Chapter 62: The Woman in the Castle
Ursula sat inside her tent, rolling a grape between her fingers. A plate of them sat on the table before her, half a cooked grouse beside it. Her goblet was empty, and so was the wine bottle she filled it from. The lit candles only added to the gloom, providing pitiful illumination. The dark canvas of the tent flapped and rustled from the wind outside, rain tapping against the fabric. Ursula hated that noise.
She popped the grape into her mouth and grabbed another one, rolling it as he had the first. She stared down at the cursed map, splayed out on the table. A rock marked their current location, the terrain drawn in serpentine lines and shading. At the top of the map was the red circle that marked Ariel's location.
Ursula squished the grape flat and flicked it away, scowling as she examined the distance between her and their target. They had been marching for a week now, and they barely closed the gap on them at all. Part of the issue was the path itself. They closed the distance quickly in the Emerald Woods and Howling Forest. The White Iron Mountains, however, were far less yielding to their advance. The higher they went, the steeper and more treacherous their path became. Her army was reduced to marching single file in places. Speed was an impossibility in these narrow crags and canyons. Then a storm rolled in, turning the mountains from treacherous to outright dangerous. She already lost a dozen mutants and two werewolves to falling rocks and gusting winds. Their pace slowed to a crawl. Ursula hated the delay, but it was one she could not avoid.
She pulled a piece of meat off the grouse, scarfing it down noisily. The only consolation she had was that the terrain and weather would slow Ariel down as much as them. That, and she was right in the heart of the storm. They were still moving, but just as slow as their pursuers.
Ursula took another bite of meat. The other consolation was that Lara and Melody were with Ariel. The werewolves picked up their scents yesterday. It was no surprise to Ursula. The mage would never have allowed Ariel to travel on her own. And Melody would fight tooth and nail before she allowed either of them to leave without her. They were moving too slowly for Lara to be flying them, even before the storm. The hoofprints they found further reinforced this theory.
Ursula licked her fingers clean, then grabbed the map and rolled it up, heading for the stack of pelts that served as her bed. There was no point fretting about this further. So long as they had the map, they could follow Ariel almost anywhere. And even if the curse was undone, the werewolves could always track her scent again. She lay down on the pelts and stretched out, allowing herself a smug smile. She had to admit, there was something enjoyable about the feeling of fur against her skin. The sound of distant thunder rolled, echoing off the mountains.
"Bet that mermaid wishes she was this comfortable," Ursula said to herself, chuckling as she imagined the pitiful redhead wet and shivering in the rain, as cold as she was scared.
Ursula's fantasy was not far off from reality.
The rain was coming down in a deluge. Lightning flashed through the sky multiple times a minute. The forest allowed the sound through unfettered but prohibited all but a sliver of the light from penetrating the canopy. The light that did come through created monstrous eyes out of knots in trees and terrible grasping hands out of branches and sticks. The wind created whispers and voices as it slipped through the forest. The air was damp, cold, dark, and miserable.
Lara's boots trudged through the mud as she led Melody, Ariel, and Tempest along the path. Her wings and tail were gone lest unseen eyes happen upon them. Melody followed in her steps, Tempest's hooves clopping and splattering behind them as he carried Ariel. All of them were soaked through. Even with the heavy forest canopy overhead, much of the rain still found its way down to them. Their wool cloaks did little to keep the wet or cold away. That, combined with the late hour and the incessant booming of thunder, made the group's mood as dismal as the weather.
The first three days of their trek were tolerable. They found the stream at the end of Kodama's path. The "road," however, was more like a game trail, winding single file for much of its way across steep mountain slopes and through unstable boulder fields. The going was tough and treacherous. Lara was able to forage edible mushrooms and plants from the mountains, and hunt down game for them to eat. Melody lost her appetite the first night after watching Lara field dress a large marmot. But hunger overcame queasiness the next morning, and her reluctance to eat the grouse Lara snared the following night. None of them could afford to be picky. Nor could they afford to be lax. They marched from sunup till twilight, ending each day tired, dirty, and with sore feet, knowing they would have to repeat it the next day.
Then came the storm on the fourth day. At first it was only a patchwork of gray clouds over their heads. But those patches quickly became a dark blanket over the blue, the angry voice of thunder growing closer. The first raindrops fell just before sunset, and they grew in intensity. The weather only worsened over days five, six, and now seven. Sundown was only an hour ago, but the sky was so dark it felt like midnight.
"How much further?" Ariel asked, her voice not hiding her discomfort. She shivered, rubbing her arms for what meager warmth and security it could provide.
"Not much," said Lara. Her hair hung heavy and wet. If a fire could be soaked, it would look like that. A bolt of lightning flashed overhead, followed seconds later by the loud rumble of thunder. "Though, I don't think we'll find anywhere comfortable to sleep tonight."
"No, really?" said Melody sarcastically. "I'm actually fine with sleeping out in the cold wet rain. Just like the ocean, except colder and less salty and much more miserable. Couldn't be happier with it!"
Lara scowled, looking back over her shoulder. "How was I supposed to know it would rain?"
"I don't know! Fly up and take a look! Or ask Kodama to send a little sunshine our way perhaps?"
"Oh, sure! And why don't I ask him to flatten out the earth while I'm at it?"
"Wait…could he do that?"
Lara sighed. "Probably. But he wouldn't. Same as he wouldn't change the weather for us."
"You still could've asked," Melody grumbled, right as she took a step into a deep muddy puddle, sinking up past her ankle. She quickly leapt back, only to tread on her cloak and fall backwards into a bush.
"You alright?" asked Lara as she pulled Melody out.
"No, Lara!" Melody snapped, causing Lara to flinch back. "I'm not alright! I'm cold! I'm wet! I'm tired! I'm hungry! I'm scared! My home's gone! My family's imprisoned who-knows-where! My friends are either dead or imprisoned, too! Your stupid wolf-elk-Eternal buddy is barely any help at all! My mom's a freaking teenage mermaid!"
"Language!" said Ariel.
"I didn't say it!"
"But you meant it!"
"So no, Lara, I'm not alright!" Melody shouted. "Not in the slightest!"
Melody gave a frustrated yell and kicked at the bush she fell into, only to slip on the mud and fall flat on her back. She started to get up, but then she lay back, her fury giving way to sadness and despair. She put an arm over her eyes, not wanting her mother or Lara to see her cry. Lara watched her for a moment, then knelt and gently helped Melody back onto her feet.
"I know you're not alright, Mel," said Lara.
"None of us are," said Ariel. "And I'm as disappointed about Kodama as you are. But at least he's keeping everyone safe, and he gave us somewhere to start. And we still have each other."
Melody wiped her face, looking up at Ariel. "Is that enough?"
Ariel started to answer, but then paused. "It has to be."
A bolt of lightning flashed overhead, momentarily illuminating the forest. Melody shrieked and grabbed onto Lara as the thunder cracked and rolled, shaking the air.
"Just a bit more," said Lara. "I promise. Soonest covered spot we find, we'll stop there for the night."
With that the trio and their steed continued their muddy trek through the forest.
None of the group noticed a crow perched in a branch above them. It was almost invisible in the night, its feathers blending into the dim. It watched them continue miserably through the storm.
The crow, however, was dead.
Not freshly dead, either. The crow was dead for a great while. Its eye sockets were empty, yet the pinpricks of light within them saw well as any eye could. Patches of ribcage were visible, and its legs were bare bones. Its feathers were rough and missing in patches, leaving only the bare minimum required for flight. The bones of its neck moved without muscle or tendon. It spread its wings and took off, flying up above the forest and off through the storm.
Several miles ahead of the group, there was a castle.
It was a grand thing as far as castles go. Far larger than any palace or castle in the now former Alliance, nestled atop a tall mountain plateau with sheer sides all around. It was a solid half mile from the peak to the valley floor below, a wide river winding its way around both sides as a natural moat. Only an expert climber would dare attempt the cliffs. Other than that, the only way in was the stone bridge that stretched across the chasm. A heavy portcullis guarded the entrance, the steel barrier held up by thick chains. Lion statues stood guard atop it, and gargoyles flanked the sides of the bridge. Their sightless eyes glared forth, large fangs bared in permanent snarls at any brave enough to traverse the span. The plateau's top was nearly a mile in diameter, and the castle made use of every inch of it. The short wall that encircled its perimeter was more for aesthetics than defense. The structure itself drew from multiple architectural styles, including gothic, baroque, and rococo. A forest of tall spires with red shingle roofs rose into the night sky, dozens of windows filled with candlelight when not reflecting the flashes of lightning from the storm. More gargoyles stood watch from the roofs, rain dripping off their bodies. It flooded down the rain gutters in rivers, diverted to run off the plateau in hundreds of small waterfalls.
Despite the countless candles lining the walls and adorning the chandeliers and candelabras of the castle, its interior was dim. The candle flames cast flickering light through the maze of halls, rooms, and stairways. Hundreds of statues stood watch. Some were of great heroes and warriors from ancient legends, their likenesses captured in lifelike detail. Others were of the terrible monsters they fought – hydras, chimeras, drakes, wyverns, basilisks, and other horrors that could not be named. Portraits of knights, nobility, and royalty long gone decorated the walls, their eyes masterfully painted to hold the gaze of whoever looked upon them. There was an ominous, bygone air to everything. Rain tapped against the windows like fingers. Far in the distance, the lights of the nearest town could just barely be seen through the downpour.
A knight dressed in a full suit of armor walked briskly through one of the hallways. His metal was finely polished, yet there was an age to its glimmer that told of many years of service. He clanked heavily with each step. The red feather atop his helm bobbed with his stride, the visor pulled down to fully obscure his face. He carried no sword or shield, nor weapon of any sort. He strode up to a pair of heavy doors and pushed firmly to open them. The knight walked through, entering a massive library. It was over three stories high, and every inch of the walls was lined with books save the twin windows flanking the large fireplace. A roaring fire burned in the hearth, giving warmth the storm would otherwise deny. An enormous portrait of a young king and queen hung above the fireplace. The man stood tall and regal beside his wife, seated elegantly before him with a stack of books at her side.
In front of the fire sat the person the knight was looking for. She was a young woman barely out of her teens. Her hair was dark as ink and incredibly long, spilling onto the floor with a shine like black silk. Her alabaster skin was as pale and flawless as moonlight. Her smooth features were enchantingly beautiful, with well-defined cheekbones, cherry red lips, and almond eyes. Her dainty ears bore a pair of ruby studs, and she wore a simple rose red dress adorned with black lace along the hem of the skirt and across the bodice. An old book lay open on her lap, her eyes glued to the page with eager interest as she read on the rug. She was so engrossed with the story she failed to notice the knight stride over, even with the clatter of his armor.
"Ahem," he said, announcing himself.
The woman made a squeak and jumped, dropping the book. The clatter echoed through the library alongside her voice. "Captain! You scared me!"
"Apologies for disturbing you, milady," said the knight, bowing at the waist.
"No, it's all right," said the woman, collecting the book and standing. "I was so lost in the story I didn't hear you come in. What brings you here?"
"I must speak with you on an immediate matter," said the knight as the woman slipped the book's tassel between the pages, saving her place.
"What is it?" the woman asked, walking over to an armchair and setting the book down in its seat.
"One of the sentries has found three women walking through the forest," said the knight.
The young woman's brow furrowed in confusion and worry. "The forest? Which part?"
"It appears they came from the southwest."
"West-southwest?"
"No, milady. From south-southwest."
The woman's eyes widened. "You mean they came out of the mountain pass?"
"It appears so." The knight folded his arms behind his back. "One of them is on horseback and appears unable to walk. They also appear quite tired. And wet."
The woman rubbed a slender finger along her chin as she walked back to the fire, eyes cast to it in thought. "What on earth are they doing out in the mountains? And in this weather, no less?" She stared at the fire for a long minute, then lifted her face. "How far away are they?"
"At least four miles," said the knight. "What are your orders? Shall we send them away? Or leave them be?"
The woman turned sharply. "Of course we won't leave them be, much less send them away! Especially with this storm bearing down, and at night! It's still another four miles past here to the town! Have Mister Hatchaway fetch them at once. And tell Glenn to prepare three rooms. Oh, and baths as well! I imagine they'll need to warm up."
"As you wish, milady. I'll dispatch him immediately then relay your orders." The knight threw a sharp salute, accidentally knocking his helmet off and sending it bouncing across the floor.
It would have been humorous were it not for the fact that the accidental de-helming revealed the armor to be as empty as a cave. There was no one inside it.
Instead of running screaming in terror as anyone else understandably would, the young woman politely stifled a giggle behind her hand. She pointed to the helm as it rolled to a stop. "Um, Captain? You seem to have lost your head. Again."
The knight reached up and felt for where his head should have been. "Oh! So I have!" He sunk to his knees and began searching, clanking loudly as he felt about. "Cursed thing! Wish I could find a way to make it stay on!"
The woman giggled again and shook her head, an amused smile on her fair lips. She walked over to the helm and picked it up before returning to the knight.
"Here, let me." She took a knee in front of him, reaffixing the helm in its proper place. "There! Good as new!"
The knight rose to his feet, scratching the back of his "head" as his plume drooped in embarrassment. "My apologies, milady. It won't happen again."
The young woman gave him a disbelieving but warm smile, knowing it would likely repeat within the next hour. "I'm sure. Now, don't keep our guests out in this rain any longer than needed! And when they get here, I want everyone on their best behavior!"
"Understood, milady." The knight gave another salute, this time being careful not to dislodge his helm. Instead, his other arm fell off, hitting the floor with a clatter.
"Uh… excuse me." He grabbed his lost arm and clanked towards the door, closing it behind him. The clatter of his suit faded as he walked down the hall.
The young woman chuckled, shaking her head. "Never a dull day in this place," she thought out loud. A smile spread across her features as she looked up at the frescoed ceiling. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." She turned and headed for the door. "Right! I better go make myself presentable."
"Lara, can we please stop now!?" begged Melody, pulling the brim of her hood lower. Instead of diverting the rain away from her face, it caused even more of it to soak through to her hair. "I think it's actually raining harder!"
"I think she's right, Lara," said Ariel, holding out her hand. The rain was falling hard and thick, the trees offering little protection. Tempest knickered and shook, showering rainwater from his mane and tail. "This storm is getting worse."
"I noticed," said Lara. "What I haven't seen, however, is anywhere to set up camp. This whole place is either thorn brambles or mud."
"At this point, I'll take either one," said Melody.
"Evenin', missies."
The man that appeared from behind the tree gave the trio and their steed the spook of their life. He was a short man, though whether that was due to his build or how hunched over he was could be debated. He wore a black cloak with a high collar, protecting his black jacket and pants from the rain. Water beaded off the black top hat on his head as he leaned heavily on a gnarled cane. Long, wispy, unkempt white hair poked out from beneath his hat like blades of dead grass. His face was as gaunt and thin as his bony hands, the skin a pale gray color and eyes tinged yellow with jaundice. There were dark circles around his eyes, and his nostrils were rather upturned. He smiled with thin cracked lips. His face resembled a skull in the eerie light that came from the oversized lantern he carried in his other hand. It looked more like a hatbox than a lantern, the light source inside not clearly visible. The flash of lightning that briefly illuminated him further added to his ominous air.
Tempest whinnied in fright, front feet briefly lifting off the muddy ground as he backed away. Lara instinctively reached for her bokken, taking a stance as Melody hid behind her. None of them heard the man approach, much less saw the light of his lantern. Where did he come from? And how did he sneak up on them so easily?
"Who are you!?" Lara demanded, gripping her bokken hard.
The man smiled wider, revealing a single gold tooth in his otherwise pristine arcades. "No reason to be drawin' weapons now, dearie! I mean ye no harm! Didn't mean to startle anyone, either!"
"Too late for that!" said Lara, not removing her hand from her bokken. "Now who are you!?"
"Victor Hatchaway, at yer service!" The man set his lantern down and swept the hat off his head as he bowed, revealing a large bald spot. Then he straightened up as much as his poor posture allowed, popping the top hat back on his head. "Though, my friends call me Hattie! I'd appreciate it if ye'd do me the honor of callin' me as such!"
Lara narrowed her eyes at the man. "And why are you here, Hattie?"
"Hattie's" smile grew even larger, if such a thing were possible. "I've been sent on behalf of the master of Sängril castle."
"Sang-what?" asked Lara.
Hattie gave an amused chuckle. "Not Sangril. Sängril. Ye put more emphasis on the 'a.'"
Ariel suddenly gasped, clutching at her cloak. "Wait, as in the kingdom of Sängril?"
Hattie nodded to her. "The very same, miss."
Lara glanced briefly at Ariel, not wanting to take her eyes off Hattie any more than needed. "Ariel, you know about this place?"
Hattie's smile turned into a grin. "Ah, so Ariel is her name. Lovely."
Lara scowled at him, angry at herself for letting the name slip out. "Watch it, creep!"
Hattie's grin dimmed. "Creep? I'll admit I don't strike a dashin' figure, but that's a bit much!"
Ariel steadied Tempest as the horse tried to turn around, clearly wanting to get as far away from the man as possible. "Sängril's a kingdom in the White Iron Mountains. It's one of the oldest kingdoms in this part of the west."
"Hold on!" exclaimed Melody. "You mean that Sängril!?"
"How come I've never heard of it?" asked Lara. "Or seen it on your maps?"
"Because it's not a kingdom anymore!" said Melody. "Dad told me about it once! It hasn't had a king much less a ruler in over two hundred years! It's nothing but a den of criminals! A haven for villains and the worst sorts! Lara, we need to go back! We go to Sängril, and we'll be in just as much danger as–!"
Hattie suddenly threw his head back as lightning flashed, letting out a loud laugh that cut through the sound of rain and thunder. Lara found herself instinctively taking a step back from him. "What's so funny?"
"Ha ha ha ha!" Hattie drew a hand over his face and shook his head. His smile was back when he lowered his hand. "The little lady's only half-right. Sängril was a nest for the worst sorts. But there haven't been any rough types here for the past two years now. Not since the countess took over."
Ariel gasped again. "You mean there's a new ruler in Sängril?"
Hattie nodded. "Aye. She's the one who sent me to collect ye. She's invited ye all to take shelter from the storm in her castle."
Lara's scowl deepened. "How did she know we were here?"
"Oh, milady has her ways. None malicious, though, I assure ye!"
"And we're just supposed to trust you on that and go with you?" asked Lara.
Hattie smirked again, a gleam coming to his eyes. "Missy, if milady wished ye any harm, I promise she would've sent far, far worse than me to greet ye. Be glad it's me and not Sir Hessian. He's rather infamous for losin' his head when it comes to 'intruders.'"
Melody, Ariel, and Tempest gulped as Hattie chuckled. Somehow, they got the sense he was not joking. The flash of lightning that came after he spoke added to the man's spooky air.
Hattie picked up his lantern and began hobbling away. "Come along then! We've still got a good walk before we reach the castle! And I don't fancy bein' out in this rain any more than ye do!"
Melody stepped up to Lara, grasping her shoulders. "What do we do, Lara?"
Lara watched as the man kept walking away. She did not trust him one bit. He gave her the creeps. And yet, there was something familiar about him. Not the man, per se, but his presence. Lara was sure she felt this once before. But where? Where had she been exposed to this sensation? And why was her gut telling her to follow him?
She released her bokken as she straightened up, though she did not let down her guard. "I guess we follow him. He's right. If this countess of Sängril wanted to hurt us, she wouldn't have bothered sending an invitation."
"Lara, is that wise?" asked Ariel. "He could be leading us into a trap."
"Honestly, not really," said Lara. She started after Hattie. "But it's that or stay out in this storm with whatever else lives in this forest."
As if on cue, a lone howl sounded in the night, making the hair on everyone's necks stand up. Tempest's nostrils flared, sniffing for any scent of danger.
"Emphasis on the whatever else," said Lara. "Come on. Just be ready to run if I say so. Besides, I'm interested in finding out who this master of his is."
Melody quickly followed after Lara. Ariel gave a sharp click-click with her tongue to urge Tempest after them. The group followed their weird guide, his lantern guiding them through the forest. With his back turned to them, none of the group saw him smile in the light of his lantern. Then he closed his eyes, and his face suddenly disappeared off his head. Then it reappeared inside the large lantern, the light barely flickering as the glow from his eyes continued to light the way.
The woman watched from a high window as Hattie led the women and their horse across the bridge to the castle. She could not make out any of their features from up here, or through the rain. It really was quite the storm.
The knight clanked as he approached her, stopping to salute. He knocked his helm a little too hard, causing it to rock backwards till he snatched it. "Mister Hatchaway has returned with your guests, milady."
"I saw." The woman turned and began walking down the hall. "Have Glenn fetch blankets and tell the kitchen to prepare tea and food. I'll greet them myself."
Despite their trepidation as they followed Hattie out of the woods, the three women could not suppress their astonishment as they beheld the castle and the land it was built upon. The structure was enormous, rising out of the night like a mountain. The portcullis rattled as it lifted, allowing them entry to the bridge. The eyes of the gargoyles seemed to follow them as they walked along it. They almost swore the statues were turning their heads to watch them. Melody stayed close to Lara, clinging to her cloak.
"Welcome to Sängril, ladies," said Hattie as they left the bridge and entered the bailey. They trudged across the cobblestones to a pair of heavy wooden doors. A particularly large gargoyle stood over the top, wings spread with front claws outstretched and fanged mouth gaping as if ready to attack any would-be trespasser.
"Yeah…really welcoming," whispered Melody as she looked up at the gargoyle.
Hattie chuckled. "Don't be too put off by the decorations, miss. They've been here longer than most of the trees in the forest."
He went up to the doors and knocked twice. There was the sound of something moving, and then one of the doors swung open. Hattie stepped back, holding his lantern aloft. "In ye go. Lest ye fancy spendin' the night out here. I'll see to yer horse."
Tempest whinnied in fright, backing away from Hattie as he approached. Lara took his reins, keeping him from retreating any further. "Easy! Easy, Tempest! Calm down!"
Tempest shook his head, indicating he would not do anything of the sort around the ominous hunched-over man.
"Look, I don't trust him completely either," said Lara. "But it's this place, or we rough it out in the forest. Which one do you want to do?"
Tempest looked back to the forest. Then he gave a reluctant but resigned nicker and stopped his struggling.
"Good boy." Lara went to help Ariel off Tempest, carrying her bridal style in her arms as Hattie took the reins. "Anything happens to this horse, and I'll return it tenfold."
Hattie set his lantern down and swept his hat off his head again, placing it over his heart. "I'll see to him as if he were my own child, miss. Ye have my word on that."
Lara stared at him a moment, and then looked to the castle door. "Well, I guess we go in."
Melody moved close to Lara, taking hold of her shoulder as Tempest hesitantly followed Hattie to the stables. "Lara, I don't like this. I really don't!"
"Same here," said Ariel. "This place gives me the creeps."
"I know," said Lara. "And this place is creepy. But…"
"But what?" asked Melody.
Lara shook her head. "I don't know. I'm not getting the sense we're in danger. It's just a gut feeling, but that's what it's telling me." She shifted Ariel in her arms and started towards the door. "Enough standing around. Let's get out of this rain."
The three passed through the door and entered a large main foyer. The inside was surprisingly warm and inviting compared to the outside. The walls were painted white, and the floors were polished marble. A large red carpet led to a fanned staircase rising to the second floor where it split off in two directions. A tall, latticed window at the landing allowed flashes of lightning to fall down the stairs. A pair of white winged lion statues flanked the stairway, their backs connected to the intricate railings. Scarce candles were lit, casting a dim if warm light and many shadows throughout the vast room. The ceiling was a full four floors above them. They saw balconies to the other floors, large statues placed on platforms as if standing watch.
"Whoa," said Ariel with awe.
"Yeah," agreed Melody as she looked around. "Whoa."
"I thought you said this place was a dump," said Lara as she shook her hood off her head.
"I thought it was," said Ariel. "This isn't anything like what I imagined."
"Whoever this new ruler is, they sure spruced up the place," said Melody.
"Thank you."
The trio turned sharply to the second-floor balcony to their left. They saw the shadowed figure of a woman walk behind a column, her footsteps now echoing through the foyer.
"I made great efforts to restore this castle to its former glory," said the woman. "Not an easy feat, I assure you. It was truly a mess when I arrived. Courtesy of its previous tenants."
Lara narrowed her eyes at the woman as she appeared again. Even with her superhuman eyesight, she was having trouble making out any details about her. "Who are you?"
Melody moved closer to Lara, grasping her cloak. "Are you the master of this place?"
"I am," said the woman as she kept walking. "That, and the ruler of this kingdom. Welcome to Sängril, and my home."
"How did you find us out in that forest?" asked Lara sternly. "And why did you invite us here?"
"I have my ways," said the woman as she came to a stop at the top of the stairway, keeping herself hidden in the shadow of a column. "As for my invitation, what kind of person would I be to let three women wander around the wilds in the middle of the night? And in this rain, no less?"
"I don't know," said Lara. "You tell us."
"Rest assured, I mean you absolutely no harm. Consider yourself my honored guests." Though none of them could see her eyes, the three could tell the woman's gaze was on Ariel. "Are you all right, dear? Have you been injured?"
"I'm fine," said Ariel nervously. "I just…can't walk is all."
"Oh, you poor thing!" said the woman. She sounded genuinely concerned. "I'll see to it we have a wheelchair brought for you at once! I'm sure there's one somewhere around here!"
Lara narrowed her eyes at the woman. "This might sound weird, but…have we met before?"
The woman shifted. "This may sound just as strange, but I was wondering the same thing. Something about your voice is familiar. And your eyes…would you mind stepping a little further into the light?"
Lara took a slow step forward into a patch of candlelight, further illuminating her face. The woman suddenly let out a loud gasp, the sound echoing through the cavernous foyer. "No! It can't…Lara? Lara, is that you!?"
Lara stiffened as the woman emerged from the shadows, the candlelight illuminating her in full. She wore a blood red off the shoulder gown with black spider web embroidery around the hem and bodice. Her long black hair was tied back by a red bow, falling nearly to the floor in a glossy jet waterfall. She was also strikingly beautiful. Her frame was petite despite her generous bosom, and her features were as fair as the full moon. Her skin was pale and flawless as porcelain, which contrasted sharply with her red lips.
Lara gaped at her. "Mina!?"
Ariel and Melody both looked at Lara. "Mina!?"
Mina's face broke into a wide smile. She hitched her skirt and all but flew down the stairs, hair trailing out behind her. "It is you! It's really you!"
Ariel looked up at Lara. "Lara, do you know–oof!"
Lara all but dumped Ariel into Melody's arms and ran straight towards the Mina. The two met at the bottom of the stairs with Mina literally leaping into Lara's arms. Lara caught her in a hug, spinning her around. Both of them laughed and smiled broadly, their embrace tightening as Lara set Mina down. She was almost as tall as Lara as well, standing slightly on her toes to reveal black kitten heels as she kept hugging her.
"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Lara. "What are you doing here!?"
"I'd ask you the same thing, but I'm just so happy to see you again! What's it been, three years now!?" asked Mina.
"More!" Lara broke the embrace, stepping back to look Mina over. "Look at you! You can't be the same scrawny, rag-covered urchin I chased halfway to the Dragon's Teeth! You look like a queen!"
Mina's smile widened. She twirled in place, letting the edge of her skirt flare out. "Close! I'm a countess now!"
"A countess!? Well…!" Lara stepped back and gave a deeply overdone bow to her. "A pleasure to be in your presence again, milady!"
Mina laughed, giving Lara a light swat on the head. "And you said you bow to no one!"
Lara grinned as she stood up. "I've learned to make an exception for very old friends!"
"Friends!?" exclaimed Ariel and Melody.
Mina gasped in mock surprise, pressing a hand to her chest. "To think you would grant me such an honor!" She hugged Lara again. "It's so good to see you!"
Lara hugged her back. "Ditto!"
"Uh, Lara?" said Melody. Lara looked back to Ariel and Melody, both of their faces brimming with confusion at what they just witnessed. "What's going on?"
"Oh, right! Sorry." Lara cleared her throat before stepping back. "Ariel, Melody, may I present to you Ca–I mean, Countess Caramina Iliona Calavera! My first and oldest friend!"
"Just Mina is fine." The young woman turned to them and curtsied politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Welcome again to the kingdom of Sängril, and my home."
"Wait, I'm still confused. You two know each other?" asked Ariel.
Lara grinned. "Yup."
Ariel and Melody both blinked at her. "How?"
At that moment they were interrupted by a knight in a suit of armor that came clanking down the stairs, stopping at the top of the landing.
"The tea is ready in the reading room, milady," he said, his arm starting to lift to salute.
Mina knew what was coming next. "Captain, wait!"
Too late. The knight saluted and sent his helm flying away crying, "Oh, not agaaaaaiiiin!"
The helm hit the window and bounced back, rolling down the stairs with a loud clatter before coming to a stop at Lara and Mina's feet. For a long second everyone stared at the helm. Then the rest of the armor started walking down the stairs, only to miss a step and come tumbling down to land in a heap beside the helm. He grabbed the missing piece and reaffixed it to his body.
"Apologies, milady," said the armor.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Ariel and Melody screamed as the armor stood up.
"It's empty!" shrieked Ariel.
Mina pinched her brow and shook her head as Lara doubled over laughing. "Ha ha ha! Talk about losing your head!"
Melody backed away towards the door with Ariel but screamed when she bumped into something.
"Welcome to Sängril, ladies."
Melody spun around to find herself and Ariel face to face with a butler. He was dressed in an immaculate black coat complete with frilled cuffs and an impeccably arranged neckerchief, black pants, and black leather shoes so finely polished she could see her reflection in them. In one arm he carried three thick blankets while the other was employed holding a candelabra. He could give the late Grimsby a run for his money in a contest for best dressed.
Which would have been interesting to see if not for the fact the butler had no hair. Or nose. Or ears. Or lips. Or skin for that matter. In fact, the only thing he had were bleached white bones. There was not a speck of flesh to be seen on him. His eye sockets were filled with shadow, a pair of pinprick white lights glimmering amidst the black.
He was a walking, talking, living skeleton.
"Can I offer you a blanket?" he said, offering a blanket on his arm.
"AAAAAAAH!" Melody and Ariel screamed again at the top of their lungs. Melody scrambled backwards and tripped, she and Ariel falling to the floor. They clung to each other in terror as they beheld the skeleton.
"Really now!" said the skeleton. "There's no need for that ruckus!"
Mina's eyes widened when she saw the ends of Ariel's fins poke out under her skirt. "Wait, is she a mermaid!?"
Lara's eyes widened as she beheld the skeleton. "Is that a skeleton!? Where'd you find that thing!?"
"Thing!?" The skeleton straightened up, chest puffed out with flustered offense. "I have a name, young miss!"
"That's Glenn," said Mina. "He's my butler. The armor is Captain."
"Captain what?"
"Just Captain."
"Ah."
At that moment a dog's barking came from upstairs. "You have a dog, too?" asked Lara.
"Not exactly." Mina turned to the stairs and whistled. "Lobos! Come down and say hello!"
Moments later a complete, large, highly animated, and very dead wolf skeleton came charging down the stairway, skidding to a stop in front of Mina. A ghostly green aura surrounded it, forming the outline of a wolf. Its eye sockets were just as dark as Glenn's, the same white points of light granting it sight. It was twice the size of even the largest dire wolf, its shoulder almost level with Lara's own. It ran around Mina before heeling at her side, looking at her expectantly as it "panted." She scratched the top of its skull with her nails, making hollow rasping sounds against the empty bone.
Lara walked around the giant animal skeleton, her expression awe rather than horror. "Is this…no! Don't tell me this is a real lycanthrope!?"
Mina nodded. "Yes indeed! Another companion I acquired on my way here!" The skeletal canine leaned into her caress, bone tail wagging happily as one of its hind legs started pawing reflexively.
Melody jumped to her feet and started pulling her mother towards the door, giving Glenn a wide berth. "Lara, help me!"
Lara turned raised an eyebrow at her. "Why?"
"Why? Why!? This place is haunted, that's why! We have to get out of here!"
Lara laughed. "Haunted? Pfft! No, it's not!" She turned to Mina. "Is it?"
Mina gave a "so-so" motion with her hand. "Less so than before I came here."
"How is it anything but haunted!?" exclaimed Melody. "The armor's empty! The butler is a skeleton! And that 'dog' is… look at it!"
Lara made no motion to help Melody. She looked to Mina. "You want me to tell them?"
"By all means," said Mina. Lobos suddenly noticed Captain standing by his master. It leapt up and snatched his helm off his shoulders before running away. The knight gave chase, pleading for the return of his head as he ran in the complete opposite direction before turning and going the right way.
"Tell us what?" asked Ariel, backing away over the floor as the butler offered her a literal bony hand.
"This place isn't haunted," said Lara. "This is Mina's magic."
There was a crash, followed by the giant wolf skeleton running back into the room with one of Captain's legs in its jaws. Ariel flinched as the undead wolf approached her and deposited the leg in front of her as the hapless Captain hopped back into the hall on his remaining leg, his helm back on his shoulders.
"Bad dog!" yelled Captain as he tried to hop his way over. "Very bad–whoa!" He lost his balance and fell flat on the floor, sending pieces of armor rolling everywhere. One of the pieces rolled into Ariel. "Apologies again, miss!"
"Please pull yourself together, Captain," said Glenn. "You're embarrassing yourself in front of our guests."
"Mina's magic?" asked Ariel, as terrified as she was confused as Captain's pieces began rolling back together.
Mina snapped her fingers. The wolf dropped the leg, which pushed itself upright and began hopping back to the rest of the body. "Just one of my many talents."
"Many? How many more do you have now?" asked Lara.
Mina looked to the ceiling pensively. "Let's see. It's at least–."
"Just tell us what is going on here!" shouted Melody. "Please!"
"All right, all right! Just settle down!" said Lara. She walked over to Mina's side, clapping a hand on her bare shoulder. "For starters, Mina's a vampire."
Melody and Ariel stared at her. "A what?"
As though to prove her claim, Mina gave a toothy smile. Ariel and Melody could make out four long sharp canines amidst her pearly white teeth. That, and they realized her eyes were a vivid shade of crimson.
Melody and Ariel kept staring. Then both promptly fainted and slumped to the floor.
"Oh my!" exclaimed Glenn, setting down the candelabra and hurrying over to the royals, fanning them with a hand.
Mina looked at Lara, who simply shrugged. "It's been a long day."
The countess looked back to the unconscious royals. "Honestly, they handled that better than most people do."
A/N: A chance encounter in the most unlikely of places has reunited Lara with a familiar face. In a world where friends are now scarce, one more is a welcome boon. But what manner of enchantment has Countess Mina cast over this place? How did she come to be here? And what is hers and Lara's history?
A short chapter this time, but one I've very much been looking forward to! Getting back into the writing swing again, so hopefully you won't have to wait so long for the next one! Until next time!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own "The Little Mermaid," Disney, or any of its associated characters and intellectual property. Everything else, however, is mine =)
