The two men walked silently across the meadow. The space was hidden deep in the forest, beside a rarely traveled gravel path that split off of the King’s Road. It would altogether be easy to pass without notice if not for the newly built iron gate which beckoned passerby to enter. Crows stirred along branches as they studied the movement below. The two men walking beneath the twisted trees were vastly different in appearance.
The first was in formal attire that was fitting of one who was on their way to a function in the presence of the royal court. His tall build was fitted with a suit of muted colors that let polished silver buttons gleam, much to the attention of the crows which followed. This man saw the dark fluttering of wings which focused on him, and a smile spread at the attention.
The second man was not, in anyone’s opinion, dressed for a meeting of the royal court. Not only was he dressed plainly in working attire of a tradesman, but he had unsightly splotches of mud from the worn-down path. Unlike his taller companion, who held himself in a straight-backed and confident posture, this man looked as if he was tired and defeated. Shoulders hung limp, with arms dangling loose. His bottom lip remained pushed out, an expression of one reflecting back on a scene in remorse as his eyes drifted about without focusing.
As the pair reached the far side of the area, the crows flew ahead, landing upon a freshly constructed mausoleum. Its pale gray stone blocks were smooth and bore no weathered stains of time, nor the darkened growths of moss and ivy. Its door stood wide and open to the sheltered unlit room within.
“You’re welcome to lie down whenever you would like.”
The shorter man jumped at the break in the silence, his sudden motion causing the nearest of crows to take flight, circling back while voicing their displeasure. The well-dressed gentleman looked down at the worker with a sympathetic look.
“You needn’t worry about yourself here. I hope I can help you avoid what troubles you.”
The gentleman smiled wide with flawless teeth. The shorter fellow began nodding, disrupting a look of longing jealousy at the taller handsome man. He opened his mouth a few times before he could manage to choose words to say.
“I’m just not sure ’bout this. You make it sound fine and all, but surely I could…”
“Of course you can, and I’m not stopping you, I just wanted you to know that this is a possibility. It is a dangerous and uncertain world for sure. I just want you to have more options, friend.”
The gentleman extended his hand out and placed it on the shorter man’s shoulder in a reassuring manner. His other hand shifted to balance the thick book which was held shut under his arm.
The two men stood quiet once more, both looking to the small stone structure which stood alone and empty. Finally, the formal gentleman turned, patting the short man on the back and began walking away. The shorter man looked confused, a mild panic showing.
“Wait, where are you going?” He called out, failing to fully hide his concern.
The other man paused, his teeth flashing in a private satisfied grin. “I can’t wait here all day, someone else may come by who is ready to accept such an opportunity. Perhaps you’re not ready for such an offer.”
The grass gave a soft crackle as blades broke under a turning boot behind the gentleman as the shorter fellow gave a struggled leap to get ahead of him. His callused shaking hands were up to stop the taller man from departing. One hand brushed against the lapel of the flawless suit, leaving behind a grimy mark. The two men both looked down at the smudge, one in stunned apology, the other in withheld disdain. With a long and loud sigh through his nose, the gentleman shook his head slowly while looking into the wide eyes of the inferior man.
“I want to help you with this, I really do, but I cannot be for certain that you want this enough. Such a place is desirable for those who are in great need of rest from their hectic lives. You might not be such a person.”
The smaller man now backed towards the mausoleum, his steps cautious as if to not upset the gentleman. He twisted his arm behind him in an attempt to point back at the stone walls.
“No, no. You’re right. This is one of the best things that can happen to me. I want it. I’m ready now, I’ll go on in, I’m done thinking it over. It’s obvious now, this is my best option right now.”
He turned and nearly ran for the door. He attempted to not pause as he stepped inside but still gave hesitation. It was warm and comforting inside, as if the sun had been heating it to just the right temperature through the gloomy overcast sky. It smelled earthy, a private, safe and secure sanctum. He finished walking inside. The gentleman nodded as he swung the door shut.
“Enjoy your stay.”
As the door clanged shut and sealed, the gentleman raised his book. He flipped past previous sections, filled with lists of names from previous lots. Reaching a fresh page he scrawled out a name at the top. His toothy grin flashed again at the letters representing his latest guest. He pinched the front edge of the book, flipping back pages at the long lists of those who had heeded his offers. His thumb slipped and a large number of pages flopped down, the book falling open to its’s first page. The grin twisted into a hateful scowl and the gentleman read the first entry in the book.
Vas-Tahnoul
He snapped the book closed in a strong grip and held it shut. He stalked back towards the gate, eyes already on the road watching for more potential guests who might stray past his newest location. More guests looking for a better reality, more names to follow his own.