Chapter 10
The knife leaves my hand as I watch it hurtle towards the tree, bouncing off and landing in the dirt below. Breathing out, I pick it up and try again, aiming for the mark I'd carved a couple of days prior, having yet to hit it. Swinging my arm over my head, the knife once again hurtles towards the tree and does not make contact, missing entirely. I pull my hair back, tucking it behind my ears, feeling the strands crusted with dirt. My fingers catch through it as I try to get as much of it out of my face as possible. The humidity once again causes my shirt to stick to my torso, where some of the grime, not removed in the stream, flakes off onto the forest floor. The staleness of the forest does nothing to eliminate the heat, sole for when the sun sets and a frigid breeze seems to take over. Opening the cabin door, I toss my knife onto the dresser before gulping down water. Thinking about what Knox said, That fool is no king, I head out towards the stream. King Taro seemed unwell, at least in some capacity. The volatility of his moods was terrifying, and not knowing what would set him off made it even more frightening. I needed to find out where Knox and the others were. The fact that they were all covered in what looked like armour and weapons suggested that they knew what was out there and how to deal with it, and hell… some community out here wouldn't hurt either.
—
With a now filled canteen, I decided to head off towards the castle. There were multiple rooms I had yet to explore, but this time I would avoid King Taro at all costs. While walking up the rather steep mountain that had seemingly become easier over these many days, a the large grey bird-like creature soared above me. Within its long talons, was a rodent, its body limp. It swerved around a tree, angling its body so that it was sideways, offering a very clear view of its wingspan. It was easily as wide as my own. The bird cuts through the leaves above and disappears into the light, probably going to enjoy its lunch. I envy it for a moment, imagining the wind whipping through my hair if I could soar through the sky. Like sitting out at the water, the breeze cooling your face, an unmatched feeling. I sigh as I unstick my sweaty shirt from my chest, the blue fabric beginning to look rather worn. I had gotten this shirt many years ago, at one point being too embarrassed to wear it. It was now a favourite of mine, a reminder of my childhood. It felt like an ode to the person that I once was, maturing and moving on with life.
My fingers grip the large golden handles as I swing open the heavy, wooden door. I take a moment to overlook the island before stepping inside, enjoying the serene view, not thinking about what lurks beneath. The sun was hot overhead, frying the land below it.
As I walk through the halls, I keep to the sides, listening carefully for any footsteps or voices. The long hallway is covered in large tapestries, some depicting what look to be ancient tombs, others covered in lunar cycles. As my eyes brush along each one, they snag against a harsh blue. The tapestry itself was beautiful. It was the type of art that should never be displayed in a museum, living and dying by the hands of its creator. The outer rim is a brilliant gold, the tassels dangling gracefully. Within that golden perimeter is a plethora of squares, each with its own scene woven into the fabric. The squares overlapped, making it busy. There were moons and stars, clouds and ethereal wings, elegant flowers and suns, a towering castle that cascaded into a woven waterfall. Amongst the squares lies one human-like weave. A beautiful headshot of a woman, her head tilted back with her eyes shut, seemingly praying to the skies above. Her skin was sky blue, shining beneath her dark hair.
The entire thing was captivating. If I could take it home with me, I would have. I didn't even want to consider what King Taro would do to me if I stole this away to my cabin. It would look beautiful beside the fireplace. A trophy of sorts. A fuck you for keeping me on this damn island, chasing me through the halls of your crazy castle, and sending me off into the woods to be eaten by giant centipedes.
Maybe one day.
If my memory served me correctly, the brass door in front of me should lead to the library. The wooden shelves were stacked with old texts and scrolls. The hinges creaked as I push the door, being swiftly met with the smell of ancient parchment and old leather. A small stable sat on the right-hand side of the room, covered in papers, with a quill laying beside them. I look around quietly, listening carefully. No noise echoed throughout the room. The words on the paper were in another language, not one I could understand. I wondered how much of the information that littered these shelves that was inaccessible to me. A pair of thin, golden rimmed glasses balance on the corner of the table. The glasses themselves seemed to hum, emitting a faint sound as I raised them up to eye level. The frames were heavy in my hand, glinting off of a lamp that sat in the top corner of the table. As my eye caught the light, the frames fell from my grasp. A clattering sound sirens around me, and I suck in a breath, stilling my body. The thin wooden pillars. The iridescent bulb that hung atop the tiny, carved buildings. The glass dome. This was the same lamp that I had seen in Ms.Wicks cottage. The one that lit up that ugly, dark leather sofa that took up way too much space. I could almost feel her eyes on me as I stared at it. She was here. Perhaps not physically here, but she had wanted me to get to this island. King Taro had spoken to me, about her. He conveyed her message. This lamp was just another thing that would lead me right back to her. I pondered for a moment, thinking about what would be the best way of getting some answers. I needed to talk to someone. I needed someone who could give me some useful information who wouldn't answer in riddles… The android. Byte.
I rushed through the hallways, wandering to the throne room and trying the dining hall. The robot was nowhere to be seen. I imagine that he was either with Taro or in the kitchen, but I couldn't get into the dining hall. With each footstep, I was careful to remain quiet, not wanting to be heard. I passed by an open doorway, but a glint caught my eye. Peering inside, my fingers wrapped around the solid platinum door frame. The room—some kind of parlour— was small, barely larger than my shack, but the walls were entirely bare except for the large painting mounted upon the wall, with a golden frame surrounding it. It looked to be a scene of war, but little chips and pieces were missing. It looked old and weathered compared to the other pristine pieces that graced the castlese walls. I glance around one more time, to ensure I am not missing something of interest, before I retreat and continue creeping down the long hallway. As I rounded the corner, I entered the only other room I could think of. The room of worship. The second my foot hit the floor, I stopped. The sight before me is precisely what I did not want to run into. There knelt King Taro, his crown beside him, glinting against the afternoon sun that poured in through the large windows. His eyes were closed, head tilted back, as he recited,
"Grant me the chaos of your divine embrace,
As I used to dance in shadows, lost within your grace.
Each flicker of insanity offers to ignite your flame,
For each moment in eternity, thou shall never tame.
The pilgrimage of lunacy, where this sanity shall find peace.
In the madness of your presence, I find solace and release"
His mumbling didn't stop as I slowly backed away from the room, quietly turning and walking on my toes down the hallway, praying that there was no sound. I did not see Byte, meaning I now had to continue looking, while avoiding the man who seemed to be praying to a deity about insane divinity.
I weave quickly through the halls, the sconces on the walls flickering, offering light to the areas not lit by windows. As I retraced my steps, I noticed a small door, the same pale colour as the walls. The door was half hidden by a table supporting some arrangement of dead flowers in a dark vase. Dropping onto Now on my knees, I lock my fingers against the latch and pry it open. With the table in the way, I could barely shimmy through. I was met by a small room with some deep steel countertops, plates strewn about. Byte was facing a large cabinet, with a couple large bags filled with what looked to be spices and flour. He whirred and turned around as I entered, carefully rising to my feet. I quickly realized that I was unable to stand, the ceiling stopping me from straightening to my full height. I remained hunched over. The walls were blank, with only a very bright light sitting above the other small door across the room. There was a small basin to my left filled with dirty water, and a book laying face down on the floor, the spine looking thoroughly cracked. I watched the robot, feeling somewhat silly that this was what I was again resorting to. Byte just stood there facing me.
"I- uh." I glance back at the book, "do you recognize the name, Ms. Wicks? She is a friend from my home. There are traces of her around the island, but I can't piece any of them together. The other people don't want to talk to me, and I can't understand what King Taro says. You've been the only per- thing who has given me useful information, and I was hoping you could help me again."
I was breathless by the end of my ramble. Byte remained still, buttons unlit. I shut the little door behind me, closing myself into what I would assume was the kitchen. Considering the amount of exotic meats and fruits that seemed to grace the table each night, I had no idea how any of it was cooked in here. The place was practically barren. Little lights along Byte's shoulder began to light up, followed by the sound of gears turning. The sound became louder and louder as the frequency increased.
"Re-", the drone seemed to stutter,
"Retr-" the words would not come out,
"Retrie-", the mechanical whirring increased, the gears beginning to spin so frantically that they looked as though they would fly off. An alarm began sounding from the little bot. So loud and shrill that I covered my ears. I stumbled back into the door. Suddenly, a booming voice overtook the ringing,
"Have you people no decency?"
My heart rate skyrockets, Byte's sound lulling as the door handle on the other door shook, followed by the clanging of what I assumed to be keys. I spun around, jiggling the doorknob of the door I had entered from. I twisted as hard as I could, tearing the door open and jamming myself through, my shoulder hitching on the table. The legs rocked as I used my arms to push myself up, the vase filled with dead flowers falling over, shattering on the floor. Kicking the small door shut, I begin quickly walking back the way I had come. Without making too much sound, I pass the room of worship and the library before breaking into a sprint, careful to stay on the plush carpet that lays a path down the centre of each hall. The paintings and large supporting pillars whiz by me. My heels dig in as I stop at an impasse, desperately trying to remember which turn I had taken. Steps sound from the path to my right, each slap against the hard floor sounding heavy. I take off down the other hallway, hoping that I can either find somewhere to hide or an exit. I look over my shoulder to see King Taro's back as he faces the other way, looking down the hallway from which I had come. I stop for a moment before stepping behind one of the pillars, gluing my back to the cold marble. The thrumming against my chest is so hard I am surprised he can't hear it. I listen carefully, holding my ragged breath. He inhales deeply, the air feelings as though it is being sucked directly out of my lungs. A cruel punishment looms in the back of my mind, I don't want to know what sick and twisted things he could come up with. Last time I spoke to Byte, he quickly let it be known that I was disturbing him. From what, I had no idea. The Golem, as Taro had called him, was simply standing there. Not moving. I listened as steps began to fade, King Taro storming off the way I had come. I peek around the corner to see the tail end of his robe vanishing out of sight. I let go of the breath I had been holding, turning towards the exit, hoping not to come across him again.
—
I practically fall through the front doors, desperate to get out. Within half a second, I slam into another body that does not move, causing me to stumble back. My fingers twitch as I straighten myself, trying to quickly get a hold of my breathing. Knox eyes me suspiciously,
"Where are you going?" he says, voice low. I notice the others standing behind him, staring.
"I was just leaving", I glance behind me, "Someone's having another bad day"
The red haired woman narrows her eyes at me, "another?"
I pull at the hem of my shirt. "He doesn't like anyone talking to his robot, apparently", I scoff, realizing how ridiculous it sounded. Her eyes sharpen.
"We're going to be late for dinner. Move."
I step out of the door frame, allowing them through. The other two men walk by me, following the angry-looking redhead. Knox stops before entering, motioning for me to go with them. Doubt fills my eyes. I didn't realize how much time I had spent on the inside.
"It'll be fine", he says in a levelled tone.
I consider for a moment before turning back into the castle, but Knox quickly falls into step beside me as we head to the looming red doors. I cross the room to return to my usual seat. While I tuck in my chair, the floor scrapes as Knox sits down beside me. I throw him a sidelong glance as he skilfully removes his bow, leaning it against the table. King Taro says nothing throughout dinner. Neither does Knox. And I definitely take note of the fact that he doesn't eat a single piece of food that he piles onto his plate.
—
I spend the rest of my evening stacking wood in the fireplace and imagining how that blue tapestry would look hung up beside a roaring fire. Without it, the walls seemed stripped, just bare logs pressed against each other, rough and repeating. I take a long swig from my canteen while flipping the knife between my fingers, the silence stretching out. With no heat source or light within the cabin, there wasn't much to do. The hours seemed to drag on idly, so I busied myself by carving streaks into the wood in large, drawn-out patterns, like a prisoner counting the days in tallies against a cold stone. When the weight of my eyelids became too heavy, I drifted off into an uncomfortable and fitful sleep.