Walls. Narrow walls that directed the flow of endless stairs like dams, winding and bending the wild stream of uneven steps flowing to she did not know where. They were hurrying down what seemed to be a secret tunnel, as if trying to escape from the belly of an ancient dragon with a body like a snake's, stretching and contracting to keep them caught. This small group of three that kept walking as stealthily as possible, in order not to make the walls resonate with the pounding of their feet.
Iris knew that they were headed for the town and only prayed that Rowan would not grow aware of how much her heart was racing now that she felt the unfamiliar crowds of people draw nearer rapidly. He had such a deep understanding of the things he could tease with her with, it was almost creepy. Maybe he can read thoughts, too, she mused as she observed his long hair sway not even two metres ahead. But no, the Master would have told her as much.
Come to think of the Master, he was keeping up with Rowan's pace with surprising ease. He almost appeared to be flying over the old stone tiles, even with this heavy walking stick he carried at all times. Just how old was he, anyway?
Hold on.
This was not the time to allow such distractions! Iris scolded herself and watched the small figure right in front of her for a moment, concentrating her thoughts.
"Master?", she called out to him in her mind. "There is something I must speak to you about."
Although she was sure that her words must have reached him, Aren's voice remained silent.
"Master?"
"Oh, child. Not now, I am still exhausted from the other day at the cathedral", he finally answered.
"Oh... I was curious about that as well."
"All in due time. No need to rush", he said gently but in a tone that signalled an end of discussion. "Our priority at this very moment is to prepare you for what lies just ahead."
The Master's words had ended just in time for Iris to concentrate on her feet again. Around the next bend, the stairs suddenly grew much steeper, falling towards acorridor several metres below. The steps found an end here, and an even narrower tunnel began. As they walked on, Iris noticed faint pulls from flows of air to the sides every few metres, while the tunnel meandered more and more, until they virtually hopped in a zigzag.
"Are those side corridors?", she whispered.
"Traps", Rowan merely hissed. "Never a good idea to come here without me." It sounded like he was grinning to himself.
A few more minutes passed until the path finally lead them upwards again. The noise of foreign footsteps and the murmuring of voices grew more distinct every time Iris put a foot forward. Where would this tunnel end?
"We're here", Rowan then finally announced when they had reached what looked like a dead end. "Hold your breath."
Upon noticing Master Aren fill his lungs with air, Iris – who had held his remark for one of his dramatic exaggerations – also obeyed. Rowan leaned towards the wall that blocked their way and pricked his small, pointed ears.
"Alright", he found after a minute and stretched his arms above his head. Wrapping his fingers around something embedded in the rough bricks overhead, he pulled with all his weight. Without a sound, the wall was lifted by a few inches and let a stream of dusty warmth gush in. It curled up around their feet before merging with the cold, moldy excuse for air Iris'nose refused to get used to.
Rowan was already pushing atthe massive assemblage of very fine, well-fortified bricks that were clearly not just fakes.
"Well, come in", he invited his company into the warmth of a small room that smelt of dust, wood and wine.
YOU ARE READING
Without Words, Without Sight
Fantasy"And in the distance between these eyes that did not see, and this voice that did not resound, he put the flowers and fruit he had picked to describe the scent she had to him. As he put them all into her arms, she understood with a graceful smile. P...
