*
The carriage barrelled along the gravel road, heedless of mud filled puddles and the pot holes they filled. Jane awakened with a start after the carriage met a group of these holes in succession. The carriage lamps provided an ethereal glow within the cabin that hindered her attempts to focus and discover her surroundings.
Jane was finally able to make out the interior of the cabin, however the window only provided a canvas of dark shapes flying past outside. Across from her sat Lord Lodge, presumably asleep, although he could have been similarly drugged. The throbbing in her head provided the proof to Jane that she had been drugged and that this was not a dream.
“I see you’ve awoken,” uttered a grave voice opposite her in the cabin. She could only make out a dark figure facing the other window. However when the figure turned to face her, she saw the menacing face of Malicio smiling cruelly.
“Where are we?”
“I told you to follow your instructions,” he replied with growing pleasure at her discomfort, ignoring her question. “But you just had to ignore me.”
Jane remained silent, unwilling to provoke him further. However he continued his quiet attack, his deliberate and calm voice more threatening than wild shouts.
“You had the chance to be a part of something special, but you threw it all away. The Doctor’s plans always rely on strict adherence. I might have enjoyed your company in our little conspiracy.”
“Where are we? Where are you taking us?” Jane mumbled, finding the courage to ask a second time.
“Us is it? You truly are doomed,” he replied amused. “We have just crossed the Talon Pass and are on the West Mountain Road. Our destination is…”
“The Crow’s Nest,” she sighed, completing his sentence. Malicio simply smiled in reply and turned to continue his vigil out the window.
The carriage began to slow as the surrounding country became too treacherous for its previous speed. The road snaked along the side of the mountains that gave it its name. Dense woods engulfed the road as it made its elevated progress.
After an endless amount of time in the monotonous darkness, Jane suddenly felt like the world opened up. The forest thinned out quickly and the moon finally broke past the thick black clouds of night. She sat staring out the window in awe; rolling mountain pastures, jagged peaks, and the white caps of a rolling sea in the distance.
However this magnificent view soon became equally disheartening, as Jane could see no signs of civilization. A huge dark expanse was laid out before her; she could see no light or smoke. There were no buildings to be seen anywhere, no chance of help in an escape.
“This is your first time at the Crows Nest, isn’t it?” asked Malicio.
Jane nodded, not trusting her voice to maintain its composure.
“Well then you won’t want to miss the view,” he replied pointing out his window as the road turned sharply. Jane followed his glance out the window and she was again struck with feelings of both awe and dismay.
Thrusting out from the sheer face of the mountain, the Crow’s Nest sat kinglike on the sole level piece of land in the surrounding area. The terrain to the rear and the side turned into steep cliffs within feet of the buildings walls, leaving the roadway as the only means of approach. This approach was only made possible by the crossing of two stone bridges that crossed deep ravines. The Crow’s Nest itself was an imposing hall built of stone and timber, reminiscent of the great Viking strongholds of Scandinavia. The light coloured stone seemed to glow from the moonlight in comparison to the dark woods and mountains surrounding it. The building was all alight and smoke billowed from the chimneys, creating an even more enticing view.
Jane sat back as the carriage took another turn that placed a hill between it and the fortress, obscuring the view. As welcoming as the Crows Nest appeared from the cramped confines of the carriage, she knew it would be a prison. Built far away from any populated area on the far side of the mountains, it was not easily accessible. Additionally it was built where the only real means of escape was by the front door.
The carriage stopped at the first bridge, where an iron gate forced one of the men on top to descend and unlock it. This was repeated soon after as they reached the second bridge. Blazing torches lined the drive from the bridge to a circular courtyard, illuminating the grandeur of the hall. Roughly the first twenty feet of the building was expertly crafted of stone; square, smooth, and flawless. If it weren’t for the light gray shade of the stone, one would think it had been carved right out of the dark stoned Cliffside. Solid log beams continued where the stone ended and were just as finely crafted. Shapes and designs were carved into the walls where the corners met and seemed to be painted in with silver, allowing the building to shimmer in the moonlight. The sheen appeared to run from the roof, as it was also constructed of silver flecked stone.
“Out,” ordered Malicio as the carriage halted in front of a sweeping staircase that led to the main doors of the hall.
Jane stood up slowly, stiff from the long and brutal ride. She reached over and gently shook Lord Lodge’s knee, awaking him slowly.
“Have we reached our destination so soon?” inquired Lodge, yawning and stretching his extremities.
“As you very well know,” countered Malicio. “You’ve been awake since before the Talon Pass. I’m not some boy, easily fooled by your trickery.”
Lodge merely glanced at him and let Jane help him down from the carriage. They were immediately welcomed by a stiff cold breeze that threatened to topple them before they secured their footing.
“Enjoy your stay!” yelled Malicio as his fellow Black Pack companions took the recently emptied spots in the carriage. When they had all gotten in, the door was slammed shut, muffling the laughter emanating from within.
Jane looked over the vast dark valley beyond and shivered. For the first time since she had delivered the letter, she was at a loss for a plan. Lodge came up beside her and joined her gaze into the abyss before them. Glad to not be alone, she linked her arm with his.
“My dear, you’re shaking,” he replied with concern.
“Don’t worry my Lord,” she replied calmly. “I might be a little cold and scared, but I’m shaking with fury. This isn’t over.”
A Malevolent Manner (Patrick Pierce #1) Page 34
