Secret Dicoveries # 16

Meanwhile, Crystal was slowly approaching Flugentius, the wolf's, fortress...
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It had taken longer then Crystal had hoped it would, much longer. When she did reach the entrance, Crystal was using the last of her strength to remain standing, let along moving forward. The entrance was much smaller then she had thought it would be. She had expected the fortress of the a king to be large and grand. But this one proved her wrong. Instead of large steel doors bearing the emblem of the court, Flugentius's entrance was the small opening at the base of a tree.
Strange, thought Crystal, that a tree could be the inhabitance of a wolf, let alone a lord wolf. But Crystal was too fatigued to ask questions, and she knew better, now, then to judge things on the first glance. Was not Merlin's entrance deceiving as well, with a door so small leading to a room so large? Furthermore, wasn't her most recent encounter with Flugentius prof enough that looks are not always as they seem? So, she held her tongue as she followed Flugentius into the darkness.

The small hole in the bottom of the tree was sealed off by a door that resembled the bark of a tree itself. In this way, one could not find the door without knowing that it was already there. The doorway was only 5 feet tall, enough to fit Flugentius through, but Crystal had to bend in order to enter.

Once inside, the door opened to a narrow hallway, 6 feet high, leading...off somewhere, the destination unknown. There were little lights, mounted half way up the side of the walls on either side, illuminating the corridor. This place reminded Crystal of Merlin's house. The cold dark pathway that he had left her in before she notice the peep whole in the door. The feelings of loneliness and abandonment that accompanied this memory made her shudder and instinctively wrap her arms around herself. She started walking faster, wanting to stay close to Flugentius, encase he meant to leave her here alone as well.

Too many times, it seemed, had Crystal trusted and been deluded by this trust. She was determined not to be misguided again and she, therefore, tried her best to keep her wits about her. But it was difficult to stay in focus when all she could think of was sleep and how hungry she was.

The hallways seemed to be leading downward for a time, at least that's what Crystal thought, and after many turns it started to rise upward. The lighting quality began to improve and Crystal looked up about her. It was then that she noticed that there were long, thin, windows lining the hallway at the very top. These windows had caused the increase in light.

We must be above ground then, thought Crystal.

At last, Flugentius stopped in front of a large, heavy, oak door. On the door was a small window, 4 1/2 feet up, it met perfectly with Flugentius's face. After standing there for a few minutes, Crystal realized that he must be waiting for something, for he wasn't advancing. Did he not have the key? Why wasn't he moving forward, why weren't there attendants waiting to let their lord in? Puzzled, Crystal held her tongue once again and resolved to stay silent, maybe he would explain later.

Finally, a face appeared in the small window on the door. Flugentius growled at it and the door was flung open. Odd, thought Crystal, this whole place seems very odd. Not only does the lord of the land use the bottom of a tree as the entrance into his fortress, but when he does enter he is not greeted with hoards of servants. He is only received by an oak door. If so, what kind of a lord is this?

Regardless of her puzzling thoughts, Crystal remained silent once again.

Flugentius advanced forward, leading Crystal into the antechamber of his fortress. As Crystal stepped over the threshold, she felt as though she was being transported into the most elegant room that she had ever seen. Crystal gawked and stared. The antechamber she stood in was one that she would expect to find in a castle, not in the middle of a tree. She took another step, looked about, and noticed the detailed painting displayed on the ceiling above. Someone had decided to make it into a canvas and had painted amazing designs on it. Crystal realized that the floor was no longer dirt but marble. The walls were based of gold and bedecked with the finest tapestries Crystal had ever seen. Amazed, she strode toward one of them.

This tapestry was very familiar, but Crystal couldn't place where she had seen it before. It was longer then is was wide, and in the center of was a detailed design of flowers and vines, wrapped intrinsically around each other in an embrace unbreakable to even the strongest man. Running along the border were pictures of men and women, some on horseback, others siting on chairs.

One man caught Crystal’s attention, it was one of a Lord on a horse. Many of the other figures rode such an animal but this animal was different. The horse ridden was an autumn brown, almost chestnut. Her strong tail turned upright at the end giving the impression of superiority. What really made her stand out were her eyes. Her eyes were red; a bright red that held an inner light. With upturned ears and blatant stare, the horse seemed to know all that was around her.There was something about this tapestry, and horse, that reminded Crystal of...oh if only I could remember. But her weary brain and exhausted body refused to assist her with this puzzle. Her memory would not relent the connection.

"Princess," came Flugentius voice, deep and full, bringing Crystal back to her senses and place. She had started to drift, craning her neck as she tried to notice every detail, Flugentius's voice had startled her. Crystal jerked her head down and blushed, embarrassed. She had not acted appropriately. As a guest she should have held her stance and waited for instruction.

"You must be tired and hungry," Flugentius reminded her. At the mention of food Crystal remembered her fatigue and felt the growing need to sit down. "Elvire will show you to your room. There will be food waiting for you. If there is anything you need, let Elvire know and she will bring it to you. Sleep well, I'll call for you in the morning and we'll discuss your situation." Flugentius finished and nodded toward a fox that Crystal had not noticed before.

"Thank you," Crystal replied and bowed deeply toward Flugentius once more.

The fox, named Elvire, smiled at Crystal and started to walk away. Move your legs Crystal, or you'll be left standing here like a fool. Struggling, Crystal started walking after Elvire.

When Crystal caught up to her, Elvire had stopped in front of an open door. "This will be your room Princess," Elvire said as she entered the bedchamber. Crystal's room large. There was a queen size bed in the middle of the room, with a princess canopy flowing over it. The two wide windows on either side of the bed were drawn closed. Next to the bed, under left window, was a washing bowl and basin. On the right side of the bed was a steaming plate of food and a tall mug of something steaming as well. Along the left wall were two doors that looked liked they belonged to a closet, and on right wall was a large desk.

"Sleep well, there is food there waiting for you, as well as clean clothes in the closet. Pull the tassel by your bed if you need me." With that, Elvire bowed, turned, and left.

Crystal entered and closed the door behind her. It was then that she noticed that the only light in the room came from a large candelabra sitting on the desk on the right wall. The flames flickered and cast slim shadows across the room. Crystal approached the left side of the bed, sat down, and ate all the contents in two minutes. Placing the plate back down, Crystal reached for the smoky mug, and sniffed. It smelt like hot chocolate.

Slowly, she sipped the liquid, it went down smoothly and filled her body with warmth. Perfect, she thought. Content, Crystal turned over to the other side of the bed and washed her face, hands, and neck, with the washing basin.

Not wanting to move, Crystal almost feel asleep in her clothes. It was with great effort that she willed herself to rise and search the closet for a nightgown. Thankfully, she found one easily, and was surprised as how well is fit her. Finally she was ready for bed.

Pulling the covers around her, Crystal refused to listen to any of the questions floating in her head. She had been through enough today to last her a life time. All she wanted now was sleep, relaxation. To this, her body did not resist, and Crystal immediately feel into a deep sleep.

Part 17