A look of shock ripples across Alptraum's face for a moment when Nekara's actions sink in. "Nekara? You, of all people, I thought would understand. Don't you see what Sunala's plan was? This answers everything. Why I exist, why I was allowed to be, why I am here now," Alptraum asserts firmly, keeping his grip on the book he recently opened.
Nekara just stands at the desk, one hand hidden behind it – most probably having more "ammunition" at the ready, should the mood strike her to give it another try.
Alptraum adds, "I'm not a mistake. I exist because Sunala wanted me to exist. And after learning about Thath, I understand why now. She knew of Thath's desires, ambitions, and scheming ways and the threat he was to all of Babel – that he would forever change, or perhaps destroy, Babel and its people if left unchecked. So, she decided to try to counter – or at least limit – the destruction he would cause. My mother, Sunala, linked a Srinala to the spirit of another so that she could use the Srinala to trick Thath in to planting the seed of his own destruction, me."
Nekara doesn't look convinced … but at least she hasn't thrown anything yet.
"So, when I was born," Alptraum continues, almost breathlessly now, "she protected me by protecting the Yodhsunala in charge of the Srinala that was chosen to be my vessel, and even helped by nudging where I should be sent, so I would not be so easily found and blend in well: Sylvania, the one place where a blood-drinker would not stand out. " Alptraum takes a moment to catch his breath, then continues speaking, his silvery eyes locked on Nekara. "My purpose, my existence, was to protect Babel and its people. I was to stop a man whose ambition would destroy us all. Things are changing here, Nekara, and I am here now to try and help guide that change. As said among the people that raised me in their tarot – and holds more truth now than ever – death can be viewed as many things; an end to some, or a beginning to others. Who better to help guide Babel through those times of change, than the son of death herself?"
Nekara's face is still unreadable. The silence in Alptraum's pause seems filled with peril.
"Please understand, I don't claim to know everything or see some special future," Alptraum quickly continues. "All I claim to be is someone who now understands his past, accepts what he is, and wants to help bring a brighter future for his people. A real future for all its people, not the selling out and destruction Thath seems to bring."
Nekara's eyes are intent on Alptraum. After a palpable pause, she says, in a controlled tone, "You've been so uncertain all this time – I'm reluctant to trust that this revelation isn't just a clever lie to keep the game going. If you betray me – if this is just a lie – I will find out, and you will suffer a long and painful death beyond words or even screams to describe. But if what you say is true, then there is a way to pr – "
But she doesn't finish that sentence, breaking off at a soft "thump" at the door barely but still audible to her ears – and Alptraum's. He is suddenly very conscious of the fact that no sound seems to travel through these walls; they seem to be, as is the case with many Eeee private offices, well insulated against sound … but that still doesn't stop the sound of something bumping against the outside of the door.
Alptraum, wary to take his eyes off the Yodhsunala, backs up slowly, only taking short quick glances at the doorway, then towards where he left Thath bound.
Thath is still motionless, at least as near as Alptraum can tell. Alptraum hears another scuff against the door, in that split moment. Finally, his mind manages to piece together just what might be causing the sound. It's something big … and heavy … bracing against the door.
"We can settle this later; you can tell me how to prove it then. We have company," Alptraum replies, then moves over to the door. He drops down to one knee, then tries to peer through the keyhole.
Some muttered words that sound like a curse come from Nekara's mouth, and as Alptraum moves to the door, he catches, out of the corner of his eye, her rapid movement toward the garbage chute. But in that same instant, as he peers through the keyhole, he catches a glimpse of a large furry hexapod – a Fnerf in chitin in leather armor – from the back side. It looks as if he just had his sizeable foot against the door, and had pulled it back … because now, he kicks with it.
Alptraum's silver eyes go wide as he sees the foot, then the kick come in. Unable to even utter a curse, Alptraum is thrown roughly backwards and slams hard into the far wall. He grunts, maintaining consciousness and tries to gather his wits enough to duck into the chute before the Fnerf turns.
And … somehow, with a dexterity that he surprises even himself with, he manages to pry himself up from the floor, and to hurl himself into the chute before he even fully registers the full extent of the abuse delivered to his body. Nekara is already gone … and Alptraum is only peripherally aware of the Fnerf clumsily moving out of the way to admit several armed Eeee guards who file into the room. "The Vizier!" one shouts, and they are distracted (or so Alptraum may hope) by the bound and gagged bat for the moment.
Inside the chute, Alptraum manages to find himself an awkward perch, thanks to the opened grate some way down. He cannot look back out from here, but he can hear the guards. "The Vizier is alive! Kill the assassins! Send reavers down the chute!"
"But sir!" comes another voice. "That man who went down the chute – wasn't that … ?"
Alptraum swallows. "This just gets even more fun," Alptraum thinks, trying not to panic. Keeping himself from madly scrambling away, he moves on slowly, trying to continue to listen to the guards.
"What man?" the first voice barks. "You idiot, those are Yodhsunala! Black fur, white hair! The little witches work in teams! MOVE IT!"
"But the Vizier – " comes the other voice, but it's drowned out by the cries of unfriendly-sounding creatures, and heavy boots pounding up to the top of the garbage chute.
"You'd be wrong. There is a man here, thank you. He got out of the way so he wouldn't be shot on sight," Alptraum replies. "I request that you please take those creatures elsewhere," he then adds and thinks, "Well, I guess it buys Nekara time. Though, why I would do that I have no idea. She threatened to kill me, yet again. I feel like an idiot."
"What?!" "Hold it! It's him! The Vizier had specific orders – " "Hold the reavers!" "Mine's already – " "Kill it! And bring him up here. YOU THERE! Come up immediately and you won't be harmed!"
Alptraum takes in a breath, then starts the difficult task of getting turned around and climbing up. "Maybe your 'power' is to always have trouble on your heels, eh," Alptraum thinks, quirking a rueful smirk.
Some time later, Alptraum is in a room that looks very familiar to him – very much a duplicate of the same sort of guest room that he had found Lady Cenesta in, except that in this case, the "dumb waiter" is covered over with a grill frame that makes it only possible to retrieve or extract small items from the mobile cart. (Whether or not they have figured out about his adventure in the dumb waiter shaft, it would seem that they are taking no chances.) Alptraum has been relieved of his crossbow and anything that might service as a weapon, but it seems that he is being treated with more care than the average intruder: the bath in his suite has hot water, and there are two extra set of clothes, and a full set of towels.
Seeing that he's not going anywhere quickly, Alptraum decides he might as well make use of the bath and expend some energy cleaning, instead of waiting for whatever lays ahead.
After some time, he is able to scrub away most of the stench that has clung to him from crawling around in a garbage chute and in the dusty partition between floors. Not long after he has dried off and dressed, there is a knock at the door – and after that the sounds of latches (on the other side) being thrown.
"This will be fun," Alptraum thinks, then lets out some breath. "I'm decent," he replies as he turns to face the doorway, prepping himself for the worst.
The door whispers open on well-oiled hinges – opening outward, Alptraum can't help but notice, meaning that the hinges are exposed to the outside rather than to the inside. In steps a white-furred Fnerf, adorned in decorative but light furs of some indeterminate beast, wearing a rainbow-colored chitin necklace about her neck. "May it be that you are satisfied with these arrangements?" she asks upon entering, taking in Alptraum, her voice having the tone of a party hostess, and not an assistant jail-keeper.
"Better than I am generally used to," comes the Eeee's reply. "I gather my fate is being debated. Or, have you come to guide me to whatever has been decided?"
"It is in pleasure that I am finding you to be staying as our guest for a little while at this tower, young Master Alptraum bar Reisender. Though it is with much wonderment that Vizier Thath would like to know how it came to be that you were in his office while he was … ah … not in a capacity to welcome guests."
Alptraum quirks an eyebrow at the statement. "Then why doesn't he come and ask me, himself?" comes the reply.
"It is most unfortunate that a figurine of great beauty and mass was introduced to the fineness of his crown," the Fnerf says. "Many bandages he wears, and it would not do for him to be about entertaining guests in his condition, do you not suppose?"
"Appearances do not concern me. I am not exactly in the best condition, if you haven't noticed," Alptraum answers. "If he wants to know, he should talk to me directly."
"This will I submit to Vizier Thath, then," the Fnerf says with a bow of her head. "If there is anything you require for your stay here, please be confident in me to provide it for you, if you are asking. May it be not long, and he be quickly recovered, but for some time Vizier Thath may have to recuperate before seeing you. Delicate are the beautiful Eeee people, and not made for such treatment, no?"
Alptraum says, "Depends on the Eeee, I suppose. I suppose asking to leave is out of the question? How about what are the orders regarding me?"
"Ah, would that it be, but it must be insisted that you remain our guest. Understanding would be best for you, that Vizier Thath has questions about the manner in which you entered this tower and his private office," the Fnerf says, in a tone as if she were regretfully telling Alptraum that she is out of sugar, but has some honey instead for a cup of mateh. "It is with strong insistence that you are our guest."
"I see. Well, I suppose I shall have to wait, then. My only immediate request is to be let go, but that's not going to happen. Thank you, anyway," Alptraum answers quietly and sits down on the bed.
"It is with considerable regret that your request cannot be granted immediately," the Fnerf says, as she presses the fingers of her hands together and bows her head slightly. "To Vizier Thath I will go now to tell your answer. Rest well, young Master Alptraum bar Reisender." She backs out through the doorway on velvety paws.
Alptraum watches the Fnerf leave and reclines back on the bed. "There's got to be a way out. Let'sseem. Maybe if I can work something off the bed or bath to aid in removing the bars," he ponders.
With a final clack, clack, clack, the last of the bolts are thrown to the outside of the door. Alptraum is alone with his thoughts.
The Eeee then rolls off his bed to inspect the various bits of furniture, looking for rods, strong bits of chitin he could break free, anything that might be useful in removing the bars. He also takes a moment to inspect the bars, looking for how they're attached and if there looks to be any weak points.
Alas, it does not seem so easy as that. The furniture is frustratingly built of solid and awkward pieces of very durable material – chitin of the variety that might be broken, but which would not hold a sharp edge, and which might have the stability to form a support for a bed or chair if properly formed, but not enough durability to form a proper pry-bar if it were even possible to break it down to shape. No, there seems to be a distinct intention here to thwart easy escape, while still providing amenities not normally found in a prison cell.
"No matter how you dress it. No matter how nice the staff is – a cell is still a cell," Alptraum inwardly grumbles and sits back down on the bed. "I don't know how I'm getting out of this one."
