Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Evar, Clovis, and Kerrol are pursued by a massive construct through library chambers while skeer recklessly attack and open sealed doors. The construct fixates on Evar alone. A pristine assistant appears, halts both construct and skeer, points toward a way out, and warns Evar never to engage with ghosts.
Summary
Evar, Clovis, and Kerrol flee a chamber as a long-dormant mechanical construct awakens, smashing shelves and hurling skeer. The trio climbs shelf tops to gain speed, aiming for a corridor door that may or may not admit them.
A skeer collides with the door, opening it; Clovis holds it long enough for Evar to pass as the construct squeezes into the corridor. In the next chamber, the skeer sounds a piercing call, summoning more attackers who swarm the giant to little effect. The pursuit continues across perilous shelf tops.
Evar deduces the construct is fixated on him and splits from Clovis to test it. Exhausted at the next door, which does not open for him, Evar prepares to die as the construct closes in, still burdened with clinging skeer.
Suddenly the door vanishes and a pristine white assistant appears. The construct freezes and the assistant forbids both it and the skeer from taking Evar. After hissing exchanges, the skeer retreat, even rescuing an injured comrade. The trembling construct backs away, allowing Clovis and Kerrol to rejoin Evar.
Kerrol presses the assistant for an exit; it silently points the general way onward, focusing on Evar. It refuses other questions but, when asked about ghosts, tells Evar that seeing ghosts is never good and to never speak to one, then departs, leaving the trio to continue.
Who Appears
- Evar EventariTarget of the construct; leads flight across shelves; saved by a pristine assistant; warned about ghosts.
- ClovisEvar’s sister; opens paths, tests the split plan, attempts to aid Evar with white sword.
- KerrolBrother who falls behind then rejoins; questions the assistant for directions to an exit.
- Pristine AssistantGleaming white automaton; halts construct and skeer, points the route, warns Evar about ghosts.
- Mechanical ConstructAncient giant automaton; demolishes shelves; ignores others to pursue Evar with implacable focus.
- Skeer warriorsInsectoid defenders; open doors, swarm the construct, retreat when overruled by the assistant.