Iza Adle

As she passed by a shop, a hidden door in the wall swung open and something yanked her in by the shoulder. A firm hand covered her mouth.

Magie instinctively struggled but, for all her power, she was still a thirteen year old girl in body. The captor was larger and stronger.

“There, there. Calm down little one; I’m here to help you. You made quite a fuss with the guards. If you’re quiet, I’ll let you go. Can you do that for me?” a woman’s voice asked. Magie nodded.

The hand released her and Magie turned to find a woman in a white dress with ribbons and bows. This felt off as the hand was cold against her skin and, upon closer inspection, Magie realized it was actually a life sized wooden doll.

Its skin was painted pale and very lifelike save for the joints featuring screws. The face looked and moved just like a real person’s and smiled at Magie, “that’s much better. We wouldn’t want them to hear us, of course. Not before I can offer my services anyway. A little butterfly fluttered by and whispered in my ear that you and your spirit friend are looking for a guide through the chainwood.”

“So, you noticed me,” Mr. Shade said. “Actually we were just leaving...”

“Naturally you know it’s best to be off before the rorschachs come. If you miss your window you won’t be able to travel for six cycles. What a shame that would be,” the doll stated. Her voice rang sweet yet smug, fitting for one making a sale.

“Rorschachs?” Mr. Shade asked.

“You aren’t from around here, are you? The rains. You won’t get very far in the downpour and they could come any day now.”

“I think we ought to go,” Magie suggested.

Mr. Shade considered the offer, resting his shadowy chin on his fingers. “Who are you and can you get us out of town?” he asked.

“Adle, Iza Adle. I’m a traveler, a bit of a treasure hunter in breath of honesty, and I know Evnyance like a comfortable old boot. Leaving town presents no problem. But where exactly are you going? The chainwood is an awfully large place,” Iza said.

“We’re heading to the temple of script and we’d like to keep it under wraps. What would you ask as payment?” he asked.

“My, my, to the point, aren’t we? I like that! The temple of script happens to be on my own list. To visit, to see. A little souvenir from there will be all the payment I require,” she snapped her fingers.

“You’re too kind. Really. But we have no choice. It’s a deal,” Mr. Shade said.

“Wonderful! Alright, Moonflower, follow me. Large tracks of abandoned mines stretch under this town. We’ll be out before you can say “butter my bread”,” Iza told them.

“My name is Magie and this is Mr. Shade,” Magie said. Mr. Shade masked his concern about revealing their names.

“And it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Magie. Follow me,” Iza turned to lead them through the passage. As she did, they saw the doll was puppeteered in thin golden strings by a small ghost with big yellow eyes, covered in tar. Less than a meter tall in levitated in place, always behind the doll. Magie and Mr. Shade stared at this development.

“Oh don’t mind that. Remember, I’m right here,” the doll said, pointing to her face. Magie nodded.

“To each, her own,” Mr. Shade said.

Iza lead them down rickety wooden stairs and into a tunnel. She always acted as the doll, able to see through its eyes and move like a real woman. An orb of light was emitted from her hand and drifted before her.

The tunnel stretched far, carved of solid rock and held aloft by wooden support beams. A seasoned track was laid for carts but they saw none. Only the occasional rusted hammer or pile of scraps could be seen abandoned with the mine.

“What exactly do you hope to find in the temple of script?” Mr. Shade asked.

“Oh, just a bit of my own business. I might ask you the same?” Iza replied.

“That’s our business as well.”

“Then we’ll all merrily go about our business, won’t we?” Iza said. Her words echoed down the passage.

“Echo, echo and off we go!” Magie sang. In a whirl, she flung back her cape and it spun into its natural black fabric form. What a relief.

A whisper of light formed in the distance and it grew as they progressed. They exited the mine shaft to a bright and amber midday.

​

-The Gatekeeper