Kara knocked tentatively at Beanstalk's door.

No response.

So she tried again, a bit louder this time.

Nothing.

Hasn't he heard me? He'd better not say I'm late!

Once Kara had started to bang on the giant oak door with considerable force, it finally swung open, revealing The Most Illustrious Beanstalk himself. He blocked the entrance, dressed in black from head to toe apart from his mask of molten silver. Expressionless. His midcoat and surcoat bulked out his slender draconic frame, making him even more intimidating.

"Good morning, Sir."

Kara adjusted her belt, padded her braided crown, and stood tall. I have truth on my side, so act like it.

"Forgive me," she continued in a firm tone. "I arrived fifteen minutes early, but I had some issues in the foyer, and—"

Beanstalk's words fell flat and calm. "Katharina, what have I told you about being late?"

She sighed and recounted his exact words. "I do not care why you are late. Only that you are."

"Were you late?"

"No, I wasn't."

"Indeed." He paused and stepped aside. "Enter."

He commanded Kara with the same curtness one would show a soldier. The wizard stepped inside and gazed around at his study in complete awe. Her mother's entire cottage could fit inside the giant open space. Easily. But she could only fixate on the floor-to-ceiling oak bookshelves on every wall. 

Rows and rows of books begging to be read.

"Wow!" Her hand flew to her lips. "Have you read them all?"

Beanstalk didn't reply.

Only the wall adjacent to his desk didn't have any books. Instead, a glass wall offered her a stunning panoramic view of Central Minningen. Her breath caught as she gazed in wonder at the faraway mountains and dense evergreen forest above the rolling hills. A kaleidoscope of autumn red, orange and yellow. 

Good Light! You can see everything from up here.

Kara's heart thudded with a heady mixture of delight and excitement. Although she figured Beanstalk would want her to be serious, she couldn't stop herself from beaming. 

"Where would you like me to work, Sir?"

Without a word Beanstalk gestured at a small, uncomfortable looking oak chair with no upholstery, situated directly in front of his writing desk. Kara's smile faded. Although the wizard couldn't see his expression, she could swear he planned to chastise her.

For what, she didn't know. But no one remained that silent for that long unless they were angry.

Surprisingly, his matching throne didn't appear to be any more luxurious than her small seat with its long straight slats and lack of cushioning. It was simply larger than hers to accommodate his tall, lean draconic frame.

Quite austere, but all right!

Kara had expected royalty and their high servants to enjoy fancier furniture than her modest cottage back home. But her mother's proved to be far more lavish. Apart from his matching writing desk, of course, which was indeed a work of art. Ornately carved runes decorated the sides and on the front stood the Minningen coat of arms: an eagle with outstretched wings against the backdrop of the Eternal Star.

Kara sat. So did Beanstalk.

Then the Tower guard proceeded to do something very strange: He stared straight ahead. Not at her. Past her. As though someone was standing behind her.

When Kara turned, there was no one there.

And he did it all in silence.

Beanstalk didn't berate her. Didn't give her any orders. Didn't invite anyone else to join them. Didn't go near her or touch her. Didn't deign to say a single word to her.

Nothing happened. At all.

"What would you like me to do, Sir?" she asked.

Nothing.

"Would you like me to translate something, Sir?"

Stillness.

Why won't he say anything?

Is he angry? Is he meditating? Is he crazy?

Is he sleeping and I simply can't tell because of his mask? No, his eyes are open.

Is he unwell? Is it one of those spirits Mama had mentioned?

No, that's ridiculous. There are no ghosts in Minningen. And if there were, they'd be terrified of him.

Kara began to fidget in her seat while she searched for something—anything—other than his mask of perfect neutrality with its thin, flat lips and impassive lines. Her eyes rested on the lovely view of the Blue Mountains outside his office.

That didn't help the situation, though.

"Or perhaps we should go over the rules, Sir?" Kara tried to keep her voice even and calm, but it faltered. "Should I take the oath before we start?"

More quiet.

Yet it was not tranquil. Oh, no! It was electric. Charged, even. With the telltale musky, earthy scent before an intense thunderstorm.

"Are you...praying, Sir?" she asked tentatively.

No response.

What does he want? Is he refusing to speak until I leave of my own accord?

"Would you like me to go, Sir?" asked Kara with an impatient huff. "I know you think I'm impossible and unworthy, but you're mistaken. I can do it. And I'll prove it."

Not a word.

Perhaps Beanstalk was silently demanding an apology for her bad behavior that day during the exam. A twinge of regret ached in her heart. She had behaved most abominably considering their difference in rank.

Damn it! If only I had gotten some sleep, I could think clearly...

"All right." Kara exhaled a ragged breath. "I'm sorry for what happened that day in the exam. I was unbearably rude. Flippant. And some might even say insubordinate."

No reply.

Perhaps Kara needed to show him that she acknowledged who held the power. Who ruled the roost. Who gave the orders.

"All right, you're right. Very insubordinate."

He simply stared straight ahead.

Kara patted her braided crown. "But I'm very good at what I do. I'm excited to be here. Just say the word, and I'll get started."

It was hard to tell how long this had lasted. Five seconds? Five minutes? Five hours?

Something like that.

It was the kind of silence that consumed a person. That sucked the very marrow out of their very bones. It felt as though Beanstalk had locked her inside a coffin with no other companion but a dense cloud of fog. One that pressed up against her like a drunken peasant flirting in the tavern.

It was the kind of silence that made small talk seem warm and inviting in comparison. Even to her.

"Any plans today? I mean, it's a pretty day, right? Sunny. Unseasonably warm for autumn." She cleared her throat. "Perfect day for a walk."

He didn't budge.

For the love of the Light, say something!

"By the way, I went on a walk to get here." She gave a wry scoff. "Oh, yes! I got up at five to be on time today. I never do that. Except today. Not that you care, I know."

No reaction. Not even in his body language. He simply stared straight ahead.

This is insufferable! This job isn't worth it. Screw it. He can find someone else to play games with, but definitely not with me! I'll ask Professor Weisen if he has a job.

After she rose and snatched her bag with venomous fury, Kara said, "Fine, I can take a hint. May the Light bless you."

The silence finally broke when she strode toward the exit. "Congratulations."

"For what?" she snarled back.

"For failing that test quicker than any other student in living memory."

"Test?" she hissed under her breath, slowly turning to face him. "What test?"

Beanstalk chuckled. But it held no mirth.

Her stomach sank to her knees.

He rose and walked toward the wall of glass with his hands folded behind his back. Appreciating the city view, it seemed. And a lovely one it was as well. It showed the Minningen waterfalls, the royal gardens, and the bustling square. Dozens of people the size of little ants running around doing their chores. All surrounded by a dense evergreen forest and volcanic mountain ledges.

The Tower guard maintained his silent vigil, but Kara persisted.

"What test?" she insisted. "Tell me, or I'll leave."

He didn't move a muscle. "Leave, and you will take three years to become a master instead of one."

Kara crossed her arms. "What...test?"

Silence.

"It is an interrogation tactic," he replied. "Say nothing and your counterpart will do anything to fill the gap, especially if they are weak."

"I am not weak!"

"Oh, you most certainly are, Katharina." He turned to face her. "You have revealed at least five weaknesses to me in the space of three minutes. Some of them, grave."

Three minutes? Light, have mercy! It must have been longer than that.

"Such as your inability to deal with silence," he added, "and your need to fill that void with inane chatter that can compromise you."

Kara's heart clenched. She'd never failed since the complex numbers exam when she was eight years old. It embarrassed her so much that she vowed never to fail again.

And she hadn't.

Until now.

"I—I didn't know you were testing me."

"Do you think the enemy will send you a memo?" he retorted.

"This is my first day, Sir!"

"Indeed, no harm done...this time," he said. "This test serves to teach you a lesson. Several, in fact. The most primary of which is to hold your tongue! As I did with you. At all costs."

Kara drew a sharp breath through her teeth.

"Even when the silence is uncomfortable," he continued. "Even when it hurts. Even when your leaders and all your loved ones hate you for it."

"Yes, Sir."

"You must always remain silent." He drew nearer. "Whatever you find here, stays here. What you read. What you hear. What you say. Or people will die. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir." She hung her head. "Sorry, Sir."

"Do not apologize." His next words fell softer. Not kindly. But at least she could imagine a tinge of empathy. "Do not despair, Katharina. I simply ask you to do better."

"Yes, Sir."

"And when I say the information stays here, I mean you tell no one." He halted a cubit away from her. "Not even Lord Staufen. For he would know better than to ask you."

"Wait, not even—?"

His demand fell like a headstone. "Look at me."

Kara barely mustered the strength to meet his intense hazel gaze. Her heart hammered against her ribs as though it wanted to flee.

"You do not tell your mother. You do not tell your lover."

"I don't have a—"

Beanstalk held up his forefinger to silence her. "You do not tell your best friend Hilda. You do not tell her friends or yours."

"How do you know that Hilda—?"

"You say nothing. Nothing about me. Nothing about your tasks. Nothing about your office. I do not care if we talk about the Shadow Realm or what we had for dinner."

"Yes, Sir."

"You are to be silent." He turned to his desk and sat on his oak throne. "Unless I speak to you, ask you a direct question, or you have a question related to your role."

Kara nodded.

"Are we clear?" he demanded.

"Yes, Sir. Perfectly clear, Sir."

"That is all." He paused. "Thank you, by the way."

Kara balked. "For what, Sir?"

"For being so conscientious this morning," he replied. "Master Gromlon is stricter than me, but that is because we need to filter out candidates who have no discipline."

Kara's heart swelled with pride. The gnome is stricter than you? Is that even possible?

"Thank you, Sir." Kara returned to her chair and met his gaze with newfound confidence. "What would you like me to do, Sir?"

"You shall engage in practice translations first," he replied. "Meanwhile, I shall teach you what the Guild demands of you. Only once you understand can you take the oath."

"And then I can serve?"

Beanstalk gave a curt nod.

"I'm sorry I failed," said Kara under her breath in a conciliatory tone that almost never fell from her lips. "I'll be careful in the future."

"That is all I ask," he said. "It is normal to fail the first time. We all do."

"Even you?"

He gave a wry scoff. "It only stunned me how quickly and frequently it happened with you. As though you were allergic to silence."

Kara clicked her tongue.

"There will be none of that, Katharina," he said in an even tone. "You may have been raised and educated as a free thinker, but you work for the Tower Guard now."

"I understand, Sir." She sighed. "I'll try to do better."

"No, Katharina." He paused. "You will do better."

___

Word count: 2,024
Total word count: 14,764/20,000