Two
810 Words
Deep into the night, Jirani hurries around the palace silently, making her way to the library.
Her father forbade her from going into the library alone a while ago, allowing her only to read and conduct research under close supervision.
Firmly believing that everyone has fallen asleep, Jirani snuck out of her room and made a beeline for the library.
Once confirming that no one is inside, she lights a torch and begins to search for her answers.
After successfully getting rid of Rex, Jirani studied the sky to keep track of time. The palace is always busy, but everyone is usually asleep after midnight.
She begins carefully looking through the books, searching for anything about gemstones and ancient caves.
During the expedition, her father sent her to discover a historical cave near the village they plummeted instead of helping him.
She can vividly remember the ancient drawings on the wall depicting some sort of story. It seemed to call to her.
She couldn’t exactly make out the entire story, but there was a woman on the wall with blue curly hair who seemed to have been persecuted by a group of people and cast away.
The story showed her being attacked and chased, and a beautiful blue stone being stolen from her.
Right beneath the drawings, there was a blue stone placed gently in a hole in the wall. It had to have been the same stone.
Jirani slipped the stone in a hidden pocket in her dress, and then hurried to catch up with the rest of the elders.
Once she got back to the castle, that was her number one priority. She can look inside of the box the elder gave her later.
As if a gift from the heavens, she notices a book called “the legend of entho” a dusty brown book with beautiful cursive letters colored in blue on the side of the book.
Feeling drawn to it, she pulls the book from its spot and opens a random page.
A beautiful drawn portrait of a woman with blue curly hair and dark brown skin covered the whole page, wearing a beautiful necklace containing the same stone Jirani has in her pocket.
Jirani notices something peculiar about the portrait: the woman looks a lot like her.
“I’m surely surprised to see you here.” She hears a familiar voice behind her. In a hurry, Jirani shoves the book into her pocket and turns to face the person.
It’s the elder from earlier who gave her the box. Jirani eyes him skeptically, wondering if she can trust him or not.
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me, young master.” He tries to reassure her, recognizing the hesitation in her face.
“Why are you trying so hard to get on my good side?” Jirani suddenly asks.
“Because…if I’m going to put it lightly, I’m against your father and everything he’s been doing…and I know you are, too. I’ve been watching you closely, young master. Perhaps I can help you.” He replies, offering his assistance.
She pauses to think about it for a moment. “We’ll just end up getting ourselves executed.” Jirani says. “Though I am rather tempted to put a stop to all this…” Jirani adds on quietly, turning to face the books.
“Then do something about it. I can help you.” “Help me in what way? You’re only one man.” She asks.
“Though I’m only one man, I have a strong support system behind me.” He replies. “And that is?” “Let’s just say a party that’s interested in stopping this world war before it even begins. I can provide you with information, resources, even refuge.”
“Refuge? Where?” “South.” He replies. “South? You mean in enemy territory? I’ll be murdered.” She replies.
“Not necessarily. You might find it hard to believe, but you have a much better reputation than your father.” He tells her. Her eyebrows furrow.
“How so? My father doesn’t permit me to go out in public. The only people who have ever known me are my parents, Rex, the elders, and the commanders of the army.”
“Someone has been putting a good word in for you, young master.” He replies cryptically. She wonders what he meant, but puts her questions on a halt.
“What is your name?” She asks. “…Zaiyon.” He replies. “Zaiyon…” he replies.
“I’ll chose to trust you for now, Zaiyon. But I will be watching closely.” “I understand. Do you have any questions for me?” He asks.
“No I don’t. Not now.” “Tell me…how much do you know about your mother?”
- Writer
