1692

Act XIII

Cake of the day: Eton Mess Cake with Wild Strawberries

Bram crept through the woods, coated with a thick layer of snow as more flakes fell, maddeningly quiet. His musket tight in his grip, he scanned the area for Edmund Ville. The whole of the town had been terrorized by carried words on the winter wind of what he did to Mertyl.

The Mortician was sure that he had cut both of her legs off, while the Butcher assured that is was her arms. The Tailor even said she was dead, but the Candle maker assured that she was alive, but would forever be an invalid.

Followed by Woodsbaine, Squall, Walter, Alfred, and Ellis, the party tracked slowly against the cold wood.  "Squall," Bram said tauntingly, "If you get tired, we can always carry you sweetie, straight back to the Cove where you belong, woman."

"You'd be surprised," Squall replied flatly. She had put up with his words all morning, and was completely certain that she'd be pulling a corpse back to town, and if they caught Edmund, she'd be dragging two bodies. "I think you're forgetting whose party really saved Mertyl."

"Watch your tongue, whore," Bram spat, whipping around as crows flew from the tops of twisted skeletons of trees. "I'll have you butchered in the streets," He growled, obviously miffed about having a woman in his party.

"Where I'm from," Squall retorted, strutting past him, musket in hand, "We call that foreplay."

Bram blushed deeply, covering his face with his cloak and continuing on, defeated, as the others chuckled in the background.

"Wait," Walter said sharply, freezing, his nose to the wind. "What is it?" Squall said.

Walter breathed the air in again, wide eyed. "He's here..." He said breathlessly, before taking off in another direction.

"Follow him!" Squall commanded, darting through the snow after Walter.

The party then came to a clearing in the woods, an ominous place, a circle of dark trees surrounding a vestal falling of snow. Edmund stood in the center of the clearing, his back to Bram's party, completely still. His hair was tousled and clothes riddled with blood. Vincent stood before him, his red eyes hard and dark hair matted, face dripping with crimson.

"Vincent!" Squall cried, beginning to run into the clearing before Woodsbaine grabbed her, pulling her back.

"Stay there, Squall!" Vincent called, his voice calm, not taking his piercing eyes from Edmund.

Bram took a step into the clearing, cautiously quiet.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Edmund smirked.

"Edmund Ville," Bram said, "You have been charged with crimes against Candle Cove."

"Oh?" He retorted, "What's my sentence? Death? Dear preacher, you cannot kill a man who is already dead inside."

"Exorcism." Bram replied flatly. "And then, I'll see what mood you leave me in." Squall led the others to surround him as Ellis stepped forward, holding a large Bible.

"Hello Miloval," He said, opening the book. "It's been a while, I've missed you."

"I really hate to tell you that the feeling isn't mutual," Edmund growled, glaring at the exorcist.

Ellis smirked. "Let's get down to business already," He opened the Bible, running his fingers along the aged pages.

"Lord, have mercy!" He said, his voice echoing the the silence of the forest. Bram and the butlers then began to chant along with Ellis, "Lord, have mercy."

Edmund whipped around, his eyes wild. Vincent tackled him, tossing up powdery snow as he held him to the ground.

"Christ, have mercy," Ellis continued, smiling, his vivid green eyes taunting. Bram led the others in a chant, "Christ, have mercy."