“Mort, what in the name of the gods are you doing out here at this hour?” He kept his voice lowered to keep from waking the family.
“Remy, I know this seems odd, but I want you to wake Dorian for me, quietly if you can, I need to speak with him.” I tried to put as much sincerity in my voice as possible.
“Fine fine, let me see…” he turned and promptly ran into the door frame. “Damn!” he cursed quietly, “Nobody cares if Remy gets any sleep now do they? No of course they don’t, Remy don’t need no sleep do he?” He was muttering to himself as he stumbled back into the Thornbear family rooms.
I waited anxiously for several minutes before Dorian appeared at the door. “Mort, I don’t mean to be rude, but it is really late…” he started. Then he saw my face. Something there must have tipped him to my desperation. “Hang on, let me get my cloak.”
A moment later we were hurrying back across the courtyard to the castle proper. I should mention that Dorian is one of those rare individuals that sleeps wearing a long stocking cap. He had forgotten to remove it in his haste and I didn’t have the heart to remind him. Some things are better left unsaid, and I needed all the humor I could find that dark night.
As we went I tried to explain to him what had happened, but I don’t think it sank in properly till he saw Penny sleeping in my bed. With the covers drawn she looked like an angel lying there.
“Do you know where her chamber is? I need to get her back to her own room before she wakes.” I told him.
“Sure but I doubt we can get her in there without waking the other maids,” he replied.
“Leave that to me.” I moved over to stand at the side of the bed, preparing myself to pick her up again.
“Do you need me to carry her?” he asked. I considered his offer for a moment, but something inside of me snarled at the thought of anyone else touching her. Something had broken inside when I found her in that room and I didn’t yet even know to mourn for my lost innocence.
“No, no, I have her. If you could just help with the doors and lead the way.” I drew back the covers and lifted her up from the bed. This time I could feel the strain in my back, exhaustion and lack of sleep were beginning to take their toll.
The air hissed between Dorian’s teeth as he drew a sharp breath, seeing her state. The torn dress, the blood, I couldn’t blame him. I felt much the same. I cradled her in my arms and looked into his gaze. Fury dwelled within him, and I wondered what we might do once we had put her safely to her bed. “Who did this Mordecai?” His voice held dark intent.
“Not yet Dorian, we have to take care of Penny first.” I prayed he could keep his calm.
“I said, who did this Mordecai!” he wasn’t in a mood to wait.
“Listen Dorian,” I started to say, but he interrupted me.
“No you listen! I want to know who did this and I want to know now!” he was shouting.
“Goddammit!” I yelled back, “Shut the fuck up and think for a second!” I believe that was the first time I had ever raised my voice to him. He closed his mouth, startled, so I went on, “What do you think will happen to Penny if someone sees her like this? She’ll be ruined! Her father is destitute, she has no dowry; she’d never be able to get married. No one would take her! Whether she’s been ‘spoiled’ or not won’t matter once the rumors start flying.” I took a deep breath and calmed down. Looking at Dorian I could see he was still listening.
“Now are you going to help me get her to her room or do I have to do it by myself?” I started toward the door. Dorian was there before me and got it open.
He led me down several flights of stairs to the lowest floor of the keep; staying ahead of me the entire way, checking each doorway to see if anyone was up and about. We got to the maid’s quarters without incident, yet when he opened the door someone stirred. It was fairly dark, but a woman’s nervous voice called out, “Who’s there?” Dorian ducked back from the entryway quickly and I didn’t waste any time.
“Shibal” I put as much strength into it as I could still muster, not bothering to focus it in any particular direction. Again I noticed that Dorian was completely unfazed. I would really have to look into that one of these days, but now was not the time. I stepped inside and looked around.
It was too dark to see, so Dorian lit a lamp after I assured him none of the occupants would be waking up anytime soon. The room contained five small beds, all but one held sleeping women. Dorian drew the sheets back while I placed her carefully down. Then I began the difficult process of getting her clothes off.
“What are you doing?” Dorian hissed at me.
“Turn around if it bothers you, I’ve got to get rid of the evidence. In fact, turn around anyway, it bothers me.” When had I developed this jealous streak?
I wasn’t having any luck with her dress, so I drew my knife and began cutting it away. It was already spoiled, so it didn’t matter. Once I had it off I couldn't help but look at her for a moment. Say what you will, but I’d like to see you pretend not to notice the most beautiful woman in the world lying naked in front of you. If you said you hadn’t stared, even for a moment, I’d call you a damn liar.
Regardless, I was very focused on making sure Penny was safe. I drew the covers over her and stood back up. Glancing around I noticed a plain nightdress neatly folded under her bedside table. I quickly dismissed the thought of dressing her in it. I didn’t see how I could manage it properly so she would just have to figure that part out in the morning. I also took a moment to make sure she had a second uniform. It turns out she had three, well two now. That was one thing less to worry about at least.
I balled up her ruined outfit and rummaged about the room for a moment till I found a scrap of parchment and a charcoal pencil. I hastily penned a note.
Say nothing. We’ll talk later.
~Mort
I tucked the note under her nightdress and hoped she would find it in the morning. Then we went, leaving the room much as we had found it. It was near three in the morning now and I worried that Devon might have woken up while we were about our business. I needn’t have worried though, he was still sleeping like a babe when we got back to his room, the bastard.
I turned to find Dorian staring at the scene, “Where’s the door Mort?” He looked at the splintered wood on the ground and then saw the look in my eyes. I had never seen fear in my stalwart friend’s face before, but I saw it flicker there now. It made me feel old and tired; a strange sensation to have at sixteen. “Did you?” he motioned at the shattered wood with his hand.
“Yeah,” I answered. What else was I going to say? Then I heard Devon stir, as if he might wake. “Shibal” I put as much strength as remained to me into it. A wave of dizziness swept over me and I nearly fainted then, but Dorian caught my shoulder as I swayed and helped me sit down on the bed.
I looked at the floor for a moment, trying to think, when I heard the sound of steel being drawn. Dorian was moving toward Devon now, cold murder on his face. “Wait!” I said.
“Why?” he asked in return.
“Honestly I don’t know, but if we kill him now we’re both dead men, and I don’t think that would make Penny very happy. If we’re going to give this bastard his comeuppance we’ll have to find another way, but not now, not tonight. We’re too tired to think straight,” I said. That sounded entirely too logical to be coming out of my mouth. Someone else must have been talking when I wasn’t looking.
Dorian struggled with himself for a moment before finally sheathing his sword, “Alright,” he said, “what do we do about the door?”
“Well there’s no way to fix it,” I replied. “Would one of the other doors fit?”
“Wait here,” Dorian looked like he knew what he was doing, so I laid back on the bed and waited. I must have dozed off for a bit, because it seemed like only a moment before he returned carrying another door. He had a hammer and a couple of other tools tucked into his belt.