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12. The Downward Tower
Overview
Kinch and Galva enter the Snowless Wood and reach a vine-choked tower with its only door high above. Enchanted terrain and hostile vines hinder Kinch’s climb until a raven’s call precedes a Galtish girl inviting them in. The vines form stairs, signaling the witch’s awareness and conditional welcome.
Summary
Kinch and Galva push into the Snowless Wood near Maeth, noting uncanny sights: a familiar tree appearing in the wrong place, distant singing that shifts to natural sounds, and a petrified “stone tree.” Following witch-given directions to always go left, they pass a breathless little man hauling broken tools and come to a clearing with a vine-draped tower whose only door sits at its top.
Bully Boy, the blind cat, bolts into the trees, leaving Kinch uneasy. A raven calls as Galva declares they have been invited. With no reachable entry, Kinch hides his pack and attempts the climb. The vines first slacken, dropping him, then actively strike, forcing him to use a break-fall charm after a long fall.
At the height of his frustration, a young Galtish woman appears in the high doorway, saying they may come up. Instantly, the hostile vines weave themselves into a staircase. Kinch ascends first, ensuring Galva is close behind, accepting the witch’s tacit summons while remaining wary of the tower’s capricious magic.
Who Appears
- Kinch Na ShannackNarrator; attempts to scale the witch’s tower, fights enchanted vines, uses a break-fall charm.
- GalvaSpanth warrior; drives the approach to the tower, interprets the raven as invitation, insists on climbing.
- Bully BoyBlind cat; suddenly flees into the woods as they reach the tower.
- Galtish girl at the doorYoung woman in the high doorway; announces they may come up, implying the witch’s leave.
- Little man with the cartExhausted hauler of broken tools; silently trudges past, adding to the wood’s uncanny mood.