I own nothing but my OC's.
"Holiday! Holiday! We're going on Holiday! Holiday! Holiday! We're going on Holiday!" The servants continued to sing as the carriage drove down the dirt path. Up ahead Nyra's eyebrow twitched in irritation. The song was cute the first few five times but now it was enough to make Nyra want to cover her ears in ice so that she wouldn't have to listen.
"This is so exciting, I can't believe it!" Finny cheered.
"Spectacular, he's actually bringing us! We actually get to go on holiday to the Queen's own resort!" Mei-rin squealed.
"Looks like the young master can be quite generous when the spirit moves him, eh?" Bard asked. The others nodded in agreement.
"Do you hear how happy they are?" Sebastian asked as he drove the carriage while Nyra quizzed Ciel on the French language. "They are very grateful to you, such a kind young master." The demon teased.
"I couldn't leave them there alone." Ciel said. "I might come to find the manor in shambles."
"En effet." Sebastian said in French.
Nyra saw a sign up ahead that read Houndsworth. The carriage pulled to a stop. "It seems we've arrived at the village everyone." Sebastian said.
"Alright!"
The servants hurried to take a look. All they saw was a large oak tree with collars dangling from it and dog skulls all over the ground. The servants all screamed in shock.
"Oh yes, I forgot to mention something. The resort that the queen is planning has yet to be constructed." Ciel said.
"Yes master." The servants groaned.
"That was mean Ciel." Nyra said, poking his cheek.
"C'est la vie. Elle est pleine de déceptions." Ciel said indifferently, waving Nyra's hand away.
"Très bon." Nyra said smiling.
EARLIER
"A holiday young master, in this season?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes, indeed. Tell me, have you ever heard of pass time known as bear baiting?" Ciel asked.
"Yes, I have Ciel." Nyra said. "A bear is tied to something and is attacked by dogs which slowly bite and kill it. People bet on which dog will deliver the killing blow."
"That sounds like something that only a human would dream up." Sebastian chuckled.
"It was banned back in 1835 when the 'Cruelty to Animals' act was instated. However there is still a loophole. The attack dogs that they used were not banned. So a new game developed." Ciel said.
"They use dogs to attack dogs, let's see; would that be dog baiting?" Sebastian asked.
"There's a village in which it's quite popular, known as Houndsworth." Ciel said. "It has long been known for raising fierce hunting dogs. But they take it further. It breaks her majesty's heart." Ciel said, looking down at the envelope.
"Breaks mine too." Nyra muttered. With her connection to wolves this case hit home since dogs were quite similar.
"So we'll secure the villages land for a royal estate, a simple pretext to end the atrocities." Ciel reported.
"A village full of dogs?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes, why?" asked Ciel.
"Well please forgive me master, this seems a rather insignificant task for one of your station to take on." Sebastian said, placing his hand over his heart.
"Sebastian, you should know by now that I have my reasons. This is indeed a task fit for a Phantomhive." That peeked Nyra's attention.
PRESENT
They were still driving along the trails. Ciel was doing quite good with his French but eventually Nyra ran out of questions. Sticking with the French Nyra quizzed him on all he knew of the history of France.
"Look! Somebody actually lives here!" Finny said excitedly. Nyra turned and saw he was pointing at an old lady with a stroller. "Tanaka stop!" Finny told the older man. They pulled up alongside the woman. Finny hoped out.
"Let me help you Granny." The gardener said.
"No you shouldn't Finny!" Mei-rin yelled. "If you aren't careful you might hurt the baby!"
"What did you say?" Finny asked as he lifted the stroller above his head. He then quickly realized what he did and slammed the stroller back on the ground. He threw his arms up in surrender. "I'm so sorry!" Mei-rin and Bard looked anxiously in the stroller.
"Oh! This is awful, is the baby okay?" Mei-rin asked worriedly. They both looked into the carriage blue with shock. Nyra could see into the stroller from where she was. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. She could tell there was a dog skull in it.
"There is no baby. There is no baby anymore. The child was eaten by it." The woman rolled the stroller away from the shocked servants.
"Eaten?" Bard asked nervously as the woman walked off singing some creepy tune.
"The white dog is a good dog, a good dog good."
"The black dog is a bad dog, a bad dog bad."
"That's why we're here." Ciel said. "Apparently a lot of the villagers have been brutally killed or gone missing. The village has shrunk to a third of its size in the past ten years. A part of my task is to find out why and put an end to the problem."
A few minutes later the village was insight, next to a large lake. "Oi, it's starting to look like a place worth staying." Bard said.
They drove the carriages into town where the sound of dogs barking filled the air. Nyra closed her book and put it in her bag. Briefly she wondered how Yanmei was doing. Had she healed yet? Had she retaken her title as one of the Seven Sisters after being imprisoned? Was she being treated nicely by the reapers? The witch shook the questions from her head and just decided to watch everything go by.
"Sit." A nearby young man told a dog. The hound obeyed. "Lay down." The dog did as commanded. "Who's a good boy? My good boy!" The man laughed and hugged his dog.
"Oh my, I'd let him pet me, yes I would." Mei-rin sighed.
"He manipulates the creature with rewards and punishments." Said Sebastian suddenly. "He commands the mutt's obedience but, the dog isn't blameless either. It's fond of its human and welcomes the chain around its neck. I can't understand it."
"If you're trying to get at something deeper just say it." Ciel ordered.
"No, it's nothing of importance of my lord. Simply that while I love cats I'm not especially fond of dogs." He turned to face them with a shit eating grin. "To be completely frank I hate them."
"Woof." Ciel said as a joke and Nyra smirked through a low wolf like growl.
They drove up to a large house on a hill. It seemed to be much nicer in comparison to the grubby homes in the village. A young maid ran out to meet them. She was very pretty with white hair and purple eyes. (ATTENTION! Angela is not an evil angel. I will still make her evil, just not a crazy angel that murdered Ciel's parents.)
"I presume this is the Earl of Phantomhive?" She asked.
"Yes." Sebastian answered.
The maid bowed. "Welcome to Barrymore Castle. My master awaits your arrival. "
"She's lovely yes she is!" Mei-rin gushed. Finny stared at the maid, blushing with wide wondrous eyes.
"This way." The maid said as she led them inside to another room. The trio looked around the room to see the wall completely lined all the way around with stuffed animal heads.
The crack of a whip and a woman's panicked cry startled them. A man stood whipping the poor maid. "Who the hell is this Chihuahua!? I told you to bring me the Queen's guard dog when he arrived!"
"Chihuahua?" Sebastian thought out loud.
"Can't you do anything right?!" The man yelled as he continued to whip the maid.
"Move Sebastian." Ciel ordered.
Instantly both Sebastian and Nyra were on Lord Berrymore. Sebastian held the hand with the whip and Nyra had a dagger made of ice at his throat.
"What are you doing you filthy Dobermans? Somebody should train you better! Let me go right now!" The man yelled.
"They're acting my orders." Ciel said.
"Who are you?!" Lord Berrymore asked.
"From the sound of it I'd say you've already retrieved my letter." Ciel said, sitting down in a chair. "My name is Ciel, the Earl of Phantomhive."
Sebastian and Nyra released their captive. "Do you mean to tell me that a toy poodle like you is the Queen's emissary!?"
"You don't like small breeds Lord Henry?" Ciel asked, smirking with amusement. "Now that's hardly fair."
Meanwhile the servants were unloading some luggage. Finny was fantasizing about the beautiful maid when Bard snapped him out of it. "Quit acting like a loon Finny, you've got bags to carry, Hurry it up!"
Back with the others Angela was trying to prepare tea but after her punishment her hands were shaking quite a bit and the tea cups were rattling terribly. Nyra saw this and glared at Lord Berrymore. She had confiscated his whip and was currently holding it in her hands threateningly. Sebastian saw Angela's trouble and decided to take pity on her. "Please miss, allow me." Sebastian had tea prepared in no time.
Lord Berrymore put the papers down after having looked them over. "There's nothing left to discuss. Under no circumstance will I sell Barrymore castle to anybody."
"Why is that?" Ciel asked.
"Because of the curse." He said seriously.
He's lying. Nyra thought instantly. She heard a million stories like this a million times. The guy was always lying.
"Oh, what curse?" Ciel asked. Nyra herself wouldn't deny though that she was interested in the story, perhaps this one was an original.
"This village and its dogs have existed for centuries. Anyone who interferes with us will be cursed. In a most horrible way." Berrymore said. He stood up and looked down at Ciel, obviously going for intimidation. "Even your queen can't lift the curse. Your mission is pointless! Anyone who goes against the wishes of the Berrymore family is destined to meet a terrible end!"
"My, how interesting." Ciel smirked.
"What!?" Berrymore asked in shock.
"You've peaked my curiosity. I'd like to see this dreadful curse of yours Lord Henry." Ciel said. Lord Henry began growling like a dog. Just to make sure he knew his place Nyra cracked the whip, making the man jump.
"Now, now, Lord Henry please don't growl at my master." Nyra said. "I'd also prefer that you kept from insulting him, if you can't keep your tongue in check." She cracked the whip again. "I'll take great pleasure in tearing it out."
"You look very fetching with a whip." Sebastian whispered in her ear. Nyra blushed.
"You're making a sexual joke aren't you birdbrain?" Nyra asked, a tick mark forming.
"Yes, yes I am." The demon said, not about to deny it, her reactions were always amusing.
"Well I'm not into toys like this." Nyra said, gathering the whip up. As she walked out she spoke only loud enough for the demon to hear. "I only had to do it with a whip once to figure that out."
Sebastian chuckled then he did a double take. Wait, what did she say?!
"Really? You're the only maid for this entire estate?" Bard asked, impressed.
"That's amazing; I don't know how you get everything done Angela!" Mei-rin said in awe.
"It's nothing that impressive, I promise you." Angela said modestly. "I'm a mess most of the time."
"Just let us know if there's something we can help you with. After all we servants gotta stick together right Finny?" Bard asked. "Am I right?"
Finny nodded. "Of course."
"How kind of you to offer your help, thank you all." Angela said. That's when the bell for the bedroom rang. Angela stood up and bowed. "I have to go right away, my master is calling. Please excuse me." She then took off to get to work. Finny watched her go, eyes shining with admiration.
Later that night Finny was walking around outside. "Angela's so pretty." He then heard a disturbance among the rocks nearby.
"Oi, Finny, what're you doing?" Bard's voice startled him.
"Coming!" Finny ran back inside.
"Come in." Ciel said when he heard a knock at the door. It was Angela.
"I apologize for calling so late." She said. Ciel was sitting by the fire reading and Nyra sat in the chair opposite of him. She had taken a liking to the whip and kept it and it was currently wrapped around her thigh.
"What is it that you need, my young master is about to retire for the evening." Sebastian said, who was putting away clothes.
"I have a request to make." Angela said. "Leave the castle, leave the village completely. You mustn't stay here."
"And why is that?" Ciel asked, not even glancing up from his book.
"I can't say." A wolf howl startled Angela. She began shaking. "No! The demon hound! It's coming!"
"The what?" Nyra asked, looking up at Sebastian when she heard the word demon.
Angela whimpered in fear and Nyra turned to see a large shadow of a wolf's head on the window.
"Sebastian!" Ciel commanded. The butler threw open the curtains but there was nothing.
"What was that thing?" Ciel asked as he and Nyra walked up to the window.
"Master, look there." Sebastian pointed and Nyra saw a glowing glittery dog running away in the distance. Villagers began to awake in a panic.
"It's the demon hound!"
"The demon hound is here!"
"Who is it?! Who's the bad dog!?"
Ciel examined the tracks. "Master!" Mei-rin called.
"Angela!" Finny said as he and the other servants ran up.
"What's going on here? What's all the fuss about?" Bard asked.
"The demon hound is here." Angela said.
"Demon hound!?" The servants asked in shock.
"It brings great catastrophe the village. Anyone who dares defy my master will be punished by the demon hound. That's the law here there's no way to stop it!" Angela explained.
"Angela!" A villager said. "Wake Lord Berrymore at once! The demon hound has come again!"
"Who was he punished one?" Angela asked.
The corpse of the young man they had seen earlier was covered in bite marks and his clothes were tattered. His dogs were barking noisily.
"How awful." Bard muttered. Ciel walked forward and began to examine the body.
"So that's it then." He muttered.
"Stand back! Don't touch!" Lord Berrymore commanded. "I see it was James then, he was the bad dog."
"Yes, he broke the legal restriction on dog ownership. He had six dogs, one more than is allowed." A villager reported.
"A sixth dog, then this was inevitable." Berrymore muttered. Nyra narrowed her eyes and growled. She was tempted to break that whip out. Perhaps she could charge it with electricity, or set it on fire.
"That's all you can say? Really?" Bard asked.
"This village is under my rule and no other. The demon hound protects that rule. As the guardian of the Berrymore family it punishes anyone and everyone who dares to challenge me!" Lord Henry said. The villagers then began a creepy chant.
"The white dog is a good dog, a good dog good."
"The black dog is a bad dog, a bad dog bad."
"He'll eat your flesh down to the bone, down to the bone."
"He'll gobble you up until you're gone, until you're gone."
They continued their creepy chanting as they took James's body away.
"I was sure you outsiders were going to be its next prey." Berrymore said. "You were lucky to have escaped." With that he walked away, Angela following.
"Ciel?" Nyra asked. The boy then began to try to decipher this mystery.
The next morning the three stooges were sitting outside, radiating gloom, doom and depression. "This has got to be the worst holiday ever." Bard said.
"The worst yes it is." Mei-rin agreed.
"What's the matter?" Sebastian asked as he walked up to them. "You were so excited on the way here."
"Yeah well that was before." Bard said.
"Don't be so gloomy, we're on a holiday, time for relaxing." Sebastian said, holding up a swimsuit and picnic basket.
The servants immediately brightening up. Finny and Bard cheered as they ran and dived into the water.
"I haven't been to a proper swimming hole in ages. Water is so nice and warm!" Bard said.
Finny turned back to the changing station. "Hey aren't you coming in too Mei-rin?'
Mei-rin peeked out from the curtain. "No, I can't go out there! It's too embarrassing!"
"Come on now! You don't get a chance to do this every day!" Bard cheered.
Mei-rin groaned. She stepped out and revealed that she was dressed in some sort of white sailor like swim suit with pink trim. "Oh this is absolutely humiliating!" Mei-rin wined.
"No worries Mei-rin, you look lovely!" Finny reassured.
"You aren't just saying that?" Mei-rin asked.
"Say, I think you'd look even better without the glasses on." Bard said mischievously.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Mei-rin cried, trying to get away.
"Leave her alone Bard!" Nyra's voice called out.
"Thank you Miss Nyr-AH!" Mei-rin suddenly broke out into a nose bleed. When everyone looked they quickly learned why. Nyra was strutting down the beach in a orange leopard pattern plunge tunic with a bejeweled sequins neckline. She had sunglasses perched on her forehead and underneath her dress was a black one piece that tied in the back. It was from modern times, since she hated the swimsuits from this time. The one piece was modest, covering more of her chest then Mei-rin's did but she was showing more leg.
When the servants got back to splashing each other Nyra created a bed out of sand with a cup holder. She created a glass out of sand, fired it and turned it into glass. She then drew water from the air to fill the glass and froze some small blocks for ice cubes. She quickly situated herself and opened her book. She had a smirk on her face that said she clearly knew the reaction she got and enjoyed it immensely.
"Don't you care to bathe with them Master?" Sebastian asked.
"Why don't you Birdbrain?" Nyra asked, taking a sip of her water.
"Why don't you?" Sebastian fired back.
"I will if you will." Nyra said, peeling off her dress. Ciel got quite red in the face and quickly returned his gaze back to his book.
"Don't think so." The demon said with a brilliant shit eating grin.
"Then I'm comfortable where I am." Nyra said, getting herself situated for some sunbathing.
"Oh really?" Sebastian asked, smirking mischievously as his eyes glowed pink.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING FEATHERS?!" Nyra yelled. Sebastian had picked her up and was keeping a firm grip on the struggling witch as he walked towards the lake.
"No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!" Nyra yelled. She was smiling though and laughing through her protests.
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Sebastian said over her protests and threw her into the lake amongst Ciel's laughter.
Bubbles exploded around Nyra's vision as she sank into the lake. She quickly swam to the surface and took in a breath of air. The servants were doubled over from laughing and Ciel was even chuckling. Nyra glared at the crow demon as he walked away. He was so smug right now, she could sense it. While the servants were gasping for breath Nyra sent a current of water from the lake in the shape of a hand the grab the demon and pull him into the water.
That sent everyone reeling again when the demon came back up, looking confused for a moment. Really he was just surprised that she had been able to get him. Ciel was beating his fist against his knee as he laughed and the servants were laughing so hard that their knees gave away, they went under and came up coughing and laughing at the same time.
"Aww… is the widdle birdie upset that I got him all wet?" Nyra asked in a baby voice. Sebastian narrowed his demonically glowing eyes. He smirked challengingly. Nyra smirked right back and they shared a private message.
IT'S ON!
Sebastian pushed Nyra under the lake and the witch swam ahead. He grabbed her ankle when she swung her leg at him for a kick. He ducked and blocked a fist aimed at his head. Nyra created some ice around her fingernails so that they resembled claws and took a swipe at the demon. Since he was holding her foot and hand, he was forced to let her go to dodge her attack.
Nyra created a small pocket of air underwater around her nose and mouth so that she could breathe. Her eyes narrowed at the demon. He was really good and always beat her at close combat. They often sparred when Nyra wanted to improve her hand to hand fighting skills. She knew she couldn't beat Sebastian but she did know that the water would slow his movements slightly, even though he was a demon.
If she used her connection to the water to speed up her movements then maybe she could land a hit! Nyra rocketed forward like a torpedo and aimed a punch but the demon blocked it again. Several failed attempts later Nyra was getting a little frustrated. Pouring much more power into her speed for one last attack Nyra appeared behind Sebastian and landed a kick on his shoulder.
The witch was so busy reveling in her small victory that she didn't notice Sebastian appear behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pinning one arm and grabbing the other hand by her wrist. He pulled them both to the surface so that they were in waist deep water. Nyra was out of breath and her cheeks were slightly colored from her effort. She struggled at first but it was in vain.
"Surrender?" Sebastian questioned, smirking in victory.
"Fine." Nyra sighed, sagging in defeat.
"Now, if you'll please, say it." Sebastian said, smirking.
Nyra went bright red. "I'm not saying it with other people around!"
"Those aren't the rules." Sebastian said, looking at her sternly.
The only reason Nyra had persuaded Sebastian to spar with her was that she had promised to say something whenever he won. He won so often that it had stopped embarrassing her but they were always alone when they sparred. But now, she had to say it, she promised.
Nyra muttered it under her breath.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." Sebastian taunted, leaning in closer. She blushed even more. The stupid idiot was rubbing in, not to mention with him this close to her face, looking as good as he did when he was wet, it just wasn't fair. Nyra mumbled a little louder.
"Come now, you can do better than that." Sebastian chuckled, the witch could feel the sound vibrating in his chest, which her back was pressed up against.
"Supper Sebby is hella sexy." Nyra said, loud enough for everyone to hear. They all burst out laughing. Bard was in tears and Ciel looked like he was about to have an asthma attack from laughing so hard.
"Yes I am." Sebastian said with a shit eating grin, causing everyone to start laughing again. He released the fuming witch and began to walk away but he looked back and saw Nyra was still glaring at him. "Come now Nyra, except your defeat gracefully."
"Shut it feathers." Nyra said. She wasn't that mad about being beaten, since she wasn't as good at hand to hand as Sebastian or Yanmei were, she was upset about Sebastian making her say that in front of everyone. They both walked up to Ciel who was smirking.
"Do you still intend on turning this place into a resort Young Master?" Sebastian asked.
"Naturally." Ciel replied.
"What about the big bad demon hound?" Nyra asked.
"Surely you know as well as I by now." Ciel said. "This demon hound is no dog." Sebastian chuckled. "Shall we discuss it further?"
The three stooges were still splashing around when Finny saw who else was on shore. "Hi Angela!" Finny waved. The maid waved back.
"Now go." Ciel whispered to the two.
"Yes young master." Sebastia said. "You may consider it done."
"You're very cooperative, especially for someone who hates dogs." Ciel said.
"Yes I detest them that's why I'd like to finish this as quickly as possible." He began to walk away with Nyra. "Preferably before it all goes to hell."
Nyra sat on the roof of Berrymore castle. She had changed out of her swimsuit and into her feather dress. The witch also had the whip in her hand. She was itching to use it, particularly on Berrymore and not for sexual foreplay.
She heard the barking of dogs and instantly took off. She leapt from roof top to roof top and eventually through the tree branches. Up ahead she saw dogs closing in on Ciel who was bound and tied up in chains. As she leapt into action she vaguely noticed Sebastian was darting in right with her. They both knocked the dogs away from Ciel.
"You cut that one close." Ciel said.
"Don't worry, it won't happen again." Nyra promised, snapping her finger causing, the chains to fall away.
"You dare, inter fear dogs!" Lord Berrymore yelled as the dogs around him growled. "What are you mangy mutts waiting for, kill all of them now!" He commanded. The dogs snarled, ready to attack.
"Shameful." Sebastian said. "What coarse noisy growls they have, another reason why I despise these creatures." Sebastian's eyes glowed demonically, his demon energy caused the dogs to whimper and sink into submissive positions.
"What the hell! What did you do?!" Berrymore yelled over the villagers' gasps of shock.
"Your pitiful fares ends here Berrymore!" Ciel said, Nyra standing behind him holding the whip threateningly, incase anyone else got any funny ideas.
"Listen there is no demon hound! It's all a lie! Just him. An old man obsessed with power! Determined to keep it no matter what!" Ciel addressed the villagers.
"What! What evidence do you have?!" Berrymore asked.
"There's this." The demon said, removing a dog's skull from a dog's mouth. "We found it in your mansion. I took the library of making sure the teeth marks on James matched the teeth in this skull."
Villagers looked up at the sky and gasped. "Do you see it now?" The demon questioned, pointing to the projection of a dogs head on the clouds. "The truth behind the demon hound. Its shadow is nothing but a projection, just a transparent trick. The glowing is phosphorus dust sprinkled on a normal dog." Sebastian poured a bottle of phosphorus onto the ground so that the villagers could see.
"The demon hound is merely an illusion, a story made up by an evil man, the man you let rule your village, this man Henry Berrymore!" Ciel said.
"No!" Berrymore protested. "It's all nonsense, you can't fool them! Where's your evidence?!"
Ciel smirked as Nyra walked over to the poor beaten body of James's dog. She leaned down and stroked his side soothingly. "You've done your job, you can rest now, I'll finish everything."
"My name is Justice, thank you, Daughter of Stark." The dog said telepathically, before giving out one last whimper and dying. The witch took the scrap of cloth the dog had fought so hard to hold on to.
"Very nice material, I'm sure this is yours Berrymore." Nyra said, showing the cloth to everyone. "This is a piece of fabric from your pants. I think Justice here tore it off when you attacked his master." Nyra said, glaring hatefully at the panicking man before her. He tried to run but was surrounded by angry villagers.
"Give up Berrymore. It's all over now!" Ciel yelled.
The mob grabbed Berrymore and lifted his pant leg to see the bite mark. That was all the proof they needed. They hoisted him up chanting "Punish James's Killer!" The servants, who had been tied to a post were cut lose.
"I'm so glad that's over yes I am." Mei-rin said happily.
Finny walked sadly over to where Justice lay dead. He knelt down next to the dog. He pet the hound's fur. "You were one amazing pup. A loyal dog defending his master till the very end." Finny held the dog and began to cry. "You were a good boy, such a good boy."
"There you go, yet another reason why I hate dogs." Sebastian said as it started to train. The witch glared at him and pinched his arm. She wasn't really in the mood for his cynical commentary.
It was still raining when they got back to the mansion. Ciel stared out the window. "Yet another case closed, eh? We can leave the village when the rain lets up."
"Indeed." Sebastian replied. Nyra was tired and had decided to go to be early.
Outside in the hall way Finny looked at Angela from around a corner. "What's wrong with Angela?" He quietly muttered out loud. The lightning illuminated the woman's smiling face as she stared out the window.
"Let me out!" Berrymore yelled from inside his cell. "Oh please! It's coming for me! The demon hound! It's-It's coming to get me I know it is!" He had broken out into a cold sweat and was shaking. "Please! Please let me go! Let me go I'm begging you!" He didn't notice the shadow figure lurking behind him.
Mei-rin's scream woke everyone up. "What the hell is going on down there!" Bard yelled as he, Finny and Tanaka ran down the steps.
Mei-rin was sitting on the floor, the food for lord Berrymore all over the floor as well.
"Mei-rin what's wrong?" Bard asked. The maid pointed a shaking finger into the cell. Blood was all over the floor and there was a huge gaping hold in the wall.
