Whispers from the Dark

7. Light at the end

I woke up by a soft thump at my door. Artemis yawned and stretched himself out. First his front legs, then his back. yawned again and leaped on the bed. I saw him coming but was to slow to roll aside. His heavy body landed on my stomach, making me gasp for air. "I'm awake," I said through gritted teeth.

"Good, we're leaving. Pack you stuff and meet me downstairs." Spook's soft voice spoke.

"Okay," I answered, while I tried to keep on overly excited wolf not to lick my face. "What's got into you, buddy?"

Artemis jumped up and down on the bed. His tong lulling out of his mouth, his face in a difficult look. I really need to go. You know what I mean? I can't hold it any longer. He jumped out of the bed and sat for the door, his tail sweeping. Looking back at me with pleading eyes. I rolled my eyes and opened the door for him. He sprinted down the hall, almost running Jesper of his feet again. "Hela! Watch where you run, strange wolf."

"Sorry," I apologized for Artemis. Jesper turned around and made a gesture that it was alright. A big smile appeared on his face when he stared at me. "That nightgown fits you beautifully, little lady." I felt my cheeks blush and avoided his wide grin, pulling the nightgown lower of my knees. "I'll see you downstairs," he said and stalked off to the dining room. I quickly closed the door and got dressed. Packing my stuff together I didn't have much and still it'd be nicer if my backpack was a little lighter. Reluctant I looked at the room one last time. The soft bed, the clean sheets, the fireplace with the comfortable sofa's and pillows. "I'm going to miss this room," I said to the empty space. It be most unlikely I would be sleeping in a bedroom like this again for most part of our journey.

We ate our breakfast in silence. The tong less maid served us some fresh milk and disappeared again into the kitchen. After we had all finished, the tong less maid came in with a small package and gave that to me. I thanked her and saw it were some rations for on the road. But not enough for two. I looked confused at Spook. He shook his head. "So, you're just going to leave me behind?" I asked him a little hurt. Spook lowered his gaze, hiding the look in his eyes for me. He licked his lips before he spoke. "My part in your journey has ended. I will lead you safely out of the city and return to my daily duties."

I clenched my teeth and hold in my frustration. How could he say such a thing? I was disappointed for I liked having him around. I slicked away my disappointment and frustration. "Okay," I whispered lowering my gaze as well. An awkward silence followed until I stood up. "Shall we go? I don't want to spill precious daylight on my journey." Spook nodded and stood up as well. I walked to Jesper and greeted him the way I always said farewell to someone. I knew now that it wasn't a human gesture to say goodbye. But was it elvish? I had no idea. "I thank you for your hospitality and sincerely hope we'll meet again," I spoke. Jesper bowed gracefully back. "The pleasure was all mine, young lady. May the stars illuminate your path, little elf maiden," Jesper answered with a big grin on his face. The elves worshipped the stars for they believed that your soul would live on among the stars. Eternal life, the undying lands. The elves believed the stars were cities where elven souls would live on for ever. I knew my mother worshipped the stars. From her I learned how to greet and say farewell. The fact that Jesper spoke these words, meant he knew more about elves than I thought. I turned to Spook who was already standing at the doorway. "You know the way?" Jesper asked him. Spook nodded, his face hidden beneath his hood.

I followed him through the corridors of this small house. We walked into a bedroom. It was a big room, probably the bedroom of Jesper. Against the wall on the opposite of the entrance, stood a bed. Covered in red blankets and black pillows. On the right side of the room was a window, that looked down into the alley and the entrance of the house. On the left hang a carpet of a veiled black person holding a scythe. He was hovering above the graveyard. Spook closed the door behind us. "Close the curtains," he ordered me. I closed the curtains, but still a small beam of light flowed into the room and ended exactly on the veiled person. His eyes, hidden in the dark, started to light up. A strange, red light illuminated the room. Something clicked and Spook walked towards the carpet. There he revealed a secret door. "Ladies first," he gestured towards the darkness beyond it. I took a deep breath and with Artemis at my heels, I stepped into the darkness. It took a while for my eyes to adjust themselves to the dark. Spook closed the door behind us. "Follow me," he whispered and took a turn to the right.