A Devious Exchange

Answers and Contemplations

Night fell fast upon the small courtyard, covering the trees and grass in a dappling array of dark greens and blacks. The castle's stones grew more bleaker and jagged at the sun's descent, the protruding cuts of stone forming tall, mismatched shadows down the side of the castle wall. Gloomy and mysterious were a few ways to describe the changing grounds from day to night, and I find myself preferring the brash onslaught of lilies and begonias of the morning light.

It's not that night wasn't beautiful. It was quite the contrary; I enjoyed the chilling sweep of the night's breeze against my cheeks, as well as the hundreds of crickets bowing their peaceful orchestra from a million different directions. I was always enamored by the flutter of firefly's dancing in the sway of the tall grass, reminding me of the times I used to prance to their show in my childhood.

The night always had an edge to the day. Different and peculiar in so many ways, bound to be loved as much as the daytime. And yet, it was avoided like the plague.

But why was that?

A knowing answer buzzed in the back of my head, drawing forth a numbing malaise and uncomfortable feeling that tolled so heavily on my limbs. The sudden increase in my heart knew the answer too, taking me back to memories I wish I could forget. I didn't like how the night reminded me to be fearful, to watch my back at each turn. How I could never simply walk the streets alone at night without repercussions; No, it wasn't the night itself that was all bad, it was the creatures prowling at each turn that made it so scary. Their sudden invitation to begin their hunt, the minute the sun descends, was what made people fear the dark. I shut my eyes as the blinding hot fear coated my veins.

Footsteps keeping a pace, a taller shadow bleeding closer to my own, and a dark voice promising to deliver at a moment's pounce.

I blinked my eyes open hurriedly, believing even the darkness behind my eyelids would be just enough for them to catch up. To find me again. Even as Nicholas and his friends were talking, I find myself looking over my shoulder to see if they were there. Only once did I ever truly fear for my life, but it was enough for me to make a promise to myself, to never let my guard down.

If the horrid shadows were to stop their dark desires, even for a moment's breath, many would be able to see the night as beautiful as the day.

I blinked slowly to try and return myself to the conversation, rubbing my clammy palms onto my skirt. Tomathy was still blabbering to both of them about nonsense, and it was fair to say I had gotten a fair slice of life about him. I nearly spat out my water- thanks to Nicholas' kind offering earlier- when Tomathy said he was an entertainer previously. He claimed to have been a part of a traveling show business, 'The Pilanthros,' with his family, growing up with a dozen sisters and brothers. He offered to show me his acrobatics sometime, and I neither denied nor accepted, not sure if he was pulling my leg or not.

For Miook, I'd gotten nothing from him until the night ended. Him and Nicholas had been going at it about the best places for fresh fish, specifically salmon, for nearly a half hour when another woman came out of nowhere to stand between the two. I immediately recognized her similarity to Miook, a long black braid casted to the side and very similar bone structure in her cheeks, nose, and eyes. Her skin had a warm, darker tone that heightened her darker features in her hair, brows, and eyes; almost a warm embrace as the sun itself. She looked about ten years or so older than him, slight wrinkles under her eyes that were turned downcast in frustration. Even at a quick glance, anyone could tell she was a hard-working woman with a rough edge, and definitely the older, protective sister.

"Miook! I told you to be at the front of the castle by dusk." She thundered, her voice clipped and accent heavy, a similar articulation alike Miook's.

The man in question quickly snapped to her harsh gaze, holding his hands up in defense. The corners of his mouth twisted in a line, stumbling an apology, "Time just slipped by, I can't help it."