Alcuin nearly jumped out of his skin when the shrill sound filled his room. He then realized where it was coming from the strange device on the table by the bed. He had picked it up once, heard a strange humming sound coming from it, and wondered if it was some broken musical instrument. He had been meaning to ask someone, but it tended to slip his mind except when he was here in the room looking at it.

He walked over while the thing made its loud sound, and picked up the handle, bringing it to his ear, wondering if he would hear the humming sound again.