Arriving in the ring

So far, the ring is quite magnificent. An extreme improvement to the Grotto. My new roommate seems nice, she said she might produce some new clothes for me if I wanted. She is probably the smallest student I have seen so far. We talked about the codex for a little while. I expected Hildegard to be like the other Codex members and only speak of her studies, but she asked if I spoke infernal. Apparently Cuan, her old roommate and a fellow Codex member, is also from the clockwork city. I had not spoken infernal in a while, so perhaps it was a bit rusty (I am told this is what is called a “pun”, interesting concept. Must continue practicing). She seemed satisfied enough, which is good enough for me.
 
Overall it has been a pleasant experience, however there is one thing that annoys me about the ring. It’s never quiet, even in the dead of night I hear something. I asked Hildegard but she did not seem to notice it. I’m hearing it now, once again. It is metallic in nature, rhythmic, constant. It is…familiar. I have heard it before, that much is certain. But where? Two different sounds, very similar yet distinctly different. It almost sounds like a…like a clock.
 
It can not be. The city is leagues away, it can not be the clock. Surely it is just a student project. No. Even as I write this I know it is not true. Words are escaping my mouth as if spoken by someone…something else. Words I have not spoken, nor heard, for years.
 
The design is inexorable.