The Curator And The Crane House

It was imperative that the group was on the same page, so at Ultra’s request, Lucius recounted the events that had occurred to him, Lain, and Surazal, for all to fully hear. Umbra fought the returning urge to run away, and Caesar’s reaction included the same hollow shock that the others had felt when they first received the news.

“Horrible, absolutely horrible,” Caesar said when the retelling was completed. “Ultra, the man who did this, it had to be Iscarius right?”

“From the description Lucius gave us, yes, it definitely sounds like him,” Ultra replied.

“But why, that’s what I don’t understand. To strike out of nowhere like that. We know about his connection to the Amber King but…we’re missing something.”

“I’m sure we are. You more than anyone are familiar with how Iscarius works, having been his apprentice for a while. But please, don’t think I brought you here as a suspect, I’m aware that you cut all ties with him after your fallout. No, you are here because you have experience, and we will need your experience, especially for what I have planned next.”

“This is part of your idea, from back at the club before the Hourmen arrived, right?” Lucius asked, remembering their previous conversation.

“That’s right. I’ve discussed this over with Umbra as well, and as much as I despise having to involve any of you, I believe it is our only hope. Right now, time is not on our side. But very soon, it very well can be.”

“Caesar, I’m sure you remember the Crane House,” Umbra added in.

“Sure I do, I’ve got a safe full of some of their most valuable items,” Caesar replied with a grin. “But I don’t get what that has to do with all of us being here. If you both need something acquired, just say the word and it’s done.”

“Your offer is appreciated, but this time, it’s more complicated than that. I’ve been made aware that the Crane House have just announced the items highlighting their upcoming event, and among them all, one stood out to me. The Gnomon, the Dial of the First Sun. But to obtain it will require all of our combined efforts,” Ultra said.

“Hold on a second? The Crane House? The Gnomon? What are we even talking about here?” Lucius asked, even more confused by their explanation attempts.

Ultra held out a hand to halt his sister from blurting out a response, knowing that it would only add to his confusion.

“Lucius, there are many details that we must still go over before this plan can be put in motion. But for now, I will explain all I can.”

He paced back and forth on the cold rooftop, his hands intertwined behind his back.

“The Crane House is an underground auction organized by a figurehead known only as the Curator, the Keeper of Lots. This event is kept away from the prying eyes of the Amber King, and regularly frequented by the elites of the city. The guest list is extremely exclusive, never allowing outsiders except for those who have completed the trials, or have been personally invited by the Curator himself. I myself have only been a patron once, but after what I witnessed there, I vowed to never return. To never fund the vicious doings that those vultures partake in for sport.”

“What do they do, exactly?” Lucius asked, intrigued but fearful for the answer.

“They are all monsters, and would gladly tear you to shreds for a drop of your blood. They feast upon the scraps thrown to them like starving wolves. The wealth they have obtained does nothing for their hunger anymore, no, they require things far more sinister. Things that can only be granted by the items up for purchase.

“The objects acquired by the Curator are the most coveted, most powerful items in the world, but they have all been stained by the dark essence that resides inside them. The Curator has connections that gather these items from areas across the world, selling them to his mob of followers for his own malicious gain. To purchase an item from the Crane House is to fill their pockets with the residue of your own soul, and to contribute to the blackness that continues to feed on this city.”

“But…does this plan not include us purchasing an item? That Gnomon thing you mentioned? Which you still haven’t explained what we would even need it for…”

“Yes, I was getting to it. The Gnomon is a relic from history, from the early days of this city. As legend has it, it was a part of the sundial used by the first people who resided here long before us, long before Pareidolia had come to exist. It has been said that the Gnomon holds the power to cut into the very fabric of time.”

Ultra’s pacing stopped, and his teal eyes focused in on Lucius’s own.

“You can see why this would be an absolutely crucial tool for us, to bring back Lain and Surazal. It would allow us to meet them right at the moments before their deaths and prevent Iscarius from completing his objective.”

“I guess that makes sense…” Lucius replied, unconvinced.

“As for obtaining it, we may be able to acquire the Gnomon without needing to purchase it, as there are…other options. If done correctly, all of this could be conducted away from the Amber King’s watch, and right under the nose of the Curator. Once completed, with Lain and Surazal back by our side, we can move on with the revolution to take back our city.”

The explanation painted somewhat of a picture for Lucius to grasp, but the more he learned the more questions he had. This plan seemed monumentally large, a seemingly impossible task for them to accomplish.

But, he remembered, he had agreed to at least try.

“Okay but wait, if this place is so exclusive, how do you expect us all to get in?”

Umbra smiled, her excitement in the midst of all the feelings of sorrow made her unable to stay silent for a second longer.

“You, Lucius, you’re our ticket in!”