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Colostle: The Adventures of October O'Leary
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<blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 8956768" data-attributes="member: 11760"><p>As October O’Leary dragged the little salvaged sailboat onto shore, he was greeted by leveled spears.</p><p></p><p>“Good morning,” he smiled, glancing up at the sky. Day seemed to start a little earlier on this side of what he thought of as the Tunnel Sea, compared to back home. “I’m here on a quest.”</p><p></p><p>The guards, each of whom had the body of a man, but stubby arms and legs and faces covered in tan, white or black fur, with short snouts and pointed ears, glanced at one another.</p><p></p><p>“You know about that?” one asked eventually.</p><p></p><p>October blinked in surprise.</p><p></p><p>“It's why I’m here.”</p><p></p><p>The guards awkwardly looked at their spears and lowered them slowly.</p><p></p><p>“Well, in that case, come with us to meet the prince.”</p><p></p><p>Their city was built amidst enormous ruined pillars, with newer construction built from the scavenged white stone. On one side, the city looked over the rocky beach and on the other side, gently rolling green meadows.</p><p></p><p>The locals watched cautiously at October and Noble Steed were marched by spear-carrying guards through their midst.</p><p></p><p>“Good morning! Lovely city you have here!” he said, smiling and waving. His earlier attempts to shake hands had caused the locals to pull back nervously.</p><p></p><p>Finally, he was marched up a series of tiny steps to an open-roofed chamber ringed with pillars.</p><p></p><p>There was a blast of horns and October and the guards stopped several paces away from an open-backed throne, upon which sat another one of their people atop a plush red cushion and wearing an ornate crown.</p><p></p><p>“Your highness, we present the prisoner, October O’Leary, junior assistant hero, brought here as you commanded! October O’Leary, kneel before Titus Pembroke, King of Corgwn!”</p><p></p><p>October knelt.</p><p></p><p>“You are here, October O’Leary, to perform a quest — ”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, we got the paperwork,” October said agreeably.</p><p></p><p>Titus blinked in surprise.</p><p></p><p>“‘Paperwork?’ Did someone file some paperwork?”</p><p></p><p>His court murmured in confusion, shaking their heads.</p><p></p><p>“We filed no paperwork!” Titus roared, a rather small sound, although filled with as much menace as he could. “Our people are defenseless. We need you to go and retrieve Long Sword from where it rests.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, OK. I’ll be happy to do that. Where does it rest?”</p><p></p><p>“Inside the Great Rook, which blocks out the sky when it comes near.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah. And what’s so special about this Long Sword?”</p><p></p><p>Titus shifted on this throne.</p><p></p><p>“Well, it’s a magically … long sword. With it, the champions of Corgwn can fight just as well as a long-limbed human.”</p><p></p><p>October nodded.</p><p></p><p>“You will do this or our dungeons will have another guest!” Titus said, recovering his composure with a surge of anger. “There is no refusing my will!”</p><p></p><p>“Certainly,” October said. “I already said yes.”</p><p></p><p>“And no back talk!”</p><p></p><p>October nodded and gave the king a silent thumbs-up.</p><p></p><p>“Anyway,” Titus said, calming down. “I am a benevolent ruler. Do this, and you will be richly rewarded, with a magic item that a hero like yourself —”</p><p></p><p>“Junior assistant hero, your majesty.”</p><p></p><p>“That a junior assistant hero like yourself will find most valuable.”</p><p></p><p>“It’s not necessary, but greatly appreciated, your majesty. Just point me at this Great Rook.”</p><p></p><p>As they had said, the Great Rook was tall enough to blot out the sky when it wandered by, its massive feet crushing fallen pillars into rubble as it did.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t suppose it would stop and let me inside if I asked, would it?” October said to Noble Steed, watching the enormous Rook walk with what, to it, would be a leisurely pace. Noble Steed would need to run all-out in order to keep pace.</p><p></p><p>“Three, two, one — GO!”</p><p></p><p>Noble Steed instantly sprang to life, running at full speed, where a living mount would have had to gradually accelerated. The Great Rook was faster, but Noble Steed and October O’Leary had started ahead of it and October steered his companion over toward the path taken by the Rook, trying to be as close as possible to one great foot without being crushed beneath it.</p><p></p><p>“Just a little closer …”</p><p></p><p>And October leapt, his fingers desperately trying to find a gap between the stones of the giant’s foot, even as he was lifted back up off the ground in long, easy strides, the Great Rook seeming to not even have noticed him.</p><p></p><p>“OK, you’ve got this. Just don’t look down.”</p><p></p><p>This was something October had trained for, scaling the Wall nearest to Annex almost as soon as he could walk, climbing as high as the uppermost Slots as a young man.</p><p></p><p>But the Wall wasn’t in constant rolling motion, as capable of killing him by flinging him a quarter of a mile as by simply causing him to lose his grip and plummet to his death.</p><p></p><p>Looking up, he spotted a hole leading to the interior of the Rook, where the leg met the creature’s torso, opening and closing as it walked. Climbing closer, October counted out the seconds that the gap was open. Lingering too long would mean getting crushed to death by the swinging leg.</p><p></p><p>But the people of Corgwn needed him, so he leapt.</p><p></p><p>October didn’t know if he should be disappointed that inside of the Rook was so normal. Certainly, most castles weren’t in constant motion, with their floors rocking back and forth, but otherwise, it was just a castle. True, the carved stone statues turned and watched him go by and when he once grabbed his sword to keep it from slipping out of his scabbard, several of them stepped halfway off their pedestals before he took his hand back off the hilt. But otherwise, it was just a castle.</p><p></p><p>“If I were a magic sword, where would I be?”</p><p></p><p>In the end, he found the sword stuck in the corner of what appeared to be a throne room.</p><p></p><p>A thing made of stone, with spinning crenelated discs that could have been the tops of castle towers or gears, ground away a top a throne, surrounded by armed Rooklings. Their heads turned toward October as he came in. Stuck behind what appeared to be a stone vase — who was building a vase inside a Rook and why? — was a sword in a scabbard. True to its name, Long Sword was enormous in length, but October found it easy to lift and handle.</p><p></p><p>The Rooklings watched him and Long Sword closely. He could be at the throne in a minute and there was a top-most spinning disc that glittered as though made of gold, rather than stone. During his training, he had learned that inside each Rook, there was a magical component that would give the one who claimed it great power, typically was an arm, a weapon or even a helm that allowed the possessor to work magic.</p><p></p><p>There were eight Rooklings. Defeating them all and claiming the crown would be hard …</p><p></p><p>Titus Pembroke, King of Corgwn, was a little surprised to see October O’Leary return to his throne room. But any harsh feelings he might have felt toward the human boy vanished when he saw —</p><p></p><p>“LONG SWORD!” he snatched the weapon from October’s hands and drew the blade, which moved through the air like a dream. “You have saved Corgwn! You have our eternal gratitude!”</p><p></p><p>“And the reward you promised,” October said.</p><p></p><p>“What’s that?”</p><p></p><p>Titus whirled the sword back and forth, marveling at the easy with which it could be wielded. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, very well. Give the boy the key. It can open up any lock in the Colostle, but only once -- then it vanishes.”</p><p></p><p>October took it from the opened strongbox proffered to him. He held the over-sized gold key up, letting the daylight sparkle on it.</p><p></p><p>“Any lock, you say?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, of course,” a distracted Titus said.</p><p></p><p>“In that case, which way to your dungeons?”</p><p></p><p>Despite Titus’ bluster, the dungeons were largely empty. October only found one cell occupied, by a young woman carefully writing in a book.</p><p></p><p>“And what did you do to land in here?” October raised a finger, interrupting Titus, who was about to offer his version of events.</p><p></p><p>“The king insisted I fight a giant Rook for him. He wouldn’t believe I’m just a scholar and threw me in here.”</p><p></p><p>October glanced back at Titus, who just shrugged.</p><p></p><p>“OK, then.” He took the magic key, which shrank to fit into the cell’s lock and opened the door, dissolving away once he had done so.</p><p></p><p>“We’ll be going now, your majesty,” October smiled. “I hope Long Sword is everything you hoped it would be.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Whizbang Dustyboots, post: 8956768, member: 11760"] As October O’Leary dragged the little salvaged sailboat onto shore, he was greeted by leveled spears. “Good morning,” he smiled, glancing up at the sky. Day seemed to start a little earlier on this side of what he thought of as the Tunnel Sea, compared to back home. “I’m here on a quest.” The guards, each of whom had the body of a man, but stubby arms and legs and faces covered in tan, white or black fur, with short snouts and pointed ears, glanced at one another. “You know about that?” one asked eventually. October blinked in surprise. “It's why I’m here.” The guards awkwardly looked at their spears and lowered them slowly. “Well, in that case, come with us to meet the prince.” Their city was built amidst enormous ruined pillars, with newer construction built from the scavenged white stone. On one side, the city looked over the rocky beach and on the other side, gently rolling green meadows. The locals watched cautiously at October and Noble Steed were marched by spear-carrying guards through their midst. “Good morning! Lovely city you have here!” he said, smiling and waving. His earlier attempts to shake hands had caused the locals to pull back nervously. Finally, he was marched up a series of tiny steps to an open-roofed chamber ringed with pillars. There was a blast of horns and October and the guards stopped several paces away from an open-backed throne, upon which sat another one of their people atop a plush red cushion and wearing an ornate crown. “Your highness, we present the prisoner, October O’Leary, junior assistant hero, brought here as you commanded! October O’Leary, kneel before Titus Pembroke, King of Corgwn!” October knelt. “You are here, October O’Leary, to perform a quest — ” “Yes, we got the paperwork,” October said agreeably. Titus blinked in surprise. “‘Paperwork?’ Did someone file some paperwork?” His court murmured in confusion, shaking their heads. “We filed no paperwork!” Titus roared, a rather small sound, although filled with as much menace as he could. “Our people are defenseless. We need you to go and retrieve Long Sword from where it rests.” “Oh, OK. I’ll be happy to do that. Where does it rest?” “Inside the Great Rook, which blocks out the sky when it comes near.” “Ah. And what’s so special about this Long Sword?” Titus shifted on this throne. “Well, it’s a magically … long sword. With it, the champions of Corgwn can fight just as well as a long-limbed human.” October nodded. “You will do this or our dungeons will have another guest!” Titus said, recovering his composure with a surge of anger. “There is no refusing my will!” “Certainly,” October said. “I already said yes.” “And no back talk!” October nodded and gave the king a silent thumbs-up. “Anyway,” Titus said, calming down. “I am a benevolent ruler. Do this, and you will be richly rewarded, with a magic item that a hero like yourself —” “Junior assistant hero, your majesty.” “That a junior assistant hero like yourself will find most valuable.” “It’s not necessary, but greatly appreciated, your majesty. Just point me at this Great Rook.” As they had said, the Great Rook was tall enough to blot out the sky when it wandered by, its massive feet crushing fallen pillars into rubble as it did. “I don’t suppose it would stop and let me inside if I asked, would it?” October said to Noble Steed, watching the enormous Rook walk with what, to it, would be a leisurely pace. Noble Steed would need to run all-out in order to keep pace. “Three, two, one — GO!” Noble Steed instantly sprang to life, running at full speed, where a living mount would have had to gradually accelerated. The Great Rook was faster, but Noble Steed and October O’Leary had started ahead of it and October steered his companion over toward the path taken by the Rook, trying to be as close as possible to one great foot without being crushed beneath it. “Just a little closer …” And October leapt, his fingers desperately trying to find a gap between the stones of the giant’s foot, even as he was lifted back up off the ground in long, easy strides, the Great Rook seeming to not even have noticed him. “OK, you’ve got this. Just don’t look down.” This was something October had trained for, scaling the Wall nearest to Annex almost as soon as he could walk, climbing as high as the uppermost Slots as a young man. But the Wall wasn’t in constant rolling motion, as capable of killing him by flinging him a quarter of a mile as by simply causing him to lose his grip and plummet to his death. Looking up, he spotted a hole leading to the interior of the Rook, where the leg met the creature’s torso, opening and closing as it walked. Climbing closer, October counted out the seconds that the gap was open. Lingering too long would mean getting crushed to death by the swinging leg. But the people of Corgwn needed him, so he leapt. October didn’t know if he should be disappointed that inside of the Rook was so normal. Certainly, most castles weren’t in constant motion, with their floors rocking back and forth, but otherwise, it was just a castle. True, the carved stone statues turned and watched him go by and when he once grabbed his sword to keep it from slipping out of his scabbard, several of them stepped halfway off their pedestals before he took his hand back off the hilt. But otherwise, it was just a castle. “If I were a magic sword, where would I be?” In the end, he found the sword stuck in the corner of what appeared to be a throne room. A thing made of stone, with spinning crenelated discs that could have been the tops of castle towers or gears, ground away a top a throne, surrounded by armed Rooklings. Their heads turned toward October as he came in. Stuck behind what appeared to be a stone vase — who was building a vase inside a Rook and why? — was a sword in a scabbard. True to its name, Long Sword was enormous in length, but October found it easy to lift and handle. The Rooklings watched him and Long Sword closely. He could be at the throne in a minute and there was a top-most spinning disc that glittered as though made of gold, rather than stone. During his training, he had learned that inside each Rook, there was a magical component that would give the one who claimed it great power, typically was an arm, a weapon or even a helm that allowed the possessor to work magic. There were eight Rooklings. Defeating them all and claiming the crown would be hard … Titus Pembroke, King of Corgwn, was a little surprised to see October O’Leary return to his throne room. But any harsh feelings he might have felt toward the human boy vanished when he saw — “LONG SWORD!” he snatched the weapon from October’s hands and drew the blade, which moved through the air like a dream. “You have saved Corgwn! You have our eternal gratitude!” “And the reward you promised,” October said. “What’s that?” Titus whirled the sword back and forth, marveling at the easy with which it could be wielded. “Oh, very well. Give the boy the key. It can open up any lock in the Colostle, but only once -- then it vanishes.” October took it from the opened strongbox proffered to him. He held the over-sized gold key up, letting the daylight sparkle on it. “Any lock, you say?” “Yes, of course,” a distracted Titus said. “In that case, which way to your dungeons?” Despite Titus’ bluster, the dungeons were largely empty. October only found one cell occupied, by a young woman carefully writing in a book. “And what did you do to land in here?” October raised a finger, interrupting Titus, who was about to offer his version of events. “The king insisted I fight a giant Rook for him. He wouldn’t believe I’m just a scholar and threw me in here.” October glanced back at Titus, who just shrugged. “OK, then.” He took the magic key, which shrank to fit into the cell’s lock and opened the door, dissolving away once he had done so. “We’ll be going now, your majesty,” October smiled. “I hope Long Sword is everything you hoped it would be.” [/QUOTE]
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