Jester's Game

[Nyyark]

Golden light streamed at an impossible angle from the Sunset Window to the left. It lit the Amber Circle with a dark rich golden-brown light, bringing out the fire of age from the center of the circle.

 

Directly above, the Noon Window was a piercing blue. The light shot down and hit the huge suspended Reflection Mirror in the center of the Hall. The Mirror shot it to the right, where it lit the garden circle.

 

Behind the massive empty throne, the silhouette of a window frame let in dark red light, which shot around the room bouncing off the jagged mirror monoliths that broke the floor.

 

The floor itself was a multi-plained mathematical equation gone wrong. It consisted of black obsidian and white marble, these both representing the quickest and the slowest of rocks respectivly. These were the masters of the floor in everyplace but the Great Circles.

 

The walls looked to be of ancient stone, and each seemed about an equal distance from anywhere in the room, because as one approached the walls, they seemed to all get farther away. Just one of the many reasons traveling between the Great Circles was dangerous, for unless the exact path was the travelers knowledge, the traveler would wonder the floor between endlessly. This didn't stop the many who tried, but it did few who passed the task. However the one place every traveler knew to avoid was the center.

 

Shrouded in complete darkness the center of the Hall was directly beneath the Reflection Mirror. It was here that the Hall looked the smallest. It was here that all the paths could be seen, and it was here that no pretty colored light could put a shielding shade on reality. This is too, where the Jester was.

 

The Jester was in the Center, at the fringe of everywhere. He sat on a non-existent chair of belief, and his smile was a frown. He failed to find the absent king, and failed to destroy the great circles.

 

Everyone in the Hall played the Game, and he was plaing to end it. Justice would not take her turn till the game was over, and this is why He had opponents. The goal of his enemies was to keep the game going forever and take the throne. Their problem was that the throne was on a wall, and the only way from them to reach it was convince enough players that they were already there. The many others were pawns to these players, their goals as mysterious to the Jester as the Jester's goals were to them.

 

There was not much time left, and Jester knew this. One of the players would find the throne soon, for a few had already figured out the king was gone. If anyone save the king owned the throne, the Hall would shatter, leaving the winning player all it pieces, and a multitude of places to play its new game.

 

The Jester decided the Game would have to end here, no matter the odds, no matter the opposition.

 

Edited by: Nyyark at: 6/9/02 5:11:04 pm

[Nyyark]

In the darkness bells were ringing. Normally this would have pleased him, but right now the Jester was past the point of pleasure. Only the melancholy stain of the chiming was able to pierce his fog of thought. It was far too in accord with his goals, so he silenced them. He couldn't find the king. He had no idea where to look, or what to look for. His only memories of the Monarch were fuzzy, and he wasn't sure if they had existed yet, or if in some symbolic way, he was creating them now. All he wanted was to jest for the King, but his needs were far outweighed by the other matters crowding on his scale.

 

        A brilliant flash of light gave all his ponderings to his subconscious. Out of the darkness he had only himself to hide in, a dangerous situation most braved without thought. To him his face was a mask. It was a solid white with a black triangle coming down on the left, centered over one of his yellow eyes. He wore a full body suit that covered everything but his hands and face. It was split into quarters with varying colors, and though these often shifted they always remained opposite. He allowed himself to jingle again.

 

        He was still with in the Circle beneath the Directional Mirror, but was approaching the boundary fast. The ancient Lord Keller was his destination. He had decided to present his concerns there, almost certain to be betrayed, or worse, misunderstood. Lord Keller was very knowledgeable about the Lands in which the Game was set. Unfortunately, he knew little about the Game. Jester had been raised in the game, and Keller had been raised in the Hall, He thought perhaps they could help one-another.

 

Keller was most approachable in the lower levels, and those were much safer. In the lower levels Jester wouldn't have to be Jester, and Keller too would probably be someone else. It was only in the highest-level Jester had to be himself. Most believed the circles were the highest level, but Jester had a feeling that that was false.

 

      As Jester stepped out of the great circle the world increased. He was in a valley of checkered angles. Shattering the surface were huge reflective obelisks. Each aimed or split a beam of colorful light.

 

        Jester sprinted catlike over a sharp ridge to find a bowl shaped depression. It had three Obelisks on its rim. Red, blue and gold streamed from these into the center of the bowl. Jester entered the light and stopped feeling himself.

 

Edited by: Nyyark at: 12/4/02 2:13:28 pm

[Nyyark]

A swift wind blew back the golden strands of hair from Kyle's face. His white teeth greeted it in a grin, and the gorgeous blue sky made his grin wider. Kyle had set out a week ago, walking where his feet took him. He wasn't sure why he had set out, but he knew it was right. All he had was a pack of basic supplies, first aid, and two special possessions. One from his father, may The Court rest his soul, and one from his mother.

 

His Fathers gift to him was a sword covered in ruins. Kyle didn't really know what they meant, but the sword reminded him of his father, and that meant more than anything.

 

The gift of his mother was even less tangible. It was a spherical wooden sculpture that had many faces depending how you looked at it. The only constant part was a small black obsidian globe in the center of the sphere. Kyle wasn't sure of what it was, but he knew it was important.

 

Kyle pondered his mother's globe as he took in the world around him. The field was at his waist, and pink, blue, and yellow flowers dotted the green sea before him. A rythmic wind was gusting, causing the grass to bend in predictable flows. To Kyle, it was simply amazing.

 

If Kyle wasn't mistaken, the town of Kyrnath was but a day's walk away, and he thought there might be someone there to identify the globe.

 

Kyle walked the rest of the day through the massive field, his only encounter was a butterfly, and it sidetracked him about a minute with its powerful beauty. The sunset before he reached the forest's edge, so Kyle traveled a ways after dark to reach it.

 

The stars were beautiful as he reached the first of the great trees, and Kyle fell asleep gazing at them.

 

In the middle of the night, a sharp sound awoke him. He shot straight up, and his sword was withdrawn from his sheath. Two shadows withdrew before him.

 

"Rogues", shouted Kyle, but before he could take any action, the shadows were running into the forest.

 

"Better rogues” One said as retreating.

 

"Than We” Finished the other.

 

Then they rushed off into the wood.

 

"In that case..." Said Kyle, and he charged into the woods, body in full tilt. His Father's Sword was the helm of a Raging ship, and the sea tossed forest just got out of the way.

 

"You'll have to be Stopped!"

 

CLANG!

 

A chitin limb halted the swords onslaught just a breath away from to fear-lit lamps the thing would have called eyes. Ricocheted momentum created a rolling wave that drove through the exposed shore of the creature’s middle. And with a roar the tidal frenzy carried self forward to the other.

 

More lithe and less surprised the second creature snaked around the lighting like strokes. As lance like arm sought Kyle’s heart, but was detoured by his guiding arm. Instead the limb found the ground, which it pierced with a vengeance, only to be trapped by its efficiency. The creature hissed loudly for the split second it had its head then it was quiet.

 

Kyle spun about in what would have been a knee-shattering blow with the flat of his sword in response to the soft gurgling behind him. Kyle’s sword bashed the half thing in the shoulder. If fell on its back and screamed obscenities.

 

"Evil foolish enough to name itself will not be permitted to adulterate the beauty of this artifact." Kyle spoke coldly.

 

The thing howled curses until Kyle ran its heart through. It then fell limp on the ground.

 

Kyle panted heavily. Sweat drenched his face, his arm had a nick he'd failed to notice receiving, and the entire front of his shirt and pants was splattered with blood. 'Not the best first impression for the town' he thought. He then remembered his reason for going to town.

 

Kyle surveyed the mess before him, the moved on to the headless corpse. Nearby was a sack. He opened hit up, and as he expected it was his mother's gift. He put the Orb back in the sack, and walked back to the rest of his things.

 

The air was cool, and after the nightly walk Kyle felt a little better. When he reached what he had, Kyle stripped off what he had and, after taking out the artifact, put them in his newly acquired sack. He then put on fresh cloths and vowed to bathe in the next stream he found. Exhausted after the fight, he went right back to sleep.

 

Edited by: Nyyark at: 12/4/02 2:20:22 pm

[Nyyark]

A large cold drop awoke him. He sat up violently and saw the perpetual gray that was this morning. He was damp, as was everything around him. A cold misty sort of drizzle fell from the sky, washing away his view of the plains before him.

 

Kyle's spirits were very low, for a soggy forest waited to be trekked, and that was not a divine creator of happiness.

 

Kyle looked to his left and saw his father’s sword, covered in dried gore and not a few flies. ‘Disgusting,’ thought Kyle, and It worried him to know a pair of his clothes were little better. Not a happy day, nor happy person.

 

It had to have been whatever he'd killed last night. It was very unsettling, how his mood had changed so drastically. Kyle decided he just must not like killing, and that's why he was so unhappy.

 

Now that he thought about it, he wasn't even sure why he had killed them, or what they were. That was the truly frightening thing. Whatever those were, they had stirred up enough hated that he obliterated as quickly as possible.

 

'Nothing but passing thoughts' thought Kyle, and then he knew he was losing it. What an odd idea. He would have sworn it was a nightmare if it wasn't the sword-DAMN the sword. His father would have had his hide for him leaving it like that. Maybe this rain wasn't so bad after all.

 

The unkempt blade a motivating factor, Kyle leapt out of his sleeping roll. He then discovered he was sore. Fortunately he had no time to grumble, his conscious pecking at him madly.

 

He stepped out into the drizzle with the weapon, and began scrubbing it against the wet grass. When he was satisfied all of whatever it was was off, he went back under the less wet canopy of the tree. His slightly damp shirt became even wetter as he made sure the blade was dry, and then sheathed it back in its protective case.

 

That felt better. His blood was moving now, and so in the spirit of progress he packed his things, and began his woody walk. The ground was soft, and the roots were hard. This was much more difficult than his mad rush in last night. If they had but waited today, they might of had the circular thing his mother gave him. Rings, he dubbed it then. It was a nice name, and also the name of the family cat. Kyle only hoped he didn't start talking to it, like he had the cat.

 

His will lasted only an hour, after that he began a one sided conversation that lasted the rest of the day. It kept Kyle mildly entertained while he walked. It shocked Kyle when Rings answered him.

 

"How much further till Kyrnath do you think, Rings?"

 

"Just down the Road son."

 

"What!"

 

"Boy, over here."

 

Kyle looked up to see a farmer and realized he was out of the woods. Apparently his discussion with Rings had been more than a little entertaining.

 

"Yeah, Kyrnath is just down the trail, you help me load up my wagon, and I'll give you a ride in, what do you say?" Spoke the farmer.

 

"Uh, sure, the ride would be appreciated." Responded Kyle.

 

"Follow me then, the load's over here," Said the farmer, then he muttered to himself, "Rings, Ha, kids these days, can hardly keep up with them."

 

The supplies of vegetables and grains were Kyle's job, and though he was tired from the day's travel, he found his job light enough. The man tied two cows to the side of the cart, and then harnessed the horses.

 

"What's your name Son?" asked the Farmer.

 

"Kyle, sir." Said Kyle.

 

"Well Kyle I'm William Plower, but you can call me Bill. My son's been out courtin' lately, and he's been coming back late. Well I don't really like making this trip alone at night, not that we get much in the neighborhood of bandits 'round these parts, but in my age I worry about these things." Explained Bill "Kyle, this is what we'll do, I'll guide the horses, and you sit in the back atop the grain, so that anyone commin' can see ya. With that big ol' sword on yer back, anyone will think twice of stealin' from Ol' Bill."

 

The day had cleared up, and the sun was low on the horizon. It gave an orange glow to the trip, and relaxed Kyle very much.

 

"So Bill," asked Kyle to pass the time, "Have you lived here long?"

 

"Aye, I was born an' raised on the out skirts of Kyrnath." Explained Bill, "Most of my families bones lie beneath this ground. You see that tangle over there?" Bill pointed to a section land that was overgrown with trees ivy and tall grass. Kyle nodded. "That was where I met my wife. Of course back then is was a splendid apple orchard." Bill sighed. "The War came down hard here."

 

Hardship from The War was something Kyle was intimately familiar with.

 

"I..I.." stuttered Kyle, "I lost my father in The War."

 

Normally this wasn't so hard for him, it had been so long ago, yet the overgrown orchard seemed to heighten his loss. Looking in the wild landscape, Kyle saw himself. No longer did birdsong from the wild trees reach Kyle's ears, for his was hearing the ghosts of the past. His ghosts.

 

Bill watched Kyle silently, then reached back and patted is shoulder.

 

"If you want lad we ca-” Bill was cut short.

 

"All we got back was this sword and a small bag of gold." Kyle said distantly. "The sword had been in his family for years, and it was the only one we had. The cart that bore it had no information other than he had died. It didn't stop long, because it had too many other deliveries." Kyle's thought poured out like a stream. The Orchard seemed to have broken something. "We put the sword up on the wall. I never dared to touch it until...” Kyle stopped. Bill opened his mouth to say something, but Kyle continued before Bill could speak.

 

"Something had been stealing sheep from the village herd. We suspected a large wolf, but couldn't catch it. The Shepard’s son was on watch one day. I was out talking with him, for we were good friends. It leapt out of the bushes and attacked a nearby sheep. Both Matt and I screamed, and it turned on us. It was a huge cat. Its front was covered in the blood of the sheep. Matt yelled at me to go get help and waved his arms to distract the beast. I was...terrified. I ran to my house as fast as I could, and told mother to get the town guard. Then I saw my father's sword. With out thinking I grabbed it to go help Matt. When I got back he was up a tree and fighting a losing battle to keep the cat down. I roared and charged. I don't really remember what happened then. The guard says he came in time to see me dodge a slash and cut the thing's throat. I had a huge gash in my side, and was in bed a week before I could move about. The guard trained me after that, because he saw that I had natural talent with a blade. I have always kept my father's sword nearby since then." Kyle finished

 

Bill was quiet for a bit then said "I'm sorry 'bout yer father lad. In town I have a friend. Red is a good man, I'm sure he'll let you stay at my request."

 

Kyle nodded thankfully. Then Bill changed the topic to avoid the War. Again Kyle was thankful.

 

After a while, the wagon arrived at Kyrnath safely, perhaps thanks to Kyle. If nothing else Kyle learned on his journey where he would stay for the night.

 

"Hey Bill" said the merchant.

 

"Hello Red" said Bill.

 

"Aye, and I brought ya somethin' else this time. This here's Kyle, he's a good lad, helped me load up my wagon, and made sure no one but you unloaded it. He needs a place to stay for the night, do you think you could have him?" Asked Bill.

 

"Yeah I have room for him, besides we go a ways back Bill, I certainly owe you taking in a friend at least. Well Kyle, would you be so kind as to help me unload this wagon?" said Red.

 

So Kyle set out undoing his previous labors. It was actually easier this time, having a nice wagon ride to rest he muscles. It wasn't long before he was done unloading.

 

They both wished Bill a fond farewell, and then Kyle entered the house of Red.

 

Edited by: Nyyark at: 12/4/02 2:14:07 pm

[Guest Jonathan Wolfe]

I'll comment more in person but for now, bravo. Rich and enjoyable. You keep things interesting throughout and have good characters to work with. Keep it up!

[Nyyark]

Kyle stepped into a short hall paneled with wood. Kyle and Red stopped a few paces on before a cubby for cloaks and shoes. At the gesture of Red, Kyle encumbered himself of both. He then followed his host left around a corner to what appeared to be a parlor. The room was saturated with coziness and warmth. A soft orange yellow from the warm fire lit the room and provided light and heat for the two occupants. In a chair was a middle-aged woman who was rocking in rhythm to the shadows. Kyle paused. No she was casting the shadows; this scene was too right, it seemed to be throwing off his senses. On the wall by a dark window there was a couch, and on was...was...

 

Wow she was something all right.

 

"Who have you got there Red dear?" asked the kind looking woman, "A friend of yours?" She smiled.

 

To regain at least some if his will, Kyle looked in depth as his new host. Now that Red's cloak was removed Kyle could see the benefactor of the name. His hair was trimmed short and definitely red. He was slightly shorter than Kyle, but the way he stood made Red tall like no gift of genetics ever could. Although his age seemed that of the inquisitive woman in he chair, the energy with which he seemed to live made him come off as much younger. A lot certainly could be said for appearances, and Kyle wondered at the enormous amount that must be left unsaid.

 

"Just an hour ago I would not have been able to answer yes, but now I believe I can. Step forward lad. This is Kyle uh, Kyle what is your family title?" said Red.

 

"Windseer sir." said Kyle.

 

"Alright Kyle Windseer, you can call me Red, even my dear wife does." Replied Red, looking at the middle-aged woman. "Kyle this is my Wife Mellony."

 

The Woman rose. She was pretty but past her age. She clasped his hand.

 

"Pleased to meet you Kyle." Mellony said.

 

"And this lovely young woman is my daughter, Amber." Continued Red.

 

Amber rose. In this light she seemed like Lady Autumn incarnate. Her hair was a darker red than Red's, but her skin fairer. Maybe, just maybe, Kyle was in the wilderness for too long, but she was incredibly beautiful. As his mind shut down, he held onto the phrase "just like autumn" to retain sanity.

 

Amber Curtsied before him and said with a nod "Kyle".

 

"Amber..." Kyle droned.

 

"Yes, there is a tradition in my family of calling our first born after a color. She is our only born, but the first nonetheless” Red covered. "Anyway Kyle will be staying with us for a while. As told Bill I'd keep him as a favor."

 

Kyle snapped out of his trance and remembered to smile; he hoped he wasn't staring. He also hoped no one was watching him too closely either.

 

Red looked at his wife, who fortunately gave a glance of acceptance. Red then turned to Kyle.

 

"Well come along lad, you've been traveling, and I'm sure you wouldn't mind washing up” Kyle was suddenly reminded that he probably smelled like monster goo, woods, and hay. Good thing for the rain. "I'll get your tub water boiling, as soon as I show you a room. We run an inn, as well as a store. Finding you a room shouldn't be too hard."

 

Kyle followed Red back the way he came, and went what would have been a right turn coming in. He then was led to a door, which opened to a staircase.

 

"We came in from the back door to the inn. This will lead us upstairs to the rooms. I'll put you in one near the stairs, as you’re a guest and not a customer." Explained Red as he led Kyle up the stairs.

 

He unlocked the first door on the left.

 

"This is your room. As a matter of fact I'll give you your first chore. Make sure no one comes through here from the rooms. I normally don't have a problem but lately I've had some shady customers. It wouldn't be sound business to turn them out, but I do worry. Anyway I'll go start your bath water, you can use the tub over there” Red gestured to the large bucket in the corner. "You get set in while I go fetch it, when your done leave the tub and whatever you need cleaned by the door. A maid will get them, and bring the clothes back washed. I'll probably stop by later to talk. Until later." With that Red left.

 

Kyle's room was a nice size. He had a small round table with too chairs near the wall with the door, and a bed against the far wall. Above the head of the bed was a cabinet fixed to the wall, and at the foot of the bed was a great wooden basin. Near the big bucket was a discreetly brown chamber pot. On the far wall was a single set of wooden shingles, which could only be a window.

 

Kyle put his pack of clothes and other travel supplies in the unoccupied corner behind where the door would open. He took Rings out of its bag and put it on the table, hoping it was right side up. He threw the empty sack into his unsorted clothes pile and sat down in a chair.

 

It was nice to sit in a chair. Very nice. Kyle looked at the bed. If the chair was this nice... No. He needed to bathe, and Red said he was going to drop by later tonight.

 

The vision of the nice bed was replaced with that of the washtub, and resilient against the evil glare that wished its death, the tub enlarged as Kyle approached. Inside the much-undesired bucket was a large coarse brush, and soap, on a rope. Either this was a really classy Inn or Kyle was getting special treatment, because soap was not all that common.

 

'It must be the Inn' Kyle thought, 'because Red went straight from the parlor to this room. He wouldn't have had time to prepare.'

 

Realistically the tub was a nicer place than Kyle had slept in a while, and this realization brought on a new fear of falling asleep in the bath. He went back to the chair to wait for the maid, all the while steeling himself against the relaxing hot water.

 

The maid’s entrance was anticlimactic. Kyle pointed towards his filthy clothing, she pointed at the washbasin, they both nodded in agreement, and that was that.

 

Red came in carrying two steaming pails, followed by a servant with a robe a towel.

 

"Give your clothes to him" said Red nodding at the servant, "and then take your bath. I will return soon so please do make haste."

 

Red left and was shortly thereafter followed by the servant with Kyle’s clothing. Heeding Red's request, and trying to keep awake, Kyle made quick work of the bath. His job was thorough however, as visions of the lovely Amber wanted him to be just that much more clean. Kyle was sitting by the table with in his robe when Red returned.

 

"Here's a set of clothes for tomorrow. You can dump the bath water out the window, it opens like this:" said Red as he flipped a latch and pushed the shingles outward. "Now," said Red sitting back down "is there anything that you want to talk about?"

 

"Actually," said Kyle while eyeing rings, "my father gave this to me before I left, I was wondering if you knew what it was?"

 

Kyle took rings out of the bag and handed it to Red. He inspected it carefully.

 

"I've seen many things in my travels but never-” As Red set Rings down on the table it began to glow and levitated a few inches. Both Kyle and Red froze in shock. The ringed bands, though once immobile began to rotate. They went faster and faster until all the patterns lined up and then it stopped. Kyle almost dared to breath when an image appeared in front of him. It was one of The Court!

 

"Lord Keller," said the image of Jester, "I wish to have conference with you."