Every Little Memory

Entry #36: Inchworm

Once again I find myself within Crimson Hold beside the grand staircase leading up to the castle. Servants mill about, walking into and out of the large set of doors on the landing. I notice Iza standing at the base of the stairs, looking slightly annoyed. Her foot taps on the dusty ground beneath it and her arms are crossed; a sign of impatience. Someone is keeping her waiting, and I think I know who that someone is.

As if on cue, Kaiya comes darting towards her. She has to push past several people, which earns her some dirty looks. She seems a bit clumsy, as she is stumbling rather than running. Both Iza and I notice that her dress is too long and keeps getting caught on her feet.

Kaiya comes to a halt in front of Iza, giving her an apologetic look. Iza gives her a quick once over, as if assessing whether Kaiya looks presentable or not. Her hair is a mop of shaggy flaxen hair, like she just rolled out of bed without fixing it up. The skirt of her dress is already tearing and fraying in certain spots. Iza sighs when she looks at the lupine demon, but deems her fit to enter.

“Have someone hem that skirt. You’ll hurt yourself one of these days, girl.”

“Um….right….I’ll get to it. So what did you need me for?” Kaiya responds.

“Come, this way.” Iza turns on her heel and heads up the stairs, not bothering to make sure Kaiya is following. Any demons that may block her path instantly scoot away and seem to shrink down as if she may harm them. Her green eyes stare forward, not giving anyone a passing glance.

Kaiya lifts up her skirt in both hands and sprints up the stairs after Iza. A smile creeps along her face as she looks at the somewhat frightened faces watching after Iza. Some stare at her as if to tell her to turn back or wish her luck. I take it Iza is not a very forgiving, gentle person. She seems like one of those people who must have everything in order or her wrath will be unleashed.

They step through the wide open doors into the castle. As I expected, it is enormous. The ceiling in the foyer seems to stretch on forever into shadows, with how high up it is. Blood red carpet covers the floor over dark obsidian tiles, running up the grand staircase through the upper halls. It is surprisingly quiet in here. There are only two servants in here besides Iza and Kaiya, and they pass by without a word.

Iza ushers the lupine down to the left most hallway. Kaiya’s amber eyes widen as she takes in the scenery, like a child in a candy store. She’s never been in a building of this magnitude before. She is sniffing the air and everything in sight, which looks a bit silly. But hey, she’s a wolf deep down. Instinct I guess. I can tell she wants to run down the halls, maybe exploring every nook and cranny. She has that adventurous gaze in her eyes.

The hall they walk down has some paintings and pottery lining it on both sides. The vases hold no flowers; just empty pots serving little purpose. Kaiya pokes one as they walk by and frowns when it wobbles. Iza snarls, “Please do not touch anything.” Kaiya gives her a dirty look and steadies the vase.

Iza comes to a stop in the middle of the hallway and pushes open a door to her right. The room inside is filled with shelves containing many scrolls. Not a library, but rather some form of record area. Kaiya doesn’t appear very happy. Just what does Iza want her to do in here?

“This is the record room. Many types of scrolls are stored here, new and old. Lord Kain will be having visitors from Nocturnal today, who wish to see everything in the castle, including this room. Every servant has been assigned a place to organize. You are tasked with this one.”

Kaiya takes two steps into the room, looks at the scrolls, and frowns even more. “Are you sure you want me to do this?” she comments, picking up a scroll off the desk and staring at it as if it holds disease.