Paul and Jamie Morrow reached the cave entrance, wondering how this could be Astrid's hideout. Jamie, more than Paul, wanted nothing more than to confront the woman who so viciously ended Lawrence Morrow's life. If truth be told, Jamie actually wanted to kill Astrid herself, not wait for the law to take its usual slow course.
The pair followed Fergus and Fabian, not knowing what to expect. The cave itself was overgrown with brush and shrubbery. How will we ever get in there?, thought Paul who wished he was back home and not forced to travel to wherever he was just to catch an alleged killer. Part of him hoped Astrid was not guilty of the crime; he came to love the mysterious lady who so briefly made Larry happy.
Jamie impatiently fidgeting, could stand no more. "All right!," she hissed to Fabian, "How are we supposed to get in there? This is some kind of joke, isn't it? And you'd better not try to lead us on some nonsensical–"
Paul became quite furious and frustrated with his sister's belligerent tone. "Shut up, Jamie! If this is where we'll find Astrid, then these men have to know what they're doing."
"Well done, young lad!," Fergus said with a smile. How much he'd been looking forward to this day, when at last he would reunite with the son thought long gone. And, if all goes to plan, Evelyn AKA Griselda, will finally have her revenge on Theodoric of Fairfax. No doubt, she'll confront the villain, and it wasn't lost on Fergus that Lord Fairfax's loyal servant Aidan had ratted on his master.
Fergus, standing back from the cave's entrance, whispered, "Firefer!" As if by magic (and it was), the heavy verdant shield parted to allow entry. Fergus smiled, turned to Jamie, saying graciously, "After you, miss."
Jamie Morrow, a self-satisfied simper spreading across her beautiful yet haughty face, tossed her head then proceeded inside. She was followed by Paul then Fabian and Fergus. The latter two hung back long enough to hear another female voice call out, "We're here, Fergus! And we have Lady Pavia with us!"
It was Alice Inskeep accompanied by Pavia and the dragon Morib. Fergus waited for the unlikely trio to approach, then said to them, "Alice, you and her ladyship may go inside. Morib, Samira is in there, and she suggests you take on human form lest frightening the Morrows."
To this Morib nodded then, enveloping himself within his massive wings, stood in silence as a midnight blue mist engulfed him. Within minutes, in that very spot, stood an elderly man of astonishing beauty. Attired in a nobleman's rich velvet and brocade, he was very tall, slender, gray-haired, and possessed the most arresting steel blue eyes. In a deep rumbling voice, he said to Fergus, "Will this do?"
Fergus smiled again, replying, "Perfect." He ushered to the gentleman. "Shall we join the others?"
§§§§
Odd that they didn't even need a torch; the cave had an illumination all its own. Jamie and Paul ventured further in the cave, their eyes dazzling from the incredible interior. This was no ordinary cave, thought Paul, and it seemed to take on a sense of familiarity. He noticed the cavern walls literally glittering with deep veins of gold and silver. He could see the glimmer of unfinished gemstones – diamonds, rubies, emeralds. Even the stalactites and stalagmites shimmered as if enriched with fiery opals.
"Why would Astrid come here?," he asked aloud, knowing Jamie would reply with her usual sarcasm and virulence. He couldn't have been more correct.
"Isn't it obvious?," she spat back. "A woman like her wouldn't hide out in any ordinary house. This seems like the perfect place for the likes of her, a lair fit for snakes and monsters."
Fabian really wanted to smack the living daylights out this uncouth bitch, but he resisted, realizing that Jamie would soon meet her match in "Astrid".
"Go down this corridor," he said, indicating the left split. They proceeded as the cave's interior grew more brilliant, an ethereal light bathing everything. Where is that light coming from, thought Paul. Surely we're so far inside the sun cannot penetrate, but this is so...
When they reached the end of the corridor, Paul and Jamie found themselves in what looked like a large room. The cavern walls, though still sparkling with precious metals and gems, were scorched and scarred as if by an intense fire. But those piles of all things precious really blew the Morrows away. Massive heaps of gold and silver coins, brightly polished gemstones, and fine jewelry of untold value greeted Paul and Jamie. Whatever did Astrid do to gain all this wealth?
Footsteps approached as Jamie literally salivated. She longed for this day, to confront Astrid Håmasko and give the trashy bitch a taste of righteous revenge. Jamie's hand flew to the bag suspended from her voluminous green brocade dress. Yes, it is there, and Paul will not dare stop me from carrying out justice.
§§§§
"Come in, Jamie. I've been expecting you." Astrid Håmasko, ever the beauty in a clinging floor-length red sequined dress, sprawled on a heap of golden coins. The dress' shimmer caught the cavern's light, giving the interior a crimson glow – like blood set afire. Tossing her blonde hair, she said, "I know what you want, but there is something I want to say to before you pull that trigger."
Paul Morrow was shocked. He looked at his sister incredulously, saying with some degree of disgust, "Huh? I thought you just wanted to find Astrid. But all this time you've been planning to kill her! I can't believe this, Jamie! Why just let it go. Why incriminate yourself just so you can have what you call 'justice'? Dad is gone, and killing Astrid won't bring him back."
Jamie turned to face her brother then slapped him sounding again and again. She spat upon his face, called him filthy, degrading names, and wished it was HIM who died in that fire.
"That way it would be good riddance, you disgustingly goody two shoes worm! I hate you! You know I hate you! All these years you couldn't – wouldn't – measure up to Daddy's expectations. You couldn't bring yourself to 'hurt' those weaker than you! No, you had to become Professor Egghead, wasting your time with books, philosophy, and other rubbish! Daddy was right about you. You're nothing but a weak, sniveling coward, only fit for standing on the street corner panhandling for pocket change!"
As before, Astrid bristled at Jamie's cruel treatment of her brother. She wanted to transform right now but resisted. No, toy with the woman a little while longer, then give her a comeuppance she'll never forget.
"Jamie," she said, waving her hand at Fergus and Fabian, "these men are dear friends, and they, along with others, will explain why your father had to die."
"Had to die?," Jamie said with couched venom. Her hand dove into her bag to retrieve the pistol, but before she could withdraw it, several others entered the scene. Jamie blanched upon seeing that Maribel Mercier person accompanied by another young woman. From behind approached two other women and an elegant elderly gentleman. Who are these people, she asked herself, and why do they have to be here? Come to think of it, neither she nor Paul saw Maribel again ever since they were mysteriously whisked away to this godforsaken place.
Is this some kind of trick, a trap to murder both her and Paul. Well, if truth be known, Jamie didn't give a rat's ass about her egghead, pantywaist brother. He could stay here and rot for all she cared. Nevertheless, she was ready in case Astrid was up to no good, and didn't give it a second thought if she had to take several people out along with Astrid. As long as her father's murder was avenged, so be it.
Astrid arose from her golden throne, waved to her company, then made introductions.
"May I present Medra, my best friend, and the one who assisted me in doing in your father."
Jamie's face turned several shades of red; the eyes darkened further. She shot out, "What?! You mean Maribel, the one who said 'I know where Astrid is', is really..."
She felt her hand in the bag again, fingers on the trigger; the gun cocked and ready. So, Astrid had help in murdering Daddy, and this woman who called herself 'Maribel Mercier' is an accomplice. And Paul willingly let this woman worm her way into our lives with promises of bringing Astrid to justice. Ooh! I have just enough to wipe them all out, including that shit brother of mine.
Astrid noticed Jamie's movements and sensed the woman might resort to desperate measures. No, she won't get her way this time, thought Astrid, for now is the time to reveal the true reason the Morrows were brought here.
It was Fergus who began to explain, and he wanted, in the end, for Jamie to feel the full fury of that gathering. What immediate punishment Theodoric evaded, Jamie would not.
"Miss Morrow," he said gently, "how can I explain such a delicate, intricate plot to bring down not just your father, but his – your – forebears as well. But there is more, and in the end, Paul shall at last be free of your cruelty...Now, listen carefully, for what I am about to tell you..."
§§§§
It was not yet dawn, and under the cloak of darkness, Theodoric made his move. At the appointed hour, the manservant Aidan returned with bags of money and costly jewels necessary to pay his master's fare across the channel. It would be many weeks at sea, followed by months travelling the continent. Theodoric had intended to seek asylum in nearby Wellbrooke but changed his mind the last minute. It was just too risky, and there was always the chance that Lord Haveron's many associates could turn on him thus alerting the Ninegates magistrate.
Lord Fairfax, ever so cautiously, ventured out onto the driveway to see Aidan bring the carriage around. Ah, within a few hours he'll be on his way away from Ninegates, to a place where Geoffrey and his soldiers would never find him. Let the magistrate hang that fake Blue Knight and his equally nefarious companions; they served their purpose only to allow themselves to be unmasked in public. The nerve of that Ostric, not taking extra care that his cover could be blown sky high, thus ending the sweet deal he had with Theodoric. So what if "Edgard" and his minions rode roughshod over several Ninegates citizens. Such behavior served Theodoric well and sealed his power and control over all.
He waited as Aidan loaded the carriage. The servant said, "M'lord, we must leave as soon as possible. Judge Geoffrey has ordered his men to patrol all of Ninegates and beyond. The morning shift has yet to begin patrolling the area, so we must be on our way."
Theodoric said nothing as Aidan assisted him into the carriage. The servant settled into the driver's seat then, before giving the horses rein, took out a mirror. Holding it so it caught the moonlight, Aidan flicked the mirror as if giving off signals. His master, safely ensconced inside the carriage, had no idea what Aidan was doing. The servant smiled as torchlights could be seen just a few feet away.
He urged the team onwards, thus lulling Theodoric into a false sense of security. The moment the carriage emerged from the rusting gates, it was soon swarmed by dozens of armed soldiers. Swords and spears were at the ready lest the fugitive attempt any escape.
"Theodoric of Fairfax!," shouted the captain commandingly, "In the name of Geoffrey, magistrate of Ninegates, I order you to surrender!"
How did they know? No one other than...
"Aidan!," he demanded, "what is the meaning of this? Have you forgotten your oath of allegiance to me?"
The servant, now alighting from the carriage, flatly said, "With all due respects, m'lord, I don't recall giving any such oath. My allegiance lies with one man only, and here he is."
In the glint of dawn's light, Theodoric could see two figures on horseback quickly approaching: Geoffrey and the true Blue Knight.
"Well done, captain!," said His Honor. Turning to Aidan, he said, "And to you, my good fellow, it was money well earned. No doubt your master is pleased."
Edgard, resplendent in his flowing blue velvet mantle and gleaming armaments, bent down to Aidan, saying, "That I am, Aidan. Now, be so kind as to return to Ninegates. Miss Gracie has arrived with Bertram, and the little lad will need attending."
He winked at the servant then nodded to Geoffrey who in turn gave the sign to his captain. Within seconds an overwhelmed and speechless Theodoric found himself in shackles then unceremoniously thrown into a prison cart. He seethed all the way back to town and vowed vengeance on all those who betrayed him.
At that moment, far away from the old l'Aigle estate, far from earshot of Geoffrey and Edgard, an anguished, distraught wail resounded from the dragons' lair.
"NOOOOO! How can this be?!!"
TO BE CONTINUED...go to chapter 16
Copyright©2003, 2004, 2005 by Pepper Shriver*. All Rights Reserved.
*My pen name :-)