Hi, my dear readers,
Thank you so much for the feedback!
I know, everyone wants to know what comes next, and so I don't make any long words in advance but release you to Surrey.
Have fun and – a little warning – there will be a mean cliffhanger at the end.
Yours
Starflight / Lywhn
Chapter 74 – Courage and Malice
There was a pause as everyone became aware of what happened: Ashford had grabbed Wendy and was ready to kill her! Mary gasped in terror, gathered her skirts and ran towards the staircase, while the pirates raised their cutlasses and cocked their pistols and rifles, shouting sailors' curses. Nissa and Bumblyn closed in on the stair as well, while many of the pixies turned toward the viscount. Peter, who had drawn his knife, was about to jump at him, but Ashford saw the movement and pressed the sharp blade closer against Wendy's throat. "Stay where you are, boy, or I cut her throat!" He backed up the stair, dragging Wendy with him; keeping her in front of him.
"Let her go!" Peter snarled furiously.
"Ashford! For God's sake, get off my daughter!" George shouted in fear and anger, clutching his wife.
"You craven coward!" Kempton shouted; one arm around a horrified Victoria. The beast in her arms hissed at the tension in the air. Two thin rings of smoke came from his tiny nostrils, as if preparing for action, feeling the danger around him
"Dalton! Have you lost your mind?" Vicky demanded; heart beating wildly as she held the dragonling.
"This is England's young nobility? Shame on you!" Cora spat; her eyes flashed exactly like Peter's.
Dalton ignored their outburst. His watched Hook, who slowly straightened to his full height, terrified for Wendy's safety. Seeing her in the grip of someone obviously insane turned his blood to ice, but he wouldn't show it. Not now. He understood the madness he saw in the viscount. It was the same madness he had known five years ago. His ever-so-blue eyes were hard as granite, his voice a dangerous growl, but he remained completely under control, as he taunted: "Can't handle a proper fight, Viscount?"
"Don't you and your gang of cutthroats fight like this?" Dalton sneered. "And why should I agree to a 'proper fight', Shalford? This is my home and you are the invader ="
"Wrong, Ashford!" Hook interrupted. "This is my family home! We built it! Your ancestors lied and stole it from us! Yet I offered you a fair fight, unlike what your ancestor did. But you're cut from the same cowardly cloth -
"I don't care what a despicable, thieving cripple says!" Ashford snarled. "Throw down your weapons – all of you!" he demanded. "Or this ungrateful little bitch won't see tomorrow!"
The 'ungrateful little bitch' was collecting her thoughts, willing her heart to quit pounding; unwilling to allow her captor to manipulate her friends and family. She brough her elbow back, hard, then threw her head back. But Dalton had anticipated this move, so she only hit his jaw. "One more move like that, my 'darling,' will be your last," he hissed. That elbow had hurt, but he hardly noticed it. Taking this action as his last chance, he concentrated on the others.
Hook and Peter had moved closer, but Ashford was wary. "Throw down your weapons – all of you! I won't say it again!" he demanded, now drawing blood at Wendy's throat.
Hook's innards felt gripped by a fist, while an unwelcome memory arose: That moment five years before when he had his claw at her throat. He had been as ruthless as the viscount was now, and James felt sick at the memory. And seeing Wendy in the grip of such a man as he had been made his heart nearly stop. "Let her go, Ashford!" His voice had taken on a note of pleading.
"WEAPONS DOWN!" Dalton screamed. "THROW THEM ASIDE! NOW! Or, God help me, I WILL kill her!"
"An' lose all yer bargainin' power?" Smee demanded, vying for time.
"You might have me then, but it won't bring her back!" Ashford replied.
Scant seconds passed as two rivals glared at each other, then Hook opened his mouth. "Do what he says!" he ordered. He looked at Peter. "You too, Pan. He has no principles left; you of all people should know that." Peter glared daggers at Ashford, then placed his knife by his feet; around him the pirates threw down their weapons.
"What do you want?" Hook asked flatly. "What now?"
Ashford bared his teeth in a false smile. "Get my motorcar ready." He looked at George. "And get me all documentation about my businesses. And I want them here in one hour."
George balked in disbelief. "I would need two hours to reach home and then the same to return. How do you hope me to accomplish that?"
"I DON'T CARE!" the viscount screamed.
"Dalton, use some sense!" Vicky pleaded.
It was clear he didn't hear her. He retreated, dragging Wendy with him. She clung to the arm with the dagger, which didn't lessen the pressure of the blade. "One hour, not a minute more!" His eyes went to Peter, then he addressed George again. "Ask your damn changeling to fly to your house for you!"
"It took us two hours to reach the manor by flying!" Nibs said desperately.
"ONE HOUR!" Dalton shouted. He finally reached the upper landing; the others followed at a distance. He retreated to the guest wing and stopped by the door that had been Wendy's room. "Try and trick me and she'll pay for it!" He dragged the girl backward into the room and quickly locked the door.
With angry shouts, a few pirates wanted to break in, but Hook stopped them. "No, men. He would kill her."
* PP *
With the clustering in the hallway, no one took notice of Victoria setting down the dragonling and running to Dalton's study. Her first impulse was to call the police, but she knew that this was only the last resort. Someone else had to talk some sanity into Dalton. Lifting the receiver, she demanded breathlessly: "This is Victoria Ashford from Ashford Manor. Please connect me to Earl Marlow Ashford, Devonshire, Dartmouth. Quick! This is an emergency!"
She had to wait, it seemed for an hour, biting her lip and pacing as far as the cord would reach, but it was only a minute or so. With agitated nerves, she listened with one ear to the shouts from the upstairs. Finally the voice of her uncle's butler answered. "Timothy, this is Victoria. Get Uncle Marlow the phone at once! Now! There's a horrible emergency at the manor. It's about Dalton!" She knew that if something was wrong at the manor or with Dalton, it might rouse the old fuddy duddy from his bed or couch. And one or two minutes later, her uncle's cool, pinched voice came over the line.
"Victoria? Timothy said there is an emergency at the manor?"
She took a deep breath, having composed her story earlier. "Uncle Marlow, I know it sounds unbelievable, but … Dalton has lost his mind. He set his cap for my friend Wendy, but found out she is engaged to someone else. He … he has come completely unhinged. He hired a few evil men and kidnapped her groom this evening. We followed them. I tried to talk sense into him but he he's taken Wendy hostage and now he's threatening to kill her!"
"What?" For once the earl sounded truly shocked. And interested.
"It's true. He has locked himself with her in one of the guestrooms and is threatening to kill her if …" Something in the above level seemed to explode suddenly. Then new shouts came to her, Hook's louder than all others.
"What's going on there, Victoria?" Marlow Ashford demanded; his tone rising in alarm.
Vicky opened her mouth to answer, but her blood ran cold as she heard a loud scream from above, and something fell outside, the sound audible to her uncle and he gasped, "What in blazes is going on there?!"
* PP *
Angrily, Hook's crew had gathered around their captain, glaring at the closed door. They could be through there in moments, but Hook wouldn't allow it. George and Mary pushed through the crowd of buccaneers, terrified, but George's eyes also held fury and determination. "What now?" he demanded of James. The pirate's bag of tricks seemed very deep. He had to have a plan already, didn't he?
James ground his teeth. He hated enforced obedience and helplessness! Exactly the situation he found himself in now. "If we use force, he would kill Wendy, I have no doubt," he murmured.
"But I can't get to London and back here again in one hour," George cried hoarsely. "It's impossible!" He tried not to listen to Mary's soft sob.
Nissa and Bumblyn slipped through the many legs to glanced up at Hook. They were angry and frightened. James looked down at them. "Nissa, might you have tunneled into this room?" he asked hopefully. She only sadly shook her head. He sighed. "That would have been too easy."
The voices behind the locked door grew louder and angrier. Then viscount shouted: "Whore!" Wendy yelped, there were shouts and the girl screamed: "Get off me, you useless bit of fluff!" Hook assumed – knew! – what was going on behind this door and throwing his own orders and any caution to the wind, he jammed shoulder and then his claw into the thick door. "Ashford!" he shouted eyes growing red. "Leave her alone, or – by all holy beings of the world – I'll gut you from head to toe and make you eat them!"
Again they heard Wendy scream but they still heard him shouting something about 'a real man between your legs.'
Peter growled deeply in his throat. He didn't – couldn't – know what was going on, but he knew that Wendy need help – now! He turned and pushed through the group at the door. The older boys, aware of the threat now, were ash grey and horrified. "What will you do?" Slightly called; fearing for Wendy.
"Just watch," Peter replied, dashing down the stair, retrieving his knife on the way. Archie stood paralyzed, holding the dragonling in his arms, Olivia soothing it absently. Both seemed at loss. 'How typical!' he thought dismally. Peter didn't stop but called, "Hey, Professor, lady, hide the babe away somewhere 'til the coast is clear." He looked up at Cadan and the other pixies. "Help those two to keep that beastie calm," he ordered, then saw Mason. Alf had tied up Lunette, who lay in a puddle of water, shards and flowers. He stood; Skylights and Cookson had bound and gagged Wickham whose shoulder was still bleeding. "Guard those two," Peter instructed and dashed towards the entrance door; like a little golden comet Tink followed him, her aura a definite angry color. The star fairy knew exactly what was going on in the room Ashford had locked himself in together with Wendy, and she hoped that Peter really had some idea what to do …
* PP *
After Dalton had locked the door, he shoved Wendy away from him and onto the bed beside the open and half packed suitcase. "Stay there!" he ordered sharply.
She ignored him and felt for her throat; her fingers came away bloody. "You almost cut my throat, you miserable silkie!" she snarled; eyes flashing.
"I still might, Darling, I know you're used to such abuse from your pirate," he taunted, while combing his tousled hair back with his fingers. "Wasn't it 'dear James', who pressed his hook to your throat and even made you walk the plank?"
"That was nothing like this, you foul imitation of a man! James never intended letting me die, he was only luring Peter into the open," Wendy snapped. She was afraid of this man, true. The situation was far worse than those minutes on the Jolly Roger, but she refused to show Dalton her fear. So she got to her feet and planted herself in front of the viscount, hands on her hips.
"And yet he threatened you," Dalton replied, then added with a sneer: "Let me guess, that even attracted and aroused you." He caught her hand midair. "Don't you dare to slap me!" he snapped and squeezed her wrist harshly, the one already bruised. But she refused to cry out. There was pain in her eyes, but also deep loathing.
"You're only strong when your opponent is outnumbered, or weaker than you," Wendy scowled. "You're too little of a man to face a fair fight."
"At least I'm not a cripple like -"
"James might have lost a hand, but he is more a man than you will ever be!" Her anger flared; her eyes blazed. "He is no gutless, spoiled boy who is so full of himself that he is unable to accept defeat. Have you ever shown true tenderness and put a woman's needs or pleasures above your own? But James does, because he is not selfish!"
Dalton stared at her. 'She didn't mean what he thought she meant, did she?' He narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you gave yourself to that gimp!" The grip around her wrist tightened. "Don't tell me you and your pirate were rolling between the sheets while my men and I were on that damn island trying to save you!"
"I didn't need to be 'saved,' Dalton," Wendy repeated between clenched teeth, "which I've told you before. And, yes, I gave myself to him before you could think of nothing better to do than attack a village full of peaceful people, kidnap me and set the ship afire; before you and your henchmen killed dozens of Little People and kidnapped a child!"
Something seemed to snap in him. Gripping her shoulders harshly, he growled. "It … it can't be true! You didn't …"
"I did! We did! James and I are one!" Wendy threw back, struggling to free her wrist, definite satisfaction on her face. "Time to accept it, Dalton! I will never be yours! I always have and always will belong to James. I loved him when I was still little and -"
Wendy never saw it coming. He let her go and backhanded her hard enough to send her flying. This time she did cry out, but his cry was louder: "WHORE!" The girl landed in a heap on the bed and when she turned around, Dalton was already on her. "You stupid, ungrateful bitch," he raged, forcing her hands over her head. "I was ready to marry you, to give you a name and a title, but you want a crippled criminal. You even spread your legs for him! You flighty bitch! I'll show you what it means to reject me!" he snarled, ignoring the hammering on the door. Dalton only laughed darkly and ripped Wendy's shirt open. He paused when he saw the two necklaces – an acorn, a ring … a large ornate gold ring with a red gem. He knew where it came from.
"You wear his ring?" he gasped. But before Wendy could answer, he ripped the necklace from her neck and threw it across the room. She screamed in fury, fighting off the fear, while he painfully clutched her tender breast. She raised up and tried to bite him, but he avoided her attack and slapped her again. "Be grateful you'll know a real man between your legs before you die!" he yelled.
Wendy felt nausea in her terror, but continued fighting. She couldn't allow this swine to steal what belonged to her one true love. She heard the adults shouting and the pounding against the door, which seemed to energize him. Ashford yanked down her leggings. The girl fought with all her might. She screamed in despair as he forced himself between her knees and -
Behind them the window exploded in a thousand splinters.
Before Dalton could rise, he was beaten to the floor, with a fiercely engaged Peter Pan on top of him. "Leave her alone, you bloody cretin!" the boy yelled. He didn't fully know what Ashford had intended to do to Wendy, but it must have been horrible: Hook was frantic and the girl had screamed in panic! His arm now bled from a cut through his jacket and shirt from the smashed window, his young fist collided hard with the man's jaw, then he raised his knife for the killing blow.
Dalton was able to block it; his speed fueled by his insanity. Ashford struck back, hurling Peter aside and grabbing the boy's right wrist. In one movement, he was straddled above the youth, holding his weapon hand down, his free hand around Peter's throat. "I'll squeeze the life out of you, you cursed Fae spawn!" he spat; ignoring the star fairy pulling hard at his locks, biting his ears.
Wendy, stunned by Peter's sudden arrival, leapt off the bed to get help. Pulling up her leggings, she stumbled to the door, unlocked it and dragged it open. She came face to face with a wrathful James Hook. "James!" She threw himself into his arms, which were instantly wrapped around her.
Relief washed through Hook's whole being. "Wendy! Are you all right?" he asked hoarsely.
"Wendy, may God have mercy!" George gasped, seeing her bruises and the condition of her clothes.
Then Mary and John were there, but Wendy clung to the pirate, buried her face at his throat; then she pointed toward the room. "P-Peter … !" she stammered.
All then saw Ashford straddling and throttling Peter, whose face was turning blue, despite Tink's attempts to distract the viscount. That was the last straw for James. "HANDS OFF MY SON!" he roared, striding into the room. The viscount looked up and wrenched the knife from Peter's hand, to no avail. Hook was above him, hauling him off the boy with his hook in the man's jacket – not caring that he wounded the viscount. Ashford screeched in pain, music to Hook's ears. This godawful bastard tried to rape Wendy and choke Peter! There would be no mercy!
Dalton raised Peter's knife to strike, but James used his fist, hitting the younger man hard enough to knock him backward. Stumbling, Ashford fell against the broken window. For a moment, he swayed, then a bright red Tinker Bell was there, and bashed him against his forehead. His eyes widened in shock and horror at the miniscule attacker, then he fell backward, tumbling over the sill; taking with him the last shards of glass in the lower frame. They heard him cry out, then silence.
Breathing fire through bared teeth, Hook glanced outside. There lay the viscount on the grass – sprawled like a rag doll. James smiled a feral grin, satisfied. "Serves you right!" he growled. Tink jingled, affirming his estimation. Then she returned to Peter, who was sitting up, trying to catch his breath, rubbing his marked throat.
Hook turned to his men. "Smee, Jukes, Herb, go check on that young pile of offal. Should he still be alive, bind him and and take him into the dungeon with that witch and those criminals he hired!" Seeing Wendy comforted by her parents, he went to Peter, kneeling beside him. Wrapping his right arm around the young shoulders, he softly touched the boy's throat; examining it. There would be ugly bruises soon. "Are you well?" he asked.
Peter carefully rubbed his throat. Every breath hurt. "Never better," he rasped. Tink sighed, shaking her little head.
Nibs, Curly and Slightly ran to him. "Peter, are you hurt?" Slightly asked, taking the boy's hand; the other two knelt beside him.
The other pirates threw a glance into the room, wincing here and there in sympathy as they saw what had happened. They had all come to respect the Pan, and seeing him suffer did not go well with them. And concerning their Miss Wendy … well, one look at the young woman, fighting back tears, holding her torn shirt together over her breasts, made them all wish to throttle the viscount. In the Caribbean – or Neverland – they would have keelhauled him.
Aunt Millicent pushed through the group, and reached out to place a hand on Wendy's shoulder. Still trembling, Mary shrugged out of her coat and helped her daughter put it on. Millicent stroked her niece's disheveled hair, then she saw the man and the four boys in the room. The broken window, the lad rubbing his throat, the appearance of the captain, her weeping niece – oh God, what madness was this!
John felt cold inside. He was still young – not even sixteen – but he understood the violence that had threatened his sister. He swallowed the lump in his throat, feeling Wendy shivering. He didn't even want to think about what might have happened if Peter hadn't dashed through that window! Peter Pan would really stop at nothing to help one of his friends. John saw the four boys in the room and Hook; the latter still torn between fury and worry. Then he looked to his sister and parents, and momentarily closed his eyes; wishing he were home in his bed in Bloomsbury, that all this was only a bad dream. It was at this point, John shook his head, disgusted by his own weakness. He took a deep breath, and determined to be a help to the group and not a little boy anymore.
Wendy's trembling slowed as both her parents and John cradled her in a family hug. She was beginning to feel numb. She had done her best, but it hadn't been enough. If not for Peter, Dalton would have accomplished his perverted intention, and that thought made her sick. But she couldn't remain in her parents' and brother's arms, comforting as that was. Peter had saved her, but Ashford had brutally attacked him. She turned her head to look at her friend, sitting on the floor, held by Hook. Then she saw how his head sank to James' shoulder and he closed his eyes.
Politely but firmly breaking away from her family, Wendy returned to the room. Kneeling between Slightly and Nibs, she met Hook's eyes – full of concern, questions. Hers were troubled, yet she nodded at him – 'I'm all right'. He lifted a brow – 'I think not'. Wendy mouthed a 'later', then reached out and stroked her friend's cheek. "Thank you, Peter," she whispered. "Thank you for rescuing me again." Still swallowing hard, he lifted his head and only nodded, which said a lot. "How bad is it?" she asked; praying that Dalton's cruel assault hadn't damaged Peter's throat.
The Prince of Neverland gave her a forced smile and a wink. "Don't worry about me," he said hoarsely. "You should see the other guy." The others chuckled – typical Peter Pan. "And he took my knife," he added with a frown.
"No fear, lad, I'm sure Smee and the others will find it in the garden," Hook replied.
Cora Bailey now managed to push through the pirates and Darlings. Angry, she went to the little group on the guestroom floor and crouched down at Peter's feet. That boy needed some cheering up, this was clear. "Hey, Great-uncle, remember me?" she asked, laying a hand on his leg. This title had the desired result: the boys snickered, Hook made a face, Wendy giggled and Peter rolled his eyes.
"Stop calling me that. You make me feel so … so old!" He glanced around. "Never you mind, it will take more than that to defeat Peter Pan!"
"Aye, we know," Hook commented wryly. Then he saw the boy's bleeding arm. "Hammer and tongs, boy, why don't you say something?" he snapped while taking Peter's wrist carefully in his hand. The boy winced as James pushed up the sleeve of Peter's jacket and shirt; revealing a short gash.
"Stupid glass!" Peter groused.
"Hmph, flying through a closed window can have consequences," James grumbled. Damn that boy's recklessness!
Mary took out her large linen handkerchief. "Millie, do you have one?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," Millicent replied, and offered her own handkerchief. "But this wound should be cleaned -"
"Got rum wi' me," Mullins added, holding out a small flask. Mary quickly took the little bottle to Hook.
"Typical!" Hook sighed, but took the bottle. "This will hurt," he warned Peter, who only nodded bravely.
"Yes, I know." Yet the boy grimaced as the captain dabbed the cut with the rum. Wendy placed a kiss on his temple. Peter sighed. "Last time your thimble worked better," he growled, but she could tell he was only teasing.
"Not always does a kiss turn into a magical thing," Wendy laughed.
Finally satisfied, Hook gave the empty bottle to Slightly, then bandaged the wound using Millicent's, Cora's, and George's handkerchiefs. "Any other injuries you're hiding?" James asked, and Peter grimaced. He opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by curses outside the window; then Smee's voice shouted: "CAPT'N, SIR, COME T' TH' WINDER!"
"Every time he uses that voice, I know he has unpleasant news," Hook murmured and rose. Glass splinters crunched beneath his boots as he went to the window. "What is it, Smee?" he called.
Down in the gardens stood Smee, Herb and Jukes, the latter carried one of the torches the boys had taken with them. "Capt'n, th' viscount – 'e's gone!"
Hook went rigid. "What?!"
"Ther's blud 'ere, but na track o' th' bloody fop," Bryan answered.
Hook cursed savagely, then: "Get all the men you need and search the estate. He can't be far. I want him bound and locked up in the dungeon!"
At that moment, there were shouts and shrieks from the entrance hall, then two shots and more shouts. Quickly, George Darling and John placed themselves in front of the group of women and boys, and spread their arms to shield them. Nibs, Slightly and Curly leaped up; Peter following, slower than usual.
Then Kailen appeared at the door. "The witch – free she is!"
* PP *
After Peter left the entrance hall, Hutchings figured that it was a good idea to follow the boy's suggestion (order) and hide the dragonling. He looked down at the little miracle in his arms, which had wrapped itself around him, and cleared his throat. "I think we put ye to a place wh're none w'll expect ye."
"Better it would be," Cadan nodded. "Feeling the witch comin' about, I do."
Alarmed, Archie and Olivia glanced at the still unconscious housekeeper, still lying in the puddle of water, shards and fallen flowers. Then the girl pointed toward the kitchen. "Hide him in the pantry. He should be safe there," she whispered.
"Aye, an' yer stores'll be empty arterwards."
Olivia shook her head. "No, certainly not. He is far too small to eat all stored there."
Cadan nodded, watching the nestling, then turned to his warriors. "Two of you: Go with the fair maiden. Watching out for her and the dragonling you must."
Still astonished by the existence of real pixies, Olivia thanked the tiny pranksters and was about to walk to the rear part of the vestibule, as above them the shouts became more frantic. Then something seemed to explode. Shocked the people in the entrance hall looked at each other.
"Shiver me timbers, wha' be th' capt'n doin' up t'ere?" Skylights murmured, nervous, as he and his two comrades checked the charges in their pistols. They heard the tumult upstairs, then Hook's voice booming through the manor: "HANDS OFF MY SON!"
"'Son'?" Mason echoed, confused.
"Pan," Cookson said disgustedly. "I'm sure th' capt'n means tha' li'l troublemaker."
"From 'blasted brat' t' 'son' – wha' a diff'rence," Alf sighed.
A scream came from the outside, then there was silence. Olivia looked shocked. "That … that was the master," she whispered.
"Huh, seems th' capt'n toss'd th' blasted bastard oot th' winda," Skylights snickered.
"Tha's good," Mason nodded approvingly.
Moments later, Smee, Herb and Jukes came thundering down the stair. "Pan came righ' thro' the winda an' attacked tha' bloody villain," Herb told them eagerly.
"Th' damn scoundr'l tried t' rape 'r li'l gel and den thro'tl Pan," Billy added; fury plain visible on his tattooed face, "but th' capt'n paid 'im back."
"Out th' window th' twit flew – like a bird," Smee told them breathlessly. (This running up and down stairs was hard on a man his age.)
"Music t' m' ears," Mason growled.
"'Opefully 'e met 'is Maker," Cookson added, nodding. It was true he and Wendy Darling would never be best friends, but rape was utterly forbidden on their ship. And throttling Pan? No wonder that their captain had gotten so fierce.
"We be off t' find 'im," Herb said and moved toward the door, but Hutchings caught his sleeve.
"Lads, there's a backdoor in th' kitchen. From there, ye'll reach th' terrace an' th' garden quicker."
Jukes and Herb nodded, Smee replied, "Ta!" All three ran to the rear part of the entrance hall and vanished.
Then more of the boys made came in the entrance. "Where was Peter going in such a blazing hurry?" (Michael.) "Who screamed?" (Tootles.) "And what happened? It sounded—" "—like a window breaking." (The Twins.)
And those four weren't alone, accompanied by Aurora, sprinkling gold and pink dust; Canary Robb and lastly Whibbles, who carried the still unconscious form of Einar Anders over his shoulder. The Dane's head banged against the door frame; the pirate looked down in false pity. "Sorry, mate. Didn't see th' door. Y' know, m' right eye gives me pause." Robb, Skylights, Mason and Cookson laughed at their comrade's black joke, as did the boys. Whibbles' right eye didn't make a 'pause,' it was long gone. And that eye-patch gave him an extra 'piratical' appearance.
"Let's be gone, lads, th' capt'n wants 'em all locked downstair," Skylights told him and together they carried the large Scandinavian down to the dungeon.
Hutchings looked at the four boys and the fairy. He took a deep breath. He knew the battle wasn't over. "Y' four should go wi' th' li'l gel," he said and pointed at Olivia. "Ye can 'elp 'er 'ide th' wee thing."
"Oh, how cute!" Michael blurted. The four were seeing the dragonling for the first time, and as one they dashed to Olivia and the newly hatched dragon baby. Aurora as well, giving the nestling a kiss on the scaley cheek.
"His name is Cudrim," Tootles piped up as he remembered the conversation between the two dragons and Hook in Neverland after Peter and the egg had been abducted.
"Cudrim – th' bright," Hutchings translated the old Celtic name. "Fittin'." He looked at Olivia. "Take them with ye, lass. Together ye can protect th' li'l one an' yerself."
"But -" Michael began but Cadan, who warily watched Lunette, interrupted. "About to be waking up she is," he piped. Their minds changed quickly.
The maid whirled and hastened towards the kitchen. "Come with me, we'll hide in the pantry," she whispered. They all heard Smee yelling for Hook outside. The four boys looked at each other and chose to follow the girl along with Aurora, unwilling to face the witch when she woke.
Two of the pixies went with them; Cadan watched Lunette carefully. Then he heard and saw a young human entering the manor; a young man with copper skin and a strong aura. An owl sat on his shoulder. Their eyes met over the distance and Cadan rubbed his upturned nose as he felt the energy radiating off the young man – a warm, wise and bright but also very old and foreign magic.
Moving nearer, Cadan looked at him carefully. He knew that this tall lad was no magical being, but a simple human, yet he was different. "Who be you?" he asked curiously, while avoiding the owl on the boy's shoulder. The bird was teeming with power and the pixie guessed from where this strength came.
"I'm called Dark Owl, student of Great Little Big Panther, shaman and seer of the Neverland tribe," the brave introduced himself. "I greet the warrior of our green brothers. I saw you in a dream – through my brother's eyes." He indicated the owl on his shoulder.
"Ah," was all Cadan could manage. "A human seer with an animal spirit! Not often they walk these woods anymore."
Dark Owl turned towards the remaining men. "The boy with the fire-hair did escape. Hiding somewhere in the darkness, he ran down the stone path through the opening as Iron-Hand's last man entered the large home.
Cookson shrugged. "Let 'im run. I'm sure 'e made a mess in 'is pants."
Cadan smirked, hearing those words, Then he saw how the young human tensed. The boy's attention was fixed on the witch, whose eyes had just snapped open.
"Stay back, warriors of the Hook!" Dark Owl cried out in alarm, while stepping forwards. "The sorceress is waking up!"
The remained pixies squeaked, pointing at the witch, who now moved her head. Seconds later a stream of syllables left Lunette's mouth and, behold, the ropes around her wrists fell off.
Cadan immediately ordered, "Pixies, attack!" As one, the tiny creatures hurled themselves at Lunette, but for naught. A wave of black smoke emanated around her, and this time, none of the pixies was able to break through. Brynna sat up –
- and Hutchings took action. Without thinking, he ran to Cookson, tearing off one of the man's many crucifixes the ship's cook wore around his neck. The pirate yelped, but Archie whirled around, raising the holy symbol. "Brynna Lunette, see th' Lord's sign and bow to it!" he said loudly.
The former nanny turned with a pained snarl: "You poor fool, as if a pendant could stop me!" A dark voice layered with her own, then a black fire burst out of her hands aimed at the scholar.
"DOWN!" Cadan screamed, but it was Cookson who shoved the professor out of the way, dropping as well. That same moment, Dark Owl threw the tomahawk he had retrieved outside. Its blunt side struck Brynna's shoulder – the same one injured by Nissa. Lunette screeched and turned to throw the black flames at the brave when the owl came from above and sank its claws into her head. Shrieking horribly, Lunette tried to bat the bird away; its feathers felt like fire everywhere they touched her.
Skylights and Mason raised their pistols and fired, but the bullets fell to the floor before they reached their target, like the pixies. The owl was the only creature that was able to reach Lunette.
But she was not yet subdued: this much Hutchings knew. He knew he had to do something. Someone was descending the stair; he scrambled to his feet and raised the crucifix again. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want …" he began. Brynna screamed again, in her eyes a demonic green light began to glow.
Hook, who now descended the stairs with a few of his men, George Darling and Daniel Kempton, spread his arms to halt his companions. "Stop, men!" he ordered sharply, and the others obeyed – not unwillingly, for no one wanted to confront the sorceress. Especially not Mullins, who swallowed a shriek in his throat.
"E'en tho' I walk thru' th' valley o' th' shadow o' death, I will no' fear evil!" Hutchings continued with a strong voice, crucifix held high, fear now failing, faith rising. Cookson, who stood again, joined him in reciting Psalm 23. Dark Owl moved beside them and lifted both palms, as he prayed to the Great Spirit for help in this fight against the ghost of the Wendigo who had captured the woman before him. He felt a soft prickling running through his body to his hands and finger tips, a warm light enfolding him. Then he began to speak ancient words in his native tongue which might evict the evil spirit.
Brynna began to writhe, to squirm. She now slapped her hands over her ears; screeching and growling, a beastly sound, but Hutchings didn't falter as he went on to pray the 'Our Father.' Beside him, Dark Owl concentrated the warm and strong power that now flowed from the other man into him, it seemed to offend, to injure the evil spirit in the white woman.
Victoria had interrupted the call with her uncle who became frantic as he heard the shots. She stopped at the end of the hallway and stared wide-eyed at the scene in the vestibule. She knew that she couldn't tell her uncle all of the truth, but it might be enough to let him know that Lunette had gone batty, too. And she still had no clue what happened to her cousin or Wendy, but Hook's appearance on the stair told her that Wendy had to be saved. Eventually, she would come up with a good explanation for her uncle. Gathering her skirts she ran back to the study.
Mr. Darling had joined the pirates on the stair, and stopped beside the captain. "What in the name of God …" he whispered as he watched the unique drama evolving in the vestibule.
"A fitting comment," Hook replied quietly.
"What … are they doing?" George whispered as he watched the large older man in rumpled tweeds presenting the silver cross, the pirate beside him, also with a crucifix, and the young man with a copper skin and long black hair, who had lifted his hands and was glowing like one of the fairies; a powerful trio battling the evil before them.
"It seems the professor, my ship's cook and our young warrior are exorcising the devil – everyone in his own way. Different methods, but with the same power."
"What is exosing?"
James glanced up and saw Peter, bending over the balustrade, Tinker Bell and Kailen in the air beside him. "I told you to stay with the ladies!" he growled.
"Not when there's action here," the youth replied, and the four other boys appeared. Nissa and Bumblyn, too. Mary Darling was calling them back.
George Darling, now quite agitated, said sharply: "Back into the guestroom with you – all of you! Put one toe out here and you are grounded for the rest of the year!"
Peter smirked, remarking quietly, "Huh! Seeing that I'm not your son –"
"No, but you're mine," Hook snapped. "So, back to the guestroom with you, now!" He wasn't really surprised that Peter stuck out his tongue at him. And then even Wendy peeked down from between the boys. James cursed inwardly. "Get these rascals back to your room, beauty, or – God help me – I'll do it myself. And none of them will like how I do it!" His eyes shot daggers.
Below them, Lunette screamed loud enough to make their ears ring, driving their attention back to her. She screeched, baring her teeth like a mad animal. She tore at her own hair – whirled around and fled – straight toward the main door; stumbling, but with a speed that was inhuman.
"After her!" Hook shouted going down the last stairs; his men, George, Daniel, Peter, his friends and Wendy followed him. Mary came to the landing above, holding Wendy's necklace with the ring. Cora and Millicent appeared beside her, but – as expected – none of the boys or Wendy listened to her calling them back.
Hutchings, Cookson and Dark Owl also pursued, reaching the main door a few steps ahead of Hook and the others. This wave of people all poured out but immediately halted. For there, on the wet grass beside the drive, Lunette knelt, whimpering like a puppy. Before her stood a single being in light, the shape unclear but definitely there, pulsing with light.
"A ghost!" Mullins whispered, trembling.
Cookson and Mason shot him a glare. "C'mon, th' witch fright'n'd ye less," Alf mocked.
"Nay, I'm na' fraid," Robert protested, reaching into his jacket for the rum, only then remembering that he had volunteered it to Hook to treat Peter, and grimaced. The others ignored him, now holding their breath as they watched the ghostly woman lift both hands, palms upwards, and chant in an old language; soft and melodic. Above her, the halfmoon broke through the thin clouds, showering her silver light down on the two women – one barely human, one an apparition.
"Mother Ludlam!" Hutchings gasped. "Tis her, I be sure uv it."
"True that!" Nissa nodded, pressing herself against Hook's leg; a very uneasy Bumblyn climbed into Wendy's arms, who placed him on her hip. When you've lived in Neverland as Wendy had done, you're not spooked by the supernatural nor the fantastic.
The specter's voice grew louder, but remained gentle. Its effect on Lunette was obvious: She pressed her hands over her ears and screamed, while something darker than the night rose from her body. Darker than the black fog that had shielded her, darker than the dark flames she had used to attack her opponents. It was shapeless and completely opaque. And it growled with many angry voices. But the ghost's voice was more penetrating.
"Begone, 'orned King!" Hutchings quietly translated the apparition's incantation. "No power 'ave ye over 'er anymore. Listen to the Lord's words, the song 'E sang to the stars, obey 'is will. Begone! Return to the darkness from which ye came!"
The dark shape seemed to cringe and shouted back with words no human ear could really grasp, but Mother Ludlam stood there like a rock in a stormy sea, her light growing stronger and brighter. The wind began to blow; it tore at her white and grey shift and cloak, at her woven braid, at her shawl, but it could not stop the incantation that sounded like a song.
Dark Owl rushed down the outside stairs and stopped not far away from the two women and the raging dark spirit. Lifting both hands and concentrating his own ability, he chanted in his language; the owl on his shoulder screeched and flapped, as if adding to the opposition to the enemy.
Now fully overwhelmed, the dark shape shot up to the skies and writhed in the light of the stars. For a moment it seemed to cover the waning moon, then it fell back to earth where it dispersed and melted into the ground. A wave seemed to run through the air, then the evening was peaceful again.
Mother Ludlam's incorporeal appearance seemed to sigh deeply as she looked sadly at the crumpled form of Brynna Lunette, cowering on the grass – hair white, face old and convulsed, wizened, heaving ragged breaths. "You are free, sister, but a high price you're going to pay," Mother Ludlam whispered, then knelt down and stroked Lunette's now white hair as if to give comfort.
The watchers by the entrance stairs looked on in silent awe. Mary was glad to have George's arm wrapped around her. Cora stood with Peter and Wendy, Daniel gulped, and Millicent took her place behind her brother. The boys and the pirates didn't move, still astonished by the scene they'd witnessed. The pixies and the two fairies exchanged glances and smiled; Hook seemed to relax in relief. One problem solved!
But there was still the matter of the missing viscount.
"Four of you men, stay here and watch those motor coaches and the gate. Go in pairs around the manor, left and the right. Two to the stables. Nissa, stay with Wendy and the two ladies. Mr. Kempton, you as well. Peter, boys, the same goes for you! The rest, come with me," he ordered. "We have to find Ashford, before he invents some new devilment."
The pirates spread through the estate, while the women and girls and the reporter remained on the exterior stair, watching Mother Ludlum's spirit in deep fascination. Then Wendy looked to Dark Owl, who stood near the apparition and the fallen housekeeper – eyes closed and obviously in a trance, his face spasming. And she knew he was having a vision …
* PP *
Dalton Ashford limped through the dark gardens. Curiously, he already thought of them as someone else's. His upper arm hurt where Shalford's metal hook had sliced the skin. His jaw was also painful; he hoped it wasn't broken. That 'bloody cripple' could throw a punch like his left hand was made of steel. But none of this cooled Dalton's wrath and his desire for revenge.
Hearing voices, he ducked behind a few of the many bushes and saw the old man on the terrace with two other pirates. One carried a lantern. They hurried to the spot where he had lain only moments before, and he grinned with malice as he heard their surprised comments. Then the old man shouted for his captain to come, and Dalton pressed his lips into a thin line while he looked down at the small knife he had wrenched from the brat. Let Shalford come down to the gardens. Ashford would wait for him. The bastard wouldn't see his doom coming!
But Dalton had to wait much longer than he expected, for suddenly there was a great tumult in the manor. He thought he heard Brynna screech like a madwoman. Then the noises were at the front of the building. Unable to pull himself away, Ashford watched something that looked like a dark cloud rising to the skies, only to return - then nothing. It grew eerily silent, and for a space of many breaths, nothing happened. But Ashford knew that Shalford would soon search for him. The man had no other option. The path they were on had to be walked to the end – no matter what.
Growing uneasy, he became aware of many tiny lights which appeared in the air, from the manor and from about him in the woods. Pixies, no doubt. Dalton lowered himself and barely dared to breathe. Those pranksters had keen senses. He shook his head, remembering that he had once been fascinated by the stories Brynna told him of pixies. But now he held only loathing for them. They - the fairies, the bogeys – all those Little People – had interfered with his certain victory!
New movement at the back door by the kitchen attracted his attention. With an ugly smile, he watched how Shalford moved onto the terrace; a few of his men and that accursed brat were with him, while more pirates appeared. Dalton collected himself. He knew that his plan was a sure suicide, but he wouldn't go down without taking his enemy with him.
And on the other side of the manor, Dark Owl opened his eyes and looked in horror toward the manor. Then he began to run. "No! Please, I call to all spirits of the world – NO!"
* PP *
Hook re-entered the manor and traversed the entrance hall with long strides; his men, Peter and the older boys trotted after. The pixies shot up into the air again to search the gardens, Kailen and Aurora followed Tinker Bell and Peter. Fairies and pixies had their own way of tracking – especially for humans – and usually no-one could escape their attention.
Hook moved toward the backdoor in the kitchen and came face to face with two other pixies guarding a smaller door to the left: The pantry. Kailen barked something in his own language and the two instantly saluted. Ignoring the little prankster, Hook approached the backdoor, pressed himself against the wall and spied through the gap to the exterior. A few lights moved around; pixies who had already reached the gardens and the park, carrying their lanterns. Another light came from Jukes' lamp.
"Blast all, a few winders give light, yet still too dark to search," Akeele murmured.
"If you need more light, I have three more lanterns," a girl said softly. Olivia stood at the pantry door, the dragonling on her arms. Behind her he spied Michael, Tootles and the Twins. Ah, they had hidden in the pantry. He approved!
"Yes, miss," he replied. "Give them to my men."
"Ashford could be anywhere," Peter murmured beside Hook. John, Nibs, Slightly and Curly stayed behind, near the other boys, who peppered them with questions.
Hook took a deep breath, held it and counted to three, then hissed: "What detail of my instructions to stay with the ladies couldn't you grasp?"
"Um … 'staying behind'," Peter smirked.
"I swear, Pan, any minute now …" He met the shining innocent smile of the boy and groaned. No, threats wouldn't work. They both knew that he wouldn't go through with them. "You. Stay. Behind. Me!" he growled at the Pan and flung the door open. "Men, with me!" he commanded and ran out onto the terrace; the others hot on his heels.
From the left and the right, the four pirates appeared who had gone to check the gardens there. As he looked at them, they shook their heads. That bloody snob couldn't be far. Hook was certain that every bone in Ashford's body had to hurt, he was possibly even injured. The grass had softened the fall, but it was a fall from an upper window. Hook was sure that the viscount had to have been hurt.
Peter stopped a few steps beside Hook, looking about, fists on his hips. "I know the pixies will find him." He watched the greenish pranksters dashing about, not missing a leaf; Kailen and Aurora joined them. Tink sat down on Peter's shoulder, jingling softly. "I know, Tink. I don't like this at all, either," he sighed. He peered into the gardens – and his eyes caught a movement between two bushes. For a fraction of a second, he thought it was one of the pirates, then – horrified – he recognized the viscount who stood upright, and let something fly towards Hook.
Peter reacted instantly. "HOOK!" he shouted, hurling himself against James. He felt a blow at his chest below his heart, but ignored it as he spread his arms to shield Hook, who had tumbled to the ground with a surprised yelp.
Peter glared at Ashford's lonely figure, their eyes met over the distance. To the youth's confusion, the viscount began to laugh as the pirates closed around to seize him. What the heck…? Looking down, he saw the hilt of his favorite knife sticking out of his chest, while his shirt turned red.
Then Hook was beside him and his horrified scream of Peter's name echoed through the air…
TBC…
Uh, okay, guys, put away all the guns, knives, cutlasses, swords and whatever else you want to hurl into my direction just right now. Yes, I know, this was not a 'mean' cliffhanger, but an evil one. And to add some more tension to everything, I won't give you any hints what will happen next (*snicker*).
Despite the end, I do hope you liked the new chapter, with everyone somehow taking action – Wendy, Hook, Peter, Hutchings, Cookson, Dark Owl, Victoria… And Bryanna is rendered innocuous and - *sigh* - Uncle Marlow Ashford was alerted. A lot of happened.
I really want to know how you liked everything and hope you share a few thoughts with me.
Have a nice rest of the weekend,
Yours
Lywhn / Starflight
