Death at Kimbal

Chapter 9

"Ed.  I'm so sorry." Effie begged her brother, standing up and looking wide-eyed at him, "I did not mean it."

"Of course you didn't." He spat sarcastically, casting and evil look at his sister and Luc, "You never meant a word of it."

"Ed listen." Luc said threateningly, starting to rise from his seat.

"NO!" Ed shouted, surprising even himself, "I WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED BY YOU!" 

"Calm down." Effie said quietly, her voice not much more than a whisper, but heard by the other two, who looked questioningly at her, "Luc, sit down.  Ed, be quiet and listen to me."

The two did as they were told, both sinking into their chairs.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked them both, the moment they were quiet, "You've changed."

"Being an orphan does things to the health." Ed said venomously, glowering at Luc from underneath his furrowed eyebrows.

"Can you not see this?" Effie continued, ignoring her brother, "Remember what you used to be like.  Luc, you never used to have such a short temper as this, before today I had not seen you so angered.  Ed, you are not the same brother I knew and loved, you have been become bitter, vile.  I have not seen you laugh in months.  Think.  Would Mama be proud of us now?"

"She would not." Both men said in unison, dropping their gaze to the table in front of them.

"We have been through a lot, I understand that much.  But why is it that I remain uninfected whilst you have changed so much?" Effie asked, a slightly bemused look on her face as she sighed at the people in front of her.

"You are strong Effie." Luc interrupted her, "Stronger than us.  You've coped well with this, you are more mature and selfless than any girl of your age should be."

"I second that thought." Ed added, looking up from his hands.

"And you are not?" Effie questioned, "Are you not valiant or brave.  I cannot think of many others who could be such a comfort to me in this time."

"Effie, I have not been here." Luc said, shaking his head and once more looking down, "You cannot thank me."

"But I will." Effie said gently, "If I had not been waiting for you to return, I fear I would fall victim to depression.  The very hope of seeing you again has kept me alive."

"Madam, Sirs?" Jenna was standing in the doorway, holding the largest cake they could have imagined.  She seemed to be struggling under the weight of the enormous platter so both Effie and Luc jumped out of their seats and rushed across to help her.  Ed however, sat indifferent to the young girl and barely even turned to face her.

"Thank you Sir." Jenna said gratefully, stretching her arms after Luc had lifted the cake out of them, "Cook sends her compliments to you."

"Send her mine." Luc smiled, "This is a cake of fine workmanship."

"She had it all ready and waiting for you Sir." The maid told them, smiling widely and happily "She said 'If Master Luc don't come back, the world'll be damned.'  That's what she said Sir."

"Very kind of her to say Jenna." He smiled, his eyes lighting up, "Give her my best wishes and thanks."

"Of course Sir." Jenna said, bobbing a little curtsy, "I'll go tell her right away." 

"You seem to have taken a liking to the girl." Ed said haughtily, turning to face Luc, "Most unwise."

"Don't pretend such things." Effie scolded her brother sternly, "Jenna said that you liked talking to her.  That you ask her to speak about things that you will not mention to me ."

"That is no business of yours." Ed sneered, facing away from his sister, "If I did indeed like her, though I do not, I would have made my feelings known."

"Indeed." Effie said plainly, though furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, an action that did not go unnoticed by Luc.

"Now." He interrupted, "I do believe we have a cake to admire." He placed the sponge on the table in front of Ed, laughing softly.  

"How was the war?" Effie asked Luc curiously as they sat down to eat.

"Like any." Luc replied, his features becoming darker and shadowy as he spoke, "A waste of good men who deserved to return home."

"You took no bullet then?" Ed smirked, helping himself to a slice of cake.

"Dodged too many." Luc said coldly, also taking some cake, but handing his to Effie instead.

"You had luck on your side." Effie smiled kindly, taking what he offered and watching as he cut one more for himself.

"Indeed." Luc nodded, "But I fear that Lady Luck may soon turn against me."

"What makes you say that?" Ed asked, pushing his unfinished plate of cake away from him.

"Winter is fast approaching." Luc said seriously, "If the harvests fail, there will be uprisings.  Men like me will be the first targets.  Ones who had returned from the war to a comfortable home and good food, we are not popular at this moment in time."

"Agreed." Effie said, swallowing a mouthful of cake, "If we wish to remain safe, we must befriend the masses.  If a time of starvation and cold is to come, I would be willing to help them.  Give out food and supplies."

"I have never met one with more determination than you my sister." Ed smiled briefly, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Would we be here today without it?" Luc asked, "In these circumstances, I fear none of us would."

"You are a serious man." Ed said, "Pray, join me tonight in a game of cards."

"Allow me to join brother?" Effie asked him, "You may teach me if you wish."

"That would be most enjoyable." Luc smiled at her, "I would love to teach you."

"Thank you." Ed bowed his head, "We shall play then."

"Madam." Jenna interrupted urgently, running into the room and curtsying quickly, "A man's here to see you."

"Who bade her come?" Ed asked, half rising from his chair, "Who is it?"

"I don't know Sir." The maid said, looking nervous and wringing her hands, "He says he's from the law Miss."

<><>A.N-  I'm back!!!  Sorry about the ending, I know it's awful, the ideas in my head just started petering out.  I know that the language is really posh, but I just kind of imagined it taking place in the 1700's.  Comment and read on!!<><>