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 oil to Napier
  (the jar of oil to John Napier of Merchiston)
  You hand the jar of oil to Napier, who nods brief thanks, before proceeding to dab spots of oil around the cellar. You watch, in silence, familiar with his methods. He pulls the grimoire out from
  his
  robes, and flicks through its pages quickly. "Ah, but I need my
  bird
  for this. Go and fetch it. Here, you'll need this," he says,
  reaching
  into a pocket and pulling out the rope lure, which he hands to you. "Go! Get it from our room."
  
  > ascend
  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.
  
  the table. From the mess of flour all over her arms and down her front, you guess that she must be the castle cook.
  
  > ask the cook about the room
  The cook looks puzzled. Maybe ask about something else?
  
  The cook shakes out some flour, and starts to pound some dough.
  
  > ask the cook about napier
  "Your master? I know nothing about him," says the cook, shaking her head.
  
  The cook glances up at the kitchen tools, either deep in thought,
  or
  more likely trying to decide what tool she needs next.
  
  > Go east
  Here you find yourself in the open air again, in part of the castle grounds partially enclosed by other buildings. To the west is the kitchen, a small building, but essential to the castle's well
  being.
  The main part of the castle rises up to the north, by far the best built part of the castle complex. Other than that, the only way you can go from here is to the east, where you see the edge of the
  castle
  platform.
  
  > examine the platform
  The castle is built on a flat platform of land, high on this rocky promontory reaching out into the North Sea.
  
  > Go north
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  > go east
  This is the sleeping area for guests to the castle. Your master and you slept here last night, him in the bed, you trying to get comfortable on the floor. The only exit is back out to the west.
  
  You can see a large black bird here.
  
  > Wave lure
  Using the lure, you reluctantly tempt the bird over to you. It
  comes
  over, and seems willing to come with you. You now carry the bird.
  
  > go west
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  As you step back out into the hallway there is a sudden, sharp
  hissing
  noise. Looking down, you see a fierce ginger cat, its fur on end, standing blocking the exit to the courtyard. It glares at the bird
  you
  are carrying. The bird, by contrast, appears to have no interest in the cat, and sits calmly, preening itself.
  
  > look at the cat
  The cat is a fierce-looking animal. Must be some age too, and
  clearly
  it's been in some scraps over the years.
  
  The cat growls, a low, disturbing sound.
  
  > Go south
  The cat rises up fiercely, hissing and spitting. It won't let you past.
  
  The cat glares fiercely at the bird.
  
  > Go west
  The cat hisses, but lets you go in that direction.
  
  You remember this place from your meeting with Logan and Bothwell earlier. Now it is deserted, and has a very different feel, with
  the
  table and chairs unoccupied. The only exit is to the east.
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying:
  a large black bird
  a corded rope lure
  a napkin
  a handwritten note
  some trousers (being worn)
  a plain shirt (being worn)
  
  > examine the napkin
  The napkin is soaked with red wine. You touch it as little as possible.
  
  > go to the east
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  You can see a ginger cat here.
  
  > remove the shirt
  Best not. Napier doesn't want you going around underdressed.
  
  > give napkin to the cat
  The ginger cat doesn't seem interested.
  
  The cat growls, a low, disturbing sound.
  
  > drop the bird
  Best not. Goodness only knows what might happen then, given how the cat feels about the bird.
  
  > Wave lure
  You already have the horrible creature.
  
  For a moment you think the cat is about to leave, as it turns on
  the
  spot. But just as quickly it is back on guard, its hackles raised.
  
  > Pet cat
  The cat hisses at you, and you think better of touching it.
  
  > get the cat
  Sure you like picking things up, but I don't suppose the ginger cat would care for that.
  
  The cat growls, a low, disturbing sound.
  
  > Go upwards
  You'd better not. That's Logan's own area, and you're pretty sure
  he
  wouldn't want you snooping about.
  
  > examine table
  Made from a dark wood, the long table provides eating space for up
  to
  eight diners.
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying:
  a large black bird
  a corded rope lure
  a napkin
  a handwritten note
  some trousers (being worn)
  a plain shirt (being worn)
  
  > Go east
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  You can see a ginger cat here.
  
  For a moment you think the cat is about to leave, as it turns on
  the
  spot. But just as quickly it is back on guard, its hackles raised.
  
  > Go east
  This is the sleeping area for guests to the castle. Your master and you slept here last night, him in the bed, you trying to get comfortable on the floor. The only exit is back out to the west.
  
  > drop the bird
  The bird hops around a bit, but still seems to be paying you attention.
  
  > go west
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  You can see a ginger cat here.
  
  The cat glances up, but pays you little attention.
  
  > go south
  The cat relaxes, sits down, and starts washing itself. It seemingly has no interest in you any more, and you are able to pass.
  
  Here you find yourself in the open air again, in part of the castle grounds partially enclosed by other buildings. To the west is the kitchen, a small building, but essential to the castle's well
  being.
  The main part of the castle rises up to the north, by far the best built part of the castle complex. Other than that, the only way you can go from here is to the east, where you see the edge of the
  castle
  platform.
  
  > Go west
  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.
  
  You can see a cook here.
  
  > ask the cook about cat
  "Oh that monster!" she says, shaking her head. "If he wasn't such a good mouser I'd rather he was in a pie." She pauses, her finger on
  her
  lips as she thinks. "Here, take this. The cat likes it. Give it to him." She hands you a piece of beef steak, which you handle
  gingerly.
  Some diet this cat must get, at the lord's expense.
  
  The cook glances up at the kitchen tools, either deep in thought,
  or
  more likely trying to decide what tool she needs next.
  
  > Go east
  Here you find yourself in the open air again, in part of the castle grounds partially enclosed by other buildings. To the west is the kitchen, a small building, but essential to the castle's well
  being.
  The main part of the castle rises up to the north, by far the best built part of the castle complex. Other than that, the only way you can go from here is to the east, where you see the edge of the
  castle
  platform.
  
  > Go north
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  You can see a ginger cat here.
  
  > give the steak to the cat
  The cat glances up, but doesn't seem interested right now. Maybe
  try
  again when it might be feeling more hungry?
  
  > go east
  This is the sleeping area for guests to the castle. Your master and you slept here last night, him in the bed, you trying to get comfortable on the floor. The only exit is back out to the west.
  
  You can see a large black bird here.
  
  > Wave lure
  Using the lure, you reluctantly tempt the bird over to you. It
  comes
  over, and seems willing to come with you. You now carry the bird.
  
  > go west
  This is the castle's main living area. A number of rooms lead off
  from
  here, including stairs up to the family quarters. To the west is
  the
  dining room you were in before, and sleeping quarters lie to the
  east.
  Your master and you slept there last night. An exit to the south
  leads
  back out to the castle courtyard.
  
  You can see a ginger cat here.
  
  The cat growls a low, worrying growl as you enter again with the
  bird.
  
  > give the steak to cat
  The cat looks up eagerly, and takes the meat from you. It glares at the bird before starting to eat the meat. You take this opportunity
  to
  escape back outside - with the bird.
  
  Here you find yourself in the open air again, in part of the castle grounds partially enclosed by other buildings. To the west is the kitchen, a small building, but essential to the castle's well
  being.
  The main part of the castle rises up to the north, by far the best built part of the castle complex. Other than that, the only way you can go from here is to the east, where you see the edge of the
  castle
  platform.
  
  > go west
  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.
  
  You can see a cook here.
  
  The cook shakes out some flour, and starts to pound some dough.