The Wolf's Den

Path 2: Ryland, Chapter 2

         As the door opened, Ryland stared in awe at the room before, and, even more so, the stunning woman in fancy clothing before her. This woman was tall, blonde, slender, and, as a final study, elegant. After a moment, the woman stepped aside and gave a wave of her hand dismissively to enter, something Ryland did. "I... Apologize for disturbing you, ma'am, only my sisters... Well, we're not really related, but we treat it as if we are-"

        "Just sit somewhere, and close the door behind you, he'll follow you in and I've been trying to keep him out. The only reason I let you in is because I heard your door creak. Are you stupid or something? The owner of this establishment will kill us both if he knows I've helped you, and there's no reason I would like to die... One day, I shall be queen when my father passes away," the woman said. "I suppose though, I should tell you my name, so here it goes: my name is... Oh, I suppose you can call me Lady."

        Frowning at the woman's dismissive manner, but closing the door regardless, Ryland carefully sat on the edge of a fairly well cushioned chair, slumping backwards then sitting up again when reminding herself there was a regal lady in her presence, a princess no less! "Erm, well, yes, but I would like to ask something of you, if I may, Lady."

        "Then ask. I have little time right now, so be quick."

        "Have you see a blonde with long hair and furious blue eyes or a 19-year-old with braids? I've lost my companions, they were gone when I woke not ten minutes ago. I would like to find them soon, so I know they're safe."

        "I haven't seen anyone but you, my many sisters, or my father for some time. Mr. Wolfe told me not to let anyone else in because my sisters and my father are quite enough, thank you. His words, not mine." A shrug in an equally dismissive manner, Lady sighed dramatically and blankly stared at Ryland.

        "Do you... At least know a secret passage I could use so I don't break the rule of you not opening any doors? Does that mean anyone living here cannot, in any way, open the door? How do you eat? What do you do to entertain yourself? I don't understand how you get food."

        "Do you honestly think none of us eat? We do, but we're not supposed to know where the passage is that our supplies and sustenance originate from. I, however, do, because when that damned frog shows up, I hide there, but it's secret. I'm a lady, after all, gentlemen callers are uncalled for without a supervisor and my approval, which he has neither of. Now, however, he's been stuck in the pond outside this section of rooms, effectively giving me some peace so he's not saying 'Princess, Princess, let me in!' all the time."

         "Uh, well, I mean-"

        "Don't say it, whatever you're going to say is wasting my time. Do you want to know where the passageway is or not? The sooner you're gone, the sooner I can keep vigilance to not let anyone else in."

        "I suppose I could."

        "Good, let's go. The sooner the better."

        Following the princess, Ryland kept her distance, wary of her current company and trusting her less and less the more time she spent with her, which, in this case, made 'the sooner the better' completely accurate. "Thank you... Just, do you promise not to tell Mr. Wolfe I was here?"

        "Only if you promise never to return."

        "I can promise that much."

         Opening the passage, Lady shoved Ryland through, shutting the door on her and leaving Ryland to find herself at a door labeled with a name covered in blonde hairs. Knocking tentatively, quietly as possible and not on the hairs, the hairs started to move, and a door swung open, revealing a stone exterior.