The flow of guards has reduced to a trickle and although the group of companions looks slightly suspicious: that their are six of them - two of whom are wearing colours and that they seem to be attending someone who is injured - seems to prevent any of the dribs and drabs from challenging them and blocking their way.

It looks like orders have come through the ranks, for as the six companions pass the archway and proceed further on up to exit to the colonnade, they get a glimpse of the western wall where guards, having set up small stations and barricades, instead of proceeding to the bell tower, are waiting for the barbarians to come to them.

As the companions step out onto the colonnade they find themselves about a hundred and fifty foot up, with a sharp and slightly vicious wind beginning to bring with it drops of moisture and the threat of rain.

Making their way around to the north side, the companions get to look out over the Inner Fayre; beneath them the Oval Court, ringed on the northern side by a crescent of office buildings which deal with the day to day running of the city. At the centre of this sweep of offices is a large gap between the buildings, splitting the sweep into two, which acts as the main courtyard to Kera’Bur’s famous library - the library of Aspartamane, the deer headed goddess - the entrance to which sits about one hundred and fifty feet away from the foot of the bell tower. To the east of the Oval Court, the King’s Way skirts the inner wall before turning north and rising through The Grand and its associated manses towards the Keep.

Now, you may have noticed that the ‘Bongs’ have ceased and it is for good reason, for below, in the Oval Court around thousand guards have gathered, standing in perfect formation, whilst from the Keep, a phalanx of cavalry guards led by the famous moustachioed Commander Perriam is slowly and calmly making its way down the King’s Way, flanked either side by foot soldiers carrying pikes. To all intents and purposes, therefore, the alarm bell has served its function and is now no longer being rung.

It is for this reason, just outlined, that having climbed the access ladder from the colonnade on the north wall of the bell tower, our rag tag band are afforded a brief respite, the rope-room being empty, except, conveniently, of rope.

“Remind me not to volunteer for any further of your escapades,” says Bembry, directing the comment to Madeleine whilst casting off his equipment and falling onto the wooden floor, hands clasped over his chest, staring at the ceiling - a ceiling which comprises mainly of no ceiling what-so-ever through which the view of the underside of the ‘Great Clanger of Kera’Bur’ is revealed. “I can’t believe they called that ‘The Great Clanger’, surely they could have come up with a better name,” he says, not expecting any response.

Madeleine registers his initial remark with a grunt as she makes the top of the ladder and with a deep breath stands straight and stretches.

“You’re right” chimes in Hy-Jinx, who is sitting with her back against one of the walls where Dozer has just carefully placed her, her eyes still white and glazed, her hands, slowly feeling out her environment. “A bell is so much more than a bell. I should know. If you listen to them carefully you begin to realise that each is unique and has its own personality.”

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Dozer follows suit with Bembry, casting off his equipment and slumping down against the wall opposite Hy-Jinx. “That was an experience,” he says as Helmet next appears at the ladder top and carefully hauls himself off and up, turning to grasp the hand of what looks like a very exhausted and trembling Hood who follows him.

Helmet lifts Hood off the remainder of the ladder and lowers him onto the deck. Hood drops to his knees, unslings his satchel then collapses to lie next to Bembry with eyes closed. His chest initially rising and falling in short sharp bursts but gradually calming. As he relaxes, he calmly and slowly begins to heal his hand, at least rudimentarily, the dislocated and broken digits popping back into alignment. It is not perfect, for he does not have the energy to fully heal himself, but it will allow him at least the basic movement and use for spell casting should he require to do so in an emergency.

Madeleine breathes out deeply again, still standing, but leaning back against the wall next to Hy-Jinx, putting a reassuring hand on Hy-Jinx’s shoulder. “How’re you doing?” she asks gently with concern. Hy-Jinx doesn’t reply, simply turns her face towards Madeleine with a quizzical but worried expression on it and squeezes Madeleine’s hand for comfort. Madeleine squeezes her shoulder softly in response.

Helmet makes a sound as if clearing his throat but unusually says nothing, slowly wandering the room, inspecting the rafters and the view of the bell above. In short, uncomfortably occupying his time. He toys for a moment with one of the ropes that attached to the bells support beam, hangs from above.

Silence begins to reverberate louder than a bell.

“I…” Helmet makes to speak but stops, reading the room, perhaps for the very first time. He looks at the faces of his companions, who are either blind, staring into nothingness or asleep. Making a decision, Helmet heads over to a ladder fixed to the floor and the east wall, that leads up into the belfry. Carefully testing the rungs, they seems robust enough so he climbs up to examine the ‘Great Clanger’.

Clang….clang…clang.

“Helmet what are you doing?” enquires Madeleine after a moment, peering up into the belfry but unable to see any glimpse of Helmet.

“Just tapping the ‘Clanger’…with my finger,” he responds.

Clang….clang…clang.

“Well, could you stop it please? It’s a little…how can I say?”

“Annoying?” enquires Helmet.

“Yes, that would be it,” replies Madeleine.

“Ask not for whom the clanger clangs,” giggles Hy-Jinx, raising a finger to point randomly into space, “It clangs for YOU! Oo, oo, I think I’ve just made up a joke,” she says, her face oscillating blindly as she claps her hands together excitedly. “Why did the bell stop ringing in spring?” she blurts, to no response…”Because the winter had taken its toll.”

Dozer groans and rolls his eyes but starts laughing softly “Really, Hy-Jinx? That one’s bad even for you.”

“I’m offended, I thought that was pretty clever to be honest. You come up with one then.”

Dozer twists his face up in an effort to think. “No…oh wait…no it’s too rude.”

Hy-Jinx starts giggling then laughs out loud. “Nice one Dozer! You’re right - but it is funny though.”

Dozer just looks confused.

“I think you should all come up here, the sun is just breaking the horizon and the view is amazing! There’s even a rainbow! And you can see the sea!” calls out Helmet from above.

The smile leaves Hy-Jinx’s face. “I’ll just stay here then.” she says quietly.

“Nope, no you don’t!” says Madeleine, hauling Hy-Jinx to her feet. “No moping or feeling sorry for yourself. You’re either permanently like this or you can be fixed, either way we’ll deal with the now. And right now you can climb up there and at the very least feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Who knows it might be the last time for any of us.”

“I suppose so,” says Hy-Jinx, a smile creeping across her face again. “You know, Dozer’s joke is very rude! And yet so similar to mine.”