The Stone Arbiter
Based on the prompt by @flashfictionfridayofficial
Word count: 288 words
—
"Charimone, are you there? Charimone..." Desemir entered the upper library, figuring his daughter would be browsing through his collection of books.
A few overhead lamps cast a dim glow over the aisles, with the chandelier in the centre still unlit. The silence lingered the way a blanket of fog would, shrouding his expectations under perpetual shadow.
"Charimone?" He cursed himself as he fumbled for a lighter. Why was he nervous, why was he nervous? Bad enough his wife instilled a sense of disquiet in him. This whole thing is likely a trick, or a trip to a friend's house. He hoped his wife was not onto something.
With a shaky flick of the lighter, he lit the lonely candle sitting on the table. Reflected in its light was a face carved of stone. "Greetings, dear fellow."
"Who are you?" He gasped, darting a step back from the table. The being before him seemed unamused. "You are in need of something."
"Just answer my question." He'd have to ask his guards later about the lapse. No way would this intrusion go unchecked. Maybe it could provide answers.
The visitor clicked its stony claws on the table. "This Charimone you speak of, is she a relative of yours?" When Desemir said nothing, the creature continued. "I am a stone arbiter, keeper of secrets and tomes on behalf of the High Councillor."
"Which one?"
"That is not of importance."
"Why are you here, then?" Desemir propped his arms on the table, directing a narrowed gaze towards the arbiter. This encounter seemed to be going nowhere, yet did he really want it to? His mind flashed the potential of an ugly truth.
"You only wish to know of your daughter's location in her absence."
His nostrils flared. "Where is she?"
"Where have you seen her last?"
"Now is not the time for introspection. I won't ask again, where is she?"
The arbiter's expression held a consistency that Desemir's could not. All was at stake here, it would not be long more before the masses start talking. A week ago since the day he saw her last, weaving a tapestry with her elder sister. The gravity of the situation weighed onto him.
"Then I have no hope for you." It said frankly. "It is only by looking inward you'll find who you're looking for. Recall what I've said and your answer should be clear."
The arbiter propped itself on the stone sword it was holding, and headed on its way.
"You're just here to taunt me, aren't you?" Desemir stood up and put his chair beneath the table. "Fine, leave, head back to the court you came from. Your visit was of no use."
Though it hobbled with the intention of a chess piece, the arbiter had already vanished.
He stood alone with the candle and his thoughts. Deny as he might, he knew what had to be done.
He put the candle out.
