The Huntress, page 21
Theo looked back at the huntress. “As I said, karma can be a blessing.”
Then the Blackthorns walked away. Mara watched as they disappeared from her sight. She gazed back at the middle-aged woman, who looked distraught at being robbed again. But the huntress knew better.
Mara headed for the western gate. As she drew closer, she noticed a green flash of light and a horse-like creature appeared before her. Firefly had arrived to take Mara home. The huntress was surprised at first. Then she recalled Milo mentioning how these creatures were intelligent. Mara mounted her steed and soon felt the discomfort of riding on the creature’s back.
“I need to get you a saddle,” Mara addressed Firefly. The darkling snorted in response. They left the City of Mirahyll.
* * *
Mara spotted Talon’s workshop while travelling on the road. She stopped and stared at the building for a moment, wondering if it was worth talking to Talon. The huntress had realized that the old blacksmith was never at fault, and she could not stay mad at him forever. Mara doubted Talon was aware of the saboteur. She could spare a few moments. The sun was rising by the time she approached the workshop.
The door was already open, so Mara let herself in. Upon entering the workshop, she found the old blacksmith at his forge. Talon sat before his anvil, making sure it was ready for use again. Though he was not forging any weapons, and Mara could not see any tools.
A creak from the door drew his attention. “Ah, Shenoah,” Talon began. “You’re here early.”
He turned to look. Instead of Shenoah, he saw Mara. Talon froze as he stared at the huntress.
“Hello, Talon,” Mara began. “How is your business?”
Talon kept staring at her for a moment before turning away. “What are you doing here?”
The huntress frowned. “I just wanted to talk.”
The blacksmith tended to his forge without looking at her. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
Mara watched him. It became clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. “Fine,” she said, heading for the door. “Guess I don’t need to tell you who ruined your forge.”
“Wait!” Talon shouted.
She stopped, then looked back at him.
Talon watched her warily. “You know who did it?”
Mara nodded. “Edwin did it.”
His eyes went wide while his mouth dropped open. Soon, anger replaced his shock. “That bastard!” Talon growled. “He returned?”
“He colluded with the Holy Blades to sabotage your forge. They also stole Nightingale’s diagram.” The huntress reached into her pocket and retrieved the diagram. “Got it back.” She put it away. “At least I’ll be one step closer to repairing Nightingale.”
Talon appeared relieved. “I’m glad you got it back. But what about Edwin?”
“You don’t need to worry about him anymore.”
Talon’s eyes widened. “Really? Did you…?”
“He died of a heart attack before I could touch him.”
Talon gawked at her for a moment. Then he erupted into a bout of laughter. It was as if he heard something hilarious. “Damn, the weasel slipped away again,” he said. “Well, good riddance to that bastard.”
Mara nodded in agreement, then turned to the door.
“Wait a minute,” said the blacksmith.
The huntress looked at him. “What is it?”
Talon scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry for everything. I never intended to sell you out to the Holy Blades.” He turned to his forge. “My new tools have yet to arrive. When they do, I’d like to help reforge Nightingale.”
Mara watched him for a moment, and then she nodded. “Or we could use the forge in Greyward Hold. We have tools there, and I’m sure Jen’s father wouldn’t mind.”
“Damn, you’re going to make me walk up there?” Talon asked in a mocking tone. “Fine, it’ll be like old times. Just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll head up there.”
“We just need the ore,” Mara said. “It might take a while.”
“Very well,” Talon said. “I’ll see you then.”
With that, Mara headed out. While the huntress mounted Firefly, she spotted Shenoah coming towards the workshop. The armourer was starting her day. As Mara rode out, they crossed paths. The huntress raised a hand to give a light wave. But Shenoah never responded. Mara was not too surprised and figured more time was needed to settle things with her.
However, Shenoah did notice Firefly. The armourer stared at the darkling, stunned by her appearance. Then she glanced up at Mara and frowned. The huntress had no idea what her problem was and continued to ride to Greyward Hold.
Chapter Nineteen
The Haunting
On the morning of February 6, Mara was heading to the grand hall when she heard a knock on the door. Being the closest, she went to answer. The huntress walked by Milo on the way. His frown was persistent as he made repairs to her necklace.
Opening one of the iron doors, Mara greeted an unexpected visitor. On the other side was a man in his forties wearing a black suit. His black hair with grey strands and green eyes were familiar.
“Greetings, Miss Ashwood,” André began, holding his hands behind his back.
Mara slammed the door in his face and walked away. Upon turning around, she saw Jen and Beatrice. Both women gave weird looks, while Jen walked over to the door. She opened it to reveal a very shocked André. The butler stood frozen with his mouth agape.
“My goodness!” André cried. “Have you forgotten the proper etiquette of inviting others?”
Mara gave a sour expression. “After what you’ve done, yes.”
André furrowed his brow. “What have I done?”
The huntress folded her arms. “Your master accused me of killing Mr. White, which I didn’t. Neither you nor the servants came to my defence.”
The butler grew silent for a moment. “Well, that is what I wish to speak to you about,” he said. “Paranormal forces have gripped the manor!”
Mara looked puzzled. She never expected those words to come out of the butler’s mouth. “What are you talking about?”
“I regret saying this, but I believed you were the cause of it, and your removal would stop it.”
Accalia, who happened to be nearby, overheard the conversation and approached them.
“You have a ghost?” Accalia addressed the butler.
Mara glanced at her while André gave a grim expression.
“It is affecting everyone,” he continued. “Ten workers have quit in the last two weeks, putting a strain on the remaining staff. I have reason to believe the spirit is Mr. Arthur White.”
“It’s possible.” The witch looked at the huntress. “Did he die in the manor?”
“Yes, he did.” Mara soon realized the reason behind André’s visit. “Wait a minute. You expect me to deal with this?”
“Please, I insist,” he said.
“You couldn’t ask a priest from Kallikratés to perform a cleansing?”
“We did invite one to remove the spirit, but it has proven ineffective,” André admitted. “Honestly, the activity seems to have increased.”
The huntress shook her head. “I’m forbidden from entering Mirahyll.”
“Lord White stays in Hema,” the butler responded. “I will give you permission to enter the White Manor since it’s under my care.”
“You can’t expect me to do this for free,” Mara said flatly.
“I shall pay you, as well as offer an item from the manor.”
“And I will help,” Accalia added. “I’ve dealt with ghosts before.”
Mara gazed at her, sensing this task would be more trouble than it was worth.
* * *
André offered them a ride in the carriage. Firefly followed from a distance, insisting on being close to the huntress. Mara did not want to draw any attention, but it was nice to have her steed around. The darkling could be useful on the return trip.
“You used to live there?” Accalia questioned.
“Until my eviction.” Mara looked out the window. “I had strange dreams when I lived in the manor.”
“Strange dreams?”
“I’d see Commander White—the real one,” Mara answered. “Ever since I left, I stopped having them.”
Accalia gave a stern look. “It’s often a sign of a spirit attaching itself to you.”
Mara looked concerned. “Really?”
“If you stopped having those unsettling dreams, then the spirit is no longer attached to you.”
Within a couple of hours, they arrived in the city. Firefly vanished in a green flash to hide until Mara returned. The two women exited the carriage and followed the butler into the manor. Soon, Mara noticed the scrutinizing gazes of nobles passing by.
“What are they doing here?”
“Is Lord White aware?”
“Someone should let the Holy Blades know!”
Mara ignored them as she accompanied Accalia and André into the manor. Upon entering, the huntress immediately sensed a dark atmosphere within the home. The familiar air had grown more intense. Accalia frowned while observing her surroundings.
“I sense something sinister.” Looking to the stairs, Accalia ascended them while Mara and André followed. Once they entered the hallway, the witch’s gaze locked with the door to the right. “What room is this?”
“This is where Lord White resided,” André explained.
The witch placed her hand on the doorknob. She was about to open the door, but stopped and pulled her hand away.
“It’s gone,” she murmured.
“What do you mean?” Mara asked.
“It went somewhere else. However…” Accalia turned her attention onto the door at the end of the hall. “The other one is near.”
Mara looked baffled. “There are two ghosts?”
André’s face grew pale. “Oh my…”
The witch approached the door at the end of the hall. She placed her hand on the doorknob. “It’s behind this door.”
Mara and the butler braced themselves. Accalia opened the door to reveal an empty bedroom.
“We keep this room closed at all times,” André explained. “Ever since Mr. White’s passing, no one ever comes here.”
Accalia stared at the bed. “He’s here.”
“What?” Mara asked.
The witch turned her attention onto Mara. “He’s looking right at you!”
Mara looked around the room. “I don’t see him.”
“Look out!” Accalia shouted.
An unknown force rushed towards Mara. Before she could react, it hit her, causing her to lose her footing. She fell onto the floor and slipped into an unconscious state.
When Mara opened her eyes again, she found herself alone in the hallway. She rose to her feet while glancing around cautiously.
“Accalia?” Mara called.
A man’s stifled wailing came from the end of the hall. While Mara approached the door, the pained cries grew louder. It was Mr. White. Entering the room, she saw him in bed, as well as a shadowy figure towering over him. The creature sank its hand into his chest. A dark bruise appeared while the veins turned black. Mr. White turned pale as he made a feeble attempt to grab its arm, but his heart could take no more. Once his body went still, the shadow figure pulled its hand out of his chest. Mara stared in shock and horror. The shadowy figure stood up straight, then gazed at her. An image flashed in her mind, revealing the portrait in the living room.
Mara’s eyes snapped open to see Accalia and André looking down at her. Without saying a word, she shot up to her feet and dashed down to the living room.
“Show yourself!” Mara shouted. “I know you killed him!”
Gazing upon the portrait of Commander White, she noticed a shadowy figure peering over his shoulder with glowing red eyes.
“Mara,” Accalia called.
The huntress saw the witch and the butler approaching her. Mara looked back at the painting.
“He’s in the painting,” Mara said.
The butler studied the portrait and grew horrified. “It was never like that before!”
“I see him as well.” Accalia gazed at the painting. “This thing has trapped the former owner’s spirit in the manor.”
Mara looked back at the witch. “Trapped?”
“We must remove this evil spirit.” Accalia retrieved a book from her robes and flipped through the pages. “I’m going to perform a cleansing. Be on your guard.”
Mara nodded as she began to unsheathe her sword.
“By the power of the Seven Divines, I command you to show yourself!” Accalia chanted.
Black ooze seeped over the image of Commander White, ruining the portrait. He emerged from the puddle before them, making a series of disturbing sounds as if in pain.
“In the name of Ulrika, I command you to tell me your name!”
The creature released an unsettling groan, yet refused to reveal a name.
“Tell me your name!” Accalia yelled.
All of a sudden, a knock on the door drew their attention.
André looked confused. “Who could it be at this moment?”
Mara also took notice. “Can you send them away? Now’s not a good time.”
The butler nodded and headed to the front door. While Mara watched Accalia perform the cleansing, she also heard an argument at the foyer.
“What are you doing?” André demanded.
Mara looked behind to see two Holy Blades and a priest of Kallikratés storming into the manor.
The priest scowled at them. “What is this devilry?”
“We’re in the middle of a cleansing!” Mara exclaimed.
“This is witchcraft!” The priest pointed at Mara and Accalia. “Stop this ritual at once,” he ordered the Holy Blades.
Before Mara could do anything, a Holy Blade stormed up to Accalia and grabbed her.
The witch was displeased. “The cleansing ritual must not be disturbed!”
Before anyone could say something, the ghostly creature stood up and dashed towards a Holy Blade, knocking him down. The impact created a cloud of black dust as it circled him. The Holy Blade began to convulse violently. Everyone looked stunned.
The priest scowled at Mara and Accalia. “What kind of dark magic have you performed?”
“We were performing a cleansing ritual, you idiot!” Accalia snapped.
The huntress looked back at the fallen Holy Blade. He rose to his feet, yet it looked like an unseen force was pulling him up. He looked at his fellow Blade and approached him from behind. He reached for his sword.
“Look out!” Mara cried, but it was too late.
The Holy Blade grabbed the sword and stabbed his comrade in the back without a second thought. The other crumpled to the ground where he bled to death. The priest saw this and grew horrified. The Holy Blade gazed at the priest and stepped towards him with a bloody blade.
The priest questioned, “What are you doing?”
The Holy Blade said nothing as he approached the older man.
Mara noticed black ooze seeping from his ears and nostrils. “What is that?”
“Ectoplasm,” Accalia answered. “It’s the most obvious sign of a ghost’s presence. When someone is possessed, they often exude ectoplasm. We need to perform an exorcism before he kills anyone else. Distract him.”
Mara dashed at the Holy Blade with her long sword. The Holy Blade turned on her. While the huntress fought with him, she saw his face transform, taking on a familiar appearance. Mara recognized his semi-long hair and the tuft under his bottom lip. Thin eyebrows sat above glowing red eyes. However, his face was gaunt and grey.
“Karl…”
“You will pay!” the entity shouted through the Holy Blade.
Mara recognized his voice. “All this time, you were here. The nightmares I had—you caused them!”
The possessed Holy Blade glared at her as more ectoplasm seeped from his eyes. He lunged at her again, but the huntress blocked his attack with little effort.
“I will avenge Kallisto!” Karl screamed at her. The Holy Blade’s face became distorted as his mouth opened to reveal a blackened maw. His eyes glowed like burning coals.
Mara was stunned by this transformation. The pure hatred and rage radiating from the possessed Holy Blade reminded her of the time Karl nearly beat her to death. The lights began to flicker as a gust of wind came rushing through the living room.
“By the power of the Seven Divines and Mother Nymera, I banish you to the underworld!” Accalia boomed. “Begone, evil spirit!”
“No!” Karl screamed.
The Holy Blade he possessed began to shake. He threw his head back and spewed out a black substance. Dark fumes rose from him, revealing Karl’s ghostly image one last time. The Holy Blade collapsed and reverted to normal.
André stood frozen with a slack jaw, while the priest sat dumbstruck by what transpired.
Accalia closed the book, then turned her attention onto the unconscious Holy Blade. “We need to make sure he’s okay.”
The butler snapped out of his shock and offered to help.
Mara stood and watched. She, too, was numb after encountering the real Karl White. While watching them tend to the Holy Blade, she sensed a presence behind her. The huntress looked back to see a plump and short nobleman standing before her. His pure white hair with a matching moustache and beard was familiar.
“Mr. White?” Mara asked.
Mr. White smiled at her with sorrowful eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I tried to warn the others, but my words couldn’t get through.”
Mara reached out to touch him, but her hand went through. A frown formed on her face. “If only I knew he followed us home. If only I talked about the nightmares…”
“It’s not your fault,” he said. “None of us knew.”
Mara shook her head. “You didn’t deserve to die like that.”
“I am thankful that you removed Karl, although I’m concerned.” Mr. White sighed, “I never thought he could become this dark entity.”
The door opened to reveal a blinding light.
Mr. White smiled. “I think it’s time for me to go.” Before walking out the front door, he gazed back at Mara. “Ask for a black box. It should be in the safe within my room.”
