The Night was dark with no moon in the sky. Few carts were riding over the crooked lane hidden by the surrounding trees.
"Hurry up you lazy filth! We need to bring these lots to port soon.! A man shouted at the following coachmen.
"Why can't we go through the main road? One of the new coachmen protested. " We could reach port faster. "
"We could also get discovered you shit! Do you want to get land in prison or worse got killed?!"
When no one contradict him, he barked in anger. "Just keep moving! The sooner we reached there the better!"
Afterward, no sound is heard except horses trotting at speed as carriages rattle over the broken road. Their leader was sure they will cross London soon when suddenly he found a large broken tree blocking their path.
"What the Hell!" He yelled in frustration climbing down to survey the tree.
"Move this bloody thing out!" He barked but then howl in pain.
"Ahhh! " He cried out while everyone saw a bow sticking out from his shoulder.
His men hopped down to help him but soon few of them were shot by an arrow.
"Show your face, you coward!" The leader yelled while grabbing his injured shoulder.
It was then he saw a lone figure dressed in Black her face hidden under a black mask, perched on a thick branch like a jungle cat.
Before he or anyone can move their attacker jumped at them as she slashed two men with her sword.
The fight commences. They all tried to overpower their attacker but couldn't even come close enough to touch while they were getting heavily injured.
With fighting skills unlike anyone they ever saw the attacker soon stood victor over the injured while man were begging for mercy.
The leader was trying to sneak attack when once again he was shot by a bow on his leg that came out of nowhere.
"Stop!" and the leader looked astonished to hear a woman's voice from his attacker's lips.
"You are a woman!" He whispered loud enough to be heard.
"How astute of you." She replied while pulling away her hat and he saw long hair fall on her back.
Wiping away blood from her sword she stepped over her victim's bodies and reached first of the carriage.
She noticed it was shut with a heavy lock.
"It won't open!" The leader laughed tauntingly. " We send keys ahead of us."
She didn't even spare him glance as she picked out the gun from her belt and shot it straight to lock bursting it open."
Once the lock was removed she yank opened the door and inside found men, women, and children.
They were reeking and malnourished, staring
blankly at her not even trying to move. "You are free my friends." She told them in a kind voice.
For a few seconds, no one responded, and when she tried to help an old man he pushed her away. "We are happy! We live to serve master! "
She can hear the leaders laughing maniacally
as she got the same response from every prisoner.
Filled with rage she marched towards the leader and grabbed him by his collar. "What have you done with those prisoners? !"
"Prisoners?" He smiled in amusement. "You can't imprisoned someone if they come willingly huh?"
Before he could say anything She punched him hard on his face knocking off few teeth as blood flows out from him. "Now listen to me you bastard! Tell your master that their reign is over! I will destroy their lives and make them pay for their sins!"
With that she punched him hard and as darkness fell over him he saw her taking away his prisoners."
It was early in morning when queen was disturbed by Brimsily.
"What is the meaning of this!" She yelled as maid helped her with robe.
"I am, sorry your Majesty but you need to see this."
Hearing his anxious tone Queen Charlotte followed him outside and as soon gates were open she gasp while clutching her chest.
"Brimsily?"
"I don't know what to tell you but guards found a masked woman leaving them on grounds at first light of Dawn."
They slowly approached as they watched these weak human staring
at them with expressionless faces.
Queen Charlotte approached a small girl of six.
"Come here, my child. Come to your queen."
But she didn't moved as she flinched away. " We belong to master. We serve master."
Queen Charlotte stood up in rage. " Who dared to slaved these people Brimsily!? Who can dare to defy Kings highest command? !"
"I don't know your majesty but this letter was left by their rescuer."
She snatched it angrily and start reading it.
" My Queen I know you have many questions and you will get your answer when I get them with solid proof. Just beware! your enemies are part of your ton, poisoning your reign for many years.
Protector of your realm.
Zetara!"
"Zetara? Who is this Zetara?"
"Dearest Gentle Reader
This author understand the power she held! She understand how much her readers wait to read her words and believe in truth behind them. So readers believe this that there is a monster among the member of ton! You may ask how I can say this but know this is the most painful truth I have ever come across.
As you know our Great King George abdicated slavery soon after his marriage to our beloved queen. For many years since then it was consider his highest command which no one dare to defy it. If only that was true because apparently someone dare to defy this law.
Earlier today Queen Charlotte received prove of this crime herself. A group of weak, malnourished slaves filled with man, women and children of various age.
Rumours are they were left on palace grounds by mask hero, A woman if rumours are true called Zetara.
Like a star she put light on this serious matter and promised in letter that she will expose those criminals with proof! I wish this hero best of luck and urged other to found this criminal living within ourselves.
Yours truly Lady Whistledown."
Over the Bridgerton house Eloise was first to read lady Whistledown.
"You won't believe what she wrote today! Now this is I called using her talents for things that really matter! "
"Like what? latest fashion trend among ladies." Colin teased.
"Oh! Maybe she wrote how besotted our brother is around Countess." Benedict says which resulted him getting hit by grape on his face which Anthony was about to eat.
"Do not make fun of my affection brother." Anthony warned before turning to stare at Eloise. "Did she mention me and Countess?" He ask fearing someone has spotted them in woods yesterday together.
"No she didn't gossip but told important news! Apparently a new mask hero has spotted and rescue slaves. What is astounding that this mask hero is a woman who make sure that they were reached safely at palace grounds and queen became aware of this crime happening right under our nose."
As soon she was done they all start talking at once while Anthony grabbed the gossip sheet to read it for himself.
"This is outrageous! Mother I am heading for parliament! It must be madness down there."
"But what about races Anthony?! " Violet inquires feeling alarm over this news outbreak.
"I will meet you there, I have promised Countess that I will escort her there myself. "
Kissing his mothers cheek he left for Parliament.
While the news was spreading like wildfire the writer herself seems troubled as Penelope approached for breakfast thinking about how every thing changed in past few hours.
( Few hours ago.
She can't believe she is going to stay with Countess this season. She knew her motive is something else and all this is just a farce to gain what she wanted!
'But what does she wanted?'
This is one question which she couldn't found answer.
Countess has dismissed her as soon her family left, telling one of the maid to show her room while Countess instructed her butler to follow her.
Penelope waited in her room and after a while she was called for dinner.
She thought that she would figure out Countess at dinner but she was more interested in food then talking with her.
She watched as she consumes her food hurriedly in unlady like manners.
'But she was all grace and poise at tea? ' She wondered as Countess chewed large chunk off meat right off bone.
"Don't you like food?" She inquires with her mouth full as she wiped it with her hands.
"Food is blessing my dear girl, you won't understand it until you were starving for days and nights."
Penelope was taken aback but Countess was already busy eating, relishing each bite if it's going to be her last.
"Finished your dinner girl! We will be waiting for you outside."
She got up and was about to leave when she turned to face her.
"Oh, wear a hooded cloak in your closet , I have made one for you exactly like you have hidden in your carriage seat."
Penelope gasped as Countess left with smirk on her face.
By the time she went outside dressed in hood a carriage was waiting with only her Butler inside.
"Where is Countess?" She inquires as he open door for her.
"She went ahead and we have to follow her."
She hesitated but reluctantly sat inside and for a while it was complete silence as they ride in dark.
Penelope noticed they were venturing deep in London through woods and soon they would have reached city bounds.
"Where are we going?!" She asked feeling scared but then the carriage stopped.
"Come my lady, Countess is waiting for us. "
They stepped outside and he pointed at crooked lane where Penelope saw a fight happening.
"What's going on?! " She yelled as more bodies falls and then a bow came out of nowhere hitting a man's leg making swordsman yelled "Stop" but it was a command in woman's voice.
"It's a woman, Penelope looked astonished at the scene as she rescue those prisoner.
Jacopo soon left her side instructing her to stay near carriage.
She watched as few more people came out of woods dressed same as woman, wearing mask.
They helped her moving carriages and few dragged injured away.
Once the road was clear two figure approached her one was butler and another was that swordswoman who then pulled out her mask and smirked at her.
" Countess?!")
The moment she stepped inside she saw Countess and her butler eating breakfast with none other then Genevieve Delacroix.
"I love the outfit Gen! It was quite easy to fight and jump in it." Countess patted her back as Genevieve laughed. " It was quite interesting to make but I want to make it best for you."
"Girls we are not alone."
At her Butler's voice they turned and while him and Madam Delacroix looked serious, Countess was unbothered as she leaned back in chair.
"Care to join us Lady Whistledown?"
This time Penelope didn't cowered as she stood bravely in front of her. " I need answers! After using me and my column like that I think you own me some answers! "
She watched her for a moment before.
"Leave us alone."
Penelope watched as her butler squeeze her hand in warning. " It's alright Jacopo. Go with Gen, I bet both of you would love some alone time."
She patted his hand in assurance and soon they both were left alone.
"Who are you?" She ask while stepping closer. " Why do you come here? What is your purpose? "
Countess for quite and then she got up. "Come, I will give you all your answers."
Feeling curious she followed her until they reached a shed.
Countess then opened the lock and ask her to step inside.
In the shed she could see different liquids boiling under glass.
"These are chemicals used by doctors and medicine man. My father was both and some of his knowledge was passed to me and some I get in later years. "
She then shows her a blue liquid in small glass bottle. " This was found on those man I attacked last night. It contains high dose of sulphur and mercury, the combination of it is highly lethal."
Understanding dawn on her as she stepped away from Countess. "They killed themselves?!"
"Fear is strange thing Lady Whistledown, it can make you do anything even take your own life."
Putting that bottle back she stared at her with hard eyes.
"You need answers? I will tell you every thing and what you do with that knowledge is up to you."
And so she begin she told her everything not holding back even most horrifying, painful detail of her truth.
By the time she was finished Penelope was weeping for this woman in front of her. "I am so sorry, for what you had to go through." She managed to say between tears and felt soft hands wiping her tear away.
"Do not pity me. I will get my revenge in one way or another but you can help me save lives along the way. After all it's much bigger then you and me."
And in that shed two woman joined hands, to bring down the most evil and powerful men of ton.