About an hour later, after turning west when the road split and sloped gently down, Flor realized the rain had slacked a bit and she could see the monument before her. She’d likely be there in about fifteen minutes. As she continued to walk, the cliffs became distinguishable, and then she could see the sea. It would likely be a lovely view if it were less soggy.

She continued. Pippi had become distracted by something in the forest half an hour ago, so Flor had resummoned Kester. “Looks less imposing than the city when we first got here.”

“Yes, the city is large. This looks quaint. Maybe you’ll find yourself here.”

“My goal isn’t that far off from that. Except replace ‘yourself’ with ‘how to escape.’”

“Yes, yes. I realize you’re ready to get out of the game. You only mention it every ten minutes.”

“Am I supposed to not? I’m stuck in a video game. It’s kinda a big deal to me,” she said.

Kester shrugged non-committedly. They continued down the road as the monument became more clear.

“I wonder if I stay at the Tavern I’ll wake at the Tavern? Or back at Brawler’s Rest? This wasn’t a challenging hike, but I’m tired of the rain.”

“One way to find out,” Kester said. “Onward, Buttercup!”

“That’s not my name,” she said by default. Flor started. The Daemon had somewhat given her a nickname, which Alastair had done constantly. He had been derelict at it, recently. “What did you mean by that?”

“By what?!”

“Onward, Buttercup?”

“Oh, it’s just something the chipmunks say.”

“I thought you were calling me Buttercup.”

“Huh. Not directly, at least,” said Kester.

“Whatever. Just, don’t call me nicknames, please.”

“So you’re going to start calling me Kester Elliott Callach then?”

“Is that the name other chipmunks call you?”

“No, they do limit it to Kester,” he said, somewhat sheepishly.

“Let’s stick with that, then. And same for me.”

“Fine, fine. Look, can you dismiss me before we get into the monument proper? Some folk don’t take kindly to us daemons.”

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“Sure. I’ll call on you the first chance I get.” She dismissed him. He swung around her neck and then dove into her pocket. His head popped up one last time before fully disappearing.

The road opened into the monument surrounded by a small metal chain fence. The fence looked identical to the one surrounding the carillon in West Shilgrave, but instead of blocking off the single clocktower, this one extended to the sea and then toward the cliffs. In the middle were hundreds of stones arranged in concentric circles around a stone basin with a monument at the center. This must be the monument proper, Flor thought. The area was clear of people. The road split past the fence, with one route toward the sea, another in a large circle surrounding the monument, and the last toward the cliffs. A single, large, building of the same stone as the monuments rose to three stories on the other side of the road, almost touching the cliff. Flor decided to start there.

The stonework features continued once Flor entered the building. A young woman read a book behind a large circular desk made from the same stone as the monument. Flor noticed the woman’s title, floating above her head, read Scribe 3. Flor said, “Good afternoon. I’m new here.”

The scribe put down her book and looked up at Flor. “What would you like to know?”

“Well, I have the general overview, but I’d like to have dinner, stay the night, explore the museum, and probably look around otherwise.”

“I can help you with most of that. Let me orient you. To your right is the entrance to the tavern, where you can register for room and board. A room and two meals cost ten coins per night. Drinks other than well water aren’t included. The meals are self-serve and self-bused. Behind me is the entrance to the museum. The cost is five coins, with unlimited entrance per day, but you have to have a token. The museum spans three floors and continues back pretty far. Do you want a map?”

Flor nodded.

“It’s two coins.”

“Fine, but you could have mentioned that earlier,” said Flor, handing over two coins.

The scribe didn’t acknowledge Flor’s comment, but handed over a map “On the front is the layout of the whole monument area, and on the back is a closer view of the building you’re standing in. My favorite exhibit is the Widow’s Run. It’s interactive! It was installed about three years ago.”

“Is that the device that needs the mechanic?”

“Mechanic?”

“Yes, mechanic. Outside the West Shilgrave guild house was a job listing for a mechanic at the monument. As this is the only monument in the area, it’s a wild guess that the job is here.”

“I don’t know. You may want to talk to Jacek. I’ll let him know you’re looking for him. Now, on with the map tour. While the museum wraps around, you can skip to exhibits via the central hall. Regardless, it always exits to your left, through the Gift Shop.”

“Great, thanks.”

“Any questions?” said the Scribe.

“Three. First, are pets allowed? A wild mutt followed me from the city and I don’t want to get in trouble for an animal I can’t control.”

“No, sorry. No pets allowed.”

“Fair. Next, do you have any wild cats around the area? I’m partial to cats.”

“Oh, there are a few. But I don’t keep track of them.”

“Also fair. Finally, are there any other guests? This place seems empty?”

“Most of our guests are wandering the museum or in their rooms. The rain tends to keep them away from the monument. However, several guests wanted to come to observe the beacon shining at seventeen o’clock. A tour starts from here and goes to the center of the monument. If you don’t see Jacek before then, you’ll see him there, as he guides the tour each afternoon.”

“Wonderful. What’s the tour cost?”

“Included in museum entry. Or a single coin otherwise.”

“Glad I brought my credit card…” said Flor.

“What?”

“Nothing. Okay. I’ll get a room and then come pay you for museum entry.”

“Perfect. Enjoy your stay.”