The signal tower stuck out from the end of 2nd Lane like a sore thumb. It was a huge ugly construction, made mostly out of wood, and cast great big shaodws down on the houses below. Still, it was a vital part of the town. Without it messages could never be sent quickly and with ease to the city and surrounding villages.

I pottered about at the top of the tower as I always did. I stroked my wispy white beard and slipped another cherry into my mouth, which only had two teeth. I loved cherries. One of lifes little luxuries... and there weren't that many of them.

I cleaned the signal box with a duster. The signal was never lit. There was never any need for it to be. But still I kept it clean each day and made sure there was enough gasoline in the tank and that dry matches were on hand.

I was of course the keeper of the tower. It was my job to make sure it would work should it ever need to be lit. It wa sin the tower that I lived. I had not left the tower in over forty years and I only knew what the rest of the town looked like by looking down at it over the side of the tower. It was a simple life that I led. A lonely life. Plus going up and down that spiralled staircase each day was doing no good for my back. I wasn;t getting any younger and now I walked with a hunch and had to use a cane.

I guess I would not be around much longer. Someone else would have to take my place when I'm gone.

I sa down with my cherries and thought about the last person that visited this place. It was some months ago now and he had been the first person to come here in years. It had been so nice having some company. I had listened to him with eager ears. I was unsure what he said exactly now but I agreed to him none the less.

I stood again and looked over the side towards the port. The last time I looked there had been some sort of battle gonig on. Nothing to do with me though. Up in this tower was like being in my own little world. Nothing else mattered.

"Ah! There you are!" I said, spotting another cherry that had rolled away from the bowl earlier. I bent down to pick it up and had a crack in my back. "Ooooh," I groaned as I tried to straighten, "You're not getting any yonger Graham. Yes... someone else will have to be trained for this job before you go... you're not getting any younger..."

I ran down the street, it was mayhem. people runnung in terror or dident know anything was really happening. never mind that i kept on runing.

I saw somthing ahead.. i stoped because it dident look good. i looked around down each street. it lookes like im traped.

i looked around me. i saw an abandend shop. i ran up to it and climed. i then went onto the roof of an other building. i could see the tower. by the looks of it. the next city still looked like it wasent disturbed.

i started jumping roof to roof.

after some time i made it to the tower. no time 4 resting i found a door and in sted of nocking i fell into it. thinking it would wake anyone up.

A man barged into the signal tower which came as a great surprise to me. So much so that I dropped my bowl of cherries!

I walked to the staircase and looked down the long winding steps to the bottom of the tower.
"Who goes down there?" I caleld out.

It had been such a long time since I last saw anyone. I was worried.

i could hear a man..."Who goes down there?" he shouted.

i shouted back...

"I am Mr I watchman of the Kingston. I need ur help Ergently!"

he sounded far away. hope he would hurry. we dont have much time!

He needs my help? I wondered what could be so urgent that this man would need me. I was old and frail. If he wanted me to fight in this battle then I would be no use whatsoever!

"Come up the stairs so I can get a good look at you young man," I called down to him.

I had my sword ready, in case this was an enemy trying to capture the signal tower...

I found the door knob and it was unlocked?

As i walked in i could see things moving fast... spiders? this hasebt had a good clean for years. also the staircase looked long going up in a spyrel. I walked up and after 20minuets i made it to the top.

It all looked old fashioned. "Hello you must be the signal tower keeper."

"Who are you?" I asked, pointing my sword at the stranger, "what do you want from me?"

I was worried. I was not used to visitors and the last one I had told me that someone may be coming here. An enemy.

"Speak!" I continued, "speak now or I swear I shall stab you!"

Dam he must be a little crazy...

"I am Mr I from the ship known as the kingston."

i contnued

"There is an enemy on the island and we need to light the signal for help to the nabouring villiges! this is life or death we really need ur help. look outside if u wish and find out for your self"

I listened to this mans words with interest. He was from the Kingston? I had heard of this ship. The man that had visited me many months ago had spoke of this vessel. He had told me to be wary of it... he had warned me about its crew!

"YOU are the enemy!" I shouted, swinging my sword, "You wish to light the signal so that your friends can come and try and stop us! You wish to destroy us! Oh I have been told all about you!"

I swung at the man with my sword but he managed to doge the blade. He looked confused and was protesting his innocence.

"A man told me that you were in league with devils!" I cried, "he stayed with me many nights... the only visitor I had had in years! He told me the truth about the world! Ragnar was my friend!"

I rolled down the cuff on my shirt and showed him the tattoo that was etched there.


"Ragnar told me of Korg and how he was to liberate us all!" I shouted, "And how you wanted to destroy us all!"

I thrust my sword towards the man again, this time striking him across his cheek. He would need to defend himself against me...

I picked up a metal bin lid and pull out my knife.

"I do not with to hurt you. what Ragnar said... its all lies! please you have go to beleave me"

But Graham kept swinging his sword at me. He was taking none of what I had to say. I was afraid i would have to hurt him somehow.