Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Twenty-One: Under Pressure

Wriothesley left his office, the usual weight of responsibilities pressing lightly on his shoulders as he moved through the fortress. Passing by the administrative area, he acknowledged a few of the staff with a nod before making his way to the elevator. He paused at the elevator's entrance, waiting as the massive cylindrical chamber, with its large glass windows and doors, slowly descended from the upper level.

The soft hum of the machinery echoed in the corridor as the elevator came to a stop in front of him. The glass doors slid open with a quiet whoosh, revealing the empty chamber that would take him to the upper levels of the fortress. 

He stepped inside, the doors closing with a soft whoosh behind him. The ascent was smooth, the elevator gliding upward through the massive stone structure. Wriothesley watched as the walls of the vertical stone tunnel passed by, the smooth, unchanging surface a stark contrast to the rest of the fortress. He remembered, as a teenager, asking one of the guards why the doors were glass if all you got to see on your way down was stone. The guard, a kind man who was nearing retirement, had explained that it wasn't about the view during the ride.

"It's a security measure," the guard had said with a knowing smile. "The glass allows the guards at the top and bottom to always see the situation inside the elevator. If criminals ever tried to sneak out, we could immediately see what was happening inside. It's all about keeping things under control."

As the elevator continued its ascent, Wriothesley thought back to that conversation, appreciating the practical wisdom behind the design. The elevator finally slowed to a stop, and with a soft chime, the glass doors slid open.

Wriothesley stepped out, immediately greeted by the sight of the imposing Gardemeks stationed at their posts. The large, mechanical figures stood silent and unmoving, their presence a constant reminder of the fortress's unyielding security. Wriothesley moved past them without a second thought, his pace unhurried as he approached the large windows that provided a breathtaking view of the underwater world that Fontaine had to offer.

To his surprise, as he neared the windows, he noticed a figure already standing there. It was one of the guards, and as he drew closer, he recognized her—Madeleine.

"Madeleine," he greeted, his voice cutting through the quiet.

She turned, a soft smile spreading across her face as she recognized him. "Duke Wriothesley," she replied, her tone warm. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same," he responded, coming to stand beside her. "Taking a moment to appreciate the view?"

Madeleine nodded, her eyes flickering back to the underwater scene. "It's one of the few places in the fortress where you can really feel the beauty of Fontaine. I find it calming."

Wriothesley followed her gaze, taking in the gentle sway of the kelp and the schools of fish darting through the water. "It is beautiful," he agreed.

They stood in companionable silence for a few moments, both of them lost in the tranquil scene before them. The high seagrass and reeds framed the clear view beautifully, swaying gently with the currents as if dancing to a silent melody. Being so close to the surface, they could see nearly everything—every detail of the underwater world that surrounded the fortress.

In the distance, other parts of the fortress poked out of the seabed, their dark silhouettes contrasting against the bright sand. The diving searchlights cast strong beams across the area, their steady movement a constant in this vast, aquatic expanse. The towers, of course, did not breach the surface of the water, remaining hidden beneath the waves like silent sentinels.