Behind the doors lay a spacious dancing hall with dark marble floors. She took a few steps forward, onto the landing that sat above a curling double staircase that swept to the floor below. She rested her fingers on an elaborate golden railing, and peered at the hall.
On the dark floors stood tables and chairs, draped in white sheets. The black marble floor appeared grayish, and as she lifted her fingers, she noted a thick layer of dust that had been left on even the railing.
Why had the rest of the house been lived in and enjoyed while the ballroom looked like it had been abandoned?
She turned to Iago and smiled pleasantly. He seemed almost reassured that she hadn’t asked more questions.
Next, he took her to a large courtyard.
Mists drifted along the ground, and the skies were gray and gloomy overhead. She wondered if the sun ever shone here.
The courtyard was filled with stone statues half covered in moss, artfully sculpted shrubs, and gardens bursting with the same black flowers that were in her chamber. The gardens weren’t as colourful as the gardens back home, but they were nice, in a peaceful and solemn sort of way.
Elizabeth followed Iago back inside the castle and down several long halls until they reached a handsome set of black painted doors flanked by suits of armour.
Iago shifted nervously for the first time since they started this tour. “These are the Master's private chambers,” Iago said, throat bobbing, “and his personal wing of the castle. He has asked us to tell you to, er, not go in there.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That’s fine.” The less she saw of Caspian, the better. She marked the doors and the suits of armour to memorize the sight.
She looked back in the direction they came from. “Shall we continue, then?”
With curt agreement, Iago took her to the gallery, and then to countless other parts of the castle, but it was the library that really took her breath away.
The library was expansive, and immediately became her favourite part of the castle. It had two floors with endless rows of leather bound books. The space was dotted with comfortable looking reading chairs. Her fingers itched to peruse the shelves, or curl up with a book in a seat by the windows.
“Would I be permitted to visit the library?” she asked hopefully.
Iago looked surprised at the request. “Of course, I'm sure that would be fine. No one ever uses it.”
Elizabeth smiled, pleased.
Though she was bewildered as to why Caspian had tasked the builders of this house to create the largest and most elaborate library she had ever seen, only to never use it.
Iago gestured for her to exit the library first, and he followed close behind.
They went down the hall and descended a staircase, coming to a door that appeared to lead out of the castle. The castle was a labyrinth, but Iago seemed to know exactly where they were going.
Outside, the air was cool and crisp, and the castle grounds were made of expansive grassy fields bordered by dense forests. Mountains loomed in the distance, partially obscured by clouds.
As they toured the grounds, her eyes lit on a stable and a paddock. Her eyes widened in surprise and she grinned, hoping that Caspian would let her ride while she was here.
Chapter 9
The Stable
Elizabeth grew excited as they strode across the grassy fields towards the stable.
The stable door creaked as it opened, and Iago held it, waiting for her to go first.
The stable smelled of hay and leather, and housed three horses: a white horse speckled with gray, a caramel-coloured palomino with a butter-yellow mane, and an enormous black horse in the corner that shifted its feet irritably at their arrival.
“Might I be permitted to ride while I’m here?” she asked gently, already reaching to stroke the palomino’s velvety nose.
“I don’t see why not,” Iago said earnestly. “I have to head back to the castle soon to attend to my other duties, but we can stop at the kitchens and get a few treats for the horses. You can make use of the stables, but the Master will likely want you to take a guide if you leave the castle grounds.”
She nodded her acknowledgement and tried to hide her glee as they strode back to the castle.
In the kitchens, Iago handed her three apples and Elizabeth said with sincerity, “It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for the tour.”
