Castle Butavia

Castle Butavia- Chapter 3

Chapter 3

     Ember walked out of the stable looking for the Count.  He didn't see him at first but the upraised voice of a woman drew his attention.  Looking over towards the castle gardens he saw the Count in heated argument with a group of what appeared to be servant girls.  One of which, a blonde, was standing before him her back straight and defiant. He couldn't see her face but the tone of her voice let him know that she was very angry. He moved toward them curiosity taking him, and at that moment a breeze blew across the courtyard and Ember froze.  The scent upon the breeze was something he remembered, something he had forgotten. It stirred something within him and a red veil seemed to cover his eyesight.  Something precious to him was being threatened and his every instinct now was to kill whatever it was.  He saw the Count's hand raise to strike the girl in front of him and Ember reacted.  In five quick steps he was behind the Count and as the Count's hand moved he reached out and grabbed the Count's hand in a near bone crushing grip.

   The Count gasped in pain and turned to see what was happening.  He turned and was looking into the blazing red pupils of the assassin he had hired.  The two maids used that oppurtonity to grab Princess Berdotte by the hand and run into the castle pulling her along.  Tomas found that moment a good one to escape as well and ran off toward the stables.  The Count turned white then became angry.  "What are you doing?" he gasped out.  "Unhand me."

     With the scent gone Ember regained control of himself.  He carefully released the Count and stepped back.  He watched as the Count rubbed his injured wrist then calmly using the Count"s own words said, "What are you doing associating with the commoners? We don't have time for this.  Besides," he added, " fighting with the servants will only cause us trouble in the end and draw attention to me.  As if there wasn't enough of that already."  This Ember said as he looked around. 

      The Count looked around as well and noted the hostile stares that they were getting from the other servants that were in the courtyard.  He knew the love these people had for their Princess and he had forgot himself.  He brushed himself off and pretended that nothing had happened.  He turned toward the other servants with a furious look on his face.  "Get to work and don't forget who is paying your wages here," he shouted.  "If you still wish to have jobs, I suggest that you keep moving and forget what you saw.'

    "Well," Ember thought to himself, "at least I know who the real power is in this castle.  If that's the case I wonder what he needs me for?"  He followed the Count as he moved toward the main entrance of the castle where the Count gave instructions for rooms to be prepared for them.  After being led there by the servant that answered the Count's call,Ember excused himself and went back to the stables to retrieve his pack from his horse.  In all the excitement he had forgotten to get it.

       As he entered the stables the man who had first approached him to take his horse sidled up to him.  The man removed his hat and cleared his throat, "Ahemm.  Uh, I just wanted to thank you sir, for what you did back there.  I know I shouldn't be talking to you, sir.  I mean no disrespect, sir."  The man shuffled nervously in front of Ember as he spoke not looking into his face.

     At first Ember didn't answer.  It was the first time in quite awhile that anyone had thanked him for anything and he didn't know how to respond.  So he ended up answering roughly.  "I did nothing so you have nothing to be thankful for.  You had best be about your own business and not meddle in others affairs."

     The man looked up into the cold gray eyes and couldn't help a shiver.  Nervously, he backed up a step then looked back down at the ground.  "Yes sir, I mean, no sir. Uhh,,, Thank you anyway, sir."   Tomas couldn't get out of the stables fast enough.  Then it hit him, the man's eyes were different this time.  When he had met him with the horse the man's eyes had been gray, almost like silver, but when he had grabbed the Count, the man's eyes had changed to a blazing red ring around the pupil which then had quickly become full red and seemed to burn with hot intensity.  Tomas shook his head and made a sign to ward off evil spirits and moved off to the kitchens to tell the other servants what he had seen.  He didn't know if anyone else would believe him or not.