Dull Silver

Chapter Three

Anaximander (uh-nAEk-suh-mAEn-der)

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Iphigenia. His first thought upon waking up. Where is Iphigenia? Then he remembered, they aren't five-years-old anymore. They're 22, living in their own apartment, and maybe he should stop being the overbearing twin. Maybe she's at work, he thought, but it's 6 AM... Oh, I don't know I'll just call her.

As he walked down the short flight of stairs to the kitchen, he pressed the call button. She picked up on the third ring, and Anaximander sighed in relief.

"Hey Gen, where are you?"

"Hey Nax, I'm just out at the grocery store, and then stopping at Double Dough for some doughnuts, I'll be home in like an hour."

"Okay! Do you have work today?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I work the night-shift tonight."

"Right, see you when you get home! Love you!"

"Love you too."

And like that the call ended. Anaximander sat on the couch for about three seconds before deciding to go on a walk; he'd leave a note for Iphigenia, just in case she returned before him.

Not ten minutes later, he was out the door. He decided to travel the Etched Path; where all the stones of those who have died in this state lie. Not many ever travel it, which, of course, makes sense, it is a bit eerie traveling the path of the dead, but it was Anaximander's favorite path.

He ducked silently under one tree that marked the beginning of the path, and started on his way. He traveled about twenty-five minutes under the canopy of the trees, and decided it was about time to head home. He was about to turn around when he saw... something, off to the side of the path. As he approached, he decreed that it was not something, it was someone. A boy, younger than himself.

He kneeled before the boy and noticed he seemed to be asleep. Asleep in the woods, the woods of the Etched Path? Never in my life have I seen more than three people on this path, not one of them sleeping on the side of it, Anaximander thought. He shook the boy's shoulder and his eyes snapped open. A cognac color, the perfect compliment to his jet black hair.

"Who are you?" the boy asked, a defensive tone in his voice.

"I may ask the same about you, but I am Anaximander Chase of 422 Plainville Road."

"Oh, hello. I am Ryker Sept of 1 Ohio Avenue." Anaximander offered Ryker a hand to help him up, but once they were up, he stared at Ryker, dumbfounded.

"Excuse me, are you Ryker Sept, of the Sept family, who lives in Sept Manor?"

"Yes...?" Ryker answered, quizzical. Anaximander's mind just about panicked. What was he to do with royalty standing at his feet?

"Oh my. Wow, um, wow. Hello, um..." and he stopped there; he didn't know what to say to royalty.

"Please do explain why you are freaking out." Ryker deadpanned.

"Well, it's just, I've never had royalty standing at my feet. Having an actual discussion with me..." Anaximander stated, trailing off at the end.

"What? I mean, Excuse me? Did you just say 'Royalty at your feet?" Ryker started to look around frantically, as if someone else would be at Anaximander's feet.

"Yes. Yes, I did. Everyone here knows that the Sept family is of royal descent. And, oh my, is it January and Copper, are the current King and Queen. Though, I guess I see now that they never took to those titles, and never told their children..."

"No! I knew absolutely none of this! Fifteen years I have been alive, fifteen years I have been a Prince and have not been told. Fifteen years of living in a Manor and now I understand." Anaximander could not tell if Ryker was flabbergasted or about to cry.

"Ryker, may I call you that? Anyway, may I ask what you are doing in the forest of the Etched Path alone?"

"Well, last night I believe it was, my parents told my siblings and I that they were getting divorced, so I up and left. And now I learn I am royalty, to be quite frank, Anaximander, life has not been all that kind to me; until now. Until I met you." Ryker answered, feeling pleased with the sincerity of his answer.

"Well, Ryker, I believe maybe we're all on a turn for the better. Would you like to come with me to my apartment, it's just me and my sister."

"I think I will take you up on your offer, thank you, Anaximander."

With a nod, Ryker and Anaximander headed down the Etched Path toward 422 Plainville Road.