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The most unusual feature was the three metre diameter pillar in the centre of the room that was inscribed with unfamiliar symbols. I had not believed it was silver, being used to constructions of aluminium and steel, but my spectroscopic sensors had confirmed it.
The double doors leading into this place were also unusual. Made of brass, they had more unfamiliar symbols etched into their surfaces, and no visible way of opening, not even a light-sensitive sensor. The master had opened them with merely a wave of his hand, but I could not compute the exact method.
Red-robed, silent figures stood around the chamber in a regular formation, their features hidden by the cowls of their robes. In all, it was most unusual. Clarissa and the Master stood by a pedestal upon which were arranged seven gems, one for each colour of the rainbow, and conversed in low tones. I stood still, and waited for my orders.
"...most unusual construction. It moves, it talks, and yet I can detect no magic about it - none!" said the Master, holding a small crystal prism before his right eye and peering in my direction. "Perhaps the flawed gem was not quite the blunder I at first thought."
"As you say, Master," replied Clarissa, eyes downcast.
"However I do not want to see such incompetence again, my dear. I am not unaware of your ambitions, and you are alive simply because I do believe it was a simple mistake. Don't even consider betraying me - you have not learnt enough to survive the experience."
Clarissa shuddered, but said nothing. The Master continued his inspection of me for a time longer. I waited for my orders.
There was a sudden blurring near the wall to the right of the double doors, and one of the robed figures collapsed, sliced neatly in half! A glowing disc quickly appeared and just as quickly disappeared again, but where it was now stood four figures - three dressed in some sort of metal garments, and the fourth in robes similar to the Master's.
People all over the room started moving, talking and screaming. Bolts of fire sprang from the hands of the robed newcomer, and several burnt bodies were flung against the walls to then collapse motionless on the floor. The newcomer's companions swept about themselves with primitive metal implements - I believe they were called swords - and more of the silent watchers died.
Clarissa gestured with her hands and incanted strange syllables, and the bolt of fire intended for the Master deflected harmlessly into the floor. I waited for my orders.
They came. The Master shouted to me, "Golem, protect me!" and my programming came into action.
Two seconds later it was all over, and the intruders, a wall, several innocent bystanders in the room beyond, several weak wooden furnishings in that room, and about ten metres of otherwise solid rock had ceased to exist.
There was a thump as Clarissa's unconscious body hit the ground. The Master didn't react to his assistant's sudden fall, but instead slowly and a little unsteadily approached me.
"Golem, did you do that?" he asked in a quavery voice.
"Yes, Master. As was your command."
He was silent a moment, then continued. "And you can do again, like that, if I so command?"
"Yes, Master. At your command."
A tentative smile came over his craggy features. "Then perhaps you may be of great use to me, Golem." He looked down at the senseless body of Clarissa, and kicked it. "Get up, girl!"
He began to pace back and forth, muttering as he did so. His voice steadily rose, until the words were a shriek and easily audible, to all within about two-hundred metres, I would say. "Those scabrous dogs that exiled me will finally pay! Beware world, for I finally have power!"
I remained quiet, and awaited my orders.