text: [Themes: Historical]
  
  > Go downward
  You retrace your steps back down to the cellar.
  
  sits
  on. It is not a large space, but probably large enough for the
  storage
  needs of this small castle. In the nooks and crannies around here
  you
  glimpse bottles of wine, barrels of ale and other supplies.
  
  You can see a heavy wooden chest (in which is a round ball of multi-coloured glass) and John Napier of Merchiston here.
  
  > give bird to Napier
  Napier takes the bird gratefully. He places the lantern on the
  ground,
  and steps into the area outlined by oil spots. "Show the way, my familiar!" he cries, releasing the bird. It flies around
  uncertainly.
  There is a moment of silence, then Napier raises his arms, and
  starts
  chanting. You know not what he says, or even what language he is speaking. The lantern flickers, and the bird swoops down
  repeatedly,
  flying back up each time, before diving down again. "Come on,
  bird!"
  he cries. But the bird just keeps swooping down through the air,
  then
  rising again. "Ach, it's not here!" says Napier, lowering his arms, dejectedly. "But it must be below this level somehow." He reaches
  out
  an arm to the bird, which settles on him, and caws quietly. Napier rubs his face, puzzled, then exclaims loudly "We need to speak to Logan!"
  
  again,
  with you beside him. "Well, have you found it!" demands Logan. "No,
  my
  lord, but I believe it is below the level of the cellar. What is
  down
  there?" asks Napier. "Just the sea, man. Though, now I think about
  it,
  there is a cave below. It can only be reached by sea - the tides
  and
  rocks are treacherous," says Logan. "But Ralph could take you there
  by
  boat." Logan bellows for his servant, who appears suddenly. "Napier needs you to take him by boat to the cave beneath the castle. Do
  it,
  man!"
  
  edge to a narrow inlet, where a rowing boat is moored. You climb in carefully, dragging aboard the chest that Napier insisted you
  bring.
  He sits at the front of the boat, wrapped in his cloak, the wind blowing his hair and beard wildly. Most bizarre of all is the black bird sitting calmly on Napier's leg, looking keenly ahead, as if
  it,
  too, knows where you are going. Ralph pushes the boat into the sea, jumps in, and starts rowing with a confident stroke, belying his
  age.
  
  You are in the boat, bobbing alarmingly on the water, which is all around you.
  
  You can see Ralph and John Napier of Merchiston here.
  
  A wave of nausea rolls over you. Please let this boat journey end soon.
  
  > look at the boat
  The boat is worryingly small, or at least not large enough for you
  to
  feel secure. It bobs unnervingly in the water, which splashes
  against
  the timber. You remember how much you hate being on water.
  
  > look at Ralph
  Ralph is an old castle servant, probably in his fifties or so, and rather bent over with age. You wonder what secrets he has witnessed over the years.
  
  You hear the sound of gulls all around.
  
  > examine napier
  Your master is tall and imposing, with a fiercely intelligent gaze. Now in his forties, his brown hair and long beard are speckled with grey. He wears his usual outfit: a long, black robe. Often he
  reminds
  you more of a rook than a man.
  
  The boat edges slowly around the castle promontory. You suddenly
  see a
  dark opening in the rock. "Aye, that's where we're headed," says Ralph, as he steers the boat towards the cave.
  
  "Come on," says Napier, climbing nimbly out of the boat. The bird rises into the air and flaps after him. Ralph helps you lift the
  chest
  onto the rocks. Internally cursing, you pick it up, and follow
  Napier
  into the cave.
  
  You stand at the entrance to a seemingly large, dark cave cut into
  the
  rocks under the castle. Behind you, the sea water laps against the water-rounded rocks around you. Ahead, to the north, you can see little, and the place fills you with unease.
  
  You can see a heavy wooden chest (closed), Ralph and John Napier of Merchiston here.
  
  Napier stands leaning on a staff, a tall figure buffeted by the
  winds
  whirling around. He lights a lantern and passes it to you. "Go on then, see what you can find in there." You shiver.
  
  > ask Ralph about the cave
  "It's an eerie place indeed," says Ralph. "I'd rather stay out of there."
  
  > Go north
  You stand just inside the entrance to the cave. Behind you is the
  sea,
  with the sound of water lapping against the rocks. Above you the arched cave entrance rises up. You can continue into the cave to
  the
  north and west from here.
  
  > look at the entrance
  The entrance is a ragged arch shape, rising above you. It reminds
  you
  of an animal's mouth. Maybe best not dwell on that thought.
  
  > Go north
  This is the heart of the cave, and here its roof rises to the
  highest
  point. You can just barely feel the breeze from the air outside.
  The
  overall impression is a strange combination of space and an uneasy sense of claustrophobia, how you always feel going underground.
  From
  here you can go east and south, but a mound of rubble blocks
  further
  access to the north.
  
  > look at the rubble
  The mound of rubble blocks your way further in to the north. You
  might
  be able to clear a way through though.
  
  > move it
  You start moving rocks aside. It is hard work, and takes time, but eventually it pays off. You can now go north, further in to the
  cave.
  
  > go to the north
  Here the cave ends, at its deepest and darkest point, at a stone
  wall
  reaching upwards. Again you are uncomfortably aware of the mass of rock above you. Of course it should not suddenly fall onto you, but you can't help thinking uneasily of the possibility. From here the only obvious exit is back to the south, though your eyes are drawn
  to
  the stone wall leading upwards.
  
  > examine the wall
  Running your hands over the rocky wall you can almost make out handholds. It might be possible to climb up here.
  
  > climb the wall
  You try to climb up, but your foot slips and you fall back quickly. Maybe give it another go?
  
  > climb the wall
  Feeling a little more confident this time, you tackle the climb afresh. It's not easy, but you make it!
  
  This cramped space is above the back of the cave. There is little
  room
  to move here, and the only way out is back down where you came
  from.
  You notice a small shelf jutting out from the wall.
  
  > look at the shelf
  You reach in tentatively. There is something here! But you can't
  quite
  reach far enough to pull it out.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a lantern (providing light)
  a corded rope lure
  a napkin
  a handwritten note
  some trousers (being worn)
  a plain shirt (being worn)
  
  > Wave lure
  You wave the lure around, rather ineffectually.
  
  > jump
  You jump on the spot. That was fun!
  
  > climb the shelf
  Little is to be achieved by that.
  
  > go to the south
  This is the heart of the cave, and here its roof rises to the
  highest
  point. You can just barely feel the breeze from the air outside.
  The
  overall impression is a strange combination of space and an uneasy sense of claustrophobia, how you always feel going underground.
  From
  here you can go north, east and south.
  
  > Go east
  This part of the cave is a cramped area at the eastern edge. It is
  a
  tight space, with a pile of rocks that have fallen down lying next
  to
  the wall. From here you can only go back to the west.
  
  > examine the rocks
  The pile of rocks have fallen here, and lie against the wall.
  
  > move the rocks
  It is fixed in place.
  
  > Go west
  This part of the cave ends abruptly at a craggy wall of rock,
  rising
  above you. The only exit from here lies to the east, back towards
  the
  cave entrance.
  
  > examine the wall
  The rocky wall reaches up here, at the western edge of the cave.
  
  > climb it
  The wall is a sheer surface, with no signs of handholds. You can't
  go
  up there.
  
  > go upward
  This cramped space is above the back of the cave. There is little
  room
  to move here, and the only way out is back down where you came
  from.
  You notice a small shelf jutting out from the wall.
  
  > go to the south
  You stand at the entrance to a seemingly large, dark cave cut into
  the
  rocks under the castle. Behind you, the sea water laps against the water-rounded rocks around you. Ahead, to the north, you can see little, and the place fills you with unease.
  
  You can see a heavy wooden chest (closed), Ralph and John Napier of Merchiston here.
  
  > tell napier about the shelf
  "This might be useful?" he asks, looking puzzled. "Take it then."
  He
  hands the staff to you.
  
  > examine the shelf
  You reach in tentatively. There is something here! It is just out
  of
  reach, but using the staff you can just poke in further to pull it out. It is a silver box. You pick it up carefully, feeling a
  strange
  tingle as you do.
  
  > look at the box
  Obviously of some age, the silver box is just under a foot long,
  with
  rusting metal edges.
  
  > open it
  You try to open it, but nothing you try works. It stays resolutely shut.
  
  > give the box to Napier
  "You found it!" exclaims Napier, his hands reaching out eagerly for the box. He cradles it, lovingly. "We must get back to shore.
  Come!"
  and he strides over towards the boat.
  
  Ralph rows you back to shore. As you approach the beach you see two figures waiting there. It is Logan and Bothwell! You feel a chill inside, and looking over to Napier he looks alarmed too.
  
  "Well, did you find it?" thunders Logan. Napier nods, trembling.
  "Well
  come on man, let's go indoors and see what you have."
  
  Soon after you are all gathered again in the castle's dining room. "Hand it over then," says Logan, reaching out his hand fiercely. Napier pulls the box shakily from his pocket. "Here, my lord," he says, as he hands it over.
  
  "Is that it?" asks Logan, wonderingly. Bothwell also reaches
  forward
  to have a look. "That's quite something, Robert," he says to his cousin. "What's inside, I wonder?" Logan picks it up, and scrabbles
  at
  the box, trying to open it, without success.
  
  "Let me, my lord," says Napier. Logan nods, and your master
  stretches
  his hand over the box, closes his eyes, and mutters an incantation. There is a pause, then a click, and the box opens. Napier's eyes
  shoot
  open again as he pulls his hand back. You all peer towards the box,
  to
  see what is inside.
  
  Underneath old crinkly paper is a hint of gold! Logan reaches in eagerly. "Bullion maybe, or coins?" he says, then goes quiet as he fumbles among the cracking paper. Then his hand emerges, holding an ornate gold cross. About six inches long, it is exquisitely
  crafted,
  with rich decoration, and even jewels embedded in the gold. It must
  be
  centuries old, you think, and the most beautiful thing you have
  ever
  seen. "A Christian cross!" says Logan, laughing loudly. "And to
  think
  what the local minister says of me." He rubs his chin, thinking.
  "Ah,
  but it's a bonnie item. Maybe I'll no sell it or melt it down after all."
  
  "And my fee?" says Napier, shakily. "Aye man, I'd no forgot," barks Logan. He reaches over to one side, and brings out a small bag. "Here's the money I promised. I keep my word! Now begone, and
  remember
  say nothing of Bothwell here, if you value your lives."
  
  With the treasure found, your master and you are free to leave.
  Though
  you enjoyed the treasure hunt, and found what you were seeking, you are glad to put Fast Castle and its owner far behind you. Even if
  part
  of you thinks yet of that cross ...