+JMJ+
Warning gruesome scenes
Being
the 2nd
Day of the Rainy Season
Ah
war camp where everything is peaceful and quiet. I could live here
forever, even with all the fighting. Madra sent me a letter saying
sister Anne has gone to stay with sister Cassandra and her husband,
the wretched Captain Bluebeard. She asked me to stop and see how they
were faring when I was not quite so busy. I have no wish to visit,
the Castle of Bluebeard, but I think I will do as Madra
wishes and go see how they fare. I do not look forward to this trip
in the least.
Being the 3rd Day of the
Rainy Season
I received a long epistle, sent by dear
Sister Anne. She called Captain Bluebeard's castle, the lodging of
evil and cemetery of darkness. The servants apparently look like
villainous thugs and the road to the castle is paved in blood stains
and death. Captain Bluebeard's palace sound loathsome. I shall leave
for the castle tomorrow. I cannot bare the thought of my sisters
living in such a pit of horror.
Being the 6th Day of the
Rainy Season
I have never been so horrified in my
life. The village under Captain Bluebeard's castle is dark and
gloomy. Peasants in rags and covered in bloody scars stared at me
silently as I rode past. They might not know who I was, but they
still glowered. This people had the look of those that would be glad
to murder their overlords. I hurried out of the dark village praying
that I would never have to return there. Sister Anne wrote the truth.
The bricks on the road leading from the village to the castle were
covered with brownish red stains. I shuddered. About a kilometer from
the castle the ground fell away around the road. Cages hung on stout
poles along the cliffs. Cages with skeletons in them. I grimaced.
Black crows were pecking at bits of flapping cloth. Wild dogs gnawed
on anything fleshy that stuck out from the bars. My stomach twisted
painfully. This was gruesomer then war camp.
As I approached the ugly iron gate of
the bleak threatening castle, I saw a figure swathed in red blocking
my path. It was a woman. She was wearing baggy red silk pantaloons,
and many veils. She was not from the Glittering Island. Only the
poorest peasant women still wore pantaloons there. The silk cloth
obviously did not belong to a poor girl. The woman was alone,
standing in the rain. Her eyes stared at me forlornly over her face
veil. I dismounted and bowed. Why was a woman alone outside Captain
Bluebeard's castle. I wondered if she was a lady in waiting or
something of similar nature.
“No one answers my call!” the woman
said stiffly as I approached her and the threatening gate. I stared
at the smooth iron. No guards, no knockers, no nothing. I drew my
scimitar and pounded the hilt against the door.
“Sister Anne?” I shouted, “Sister
Cassandra?” I glanced at my companion. She was not looking at me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, as I kept knocking.
“I have not heard from my sister in a
year.” she said stiffly, “I came to discover her fate. She is
Lord Bluebeard's lady.” I choked. She stared at me.
“Impossible!” I squeaked, “My
sister-” the gates swung up and a big sullen dark haired man glared
at me. I shuddered.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
“I am Zeno!” I said.
“Who cares?” the man snarled and
spit in my face. The girl gasped. I felt my face growing hot with
anger. I slapped the man's hand with the flat of my blade.
“Hands down dog!” I cried, seething
in anger, “Take me to the captain or I will run you through!” no
one spit in my face in front of a woman.
“Oh you are that Zeno.” the
man said sullenly as he moved away from me, “Who is the other one?”
he jerked a dirty thumb at the girl.
“I am Mistress Giselle of Sandstorm
Lodge!” the girl cried, “My business is with-”
“I care not!” the guard shouted,
“Be off both of you!” the man knew who I was, yet he was still
throwing me out. I tightened my grip on my scimitar and pushed my
damp hair out of my face.
“Brother Zeno?” sister Anne's
familiar voice cried, “Come inside before you drown!” I gallantly
took Mistress Giselle's arm and escorted her triumphantly past the
guard. The guard glared at us. He should be expelled from the court.
Sister Anne did not know who Mistress
Giselle was, but she tried to make her welcome. The poor lady was
looking for her sister Alia, who she claimed was Captain Bluebeard's
wife. It was a terrible shock for her to discover that her sister has
been long dead and my sister Cassandra is now the wife of Bluebeard.
Poor Mistress Giselle. Sister Cassandra was not very welcoming to
either of us. Perhaps she is ashamed of the castle and the gruesome
road. I know I would have been.
Being the 13th Day of the
Rainy Season
It has been a full seven days since I
last picked up my pen. Captain Bluebeard is not often at the castle.
Sister Cassandra spends her time bossing around the sullen servants.
I have the uncomfortable feeling that she does not want me to be at
the castle at all. The castle is strange. It is dark and gloomy.
Twisting narrow maze like passages filled it. They seem to change all
the time. Evil looking statues and suits of armor fill the rooms. One
could almost think that they were real and ready to slit once's
throat. I think sister Cassandra should spend less time bossing and
more time redecorating. My curiosity has been aroused. I have seen
every inch of the castle but one room that is kept locked. Sister
Anne told me that it is Captain Bluebeard's secret chamber. I wonder
what horror he keeps in there.
Being the 18th Day of the
Rainy Season
I was seated at dinner with my two
sisters, Mistress Giselle and Captain Bluebeard, when a servant
brought in two letters. One for Captain Bluebeard and one for me. It
was a summons. The enemy had returned. They were ravaging the
villages along the divide. I am surprised, my father, the king, who
usually cares nothing fro the discomfort of the common folk has
ordered us to relieve them.
“We could leave tonight.” I said
quickly, “We could reach the camp by early morning.” Captain
Bluebeard took a large ring of keys off his belt and handed it to
sister Cassandra.
“Dearest.” he said in an oily
voice, “I leave the castle in your tender care.”
“Oh my lord, must you go to battle?”
Sister Cassandra gushed. I ate some more chicken. I saw no sense in
getting choked up about the possibility of getting killed.
“The cruel king has decreed it!”
Captain Bluebeard said smartly, as if three of the “cruel” king's
children were not sitting with him. I stopped eating and frowned at
him. He took a small key out of his pocket.
“This key opens my secret chamber.”
he said, “I leave the key with you, but you must swear by the bones
of your ancestors that you will not enter.”
“I swear!” sister Cassandra said
solemnly.
I wiped my face, tossed aside my
napkin and stood up. The others all turned to look at me. I hitched
up my belt.
“Well I am off to pack.” I said
cheerfully. If I staid I feared that I might strike the wretched
Captain.
“Zeno, brother.” Sister Cassandra
wailed, “How can you smile? My beloved may die.” I will not
regret that! I thought disrespectfully.
“Sister Cassandra.” Sister Anne
said reproachfully, “Brother Zeno is going too.”
“But my beloved may die.” Sister
Casandra wailed again, “Do you think a brother is more important
then my beloved?” Captain Bluebeard flashed his white teeth at me.
I was stung. Not just by Cassandra's silly selfishness, but
Bluebeard's cruel triumphant smile. Mistress Giselle, who sat at
Sister Anne's side frowned at my red haired sister.
“Why should she be worried about you,
Lord Zeno?” she said quietly, “She knows you are such a estimable
warrior that you could not possible get hurt.” I smiled at her
gratefully, but I still felt angry at my sister and brother-in-law.
Being the 23rd Day of the
Rainy Season
For the first time in my twenty years I
want to leave war camp for good. There was plenty of fighting. We
were winning. We even captured a lot of marauders. But Captain
Bluebeard usurped my authority, spread discord through the soldiers
and forced me to punish Rupert. I never had to punish one of my men
before. I may have been young for a leader, but I had earned their
obedience and respect. Now Bluebeard's barbed comments, veiled
sarcasm and patronizing words were rubbing off onto my men. The men I
had fought and bled beside. To make matters worse, it was it was
Captain Bluebeard's plans that were helping us win. He was making me
out to be incompetent and him a hero. I admit to the whole world that
I despise the wretch!
Being the 25th Day of the
Rainy Season
We had a meeting with the enemy
leaders. Once more they demanded a princess and half the kingdom.
Before I could say no, Bluebeard started arranging a marriage between
Sister Anne and one of the enemy princes.
“What?” was the only thing that
came out of my mouth. Rupert whacked Captain Bluebeard over the head
with the standard. Then Brother Xander kicked the captain. A fight
broke out between Bluebeard's friends and the rest of my soldiers.
“Never mind.” the enemy leader
said, “We do not need to parley. You lot will kill yourselves.”
Feeling humiliated, I hastily waded into the fray and wrenched Xander
and Captain Bluebeard apart.
“You two are both confined to
quarters!” I snarled, “Rupert, El Lee and myself will finish this
conversation. The rest of you return to the camp! My brother Yaron
has control of everything while I am here.” Captain Bluebeard
showed me a hateful look. But he left. Once he was gone. I discussed
peace in plain words. I suggested a royal wedding. I agreed to marry
the princess of their choice in exchange for three ships. My father,
the king, would give them thirty cattle of his choice. Once the plans
were concluded in writing, I felt a little pang of regret. It would
have been nice to marry someone I actually loved. Not someone I met
for the first time at a wedding feast.
Being the 26th Day of the
Rainy Season
Captain Bluebeard is gone along with
thirty of the men. His special cronies. I will have a bad report for
Father. Captain Bluebeard's behavior is treacherous.
Being the 27th Day of the
Rainy Season
The enemy have selected the Princess
Giselladona to be my bride. Three sturdy ships called the Sea
Snake, the Crown Destroyer and the Minotaur have
been selected as her gift. We now only wait for my father, the king
to send the cattle. I wonder what Princess Griselladona looks like? I
have no doubt that I will hate her.
Being the 28th Day of the
Rainy Season
Brothers Yaron, Xander and myself have
each received letters from sisters Anne and Cassandra, they bid us
come in haste as sister Cassandra is in terrible danger. She entered
Bluebeard chamber and now fears her life is in danger. Surely
Bluebeard would not kill her. Would he? I cannot help remember those
terrible cages along the road. I have no doubt he would kill her.
Being the 29th Day of the
Rainy Season
The three of us have been galloping
through the night. I would have gone on with no rest in spite of my
weary bones, but I had to have consideration for my two brothers and
the horses. We took two brief rests in the night.
Being the 30th Day of the
Rainy Season
Dawn was just beginning to unfold when
we galloped up the gruesome road to Bluebeard's castle. Sister Anne
stood at the tower and waved frantically to us.
“Sister Cassandra, they are here.”
she was yelling. I was off my horse before it had even come to a
halt. My two brothers were right behind me. But when I tried to open
the gate, we were dismayed to discover that it was locked. I pounded
on the gate.
“Bluebeard, you coward, let us in!”
I yelled. He deserved to respectful title. Sister Anne disappeared
from the wall. Brothers Yaron and Xander hurled themselves against
the gate, but it would not budge. I drew my sword. “Bluebeard!” I
thundered, “I have the power to arrest you for deserting.” of
course this was a threat I never planned on carrying out for the
scandal it would cause my sister.
Suddenly the door opened. It was
Mistress Giselle. In one hand she clenched a large black iron
candlestick. The thuggish gatekeeper was lying in the mud
unconscious.
“Quick sir.” Giselle cried, “I
believe my sister's murderer is about to kill your sister!” not
stopping to ponder the young lady's words, I dashed towards the
palace.
“May the Heavens bless you, lady.”
Brother Yaron said as he rushed after me. We burst into the palace
and found Sister Anne trapped in the arms of one of Bluebeard's
thugs. Sister Cassandra knelt on the floor clutching the small
chamber key. It had turned red. Bluebeard had her red curls grasped
in his hand and a knife at her throat.
“Drop your knife, foul traitor!” I
shouted. Sister Cassandra cried out, and a drop of blood appeared on
her throat. I froze.
“Well, well Lord Zeno!” Bluebeard
hissed, “For all your nosing and prying it was your foolish sister
who discovered my secret.” Sister Cassandra cried out again.
“Oh brothers.” sister Anne
screamed, “He has got a closet full of-” her captor struck her.
Anger washed over me and I tightened my grip on my scimitar.
“You cowardly-” I got no further, I
heard several voices screaming at me to look out. Then something
stuck me in the head. The last thing I remember was the clatter of my
scimitar as it struck the floor.
I awoke to find myself in a place I
first mistook for Hell. The floor and walls of the narrow room were
splattered with dry blood. Skeleton bodies of dead women hung by
their hair or arms from the wall. Axes hung from beams. Bloody knifes
littered the floor. I counted twelve dead bodies. Then my senses
cleared and I realized that I was very much alive. Mistress Giselle
knelt at my side.
“Do not kill him.” she was
screaming, “I will be your fourteenth wife if you do not kill him!”
I closed my eyes to thin slits and feigned unconsciousness. Then I
noticed Bluebeard. He still had sister Cassandra by the hair. He was
going to kill my sister and hang her up with the other dead wives.
For that is what the dead bodies could only be.
“Oh it is for to late for that, my
little Giselle.” Bluebeard sneered, “I asked you once before and
you stuck up your nose. Your sister was murdered because you refused
me.” Bluebeard laughed uproariously, “Besides I will take great
pleasure in killing this man. Is he your lover that you would be
willing to marry the man who murdered twelve wives and one of them
your own sister for him?”
“he is nothing of the sort!”
Giselle spat, “But he is a more honorable man then you!”
Bluebeard struck her. I had to brace myself so that I would not to
reach for his throat.
“Mercy lord.” sister Cassandra
whispered, “I disobeyed you so kill me, but spare my brother.”
Bluebeard laughed again.
“But my little wife, you do not seem
to realize that you all must die since you know my little secret.”
“You monster!” I heard brother
Xander yell from behind me, “You sick monster!”
“Then kill us quickly!” brother
Yaron said calmly. I wandered what his plan was.
“Not until Zeno wakes!” Bluebeard
spat, “I will kill the three ladies in front of him. That will hurt
is pride the most.” I felt sick all over. Bluebeard would no doubt
torture them well, because he knew I believed in chivalry.
“Oh brother Zeno, I pray that blow
killed you.” Anne whispered softly. She knew me well too.
Slowly I inched my hand towards
Giselle. Her eyes widened briefly, then she fixed her eyes on
Bluebeard and arranged herself so she was blocking Bluebeard's view
of my hand, the same time she kicked one knives in my direction.
Bluebeard barely glanced at the clattering blade. Giselle began to
sob loudly.
“Oh if only I had said yes. Alia
would still be alive.” my hand closed over the knife.
“Zeno has slept long enough, someone
wake him up!” Bluebeard growled. I bucket of questionably clean
water cascaded over my head. I sat up spluttering and hurled the
knife. It shot over sister Cassandra's head and into Bluebeard's
heart. He gasped. I leaped to my feet, pushed sister Cassandra aside
and hurled myself in to the murderer. We hit the floor, then two
knives stabbed Bluebeard. My brothers had taken advantage of the
distraction to throw their hidden daggers at our enemy. I sat up
rubbing my aching head. Sister Anne had her arms around the fainting
Cassandra. Brothers Xander and Yaron were writhing with their
captors. I stole Bluebeard's scimitar and approached them.
“The fight is over.” I said coldly.
My brothers were released and the guards backed away.
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