As you approach the table and the box that sits upon it the eyes of the raven follow you.  Glancing once at the bird you see the flicker of the hearth fire dance in its eyes, giving it a demonic look.  Swallowing suddenly you avert your gaze from the bird and set your resolve to explore the table and the box.
    On either side of the box is a long, silver candle placed in delicately worked holders.  You are not sure if the candles were lit when you entered the room, but small, glowing flames top their wicks now.  There is no smoke as the candles burn and the fragrance that they shed reminds you of sweet lilac in springtime bloom.
    You take a moment to fill your senses with the heady scent, then turn back the now and the box that resides atop the desk.  Reaching out a hand you touch the top of the ebon box and feel the oily smoothness of polish.  Behind you the raven rustles its wings, but you ignore its presence.
    The catch on the box is a simple one of tooled ivory and before you know it you have slipped open the catch and are lifting the lid.
    Within is a cushion of velvet and a single gold coin of eras long gone and past.  The face of the coin is unfamiliar to you the features are Elothian and the script is high gamgweth.  Taking a few moments to puzzle over the inscription you realize that this coin comes from the first cycle of the races of the Seven Star Empire, which has passed so far into the distance of history and memory.
    Reverently, you lift the coin from where it rests as lust of knowledge that this artifact holds and the lust of wealth that it could bring you floods your mind.
    "Sqawwwwww...!!
                    Flushing thief!!
                            Take the coin!  Take the coin!
                    Take it and be damned...
                                        Squawk..!"
    The raven's words cut to the marrow of your bones and before you know what you are doing the coin is back in the box and the lid is shut again.  Franticly your fingers work the ivory catch back into place and you stand panting before the table.
    Cutting your eyes at the raven you regard a beast of a bird with cunning intelligence in its eyes.  It regards you for a moment with the black orbs of its eyes, then turns its head to preen its feathers.  As its gaze leaves you suddenly feel free of immobility and turn to regard the room again.
 
Back to DragonRealms
Back to Index

 
This page is hosted by Geocities.  Get your own Free Home Page.