The Realm was never known for swift judgment. The rain would likely stop before a decision was made-and the irony was not lost on me. The wind howled through the trees, a warning. Rain struck the windowpanes with a fury that seemed to echo everything I felt, I simply couldn't say.
History recorded that the laws behind the creation of the Bank of Nothingness had sparked three years of debate before the Author of Life finally signed the scroll.Given the weight of the plague, I hoped they'd move faster this time.
My thoughts circled as I trudged down the stairs to the quiet foyer. The lively movement and hoopla was over, it was quiet and all I could hear was Strength moving through the kitchen. I spotted Strength placing muffins on two plates, her face soft with concern."Cheer up, lad. Don't look so glum," she said gently, pouring melted butter over my muffin before sliding the plate toward me.
I offered a weak smile. The muffin was incredible—dripping hot butter over warm apple and cinnamon. I devoured it with a flicker of joy. As I ate, she poured warm milk from a black kettle. It felt like armor for the storm ahead.
"Are you ready?" Comforter asked, waiting with his usual calm. The Nim-folk never rushed. They simply existed within time, untouched by urgency.
He didn't seem fazed by the downpour. His steps were steady—perhaps even a touch faster than usual, likely due to the sound of my teeth chattering. His eyes held quiet sympathy.
Twenty paces from the inn, I spotted a senlet—one of the Nim's small, furry pets—shivering near a doorway."Wait!" I called through the wind, scooping the tiny creature into my arms and sprinting back to the inn.
"Strength! Can you look after this wee one? He was locked out and freezing," I said, breathless.
"Ah, Poca," she said with a sigh. "Poor stray—needs an owner, mind ya. But don't you worry, Rune. I'll take care of him."The senlet cooed as I handed him over, and I dashed back out, sprinting to catch up with Comforter.
The storm made conversation impossible. I had so many questions—but there was no room between the wind and the rain to speak them aloud. Our only goal was to reach the Tower.
My thoughts spun wildly, but I kept them locked inside—the storm within me just as fierce as the one we walked through.
After hours trudging through the deluge, we finally reached the base of the Tower. I paused for a moment, staring up at it, feeling its weight before we stepped forward to face whatever waited behind the gates.