The women led us done jasper stone paths. The Zone was surely one big maze that I had almost lost my bearings at every corner we turned.
We followed Edde’s example of bowing and keeping our heads lowered whenever we passed a white robe person with a colored sash draped over their robe and clasped to their right shoulder with a bird symbol for the Lord Exacles.
“Look at that hair and eyes!” I heard a white robe person gasp as I passed them.
“I’ve never seen anything horrid on a person.” Another snootily added.
Indeed, I felt heated gazes from various people who commented about my black hair and eyes being an abnormal and ugly feature.
It was probably why Sister Branwyn had stared at me with disdain, and why I had experienced a few other lengthy looks and odd glances.
As long as I wasn’t viewed as anything but ugly, I could hopefully live my existence without further troubles. Still, was I a hideous specimen? It was the first time I had received this impression. I didn’t think Troy, Khes and Zak saw me unbecoming. A pang of sadness crept into my heart at the thought of them. I hoped that they were being treated well.
Eventually, the side comments waned as we entered less frequented paths. Our destination was a wide courtyard, framed with hewn marble benches and potted firs.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Huh?” I thought as I noticed a black and white furry creature carefully watching our approach on one of the benches.
I was impressed by the creature’s spunky and cute appearance, but something about it made me want to ruffle its fur until it was one big fluff ball. The only white part of its fur ran as a spiky strip down the middle of his head, which was round with a long snout. Narrow almond shaped, amber iridescent eyes seemed to be frowning. Or, it just appeared that way from its heavy brows. Large white whiskers twitched animatedly to draw out its pudgy cheeks. Its round body on four spindly legs reminded me of the fiery red rat-like creature that had scampered past me, back at the East Hold.
The creature must’ve noticed my attention toward it, because it rose and turned tail. Literally, showing me its stringy long length before it hoped off and disappeared from my view.
I sighed and returned my attention to the women and our walk.
We approached a pink-white marble statue at the end. It was in the likeness of Anwar, with flowing hair around a slender waist and the hem of her dress caught in a sway. She held her long sword of rose quartz to her breast. An expression of love and justice was captured on her serene and delicate face. The women gave us a sign to wait before the benevolent goddess along with a look of warning, then disappeared around the back.
“What yah think will happen to us,” I whispered.
“I dare not think,” Kalia replied and turned to me with a smile. “You know, I’m glad we’re together, Neven.”
She dropped her smile when the women returned. We followed them around the statue, through a marble hallway and entered an enormous round chamber.
Books, scrolls and other learning papers were everywhere. They were filed pristine on shelves, which ran from the floor to the ceiling. White flamed torches in silver scones illuminated book ends. Rich blue and rose colored futons sat, hodgepodge, around the middle area. Near them, were study desks and chairs of polished oak. I dreaded the thought of being the one to keep this library immaculate.