--------------------------
The corridor below The Bell and
Burrow is cold enough to be
uncomfortable. Doors open on the right, dim rooms beyond that smell
of copper and whisper of velvet and silk. Keira stuffs her hands in
her pockets and limps a little faster. The hall has been empty so
far; if she's spotted that could change, quick.
Glyphs on the wall
indicate she should turn left. The new route is darker, smaller,
colder. “Pox.” Head down, she doesn't see the glim in the air
'til she smacks right into it. Magic flexes and pushes her back
several steps.
“What the hell?”
She puts her hand out, takes a cautious step forward. Her fingers
touch nothing, but she cannot move any further down the hall. A
glance around for a sign of a lock, but there's nothing. She thumps
her fist against the invisible barrier and lyte swirls, solidifying
into a small, dark figure.
“Before you
continue, you must answer a few questions.”
Keira rubs her
fingers through her hair. “Great.” She points her chin at the
gatekeeper ward. “Go on, then.”
“What do you
consider your greatest achievement?”
“Fuck me mam.”
She paces a few steps. “What kind of a riddle is that?”
“Not a riddle. A
question. There is no correct answer.”
Keira looks at the
shadow-thing, suspicious. “Right.”
“What do you
consider your greatest achievement?”
“I'm still alive,
aren't I?”
“Survival is your
greatest achievement?”
“Yes.”
The gatekeeper-ward
tilt's its head. “Interesting.”
“Can I pass?”
“Not yet.” The
ward looks down, as though consulting a piece of paper. “What is
your idea of perfect happiness?”
“I don't have
one.” She fingers the buttons on her coat.
“The answers
don't matter in and of themselves, but they must be honest.”
“To have the ones
I love safe and sound away from this damned city.”
“Ones? Plural?”
“That's right.”
“Who are they?”
Keira chews her
lip. “My da. And Lowen.” The last comes out, reluctant.
“Who is Lowen?”
Her cheeks flush.
“A friend.” She presses her lips together tight.
The
gatekeeper figure leans closer. “Who do you love more?”
“I
don't.” She thumps her fist against the magic blocking her way.
“What kind of ward are you anyway?”
“One
who isn't done asking questions.” A pause. “If you had to choose
between saving your father and saving your friend who would you
pick?”
Keira
spreads her feet a little wider on the floor, arms crossed over her
chest. “I'd save them both.”
“What
if you couldn't? What if trying to save both meant you'd all perish,
what...”
“We'd
all die.” She's white around the lips, hands knotted into fists.
“Are
you afraid of that, then? Having to choose between them?”
“Banjaxy.”
“I'm
not sure I'm familiar with that term. What does it mean?”
“It
doesn't mean anything.” She rakes her fingers through her hair. “It
means your questions are fucked up.”
“So
you are afraid of that.”
“Who
wouldn't be afraid of losing someone they love?” Keira's almost
leaning against the barrier.
“Ah.
True. Let's see.” Again as if checking a list. “Is that your
greatest fear, then?”
She
pauses. “I guess.”
“There's
something else you're more afraid of?”
“Banjaxy.”
“That's
not an answer.”
Keira
kicks the barrier and lyte glims, wall to wall. “Are you going to
let me pass?”
“You
haven't answered all my questions.”
“I'll
find another way around.” She turns, stomping back down the hall
the way she came.
“What
if there isn't one?” The gatekeeper's voice drifts after her.
“I'll
make one.” She rolls her shoulders to unkink muscles that have
locked up. If I have to tear the whole place down.
----------------------------
The previous link in the blog chain can be found here - Cas Webb's Interview - and don't miss the next link in the chain over at Defcon's Blog.
