New Keeper Moves In

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

The key had appeared on the table beside her bed. When she awoke, the diamond and turquoise key glittered in the early morning light. Azjah had seen that key many times before. But now it had come to her, albeit, not the way she'd intended for it to be hers.

She reached for the beautiful symbol that would allow her access to Brig's old Tower. The key that gave her the right to move in and make the place her own. She missed Brig. She realized that with a sharp pang as she realized that he would probably never get the opportunity to join her for scotch high above the Isle.

The two sentient air elementals had vanished along with the last Keeper. When Russel had gone, so too had they. Curiosity motivated her to alter her plans for the day. She would go to the Tower and see what awaited her there.

Some time later, she stepped through the portal with Gabriel in tow. The habitual twilight allowed him to walk beside her as they approached the airy tower, where silence reigned. She paused at the entry. Always before she'd crossed this threshold as a guest. Today, she crossed it as the rightful Keeper.

Inside, the first thing she noticed was that the air lift that had always carried her to the upper reaches was not functioning. Elementals drifted through the structure, but not with the sentience of Zephaereal or Myraleaze. Azjah clutched the key tightly as she moved further into the Tower. Russel had gone, leaving nothing behind, or so it seemed.

The Tower whispered to her then, and the air lift that had carried her once to the higher reaches once more carried she and Gabriel upward. Azjah stepped off at the library where she'd first encountered a less formal Russel Strong. Gone were all of his books and scrolls. Gone was the desk where he'd worked. The only thing that remained behind was the white cloak she'd seen him wear the last time anyone had seen the Mage upon the Isle.

Gabriel bade her not to touch the cloak, for a dweomer remained about the garment.

They continued up to the highest levels of the Tower, where Azjah paused before the stunning view that had always captivated her. She stood there for an untold period of time. The Tower and the new Keeper bonding in the manner of all Keepers and their Towers.