The Crystal Tower TG

The Crystal Tower

I had long sought the greatest honor in the land of Garsurka. To quest for the Crystal Tower which twinkles far in the west like a land-bound star and return with the glories which surely dwelt within it.

Many men set out for the spire. None had returned.

But, I, Sir Ardwel Carrewen, intended to be the first.

Some told tales of strong women who had been more fortunate in their journeys to the tower. Whether this meant that special, mystical protection existed for female adventures, no one could tell. These women kept what they had encountered a closely-guarded secret. But their sword skills upon returning were unmatched even by the greatest of men.

I had acquired much glory on the field of battle in defense of my kingdom against rogue armies from the east. The House of Carrewen held many lands. But the light of the Crystal Tower always lingered on our horizon, like a jewel forever out of reach.

I had long made known my intent to my fellow noblemen. I long listened to their pleas to make peace with the glories I had so far found. But my mind had been settled in this matter.

My plans were extensive. Before even starting, I sought out a special weapon in the north, along the Ancient Forges. Deep underground, beneath long lost kingdoms, I discovered the flame blade. Forever bathed in a curling, twisting flame of enchantment, the blade was actually cool to the touch of the wielder but scorched any enemy to ash.

With this weapon in a metal scabbard lashed to my back, I felt my odds were greatly improved.

I set out on a spring morning from Rastref, my ancestral home. I looked upon the craggy Rast Mountains which insulated us from the brutal Haswik Sea, rising to melting, but still-snowy heights. When I was just a boy, I became the youngest of the Carrewen to climb to the top unassisted.

Upon my skilled horse, I crossed the soft rocks of Ardress Bridge, built by my grandfather so many years ago. Beneath the bridge, the tamed Neath River passed, full of the long boats of merchants and travelers. I had swum the entire length just a year after my mountain climb.

From the bridge, the whole of Rastref with its mountain edge lay behind me. Brave souls with woven houses clung to the bare rock like barnacles joined with strings of bridges and ladders. Vast farms with white dots of undulating sheep lay below them. Below that, I could look upon the alabaster walls of Rastenpek Castle, my home, and the vast buildings of Rastref, which were multi-colored jewels in their own right. Ahead lay just the guard tower and the ivory wall which held all sieges at bay.

The guards came out to watch me as I passed. Some begged me to stay.

"My lord, we need you!"

I gave them a last smile and promised I would return with glory.

The villagers of outer Rastref lined the roads to send me off. I smiled to them as village gave way to hilly grassland. I would still be in familiar territory for many miles of farms and protectorates around Rastref. I had trained on this ground with many fellow soldiers. Lower, worn grasses showed where the heavy infantry had marched time after time.

Soon, the plateau of my homeland gave way to the valleys of lush streams. The towns of Criklowe, Wrenrik, and Brynend stretched out on the tended edges of the valleys. All still friendly places where I could be guaranteed a chill drink and a warm meal simply by showing my face.

I enjoyed the libraries of Wrenrik's schools. Criklowe had the finest food of any place this side of the Haswik Sea. Brynend had entertainment like no other in the realm. But I passed all these places by. I was set on my goal. I could only celebrate on my return.    

While I lost sight of the tower at times, it always returned at the crest of the next hill. I stopped occasionally to tend to my horse. I slept at evening by the side of a tree. When morning came, I followed the light of the rising sun catching the edges of the tower on the horizon.

Onward and westward, I rode. I didn't strain forth. I was in no hurry. The tower had been there for centuries. It would surely remain for me.

Winding streams gave way to rushing ones flowing from the larger plateaus. I hugged them as long as I could and crossed those in my way. Dolgefon and its belching iron works were the last familiar territory in Western Nellrast.

Beyond, I only knew of the Sorcraw Desert but that was still a long ways off. Passing beyond Nellrast, I was in the unallied territories. Some were friendly. I hoped my sword would hold off the rest.

Unlike some who favored ornate, heavy armor, I'd dressed in a light, dull metal. I wasn't for elegance. I needed protection. My bow and arrows at the horse's hip would take care of meals when I needed to hunt. But that wouldn't be needed for several days with my supplies.

The vastness of the west lay before me as I continued day after day through the forest and around dense swamps. Banality of the journey was often my greatest enemy. I fended it off by tending to my resources and my animal diligently. And I always aimed my gaze to the horizon at sunset as the tower twinkled with the sun glowing behind it. I could tell it was bigger, though by the smallest of measures. A hopeful sign.

Wetlands soon dried and turned rocky. The slow rise of the advancing hills posed no challenge. I hunted small game in anticipation of sparser wilderness.

Eventually, we moved across bare rock devoid of all but hardy flowers and wispy weeds. The wind from the north blasted across the land, threatening to toss us into gorges at the narrow spans. Weaving across the slim bridges of rocks into even slimmer passes, I made my way to the Sorcraw Desert.

I'd only seen it before in the sketches of travelers and scouts. Its sand was faint green, a trick on those expecting grass and hope. The occasional tree provided a place to stop. The rest was harsh green sand blasted along by the unrelenting wind. I lay a blanket across my horse and pulled a robe close around my face. I looked only in the direction of the tower through narrowed eyes.

The journey was long with blistering days and shivering nights. My horse received the worst of it. I let him drink often. The occasional oasis kept us strong. I ate only enough to keep me on my feet. Beyond the desert were lands unknown.

It took four painful days to cross the desert and the other end was just another, higher mountain range which still could not eclipse the tower. A further day of exploring led to a pleasant pass between peaks.

As we walked through, I wondered what riches lay within the tower. I did not seek to take much, only items of proof. As I rested upon my horse, I wondered upon what dresses there would be. Surely fancy ones of the finest fabric.

As I sat there, it took a moment to realize what an odd notion it was for me to fixate on dresses, or all things. Perhaps I was thinking of a gift for a noble lady? I settled on that answer and concerned myself with it no more for the journey through the pass.

On the other side, lovely trees with pretty flowers were everywhere. I hustled my horse down the slope and stopped beside a fragrant tree. I reached up to pick several blossoms. I smelled them deeply and smiled. The smell was breathtaking.

Only after I had set the flowers aside did the strangeness of this action occur to me. I did, however, enjoy the flowers set around the castle and at parties when I was young. I cleared my throat and turned my gaze back to the tower. It filled more of the horizon than ever. I could make out details of windows in the silvery crystal.

I urged my horse onward through the expanse of blooms into low valleys which rose and fell and then vast, straight plains of grass which afforded me by best view of the tower. It was staggering. What I'd thought was the whole of it was merely a small segment near the pinnacle. It reached beyond all measure into the sky to scrape the very top.

As I journeyed, a strange air filled my breaths. The air was not unwelcome. It seemed to tickle at me, making random chuckles easier. A rub of my horse and I found myself laughing. I wrote off this reaction to the fresh air and giddiness at the proximity of my goal. I stopped at a stream to wash up. Cupping the water, I paused and examined my features.

My Carrewen nose wobbled in the flow of the water but what I saw of it was trimmed at both ends. It rose from my face with a sharper, and yet softer, point than I recalled. Even lingering by the stream for calm waters meant no change in my appearance.

I also noticed that, despite my long journey through the desert without a chance to shave, I required no razor for my face. My skin was quite smooth, in fact smoother than I could recall it ever being. My only explanation was that the sand blasting had polished it like stone. My nose took more explaining. I worried about any unforeseen consequences to my sword. Perhaps there was a curse upon which I did not know.

I lifted it from its place at my back and realized that it took more effort to hold it aloft now than when I first wielded it in training. I stopped for the rest of the day to train, so that my swing would hold back any aggressors I met at the final stage of my journey.

At night, I slept but with peculiar dreams. I imagined myself back home in Rastenpek but I was one of the princesses of the House. I couldn't tell which but the chambers were familiar to me. They were lavishly adorned the same way. I wore a gown which sparkled in the light and smelled just like the flowers I had found. Against my every notion, I delighted in the dream until waking.

And, even then, the ghosts of the experience left me with a pleasant sensation. As I bathed in the stream, I washed my dense hair, which settled on my neck at a length I'd never kept it before. I sang a little as I splashed myself. The song-like qualities of my tune were nothing like the deep baritone of old drinking songs I had sung. In fact, even the idea of a mug of ale turned my stomach.

Such feelings still felt peculiar but only by a little. A smoldering panic told me that this was cause for great alarm, however, the cool brush of the water doused that anxiety. When I left the water, I toweled slowly, marveling at how slender my waist had gotten on this journey. My arms and legs were also less substantial.

When I raised my burning sword that day, I could hold it as well as when I first found it. And I could swing it with even greater speed. This improvement quelled the other worries I had.

After a light breakfast and leaning back to enjoy the grass and breeze, I rode on. My gaze only met the tower from time to time. I took in the rest of the scenery. I gazed at distant hills to the north where rainbows of flowers bloomed everywhere. I imagined a bounty of such blossoms all around. I imagined their color upon fine gowns. I took a moment to lament the drabness of my current attire, wishing I'd at least used the seal of my House with a few flourishes of presentation.

I stopped more often to take in the scenery and adjust my long hair as the wind curled it over my eyes. I used an extra bit of string for the same purpose as a band to hold my hair at bay. I couldn't do much about the sensitivity at my chest, which pressed again a bit of breastplate. I had to adjust it much until it finally felt comfortable.

For a long time, I didn't even look at the tower, though I continued to hold to its direction. I was preoccupied with strange notions. I wondered why I didn't take up fine needlework. I'd seen princesses of the realm craft works beyond that of other craftsman with long days of careful stitching. I'd worn their creations and soiled them with blood and never given much thanks, while praising the bow and arrow and swords which had been bestowed upon me.

I wondered if I could bring those lovely flowers back to the princesses.

I stopped that evening for a long wash in a nearby stream. I lamented that I had not brought soaps and perfumes with me. Still, I did not smell all that bad for so long a journey. My silken hair dipped past my slim waist and teased my full, rising hips. I giggled in a softened tone at the hair, which completely enveloped me. I enjoyed the silken feel of my skin, which was without the blemish of rough hairs anymore. I didn't try to explain it with wind or curses. I just enjoyed it.

I also much enjoyed the new form to my chest, which pressed often against my breastplate. The sensations were intoxicating and yet familiar. I relaxed long and leisurely in the water till late in the evening.

The dreams that night were like the ones before but without even a glimmer of anxiety. I rose early and checked my horse. Its form looked subtly different. While I felt confused by this change, I brushed my long hair thoughtfully. I inspected the horse till I found the cause beneath. It was a mare.

This revelation somehow brought me relief. Once my hair was fairly brushed, I mounted my mare and rode onward. The tower was not far off. It looked vast and round with long, pure crystal columns which looked like something taken from deep in the ground.

Each motion forward not only made it loom even greater but it also seemed to vibrate. I urged my mare to quicken her step.

After a while, the familiar feel of my groin resting against the saddle had changed without my perception. It wasn't bad. It was rather nice actually. I quickened my girl to a gallop and smiled.

Around the area where the tower sat, vast and beautiful, were gardens of an incredible variety. Fruits and vegetables along with flowers and plants grew everywhere around it with a slim, worn path leading to an immense door on the side.

As I approached, I tied my horse to a nearby, but still secluded, tree. I drew my flaming sword and held it low. It didn't take long till I sighted a young woman in a dress picking fruit from a tree. I watched her a while but she was clearly unarmed. I felt the sudden urge to help her, so I set my sword into the ground and approached her.

She gasped a moment when he saw me but I soon assured her I had no quarrel with her. I looked up to her and said, "I am only here on a quest for the Crystal Tower."

Silence passed a moment before she smiled back and answered, "I sought the same…many years ago. In another life. You need not worry about dangers within the castle. There are no monsters, only sisters. Let me show you."

Leaving my sword behind to curl flames in its spot, I followed the young maiden to the tower. I gazed upon its beauty and looked up until I nearly tipped backwards. The young maiden chuckled and ushered me through the door, which was taller and wider than any I'd ever seen. And, yet, it swung open with just a gentle touch.

I'd dreamed of the inside of that tower so many times and what I saw exceeded even my grand notions. The walls were lovingly adorned with every finery imaginable. The halls were incredible. There were chairs and cushions and amenities not even afforded the King of Nellrast. And several young women were enjoying it all so very much.

As soon as I saw them, I wanted to join them. I wanted to be in service to them. They were kin to me and I would do anything for them.

The woman who had led me in placed a hand on my hair draped-shoulder and said, "And perhaps I should take you to someone who can better explain…all of this."

I smiled and waved to the girls. I felt sad to be leaving them, if only for the moment. The woman took me up some stairs and to an even-grander room. I stopped to marvel at a long, open closet with dresses of every color. My eyes lingered on a pink one. The sleeves were long and silken. I begged the woman to let me try it on. With a calm smile, she nodded.

It fit perfectly. I twirled at bit to marvel at how the silk felt against my soft legs. The woman led me to a jeweled mirror and I looked back at my reflection. I had known much of my body but the way my form looked in the dress was a delight. My breasts and hips presented a subtle but beautiful figure. My hair fell neatly behind me, though I yearned for time with a nice brush to make it even better. But my host led me on to the next room.

This room contained shelves of books in a winding semi-circle, which seemed to follow the long, bending wall of the tower. Seated at a nearby table and chair was another young woman. She possessed fiery-red hair and emerald eyes. Her gown looked lovely. She smiled at me as I approached and greeted me as "sister". The word didn't jar me, except for a sudden moment of delight.

She asked, "Do you remember your life before here?"

I recalled a journey. I remembered a harsh desert. And a castle. I didn't have a good impression of myself back then. I remembered a room full of pretty clothes and the notion of being a princess. But I also knew I was skilled with the sword. I told all this to my sisters.

My red-haired sister nodded as though she were expecting my words. After listening, she led me to another room on the floor above. Inside were grand tapestries which made my heart flutter. The greatest flowed out from the inward curve of wall from ceiling to floor. It depicted an ethereal woman with her hand outstretched and a glow of power flowing from it. Her silvery garments had a glow to them as well. Her lengthy hair looked a shade between the alabaster of my castle home and the silvery, crystalline presence of the tower. Her woven face wore a perpetual smile.

After a moment, my sister explained, "This is Rionna Ovalith. She was a sorceress in ages of old. Many of her books still remain in this tower. So far as we can tell, she created this tower by herself before she died."

I gazed on the splendor of Rionna's face like a new mother had been revealed to me. But my heart felt heavy that she had long passed before. I felt I would've done anything for her sake.

My sister continued, "The tower was made to craft an army. An army of women warriors decided in service to her. Women of strength and courage but still with qualities Rionna favored. Like a love of beauty and a joyful spirit."

I still looked on the silvery eyes of Rionna as I listened attentively to my sister. She added, "But her death came right before the completion of her goal. Unfinished in its purpose, the tower passed into myth. And those who entered its influence…were crafted much in the way Rionna intended…no matter the shape they took beforehand."

This was all very fascinating but I wasn't quite sure what it meant for me. I hoped it meant my sisters accepted me as one of their own. I asked softly, "Am I still a sister of yours…my sister?"

My sister gave a warm smile which kindled bright hope. "Please call me Nashara. You are welcome here as one of us. This place has luxuries which not even the greatest of palaces affords. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish…if that is your choice…"

I didn't need even a moment to choose. I desperately exclaimed, "Yes! I want to stay! I want to be with my sisters always. I love it here. Please please…let me stay…"

Nashara brought her hand out slightly and bowed. "I know that is what you say now but this place has a special influence. Because of that, I can't even be sure you began your trek as a woman."

I felt shocked. Such a notion! "But sister! I've always been a girl. I sense that even stronger now! I am a princess, surely. One skilled at the sword and bright of heart. Surely I am worthy to stay here."  

Smiling calmly, Nashara nodded. "I am sure you sense that. I am sure you believe all that. But this place has a strong influence. That is why I want to take you to a special room. It wasn't done before Rionna died but my sisters who came before me managed to complete it. You will step inside…know your heart…and make your decision."

My heart raced a little. I was certain of myself. I was a woman. The details were just out of reach but I kept telling myself it was true. With that certainty, I followed Nashara to the room.

It was up several flights of stairs. The door to it was plain and unassuming. Nashara opened it and beckoned me inside. She remained on the outside. I looked through the threshold and took a deep breath. Slowly, I stepped through.

After first, nothing was different. Then, slowly, like the snow breaking off the Rast Mountains in spring, it all fell away.

I remembered it all. I looked down at my form in frozen shock. I staggered a bit and turned back to look at Nashara. With warmth, she told me, "Many of us were once men. I was mercenary who ravaged many towns. I figured this would be my greatest plunder. When the sister who filled my role before me led me into this room, I tried to fight her. She bested me easily with her fighting skill. So I understand if you wish to strike out at me. I will try not to make it hurt too much."

The fire of my manly pride rose up and lunged at her in the face of reason. She bested me with just a few quick motions. It didn't hurt that much but it still hurt.

After I caught my breath, she answered a question dwelling in my mind. "There is no way to undo the change. It is for the rest of your mortal days."

Taking in the finality of her words, she left me with the door still open. I stayed there, my back against the wall.

All that I had been was gone. My royal face had been reshaped. I even breathed differently. The shape of my body felt foreign.

I took a bit of time in knowing it better, lingering upon my changed chest and testing what had become of my manly aspect. It wasn't entirely unpleasant. But it was a world where I felt like a child before a greater mountain or river than I had ever faced.

Still, the heart of that child burned like the one of my youth. It would be an incredible challenge for a man to make a truly unparalleled woman. A woman whose beauty and energy flowered forth along with the skill of her sword to take down any she faced.

It was not the challenge I expected but the best always came as surprises. And I felt eager to be the greatest princess warrior of any age.

When Nashara returned, she seemed surprised at my answer, though pleased.

Leaving the room washed away much of my memory but carrying a small piece of stone from the room kept its presence with me.

Nashara introduced me to the other girls. There were many. The automatic notion of sisterhood still teased at my thoughts. It was pleasant, but best earned.

And earn it, they did. We sparred. We told stories. I tended to my horse and the other mares who had made their way to this place. I showed my mighty sword, only to face down a frost sword of equal splendor in a match against a skilled sister. It gave me reason to hope but still many bruises.

Some sisters taught me how to tend to the gardens. The work was enjoyable. Others helped me with my nascent skills in elegance. I learned quickly in the new sensibilities of this society what partners sought of me. I took upon the new name of Reinara from the tongues of old to better suit my new fate.

Lavished attention thrilled me as much as a quick and skillful parry of a sword. As time passed, I explored higher in the tower till I came to a wind-teased area like a balcony flanked by crystalline columns.

Though I still had the temptation to trim my hair, especially when I kept the fragment of the special room close, I resisted a cut because several sisters favored its length. The air, calmed at this height by magic, tossed my bangs playfully against my forehead until I couldn't help but laugh, and even smile a little.

The clear view felt daunting at first. Even my childhood gaze from the peak of Rastana, highest of the Rast Mountains, paled before all I could see before me. The land beneath seemed to slightly bend, as though curled across a vast orb. I could see the unmarred fields and forests around the tower. Beyond that, Sorcraw Desert in all its desolation. Then the faint discolorations which were mighty towns of Nellrast. Beyond that, barely a smudge of white against the ripple of the Rast Mountains, was Rastref. I could imagine some young adventurer there looking out at the distance with determination in his heart.

I couldn't help but smile and wish them a safe journey to their new home.