Chapter Six:

Teamwork

Shadowbrook:

"What!?"

Thomas smirked at the expression of sheer astonishment on Karl Harrison's face. He lounged back in the chair, and took another swig of the cheap wine Karl had poured to encourage his guest to spill the beans. They were in Karl's lodgings at the town's dingy tavern. The furnishings were basic, the windows were draughty, and the walls cracked in places in both of their separate sets of rooms – but they provided a dry and half-decent base for them to recuperate and make plans, nevertheless.

"You heard me right, Karl. I found Miss Lucy's birth certificate. The date of her being born was changed. I could tell by studying the paper, real close. That girl is actually now twenty-two years of age as per last night - not twenty and one!"

Karl sat down on the side of his bed and rubbed his brow. "Why would her parents have her birth certificate altered so?" he muttered. "Lucy has never said anything of this to me – which means it is likely that she knows nothing of this." He looked across to his colleague. "What else did you find?"

"Why change the certificate indeed? Anyway, the only other thing I didn't get to tell you last night was some dirt on Major Lucien Bruckner." Thomas's annoying grin grew wider. "He's been a baaaddd boy…"

"How so?"

"It was in that envelope I rode into the manor with from Mayor Carver in Tidewater. The Mayor's been keeping tabs on some folk for years, it seems. Anyways, Bruckner managed to build up a reputation for abusing servant boys in the army – and having his way with whichever women he takes a shine to. The army have tried to keep it quiet – but it got to the point that the big wigs in the military decided to kick Bruckner out, before he did something that even they couldn't stop getting out into the wider world. Bruckner didn't retire – he was a military disgrace!" Thomas sloshed the remaining dregs of wine round in his glass. "I'd been speaking to one of those pretty wretches behind the bar yesterday. She told me that Bruckner's men are regarded as louts."

"So that woman who fled into the olde woods, only to be reduced to a husk…," Karl ventured.

"…was being chased by that man who you think was turned to stone. One of Bruckner's men, yeah. But that don't explain what tore apart the other man whose remains we saw," Thomas pointed out. "So… What do we do now, matey?"

"There's so much to think about – and yet where to start…?"

Karl's thoughts were disturbed by a knocking at the door. The two men exchanged a suspicious glance, and both of them tip-toed to stand either side of the door. Thomas cocked back the safety on his drawn pistol – and Karl held a silver dagger at the ready.

"Who is it?" Karl called out.

"It is me." Lucy Hanbrook's voice came from the other side of the door.

Sighing with relief, Karl put his dagger away and unlocked the door whilst Thomas made his pistol safe. Once the door was opened wide, the two men were surprised by the sight of Lucy being accompanied by the solemn-looking Heidi, Isabella's maid.

"Well, what have we here…?" Thomas gave another insolent smirk, which vanished as he saw Karl glaring at him.

"Vhy mistress sends her apologies for not being available. Instead, I have been permitted by vhy mistress to accompany Miss Hanbrook for a couple of days. To assist you," Heidi declared, in her stiff Germanic accent. She curtsied to the men.

"Assist us?" Karl smiled. "After last night, it seems that some of us have similar minds… Come on in." As he shut the door behind their unexpected guests, he spoke again. "How did you get here, Lucy?"

"We were dropped off by the old coachman, Joshua Carnaby, before he turned back to head to the manor. Madam von Took has hired his services," Lucy answered as she took the offered seat Thomas had been using earlier. "By good fortune, I was able to listen in on a meeting of the town elders without them knowing of my presence, this morning. My parents, and the other elders, are withholding information from Inspector Cooke, in the hope that the dark clouds are now dispersing – and that nothing more needs to be said..." She paused to gather her thoughts, as her fingers played with the strand of her attractive titian-colored hair that had draped itself on her cloaked shoulder. The image of her made Karl smile.

Lucy glanced at Heidi before she spoke again, keeping her tone formal in the presence of the handmaiden. "Mr Harrison, Mr Harrow… I will not pretend to understand what is happening in these parts. But I am certain that those…grotesques…, as they have been termed, are not the end of it! My intuition tells me that something evil is still in the area, and that more people – maybe many more - will die. I will not stay at home and be idle. I've got to do something!"

Karl sat on the side of his bed once more, and nodded. He folded his arms.

"Anything that you tell us will be treated in confidence. Is that understood by everyone?"

Lucy, Thomas, and Heidi all assented. Then Lucy related her account, starting with her and Mr Danforth hiding under the table in the manor's library…

When she had told all that she could remember, Karl looked grim.

"We need more information about this…Shadow Witch… And we need to track down whatever has been turning those people into stone. And somehow stop it."

Heidi gasped. "Turned to stone…?"

"That's right, missy." This time Thomas did not smirk or smile. He turned his good eye to Karl. "Are we really taking these ladies with us?"

"I can fire a pistol," Heidi announced.

"And so can I. My knowledge of these parts will serve you, also," Lucy added, keeping her tone determined and her posture firm, as she had been tutored in the past by her governess for when she needed to assert herself.

"Good for you." Karl smiled. With his arms still folded, he returned Thomas's look. "I say that they come with us," he declared.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

Victor Danforth sighed as he ran out of the tavern, silently cursing himself again for not keeping a sharper eye on his money. Having been obliged to leave the manor by Lady Hanbrook, despite his apology to Lucy for failing to protect her from that…winged horror, he had been dropped off back in town by the Hanbrook's coachman. After that, he had gone to his room at the tavern to drop off his traveling bag, before he had then gone to the bar in order to drown his sorrows in a fine wine.

Deciding to leave Shadowbrook, he had reached for his purse and count what he had left, ready to book an outbound coach – only to realize that his purse had gone. Alarmed, he whipped round – his frightened gaze sweeping around the half-crowded, dingy, smoke-laden room. He was rewarded with a glimpse of a smirk on the face of a certain, pretty, red-headed young woman.

"You again!" he spluttered, as the thief disappeared through the back door.

And now, chasing after her with as much haste as his stocky legs allowed, Victor entered the alley outside, ready to yell for assistance as soon as he saw any respectable-looking bystanders – only to found himself grabbed hold by a ruffian, who then held a dagger to his throat.

"Don't make any noise, mister," the tricorn hat-wearing thug growled.

"W-wouldn't d-dream of it!" Victor croaked as his eyes widened. His heart pounded. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down – the covering skin too close to that blade for his liking. "But you really don't need to threaten me, you scoundrel! Have you no shame at what you are doing…?"

The male thug clenched his teeth. "I said, shut it!"

The female thief, still wearing her own tricorn hat, red tunic, grey pants, and dark overcoat, reappeared and approached Victor. She glanced firstly at her associate.

"Easy, Bruno! Honor among thieves, remember? Mr Danforth is here to help us, after all. Aren't you, sir?" she asked.

"I am? Wh-what do y-you want of me? You already h-have my money!" Victor spluttered.

"Oh. That was just the lure. We'll look after your money for now, though." The lady thief gave the rotund playwright a wide smile. "You see, Mr Danforth. We need a hostage to get a friend out of the clink."

"The…clink? The nearby jail…? Oh…no. I say…!"

"We should just dump him off at the town hall – with a gag in his mouth," Bruno growled.

"Enough, Bruno! Mr Danforth will do as we ask, won't you?

Victor gulped. "Upon my honor…"

She grinned at the playwright. "Good! Then upon my honor, we'll have no need to hurt you, then," she declared.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

The raid didn't take long. Victor realized that the outlaws had planned carefully. They struck around midday – only minutes after his abduction, and when the jailor was on his lunch break. With the aid of a dark-haired lad called Jack, who had been working as a spy within the jail, the outlaws soon convinced the two militia guards to drop their weapons, convinced that the female bandit was about to shoot the terrified Victor if they did not comply. After that, Bruno had ordered the pair of guards to unlock the cell where the Scarlet Shadow was held – before he clobbered them both on the heads with the butt of his pistol. With the guards locked in the cell, and the ring of keys slid underneath the jailor's desk, Victor then found himself handcuffed to the female outlaw by Bruno, with her palming the key. The party of five soon left the jail. Jack led the way across the street outside whilst the townsfolk hid from the shower of rain that had just commenced. Then Victor found himself forced to climb onto one of the horses held ready for them, as the female outlaw got on. He held onto her back. The thought then finally occurred to his frightened wits that no one was able to hold a pistol to his head at that moment…

"Help! I'm being abducted!" he yelled.

Katarina quickly stretched one hand back to slap the side of his face. "Behave!" she scolded him.

"Stop! It's the Shadow! He's escaping!" a nearby militia guard bellowed.

As the guard raised the alarm, the outlaws kicked into the sides of their horses. The Scarlet Shadow, missing his hat and silk scarf, took the lead and his horse bolted – helping him to just miss the shot fired by the guard. Next were Victor and his lady kidnapper. Then Bruno – with Jack clinging to his back. They charged along the street – with the horses being urged to tear along the streets first one way, then another, in order to confuse their pursuers as to which direction they were going.

Victor was not brave enough to try anything further. He closed his eyes and held them tightly shut, hearing the pounding of their horses, the cries of the startled townsfolk, and the pattering of the falling rain as they pounded on. Then, before long, the voices ceased. Victor dared to open his eyes again.

Shadowbrook had vanished from sight. They were now galloping along a road leading through the countryside, with a stretch of woods on either side of them. Mindful enough to look for the sun, Victor saw it dimly behind the thinning clouds in front of him – roughly at the ten 'o clock position.

They were heading to the south-west, then. What in blaze's name lay in this direction?

The answer was soon apparent. Emerging from the gloomy group of trees that encircled it, was a tower. A crumbling, stone tower. And as they arrived at their destination, Victor saw that the tower was just one corner of an old fortress that must have been a military outpost at some point in its history, before being abandoned. Now, it was evidently the base of these outlaws.

Leaving the road, the criminals slowed their horses to a walk as they navigated into the woods, where the ground was harder. Then they stopped. The Scarlet Shadow cupped his hands around his mouth and gave a bird-like cry. So too did the lady outlaw. They waited, and then repeated their signal.

After a long pause, another pair of similar calls responded. Two more ruffians emerged from the depths of the woods – a man and a woman. They greeted the mounted outlaws with delight.

"You did it! Good on yer, Katarina!" the second woman shrieked.

" 'Course I did it, Jasmine. Now take our horses back onto the road. Make it look that we headed across the marsh and towards the crossroads. Bruno – you stay on your horse," Victor's kidnapper retorted. "We'll see ya back at the camp."

Jasmine, Bruno, and the other male outlaw nodded.

Meanwhile, Jack, and the Shadow jumped down from their panting horses - and Victor was obliged to hop down with his female captor, Katarina. With Bruno and the other two gang members now on the horses and leading them back to the road, in order to leave a misleading trail of hoof prints as the rain shower ceased, a wet Victor Danforth shivered.

"Don't worry, matey. We'll soon be around a good fire." Katarina smirked. Then she turned to the criminal known to Victor only as the Scarlet Shadow.

"Thank you for breaking me out, you wonderful girl…," the highwayman walked over to Katarina and embraced her as they shared a long, passionate kiss.

Victor coughed and looked down at the leaf-covered ground, feeling like he was stuck on stage with an embarrassing ham actor. Oh, if only he had stayed in his room…

Finally, the Scarlet Shadow and Katarina broke apart. The highwayman narrowed his eyes at Victor.

"What about him?" he asked.

"Mr Danforth is coming with us. I reckon he can help us about…Sloan," Katarina announced, her face suddenly grave. She yanked on the handcuffs that still held her to the playwright. "C'mon, tubby."

Victor narrowed his eyes. "I say…!"

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

The Abandoned Keep:

A few minutes later, they had emerged from the woods and arrived at the ruined fortress. Vegetation had overtaken parts of the crumbling walls, and the water was still dipping from the rain shower in places, adding to the pool that had formed in one corner of what had been the courtyard. Despite his fears over whatever they had planned for him, Victor tried to distract himself from his anxieties by taking in as much detail of the place as he could. The fortress was sizable – with some parts in better kept condition than others. His captors took him through one of the doors leading off from the courtyard, where the corridor beyond led to a set of rooms. In one of them, apparently once the fort's kitchen, Victor gratefully warmed himself – and the damp clothes on him – against the heat of the small camp fire. Apart from daylight from the courtyard, there was no other light source. Their lanterns, on the floor in one corner were unlit.

Katarina fished out the tiny key and unlocked the handcuffs from herself and Victor. He ruefully rubbed his wrist in order to get his blood circulation back to normal.

Minutes later, the four of them were sat down on the floor. The resident cook, a burly man named Kelner, prepared a celebratory meal for them and the other half-dozen outlaws who joined them. A skinned rabbit and hard biscuits – washed down with ale, no less.

As he finished his meal and wiped his fingers on a rag supplied to him, Victor frowned. He turned to address Katarina and her lover.

"If you… If you are not going to kill me, what do you want with me? I have heard of you! You are the Scarlet Shadow! You have been a blight upon this state – robbing good folk and leaving them afraid for their lives! They say that you have killed many decent men…"

"None of them were decent, Mr Danforth," the dark-haired leader spoke in a clear voice. He too wiped his hands, as he straightened himself against the wall behind him.

"Wh-what…?"

"The men who I have killed all deserved to die. They were corrupt, or aiding something worse than them. Considering your appearance, sir, I imagine that you walk along the wealthier circles in one of the nearby cities?"

"Why, yes. I live in New York itself, where I have walked the boards of the theatres, and wrote…"

"Then anything you have heard about me has been via the authorities, or the local newspapers. Yes?"

"Umm… That would be so, sir," Victor conceded.

"Ask many of the local townsfolk and countrymen around here how they regard the Scarlet Shadow, and you will get a more accurate picture, Mr Danforth," the youth Jack spoke up. "I own my life to the boss here – when he saved me, over a year ago, from the living trees that were animated by the creature that was called the Delion Dryad."

"Er… The what!?"

"Long story. What you should know is that I was once part of a family who had their property taken from them by an unscrupulous landowner. That led me to take up the life of a highwayman – a highwayman who only robs the rich, and who looks out for the poorer people," the Shadow declared. "Then, over a year ago, an unnatural creature known as the Delion Dryad caused havoc in these parts. A suspected witch, Elaine Bartlett – who had been captured by the militia – was tasked by the elders of Shadowbrook to end the scourge of the Dryad. Which she did. Apparently, the elders had made a deal with Bartlett – and she was to be freed from captivity for her 'services to the community'. But she had already been accused of many crimes against livestock and people. And against nature itself. Crimes which had led to her arrest in the first place – including the murder by witchcraft of her husband."

"Bartlett…," Victor tapped the tip of his finger against his bearded chin. "I recall reading of this. The Shadow Witch, they called her. Around the end of October, last year… It's almost the first anniversary of…"

"…her hanging, Mr Danforth," Katarina finished for him. "The elders of Shadowbrook felt obliged to obey the cries for justice from the families who had suffered from the dark magic of Bartlett. The Shadow Witch was hung. But on the scaffold, she vowed to return on the anniversary of her death – and wreck vengeance on the elders and on the locals. And lately, people and animals are being torn apart – as if by some ungodly predator. Whilst some other people…" Katarina paused and looked at the Shadow.

He nodded his approval, and stood. "Mr Danforth… Come with me and Katarina," he requested.

Feeling somewhat better for the meal and the fact that they had not threatened him since their flight from Shadowbrook, Victor was nevertheless still suspicious as he accompanied the pair of outlaws back into the courtyard and then up a broken staircase. Katarina carefully led the way past the crumbling part of the steps – and Victor gulped with relief as he managed to follow in her footsteps without mishap, whilst the Shadow hung behind, ready to grab the playwright if he lost his balance.

Reaching the ramparts that once ran intact along the whole circumference of the keep, they turned left and entered a broken, derelict tower. It was dawning upon Victor that the side of the keep that was nearest to the road, and facing Shadowbrook, was generally in poorer condition than the more intact, and hidden, parts.

Within the shell of the tower, Katarina and the Shadow stopped. Halting with them, Victor gasped as he spied the husk of a man, still dressed in his clothes. Close by was the detailed, life-sized statue of a bearded man, who was depicted in a fashion similar to his 'hosts' – complete with a tricorn hat and clothes made of stone. The man was portrayed as being on his knees, screaming, one arm raised as if to defend himself from something in the air above him – whilst the hand of his other arm gripped a metal dagger…

That last detail was not lost upon Victor. He sucked in his breath, and stepped forward to examine the metal blade. Yes, the stony hand was wrapped around the weapon. Tentatively, he grabbed hold of the rock-hard fist with one of his own hands and tried to yank the blade out with his other. It was impossible to do so.

Then how did it get there…?

Victor stopped and staggered back. The Scarlet Shadow grabbed hold of the larger man, supporting him.

"I see you had the same idea as us, good sir," said Katarina. Her smile faded as she regarded the husk and the statue. "Me and a pair of the lads came as quick as we could, after we were woken up by the cries of our two night sentries. By the time we arrived, it was too late. We lost a pair of good men…"

"My god…" Victor fought to control both his panic and his pounding heart, as he swallowed repeatedly. He nervously ran a hand through his thinning mop of brown hair. "That husk…was a man? That statue was a man, as well?"

"Indeed. That statue you see now was a fierce fighter called Sloan," replied the Shadow. He eased Victor against the nearest wall. "You are a learned man, Mr Danforth. What manner of creature could have done this?"

"Po-possibly the same…creatures that I saw last night, at the manor…," Victor hazarded.

"What creatures? I heard a commotion outside, which caught everyone's attention. But I used the opportunity to slip away," Katarina declared.

"You…were at…the manor, Miss Katarina?"

"Yes. Now…these creatures!" she snapped.

Victor told them about his encounter with the winged being that Lady Hanbrook had described as 'Grotesque'. He left out the bit about accidently abandoning Lucy Hanbrook to the danger, of course…

When Victor had finished his account, the Shadow and Katarina looked at each other for a long moment.

"Jack has told me that he's heard on the rumor mill going round that other 'lifelike' statues have been turning up. At the olde woods, and at the windmill." Katarina snorted. "That Inspector Cooke from Boston is out of his depth. Until he realizes that he's dealing with something unnatural, more innocent people around here are going to get killed, Darcius."

"Where did those creatures come from? Do they have anything to do with the Shadow Witch's devilry?" the Scarlet Shadow muttered. "We have to act! We'll investigate the olde woods first." He turned to Victor. "You might as well come with us, Mr Playwright!"

"M-me?" Victor gulped. His hand instinctively gripped his rosary and the crucifix hanging from the cords around his neck. "But I'm…no use to you! I'm…"

He trailed off, as the Shadow fingered his religious belongings.

"I see that you are a Catholic man of good faith…," he declared.

"Um… Well, yes I am. But I'm also a coward! I'm no fighter either. And I will not help you under duress! You've already threatened me with your pistol, young lady!"

"Oh, that…" Katarina told out her pistol from its holster, and opened it. "Look inside, Mr Danforth."

He did so, and his eyes widened. "You mean you held me hostage…with a pistol that held…no bullets!?"

Katarina smiled. "Like my partner, here, I do not kill innocent people, Mr Danforth. And on my honor, no one else in our gang will – as we forbid it! We are not the blackhearts some people would have you believe."

"Oh. That's…reassuring." Victor wiped his brow with his handkerchief. "But why do you want me to come with you…?"

"There are more ways to ward off evil and monsters than through weapons, Mr Danforth. I sense that your faith may come in handy. When we get to the woods, we will see if it is safe to allow you to return to town by yourself. And besides…" the Shadow trailed off, as Jack appeared besides him to give him a red silk mask, which the outlaw promptly placed over his mouth.

"…desperate times call for drastic deeds!" the Scarlet Shadow declared with a flourish, as he pointed his pistol upright.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

The Lair:

The elder descended the steps and paused, checking again that no one had followed – before opening the door, and closing it once inside the space beyond.

It was cold. Folding the arms to cover the hands, the elder hissed with impatience – not wishing to wait for their eyesight to adjust to the gloom.

"Are you here!?"

There was silence for a long moment. Then the inhuman voice came, penetrating the elder's mind.

"Why Do You Disturb Me Now…?"

"Two of your…children…attacked people at the Manor! They have been killed, and the bodies held for further inspection! That Inspector has been persuaded that they were responsible for all of the attacks around this township – but he has not yet left the area. Our work was never intended to become so brazen…!"

"My Creatures Had To Feed. Anyone Who They Kill Is Of The Guilty… We Have Agreed That."

"And what was young Lucy Hanbrook guilty of!? She was attacked – but was defended by others…" Seeing the faint glow of the being present, the elder took several steps towards the centre of the room. Towards it. "The actions of you, and your creatures, are attracting too much attention! I have carefully been watching two newcomers to the town. I sense that they are hunters. If they become pawns of your enemies…"

An unearthly hiss resounded. The elder felt the cold air shift. The being was flexing its wings in its agitation. "They Will Be Dealt With! Describe Them To Me…"

The elder did so.

"You Have Done Well. Now…, Leave Me," the creature rasped.

Knowing better than to argue, the elder walked backwards towards the exit – not wanting to turn their back towards the being. It was partly out of reverence – and partly out of fear of being clawed from behind. The creature had an unnerving rage to it, and it could be unpredictable…

Moments later, the door shut to, leaving the room in complete darkness – a darkness that was of no hindrance to its occupant.

The winged being brooded in silence for a few moments, as it contemplated its plan of action. It was growing in strength now. It would concentrate upon its connections with its servants-in-waiting. And when the interfering humans passed close to one of them, the creature itself would leave its lair and turn the hunters into the hunted. After they had been dealt with, it would be time to manifest the full extent of its growing army.

"This Town Will Become Mine…!" the being hissed.