Royal's Way

Chapter 21

The tallest tree in the area was a clock tower, its face lit with a blue tint from behind.

"You live in the clock tower?" I exclaimed, staring wide eyed up at the numbers, ranging from English to what I assumed to be Eiran.
Ruth shrugged. "Yes. It's cozy." That was all she said before she approached the small door at the tree's roots and unlocked it.

I was right behind her, practically pushing past her as soon as the door opened.

A spiral staircase leading to the next floor behind the face of the clock stood above me, blue and gold lanterns hanging from said stairs, varying in sizes and shapes. Small sparks of the two colors hovered around the room, fading slowly, before another new set appeared. A few old, dusty chests were pushed against the walls, but those didn't grab my attention.

No one said a word as we entered the tree. Eliza was hip to hip with Ian, shaking, anxious, confused. I didn't blame her; she'd already seen more to this place than I had.

"Percy, one of these chests should have some jackets and gloves for us. King's Aisle is gonna be cold. Can you look for them?" "Alright."

I felt a little useless, watching Percy rummage through the chests around us.
Ruth suddenly turned to the stairs, gripping the railing and climbing two steps at a time.

I bit my lip. "Er, Ruth?"
She stopped, turning to look at me down the stairwell. I swallowed. "Do you... need any help up there at all?"
She hesitated, as if reasonably contemplating the question. But then she forced a smile on to her face. "I appreciate it, Miriam. But I'll be fine." I frowned. "You sure? I-I could always just--" "I'll be fine."

She sounded stern. I shifted uncomfortably, not arguing.

Her smile faded as she turned and continued up the stairs.
I sighed, folding my hands nervously in front of me.

"Is she okay?" Ian suddenly said, his voice cutting off the silence. I shrugged, folding my arms and leaning against the wall next to the stairwell. "I don't know."

"She just needs some time alone," Percy said quietly as he tossed a few jackets, scarves and gloves on the floor behind him. "I don't imagine what she's doing is easy."

"What's she doing?" Eliza snarled, not caring about the tone in her voice.
Percy shrugged, tossing another set of clothes on the pile. "I don't know if you noticed, but she's not in the greatest state right now."

Ruth looked into her room, at the dirty table that rounded the wall with books and papers and maps and gadgets. Through the gigantic window ahead of her that made up the face of the clock.

"What do you mean?" Ian asked. Another set of clothes got tossed in the pile. "I believe she's intending on putting the fight in our favor."

Ruth approached the newly made floorboards, the lights in the room causing a migraine. She took in a sharp breath as the lights faded, the creaking of the floorboards making her shudder.

"That didn't answer my question." "It's a personal thing to her. I wouldn't go around bragging about it. But I will say that it's something that also makes her uncomfortable, especially to show to other people."

The floorboards cracked as Ruth pulled them open. She had them reinforced for a reason; this wasn't supposed to happen again.

"That's brave of her," I muttered, "I'm surprised at how much she's doing for someone she's known for two weeks."
Percy paused, taking out one last jacket, before shutting the chest, and sitting on the lid. "I... wouldn't be surprised if she knew him for longer than that."

Ruth balanced the center grip of the double blade on her right hand. The scabbards containing the blades were covered in layers of dust. Ruth didn't want to touch the leather, didn't want to get rid of the dust that should've continued building up.