Chapter 18
The dust had barely settled before Sarah made her way over to Cornelia. The American girl was unconscious, but Sarah knew that she could not risk waking her. Instead, she checked Cornelia's pulse before gently shifting her into a more comfortable position. But as Cornelia started to moan, Sarah, feeling guilty that someone else had got involved in her life, even if it was someone she did not like.
She made her way over to Herr Arnolfi, who was still unconscious from where Spike had banged his head before feeding. The blood from his neck was staining a woollen scarf which was around his neck, and Sarah knew that she must hide the true cause of the madman's death. He was fading fast, and Sarah feared that he would rise again. But that was something she felt she could not be sure of without Rosemary to guide her.
Hearing voices approaching, she quickly changed Herr Arnolfi's scarf for her own, causing him to start rousing, then she lightly ran through the first cave, and concealed herself in the same alcove which Spike and Drusilla had used.
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Rosemary had arrived back at the Tiernsee around the time that Sarah was first entering the cleft, and after a light meal, she set off for the cleft herself.
As she grew closer to the cleft, however, she realised that she would not be able to go and assist her Slayer. The party in front of her was obviously setting out on a rescue mission, heading straight for the cleft.
Resigned, Rosemary concealed herself among the undergrowth, thankful that she was wearing warm clothes, and that she had a waterproof jacket with her. But a noise from behind a tree on the other side of the cleft made her pause in the preparations for her vigil. She gave a small gasp and her eyes widened as the blonde haired man and dark haired woman came around the tree. Recognising the pair from many descriptions, she picked up the crossbow she had brought and hurriedly loaded a bolt.
But it was too late. Spike's ears had picked up the gasp, and he had drawn Drusilla away from the cleft, with a brief. "The Watcher's hiding in the trees. Let's get out of here, love."
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Both rescue parties had arrived. Joey, Grizel and Herr von Gluck, followed by various men from the valley and mistresses from the school. But Sarah knew nothing of this, as the long day had caught up with her. Since rising the previous morning, she had not managed to sleep for any length of time, her rest disturbed by worry for Cornelia. But now the danger was past, she dozed, fitfully, in the alcove in the cave.
It was whilst Joey and Grizel were telling their story that Herr Braun took the opportunity to have a closer look at the cave, in the hope of finding Sarah. He was losing hope when he happened to catch a glimpse of her coat in the darkness of the alcove. Relieved that she was safe, but unable to bring her presence to anyone's attention, he surreptitiously covered her with one of the furs, not wanting her to catch a cold.
Sensing that the explanations were coming to an end, Herr Braun decided that it would be best if the group left the caves. If they stayed, there was a risk of someone discovering Sarah, a situation which would in all probability lead to the revelation of Sarah being the Slayer.
Acting swiftly, he swept up Joey in his arms, leaving the other members of the rescue party to collect Grizel and Cornelia, and leading the party out of the caves.
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Rosemary did not know how long she had been crouched behind the tree, keeping watch on the cleft. After missing her chance to finally rid the world of Spike and Drusilla, she had longed to go down into the caves, to find out how her Slayer had fared. But she dared not go, so many people had passed into the cleft that someone would undoubtedly question why she was there.
She was standing up to stretch her legs, an action that had become necessary due to her crouching in a cramped position for so long, when her ears caught a sound from inside the cleft. Quickly concealing herself again, she peered through the bushes towards the opening, and was relieved to see Herr Braun appearing, along with the rest of the rescue parties. But of Sarah, there was no sign.
As he left the cleft, Herr Braun looked around. He was certain that Rosemary would be worried about her charge, and he felt sure that she would be somewhere near.
Summoning Herr Anserl over, he passed Joey over to him. "If you could go on, Meine Herren und Damen. I shall follow behind. If Herr Professor von der Witt finds anything, a pathway to the caves will be necessary. I shall place some markers to ensure that the way is clear."
He watched the rest of the party go, before turning back towards the cleft. "Frau Kitwood?" he called, quietly.
Rosemary emerged from where she had concealed herself, worry evident on her face. "Herr Braun… Sarah…?" she asked, unable to form a sentence.
"Do not worry, Mein Frau." Herr Braun said, laying his hand on her arm in an attempt to comfort her. "Fraulein Sarah is safe and well. She is sleeping in the cave. If you follow the string you will reach her. I imagine Herr Professor von der Witt will be some time exploring the inner caves, so you should have enough time."
Rosemary breathed a sigh of relief. Then, with a brief "Thank you, Herr Braun.", she set off into the cleft to retrieve her Slayer.