Saving the Beast

Chapter Seven

Walking back into town I noticed my jeans were ripped, must of happened when I was running away. Oh well I have a bigger problem then ripped jeans, aka the wolves.

I had to find a way around them if i wished to journey farther, I sighed. I didn't want to hurt the creatures, but at the moment i was having a hard time thinking of another way.

Closing the door of the inn i walked over to the dinning area where i found a piping hot plate of food waiting for me. Surprised i looked around to find the caretaker bringing out a cup as well.

"I'm glad to see you back dear, how was your trip?" I shrugged and took a seat, "Eventful is the word i would use. " she raised an eyebrow,"Oh really? Care to share?"

She asked pulling a chair next to mine. Staring down at my food i sighed, "Even if i did tell you, it's unlikely that you would believe me." She chuckled. "Try me."

"Let's just say I found a bunch of not so friendly furry creatures." She rolled her eyes, "I doubt that is the whole story, but if that is what you want to tell me that's fine."

Pushing around my food I opened my mouth to say something, "Yes?" She asked expecting my sudden change, "Have you ever heard the story of a cursed castle?" Without say a word she stood up and beckoned me to follow.

Curious I stood up, she lead me to a back room where a array of paintings sat. Each one looked like a picture in my Grandmother's book. "Beautiful aren't they?" She said with a hint of a sigh.

Stunned i ran my fingers over the pastel paint, stopping I stared at a single painting. Kneeling in front of it I gave a small smile. It was the same picture as what I saw in the mirror.

The Beast was hunched over the rose with a broken-hearted look. "Who painted these?" I ask, as she chuckled. "It was done by the other travelers that wandered on to the castle grounds."

"Others? There was more then one that visited the Beast?" She smirked, "A Beast? I didn't say anything about a beast." Backing up i bit my lip, "My Grandmother used to tell me stories about him."

She let out a laugh, "Leave it to Belle Lora to share that with her family." I stepped back and starred at the painting again. "D-Did my Grandmother ever go to the castle?"

The women shrugged and sat in a chair, "No idea hun. One day she just left with out a word. Most people believed that she went to go have one of her adventures. She always was rather odd."

"But she knew the story, wouldn't that mean she made it to the castle herself?" Mrs.Hanson shook her head, "Not necessarily. I told her the story many times, she might have adapted the story from me." I nodded turning back to the paintings.

Names were etched at the bottom corner of every piece, but none of them was my grandmothers. That would mean she never painted one. Or if she did, then she didn't get a chance to give it to the inn keeper.

"So these painting would mean people made it to the castle safely." She nodded putting a cup to her lips. "Do by any chance know how they got past the forest guards? "

She shrugged, "Most of the travelers don't say much when they get back. For reasons you can see." I pursed my lips. She was right these painting were beautiful, but everyone of them had a somber theme.

Not one of the works of art was light or happy. Why? From what I was getting, everyone of them fell in love with the Beast, but it would seem that he never returned their affections.

Turning back I noticed the inn keeper had disappeared.