~GRETA~
The sky is blocked out by a similar dark grey stone that composes the walls of the many structures and streets here. I've never seen so much grey, there must be light in here, but unlike outside, it is not coming from the moon.
How can there be so much light? I do not see the sun. Yet, things are so much less dim in here than out in the desert.
A man pulling a cart nearby me crashes into a building and a bunch of angry people storm out of it yelling. People point at me and I bite my lip, covering my ears to block out their overwhelming voices.
I run off to a more secluded place with strange tall things growing by the base of a very large fancy stone cave like the ones I just saw when I entered this place. I don't think they are caves anymore though. They look way more stronger and stable than anything I've ever seen.
There is no sand here but my fingers still ache from having to dig for food. The ground is much flatter and cool to the touch.
Brommy's shadow passes over me. A moment later, I'm scooped up.
The beast beside us is up to Brommy's shoulders. Its scaly skin and long toothy face makes me nervous. Its feet are made of slimy claws and its tail is razor sharp, long with pointy razor-like spikes.
Worst are all are its tiny black lifeless eyes that watch me now.
"I told you to stay with me."
I squirm in his hold, not wanting to sit so high up on the back of the freightening animal.
It lurches forward, making me cry as several civilians jump out of its path at the last second. Some do not move fast enough, Brommy takes out a strange rope that always hangs at his side. Too many tears blur my vision now to see him striking the people with it.
A handsome man approaches us. I am so glad my God has helped my vision become more clear. The nice thing about being baby-sized is no one minds if I stare.
"What in Ashtium's name do you think you're doing patrolling with a baby?"
I recognize his voice. I go still feeling the unspoken anger of my guardian as he hops down with me to meet the stranger.
"Prince Enoch, I am delivering her to the Emperor."
Prince?
The man's smile is much more gentle than the man that holds me horribly wrong. I do not wish to be held with only one hand!
My mouth opens and this tiny body can only handle one emotion at a time. I open my mouth and wail.
"Let me take her the rest of the way."
"Very well," Brommy answers with obvious reproach.
I gulp in the prince's arms watching a dark look cross my guardian's face before he mounts the creepy animal once more.
***
~ENOCH~
"Father! Father! Are you near? I have come to deliver you something."
As usual, street whores crowd the ground around him while he entertains them with storytelling. I hold the baby closer unsure about the entire situation.
In the firelight, his face is drunken with lust as one slender woman with red hair sits on his lap and offers him a piece of fruit.
The poor baby I hold was silent our whole trip here on my voltak. I was anticipating her to cry on the animal, if not here in the darkness of his temple, even so, she remains mute and still. Her cloudy eyes are so innocent and I feel I have tarnished that as she has been exposed to this disgusting place. It is always like this in here in the late evening.
I am certain now I should have just went to the hospice.
"Enoch? Enter, don't be shy," he calls me, "This is any man's dream. Come, enjoy their offerings."
Public nudity is unlawful. Yet, many of them are stripped of clothing. Thankfully, he is still dressed.
I'm sure this little baby is probably silent in terror for the large space is nearly pitch black. The firepit makes the shadows of the whores into strange shapes on the marbled columned walls.
Our empirical soldiers line the gaps between void of statues.
Hands touch my ankles as I move through the room over to him with a sick feeling. His face remains glum until I step close enough for him to see the bundled mass I hold.
"My little pearl!"
Before I can even process it, he has grabbed the baby out of my arms. Despite my worry, the child giggles as he sits back down on his throne tickling her belly.
"So cute! I missed you all day. Oh, how boring it was until my lazy son finally brought you to me! My precious little sweet," he babies. I raise my eyebrows watching him rock the baby in his arms.
The wine in my stomach makes me sleepy. My father usually is drunk at this hour but I suppose the baby has made him alert.
I lift a finger as if to stop him when he stands up with her. The whore scowls at me while sliding off his lap and onto the ground with the other women.
"Father?" I question seeing him round his chair. "Where are you going?"
He walks quickly, his attention completely captured by the baby as he continues talking to her in a ridiculous voice.
"Father?"
He stops.
I fold my arms while watching his back.
"I will see you in the morrow, Enoch."
Before I can respond, he slides open the door that no other in this empire has the strength to open-the door to his private chambers.
The space is pitch black ahead of him. Many sinister rumors have spread about what souls have found in there and the many more souls that have never come out.
A blind man cannot see in the dark. Especially not a baby. Members of their race are said to be all born blind. Shelliv don't know much about krexbin. I'm graced with having inherited my mother's healthy vision.
"You should not be walking around back there with her. Don't you think she will be afraid?"
He does not have to answer, he is the Emperor. He turns to face me, watching my forehead.
"The desert is far darker than your privileged eyes could ever comprehend."
"I did not mean to offend you-"
His laugh makes me feel inferior when one would think a father would speak to his son as an equal.
His hand rises, signaling his guards to approach.
His voice turns emotionless, "Please do not waste my time."
I watch him slide the door shut as I'm roughly pulled away from the sleeping baby he holds.