Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 11

Her heart was pounding. She could barely hear her own footsteps, let alone those of the Countess and Lady Darvulia. She wasn't sure of how much time remained for her to hide. At least thirty seconds must have passed. But an adequate hiding spot seemed more difficult to locate than she had imagined. She passed by cell after cell, but those were of no use to her. A torch stood every few meters, leaving little in the dark, and what Natalia needed was cover.

The dungeon seemed enormous. Sections were filled to the brim with crying, groaning, filthy prisoners, and other sections were empty and silent. It unnerved Natalia more than anything, perhaps more than her impending doom. But she couldn't allow the wretched prisoners to cloud her thoughts. She needed her mind to stay focus in order to beat the game and win back her freedom.

Suddenly a cackling voice came from the far end of the prison. "Ready or not, my sweet! We are coming for you!" A shrill laugh filled the air.

It was then Natalia truly began to panic. The voice, no doubt Elizabeth's, sounded far away, but she was still very much out in the open. She needed a place to hide.

"Little lamb, oh little lamb! Come out, come out, wherever you are!" she taunted, calling across the rows of cells.

Natalia could hear the enjoyment in the Countess's voice. Elizabeth was excited by the chase, savouring it, and it sickened her.

"You are scared, aren't you, angel? Scared of sweet little Elizabeth? Don't be frightened dear, I just want to play!"

Natalia turned a corner, her eyes raking the scene in search of a secluded place to hide. Finally, with a rush of relief, she spotted a large pile of barrels. They were big enough for her to climb into. She picked her way to the back of the pile. Taking the lid off of one barrel that was close to the wall and well hidden, she began to climb into it.

"Darling, where are you? Why don't you answer?" The voice was becoming louder as the Countess and Lady Darvulia drew closer.

With a final tug, Natalia pulled the lid of the barrel back over her. She settled into the quiet darkness, her senses humming from the adrenaline. She could hear every pulse of her heart, feel every hair that brushed her cheek, feel every bump in the rough wood of the barrel. She closed her eyes, as if willing herself to disappear, and began a desperate prayer so that she might be saved from the wrath of Countess Elizabeth.

. . .

"Bloodhounds, Elizabeth?" Anna chuckled. "I should've known you had a trick up your sleeve. So very clever you are."

"Mm. I know." Elizabeth basked in the admiration of her companion. "As I said, they were presents from dear Ferenc. He bought them for me when he went to France only a month ago. I have had no occasion to utilize their skills, and I am very excited that they will be able to help us this night."

Anna twitched her nose at the thought of Ferenc buying his wife expensive dogs as gifts. Most likely to keep her placated, as he spent no time with her. Anna even suspected him of having a mistress on the side, but she could never tell Elizabeth that. She would never believe it, even from Anna, and if it were true she would surely lose her mind.

Addy came into the room holding back two large dogs attached to leather leashes. There were certainly majestic looking creatures, with droopy ears and sad expressions. Both were black and brown, as was the fashionable appearance for a French hound. They seemed fairly well trained but very excited to be out of their kennels.

Elizabeth snapped her fingers, and the dogs immediately went to her side. "Addy, fetch Natalia's old dress. We need to hurry, or else she might have more time to hide then we agreed on."

"Aye, Ma'am." She scurried to the back room and returned a moment later with the dirt-streaked old garment.

"Give it to the dogs.

"Aye." Tentatively Addy set the piece of cloth down in front of the hounds.

The new item immediately took up their interest. They sniffed it, paused, sniffed it some more, looked at the door, and began to bark.

"There we have it!" Elizabeth said with a smile. "Anna, will you hold the dogs?"

"Of course." Anna took the leashes from Elizabeth and let the two hounds pull her to the door.

Before they left the room, Elizabeth reached into a small wooden chest that had been sitting on the floor next to one of the chesterfields. She pulled out one of her most prized possession. It was a silver dagger, with a long blade, and an ornate handle set with rubies. Also a gift from Ferenc, but he had intended it to be decoration, not exactly a weapon used for murder.

The Countess sighed contentedly, stroking the blade of her knife. "It has been too long." She turned back to Anna, her weapon held firmly in her grasp. "Come, Anna. The game is afoot."