TKC 121
I am reminded of Damin as I climb, seeing the tower stairs
in Normur under my feet. We tried to warn people about the mud and water rising
from below … and I found out about Alyssa.
My thoughts shy away … to Horin.
Always so understanding, dear Horin. Ever in the background,
and yet he was our mother’s reason for going on after our father died. He was
my reason for leaving Grenmassin in search of Damin; I desired to gift my baby
brother a full life.
I will see him soon.
Employing that meeting as my inspiration, I continue upward.
The lantern alone now lights my way. There are no random sources of
illumination upon these otherworldly stairs.
Shadowy doorways appear as I go on, but I ignore all. Now is
not the time for sight-seeing; I wish to reach the top as soon as possible.
Time passes I am unaware of. All I know is the agony in my
legs. I do not stop, though, for I doubt I will be capable of renewed movement
if I do. As my legs take fire, my mind numbs.
Finally, finally,
another set of doors is before me. I stand heaving on a landing, clutching the
rail, afraid I will fall backwards. Never have I been this depleted of
everything.
Here there is dust. On the ancient stone underfoot, on the
door knobs, even in the grooves of the carved wood before me. Why? Is this the
wrong destination?
Shaking my head to dislodge uncomfortable thoughts, I grip
the knobs. At first I do so merely for support. Inhaling deeply to slow my pounding
heart, I stand as if otherwise frozen.
Then I turn the mechanisms under my fingers and shove the
doors inward.
By the stars!
We have our tales of fictional scientific marvels, and I now
thank them for gifting me something to compare what I see arrayed before me to.
This is the command centre of a spaceship.
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