The Raven's Chronicles. Rage of the Wraith

Chapter 19. Ladies Are Scary

"Is this where you live?" Jules tilted his head to look from behind Jerry's shoulder.

The house before them, a solid block of grey stones, overlooked several huts scattered between fields on one side and a lake of from the other. It wasn't exactly a mansion, but its walls seemed tall enough to fit three floors; the roof of wooden tiles was green with patches of moss around the chimney.

"It's where the Lensters live," Rosalie whispered in Jules mind. "Not very impressing from the outside, but I heard they have a room with two stuffed bears guiding the door."

"My family has been living here ever since we first arrived at this land," Jerry answers somehow proudly. As he halted his house on the yards, two young maids that were hanging out laundry burst into giggles and ran away toward the back door. "I'll show you the trophies room. It was my grandfather's pride."

They entered a narrow hallway, Jerry leading Jules through deep shadows of many closed doors and past a spiral staircase. The only open room at the end of the corridor was a smudge of light at the end of the tunnel, too bright for eyes in the dimness.

"This house is creepy," Rosalie swam through the air by Jules' side. "There are ghosts in there, more than one."

The boy gave a small nod, careful not to draw Jerry's attention. He could sense it as a little tickle at the bottom of his mind, causing his Sixth Sense to sharpen, but not clearly enough how many ghosts haunted the mansion. He didn't feel the distinct Aura with which most of the ghosts came; there no smell and no sound, only this niggle warning him, telling him to pay attention.

"Here," Jerry entered the open room, waiting for Jules to follow. It was a kitchen - one with big windows and bunches of herbs dangling from the ceiling, like a meadow, hanging upside-down. Below them, a woman in a white apron rubbed something to powder with a pestle and mortar, "Meet my mother, lady Lenster."

"It's an honour to meet you, my lady," Jules was about to bow when Jerry patted his shoulder, shaking his head.

"My mother's deaf," he motioned at the boy to follow him across the kitchen.

Once he approached the woman, he put a hand on her shoulder and her head sprang up with surprise. Her puzzled expression smoothly turned into a warm smile. She put the pestle away and gestured lively with her hands, at which Jerry laughed and nodded.

"Mother, this is Jules, the hunter's apprentice. He agreed to talk to grandmother," Jerry said, while Lady Lenster observed his lips. When he finished, she turned to Jules and gestured to him to come closer. Giving him a long, examining look, she gestured again. "My mother says she was glad to hear about Master Blake's return to Arvene," Jerry explained. "She asks that you tell your father to visit her one day."

"My father?" Jules repeated, shaking his head, his face reddening. He hated it when people mistook him for Ravin's son, and he had to put them right. "No, Ravin - I mean Master Blake, he's not my father. I'm only his apprentice, my lady."

The woman's hands froze for a second, as she gave Jules a perplexed look, then started gesturing again, slowlier, as if searching for the right words.

"My mother's sorry for her unfortunate assumption," Jerry voiced her message. "She hopes you can help the grandmother to find peace. You'll find her room on the first floor. It's the last door on the left. Take your time, and if you need anything, we'll be right here."

"I'll do what I can," Jules left the room hurriedly, Rosalie following him wordlessly. He had to take old Lady Lenster case now, he realised, as both Jerry and his mother counted on him. Visiting a cemetery would have been easier - with no one knowing he was there, there would be no expectation.