Slaying the Silence

Chapter Two

    When Aria came to, she was lying on a soft pallet.   For a moment, she assumed that she was back in her bedchamber, waking up from a troubling dream.  She yawned quietly and sat up, blinking.  All of a sudden, however, the room came into sharp focus.

    She was inside a small chamber, surrounded by walls of roughly hewn wood.  A single ray of sun shone through the small window in the far corner of the room, the only source of light in the otherwise dark room.  Aria was now wide awake.  She threw the soft blanket that covered her aside and leapt up.  The memories came flooding back – riding in the forest with Marie, the bandits... and being knocked unconscious.

     At that moment, Aria caught sight of a man standing by the doorway.  She straightened, peering into the darkness.  "Who are you?" she called, striking a defensive pose.

    The man stepped forward.  "I found you on the forest road.  You were wounded, and I took the liberty of bring you here," he replied.

    Absently, Aria raised a hand to her head.  Sure enough, a rough bandage was wrapped around her head.  She curtsied deeply.  "Thank you, Monsieur. You will be rewarded."

    "Nay, Mademoiselle."  The rustling of fabric came, followed by quiet footsteps.  In the dim light, Aria saw the man walk to a table.  He struck a match, and a lantern blazed to life.  He held the lantern out, shrouding his face in shadow.  "But I am interested to know what a lady of your ...  breeding is doing in such dismal forests.  It is said that the Silent Phantom haunts these areas."

     A wry smile tugged at Aria's lips as Marie's words sounded in her mind.  "I was out riding.  As for the Silent Phantom: well, Monsieur, I cannot be afraid of a myth.  A ghost that raids towns can hardly harm me."

    The man chuckled softly, causing Aria to arch an eyebrow quizzically.  "Do I amuse you?"

    "No, forgive me, Mademoiselle.  It is your valor that intrigues me.  Be he man or myth, the Silent Phantom is much feared."

    A tinge of color rose to her cheeks.  "Payment, Monsieur.  I cannot go without repaying you for your efforts.  Please, name your reward.  My father is a marquis, and he would surely wish to reward you for your service on my behalf." 

    The man now seemed interested.  "Your father is a marquis?  May I ask who he is?"

    Aria frowned at the question, but obliged the man.  "The Marquis de Jacques."  After a moment, she spoke again, her brows furrowing.  "Might I ask your name, Monsieur?"

    "You may ask, but I cannot answer."

    She frowned once more, suddenly prey to a lingering sense of unease.  Who is this man? she wondered.  After a moment of silence, Aria stepped towards him.  "May I at least see the face of the man to whom I am so indebted?"

    The man hesitated for a moment, but then stepped into the light.  Aria drew in a sharp breath.  His clothing was simple, befitting one who likely made his living from the land surrounding them.  Yet his face arrested her attention.  On his face was a fitted white mask, reaching from his hairline to just above his lips. 

    Aria swallowed her curiosity and managed a small smile.  "Have you just come from a masque, Monsieur?"

    The man stared evenly at her.  "Forgive my secrecy, Miss de Jacques.  This is for your benefit."

    "Your secrecy does not encourage trust in your character," she replied, attempting to mask her growing feeling of discomfort with a playful tone.  After a moment, she sighed, and her voice took on a firmer tone.  "I am everlastingly grateful for your care, and you will be rewarded.  Yet I must leave."  She stepped towards the door.