The Count of Wolf Blood Castle

by Laurelle Lewis

  'Where is that blonde sap of a girl?' Vivien shrieked. 'She is supposed to join us for breakfast, not meander around of her own accord.'

  Ellowyn snapped, 'Would you want to have breakfast with you?'

  'How dare you! You unpleasant child!'

  'I am not a child, Grandmother! I deserve to know what is going on!'

  'You're all hor-rid-dible!' Adelia cried. 'I want my daddy! Daddy! Daddy!'

  'See what you've done!' Ellowyn yelled, picking up her sister.

  Annika breathed a sigh of relief that she was missing that meal, and when all was quiet decided to explore outside now that the day had begun to warm up. Outside the wind blew across her face, but the chill that had been in the air yesterday was gone. The sunshine was almost promising her a better day, but still, the snow remained, telling her not to get her hopes up.

  She trudged over the hills, and through the gardens, she had seen yesterday but dared not go as far the Forbidden Garden. She saw Dashiell in the distance. He sat on a small mound of exposed grass; she made her way over to him. His countenance was rigid, his gaze downcast, perhaps she could ask him about what work she would be doing? She sensed it wasn't the best time for him, but she knew that there was probably never a right time for a man like this.

  In his hands was a poetry book. He had spent the night in his study reflecting on life, which had caused him to revisit his first love—writing. He had thought about this whole mess he had been placed in; born into. Should he send Annika back? Should he send his nieces away? Should he just give into the misery that would never leave him?

  There was something about this girl he had just met. As much as it pained him to admit it, he found her attractive, and when she had smiled at him, his heart had ached for the love he would never have from any woman.

  He looked up to see her, and he moaned with annoyance, perhaps he could just get up walk away?

  'Read to me?' she asked with a smile.

  'Well, good morning to you too, Miss Acklin.' Dashiell smirked, half rolling his eyes. He flicked back his hair as he reluctantly chose a poem. ‘This one's about misery,' he cautioned.

  Beneath those staring eyes of gold and eerie blue,

  Once what was light and oh so clean,

  I see the fear that binds your soul,

  Now fades fast beneath the tarnished sheen.

  Emptiness lingers in your flesh, it smells of death,

  Dancing towards the eternal rays of sunshine

  Burdened and tortured, you have nothing left,

  The youth of innocence is lost and is no longer mine.

  Let her in, a ghostly waif, Misery her name it is,

  She chokes my voice and dampens my hopes,

  If only I could break free of her, my only wish,

  A sea of listless souls, upon it, her boat floats.

  She travels these ancient shores of death,

  Her clutches ever-present,

  The prison my soul endures,

  Can't escape, can't circumvent.

  Nothing but open fields of blood and bone,

  Nothing I can do; the fear rings true,

  I must adjourn, for my sins, I must atone

  I hear her last words, 'Misery becomes you'.

  The words fell from Dashiell's lips as though he felt every word. He looked up to see Annika's shocked face.

  ‘I wrote it,' he muttered. 'Once upon a time when I enjoyed writing but had forgotten how to enjoy life.'

  'Did you write that whole book of poetry?' she asked.

  'No, it's a compilation. I submitted it several years ago.'

  'It's terrific, but very dark. Why don't you enjoy writing anymore?' Annika probed gently.

  Agitated by her words, Dashiell stood abruptly. 'Look around!' he yelled. 'What is there to write about but emptiness here?'

  'You could leave?'

  'I am bound by duty, by responsibility and by fear—I am a prisoner—you should run while you still can!' Dashiell spat out his words, throwing his book in the snow, just when he had let her in, he pushed her out. He trudged away; his shoulders slouched, like a defeated warrior.

  Annika bent down to pick up the book. She dusted off the snow to reveal its cover, which read:

  A Compendium of Short Stories and Poems

  By

  Dashiell and Theodore Baertschi

  She turned over the spine to see that it had been published by Magician Books. One of the major publishing houses in Epp. You had to be an excellent writer to be published by these houses. Of course, a family like this would have access to a top education, but he had still applied himself to write. All the privilege he was afforded, yet it had given him little happiness.

  The death of Theodore Baertschi was not new news to Annika, as everyone had heard about it several months ago when it happened. It had been in the paper and talked about all over the countryside. Again, it had been one of the many mysterious rumours that plagued the family, because an actual cause of death had not been identified. The papers had only said that he had succumbed to a terrible accident, and his body had never been found.

  Annika sighed, she realised that Dashiell had been miserable long before she arrived here, and she only knew part of the story, if any of it at all.

  Chapter Nine: Secrets in the Dark

  Ellowyn hadn't exactly been polite to Annika on her arrival, and she knew it. Ellowyn was still hurting from losing her father, and with no mother to console her, being polite seemed ridiculous to her. Why should she put her own pain on hold to make a complete stranger's stay more comfortable?

  Ellowyn though, deep down, was an empathetic girl, and she knew that if she didn't warn Annika of the dangers she might face, she could end up another casualty. It pained her to let her inner self show, as she had become accustomed to slinking around the corridors of the castle in her dark robes and depressed state.

  Ellowyn knocked on Annika's door. 'Come in,' came the voice through the door. Ellowyn entered, taking a deep breath. Annika was sitting on her bed reading the local newspaper. Annika noticed that Ellowyn looked nervous; she was swaying slightly from side to side, biting on her fingernails.

  'What's wrong?' Annika asked, her kind tone reassuring Ellowyn.

  'Firstly, I'd like to apologise for my behaviour yesterday. It was utterly uncalled for. I was raised much better than that, but I'm sure you realise how…' she paused for a moment as tears welled up in her eyes, 'How much pain I am in.' Annika nodded as Ellowyn continued.

  'There is something I need to tell you, and I'm just going to come out with it, and I know that everyone's going be upset with me, but if I don't tell you and something happens to you, I won't be able to live with myself, I'm not so sure about everyone else around here, they all think that it's alright to ignore everything and let's all pretend that everything will be fine, well that didn't help my parents did it?'

  She stopped for a moment, realising what she'd said. She was still angry and hurt; it had only been three months since her father was killed, but it had been ten years since her mother was taken away from them by the horrific accident. She had only been five at the time, and her memories were happy but limited.

  Annika hopped up off the bed. 'Are you alright?' she asked, looking at the poor girl with such sympathy that Ellowyn knew Annika would listen.

  'Why did you come here? I'm not being rude, I mean really, I don't understand, no one comes here. Ever.'

  'You don't know?'

  'No.'

  'I was sent a letter just before I finished school—your great uncle, Eduard, sent for me to help your other uncle with something….'

  'Oh, oh I see,' Ellowyn laughed bitterly. 'The senile old fool.'

  'What do you mean?' Annika asked, starting to worry what exactly was going on with this family?

  'My uncle suffered from delusions to be kind. He believed that something that was beyond his control could be fixed. Life just doesn't work that way.'

  Annika could see Ellowyn's bitterness was clou
ding her judgement, she spoke with such hopelessness it broke her heart.

  'How do you know the problem can't be fixed?'

  'Follow me.' She motioned. 'Beware, Annika,' Ellowyn warned, in a hushed tone. 'There are powers at play here that you don't understand, a deadly game that has been going on for centuries.'

  'How do you know all this?' Annika was chilled by the girl's words.

  'I once found a book that Uncle Dashiell left in the library; I always used to go there to read. I was shocked by what was in that book! So, I began trying to find out as much as I could.'

  'Do you still have the book? Annika asked, hopefully.

  'No, Uncle Dashiell took it back, but I do have something I picked up at a market once. My grandmother says markets are for gypsies and hobo's, but my father always took me because I liked them'. Here Ellowyn paused, remembering the father she loved so much. 'Come on' she gestured, 'I'll take you to the library.'

  ***

  It was dark along the corridors, and they had only a lantern to guide them, if they turned on the many lights in the house, someone might see where they've been. This part of the castle was darker than the rest. Heavy burgundy drapes hung from the windows, and little light was let in. Great paintings as tall as the Count himself stood upon the many walls; battle scenes of famous conquest throughout the land and of creatures that once abounded the earth that had been wiped out by the hunters. The decadence of the history that was contained in this castle was breathtaking, even if only by candlelight.

  'It such a shame.' Annika sighed. ‘They should open this up to the public and let people see it.'

  'Trust me,' Ellowyn quipped. 'No one wants to see what's really here.'

  As they continued, the air drew colder; this part of the castle was not heated, to discourage anyone from entering. The candlelight didn't seem to help much now that they were away from the other light sources. They walked slowly; afraid they might bump into something.

  They snuck down several flights of steps, feeling the cold, rough stone of the walls upon their hands as they went. Suddenly Annika gasped as a pale, stoic face appeared in the shadows. Ellowyn laughed, holding the candle up to the face.

  'It's only a statue. There are several down here, of ancient warriors; they were made over a hundred years ago by one of the counts.’ Annika clutched her heart and let out a giggle of relief. They continued across the grand marble foyer to get to the library wing. Ellowyn had made this trip many times during the day, so she had little difficulty navigating it by candlelight.

  They reached the library at last and quietly entered its large wooden doors. Ellowyn reached for the light, blowing out the candle.

  'Close your eyes,' she warned before flicking it on. It took them a while to adjust to the light, but once they had, when Annika looked around, she was breath taken. She was in a room that was ten times bigger than her dorm room at Sacred Sister, and it was lined from wall to wall, floor to ceiling with books! The bookcases themselves appeared to be made from solid gold, and the books must have dated back hundreds of years of history. The paintings that hung in this room were of happy, family outings; picnics with children flying kites on hilltops.

  'Impressive!' Annika breathed. 'And so different to the rest of the castle, I almost feel happy being in here!'

  'I know, why do you think I'm always sneaking in here? Wait until you see this!' Ellowyn said, raising her eyebrows. She went to the centrepiece in the middle of the room; it was a table, with a board on it. Ellowyn started to rearrange the pieces, suddenly a door swung open in the wall, Annika breathed in shock.

  'Hurry.’ Ellowyn motioned for her to follow.

  Their plans were interrupted by the sound of heavy, clumsy footsteps; Ellowyn quickly put the pieces back where they were, Annika flicked off the light, as they ducked behind one of the sofas. They waited, their hearts pounding, hoping the footsteps would continue on their way. The door to the library creaked open, as the light once again illuminated the room. Ellowyn peeked her head around the corner of the sofa, she gasped. It was Renaud. What is he doing in here? Ellowyn wondered. He was the butler; he had no need to come into an unused room.

  Renaud began to walk along the edges of the wall, fingering the books, not like he was trying to choose a book to read, but like he was looking for something. Could it be possible he knew about the secret room?

  Ellowyn stood up from behind the sofa. 'Renaud, what are you doing?' she demanded. He startled, clutching his chest, 'I...I was looking for a book to read,’ he stuttered. 'It's been so hectic around here since Miss Acklin arrived...I just thought I'd steal a few moments to myself.'

  'My uncle's not paying you to read!'

  'Yes, I'm sorry, Miss Baertschi. I will resume work immediately.'

  After he left, Annika stood up. 'Mark my words,' Ellowyn snarled. 'He is up to no good. It is too dangerous now; I will have to show you another time. It is probably teatime anyway, and Grandmother doesn't like it when we're late. In fact, I don't know if Grandmother likes anything.'

  Chapter Ten: Through a Child's Eyes

  Weeks had passed by since that day in the library, and Annika and Ellowyn had not had a chance to return there. Over the weeks, Annika and Ellowyn had become firm friends, and Ellowyn second guessed her decision to tell Annika the truth.

  If she did, perhaps Annika would leave—and she didn’t want to be alone—she needed a friend in this dark and dangerous world. She had told Annika that this was indeed a dangerous land, and to never go outside alone in the dark. She also told her that the secret room was full of ancient books and statues, and she just wanted to keep her safe. Annika didn’t really believe Ellowyn, but what choice did she have?

  Annika now felt even more alone than ever, as she knew deep down, everyone knew a secret she didn’t. She took to spending her days walking around the castle halls for exercise, admiring the great artworks, and dancing by herself in the auspicious, yet lonely corridors that had once hosted great balls and parties.

  The only innocent ray of sunshine in this dreary place was little Adelia. The sweet little girl looked up to Annika, and every night, she would read her a bedtime story. The little girl would wrap her chubby arms around Annika's neck, and whispered, 'Please stay forever, and ever and ever.'

  In fact, Adelia had been in awe of Annika when she first arrived, this was a little girl who was not even able to remember one single smile upon her mother's face or the touch of her hand.

  Adelia had only been a baby when her mother had been taken away, and even though she loved her grandmother dearly, she longed for a mother all of her own.

  One morning, Adelia waited until Annika was downstairs, then she snuck into her room. There were a few beautiful dresses hanging in the wardrobe, and a single lipstick lying on the dresser.

  Adelia smiled at herself as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Like a lot of little girls, she had one day longed to grow up into a sophisticated and glamorous woman. She could not remember her mother; but imagined her as a beautiful angel with silvery wings sitting upon a throne, made from the softest, fluffiest clouds, in the After Realm.

  She grinned innocently, as she smeared on the cherry lipstick she had found in Annika's purse, parading around in her room pretending it was a fashion runway of Kirea in the beautiful blue-knit dress Annika had packed.

  Most of all, though, she could not take her sparkly little eyes off the beautiful pendant she wore around her neck. This had not come from Annika; it had been a gift from her late father.

  He had given it to her to keep it safe, he had said. He made her promise to never wear it out, to only wear it in her room and not to show Ellowyn or she would be very, very jealous.

  The bright jewel shone as it lay around the girl's neck, fractals of light skimmed over and through its surface. Every time Adelia turned or moved a multitude of rainbowesque colours exploded throughout the jewels form.

  Ellowyn entered the room, the lights hitting her eyes. 'What are you doing?' sh
e gasped. 'Annika will be very angry with you! Quickly, put all this stuff back into her bag!'

  'No!' Adelia groaned. 'I wanna play!'

  Before Ellowyn had time to say another word, Annika appeared in the doorway. She saw what they were doing. 'We're really sorry,' Ellowyn murmured.

  'It's alright,' Annika said with a smile, trying to hold back her laughter. She cringed to think of her favourite lipstick all broken and mushy, but she felt kind of flattered to think this little girl was looking up to her. 'How about I show you both later how to put on makeup properly?' She laughed.

  'I'd love that!' Ellowyn sang with enthusiasm. 'Grandmother's makeup is so stale and old-fashioned.'

  ‘Shhh….!’ Annika laughed, winking at Ellowyn. ‘She might hear you...’ Ellowyn smiled, it was so nice to have a friend to laugh with. ‘You’ve been a bit down, I’ve noticed,’ Annika said to her gently.

  Ellowyn looked down at the carpet; she felt a small twinge of guilt for not telling Annika the complete truth about her family.

  'It's Grandmother, it's my whole family. It's a damn mess,' she spat.

  Annika nodded. 'It's alright, we don't have to talk about that, or anything, we can just talk about girl stuff.' Ellowyn smiled. She really liked Annika, and how she could always make the worst situations seem so bright. Annika smirked to herself, as she picked up her things, 'But there won't be any makeup classes if all my makeup is ruined,' she joked, gently bopping Adelia on the nose.

  'Let me help,' Ellowyn offered.

  'Thanks.'

  'Adelia!' Ellowyn scolded, suddenly realising her sister had an expensive-looking necklace, 'Take that off at once and give it back to Annika!'

  'No!' Adelia frowned. 'It is mine!'

  'Liar!' Ellowyn snapped.

  'No, wait,' Annika cut in. 'It isn't mine; perhaps…it is your grandmother's?'

  'I don't think so- I have never seen it before….'