Van Deloney: To My Dearest Emma [[BOOK ONE]]

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝑽

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NOTICE OF CONTENT TRIGGER WARNING

This novel contains harsh descriptions of heinous crimes, violence, gore, swear words, and disturbing scenes, and other issues that may be considered inappropriate for younger readers. Parents are advised to exercise caution when determining whether this content is appropriate for their children.

GREETINGS FROM THE GRIMOARDS

October 28, 1879

                  AS THE CARRIAGE gained momentum and its speed continuously, Charlotte's body was suddenly thrown forward, her eyes widening in surprise as her heart quickened with a sense of urgency. "What was that?!" the young lady exclaimed with panic filling her voice, her nerves rattled by the unusual occurrence and her mind racing with possible explanations for the sudden speed surge.

As the carriage continued to blaze ahead across the wide expanse of the landscape, its speed growing faster and its ride becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Lindice suddenly piped up, her voice laced with urgency and her demeanor changing from cool and collected to alert and vigilant. "Speaking of those devils..." she hissed in a tense tone. Her sudden shift in mood and tone, coupled with her quick reach for the wrapped polearm beside her.

"What are you planning to do?!" Charlotte inquired, her voice filling with panic as her concern for her own safety and the potential threat from the followers increased.

The young lady's hands gripped the sides of the seat firmly, as she tried her best to maintain a stable position and prevent herself from bouncing around during the vigorous ride.

Lindice, whose eyes were narrowed as she gazed out of the back window of the moving wagon, searching for something outside. "Stay here. I just spotted a dirt..." She muttered, her tone was urgent and vigilant. She then kicks the carriage door open, causing a sudden burst of cold air to rush inside the carriage.

Before she could speak further, Charlotte suddenly noticed the wind slowly unwrapping the cloth from the polearm that Lindice was holding, the young lady's eyes widening with surprise as she got a clear look at the massive blade that was concealed underneath it. "Hold on a second.... Is that... A SCYTHE?!" she said in her own mind, she filled with a sense of shock and awe, the size and shape of the weapon catching her off guard. Charlotte had never seen anything like it before.

The ride in the carriage continued to surge on, Lindice made a daring and unexpected move, jumping out of the moving wagon whilst it was still in motion. "H-Hey!" Charlotte yelled, trying to catch Lindice's attention, but unfortunately, she was too focused on the task at hand, and didn't look back towards Charlotte's direction.

As the riders charged forward on their horses, Lindice stood in their path, brandishing the massive scythe in her hands in a display of bold courage. "Surrender now, kid!" the leader of the men shouted, his tone commanding and his voice filled with authority. Despite her small and thin frame, Lindice stood tall and resolute, her tone dismissive. "What a joke," she chuckled with a tone of slight derision, her words making light of the threat presented to her.

Lindice raised her Scythe and twirled the weapon in the air, her skilled hands allowing her to manipulate the massive blade with seemingly effortless grace and dexterity. With each sweeping motion, she drew the scythe closer to the approaching foes, her movements like a deadly dance as she closed within striking distance. As the two sides drew closer, the tension in the air grew thicker and thicker, the sight of Lindice's graceful yet deadly technique sending shivers down the spines of the men on their horses, their confidence in their numerical superiority quickly dwindling in the face of her skills.