Chapter 3- The Perfect Reich
Walking into the hallway I saw the cold stone floor, ceiling, and walls. It all carried a heavy aura of coldness and numbness.
Yup, I'm definitely in the Imperiosity Fortress.
Walking down the small hallway I came across torches that were unlit. They still had soot, probably from a late nights burning, on the tip of the wood. I walked towards them and put my fingers on top of the dark ash. The soot felt warm as I rubbed my fingers together. The unique texture grasped my attention for some reason. Why was I so drawn towards this? But, why can't I stop myself?
"Your Imperious?" a voice called behind me. I was instantly snapped out of my trance. I turned around to see a man in a black suit. He held a PDA like thing in his hand and was apparently stopped in mid tap.
"Oh yes. I was just....um, nothing." I looked away from the man lowering my gaze.
"Madame, we are going to be late for your tea. Here I'll escort you." The strange man walked towards me from the shadows. I finally got a better glance at his appearance. He was tall and plain. He had long black hair tied in a weak ponytail on his back. He had a sharp nose that shadowed two dark eyes. They seemed black and evil. I was about to turn and run when he offered an elbow and I slowly and reluctantly took it.
"So why is my leader walking alone in this lonely castle by herself without an escort?" The man lifted a questioning brow at me.
"I felt the need to be...more independent. I rely on everyone way too much. I do think I need to get a life." Ha! I laughed inwardly. I wish Izarella was here. She would just throw a little hissy fit if she heard me. I felt so smug, but it was short lived due to the fact that Izarella isn't here. Hmmm. This is annoying.
"I resent that madam, if I may, but I believe you do just the opposite. As your second in command you still don't confide in me all your plans, if any! You work too hard and yet you show no weakness. This is why we all admire you your Imperious. You are so strong and courageous, and I am more than honored to be part of your service." He gave a slight nod of the head and I think if we weren't connected at the arms he would bow.
He was so annoying! Everyone here is! No one here sees Izarella's cruelty! Ahh, and here I am accepting high praise for a being the most cruel, murderous, insane person on the Earth! I just want to beat myself up.
"Why thank you." I was chocked up and that was all I had.
The rest of the journey was in silence, well, he rambled about our military plans and future advances, but I tuned him out for I had no concern of this at all. Before-when I was still Annamelia- I would have been all over the place jumping from one plan to another studying tactics and plans and be so focused, but now it all seems so fruitless. I don't want to do this anymore.
Wait! Snap out of it! Hellloooo? Mission/destiny here, you kinda need to stop all these evil people from taking over the world and all you do is whine and complain about 'oh I can't do it. I'm too weak and helpless. Blah, blah, B.S., blah,' Come on, you're a fighter and this isn't suppose to get to you now so go out there and kick some hinny!
I rolled my shoulders from my own little pep talk while reaching the end of the hall to a set of winding steps. We descended the curving flight gracefully. Along the wall were stain glass tableaus of brave knights fighting frightening dragons while saving the damsel in distress in the high tower. I couldn't help but roll my eyes to this stereo typical scene.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw a huge wooden door. The door had multiple bolts and locks running up and down the massive wood. The height was also baffling due to the fact that it averaged probably fifteen feet. Along the wall were hooks holding up big wooly coats. The strange man unhooked my arm and walked towards the mammoth coats. He grabbed a nice tall black one for him self- of course- and a white furry one for me. He helped me slip into the coat white mass. I shrugged the rest on. The coat was so warm! It was made of a snow fox's fur and it totally made a difference. It was so not like my blue hoodie at home. It tickled my arms with a mother-like-touch. I gently swayed in the coat restricting the urge to twirl around.
