Brass compass
A brass compass whose needle points at drowned things.
The brass compass is an old brass instrument whose needle does not point north but toward drowned things. Mira Osk's theft of it from Varr Dane sets the story in motion.
Description
The compass is made of old brass and is heavier than it looks. Its glass is cracked in a star. The dial has no N; small engraved waves take its place. It was carried wrapped in oilcloth.
Powers & properties
- The needle does not point north; it swings slowly and deliberately toward drowned things, such as the black water beyond the breakwater.
- According to Seren of Esk, if held bare ("naked") after dark, it will eventually point at the person holding it.
- An unsigned letter claims it "knows the way to Ilith".
- Its needle seems to pull at the holder "the way a held breath pulls". It turned to point at the Weir landing, and once at sea it pointed south and west, out to open water.
- Over Ilith its needle trembled, and one night it pointed straight down.
- It has a twin, the second brass compass; side by side, the two point together, north toward Port Hallow.
History
Episode 1 The Brass Thief
Stolen by Mira Osk from Captain Varr Dane on the Fishmarket Stair. Its needle pointed out past the breakwater, then, at the end of the night, toward the Weir landing.
Episode 2 The Salt Barge
Varr Dane demanded its return from the Patience, and the deckhand Pell stared at its bundle. Once at sea, it pointed south and west toward open water, which Mira took to be the way to Ilith; she held it bare in the dark.
Episode 3 What the Water Keeps
The needle trembled as the Patience came over Ilith, and after Mira's dream it pointed straight down. Beside the second compass from Ilith, it swung north toward Port Hallow and the Gull Gate.