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My brow furrows as I walk around the space because…it looks better than I thought it would. I expected to find more cobwebs and a bed that’s entirely deteriorated along with maybe a few old sticks of furniture. But instead, there’s a large, comfy bed that looks ready to sleep in, with actual bedding and pillows.
The fireplace is filled with ebony logs and appears ready for a fire to be lit. Maybe I could light it? I bend down and place the torch against kindling at the bottom and sure enough, in minutes there’s a crackling fire and more light and warmth in the room, which I’m very, very thankful for.
A candelabra with an array of old-fashioned candles rests on a nearby table. I use the hot, flaming torch I’m carrying to light that too. Then I step over and place the torch on a nearby sconce. Creating light and warmth with actual fire was fun. This is very different from my fully automated apartment with cleaning bots, a food dispenser and a clothing fabricator.
I rub my hands together and take off my bag and set it on the table. Then I realize I’m warm enough now, so I also take off the jacket and drape it over the back of a chair.
I walk over and make sure to stand and wave for a moment in front of the window that I know is visible from the front gate. I grin, wondering what the Gravians are thinking right now. I’d said I’d message them with my tablet, but that’s impossible now. Hopefully seeing me here calms them down, letting them know that I made it safely.
My tablet is still powered up so I sit in the chair near the fireplace and create a journal entry of what has happened so far, writing out in words my impressions of how I entered and what I feel of this room. I’m actually very cozy up here. I’m not scared anymore. And wow, it smells even better here than it did downstairs. Maybe it’s the logs in the fire?
Then I type out some questions for myself to answer later:
Who left the fireplace fully stocked?
Who placed that candelabra there?
Why is the bedding clean?
Is someone staying here but left when they noticed the crowd at the gate?
That’s a little disconcerting, considering I’m alone and my tablet isn’t able to ping emergency services. I stand up and walk over to the bedroom door and turn the lock, which instantly makes me feel safer.
And now I’m starting to feel tired and sleepy. Lying down on the bed sounds nice.
I put my tablet away and check out the bed. Why is it so fresh? I thought I’d have to take my sleeping bag out and lay it on top of any old bed I was lucky enough to find and sleep in that. For all I knew, I might have to sleep on a floor tonight. But that isn’t necessary. In fact, I feel like I’m the one who is too dirty to get into this fresh bedding. How is this possible?
Oh well, I’ll figure it out later. The castle is empty and I’ve locked the door, which still looks very solid despite its age.
This will be fine.
I kick off my dirty shoes, pull back the covers and climb into the bed and get comfortable. I fluff up the pillows and pull the covers over my legs and torso. This is nice. The fire is heating up the space perfectly and the pillows are very comfortable. The sound of rain and the crackling of the fireplace form a nice backdrop and I’m already sleepy.
I didn’t actually expect to get any sleep in this room tonight. I figured I’d sit up here for hours, my back braced against a wall, fending off bugs with my torch, grateful as hell for sunrise. But instead I’m in a comfy bed, behind a locked door and…and my eyelids flutter closed.
2
Skogg
Ahuman female has entered the castle.
How is this even happening? Aren’t humans primitive and rare?
I’ve never met this species in real life, and despite the loud screech emanating from her mouth at the sight of a simple spider climbing a stone wall, I find I enjoy her presence.
Usually, I’m eager for other beings to leave this castle because I’ve learned through trial and error that communication is impossible…but there’s something about the way she holds that torch against the darkness with fierce determination. Something in the way her delicate body moves as she steps through the great hall. The glow of firelight on her exotic human features highlights the stunning beauty of her face. I continue to gaze at her full lips and the soft skin of her cheek. I step closer and inhale her feminine scent. It reminds me of moonlit forests and sweet baking spices.
I’ve having trouble keeping my distance.
If I were solid this female would be as scared of me as all the other beings I’ve encountered. Other beings in the four sectors consider Hyrrokin features to be gruesome and a symbol of evil within their collective legends. It’s very odd.
Many Gravians have ascended the walls of this estate during the last year I’ve been imprisoned here. They arrive to explore the castle and the grounds and every single being I’ve met and eagerly asked for help has screamed in horror and ran away from me. I’ve tried to communicate while I’ve been invisible, while semi-phased and also at night while entirely solid. It makes no difference the time of day or if I’m corporeal or not, they all run scared. It’s impossible to talk with anyone.
This female entered through the front door after the suns set and when the rain started. Sometimes this happens, a being will wander around the grounds and possibly enter the main keep. I stay close and watch their movements. I feel protective of this place. It isn’t just my prison—it’s also become my home and I respect the history of Firebrook Castle. I’ve thwarted many thieves this last year, looking to loot antiques and collectibles.
At night I become solid enough to sleep and eat. During the day I return to my phased-out state, wherein I can see myself as solid but to others I am invisible. At dusk I turn semi-solid, and finally in the middle of the night I am allowed a minimum of six hours of solid body form. Then, as the sun rises, I fade away again and by the time the morning begins I’ve vanished to outside eyes. When I am invisible, I cannot affect other objects, I pass through them.
This female is a mystery. She’s wearing clothing that covers her arms and legs entirely, but she’s very delectable and thick in all the right places. She lacks horns, claws or fangs and her skin is very colorless, but she is still lush and beautiful.
