Metamor Keep -- First and Last
By Christian O'kane & Wolf

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Baron Kalerton,

This is my final letter to you.. Your last four offers have been refused and so is this one. You can keep doubling the offer till the end of time and my answer will remain the same: NO!!!

Under no circumstance will I sell the automaton. Though I might be willing to consider a commission to produce something similar.

Sincerely, Misha Brightleaf

Misha folded the letter and stuffed it into an envelope. He addressed it in a rather sloppy handwriting and placed it on the pile of other outgoing letters.

Caroline came up behind the fox and wrapped her arms around him. "How goes things?" she asked and kissed him.

"Not too bad, I've only got forty more to answer," the fox replied sarcastically and waved his hands over the pile of letters.

"Are they all about Madog?"

Misha nodded, "Oh yes. It seems everyone heard that I own a working automaton and want to buy it."

Caroline chuckled. "I guess showing him off at the festival wasn't such a good idea."

"I'm not too sure. At least five people are willing to pay me to build an automaton that isn't intelligent." He held up a letter. "This woman wants me to construct a full size automaton horse. She's willing to pay over one hundred thousand gold pieces for it!" Misha exclaimed.

"Wow! Are you going to take her up on it?" Caroline asked.

Misha just sighed and shook his head. "I wish I could but there's a big difference between repairing an automaton and building one from scratch. The magic and skills needed are beyond me. Wessex and I have been trying to figure out the spells used with no success. It's a type of magic no one has ever seen before. It could take decades to figure the formulas out."

"That's a shame. You seem so good at it. Maybe your sister can help you?"

He shrugged. "I hope so. I've already talked to her about it. The Mages Guild was very excited about it, but they had no real knowledge either. At least none that they would admit to. Right now trying to figure out the magic bound up in Madog is like trying to write without pen and paper."

"You remember the story of the writer some king locked up in a cell without pen and paper. He wrote on the walls using a chicken bone as a pen and his own blood for ink."

He licked the otter on the muzzle. "Thanks for the encouragement. At least I think it was encouragement," he said with a chuckle as he picked up the next letter. The front of the envelope read "Sir Misha Brightleaf, Metamor Keep," in a sharp, precise handwriting. Opening it he found that the letter inside was written in the same script.

Greetings and Salutations Good sir,

I hope this missive finds you in good health. I, Lord Holivar, Grandmaster of the order of the Red Sash give you my warmest greetings. Recently it has come to my notice that you are in possession of a fine mechanical creation Commonly called an automaton. As an automicant I am highly interested in it. I would like to delve further into its workings and history.

Owning and maintaining such a complex mechanism is a difficult and expensive undertaking. Therefor I propose an exchange. I will supply you with the parts and knowledge to maintain the automaton in exchange for some detailed information on the creature.

Yours in graciousness, Lord Holivar

"Short and to the point," Misha said out loud. "And he's the first one who didn't try to buy Madog."

Caroline chuckled. "That's a plus."

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Dear Lord Holivar,

My thanks for your great interest. It is true that I am in possession of a small automaton. My thanks for your offer of assistance in maintaining him but it is unnecessary. It has proven to be very robust and what little needs to be done I am capable of doing myself. I am very interested in finding out more about his history. The automaton is called Madog and is shaped to resemble a large fox.

Enclosed is a drawing of Madog. I hope it is of service to you. As for his history, that's hard to detail. What little I know is that he was owned by a minor nobleman and wizard some two hundred years ago. I believe he was being transported to Metamor Keep when the cart he was in was buried in a landslide.

He was found several years ago and was given to me to restore. The mechanical aspects were easy to repair, but the magic involved is beyond me at the moment. I do suspect that Madog is a lot older than two hundred years.

My thanks for your interest in Madog.

Sincerely,

Misha Brightleaf

Order of the Bow and Axe

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Dear Baron Marksburg,

I sincerely thank you for your generous offer to purchase my automaton but I must refuse. He is not for sale at any price. Besides what would I do with half your kingdom anyway. Your clock should be in your hands by years end. My thanks for your patience.

Sincerely,

Misha Brightleaf

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Misha lay down on his bed. It took several minutes of shifting around to get comfortable. Finally in just the right position, he closed his eyes and concentrated on the image of his sister Elizabeth. He had used this spell many times but he still felt uneasy about using it. Still it was faster and easier than writing letters. Slowly the image started to form in his mind. First her face came into view her bright blue eyes and long brown hair were a beautiful sight. Slowly her whole body came into view, then the small study she was sitting in became clear.

"Hello Misha," she said.

"Hi Liz," he replied. "How are you and the family doing?"

She smiled. "Doing great. The girls are excited about finally graduating. We had beautiful birthday party for George yesterday. He really loved the clock you sent him. Everyone was jealous, they've never seen something so small and yet it keeps such accurate time."

"I knew he'd love it," Misha said with a chuckle. "I got the idea for the mechanism from studying Madog. I could spend decades studying him and still not learn everything."

His sister grew quiet and shuffled nervously for a moment. She straightened up and spoke in a formal tone. "I've been ordered by the Guild to make a formal inquiry about Madog."

"How much are they offering for him?" Misha answered coldly.

"The initial offer is twenty five thousand garretts and your choice of any one of twelve magical weapons. The weapons are.."

"NO!" Misha said, interrupting his sister. "Madog is not for sale."

"I've been told to barter as high as seventy five thousand garretts and two weapons," she replied unenthusiastically.

Misha thought for a moment before answering. "Tell the Guild I've considered their offer and the answer remains no."

Elizabeth smiled. "I knew you'd say that. I'm sorry but I had no choice, the guild master ordered me."

"I know. I was expecting it anyway. Everyone else has offered to buy him, so why shouldn't the Guild?" He shook his head in disgust. "None of them understand. No amount of money or magic could make me sell him."

"Madog is your friend isn't he?"

"Yes he is. Also, he's a person, not some toy to be sold for profit."

"The guild won't stop trying to get him. Madog is a very valuable relic and the council thinks it's safer in their care," she explained.

"I think he's safer here at Metamor with me."

"Have you talked to Madog about at least visiting the guild? It's only a two weeks ride from Metamor, and they would guarantee his safe return," the woman asked.

"Wessex and Magus both suggested it, but Madog turned them down flat. His exact words were, 'Me stay and guard'. Nothing we said could change his mind. I'm sorry, but Madog doesn't want to go and I'm not going to force him. He stays here at Metamor Keep."

"I'll give them that message," Elizabeth replied, "Would you consider letting the guild come to the Keep and examining him there?"

"If it was done under certain conditions," the fox answered.

Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head. "I'll pass that along and get back to you."

"Fine, there's no hurry. After all Madog has been around for centuries, a few days more won't matter."

"Good night Misha," she said.

"Good night Liz," he replied as the image of his sister faded away.

Misha opened his eyes and found Caroline seated on the end of the bed. "What did your sister have to say, anything good?"

He shrugged. "The guild wants to buy Madog."

The otter shook her head. "Doesn't everyone? Come on, you can buy me dinner."

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Misha,

My thanks for your fine drawing. Exactly what state was your automaton in when it was found? I am delighted that you are able to maintain it by yourself. What type of magical training have you had? Being able to work on such a mechanism successfully is a great accomplishment that you should be proud of.

Relics like your Madog usually have a fragmentary history. Often appearing and disappearing seemingly at random. I agree that your automaton is older than two hundred years. Madog was the name of a Suielman emperor and it leads me to believe that he might be an empire artifact. Has your automaton shown any signs of intelligence or being able to exceed his normal programming?

Enclosed you will find a partial history of Madog. Just some pieces I was able to assemble, that is nowhere near complete. I hope this helps you.

Lord Holivar

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Lord Holivar,

My great thanks for the history it is amazing to think that my Madog is so old! He doesn't look a day over three hundred! Ha! Ha!

I still have little real information about what Madog's programming exactly is. He has shown himself to possess a distinct personality; Friendly quiet, curious and at times stubborn.

Our mages here at Metamor Keep have had no luck understanding the magic used to create and control Madog. It's a type of magic unknown to any of them. Your assistance in understanding and controlling this magic would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Misha Brightleaf

The person known to Misha as Lord Holivar read the latest letter from Metamor Keep with interest. The fox was obviously leaving large amounts of information out. It was clear that they were only just beginning to realize exactly how dangerous Madog really was. It was also clear that they couldn't control it.

"That ignorance will work to my advantage. The fact that he refused my offer of repair means that Misha is confident that he can do the work himself." He pondered that for a moment. Could he have the makings of an automicant?"

He dropped the letter on his desk and pondered that question. "Perhaps a small test is in order."

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Greetings and Salutations Misha,

I'm able to offer you only limited assistance with the magic involved. This type of magic has been lost for centuries and I have been able to reconstruct only limited portions of it. I am including a small spell that should allow you to repair damage done to Madog's gearing more easily. I hope you find it useful.

Sincerely,

Lord Holivar

Misha put the letter down and picked up the piece of vellum, on which was written the formula for a spell. He carefully rolled up the sheet and went looking for Wessex.

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Dear Misha,

I will be arriving at Metamor on August 12 and I request that you make arraignments for my accommodations.

Lord Holivar

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Lord Holivar,

I await your arrival here with delight! I am looking forward to our meeting with eagerness.

I have arraigned two rooms for you at the finest inn we have here; The Jolly Collie. I think you'll find the service there to be of the highest quality. I am enclosing a letter of introduction for the Captain of the outer gate. It's presentation will bring me running.

I look forward to your visit,

Misha Brightleaf

The person known as Lord Holivar nodded, and for the first time in many years was happy. His long quest was finally nearing its end.

Forward to Part 2

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