The Devil's Incarnate

Hidden Passage

Mr Will was in a chirpy mood. He was an odd being, I should have thought him to be too shocked to speak. Considering the yester nights incident. James couldn't come and so Peter stood in as the footman. Mr Will talked endlessly and I replied nonchalantly. I thought of Susanna. What had transpired that made her have such morbid dreams of drowning. She was calling out for her sister, it was possible her sister had a hand in it. I began to wonder what it was. No one in the household was kind enough to tell me anything. They kept it under wraps. Mr Thomas got into the room and ordered everyone to leave. He and Mrs buttercup remained. Helena ordered Ursula to stroll her that she may have a peek. I watched her look at Susanna with distaste then ordered Ursula to take her back to her room.

"she better not scream again. " she grumbled . I felt infuriated with her. As we headed back to our quarters I heard Amelia say, "the poor thing hasn't forgotten the incident has she? Poor child. " Giselle simply nodded and they didn't say anything more. Mrs buttercup wouldn't tell me anything I was sure. So there I was in the middle of a secret that was neither open nor closed. I had to quieten my curiosity. I should know of everything when it was time. But I couldn't get rid of the horror in Susanna's eyes. How she sobbed and in between the bouts she would repeat again and again, "save me. Save me I can't swim. Dolche please save me!"

Macabre thoughts crossed my mind. I looked at the river gallway which we rested on and looked at the swans make their way. Had she actually drowned? A fall or had she been pushed? Had Dolche arrived on time to save her or was she part of it. I shivered to think that Dolche could be capable of fratricide. It must have been an accident. Or a nightmare all the same. It was interesting how river grange which the flemstead castle lied on ran parallel with river gallway. Never criss crossing and meeting only at the mouth. There was no Terrence to stop our carriage. A maid appeared and I wondered where Cathy was.

"she's in the room with master Max. " I was informed. She offered to take me up but I hard crammed my way up. I stood on the stair for say few minutes or so. Strained my ears to pick up any tune but all I heard was the clutter of dishes in the kitchen, the howling wind and the chatter of the servants who went about their duties gaily. I went to Cathy's room. Found her on the floor shoulders hunched up as she looked at the map with Max who enjoyed explaining to her everything in detail. She looked up at me and wriggled her nose. She had already caught a whiff of my mood. I caught t**s and bits of their conversation. Max was explaining to her the fastness of the circuit and the swiftness of the traps. Cathy greeted me and Max suddenly aware of my presence quietened.

"hullo Cathy. Do go on Max you explain it with such vivacity. It's amusing. "

"do I miss..,? "

"miss Vernon," I reminded him.

"I'm sorry I forgot your name. "

"it's well with me. "

He indeed did have the looks of Holt's. He didn't own their crudity but their beauty. He had his mother's manner of longing and a hidden frivolity. I was sure it would surface under Cathy's watch. We didn't dispense him we let him fill our morning hours with talk of his discovery and arithmetic. I told him it was all fascinating and Cathy agreed with me. It was only when his nanny came to fetch him did he leave.

"he has a way with math. "

"exactly. All that is left is the course of action. We will look at the circuit briefly. Do tell me though what's bothering you? "

I thought it best to tell her the whole thing. Including the sitar incident.

"here at flemstead! I can promise you none of them Loft or Terrence play the sitar. I'm sure for though when you left Loft was already home I can assure you he has never played the strings. "

"what of the Markham's? What do you think of it? "

Cathy rose and walked to the window.

"it's worrying? Suppose you're right that the nuisance is no nuisance but a turbulent wave. What shall you do? "

"I think it's all theory. It might just have been she slipped in the water. "

"well let's think it as such. But you shall have to be alert when she's around. I see you came with the carriage again. Mr Markham is overly generous and overly flaunting. "

"I'm afraid your hunch was right. I have noticed it, rather his dropping me some odd cues. "

Cathy sat on the ledge to view me. Then she smiled indulgently.

"so I wasn't wrong. "

"the thing that i find interesting is does he view me as a lady of the night or something deeper? "

"what would you prefer? "

"neither. A ghost disturbs my thoughts I can't grant a married man the same pleasure. "

"a ghost is impalpable isn't it so Vicky? "

"begat Cathy! Are you saying I should make my attempts with Mr Thomas? "

" just suppose Edward was a one time thing? Shall you live all your life as a spinster. You had said you wished to have a family. "

"I can't spend it with someone who I'm not sure what his actual feelings are. Secondly, he hasn't made an impression on me. You understand Cathy. Or have you changed your mind about Loft?"

"not in the least. But should you feel a certain way towards mr Thomas.. "

"I suggest you ring for the refreshments. "

"it is a beautiful carriage. "

"I can't be someone's mistress. Can you imagine me in a cottage in some far away land. My neighbors being the spruce and the mist at dusk well of course some coyotes or foxes in the mix as well. As well as the birds, a falcon maybe an eagle if I'm luckier and an owl to hoot at night. Delightful music. Then I would be weaving day and night waiting for my lover to arrive. I shall have to brave the chill of the nights. The aching desire. The loneliness in my bed. I shall have to remind myself that ours is only a love for four walls. When my children are picked on for being bastards how shall I console them? They would detest me for making impetuous decisions. "

"calm it will you. I was only making a light comment. But I understand you want what's only yours. "

"I have to admit I do. I hate complications. It must be why I detest myself for being fond of Edward as I do. "

"sometimes Victoria, I sincerely hope you listen. Some things aren't all smooth sailing. Complications will be there. You can't assume they won't. Nor can you force them to work in the pattern you wish them to. Remember that. "

I have always remembered the sagacious words that Catherine imparted that day. For it has helped me a great deal.

She rung for the refreshments. Then we delved into matters about the circuit. I showed her my attempts. We had made two identical ones. All dead ends. It was infuriating but exciting to have something worth of mystery torment you mind and not get immediate answers. We made our way down there but we briefly went into the blue room. Everything was as it was last time. The servants were sharp but scared to their bones to pay attention to the dungeon. I asked Cathy if she told Mr Loft of the skull but she hadn't. She went back to the dungeon and disposed of it herself. I shivered I wouldn't have done so. I hadn't the courage. The garden was lovely walled in with hedges. Divided into different sections. I noticed the begonias, the hibiscus, the dandelions,the carnations. The cobbled pavement was a neat affair. There wasn't a gate at the entrance but a sign that read: dilemmas can never be forgotten only surpassed.

"what do you think of it Cathy? "

"Witty. Let's check both sides. "

We attempted to go to the left, the half that was in the river. We hadn't gone far and we noticed two traps. Since we hadn't a way to maneuver we went back to the starting point. How unfortunate for the first spiral led to the second spiral. We reluctantly went to the other half. The first spiral was smooth. The grass had flourished in these parts and so had the weeds the likes of the blackjacks, oxalis. The wall dividing the spirals happened to be in perfect condition unlike the defense wall. The climbers slowly wound their way up. It was an interesting deception.

"this can't be the way. "

"so you see it as I do. "

"it's too easy. Not a single trap. Yet the first spiral on the left is covered with two traps while this has none. "

"what do you conclude of it?"

"that the way lies on the left and adjoins itself to this other half either on the second or the third spiral. "

We kept walking the spiral was lengthy and still there wasn't a single trap. We reached the peak and here there was a turn leading to the second spiral. We saw the gate that Loft had told Cathy about. It led directly to the castle and true to his words there was only one lock clearly not on the side we stood. I surveyed the place for some minutes and it didn't seem menacing. As we stepped further into the spiral I noticed two portcullis. I couldn't see the levers that would pull it down and I thought it was safe until Cathy stepped on something on the ground. I quickly drew her back in time. The portcullis drew shut in an instant.

We looked at the lever on the ground. Cleverly hidden by the grass. It read:snap your death.

"that was near fatal. If I had been alone I should have been trapped here for days. "

"I wouldn't believe they'd just put one lever there must be one to draw it up. Else how did they get the people out? "

"Mr Loft told me in the beginning the traps had only a way to shut you in but never to retrieve you. Those who got trapped died here. "

"yet you say they are only ambitious. If it's so, the walls are too high to climb up. There must be tonnes of skeletons lying about. "

"but he also did say some changes were made. "

"and you held on to that information because?"

"I love to see your reaction. They only did the changes to the traps in this side. The other half is still as cunning. "

"so you fall into the river and begin to pray you know how to swim. "

"I say we look for the other lever that opens the portcullis. "

We scratched the ground. Searching the perimeter back and forth but there was only one lever. Yet they said they had made some changes. The words brutal delight rang in my mind.

There was no way beyond. The spiral joined the second and since the second had just been locked out on us, our adventure had come to an end. It became more apparent. The way to the castle was through the half on the left. There was no way round it. Cathy echoed my thoughts.

"dilemmas can never be forgotten only surpassed. "

"I recall you told Max to calculate the force. "

"so she was paying some slight attention. Didn't you hear what he said today? "

"partly. "

"the traps aren't the same. The force will be different for each. "

"so we need a guinea pig?"

"I'm afraid you've lost me. "

"the way to the castle is by the first spiral on the left. It has two traps. We aren't sure which trap is which. Way things are going we will have to test our way through it. "

She cried out in delight. "This is even more interesting than I thought. "

My mind wandered back to both Holt's ,how did the two in their childhood make their way through. But Max was a brilliant brain, I'm sure the two cousins possessed it. Terrence clearly for he was the direct father and Loft obviously for he discovered a path all on his own. Fate was still unkind for both Holt's were still yet to make their appearance. Loft was off to France and Terrence the run away only the faeries knew where he was. My dazed manner made me lout and I stumbled on something on the ground. Thank heavens I didn't fall face first. We were at the entrance to the circuit. I rose up and dusted my skirts. Cathy helped me when I noticed a rope to the ground. I bent down and saw the wooden box. I cleared the dry grass of it and there it lay. It was a secret passage and it bore the black Jaguar,the same one on the family's flag. We tried to open by pulling the rope but it was shut from inside. This passage, we were quite sure led from the castle to the circuit. It was a discreet way to make ones way from the castle to the circuit. It was out of view. Only if one stood on the roof at west wing could you see but it would be hard especially if one was to come to the circuit at night. But who would go there at night. I answered myself, well if one knew the way they would.

"do you know where this secret passage lies? "

"no. To think I've toured the whole castle and still didn't know of this. But it must be underlying somewhere. I'll find it today. "

"how? "

"there are peeps. I don't mind going room by room until we find it. "

I sighed. It was bound to be a tedious day and it was. We started with the west wing. For west wing was clearly opposite the circuit and if there was any passage it would be beneath west wing chambers. But then again it might not have been so for the west wing were the servants quarters. Though I wouldn't put it past the Holt's to want adventure or arouse suspicion. But why would the tunnel arouse suspicion. I thought of the ancestress who led the household out of danger during the great war. The servants might have been over awed to discover the dark tunnel. They would have wondered all this time it has been here. It would be a strategic spot or not, for them to get away before the enemies made their way in. The more I thought of it the more it seemed it was just somewhere lying in waiting. Cathy was frantic to find it.

"how did you know about the peeps? "

"I was getting Max's book to peruse the work he had done when I noticed a holed triangular dimension at the furthest corner of his room. When I pushed the study table aside I noticed it was a peep. You should have seen how elated I was to discover it. It got me thinking that the house might have other peeps. I nearly reprimanded Mr Loft for leaving such detail. "

"it might have seemed insignificant. "

"how could it be insignificant? This could tell us where that secret passage lies. From Max's peep you can see the hall, the same case as mine. Pardon me but I checked Terrence's and Loft's room. "

"your ill manners will get you burnt Cathy. "

"I couldn't help it I needed to know. From Terrence's room you can see the drawing room where they entertain guests and Loft's you can see the intimate parlour, which was more for the family than guests. Magdalene's however is a peculiar one. "

"why so? "

"it leads to the scullery. If I'm not wrong no I'm certain there's a door where they keep the dishes as well as their coats and it's dark. The Holt's were too skeptical to have even a peep to check the kitchen quarters. "

"I must say there safety seemed top priority. It must have been of course seeing how they played games with people's lives. "

"Victoria the kill joy. "

"have you seen any other peep?"

"I didn't think them of interest. But now they are more than an interest. "

Catherine didn't mince her words when she swore we would go room by room. She was frantic to find it. She checked all corners with my help of course, well after she assured me that neither would come to harm to go about checking for the entrance to the passage and I watched her knock the boards in case of any unfamiliar sound. We checked for levers of course as Holt's had a fascination for them. We went on in vain for not a single peep lay about in waiting. The peeps were only for east wing rooms. It seemed useless to go checking them when Cathy already knew where they led. We settled on checking the hall, drawing room and the parlor. The hall had nothing of the sort. We went to the parlor where I could see a chess board set aside ready for the nights games and the cards for the nap. There was absolutely nothing. Not even a lever. We went to the drawing room, a huger room than the parlor. There was a small fire going which I thought strange for it was warm. The black panther statue was above the mantelpiece. There were inscriptions on the walls and ceiling. I was about to declare it a normal room when I noticed a settee on the furthest corner had a lever on its right. Cathy was there before me and pulled the lever. We watched as the fireplace with its mantelpiece slide revealing an opening. It was dark. There were no servants minding us and Cathy cajoled or rather my curiosity did, to enter the opening. We took the candles from the candelabrum and borrowed the light from the fireside. The opening led to a chapel. It had been neglected and there was a pungent smell. There was an eerie feel about it. The pews were dusty. There was a door at the altar and Cathy opened it suggesting perhaps it led to the vestry but it wasn't so. I looked behind eager to get away. I didn't want to be shut in for either a grave mistake or not. But I couldn't let Cathy go alone for who knew of the danger ahead. I followed her. The stairs let out a protest as we stepped on them but they were far more stable. When we almost reached halfway. We realised what it was. Much to our dismay it wasn't the secret passage but also to our delight it was the dungeon to the right.

"and all along I wondered where it's entry was. "

I agreed it was a great discovery, but the unsettling feeling at the pit of my stomach wouldn't let me enjoy it.

"we should head back. "

"a little while Vicky. Who knows maybe the door is here. "

"I doubt it Cathy. They wouldn't make it easy for their victims. You said it yourself. Brutal delight. "

"your just chickening. I have to see. "

She went further down but I stayed put. She walked about looking and telling me of the writings on the walls. I had thought it was Cathy making double steps but the steps were from somewhere above us.

Someone was headed towards us.

"Cathy someone is coming. "

"Vicky stop your nonse-"

The steps became even more elaborate. I held on to the banister. A chill wave went down my spine. Cathy hastened to my side. We stood there waiting. Anxious. Then a face peeked, a candle light in its hand.