Beauty and The Cursed

Full Moon

Edmond had not expected Tresa to be in the conservatory with Rose. Seeing her among the beautiful flowers did something to his inside. He needed to get out of there before he did something that he regretted. He left the room abruptly. Edmond only had so much time to complete his tasks and get to the cemetery before the full moon.

Edmond found his ledger in his office as Rose had said. He quickly put it in his satchel along with a change of clothes and headed out the door. He did not stop until he was at the small stables off the side of the main house. Timothy was busy feeling and watering the horses.

"Hello sir." The boy said as he noticed Edmond coming closer to the stables.

"Hello Timothy. Are we staying out of trouble," Edmond asked the boy. He had a serious look on his face but he did not chide the boy.

"Yes, sir. Susan has also been helping me with my school work," Timothy answered the master.

"Good lad. I will see you tomorrow then." Edmond got on top of his large black stallion and kicked the horses' sides. The animal lurched forward and took off towards the small town nearby. While Timothy watched him leave.

"The town nearby had a small shipping yard. Edmond wanted to find out if there was a ship that had docked a few days ago and to see if they had dealt with a stowaway. Edmond hoped that the ship had docked here as it would save him the hassle of having to journey more down the coastline.

The journey took the better part of the day. Edmond finally saw the small town come into view. It seemed there were still a few ships still in port. Edmond nudged his horse forward and made his way to the dock station. It was a small one-man office. Edmond walked along the docks with his horses' reigns in his hand.

When Edmond arrived at the door, he quickly tied the animal to a nearby post and knocked on the door. "Come in," came a reply from the other side. Edmond pushed the door open and was met by a short man whose belly touched the edge of his desk before his hands did.

The man noticed Edmond's attire and stance. He straightened himself in his chair. "How may I be of service?" He asked Edmond.

"I am looking for a ship that I am hoping docked here a few days ago. The crew might have complained about a stowaway." The short man thought for a moment. He rubbed his small chin with one hand.

"I did hear about a stowaway on one of the ships that arrived this week. The story came from the Fair Maiden. It is a merchant ship that stops in regularly to drop off supplies. Why do you ask?" The man seemed skeptical of Edmond. Edmond did not blame him, but he would not relent either. Edmond had thought about how he would answer if someone became suspicious.

"I am looking to expand my business endeavors. I am hoping to find a merchant ship that does not take any chances with stowaways. The cargo would be precious, you see." Edmond had to make it sound lucrative enough that the man would let him know when the ship was due to arrive again.

"The ship should be back at the same time next week if you would like to speak with the captain. I know merchant ships are always looking for more work," said the man.

"Thank you. What day might that be exactly? I would not want to miss it."

"Next Tuesday. in four days' time." Edmond thanked the man once more and then left his office. Edmond had four days until he could confront the men that threw Tresa overboard and almost killed her.

The thought had Edmond's blood boiling with anger. He took calming breaths but they were not helping. He needed to get on the road if he was to make it to the cemetery in time. Luckily, the cemetery was not too far out of town. Edmond untied the horse's reigns and threw himself on it's back. He lightly kicked and got the horse moving. Careful not to knock into anyone on the docks.

Edmond had stopped at a local pub in order to fill his belly before continuing his journey. Edmond had come to this pub on a few occasions. Nothing that would make him a regular or for anyone to recognize him. He tried to stay out of the light to not draw attention to himself. The last thing he needed was someone following him to the cemetery and seeing him for what he was now. A monster.

Edmond asked the bar maid for a goblet of ale and whatever stew was hanging over the fire in the back. The maid nodded and handed him a goblet. She disappeared into the back for a moment before bringing out a bowl and spoon. She placed them in front of Edmond, who scooted the payment towards her at the bar.

Edmond ate and drank. He listened to the conversations around him. There was not much interest. Mainly how the fishing has been in the last few days and what goods had been dropped off before heading back out onto the ocean. Since the small town was near the ocean, it made sense that most conversations had to do with the ships and what they provided for the town.

Edmond finished eating and drank the last of the ale from his cup. He pushed the dishes from him and thanked the bar maid. She nodded in his direction as she began to clean up. Edmond stood from the chair and swung his jacket on to his back. When he finally stepped outside, he noticed that it had started raining since he went into the pub. Edmond looked up. The sky was beginning to darken. He needed to get himself over to the cemetery and get locked inside the mausoleum.

Edmond pulled himself onto his horse and headed in the direction that he frequented once a month for the last year. The road was a lonely one. But the road to the cemetery as well as distancing himself from the ones he loved to protect them. He had to keep a handful of staff on to run his home, but even then, he only employed those who were absolutely necessary.

As Edmond and his horse trotted down the road, Edmond found his thoughts drifting to his visitor once more. Edmond was outraged that the men of the ship she had stowed away on had thrown her out into the ocean without a second thought. Edmond thought about who he was before being cursed. He had been a bit full of himself as a young adult, but then again, what young man wasn't? Throughout the years, events have shaped Edmond. He had helped his father with their business undertakings. His father had shown pride in his son on numerous occasions.

It was not until after he had returned from the war and realized what he was. He had told his father that he needed to invent himself, away from the title of lord. His father had looked hurt by his son's decision. However, he had not shunned him as Edmond thought he might. The fact that his father was still seeking his business advice told Edmond that his father still valued him. Edmond's heart ached at the thought of not being able to return to his family.

Edmond came to the top of a small hill. The cemetery stood but a few paces away. Edmond could see his prison for the night standing tall at the back of the cemetery. Edmond nudged his stallion forward. The animal had to be kept a safe distance from the mausoleum and from the beast that he would become. It had taste for blood when the moon was at it's highest.

Edmond swung from his horse and the front of the cemetery and tied the horses reigns to the wrought iron fence that surrounded the cemetery. He removed his satchel and tucked it underneath his arm as he walked through the gate and to the back of the cemetery.

Edmond had put his own lock on the mausoleum. He wasnt sure whose family it belonged to, but for now he would use it until a new lock sat on the doors. Edmond pulled out the key from his bag and pushed the key into the lock. It made a dragging sound. It caused Edmond's ears to perk as the world around him was as quiet as could be.

Edmond pushed into the mausoleum and closed the door securely behind him. He had added a bit of chair to the back to lock himself in. Edmond put the same lock that had been on the front and on the inside as well. It was best in order to make sure that everyone else was safe from his monster.

Edmond looked out the small window that sat near the ceiling. It was covered with dirt and grime and Edmond could barely see out of it, but it allowed him to see the color of the sky to know how much longer he had.

Edmond sat his bag down on the concrete tomb and pulled out his ledger. Edmond had been marking each full moon and any new feelings or sensations that he might be having. Not that writing it down has done much good. Edmond is not closer to finding out how to stop it.

In the past year Edmond has gone through each book that he could find about India's folk tales or legends. Anything to give a hint as to what he was. So far, the only thing he had found was the name. Baagh.

Edmond set his ledger back in his satchel. He pulled the shirt from his torso. His skin burned with the change. Edmond looked up at the window once more. The sky outside was black. The only source of light was the full moon that was making its way to the center. Edmond's body began to twist and morph. He felt his bones breaking in his chest and ribs. The pain caused Edmond to lurch forward and catch himself on his hands and knees. He could feel the monster changing his face. It was as if he could feel each of the hairs sprouting through his skin. His jaw elongated and his teeth ached as his human teeth changed into sharp weapons.

It always felt as though the change took a lot longer than it actually did. Edmond began restless as he paced the mausoleum. Edmond was aware of his actions but it was as if the beast had control of his body. It tested the door and walls for their soundness. It had no way out. It became angry and began to pound on the walls with it's fists.

Placed in the corner of the mausoleum was a large silver dish. Edmond assumed it sat waiting for a family name to be edged on it. Edmond caught his reflection in the plate. The beast that looked back at him was one that he had come to know very well. The stripped red and orange mixed with black. His eyes had gone from his usual dark brown to that of almost a tan color. His eyes shone brightly in the dark. His hands were a mixture of his own human hands but with fur as well as claws. His body was also much larger than normal. It felt cramped in this small mausoleum. The rage poured from the beast.

What stared back at Edmond in that silver dish was that of a Baagh. In English, WereTiger. A feared monster that prays on the weak and livestock.

***What do you think of this chapter? Is Edmond's beast what you thought?***