The White Mask & The Red Rose

by P Rose Weaver

  "We have one more stop before we go back on our quest, Bessie." Rosabelle muttered, gently prodding towards the center of the village they passed yesterday. She had noticed the shop's sign two days ago. She was relieved that the shop opened early

  The doorbell sounded as she pushed the door open. She saw an elderly woman with gentle eyes at the front of the desk.

  "Hello, how can we be of service, my lady?"

  "Hello. I would like to commission you to sew a ball gown."

  "For the Prince's ball? I'm sorry I am neck deep in orders already and there is no time---"The old woman began with regret.

  "I can pay you," Rosabelle put one gold coin on the desk. That one gold coin was worth more than five gowns, she thought and the seamstress knew it.

  The seamstress was about to refuse again but Rosabelle put another gold coin on the table, "That was payment for the gown. This is for prioritizing the gown for Ella who lives down at the old white mansion. And this, " she put the last and third coin next to others, "This is for your discretion and delivery of the gown at the right time to the right person."

  The seamstress's eyes twinkled in amusement. "If you had mentioned Ella in the first place, I would have done it for less. I knew that girl when she was just knee-high. Very pleasant to the townsfolk even when the late Baron was alive. If you ask me, that widow stepmother and her stepsisters are going to work her to death!"

  Rosabelle pushed the coins forward, "Please, these are yours. I just want to make her happy."

  The old seamstress took out a swath of cloth, "This just came from abroad. Don't you think Ella would look beautiful in this color?"

  Rosabelle saw it was a swath of light blue. It would look perfect with Ella's yellow curls.

  "That would be perfect." Rosabelle nodded. Something caught her eye and pointed at the corner. "Are those glass slippers?"

  The seamstress took it out from the glass display and showed it to her, "My son is apprenticing with a grand master. This was his project."

  "Ella would look good in these, if you could pair it with the gown? It looks like her shoe size."

  "Deal." The seamstress put the shoes in a box and sealed it. "It would be my pleasure to dress Ella. She deserves some happiness. The poor girl."

  "If you could arrange for someone to bring her to the castle preferably after her family has left the house? It is imperative her family does not know we are doing this or else they would put a stop to this charade."

  "My other boy can borrow a carriage from his work but he needs to be back home at midnight or else his master will know he took away the carriage."

  "I trust you with Ella's fate. She must go to that ball no matter what and she must wear your dress and slippers. Nothing else matters."

  The seamstress nodded her understanding.

  Rosabelle borrowed a pen and paper where she scribbled a small note to Ella. In it were instructions for her to be at the ball, leaving the house after her family had left and to leave the castle at midnight. She explained that transport to and from the castle was arranged but Ella had to exercise caution and to be mindful of the time. She signed the letter and folded it.

  “Can you please give this to Ella on the day of the ball, along with her gown and slippers? Be as discreet as much as possible.”

  Again, the seamstress nodded, keeping the letter with the glass slippers.

  Rosabelle bid the seamstress farewell and she got up on Bessie. She was glad she was doing this for Ella. Her heart lightened at the thought of Ella in that dress going to that ball. The Prince did not stand a chance. He would fall in love with her at first sight!

  23

  It was another two days of horseback riding when Rosabelle noticed the scenery changing again. She was back in the woods. The compass still pointing to go north. She did not meet anyone on the path and she would stop a while to rest before getting back on Bessie. There was plenty of water along the way with a stream going parallel to her path.

  "Did you hear that, Bessie?" She noticed the horse's ears twitching at the sound.

  She stopped the horse and got down, pulling the horse by the reins. There it was again. It was someone crying. It sounded like a cry for help and despair. She went around a grove of trees and there sat a girl not more than twelve. Her head was bent forward and indeed she was crying.

  "Hello." Rosabelle called out, not wanting to startle the little girl.

  The little girl stood abruptly, frightened that a stranger was able to walk near without her being aware. Her basket was on the floor.

  "Don't be scared. My name is Rosabelle. I heard you cry. Are you hurt?"

  The little girl shook her head, "I lost my way. I got frightened when I heard something growling nearby so I ran away but lost sight of the path leading to my grandmother's cottage. I was supposed to bring her some jam and shortbread. Mother always told me to stay on the path but I did not listen."

  "Sometimes we cannot control the things that happen to us. We'll only have to do the best we can under these circumstances."

  "Mama will be so mad I did not bring the goodies in time for Grandma's afternoon tea." She sobbed again but this time quietly.

  Rosabelle handed her handkerchief and the little girl blew her nose, wiping her teary eyes. There was no other way but to help out this child.

  "We better take off. We don't want to be late for tea, do we? Let's find your grandmother's cottage. I'll go with you."

  "You'll help me?" The little girl looked at her wide-eyed in wonder, her tears forgotten.

  "Of course. We wouldn't want your mother's hard work go to waste." She took out the compass and said ,"Watch closely. We are going to use a little magic. We wish to find --er-- What is your name?"

  "Heidi. My name is Heidi."

  "Magic compass, please help Heidi find her grandmother's cottage." They watched the needle on the compass wiggle from its north position to land between south and east.

  Heidi looked in amazement, "Is that a magic compass? Is it for real?"

  Rosabelle nodded, "It is. Our secret. Here, hop on Bessie while I lead her on foot. You can try to find the path leading to your grandmother's cottage from atop."

  She helped Heidi on the saddle and the little girl sat on it comfortably, her basket in hand. They walked a little further into the woods and they talked about Heidi's favorite foods her grandmother would cook for them.

  They walked through the forest, birds chirping in the air, the sound of the stream a distant away. It was some time when Heidi saw a familiar pattern of greenery

  "Look! Over there!" Heidi exclaimed excitedly all of a sudden.

  There was a small path to their right and Rosabelle took it, following the curvature down and up the hill. Soon, they saw a cottage, smoke coming from the chimney.

  "Grandma!" Heidi shouted. She hopped off the horse, her basket swinging in her arms. She went through the door into the cottage.

  "Heidi, wait!" Rosabelle said, her warning a little too late. She had noticed the door wide open as if someone had kicked it in. She heard Heidi scream in fright and Rosabelle took out her little knife from her pocket, running after the girl.

  She heard a growl and snarl as she hurried inside. Her eyes widened at the sight of a huge wolf-like creature. It had the head of a wolf but it was standing like a man. His whole body covered in blackish gray fur. She had never seen such a monstrous creature

  "Heidi, I want you to slowly step back. Do not make any sudden moves. I want you to stay behind me, " she instructed, keeping her voice steady. Her knife ready to strike at any moment. The wolf creature was at the table, ready to pounce. It was snarling almost growling, showing its sharp teeth, saliva dripping from its mouth.

  Heidi slowly crept backwards and hid behind Rosabelle. Rosabelle tugged at her red cape, praying that Pedro's magic cape extended to wolf-like creatures.

  Suddenly, something shot past her left ear landing dead center into the creature's heart. It gave out a loud yelp of pain. Rosabelle saw an
arrow sticking out from its chest. The arrow looked very familiar. The beast fell forward with a very loud thud and Rosabelle stifled a scream as it fell on the floor. She stood there frozen and watched for any movement but the beast lay still, dead it seemed.

  "Rosabelle!" A man's voice called out from behind her, coming the outside .

  She turned around and saw Mark running towards them, an old woman following closely with hurried steps just behind him.

  "Mark, what are you doing here?" She was confused. He was alone except for the old woman who was similar in features with the little girl she was helping. She must be Heidi's grandmother. Where was Blanca, she wondered?

  "I was on my way back to the castle when this old woman came out screaming in the highway that there was a monster in her cottage. She led me back here. I heard the girl screaming and rushed to the scene. I saw you but you were too far away for me to warn you. I had to take the shot before he attacked both of you. You would not want to get bitten by such a creature. That would have been such a horrendous curse."

  "It was indeed fortunate you were passing along. I'm not sure this little knife would do any damage on that beast's hide. Thank you again, Mark."

  "Heidi!" The old woman called out as she came closer to the cottage.

  "Grandma!" Heidi ran towards her grandmother, giving her a big hug.

  The grandmother had tears of gratitude as she thanked the huntsman and the lady in red.

  "We'll have to dispose of the body for them." Mark stated. Rosabelle nodded in agreement.

  The wolf creature was heavy and Rosabelle helped Mark drag its body towards the woods. He borrowed a digging tool from Heidi's grandmother and started making a hole.

  "Where is Blanca, Mark?" Rosabelle asked, dreading the answer.

  Mark stopped midway and replied, "I hope somewhere far away from her stepmother, the Queen. She wanted me to kill her, you know. She was terribly jealous of Blanca. She wanted the kingdom all to herself and Blanca was both beautiful and powerful in her own right. The Queen arranged the hunting trip herself but I couldn't do it in the end. Not after what you said."

  Rosabelle sighed in relief. Blanca was safe. She was a little disturbed that her instincts were correct on that one.

  "She will have my head for not carrying on the task. I was supposed to bring back Blanca's heart. She'll have scout parties looking for me. I was supposed to get the deed done within three days and get it back to her as proof of Blanca's demise."

  "You can still bring her back a heart." Rosabelle looked at him and glanced down at the corpse beneath their feet, and looked at his face knowingly. The monster was human-like and the heart would look human which might fool the Queen.

  Mark's face dawned at the idea, "Rosabelle, this might work. Here, lend me that small knife you pride yourself with."

  She handed him the knife and he cut open the beast's chest. It did look like a human heart.

  "In the bag, I'll need to put it in that small box you gave me."

  Rosabelle opened the box for him and he placed the heart in it.

  "For Blanca." She said as she held open the box.

  "For Blanca." He repeated, as Rosabelle shut the box close. She handed the box back to Mark who hid it in his bag.

  They finished burying the Beast and washed up at the well.

  "Where will you go once you give the heart to the Queen, Mark?"

  Mark gave a smirk and shrugged, "I'll probably sail off to another land. There's always a need for a huntsman somewhere. The Robbins are always a resourceful lot."

  "Robbins?" Rosabelle wrinkled her eyebrow in confusion.

  "Mark Robbin, that's my name. Sharpshooter extraordinaire." He gave her a mocking bow, taking off his green hood in a salute.

  Rosabelle laughed, "I wish you well, Mr. Robbin with a green hood. I’m pretty sure I have not heard the last of you."

  Mark went off ahead after saying his goodbyes to Heidi and her grandmother. Rosabelle lingered a little longer. Heidi was still huddling close to her grandmother, frightened at the entire ordeal. She took out her red cape and put it around Heidi's shoulders. It covered the little girl's body, a little too long in length but the girl will grow taller and it would fit her someday.

  "A friend gave me this for protection. I am giving this to you so you will feel protected. It has not let me down. I think you will need this more than I do."

  Heidi touched the velvety cape, "But won't you be cold? What would you wear?"

  Rosabelle took out her sweater from her bag and wore it. "I have this. Goodbye, Heidi. Keep safe."

  Heidi hugged her tightly. " I'm glad it was you who found me in the forest."

  Rosabelle smiled and touched Heidi's wet cheek gently, wiping away her tears.

  Heidi's grandmother was crying as well but with tears of joy, "I appreciate you being there when Heidi needed you, my lady. Thank the heavens for that. Thank you so much!"

  Rosabelle smiled at Heidi's grandmother and acknowledged her gratefulness with a nod.

  "Take care," she said as she prepared to leave.

  She turned to Bessie who was munching some grass nearby. She must have eaten enough grass because she followed Rosabelle without a fight. She followed the path leading to the main highway. Her thoughts went to everything that had transpired today. She was glad everything worked out fine for Heidi and her grandmother. They were safe from the big, bad wolf-creature. She took out her compass and ask it it to redirect her towards Canterbury and the needle swung towards the east side.

  She tapped Bessie to go faster. She suddenly felt an urgency in the air. Time must be running out for Lucas and Chip and the rest of the castle's people. She must find Esmeralda soon. Lucas, Chip, Miranda and the others deserved their own happy ending too. Even if it meant sacrificing her own.

  24

  Rosabelle glanced at the compass again. It seemed she was going in circles again. One moment the needle would point north then it had changed to south then east then west after she adjusted her direction. She had traveled more than two days since she had left Heidi and her grandmother. She kept going to where the compass was pointing. Scenery after scenery changed until she came to this strange place.

  The place was different here. It was as if the land was sucked dry out of its moisture. Even the air was hot and dry. She passed a fallen tree, all dried up and browning already. There was a few greenery here and there but for the most part, it was filled with dead plants. They looked old and withered. No one seemed about and it seemed she was the only person on the road.

  A wind picked up and blew across the dusty road but it did not relieve the heat coming from the sun. It seemed she had been here earlier. She instinctively scratched a mark on the tree with her small knife and then pushed on. Poor Bessie, she thought. The horse was as tired as she was. An hour passed and she looked to her left. She looked in dismay at the confirmation before her eyes. There was that same tree she had marked earlier. She was indeed right. They were going in circles. The compass had stopped giving the right direction or her mind was playing tricks on her.

  She stopped and got off the horse. She took her water bag and drank a little. She gave some to Bessie who slurped the water greedily from her hand. She had to find water soon or they will die from thirst. She took another sip.

  "A penny for your thoughts." A high-pitched voice came unexpectedly.

  Rosabelle nearly choked on the water she was drinking, turning to the voice. She saw a small man with pointed ears and nose. He was sitting on the fallen tree but Rosabelle knew he could not have been taller than her waist. He was an odd-looking fellow. His stature was of a child but his looks were elderly. He had a black beard and fine lines across his forehead. He clearly was not a child. He was an odd-looking creature.

  "Who are you and where did you come from?" Rosabelle asked suspiciously. He seemed to just appear from thin air.

  The small man gave a high-pitched laughter, "You humans always ask questions. A curious lot you all are." He st
ood up and swept his hat off as he bowed. "You can call me Rumpel and I am an imp. Not an elf or a dwarf, mind you. There is a huge difference."

  Rosabelle frowned. She had never seen an imp, an elf or a dwarf before so she did not know what difference he was saying. She did not care to ask. She was tired and thirsty.

  "What do you want from me, Rumpel?"

  Rumpel stood tall on the fallen tree so Rosabelle can look him at a more leveled gaze.

  "I think it's what I can do for you, Rosabelle."

  "How did you--?" He knew her name and that frightened her. He must be another magical creature.

  Another high-pitched laughter, "I know a lot of things. I do know you are finding yourself in the worst predicament. You haven't found what you're looking for and your water is almost gone. I give you until sundown before you or your horse or both will collapse in this heat, dead and the quest unfulfilled. Poor Lucas, he will be waiting in vain but his curse will not be broken."

  He waved his hand and Rosabelle saw a picture of Lucas hovering, pacing back and forth. He still had the white mask on and he was alone in the castle. There were tombstones in the garden that was overgrown with weeds. She saw names of the people she grew to love. Chip, Miranda and the rest of the staff.

  He waved his hand again and the picture disappeared, snapping Rosabelle to attention.

  "So you see, you need my help."

  Rosabelle took a deep breath, "What do you want from me."

  "I am in need of a servant. I will be acquiring a child soon and I will indeed need your assistance in taking care of that child. You will have to give up your freedom for me."

  Rosabelle looked at him in fright, "Me work for you? Forget it. I will find my own way, thank you."

  "The place you are looking for is enchanted and hidden. Esmeralda made it so. You'll never find it on your own even with that magical compass of yours."

  Rosabelle got up on Bessie and prodded her horse to go forward, wanting to leave the scene immediately. She touched the compass absent-mindedly, making sure it was still with her.