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“If you try to run, we will know, and you will force us to bring you back here against your will. If you cooperate, we will treat you like an honoured guest until we set out tomorrow. Make your choice, Nayome.”
Glancing back, Nayome caught Balfor’s eyes briefly, frowning at the thinly veiled threat. He was looking at her intently, as though willing her to co-operate. Scowling, she turned and followed Fitz down the wide, wood paneled hallway.
Noting the layout, she peered through an archway that led into a massive, commercial looking kitchen. It surprised her to see more small, ancient, but cheerful looking workers busying themselves over various pots and pans and kitchen prep. They looked almost shrunken, as if their skin had shriveled around their skeletons, leaving the likeness of a prune pit behind. Although anyone would probably look shrunken standing next to Gabe and Balfor, Nayome thought. How odd, her perspective was being warped in this place.
Continuing down the hall, Fitz stopped in front of a glossy wooden door and pushed it open wide. “Miss, your guest quarters. Please let me know if you require anything. There is a bellpull above your nightstand, or you can come to the kitchen. Someone will always be there who can assist you. Towels and spare garments are hung in the restroom.”
“Am I able to just…explore the premises, then?” Nayome asked hesitantly.
“Well, of course Miss. You are a guest!”
“What about outside?”
Fitz’s face appeared to cave in on itself as he hesitated, wrinkles pinching around his small mouth as he pursed his lips. “The forest, Miss, it can be dangerous. For your safety, I would not attempt to wander beyond this property without an escort who knows their way.”
“For my safety. Right. Thanks Fitz.”
Nayome shut herself in her ‘guest’ suite, and slid the wooden lock on the inside of the door, which clicked into place with a satisfying thud. There had been no sign of a lock on the outside of the door, so she might be able to keep any unwanted visitors out while she got her bearings.
Feeling paranoid, she unlatched the lock and tried the door. It swung open smoothly, and she peered left and right down the empty hallway. No sign of anyone watching her. Maybe Fitz had been telling the truth.
