The Angelic Paradox

Riddles

I wake up shivering in darkness and on a cold hold floor, clothed in nothing but a bloodstained towel. I shudder as it all comes rushing back to me. No--I can't relive that, I scold myself, trying desperately to remain in control. I sit up, my whole body screaming. I grit my teeth. I refuse to show Sabriel weakness.

"Ah, my princess awakes," his voice echoes though the darkness.

I scowl at the sound, "I now wish I hadn't. I am quite obviously in desperate need of my beauty sleep."

He chuckles, "Charming, are you, my dear?"

"No, that's a prince, thank you very much."

"Oh? Is our so-called Prince Charming your little Arty boy?"

"Wow," I snort, sarcasm oozing from my lips, "And I though he was a genius."

A dim light flickers on, revealing a small chamber, or rather a box, of steel gray. A single door is in the corner. Sabriel stands by the door wearing his usual devilish grin.

"You, my dear, are an interesting specimen, indeed."

I laugh bitterly, "Oh, so now I get to be a science experiment. How fun."

He circles me, "Of course, great fun. Your personality is particulary intriguing. You can be soft and sensitive and emotional one moment and loud and dauntless the next,. Like fire and water are dueling inside you for dominance of your personality. And you use the words as healers or weapons depending on you mood. I find it interesting. But your uniqueness makes you a threat and therefore I must dispose of you. It saddens me. You would be a priceless puzzle piece in my jigsaw puzzle of the future was it not for your rebellious spirit. It's quite a shame really."

I roll my eyes, "No one in their right mind would follow you, Swabe-zies."

He cocks an eyebrow, "Really? What if the were in their left mind?"

I snort, "Very amusing, Swabe-zies. I'm laughing so hard."

He chuckles again, "I thought you liked bad puns. Was I mistaken?"

I shake my head, "Oh I love bad puns, I just don't like the person attached to the mouth they're coming out of."

"Ouch."

"Plus that sucked, my puns are better. What did the buffalo say to his son when we went away on a long trip?"

"I don't know."

"Bison!"

He chuckles, "What is the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, the beginning of every end, and the end of every race?"

"The letter E. Duh. What is black and white and red all over?"

"A newspaper, of course."

"No, the Columbus Dispatch is plenty colorful. It's a blushing penguin."

"Or a sunburned zebra."

"Actually, I believe it's a skunk with diaper rash, but ya' know."

He chuckles and step closer, "How about something more challenging? Riddles. If I can't figure out your riddles, I don't harm you, I just leave you prisoner. If you can't figure out my riddles, I get to do what I want to you."

I snort, "Sounds like the Hobbit. That makes you Gollum. Huh, fitting."

"Yes, my precious," he says, humoring me, "You can have it and be at it but it never lasts forever."

"Peace," I say confident in my riddling abilities. I decide to take a hint from Bilbo Baggins, "A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid."