by Spoor, Garry
She reached out with her edge to connect with the Fox that was now navigating through the tunnel with ease as it had no doubt done countless other times. What guided it, or how it knew where to go she had no idea, but the fox never stopped or slowed up.
She had lost all track of time when she reached the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately that was the problem, it ended. There was a dull light seeping in through a small opening, or was that an exit, either way it was far too small for her to get through, but not so for the fox or for Vesper. She tried looking through the hole, but could see very little. The light appeared to be shining down into an area on the other side of her dead end. As her hands explored the wall, they discovered that it wasn’t the rough, natural wall of the tunnel, but a vir made structure composed of stone and mortar. Did she finally reach the outer wall of Windfoil? Although her time in the darkness seemed endless she was sure she traveled further than that, or at least hoped she traveled further than that.
Gripping the edge of the opening she found the bricks were loose. Their contact with the ground had eroded the mortar and with a little persuasion she was able to remove a few of them. Now she only had to worry about was half the Castle falling down on her head.
The first few bricks came away easily, but the other remained stubborn. For some reason they wanted to keep the wall up. Eventually she was able to widen the hole enough to for her head and shoulders. She squeezed through the narrow gap and realized too late that there was no floor on the other side as she tumbled head first into the trash pile.
“Oh wonderful.” She said as the smell assaulted her senses. Was this what had attracted the fox, the thought of scavenging rotting food from the refuse. It could have been worse she thought as she tried to stand on numb legs and braced herself against the side of the wall. There was only one way out now, and that was straight up through the grating in the ceiling, to the source of the light. Fortunately it wasn’t that far up, only about fifteen or so feet, and the conveniently placed service ladder would definitely help.
She waited until the pins and needles that pricked at her legs subsided before she even tried the ladder. Vesper climbed up onto her shoulder as she took hold of the first rung and hand over hand she made it up to the edge. Raising Vesper in her outstretched hand, the yarrow leapt through the grate and disappeared. It was only a few minutes before he returned.
-Empty-
The word carried with it visions of a kitchen void of vir life. When she was sure she understood the yarrow she pushed open the grate and pulled herself out of the garbage shoot. The kitchen may be asleep but there was no knowing how far away or how light a sleeper the cook was. She lay on the floor trying to catch her breath, but breathing at the moment was a bit difficult due to the odor that lingered about her. Vesper climbed back up on her shoulder as she got to her feet. She exited the small room that was situated off to one side. The main kitchen was an impressive area, nearly five times the size of the one back at the academy. There was a huge open fire pit in the center of the room, several pantries of meats and grains lined one wall as pots, pans and stoves lined the other. Herbs hung from hooks giving the place a wholesome aroma. She found barrels filled with apples and grabbed one. Cutting off a wedge she gave it to Vesper before eating the rest.
Given the size of the kitchen and estimating how far she had traveled through the dark little tunnel, she must be inside the keep, now all she had to do was find Saybela. The problem wasn’t really finding the man. The problem would be trying to explain to him how she had gotten in and why she was there in the first place before they dragged her off to the dungeon. If she could talk fast enough, maybe she could explain everything before he had time to call for the guards.
She climbed the small flight of steps and pressed her ear to the door. She couldn’t hear anything on the other side, so she slowly opened it and stepped out into the hall. A welcoming breeze came from somewhere as she brushed back her hair and followed the familiar scent. It led her to a large room, a dining hall of some description, if the rows of tables and chairs were any indication. The room was as tall as it was wide and lined with touches, a few of which remained lit, and even though she couldn’t see the ceiling, she knew there had to be windows high among the rafter for the night air to enter. The floor was of polished marble and her boots echoed off of it as she moved across the empty chamber. Ahead of her was a raised dais with a single table and several very impressive looking chairs lined up behind it. Could this be the Kings dinning hall she wondered, but she didn’t wonder for long. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye.
-Who are you?-
She turned slowly and found herself staring at a rather old, but very large, dog. He stood nearly as tall as she did with a coat of short wiry hair and eyes of milky white.
-I may not be able to see you very well, but I know I have not smelled you before.-
“No sir, my name is Kile Veller.”
-Kile Veller.-
The dog said as if pondering the words carefully.
-Your scent is… familiar. It reminds me of something… I cannot remember.-
The old dog said before turning around and heading back to the dark corner of the room.
“Is that all?” She asked.
-What more is there?-
He replied.
“I just broke into your home and all you ask for is my name.”
-To tell you the truth, I was surprised to receive even that.-
“But aren’t you supposed to be… well, you know… guarding.”
-Guarding, guarding what?-
“This place for starters.”
-Let the vir guard, my time for such foolishness is ended. All I wish now is to sleep and smell the night air.-
Those final words carried with it a sense of calm so deep and so final that she knew what the old dog meant even if he didn’t say it.
“I suppose you don’t get very many intruders inside the castle at night, do you?”
-None that I can recall.-
He replied as he laid back down on a blanket that had been set in the corner for him.
“What is your name sir, if I might ask?”
-The vir call me Tyler so Tyler it is.-
He replied with a casual yawn as he laid down his head.
-So pup, why is it that you and your rodent have decided to invade Windfoil.-
“Good question, I’m supposed to be looking for someone, but I don’t know where to start, and I’m afraid that if I do find him, he’s more than likely to lock me away than to help me.”
-And who is it that you seek that does not wish to be found.-
“His name is Saybela, have you heard of him?”
-Saybela.-
Tyler raised his head slowly and looked to the windows that neither he nor Kile could see. He sniffed at the night air.
-I’m afraid my memory isn’t what it used to be.-
The old dog replied.
-I do not recall anyone by the name of Saybela, but then I don’t recall many of the vir titles. Perhaps there are other’s in the castle that may be able to help you in your search.-
“I’m afraid not too many people are going to be willing to help me.” She said as she sat down beside Tyler. “If you remember, I’m not supposed to be here.”
-No, this is true.-
She stroked the old dog, and he laid his head upon her lap.
“You’re dying… aren’t you?”
It may not have been the most tactful way of asking the question, but it was the only way she could think of. She learned a long time ago from another old dog that the natural world does not view death as the vir world does, they do not fear it, but accept it.
-You are very astute, for a vir… but then you are not like other vir. I would even go as far as to say that you are not wholly a vir but something… different.-
“I’ve been told that most of my life.” She replied.
-You are correct though, my cycle is nearly over. I no long
er count the days nor the hour but only the minutes.-
“Aren’t you… afraid?”
-Fear? No, not really. For with the passing of that which is me, my body will feed new life and in many ways, I will live on.-
“But to lay here, alone, in the dark…” she said as she stared up at the ceiling, wishing that she could see the stars through the windows that were up there somewhere.
-But I am not alone, you are here. And at the end of thing, I am glad to have someone to speak with.-
“I’ll sit with you, for a while.” She said as she stroked the old dog’s head.
-I will not be alone for long, my master comes.-
Master? That was something that she hadn’t considered, but it did make sense. Somebody had to have set the old dog up in the dinning hall in the first place. She knew she couldn’t be here when the dog’s master arrived, but on the other hand, she just couldn’t bring herself to leave the dog alone in the dark. Unfortunately she didn’t have to make that decision as someone entered the dining hall through the far doors.
“You all right Tyler?” A man’s voice called out.
The old dog’ tail began to wag.
“Sorry I was so long, I had to…” He never finished his sentence as he stared at the redheaded girl that was now sitting with his dog’s head resting in her lap.
“Hi.” Kile said with a slight wave, for lack of anything else to say.
He was tall, slender, and fairly young with his hair cut short and a neatly trimmed beard. She would even go as far as to say he was good looking, but nothing beyond that. He stood there watching her for a moment, dressed in an old tunic and pants, carrying a bowl in his hands.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” He asked before taking a step closer.
“I don’t think so.” She replied a bit nervously. This wasn’t exactly what she had planned.
He set the bowl down in front of Tyler who weakly sniffed at the food.
“You look… familiar.” The man replied, and much to Kile’s surprise, sat on the floor beside her and Tyler.
“Maybe you’ve seen me working around the castle.” She replied.
“I suppose it’s possible.” The man said, still studying her face, but she knew he didn’t believe her. “What is your name?”
“My name.”
He laughed.
“You do have a name… don’t you.”
“Kile… Kile… Leary.” She said.
If Daniel ever heard she borrowed his family name, she would never live it down.
“It’s nice to meet you Kile. I suppose I don’t really have to introduce myself.” He asked watched her as if studying her reaction.
“Yes… yes of course.” She lied. She did kind of tell him she worked in the castle even if he doubted her. To be able to walk around the castle at night he was probably some head butler or someone of importance. If she confessed she didn’t know him, he would know she wasn’t supposed to be there. She casually sniffed him when he wasn’t looking. The smell of roses, soap and old books reminded her of a library. The fact that he was neatly groomed and his hands bore no marks of labor meant he was probably a scholar of some description.
“This is Tyler.” He said introducing the old dog, although Kile already knew his name. “I’m afraid he’s not as young as he use to be, are you boy. He’s been a bit listless lately.”
-He has not left my side for these past three nights.-
The old dog replied as he looked up at the man, and within those words Kile felt compassion, the love of a dog for his master.
“That’s why you’ve been sitting with him these past nights.” She replied.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I… must have seen you.”
“Not too many people walk around this part of the keep at night.” He replied.
“Yes… well, you see… I was looking for someone.”
“Looking for someone?” The man asked. He didn’t seem suspicious as much as he was amused. “Who could you is looking for around here?”
“A Mr. Saybela, I was told to… report to him for… work.”
“Saybela, you were told to report to Mr. Saybela.”
“Yes sir.”
The look on the man’s face told her that she had gotten it wrong. It was too much to hope for.
“Elmer Saybela?”
“Yes.” She replied slowly.
“You do know that Elmer retired and moved away.”
“Retired! Moved away! When… where?”
Retired was better than dead, but moved away meant he wasn’t in the castle anymore, which meant he was as safe as she thought.
“I’d say, about… thirty years ago.”
“Thirty years. Are you sure?”
“I should think so. It was right after the trial.”
“What trial?”
“The trial of Prince Jonland’s assassin.” The man replied, as if the entire incident should have been common knowledge and it probably was to most people, but anything involving the political hierarchy of the country was lost to people in Riverport, or was it just lost on Kile. Besides, it wasn’t like it was a current event. It was long before she was born.
“I’m afraid my knowledge of the royal family is… rather limited. I probably should have paid more attention back at the academy.”
“I’m beginning to believe that.” The man laughed. “But I can fill you in if you’d like.”
That at least confirmed he was some kind of scholar she thought, probably an apprentice or research assistant based on the shabby condition of his clothing.
“It would help, if it’s not too long.” She replied.
“Well, there’s really not that much to tell. Prince Jonland Waltair III was the oldest son of King Jusen Waltair II and was destined to become High King of Aru. That was until his assassination, which was back in the spring of ‘54 on the eve of Hobin’s day nearly thirty years ago. The assassin was caught the next day. The trial was brief and the man was sentenced to life in Blackmoore. Elmer Saybela was Prince Jonland’s and… Prince Roland’s teacher, but after the death of Jonland, Elmer retired. The last I heard he’s living on the south side of Azintar, Pickman’s square I believe.”
“So, he’s in Azintar now.” She replied. “But, what was that about Blackmoore.”
“Not the province, mind you, but the prison. There’s an old prison located in the swamps of Blackmoore, it actually goes by a few different names. You may have heard it referred to as Blackwater, Blackshadow, Raven’s Watch, but most people know it as Blackmoore.”
“Raven’s watch.”
“Oh yeah, I’ve only seen the place once, but I can tell you it’s not a place you’d want to be locked up in. The thing I remember most was when the ravens were flying around the watchtowers. From what I was told it was a common occurrence. That’s why it’s often called Raven’s watch.”
“Or raven’s shadow.” She replied.
“Yeah, I think it’s been called that once or twice too.”
“Ravenshadow, now it’s beginning to make sense.”
“Sorry.”
“A bit too complicated to explain.” She said.
“Fair enough.” The man replied as he looked down at his dog. The dog gave a feeble wag of its tail before looking at the young man.
“Take it easy boy.” He said with a reassuring hand on Tyler’s head.
-Can you tell him farewell from me, and that he should not mourn for my passing.-
Tyler asked Kile.
“I can tell him, but I know from experience that it’s doesn’t help.” She said as she cradled the dog’s head in her arms.
“I’m sorry.” He said, looking at her.
She took a deep breath, how was she going to talk her way out of this one she wondered.
“Tyler wanted me to bid you farewell, and told me to tell you not to mourn for him.”
“How do you know this?” He asked, now the look on his face wasn’t as amused as it was b
efore, it was almost troubling.
“He’s not afraid to die. They never are. They accept death as a part of the cycle, with his death new life begins. It’s what he believes, so he’s not afraid to die. But he thanks you for the kindness that you’ve shown him these past years, and he says to remember him when you walk the white fields in the summer.”
“How can you know this?” He asked, but what she told him must have meant something to him. As he looked down at his dog, he had to blink back the tears.
“But I shall miss him. I don’t want him to leave me.” He said, barely above a whisper.
“He knows, and I can assure you, the feeling is mutual.” She replied, now she was forced to blink back her own tears, why did the sappy stuff always get to her.
“Thank you Kile.”
Before she could say another word, the doors to the far end of the dining hall opened again, and heavy boots hit the floor. She got a strong scent of steel and leather, and knew that one of the guards was approaching. Slowly slipping out from under Tyler she gently laid his head down upon the pillow. The old dog looked at her and knew something was wrong as she got to her feet. A man dressed in the livery of the King approached.
“Sir, I was told you were in here, the men are making another sweep of the grounds. So far they haven’t found… her.” The guard shouted the last word as he pointed at Kile.
“Guards!” He bellowed, and his voice filled the room, echoing off the walls and probably wakening everyone in a quarter of a mile. She thought only her weapon’s master at the academy could yell that loud.
“I think that my queue to get out of here.” She said backing to the wall. “You still with me Vesper?”
-Dogs come-
The yarrow warned from the safety of his pouch, but she didn’t need that warning since she could hear the baying of the hounds as the halls began to fill up with more men in heavy boots.