There was now a coming and going of many villagers. I heard them pattering and being as silent as they may. I whispered Blater and Bliter to my side.  I crept out, watching the great Clock with an intense gaze.  The dogs went before me, walking with their heads low. I then stopped and knelt. Blater and Bliter then turned towards me.  I spoke to them:

“Go forward now, and listen for my call.” They dashed out, and soon I did not hear their soft feet anymore. I then went forward. I went silently and hooded. I now walked among the lampposts, unnoticed by the passing villagers. The Darkness was overwhelming, and the lights from the lampposts did nothing to break it. I walked swiftly, casting wary glances about myself. No one was following, and none seemed to notice. I felt reassured by this; nevertheless, I knew that some one could still follow behind me.  

*****

I knelt there alone. The light came from a lantern which hung overhead: its light faintly glimmering on the white stone of the floor. I waited anxiously for a certain someone to come down the stairwell.  It was long before I heard a heavy tread of feet. I stood and looked to the stairs. I saw a man with a long white beard tucked in his belt coming down. He was dressed in a long gold and embroidered tunic, and at his belt hung a chain of keys. He looked at me with kind eyes from under his bushy eyebrows. I started to speak an excuse for why I was here:

“My father…”

He stopped me short.  “I know dear one.  There is no need to fear me.” He stood before me and laid his hands upon my shoulders.     

“I can’t go back.” Then I added, “At least I don’t want to.”   

“Neither do I,” he answered. “And you will not go back,” he said, stepping away and beginning to pace about the clock. “Your father sent the darkness, now he wishes to control time. This is the clock that directs time, and no man has the right to change the time of day or night with this clock. You will now guard it, for I can no longer be its warden. Remember this: never let anyone use this clock, not even you; for we are to help make right the time that is, not the time that someone wishes to be.  Your father wishes night to be forever; never let him touch this.”  He stepped to me and grasped my hand and laid the chain of the keys in it. Then he walked about and up the stairs till I could hear him enter into the street.              

*****

The figure now turned to me, looking menacing in the lamplight. My hand mechanically fell to the hilt of my knife.

“What businesses have you to leave Hethwenthor?” he asked as though he were a guard. I answered him sternly, “A business of my own which you, Noltayn, have no reason for knowing.”  He jolted when I spoke his name.   He stared long and hard at me from under his hood.

 He spoke again: “And why should I not know? Soon, perhaps, you will not be able to ever again leave Hethwenthor.”  

“You are a spy and spies do not ask questions such as the ones you have asked.”

 He stepped forward and stood before me. He snarled: “Are you not also a spy?”

 I answered: “I am no spy, but a messenger, and I will deliver a message which you will not spy upon.” A fire sprang in his eyes, and he swung out a dagger. I jumped back, drew out my knife, and we crossed blades.