Chapitre 19: THE INFILTRATOR

York takes Thea's diary with curiosity and reads it.

Dear Diary,

It's hard to say, hard to explain.

I'm hoping that everything is just as simple as a dream.

I would be less anxious, for I know somehow it will end.

When I wake up and face another day

If I can't survive in this bottle of identity

I hope to at least just let York know,

how I love him so.

For today that I realize,

that even he was once a monster in my eyes.

He still never ceases loving me.

He had endured the pain of being rejected by me

Just to let me see his sincerity,

he didn't stop but fight, and he's definitely right.

It is not on whats perceivable in my eyes but what's apparent in his heart,

may he also see me, not in his eyes but in his heart,

for deceit shows what you want to see and hides veracity.

Yours Truly,

Thea/Nerie

His mouth was agape, after reading the signature. "Thea/Nerie?" He mutters in confusion and keeps the diary inside the pocket of his cargo short before he goes out.

*****

In a busy port, after tossing the key to porter boy, York strides down to the dock tagging Tim, who's trying to keep up with York's pace, in her maxi summer dress and excessively large summer hat.

"There, did you see that? That's our yacht." York pointing to a shiny distinguishable white yacht, larger than the others.

"Well, that looks awesome, but I didn't imagine why we have to ride a boat going to your world. All I thought, that you're just going to flick some magic and ta-da! we're there."

"That only works for me alone."

The small vessel's interior is more elegant than the exterior. The main deck has a swimming platform with teak laid on top. The saloon has a built-in U-shape settee in ultra-leather trim on all interior sofas, a dual-purpose hi-lo table in the center for dining, or simply watching movies with the 32" led television. A functional galley, complete with laminated benchtop, galley faucet, four-burner electric hob, microwave/convection oven, double stainless steel sink, and fridge. The master cabin is more impressive with a queen bed, mattress 8" thick, soft foam with fabric covering, and cedar-lined wardrobes with automatic light. Yet none of that fabulous stuff impresses Tim, for what's in her mind is to be able to get there as soon as possible, but with the look of it, she's pretty sure it will take longer, or maybe York just played along with her and never truly mean to bring her in his world.

It takes them almost a month of traveling together alone. They usually keep it in autopilot mode while crossing the pacific, until they reach the water between the southern part of Chile and Argentina, where the two gigantic oceans meet. The pacific and antarctic.

A thick fog envelops the vessel and making the periphery dusky and fuzzy. Tim started to notice York changing his appearance. His ears grow longer and pointed. Synchronic with the moment that an enormous shape of a man appears in front of the boat. He is mostly black, just like a shadow, yet darker than the surroundings.

His big palm is blocking our way, together with the sound of his voice echoed, and it is sonorous, monotonous, authoritative, and enormous as he is. "Entre not granted---Entre not granted."

Tim was terrified and instantly grip on York's arms. "What is that?"

"That's the Phyado. He is guarding the area. You are not supposed to discern his presence, and since you are with me, you made it to the portal." York's voice is calm, not displaying any doubts or questioning as if he knows beforehand; the Phyado will block their entrance. He also knows ever since who the Phyado allow and who he doesn't. Still, he doesn't change his mind about inviting Tim into his kingdom. He acknowledges the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Now that he feels that Tim is not Thea, he has to keep her close at hand, for he knows someday, wherever she is, Thea will come and claim back her body.

"But what is he doing? Is he not letting us in? I thought you're the King." Tim winced, champing at the bit.

"Don't worry," York steps forward, and in his more authoritative voice, he pronounces." I am your King Ayorko, and I command you to allow entrance for this lady."

"As you commanded, your majesty. the repercussion is in your hand." His voice echos as it faded, together with his shadowy figure.

Appearing after is an extravagant golden gateway, with a patterned carving of vined leaves and flowers. It is metallic at the first look, but as it moves and opens, the golden carvings move as if they are alive. The boat moves forward, meeting the growing white, puffy and cloudlike dock that's bright and impressive.

They both walk out from the boat, and Tim treads playfully over the cloudy dock, then run after York when she noticed him striding away.

Tim can't help turning her head all around and every corner as they reach the palace hall. She is astonished by the reflective white wall and floor. Everything is shiny and spotless, from the hallways and to every room.

"This is your bed-chamber, I'm sorry, but I need to head now to the cabinet for the conclave. This is Gorva, your maid. She will stay with you." After introducing to Tim a few parts of the castle and a few people. York conveys her in her bed-chamber tagging along with a maid with them, to ensure Tim's comfort, while she's in the palace.

"At your service, mah lady." Gorva curtsy.

"To a conclave? I want to go with you to the conclave, can I?" Tim wrapping her arms around York's waist. Begging like a child.

"I'm sorry, but it's a secret meeting that requires only a few people. You can stay at the boudoir you can do many things from there. Gorva will accompany you."

"Aw, your keeping secrets from me?"

"Tim, that's not a kind of secret that you are concerned about. Gorva can also give you a tour of the palace and before you will be back. I'm already here waiting." York wraps his arm around the pouting Tim.

*****

Lord Commander Obelius and two other knights rise and bow their heads upon the entrance of the king.

"Any news for some possible infiltrator?" York stride in the cabinet with his kingly virility.

"Your majesty, our castle guards are keen on that matter. They're currently checking every chamber and apartments for an unfamiliar individual." Obelius lays the map on the table.

"where is Amanda? She is supposed to be here?

"I haven't seen her since your return, Sir. Should we ask someone to call for her?"

"No need, I'm sure as soon as she received the news of my arrival, she will look for me. Let's just start" They all stand up to study the map. " We should put guards in this area here and here ---."

*****

"Why did York ear changes and becomes pointed when we arrived here?" while mooching around the corridors of the palace, Tim can't help but be inquisitive.

"It is part of the portal's magic, mah lady. A natural fae will change his true image upon entering the realm. His power to disguise will only work in your wold."

"But York looks don't differ much when he disguised, as you said."

"Yes, my lady, but when he uses too much of his power in your world. The cursed visage will appear."

"The cursed visage? What do you mean?" Tim paused her steps and focused her attention to Gorva's intriguing information.

"I'm sorry, my lady, but I am not in the position to tell you more about that. Maybe a word with the King can give you clarity."

"Whatever, I think you can go back. I want to walk around alone." Tim rolls her eyes and sweeps her hands in the air, shooing the maid.

Tim sees to it that Gorva is far enough, and as she notices her out of sight, she sneaked into the small hallway going in the direction of the room adjacent to the cabinet, like someone who knows the palace so well.

Before going out to another open field, she needs to pass through, peek first and see a few guards about to pass by. She turns around to the wall hiding her front until the guards walk by, without noticing her.

A group of female households, moving in her direction, making way into the kitchen that would pass by her plan destination. Blending in with the group, she smiles over the coincidence's perfect timing, making her job easier. She positions herself at the hindmost part of the group and so by the moment that the ladies reach the room adjacent to the cabinet, she unnoticedly sneak away from them and gets inside the unlocked room. Lucky enough for her, there's nobody inside it.

Standing in front of the wall adjacent to the cabinet, Tim pressed her ears to the wall together with her open palms.

"If the infiltrator will make his entrance to the gate, then that is not worrisome. The Phyado is heedful enough to stop him." Says Obelius.

"We know he will, but your majesty, there ain't an assurance for them to pass that way. They have magic as we are. They can do all means to enter our kingdom." Words from another knight.

"You have a point, but besides being attentive, he should put into consideration to stash our valuables into the most secluded place. We should transfer the crystal between the armory and the highest dovecot." York has mentioned his final command.

While behind the wall, Tim, with her stealthy and sneaky grin of satisfaction, is a silent laugh, anticipating the taste of success.

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