Unikum 08 October nett

repercussions of austerity.
“Mr. Alighieri, I’m Azalea. A pleasure to meet you. I believe Dahlia has informed you of my situation?” Azalea bows.
“Ah, indeed, her words of your predicament have reached me. But let’s not dawdled with trifles, come, you must meet the family. I have
informed them of your arrival and they’re all ecstatic to meet you,” Adam replies.
Adam claps his hands and its echo reverberate through the halls, underlining the mass of the mansion, its many endless halls, corridors,
and passages.
“Eric, carry Azalea’s luggage to the guest room, Azalea, follow me to the dinning hall please. Eric will arrive shortly thereafter with the
food.”
With her bag tucked neatly beneath his large arms, he leans in and whispers to Azalea:
“You don’t have to do this. You can wait until morning and leave. Never forget, retreat is not the way of the cowardly and in acceptance
there is courage as well-”
“Do you seek the fury of my cane once more, Eric? A whisper is but a suppression of guilt, yell loudly the truth or forever remain silent.”
Before Azalea can question the meaning of the caution, Eric scurries quickly into the door on the left. The feeling that had been brewing
for so long in her gut is softly coming to a boil. She hadn’t found a tangible word to describe it yet, however, the burning sensation could
not be anything less than bleak.
“My dear, do not take his words to heart. Eric is but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, luring you to the path leading to his jaws. Heed not his
words. Now, leave the gloom be and let us meet the family, shall we?” Adam says while gesturing towards the right door.
Apprehension still lurks in Azalea’s mind, warning her of the trickery that seemingly is afoot. However, it has been screaming to her since
she first found the article and since her first contact with Dahlia, it is too late to give into its unease now. Once more she clamors for her
vial for an infusion of bravery, yet she meets and old friend once more, the empty air. Especially now, it is too late.
Adam leads her into another room, containing the same Renaissance styling, from the marbled wall ornaments to the sleek furniture, an
enormous wooden table planted in the middle, two chairs at each end of six in the middle. Adam takes his seat at one end, gesturing for
Azalea for her to take the opposite. She had expected to see the rest of the family as she walked in, yet the only semblance of any other
guests, is a picture placed by one of the chairs, of what Azalea could not guess by the looking at its backside. A dissatisfied sigh escapes
Adam, the first sign of any emotion Azalea had seen him utter.
“I strictly instructed them to be here by 12 o’clock. I hope you do not take this delay as a bad omen, I ensure you, we, the family Alighieri,
could not be more thrilled to see you after what Dahlia has told us of you and your plight,” Adam says.
Azalea’s hopes upon arriving in the town were that she would find enlightenment to all these burning questions yet instead, they keep
piling, the flames of uncertainty constantly fueled. It is time to put it out before the inferno engulf her.
Foto: AdobeStock // master1305
“Mister Alighieri, you truly have my gratitude for taking me into your home and even consider helping me. But Dahlia has told me
nothing besides the power your family possess and your willingness to lend it to someone who proves themselves worthy. What is this
power and how do I prove myself to you?”
“Curiosity is what led the plants to abandon water and embrace land. It is inevitable really. But it will all be clear in due time, now let’s
call for the slothful.”
Azalea’s polite nature did not allow her to rebel against the dismission, it seems the fire would burn just a bit longer, but she would soon
extinguish it. Adam lifts a tiny bell and with the flick of his wrists it rings thrice, its resonance traveling through ever wall, every corridor,
ever nook and cranny, and the family knows, it is time for dinner.
12