Lethal Red Riding Hood (Dark Goddess Chronicles Book 1)

by Leonard Wilson

  “Like it or not, Jenny, under pressure you’re a natural-born charlatan. I don’t know if I could have talked my way out of that cave with Scarlet. And even counting the folk who can’t be here right now, every one of us has been compromised with the Inquisition—identified and possibly reported as being a witch or her associate or just plain dead—except for Nolan and you.”

  Keely paused, allowing the others a moment to compare that statement with the truth of their memories. ”Even Nolan will be considered a heathen rebel until proven otherwise, since he’s so obviously a local boy, but you, Jenny…”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  That Whole Bread Thing

  “Thank you for seeing me, Sublima,” Elissa said, curtsying subserviently in the torchlight before straightening up to lean on the walking stick Ulric had scrounged up for her. It was Sir Riordan, though—not Jane Carver—who caught her eye when she looked back up. He remained remarkably unruffled for someone she was certain had been trying to kill her so recently.

  There could be no doubt, though, that those eyes were watching her carefully. Even if she walked out of this interview alive, what she said during it would surely determine whether she would meet an unfortunate accident on her way out.

  What walls remained standing of the cathedral construction would be ripe for random collapse. A body who wandered too close to any number of sheer drop-offs would have a long fall ahead of her. Any number of things could conceivably go fatally wrong on the long, winding trail back down the Wolf’s Tooth.

  And all those dangers assumed he didn’t just volunteer to escort her out of the tunnels and break her neck in a dark corridor. It was horrible to consider the number of ways her body could just disappear into a mass grave in the near future, and to consider how missed she wouldn’t be. All in all, the circumstance seemed slightly less intimidating than facing down Bloody Scarlet had been. Things were looking up.

  Jane Carver, meanwhile, continued for some time inspecting the ancient, skull-themed carvings on the chamber wall. Several kegs of powder and a pyramid of stockpiled cannonballs that must have been obscuring the view lay carelessly tumbled across the floor near her. A part of Elissa kept hoping the woman would lose track of where those cannonballs had been scattered and stumble over them, yet somehow Jane continued to step effortlessly over and around them without giving any obvious sign of looking down.

  It was just as well, though. Conceptually amusing as it might be to watch the Grand High Inquisitrix take a well-deserved pratfall, anyone so accustomed to casually abusing power as Jane Carver would not hesitate to turn generalized annoyance and embarrassment over her own carelessness into a very specific nastiness against the nearest expendable target. That, of course, would have been Elissa.

  When Jane finally did look up and turn to Elissa, she scowled. “Where is this priestess who asked for an audience?”

  “Right here, Sublima,” Elissa responded quickly. “It’s me, Sublima.”

  Jane’s scowl only darkened. “I see no priestess. What have you done with your robes, girl?”

  Elissa looked down, flushed. “They were hopelessly damaged in the fire, Sublima. I’m afraid I shan’t be a priestess for much longer, in any event.”

  “Oh, yes.” Jane nodded. “I imagine Augusta shall be none too pleased with the mess you made of things here.”

  “So I imagine,” Elissa agreed. “Strictly speaking, it’s not my mess. She’d only appointed me to the job a few days before you arrived, so I hardly feel guilty about it all, but I understand that’s a technicality. My job, my responsibility, and I can hardly complain that the Inquisition arrived to do what needed to be done. In my brief tenure, I saw enough heathen practices to doubt I could have set the locals down the right path given ten years. Giving me ten weeks or ten months would have accomplished nothing but allow the rot to continue, so thank you, Sublima.”

  Jane acknowledged the gesture of gratitude by allowing her scowl to soften to a business-like frown. “Is that all you came for, then?”

  “No, Sublima. Earl Haywood also asked me to draft these up, as his legal representative to the church, and deliver them to you,” Elissa said.

  Producing a set of neatly folded documents from up a voluminous pink sleeve that had come from Sabina’s wardrobe, she offered them up to Jane Carver. “He wanted me to say that he accepts the terms of your mercy with only two reservations. He wants me to sign as witness on your full absolution of all charges and heresies, with your verification as Grand High Inquisitrix that the blame for them and for all vandalism to date of church properties in the county by parties previously unknown lies solely in the enchantments of that witch of the Crimson Forest known locally as Bloody Scarlet.

  “In return, I am to witness his gifting of sole and unrestricted stewardship of the Wolf’s Tooth to the Inquisition, in gratitude for its heroic assistance in freeing his county from the ensorcellment of said witch, and because he has deemed that the curses and corruption the witch laid on the spire have rendered it unfit for any other purpose. It will require an extended cleansing by true experts in the matter, which will surely take many years even so.

  “Oh, and I took the liberty of adding a few words of my own to make explicit that the recent, tragic fire was part and parcel of the witch’s sins.” Elissa paused to catch Riordan’s eye again. “I’m sure no one wants to risk that getting dredged up later as a separate matter with all the childish finger-pointing that could ensue.”

  “Hmmm…” Jane accepted the proffered papers and began leafing through them. “I mistook Haywood as having a bit more mettle than that. My read was that he’d at least sleep on it before letting reason overcome his pride.”

  “I believe that comes down to his second reservation,” Elissa said. “I’m given to understand that the Sublima will be leading an expedition into the forest to hunt down the witch come the morning, but it appears the witch is too impatient to wait for you. There are strange sounds coming out of the forest, and the earl believes the witch is conjuring an army of demons to come sweeping down on us tonight. His hope is that the writs can be signed immediately so all prisoners can be pardoned and released and all travel restrictions and curfews lifted, that he may evacuate his people and make ready what remains of his army.”

  “The man’s a fool as well as a heretic if he thinks I’ll be re-arming him tonight,” Jane said with as dismissive snort. “But he can evacuate his people, and ‘what remains of his army’ with them if it pleases him. There’s no more sense allowing the innocent to be trampled than in allowing the guilty to linger at my back, ready to cause more trouble. Just give me a few minutes to look these over.”

  “Of course, Sublima. May I borrow Sir Riordan while you do?”

  “I’m sorry to even bring this up, but I hope you’ve caught Ryan,” Elissa said as they walked, the sounds of his heavy footfalls and the clacking of her walking stick echoing quietly through the tunnels of the spire. “I had to throw in the bit about the fire because of him, you know. You seemed to think he could have been involved, and I couldn’t stand to have him causing your family any more embarrassment. It’s hard enough even thinking about him at all.”

  “Not yet. I’d guess he’s out there with the witch, but just put him out of your head, Littlebrook.” He gave a dry chuckle as he tousled her hair. “To quote someone who’s sounding atrociously all grown-up, that’s my job, my responsibility. Still, thank you for your concern and your discretion.”

  She offered him a wan smile. “I’m sure you’ll get it all…sorted.”

  “What happened to your leg?” Riordan asked with a concern that could have been genuine.

  “Same thing that happened to my robes. I took a bad fall in the night, rushing around trying to take care of everyone else. I feel stupid, but also feel like I got off lucky. It could have been so much worse.”

  “I do seem to recall telling you to be careful out there,” he admonished her. “Still, I may have to repent of calling you Littlebrook any
longer. You have definitely grown up. Wasn’t it last week you were a gangly little tag-along? Now here you are, looking every inch the lady, rushing around taking charge of things and owning mistakes. And that cool-and-responsible act with the Sublima? I could see you were nervous, but I’ve known grown men to literally wet themselves because she looked at them funny. She was going easy on you—I think she actually likes you—but still…”

  “She seems nice,” Elissa said with a little shrug. “You hear the stories, of course. ‘Oh, what a monster.’ But she’s got a tough job. You’ve got a tough job. I don’t know how you do it.”

  “Ever thought about doing it yourself?” Riordan asked.

  Elissa let out a sputtering burst of laughter. “I am not in your league.”

  “Well, I wasn’t thinking in terms of getting out and grappling with demons yourself. Certainly not right away.” Riordan grinned. “But I do recall you getting on quite well with books. I’d feel a lot better next time I find myself chasing down a witch if I knew you were there to feed me information about her. Knowing the strengths, weaknesses, and habits of a particular witch can make a huge difference in how long a witch-hunter stays alive. Besides, the church will be the poorer if you let this setback end you just as you’re getting started. I’ve got no pull with Pontifine Augusta, but I can certainly open doors for you in the Inquisition.”

  “Thank you, Riordan. That is a sweet offer. Perhaps you’ll repeat it if we both survive the night?” She smiled endearingly.

  “I need a bath! I need a bath! I need a bath!” Elissa moaned, reining up the horse Evadne had borrowed for her from Baldassare’s retainers. “I need a bath and I’m going to be sick.”

  “Be sick later,” Ulric said, patting the horse’s flank. “Did she sign it?”

  Elissa nodded.

  “Then you’re done with the dangerous stuff. Just finish your bit, get everyone clear you can, and get out of here with them. You can have your bath down the road at Fodderen while you’re waiting to see if the rest of us survive.”

  Elissa nodded her acknowledgment again and urged the horse on down the street toward the castle. Ulric watched her go for a few seconds before retreating into the stonemason’s house to rejoin Keely and Evadne.

  “We’re free to move,” he said.

  “Good,” Evadne said, shaking Keely awake. “The more sitting still I do, the harder it is to forget how exhausted I am.” At Ulric’s urging, they’d risked curling up on the attic floor in shifts while Elissa was out, keeping an eye for any signs of restless sleep in case Scarlet tried to get into someone’s head. Whether they were currently beyond her reach or had just gotten lucky, they each managed an hour or so of rest out of it. That was a lot less than they owed themselves, but it couldn’t be helped.

  One more change of clothes, arranged courtesy of the stonemason’s family—with a full-length cloak and concealing hood for Keely, and masculine attire to help Evadne pass for a really tall man instead of a towering woman—and they were ready to blend in with the crowd when the alarm bell began tolling from the castle once more, urging the locals to evacuate. Riders galloped out from the castle toward each local crossroad, directing the evacuation toward nearby Fodderen—which herded it through the shadow of the Wolf’s Tooth.

  “Be warned,” Elissa said, pulling Earl Haywood aside into an alcove as the evacuation preparations swirled around them, “I know you didn’t agree to do anything for Jane Carver, but to arrange this, we had to make her think you did. Fortunately, she doesn’t know your seal or your signature, but I’d think very carefully before contesting the documents ceding the Wolf’s Tooth to the Inquisition. You know what happens to people who thwart her.”

  Darby cringed but showed no inclination to chastise Elissa. His pride had already taken a thorough beating and he’d passed the point of thinking in terms of politics and deep into the territory of seeing this for the survival situation it was.

  “We both know that having the Inquisition up there will make it insanely dangerous around here,” Elissa nodded her understanding. “Even if there was another way, we didn’t have time to figure it out. Even if I could undo any of the damage, I don’t have a clue how I’ll live to see another sunrise, so just…go, and don’t look back. I know you’ve had plans in place for getting your family out of harm’s way for years now, so follow them. Disappear. Only don’t go through the forest. Minda can tell you how much you do not want to go through the forest.

  “Wherever you go, whatever you do, get away from the Crimson Forest. It’s got a mind and will of its own. Her name is Bloody Scarlet. She’s no less sadistic or insane than Jane Carver, she’s infinitely more powerful, and she just doesn’t die. Whatever nursery stories you grew up hearing about Bloody Scarlet, she’s worse. Do not even try to laugh her or me off, or I will slap you. You stood on the parapet and you listened to the forest. She’s coming. You go. Got it?”

  “And to think I took you for the mousy one.” The earl gave a dry chuckle and a shake of his head.

  “I am the mousy one,” Elissa insisted. “Go!”

  The earl inclined his head in polite acquiescence. “I would not challenge the authority of our beloved pontifine or her duly appointed representative.”

  Elissa accepted that as a win and spun away to go hunt down Shoshona. It didn’t take long. The inquisitrix was already out querying the castle denizens about the tolling bell, and those who weren’t pointing her to the great hall were pointing her directly to Elissa. Elissa had caught plenty of attention on her way in simply by virtue of being able to enter un-harassed, carrying authorization of passage during this crisis that came directly from Jane Carver.

  “There you are, Sister!” Elissa greeted Shoshona with convincing relief. “The High Inquisitrix asked me to deliver this to you with all haste.”

  Shoshona took the proffered missive and read it, her scowl deepening as she went.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Elissa offered. “Obviously, I’m lamed up, but still, if there’s anything…She confided enough in me to know that we’re abandoning the castle. Smart considering what I’ve seen the witch do. She’d be over the walls in a heartbeat. Anyway—”

  “Who are you?” Shoshona interrupted with a querulous glare, looking up from the letter.

  “Oh. Sorry. Secular dress. Right. I’ve seen you, but why would you notice me?” In keeping with last-minute advice from Keely, Elissa kept up the patter as best she could with barely a gap between sentences.

  “My poor robes didn’t survive the fire. Gotta get in and try to save the flock, right? Mucked up my leg the same way. I’m Sister Elissa. Pontifine Augusta appointed me to the castle just before you got here. Such a lucky thing you did, too. I mean get here. When you did. Providence really. I knew we had a witch problem the moment I showed up. I can smell them a mile off, can’t you? Of course, I’m no inquisitrix. Wouldn’t stand a chance against a real witch. So I prayed and prayed for her to protect us, and here you came! Miracle!” Elissa beamed.

  “Do you ever breathe, girl?” Shoshona demanded.

  “Not so much,” Elissa said, finally inhaling properly. “Sorry,” she added, shuffling her feet. “Nervous. Real inquisitrix. Jane Carver herself. Wow. Witch hunt. Miracles. One of your sisters who headed into the forest after you even joked she thought I was miraculata material just because of that whole bread thing.”

  “Bread thing?” Shoshona just managed to wedge the incredulous question into the tiny space between Elissa’s sentences.

  “I know, right? I did make priestess young and all, but it’s so stupid. She had to be joking. She was joking, right? Had silly me going a moment, though. Wanted to slap myself. Anyway, big day. Big week. Bouncing off the walls. I’m babbling. I know I’m babbling. I’m just going to go now before I make myself look any more an idiot, right? Right. Her strength protect you! Take down that witch!”

  Elissa scurried away with her head down, muttering to herself, and nearly tripped over a hurrying
servant as she rounded a corner.

  “Sorry, milady,” the woman apologized, picking up and returning Elissa’s walking stick from where it had clattered to the floor. “I’m on business for the countess, packing up to go. I haven’t time to draw you a bath.”

  Out in the courtyard, Elissa found Nolan tending to her borrowed horse. “Baldassare’s in place,” he told her quietly. “Minda’s slipped off to join Ulric before Shoshona could get a chance to spot her.”

  “I thought surely you’d talk her into going with her family,” Elissa said.

  “Tried,” Nolan said. “Couldn’t. Doryne.”

  “Right,” Elissa said. “Are you coming with us?”

  “Can’t.” He shrugged. “Minda. Ulric. Keely. Nessa. Doryne.”

  “Then promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

  “Can’t,” Nolan said. “Scarlet.” He studied her face for a moment. “And don’t go getting any noble ideas. You’re no fighter, and you’re lame besides. Baldassare’s in no shape to fight either, but I suspect the fool would come back to save face if he wasn’t escorting you out of here for your own protection. Let the man have his pride.”

  “What…” Elissa began, but Nolan cut her off.

  “Heads up,” he said. “She just stepped out of the keep.”

  Elissa nodded without looking around and allowed Nolan to help her onto her horse. She took her time getting her walking stick settled across the saddle, then urged the horse carefully through the crowded courtyard toward the gate while Nolan headed back toward the keep. He was about ten feet from Shoshona when he suddenly stopped, listening intently for a moment, then spun to turn to the nearest man passing him. “Did you hear that, Kavan?” he asked.

  “The bell?” the man asked him, puzzled. “Those hound-things in the forest?”

  “It was like…like a cat hissing, only…” Nolan spun slowly in place as if scanning the courtyard for something until a moment before Elissa exited the castle gate. “There!” He suddenly shouted, pointing in her direction. “It’s…”