The Welkinbane

Chapter 4: The Battle of Petticoat & The Quest For a Secret Lair

Chapter 4: The Battle of Petticoat & The Quest For a Secret Lair

DAWN was just beginning to lighten the night sky to a dark grey in the East as the trio arrived back at the Fairchild home. All appeared to be disheveled ragamuffins that looked like they’d been up to no good. And they hadn’t been that night. Or perhaps they had been, depending on the view one took of the situation. Lady Rowena Fairchild panted as she limped towards the kitchen door at the side of the house. The run from the warehouse on Privet Street and all of the climbing, especially after that nasty tumble out of Eliza Thropston’s four-horse carriage, had taken it’s toll on the unusually robust peer. Squints had stooped down to sit at the door with her back against it as she tried catching her breath, looking like a terrible wreck. Kaiya was slightly winded, but holding up well. As one, they all grinned and chuckled, the last of their nerves getting the better of them in the predawn light.

“I’m glad you’re in one piece, Squints.” Rowena panted.

“Aye, me as well.” Squints muttered around a swollen lip.

“I hate to ask…” Kaiya began. “They had you for a while and it looks like they roughed you up good. Did you spill?”

Squints bristled at this, indignant and stuttering. A hint of betrayal lit her eyes and Rowena found she could understand both girl’s positions. Kaiya had to know if Squints had let anything that might betray them slip while they’d beaten her. Squints, on the other hand, had obviously resisted much, especially considering what they were obviously planning to do to her before she and Kaiya had rescued her. Unable to form words, Squints cast about, found a piece of broken brick from the stoop, and chucked it at Kaiya’s head. Kaiya ducked and glared at her friend and Rowena found herself limping between the two of them with her hands up.

“Ladies!” Rowena admonished in a harsh whisper. “Now is not really the time. Let us get inside and warm ourselves and tend to our wounds before we start an interrogation. We have a lot to talk about and it won’t do for us to be doing it here in the cold before dawn.”

Kaiya and Squints grunted their agreement to such a plan as the birds began to chirrup, rousing from their slumber to greet the day. Kaiya reached an arm out to Squints to help her to her feet. Just as Squints had snagged Kaiya’s arm and had put her weight on said arm, the door opened wide and Squints fell back, dragging Kaiya with her into Mr. Brass’ perfectly pressed pant legs. They both groaned before shifting to glare up at who would instigate their tumble and froze as they met the unimpressed visage of the Fairchild butler.

“Good morning, ladies.” Winston intoned like the disapproving voice of God.

“Good morning, Winston.” Rowena murmured as she frantically thought of how best to diffuse the situation. Mr. Brass, proved to be more than strangely willing to accept events as they stood for he helped Kaiya and Squints to their feet before turning to bow to her.

“Shall I put together an early repast for you and your visitors, madam?” He asked politely.

“That would be welcome, thank you Winston.” Rowena replied as she limped her way into the kitchen. Winston’s heavy silence was telling as he observed the Lady Fairchild limp into her own home.

“Shall I also bring up some first aid supplies, madam?” He asked solemnly.

“That would be greatly appreciated.” She answered. Upon seeing the line of worry between his brows, Rowena expanded upon her answer to assuage his fears. “Just a sprained ankle, I imagine. Had a tumble is all.”

“Out uv ah movin’ coach…” Squints added which caused Winston to glare at her alarmingly until she shrank behind Kaiya who paled visibly in response to Winston’s expression. It told them all that he had placed Lady Rowena’s welfare into their hands and they had brought her back in less than perfect condition. He then turned his gaze to Rowena and gave her a pointed look, wordlessly chiding her for her brashness. He straightened to butlerly perfection before he spoke, as if pulling himself together after showing such an out-of-character display of concern.