First Class Customer Service

Part 1 - The Lady

The castle looks like something from a gothic novel, huge, sprawling, appearing as if one could get lost within its walls. The Duke believes he could easily lose his way. The cart is set up outside the entrance, across the bridge. The villagers rarely come this far, too afraid of the lady of the castle. The unfortunate ones are employed as maids, servants, and general waiting staff, though they do provide business, however the short time they are there.

It is a particularly slow day. The winds are harsh, the snow heavy, the cold biting. Only a few have dared to venture as far as the castle, another new maid. She bought a few items, requesting some for her family in the village. The Duke is glad of that much, it gives him something to do.

To his infinite surprise, the lady of the castle comes out to see him. Alcina Dimitrescu is as beautiful as she is intimidating. She is tall, towering far above any man, a product of Mother Miranda's experimentation. Her skin is pale, her lips a bright, blood red, half of her face hidden by the large hat she is never seen without. The few and far between times he has dealt with her personally have been strictly business, and his curiosity is more than piqued at her unexpected visit.

"Merchant," she says, "Do you sell jewellery?"

"I believe I have a few in stock that may suit your needs," the Duke answers, already reaching around into his carriage.

"Show me."

"As you wish."

He rifles through various crates, trunks, digging through the items he has procured from places he doesn't even remember. He finds his prize, a jewellery box with necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. He turns back to Lady Dimitrescu and hands her the box. "Will these be sufficient?"

Lady Dimitrescu opens the box, taking each piece out, examining it carefully. She holds the earrings in the palm of her hand, then sets them to the side. One piece catches her attention and she takes it out, holding it out. "Do you have any more of these, by chance?"

The Duke holds out his hand and Lady Dimitrescu hands the necklace back to him. "Hmm, I believe so. How many do you require, my lady?"

"Two others. Different gemstones, if that's possible."

He sets the necklace down, turns to one of the chest of drawers, opens it and goes through it. At the bottom,bburied under cloth, handkerchiefs and scarves, he finds what he is after. The necklaces are identical, barring the different coloured jewels placed in the centre. He turns back and hands them to her.

"Excellent. These will do nicely," she tells him. Already she's reaching for the coin pouch and counting out the lei. "I believe this should cover it."

The Duke counts out the money, then nods. "Indeed it does. A pleasure doing business with you."

Lady Dimitrescu nods, taking the necklaces and strides back into the castle.

What an interesting encounter, the Duke can't help but think. He also can't help but feel curious as to the reason for this exchange, though he is not complaining at the coin earned from it. He settles back into his carriage with his cigar and a book. He has a feeling this will be the most he sells for the rest of the day.

It's a few days later when Lady Dimitrescu comes out to see him again. Once more, the day is quiet, very few daring to venture up to him. The weather at least, is somewhat more hospitable, the wind no longer biting, nor the cold as stinging.

He hears her before he sees her, her heels echoing across the bridge. He looks round, and there she stands.

"Merchant, I have need of you," she tells him.

"Of course, my lady. What can I do to assist?" he answers, getting ready to rummage through his wares for whatever item she requests.

"Bring your stock, I have set up a place in the castle for you."

The Duke frowns. "My lady?"

"Must I repeat myself? Your wares, your stock. Bring it with you and into the castle."

Rather than risk her wrath, the Duke does as he's told. The crates, trunks and drawers full of items are pulled out of the carriage, while Lady Dimitrescu summons her servants and they too help him with everything. He follows her into the castle, the rest of her staff trailing behind.

The inside of the castle is huge. With an open entrance hall, spiralling staircase and balconies galore, the Duke was right about his first analysis of it. He could easily become lost within these halls.

There is a buzzing from the upper floors, though this strikes the Duke as strange. The castle is immaculately kept, the floors shining, bannisters too, the brass door handles reflecting the light. Lady Dimitrescu leads him to a small room, opening the door and gestures for the servants to take everything through. The Duke hands over what he's been carrying to one of the servants and they take it through to the room.

"My daughters liked the necklaces so much they wish to purchase more from you," Lady Dimitrescu says by way of explanation.

"Daughters, my lady? I wasn't aware you had children," the Duke answers.

"Mother Miranda graciously provided me with a way to do so."

The buzzing sound draws closer and three clouds of flies appear at the door. They swarm around the door, then form into a people. Three women stand before him, one blonde, one brunette and one with red hair. They all wear the necklaces Lady Dimitrescu bought from him mere days before.

"My daughters," Lady Dimitrescu tells him, gesturing to each one, "Bela." The blonde woman. "Cassandra." The brunette. "And Daniela." The woman with red hair.

The Duke puts on a smile, despite feeling his stomach move in waves of anxiety. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my ladies. I am the Duke."

"Mother told us you were a merchant," the brunette, Cassandra, says.

"Do you have more?" the red haired woman, Daniela, asks.

"I want to see!" the blonde, Bela, says.

The three rush forward as one, going through the jewellery boxes, trunks, drawers and everything else in between. They gasp, coo and he watches their eyes widen at each piece they find. Before long, an argument erupts when Bela and Daniela both spot a pair of earrings.

"I saw them first!" Daniela says, holding them at arm's length away from her sister.

"I'm the eldest, so I should have them!" Bela counters, bursting into a cloud of flies, then plucks them from her sister's hand.

"That's not fair! Mother! Did you see what she did?"

Bela returns to her human form, examining the earring closely.

"Daughters! I did not bring the merchant here for you to squabble over trinkets," Lady Dimitrescu tells them, taking the earrings from her. "Now pick something else, or you'll receive nothing at all."

"Yes Mother," they answer, their mood now dimmer than before.

The Duke clears his throat. "I do believe I may have a second pair of those earrings."

"Truly?" Daniela asks.

"Allow me to have a look, and I'll see what I can find."

The Duke turns to the drawers and jewellery boxes, searching through them until the errant item reveals itself. He plucks it from the box that is hiding in a drawer and hands them to Daniela. She all but throws the pouch of lei to him, scurrying out of the room and bursting into a cloud of flies. Bela follows, and it is only Cassandra left to choose an item.

She examines each one, studying its detail, turning it over in her hands then picks up another piece.

"Cassandra, do try and be quicker, dear," Lady Dimitrescu tells her. By now she has been idly flexing her long nails and drawing them back in. It is clear she has not thought this through, or did not expect her daughters to take so long to pick an item each.

Cassandra nods absently. She picks up a bracelet, a tiny gold chain, with a jewel attached to one of the links. She spreads it out, looking at each link, then nods. She approaches him, hands him a pouch of lei and leaves.

"Well, that was not intended to take as much time as it did, merchant," Lady Dimitrescu says.

"Think nothing of it, my lady," he says, "It's all part of the customer service I provide."

"You may come as you wish, I'm sure my daughters would appreciate it."

A regular income is definitely inviting, and he nods, agreeing to it.

It's another week before he returns to Castle Dimitrescu. The villagers have asked for harder to get items, something he enjoys doing, in part for the challenge of it. He succeeds in every one, while also adding to his inventory of jewellery and precious stones. He has come across a few oddities he thinks will interest Lady Dimitrescu's daughters, and he tucks them away, ready to transport.

While in the village, the Duke overhears several rumours of missing people. Men, young women, all of them gone after either being employed as a maid or men going looking for their loved one. Neither of them returned.

The Duke reaches the castle, knocking on the door. It is answered by a maid, one he does not recognise. Another new start.

The wind swirls through the doors and into the castle. There's a shriek from inside and the maid quickly shuts the door again. On the other side, the Duke can hear shouting, Bela he believes, yelling at the maid.

The door is opened a short time later, servants and other maids coming out to retrieve the stock he has brought. He hears Lady Dimitrescu's distinctive heels echoing across the floor from another room, and she stops to speak to her daughter. He cannot make out the words, he's not sure he wants to, before Lady Dimitrescu enters the hall.

"My daughters will be joining us shortly," she tells him. "They are rather excited to see what you've brought this time."

"I hope what I have brought does not disappoint then," the Duke answers.

He sets up the crates, trunks, boxes and everything else in between, ready to be viewed. He settles himself in the alcove, picking out a book. It is not long before he hears the buzzing of the flies and the Dimitrescu daughters crowd into the room.

Within moments they are over at his various wares, picking each one up. Cassandra has spotted a pair of gloves, and she holds them, running her fingers over the material. She is the first to decide on something, and it is the gloves she takes. She hands him the lei, then stands with her mother.

Bela and Daniela are like magpies, drawn to the shiniest jewels on necklaces, bracelets and earrings. To his surprise, Daniela picks up a necklace with missing pieces to it. She holds it up.

"Can this be fixed?" she asks.

The Duke holds out his hand and she passes it to him. He checks the broken parts. "I believe it can, though I'm afraid I don't have the pieces it can be fixed with," he tells her, handing it back.

"Can you get them?"

"Given long enough, I daresay I could."

"How long?"

Lady Dimitrescu clears her throat. "Daniela, dear. He's already said he can, you have to give him a chance to source the materials."

"By the time I'm due for my next visit, I should have something to fit the spaces."

Daniela nods eagerly, taking the necklace back, placing the pouch of lei on his table. She wanders off out of the room, and it's only the eldest, Bela left to pick whichever item she's set her heart on.

Bela decides on another pair of earrings, then plucks another set from the table. She hands him the lei, taking one set of earrings and turns to Lady Dimitrescu. She gives them to her mother, then leaves the room with a wave over her shoulder.

As promised, the Duke does indeed manage to find items to fit the necklace. In his carriage are various gemstones wrapped in cloth, pieces from other broken necklaces and other trinkets he believes will appeal to them.

The usual routine begins. The Duke arrives, his wares are taken inside by the servants, then he himself goes in and sets up. Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters appear soon after, her daughter eager to see what he has brought this time.

Daniela is the first to come through the door, leaving her sisters behind. She already has the necklace in her hands, and she thrusts it forward. "Did you find anything?" she asks.

The Duke chuckles. "Indeed I did. Have a look." He lays out the gemstones, items from broken chains and some of the chains themselves. Daniela makes her way through them, picking out a chain, a long gemstone and a silver sword. She reaches into her coin pouch only to discover she hasn't enough. She puts some of the items back before Lady Dimitrescu stops her.

"Choose what you want, dear," she tells her daughter, Daniela's face lighting up in a smile. She picks up the items again and waits at the wall.

Cassandra and Bela look at one another.

"Don't pout, it's unbecoming of a lady," Lady Dimitrescu chides, "Choose whichever trinket appeals to you."

Both Cassandra and Bela pick out varying items, some jewellery, others ornaments. Bela decides on a cloak, with ornate silver clasps on either side. Cassandra picks out several ornaments and it is Lady Dimitrescu that pays for all of it.

"Mother, can the Duke stay for dinner?" Bela asks, hooking her arm around his.

Daniela appears by his other side, hooking her arm around his too. "Yes, please, Mother? Can he?"

Lady Dimitrescu looks between them, one eyebrow raised. The Duke can't tell if it's through amusement or annoyance. "My dears, whatever shall we feed him? I imagine his…" She pauses. "Preferences are somewhat different to our own."

"The servants have been shopping, I checked the kitchen myself," Bela adds.

Lady Dimitrescu knows she's beaten. "All right. Merchant, allow me some time to let the cooks know they're cooking for a guest."

"Take as long as you need, my lady."

Lady Dimitrescu leaves the room, her footsteps echoing into the hall.

Daniela tugs on his arm. "You must allow us to give you a tour," she says.

Bela tugs on his other arm. "Yes! You bring such wonderful items, you must see where they've ended up."

The Duke is outnumbered, and he lets the Dimitrescu daughters take him around the castle. Truly it is a sight to behold. A wine room on the first floor is fragrant with the smell of grapes. Another hall contains six angel statues, each with a different face. There is a large library, the bookshelves spanning the outer walls, an opera hall with a piano, and countless other rooms. Each one is beautifully decorated, more than a few pieces the Duke recognises.

They return to the opera hall. Cassandra lounges on one of the couches, while Bela goes over to the piano. She runs her hand across the lid. "Do you play, Duke?" she asks.

"I have been known to play the odd tune," he replies. He too is sitting on one of the couches.

"Oh! Play something for us!" Daniela says, clapping her hands.

The Duke hefts himself to his feet, sitting down on the bench in front of the piano. He lifts the lid, letting his fingers settle on the keys. He plays a few scales, then decides on a song. Moonlight Sonata.

He plays the song perfectly, not missing a note. All three daughters applaude him, as does an extra set. He looks around to see Lady Dimitrescu clapping also.

"It seems you're quite the accomplished pianist, merchant," she says, "Do your talents know no bounds?" She looks to her daughters. "Dinner is now served."

The three burst into a cloud of flies, rushing down the halls to the dining room. Lady Dimitrescu accompanies him. "I picked out a bottle of our house wine for you to take with you," she tells him.

"My lady, you are too gracious," he answers.

"Think nothing of it. You have been very kind to my daughters."

They reach the dining room, the maids and kitchen staff serving the plates of food. The maids fill the glasses with wine, handing out cutlery and napkins. The Duke sits down on the chair he is guided to, tucking his napkin into his shirt, covering his bowtie.

They eat quietly, the only sound in the room the clinking of plates and cups. The maids go around the table, topping up wine glasses when required, taking away empty plates and return with more food.

"It's getting awfully stuffy in here," Cassandra comments, slicing into the meat on her plate."It can't just be me that can feel it."

"It is getting somewhat stifling," Bela agrees.

One of the maids goes to the window and opens it, the cold winter wind coming swirling in immediately. The reaction is immediate and unexpected. All three of Lady Dimitrescu's daughters shriek, yelling at the maid to close the window. She does so hurriedly, however the damage has been done. Lady Dimitrescu's expression is as icy as the wind that billowed in moments before. Her daughters sit shivering in their chairs.

The dinner is cut short, the maid's fate sealed.

When the Duke arrives at the castle, he is greeted by several new scarecrows in the grounds. They are dotted around, swaying in the breeze, though a metallic smell is carried on the breeze too. There have been murmurings of more villagers going missing, their screams echoing from nearby, though none of the villagers dare to investigate. More young women have also been employed at the Castle Dimitrescu, with even more than that simply not returning home. After the last display at the castle, the Duke has an inkling of what has happened to the unfortunate employees.

He goes to the door, knocks on it and waits. Their usual routine continues, the servants and maids come out and go straight for his carriage. Today however, a scream accompanies them. It is long and loud, and it drifts from the depths of the castle.

"The mistresses are busy at the moment," one maid tells him, not daring to meet his eyes. She looks as if she has been crying, her face red, her nose more akin to a cherry. "They will attend to you shortly."

They take his wares and his stock into the room then leave back to their own duties. Another scream erupts from below, and the Duke cannot contain his curiosity. He waits until he is alone, then follows the sound.

He walks through halls decorated with brilliant red carpets, glass cabinets and large vases perched in corners. Desks are situated at the ends of halls, on the walls are the House Dimitrescu coat of arms, while paintings also line the walls.

The Duke finds his way to the dining room once more, then outside to the small courtyard. Outside are what can only be described as creatures. Their skin grey, they are clad in tattered robes, dragging swords and other weapons. Their faces are sunk in, more skull than face and their breathing is choked. They turn to face him, shambling toward him, the closest one raising its sword.

For all the blows bounce off of him, it does unnerve the Duke to see these beings. The doors open, and Lady Dimitrescu steps out. She makes a beeline for them, her fingers turning to long, sharp claws. She cuts through them like paper.

"Are you well, merchant?" she asks.

The Duke nods. "Indeed, my lady."

"You shouldn't wander without a guide, nor an invite."

"My apologies, my lady. Curiosity infects even the best of us."

Lady Dimitrescu grunts in response. "Come along, I shall escort you back to your emporium. My daughters have wanted to see you after your last visit was cut short before."

The village is empty when he passes through it again. There are no signs of life, the heads of goats hanging in the streets. Blood drips onto the snow, hay scattered around, while the houses are in complete disarray. Chairs are thrown, food left, tablecloths dragged off the tables. It suggests the villagers left in a hurry.

He reaches the door of the castle, knocks, and waits. He is surprised to find it is Lady Dimitrescu that answers the door and not her staff.

"Apologies, merchant. You'll have to bring your inventory in yourself," she tells him. She glances over her shoulder. "Providing it is not long, I can assist with some of it."

"That would be most welcome, my lady," he answers.

Lady Dimitrescu leaves the castle, closing the door behind her. She follows him to the carriage. "Where do you find your stock?" she asks, poking her head around the open door.

"I find them around, and I have my sources for certain items. Anything you wish to request, I can acquire by one way or another."

She picks up various boxes and bags, tucking them under her arm. She lifts paper, flicking through it before setting it back down. "Are there any left in the village, merchant?"

The Duke shakes his head. "Not that I saw, it looks completely abandoned."

"Mother Miranda is preparing a ritual, and required quite the sacrifice. My own staff were chosen among them."

"A ritual?"

"Indeed. She believes she's found a vessel for her deceased daughter. The child has been split into four, and we four have been charged with looking after it."

The Duke and Lady Dimitrescu manage to carry in the majority of his wares, and as she goes, she explains what Mother Miranda has done. The child, Rosemary, has been split into four flasks, each containing a different part of her. When all four are taken to the ceremony site, the ritual to revive Miranda's daughter begins. It is not nearly as simple, given the child's father is already pursuing her. He does not expect this to end well.

When he is set up in his emporium, Lady Dimitrescu summons her daughters.

The first time the Duke meets Ethan Winters, is the last time he sells anything within Castle Dimitrescu. Ethan's search takes him from the village to the castle. The Duke is already there waiting for him, offering whatever items he can to aid Ethan.

While he is fond of Lady Dimitrescu's daughters, he knows they will fall against this man. Such a pity.

He hears Lady Dimitrescu wail and rage when she finds one of them gone, crystalised and crumbled. He hears the gunshots, glass breaking, and at one point an explosion from the far end of the building.

The Dimitrescu's time is at an end, as is the Duke's in the castle.