Moreau was the last to arrive, which was rather odd.
Given his condition, he was usually the first to arrive at any summoning.
Bela Dimitrescu made note of the lord as he hobbled along to his place beside Mother Miranda of the church's dais, the intrigue was quickly smothered by her own roiling rage as she stares at Lord Heisenberg.
Her ire reflected by her mother as she yells, "This is an outrage, Mother Miranda! This lowly invalid trespasses onto my property, he destroys a piece of my house, and even stole my property!"
Bela didn't argue with her mother regarding the claim on Erika. Seated between her sisters, she stiffens when she feels Cassandra's hand carefully rest atop her own. Daniela just shivers and grumbles to her left.
Bela had been . . . cognizant, but uncaring of her family's appearance in Erika's room. She could only stare out through the gaping hole in the wall and scream her fury and rage and sadness as Heisenberg gathered Erika in his arms, pressed a white cloth to her face, and carried her off on the back of a reptilian monstrosity.
It took her mother's consoling and steely anger to gather Bela's thoughts back together, to steer her away from the cold before she dispersed into a pile of dead flies.
Bela remembers her sisters sitting with her by the fire; her mother ordering some servants to bring Bela some fresh clothes; Cassandra promising that Heisenberg would pay. Their mother tried to persuade them to stay home, as the gathering with Mother Miranda would take place at the old abandoned church hidden within the city's graveyard – the place cracked open like a chicken's egg, there was little warmth to be held there.
But Bela and her sisters agreed . . . they were going.
And the eldest daughter kindles her rage and pride as Heisenberg still sports the blackened eye and many, many, many, scratches and bitemarks she and her sisters' flies inflicted upon the lord.
Her pride encouraged when her mother, and Mother Miranda took their sweet time in calling the three of them off.
They'd done their best to prepare for the cold – scarves and gloves and stockings and cloaks. And it's manageable, still better than meeting in the heart of winter.
From her spot on the dais, Mother Miranda holds a hand aloft, as if it could tame her mother's raging anger. Her golden mask reflecting in the silver light of the overcast sky.
The sunlight had barely been able to pierce through the clouds, Bela and her sisters granted only a few seconds of its comforting warmth before being snatched away by a passing cloud.
"I understand, and agree with your upset, Lady Dimitrescu." She looks to the Lord of Metal. "And you, Heisenberg, have yet to state your reasoning as to why you targeted a specific servant of House Dimitrescu. You know the consequences of trespassing on another lord's grounds."
"The man's ego is so fragile, he needed to pick on a weak little mortal girl to make himself feel better." Daniela sneers, huddling deeper into her scarf.
Bela resists the urge to wrap her newly owned one tighter around her neck. She could've sworn Mother Miranda smiled beneath that golden mask. Heisenberg snarls, and their mother loosens a single claw from her finger.
The Lord of Metal sets his warhammer aside – the thing an odd concoction of cogs and nails and bobs and screws – as he adjusts his hat, a mockery bow towards the priestess. "I admit I let my emotions get the best of me, and I wanted to settle a score since the dinner; but it just seems like the girl is more trouble than she's worth."
"How do you mean?" Miranda coolly asks.
"There have been reports of three murders within the village. All caused by a young woman with a rifle. And it would seem that this woman bares a striking resemblance to Miss Erika Pavel."
Hearing her name on his tongue is enough for red to crest into Bela's vision. But she remains where she's seated, mostly for her mother's warmth. Like steam billowing off a teacup.
"How many eyewitnesses?" Miranda asks,
"Enough that they all give the same description."
The priestess tilts her head, a predatory gesture Bela has seen too often on her mother. "So you took the girl of your own accord, to distribute your own punishment?"
"Mother Miranda, I simply see it as a means of justice. The families were distraught, asking questions and wanting answers. Wanting justice for those that were lost in this, heinous act of violence."
"You've never cared for the villagers before." Cassandra says quietly.
Heisenberg's silver eyes slide to her sister, glazed and foreign. He lets out a low snort and look away.
Dismissal.
Then, from her chair set off behind Mother Miranda, Donna Beneviento says, through her voice, and not with Angie's, "Erika usually finishes her chores by morning. She doesn't a reason to go into town."
The shock is enough to silence everyone for a few seconds. Donna had rarely spoken ten words in Bela's entire existence of knowing her. And where that damned doll is usually running around causing a ruckus, she now sits on her mother's – creator's – lap. Silent and staring.
Moreau doesn't say anything. He quietly watches and observes from his spot near the dais.
Mother Miranda turns to the dollmaker. "Have you something in her defense, Donna?"
For a second, the Lord of the Dolls lowers her head, her features obscured by her black mourning veil. But she lifts it, and says, "Within the week I had with Erika, I recognize she is a creature of habit. She works hard, and is usually finished with her tasks by noon. Though I do not know her routine of Castle Dimitrescu, I am confident she wouldn't leave the castle without The Lady's permission."
Bela keeps her features neutral as she tries to rally when Erika might've done this. And why.
She had asked if she could go into town the day of the ball, and Bela had assumed that was to collect Bela's gift. Had there been another time when she went into the village?
Mother Miranda angles her head at her mother, "Did you let the girl into town as of recently, Dimitrescu?"
Lifting her chin, she answers, "I did. I let her and two other servants into town to collect groceries and materials needed for Bela's birthday ball. They came back with nothing to report out of ordinary."
"That they told you, at least." says Heisenberg.
This isn't just an outright battle between lords, but a steady, careful shredding of Erika's dignity, of her mother's credibility.
Bela is starting to feel her temper fray when the doors to the church are thrown open, and there stands Erika, smiling like a wolf.
Absolute silence. Absolute stillness.
Erika prowls in, the light retracting from her, as if fleeing her presence.
Bela tries to school her face into cold caution with which Cassandra regards the huntress, or the vague distaste in her mother's. Bela tries – tries and utterly fails.
Were it not for the distinct shade difference in her hair, Bela wouldn't have thought anything otherwise. But its shade is a pale comparison to Daniela's, some of her clothes looking borrowed.
Then the smell hits her – blood.
Many, and yet one. Different scents leak from her pores, different tones and tastes and threads. Had she been rolling it? It covers her, everywhere.
Bela looks to the distracted priestess, whose eyes have gone straight to the thing dangling in Erika's hand. It takes that realization for Bela to process the heavy dragging sound that nearly escapes the hollowed-out church.
The eldest daughter lowers her gaze towards Erika, beholds the object she drags in her hand.
A head.
The creature's face is charred black, its mouth still set in a scream. Burnt flesh mingles with blood and rust, sections of bone poking through where skin had been peeled back, one eye having survived, but now dangles by a single vein in the socket. It looked bigger than a large horse, yet Erika dragged it as if it were no different than a sack of flower.
There are some clean section of the skin, but the majority of it looks frayed – like she tried to cut it off, but ended up ripping it with her bare hands.
Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.
"What is this?" the priestess asks. Heisenberg and her mother are gaping, Bela can only assume Donna might be behind that veil.
But Lord Moreau seems uncharacteristically calm. But he watches Erika, his face seemingly paled.
Erika is still smiling as her eyes lock onto Heisenberg, and she walks right towards him.
And no one, not even Mother Miranda, says anything as she sets the beast's severed head next to Heisenberg where he sits on his pew.
"I believe this is yours," Erika says, releasing her grip on the skin of the neck. The top half of the creature's broken jaw lolls to the side, the dangling eye staring straight at the lord.
Then she pats – pats – Heisenberg's back before walking back to the center of the aisle, her spine steeled, but knees slightly bent. As if she'd launch herself at Mother Miranda.
"Explain yourself, child." Miranda growls at her.
She crosses her arms, smiling at Heisenberg, whose face is aghast as he stares at what remains of his most recent experimental pet.
Most of the villagers would've bowed, but Erika stands tall. An unmovable force, one treading a razor's edge. The few lycans that had been squatting amongst the rafters like bats have retreated – either at the sight, or at her smell.
"After being so thoroughly whisked away from Castle Dimitrescu, Lord Heisenberg brought it upon himself to test my mettle. For what reason, I don't know or care." She waves a hand towards the head. "As you can see, his 'Ordeal' proved less than challenging. I'm wondering how you handle such failures on a daily basis, Mother Miranda."
Daniela snorts. Heisenberg stiffens.
She looks down her nose at the Lord of Metal, "The next time you want to test me, why not try and be a man and face me head on."
Lord Moreau chuckles, delighted by the exchange as Heisenberg's hand clenches.
Bela looks towards Mother Miranda, and indeed, the priestess is smiling at Erika. Beaming with . . . with pride?
Erika is covered in blood, so many scents mingling into one – and a very slim margin belongs to her. Where the hell did Heisenberg dump her?
Then Erika adds, "Also, you might want to consider the idea of redecorating." She smiles. "Had to take some shortcuts. You understand."
Heisenberg's eyes widen, even behind his glasses. Bela could've sworn he paled.
After a moment, the priestess looks over from the Lord of Metal and surveys Erika. "Well done, my dear. Well done indeed."
Then Erika and Mother Miranda smile at each other, and it is the most terrifying thing Bela has ever seen.
"However, there is a matter that is to be addressed: Heisenberg has brought to my attention that a few murders have risen from the village. I would ask if you have any information on this matter."
Erika doesn't back down, doesn't miss a beat. "I do. I was the one that shot them."
Heisenberg seizes his chance. "A confession. How noble."
Mother Miranda holds out a hand to silence him.
"May I ask why?" the priestess gently asks.
"I can answer, Mother." Moreau speaks, waddling forward. "The villagers she speaks of were tormenting as I was on a tour in the village. Miss Erika Pavel was the only one to come to my aid, to respect my title as a Lord of your village. I would ask that any punishment be overturned."
"You think one noble deed can save her from the loss and suffering of the villagers she killed?" Heisenberg counters. Bela has to grip the edge of her pew to keep from launching at him. Her teeth clenched so hard they ache.
"I am a lord of this village, does my life not outrank those of simpletons?"
"I second Lord Moreau's statement, Mother Miranda." Her mother announces. "Heisenberg's independent scheming and trespassing of my territory is a spit in your face; and in mine. A disgrace of the entire sanctity of our power that rules this village. I'd also like to add a counterargument that Heisenberg pay for such atrocities."
"Agreed." Donna chimes.
Bela could've cried. Cassandra has stiffened. Daniela's knees are now bouncing with anticipation.
Heisenberg rockets to his feet. "You can't be serious! You'd all turn on me, because of some village whore's daughter?!" He whirls to Erika, who doesn't back down. He takes a bold step closer. "Don't think I don't know where you come from, you little bitch." He grins fiendishly, manically. "But it would seem that some traits do run in your family."
Another step.
"I might not need blood like this super-sized bitch over here, but don't think for one second that your mingling scents escape me. You smell like she dragged her cunt all over you – but maybe you liked that."
Heat stains Bela's cheeks.
"Watch whom you speak of, Heisenberg." Her mother growls, the wood groaning as if she's preparing to launch herself.
Cassandra carefully positions herself between Bela and Heisenberg, the eldest daughter beginning to quiver with anger.
"You're just like your mother, you know. You reject her, belittle her. But in the end you'll end up on your knees or spreading your –"
One moment, Cassandra is seated.
The next, she's burst into her swam of flies and tackles Heisenberg backwards, wood shattering beneath them.
"Shit," Daniela spits, but makes no incentive to move.
Through the swarm, Bela can see Cassandra's form, solid enough to wrap her hands around Heisenberg's throat.
"Alcina," Mother Miranda barks. "Control your daughter."
Their mother says, "Enough."
Cassandra squeezes, Heisenberg thrashing beneath her.
"Enough, Cassandra." Their mother orders, standing from her seat.
Erika simply watches – her eyes distant. Bela can see her kindling her own rage, but exhaustion seems to be trickling inwards, enveloping the vibrant teal color.
Cassandra stops.
Heisenberg gasps for breath as her form loosens. As if by the swoop of an invisible hand, like ink in water, Cassandra swarms and settles back between Bela and Daniela, solidifying despite the cold.
"That's twice now you've been bested, Heisenberg. I'm quite disappointed."
Moreau laughs. Donna's head angles in a way that hints she's suppressing her own chuckle.
A different kind of punishment, a different kind of revenge.
Erika could never outright kill Heisenberg, not when he's a lord of the village, but she can humiliate him. She can cast him out, like a leper. Prove what a potential weakness he could be to Mother Miranda.
But Bela has not forgotten of the priestess's own plans for Erika.
Her mother says, "My proposition still stands, Mother Miranda. If you choose to accept it."
"And how would you suggest Heisenberg be punished."
Her mother pondered, glancing between Erika and a Heisenberg still struggling to his feet. He isn't stupid enough to try and attack Erika.
"Why not a duel, perhaps?" she purrs, a grin stretching across her red lips. "An attempt for Heisenberg to regain some honor, and to face his conflicts up front?"
"Mother Miranda –"
"Silence," the priestess hisses in a tone that silences the room, has the lycans retreating further. Has even Erika straightening more.
A ripple of her power travels through the room. It traces along Bela's bones like a touch of tar; slick and heavy and suffocating.
And quickly, everyone remembers why she is the cold, cunning ruler of this village. And why the four lords serve under her.
"You disgrace me, Heisenberg. In more ways than I care to acknowledge." She looks to Erika. "You shall duel. Whoever wins shall have their punishment withdrawn."
Erika doesn't argue, but Bela can see a muscle feather in her jaw.
"Punishment?" he rasps. "Me?"
"Did you really think that your maneuvers would go unnoticed? My spies are everywhere, Heisenberg. You know this. They watch your every move. Your every breath. Should you win this duel against Erika, I will seek to overlook such mutiny. If Erika wins, she will not be charged for the murders of the villagers, and you will receive a handsome reward for defending one of my lords."
Erika seems to pale at the words, but that roiling ire doesn't dwindle, only ebbs like a wave from shore, only to return more powerful.
Something in the priestess's stare has Heisenberg swallowing whatever vitriol he was about to spew, but now that is turned on Erika. Bela would've been worried had Erika not looked like she'd crawled off a killing field.
"If anyone interferes, the challenge is void. And Erika will lose."
Bela can't see any visible weapons on her, but what can she use? Mother Miranda didn't forbid Heisenberg from using his powers –
His hammer is in his hand in an instant. A male, arrogant grin on his face.
Heisenberg seems to be well aware of this little loophole as well.
There doesn't seem to much he can use – should he try to use any metal in here, he might bring the whole damn church down. But that hammer, one whack and Erika is done.
Heisenberg swings, and Erika flips back, pushing off her toes, landing a few feet back with feline grace. The lord chases after her; his movements alone looking so much more, clunky. Erika grabs and rips two legs from an abandoned table and hurls them at the lord.
A powerful swing of his hammer has them shattering into splinters, but Erika is already moving towards a lining of pews towards the back.
Obstacles. Things for him to waste his energy on. But how much of that carrying is by his power than himself?
Erika nimbly dodges all blows, chairs and benches breaking into pieces, Erika taking what she can salvage to throw at the lord.
On his next swing, Heisenberg's temper seems to be getting the best of him, as there's more force behind it. But still Erika dodges, landing atop of the head of the hammer and following her momentum to flip over Heisenberg's shoulders.
A swipe of her legs has the lord sprawled on his back.
Angie cackles a crows laugh – the only sound the doll has emitted this entire bullshit gathering.
Erika takes a fighting stance as the lord gets to his feet with an aggravated grunt. Still, he lifts his hammer, and Erika continues to dodge as if her bones are made of liquid.
They've rounded back towards the center of the church, the lycans stomping and hollering and hissing like gorillas.
On his next swing, Erika misses a step and tumbles onto her back, skittering away like a bug as Heisenberg advances.
Just as she planned – show a little fear, show a retreat to lull him into a false sense of security. Because with one swipe of her arm has a plume of dirt and stone and wood pelting into Heisenberg's face.
He coughs and blocks his face despite his sunglasses, but Erika is instantly upon him.
Her first drives up into Heisenberg's jaw, the force knocking his head back. She quickly follows with a swift kick to his stomach – pleasure writhing in Bela as she sees the lord's eyes bulge and the air whooshes from his lungs.
Heisenberg skips like a stone on water, towards the entrance to the church, his grip on his hammer lost. Erika doesn't touch it, but marks its location.
Sure enough, as she approaches, the lord holds out his hand.
Erika ducks within seconds of the hammer flying over her head. A blow that would've cracked her skull like an egg. Whirling low, her foot sends up another spray of dirt and rock, Heisenberg gritting his teeth.
Something isn't right – Erika could've ended this already.
This is her revenge, her extraction as she belittles the lord bit by bit, and piece by piece.
Though she might not be able to have his head, she can strike him down until he is nothing but a sorrowful, hollow husk. Rip away everything he is with such ruthless finality.
As fast as a striking asp, Erika lunges for Heisenberg, drawing a long, jagged bone from where she kept it hidden within her coat. She drives it down in a deathblow, but the lord rolls out of the way.
A bone – no doubt plucked from whatever beast she'd slain.
The only weapon Heisenberg cannot take from her.
She manages to dodge his own fist, leaping back and landing at the epicenter of the circle of lords, Mother Miranda at its head.
Heisenberg growls and roars, taking wide strides towards Erika. She meets him halfway and unleashes herself upon the lord.
Whatever strikes he sent at her, she dodges with maddening ease, parrying and ducking to avoid the blunt force of his hammer. The bone itself it used to block while her fists do all the damage, though it still acts like an extension of her arm.
She saw every opening and took it – Bela's favorite being the elbow she drives into the side of his ribs, sending the lord staggering back.
Erika advances, pummeling and weakening the lord with every blow – every strike calculated to inflict the most pain, to –
Heisenberg's grip loosens on his hammer.
Erika keeps striking until the lord is too stunned to correct himself when Erika parries his hammer to the side, striking hard enough to knock it from his grip.
She doesn't bother to wield it. She likely wouldn't be able to wield it.
It clatters to the floor, loud enough that they all almost missed Heisenberg's grunt of pain.
Almost missed the blood that now dribbles from the lord's sternum.
And the protruding bone Erika had jammed all the way to the head with her palm.
She's a breath away from the lord, and she whispers something into his ear that makes the lord blanch even more.
Erika yanks the bone out, Bela shivering at the sound of shredding skin and fabric.
A trickle of blood pools beneath the lord as he falls to his knees. On the way down, Erika drives her foot between his legs.
A pained sound breaking past his lips – one Bela has never heard from him before.
His hand is instantly stained red, the color spreading like a ring of ripples onto the carpet, into the stone floor.
Erika stands over Heisenberg, the bone poised above his neck like an executioner's blade.
"Well done, Erika. You've proven yourself well." Mother Miranda croons with a smile.
But Erika doesn't move.
Donna is shaking in her chair. Shaking. Moreau is silent, but something like pride shines in his eyes at the sight of Heisenberg bowing before Erika.
A brief snap of power flickers through the charged silence. Mother Miranda splaying her black wings wide. "That is enough Erika. Relinquish now, while you still have your honorable victory."
Yet still, Erika doesn't move.
She gives Bela a glance. An invitation.
Bela rises on surprisingly steady feet.
Feels Mother Mirandas gaze like a brand as she walks towards the huntress, her dress hissing along the floor behind her. As she puts a hand on Erika's surprisingly solid shoulder – corded with muscle – and says, "That's enough, Erika."
With a slow blink and an exhale, Erika removes the bone from Heisenberg's neck, but keeps it close to her side as Bela offers her hand.
Her skin is like ice. Pure ice.
Bela leads Erika towards the pew lined next to their mother's seat. Erika leaves her as Bela sits, moving behind the pew to stand. A loyal sentient.
No one spoke. And no one helped Heisenberg to his feet.
"The victory has been set," says Mother Miranda. "Erika Pavel, you will not be charged for the murder of those villagers, and Heisenberg will receive his punishment. You have my gratitude for fighting alongside one of my lords. I'll see to it that Alcina doubles your pay for the end of this month."
Erika flourishes a hand before her as she gives a dramatic bow.
"We are done here. Take your leave." She casts a glance towards each and every one of them. "And remember from whence you came."
The rest of the lords bow their heads.
And with a swoop of her robes, a flap of her wings, she disappear into a plume of black feathers.