Diary of a Sorceress

Day 23

Dear diary,

it shall take quite some space for me to explain what in heavens name happened today. Be warned.

I woke up this morning, expecting the explorers to stand over me due to my late awakening. Instead, I found myself in a comfy looking queen sized bed. Strange, for I had remembered curling up in a corner of the main hall and catching slumber there. How..?

I had not to wait long for an explanation. The rolled up parchment, that sat calmly next to a bowl of fresh fruits and a mug of warm tea told me enough.

'I see you have decided to re-enter my lieges domain. It pleases me to see he approves of your presence. However, sleeping on the floor simply won't do here, Carolyn. With all due respect, it was only courtesy of me to bring you instead to a room fit for a fine lady such as yourself. I propose you help yourself to some breakfast and meet me in the theatre. Unless, of course, I have not been on your mind.'

I froze, my breath caught in my throat as I felt my face heat up. Damn it you jack... As much as I wanted to change my mind, the image of the door to the stage lingered in my thoughts.

Without another doubt, I appeared before it, hand gripping the knob tightly.

Turning it.
Walking in.

I don't know what came over me. When I was younger, the grand theatre had always been a mysterious, but somewhat magical place. I was instantly reminded of this memory.

The silhouette onstage stood unmoving. The torches that lined the sides of the audience lit up in shades of gold and were sufficient to cast strange forms onto his now unmasked face.

The scene indeed had something enticing to it.

I gulped and stepped in, closing the door behind me, not taking my eyes off him. A soft scoff, then a smirk. The figure seemed amused.

We watched each other. Me, the anxious prey and him, the sly predator. I took another step forward, he cocked his head to the side. I spoke. It was little more than a whisper. However, it reached his ears.

"Rudolf..."

Merely speaking his name made me tingle. It was as if I'd cast a spell. A forbidden one. One only I knew and was allowed usage of. He smiled.

"Carolyn."

My feet led me to the stage and soon, we stood opposite each other. He smiled and circled me, like a hunter sizing up his newest catch; "You haven't a clue how long I've considered doing this..."

I shivered softly, as he continued; "From the moment you stepped into these halls, life here became considerably more interesting... I was still a Fool, but I received a chance to be more than just that, without having to enforce it..." My heart was running a marathon at this point. What in heavens name was he on about? This had to be a joke of sorts. There was no way... He stopped in front of me and looked me dead in the eyes; "Your ears don't deceive you, dear Caro... You are one of a kind..." "What..? What do you mean?"

"That, my dear, I think you are by now very well aware of," he spoke calmly, taking a step back to let me add 2 and 2 together.

And that's when it hit me.
The food, boots, candle and matches he had provided. The targets. The comments he'd made. The calm smiles. The blackness in his eyes.

"Are you... Do you love me..?"
"As far as I am capable of such emotions... yes..."

My mind blanked at that very second, trying to process what the Puppeteer just said. The Jester, the most sly and mysterious figure of Castle Rock, had just admitted to something so unexpected it made the castle itself hold its breath.

"I-..."
"Don't bother answering! Those vermin aren't aware of where you are... Perhaps a little scare will do..!"

What happened after, I will only lightly describe. The jack teleported us both to the chapel, conveniently during a bloodmoon to strengthen the atmosphere. He threatened to do something to me for protecting them and, knowing he must keep up appearances, I played along.

Then, after leaving a pair of mortified adventurers behind, we continued our conversation for a while, before I retreated to my chambers.

You guessed it. I nearly didn't fall asleep that night.

Signing off,
- C