The great Master Crispen Genn, his power without equal, could nay withhold the curse from any of his people.

Jarn looked down at the key and his eyes went wide as it sat in Cass’s hand with a subtle glow emanating from it. “Power.” Was all he could get his mouth to say. He had heard all the stories of items of power in the days before the Evisceration there were people and items that held great power. It was said that they glowed with it. When the Masters disappeared so did the power.

Cass came out of her stupor somewhat when he said that. “That’s what it is, Power. I was so shocked by how I got it that It didn’t register with me what the glow meant.”

Her words bringing him out of his thoughts Jarn looked at her. “How did you come by this item Cass?”

She took a deep breath and then told him about the book writing she saw about Genn’s oldest daughter Unise and then how she was attacked, and then realizing that it was Unise attacking her. She told him how the deformity in the girl’s leg kept her from dancing correctly and how she had given Cass the key when she had helped her to dance. “I don’t know how she was here. It wasn’t a ghost because she was able to physically attack me, and I couldn’t see her until the ink spilled on her.”

They both looked over at the pedestal. The puddle of ink was still on the floor and the glass container and quill nearby. He helped Cass up and they went over to the book. The Writer was finishing up his section on Unise and how she performed before the High Master himself. “The damaged leg must have come some time latter. I don’t think she would have been called to perform before the High Master if she had a deformity.” Jarn said as he read the description of the performance.

Suddenly the writing stopped in the middle of a sentence. They both looked at each other and then they both stepped back in alarm as the ink on the floor started to disappear as if someone were wiping it up.

The ink became smudged and then disappeared. When all the ink was gone the quill and glass jar lifted back on the table and then more ink began to appear in the jar as if someone was pouring it. After a few moments the writing began again where it had left off.

“J…Jarn the…the…. I think…”.

”That the writer, this Stolfass Magee, somehow just cleaned up our spilled ink. That’s what I was just thinking too, yet I cannot even begin to construct an explanation for how it could be.” Said Jarn as he watched the writing continue to form on the page.

Cass looked down at the glowing key in her hand. “Maybe the pedestal, or the book, or the ink are also items of power, like the key?” She said looking over at the book.

They both began to back away from the pedestal and stood in the doorway and watched the pages turn for a few minutes. After nothing strange happened, no blasts of power coming from the book, or pedestal, they began to relax.

Jarn looked down at the glowing key and then to Cass. "I was just thinking that perhaps we should see if that key opens any of these locked doors. We are out of rations and our water is almost gone. We need to pray that there is some food and water stored somewhere." She looked down at the key and then up at Jarn and sighed. "Your right of course my love, I had thought for a moment we had found some place to rest for a while, but I will follow you Jarn." He smiled at her, kissed her and then turned and drew his sword. She laid one hand on his shoulder and grabbed the hem of her cloak with the other.

Jarn moved to the door to their left, the one directly across from the main entrance. He reached behind him and Cass let go of his shoulder and drooped the key into his hand. She then quickly placed her hand back on his shoulder. He tensed his muscles and inserted the key into the lock and turned. There was a flash of light and a shimmering and the door moved in slightly. Jarn pulled out the key and placed it in a pouch. He then pushed the door open with his sword leveled toward the door.

Inside was a kitchen. There was a large wooden island in the middle of the room and a large ceramic, kiln like, stove behind it. Next to that was a pantry door that was open and there was a shadowy shape just inside the pantry. The shape stopped its foraging and turned. A mouth with three rotting teeth had a hunk of bread in it became visible as the thing turned to look at them. Where its eyes should have been there were just thin strips of flesh covering empty sockets. Its unusually long arms dangling at its side. They seemed to be just bones with a thin layer of flesh covering it. Its bloated body seeming not be able to be supported by its abnormally small feet.

"Run! Out the front door!" Jarn yelled. Cass turned and he pushed her ahead of him. The creature let out this ear piercing shriek and Jarn could hear the "clap, clap." of its baby feet running after them.

Cass tore open the front door and herd Jarn yell from behind "The path to the left!" She turned down the left path and ran as fast as she could. She could hear Jarn's boots behind her which kept her hope alive. They turned the corner and ran down the side yard. The clapping of the creatures feet followed just a few feet behind them. When she turned the corner into the back of the yard the light around them began to change from a dreary overcast form of light to a more golden one, like when the sun starts to peak through the clouds after a storm. They kept running and turned the corner up the opposite side yard. As they ran up the path the clapping started to fall farther behind them and the golden light began to increase.

As they turned the last corner and came back to the front of the house the light from the golden sun shown overhead. The grass around them was lush and green and the bushes and trees bristled with beautiful flowers and delicious looking fruit. They stopped and Cass turned and saw Jarn looking behind them, sword at the ready. She gripped her cloak tightly, even though she had little hope it would defend them against the creature. The creature, however, did not reappear. They waited a minute and nothing came. As they realized it wasn't following them they relaxed a bit and looked around.

There was still a house in front of them but it was no longer a three story mansion with a tower and dark windows. Before them stood a two story wooden house with a ceramic tiled roof and smoke coming from the chimney. The windows were open and two pies sat cooling on a window sill off to the right. Their mouths dropped open. So distracted by this new sight they didn't notice a small figure walk up beside them.

A little hand tugged at Cass's cloak. Her head whipped around expecting the creature, but instead she looked down upon a small girl with blond hair tied back into a ponytail. "Hewwo. Me name Mercy. wha you name?" Said the child in the speak of one who was not more then three years old. An odd warmth flooded Cass's heart when she saw the little girl, a longing for something she could not place. The girl also had a mark just infront of her left ear. It was in the shape of a flower. Cass knelt down and placed a big smile on her face. "Well, it is very nice to meet you Mercy. My name is Cass and this is Jarn.” Jarn looked down at the girl and smiled.

The girl hid a bit behind Cass as she looked up a Jarn and the sword on his hip. Cass looked at Mercy and positioned herself to block Jarn from the girls view. “So Mercy, is this your house?” Cass said in a very soothing voice.

“Uh hu.” She nodded. “Pick up me.” She said in a half demanding half laughing voice. Cass couldn't help but to smile and nodded her head in a psudo-submisive fashion.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Very well mistress Mercy, up in the air you will go." Cass said, mirth filling her voice. She wrapped the girl in her arms and stood. Mercy giggled and hugged Cass and then looked up toward the house as the door opened an a tall man walked towards them. He wore an ornate leather vest over a white doublet and a golden device hung from a chain around his neck. It was a gold circle with the face of a lion on it. Below that he wore black leather pants with black leather riding boots that came up to his knees. He had a commanding air about him, but his face seemed kind and gentle, something else seemed to emanate from him, Power.

"Dady, wook, we have gusts!" Mercy declared. The man smiled at her, taking both of them in with a quick glance, lingering a bit longer on Jarn's sword, but more in noting that it was there than seeming to have actual concern about it.

"It appears that we do my princess." He said as he held out his hands for her and Cass placed the girl in his arms and then stepped back next to Jarn. "Greetings travelers, it is a pleasure to meet ones who travel the roads and trails. My name is Crispen Genn, and who might you both be?"

Both their moths fell open when he introduced himself. Cass's mind wouldn't work. They were just in a house that bore this man's name and reading a story written about him. She had no words, her mind completely locked up, and could see his expression begin to change from one of friendly greeting to concern. Jarn saved her again with his quick wits.

"Master Genn, it is an honor to meet you sir. Am I correct then in believing then that you are indeed one of the Twelve Masters of the High Master's table?"

The smile returned to the man's face and he nodded. "I do have the honor of sitting at the High Master's table as my father did before me. The house of Genn has had a chair at the Master's table for ten generations.

Jarn nodded and bowed low toward the man. Cass, finnaly regaining her senses made a formal curtsey to the man. "Forgive us My Lord." Said Jarn as he straightened himself up again. "My name is Jarn, and this is my wife, Cass. We have traveled many roads and trails searching for a place of solace."

Crispen smiled and reached out his arm, to which Jarn clasped it with his own. "Well met Squire Jarn, Lady Cass..."

"Dady! We has to feeds them, theys looks likse they have not eaten!" Mercy called out from his arms. Crispen smiled broadly and rubbed his nose agaisnt Mercy's which made her squeal and giggle. "Always worried about the needs of others are you not my dear. Did we not name you perfectly?" His smile appeared within his eyes mixed also with a deep love and pride for his daughter. "Well, Mercy has spoken, and so my friends you shall indeed find comfort in the house of Genn for as long as you may need it. Come with me." He said as he turned and began to sing a happy tune. Mercy laid her head on her father's shoulder and listened.

Cass felt that warm feeling rush through her again. It began to form a gnawing ache inside her heart. She felt Jarn's hand close over hers. She looked at him and he smiled. "Some day my love. When we find a place that is safe." He said looking into her eyes. She blushed and felt her love for him deepen. He knew what was going on inside her even before she could understand it. Seeing Mercy, especially with her father, had awakened that desire to have a child with Jarn.

Inside the house it was warm and bright and a peace settled over both Jarn and Cass as they entered. The smells of fresh food nearly overwhelmed them and their empty stomachs. Before they collapsed under the pressure of such aromas, Mercy came around the corner with a piece of Marchberry pie on plates. Crispen Genn came behind her with two ceramic tankards with steam rising off of them.

"Please my friends, have a seat and rest now. You are safe within these walls. "

"I heped Mama wit the Pie." Said Mercy.

Cass smiled at her. "It smells delicious Mercy, thank you so much for wanting to help us." The girl blushed and swayed back and forth ringing her hands together. They began to eat, the pie did taste amazing. She had only had Marchberry pie once at a reception the Reeve had thrown after a great victory over an opposing Reeve's forces. The berry's only grew on the sides of the mountains in the northern Marches beyond the Reeve's lands that she grew up in. The warmth of the pie and the home and the people in it began to seep into them both. In the tankards was a warm mulled wine that tasted amazing.

"What lands do you hail from Jarn and Cass?" Crispen asked as he picked up Mercy and sat across from the, holding the girl on his lap.

Again Cass's mind froze. She had no knowledge of the lands of the world that existed more the two centuries ago. Jarn came to their rescue again. "We are from Tiberion, across the Arnalt sea." Jarn said in such a calm confident voice he even fooled her for a moment. "Our lands were taken over by Renalt Herdsmen and we were forced to flee. We hope one day to return and reclaim the lands of our ancestors."

Crispen nodded his head in understanding. "I have heard that the Renalt's are relentless in their desire for conquest. I have not had the pleasure of visiting the lands beyond the sea, but I hear that the red fined Malark fish is an exquisite delicacy." There was a subtle tone in his voice that Cass caught but could not decipher.

"Our Master is well informed and learned, but I wish only to say this to the benefit of my Master and his family in case they ever get the chance to visit those lands. Please for your safety avoid the red finned Malark as they are deadly poisonous to us. The blue finned Malark however is greatly prized for its taste and rarity." Jarn said in a tone of humility and a genuine desire to help the Master's family.

Crispen Genn laughed and shook his head. "You are both honest and well versed in etiquette squire Jarn. Forgive my testing you, but my family is very precious to me and I needed to make sure you were who you said you were."

"I understand your Lordship’s concern and skill in proposing this test. My wife and I are very thankful for your hospitality."

Crispen nodded. Before he could say more Mercy perked up and pointed. "Stolfass! Stolfass! " . She cried with excitement pointing to the archway that led into this room. An old man of about four feet in height with a ring of white hair going around his head from above his ears and back around his round head. A pair of glasses perched on a very large nose. The man turned and his eyes went wide when he saw who occupied the room. He bowed low and then straightened. "Master Genn, Mistress Mercy, honored guests, I am at your service."

Crispen rose, still holding Mercy. He looked at Jarn and Cass and extended his arm toward the man. "This, my friends, is my most trusted steward Stolfass Magee. He served my father before me with as much wisdom and skill as he serves me."

The man bowed low again. "My master honors me beyond what I deserve."

Crispen laughed and shook his head. "You deserve far more my friend. He has just started writing the story of this household, although I have told him that I am no greater then those that have come before me and do not deserve such an honor."

"My master is too humble, you have brought peace and prosperity to your lands and those of the High Master. Many books should be written of your exploits." Said Stolfass with sincere adoration in his voice.

Crispen looked like he would say more but stopped and smiled. "Stofass, these are our friends Jarn and Cass, please see that they have a room for as long as they need it."

The man nodded his head. "Yes my master, it will be as you have said." The man bowed again and moved quickly to fulfill his master's request.

"I will leave you to rest my friends. Mid day meal will be ready soon. I will see you then."

Both Jarn and Cass stood as the man began to leave. "Thank you Master Genn." Cass said her mind finally beginning to work.

Crispen turned and smiled and nodded his head. Mercy waved at them and Cass waved back.

When they were alone Cass turned to Jarn. "How did you deceive him like that with saying we were from those lands. How were you able to pass his test?"

Jarn smiled and leaned in. "My family originally came from those lands back before the Evisceration. My grandfather told me all about the history of our family." Cass smiled at him and kissed him.

Their kiss was interrupted by giggling from behind them. they turned and saw Mercy standing there with her hand over her mouth. Love for the girl bloomed in Cass's heart almost as if she were her own. "Come wit me. See my tree. It is in back yard." She said and she ran out toward the door. Cass smiled and looked at Jarn. He laughed and shook his head, but nodded to the door.

They both trotted after the girl. She led them outside and off to the left through the front yard and then turning down the side yard and into the back yard. As they followed her though the light began to dim. They went through the back yard and followed her up the other side yard. the light got darker and the girl turned the corner to the front again.

Too emersed in the fortune of finding a place of rest they did not notice the changes or the fact that they didn't stop in the back yard, or the massive tower that they were now passing as they went up the side yard, until they turned the corner to the front of the house again.

As Cass rounded the corner she felt something impact her abdomen. Searing pain exploded through her body. He feat lost their strength and she fell to her knees. She looked down and there was some form of desiccated leg piercing through her stomach. She looked up and saw the creature from the woods and the pantry staring at her with is eyeless head. Its left leg thrust outward and stuck through her body. She tried to scream but was unable to produce a sound.