Chapter Four: Opened Doors

Chapter Four

Opened Doors

It was late summer, the rain poured heavily that day until afternoon. The pauper was taking his rest from a full day’s work when he chanced upon Alythia in the corridors of Shin Manor, Excelion’s center of learning. The princess was in a hurry to get a petition submitted to the executive chamber. But she got there too late. The chamber is already closed.

Noticing the frustration of the princess, the pauper gestured to help in the facilitation of her petition. “Hello, my lady, could I be of service to you?” He opened. “I need to get this to the officer, it’s for my lesson for tomorrow,” the princess replied. He took the manuscript and gave it to the attending officer, Inari. She is one of the pauper’s friends. They would often share the relaxing midday hours to talk just about anything under the sun. Receiving the petition, Inari readily processed it and have it approved, to the delight of the princess.

“Thank you, kind sir.” Alythia appreciated the pauper for the help he made. And she left. He stared the princess until her shadow disappeared in his field of sight. There is still time remaining for work, and the pauper mesmerized by the incident he just experienced was freshly enthused to attend to his task.

There was another occasion that brought a deeper acquaintance between the pauper and Alythia. It was supper. The princess was eating alone in one the tables in Potsherd Tavern. It is not a surprising thing to see her there since she is acquainted with the commoners. The pauper that evening was in a mood to celebrate with his friends. He scanned the room and found no other table that would accommodate his company, except for the table where the princess sat.

“Could we join you in this table, my lady?’’ Asked the pauper. “Yes, certainly.” Said the princess.

His friends thronged the table. They were a merry bunch of commoners. They were so glad that evening that they became unmindful of the princess’ presence. Snapping the apparent indifference, the pauper engaged the princess in a conversation. He inquired of the princess’ interests. They managed to talk even though their voice was often drowned by the shrieks and laughter of their company.

This broke the ice that long held the pauper in communing with Alythia. The doors were flung open.

Overwhelmed with the development and turn of events, the pauper ran to the Holy Chambers of the Great Master. He went there to thank him and to plead for direction.

To be continued…