Nerva was surveying them with sharp yellow eyes as he retreated, still bringing the struggling Wealthow with him. "Get out of my way." He said. "Get out of my way or Ill burn this woman into ashes."

"NERVA YOURE INSANE!" the High Elder shrieked. "Do not force me to use spells on you!"

"Speak to yourself, you toasted Hode." Nerva spat. "I am not falling for your tricks again. Afraid of me, arent you, you stinking old man?"

If the situation weren't so serious Altair would have laughed his head off.

"Charge!"

Theodoric attacked, lance pointed forward and ready.

"Theodoric, no I said!" Wealthow cried.

"Stupid, brainless Knight." Nerva said in outrage. "How dare you challenge me! FROST DRIVER!"

There was a great crunch, and Theodoric was imprisoned in a solid block of ice.

"Bugger!" Altair gasped. "Oi! Wait upOI!"

Nerva blasted the wall with one shot of a Fireball. Wind suddenly gushed into the room. Behind them Altair could see the rooftops of Geffen.

"W-what are you doing?" Wealthow stuttered. "Where are we going?"

"Shut your mouth, woman, or else I may have to kill you for keeping it open." Nerva whispered.

Altair and the Elder were unable to do anything when Nerva jumped from the hole with Wealthow in his arms. Then they heard the terrified screams of the people below the Tower. Altair rushed to see what was going on, and he saw Nerva hoist Wealthow onto Theodorics protesting Peco-peco and run off with her and the animal. They were heading toward the western gate.

"We dont have time!" Altair said, rounding to the frozen Theodoric. "Im letting you out!"

Altair lifted his hammer high and whammed it with all his might into the block of ice. The ice shattered and Theodoric came crashing to the floor, coughing. Altair bent and picked the Knight up by his armpits.

"Upup, Theodoric!" Altair staggered under the combined weight of the Knight and his armor. "Get uptheyre getting farther away!"

"W-whereare they?" Theodoric asked as he pushed his slopping hair out of his eyes.

Altair led the way from the Tower. Theodoric was fast at his heels. The people of Geffen were having a wide hysteria. People were running around screaming, children were sobbing and the guards were trying hard to suppress the tumult. Altair and Theodoric zipped through Geffens narrower streets.

"Blast, if only Sibyl was here wed have no trouble!" Theodoric whined. "Ill get that Wizard even if its the last thing I do!"

"Or we could use some of Signys landmines to slow them down as well!" Altair agreed. "Ah, shut up, just run!"