Author's Note: This is turning out to be more mystery than any of the other tags. I really should start writing traditional 3 acts stories...cause this is turning into a rollercoaster that has no focus. But As Always, Thanks for Reading.
Upon the discovery of Jules and the carnage, Anise gathered all the servants in the main quarters. Garth confirmed the lack of beat, breath, and pulse in Jules. He opted to stay in the victim’s room in case of a follow-up.
“The lady in the bed, are we certain it is Jules Capulet?” Anise inquired, scrubbing the wear from her eyes.
“Without a doubt, she is the young lady of this house,” Borge answered. His eyes slouched and he added, “It is regrettable. I hope the new governor of Wolfsheimburg would be a nice fellow.”
“And why do you say that, huh?” Horatio asked with a raised brow. “It almost seems certain for you that we won’t find Erach Capulet.”
Borge replied with a sad smile, “Would you stay here, in a house, where your daughter died? In a house where you went missing and had all sorts of terrible things happen to you? Can you bear that solitude?”
“I recall Governor Capulet has a wife,” Anise interrupted. She presented the letter with the seal.
Jacqueline took the letter and nodded. “The elk is the protector of the Wapai House. Only the master can open this, or someone learned in the Script.”
Tanya snuck a pout at Horatio. The black-eyed boy glared back.
“Who discovered the corpse,” Tanya asked with a bright smile. “Was there anything weird? Like smell, or maybe temperature? Is there like secrete entrances, do you know?”
The youngest maid spoke up with a raised hand. “I, I did. Um...pardon me, but... the scene of Lady Capulet...I do not think there was anything strange. There was the pungent stank of beast entrails, but that is normal if there is a pile of them, I suppose. Temperature was normal.”
Tanya’s eyes lit up. She prowled forward and smiled lecherously. “So the temperature was normal?”
“Uh, yes.”
“You found something?” Horatio asked.
Tanya clapped her hands together and exclaimed, “Yep! Unlike a certain person I know~ So it is certain there are no secret passages?”
“No, well, there —”
“If you are not certain, then do not say a word. Speculation and assumption are never good with investigations,” Borge interrupted with a slight glare. The young maid paled and bowed her head and said no more.
“But even rumors and partial facts are integral to the constructs of the entirety of truth,” Anise retorted. “I suggest telling us everything. There has been an attack and a death. According to the Academy, I have the right to exercise the full extent of my privileges — extending beyond the law — to see this assignment to the end.”
“Young missy, you read too many novels,” Borge spoke. “It dulls your thinking; how shameful. And do not think the Academy means much to a servant like me. I serve the master, only the master.”
Anise pulled her sword from its sheath. She placed it against Borge’s shoulder. The other maids, beside Jacqueline, paled and stepped back. Horatio sighed and summoned his spear formed from ink.
“Ohh, a fight!” Tanya laughed. “Please get hurt a lot~ I am a healer after all, I think.”
Jacqueline stepped forward and removed the blade from Borge’s shoulder. She bowed her head and said to Anise, “No violence in this house. Remember, you are guests.”
“As of this moment, we have authority exceeding that of civilians. I suggest you listen,” Anise frowned.
Jacqueline smiled and looked at Anise with her cold and pretty face. “You must feel you have failed. And I suppose you have. If you had gotten here sooner, if you were smarter, if you were stronger, if you were all these things and more, you might have saved her, right? There’s something deprived and empty about you, isn’t there?”
Anise smiled, “I do not know if I mentioned this, but I am, or was, of the aristocratic realm. Your cheap attempts at provocation is of little significance in my eyes.”
“Ah, that makes sense now. No wonder you are quick to point blades. You are a foolish, spoiled girl.”
“I thought maids are suppose to be respectful to guests,” Horatio remarked.
“And we also have a sacred code to honor and protect those of the same suffering. I do
not appreciate your attitude toward Mr.Oui, Lady Anise.”
“Oi, the hell’s going on here? Pointing that sword at good, ol’ Bor,” a gruff voice asked. “Ya got a death wish, or something, kid?”
Everyone turned their heads toward the voice. The doors were open and a tall, muscular man stood in its frame. He was very much like a bear: brusque, sporting an impressive coat of facial hair, and an eye gouged out, leaving behind a shut impression. From his attire, a fur cloak and leather armor, he was not someone to offend, unless one wished to have his face smashed in by the steel gauntlets he wore.
“Remil, you’re back!” One of lesser maids exclaimed. Then she teared up and stuttered over her words, “The mistress, Lady Capulet, she’s, she’s dead.”
Tanya whispered to Anise, “I thought Remil would be younger. I guess, Jules had daddy issues.”
“Dead?” Remil asked, taking several steps forward. He glanced over at Anise and Horatio and roared. “Ya bastards! Ya killed her?”
“Before we fight,” Horatio grinned, pulling something out, “we are from the Academy.”
Remil narrowed his eyes and his nostrils flared. He arched his back and growled, “So you guys failed to protect her then! Unforgivable, ya bastards!”
He lunged forward and swung his fist. It charged through the air like a bull. Anise stepped back and moved her blade to parry the blow. Remil roared as he twisted his waist, ducking under the sword; surging forth like the ocean, Remil delivered an uppercut to Anise’s chin. The girl’s head jolted back. Instantly, Remil backpedaled and readopted his stance.
“You’re pretty good, girl,” Remil commented with a scowl. “The instant I struck, you jerked ya head back. Pretty good, pretty damn good — but not good enough.”
As if on cue, Anise stumbled back, leaning on Tanya and Horatio for support. Blood dripped down her chin down her neck. Horatio leveled his spear directly in front of Remil.
Anise laughed weakly, “You know it is in poor taste to disfigure a lady’s assets.”
Remil frowned, “You should have been knocked unconscious. Bloody hell; I’m going to see...Jules. Out of my way!”
“He’s a strange one,” Tanya giggled as she healed the cut on Anise. “Can’t do anything about brain damage though. Though everyone is already half-mad, so there is not much to worry about!”
Borge stepped forward and bowed. “Our deepest apologies. Remil is always hotblooded to a troubling extent. We never meant physical harm.”
“No, it’s fine.” Anise waved their concerns to the side. “You can all return to your normal routine. Let’s hurry to Garth before he gets punched to death.”
“I’m alive. Don’t worry,” Garth announced as he slumped down the stairs. “Still, that Remil fellow has a fine left hook. Barely dodged it.”
Horatio smirked, “What a shame, old man. Guess we still have to listen to your snores every night then.”
“Horatio, my lad, snores are the sign of a good dream! Anyways, the fellow has locked himself inside.”
“Did he cry?” Anise asked.
Garth furrowed his brows, stroking his chin. “No, I don’t suppose he did. He didn’t look that surprised either. Mostly angry.”
“He’s the most suspicious person so far,” Anise concluded. “He was absent for the crimes. He didn’t cry. And the first thing upon finding his lover’s death was to fight me, instead of rushing to her body. It doesn’t add up.”
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
“Then we just have to check with his hometown and see his alibi,” Horatio said.
“Why would he kill his lover though,” Tanya asked. “Especially when she’s got such a pretty face and curvy figure.” She glanced at her own chest, measuring them. Frowning, she remarked, “If he is the culprit, he’s definitely gone mad to ignore the cow for the meat.”
“Horatio and I can go to Remil’s home village,” Anise decided. Horatio frowned but nodded. “I want the rest of you to keep an eye out on the other suspects, Remil in particular. If there is another grey-lurker attack, I don’t want any of you to fight.”
Garth frowned. “Miss Tan’ae, I know the dangers, especially after Sofie’s abduction, may seem daunting, but it is part of our job.”
Anise bit the bottom of her lips. She stomped her feet and pouted cutely — causing everyone to widen their eyes in surprise. “You think I don’t know that? But, what if, I just — please.”
“Oi, princess, aren’t you going a bit too far with the spoiled act? Especially the pout,” Horatio chided.
“I think the pout is cute,” Tanya exclaimed merrily.
“Regardless, I, myself, will assist the guards however I can.”
Anise sighed, “Fine, but be the first to retreat. Promise me at least that.”
Everyone else looked at each other, but nodded.
“Don’t think that’s scoring any points with me, princess,” Horatio said, his stare like an all-consuming abyss. He stepped out the doors.
“Wait up, will you?” Anise called. “You don’t even know where the village is.”
“I can always ask,” Horatio retorted. “I don’t even know why this is a two person job.”
“Don’t you think having another person is safer?”
“Only when they’re reliable.”
“Hmph, it isn’t like you are any better in that regard either.”
“I’m simply a commoner orphan — an urchin. Of course, how can I compare with you, princess.”
After much bickering, the two arrived at Remil’s home village by nighttime. There was no inn in such a minor settlement. As such, the two went door to door, asking for a place to stay.
“My, a place to sleep?” An old woman repeated their question. “I do have one. My son has moved away, but there’s only one bed.”
“She can take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.” Horatio left no room for further discussion.
The next morning, the two asked the old woman about Remil and his family. As it was a small village, even she knew everything that was to be known about anything.
“Remil? Why, I love that boy,” she told the two over a cup of tea.
“Boy? Isn’t he almost in his 50’s?” Horatio asked.
The old woman laughed. Setting down her tea, her face took on a nostalgic face. “I suppose he is. Time has passed. I remember when he first began working at the Wolfsheimburg mansion. He was in his 40’s then, less grizzled and still had both eyes. Everytime he returned home, he would always complain about the young Lady Capulet.”
“Is that a guy a pedophile?” Horatio whispered to Anise.
“I thought we were on bad terms,” Anise replied.
“I get lonely easily. If I can deal with your selfishness, deal with mine.”
“How old was Jules Capulet when he first started?” Anise asked the old woman directly.
The old woman thought for a while, doing out math on her fingers. “Perhaps around eight years. She should be near her 20’s now. I am sorry I can’t give an exact number. This old brain can’t seem to do basic math these days. Hohoho!”
“Did he care for Jules?”
“Damn right he did!” The old woman slapped her knee and laughed. “Why, he once made his own sister jealous to the point of tears. Oh, there was this one time when the young lady got real sick. He personally went into the northern woods — near five, six days journey — to harvest some herbs. That was when he got his eye gouged out. Ah, I still drool when I think about the bear meat he brought back. They must have been as salty as Dorothy’s tears!”
“Dorothy? Is that Remil’s sister?” Anise asked.
“Mm, yes. Ah, if you are looking for her, she won’t be here.”
“What? Why?” Horatio demanded.
“Young boy! If you are so hasty, you will never get a wife! Hell, even if you do get one, they will get angry at you for being so quick — if you know what I mean. Hohoho! But Dorothy isn’t here. She left for Canton, some months ago. Something to do with metalworking.”
“Did Remil know about this?”
“Of course he knew. Why wouldn’t he? What kind of brother would he be if he didn’t? Hell, once he heard the news, he personally came to help her pack and teach her how to kick a guy where it really hurts.”
“Oh, and where is that?” Anise asked with an innocent smile.
“Getting back on topic,” Horatio coughed, “did he visit after that time?”
“He did. He just left maybe two days ago.”
“Why did he visit?”
“You are asking a lot of questions. Can’t he just visit because it’s his home?”
“Well, we’re doing an article for our newspaper. It’s about the lives of bodyguards and mercenaries and such. I thought there would be an interesting story there too, since Remil is such a known character in this region. See, we’re from the Academy.”
“Wow, that sparkly place! How nice. Very good, very good.” The old woman patted the two on their heads. She sipped the last of her tea. “Well, he came first to check on the village. What with the grey-lurkers and all that. He left soon after because he had his job at Wolfsheimburg. Strange thing is he came back with a young woman in tow not too long after that.”
“Was that person Jules?”
“I don’t believe so,” the old woman replied. “Jules is a well known beauty. The woman had fur covering her entire body. I would have thought it was Jules too if some of the neighborhood boys didn’t pull her cloak from her. Poor thing.”
“I see. What happened to her?”
“Well, the woman mostly stayed in Remil’s house. I guess, after that incident, she felt too afraid and embarrassed to come out. Remil, on the other hand, went through his day like he was on vacation.”
“Any places he stopped by? Hobbies or anything like that?”
“Well, the local tavern — though it’s basically just a gathering of men to drink shit brew by the only person wealthy enough to make mead in large quantities. But he also stopped by the local healer a lot too. Then again, that makes sense if it was for the girl.”
“Know where we can find this healer?”
“Iza already left for her own journey. I’m sure you heard of it, right? The exams to advance as a member of the Church? Hopefully she succeeds. Maybe then she can do something about my bone pains.”
“I see,” Anise muttered. She and Horatio shared a look.
The two thanked the old woman by helping her around the house for the day. As the sun fell, the two started for Wolfsheimburg once more, a deep irritation in their stomach.