Chapter 13: The Man Unseen
Kai Orsova rushed through the grand halls of Vasilisa, the imported gold from Yuma county painted on the walls.The sheeny reflection caught the ends of his sliver locks as he passed by.He tried to snag a quick glance down below at the square but a roll of sheet curtains blocked the view of the 25ft iron gates that rose into the sky in competition with the height of a sky giant, the huge beast that slept above in the clouds of Etheraliaria.Known as the city that never slept, the premature beast known to be over 31ft.
The penetrating height of the iron gates loomed over the city, warning the ghouls held within of their damnation if one was daring. Flames of gold encrusted the front gate, blood splatters on the back from the ones who left.The ghouls who were stouthearted a word behind a meaning he would never be.
Every ghoul was rushing to get the newsstand to get their daily information about what was going on throughout the insipid city that was his home.All wanted details about the substantial announcement the queen had scheduled to make.All but him, he could not care less to him it was a ruse to get the ghouls hyped.Get them so hyped they would be blind to the madness that she had born.
His brisk steps conjured up specks of quaint dust that slept on the honeycombs of the marble floor.Drops of blood leaked from under his long flared coat, small gold paws poked out from under his tunic.Kai looked below his waist; his goal was to not cast attention to himself, although rotating between a walk and run in the never-ending halls of Vasilisa with a blood trail wasn’t the smartest idea. Especially when the Queen ordered for her handpicked pets to be extra tight on security, something about the guests she wanted to impress. White brows lowered in his train of thoughts. “When has anyone ever been important to the queen?” as he maneuvered to the side to let two frolicking maids on their morning get in front of him with handfuls of laundry in their arms. The angel white silks tumbling out from the baskets that were nearly as tall as them.He didn’t understand how they were content with the modern day slavery of the palace.
“It’s okay, little bud, we’re almost there, just a couple more steps and you’ll be in your new home. I’ll get you all fixed up.” He cooed as he scratched behind the ear of his newfound friend. A pinched smile appeared on his face.He was still on guard if the kingdom knew what he had underneath his coat. It would be commoners at his doorstep before he even stepped on the threshold.It wasn’t that he wouldn’t mind sharing with the poor souls that weep at the town’s hall for scraps of food only to be denied.It was that this was his ticket out his way to a new life?
Kai, ever the Veterinarian for four legs and fluffy ears.Had a soft spot in his chest for the mammals of the wild. He pondered on what it was they loved about the depths of the forest. He researched animals for his hobby, juggling amongst being the Queens number one tailor in all of Austria; his homespun dresses were the utmost top exquisite gowns in the entire realm, or he should say wherever the border stopped. No wonder he had the delicacy of riding to the palace in the queen’s famous carriage.She had to see who the man was the city was a flush about.
Turning a sharp corner just far ahead, he could make out the brick door that separated half the city’s residence from the mundanes. The same door that he could never enter.The door that sat in the middle of the palace defining who they were. His teeth gently scraped his bottom lip, his shoulders tensed at the sight of the door. He tried to go into the door once, curious where the materials for his dresses came from, but never was he able to enter. It was a sea of magnetic energy shutting him out, a mass that was impregnable.It had the boastful ghoul inside of him threatening to crumble.Esther would do what she had to, pull out anyway of keeping the ones given to her through a royal oath protected even from her own creations. A bitter laugh fluttered out of his mouth as he neared his destination.The queen was funny indeed.
“STOP! right there, Kai.” A man with a voice like a foghorn yelled.
Stopping in his tracks, Kai smacked himself on the head.Rolling his eyes with annoyance before turning around to see the diesel guard stomp towards his way ,his demeanor every bit upsetting. He glared at him with a limp, pushing his left leg to drag along. Three seared circles under his eye marked him from years of war. The guard pulled his right leg under him to stand in a manner only someone with the routine of the army could do.” Eh, soldier, what are you up to? He said in a daunting manner.He clicked his tongue.Randolph believed that Kai was lying about his history, he assumed Kai was some sort of outsider that came to the city to rank high in his victory.
Putting on a mask of unconcern, he gave a hearty laugh topped with a big smile.” Oh, you know me, Randolph, just running my morning errands.” That was half the truth. It was true he had his morning shift like anyone else.Speaking of, he was late cleaning the throne room and preparing for the ball the queen had asked of him. The dreams he had about the little boy with chestnut hair and salty tears had him sleepwalking into the palace garden again the night before. The smell of rose berries stuck in his hair. It was where he had found the rabbit struggling to survive with an arrow lodged into its hind. How was he to ignore a friend who needed help?
Randolph limped to him, glancing at him from his scarred eye, narrowing them down before continuing. He smacked his lips regarding the blood dripping down the front of Kai’s coat. He pointed one shaky finger towards the soaked fabric.” Why am I sensing something fishy underneath that damned coat of yours? Kai, why is it every time I see you I feel a crazy sense of anxiety.” He breathed out through his mask.” An old man like me to put up with such a troublemaker?”
In Kai’s defense, he wasn’t trying to be a troublemaker; he was just getting caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Kai tucked his arm underneath the weight of the rabbit, lifting it so that the curious Randolph wouldn’t notice the bulge coming from his chest. Now how was he supposed to get away from the nosy guard.” Randolph,” he started with a smile “ My guy, how’s your pretty daughter last time I heard she was bedridden. Poor little thing” he said in exaggeration, like he had a flicker of interest. “Just doesn’t know how to handle the pain of being a mother. I’ll continue to pray for her though, You know with cramps and dilating and whatnot.” The entire city heard of his daughter’s blunder with a man that was older than her by five years.
“I don’t know whether to take that as a serious inquiry or sly mockery.” Randolph eyed him and his chin lifted a slight bit to show his rank.” I don’t need none of your prayers, he said resolutely.” My girl is holding up just fine.Maybe had you been an excellent maid for our queen you would have been granted a family of your choosing.”
That was just it, Kai didn’t want a family or a queen. He saw firsthand how they handled things and he couldn’t stand to watch.” Think I’m good on that small piece.”
“I say you stop being selfish and think of someone other than yourself.”
The words bounced off of Kai’s body as he retreated further away from the guard. He was used to it, people thought what they wanted and he couldn’t control nor stop it, and begging that was out of the question he wouldn’t allow it.” I see where this is going and I neglect to say I will not be part of it.” Randolph, the jealousy from the guard was obvious. The stench of it burned Kai’s nose.He had other things to do at this hour then stand and have a competition between the guard who wished to be the queen’s play toy who wished to take his place. Turning on his heels, he choked out a “Good day” to his rival. Only he knew that Randolph was very far off from being his rival, even if the same blood pumps in his vein. He was special.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me, I am your commander, My rank is higher than yours.” He said shooting his mouth off..
Ranks those flimsy pieces of paper that told you how smart you were. He was in rank six, while Randolph was a rank seven. With the queen’s command she liked to give a test every year to her inbreds, a knowledge test to see where all of her creations stood on the ladder, the ghouls who were her highest ranks, rank ten lived in the palace with her they all lived on the fourth floor they did the important things like crossing over to the mundane side to deliver food, taking trips to the mountains to get materials, plan meetings for the queen. The ghouls who were rank 1-9 lived on the lower floors. They did essential things that helped the queen guard the palace, or design her dresses, maids. That’s it. The ghoul’s life here was meaningless. They followed behind their queen like a bad thunderstorm.” You think a silly piece of paper could tell me Who I am and what I’m subjected to, you’re more shallow than I thought.” He said faced forward.
He seethed.” What we have to talk about is important to this kingdom and to our queen.You need to stop bullshitting and find a wife to bear you a child.Our line needs to continue.”
“A child!” his voice peaked. What part of I don’t want a family don’t you understand Randolph, A mortal ? Our enemy? Are you insane, what the queen accepts is enslaving her people.``
“Are you so focused on yourself that you don’t see how you strut around your relatives with such a high aurora no one even wants to talk to you!” Randolph said from behind him.
“Relatives? “ he snorted. Randolph was becoming a bother he had to get away from him and into his room.” Don’t get it twisted old man, we may bleed the queen’s blood, but under no condition are we related.” He meant that with every ounce in his body, he wasn’t one of them. There was something out there for him. Not just this, damn he craved for more.
He could hear a sigh escape from Randolph as his metal boots dragged along the floor.” If you continue to push people away, you will have no one to rely on.” he whispered as his footfalls echoed down the hall.
Kai, the tailor who bathed himself in his world, a world where there was only nature and peace.He Shifted the rabbit’s weight off his belly. The small claws scraping his abdomen. “Okay, okay.“ he whispered, “I’m getting to it. I am dallying along now.” He looked back over his shoulder to see the familiar figure limping away. He chuckled. Pulling his coat closed. ” All I need is myself and no other.” he said as he pulled a strand of white hair from his face.
Now wasn’t the time to complain about his life soon he would be free. He had to get to his room to drop off the rabbit before the queen called him for her lascivious taste.His stomach ached just thinking about it after all, he was her number one tailor.
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone