Tantalum shook his head, clearing the swirling colors from his mind. He lay on the floor, with his back pressed against cold stone. The vaulted ceiling high overhead was intricately carved in a white stone, lit by the soft flicker of candles. His staff was in his hands.
“Where am I?” He wondered aloud.
“In Tirolde,” An amiable voice answered.
Tantalum leapt to his feet. He spun the staff in his hand, the stone glowing bright red like angry embers. The small man put out his hands, as if to ward off a blow.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, I’m a friend. No need to incinerate me, now.”
Tantalum lowered his staff slightly, but the stone was still bright. “Who are you?”
“I am Tither Ruebark, in the service of Emperor Maelstrom, and my assistance, presently, is at your disposal, Master Reckoning,” The man bowed low, his golden medallion clanking on the ground.
“Emperor Maelstrom?” Tantalum wondered aloud. He had once heard something like that, long ago.
“Yes.” Tither bobbed his head up and down enthusiastically.
“Hmm,” Tantalum liked the little fellow, for he reminded him of Grimmerly, but, deep inside, there was a little voice that whispered; Trust no one. So, while he outwardly relaxed, he kept up his guard.
Tither eyed him watchfully and, when Tantalum loosened his hold on the staff, he involuntarily sighed in relief. Attempting to cover it, he coughed and spoke quickly. “I am sure that you are somewhat bewildered by your sudden appearance here.”
“Yes,” Tantalum answered warily. Don’t tell him too much, he cautioned himself.
“Of course, of course.” Tither agreed energetically, nodding his head. “Come with me now if you pleasssse. Please,” He corrected, stepping closer. He was fingering a dagger. Tantalum tensed.
Without warning, all the candles in the room went out in a sizzle. Tantalum dodged right, swinging his staff back left. He heard a grunt and a clatter as the staff connected, sending Tither sprawling, his knife jarred loose. The only light left in the room was the reddish glow of the stone, but in an instant that too was gone.
Tantalum was at first left in complete darkness, but then, it seemed to him that the stone began to suck the darkness into it, leaving the room bright. Just for him, apparently, for Tither was crawling about, feeling for his blade. At that moment, he found it, and jumping up, began to swing it around wildly.
Tantalum gasped. The whirlpool of colors was back, and once again he was being borne away. The last thing he saw was Tither, still stabbing the air madly.
"The only thing that anybody really knows about this author is that he is a real nutcase."
-Anonymous reporter
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