The Labyrinth *editing*

Chapter 24

    “Da-what? What in the world is a Daedalus?” I asked, confused. She looked exasperated.

    “A Daedalus?” she laughed. “Not a Daedalus. He’s genius. The creator of the labyrinth,” she said. “He’s the mastermind in the castle. The one who invents all the machines known to us; that’s what! The one who makes everything tick. He creates everything from the fountains to the sinks, to the tables, all the way down to the heating system of the palace. He makes everything work. Of course, he’s being held prisoner, with his son held hostage by my father, but really that’s not important. Father forbids me to see him, because he teaches me wisdom of the world, and lets me freely speak my mind, something that women are usually rebuked from. But I sneak in and see him almost every day. He’s my inspiration,” she finished dreamily.

    “Oh.” I said shortly, looking at the sleeping old man with dislike. He was the reason of the labyrinth’s creation. The reason we were going to die.

     “Real genius,” Theseus, evidently thinking about the same thing I was.

    “Oh, he is,” Ariadne agreed, not catching the sarcasm in his voice. She then swept across the room in a few long strides. She shook the man awake.

     “Mr. Daedalus? Please wake up. I’ve brought someone to meet you,” she whispered scarcely. The old man sat up quickly, startled.

     “Who’s there?” he screeched, obviously frightened. Ariadne put her hand over his mouth gently.

     “Shhh. Daedalus, it’s just me, Ariadne,” she said quietly. Daedalus suddenly relaxed.

     “Oh, princess! What brings you here at this time of the night?” Daedalus inquired calmly, almost as if she woke him up every night at one in the morning.

     “I…have a, um slight problem. I have some, um friends of mine here to meet you,” she said carefully. A candle flickered to life, illuminating Daedalus’ face. He was tall and lanky, but skinny and abused-looking. His grey hair was frazzled, and his eyebrows were abnormally bushy and grey. He squinted at us skeptically.

     “Friends, have we?” he asked suspiciously. I did my best to look pleasant, since this man was going to help us stay alive, but I couldn’t help hating him for creating the maze. He was the mastermind behind it all, behind death itself. He stepped over to us and scrutinized our faces. Me first.

     “Hmm. You look pretty intelligent. If a little angry. I don’t like that look on your face at all. Very mysterious.” He turned to Ariadne. “She could be dangerous you know. Crafty. Clever,” he told her. I scowled even deeper. Who did he think he was? A mind reader? He wandered over to inspect Theseus.

     “Huh. He’s a handsome one, Ariadne. I would watch out for him. Strong too.” He paused and turned to Ariadne with a smirk on his bony face.

     “Are you positive that you’re just friends, princess?” he said sneakily, winking. Ariadne let out a gusty sigh.

     “I suppose you’d better know the whole story now teacher,” she said. Teacher? This guy was looking stranger with every second. The more time I spent with him, the more I began to think he was a nutter after all.

     Ariadne dove into the story, a summary of events of the day, and Daedalus’ frown grew deeper and deeper. I studied his face carefully. When the story was finished, he was looking thoughtful.

     “Ah,” he said shortly. “I see what the problem is now. And do you wish to save this young lady here as well?” he gestured to me.

     “Of course she wants to save me! I-“ I began hotly, but Daedalus silenced me with his hand over my mouth.