The Collector

CHAPTER 6

Everything went silent seconds after the aggravated lady ran. The look on Irvid's face seemed to turn sour after what happened earlier. I could not completely explain how he had known anything, as if I was the one left a little odd wheel of a gooseberry on the side. Yet, I remained the poise even though I was as perplexed at the moment.

The column where we stood effectively hid us from the unwary. Though it was as of the same substance as of every material used in the interior of the building, that which of dark mahogany; that also when hit with light, almost turn silvery - the type of wood can easily rang an echoey sound much like of a beating of a hollow tree. And so was our treading reserved.

The people who must have attended the place seemed drawn to the attention outside where the citizens of Dev made the protest. I was quite appalled at the setting wherewith had they left their Lady on her own. Yet still, it was at the same time quite the advantage as Irvid and I planned to tread stealthily in order to gain free audience with the Lady Elrene privately for ourselves.

"I think I know where she is.", remarked Irvid in the quest of finding Lady Elrene.

I did not beg to ask him about what happened. I just hoped he really knew what he was doing. If Avenicus was with us, it would have been quite different. Perhaps, a lot more easier. Yet, I believed in Irvid. I know what his good intentions were and so I trust whatever his connections with the Lady. It was the only option.

Irvid led me into the upper chambers. The marble stairs were covered with velvety carpets, muffling our footing. Every step we took, we made sure to stay vigilant. Crystal-hung chandeliers almost had enveloped the ceiling prior the center of the converging stairs at the upper storey. As we progressed, a cold nip in the air must have had crept in, mildly brushing my stern shoulders with the feel of uncertainty. The thought of us caught in the act was more bothersome than what we had outside the High Fortress. If we were found outside in the first place, it could have been far less fatal than when found inside. We could be deemed as thieves.

At the end of the hallway lies a humongous two-door room with which the Lady probably could have been. I first tried to feel the smoothness of the wooden door before placing an ear on the flat side of it. Silence. Not even a slightest sound echoed. Irvid decided to open the door to finally see for himself once and for all.

"Are you sure this will not risk anything?", I asked, trying to be cautious about his decision before taking action.

Then I paused for a second thought.
"Oh, right. They were close friends." , I reasoned in my head.

The door didn't creak after Irvid had put a gentle force on both of the doors. Instead, it sounded like a deep howl that which, at the same time, imitated thundering sounds as the doors progressed. Inside was very neat and royal. The bed posts were very high, but not as high as the ceiling where it were hosted. The curtains that hung from the top of the posts were so long, it almost touched the polished wooden floor. There was a large chest at the end of the bed. The nook from whence royalty must have prepared things from added an even more fancier effect towards the design of the room. The wardrobe was as wide as an ordinary one-storey house. The chamber was surreal.

As I was amazed at the sight of the room, Irvid turned frantic. I, then, noticed that the one we were looking for was not present at the moment.

"This is her room, isn't it?" I asked.

"Yes. And I wonder why she is not here.", he replied.

"Do you know any other place where she could have been?", I asked, reinforcing Irvid to think more.

"I reckon... at the store-room. It is way below us."

"We don't need to guise again, right?", I chuckled.