The return of the Dark

6

    'What about the De Noirs?'
    The question was hanging in the air between us. I kept looking at Uncle Benjamin. I didn't know what was going on, but I needed to know.
And I thank Heaven for that.
His words kept swirling in my head, like ghosts that didn't want to leave. Or a bust of wind.
You're not like the De Noirs,
I was a Merryweather, I knew that. And I was befriended with the De Noirs. My Uncle, Sir Benjamin, was befriended with the De Noirs - as far as I knew.
Loveday was a De Noir, for Heavens sake! I couldn't get my head into this strange situation. Odin started groaning when he heard that name. De Noir. The Black, in French. I learned that in college. I had trouble then, I almost couldn't keep the laugh for myself. It was so logic when I found out.
'Nothing,' Uncle Benjamin said with a hoarse voice. Another sip. I didn't believe him.
'Nothing?' I asked and sniffed. 'I don't believe you, Uncle.'
He gave me his strict gaze. 'Listen, Maria. I can't talk about this right now.'
I raised and eyebrow. I would not let myself be sent away.
'You can't or you don't want to?' The wooden blocks in the hearthstone snapped and a short heat overflowed my feet.
'Maria,' Uncle Benjamin said. And suddenly, he looked so... tired. Tired and exhausted. I felt guilty for a moment - I was pushing him too hard. 'Not now.'
I pressed my lips on each other and nodded. 'Than when?'
With a finger and a thumb he rubbed over his eyebrows.
'When the time is there.'

* * *

I knew that it maybe was stupid to be so pushing and questioning. But I sensed that something wasn't right. I needed to know why.
When I asked Digweed where Loveday was, he said that she was out for a walk. He didn't know when she would return.
Fine.
Than there was only one person I knew who maybe could help me or give me the answers I wanted to have. Needed to have.
Mr. Scarlet.
When I came in the kitchen, I jumped from the shock. Something fell on the floor and splintered.
I froze immediately, my eyes flying across the open kitchen.
'Maria,' Mr. Scarlet said as he sat on his knees, cleaning the broken plate. I walked in and closed the door behind me.
'Mr. Scarlet,' I said, frowning.
'I'm sorry for the mess, I'm not really in form today.' A deep frown curved his forehead. I was wanted to help him cleaning up the mess, but when I walked towards him he was already done. Of course - he was very fast.
'What brings you here?' he asked me as he began cutting a carrot. I gave a nod.
'I want answers.' He sniffed and a smirk slipped onto his face. Wrinkles curved around his eyes and mouth.
'What for?'
'About the bandits, about my Uncle.' By the last words he stopped cutting the carrot, put down his knife and looked at me with a thinking look in his dark eyes.
'What about him?' His voice was quietly, as if he were on his guard.
'He seems a bit... annoyed when I start talking about the De Noirs. Do you know what I mean?' I asked and I hoped so. If Mr. Scarlet couldn't give me the answers I wanted, I needed to go and look for Loveday. But what if she couldn't give me answers neither?
I swallowed - what was I supposed to do than?
Surprisingly, Mr. Scarlet nodded. 'I know what you mean,' he said.
I came closer. 'Why does it look like my Uncle doesn't like the De Noirs anymore?'
Mr. Scarlet shook his head immediately as he turned pale - this was not good. Not at all.
'I'm sorry, Young Maria,' he said. 'I can't tell you.'
'Why not?' I snapped. 'No one here is telling me what is going on! What is wrong? Is there something I can't know?'
A forced grin came on his face. 'I could tell you, but than it isn't a surprise anymore.'
I frowned. 'What?'
He raised his shoulders, like he hadn't said a thing. I crossed my arms around my chest.
'Marmaduke!' I never said his name like this before - ordering and irritated. But worth it, because I finally got one answer.
'Tonight you get a party.' I blinked. Once. Twice.
'A... A party?' I asked with a trembling voice, my eyes wide.
A nod. 'Yes. With music and a lot of food and a lot of guests.'
'O no,' I moaned as I went with my hands trough my hair.
Mr. Scarlet raised an eyebrow.
'A party is fun! What is wrong? Loveday wanted to give you a welcome-home-party as a surprise.'
    'This is horrible.'
    'Why?' he asked me and I was feeling hot. The corset was more killing me than this morning.
    'I don't want that,' I said. 'It isn't necessary.'
    'Tell me why,' Mr. Scarlet insisted. I bit my down lip and took a deep breath.
    'It feels like this isn't the right time. And besides... I don't like party's that much. I'm not a good dancer and who is coming?'
    He raised his shoulders and started stirring in an bowl. 'I think some people who work for Sir Benjamin. Not much.'
    'I don't believe you,' I said.
    He grinned. 'People that are working for your Uncle, people he knows with a good reputation. Musicians.'
    'And also a few De Noirs, I assume,' I said as I raised an eyebrow. Mr. Scarlet pressed his lips onto each other and I sighed. 'My Uncle didn't invite them.'
    A nod. 'He didn't.'
    'Why not!' I almost yelled the words, but kept my voice a bit lower when I asked it again. 'Why not?'
    He raised his shoulders. 'Ask him.'
    'No. I'm asking you.' I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at him with a fierce look in my eyes.
    Mr. Scarlet didn't answer my question. He picked up his work again and ignored me.
    'Loveday is a De Noir! She is okay with this?' No answer. 'I don't believe that.'
    'Maria, this isn't the time.'
    'Well, I believe it is. No one is telling my a thing and you can't keep me searching for answers in the dark!' I shook my head and sat down in the chair that was standing in the corner of the kitchen. 'Why is it all so difficult?' I asked myself.
    The sounds of a working cook stopped and I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. Marmaduke was standing next to me when I looked up.
    'It is difficult, I know it is,' he said. 'But have some patience, Maria. This isn't just nothing, is a problem. A... fight, you could say.'
    'But what is wrong with the relationship between us and the De Noirs?'
    He seemed the hesitate. 'It is tensed. Something happened that cannot be solved this easily.'
    'What?' I almost whispered, but he shook his head.
    'It is not my job to tell you.' I sighed - I knew that he was going to say that. 'It is your Uncles job.'
    I nodded and leaned with my elbows on my knees. I was tired of this conversation.
    'Try to enjoy the party, Maria,' he said and started baking again. 'Everybody is enthusiast about the whole thing.'
    I nodded again and walked out of the kitchen. I knew what I had to do - if I wanted to enjoy the party, I needed to invite someone else than businessman and people with good reputations.

                                         * * *

I knew that there was only one place where I could concentrate right now.
The library.
The first stile I got here Uncle Benjamin said that it was prohibited - like every other room. When I walked in and closed the door silent behind me, I walked with fast steps trough the large bookshelves.
Dust was swirling and dancing in the sunlight and the smell of old books and paper filled my nose. A little gust of wind flew by trough an open window.
A writing table and the needed tools - I was sure I could find it here.
I listened for a few second or I heard any other people.
No one.
I was alone. And I hoped that I would've enough time to write another invitation.
When I had finally found a writing table I sat down, looking in the drawers for writing supplies.
After a few seconds of searching and listening, I started to write;

Robin,

I don't know if you know it, but tonight my Uncle and Loveday organised a welcome-home-party.
And as far as I know, there will only come dull people. Besides, I'm not a party person. So if I don't want to run to my room and hide, I thought; I need someone fun.
And there is only one person that I know! So I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to my 'party'. Would you like to think about it? Come whenever you want and take some friends if you want.

See you later tonight, I hope.

Maria

This would do it. If Robin didn't come... Than I wouldn't know what to do. Act like I was having fun was on the top of the list - I didn't want to ruin it.
    Not for anyone. I had no idea how much time my Uncle and Loveday had spend on this party. I actually didn't want to know.
    I sighed and shook my head, took the letter and putted it in the nearest envelope I saw. Well, I couldn't bring it by myself - I needed to find Digweed.
    I stood up and walked out of the library. The envelope... Where was I going to leave that? Of Uncle Benjamin saw it and noticed that it was for Robin De Noir - he would take the letter and burn it, I knew it.
With a nervous feeling inside my chest I kept walking towards the door that would lead me out. I knew Digweed was at the stables - he had to be.
    The envelope... I had no idea where to keep that. The sunlight blinded my for a moment when I walked out the manor, down the platform stairs. Just a few meters and I was there...
    'Maria?' Uncle Benjamin's voice snapped trough me and I felt hot. No. No. If he found out that I was going to invite Robin without his approval...
    Than I knew I wouldn't see Robin tonight. And maybe for a longer time.