Dark Realm 74
Isabella awoke well past the dawn of the following day. She lifted her arms in the air and yawned. Today is the first morning of her changed life. After a quick bath, she changed and was more than ready when Ottoline knocked on her door for breakfast.
“You look nice,” Ottoline said, pushing open the door.
“Thank you.” Isabella pulled her hair over her shoulders to hide the puncture marks on her throat. “What are we doing today?”
“Follow me.” Ottoline walked down the hallway with Isabella by his side. “After you eat, we need to take a walk.” Ottoline pulled at the chair for Isabella. The table was full of different food, from cheese and fruit to freshly baked bread and honey.
“A walk?” Isabella buttered a piece of fresh bread. “What kind of walk?”
“Just a walk.” Ottoline walked over to a large window.
After getting her fill of breakfast, Isabella rose to follow Ottoline outside. “How much did you explore the grounds when placing those notes.”
“Not extremely far. I didn’t want to be seen.”
“You are smart I give you that. Companion or not you need to be careful out here. Many hideous monsters in these trees. They will kill you straight away.”
Isabella shuddered. “Why are we here?” Isabella asked. “I don’t want to get the hem of my dress dirty.
“The countess wanted me to show you something.” Ottoline pointed. Isabella’s mouth gapped open, but the stench of decay made her gag. Isabella’s face made the crazy centaur laugh. “Look up there.” Ottoline pointed toward the array of decomposing skulls hanging on the pike lining the castle fence.
“Oh god.” Isabella covered her mouth and nose. On a pike toward the end was the head of the girl who ate the bread and Hope. Their empty sockets were filled with wiggling maggots.
“Everything has a price, remember that. You have helped the countess before, and she wants you to do it again.”
“What does she need me to do?”
“Go back to the gypsies. Our Countess wants you to find out exactly what they are doing and then report back to her. Can you do this chore?”
“Yes, I need to change clothes.”
“I’m sure you know the way.”
Isabella changed from her castle dress to the clothes she wore the first night. Ottoline showed Isabella a safe path through the trees from the vicious dogmen.
“Stay on the path,” Ottoline warned.
Isabella followed the path Ottoline laid out for her. After a thirty-minute walk back toward the gypsy camp Isabella knelt in the dirt. She smeared herself in filth and scattered dry leaves in her hair. Isabella slapped her cheek and then stumbled out of the woods toward the circle of caravans. She sobbed as men raced to her side.
“Are you all right?” Tamara, a short brown-haired woman asked.
“I’m lost.” Isabella leaned heavily on the woman at her side. “My sister. They took my sister.” Isabella fell to her knees.
“Who took your sister?” Tamara rubbed Isabella’s back.
“We were separated. Something chased us. I heard her scream.” Isabella wiped her face. “I barely escaped.” Isabella put on her best award-winning performance.
“Do not worry.” You are safe here. My name is Tamara.”
“Clear the way,” Pyramus called out. The crowd parted allowing Pyramus to step forward. He glanced down at the shaken girl. “Calm down, young one. You are safe. Are you hungry?” Pyramus reached out his hand to help Isabella to her feet.
Isabella rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
“You have nothing to fear.” Pyramus soothed. “We will feed and protect you. Tomorrow, we search for your sister.”
“Where do you sleep?” Isabella rubbed her eyes.
Pyramus chuckled. “We will speak more in the morning.” Pyramus strolled back to the crowd.
Isabella sat by the fire watching the people retire for the evening. Isabella waited until she heard the heaving breaths of the people surrounding her. Isabella moved silently through the camp. As she searched the camp, she found a small sharp dagger. “Too easy,” Isabella whispered. It didn’t take Isabella long to find Pyramus. She stood over him glaring at his sleepy body. “You survive only because she demands it.” Isabella hissed. She turned to creep away from the sleeping man. Pyramus blinked watching the assassin slither away.