First Curse: Elisabeth...

Chapter 5: Old Friends

“Is everything ready?” I asked trying not to act nervous in anyway.

“Yes, we're ready to go.” Agatha nodded standing next to me. “She's reluctant.”

“I understand.” I murmured moving over to Elisabeth. “It's time to go.” I said kneeling in front of her.

She shook her head nervously.

“Please, you'll be safe there with my mother. Agatha is going with you. We'll have you away from the mountainside, away from the nightmares.” I took her hand in mine. “Please, for just a few days as a trial. They will not let you stay here and I cannot get you back into the Sanatorium, the only other option is the Asylum and I will not do that to you.”

She was trembling, the tears trickling down her cheeks as she finally nodded. I helped her rise and assisted her with her jacket before I picked up the bags and lead her and Agatha down to where the carriage awaited. I looked back at Honeykettle and Nettlemyer and let out a slow breath. Neither of them looked overly happy that she was leaving but they didn't even say fairwell. Elisabeth and Agatha sat opposite me until the road curved around and Elisabeth had to move in order to see the hill side. She knelt on the seat next to me, her hand on my shoulder staring out the rear of the carriage until the mountain was obscured from view. She turned around in the seat and sat beside me a slight frown on her face.

“Do you see anything following?” Agatha asked her softly.

I looked between the two of them slightly confused as Elisabeth shook her head no. After a few minutes of silent travel Elisabeth fell asleep with her head on my shoulder and Agatha stared at us with a slightly amused grin on her face.

It was a long trip. The carriage stopped only once to water the horses, then it carried on until we reached the countryside. I could see my mother standing in front of the house impatiently waiting for us as the carriage pulled up to the steps.

“Let me see this girl you’ve written so much about.” My very elegant mother said as I stepped out of the carriage. I didn't even got a hello. I held Elisabeth’s hand to help her out. “My goodness what rags you have her in, we will have to take her shopping.” She said smiling taking her hand. “Welcome to our home Elisabeth.”

“Thank you.” Elisabeth said softly, so very softly, but politely with perfect diction.

“You're very welcome dear... and Agatha! What a pleasant surprise. It's been years.” Mother kissed their cheeks. “Lets get you two settled, I've got a small meal laid out, you must be famished from the trip.”

I gazed at Elisabeth slightly stunned that she spoke to my mother. She glanced at me and gave a very shy smile and mother took her and Agatha by the hand and disappeared into the house.

It wasn’t a large estate, but it was comfortable. Elisabeth was very cautious as we crossed the sitting room, stopping to stare out the window towards the family cemetery. It was very brief and mother hardly noticed but I caught it as did Agatha. Dinner was pleasant. Elisabeth didn’t say another word, but it didn’t bother mother any, I had warned her that Elisabeth didn’t talk much. I was still floored that she’d spoken at all even in greeting.

“I thought you passed away a long time ago, Elisabeth, now is it?” Mother said after dessert was served.

“It was best to leave my other life behind.” Elisabeth looked up. “it's been a long time Leslie, I'm so sorry about Jericho.”

“That wasn't your doing, Elisabeth, that was Regins.”

“As in Dr. Regins?” I looked up sharply.

“Well that's what he is now,” Mother cleared her throat. “Jonathon, why don't you go turn the beds down for the girls.”

I opened my mouth to protest but held my tongue nodding as I excused myself from the table.

“how can he be so blind?” I heard Agatha ask as I rounded the corner.

“I thought it would be safer that way....” Mother's voice was quiet. “But he's walked into a mess now hasn't he.”

I wanted to wait there, listen to their conversation, but they didn't say another word that I could hear. I went up the stairs to the guest room and turned down the large double bed that the girls would share. I went over to the window and stared out at the fading light. I let out a long breath and headed back to the dining room. I paused before returning to visibility but could hear nothing. I stepped in and found the table empty. The dishes were cleared and I moved to the sitting room expecting to see them there. Elisabeth was sitting casually on a love seat with Agatha at the piano and mother in her rocking chair.

“Took you long enough, Jonathon.” Mother smiled at me. “Thought you got lost.”

“No, mother, was just making sure the room was adequate.” I stood awkwardly feeling very out of place. Agatha's fingers danced lightly over the piano keys in a slightly haunting melody.

“I was just catching up with Elisabeth.” Mother nodded towards a chair by her.

“I had no idea you knew of each other.”

“It has been a long time.”

I nodded slowly. “How do you know each other?”

“We met a long time ago when we were just children.” Elisabeth spoke up. “You will come to understand what I mean.” She said before I could speak. “There is a certain amount you have to learn that we cannot just tell you.”

“Why?”

“In part of it... well in most of it... you wouldn't believe me.” she shrugged. “You have to learn it and accept it for yourself.”

“About the Equilibriate?”

“Exactly.”

“And how they aren't really gone?”

She nodded. “But for now, I think I'd like to retire for the night.”

“I'll show you to your room.” Mother stood up and exited.

“I'd suggest starting to research those files we pilfered as soon as possible.” Agatha stopped playing. “Things are either going to be nice and calm here or it is going to get ugly very fast.” She slid away from the piano. I stood and she put her cool hand to my arm. “Jonathon... you are now officially opposing my father... and by helping Elisabeth...you're opposing the Equilibrate as well. You life will never be the same.”

“Agatha... I took the job in Shadowbrook because my life held no meaning.” I said softly. “If this be my fate, to stand behind Elisabeth... then who am I to argue.” I put my hand over hers. “Good night Agatha.”

“Good night, Jonathon.” She leaned up and kissed my cheek. “We may have some hope yet.” she gave a half smile and exited, the sound of her skirt swishing against the floor the only sound beside the deep clicking of the grandfather clock in the hall.

I sank back down into the chair and tried to mentally digest what they'd said. If they were children together... that meant either mother wasn't as old as I thought or... they were all older than they looked. Ageless races weren't unheard of in the days before the Equilibriate, but they were supposedly extinct now, or bred into the regular races that their life spans were much shorter. That change was reported to have occurred over 50 years prior. I walked over to the table in the corner and poured myself a glass of brandy.

“That's not going to make you get your head around this any easier.” Mother spoke behind me.

“Perhaps not, but it will ease my nerves for the moment.” I drained my glass and set it back on the tray. “I'll be in my room if I'm needed.”

“Jonathon...”

“Yes, mother?” I looked at her.

“For whatever secrets you find I've kept from you... I'm sorry... but it was the only way I thought you'd have a chance to leave the area... I never expected you to go to Shadowbrook...”

“I hope I understand when the time comes then.” I gave her cheek a kiss and exited my mind on the files in my bag up in my room.