The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
- Chapter 1:
[by Elena]
- The lightening flash with the trailing rumble of thunder served only to darken this mood further. Lord Mayo, or the Dark Lord Mayo as the villagers referred to him in hushed whispers, turned from the window. He had grown tired of watching the approaching storm. Tonight a storm of a different kind was brewing inside his own castle walls.His ears caught the sound of the restless woman downstairs in the castles main room. They were waiting as always for his appearance. Always waiting in hopes of catching a brief glimpse on the man behind the mask. With quick strides he moved across the room to the bedside table. His hand touched the cool brass pull of the drawer. Should he open it and unleash the hidden truth that was held within? Would the women flee in fear?
- To be continued in the comments below!
34 comments:
chapter 2:
His hand touched the cool brass pull of the drawer. Should he open it and unleash the hidden truth that was held within? Would the women flee in fear?
a moment he paused only, then withdrew his hand. no. it was not yet time. his plan had not yet reached it fruition.
down below, the ladies swirled through the halls in all their bright array. though they were astute and clever to the last, dark lord mayo had taken pains to keep the truth hidden so deeply, none had glimpsed it. he turned on his heel and paced back to the tower window. he would have to keep his secret a while still.
but little did lord mayo know that the weathered wardrobe in the corner held a secret of its own: one of the women crouched trembling within, her eye placed at the gap between hinge and door. she had no idea that the narrow passageway beneath the cellar lead up to the lord of the blog's own chamber!
her breath she held close, but she still feared discovery for her heart hammered madly underneath the pin-tucked linen of her gown.
she was frozen in place, unable to make her escape. there he was! before her! lord mayo himself!
what thoughts darkened his brow? what mysterious secret did his bedside table hold?
Chapter 3:
If only he had lit more candles. His features, while unmistakably strong, were hidden by the shadows. As she watched he continued to stand at the window. If one did not know better he was so still it looked as if he was not even breathing. Perhaps the whispers of Lord Vampire had gained strenght because of this trait.
Moving slightly she tried to see him more clearly. He was not a tall man, yet he stood straight and proud. His straight dark hair fell just below his collar.
Finally movement, as he swung his arms to clasp his hands behind his back. He leaned foreword slightly as if studying something below him on the castle grounds. She feared it was several of her friends who occasionally ventured out of the castle. They did this, not by choice but because they were forced out by an unseen entity.
"You really should go." His deep, rich voice echoed through the room.
"Oh" she cried as her heart leaped to her throat. How had he sensed her presence? Had she given her self away in some manner?
"I have given my lovelies free reign in my home but tonight I need to be alone." He spoke without turning.
"Sorry" she muttered as she quickly turned back to the secret passageway. Without another glance toward him she made her way back to the cellar. Her heart was racing, her thoughts confused. Had he been angry? His voice did not seem so, it had sounded almost sad.
When she found herself back in the safety of the darkened cellar she sat a moment and tried to collect her thoughts. His voice still echoed in her ears.
chapter 4:
how had he known she was there? though she hadn't been deliberately sneaking about, she was a naturally quiet woman, who moved with a stealthy grace. did lord mayo have preternatural senses, that he was able to discern her presence by the very beating of her trembling heart?
she shivered at the thought. at least, she reflected, he did not appear to know which of his lovelies had been spying on him, for which she felt great relief. if he had said "arabella", her shame would have been complete!
suddenly she came to an awareness of where she was. the dark cellar was an empty cavern underneath the castle itself, and the few torches that remined lit in the draft undercrofts cast more shadows than they relieved. arabella looked nervously at the flickering shapes in the corners. she wasn't afraid of ghosts, none at the castle were, for the only ghost that haunted the manse was more akin to a guardian spirit than a spectre.
but there were other...things that lurked in the dark corners of mayo's mansion. things without faces. things that bit and shredded the soul..
arabella gathered the scalloped lace hem of her gown in her hands and scurried up the stairs, quickly returning to the main hall and the safety of the gathered women to be found there.
Chapter 5
“Arabella you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Ergo said seeing her good friend enter the hall.
“Not a ghost.” She led her friend to a more secluded spot. She did not fear her other “sisters” hearing. However, the Nameless Ones were always a concern. “I saw Lord Mayo.” She whispered.
“What?” Ergo loudly gasped.
Arabella glanced around hoping Ergo’s response had not been heard. She lowered her voice, “Yes, I truly saw him.” She paused then added, “He was in his bedroom.”
Ergo stared. “Arabella, have you been partaking of the wine from the cellar?”
OPL and OPJ wandered over slowly hoping they were not interrupting a private conversation. They voiced that very question.
“Of course you may hear our words.” Arabella assured them. “I only speak quietly in hopes the Nameless Ones are not listening. I know they are not all evil. Some have been very nice. But without a name I cannot recognize them. I cannot always tell the kind from the evil.”
OPJ nodded her agreement. “We understand. Now what is this news that has Ergo in such a tizzy?”
“I’m not in a tizzy.” Ergo said defending her attitude, “Surprised, yes.”
RW joined the group, “Is there news of Lord Mayo?”
“Arabella has seen him.” Ergo answered.
The women all began speaking at once. Arabella tried to listen to all of their questions at once. She wondered if this was how Lord Mayo felt at times. So many voices all speaking together. Patiently she waited until they quieted down.
“So he was really in his room?” OPL asked excitedly.
Arabella nodded, “He was standing at the window watching the approaching storm.”
“How is it that you came to be in his room?” RW questioned.
Arabella blushed, “I found a secret passageway in the cellar. It led into the large cupboard in his room.”
“Oh my.” Ergo smiled, “What happened when you entered the room?”
“I did not venture into Lord Mayo’s bedroom.” She looked down, “I only peeked through the crack in the doors.”
“And you saw him?” RW asked excitedly. “Tell us, please.”
Of course they all asked for a description of Lord Mayo. Until now he had just been a faceless voice who touched their souls with his words.
“It was dark and only one candle lit.” Arabella explained. “The shadows made it difficult to see but he appeared to be quite handsome.”
The women all smiled.
“How could he not be?” Ergo proclaimed, “Such beautiful words must come from a beautiful man.”
“You do not have to be beautiful in face to be beautiful of heart.” OPJ said softly.
“Very true.” sdock agreed. They all had been so lost in conversation they hadn’t heard her approach. Standing at her side S&V agreed with her sister while adjusting her tiara.
The rest of the women all nodded their agreement also. They had learned from their time at Castle Mayo that beauty came from within.
“Arabella, did he know you were there?” sdock asked softly.
“He did. I watched as he appeared to be pondering opening the drawer of his bedside table,”
The women all murmured. Lord Mayo’s bedside drawer was infamous. He had forbidden the Lovelies from ever opening it. There was much speculation about its contents.
“He only pondered, he didn’t open it?” S&V sounded quite disappointed.
“No, he turned from it then went back to the window.” Arabella confirmed.
“And then?” sdock was caught up in the tale.
Arabella took a breath, “He spoke without turning from the window.”
“Tell us. What were his words?” OPJ asked her eyes bright with excitement.
Arabella closed her eyes. The sound of his voice echoed in her mind. “He said that I shouldn’t be there. He told me that he had given his Lovelies free reign in his castle but that tonight he needed to be alone.” She sighed, “He sounded quite sad.”
Pantera caught the last bit of the story. She sighed, “Lord Mayo is sad, yet again?”
“He sounded so.” Arabella said softly. “I honored his request and hastily made my way back to the cellar.”
“What could be troubling Lord Mayo?” sdock fretted. “Has someone spoken unkindly to him?” Just that thought caused her to utter several very unladylike oaths.
“If so they should hope never to meet me in a dark castle corridor.” S&V’s eyes narrowed. “The Princess does not take kindly to those who upset our host.”
“Oh, listen.” Pantera’s voice was urgent. “The whisperers of The Nameless Ones grow loud.”
Sdock uttered another string of oaths that could make hearty men of the sea blush.
“Oh they are worse than sharks who have tasted blood.” Ergo shuddered.
The whispers grew louder. Soon the castle walls seemed to vibrate with the sound.
chapter 6
though brave to the last, the sound always unnerved the women of castle mayo. they had fought these foes fearlessly, but no matter how many they vanquished, the nameless ones always returned.
the women began to draw together, half from apprehension, and half from defensiveness. their eyes darted everywhere, seeking out some hint as to the direction of the impending attack.
suddenly, the front door burst open, startling everyone. gasps and small shrieks were uttered, as well as loud oaths of a scatological nature. but the fear that spiked sharply through them just as suddenly eased when cupcake bounded in, a great smile on her sweet face.
"darlings!" she came to a stop in the center of the room, her full skirts settling around her. her smile faded somewhat as she took in the sight of all her sisters huddled against one of the walls.
"whatever is wrong...?"
no answer was required, for the murmurs of the nameless ones became louder, and cupcake scowled fiercely.
"whist!" she shouted. her sisters all seemed to wake up at her command.
"whist?"
"oh god, yes! whist!"
"quick, whist!"
arabella, sdock, and mya scrambled to one of the closets and began pulling out small folding tables. dia gratia and shame in me rushed to their aid. in next to no time, the tables were set up all throughout the hall. siobhan had run into the den as soon as cupcake had cried out, and re-emerged carrying a skirtful of small boxes.
in mere moments, the lovelies of mayo's castle were all arranged four to a table, quietly and decorously dealing out cards. the gentle slap of pasteboard hitting the playing tables was the only sound to compete with the sursuration of the nameless ones.
and compete it did. the angry murmur coming from the walls faltered, and began to fade. after long moments of nothing but the ruffle of decks being shuffled and the satisfying snap of cards being played, the nameless ones began to retreat.
soon, they were gone utterly, chased away by the utter lack of drama.
chapter 7
-soon, they were gone utterly, chased away by the utter lack of drama.-
Of course drama was a way of life in the Castle Mayo.
Outside the storm had reached a fevered pitch. The windows rattled, as the thunder seemed to shake the very foundation of the castle.
“The storm is worsening.” Kapunua stated. “Perhaps we should light more candles to ward off the darkness.”
“Darkness fills my soul this evening.” Lord Mayo’s voice filled the room.
Many stood so quickly tables were overturned. All eyes turned towards the balcony trying in vain to catch a glimpse of their elusive host.
“Tell us, Lord Mayo. Tell us why the darkness fills your soul?” FASC cried out.
“Yes, please tell us.” Young Paperheart asked. “So that we may help you.”
Outside lightening flashed illuminating the heavens. The women waited, straining to hear more of Lord Mayo’s words.
“The storm outside can not match the storm brewing from within.” The sadness of his tone was not missed by the women.
“Can we not ward off the storm within?” Sister Midnight questioned bravely.
The women began to fret. Fear that the castle would somehow be destroyed filled their hearts.
“Unstoppable” taunted one of the Nameless Ones.
“The storm will destroy all here.” Another taunted.
“Curse these Nameless Ones.” Mustard shouted so that she could be heard over their voices now growing numbers.
“Lord Mayo, are you still with us?” Kapunua asked loudly, “Do not leave us without a proper goodbye.”
“Yes, Lord Mayo she speaks what is in my heart.” Wendy agreed hurriedly. “Please, at least tell us before you take your leave if you are well.”
“I am still here. I am well.” His voice was weakening.
Sighs of relief filled the room. Then once again so many questions were called out. Arabella sat quietly listening to her sisters. While they still held on to hope that the Lord was still present she knew otherwise. The emptiness in her heart revealed to her that he was once more gone from them.
chapter 8
the others quickly came to the same conclusion arabella had, and a silence gently fell across the great hall. the lovelies looked at one another, and their eyes all held the same silent lament: he never stayed long enough. something always drew him away.
siobhan was the first to speak.
"who wants to finish playing whist?"
but no one was interested in the card game now that it's purpose had been served. several of the women moved slowly to begin putting away the accoutrements of their defense, while others began to discuss what little information lord mayo had imparted.
arabella kneeled on the floor, the linen folds of her gown billowing around her figure like falling petals, and began to gather up the cards scattered at the lord's arrival. her thoughts were troubled. her mind was filled with the memory of his figure as he stood at his window, watching the gathering storm clouds, and now she knew what he saw reflected something he carried within.
but was it worry for himself, or worry for the insular world he had created for his lovelies that darkened his soul?
arabella spoke her fears aloud, and discovered they were shared by all. but they were at a loss as what to do to solve the dilemma.
and in truth, much rested on the outcome of this question -- for wasn't one of their purposes here to reflect mayo's ruminations and thus aid him in his quest for wholeness? but if his message concerned the very foundations of their world, then the women gathered here must learn what it portended, and quickly, in order to preserve this home they all treasured so much.
miss tottenham slid the last card table away, and closed the closet door with a determined push. she turned to face the group.
"we should take our questions to him. no more of this waiting around. we know the way to his room now, " and she nodded at arabella, "so we should just go up there."
no one spoke. many were the lips that parted with no words to utter.
miss tottenham shifted her weight, and folded her hands across her chest. "well. why not?"
"but, we can't!" arabella burst out with her objection, "he asked to be left alone!"
several voices rose to agree with her, and several more voiced their agreement with miss tottenham's idea.
"things have changed," dei gratia said, moving to stand at miss t's side. "now it's possible we're at danger. that attack of the faceless was larger than ever before, and since when have we ever had storms here?"
"it's true, this calls for drastic action," shame in me called out.
"but, he's the lord of the blog," carrie spoke, "we can't just go up to his room when he specifically said to stay away."
the murmurs among the women grew, and the opinions began to be expressed on all sides. sisters all, they listened to each other, and though the debate grew heated and vociferous, and lasted long into the night, still their bonds were true, and an agreement was finally reached.
they would beard the lion in his den. they would take a message to lord mayo himself.
sdock was selected to write the missive, and the women waited patiently while she sat at the escritoire and composed her thoughts. soon she was filling a sheet of creamy foolscap with her handwriting, as elegant as her words themselves.
then there was nothing left to do. arabella ignored the trepidation that sent her heart hammering in her chest, and led the lovelies down to the cellars, into that dark vaulted space. she lead them through the thick pillars that supported the floors above, and back to the damp and shadowy corner where she had discovered the passageway.
but there was nothing there.
the stone wall was unbroken by any archway, and the stones themselves were fitted together as tightly as any of the others.
arabella turned in surprise. she knew this was the proper corner!
"it's not here!" she whispered.
someone gasped, but not at arabella's declaration. all the women looked in the direction paperheartxx pointed.
in the gloom, standing near a distant pillar, was the ghost.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 9
-in the gloom, standing near a distant pillar, was the ghost.-
The woman all watched in shocked silence. The ghost was rarely seen and for it to appear now seemed rather ominous.
"Oh my" Lucy whispered.
Magic Pie nodded, "Oh my, indeed."
As the stunned group of Lovelies watched Ghost swayed back and forth slightly. It's unearthly form still indiscernible. Had the Ghost been a woman or a man in its former life? This question had been discussed in great length.
"What does it want?" Anima had moved to Arabella's side. "Should we address it?'
Arabella's eyes did not leave the specter before her. "I do not know."
"Lord Mayo welcomes it, I believe." Martha said in a hushed voice.
Many a long conversations had centered on this belief.
"Ghost, please?" He had whispered rather recently. His voice had held an emotion none were able to identify.
Bellatrix moved to the front of the group. "We should ask its intentions." She said with a nod of her head.
"But what if in doing so we force it from us?" PJ worried. "Lord Mayo may grow angry.
"Ghost is a friend." sdock's voice was strong and clear. "I can feel it in my heart."
"Perhaps you are feeling the effects of the pancakes you ate earlier." Her sister S&V scoffed.
"I agree with Bellatrix, we should address the Ghost. I for one wish to know why it passes through from time to time." Kass declared.
"I'm not sure I wish to know." Jenn softly added her voice to the quiet discussion.
A male voice started the women even further, "Ladies, is there some way I can be of assistance?" He moved to the front of the group intent on protecting the Lovelies. When his eyes caught sight of the ghost he halted, "Oh."
"Bikey, you've come." Miss T said happily. "We've missed you."
The women all nodded. He smiled at their whispered greetings. "How did you come to be in the cellar with the ghost?"
"It's a long story." Possum sighed, "More importantly we are trying to decide on a course of action. Should we address the ghost?"
Bikey pondered the question. "Lord Mayo, is he fond of the ghost?"
"We believe so." OPJ nodded.
"He seems so." OPL agreed.
Arabella listen to her friend’s discussion distractedly. She continued to study the ghost. Something about it seemed sad, as if it was lost. Suddenly before her eyes the ghost vanished.
"Oh, it's gone." Pixie cried out.
"I had just formed a question to ask of it." Soulconnector announced.
"So had I." Amy sounded rather but out.
"Well now we have no reason for further discussion." Kapunua said with a frown. "My belief is we should have address the ghost. Find out its intentions."
"Perhaps it has no intentions." Gentle Vengeance said feeling sadness as she looked to the spot the ghost had occupied.
Slowly Bikey and the woman made their way back to the steps leading out of the cellar. "Are you coming, Arabella?" Fimble asked looking back towards her friend. "We have much to discuss now."
Arabella nodded, "I shall be there momentarily." When the last of the footsteps faded she sat down on a wooden barrel and leaned back against the cold stone wall. Something about the ghost’s appearance troubled her. She closed her eyes while deep in though. A strange sound caused her to open her eyes and gasp.
There, once again, was the opening that led to the secret passageway. But how could that be? She had touched the stone it had been firm.
Slowly she walked to the passageway still not believing her eyes. After only a moments hesitation she entered the dark narrow hall. She did not question her decision until she found herself once again in Lord Mayo's cabinet. Her heart was pounding. The crack in the doors allowed the smallest bit of candlelight to pour through. Arabella took a deep calming breath and put her eye to the crack hoping to once more catch a glimpse of Lord Mayo.
"I said I was fine." His deep voice caused her to stumble back and hit her head on the wooden wall. He was standing once again in front of the windows looking out.
She righted herself and turned to flee.
"Please tell sdock her words tonight offered me peace."
Arabella froze, "But we did not give you the note."
His soft laughter rang in her ears, "I hear all of your words. My lovelies thoughts are always heard."
"Oh" Arabella was at a loss for words.
Suddenly the sound of the angry shouts of the Nameless Ones could be heard. Lord Mayo sighed. "You should go now."
The shouts grew louder. Angry hurtful words filled the air. Arabella turned to run back to the safety she found surrounded by her sisters but concern for Lord Mayo made her turn back.” Are you truly fine?" She asked boldly.
As she watched his shoulders slumped slightly. "I am...." His words trailed off. The Nameless Ones voices seemed to shake the room. "Go now." Lord Mayo shouted.
Arabella wanted to stay yet something in his voice told her it would be wrong to go against his wishes. She turned from the door.
"Thank you for caring." Lord Mayo said turning towards the cabinet.
Arabella was already starting down the passageway. Her heart missed a beat however when she head his voice
"Thank you, Arabella."
chapter 10:
she stood stockstill. though the onslaught of horrifying voices was increasing, all arabella heard ringing in her ears was the sound of lord mayo's voice saying her name.
he knew it was me, she thought. how...?
she gave herself a stern shake. of course mayo said her name, did she not just speak to him? and did he not just state that he heard all his lovelies? he would have recognized her voice, with assurance. arabella chastised herself. this was no time for idle fantasies!
she couldn't stand there in the narrow passage any longer. the castle itself was shaking now with the tremors caused by the evil faceless enemies. arabella had no knowledge of what had caused the secret passageway to close, or to re-open, and she could not chance being trapped. or worse, she thought, nervously reaching out to touch the stones, being crushed.
she scurried down the worn stone steps and into the shadowed space of the cellar. dust was sifting down from overhead, and arabella held up her arm in a vain attempt to keep the grains from clouding her vision. she moved quickly in the direction of the exit, pausing only for the barest moment as she passed the spot where the ghost had appeared. even now, she could sense a frisson of the emanations she associated with the mansion's ghost -- a comforting calm and warm solidity of spirit. even that small remnant of its appearance gave her the courage she needed to continue on her way to safety.
but she was halted in her path by a figure enmerging from the shadows of another pillar.
"you should not go in that direction, arabella."
at first, in her disordered state of mind, she thought it was mayo himself standing before her. then, she recognized the voice as that of redrum, another of the inhabitants of the castle.
"why?" she cried, reaching out and grasping redrum's arm.
"the stairs up to the castle have been blocked by falling debris. i know another way. come with me."
arabella felt redrum's hand covering her own, and allowed herself to be led off in a direction she had never explored. they wended their way between the pillars, ducking the occasional small stone dislodged from the ceiling by the rumbling vibrations of the nameless ones' chaotic attack. she feared for all the people of the castle, and hoped desperately everyone was able to make their escape to safety. the new attack was too fierce to fight.
and then, without warning, redrum released arabella and gave her a gentle push toward a corner shrouded in darkness.
"there is a path there that leads to one of the shelters. hurry! don't linger!"
she whirled to face redrum, but was alone.
"redrum! wait! what about you? you must come with me!"
"don't linger, arabella! i will be safe. now, go!"
she had no choice but to acquiesce, for the building was still trembling as if to shake itself apart. she had to trust that redrum would not be trapped. she said a quick prayer that this be so, and dashed to the pitch dark corner.
there was a narrow opening there, more a wide crack in the foundation than a true doorway. arabella squeezed through the rough angles of the crevice and found herself in a tunnel that smelled of wet earth. she did not hesitate, but picked up her skirts and ran toward the faint glimmer in the distance that was the tunnel's outside entrance, and her escape route to safety.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 11
- there was a narrow opening there, more a wide crack in the foundation than a true doorway. arabella squeezed through the rough angles of the crevice and found herself in a tunnel that smelled of wet earth. she did not hesitate, but picked up her skirts and ran toward the faint glimmer in the distance that was the tunnel's outside entrance, and her escape route to safety. -
The light beckoned to her. Arabella was almost to the opening when she heard her sisters. The nearer she moved towards the opening the louder their voices became until she heard them with clarity. With a final burst of speed she exited the tunnel finding herself outside the castle. A moment later her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she saw the shapes of several women not far from where she stood.
“Arabella” CTV cried out. “Thank God. We feared for your safety.” She ran to Arabella and hugged her tightly.
“I am fine.” Arabella assured her. “I was in the cellar. Redrum showed me the way to safety. Where are the others?”
“We are scattered about the castle grounds.” Martha said joining them. “The attack became so vicious we were forced to flee the castle.”
“What is happening?” Arabella’s voice shook, not only in fear but also in anger.
More of the women gathered around.
“The Nameless Ones became so loud the very walls of the castle shook.” Gnothi Seauton answered. “Their hateful words became too much.”
“We were wrong to flee.” Mustard said holding her head high. “They should not be allowed to force us from our home.”
“It is not our home.” Kass reminded her. “It is Lord Mayo’s.”
“But he has welcomed us. Lord Mayo has told us that is more our home than his. His words assured us his desire for us to stay is strong.” Sdock said moving to the front of the group.
“It is true. Lord Mayo has spoken those words.” Ergo nodded.
“But I do not understand.” Arabella said still trying to catch her breath, “What were the Nameless Ones saying? Do they meant to drive us from this place forever?”
“They were shouting.” Possum said sadly. “They taunt that Lord Mayo is not the true Lord of the Castle. Their shouts claim he is an imposter.”
“Fools” Jenn’s angry voice caught their attention. “Lord Mayo is the true Lord of the castle. To think otherwise is blasphemy.”
“Agreed” Kaupuna nodded. “This castle belongs to no other.”
“It belongs to all of us.” Paperheart’s sweet voice reminded them. “Lord Mayo has said it is so.”
“Then why do we stand out in the castle grounds?” asked Kass.
“Yes. Why?” RW linked arms with her. “We are strong. We must band together and go back inside our home.”
“I for one believe that if we stand together they cannot harm us.” S&V said loudly. “But we must take care. We cannot allow them to divide us.”
“But what of the Nameless Ones?” Fimble’s voice was soft. “Their words are cruel. My heart aches when my sisters are attacked.”
They all understood. The taunts of the Nameless Ones often caused pain.
“Stand together. You are strong. Stronger than they can ever understand.”
Shocked the women turned to see the Ghost standing a fair distance from them by the castle wall.
“The Ghosts speaks to us.” Anima whispered.
Most were too shocked to from words. Arabella nodded. “We understand. Thank you.”
“Do not forget why you are here.” The Ghost said. It’s voice becoming but a whisper on the wind. With that it was gone.
“Where did it go?” Bella asked straining her eyes in the darkness.
“It vanished” Gentle Vengeance answered. “It was only here to offer us words of comfort.”
Slowly the small groups of women all gathered at the castles entrance. The words of the Ghost were shared until each had heard its message. Then in unspoken agreement they began to pass through the large wooden door. As they filed in slowly they were shocked to see the castle looking as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
I do not understand.” OPJ said while her eyes scanned the large hall. “When we fled the place was in shambles.”
Ergo nodded, “Indeed. Tables had overturned, dishes had shattered upon the floor and now.” She looked around “It is all as it was before.”
Suddenly a voice from above the hall called out to them.
“My Lovelies I provide this place so that you may each have a safe haven. You are free to come and go as you will. I walk among you undisturbed. Your eyes do not note my presence, yet your ears acknowledge my words. You know me and I know you. Please however beware. Always there are those who strive to steal from us what we have made. Bitterness fills their heart and their words are vile. Try as I might I know that I can not always protect you from the sting of their words. Each of you knows what you must do. I pray you stay for each other.” Lord Mayo’s voice trailed off and many believe him to be gone. However one more sentence was uttered, “Stay for me.”
chapter 12:
“My Lovelies I provide this place so that you may each have a safe haven. You are free to come and go as you will. I walk among you undisturbed. Your eyes do not note my presence, yet your ears acknowledge my words. You know me and I know you. Please however beware. Always there are those who strive to steal from us what we have made. Bitterness fills their heart and their words are vile. Try as I might I know that I can not always protect you from the sting of their words. Each of you knows what you must do. I pray you stay for each other.” Lord Mayo’s voice trailed off and many believe him to be gone. However one more sentence was uttered, “Stay for me.”
for the first time, instead of a chorus of reassurances and farewells, mayo's words received only silence. in the aftermath of the vicious attack, his speech was fraught with a great import. each of the lovelies was newly made aware of the how precious this life was that they led here. some magic had brought them here out of their own lives, an unknown call that drew them to this castle in the hinterlands.
here they had found lord mayo, here they had found each other, here they began the work which was transforming them all. and though the faceless ones came with their howls to demolish it, the sure and steady words of their patron reinvigorated their resolve to preserve it.
"thank you," pixie said softly.
"of course, lord mayo," elena said.
"oh, thank you," andiebomb spoke with a smile.
a rising murmur of assent and gratitude filled the great hall, and the women drew close to each other, not from fear this time, but in a spirit of solidarity.
"should we sing kum ba ya, now?"
everyone turned as one and looked at amyranth.
bright laughter filled the hall and sealed the lovelies' recovery from the attack.
"we should have a party!" lolita suggested eagerly, and many were the cries of agreement. a soft baa could be heard from the mansion's wide porch.
"wait, i have something to tell you," arabella called out, her arms raised high to draw her sisters' attention. it was no easy task, for once the plans for a party were set in motion, there was little that could dissuade the women of the castle from carrying them out.
but gain their attention she did, though none could claim that arabella's quick scramble to the tabletop was the most lady-like fashion in which to achieve her ends.
she returned to the floor once the room was quiet again.
"the passageway, it was open again. i don't know how, but it was so."
murmurs of surprise greeted her declaration.
"sdock, lord mayo told me to tell you that what you wrote gave him peace."
gasps now filled the room.
"he...did?" sdock's gentle face was filled with bewilderment. "but, the note..." she reached into the pocket of her skirt, and pulled out the missive, crumpled though it had become during the flight to safety.
"he said," and arabella leaned toward her sisters, "he always hears us."
"always?"
"is this so?"
"what power allows him to...?"
"oh my, always."
the lovelies of castle mayo were astounded. there were so many of them, how could this be so?
"more importantly, how come the passageway keeps appearing and disappearing? what's up with that?" kapunua's question reawakened many others in the women's minds, for many were the mysteries of castle mayo.
"we should go back down to the cellar and try to figure it out," katherine suggested, "as well as look for bikey, for i fear he did not return with us."
"nor did redrum!" arabella gasped.
"then let's go find them, and let's go find out what's what with that passageway."
fimble's expression matched the determined tone in her voice, and none standing there in the hall had any disagreement with her.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 13
- fimble's expression matched the determined tone in her voice, and none standing there in the hall had any disagreement with her.-
So once again the women found themselves deep below the Castle Mayo. As they walked the darkened stone floors of the cellar many continued to speak of the events that had befallen them this day.
“This whole castle is magic” Paperheart said sounding quite happy with the notion. “Like a make-believe place. Only it’s real.”
“Could we not look for this elusive appearing – disappearing passage later?’ S&V sounded quite annoyed.
“We shall hold the party when we have finished here.” Sdock said. She knew the party was high on her sister’s list of priorities.
“Yes, we must find Bikey first.” MissT said.
“I thought we were looking for the passage way.” Amy said looking over at MissT, “Not Bikey. You know full well that he comes and goes as he pleases. He probably just decided to leave when the attack was over and he knew we were safe.”
“Like the Ghost.” CTV said smiling, “Ghost leaves once our safety is assured.”
Arabella wasn’t sure that was true. She had the distinct feeling the Ghost wandered the castle often. She moved to the spot she knew had been the opening to the passage way. Her fingers ran over the cold stones. “I do not understand this. It was here.”
“Magic” Paperheart smiled.
“But why does the magic of the passage way only work for Arabella?” Sister Midnight questioned.
Many of the women all muttered this same question.
Arabella turned to her sisters, “Truly I do not know. Perhaps Redrum knows.”
“But Redrum seems to have left the castle also.” Martha reminded her.
“What I do know.” Kapunua said, “Is that the torches are burning low and the darkness is growing. We should go back upstairs now. There is nothing to be gained by standing here staring at a solid stone wall.”
“Agreed.” Toujours said. She gently reached out to touch Arabella’s sleeve. “Perhaps you could describe Lord Mayo’s room to me and I could create a drawing.”
“But I could not see much of the room.” Arabella reminded her. “Only that what was visible through the crack in the doors.”
“Oh but it still would be of great interest.” FASC grinned, “I for one would love to see Lord Mayo’s private chambers.”
“Oh and the bedside table.” Jenn whispered. “With the forbidden drawer.”
Amy snorted in a very un-ladylike manner, “He probably just keeps undergarments in there.”
OPJ opened her mouth to make a comment about Lord Mayo’s undergarments. OPL’s hand shot out and covered her mouth. “Hush, not a word.”
The women all giggled.
“Let us go back upstairs. We are all back in the castle and have heard Lord Mayo’s words for the night. Now is the time to make merry.” Magic Pie said happily.
The women all moved to the stairs. This time Arabella did not linger behind.
Once they had returned from the cellar each of the Lovelies scurried about the castle gathering up items for the party. The storm had passed and it was decided to have the gathering outside on the large stone entryway of the castle. Soon music and laughter filled the night air. All noted Paperheart’s skill on the guitar. Torches were lit to ward off the darkness.
“I do wish Lord Mayo would join us.” Lucy said before taking a bite of the apple she held in her hand.
“That would be ever so wonderful.” Bella nodded. “But alas I do not believe Lord Mayo has ever stepped foot beyond the castle walls.”
“Oh but he has.” Pixie’s voice was full of joy, “It was my birthday and Lord Mayo stepped outside briefly to extend his best wishes.” She smiled at the memory.
“I was unaware.” Bella said frowning. “You saw him? He was truly here?”
“He stood in the shadows.” Pixie explained. “We heard his voice but then he was gone.”
“Lord Mayo the Magician.” Gnothi Seauton said with a laugh, “Now you see him, now you don’t.”
“But we always hear him.” Sdock said smiling, “His voice is like a warm blanket sheltering us from the cold.”
S&V rolled her eyes, “No more wine for you this night.” She shook her head, “Warm blanket.” She muttered.
Sdock shot her sister an icy glare and uttered a string of profanities.
“Ladies, ladies.” Mustard said deciding it was time to stand between them. “This is to be a happy occasion. No more bickering.”
“Look” Fimble voice caught everyone’s attention. “This big, fat fellow just hopped upon my foot.” She held up the large green frog for all to see.
“Keep the beast away from me.” Mustard said with a shudder. “I do not like frogs.”
“Oh, how could you not like them?” Anima said smiling as she reached out to touch the frog still in Fimble’s hand. “I think they are quite cute. They make me happy.”
A loud burst of giggling caused all to turn to look for the source.
“Oh my goodness.” Gentle Vengeance said in awe, "Look.” She held out her arm and pointed to a nearby clump of trees. There stood the Ghost.
“The Ghost is giggling.” PJ whispered.
The sound brought smiles to the faces of the Lovelies. Soon the sound of their own laughter joined with that of the Ghost.
chapter 14:
the next morning, after the delightful party the night before at which the ghost visited and giggled with them, the lovelies of mayo's castle faced the assorted mysteries before them with a refreshed sense of determination.
they quickly divided themselves into groups and separated to investigate the anomalies of the castle. arabella found herself once again leading a small number of her sisters into that dark corner of the vaulted space underneath mayo's castle. she was becoming overly familiar with the way, but even still, the flickering torches and unsteady shadows kept her pulse quivering at the base of her throat like a small trapped creature.
as she feared, the wall was once again unbroken by any archway. the women with her as one uttered a soft groan, hoping against all hope that they would have been able to catch the passageway open.
"i swear to you, my sisters, there is a stair behind this wall!" frustrated, arabella whirled to face the dark grey stones and pounded her fists futilely against their cold surface. "why?" she whispered, leaning in against the stone in defeat, her forehead resting against the all-too solid stones. her hands, still pressed to the wall, clenched tightly into small fists.
"oh shoot!" paperheart's voice was surprised and displayed as well a modicum of irritation. "guys, look over there." the young woman pointed at the darkest corner of the dark cellar, fear and anger mingled on her face. "why am i always the first one to spot these things?"
there, at the very edge of the shadows, lingered a glowing indistinct figure, gesturing.
"is it..." villanelle hesitated, her trepidation great. "is it the ghost?"
ergo looked at the figure with knowledgeable eyes, but even she was perplexed, and shook her head. "i can't make out it's energy. it's barely materialized."
arabella had come forward while they discussed the apparition, and now she stepped beyond the little group toward the figure. "it wants us to follow it..." she said in a low, uneasy voice. no one was pleased at the prospect, but as soon as arabella spoke, the spectral form had flickered brightly, and floated a small distance away, then returned to it's former position.
"apparently, it's lassie's ghost." farawaysoclose spoke with a wry tone, and the resultant giggles that rippled through the group gave them the needed courage to follow the spectre's lead. it took the women into what seemed to be the oldest part of the cellar. the floor was soft moist earth beneath their feet, and the walls were finished in a darker stone, roughly cut and with roots piercing the mortar. the ancient room was cold, and threads of damp air whistled past the tight faces of the women. there was a constant low sound in this portion of the cellar, though no one could discern if it was a distant rushing cataract or the low steady murmur of hidden voices.
the formless apparition hovered over by the far wall, and then vanished.
arabella, who had been the first to follow the unknown shade, stepped forward and examined the spot where it had disappeared. she looked back over her shoulder at the lovelies with her, and her face was suffused with the glow of awakened curiosity.
"there's something here! a plaque of some kind!" she handed the torch she had carried to farawaysoclose and scrubbed at the surface of the metal square inset into the stone.
"what does it say, arabella?"
"yes, read it aloud!"
"very well, i will endeavor to do so." arabella leaned in, her fingers lightly tracing the letters as if she needed every sense to decipher the message, and read the inscription so that all could hear it.
"oh no! more latin!" paperheart groaned, and her sentiments were felt by all. all, that is, but anonymeese, who was never without her trusty almanac. she quickly consulted the index, and searched the pages until she had the meaning clear.
"all secrets of the fortress yield to one blood."
"what can that mean?" villanelle asked the question they all pondered, and they decided to discuss it on the way back to the secret passageway. they were almost returned to their starting point when ergo had a suggestion that stopped them all in their tracks.
"well, this is a bit more science-fiction than science fact, but what if by 'one blood' it is meant that the things like the secret passageways and so forth of this castle are all mechanisms that are keyed to a certain blood type? or, perhaps a certain genetic sequence in the blood?"
there was a long silence.
"are you saying that only someone related to whoever controls the mechanism would be able to open the secret passageway?" farawaysoclose asked ergo, who responded with a nod.
"then, does that mean that arabella is related to lord mayo?" paperheart was astounded, as were they all. the women all looked at arabella, who stood among them, her eyes wide, her lips open on an unaspirated 'oh'.
"i don't know." she answered the question on her sisters' faces. "strangely, it is possible. i don't know who my family are." arabella looked down momentarily, and when she raised her face again, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "i'm an orphan, you see."
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 15
- "I don't know." she answered the question on her sisters' faces. "Strangely, it is possible. I don't know who my family are." arabella looked down momentarily, and when she raised her face again, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I’m an orphan, you see."-
It was later that night several of the Lovelies gathered to once more talk of the day’s events. The possibility of Arabella being kin to Lord Mayo had been the topic of many discussions.
“I feel so sad I did not realize Arabella is alone in the world.” Jenn said sadly. “We sisters all feel so close yet how is it that none of us knew?”
Carrie sighed, “Well many of us seem to pass each other. We come here when we chose to spend time with our sisters then quietly leave when we take a notion to do so.”
“But Arabella never leaves the castle. She has no other home but this.” Paperheart whispered. “We should have realized this.”
“I just thought she liked it here and chose not to leave.” Amy said in a hushed tone. “Finding out she without family was shocking.”
“But she does have family” Mya said taking a seat and joining in the discussion, “She has all of us here at the castle. We are her family.”
Her statement was met with nods.
“You know perhaps we are wrong about the meaning of the words.” SIM said. “Latin can be difficult to translate.”
“Oh no.” Anonymeese said shaking her head, “I’m quite sure I translated it correctly.”
“If that is the case.” CTV said looking around at her sisters, “Then Arabella seems to be the only one of us who somehow control the magical aspects of this castle.”
“Then she is of the blood of the Mayo family.” Ergo’s comment was met with a puzzled silence.
In her room Arabella tossed and turned yet sleep would not take her. Finally she rose and threw on her long satin robe. Thinking a snack from Lord Mayo’s kitchen might help her restlessness she quietly made her way downstairs. It was very late and many of the Lovelies had left the castle. Some, she knew, had chose to stay this night but were in their rooms. Only sdock and GS were sitting in a corner talking in hushed tones. No one saw Arabella as she silently crossed the hall. While her original intent has been to find food a feeling of urgency propelled her towards the cellar stairs. It was if an unknown force was pulling to her the depths of the castle.
The torches had burned low yet she knew her way. As she had expected the entrance to the hidden chamber was once again open. Without pausing for a moment she moved through the dark passage way. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness yet she was relieved to see the thin beam of light she knew was coming from Lord Mayo’s chamber. She had just moved her eye into position hoping to see Lord Mayo when his voice started her.
“It is late. What force has brought you here?"
Arabella took a deep breath to steady her nerves, “I felt you needed me.”
Now she could see he was once again standing at the windows looking out into the darkness the blanketed the earth.
“I need all of the Lovelies.” His voice sounded tired.
“But why?” Arabella blurted out. “We are here yet we do not truly understand why. We have spoken in great length about the reasons we were drawn here.”
He sighed, “I can not explain the reasoning to you. Not yet. Just know how much each of you means to me.”
“You mean much to us, Lord Mayo. I thank you every day for allowing me to stay in your home.”
He didn’t speak for several moments and Arabella began to think she should take her leave.
“Why did the Lovelies stay when they first arrived here?”
The question caused her to think back to the day she herself arrived at the castle. “At first I believe most of us were curious. Each of my sisters seemed to have a different frame of mind.”
“But when you heard my words.” His voice trailed off a moment. “The words were not welcoming, they were angry. Yet they did not drive the Lovelies away. Tell me Arabella why is that?”
“I cannot speak for my sisters, Lord Mayo. I can only speak for myself.”
“Fine, tell me why you stayed.”
“I had nowhere else to go.” She answered honestly. When he slightly nodded his head she continued, “Yet, I stayed because I felt it was the right thing. I felt this is where is belong.”
Once more her words were met with silence. She had decided to bid him goodnight when he spoke again.
“Arabella, if I ask something of you, will you do it without question?”
The answer left her lips without pause, “Yes, of course.”
Lord Mayo clasped his hands together and bowed his head. “Push open the door and stand inside this room.”
Arabella wondered if she had heard him correctly. “Come into your private chamber?”
“Yes, please” He whispered loudly enough for her to hear.
“As you wish.” She took a deep steadying breath and placed the palms of her hands on the heavy wooden door. A gently push was all it took for the doors to open.
At the window Lord Mayo closed has eyes, “Tis true” he whispered.
Arabella stood just outside the cabinet. She looked over at their host wishing with all her heart he would turn from the window. She had heard his whisper. “What is true, Lord Mayo?”
His voice was unsteady, “You are able to enter this place. This tower, my prison.”
Arabella was shocked, “Your prison? I do not understand.”
He offered no answer.
“Lord Mayo?” Arabella took a small step towards him.
“Stop” He commanded.
The sudden roar that filled the castle caused Arabella to gasp in fear. The voices of the Nameless Ones filled the castle. Their vile words brought tears to Arabella eyes.
“Go now.” Lord Mayo said loudly to be heard over the sound. “You must go and stand against them with your sisters. He knows you are here. Take care Arabella.”
She took one final look at his silhouette then turned to reenter the secret passageway. Her heart was racing, pounding in her ears.
She almost did not hear Lord Mayo’s parting words. “Please tell the Lovelies to stay strong. Please thank them for staying. I need them now more than ever.”
“I will, Lord Mayo.” Arabella answered before turning and disappearing into the darkness of the passageway.
chapter 16:
arabella rushed through the dark spaces of the cellar, her heart quaking at the violence of this new attack. she gathered her skirts into one hand lest she trip on the stairs back to the great hall, and sped on to the main room. though it had been nearly empty and quiet when she left, now the lights all blazed and the hall was filled with the women of the castle. they sat at the card tables as before, but one glance was all arabella needed to see their usual defense had lost it's effectiveness.
"arabella! we were worried about you!" bellatrix cried out, and gathered the shaken woman in her arms. several women rose from the tables, the card game forgotten. the others valiantly tried to play on, but it was no use. the ploy was crushed.
"what do we do now?" sister midnite had to raise her voice to be heard over the howls of the faceless attackers.
"we need to get outside, to one of the shelters, like before!" martha's suggestion was met with nods, but arabella, having regained her breath, stood and held out her hand.
"no, please, we can't run. we must stand against them!"
"that's impossible!'
"they're too strong!"
many of the lovelies were horrified at the thought of fighting, though they had done so before. this invasion was so much more fierce than anything they had faced before, and none were sure they could prevail. others of the lovelies nodded grimly at arabella's call, ready to fight, anger coursing through their blood.
arabella straightened, and stood firmly before her sisters. she held out both her hands, and looked them all with confidence shining in her eyes. though her voice was soft, somehow the strength in it made it able to be heard over the rushing noise of the assault.
"please. lord mayo asks it of us."
the sisters stopped, as one, and exchanged looks among themselves. had they not found a home here, in this place created by lord mayo? had he not become, by virtue of his mysterious words and kind-hearted actions, a trusted friend to them all? was his castle not worth defending?
an unspoken agreement was reached, and the women drew together in the very center of the great hall that was the heart of the castle. they reached out to each other and grasped hands, linked arms, and bound themselves into a knot of friendship and love. they stood in a tight circle, and each faced out toward the walls and the howling hoards shrieking there. some of the women shouted back at the faceless ones, hurling defiant words to counter the foul ones their attackers used. most of the women remained silent, their jaws clenched, their gazes unflinching though there was nothing to gaze upon.
the nameless ones escalated their barrage, and the hideous onslaught reached a gale force of deprecations and insults and vile poison. sharp words sliced through the lovelies' clothing, ripping lace and linen. malicious catcalls scratched their faces and drew blood. jeers and gibes tore at their hair, bruised their hearts and flesh. swirling around the lovelies like an infernal windstorm of misanthropy, the derision became focussed barbs, and set upon several of the women directly. speared through, they faltered, and weakened, but their sisters did not let them go. they tightened their hold on the ones singled out, and helped them maintain their place in the circle. in time, these women regained their feet, and faced the attackers more resolute than before. nothing was able to break the circle.
and then, it was over.
the great hall was silent, save for the ringing in the lovelies' ears.
they stood in a linked circle still, looking around the room with dazed eyes.
"is it...over?" paperheart asked.
"it is." smoke & venom assured her, with a firm nod of her head.
the women all began to talk then, giddy with victory. they hugged each other and dabbed at the wounds they had sustained. the women who had received direct blows from the nameless ones were fussed over, and made to take seats on the couches and chairs, their wounds being tended to.
arabella stood a little apart from the merriment. she could still feel the tingling of the power that had coursed through her hands and body during the battle. there had been a warm current of energy that had run through the circle like electricity through a closed circuit, rushing from hand to hand. in it, she had been able to taste the differences of each of her sisters. it had been a heady experience.
standing there, marvelling at the residue of power still clinging to her limbs, lord mayo's words rose up in her memory: "please tell the lovelies to stay strong...i need them now more than ever." was this power, this combined strength that had withstood the attack of the nameless ones, was this what he needed?
suddenly, arabella remembered one more detail from her encounter with lord mayo.
he knows you are here.
a shudder of sourceless dread ran through her. who had mayo meant? had he meant perhaps...his captor?
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 17
he knows you are here.
- a shudder of sourceless dread ran through her. who had mayo meant? had he meant perhaps...his captor? –
Once again the castle was peaceful. Many of the Lovelies left to return to their homes when the calm returned following the attack. Those who remained retired to their rooms. Arabella too took her leave but was finding sleep impossible. The events of the day had taken their toll. She could not help but replay in her mind what had happened in Lord Mayo’s chamber. His voice still rang in her ears, his words etched in her memory. It was hours before she finally fell into a fitful sleep.
The next morning Arabella awoke to find many of her sisters in the castle still talking about the previous night’s attack. When she entered the great hall she noticed many conversations fell silent.
“Arabella” Lucy greeted her warmly. “Did you find a good nights rest?”
She could not lie to her sisters. “I did not. There is much I have to tell you all about Lord Mayo.”
Immediately the woman all gathered around. They found comfortable seating and waited patiently for Arabella to speak. Well, most waited patiently. Kaupunua, a woman of action, spoke.
“Tell us, were you speaking with Lord Mayo when the attack began?”
Arabella nodded, “Yes, I had returned to the cellar and as I had expected the passageway was open.”
“You expected it to be open?” Anima asked.
Arabella sat in a chair in the center of the group. “I could not sleep and thought to go for food. Instead I felt drawn to the cellar.”
“What force ties you to this place?” Magic Pie asked, clearly intrigued.
“I do not believe I am tied to this castle yet I feel in some way part of my being belongs here.” It was hard to put into words the emotions that filled her mind.
“We all feel in some way that we belong here.” CTV said looking around the room at the familiar faces of her sisters.
“Very true.” Mustard agreed, “Yet Arabella must have a deeper tie to this place. She alone seems to be able to control the magical forces in play.”
“I do not know if I control them or they control me.” Arabella said. “But I do feel their pull. I knew the passageway would be open once I stepped into the cellar.”
“So you entered and spoke to Lord Mayo from the cabinet again?” Martha asked.
“I entered Lord Mayo’s chamber.”
There was a collective gasp then all of the women began speaking at once. Arabella waited until they quieted.
“You entered his private chamber?” Soulconnector asked shaking her head.
“He asked me to enter.” Arabella admitted.
Once again she had to pause waiting for the sisters to quiet. When they did not she spoke up.
“Please let me tell you what was said.” Arabella spoke in a loud voice. “When I first spoke to him it was from inside the cabinet as before. He asked me why we had all come to this place.”
Many answers to that question were voiced by the Lovelies. Some had received beautiful invitations that requested their presence, others had heard from those who had received the invitations. Arabella spoke again.
“I believe by asking Lord Mayo was attempting to come to the question he most wanted answered. Why we stayed.”
The Lovelies looked at each other all forming different answers in their minds.
“It was tempting to leave.” Pixie spoke first. “His words were rather unkind.”
“His words were vile.” Sister Midnite said in a no nonsense tone.
“He did not seem to want us here.” Paperheart agreed softly.
I remember when he said, “Perhaps I will even treat you to some creative clashes with absurdity since you consider seeking credibility unworthy of your expense.” Sdock said repeating the lines from heart.
“He did not seem to want us here. Yet some how it seemed he did.” Ergo nodded trying to put into words her thoughts on the matter.
“I’ve always felt he wanted us here. The unkind words did not ring true.” Kapunua stated.
“Arabella, what else did he say?” OPL questioned.
“Did he say anything about his bedside drawer?” OPJ broke into the conversation.
OPL glared at her, “Would you stop being so fixated on that damn drawer. You only wish to learn of Lord Mayo’s undergarments.”
“Ladies” Possum stood between them. Let us listen to Arabella and worry about Lord Mayo’s clothing later.” She looked over at Arabella. “Please continue.”
“I was prepared to take my leave of him because he had grown silent but he questioned me further. He asked me to enter his room.”
“Like a royal invitation?” Amy rolled her eyes. “It’s just a room.”
“It’s his private chamber.” Bella said looking at Amy in disbelief.
“I do not think just any could enter.” Arabella said trying to explain the importance of her actions. “When I pushed open the door and stood inside the room he seemed surprised and pleased.”
“I would be pleased.” OPJ smiled.
OPL once more shot her a silencing glare.
“Please explain.” Carrie said to Arabella.
Arabella took a deep breath, “He said “Tis true you can enter this tower, my prison.”
The room exploded in unanswered questions. Lord Mayo was a prisoner in his own castle? How could this be?
“But we see his silhouette when he speaks to us.” Kass said.
“I spent the night reflecting on his words.” Arabella said “We see his silhouette and hear his words but none have actually seen Lord Mayo in the flesh.”
“You have.” Andibomb said in wonder.
“Blood ties.” Ergo whispered.
“Perhaps.” Arabella said. “Perhaps. I do not yet understand.”
“So if Lord Mayo is imprisoned in the tower who is his captor?” Star asked.
“And why do they speak of seeing Lord Mayo in the village? I have heard the whispers. They say at night he roams the countryside.” BC whispered.
Mya scoffed, “Yes, they say he roams the countryside in search of blood. We have all heard the ridiculous tales. The superstitious villagers and their vampire stores.”
Paperheart seemed deep in thought, “But what if it is an evil force masquerading as Lord Mayo? If he truly is a prisoner here it is possible.”
“Well how do we help him?” sdock asked, “There must be something we can do? Lord Mayo has given so much to us. We must help him.”
Arabella nodded, “I do understand now that our presence not only gives him peace I believe it to give him strength. He has said he needs us now more than ever.”
“Of course we shall stay.” Anonymeese said with conviction. “But we must do more. We must find a way to free him.”
“I believe we should begin by researching the castle history.” Toujours said speaking up to be heard. “The library seems the logical starting point.”
“Agreed” PJ said. “I just hope the books are not all written in Latin.”
The woman all agreed on that point.
“Look” MissT shouted. All eyes turned to the corner of the room she was viewing.
“Ghost” GS whispered.
“Find a way.” The voice floated to their ears. “Help him from the darkness that consumes his soul.”
chapter 18:
the ghost began to fade as soon as the words were uttered.
"oh, wait, please!" lewis jumped forward. "don't go yet!"
"yes, what do you mean?"
"is he consumed from within, or from without?"
"please, help us, ghost!"
"please, tell us more!"
the ghost ceased it's departure, and faced them with solemnity. strangely, every woman standing there felt as if the figure gazed on them alone, and each felt a wave of warm calmness and refortifying confidence.
"there is a prophecy regarding this castle." the ghost's voice was soft, but easily heard by all.
"it describes the transformative power of the castle, and tells of a time when the power will be corrupted. if the corruption is not reversed, if the power of the castle is not restored, it is said a great evil will be the outcome."
and then, the ghost was truly gone. only a whisper of it's voice remained. "stay strong..."
the women began to discuss what the ghost could have meant, and while they did so, elena quickly crossed to the secretary desk and wrote down what the ghost had said, as exactly as she could remember.
she straightened, and faced the room.
"we should have enough information now to figure something out. let's go see what we can find in the library."
those who were inclined by nature to the task of research followed elena up the stairs. they had been gone only a moment when the front door opened. the women who remained in the main room turned to see who it was who had arrived.
"bikey!" miss tottenham stood up and grinned across the room at the young man. "you're back!"
he strode in with a broad grin to answer miss t's, and was quickly wreathed in the happy greetings of the others.
"i'm so sorry for disappearing," he said, once all were seated again, "i was unavoidably called away. i'm so relieved to see the mansion still here! i was afraid that attack would have brought it down to it's foundations. i'm very relieved that you're all alright. what has happened since i left?"
the surprising turn of events were quickly revealed to him, and he confessed himself astounded, then leaned forward, an earnest expression lighting his face.
"i have something to tell you which, given all that has changed, seems even more important than i originally considered."
"tell us, bikey." capture this void urged.
"i was in such a hurry to return, that i decided to forgo the usual route to the castle, and took a shortcut, one that runs just behind the village. i was walking as quickly as i could, because the path also skirts the edge of the woods, and i hoped to avoid any confrontations with the things that lurk there."
"that was risky, bikey." miss tottenham said reprovingly.
"it was, but if i hadn't been on that path, i wouldn't have run into who i did."
he paused, and sipped at the coffee he had been given upon his arrival. the women sitting there tried to be patient, but finally, sdock broke the silence.
"who?!"
"it was mayo."
"what? that's impossible! isn't it?" resurrected wreck was startled.
"he emerged from the woods, and though i had never seen him clearly before, his silhouette was strikingly familiar. i stopped, and he spoke. i couldn't make out the words, but i recognized the sound of his voice instantly. there is no doubt. it was mayo, standing there on the path in front of me."
several women gasped.
"i said hello to him, and asked if he was going to the castle to see the lovelies, too. the minute i said that, he stepped toward me, much faster than i expected, and i saw his face. he was sneering, and snarled out the word 'lovelies' with such bile in his tone. then a look entered his eyes, and even though we were standing in the gloom of the forest, i could see it clearly, and it shook me to my core. i honestly feared for my life."
he looked around at the women, his friends, and was not surprised to see their reactions to the tale he recounted. outrage mingled with disbelief, grief with fear.
"and then he just vanished. i don't know how he did it, but one moment he was before me, the next i was alone on the path. i hurried here, and now you tell me that lord mayo is trapped, a prisoner in his own manse."
"it's true," arabella spoke up, her voice tremulous. "if you could have but seen his reaction to me entering his room, there would be no doubt that he could be lying."
"oh, i wasn't suggesting that!" bikey hastened to reassure her. "no, in fact, my thought was that i have just encountered lord mayo's captor, face to face."
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 19
- "oh, i wasn't suggesting that!" bikey hastened to reassure her. "no, in fact, my thought was that i have just encountered lord mayo's captor, face to face." –
"I do not understand." Arabella said turning to look at the book the Lovelies had found in the library. "This is the only one?"
"Yes" Ergo said nodding her head, "It is the only book we could find in the library that pertains to the castle."
"But it was published over a hundred years ago. How can that ancient history help us now?" Sister Midnite asked sounding a bit disgusted.
Arabella picked up the book and began to pursue the pages. "I'm not sure but I have a feeling inside we will find our answers. I shall take it to my room as the hour is growing late and begin reading."
The Lovelies who had stayed for the evening nodded. Most had spent the day searching through the castle looking for any clue to help them in their quest to free Lord Mayo. The book had only recently been found high on a shelf hidden by other volumes. Arabella bid her sisters goodnight and took her leave.
"I'm still unable to believe Bikey's story." Kass said sitting down in a comfortable chair by the fire. "It sounds too unbelievable to be true."
MissT glared at her, "Tell me you are not implying that Bikey would lie to us." There was disbelief with a hint of anger in her voice.
Kass shook her head, "I'm not implying anything of the kind. I just think perhaps Bikey was wrong about who he believes he saw in the woods."
"But maybe it was truly Lord Mayo" Amy said knowing full well her comment would be met with opposition.
"Lord Mayo would never act in that manner." Paperheart said softly. "He treasures each and every one of us."
Amy tried to soften her words, "He seems to feel that way, it is true. However we cannot forget the words he hurtled at us when we first arrived."
Sdock had been sitting quietly in the corner. Now she stood and joined the group of women. "What if the first words had not truly belonged to Lord Mayo? What if this imposter that Bikey saw was who we heard?"
They all sat quietly giving thought to her words. "But why is it that this imposter does not speak to us now?"
"Perhaps Lord Mayo grows stronger. Perhaps our words, our thoughts help him to control the “other".
"But who is this other?" Jenn asked. "Bikey said he speaks with the same voice as our Lord Mayo."
"That I do not understand." sdock said turning to stare into the fire. "However my heart tells me the being Bikey encountered it not Lord Mayo."
Arabella readied herself then crawled into her bed. The night chill forced her to pull up the covers. For some unknown reason her room seemed much colder then normal. She looked down at the book lying in her lap. Inside she hoped to find the answers the Lovelies needed. She ran her hand over the leather cover then opened the book. A sudden cold blast of air snapped the book shut. Arabella gasped in fright, her heart racing. She nervously glanced towards the windows yet they were closed tight.
Then she heard it. A whisper so soft she strained her ears trying to catch the words.
"Arabella I need you. Come to me."
"Lord Mayo" she whispered. Now all was silent once more.
She slipped out of her bed and donned her robe and slippers. Her only thought was to go to him. Reaching the bottom of the stairs she silently crossed the hall moving quickly towards the cellar. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs she was breathless. Moving in the almost complete darkness she reached the wall where the portal to the passageway should be but was shocked to find only solid stone.
"Arabella, come."
Despair filled her heart. How could she reach him? She laid her palms against the cold stone and lowered her head in defeat. Suddenly she felt a vibration in her fingertips. Pulling her hands away in fear she raised her head to see the stone literally shift. The passageway was once again open.
Arabella did not spend a moment to marvel at the event she simply ran into the passageway. She ran into the total darkness blindly moving forward. A moment later a howling so piercing began that she halted and covered her ears. Still the sound could not be silenced. The sheer brutality of its force caused her to fall to her knees. The damp soft earth beneath her knees seemed to vibrate. "NO" she screamed but could not hear her own voice over the roar.
Suddenly something touched her arm sending a shock wave through her body. She saw a hand was on her arm helping to pull her to her feet. Arabella raised her eyes to see him standing before her. Through the darkness she could see little more than a silhouette yet she knew in her heart who stood before her.
The roar, which before was nothing more than howling, became words. The Faceless Ones tore at her soul with words so vicious she felt physical pain. He moved closer, to whisper in her ear.
"I did not call to you. The voice was his. You've heard it before. Beware of false words."
Arabella could barely hear his voice over the onslaught of verbal abuse. She tried to tell him what had happened but realized he somehow knew.
"Go now Arabella. You are in danger. He means to stop you. Please tell the lovelies to beware. Words can be deadly." He removed his hand and took a step away. "Go" he commanded.
Arabella nodded and fled the passageway. She had just cleared the opening when the wall once more became solid. She fell to her knees trying desperately to catch her breath. It was moments later when she felt the tingling in her arm. She slid the sleeve of her robe up and was shocked. There on her arm where Lord Mayo had placed his hand to help her to her feet was a mark. Her skin had darkened and the imprint of his fingers was clearly visible.
Once more back in the tower Lord Mayo stood before the windows trying desperately to contain his excitement. He warned himself not to let what had happened gladden his heart. It was impossible however not to feel a sense of hope. He had stood in physical form in front of another and touched her. He could still feel the warmth from her body. Her scent still lingered in his mind. The sound of her blood coursing through her veins still echoed in his ears.
"No" he ground out. "No."
chapter 20:
somehow, arabella managed to make her way back to her room, but her thoughts were disordered and she was unaware of anything save her internal confusion and the warmth glowing on her arm where lord mayo had grasped it.
she slept fitfully, and when she awoke again, it was still night. the moonlight was filling her room with a silver glow. she donned her robe, and went over to the window to gaze upon it.
she remained there for a long while, standing silently at the casement, her mind wandering over the events of the night. her arm still held a remnant of sensation, and she touched it absentmindedly.
arabella turned away, uncertain whether to make another attempt at sleep, or to go down to the main hall and see who might still be there, but halted. had she glimpsed movement outside?
she peered out the glass, and at first saw nothing. but then, there by the line of trees just beyond the gazebo, she saw a figure. it was moving back and forth, almost as if pacing, but there was a strangeness to it's movements that puzzled her. she tried to see more clearly, and raised the window to lean out.
the figure suddenly moved out from the shadows of the trees and into the full moonlight, and arabella gasped. once again, she was confronted with the sight of a familiar silhouette, but this time she could scarce believe it. how could lord mayo have suddenly left the confines of his room?
suddenly, the figure below halted, and looked up at the castle. the silvery gleam of the moon fell full on the face thus upraised, and arabella felt a shock to her core.
it was mayo!
and he was looking straight at her, she knew it, she felt it. she stood stockstill, transfixed by his gaze, unaware that she was clutching her arm with one hand.
then he raised his arm toward her, his hand open-palmed, and with one slow gesture indicated she was to join him.
arabella did not even take the time to shod her bare feet. a sense of urgency filled her and she left her room without a second glance. she had a fleeting thought that this was the second time tonight she had felt thus compelled, but it vanished as soon as she thought it.
nothing hindered her on her way down the stairs, and though she heard voices from the main room, no one seemed to notice her passage, nor to take note of the door opening and closing as she left the castle interior.
it was cold in the open, and it struck arabella through. the moonlight seemed to be made of ice itself. she ignored the shivering that quaked her thinly-clad body, and made her way around the building to the lawn.
he was still standing there, as if waiting for her. she stepped onto the wet grass, and stopped, her bare feet instantly numb with the chilling dew.
he waited, a black figure in the silver light.
she stepped forward slowly, hesitantly. as she drew near to him, he began to step away. pacing her, he walked backwards, leading her with his gaze, until they stood within the shadows cast by the beeches and oaks that lined the castle boundaries. only then, did he stop, and arabella was able to come close to him.
she took the final step that would close the space between them, ready to speak his name in inquiry, but the mark on her arm flared with a sudden pain, and a shock shuddered through her form. it was as if she had crossed an invisible barrier.
suddenly, the intense draw that had led her unthinkingly out to the figure vanished, and arabella looked up into the face with a growing sense of fear.
though the man standing before her bore a resemblance to lord mayo that was eerily similar, arabella could see that this was not mayo.
this was not lord mayo!
she tried to move away from him, but was pinned in place by an unknown force. there was a shadowy shimmering in the air, tracing the path marked out all around them in the dew on the grass. the pacing, she realized. the pacing she had witnessed had been the casting of a malicious spell!
"what do you want with me?" her voice was angry, but shook also with apprehension.
he did not reply, only grinned. his eyes were cruel and the grin was cold. the effect was all the more frightening because he resembled their host so!
"who are you? what do you want with me?"
his only answer was to grab arabella's shoulders, vise-like, and pull her toward him.
"where is the book?" he hissed in her face. "i want the book."
"what book?" arabella squirmed to be free, but could not escape his grasp. her arm where mayo had touched her earlier still burned.
"arabella." the sound of her name in his vile voice was a pain to her very soul. "i know what you can do. did you think it was your precious lord mayo who called you to the passageway tonight?"
she gasped, and looked up into his face with shock.
"how..."
"i know," he whispered, his voice mocking and sly and insidious, "i know when you use the power. you proved it to me tonight."
his awful grin vanished, and in it's place, the expression on his face was suffused with a sudden fierce fury. he shook arabella by the shoulders, and she feared he would break her neck in doing so.
"give me the book!" he yelled, his face close to her own. his breath was hot on her face though her eyes were closed from the constant abuse of his anger. "i must have it!"
it was the book left behind on her nightstand that he referred to, she knew. the one she had not yet been able to read. what was in it that he did not want read? she would not let him have it, even if it meant the loss of her life this very night.
frustrated by her silence, he tossed her to the ground. arabella found she was still unable to leave the nefarious circle he had created, and could only look up at him, defiance on her face but fear in her heart.
"maybe," he looked down at her lying on the cold wet grass, and smiled a serpent's smile. "maybe, i don't need the book as much as i thought." he reached into the folds of his garment and withdrew a knife. the blade was sinuously curved like an undulating wave, and it glinted in the light. he looked at it with fondness, then returned his sharpened gaze to arabella.
"maybe, all i need to do is get rid of the one who can use it."
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 21
"maybe, all i need to do is get rid of the one who can use it."
Arabella cowered in fear. Her eyes were transfixed upon the blade gleaming in the moonlight.
From his tower window Lord Mayo took in the sight below him in utter despair. He could not go to her. All his strength has been drained earlier when he’d appeared before her in the passageway. He too saw the blade. He knew there was only one hope left.
“Lovelies, please.” His voice raw with emotion. “Please.”
Downstairs the remaining women all heard his words. They sat upright in their chairs not only hearing his words but also physically feeling them.
“Good Lord, what is wrong?” OPJ was the first to speak.
OPL, who was seated beside her reached over and took her hand. “He is in great distress. We must help him.”
“I can feel his overwhelming despair.” Sdock said, “His heart is breaking.”
“Lord Mayo, we are here.” Kapunua said loudly. “We hear you. What do you ask of us?”
“Arabella” his voice answered, “She needs you. Quickly outside before it is too late.”
The women all sat stunned for only a moment before they leaped to their feet. Those nearest the doors poured out on to the steps.
“There” S&V pointed. “I see her.”
All eyes gazed in horror at the sight. Arabella was on the ground at the feet of a dark stranger.
“Come.” Jenn said moving swiftly.
Out of the darkness several more Lovelies arrived. They too joined the group of women moving across the lawn.
“I heard him” Anima marveled. “From my home, I heard him.”
“What is happening?” Paperheart asked breathlessly. “Why is Lord Mayo crying out?” She had not yet seen Arabella and her attacker.
“Arabella is in mortal danger.” Ergo said taking her arm and pulling her along with the others. “We must help her.”
Lord Mayo closed his eyes and felt the power coursing through his body. They were here. They had heard him. He grew stronger with each passing moment.
“Stop” FASC screamed. She was ahead of the other women. Suddenly she fell to her feet.
“FASC” Amy fell to her knees by her friend. “What has happened?”
FASC tried to catch her breath. “An invisible barrier. I struck it with such force.”
Arabella had turned her head to see her friends racing across the darkness towards her.
“They can not help you.” The dark figure taunted. “He can not help you.”
“Yes, she whispered. “With their help he can.”
Her words threw him into a rage. “Fools, all of you. I grow tired of his games.”
“Arabella” her name was piercing the darkness. The woman had all gathered around. Some put out their hands to feel the invisible wall. Some were crying. Their tears made the dark figure laugh.
“Look at them. So sad and pathetic. They truly believed they could help.”
The lovelies could hear his vile words. “We can help.” GS screamed.
“We have helped.” Fimble stood taller, “Lord Mayo has told us.”
The words these women spoke traveled to the ears of Lord Mayo. A smile touched his lips. He closed his eyes and felt the warmth fill him.
“Shut up, you stupid lost souls.” The Imposter spat. “Give up, can you not truly see you are useless?’
“We are not useless.” Ergo said linking arms with her sisters. “We all were drawn her for a reason.”
“We shall help Lord Mayo find his way from the darkness.” Toujours said, her voice strong with emotion.
Lord Mayo opened his eyes. He gazed upon his lovelies standing together. They understood.
Several more women joined the group. They too had heard his plea while away. As they linked arms with those who were already there, strange electricity filled the air.
The dark Imposter felt it too. “No” he shouted. “Some of you still doubt. I can feel it hidden in the dark corners of your heart.”
“Stand together.” OPL screamed. “We must stand as one.”
The lovelies understood her words. They had to be united. The hum of the electricity in the air grew louder.
Sdock turned her head to look back towards the castle. She knew in her heart what she would see. “Lord Mayo watches. He is also with us.” She screamed as loudly as possible.
“Good.” The imposter shouted. “Then he may witness your downfall. He may witness his only chance to escape die.” He raised the blade high above his head. Arabella tried to escape his reach but was not fast enough. The blade pierced her chest and she fell back on the ground.
The screams of the Lovelies tore at Lord Mayo’s heart. He closed his eyes. His head dropped to his chest.
As the women watched in horror the imposter vanished. Now only Arabella lay on the ground. The air grew still, the humming silenced.
OPL was the first to try to move to Arabella’s side. The barrier was gone. She gently reached out to touch Arabella’s face. “Oh God.” She cried.
Some women fell to their knees in grief, others turned away but none moved to leave.
“Leave now. It is over.” A Nameless One taunted.
Soulconnector’s response was firm, “We will not leave this place. It is our home.”
The air suddenly was filled with variations of the same comment. Once more the air hummed.
“What is happening?” Anima whispered.
No one could answer. They could not put into words the feeling that was surrounding them.
“Oh” Mustard cried out. “Look.”
Walking towards them, out of the darkness, was a silhouette. The lovelies stood in awe. They knew. Lord Mayo grew closer. They parted so he could move to where Arabella lay on the cold ground. OPL stood and moved back slightly.
“I do not have much time. He will return. Believe your strength allows me to be here.” He knelt down by Arabella. Quickly he parted the material to expose the knife wound. “Believe. Your love allows this to be done.”
He placed the palm of his hand on Arabella’s chest covering the wound. He head fell foreword and he closed his eyes.
“Believe” Paperheart whispered.
“Believe” they all heard his voice.
Arabella’s eyes flew open. “Lord Mayo” she said so softly only he could hear.
He removed his hand and stood. “Believe.” was his parting word before simply vanishing before their eyes.
chapter 22:
"believe," arabella whispered.
"oh, look, she's waking up." fimble star's voice was very close to arabella, and the woman opened her eyes and turned her head on the pillow. her dear friend was sitting in a chair at her bedside, smiling at her. arabella shifted her gaze, and saw mustard standing there as well, a relieved expression on her face.
"you fainted after lord mayo healed you."
"healed her?" fimble was indignant. "bloody well brought her back from the dead, more like!"
"he...did?" arabella was hesitant, her voice low and soft.
"don't you remember, arabella?" mustard was concerned. "out on the lawn...?"
the memories returned to her in startling clarity, and arabella closed her eyes against the echo of fear they raised. but then she opened them again, her eyes wide and fixed on her inner sight.
"he saved me." she looked at her sisters. "you all saved me."
fimble smiled and took arabella's hand in her own, and mustard likewise smiled, and spoke. "you're still very weak, arabella, so rest awhile more. everything wil be alright now."
"yep, you close your eyes again, sweetie, and take a nap." fimble patted arabella's hand, and stood. "we're going to go back downstairs for now, but we'll be back to check on you."
arabella was too weak to argue, though in her heart she knew that their troubles were not yet behind them. she could only return the kind smiles of her friends, and her eyes were closed in unwilling slumber very soon after they had made their departure.
back downstairs in the main hall of the castle, the air was filled with much discussion. the events of the night were still being turned over and examined from every angle by the women gathered there.
mustard and fimble rejoined the group, exchanging gentle hugs with a few as they were welcomed back.
"how is she?" resurrected wreck asked.
"she looked much better, not as pale as when we brought her inside. but she's still so very weak." mustard was solemn.
"well, it only stands to reason! after all, it's not every day that you're brought back from the dead!" op l. said with a grin, and there were answering grins on many faces. the surprise and relief lord mayo's miraculous appearance had wrought was still felt keenly by all.
"well, at least it's over." cupcake said with a sigh as she plumped herself down on the couch next to paperheart.
"actually, it isn't."
"sdock's right," op j. said, stepping to stand next to sdock and laying a supportive hand on the woman's arm. "lord mayo said that...that thing would return."
sdock gave op j. a warm smile, then addressed her words to the group, "we have to prepare."
"prepare how?" martha asked. "we didn't even hurt it."
"i think we did," elena spoke from the table where she sat. "i was watching him when he vanished, and just before he did, his face looked like he was in pain."
"i saw that, too," ergo agreed. "in fact, i don't think he vanished because he killed arabella, i think he left because he had to."
"but, we weren't doing anything to him," pickled possum said, "we were channeling all our thoughts toward lord mayo."
the women exchanged looks amongst themselves, their thoughts whirling with the implications.
"it was creepy how much he looked like lord mayo." wendy shuddered a little at the memory of it.
"and why arabella? why did he feel like he had to attack her?" amyranth looked at her sisters, a thoughtful frown on her face. "is it because she's truly related to lord mayo, like we thought?"
"what happened with the research in the library?" bleeding chaos asked. "was anything discovered?"
carrie spoke up out of the murmurs, "they found an old book that seemed to be about the castle itself, but i don't know where it is right now."
upstairs, arabella slept, but was restless with dreams. she moved fitfully under the quilted coverlet, small wordless sounds falling from her lips.
on the small table beside her bed, laying where she had left it at the very beginning of the long night which was mercifully now over, was the leather and metal-clad book of the castle's history.
in the gloom of arabella's bedroom, draped closed against the dawning morning light, the slim volume seemed to glow with a sickly phosphorescence.
"the key...." the words uttered by arabella were soft and slurred by sleep.
"the book..."
she gasped, and awoke, and sat upright in her bed, her hair and clothes disordered, but her mind clear. she turned and looked at the book, and knew what needed to be done.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 23
- she gasped, and awoke, and sat upright in her bed, her hair and clothes disordered, but her mind clear. she turned and looked at the book, and knew what needed to be done –
Still weak yet determined Arabella sat up and reached for the book. This time as she opened the leather cover no ill wind snapped it shut. Arabella believed she knew why. The dark other was still weak. The Lovelies had drained some of his powers. A sense of urgency made her move closer to the candlelight to begin to read the text.
Downstairs in the great hall the other women still sat together talking in hushed whispers. Many had decided to stay this night in the castle after the events that had just taken place.
“I still do not quite understand all that transpired.” Pickled Possum said. “The Dark Imposter’s words puzzle me. He said something about Lord Mayo watching his only hope die.”
Carrie shuddered, “He said it right before he plunged the knife into Arabella.”
“I do not understand how Lord Mayo was able to bring her back from death.” BC said voicing many of the Lovelies thoughts. “It sounds wrong I know but I am frightened.”
“Because he brought our Arabella back?” Wendy said narrowing her eyes at BC.
“No, of course not.”
“I do understand what she means.” OPJ said, “What manner of man is Lord Mayo?”
“He is not like any other.” OPL whispered. “If we are honest we all have known this fact for some time. He can call us with his thoughts even if they are not given voice.”
In her bed Arabella continued to read. This book was more than just the history of the castle it was the history of the Mayo family. Several hours passed and the sun was just coming over the horizon as the last page was turned. Arabella blinked back tears. Could the thoughts now filling her head be true? Her heart knew the answer.
She slipped out of bed and dressed slowly still weak and slightly dizzy. There was pain in her body yet the pain in her heart and mind was much stronger. Arabella made her way down the stairs careful not to wake her sisters. Many had spent the night in the great hall believing that they needed to stay. Their solidarity was key to keeping the evil at bay.
Reaching the bottom of the cellar stairs she was shocked to see Redrum lighting the torches. “Thank you.” She said softly.
Redrum nodded, “I did not want you to stumble in the darkness.”
Arabella smiled, “You are wise, my friend.”
The smile Arabella received in answer was brilliant. “Take care Arabella.” Were Redrums final words.
She moved to the correct spot and placed her hands against the cold stone. At once the passageway opened. Taking a deep breath she entered without further thought. It was not until she reached the inside of the cabinet she began to doubt. Should she speak to Lord Mayo of her findings?
Standing in the stifling darkness she tried to gather her thoughts. His voice was tired.
“Arabella you need your rest.”
“As do you Lord.” She said trying to steady her voice. “But I must speak to you. There are things I still do not understand." She tried to see into the room but the drapes were shut tight. The room was in total darkness.
“You read the book Arabella. Are you not repulsed by me?”
She was shocked by the question, “I nor any of my sister could ever view you in such a manner.”
“Are you positive, Arabella?”
She spoke from her heart. “Yes, I am positive.” She waited a moment before asking, “May I enter your room so that I may speak to you?”
A moment passed before he answered, “The room is in darkness. You will not be able to see me.”
“I understand that Lord Mayo. I still would like to enter.”
“You feel compelled to be near to me.” His words carried were heavy with sadness.
Arabella was surprised to realize the words were truth. “Yes” she whispered.
“Come Arabella. There is a seat just to the right of the cabinet in which you stand.”
She pushed open the doors and quickly seated herself. Through the darkness she could barely make out his silhouette. He too was seated in a chair near the windows.
“What is your question?” He asked softly.
She took a deep breath before beginning.” I have indeed read the book.”
“Then you know of the danger you and all my Lovelies face and you know who he is.”
“Yes, I do and I wish to share my knowledge with the others.”
He sighed, “That is wise. They must each make their own choices once they know the truth.”
“I know how my sisters will respond, Lord Mayo. None shall forsake you.”
He closed his eyes allowing himself to revel in her words. “All can not be explained at this time. Even I do not understand his power, his hold over me. Many years I have pondered the questions in your mind. Alone for so long and yet I still do not have the answers."
"Has the ghost been by your side?" Arabella asked.
"My friend was been with me since the day I was imprisoned."
"I thought as much." Arabella said sadly. "He too has become a prisoner."
"Yes, the love he feels for his friend has tied him to this place."
They sat in silence for several minutes. "Sleep is calling me Arabella. I can not deny it. Ask the question."
“The sadness I feel. I do not understand. It is as if there is a heaviness in my heart I can not bare.”
This was what he had feared. “The sadness, the despair you feel is of my making.”
She tried to make sense of his words. “Your making?”
“Arabella there is something you do not know. The Lovelies did not see all that happened when I came to you after the attack. As I walked towards you I pierced the skin of my palm causing my own blood to flow.”
“Your blood?” She whispered.
“Yes and when I placed my palm over your wound our blood met.” He forced himself to continue. “I know you had deduced that you are of the Mayo bloodline.”
“I had.”
“That is true. It is that bloodline that allows you to manipulate the magical forces at play in the castle.”
Arabella nodded forgetting he could not see her in the darkness.
“However at the moment our blood met something else came to be. You and the Lovelies all hear me but now Arabella you carry the burden of feeling my emotions as well. It is because of this I feel despair. I did not want to force this upon you but I had no choice. I did not want you to die.”
Arabella sat back in her chair trying to absorb his words. “I feel your emotions.” It was becoming clear to her.
“Yes and that is a curse I did not want to inflict upon you. My emotions run deep. They are often dark and I feel total despair. You too can feel it, can you not?’
“Yes” she said slowly “I can.”
He shook his head sadly, “And for that Arabella I am truly sorry.”
chapter 24:
for a very long moment, arabella sat silently in lord mayo's dark chamber. his heavy apology rang in her ears, but she ignored it, for she was wholly focussed within.
there, in her own heart, she could feel the truth of his regret for his actions, making his unnecessary apology redundant as well.
behind his regret she could sense also the fear he carried, that the lives of all his lovelies might be made forfeit because of his need. she was astonished to realize this need shamed him.
and behind it all, the grounding note to all the new emotions she now felt on his behalf, was a terrible longing to be free. not just free of the castle, but truly free. arabella reached in order to understand this longing, and gasped.
she looked into the darkness of the room, in the direction where she knew mayo sat. she could barely discern the outline of his form. the room was utterly silent, and arabella suddenly understood why.
though she held her own, and sat as still as possible, her straining ears could not hear him breathing.
"you cannot die..." she whispered.
"nor can i live."
tears welled in her eyes, and her hands clenched on the book in her lap.
"lord mayo..."
"you should go, arabella."
startled into aquiesence, she stood and moved to the cabinet, but paused with her hand on the door.
"lord mayo," she said, facing him and trying to pour all her assurance into the newly-forged link between them. "we will free you. we will open the cage in which you have trapped. i swear it."
she stood there for a single heartbeat longer, then turned and re-entered the wardrobe, closing the door securely behind her, with the bitter knowledge that only she could open it again.
though arabella was still very weak from all the night's activities, she crossed the cellar and made her way to the main hall with determination. it was time to share with her sisters the story of lord mayo's dreadful past, and the wrong that only they could make right.
Hi TJ.
I am loving this story. Keep up the good work.
Thanks.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 25
-it was time to share with her sisters the story of lord mayo's dreadful past, and the wrong that only they could make right.
Arabella sat in a chair surrounded by the Lovelies. They had seen to her comfort and now all who were present in the castle sat waiting for her to speak. Each woman sensed the importance of what she was about to reveal.
“I have come from speaking to Lord Mayo.” She began. “What I have to say will be shocking but the truth must be told.”
“Please Arabella, tell us what you have learned.” FASC said sitting on the edge of her chair. Many nodded in silent agreement.
Arabella’s hands absently ran over the cover of the book sitting on her lap. She had gone to her room to retrieve the Mayo history thus allowing time for many more of the women to gather in the hall. By the time she had returned most of the Lovelies had assembled. “I have read this book and learned of the Mayo family history. It begins with the building of this castle.”
“I’ve heard is it almost two hundred years old.” Paperheart said. “Is that true, Arabella?”
“Yes” Arabella nodded her head, “It is true. It was built by Quentin Mayo as a gift for his new bride Elizabeth. He had fallen in love with her and had won her heart from another. His promise to her was to build a beautiful castle that would become their home.
“That sounds so romantic.” Lucy said smiling.
“It does indeed sound romantic yet in truth Elizabeth married Quentin only for his standing in the community. Her heart still belonged to the other man.”
“Oh my.” Pixie said. “That is very sad for all involved.”
“More so for Quentin. He did not know as Elizabeth was an excellent actress who professed her love to him daily.”
“Arabella what sort of history book tells such personal tales?” MissT asked.
“One that was written by Quentin Mayo himself. He wrote this history shortly before his death.”
“I had wondered” Toujours said. “When the book had been found in the library I had believed it to be a journal.”
“It is.” Arabella said once more touching the book lightly.
“Please continue with the story.” Martha said growing impatient.
“Quentin and Elizabeth were married and a year when she gave birth to a child. Artemus was born and became the heir to the Mayo fortune which was quit considerable at the time.”
“I can imagine.” Mustard said looking around the great hall. This is a beautiful castle.”
“Yes, when he wrote of it Quentin sounded quite proud. Yet, Elizabeth never shared his love for this castle. He wrote that she often complained it was not grand enough. She was not happy here.”
“I cannot imagine being unhappy in this place.” CTV said softly.
Arabella continued, “The marriage was not a happy union. Quentin tried hard to please his wife but to no avail. He suffered her complaints and tried to please her every whim until he leaned she had been unfaithful to him.”
“Oh, my.” Ergo said “That must have broke his heart.”
“Yes, he spoke of having many dark days after finding her in the arms of another man. However, Quentin was a strong man who refused to be treated in such a way. He quietly divorced Elizabeth and ordered her to leave the castle. She was livid when he demanded she leave the baby.”
“I can imagine no mother would want to be parted from her child.” Bella said.
“That would be true for most.” Arabella agreed, “but not in the case of Elizabeth. She told Quentin she would be happy to leave behind the babe if he agreed to give her half of his fortune.”
“The bitch.” Kass uttered. Many of the women smiled at her. Kass was known to speak her mind without edit.
“Quentin agreed and Elizabeth disappeared. But life in the castle was lonely for him and he wanted a mother for his young son. He wanted someone who would truly love them both. He found such a woman in a young girl named Isabelle. Quentin fell in love with her sweet nature and married her soon after they met.”
“This is an interesting story but what does it have to do with our Lord Mayo?” Anima questioned.
“It has everything to do with him.” Arabella answered sadly. “Please let me continue. Quentin and Isabelle found happiness together. She enjoyed the role of mother to baby Artemus. Soon her happiness was complete when she learned she was to have a child of her own. Quentin wrote that while he was happy they were to have a child he feared for her. She was much younger then he and prone to illness.” Arabella paused a moment then continued with much sadness in her voice. Their child, Arthur, was born on a stormy night. Isabelle did not live to see the morning.”
“Quentin was left with two young babes?” Jenn gasped. “How terrible.”
“His fears had become reality. He lost his beloved Isabelle.”
“Still wondering what this has to do with our Lord Mayo.” Anima said softly. She received several looks of reproach from her sisters.
“Quentin was beside himself with grief. His state of mind made it impossible to care for his young sons. They were sent away from the castle to be cared of by relatives in Europe.”
“Poor babies.” Paperheart whispered.
Arabella took a steadying breath. She needed it to finish the story. “Many years passed and the babies grew into handsome young men. Quentin had remained in the castle alone becoming what many called a hermit. It wasn’t until his health began to fade that he summoned his sons home.”
“How old were they?” Amy wondered.
“Artemus was 32 and Arthur was 30. Quentin was shocked at how handsome his sons had become and how much they bared resemblance to each other. He was please when they first arrived back at the castle believing they had grown into fine young men.”
“They hadn’t?” GS guessed.
“Quentin wrote that there was something, as he put it, almost sinister about his sons. He tried but failed to form any bond with Artemus. He said the boy was too much like his mother. He was demanding and determined that all of the Mayo estate would be left to him as he was the oldest son.”
“But what about poor Arthur?” sdock asked, “Shouldn’t he have gotten half?”
“That was what Quentin believed. He wrote that while he could not warm to Arthur he felt the young man had many traits of this beloved Isabelle. Between the two brothers he favored Arthur.”
“Arabella, it’s nice to learn the story of the castle and all but really can we move on? This all happened way over 100 years ago. Tell us of the present Lord Mayo.”
Arabella closed her eyes and spoke. “I have told you of the present Lord Mayo.”
“What?” was the cry uttered by many.
“Quentin began to despise Artemus. He was a cruel man to people and animals alike. I wasn’t however until Quentin witness with his own eyes the extent of Artemus’s cruelty that he understood what had happened to his sons.”
“I’m totally lost.” OPL said shaking her head.
OLJ nodded in agreement. “What did Artemus do?”
“Quentin saw him attack a woman from the village. He savagely bit her neck and drained her blood. Quentin stood by in horror unable to stop him.”
“What the bloody hell?” MissT said loudly to be heard over the roar of conversation that was happening. “You aren’t saying that Artemus was a vampire?”
“Yes, he had fallen victim to a woman who had turned him in his 21st year.”
“Wait, how did Quentin know this? Perhaps Artemus was just crazed in the head.” Carrie said trying to make sense of the story.
“No, he told his father the truth. He rejoiced in what he had become. Immortality was a prize he gladly accepted.”
“So the vampire the villagers speak of? Is that Artemus?” S & V asked.
Arabella nodded. “Yes, it is he.”
“Wait, I’m still confused.” Kapunua said, “So Artemus told his father that he was a vampire?”
“His words to his father were “She was so lovely and her kiss gave me everything I could ever desire.” Arabella knew the quote by heart.
“Well what did Quentin do?” Mya demanded to know.
“He waited until Artemus was out of the castle that night to speak to Arthur. I believe that in his mind he still prayed that perhaps Artemus was deranged. That there was no vampire curse.”
“And what did Arthur say?” Fimble asked. She was completely caught up in the story. “Well?”
Once more Arabella took a deep breath, “He told his father that the story was indeed true. That a vampire had turned his brother.”
“Holy shit.” Sdock uttered. No one even noticed her language.
“So Artemus is the Dark Imposter.” Toujours said rising to her feet. “Oh, heavens above.” She took a step forward then stopped. “Arabella, I understand. Our Lord Mayo is Arthur, is he not?”
Arabella nodded sadly, “Arthur fell victim to the same woman. Arthur Mayo is our Lord Mayo.”
“But that would mean that he too is a ….” Martha couldn’t speak the word.
“Vampire” Lord Mayo’s voice rang through the hall. They looked up to the balcony and saw his familiar silhouette. “The curse my brother embraces I abhor. Flee my Lovelies and I shall understand. My only plea is that you forgive me.” His words faded and he was gone.
chapter 26:
the stunned silence that greeted lord mayo's sorrowful declaration lasted but a moment, and was broken by the scattered voices of the lovelies, raised to him in reassurance and requests to return.
"lord mayo, don't go!"
"there is nothing to forgive, mayo, you have been nothing but kindness itself to us."
"whatever you need from us, my lord, we will gladly give!"
"we won't run from that impostor!"
"please don't leave us, lord mayo!"
"don't worry, lord mayo, we're going to help you!"
"arthur, you get back here, right now!"
amyranth greeted the surprised and smirking looks from her sisters with a wide-eyed innocence. "what? it always works when my mom says that."
arabella had not stood with the others, though she had been as surprised as they to hear him speak. she had known he was there on the landing, however. he had been listening to her recitation, and his reaction to the tale that was for him a stark memory had given her recounting of it a heaviness.
"my sisters," she called out. "i am afraid there is yet more to tell."
the lovelies slowly returned to the seating area.
"more? how can there be more?" soulconnector's voice sounded stunned.
"mayo and his brother are vampires, they suck people's blood -- i mean, that's a lot of bad news right there, arabella." smoke & venom was matter-of-fact about the situation, but although she questioned arabella's statement, she resumed her seat near the somber woman. the rest of the women also rearranged themselves, ready to once again hear what arabella had to say. she looked around at the faces of her sisters, each so beautiful and so varied in their beauty. arabella marveled at the array of individuals who had answered mayo's call. she knew that no matter how different their own lives and experiences were from each other, together they had the ability to save their host.
she took a deep breath, for the worst had yet to be told.
"quentin made one more entry in his journal. he wrote that he was determined to confront artemus, to confine his son within the castle so that the castle itself could cure him." some murmurings arose at this, as the women wondered at arabella's phrasing. how could quentin mayo hope that the castle would do anything? arabella did not pause, but continued, "for this purpose, he had constructed a special tower room, with but one entrance, and there is where he wrote his final entry in this book, and awaited the arrival of the son he did not trust, but hoped to save."
"so that's the end of it then," kapunua spoke into the silence. "we'll never know what happened."
"that's the end of the story? but what happened to mayo, how is it that he's the one trapped in his brother's room?" fimble was distraught.
"it is not the end. there is one more entry, hidden at the very back of the volume." arabella smoothed her hand over the soft leather of the book. "lord mayo himself recorded the rest of the events of that night."
soft gasps were uttered by all. the ladies of the castle listened intently to what arabella said next.
"lord mayo wrote that as a child, he heard many stories about his father's special ability, which everyone in the family referred to as 'his charisma'. quentin mayo was a well-loved man, and a dynamic leader in his community, and everything he set his mind to became a success. all this was attributed to his ability, and seen to be a blessing." arabella paused, as if recalling the words she had seen on the page. "it was lord mayo's belief that this ability was supernatural in source, though benevolent, and that his father used this power when building the castle, poured his power into every stone, in fact, in the hopes that the castle itself would make elizabeth, artemus' mother, truly fall in love with him."
"oh!" paperheart gasped in sudden realization, "the transformative power of the castle that the ghost told us about! it was quentin's power, right?"
arabella nodded. "that is what lord mayo believed."
"so is it the castle itself that transforms our belief into strength that mayo can use?" anima asked.
arabella nodded again, then looked out at her sisters. they were made solemn by the sorrow in arabella's expression.
"it is also the power of the castle that traps lord mayo, and keeps him weak." she held up a weary hand at the sudden questions her sisters voiced. "please, i will explain. lord mayo described the confrontation between his father and his brother, for he was witness to it all."
"oh, how awful," cupcake murmured, her expression sympathetic.
"it was." arabella agreed. "the two men fought, first verbally, but then physically. lord mayo tried to separate them, but he was no match for them. artemus' strength was enhanced by his evil manner of living, and quentin, though an old man in failing health, drew upon the remnants of his charisma."
"but mayo is also a vampire," mustard spoke, "so wouldn't his strength have been a match for his brother's?"
"no. whereas artemus reveled in the blood and the power it brought him, and took every opportunity to slake his thirst, our lord mayo was repelled by what he had become. he rarely fed as his brother did. consequently, he was, in fact, quite weak." arabella paused, then spoke again, her voice very low and her head bowed. "he has never forgiven himself for being unable to save his father, though it would have meant embracing what he found abhorrent."
"oh. so he saw his father die?" ergo's voice had softened, as well.
"yes. the men continued to struggle against each other, and then quentin was stabbed." arabella looked up, and her eyes were bright with anger. "artemus stabbed his father with the same ensorcelled knife with which he tried to slay me, and then, as lord mayo watched in horror, drank their father dry."
the silence which met arabella's fierce words was shocked.
"lord mayo wrote that artemus laughed at him, his face was smeared with their father's blood. in sudden anger, lord mayo lunged at artemus, but was stabbed and knocked aside. artemus left the tower room, saying that the castle and all it's power was now his, and that his brother would be the one to help him maintain his hold on it forever. lord mayo wrote in the journal that at that moment, he despaired, because he knew his brother had won."
"but they're vampires! a knife wound shouldn't have been a problem to mayo! why didn't he just gather his strength and re-attack artemus?" kapunua was appalled. several of the more fierce among the lovelies nodded their agreement.
"the knife," arabella's hand rose to gently touch the site of her own wound, "is not an ordinary blade. it has foul magics that reach into your heart. lord mayo wrote that he could feel the tendrils of the blade within him, reaching out for his strength, and draining it. he had not the power to fight them. with the last of his will, he enscribed all that he knew of his brother's practices in the back of this book, and determined to hide it away, in the hopes that it would eventually be found and provide the means with which to put a stop to his brother's wickedness forever."
no one was able to speak for a very long time. to the last, they all thought of their dear lord mayo, and the terrible scenes arabella had described for them. among the most tenderhearted of the women, tears fell.
"but, why did he go back to the tower room?" wendy's voice was plaintive, "he knew his father had made it as a cage for artemus. why would he return there after hiding the book only to be trapped?"
"lord mayo did not write why he went back, but i think i know." once again, arabella found herself bowing her head with the weight of her knowledge. she could feel her sisters waiting for her explanation. without looking up from the book in her lap, she spoke. "when lord mayo saved my life, he gave me a portion of his blood in order to accomplish it. because of this, i now feel his emotions." arabella disregarded the gasps of surprise, and continued, "through this link, i can tell that he was compelled to return to the tower room, for the binding magic his brother had wreaked upon him was already in effect. he was already helpless against it." arabella could barely speak. a tear dropped onto the binding of the book and darkened the leather. "he berates himself for that failure. it is another lash he uses against himself."
cupcake slid up against arabella and wrapped her arms around the woman, and paperheart crossed over to sit at arabella's other side. they gave her what comfort they could, and all the lovelies looked upon their sister with a new understanding for her sudden weariness and sorrow.
"well, sitting here isn't going to save our host, is it?" amyranth stood, and her tone was brisk and filled with energy. "arabella, you said mayo wrote down everything we need to know in that book there, right? well, let's get to it! let's figure out what needs to be done!"
her vigor reached out to the lovelies and revitalized them. several stood as well, and hands were resolutely placed on hips.
"yeah!" fimble jumped up as well, "let's beat that bastard and save lord mayo!"
cheers resounded through the great hall, and arabella raised her head, a smile bright on her lips. her sisters' strength of purpose lifting her spirits, but more than that, she could feel that their earnest resolve was being carried directly to lord mayo in his tower room. the surge of power he was receiving gave her optimism that they would succeed.
they would save lord mayo, just as he had saved them.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 27
While the women talked amongst themselves discussing all they had learned Arabella sat back in her chair and closed her eyes a moment. Her strength was still weakened, her mind still blurry. She tried to clear her thoughts but it seemed impossible. Sighing she reopened her eyes to see Redrum standing away from the group and beckoning to her. Arabella rose, excused herself saying she would be back shortly and went to Redrum.
“Hello my friend.”
Redrum smiled, “Hello to you. I must speak to you about a matter of the up most importance. Please follow me.”
Arabella did so without question and soon they were at the foot of the cellar stairs. The torches had been kept burning by Redrum.
“Arabella there is still more Lord Mayo must tell you.”
“I believe I know the truth.” She said sounding very confused, “Do I not?”
Redrum smiled sadly, “Even though you and Lord Mayo share a bond and you can feel his emotions there is something he is hiding from you. The secret concerns The Two. By keeping this buried from you he is draining his strength. Strength he will need to fight the upcoming battle.”
“Is it truly to be a battle?” She whispered.
Redrum took her hand, “You know it shall be a battle. A battle to the death.”
She could not stop the shudder that ran through her body. “Tell me for I do not understand. The Two? What is this secret that Lord Mayo keeps buried in his soul?”
“Ah, his soul. I wonder do you know how wise you are, Arabella? Yes, unlike other creature of the night Lord Mayo has retained his soul. It is there the secret is hidden. You must make him tell you. He is draining the little strength he posses by keeping it buried. He lets it consume him.”
“But how?”
“Go to him. If he refuses you access do not accept the answer. He cannot keep you from his room. Arabella I know this will be hard for you but it is something that must be done. He cannot be allowed to let this secret fester in his soul.” Redrum took a step back, “If you wish to save him you must make him want to save himself. For now he only wants to destroy his brother and the evil he posses. Lord Mayo, in his despair, cares not for himself.”
“But he called all of us here to help him.” Arabella voice was full of concern.
“He called all of you here to help him destroy his brother. He does not think of himself. Lord Mayo despises himself. Close your eyes Arabella and acknowledge the emotion you are filled with. He means to die. He is welcoming death are penance for his sins.”
“But he is not evil.” Arabella cried.
“He believes himself to be,” Redrum said sadly.
“Then I must go to him.” Arabella said with great resolve. “I must make him speak to me of this secret.”
“It may not be easy. Do not let him sway your thoughts. Remember he is a vampire. He has the ability to control the thoughts of most.”
“But I am not like the others. We share a blood bond. He and I are of the same blood line.”
Redrum glanced away, “You and Lord Mayo do share a blood bond it is true. However the truth of the bloodline has not been revealed.”
Realization hit Arabella, “I am a descendant of Artemus, am I not?’
“Remember Artemus was not always the evil being he has become. Once he loved a mortal woman and had a child with her.”
Arabella mind was beginning to grow weary. “This is too much to comprehend.”
“Clear you mind for now about Artemus. Concentrate on Lord Mayo and what you must do.”
Arabella lowered her head but a moment. When she looked up once more Redrum was gone. Without hesitation she went to the wall and opened the passageway. She did not stop until she reached Lord Mayo’s room.
“I wish to be alone.” His voice sounded so tired Arabella almost granted his request. However Redrums words still echoed in her ears.
“I must speak with you. It is important, my Lord.” She pushed open the doors and moved inside the room. Without waiting for an invitation she seated herself in the chair she had occupied on her last visit.
“Redrum worries too much.” He said softly.
Arabella smiled, “Yes but out of concern for you. It is the same concern that has brought me here. Do you know of the words Redrum and I spoke?”
“Yes” he admitted, “I listened through your thoughts.”
The answer surprised Arabella and made her uncomfortable, “Is this something you can always do?’
“If I tell you yes or no will you be able to discern the truth from the lie?”
Arabella sat back and closed her eyes, “You are trying to confuse me. That I can feel.”
He laughed mirthlessly, “You are learning.”
“I will not be distracted. Tell me of the secrets that are plaguing you.”
He could feel the strength of her resolve. This woman did not yet realize she was stronger then he. “It concerns by best friend from youth and the woman who claimed my heart.”
Arabella waited a moment then looked across into the darkness to where he sat. “Tell me, Lord Mayo.” she demanded softly.
“He was like a brother to me. Whereas Artemus always hated me, he loved me. We were inseparable. The day I was turned he had planned to go with me to the village. Yet sickness caused him to stay behind.” His voice lowered, “He blamed himself for not being with me the day I was cursed. Foolishly he believed he could have stopped it.”
She could feel the sorrow that was consuming him. “Tell me what happened.”
“Not long after I became a monster he was attacked by my brother. Artemus drained most of his blood but not all. When I found him my friend lay dying. He begged me to drain the rest of his blood from his body. He wanted to become vampire. He wanted this so he could always be at my side.” Lord Mayo’s head fell and he closed his eyes.
Tears sprang to Arabella’s eyes, “Oh God.” She whispered. “You wanted to honor his request.”
“Yes” Lord Mayo said, “I wanted to honor his request. I wanted him to be with me always.” His voice was raw with emotion, “Yet I loved him too much to damn him to this hell I live. I held him in my arms and ignored his pleas. The bloodlust within me grew strong. His blood called to me and I feared I would give in to it.” He could not go on.
“So you walked away.” Arabella’s tears fell freely. Lord Mayo’s pain was now her own.
“I left him to die alone.” His shame was blinding.
“But it was necessary.” Arabella said with a heavy heart, “You could not stay.”
“But Arabella it was all for naught. His only wish was to stay with me.”
Suddenly the truth came to her, “His wish was granted was it not? He is still with you.”
“But I can not see or hear him. I try but the magic keeps us apart. I believe it is just another cross I bear for the evil I have done.”
Arabella stood. She walked in darkness until she stood before him. She could sense his presence without benefit of light. “Speak to him. He is trying to reach you.” She knelt by his chair. Her hand reached out to cover his and their connection grew stronger still. “Speak to him.” She whispered.
Lord Mayo’s voice was but a prayer, “Ghost I know you float by here now again.” His voice broke with emotion “find a way.”
Arabella closed her eyes willing her strength to him. She could feel how weak he had become. They sat in silence for many minutes.
Lord Mayo broke their physical bond by removing his hand from hers. “Arabella please. I know you wish to give me your strength but it is dangerous for you to do so. He will try to destroy you.”
Arabella nodded, “I know.” She knew she had to continue what had begun, “Tell me the rest. Tell me of her.”
“Not tonight. I am too weak.”
She sat back knowing what had to be done. “You must tell me. You know this. The fear and regret are what weakens you. Tell me now for I shall not leave this room until I know why you long for death.”
“I am dead.” Was his angry retort.
“No, your soul lives on. We Lovelies shall restore your life.”
“At what price? Each of my Lovelies souls are worth much more than mine.”
Arabella’s faith did not waver. “We shall be victorious. Now let go of your regret. Tell me of her.”
He could feel her headfast resolve. Her request would not be denied. “I loved her with all my heart. Volumes of poetry I wrote for her, spilling out my love. We were to be married but once more my brother stole my happiness.”
Hatred for Artemus grew within Arabella, “What did he do?”
“Not unlike the trick he played on you, he lured her outside her home one night. She believed she was meeting me. The resemblance we share made it easy. Once he had her alone he abducted her and brought her to me.”
Arabella was trying desperately to understand yet the pain radiating from him was blinding. “Explain.”
Artemus was amused by the hatred I held for myself. He thought it quite funny I loathed the being I’d become. In his twisted mind he believed it was because I’d never experienced the joy as he referred to it of being a vampire.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “This is not the first time I’ve been imprisoned. Before we returned here my brother caught me in a weakened state caused by my disgust of feeding. He secured me in a room sealed with holy objects I could not touch. His personal servant, a human, saw that everything was in place. Once trapped I grew weaker each day but my bloodlust grew stronger.”
With a sinking feeling Arabella understood, “He brought her to you when your bloodlust could not be contained.”
“She did not understand. I could not control the evil within me. The fear in her eyes could not stop me.” His voice broke with emotion. Arabella could not stop herself. She reached up and touched his face now wet with tears.
“You feed on her and she became as you.”
“No” he shook his head, “I did feed on her. I was a ravenous animal unable to stop. As her blood flowed through me I could hear her heartbeat growing weaker. Still I continued until she uttered, “I love you.” He paused, “Those words stopped me but it was too late. I had taken too much blood, her heart was barely beating.”
Arabella was in so much pain yet she had to make him admit the shame he felt for what he’d done. She had to make him speak of his actions to ease his guilt. “Please, Arthur. Tell me. It has been hidden inside your soul for too long.”
He reached up and grabbed her hand still resting on his cheek. He interlaced his fingers with hers drawing strength from her touch. “I could not let her turn no more than I could let him turn. The poison, the venom from my bite was taking hold. Had she died from it she would have become vampire.” His voice broke, “I could not let that happen. I placed my fingers around her throat and took the life from her body before the evilness coursing through her body could claim her. I killed her, Arabella. It was my last act of love for her.”
chapter 28 (part 1):
though arabella could not see mayo's face, the roil of emotions in his heart was painfully clear. his hand clenched her's, pressing her palm against the cool skin of his cheek, then pulled both their hands away. she heard his hand fall limp to his lap, and sensed that he had turned his face away. the pain and disgust for himself was fresh in his heart, and so strong that for a long moment arabella could not even speak. but say something she must, so she opened her heart and spoke, her voice low and vibrant with conviction.
"lord mayo, in every instance your motives were pure. your brother repeatedly placed you in an untenable position, and your actions in response to each always spang from your love for others, not from your love of self. nothing you have told me this night has altered my impression of you, my lord. thought the weight of your centuries' long self-loathing is heavy indeed, my faith in the trueness of your heart, in the very goodness of your soul, makes it hardly a burden at all." she placed her hand on his where it lay on his leg, the better for him to hear and feel the truth of what she said.
"lord mayo, now that you have spoken of these deeds, you must release them. the shame that you cling to is a barrier that keeps you from accepting the full measure of strength we would share with you." arabella knew he could sense the emotions with which she spoke, but his pain was still overwhelmingly strong. she squeezed his arm.
"please, cousin," and arabella heard mayo take a sharp breath at her acknowledgement of their familial ties. "please accept the love we give you of our own accord."
as if a dam within him had been shattered, the intense pain which had been a hallmark of mayo's emotions to arabella shuddered and began to recede. though it could not be so easily relinquished, a new flood of strength was overlaying it in arabella's awareness of mayo's heart. his hand covered her's on his arm in a tight grip.
"i have been without family for so long..."
"as have i," she whispered in reply.
arabella felt a rush of gratitude rise up within her. she had come to this place as a woman wholly alone in the world, and now she was one graced with two families, one of the heart and one of blood. she said a wordless prayer of thanks, and then prayed that mayo would be able to vanquish not only his brother, but also his belief that he himself was an abomination, and have hope restored to him.
chapter 28 (part 2):
mayo uttered a soft joyless laugh as he caught the trailing edge of arabella's mental prayer. she looked up at his shadowed figure from where she knelt by his chair.
"you will choose to live again, i have faith that this is so."
immediately, arabella felt abashed to have spoken so forcefully to the lord of the castle, no matter her newfound link with him. but mayo only patted her hand, and released her.
"go now arabella. return to the others. i have told you all my secrets."
his voice was still utterly tired, so she rose without protest and returned to the wardrobe and secret passageway beyond it.
"good night, my lord. rest well," she said softly, and closed the door to his prison.
after arabella's departure from the great hall, the conversation returned to the incredible circumstances of their host's existence.
"i mean, he's a real vampire. it's one thing in fiction, but to encounter an actual vampire is a little creepy, don't you think?" capture this void asked.
"i don't think it is," elena replied, accompanied by the agreeing nods of several others.
"it's so frightfully romantic!" cupcake enthused.
"i understand what capture is asking, though," sister midnite said. "lord mayo has been a vampire for a long time, and apparently also trapped here in the castle for most of that time. how does he survive? he can't leave in physical form. where is he getting his blood?"
murmuring arose among the gathered women as they considered this. even though as a vampire he had cheated death, still he would need the blood of living beings in order to survive.
"what did he really call us to the castle for, anyway?" siobhan asked in a low voice.
"oh, look!" paperheart spoke suddenly, a smile on her face. "it's the ghost!"
everyone looked in the direction she pointed. there at the foot of the stairs was the familiar shape of the one they had come to trust wholeheartedly. the spectre was still, gazing at them all with a fond expression.
one by one, the women rose from their places and moved closer to the stairs, greeting the ghost with affection. when the lovelies in the hall had all gathered near, the apparition spoke.
"please don't fear lord mayo. it is true that he is a vampire, but his heart is as good and as honorable as when he was a living man. he would never dream of harming any of you."
"but, sir ghost, how does he survive?" pixie asked in a voice filled with concern.
"yes, what about the blood?" gnothi seauton wanted to know, and several others echoed her question.
"the conditions of his enslavement have made it unnecessary for lord mayo to feed as a normal vampire would."
"enslavement?" mustard felt a pang of foreboding at the ghost's use of that word. the ghost gave her a gentle smile, and replied.
"yes. lord mayo is not merely trapped. the spell with which his brother has bound him uses the power of the castle to drain away lord mayo's vitality to augment his own. when the dark one is not feeding on helpless innocents, he uses the spell to feed on his own brother, and when he does feed on a victim, lord mayo unwillingly shares that sustenance through the actions of that very same spell." the ghost's normally calm voice was infused with anger, his hatred for the evil artemus palpable to all present.
"antonio."
the ghost shuddered at the sudden sound of arabella's voice. it spun, flickeringly, to face her. she stepped into the hall from the cellar doorway and walked over to the spectre. her face was filled with a loving sorrow. the women gathered there could only gape in surprise, mystified by arabella's actions.
"i am not...that one...any more." the ghost said, looking down at the floor. his shape was uncertain and indistinct, as if his emotions had overcome his control.
"but you were, weren't you?" arabella stopped directly in front of the one she had named, as close as any of them had dared to come to the ghost before. her voice was as soft and kind as a mother's voice. "you were arthur's antonio. he carries your name in his heart even now. he has never forgotten you."
"i thought..." the ghost of antonio bowed his head, and his voice was almost inaudible. "i thought i heard him, earlier."
arabella reached out a hand, though she knew she could offer him no physical comfort.
"you did. he grieves for you so. can you not go to him, antonio? has the spell not weakened enough?"
antonio closed his eyes, and his figure dimmed almost to invisibility. he seemed to be reaching out with his very substance. then he gasped, and his eyes flew open. he stared at arabella for a long moment, then vanished.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 29
antonio closed his eyes, and his figure dimmed almost to invisibility. he seemed to be reaching out with his very substance. then he gasped, and his eyes flew open. he stared at arabella for a long moment, then vanished.
“Arabella, what just happened?” Paperheart asked as she reached out to touch her friend’s arm. She noticed that Arabella’s face had lost all color. “Are you all right?”
“I feel….” Arabella started to speak but suddenly the world before her eyes turned black. She fell to the floor before any of the Lovelies could reach her.
Artemus stood among the trees blanked by darkness. He closed his eyes and smiled, “She is weak now. Stupid wench gave too much of her power to that cursed ghost.” He took a step foreword “I’m feeling a bit weak myself.”
“What would you have me do, Lord?” Redrum asked awaiting the Master’s orders.
“I think it is time to let my brother taste the sweetness of one of his Lovelies.”
Redrums face showed no emotion. “Do you desire a certain one?’
Artemus contemplated the question for a moment, “Oh, such delectable choices. Does he favor one over another?”
“Lord Mayo’s favor does not fall upon certain ones. He treasures each for different reasons.”
“Fool” Artemus spat. “My brother is a fool.” His anger did not faze Redrum. “I do not care. Fetch one of them. Tell her Lord Mayo waits outside. Make whichever Lovely you chose believe it is imperative she comes alone. I shall be waiting.”
Redrum gave the slightest nod then turned to walk towards the castle.
“There is nothing more we can do now.” Martha said looking down at Arabella. “We have made her comfortable. Now we must watch over her until she regains her strength.”
The other’s who were gathered around Arabella’s bed nodded. It was Carrie who spoke, “I just wish we understood what happened. I do not believe Ghost caused Arabella to lose consciousness.”
“No, I don not believe that is what happened either.” Ergo said. “Ghost spoke to Arabella as a friend. She seemed to know him.”
“This is all too confusing.” Jen said shaking her head. “I will stay with Arabella and watch over her.”
The others agreed that every few hours they would switch Arabella’s guard. TJ offered to relieve Jen next and promised to return in two hours time. The Lovelies left the room and Jen settled in the chair by Arabella’s bed. Just an hour into her watch her eyes began to feel heavy. Her head fell to her chest as sleep claimed her.
Arabella’s eyes opened slowly as she struggled to remember what had happened. It all came back to her as she turned her head slowly and saw Antonio floating a short distance from her bed. She began to speak but he pointed to Jen asleep in the chair.
“Oh” Arabella whispered with a smile. “I shall be quiet.”
Antonio smiled, “She is very tired.”
“Your form is more distinct now.” Arabella said sitting up.
“That is, in part, thanks to you.” He said in a hushed tone.
Arabella thought back to their conversation, “Were you able to speak to Lord Mayo?”
He shook his head sadly, “I cannot reach him. I called out but I can not enter the tower.”
“It is a very sad state of affairs when an apparition can not move about feely.” She said hoping to lighten his mood.
As she had hoped Antonio smiled, “Indeed. I so wish to thank you for all you’ve done.”
“I have not done enough obviously.” Arabella said. “I will find a way for you and Lord Mayo to be together again.”
“I miss Arthur so much.” Antonio’s form began to fade.
“You are leaving?” Arabella asked. She still had much she wished to discuss.
“I must for I am, at this moment, draining your powers. They are needed for more important things than two old friends gaining the ability to be together again.” With that he completely faded.
Cupcake glanced over and saw Redrum standing by the door. She smiled “Hello Redrum.”
“Cupcake I must speak with you.”
“Well, of course. Is something wrong?”
Redrum smiled, “Lord Mayo wishes to speak with you.”
“With me?” Cupcake was surprised, “Really.”
“Yes, he awaits you at the tree line. He asks that you do not tell the others. It is only you he wishes. Do you understand?”
Cupcake nodded, “Yes, I shall go to him.” She grabbed her shawl by the door and threw it around her shoulders on her way out.
“Cupcake” Redrum’s voice stopped her.
“Yes?”
“He has chosen you over the others.” With those words Redrum turned and walked away.
Lord Mayo stood looking out into the darkness. After Arabella had gone he had felt drained from divulging his secrets yet he acknowledged that a very small flicker of hope had passed through his soul. His Lovelies knew the truth, they knew the monster that was Lord Mayo and yet they still believed in him. He could not fail these women. A sudden movement on the lawn caught his eye. He watched in horror as Cupcake walked towards the shape he could now make out as being that of his brother. He closed his eyes and tried to call out to her with his thoughts but he was still too weak. Artemus, had not feed today, therefore he too was weak. With a sickening realization he knew that Artemus was about to feed. Lord Mayo recoiled in disgust; he did not want the blood of one of his Lovelies to be spilled. Yet, he was powerless. He could not even reach Arabella. He turned away from the window lost in despair.
Cupcake was almost to Lord Mayo when her steps slowed. Redrum’s words echoed in her mind. “He asks that you do not tell the others. It is only you he wishes. He has chosen you over the others” Suddenly it became clear to her. Lord Mayo would not have spoken those words. He did not single Lovelies out in that manner. Redrum had spoken the last line in warning. She stopped and began to turn back when she was roughly grabbed from behind.
“Ah, Cupcake isn’t it?” Artemus’s breath was foul. “It’s so nice to meet one of the Lovelies. I can see why my brother has collected you women.”
Cupcake’s anger overcame her fear, “Lord Mayo did not collect us. We are here of our own accord.”
Artemus laughed, “My brother has always had a way with the ladies. I believe they are attracted to his sensitive side. They are drawn like moth to the flame by his words, his poetry.”
“Let me go.” Cupcake hissed.
“Oh no, lamb. I am going to give you a very special honor. You shall truly mean something to Arthur. Your blood, given to me, will fortify him.”
“Lord Mayo would not wish such a thing.” Cupcake said trying to break Artemus’s hold.
“It matters not what he wants. It is what he shall receive.” He roughly pulled Cupcake to him and pulled her head to the side to bare her neck. Cupcake was ready. She placed her hand on the cross of silver around her neck and pulled the chain breaking the links. Once it was in her hand she threw her arm up and struck Artemus on the forehead. The cross burned into his skin. Artemus howled in pain and fell back, releasing Cupcake. She lifted her skirts and ran for the castle. Artemus readied to give chase but Redrums words stopped him.
“Dawn approaches. You must go.”
Artemus growled, “Stupid wench. I shall have her and all the Lovelies. My brother shall know the taste of their blood. He will feel the pain and fear of his Lovelies.”
chapter 30:
"darlings!" cupcake burst in the front door of the castle. her hair was disheveled, her clothes in disarray, but her face was bright with excitement. "i have news to impart! good and bad!"
"what is it, cupcake? tell us the good news first!" paperheart grinned at the woman standing before her. the other women sitting in the great hall also perked up at the thought of news.
"i have vanquished the evil mayo!" she stood proudly, smiling at the surprise on everyone's faces. then she sombered, "but it seems redrum is his servant."
this time sudden gasps greeted her statement.
"wait, what happened? how do you know all this?" bellatrix wanted to know. cupcake sat down on the arm of the couch, fluffed out her skirts, and proceeded to describe the encounter she had just experienced -- how redrum had come to her with a message, how she had gone out to meet mayo, and how she had discovered the deception in time enough to save herself.
"you know, you probably just pissed him off." elena said laconically.
"i have to agree," gnothi seauton spoke, amiling at cupcake to ease the sting of her words. "though it was so very brave of you to face him and escape, that little necklace probably isn't enough to destroy a vampire like artemus mayo, from what we've heard."
cupcake looked at the pendant resting in her palm, then up at her sisters. her face was crestfallen. "oh, pooh." then she brightened. "but at least i annoyed him, anyway!"
everyone congratulated her on her successful annoyance. the women were grinning at her ebullient optimism.
"what will it take to kill him, though?" cupcake asked.
"i think we're going to have to break the curse on lord mayo first. no matter what we do to artemus, if the curse is in place, he can use it to heal, or channel the damage back toward his brother. we can't chance that." elena frowned into her mug at the thought.
"we need arabella to guide us in that -- she's the one who knows what to do, plus her blood is key," ergo added her own assessment.
"she needs to regain her strength," miss tottenham said, frowning in worry.
"oh! i've got an idea!" fimble broke the fretful silence with her bright voice. "let's play a game, and send all the energy from it up to arabella in her room! the castle will do that, right?"
"that's a great idea, fimble star!" paperheart caught fimble's excitement. "and we can send it to lord mayo, too! but, what game? what should we play?"
everyone in the room looked at kapunua expectantly. she returned their gazes with a playful scowl, and a smile in her eyes. "what? why me?"
she sighed dramatically, garnering a chorus of small giggles.
"oh...okay."
quickly a game was outlined and the lovelies threw themselves into play. at first, their wit was weighed down by worry, but soon enough, the silly joy of playing took over, and laughter could be heard all over the castle.
off to the side, in one shadowed corner, stood redrum, wistfully watching the merriment, yearning to join in but knowing that it was impossible.
the sadness in redrum's eyes was not missed by the other watcher, the ghost of antonio. the ghost recognized the heavy bonds with which redrum was laden, and hoped that the lovelies' success would truly mean freedom for everyone. certainly, hope was strong within the ghost. it was impossible not to feel the rising brightness that filled the castle with the lovelies' joy. perhaps, he thought, it was now enough...?
up in the tower room, lord mayo could not help but smile at the sound of the women's cheerful voices. their laughter fed the flickering flame of hope within him, and he began to wonder if arabella's plan would truly succeed. cupcake's quick-witted escape from his brother reaffirmed mayo's admiration of the resourcefulness and determination of the women gathered here.
for a moment, he wondered if he would really walk the earth as a man again, as arabella had claimed. he was ruthlessly shutting down that idle dream when he heard a sound behind him. a familiar feeling, long absent, crept over him.
mayo froze, then turned slowly away from the window to face the room.
faint and indistinct, but visible in the gloom of the room, the ghost hovered in the center of the circular chamber, a broad bright grin on his face.
"it's going to work, arthur! look at what they have accomplished!" the ghost spread his arms wide. "look at the power of your lovelies!"
"antonio..."
lord mayo could not answer his friend's grin. though he had longed for this reunion, the sight of antonio's spirit sent grief and guilt washing over him. mayo wanted to look away from the apparition in shame.
"antonio, i'm...i'm so sorry." mayo's voice was low, and heavy with emotion.
the ghost moved closer, and his expression brimmed with sorrow and sympathy.
"no, arthur. don't apologize, ever again. it's true that just before my death, i was in despair, thinking that you didn't want me with you. but the moment i crossed the boundary between the worlds, i knew your heart, and knew you had saved me. you did me a great honor, my friend, to put my well-being before your's. you have suffered so much, and i have been powerless to help you."
mayo made a small move, his arms rising as if to clasp his friend's forearms, then falling again to his side.
"it will be over soon, antonio. then we will all be free, and you and i will be at each others' side once again."
"no." the ghost was suddenly stern. "listen to me, arthur. time doesn't exist for me anymore. i died yesterday, and we will be reunited tomorrow. if the lovelies can break this curse on you, don't squander that opportunity to live a full life. i require it of you."
the ghost held mayo's gaze for a long while, until he was satisfied by what he saw there, and then he grinned widely.
"besides, you have to bring me great stories!" antonio's ghost paused, then laughed. "do you remember that sailor? and his stories?"
mayo was startled by the remembrance into a laugh of his own. "that old sailor in marseilles?"
"yes, that's the one...what was his name?"
"i cannot recall, but do you remember the story he told that gained him an extra measure of wine?"
the ghost seemed to literally dissolve for a moment, giggling.
"too bad it was poured over his head by the barmaid!"
the joined laughter of the two dear friends matched the laughter down in the hall, and for one night, the castle was completely with joy.
The Mayo Gothic continues
The Direful Secret of Castle Mayo
by
Elena and Toujours
chapter 31
the joined laughter of the two dear friends matched the laughter down in the hall, and for one night, the castle was completely with joy.
Early the next morning Arabella awoke slowly. It took a moment for her eyes to clear. “Miranth, what time is it?”
“Oh Arabella, we’ve been so worried about you.” Miranth said sitting up in her chair, “We’ve been keeping watch over you.”
Arabella smiled thinking about Jenn who had fallen asleep on her watch. “I thank you all.” She said with a smile. “But how long have I been asleep?”
Miranth glanced at her watch, “It is just after six. I know that breakfast has been prepared.” She looked sheepish, “Actually the aroma has made my stomach growl. I do hope the sound did not awaken you.”
Arabella tried sit up but was shocked at the weakness in her limbs. “Please, go eat. I’m fine now.”
Sister Midnight entered the room, “You can’t be left alone.”
Using all her strength Arabella sat up slowly, “Surely I’m safe now. It is daylight. Artemus can not harm me.”
“No but his evil minions can.” Ergo said sadly walking in behind Sister Midnight.
“You mean the faceless one?” Arabella asked with a frown. “I do not fear them.”
The women looked at each other sadly. “Arabella something happened last night you need to be made aware of. Cupcake was lured outside.”
Arabella broke in before the compete story could be told, “Lured outside? Tell me she is all right.”
Miranth touched her arm, “Cupcake is fine.”
Still Arabella was shaken by the news, “It was Artemus waiting for her?’ She guessed with a shudder.
“Yes, the vile Artemus.” Cupcake said waltzing in and settling herself at the foot of the bed. “I, however, outsmarted him.”
Arabella felt her head begin to pound, “Could you please tell me the story from the beginning?”
Once more a look passed between the other women in the room. They dreaded telling Arabella the truth.
“I was told that Lord Mayo was waiting for me outside.” Cupcake said softly, “By Redrum.”
“Redrum?” Arabella repeated, “I do not understand. Redrum was fooled by Artemus?”
“No” Cupcake said looking down at her hands, “Redrum is Artemus’s servant.”
“That can’t be.” Arabella said sitting up even further but was rewarded with a sharp pain to her temple. The others saw her flinch with pain.
“Arabella lean back and rest.” Ergo said with authority. “You must regain your strength.” When she saw that Arabella was going to argue the point she added, “We need you to regain your strength, Lord Mayo needs you to regain your strength.”
“Did he speak to you last night?” Arabella asked as she leaned back. “Is he well?”
“He did not address us.” Sister Midnight said sadly. “We do however assume he is well.”
Arabella closed her eyes then spoke, “I do not understand about Redrum.”
“We too are shocked.” Ergo said, “Redrum has disappeared so no questions have been answered.”
“I must find Redrum.” Arabella said with determination. “I must know the truth.”
“You are not leaving this bed missy.” Sister Midnight said with a frown. “You are too weak.”
Arabella opened her eyes and was about to argue the point when she saw the look of determination on her friends face. “Later, perhaps.” She conceded.
Downstairs in the main hall another group of Lovelies were also discussing the events that has transpired the previous night.
“With Arabella in a weakened state are we safe?” BC asked sounding quite concerned.
“As long as we band together we will be fine.” Toujours assured her. “Our strength helped Lord Mayo pass through the barrier to save Arabella.” She reminded all those who were gathered around.
“Very true.” Sdock said with a smile. “I can still see him striding across the lawn towards us.”
“Oh please.” Her sister Smoke rolled her eyes, “Soon the story will be that he glided across the lawn his feet never touching the earth.”
“Actually he probably could have.” Amy said, “Vampire, remember?”
“Hush.” OPJ said glaring at her fellow Lovely, “We don’t need to dwell on that.”
“I don’t see why not?” OPL spoke up, “He is what he is and that’s what he will remain unless we help him.”
“True.” Toujours said, “That is why we shall help him. It is my sincere hope to one day see Lord Mayo walk across the lawn in the daylight.”
“But how can this dream become reality? A magical force somehow connects our Lord Mayo to his evil stepbrother. If we destroy Artemus then what of Lord Mayo? Will he be destroyed as well?”
“No, that will not happen.” Carried said rising from her chair, “We will not let that happen.”
“No we will not.” BC said with determination in her voice. “We shall find a way to save him.”
Much later in the day Arabella woke to find her “guard” Pixie asleep in the chair beside the bed. Pixie, like many of the Lovelies, had gotten little or no sleep due to the events of last night. Arabella slipped out of bed slowly surprised to find she felt stronger. Donning her robe and slippers she made her way out of the bedroom careful not to be seen my any of her sisters.
It was at the bottom of the cellar stairs she saw Redrum. “Wait” she cried out as Redrum quickly turned away, “Please.”
Redrum turned slowly, “I can not speak with you. It has become too dangerous. He is aware I’ve had contact with you. He will stop at noting to force me to give you misinformation.”
“I do not understand? You sent Cupcake out knowing Artemus was waiting for her?”
“I did what I could to warn her.”
“But why would you send her out at all?” Arabella asked.
“Because my master demanded I do so.” Redrum answered sadly.
Arabella struggled to understand, “But you have helped us in the past.”
“I have done what I could, what I believed was right. Now I must go. There is so much you do not yet understand, Arabella. I can no longer help you. To do so would mean my demise. My life, such as it is, is not worth much but still I cherish it.” With that Redrum turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Arabella watched Redrum go and felt a profound sadness. Shaking her head she decided she needed to find answers to the new questions that had arisen. She quickly moved to the wall, placed her hands on the stone and willed the passageway to appear. In a matter of seconds she stood at the threshold to Lord Mayo’s room. Briefly she wondered if she should knock but realized since daylight filled the sky he would be asleep. She pushed open the cupboard doors and moved inside the darkened room. It took her eyes a few minutes to search the darkness and find his shape stretched out on the bed. He did not move as she silently approached. For several moments she simply stood staring down at him. The small amount of light that the room offered allowed her to see that he looked so peaceful, so calm. Gone was the furrowed brow and the lines of worry that she had so often glimpsed. She slowly reached out to touch his cheek, “Arthur” she whispered.
Lord Mayo’s eyes few open and she cried out as his hand roughly grabbed her arm pulling her hand away from his face.
“You are hurting me.” Arabella said trying to break free from the almost bone crushing grip.
Slowly he loosened his hold, “What are you doing here? Do you not know it is dangerous to wake me during the daylight hours?”
“I’m sorry, I came to speak to you.” Arabella took a step back as he finally released her arm.
“Fool.” He said roughly, “My first instinct was to kill you. Why do you tempt this fate?”
Arabella took another step back. She had never seen Lord Mayo in this state. “I am sorry, I did not know.” Suddenly she once more felt a sharp pain in her head and swayed as a dizzy feeling overtook her.
Lord Mayo was on his feet in the blink of an eye. He caught her in his arms before her knees buckled. “You should never have left your bed. My brother is doing everything in his power to keep you from regaining your strength. You must understand this.” Gently he lifted her in his arms and placed her on the bed.
“I needed to speak to you. There are still so many things that I do not understand.” She said weakly.
He knelt down beside the bed, “Arabella you should never have come here.”
“I told you I am sorry.” She began to say but he shook his head.
“I meant you should never have come to this castle.”
Arabella closed her eyes in pain, “But you called to me. I had to come.”
Lord Mayo’s face took on an expression of infinite sadness, “No Arabella. It was not I who called you.”
Her eyes flew open, “Yes, I know you did. My ears heard your words, my heart felt your despair.”
He could not stop himself from brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek. “It may have been my despair you felt but it was not my voice you heard.”
His icy fingers on her face started her but she fought not to let the emotion show. Realization suddenly dawned on her, “Oh my God. It was Artemus who called me.”
He pulled back his hand and nodded sadly, “Yes, I’m afraid it was. I did call the other Lovelies to this place, but not you. My brother is the one who called you here, not I. He sought to use your powers to gain complete control of the magical forces. He still means to use you for his plans.” He knew he needed to tell her the truth, “He means to use you to destroy me.”
chapter 32
Realization suddenly dawned on her, “Oh my God. It was Artemus who called me.”
He pulled back his hand and nodded sadly, “Yes, I’m afraid it was. I did call the other Lovelies to this place, but not you. My brother is the one who called you here, not I. He sought to use your powers to gain complete control of the magical forces. He still means to use you for his plans.” He knew he needed to tell her the truth, “He means to use you to destroy me.”
arabella sat up quickly, defiance overwhelming her weakness.
"he will not!" she placed a hand on the coverlet of the bed to steady herself, but continued, her voice displaying the mayo family steel, the inner force of will that she was only just beginning to taste. "artemus may have been the one to call me, but i came here for you, lord mayo. everything i have done here has been with the single purpose of helping you." she leaned forward a little, gazing up into arthur's eyes with an intensity startling in one so small.
the light in the room, still only a faint pre-dawn gleam, outlined the shape of her face, highlighting the bones under her skin.
a shock of recognition thrummed through mayo.
he had only seen one image of artemus' wife, a tintype made to commemorate their wedding day. he had not seen it for many long years, but he remembered, and the young woman gazing up at him with fierce determination was suddenly so clearly a descendant of the woman he recalled gazing out of the photographic image with fierce triumph.
it was a harsh truth that caused a pang of fear to lance through his heart, and the moment it did, arabella slipped off the bed and stood before him, her face radiating concern.
"lord mayo? what's wrong? what do you fear?"
he looked down at his little cousin, and struggled to quell the fear to which she was responding. her family blood marked her and placed her in the gravest danger. arthur was determined to circumvent that peril.
the mayo family would live on through her, and her pure heart would finally cleanse the line of the darkness he and his brother had brought to it.
he drew himself up, and cloaked himself in the mask of formality he had worn for so long.
"i am fine. it is only the pain of the coming dawn. go now."
"oh! yes!" sudden realization flooded her face, and she ducked her head in an unconscious curtsey. "you must sleep." she went to the wardrobe without hesitation, but paused once there.
arabella looked over her shoulder at lord mayo, the open passageway a taunting sight behind her outstretched arms holding the door wide. "no one will use me to hurt you, my lord. i will not allow it."
the wardrobe door shut behind her with a soft sound, and mayo was alone. imprisoned in the tower room, he returned to the bed and his first cage, the daily oblivion forced upon him by the deadly light of the sun.
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