Chapter 3: Corridors

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The wooden door emitted a shallow sound that didn't echo as would other doors. Stein lay on the bed, crossed leg. His hair was loose and rested on the pillow, with which he covered his ears.

No I don't want to go, this really is a bed.

Never in his life had he slept on a bed. Either he lay on the floor, or against a trunk, during summer he would lay on the grass. But the wool filled mattress begged him to doze off. 

Until Andrew coughed.

Cough!

“Stein let's go, my father wants to see you…”

Stein jolted up, “my prince, how did you…”

Andrew shrugged and spinned around "it's my house I suppose.”

Stein nodded, and quickly reached for his green earring. Andrew's hand was faster. He threw it outside. 

Stein looked at Andrew; he blinked and pointed at the window. It was barely morning, and the cork was yet to crow.

“My prince that was…”

Andrew shook his head, and opened the door for a maid to enter with a change of clothes. 

Andrew said, “Olivia, when he's done, direct him to the hall.”

The maid bowed , “It shall be done my prince.”

Click!

The door shot leaving the two in the room. The maid introduced herself,

“My name is Olivia Margery, I shall be at your service from today onwards, my lord.”

Lord?

“Uhm…wait did you just call me…”

Olivia panned the cream coloured tunic on his face. It was smooth and silky to the touch. He began dressing. He wore the light brown hose and on it the woolly green trouser. 

She tied his shoes, smoothened his shoulders. She pushed him outside of the room.

“You are good to go, I shall take care of the room until you return…”

“Uhm, thank you I guess…”

She bowed her head slightly, “you will meet the king in the war room. It is just ahead of the vase corridor. Be sure to greet the King bowing, the queen by a soft blow on her hand, the prince and the princess, also don't speak if not told to. If you are offered anything don't, don't eat before the King and the royal family has…”

She squinted her eyes, Stein was spinning around feeling his new attire.

“Seriously, were you even listening to what I was saying?”

Stein stopped, “sorry about that, I think I got distracted around the war room…sorry.”

Stein rubbed his head and looked at her eyes, they were green and her hair a natural beige of blonde and brown. She pouted and closed the door. 

BANG!

Yes, that is a little too loud.

Stein inhaled, his hand rubbed his chest again. He smiled. And began searching for the war room, he asked around and found one maid with pale skin whose eyes were cold. The maid dusted the vase. The vase was broken before and was put back together piece by piece and glued through raisins. 

The maiden dusted it with care, on it there was a depiction of a black rose and a white rose. The white rose was from the same stem as the black one and the stem continued in several greek patterns up till the bottom.

The maid asked “Are you searching for the war room?”

The maids' lips stopped before the voice. Stein cleaned out his eyes. 

I still need to get used to the bed. 

He smiled, “yes I need to meet his majesty the king…”

The maid said, “then you should head over to the outer wing, to the crane corridor…”

Corridor…have I heard that before?

Stein walked towards the outer wing leaving behind the maid who returned to her duties. 

Stein touched his chest. It vibrated violently as though a hand shook him.

Sure Balltar was strong, still why was he after the Kingdom, well not that I wouldn't like to be king. I mean look at this place.

The outer wing gave a sweeping view of the city of Brightham, the doves flew high in the air and the growth also mobbed the harvest fields of the countryside. The city began waking up little by little, and from street to street mothers began preparing for the day ahead. 

Stein stretched his fingers and cracked them softly. He grunted; a sense of bliss flooded his being. 

Enough it's time to find the crane corridor. 

Stein ran the alleys of the palace. They curved endlessly until he arrived at a great door. Stein furrowed his brows. 

The Greek patterns from before.

The door was sculpted and then painted: on a petal of the dark rose rested a sword, and that sword cut off the build of a rather young white rose. 

That…is not a nice artistic sense. Either way, I better get going. Else I will be late.

He reached for the handle of the door. And it was freezing cold. 

Gulp!

He flung the door open and rushed inside. 

“My king – he bowed –forgive my lateness. I thought I took the right path…”

WOOSH!

His hair was combed back by the wind. He blinked hard. 

“What, the heck?! Where am I?”

He stood in an open air corridor.

What's going on, I better go back…”

A cold breath blew on his neck.

He turned to see who was there. He lifted his fist ready in defence, but she had the advantage. 

“Lady Cirrya, sorry I didn't mean to–

KICK!

Right on the chest.

Keough!!!

Stein stumbled backwards towards the edge, “I…I am sorry, I took the wrong route…”

Lady Cirrya’s eyes were frost cold, her black rose pendant rested on her chest. 

She smiled “No this was the right path. Farewell …Stein Karter.”

KICK!!!

In a bolt the cold eyed maid kicked him off the edge.

Lady Cirrya said “This is for Balltar, my father.”

His hands flailed, his body helpless. His voice was swallowed by the wind.

What?! 

Balltar, was her father…

How…no why.

He closed his eyes.

The croke crowd.

CRASH!