BANG BANG BANG

"Lord Augustus! I need to speak with you immediately!"

I continued to shout and pound away on the mansion's door, but still no one answered. Where could he be? Was he asleep? Maybe he couldn't hear me because he was in the far corner of the mansion. I ran along the side of the building and attempted to peer through the windows. However, lush red curtains blocked my view of every single one of them. I had once admired them from the inside, but now they were a major hindrance. I contemplated taking a rock and breaking through a window, but it was quite possible that Lord Augustus wasn't even currently in the manor. He could be out hunting in the hills or holed up in his keep. I hoped that it was the latter. Determined to find out where he was and ensure his safety, I decided to head to the keep.

As I began to descend the mountain path from the manor, I came across none other than Lord Augustus himself, trotting towards me.

"Lord Albion! You're okay!"

"For the moment," he said, catching his breath. "A bevy of bloodthirsty villagers invaded the keep. I managed to slip out in the ensuing chaos."

"Are your soldiers fighting them?"

"Regrettably, yes. The last thing I desire is bloodshed. Nonetheless, I cannot tolerate insubordination from my vassals, especially not an attempt on my life."

"I understand, Lord. I came here to warn you of the attack, but I guess I was too late."

"I appreciate the intent. Do not worry yourself, for I am still alive. As for my soldiers, they are proficient enough to drive the townspeople back. Do tell, how much of the assault on the keep did you observe?"

"None of it, Lord. I came from the sea."

"Ah, that is good. Someone of your age should not witness the savagery of battle. Anyways, we should not remain here for much longer. Dear waif, can you take me to your ship?"

"Of course, Lord. Though it isn't my ship. I obtained the services of a lone sailor."

"I see. I would be happy to compensate you for any payment for his services."

"Yes, about that…"

"That'll be 1500 gold coins, my Lord."

"That is acceptable." Lord Augustus revealed a large pouch and handed it to the sailor. "That should be 1500, more or less."

The man's eyes gleamed at the sight of the money bag. "A pleasure doin' business with ya! Allow me to row us out of view from the pier."

I could barely make out some torchlight in the distance in the direction of the Albion keep. The man began to row, but this time he didn't demand my assistance.

"Lord Augustus, is it okay if I ask you a few questions?"

"That very much depends on what they are. What are your questions?"

"Have you heard of the stories of the murderous woman in the forest?"

He eyed me blankly. "No, I have not."

"Oh, I see…"

After a few moments of silence, he spoke up with a grin.

"My dear Sidney, you cannot believe everything you hear. An intelligent girl like you should know this by now."

I pondered what he had just said. Did that wisdom apply to what he says too?

"Of course, Lord. It's just that people are saying that her appearance is because of you. I have no idea how that could happen, and I was absolutely sure that you had nothing to do with it."

"Then why did you ask me about it if not for your doubts surrounding my culpability?"

"I sincerely apologize, Lord. That was not my intention. The reason for my asking was not to accuse you of anything! I just wanted to find out if the stories of her existence were true. Since you're the master of this domain, I know that you have more knowledge of the happenings of this place than anyone else does."

His expression suddenly darkened. "Then let me make it clear for you, waif: I have no knowledge of or responsibility for whatever supposed boogie man or woman is lurking in my forests. I even highly doubt the existence of such a person."

I subconsciously leaned away from him. It was as if something sinister was possessing him while he spoke. But after a moment, it was gone. He smiled.

"I am sorry for my over-defensiveness. The thought of murders occurring on my estate deeply disturbs me, just like the unfortunate battle that is happening currently at the keep."

I remained wary of Lord Augustus. I had been on edge the entire night, and not even his words or his presence eased me this time. I spent the rest of the time staring at the coast silently. Lord Augustus and the sailor talked about random subjects, but I paid them no attention. My thoughts were with the men and women from the town that may not be coming back from the fight. Did I care more about my own townspeople or Lord Albion?

About an hour after the torchlights died away, August ordered the sailor to return us to his estate. Lord Augustus stepped off the boat onto the pier.

"Take her back to town, Stanley."

"That'd be me pleasure, Lord. For a small fee, of course!"

Lord Augustus threw Stanley another pouch of gold.

"Stanley. I may have further use of you and your crew's services. We will be in touch."

"Understood, Lord. I look forward to it." We shoved off and started to row back to town.

"Keep the happenings of tonight secret, you two," Augustus shouted.

We both nodded. After an hour of rowing, we got back to the town's pier. I quickly got off the boat and made my way back to town. I was greeted by a grisly sight in the town square. Almost fifty members of the militia were heavily wounded. Blood was flowing everywhere. Their bodies were swathed with bloody bandages. People were groaning and moaning in pain. To the side near one of the buildings was a long row of presumably dead bodies covered with cloth. The town's nurses and doctors were working feverishly to save the lives of as many people as possible. Among the wounded, I saw Osmond, leaning against the fountain in the center of the square. Both his arms and one his legs were bandaged up. I rushed to his side.

"Officer Osmond, what happened? Did you guys win?"

He winced as he turned to look at me. "No, we did not. But it was confirmed that Lord Augustus is up to no good."

"Huh? What did you find out?"

"The soldiers at his keep. They were…. They were animated skeletons… undead."