Tallia walked past the warm light spilling out of the kitchen and saw the servants again partaking of their evening merriment. She knew that sundown was finally here. It would never do to return to her room now and sneak out again afterwards. The guards would be sure to interfere this time. If she wanted to observe the queen it was now or never.
Instead of heading back, Tallia cautiously made her way towards Nerisis’ chambers. There were guards posted randomly throughout the castle as well as in designated areas, and so she kept to the shadows along the wall.
Tallia had learned very well how to not be seen or heard. She could easily make her way around the castle without drawing too much attention and the closer she got to her mother’s quarters, the fewer guards she seemed to notice.
There was of course a sentry posted directly outside the doors to the queen’s domain, but Tallia knew she must get past him if she was to learn anything.
Retreating back down the hall, she rounded a corner. This area was quite deserted and quiet as no one ever dared approach the queen’s chambers. Nerisis only permitted audience in the throne room so even Tallia had never seen where her mother resided.
Tallia considered briefly what she should do to get past the posted guard. She decided that she would have to create a distraction of some sort, as nothing else would pull the stoic figure from his designated post. But what could possibly attract enough attention?
The suits of armor were the first thing she could think of. There was no shortage of them in this hallway either.
Approaching the nearest one, she carefully took the spear from its clenched, gloved hand. It squeaked slightly in protest, and she held her breath in agony. The castle was much too quiet and she could not risk being discovered!
She stealthily moved to a dark corner closer to the door and cautiously pointed the tip of the spear at a suit two rows down. With a gentle nudge from Tallia, the suit came crashing to the highly polished floors - followed by a loud, echoing din.
This startled the guard considerably and he hastened towards the sound.
Tallia took this second of opportunity and rapidly made her way towards the doors. They were as tall as the ceiling and were engraved magnificently with serpents entwining each other.
She glanced back and saw the guard walking quickly through the hall, and without another thought she pushed on the solid gold handle. The door gave way without a sound and Tallia shut it softly behind her.
She was now standing in a dimmer hallway, and waited momentarily as her eyes adjusted to the light. There were smoking bowls of incense set on marble pedestals and evenly spaced along the sides of each wall. An eerie green flame rose from the ashes.
The aura was overpowering and somewhat inebriating. Tallia felt her head becoming foggy and dizzy the more she breathed of the air. She panicked and hoped that she would not black out from the overwhelming presence.
But drawing a final breath and covering her mouth with her sleeve, she pressed forward. This corridor was likely a deterrent to any that would disturb the queen, but Tallia was far too determined to care. Why should she unknowingly fear her own mother?
Fortunately the hall was not a long passage and Tallia soon saw a faint light ahead. This was encouraging as she was nearly out of breath. As she drew closer, the “light” seemed more confusing and tainted with a black hue.
The lingering shadows seemed to cloak all in darkness, and Tallia could see no other living being here.
She turned around slowly and looked at the room from all angles. It appeared void of any furnishings or comforts.
The only visible point of interest was directly in the center of the room. The vague source of the light seemed to be emanating from it. On a raised pedestal was placed a large, round orb. It was clear and appeared as translucent as glass, but threw a bleak pall over the entire room.
