Ruple And Evelyn (Codex Grandomina Volume II)

Chapter Four: The Beginning of Forever

~ CHAPTER FOUR ~

The Beginning of Forever

1619

Ruple had never slept properly. No matter how potent and soothing his first few winks of slumber seemed, the last hours before morning would – without fail – be commanded by nightmares.

But thankfully, as he awoke from sleep on the 15th of October 1619, first light was still many hours away, and his residual nightmares had been averted. Though, as he would consistently forget, the day now offered darker demons than the night. Septus ruled the day.

"Come, Ruple. Wake up," commanded a voice near identical to his, "Rex told me to fetch you; he says that we must meet to discuss certain... happenings."

"It's too early Romero," said Ruple groggily as he sat up and felt his eyes adjust to the light from Romero's flickering candle. "What does Rex want to discuss at this hour anyway?"

"I'm not quite sure, brother, though he'd almost certainly want me too," he scrunched his eyes in remembrance as he spoke "main... ...maintain confidentiality." He grinned at his lingual success. "Rex is sure Septus has spies in the palace now."

Ruple looked around the chamber forlornly. There were many nooks and crannies in the palace. Could someone be watching them from the shadows?

Romero ambled toward the door.

"Come on then, Ruple!" he hissed as he checked the passageway. "Put some bloody clothes on, will you?"

Ruple stood up and dragged on his breeches. There was something about Romero's appearance that was odd, yet he could not quite place his finger on it.

"We're running out of time, brother!"

"Time for what, Romero?" demanded Ruple.

Romero shrugged, "Rex told said it was that word I said earlier but seem to have forgotten..."

"Confidential?"

"That's it!"

"Well, why do you get to know before me? It's not like you're famed for keeping secrets. I still remember when I stole that crock of butter from the kitchens and you told Grandmother Rosette what I'd done – even though you ate half of it yourself!"

"It was the right thing to do, this is different."

Ruple shot his brother a frustrated glance, but Romero turned away.

"Just follow me, baby brother, all will be explained, I'm sure."

Ruple pulled on his boots and waddled over to the open doorway.

"At least tell me where we're going?"

At this Romero smiled. "Papa's old tower," he whispered, eyes suddenly wide in wonderment, "You can see everything up there, Ruple, everything—"

"But how did Rex get the key? Papa shut that place up years ago!"

"I don't know, Ruple. Maybe the key decided it had had enough of hiding, and fluttered off to find a new owner."

"Very funny."

"Well Rex has got the key, so that's where we're going."

A roguish grin danced across Romero's face and he leapt out into the passageway in a comedic dueller's stance. Suddenly Ruple realised what had changed about his brother's appearance – he was carrying a sword at his hip. He decided against asking why. Hopefully he's not going to try and kill Rex again, he thought, even then admiring how gallant his brother looked.