Chapter 7

After our conversation with Mr. Edward, I ascended the stairs to my bed and approached Simmons' room. A quick knock, and he hastily opened the door.

"Do you like it in here, Simmons?" I asked, and he nodded with a smile. "I'll ask Diana to buy you some clothes. Rest for now, and later, join me in the study."

"Okay, Miss. Thank you," he responded.

I locked his door and headed to my own room, realizing everyone was minding their business. Retrieving the envelope containing the candle and key from my closet, I searched for a match and found one under the bed.

As I picked it up, a small carpet accidentally came loose, revealing a different tile with intricate circular designs. There was a hole, reminiscent of a lock with a key. Closing the door, I retrieved the key from the envelope, fitting it into the lock. As I twisted it, everything shifted—the bed moved, and the drawers widened.

Beneath the tile, I discovered a set of stairs leading down to a basement. Carefully, I descended into a room bathed in shimmering gold. Seventeen mirrors adorned the walls, each with a table in front of it. While the room was beautiful, nothing else captured my attention at that moment.

Returning upstairs, I left the room, and as soon as I was out, the key popped out on its own, restoring everything to order. I placed the key back in the envelope and found the matches I had been initially searching for.

Fixing the candle on the candlestick, I lit a match. To my surprise, an image of my father appeared in the flame.

"Hello, child?" he said with a voice that startled me.

"Father?" I asked, hardly believing.

"We don't have much time, Tara. Someone is coming. You can only keep that candle flame from the maze chambers," he mentioned.

"Is it that basement under the bed?" I inquired.

"Yes. Blow out the flame already, child," he urged just as Diana slammed my door open.

"Don't you know how to knock?" I scolded her, having placed the candle between my thighs.

"Sorry, miss. Mr. Edward asked me to get you as soon as possible. Sorry again, miss," she said, frowning.

"What's the problem?" I asked.

"There's a gentleman downstairs wanting a word with you, miss," explained Diana.

"This late? Who could that be?" I wondered aloud. "Let me get there in a minute then. Thank you," I gestured, asking her to leave me alone.

As soon as she left, I hurriedly placed the candle back in the envelope and walked briskly down the stairs. The gentleman wanting to speak with me stood facing the door, noticeably short and with dirty, possibly torn clothes. When he turned to look at me, I saw his bearded face, and I noticed he was barefoot.

"Greetings, Mistress Lyle," he began.

"Good evening, Mr...? Who are you, sir?"

"My name is Nodrig Berylbane, miss. May I have a word with you in private?" he requested.

"It's not a good idea, child. You can't be left alone with a strange man," argued Mr. Edward.

"I'm a harmless man, Sir Edward. I just need a word with the lady of the house," responded Nodrig, smirking.

"Let me, Mr. Edward. I can take care of myself. He doesn't look like he can do any harm to me. Look at him," I mentioned. "Let's go to the study, Mr. Nodrig."

"No, miss," he snapped. "I would rather the outside."

"No!" I said loudly, Edward grabbing my hand.

"It's alright, Mr. Edward. It won't be long. Right, Nodrig?" I exclaimed.

"It won't be, of course."

Nodrig led the way, twisting the knob on the inside and waiting for me to pass through before locking it from the outside.

"It's dark out here," I observed.

"Yes, it is, young mistress," he answered.

"What's the matter, Mr. Berylbane?" I asked.

"I came from Frosthaven, Miss Lyle. Who I need to talk to is Master Flyne Lyle, miss."

"My father passed, Mr. Nodrig. Six months ago."

"No. No! That can't be. How are we still alive?" he questioned, bringing my thoughts back to what Mr. Duksta had mentioned earlier on the same day.

"Are you my father's creation too?" I asked, expecting the same answer.

"Yes, except me, of course. I'm a Dwarf from the city of Eklane. That's where we used to stay with six of my brothers until one day, we were ambushed, and the five were killed. I was the only one who survived that evening. I hid for days until I found Master Lyle looking for the Duchess of Eklane. I knelt on my knees in front of him, asking if he could take me in as his slave, and in return, I shall help him find the duchess."

"How long have you been working for my father?"

"Three years, mistress. He appointed me the caretaker of the Frosthaven mine after I managed to find the lost duchess."

"And where is the duchess? To my knowledge, the king has never been told that his child was found," I said.

"Of course, Duswick III doesn't know that his only child lives in the Lyle villa," he confirmed.