Obsession

A few days later that was official, the third general would not return any time soon as he had another mission. Altraya didn't know what it was about, she felt something was very wrong and she started to spy around.

Every evening from this day, she was using the curtains and she was discretely going to hear everything she could. Deep inside, she knew something happened to her father.

Altraya was sharing her discoveries with Arja regularly.

"They are building something Arja. I heard the servant talking about it. Someone died during the construction."

Arja was worried about the obsession of her friend. Of course, she tried to stop her but she failed, at least, she tried to make things more rational.

"Altraya, listen to me, if they were building something we could see it don't you think? And what are they building?"

Altraya was angry at Arja for this, she couldn't tolerate that her closest friend would put her parole in doubt this way but she had no proof and that was the main problem. She started to talk about conspiracy, plans, and hidden buildings, but she had nothing solid.

"I will find it and I will show you… You will see."

Altraya stood up and left that night, she was very upset. She tried so hard to find this place, to understand what was happening. After all, she thought she maybe lost her mind. She started to think that Arja was right and that nothing of this was real.

This particular night, something was different. She felt a cold intense breeze, she was behind the curtain, completely paralyzed. She felt her bones cracking and she was in pain to breathe.

She opened her eyes wide as she saw him. She saw the creature in white. He walked fast in the corridor then someone caught him.

"My Lord, it will never be ready in time. We need to work on it more than only during the night."

The man in white seemed very furious but surprisingly his voice was soft and nice. It had nothing to do with his terrific appearance.

"People cannot know, they would not understand and they would panic. You have to do it in secret, this is a question of life or death."

The other man tried to argue but when he saw the anger raging in the white figure he changed his mind. He only revered and left as fast as he came. For sure, he probably said some bad words on the way that was not meant to be heard.

The man in white placed a hand on his forehead, he seemed to tremble. This man was looking very weak. Altraya was seeing him differently than before. His red eyes were not so terrible after all. She could see his long snow hair, she surprised herself desiring touching them. She was sure they would be cold like ice.

He was tall but not so much, lightly large and muscled. Young and very old at the same time. This man was nontemporal and Altraya was in admiration for him, she felt like in the presence of a magical creature and magic was something she needed to believe at this moment. The man looked suffering, she was about to move when she realized she was paralyzed. She saw the man standing, ready to leave. He showed his back and then he said loudly:

"It is a chance that nobody heard my discussion. If some unconscious soul was about to follow me I would be obliged to kill this person and this is not something I want.

Altraya felt it in her veins, she was terrified but still. She had to know. The man walked slowly, and she followed him. He was smiling, amused by her attitude. He used some little streets hidden, and soon after, she lost him.

The night after, she was waiting at the same place she lost him the day before. She saw him passing, she tried to follow him as she could but after a few seconds, she lost him.

It was already a week with this rhythm. During dinner, Arja saw her friend looking tired. Anyway, everything changed after her father and brother came back. The dinners were silent now. The atmosphere was dull and sad. After dinner, Arja caught Altraya by the arm.

"I didn't see you this week, what did you do?"

Altraya had a gloomy expression.

"I read books, come with me."

Arja followed her to her room. She was shocked to see the chaos inside. She knew her friend so well organized and now, she saw a mountain of books, scrolls, and notes everywhere. Arja had wide eyes and asked with a little voice.

"What is that? Altraya what happened to you?"

Altraya suddenly had light in her eyes.

"I found it, I found the creature. I know who he is. Arja, this man is a creature from chaos. Look at this!"

As she spoke, she showed a piece of a scroll with a description and an ancient drawing. The paper was broken and some parts were missing but she could understand that it was a mention of some "life eater". The drawn creature was a kind of white monster with pointy ears. Arja watched Altraya very seriously.

"Altraya, are you ok? These are old fantasy stories from our ancestors. There is nothing serious in this. What happened?"

Altraya couldn't hide her deception, she almost had tears in her eyes. It was easy to guess that the lack of sleep became a serious problem and she became obsessed with the white man. Then she did a monologue without even taking a breath.

"Every evening I follow him, I see him going somewhere but each time, he disappears. It is as if he is passing through the walls. I feel I am losing my mind Arja. Ulrich is lying about my father. I saw him the night before they left. They were supposed to lose, and then they say it was a victory but my father doesn't return. Where is my father Arja? Where is he?"

Altraya was crying and she fell on the place, Arja came to her and wrapped her in her arms.

"I don't know what is happening Altraya, I swear if I knew I would tell you everything I know."

Arja caressed the head of her friend tenderly. She had no idea what to say or do at this moment and she was deeply sorry for this. Then she had an idea.

"Let's go together to the lake tomorrow, sit and enjoy the warmth. It will change your mind."

Altraya nodded. Then Arja left her and went to sleep in her room, this night was agitated.