Aranée 60: Secrets in Paper and Stone by NetWorthy
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"A few more steps..." Aranée led them through the massive private suite. She felt the hair stir on her neck again, but steeled herself and took a few more steps into a huge day room.
Mubela quickly stepped to her side. "Are you all right?"
Aranée turned to concerned faces, and realized she must have telegraphed her fear. She nodded. "I am fine, I... I need to take this slowly. I... I don't know if I can do this more than once."
Mubela and the guard exchanged glances. "Take your time then. Why does this place bother you so?"
Aranée bit her lip. "I... I've been here before... long ago. Something terrible happened here. But also... happy times." She held up the scrap of parchment. "This made no sense until I came here - it is from the happy times." She closed her eyes and exhaled loudly. "I was very young..." She opened her eyes and read the Sindarin script aloud.
Mubela nodded. "An ancient Elf nursery rhyme."
Aranée took a deep breath, nostrils flaring. "The hand that wrote this looks familiar... I think... human. The last part is written in Common human language. It is a riddle of sorts. 'To bed be wise, surely tis time to rise; To play to height, hide in plain sight.'" She frowned in thought, took a step and faltered.
Mubela gestured to the Elf warrior and they each took an arm. "Lean on us Aranée."
Aranée nodded and they started through the suite. The entire fortress had been ransacked at some point in time, and this suite was no different with one exception: There were many, many massive pieces of furniture still in place, so massive they must have been built in place. There were several offices, a kitchen and formal dining area, a large common area, a sitting room, eight bedrooms and a door to quarters for perhaps a dozen servants.
Aranée stopped at the largest of the bedrooms and stepped in.
They did not resist as she broke free, face pale, to stand beside a massive canopy bed with posts as big as trees. As if in a trance, she repeated, "To bed be wise..." Rising on her toes, she reached up a hesitant hand at the head of the bed and felt behind the post at a place near the top crossbar. A loud metallic "snick" broke the crypt-like stillness. As in a daze, Aranée knelt and felt under the bottom rail a foot or so from the post. Another grating metallic sound, and she stepped back on wobbly legs.
A small squeaking sound moused across the tile and chill air swept over them. The post fell open on concealed hinges to reveal cleverly hidden stone steps ascending into darkness, just as Aranée collapsed in a heap in front of the opening...
--- TO BE CONTINUED!
I particularly want to give thanks to my friend Phil Wilkes (PhilW) who helped me do the modeling that made this scene possible. Thanks mate, I owe you one!
View episodes in sequence for the entire story.
Please leave a comment or suggestions, your words encourage me to carry on...
Image and story © 2011 by Larry Hodge
Comments (22)
mikeerson
looking at the picture, it's amazing where she landed, I mean there are webs everywhere - she could of cleaned up on the way down - lol HAPPY EASTER
Faemike55
Wow Larry! This chapter gripped me i couldn't read it fast enough..... The image is so outstanding Excellent work
pixeluna
I like how you posed her. I never saw a woman on the floor so naturally posed like what you did here. Your writing is amazing, nice use of descriptions and it's great to see how you used html tags on your gallery. Bravo!
magnus073
Great job on this dramatic scene and story Larry
Osper
Great job! The scen is notched into the story well!
Cimaira
awwww...what a place to stop, lol. Great chapter and fantastic image to go along with it!
RJS
Another gripping installment, another plot twist. I stand in awe of your writing skills, Larry. I was literally holding my breath as I read this. Thank goodness it wasn't any longer, or I might have passed out like Aranée! I can't wait for the next installment. Now I have to know where that secret passage leads.
eekdog
very creative scene, nicely done. mikeerson always has a humorous comment.
Minda
very nice scene and Great writing larry..
machobubba
Dude this is a great scene, I'll come around later to read it, got some images still to look at....
lyron
Great work!!
Bossie_Boots
I have to agree the pose is fantastic and the story gripped me to superb work !!
PhilW
A gripping story and wonderful posing in the image - can't wait for the next instalment! Your use of evocative language is superb. And glad to help my friend (if only in a small way)!
Savage_dragon
Oooo. I wonder where they lead. Great chapter! ")
neelzonline
another great one
virginiese
very mysterious atmopshere. Great compo !
jandunne
Great scene and writing!
mapps
excellent :-)
LivingPixels
Beautiful light and shadow work!!!
nefertiabet
Wonderful dramatic scene, love the details!!!Fantastic work, bravo!!!
brewgirlca
Is it just me or did anyone else feel real cold when they read this? You pace this story well my friend.
myrrhluz
Superb image and narrative. This is very exciting. It plays on an emotion that few can be unaffected by. The thrill of discovering something that has been hidden for a long, long time. It's one of the things that makes archeology so fascinating. And I remember the enjoyment I felt reading "The Secret Garden" when Mary opened the door to the secret garden for the first time. This is very exciting as Aranée works out the meaning of the old nursery rhyme and opens a door long shut. I like the use of the nursery rhyme, and the understanding that those who ransacked the place, had been looking for this room, and had missed what was right in front of them. Excellent image! Superb composition, character interaction, and detail. Very nicely done.