Chapter 26

Capricorn was not the one waiting for them in his bedroom. The bespectacled book-lover was there too. Darius. The latter gave Dafne a shaky smile, wringing his hands nervously. Capricorn's greeting was less pleasant.

"What took you so long?"

Basta bowed his head in apology, assuming the role of spokesperson,

"I apologise. We had to come from the seamstress' house."

Capricorn was reclining in his armchair. He drummed his fingers on the arm rest,

"Seamstress?"

"Giulio's wife," Basta elaborated, "The one who makes the men's..."

"I know who she is," Capricorn cut in, eyeing Dafne, "Are you getting some pretty dresses made, my dear?"

"Just one," Dafne said, wondering why it is was of any interest to him.

"Just one," Capricorn shook his head in mock disapproval, "That's not very generous of you Basta."

Basta was startled by this comment and flushed.

Capricorn rose languidly from the chair.

"You should have come to me," he said to Dafne, "I have a collection."

"Collection?" Dafne said, both confused and wary.

"Of dresses girl, dresses. I reserve them for only the most special ladies," he came over and took her hand, leading her away from Basta's side, Dafne flinched but didn't resist, "But I think you're worthy enough," he took hold of her face by the chin, digging his thumb into her cheek, "A reward for teaching me to read," he turned her face roughly towards Basta, "What you do think Basta? She's your maid. Will you deny her my gift?"

Basta had been watching their proximity with a pained expression on his face.

He seem to look directly into Dafne's pleading eyes, pleading because Capricorn had hold of her face, wanting him to agree because it might make him let go.

"No," Basta said with a wan smile that was more of grimace, "Of course not."

Capricorn let his hand slip away, brushing his thumb across her lip as he did so, making her shudder.

She starred at him wide-eyed. What was he is doing, touching her so intimately in front of Basta? He knew that the man had feelings for her. He was just indulging in his own cruelty. He knew Basta would suffer in silence and continue to worship the ground he walked on.

Capricorn smiled at her. I can do what I like, the smile seemed to say, he's not going to stop me.

"How benevolent of your master Dafne," he said, "Go find Mortola and tell her to fetch them, would you Basta."

Basta hesitated a moment, eyes shifting between the pair. But in the end, he obeyed Capricorn, as he always did.

"While we're waiting," Capricorn said to Dafne, "You may have noticed my other guest."

He looked over to Darius and the man visibly cowered. Dafne pitied him.

"This is Darius," Capricorn introduced him, not knowing they had already met, "My reader. He doesn't have your clear voice but he does have an ability you regrettably lack. Do you know what that is?"

"He can read things out of books," Dafne said, "Like Resa. He read her out."

Capricorn stroked his chin, barely registering any surprise. He probably suspected that Resa would have confided this to her through their correspondence.

"How well-informed you are. But Resa was a special case. She came out perfect. A fluke. You should have seen the other girls I had him read out," his lip curled distastefully, "Hideous. The fault lies with his stutter, it does something. But there are things he can bring out that even he can't ruin with his tripping tongue. Monsters. Monsters of all kinds. What was the last one called, Darius? Cockatreen?"

"C-c-cockatrice," supplied the trembling man.

"Ah yes. It was quite a sight, something between a rooster and a snake," Capricorn told Dafne, "But you couldn't look it in the eye. Otherwise you would turn to stone. It was a handy beast to have around when it came to disposing disobedient farmers. Once they were statues all you needed to do was smash them into rubble," he sighed, concluding his happy reminiscing, "But then Dustfinger's marten attacked it. Tore open its throat. The marten was immune to its gaze for some reason. Stupid creature probably mistook the cockatrice for a chicken. I would have skinned the beast if it hadn't been so interesting to watch."

Dafne chillingly recalled Resa's note. Her mention of Monster Night. Surely this was what she had been speaking of. The summoning of creatures like the cockatrice for Capricorn's twisted enjoyment, a ritual complete with human sacrifices.

"It will be hard to top the cockatrice," Capricorn went on, "But I trust Darius will not disappoint me. He knows what happens if he does."

Darius obviously did, judging from the look of anguish on his face.

"He tells me has something in mind," Capricorn said to Dafne, "But he doesn't have the book the creature is in. I don't know what it is, I want to be surprised. What's the book called Darius?"

"T-twenty t-thou-thousand leagues under t-the s-sea," Darius managed to say with great effort.

Capricorn shook his head in irritation,

"I swear Darius if you didn't have that ability of yours I would cut your tongue out and nail it to your forehead," he appeared to warm to the idea, "I think I will one day, when I've captured Silvertongue and have no more need for you."

Darius' only response was an expression of despair.

"No wonder he has trouble speaking," Dafne said, coming to the poor man's aide, "You frighten him half to death."

Capricorn eyed her scornfully,

"I see you don't seem to have trouble speaking, little maid. I've noticed this more of late. Likely that's Basta's fault, I expect he doesn't discipline you, lets you get away with backchat."

Dafne scowled.

"See?" Capricorn said tauntingly, "Your lips are trembling just to say something back at me."

Dafne was screaming all manner of things inside her head but that's where they stayed. She knew better than to rise to Capricorn's bait. It would not end well for her if she did.

"No?" Capricorn said looking slightly disappointed before waving a hand dismissively, "Good, then you can listen. I have an errand for you."

Dafne was taken aback.

"Errand? What..."

Capricorn held up a finger,

"No," he sneered, "You're listening remember? Don't interrupt."

Dafne flushed at his condescension.

"I told you about the book Darius needs," Capricorn went on, "I'm going to have Basta take you to obtain a copy. You'll be able to find one easier than him. He can't read, another reason I wanted to see you. But that can wait until Basta returns. I have a little experiment up my sleeve."

Dafne didn't like the sound of the last part. But she was more intrigued in what Capricorn had said before that.

"You're sending me out of the village?"

"That's where the books are," Capricorn said, "Do I detect enthusiasm, my former little escapee? I wouldn't get too excited my dear. Basta has very keen eyes, especially when it comes to you. He's not going to give you the chance to slip away."

He was speaking the truth. But the idea of being able to leave this accursed village for even a temporary excursion appealed to Dafne. It was an abhorrent task though, stealing a book so a monster could be read out. A monster Capricorn could use as an entertaining execution device.

"Speaking of Basta," Capricorn murmured, breaking Dafne's thoughts. She followed his gaze to the doorway. Mortola stood there, Basta behind her. The latter was glaring at the old woman impatiently. She seemed to be waiting for Capricorn's permission to enter.

Capricorn made a brief beckoning gesture and she bustled in, arms outstretched, dresses draped over them, red, white and black.

"Lay them out on the bed," Capricorn instructed her, "Then take Darius back to his room. I have no further need of him."

Mortola arranged the dresses fussily, smoothing each crease, probably to prolong her time in Capricorn's company. But Capricorn ignored her presence completely,

"Come Dafne, I'll decide which dress later. We have other business to attend to first."

She followed him over to the writing desk where their lessons usually took place. But instead of taking a seat, Capricorn pushed Dafne down into it.

"Sit. You'll be doing the writing today," he told her.

Meanwhile Mortola had finally finished her task.

"Come," she snapped imperiously at the unfortunate Darius.

Dafne turned to watch their departure and caught the glare Mortola sent in her direction. It doubtlessly displeased her to have been made to bring these dresses given Capricorn's intentions to give one to Dafne. Countless times Mortola had ranted on about how unworthy she and Resa were of Capricorn's attention. Yet the man seemed indifferent to the old woman who slavishly and obsessively devoted herself to him. It gave Dafne some satisfaction to see Mortola's infuriation plain on her face, knowing there was nothing she could do to her. She was no longer under the woman's charge.

On the other hand, she did feel bad that it fell to Darius to bear the brunt of Mortola's rage. She shoved him out the door.

That left Dafne, Capricorn and Basta, the latter standing awkwardly by himself.

"Do you want me to leave too?" he asked.

"No. I'll need you in a moment," Capricorn said before turning back to Dafne, "Now I want you to write this down. The red rooster crows tomorrow. Don't look at me like that. Just write it."

When she was done, he snatched it up and inspected it, mouthing each word slowly.

"Good," he slammed it back down on the table, "Basta, come here."

The man hurried over.

Capricorn stabbed the paper, "Can you read this?"

Basta regarded him uneasily. Why was he even asking him, Dafne thought, he knows he can't read, he even said that a minute ago. But Basta squinted at it anyway, brow furrowed, as though he was attempting to decipher it. He had no hope though.

"No," he said finally.

"Of course you can't," Capricorn said rolling his eyes at Basta for wasting his time, "But you're going to learn how to write it."

"I am?" Basta said surprised, "Why? What does it say?"

"The red rooster crows tomorrow," Capricorn pointed to each word as he said it, smiling triumphantly, impressed with himself.

Dafne was impressed too though she was loath to admit it.

Basta was still confused.

"Why do I need to know how to write that?"

A good question. Dafne wanted to know herself.

"Because it's more sophisticated warning to trouble-makers than simply hanging a dead rooster above their door," answered Capricorn, "Get up Dafne, I want Basta to sit down and see if he can copy this any better than he can read it."

The two switched places. Basta took up the pen like gripping a knife, holding it over the paper like he was going to stab it.

"No, hold it like this," Dafne corrected gently. Basta put up no resistance allowing her to adjust his fingers. But he looked no more confident after she had.

The pen skidded away from him several times during his attempt and he became increasingly flustered, cursing and gripping it tighter. His script went from shakily and childishly legible to jaggedly incomprehensible.

"You did very well for a first time," Dafne said soothingly as he looked clearly disappointed.

"It definitely needs more improvement," Capricorn said, eyeing it critically.

This annoyed Dafne as she had seen him smirking at Basta behind his back while he had laboured. He had obviously taken pleasure in watching Basta's discomfort and frustration.

"But I'm confident in your ability as a teacher," Capricorn said to Dafne.

"What?"

"You're going to teach him. And the rest of the men."

"But..." Dafne began to protest. Basta she might not have minded, but teaching others like Cockerell? The idea was extremely unappealing. She hated even going into the church.

"It's only a few words," Capricorn said, dismissing her objection, "It shouldn't be too difficult for you, my talented tutor. That reminds me," his gaze swept over to his bed, "the dresses."

He strode over to peruse them, hand thoughtfully on his chin. The first was lush red velvet. The second resembled a bridal gown, white and lacy. The third was sleek black satin. Each one was laid out like a headless body. It struck Dafne that none were appropriate dresses for a maid to wear. So what was Capricorn playing at?

"The red I think," he said finally, beckoning her over, "Come here."

He whipped the dress off the bed,

"Here, hold it against you."

Capricorn nodded approvingly.

"Yes, the red. Of course I'll have to see in on you first to be sure."

Dafne's heart skipped a beat nervously. What did he mean by that?

There was a knock on Capricorn's door and she jumped at the sound.

"Ah Resa," Capricorn smiled as the woman entered, "What good timing."

Dafne smiled too to see her friend, but she also blushed, given what she was holding.

"I'm giving Dafne a dress," Capricorn told Resa as she went to put down the lunch tray.

Resa's eyes flicked from the dresses on the bed to the one in Dafne's arms. She gave her a sympathetic smile.

"While I've got you here, you may as well help her into it."

Dafne starred at Capricorn wide-eyed.

"Do you mean change here? Right now?"

Capricorn chuckled.

"Shy are we? Don't worry. We won't look, will we Basta?"

Basta seemed just as shocked as Dafne at what Capricorn was proposing.

Dafne looked at him pleadingly.

Please say something. Convince him to let me change in another room at least.

"I don't..." he began but stopped when Capricorn raised a meaningful eyebrow, the slight gesture enough to make him falter, "No we won't look."

He looked at Dafne apologetically. Dafne glared back. He was unbelievable. Didn't he care about her enough to intervene? Obviously not if it meant defying Capricorn.

Capricorn smiled lazily, enjoying the friction he had caused between them.

"I'll wait over here with Basta," he said, "Make sure his eyes don't stray."

Basta's eyes were already despondently averted at the wall.

Resa positioned herself between the two and Dafne though her slight frame offered little concealment. It was more reassuring to have her reach out and stroke Dafne's face.

Resa held the red dress as Dafne discarded her own, her cheeks burning. The rustle of fabric was deafening. She glanced over at the two men, paranoid of catching them peaking. But Basta's head had barely moved and Capricorn was inspecting his fingernails. She donned the new dress as quickly as she could. It was a medieval cut with flowing sleeves and corset strings. It felt heavy like a weight on her shoulders.

"Silvio gave me your note," Dafne murmured as Resa adjusted the strings, "I don't know how but I'm going to try to find Dust..."

"I hope that whispering means you're finished," Capricorn called.

Dafne flinched. Resa put a finger to her lips and nodded. I understand.

"Yes," Dafne said shakily, "We're done."

Capricorn clasped his hands together when he saw her.

He came and circled her slowly. Dafne cringed, feeling his eyes boring into her from every direction. As if this ordeal hadn't been humiliating enough already.

"Yes, the red definitely suits you," he said, Dafne flinching as he brushed her hair over her shoulder, "What do you think Basta? Doesn't she look lovely?"

Dafne looked over to see that Basta was staring at her with something horribly like wonder on his face. But as soon as her gaze fell on him, his eyes darted off to one side embarrassedly.

"Yes, lovely," he said in a small voice.

"You can't see her properly all the way over there," Capricorn said.

Basta approached Dafne almost cautiously as if she might lash out at him. She definitely felt like it. But it was crueller to ignore him. When he reached her, she kept her eyes downcast, refusing to acknowledge him.

"Well?" Capricorn said.

She could feel Basta's eyes on her. She fought the urge to look up.

"She's..." Basta said before a pause, he seemed to be searching for words, "Very beautiful."

Very beautiful. Dafne glanced up in surprise, straight into his eyes, his face, all the longing in his voice etched into his expression. It touched and frightened at the same time.

"I'm glad you approve," Capricorn drawled, placing his hands on Dafne's shoulders, murmuring in her ear, "Enjoy your reward."

She realised his game now. He was trying to provoke Basta's feelings out of him. Dangling her in front of him in this stupid dress. Humiliating her in the process.

Enjoy your reward.

He left them standing uncomfortably together as a result of his handiwork.

"I believe we're finished here," he said with a dismissive wave, "I'll have my lunch now."

Resa passed Dafne her bundled old dress. Her friend gave her a parting smile before she went over to serve Capricorn the contents of the tray she had brought in.

Basta took hold of Dafne's arm gently,

"Come on," he said quietly.

Dafne jerked out his hold. She didn't need to be led. She could scarcely wait to be out of Capricorn's company, hastening towards the door with Basta following.

"Oh I almost forgot," Capricorn called after them, "Basta, I want you to take Dafne to the next village. Darius needs a book for Monster Night. She knows which one it is."

Basta looked slightly surprised by the order but nodded and bowed his way out the door like a proper servant.

The hem of the red dress was a little too long. Dafne tripped on it and nearly went toppling down the staircase. She would have if Basta hadn't reached out to steady her.

"Thanks," she muttered grudgingly, cursing the stupid dress. Was she supposed to go around stumbling in it from now on?

As they reached the front door, Dafne slowed.

"Can I wear your jacket?" she asked.

Basta was puzzled but handed it to her,

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to be seen in broad daylight wearing this silly dress," Dafne replied, pulling the jacket tightly around her.

"You don't look silly," Basta said.

"Yes I do. I look like I'm from the Middle Ages. I don't need any more embarrassment today."

She felt her face getting hot, tears forming in her eyes.

Why didn't you do anything? Why didn't you stop Capricorn from humiliating me?

She barged out the door, trying to blink the tears away.

"Wait Dafne!"

He caught up with her, caught hold of her.

"What's wrong?"

To see the concern on his face now was painful. Where had it been before in Capricorn's room, when she needed him?

"What's wrong?" Dafne repeated angrily, the tears she had tried to hold back spilling forth, "You let Capricorn humiliate me. That's what's wrong."

Guilt spread across Basta's face.

"I'm sorry," he said piteously, "Please don't cry."

Dafne struggled to break away but this time he held her tight, refusing to let go.

"If you cared me, you would have done something," she cried.

"Of course I do care about you," Basta said fiercely, pulling her close to him, his face tender and anguished, "I'm in love you!"

To be continued...