27.12.2012 Views

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

is physical, and <strong>not</strong> all emotions mental. Those are sensations I <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> care<br />

<strong>to</strong> duplicate."<br />

"I'm sorry..."<br />

She sighed, "Well, it's quite all right. I've gotten accus<strong>to</strong>med <strong>to</strong> it over the<br />

years."<br />

"Well, I <strong>do</strong> have the skull Lothar wanted. If you would please indulge my<br />

curiosity..."<br />

She paused a moment, but continued with a slow, careful <strong>to</strong>ne, as if trying<br />

<strong>to</strong> savor the experience <strong>of</strong> speaking <strong>to</strong> me, "It's a long s<strong>to</strong>ry that has <strong>to</strong> <strong>do</strong><br />

with Ravel Puzzlewell, the night hag. Would you like <strong>to</strong> hear the whole<br />

s<strong>to</strong>ry?"<br />

"Yes."<br />

"Very well. I was working in the Civic Festhall - the headquarters <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Sensates - in the sensoriums. Ravel Puzzlewell, may the powers curse her<br />

black soul, had <strong>be</strong>en coming there <strong>to</strong> find answers <strong>to</strong> riddles she had<br />

encountered. She was a masterful solver <strong>of</strong> puzzles - those that left our <strong>be</strong>st<br />

minds baffled were but gauze <strong>to</strong> the force <strong>of</strong> her reason - yet she had found<br />

difficulties that required outside answers. I heard that she was there <strong>to</strong><br />

unlock the secrets <strong>of</strong> Sigil itself.<br />

"Horribly ugly, she was, taking no pains <strong>to</strong> use her magic <strong>to</strong> disguise her<br />

form - as I've heard she <strong>do</strong>es, or rather DID, from time <strong>to</strong> time - and that<br />

fiendish exterior frightened <strong>of</strong>f many a potential factioneer. Still, I had <strong>to</strong> ask<br />

her what she was about, and whether she could teach me what she knew."<br />

"That sounds like it could have <strong>be</strong>en a mistake."<br />

"It was. She <strong>of</strong>fered me a bargain, for she dwelt and dealt in riddles. If she<br />

were <strong>to</strong> answer my question, I must agree <strong>to</strong> answer one <strong>of</strong> hers. If I missed<br />

the answer, my life was hers. I agreed. She <strong>to</strong>ld me she intended <strong>to</strong> unlock<br />

the puzzle <strong>of</strong> the Cage, <strong>to</strong> open it <strong>to</strong> all who wished <strong>to</strong> enter - powers,<br />

fiends, celestials, modrons, and slaadi, <strong>not</strong> <strong>to</strong> mention any inner-planar<br />

<strong>be</strong>ings who chose <strong>to</strong> come along. The most important part <strong>to</strong> her was that<br />

all should know that the mystery that had baffled them for so long was<br />

unraveled by Ravel.<br />

494

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!