Chapter 4

'YOU WILL ADDRESS HIM AS THE COMTE DE LA FURR!' Athos roared, 'you... you will address him as the comte... comte de la furr,' he whispered defeatedly and collapsed onto a rock at the side of the road, placed his head in his hands, and began to cry. Antoinette glared at Cathos. Cathos hissed back demanding respect, and climbed onto Athos's lap. Most of his black fur was gone now, revealing the pinkish brown skin in all its naked glory, apart from around one ear. Athos had stayed in Antoinette's care at the tavern for a few days. She had grown tired of his moods, but stilled wanted to help. She hated that cat and was doing her best to rid Athos of it. Cathos was suspicious of Antoinette, but needed her. How else was he to get good meat For dinner? Antoinette sat on the rock beside Athos to comfort him. She knew his entire world had been thrown upside-down. He was the last of his line. All his family were dead now.

'What am I to do?' Athos sobbed as if he could read Antoinette's mind.

'Go back to your home, my Lord. From there we'll figure out the future,' she replied.

'What future?'

'You are still young. Still a count. Still wealthy... you can do as you please, my Lord.'

'I don't want to be a count! I hate this life. I want something else... but...'

'What skills do you have?'

'Latin... and the sword... fine use I am to society...'

'What about... hmmm well it is quiet around here, but you could train soldiers perhaps? Then lead a great army in times of war?'

'Lead an army? My god. Do you think your husband would fight by my side? Ha! I would not wish to bring more death into this world... I am not a soldier. I will never fight like that. '

'We will think of something suitable, my Lord. First, we'll get you back to your manor.'

They stood up. Cathos hissed as he was unexpectedly disturbed and sent flying from Athos's lap and face first onto the dusty road . He shook himself off and stared at Antoinette. Perhaps it was time to get rid of her...

(Manor of Marquis de la Failtu)

'What could I possibly gain from joining you in the palace, you sly creature of the night! Get out of my home immediately!' the Marquis roared as he shoved a tall imposing figure of the front door of his manor.

'DO NOT TOUCH ME!' the figure protested, turned and pointed his bony finger directly into the Marquis's face, ' I made you. Never forget that!'

'What I own I gained myself through birth! God given. Not by you!'

'Why... Why do I waste my time on inbred fools? How do you think your father became a Marquis? We are done here,' Cardinal Richelieu shouted into the marquis's face and turned to leave. He quickly turned back, his cape hitting off the door, ' And one more thing. The king's bastard brother has had his eye on these lands for quite some time now. Would be a pity if his men took it...'

'He wouldn't dare!' the Marquis was horrified by the cardinal's menacing grin.

'TIME WILL TELL,' the cardinal shouted out of his carriage and took off.

(On the road somewhere near Athos's lands)

Marie's entourage came to a stop on the road. It was dark. Something was blocking the way. She readied her pistol in case it was highwaymen, and listened to her men outside before opening her carriage door.

'What is it?' she snapped at her footman who was holding a lantern to his face.

'A crazy man, he's naked and crying,' the footman replied.

'Is it a trap?'

'We don't think so, but...'

'GET him out of the way so!'

'my lady... he's rambling about a cat... perhaps it is...' before he fully could answer, Marie rushed out of the carriage, grabbed the lantern, and looked for the crazy naked man. She found him lying right in the centre of the road. Three of her men stood over him . She bent down slowly, examining his wounds. They looked familiar... her heart pounded. Could it be? Was her precious nearby?

'Who are you?' she screamed into the distressed man's face.

'Shhhhh... it'll hear you... ' he replied.

'WHO?' she leaned over, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him.

'Ca... ca... Cathos... it, it k... ka... killed... help...'

'Cathos?'

'the killer cat...'

'El Asesino...' Marie held her breath, 'Where is he now?'

'Wiit . Myyy. Master... I think,' Raymond sobbed, ' oh god, he'll think I abandoned him!' he leapt forward and cried into Marie's skirt.

'Take me to him immediately!'

(At Athos's Manor)

Antoinette pushed the great entrance door open. For a usually busy house, not a servant was in sight. She was immediately struck by an awful stench. She covered her mouth with her sleeve. Athos seemed oblivious to it all. Cathos strutted ahead down the hallway. 'Where are your servants, my Lord?' Antoinette asked.

'Gone...' Athos replied as if in a daze.

'Gone where, my Lord?'

'Gone... they abandoned me like everyone else. Except Cathos. Cathos will never abandon me.'

'You have an unhealthy obsession with that creature. You should rid yourself of it! The smell...'

'How DARE YOU! I LOVE HIM... he... he...'

'Alright. Alright... em, we'll talk about it later, why don't we get something to eat,' she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, 'Which way to the kitchen, my Lord?'

'There,' Athos pointed in the direction that Cathos had gone. Antoinette grabbed his arm and dragged him in that direction. The smell got stronger.

Antoinette struggled to push the kitchen door open. Something was blocking it. Cathos became suddenly alarmed. He could not allow them into the kitchen. He hissed at Antoinette to no effect. He wondered, if he just killed her quickly, would Athos notice? But then, who would cook for them? A dilemma. No, another method was needed. Cathos brushed up against Athos's legs and purred. Athos looked down and petted the hairless cat. Antoinette frowned. With some coaxing, she eventually got Athos to turn his attention to the kitchen door and got him to open it. Cathos hissed loudly. Both humans ignored. Athos gave the door one final shove, and it flung open. The stench was now overbearing, causing Antoinette to retch.

'My God!' She whispered and walked forward slowly. Cathos ran ahead into the dimly lit room. Antoinette picked up a conveniently placed lamp and lit it. Both she and Athos were dumbfounded.

'Angelina!' Athos cried out and rushed towards the decayed corpse that had blocked the door. Antoinette held the lamp to the body of the young servant girl to examine her wounds. The girl had a deep but narrow slit across her neck and scratches on her face. Athos leaned over to cradle her, hoping for some sign of life.

Antoinette moved back and moved the lamp about to illuminate the room. To her horror, there was more than one corpse. It was clear where Athos's servants had gone. 'Gone!' Antoinette let slip from her lips. An unexpectedly though entered her mind. Gone. Was the Comte de la Fere a serial killer? He said gone... what did he mean? Perhaps he had killed his brother, his wife, his servants and any possible witnesses... and now she was trapped in the odour of death with said killer. Wait... The cat! She pointed the lamp toward the bodies once more. Cathos stood on top on them, sharp claws extended and aimed at Antoinette's neck. 'My God! You evil demonic creature!' She shouted at the hissing cat, 'My Lord! Look! Look at what that devil has done! It is pure evil!' the old woman turned pleadingly towards Athos. 'I know...' Athos calmly replied. He stood up and revealed the sharp kitchen knife he had concealed in the darkness. Antoinette's eyes widened, ' No... no! My Lord please no!'