Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 2

The walk to the blacksmith's was a short one. Anna was very careful to clear a path for her mistress, making sure that she did not trip on any of the riffraff lining the streets. The townspeople were all in their homes, as it was about the time for dinner, so they met no one as the made their way through the streets.

When they arrived at the blacksmith's house, Elizabeth made sure to smooth out her gown and her hair. "Do I look passable, Anna? I would not want to enter the home of one of my subjects looking unkempt."

Anna smiled. "Passable, Madame? You look absolutely ravishing! No beauty in this country could compare to yours." Anna knew exactly how to compliment her mistress to make her happy. And it was certainly true; Elizabeth's appearance remained unmatched.

"You are too kind, Anna. And please do call me Elizabeth, we are far too close for the formalities of 'madame'."

"As you wish, Elizabeth."

They knocked on the door of the blacksmith's cottage. He came to greet them almost immediately.

"M-madame! To what do I owe this, er, pleasure?" he stammered, dropping into a clumsy bow. The blacksmith was a fairly young man, only in thirties, and he was strong but quite timid.

"Good sir, I hear your young niece has come to live with you. I wish to welcome her to the town, and perhaps have a short conversation with the girl. Where is she?"

The blacksmith wiped his hands on his trousers nervously before opening the door. "She is in the back room, Madame. She is preparing our supper."

"Ah yes, of course. Take me to her."

Anna watched the nervous man for any signs of disobedience. He was willing enough to lead them into his house, but he surely knew of the rumors revolving around the Countess. Perhaps he would try to prevent them from employing his niece? Or would he hand her over to them, like a coward? Either situation would turn out favorably towards them in the end.

"Natalia, come here please! You have a... a visitor!"

The young girl came out into the main room. She was quite young, younger than the Countess even, and she was very pretty. Her soft golden hair was tied up into plait and her pale blue eyes reminded Anna of an angel's. She was very pretty indeed, which, Anna knew, would service her mistress well. Only beautiful young girls would suffice.

"Countess Elizabeth!" The girl seemed startled. "And Lady Darvulia!"

"Natalia, is it? Such a pretty name. But then, it is befitting for such a pretty girl."

She flushed pink. From the flattery or her nervousness, they couldn't really tell.

"You are too kind, Madame."

Elizabeth sat down in a wooden chair, gesturing for the girl to come and kneel before her on the floor. "I would like to discuss something with you, Natalia. If your uncle would leave a moment to give us some privacy..."

"Of course, Madame! I will go out to the back room." He scurried away, leaving his niece with the two women.

Natalia trembled slightly, appearing like a mouse caught in a trap before two great cats. Anna smiled slightly, her eyes glinting. The feeling of power gave her great pleasure. It did the same for Elizabeth; she was smiling merrily down at the girl.

"I am sure by now you are looking for a way to earn money."

"Yes, Madame." The girl's voice was barely audible. No doubt she had heard the rumors herself.

"I have come to offer you a job at my castle as our newest chambermaid."

Natalia looked up, her eyes full of fear. She began to stutter, too afraid to speak clearly. "I-I do not think t-that would be the best for me, Madame... I mean, I have already spoken with the s-seamstress about working for her..."

Elizabeth pouted her lips. "Oh, pity. You would've made for an excellent maid, too. Oh well, I suppose we must search elsewhere. Good night to you, Natalia." Elizabeth stood up.

"You are leaving? Oh, yes, of course!" The girl looked relieved. She ran to the door, ready to open it for the Countess and Lady Darvulia.

"Oh, silly me! I almost forgot something." Elizabeth turned around suddenly, facing Natalia and the doorway. "I have a little present for you."

"A p-present?"

"Yes!" She smiled sweetly, brushing a stray hair off of her shoulder. "Anna, would you please give this pretty young girl her present?"

"It would be my pleasure, Elizabeth."

Anna reached inside her cloak a pulled out a tiny blue vial. The glass was decorated in little diamond-shaped patterns, and the stopper was made from blue crystal. Anna handed the vial to Elizabeth, who in turn handed it to Natalia.

"Thank you, Madame. You are too kind," she mumbled.

"Oh, but my dear, you have not seen how truly wonderful this little gift is. Here, let me demonstrate it to you."

Quick as a flash, Elizabeth snatched the vial from poor Natalia. She yanked off the stopper, and in one swift motion pulled the girl to her chest, her arm around Natalia's throat.

"Drink up, pretty girl."

She tipped the contents of the vial into Natalia's mouth. The girl was so stunned that she barely had time to protest. She coughed and spluttered as the bitter liquid made it's way down her throat, but she swallowed it the nonetheless. When Elizabeth was sure she had taken it all, she let go of Natalia.

She opened her mouth. Perhaps to scream for help, as it would seem. But no sound made it's way past her lips. She stumbled about for a few short seconds, and then her eyelids closed. She slumped to the floor.