I felt like I was being used. But I was also using them for my profit. So who can even say who won in this exchange? Perhaps only time.
These were some of the times when I wondered. In this fantastically arranged world, one where dreams are but a step away and the impossible just a time away, can someone look past this mist on the road of the future and read the signs on the next corner?
Would there be a board telling me where to go, or someone to give me directions? Or maybe someone to hitchhike. Someone to take all the way to the end of this road or perhaps someone to relieve a short moment with.
‘Knowing the future would be nice.’ I decided.
Would it be boring? Nahhhh… absolutely not! ‘Well, seeing the future implies the existence of an uncertain future.’ I argued ‘Maybe I can change it for better sceneries?’
Cause why not?
Anyway, currently it was 7:08 pm, the sun was setting and the moon visible in the darker parts of the sky. A constant across the planets which I liked.
‘Wait, am I an astronaut!? An extraterrestrial explorer? Cool!’
Anyway, it was 7:09 pm, and I was walking behind the steward as he took me through some hidden pathways, with dark curved walls and a torch as the only light source, to his hidden evil lair. Well, that was where I like to think he was taking me, but I had no idea about it.
In the last meeting, he had asked me to meet him in the smoking room, as discreetly as I could, while he would assign the guards and maids around that area to a different job. He had somehow managed to convince my guards to leave me unattended for a few hours.
Which I found bizarre, but hurrah for me.
Reaching the smoking room, he was there already and told me to follow him as shifted a painting on the wall at a certain angle and spoke aloud a string of words which I assumed was some kind of password as the wall behind the painting shifted and slid aside in an opening.
But we didn’t take the way. No cause it was but a fake and a trap.
We then exited the room and after a minute of silence, re-entered it. A new way was open for us!
It made me wonder, who even is controlling these things? Even the murals seem to adjust themselves automatically according to the needs of people. How is that possible?
‘Is the house alive?’ I wondered and I did not think that was a joke. The secrets of nobles can be just as bloody as their ranks. Not to mention I still remember the words ringing in my head. 'E Mural ar’ ume’
I did not dwell too deeply on it. Knowing such secrets has a way of dooming yourself, and I would rather learn of it some other day. When I’m less busy trying not to die.
Anyway, the secret passage appeared sufficiently underground as we crossed through many levels of stairs, deeper underground. Doors leading to someplace were placed along the platforms as we reached a new level. I realized we were in the ‘Fallout bunker’ equivalent of this world, in case a super explosive Artist goes rogue.
After walking for another half an hour in silence, something which we both tacitly agreed on, we finally reached the end of the tunnel. The only way from here was stairs leading upstairs.
Many shelves and chests lined across the wall. Cloth bags and jars and jars of packed food, food preservatives, dried meat and so many other types of food and other essential equipment. Similar doors as seen above lined the walls, amounting to 4 of them. I realized they must be washrooms or changing rooms.
I had known about this place. At least the old me had, but this was my first time coming here, and it was honestly better than I expected it to be.
It was not a secret, every person in the city knew of it and the entrance for various levels of bunkers was spread throughout the city. The ones closest to the ground for the poor ones and the ones deeper and deeper for the rich or V.I.Ps.
The level I currently stand on is reserved for the noble family and noble family only. 100 meters deep into the earth, we were sufficiently protected.
On un-urgent days, no one except the most trustworthy ones with required clearance levels is allowed entry, and that is mostly for restocking equipment and any spoiled food. The fact that the steward has the required clearance doesn’t surprise me.
The exit of this tunnel in itself is a state-secret and no one but the members of the noble house can ever wish to open it.
‘A buried secret!’ Puns aside, I looked at the steward who was going through one of the cloth bags and bought out a pair of white shirt beige pants, and a light blue tiara to go with it.
“Please change into them.” I took them and walked into one of the changing rooms.
A minute or two later, I was out. My old clothes in my hand which I promptly handed them to the steward. In turn, he handed me a sealed document.
“Please give it to the priest and no one else. You should be able to find the way to the cathedral after exiting. Do remember to be back by 12. I’ll be here at exactly 12am to take you back. All the best for now.” He said as he walked away.
I stared at the sealed scroll and wondered if I should try opening it.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
‘I’m going crazy.’ I shook my head as I started ascending the stairs. It was a long and arduous process. My stamina was truly put to the test and I regretted not taking a bottle of water with me.
After what felt like hours and when my spirit and surroundings melted into a focused exhausted vision of the stairs, I stumbled upon the last stair and crashed on the door.
My head hurt and my lungs felt full of water. A flickering thought of lung cancer passed by and I ignored it. Lying spread-eagle on the platform, I breathed in and out. Each movement hurt my stomach like a needle and my clothes felt sticky and annoying.
I took off my shirt and lay with my bare back against the cold rock. Even the ragged surface felt soothing.
After what felt like another hours of breathing, I finally found strength returning to my body. It still hurt a bit, but it was the kind of hurt where walking feels more relieving.
Against my sore aching muscles, I sat straight and stood up before I slumped back.
Picking my shirt from the corner, I gave it a nice shake. It was a little dirty, but nothing too bad. My pants too, being light colors, were a little dirty but nothing a good pat can’t help.
A few more exaggerated breaths in and out later I was ready. Checking the watch, it read “8:12”.
‘Just great.’ I scoffed at my luck.
Putting such thoughts out for now, I examined the door finally. It was just an average door. No special markings, nor any special crafting.
It was just another simple, plain-looking door with an ancient feel to it.
‘Hence it’s not simple.’ I concluded.
With a sigh of resignation, I put my hand on the knob and with a twist, pushed the door open, one thought in my head ‘This door is quite light.’
And the next moment I walk into a public bathroom full of men washing their hands, some boys laughing as their voices grew softer and the running of water.
I looked behind me and saw a toilet seat with the cover open, the running of flush still ringing in the air.
I was so confused, as well awed at what I had just witnessed. I mindlessly walked towards the sink and opened the valve. The water came gushing through and putting my hand to it, it felt real.
I washed my hands, and with the same mindlessness walked outside. It opened to a small corridor with the ladies' toilet to my left and the bustling noise of people sitting at tables enjoying their food or laughing to my right.
I walked through them, listening in to their conversations. They felt real. The restaurant looked real; real solid tables, real waiters, real hustle-bustle, real yellow lights. Walking through the door it rang a ding above me but I didn’t notice that.
Cause in front of me the world had expanded and my eyes enamoured by the sights in front of me. The Cathedral in front of me or the people walking by, the couples enjoying their time, children playing around the cathedral weren’t what captured my attention.
But the sheer fact that I could see all this. The sheer fact that I had just been teleported from a dingy cave to the center of the city was what fascinated me.
How did they do this? Can I do it too!?
‘Wow!’ Once again this world has managed to fascinate me in all its glory and I finally saw a hint of how I could finally go home.
If teleporting is possible… then maybe I could teleport back home too!! Imagining the shock on my wife’s face put a smile on my own. Just… I can’t really remember what her face looked like.
Anyway, with my destination in front of me, I promptly entered the cathedral through the main gate. I saw a different priest in the pews, busy with his prayer.
Not knowing how to get to my priest, nor to intrude on the praying one, I patiently walked by his pew and sat beside him silently. I wasn’t much of a believer and I didn’t feel like changing now.
After another 5 minutes of praying, the priest opened his eyes and tapped his chest and face before looking in my direction. “Are you Conor perhaps?” His voice was soft and low, a little impatient too.
“Yes, I am, Father.” I answered.
“Father Agak would meet you in his room. I assume you know about it?” He said.
“Yes, I do. Thank you for your guidance, Father.” I said, as I stood up and bowed a little to him.
“All thanks are to his possession child. I merely act on his behalf.” He said before closing his eyes again.
I too silently slipped by, not wishing for a lecture on the church and its scriptures. Walking through the door along the transept as I did in the morning, I strolled to his room and seeing the 8.12 on his door I sighed and knocked.
“Come in.” He answered.
Opening the door I walked in. The room was pretty much the same as I had left it in the noon, with him still sitting in his chair, drinking a drink as he smiled at my entry.
‘Did he not move at all?’ I wondered but greeted him “Evening Father, I apologise for the delay.”
“All okay my child. The gift of patience is the only thing a long life ever awards you, child. Wisdom is just the byproduct of employing the gift. Come sit, sit.” I took my seat.
“As promised, I have given the ring to Mr. Ricono Arden and have brought a message from him.” I said as I handed him the document, still sealed and intact.
He took it and with a clean motion, the seal opened itself. I felt not a thing. He unfurled the scroll and read the contents patiently. His expression changed not once as he still held that smile on his visage.
With my plan on gleaming any information through his expressions a bust, I pretended to look around.
A few moments later, he furled the scroll again and sealed it before keeping it beside him. With the straightest face ever, he said “So yes, as per our agreement I was meant to give you one full candy bar of Briskville right?”
“No! What would I need a candy bar for? You said you’ll advise me on how to go further as an Artist!” I said, slightly panicked.
“Are you sure you don’t want it? They are one of the best in the empire, you know?” He smiled as if talking to a toddler.
“Positive. Please stop joking, Father.” Exasperated, I said.
“Oh, I’m not joking. I even got it for you, see.” The chocolate flew into his hand from the rack behind him with the words ‘Briskvillé’ written on a bar of paper with yellow designs.
“…..” Seeing the chocolate in his hand I was so shocked I just stared at him and his hand.
‘Is he serious?’ And my expression soured before he broke the tension with a hearty laugh.
“I was just messing with you, child. You’ll get what I promised. But you really ought to ask more questions before getting into all kinds of deals.” He said.
“I didn’t wanna disrespect you by asking too many questions.” I replied.
“Well, you better stop caring about such things if you wanna go far in life. The path you seek is one of endless curiosity and questions. And the only solace you’d find is the answers you seek on your own.”
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