The Grey Dawn

by Stacey DeMichael

  The other riders circled in the middle of the road. Ellalee saw that her sister and brother were well-protected, and without further ado, she darted off after Sir Fritz.

  Before she made it to the tree line, she heard Charlie from behind her say with all the sarcasm he could muster, “See, there she goes again. Impossible to protect.”

  There was a heavy clinking sound as the mysterious person in the woods began running as he, no doubt, saw the knights pounding up behind him on their great steeds. One knight, she couldn’t tell which in the gloom of night, kicked the figure down and then leaped off of his horse on top of him. The other leaped off his horse as well. Ellalee came running up just as they pulled back the man’s cloak. She drew a horrified breath. It was Valen’s steward, Shefton.

  “Shefton, I never liked you. Why are you out like a thief in the night?” Sir Fritz asked.

  “Hmmm, maybe because he is a thief.” said James as he picked up and opened the bag Shefton had been carrying. “This bag is filled with coin, Fritz, a lot of coin.” James snorted as he drew forks and spoons out of the bag as well. “He has even taken the silverware as well. You filthy thief.”

  “The castle has fallen. There is no one left but that cantankerous, cancerous, corpse of a butler.”

  Fritz grabbed the man under his jerkin and lifted him so that only the man’s tiptoes flailed at the ground. “Where is Lord Valen?”

  “Gone! I don’t know where, but captured. I’m sure killed by now. The housekeeper is missing as well. By tomorrow, word will spread, and the castle will be looted. I only took what I had coming to me after all these years serving in that cursed place. After all, who would hire me? I’m cursed just having been there.”

  Fritz slammed him down and turned, frowning at Ellalee. “Don’t you ever stay put? As long as you are here, grab that rope off my saddle. We’ll leave the villain here until we can come back and deal with him. Our horses are burdened enough.”

  “You can’t leave me here! There are wild animals in these woods. Wolves! If you tie me up and leave me, it will be as good as murder.”

  “No better than you deserve,” Fritz snarled.

  Shefton leaped up trying to make a run for it, but Fritz grabbed him and threw him against a tree. Shefton’s head hit the trunk, and he slid down into a forward leaning slump. Fritz put the toe of his boot under the steward’s chin threatening to push his boot through the man’s throat as Shefton scrabbled backwards against the tree making gurgling sounds. “Tie him up, good and tight, Ellalee. I want to make sure he’ll be here or at least parts of him will be here in the morning.”

  Ellalee tied his hands behind his back and then tied him to the tree. Her hands were shaking, but she made quick work of the task. Fritz tested the ropes and seemed satisfied.

  The steward screamed obscenities at the knights.

  “Give me that pot of yours,” Fritz said, hand extended. Ellalee handed the skillet to him, and he slammed it down on the steward’s head knocking him out cold.

  “Well, now, that was a right kindness I don’t think he deserved. This way, if he does get eaten, he won’t know it until he arrives for judgement,” James said.

  Fritz chuckled as he handed the skillet back to Ellalee.

  Yeep. Knight humor, thought Ellalee.

  “Let’s go. I dread what may be before us,” Fritz said pulling himself into the saddle and then leaned down giving Ellalee a hand up.

  Soon they were back on the trail, and with the moon’s rise, the small band began moving quicker than before. Though the moon cast more light on the trail, the shadows were deep, and Ellalee was filled with a dark foreboding.

  They arrived on Avium lands sometime after midnight, and the plan was laid out. James, Kent, Irwin, and Michael would ride to the north field. Ellalee was sure that a tunnel must lead from there into the manor. She warned them of the giant black wolf-dogs with their eerie silent attacks.

  “Lord Valen felt that they must have been trained to attack the sword arm first. They nearly ripped his arm from the socket. There is at least one still there,” Ellalee recounted. She described the distance and direction from the path that the strange man first appeared. “If there isn’t a tunnel there, I certainly don’t know how else he knew when I left and when I would arrive. Even I didn’t know when I would get a chance to visit the north field. I don’t believe it was a chance encounter. Another entrance must be through Mistress Murray’s room.”

  Fritz, Walter, Charlie, and Mark would go to the castle with Daniella and Ellalee. Christopher would stay with Sir Kent. Ellalee was aghast at the idea of splitting up, but Kent and Fritz refused to reconsider. When their small group arrived at the manor, Fritz, Walter, Charlie, and Mark dismounted and tied up their reins to the post outside the manor while the other knights and men rode on to the north field. Christopher gave Ellalee one last forlorn look before the men cantered onward. Ellalee sent up prayers of protection over the men.

  Charlie rushed to help Daniella down earning a scowl from Sir Walter, and Ellalee heaved a sigh at the sight of the two men and her sister. Fritz helped Ellalee down with a knowing look as he glanced over at Daniella.

  “I see the attraction. She’s all kindness and light. I do hope they won’t kill each other before we are through the night,” Sir Fritz said.

  “She is,” Ellalee smiled sadly. “I hope we are all alive on the morrow.”

  He nodded and then cleared his throat, adding before he trudged away, “I think Kent prefers fireballs.” Ellalee was left sputtering.

  As Fritz led the way into the reception hall, they were greeted at sword point. Winslow, a sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, blocked their entrance.

  Chapter Twenty-Five: Into the Unknown

  Ellalee pushed to the forefront. “Winslow, what is the meaning of this?”

  “Oh, Madam Ellalee, you have returned,” Winslow sighed in great relief. He dropped both arms to his side as though the weight of the armament was more than he could bear.

  “Surely you jest in titling the washer woman madam,” Fritz said.

  “Do you know who this woman’s father was?” Winslow asked. “When Lord Valen found out she was literate, he sent out couriers to research her background. Her father was Stanford McMillon, a well-known merchant. Her mother was nobility. She is no common washer woman.”

  Fritz looked at her, raising one eye brow. “Is this true?”

  “He was our father, but he never came home from his last trip. We have been destitute since. I am the washer woman that you know. Please, Winslow. I am happy to be a maid or a washer woman now. Do not confuse the issue or these poor men.”

  The knights and the footmen looked at Daniella and Ellalee with new appraisal.

  “As you wish, Madam,” Winslow said. Ellalee rolled her eyes.

  “Where is Lord Valen?” Ellalee asked.

  “He has been taken. Miss Murray began screaming from upstairs. He rushed to her aid; however, they had both disappeared by the time I arrived. I have searched the manor, but I have had no luck. Shefton has also disappeared. Lord Valen ordered Simmons to take Gladlia from the manor when she refused to go. It was quite the hullaballoo. She made every threat she could against the earl and the valet, but Simmons just flipped that old woman over his shoulder and carried her off towards the village. Lord Valen instructed him to sit on her if necessary to keep her there. I shall never forget the words that she used as Simmons swept her up. I’ve stored them up to treasure those curses should I ever have the occasion to need them. So, as you see, I am all that is left of Castle de Avium until you. What made you return?”

  “I was wrong to leave. It took about me about five minutes to realize it myself and about five hours to convince everyone else.”

  “And she threatened me with her skillet,” Charlie added.

  “Winslow, remember carefully, did Mistress Murray call from the women’s quarters?” Ellalee continued, ignoring Charlie.

  “It came from that direction, yes
,” Winslow replied.

  “Let’s go,” Ellalee said.

  “Oh, no,” Fritz said placing his hand firmly on her shoulder. “You and your pot and your sister are staying here with Winslow. Find a room, and lock yourself in. You’ll only be in the way otherwise.” Fritz handed Shefton’s sack of stolen goods to Winslow, “Guard that as well, good man.”

  Winslow nodded deeply.

  “Of course, Sir Fritz,” Ellalee demurred. “I wouldn’t want to be in the way. Mistress Murray’s room is up the staircase, second door on the left.”

  Daniella groaned, and Charlie was already shaking his head as Fritz and Walter led the men out of the reception hall. Charlie looked over his shoulder and gave Ellalee a warning look and started to follow the men out the door, but hesitated and looked to Daniella as the voice of reason. “Any chance that you’re going to be able to convince her to stay behind?”

  Daniella shook her head. “Only if you have a rope or Gladlia’s sleeping draught, but better to have both.”

  Charlie frowned and turned to Ellalee. “You better give us ten minutes head start you daft girl.” Then he added drolly, “Better bring your skillet.”

  Ellalee only smiled. When Charlie departed, Ellalee said, “We must move quickly. There are no doors that cannot be unlocked. Mistress Murray has a master set of keys. We need to think of a safe place for you to stay. Or better yet, you should take two horses and leave.”

  “I am going nowhere, Ellalee. I was wrong to convince you to leave.”

  “Only Lord Valen and I have a key to the study,” Winslow suggested.

  “Very good. Winslow, please protect Daniella,” Ellalee said as she gave her sister a hug.

  “I would rather protect both of you,” Winslow replied with all sincerity.

  “I must find Lord Valen, Winslow. I don’t think I could stay here not knowing,” Ellalee said.

  “Another stupid plan, Ellalee, but I love you. Always action and no faith,” said Daniella with a soft smile for her sister.

  Ellalee shook her head and said for old time’s sake, “Always faith and no action. Pray for me.”

  “I always do,” Daniella said and hugged her sister fiercely. Then she added, “Do me a favor and clobber anyone who comes near you with your skillet. Come back to us, El. Christopher and I would never have made it without you.”

  Daniella gave her sister a sad smile and took Winslow’s arm, and they turned toward the Lord Valen’s study. Ellalee was glad that Winslow still had his sword, and hoped they wouldn’t need it. She flew at a dead run, down the stairs, through the servant’s hall, and up the back staircase toward the women’s residence. She didn’t rein herself in until she hit Mistress Murray’s room. She pushed the door open slowly.

  A wardrobe had been slid away from the wall revealing a passageway into the unknown.

  Chapter Twenty-Six: Stubborn and Stupid

  Ellalee lit the oil lamp on the nightstand and carried it with her down a rickety wooden staircase. The air smelled stale like some mix of musty earth and mildewed sheets. A wave of fear swept through her, but then she remembered the earl’s note. Be Brave. She braved one foot forward onto the platform. She could see to the next landing, but then the stairs turned around a bend. Skillet in one hand and lamp in another, Ellalee edged down the stairs. The flame from the lamp flickered and cast long shadows on the wooden walls, and she could hear a faint moaning sound which gave her the shivers. She edged down the stairs, her back started to hurt from being held rigid with stress.

  Holding the lamp ahead of her, she proceeded around the bend in the staircase. The moaning had stopped, and she could hear nothing beyond her footsteps and the radical thumping of her own heart. When she turned the bend, Ellalee was shocked to see a black cavernous hole in the staircase ahead of her. Only a very small edge of the staircase still stood on either side of collapse.

  She wondered if the knights and footmen had turned back at the sight of the collapse, but surely she would have seen them. Then a worse thought came unbidden. What if they were in the bottom of that hole? How deep did it go? She creeped up to the edge, trying each stair, worried that it too might give way as she approached the hole. She tilted her head. Something was distinctly wrong with this cave in. It was a moment before she realized that there were no jagged ends, no cracked wood around the outside edges. The hole was symmetrical, as though cut. She felt around the top edge of the hole and sure enough touched metal. This was no stair collapse. This was a hinged trap built to catch the pursuer.

  Well, things were no doubt going to be very interesting, Ellalee thought miserably. The outside edges of the steps were not just in-tact, but seemingly designed to allow one to bypass the trap. She carefully put her weight down on the first outside edge of the step. Indeed, it seemed solid. She hugged the wall, and slowly took another step. Each step likewise held. Step by step Ellalee walked the outside edge of the staircase past the hole and breathed sigh of relief when she finally came to the stair below the trap.

  Kneeling down, she lowered her lamp into the black pit. The light did not reach the bottom and revealed nothing but the dark and the gloom below. She sincerely hoped this pit didn’t hold any of her friends. From below the trap, she could now see that the missing stairs hung down from a hinge so that the stairs could be reset from some hidden lever. Before she withdrew the lamp from the hole, she hazarded a whisper, “Is anyone down there?” Silence.

  Ellalee stood and continued down the stairs, carefully trying each step before putting down her full weight. At the bottom of the stairwell, she came to a long stone hallway with a high rounded ceiling. Here there were torches lit in both directions. The walls behind the torches were blackened from long use. She looked up and tried to envision where she was in relation to the manor above. Remembering the warren of passageways on the schematic, she suddenly worried about what would become of her if she got lost down here.

  No, she wouldn’t panic. She turned left because it seemed that direction would take her under the main parts of the manor. Deciding to follow only lit hallways, Ellalee turned down her lamp and placed it on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. The torches cast eerie shadows on the walls as she moved slowly down the hallway. Ellalee strained her ears for any sound. There was only the faint crackling and hiss of the torches and somewhere water dripped. She passed one dark hallway on the left and another on the right, but continued following the lit passageway. Ellalee paused at a perpendicular hallway that also had torches the torches lit. Once more, she tried to imagine where she was in relation to the manor above. She turned down the hallway to the right and could see that it turned a corner up ahead. She was about to backtrack to the main corridor when she heard the low murmur of men’s voices.

  Ellalee slid against the wall holding her skillet out ahead of her as she stopped to listen. There were definitely voices coming from this new direction, but the sounds were too low to make out what was being said. She peeked around the corner. There was no one in view. Ahead, the hallway disappeared into blackness. The voices came again, still low but urgent. She drifted around the corner keeping to the sides of the hallway and moving as quietly as she could, hardly daring to breathe as she slipped down the hall. One of the voices cursed. She frowned. Whoever was down the darkened hallway seemed to be having a hushed argument. She passed the last torch, and from here forward, the passageway was nearly pitch black. The voices were getting louder. Cloaked by darkness, Ellalee moved quicker now, running her fingers against the wall to keep her way in the darkness.

  “Shhh! Someone is coming,” Ellalee heard someone say.

  “I don’t hear anything.”

  “That’s because you’re talking, fool. Now be quiet.”

  Ellalee stood up straight. She was pretty sure those two voice were Charlie and Mark.

  “Charlie?” Ellalee whispered.

  “Did you hear that? It is a ghost that knows my name. Now I’m sure we are going to die.”

  Ellalee retreated back do
wn the corridor, snatched the last torch off the wall, and came back around the corner. There, locked in a cell behind iron bars, were Charlie, Mark, and Fritz. Ellalee shook her head.

  “You are a stubborn, stubborn woman. I told you to stay put,” Fritz said.

  “Says the knight in the cage,” Ellalee responded.

  “Yes, do get us out, Ellalee,” Mark replied.

  “And how shall I do that exactly. How on earth did you get yourselves in there?”

  “It doesn’t bear repeating,” muttered Fritz, but Ellalee put her skillet on her hip and waited him out.

  Finally he growled out, “We heard a woman crying so we came roaring around the corner into the dark and about twenty yards further down, we nearly collided with the stone wall in front of us. That’s when we heard this barred door slam behind us.”

  “Yes, and then there was the laughing,” added Charlie.

  Ellalee gave a long slow blink. “Where is Sir Walter?”

  “Did you see pit in the stairs?” Charlie asked.

  “Oh no! I looked, but I could not see the bottom. I pray he is okay.” Ellalee handed the torch through the bars. “Are any of the bars loose?”

  Fritz sounded like he was grinding his teeth, but Mark replied, “That was the first thing we checked.”

  “What would happen if you stuffed something in the lock and set it on fire?” Ellalee suggested.

  “Now there’s an idea,” Charlie said.

  “Yes, so we can melt the pins and stay here forever,” Fritz said. “If you aren’t going to helpful, why don’t you trot along and see if you can find someone who will be.”

  Ellalee frowned and thought for a moment. “There were no alcoves or other hallways leading off this one so it seems to me that if someone led you down this way and was able to double back behind you, there must be another secret passage somewhere. Maybe even inside your cell. When I looked at Lord Valen’s schematic, there were passages alongside and through others.”