text: > Go downwards
  This simple unfurnished space leads from the tower Napier
  appropriated
  for his own use through the servant rooms to the more comfortable sections intended for the family. Steps lead back up to Napier's rooms, and an arched doorway leads east to the rest of the castle.
  
  You can see a maid and a large black bird here.
  
  > Wave lure
  You wave the lure towards the bird, and attract its attention. It flies over to you, and seems willing to go with you, perhaps
  realising
  that its master needs it to do this. You shudder as it approaches, reminded how much you despise it. Undoubtedly the truest physical representation of your master's dark arts, this jet black bird
  strikes
  terror into all others who see it. Servants and neighbours mutter darkly of it, and even the local parish minister has preached
  against
  it none too subtly in the kirk pulpit. Yet your master seems to
  find
  it helpful, even if all others loathe it. You now carry the bird.
  
  Just as you locate the last item on the list, Napier appears, a
  flurry
  of black cloak and long beard. "Ah you found everything we need.
  Good!
  We must leave soon for Fast Castle, though whether we will find the treasure Logan seeks I am not so sure. I certainly hope so. The
  reward
  would be great."
  
  Some days later, you arrive at Fast Castle. Soon after entering the castle your master is admitted to the presence of Robert Logan. You accompany him.
  
  This modestly-sized room is somewhat claustrophobic, an effect only slightly relieved by the candles burning rather erratically on the table in the middle of the room. Chairs for diners surround the
  table,
  and you see plates of food.
  
  You can see John Napier of Merchiston, Sir Robert Logan of
  Restalrig
  and Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell here.
  
  "Sit down man!" says Logan brusquely. Clearly addressing Napier.
  Logan
  pays you no attention. You might as well be invisible.
  
  > 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.
  
  Your master sits down. You stay standing, just behind him. "My
  lords,
  greetings," says Napier, nodding to both men in turn.
  
  > look at Logan
  Tall and red-haired, the laird of Restalrig and also, of course, of Fast Castle is smartly dressed, in trousers, shirt, jacket and even
  a
  ruff. At times you catch a brief glimpse of a sheathed blade, and remember how dangerous people say this man can be, however elegant
  his
  attire here may be.
  
  There is an explosion of laughter from the man you recognise as the Earl of Bothwell. "Dinnae stand on ceremony man, even if it is good that you know your betters. Who's this with you, Napier?" asks the Earl, looking keenly at you.
  
  > examine stewart
  Smaller than his cousin Logan, Francis, Earl of Bothwell is of
  medium
  size, with dark hair, and slight build. You look at him
  uncertainly,
  wondering if he has inherited any of the character of his notorious uncle, Queen Mary's ill-fated last husband. But then you remember
  that
  he was recently outlawed by King James, so it is somewhat
  surprising
  to find him here.
  
  "My apprentice, your lordship," says your master. "Bow to the
  lords!"
  he whispers sideways to you.
  
  > Bow
  Logan of Restalrig smiles grimly as you bow before him. You think
  he
  approves.
  
  Bothwell laughs again, but Logan looks fierce. "You are lucky to
  meet
  my cousin Bothwell here," says Logan, nodding towards the Earl.
  "But
  tell no-one else he is here, or else!" and he makes a slicing
  motion
  across his throat. You quake with fear, and shake your head vigorously. You will tell no-one.
  
  > look at table
  Made from a dark wood, the long table provides eating space for up
  to
  eight diners.
  
  There is a sudden sound of something falling over. Glancing to the table, you see that Napier has knocked over his glass of wine. Fortunately it was only part full, but a pool of red starts to
  spread
  across the table. "Clean it up then!" barks Logan at you, while
  your
  master trembles in terror.
  
  > Clean table
  You don't have anything to hand to clean up the spill with. Perhaps there is something useful on the table?
  
  > look at the table
  Made from a dark wood, the long table provides eating space for up
  to
  eight diners. You notice a napkin lying on the table.
  
  > get napkin
  Taken.
  
  > Clean table
  Using the napkin you mop up the wine spill as best you can. Logan glowers throughout, while Bothwell laughs and Napier trembles with fear. Finally, you right the wine glass again, and step back.
  "Anyway
  to business!" says Logan fiercely, leaning to refill Napier's glass with wine, while at the same time staring sternly at Napier. "Treasure! Yes you are here to find my missing fortune, supposedly hidden somewhere in the castle a century ago."
  
  > examine the food
  The food served is a mix of meats, including game, and vegetables.
  
  "Is the story reliable, my lord?" asks your master tentatively. "Of course I am happy to look ..."
  "There's the challenge Robert!" says Bothwell, laughing again. "Oh you're right man," he continues, looking at Napier. "It's a legend,
  no
  more, but surely worth looking for. Possibly French gold, aye
  Robert?"
  Logan nods. "Or English silver," says Logan, "supposedly somewhere
  in
  the castle depths." He strokes his chin thoughtfully.
  
  > examine the chairs
  A number of chairs sit around the table.
  
  "Well yes, I can look," says Napier carefully. "And hopefully I
  will
  find the treasure." Then a pause. "But if I don't find it, I must
  have
  your guarantee that I can leave safely, and unharmed." He looks shakily towards Logan. Bothwell watches, keen to see what his temperamental cousin will say.
  
  > look at the candles
  The candles around the edge of the room flicker, as they provide much-needed illumination.
  
  "Och man, have no fear," says Logan. "We agreed in that contract
  you
  drew up. And I give you my word." But his expression is cold, especially his eyes. You feel scared, and worried.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  There is an awkward silence, that lasts for an uncomfortable length
  of
  time. Then Bothwell claps his hands together. "Go on then man! And
  may
  God be with you in your hunt." Napier rises, stepping backwards
  from
  the table. "My lords ..." he says, bowing again, before leaving the room. You follow closely behind.
  
  After a night of poor sleep, you accompany your master to start to search for the hidden treasure. An ancient but surprisingly
  sprightly
  servant, Ralph, leads you both down to the cellar, while you drag
  your
  master's chest behind you. The further down you go, the darker
  things
  get, and you soon need the light from the lantern Ralph is carrying
  to
  see properly.
  
  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 (closed), Ralph and John Napier of Merchiston here.
  
  > examine 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.
  
  > look at 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.
  
  > look at the chest
  About three foot wide by two foot deep and another two foot tall,
  this
  wooden chest is relatively compact and eminently suitable for travelling purposes.
  
  "Get my alchemical kit out!" says your master, suddenly. Ralph
  looks
  alarmed for a moment, while Napier glares fiercely around.
  
  > Open chest
  You open the heavy wooden chest, revealing a round ball of multi-coloured glass and an ornate wooden box.
  
  > give the box to Napier
  (first taking the ornate wooden box)
  Napier grunts some words of gratitude, and takes the box. He lays
  it
  carefully down, and throws it open, revealing the mass of
  mysterious
  chemicals and containers inside. He takes out a number of small
  glass
  jars. "Och, but we need oil!" He turns to Ralph. "Do you have any
  in
  the castle, man?" Ralph nods, mutely, seemingly uneasy at what
  Napier
  is doing. "Go with him to fetch some," says Napier to you urgently. "Here, take this." He hands you a glass jar to carry the oil. Ralph turns, then remembers to hand the lantern to Napier. Ralph steps
  back,
  into the semi-shadow, and beckons to you to follow him back up into the castle.
  
  > follow Ralph
  You follow Ralph back up a gloomy winding staircase of rough-cut stones. You watch carefully as he steps ahead, and are confident
  that
  you can remember the route back. The walls beside you here are wet
  and
  glistening, reminding you of the castle's dangerous location above
  the
  wild North Sea. Shortly the light increases, and you emerge into
  the
  kitchen area. "Just wait here a moment, and I will fill this jar up with oil," says Ralph, taking the jar, and scurrying off through a doorway to the east.
  
  A gloomy stone-lined chamber, this is where the castle's food is prepared. A fire and hearth are in one wall, with a chimney
  reaching
  up. A table is pushed against the opposite wall, and pots, pans and cooking utensils hang around. Exits lead to the west and east, and
  you
  can smell fresh air from both directions. Steps lead back down to
  the
  castle cellar.
  
  > examine table
  The kitchen table is empty, ready for cooking later.
  
  > look at the utensils
  The utensils look to be comprehensive, though you are too
  unfamiliar
  with cooking to be able to identify them all.
  
  > examine the chimney
  A fire burns brightly in the hearth in the kitchen, providing both heat and a way of cooking the food for the castle. A chimney
  stretches
  upwards.
  
  "Ah there you are!" says Ralph, returning. "Here you are," he says, handing you the jar, now full of oil. "You should get back to your master with that." Or alternatively perhaps you could take the
  chance
  to explore the castle a bit more first? Ralph scurries off,
  muttering
  something about not being witness to ungodly things.