Disclaimer: I don't own Cain, but I wish he was real =P

Author: Kreuz Swords

Title: The Lucky White Fox: Chap. 3 Day's Ride

Note: Lady Gwen Lawena is my character and also the plot. Please e-mail me at csunicorns@yahoo.com if you want to use my fic.

Cain stood up in waist high grass and gazed about into the cloudless blue-sky and endless green field. The wind rippled across the sea of grass.

A dark voice startled Cain, "Cain was the one punished by God for committing the first murder. Therefore, I must curse you forever."

Cain turned around and saw his father a few feet away. Cain's father held out his whip. Cain started to back up when the sound of rumbling thunder came to his ears. The ground began to shake a bit. Cain looked behind his father and saw a very large herd of horses stampeding toward their direction. Cain started to run away. He turned his head to the side and saw his father disappear as the horses thundered over the area where he stood a few seconds ago. Cain kept on running, but the stampeding horses were right behind him. The sound of the horses' hooves was deafening. Cain stumbled on to the ground and saw the horses coming toward him. "Riff where are you?!" he cried out.

"Cain wake up! Come on brother, wake up now!"

Cain screamed out, "Riff!" He tumbled off the bed on to the floor in a jumble of sheets.

Merryweather was only clothed in a violet dress and bounced on his bed. "Brother, it is very late in the morning! It is time to get up! You promised that we will meet Gwen for breakfast!"

"Please calm down Merry," said Riff as he helped Cain off the floor and comforted him.

Merryweather got off Cain's bed with a hop. "Plus, you were very rude to Riff when he tried to wake you up earlier. You threw a pillow at him and said you will poison him if he dared to wake you again!"

"I know he did not mean it, Merry," said Riff, "And he did look tired.

"Brother, did you stay up brooding again! I wish I had a normal brother, not some weird guy collecting poisons and staying up most of the night solving murders!" Merryweather stumped out of her brother's room.

"I do not think it is normal for a sister to rule over her older brother," mumbled Cain.

Riff helped his young master get cleaned and dressed for the day. When they stepped out, Merryweather had finished dressing and was reading a book in a chair.

"Okay, sister of mine, let's see if Gwen is still in the breakfast room," said Cain as Riff opened the door to the hallway for them.

"Come on move faster brother," complained Merryweather as she grabbed Cain's arm. She proceeded to drag him through the hallway and down the staircase.

"I am coming, I am coming dear sister. Do not push me down the stairs."

"Well, if you move faster than a sail, we might in deed catch Lady Gwen before she leaves," and Merryweather tugged some more on her brother. Riff just watched their antics with a smile.

They reached the airy breakfast room with a few people still there. The room had many tall windows with partly stained glass designs. Outside was a well-manicured garden with some guest walking about. In the room, it was decorative in the furnishings with a few potted plants and had the smell of tea and bread. Cain spotted Lady Lawena quickly, and they went to her table.

"Gwen, I am truly sorry that we came late to breakfast," said Cain.

"Good morning to you all," said Gwen and smiled. Do not worry yourselves. The truth is that I was running late myself and afraid that you had finished already. My young assistant over slept and got me up twenty minutes ago."

"Yes, my brother also over slept due to staying up most of the night," piped up Merryweather.

"No not really. I was up thinking on something and had trouble sleeping," replied Cain and covered up his sister's mouth before she retorted.

"Well, you can sit down with me and order a late breakfast," said Gwen and winked.

"Yes my fair lady, I do feel famished." The three sat into wooden chairs and ordered their late morning meal.

"I was able to get a bit of news before I came here from some of the guests. An Inspector Trent had arrived this morning and started questioning Lord Willington's guests about where they were before the late Mr. White's body was found. The fellow is still a little new to his position and has a pleasant manner. So, I am told."

"I hope that is true. I hate pushy, ill-tempered inspectors."

"Oh, have you met many inspectors?"

"I seem to have had when misfortunes appeared while I was nearby." A servant came by and placed down their meal.

"Excuse me for being bold Gwen, but are you married?" asked Cain.

"Yes, I was married," said Gwen in a sad tone.

"Oh, I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you," sympathized Cain.

"No, I do not mind. I married young at fifteen and my late husband was the same age too. I came from a large Irish family, strict in manners and favored my bothers. Except for my youngest brother, who adored me and was very kind. It was his idea that we three run off together, and I to marry my true love. Of course, my parents disowned us to avoid the scandal when we did run away and left Ireland for my husband's home in England. But, my husband really loved me, and it did not matter to us. Our happiness ended a few years later when my husband died from an illness. I could not go back to my family. My husband's parents said I could stay if I was able keep up the wool and grain business. They could not afford the upkeep of their son's estate and would have to sell it. So, I am an eccentric widow who runs a business in a man's world. Now that out of the way, what is your life like?"

"Except for Riff, my sister, and an uncle, I live estrange from my relatives and most of society. I am usually the one that brings bad luck. As for a profession, I have none."

"I wish I had the position to have leisure. How about you, Merryweather?"

"My brother wants a governess to teach me what it is to be a fine lady," said Merryweather and looked angrily at Cain."

"She had chased away the one's I hired so far," said Cain and sighed.

"I am sure your brother means well and wants to give you an education. Now, it is your turn Riff."

Before Riff could worry about answering, a slim man in dark brown clothing came up to their table. "Excuse me, but I need to ask you some questions about the late Mr. White. I am Inspector Trent. May have the pleasure to whom I am speaking to, for my investigation and where were you before the late Mr. White was found deceased in the library?" said the man as he put a pencil to a note pad.

"I am Lady Lawena, and I was talking to lord Willington before the late Mr. White was found."

"Did you see Mr. White before his death?"

"No sir, I did not."

"And, you sir?" said Inspector Trent as he looked up from his writing at Cain.

I am Count Hargreaves. My sister and I dressed in our rooms and came down for dinner. I did not see Mr. White in the hunting party either."

Inspector Trent paled a bit. "So, you're the Earl of Poison," he said a little fearfully.

"Oh, is my nickname spread out to all police districts in England now?" said Cain and impishly smiled at the inspector.

Inspector Trent swallowed and asked, "Did you murder Mr. White?"

"No, I did not know who Mr. White was before I saw him dead and I was not alone at any time. Right, Riff?"

"Yes, master Cain," replied Riff.

"Were there any clues left behind by the murderer, Inspector?" asked Cain.

"No, there was no other clues, but the knife," said Inspector Trent fearfully as looked into Cain's gold flecked green eyes.

"How strange," pondered Cain.

"MASTER WILLINGTON!!! There has been another murder! Lady Mustard was found poisoned in her bedroom!" cried out a maid as she ran by the Breakfast room. "Master Willington!"

"And, Mr. Kurtis fainted again in the hallway!" called out a manservant after the maid.

"Oh my, it looks like we will be staying here longer than I planned Cain," said Lady Lawena.

"Well, Inspector Trent that surely proves that I am not the murderer since I was here talking to you," said Cain and gave another impish smile.

"More tea anyone?" offered Riff.

"Excuse me Lady and young Lord," said Inspector Trent quickly as he dashed out of the breakfast room.

TBC… Reviews are welcome ^-^