The Mansion

[KamaKamaSutra]

A full body laugh rumbles my chest as we walk into the warmth of the day. A few birds are singing but the heat of the day had broken

"MiLady, life has been kind today. A surprise visit from family, but not a unpleasant one. Lots of sun and southern warmth. I look forward to springs peak and the warm embrace of summer. I got to enjoy my peace today, and that is about the best thing I can be gifted. A little issue with my email was the biggest problem today. Google is overly protective on occasion. I'm off tommorow except for a few doctor appointments I look forward to seeing the responses that you give me. I know they will be wonderful."

Looking around, I survey the land searching for a interesting feature to explore.

"Perhaps we can find a creek to stroll beside?"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

His laughter makes me smile and I squeeze his arm.

"There are no creek close by but I do have a rose garden and the labyrinth if it interests you. The latter holds a secret. I'm not sure if I should prepare you for it or just let it surprise you."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

" I do love surprises, shall we?"

I slow my steps so you can lead us in the direction of the adventure. The sun warms my skin and my freckles start to show a bit more as the sun rays highlight the streaks of red in my hair.

 

[darkwarrioress57]

As I steer us in the direction of the labyrinth, I find myself inhaling the air deeply and raising my face to the sun once more.

The entrance to labyrinth isn't that far away, a few feet perhaps. It's hard to tell with it as it has a mind of its own.

"Are you good at mazes, Milord?"

The words are spoken softly and with amusement.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

I chuckle softly, I never really get used to such flowery language, and it always manages to bring a smile to my heart.

"I have a decent sense of direction, and I'm good with puzzles, I also like to aimlessly wander on occasion. Not sure if that makes me good at mazes or just unfazed by them however. I remember going through a faze in life where I wanted nothing more than to live inside a labyrinth."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

His words amused me and I laughed softly. I knew what to expect but he didn't.

"Come. This way."

I gently led him to the entrance of the labyrinth then stopped.

"Which way would you like to begin? Right or left?"

Either direction gave little indication of which way was the correct one.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

My head turns left, the right, then left again.

"Well, we could do this the "right" way, but whats the fun in that. I smile as I close my eyes and inhale the air around us. "

My shoulders release their tension and I sigh deeply. I release your arm for a moment to remove my shoes and sink my toes into the ground.

"To the long way, and an adventure"

I lead us left, admiring the make up of the walls, smiling because of you and the warmth of the day around us.

 

[darkwarrioress57]

How could I not follow suit? So off come my own shoes, which I leave right where I took them off, knowing they would be there when we returned from the labyrinth IF we returned. With a knowing grin we set off down the left way.

The path is clear. The hedge is high. As we go by, occasionally we can hear a soft rustling sound. The sun is shining bright and warm overhead.

"I had this labyrinth built because I adore them. In some other world, far removed from this one, there was also a labyrinth. I admit, mine has been fashioned after it, but this one, over the years has taken on a mind of its own or maybe it has always had a mind of its own. I'm never quite clear on that aspect."

We have come to another decision, again, right or left. Before us sits a small gazing ball on its stand. The ball itself is made of a clear material yet, inside it, if one leans close enough to it, one can see a swirling mist inside.

"Your choice again, Sir. I suppose I should say it is all your choice. I have been in here a million times. I will let you enjoy the choices and I shall enjoy being with you."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Leaning into the ball, smiling while I listen to your voice. Closing my eyes again, thinking about which way would lead to the most interesting outcome.

"So many things take on a life of their own, especially when we give part of ourselves to them. Old houses are that way, its a sad thing seeing a house die. They need the life we bring to them. But, the maze, choices and chances, as long as the outcome is a minute of your time it will be a good one.....lets go right"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

"Right it is."

Slipping my hand under your arm, I gently guide us both to the right. Again, soft rustling can be heard in the hedges. Nothing can be seen, of course. This time, the path is longer. We have entered the second path of the labyrinth. Just before us, a path of shiny beetles march in front of us, cutting off our walk, the path can either continue straight, over or through the beetles (your choice of course) or we can veer off to the left again.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

I give your hand a pat, I pull away leaning down to the beetles.

"I had a facination with beetles at one point. They are so varied in form and function, and they are big and strong for insects. I assume you know the importance of them too many people, Ancient Egyptians are the most prominent of course."

Rubbing my beard, I raise back up, taking your arm again.

"Let's leave the little ones to their own walk, let us go left then"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

"You make me smile, Kama. I'm glad you decided to come visit me."

So to the left they went, leaving the beetles to their adventures for the day.

"Do you have a fascination for things Egyptian? I do. Especially after having seen a replica of King Tuts exhibit once. One of the things on my bucket list is to see the Valley of the Kings."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

"I share the sentiment, I've enjoyed my time here. I look froward to what the future holds"

Taking her arm in mine again, I let you lead the conversation and the direction through the maze. Feeling like time has flowed a bit differently during our trek, but enjoying the mystery.

"I have a fascination with history, we tend to think of people in the past as so different that we can only learn a few lessons from then. The reality is that they were the same as us. They had the same struggles, fell in and out of love, tried to make life easier and ended up making it harder. Egypt is interesting, because we get a lot from it's impact on the world. Rome is a bit part of our history, but Egypt gave us a subtle touch to the flow of the world. We look in amazement at they pyramids, the only ancient wonder still standing. They built it with their own hands and simple tools. They idea of a singular god, the first major monotheistic region started there. The sun god. It's interesting to consider the implications of that. "

I pause to think of what I want to say.

"I've never seen much in the way of Egypt in a museum. Guess I don't have much a of a chance to visit some of the best ones anyway. I do want to travel to Egypt. I'd love a stroll through the valley. So much history in just a few square miles. I want to visit Petra in Jordan. A amazing piece of architecture and filled with history. "

 

[darkwarrioress57]

"Hmmm.... Petra. That sounds interesting. I've seen pictures of it taken at night. It takes my breath away just imagining the people and how they lived. While we're talking of places, I'd also like to see the Western Wall in Jerusalem. That's a tug at my ancient roots. Then there's Japan. So many places and so little time. What's on your bucket list?"

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

"So I'm a bit odd, I never kept a bucket list as much. I always just wanted to try to do the things that I wanted to. But I guess I just want to travel, I want to see and learn as much as I can before I die. I really just wants to know things. Mundane things even. Like I love the fact that we know that people in Pompeii were bragging about the same things we do now. Banging the hot girl, screwing the boss over, just living life much the same as we do. I think living forever for me would be a blessing, I would miss people as they passed, but I would get to meet so many and learn so much. You really can't know it all. We evolve too much too fast."

Looking up at the sky, I smile before turning back to you.

"The sun is almost as warm as your smile"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

He made he smile. And laugh. I hug the arm I am holding as we walk. The path, once again, demanded an answer. We stop at the crossroads, only here, we could go right…. Or left…. Or even cross over and continue straight on. My face turns toward yours. My lips quirk.

“Which way now, Sir?”

There was no way he couldn’t hear the shrubbery rustling on either side of us. Up ahead it was easy to see that if we went straight we’d have to turn left. I wanted to say something, but I refused the impulse. It was more fun this way and to see if he would catch on. Sooner…. Or …. Later.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

My ears try to isolate the rustling noise in the bushes, but I felt no danger and being from the woods being surrounded by creatures you can't see is a normal feeling for me. My eyes take in each option, looking down the walkways. Something buzzed in the back of my mind.

"So, we have a few options, how about we take the fourth one?"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

“The fourth one it is.”

Together they continue straight only to be brought up quick by an appearing Shifu who pops in and looks a little bewildered. I can’t help but laugh, amused by the look.

“I think our friend has been playing in wormholes. Come Shifu, join our adventure.”

The little beastie leaps and lands on my shoulder, his tail curling about my neck. At about that same time, right before our eyes, the pathway that would go both right and left, shifts. Now, the left side is closed off and we can only go right.

“I believe the labyrinth is trying to tell us something, Kama and now you know its’ little secret. It changes the path at will.”

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Seeing my little companion makes me smile, he reminds me to stay cheerful and playful when he's scampering around the world. A comfortable smile takes over as we walk.

"I figured that might be the case, but I also knew that as much as the Labyrinth wanted to shift all it would mean is more time for us to enjoy our walk."

Looking at our one remaining path, a small shift in body posture tells you that we should head that way.

"Well, lets see where the hedge would like us to go, I'm sure it will be an interesting adventure wherever it may lead us."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

So, right we go. As we turn the corner, there sits a pedestal and upon it sits a closed cabinet. It’s not the cabinet that should draw the eye, though that alone is curious enough, rather, it should be the small dragon sitting upon it, sunning itself with eyes closed. Behind it lies the path, going deeper into the labyrinth.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

My eyes light up at the sight of the small dragon. A childish grin and laugh escapes me as I quicken our pace.

"Devious shrubbery, I wonder what this could mean. Dragons have such a diverse meaning in history. Peace, War, Life, Death, Plague, Rebirth. Every culture has a dragon, each one a little different. Europe and their primal fear of them, Asia and their reverence for their serpentine dragons. Africa had a few types, most were monstrous and filled the air with toxic smoke and fire. Even the America's had their own versions. Such a fascinating bit of our mythos. I will say that I've always thought that when the entire world shares a common belief, that it's based in some reality no matter how long forgotten."

I lean toward the little dragon, curiously inspecting the creature. Speaking and directing the conversation to the creature perched on the cabinet.

"I wonder, can you understand me?"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

The wee dragon, lifted its head and opened one eye, staring haughtily at the humans before him. His front legs crossed.

“Of course I understand you human. How old do you think I am?”

Without waiting for a reply, the dragon turned its eye on me. I had to laugh. I was amused.

“Greetings, Grandfather. Sunning yourself I see. This is my friend, Kama. “

I leaned a bit closer to the dragon.

“He adores dragons, then again, there’s many a thing he adores, I bet.”

I smile at you and wink.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

I smile back at you, my hand runs through my beard.

"No offence intended, but not all mythical beings can or want to communicate. Cait is very correct. I do have a fondness for Dragons and quite a menageire of other topics."

Stand upright, I look around and inspect the area and the cabinet.

"I assume nothing, however, dragons and treasure of many kinds go hand in hand. What would I find if I ventured to inquire about your roost? We will circle back to the grandfather bit in a moment."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

The cabinet looks to be quite old. Quite oriental looking as well. The dragon doesn't budge or even lift a toe. A small puff of smoke emits from his nostrils however as he keeps a wary eye on Kama.

"You are quite correct youngster. We dragons are partial to our treasures. I am no different there. You can not learn if you do not ask. I may answer, then again, I may not. "

I watch this exchange in amusement. Grandfather has been a part of the labyrinth for eons now. He adopted me.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Smiling at the small dragon and almost gleeful at the exchange. I give you a quick pat on the hand and sit down Indian style with my head resting on my hand supported by an elbow resting on my knee.

"So......your roost. Does it contain a treasure that would equal more than your beautiful granddaughter touring me through this hedge?"