Sandra and Dominant made their way through the halls of the manor. The High Lord was not in his usual office, but Sandra didn’t seem worried. “I’ll send him a message, but while we wait, let’s get some lunch.”
Dominant didn’t argue. He was hungry, but he was also a bit anxious. He wasn’t sure if this was a good idea, or even what point was. Given everything she’d said, he wondered if Sandra was trying help improve his standing with the lord.
They went to a large dining room, arranged like a fine dining restaurant. There were a number of servants working to clean tables and bring food to various guests. Most of the guests were dressed in expensive looking clothes and were laughing loudly, drinking, and enjoying themselves. Dominant hadn’t seen the place, and was surprised by the sheer opulence and grandeur of it. He wondered how many other rooms like this there were, and how much it all cost to maintain.
He was about to ask when he heard Mila laugh and he found her sitting at a table across from Talent. She was wearing a beautiful green dress that shimmered as she moved. Her hair was tied up in a bun with a ribbon, and her face was painted with joy and exuberance. It was the first time he’d ever seen her out of her servants uniform.
Talent smiled as he continued saying, “Well it’s the truth, and someone ought to tell him.”
Mila contained her laughter long enough to say, “But if they did, he’d say, ‘Ain’t no such thing as an arse that don’t stink.’”
They both laughed then Talent asked, “What does that even mean?”
Mila shrugged. “Ask Zat’ben, it’s how he answers every time someone criticizes his work.”
Dominant couldn’t help but smile. Mila was happy, and that made him feel good. He hadn’t spoken to or seen her since the incident and he realized he still owed her an apology. He was about to approach their table, but Sandra said, “Dominant, I see an empty spot over here.” She gestured to a table near the back of the room and began to move towards it.
Reluctantly, Dominant followed, taking a seat but his eyes remained on Mila and Talent. They seemed to be having a good time, laughing and sharing stories. He wondered what it would be like to be a part of that.
He also wonder about the nature of their relationship. Talent had been cruel and mean to her, while Dominant had only expressed his concerns about Talent’s behavior. Since then it seemed like Mila was purposefully avoiding him, but it was clear her and Talent had made up some time ago.
A servant brought Sandra and Dominant some water and a menu. Dominant glanced at the menu, but was distracted by the sound of laughter. He looked back over and saw that Mila and Talent were talking about something he didn’t try to focus on their conversation, but Mila’s eyes met his for a moment before he quickly turned away.
He swallowed hard, looking back at the menu and losing himself in the words. He couldn’t recall a time when reading something took so much effort and concentration, but it was the only way he could avoid thinking about Mila and Talent. He was aware of them, and it made it hard to focus on anything else.
Sandra and Dominant made their way through the halls of the manor. The High Lord was not in his usual office, but Sandra didn’t seem worried.
Sandra cleared her throat. Dominant looked up to find Mila pulling out a seat beside him. She smiled at him and said, “It’s been a while since we talked, How have you been?”
“I’ve been…” Dominant nearly choked on his words and looked down, “…busy.”
He watched her carefully from the corner of his eye, trying not to appear obvious. He noticed the way she moved her hand as she spoke, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the table. She was nervous, but she was trying to hide it. He didn’t know what to think of her behavior, but he decided to ignore it for the time being.
Mila bit the inside of her lip, sucking in a deep breath as her shoulders tensed.
She was going to get up.
“I’m sorry!” Dominate said a bit louder and more forcefully than he intended to. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, and that my actions got you… scolded.” His cheeks burned with embarrassment as the eyes of the room focused on him. He cared little about others, but Mila’s wide eyed stare made him wish he could disappear.
Mila looked at him, her eyes filled with surprise, then confusion, and finally, relief. “It’s alright. I was never mad at you, you know?” She smiled. “I was mad at myself.”
“Why were you mad at yourself?” Dominant asked, a bit confused. “And why did you stop… nevermind.”
She looked away and said, “I was mad because I should have chosen my words better. Both with you, and with Talent. Perhaps I could have been of more help. And I stopped bringing your breakfast because I was told to, my other duties were beginning to pile up and you needed to focus on your training.” She paused briefly then at barely a whisper she added, “I’ve missed talking with you.”
“Lady Mila,” Sandra said. “I believe your companion is waiting.”
Only then did Dominant notice Talent’s irritated gaze from across the room. Sandra folded her menu down, as a smile spread on her cheeks. “Would you like to invite him over? If not you may consider returning, I fear your behavior may be interpreted as rude by some. Others might consider it a direct violation of the instruction you were given.”
Dominant felt there was more to her words, but he was definitely missing some context. Mila sighed, then stood up. Her face was dark for an instant, then a smile a gentle, “I’ll see you next time,” masked whatever emotion was tormenting her.
She left the table, and Dominant watched her walk away, his heart racing. He wasn’t sure what to make of the whole situation. He knew he should be happy that Mila seemed to have forgiven him, but he didn’t feel right about any of it. It almost felt like she was told not to talk him, and everyone knew it but him. He looked at Sandra, but she wasn’t even looking at him, instead she was talking with the waiter.
He decided to let it go, for the moment at least, and focus on his food. When it was his turn to order he said, “I’ll take a split fin filet with steamed vegetables and winter beast gravy.” He wasn’t sure what he’d just ordered, but it was the only item he’d managed to read off the menu without distraction. After a few minutes, his order was brought to him, and he surprised to find that it was a large fish, steamed with vegetables, and covered in a brown sauce that smelled delicious.
He hoped it tasted as well as it smelled, but it wouldn’t matter either way. He couldn’t enjoy the meal with his mind whirling to make sense of the last several minutes. A sour taste built in his mouth, tainting every bite of food.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
----------------------------------------
The High Lord never did respond, but assured she would relay the message.
Dominant retreated to his room, and sat on the edge of his bed. The room seemed smaller than it had a few hours ago. It was dark, and cold, and the silence was deafening. He felt alone, and lonely, and confused. He wasn’t sure if he had done the right thing, or if he had made a mistake. He wasn’t sure if he should be happy or sad or angry or scared. There was so much happening out of his view, so many things he didn’t understand about the surface world and he hated it.
He stood up and walked to the window. He couldn’t see much, just an empty yard surrounded by stone walls. The moon was high, but there were no stars. The sky was empty and lifeless, just like him.
The door opened, startling Dominant. He turned to find Talent standing there with a hard expression. Dominant swallowed hard, trying to remain calm. “What do you want?” he asked.
Talent pushed the door open, nodding toward the hall as he said, “Walk with me. There’s something you should see.”
Dominant hesitated. He wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or not, but he didn’t want to seem afraid. He stepped forward and said, “Alright.”
Talent smiled and turned to leave. He led Dominant to a part of the manor he’d never been before. They passed through a long hallway, lit by blue fire that hovered in the mouths of stone statues. The twin doors ahead were opaque and carved with beastial figures that looked like they might spring to life at any moment.
Talent produced a key, turned the lock and pushed the door open then stepped inside. Dominant followed, but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the room. It was a collection of some kind. Blades and swords of all kinds. Row upon row of weapons lined the walls and floor. He couldn’t believe it. “What is this?” he asked.
“This is my father’s gallery. He is a collector of sorts. Every weapon in this room has been in the family for at least a hundred years, some as long as a thousand. But that isn’t what we’re here to see.”
Dominant looked around, feeling a sense of awe. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to react, but it didn’t seem appropriate.
“This way.” Talent said, pointing toward a door at the back. The real treasures are back there. Dominant followed, forcing down the feeling that this was a place she shouldn’t be. Asher’s Gallery seemed purposefully separated from the rest of the manor and he doubted it was locked by accident. Still, Talent was the lord’s son so he figured it would be fine to browse. He also figured if he could find a way to get on the lord’s good side, maybe he could ask to see the collection again.
Talent led Dominant into another room. This one was larger, and filled with strange beasts. They were alive, but frozen in a sort of stasis, and arranged in a display that seemed to tell a story. Each creature was a half petrified version of itself, and each one seemed to be reaching for something, for life, or freedom.
Talent walked up to one, a large creature with red scales except where it was petrified, the stone portions were gray and lifeless. He tapped its head and said, “Father caught this one ten years ago, it was one of Lord Asterith’s pet spies.”
“Lord…Asterith?”
“Oh, right you’re from under the rocks.” Talent said, rolling his eyes. “Let’s just say she’s a scaly bitch and the only real threat to us Kastins. You might have to fight her one day…” he laughed “…I hope you’re prepared to die.”
Dominant wasn’t sure what to think. He was aware that there were other cities and other lords, but he had never considered the implications of that. He knew nothing about the world beyond the manor, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to learn.
Talent turned away, moving briskly past several other beasts, as he said, “We aren’t here for a history lesson. Come on, it’s time I show you what’s waiting in your future.”
Dominant followed, a bit apprehensively. He wasn’t sure what he was about to see, but he was certain it wasn’t going to be pleasant. If not for some sense of morbid curiosity, he might have turned around and left the room entirely.
Talent stopped in front of another set of doors. These were made of an odd material, like glass, but more solid and with multiple textures. On the left door there was an embossed likeness of a man. His eyes bright and his face smiling. He wore comfortable clothes, but nothing so nice as even the manor’s servants. Opposite the man there was a woman in a white gown that looked like it could’ve been woven from actual flower petals, if flowers grew to be the size of a bush and were actually sturdy enough for the job. Similar to the man on the other side, her face was filled with joy. Her hair flowed as if a breeze had picked up and little critters surrounded her.
The closer they came to the door, the more distressed each figure appeared until they stood just in front of it and each figure looked to be crying out in agony.
Talent stopped, staring at the door for a moment before turning to Dominant, his expression serious. “Don’t speak. What's on the other side of this door, she’s not a person, not a thing, and not a beast… she’s just something that shouldn’t be. Hopefully she’s asleep, but if not…well, I warned you.”
Dominant wasn’t sure what to think. He had a bad feeling, but he wasn’t afraid. He was curious and a bit apprehensive, but not afraid. Before he could fully process through his emotions, Talent opened the door.
Talent stepped into a small oval shaped room with two stages, each set on opposite sides of the room. Each stage was occupied by a person matching the figures in the doors.
The man on the left looked to be in his early thirties, muscular and fit, with dark hair and a clean shaven face. He wore the same clothes as the figure, only they were covered in blood and his eyes were black and lifeless. The rise and fall of his chest was the only indication that he was actually alive and not just a sculpture.
The woman’s age was harder to place. By size alone Dominant guessed she must be an adult, but her face was almost childlike with high cheekbones, big round eyes and her lips were full. She was dressed in a similar manner to her door, except her gown was a dark crimson with black trim. She wore a wreath of wilted roses on her head like some sort of crown.
Neither could move as their legs were mostly petrified.
The woman was the first to notice Dominant and Talent. Her eyes widened and she twisted slightly. “He doesn’t know you’re here does he?”
Dominant assumed she was speaking to Talent, but the young lord didn’t answer her.
“Of course he doesn’t, he’d never allow you in here alone. So, why are you—”
“SHUT UP,” Talent snapped. Then after a deep breath, he said, “speak again, and I will end you.”
“You really think you can threaten me boy? I know you won’t harm me, and there is no greater torment than what I already endure.”
“And yet, your mind remains sharp as every, but if I cut out your tongue, I wonder how you’ll spew your venom and lies then?”
The woman’s lips thinned to a line, and her eyes sharpened with anger.
Talent smirked, then looked at Dominant, “You see this,” He gestured to the woman. “This is Meyori Akiru. She was a weak judge, but a judge none the less.”
“I am your mother!” The woman hissed.
“You are a traitorous whore who was rightfully put in her place.”
Meyori didn’t argue, but the look she gave Talent was pure venom.
Talent went on, “This is what becomes of those who work against the Kastin family. Judges, beasts, even puny n—” Talent closed his eyes, grabbing his head as if in pain. When he opened them again he said, “Even the common folk, those that defy the High Lord will suffer. Consider yourself warned, Ant. The next time you think to accuse me, remember this. If you want to see Mila—”
“Mi…la…” the man on the other stage leaned forward as far as his half stone body would move. His eyes were wide, bloodshot and his irises as red as pure blood. The room stirred with an uncomfortable pressure as the man reached, repeating “Mi…la…”
Talent’s face went pale. He turned, grabbing Dominant and pulling him through the door then slamming it shut behind them. “What the fuck was that? Creepy fuck hasn’t so much as moved all these years now he wants Mila too? Shit! What the hell is it with that girl?”
“I thought he was comatose.” Dominant replied, trying to understand why Talent seemed so scared. He supposed Meyori was scary, but he didn’t understand the relationship between any of these people and he doubted he would get any answers. “What’s his name?”
“Name? I don’t know… he’s just a number, an old number that father prefers to remember in all his dying glory.”
Dominant felt like there was something more to left unsaid, but he didn’t know what it could possibly be. It was clear they should leave, but he had to ask, “Why did you bring me here?”
Talent laughed. “I thought I already told you, I wanted you to see what was waiting in your future if you screw up, or even if you piss me off.” With a sigh, Talent said, “I’m going to bed. Go wherever, just leave me alone.”
Dominant watched as Talent walked away. He didn’t know what to think or feel. The whole situation was so bizarre and unexpected that it left him feeling numb. He hurried back to his own bedroom and collapsed into the bed.