Steel Roses

Fairray

Fairray turned to him before Beldon could even open his mouth. They looked at each other for a long moment, then Fairray smiled. It was a slow seductive type of smile that darkened his black eyes and lifted the hairs on the back of Beldon's neck.

"Well, well," Fairray said slowly, pushing his blonde hair from his face then folding his arms, "Let me guess. You must be Beldon, the pretty blonde."

"Pretty is not one of my favourite adjectives, if I'm honest," Beldon said.

"And I always like honesty," Fairray said.

"I'm sure," Beldon replied, also folding his arms. He had noticed the sword and pistol at Fairray's hip and now dreaded not having a weapon of his own. "You don't belong here, sir."

"Not sure you do either, young man."

"There's nothing to interest you."

"Oh a beast and a lot of treasure, I think that's interesting. That shadow man we met in the entrance hall, that alone was interesting enough."

Beldon eyed him and Fairway grinned.

"You protecting someone, young man? Or should I say something?"

Beldon's eyes narrowed.

"Ah, so he's here, is he?"

"Who?"

Fairray laughed slightly. "Now let's not play games, little master, I've been in this business for far too long. There is a monster within these walls and I want to find it."

"There is no monster within these walls," Beldon said softly.

"I thought you were honest."

"I am, there is no monster."

Fairray smiled at him again. "He's somewhere within these rooms isn't he?"

Beldon just watched him, his mind plotting out the layout of the rooms, trying to remember where there might be a weapon. The Beast had never kept any weapons in his rooms and Julius had always been in charge of the fencing equipment, not that a sword would be much use against a pistol. Beldon had stumbled across the armoury before but that was nowhere near here.

Fairray took a step to the right – towards the tapestry – and Beldon forced his body not to react. Fairray was watching him too closely; he was waiting for Beldon to give away The Beast's whereabouts.

So Beldon didn't move. It was just a faint, like in fencing, nothing more.

"I've been looking for this castle for a long time, you know?" Fairray said and Beldon blinked.

"What?"

"Oh yes, I've known of its existence for years, you hear about it when your travel in certain circles. An enchanted castle with a beast inside. Who knew it actually existed."

"I'll admit the shadow man certainly gives the impression of an enchanted castle, but how do you know that wasn't the beast your sought?"

"Because a beast is a monster, that man was not."

"Stories get embellished as they are retold, that's all," Beldon said.

"I think not, after all, I've been in the business of fairytales a lot longer then you," Fairray said, his smile widening and then they both looked around as an ill-timed breeze made the tapestry twitch.

"Well, well, what's this?" Fairray said, turning to the tapestry. He reached for it and Beldon was across the room in a heartbeat, body tackling the intruder and sending them both crashing backwards into a table, the old wood collapsing under the force.