The grail of clockwork and death

Chapter VIII

As Dakoda paces her burgundy skirts make a gentle swooshing sound and her heels click on the worn hardwood floors of her study, her eyebrows scrunched together in thought her hands fiddling with the locket and ring on her necklace.

“Going by the pattern I have until tomorrow night to warn Whomever might be the next target, which really means I must Absolutely find out the most likely candidate for this monster to attack is, and then I must warn them. while simultaneously taking their place as bait to catch this killer,” Dakoda mutters to herself. “But who would be the most likely, The rest of the Thompson family are out of question, for now, they will avoid socializing for a while they get over the shock, Lady Watson will not be leaving her home again until next Monday… Lord Watson, however, will be going out in two days exactly… and right past the clockwork hotel, where I suspect our killer is stationed at the moment…” She murmurs.

“Lady Cipher, would you like for me to bring your supper to you?” Menachem asks. Dakoda freezes as the voice of her maid sends chills down her spine, remembering the threat made on her servants lives she shakes her head.

“No, take it to the dining room, Tell the others they are to be joining me for tonight's supper,” Dakoda instructs sternly. With a curt nod and a bow, Menachem exits the room.

Dakoda brushes her hands down her skirt letting out a deep shaking breath as her fingers tremble. Stuffing her steam gun deep into her pocket she turns to the door. Her eyes watering slightly she frowns.walks to the large window and clicks the latch into place double and triple checking that it would not be possible to open it, she then drew the curtains and made sure no one would be able to watch in from outside. Her levels of paranoia had only but grown now since this whole ordeal had started. She had been almost constantly checking over her shoulder since she left Scotland yard yesterday, the feeling of being watched now seemed permanently present in the back of her mind.

Once she had made completely sure that her study had been sufficiently secured she stepped out of the room and locked the door behind her.

Slowly and carefully, her thoughts focusing on where she is standing and what her surroundings are, Dakoda creeps steadily down the halls and into the dining room. As she enters she narrows her eyes glaring around the room and observing every little thing which could be used against her and her servants.

She closes all the curtains shrouding the room in an eerie darkness, going around she makes sure all the gas valves of the lamps had been switched off, once satisfied that no gas had been leaking into the air she flicks the switch which lights all the lamps and the chandelier at once, holding her breath Dakoda only lets it out in a small sigh once she deems no gas explosions are going to be caused by the gas lights. She then patrols the room looking for anything out of place.

“My Lady, Might I ask what you are doing?” Audrey questions from the door as she stands to watch Dakoda frantically pace the room.

“I am making sure it is safe,” Dakoda murmurs glaring up at the chandelier suspended above the table. She cautiously walks up to the large table and looks up. The large heavy frame looked sturdy but Dakoda grimaces a the thought of it crushing her and her workers to death. She hesitantly sits down before motioning for Audrey to take the seat to her left.

“Sit, How far are the others might I ask?” Dakoda orders with a point.

“Yes My Lady, Ezekiel and Bartholomew are just in the kitchen, Menachem is Just down the hall,” the young maid answers slowly walking into the room, she hesitates and stands by the chair

“Are you sure it is ok for me to sit, My Lady?” she quietly murmurs unsure. Dakoda replies only with a nod. Still hesitant the young girl sits down stiffly in the cushioned chair.

“Lady Cipher,” Menachem greets with a bow as she enters “It is dreadfully dark in hear shall I open the curtains?” the mechanical maid offers walking towards the windows.

“No leave them, The gas lights in the room have provided sufficient light to eat with, take a seat,” Dakoda mutters pointing to her right. Tilting her head to the right the maid follows her order and sits.

“This is rather unusual, Lady Cipher,” She utters glancing around the room. With a shrug, Dakoda dismisses the comment. As she does Ezekiel and Bartholomew enter the room with plates of food in each hand.

“Thank you, Come. Take a seat,” Dakoda instructs “Life is short, I am merely taking the time to sit with the people who I care about,” she adds.

“Is… is something going to happen, My Lady?” Audrey murmurs face contorted with confusion and worry as she sets her cutlery down.

Pouting her lips out slightly Dakoda also places her silverware on the table, she stands and starts pacing.

“N...no, of course not… nothing is amiss,” She mutters with a shaky breath

“My Lady, I do not wish to overstep my boundaries but… that does not seem to be the truth,” Bartholomew utters raising an eyebrow.

Dakoda narrows her eyes at him then sighs, she puts her hand into her pocket and hesitantly she pulls out the letter which the killer had addressed to her.

“I was right, about those suicides not being suicides… the killer has left two notes for me now, one I have left with Keeland so he might actually start to believe, the other…” she explains lifting the letter into the air slightly. “This one was the first letter which I had retrieved, the killer had told me to stop the investigation that I had been doing, I found the second one yesterday. Whomever is killing these people, they threatened all of you, Said if I don't stop they will bring harm to you, I can not allow that. But just in case something does happen I want to spend as much time with you all as I can,” Dakoda says slowly and in a low toned voice.

“ that is very kind of you my lady, But we are capable of taking care of situations like this,” Bartholomew frowns picking at his meal.

“Speak for yourself, I would be utterly hopeless in protecting myself, let alone Lady Cipher,” Audrey points out before eating some of her meal.

“Ok then, Anyone who matters can take care of themselves,” Bartholomew adds with a shrug as he leans back leisurely in his chair, Glaring at him Dakoda slaps the back of his head lightly,

“Apologize to the girl, You all matter to me and I will not tolerate you saying otherwise, Bartholomew,” she hisses before slumping back into her seat to eat, “And don't even think of putting your legs on my table, or I shall be left with no choice but to hit you with my spoon,” she adds with humour. The male pouts before leaning forward and eating.

“My Lady, Might I ask why you are so insistent on how important we are to you? Surely it is no trouble to just find new servants if anything is to happen to us?” Audrey asks quietly

“It would be a mere inconvenience to find new people to work for me, but that is not why I value you, It sure does help but the reason I value each of you is because you are the closest thing to a family that I have, If I lose you then I shall have nobody left,” Dakoda murmurs with a casual shrug, as she eats another bite.

“Ezekiel once again you have made an absolutely gorgeous meal, thank you,” she adds.

“Thank you, My Lady, It is nothing to fancy really,” The chef dismisses with a smile.

“Nonsense, you are like the Leonardo da Vinci of the culinary world,” Dakoda smiles genuinely as she compliments Ezekiel.

“Thank you, My Lady, You are too kind,” Ezekiel bashfully admits a light ting of pink dusting his cheeks.

“And Bartholomew, I am sure that no other estate is as secure as this, you take your job as security very seriously and I very much appreciate that thank you, I know, I can get just a little paranoid at times and you all handle that extremely well,” Dakoda continues.

“Many other people would jump at the chance to send me back to that dreadful institution, but you all accept that I am a relatively normal young woman who had her moments of questionable behaviour, for that I am very appreciative... It took a lot of effort to convince them to allow me to leave that horrid place, don't to much fancy going back,” she chuckles with a sad look

“We won't let that happen, My lady,” Ezekiel and Audrey announce at the same time, sharing a quick glance and a laugh the two let their true personalities slip through the servant facade for a moment

“I wish we could only stay this happy forever,” Dakoda whispers softly as she looks down soberly at her plate of food,

“No death, no social status to get in the way, Just pure unrelenting happiness shared with friends.” She sighs.

“It would be most wonderful, but unfortunately we live in a corrupt world where all that matters is who has died, who has birthed a child, what their social standing is and what their occupation is, They only care for the gossip and drama of other people's misfortune.” Bartholomew huffs as he once again leaned back in the chair, his eyes showing a flicker of thought as his muscles twitch at the idea of lifting his legs to rest his feet on the tabletop and push himself back in the chair so it would be balanced on just two of its wooden legs, but it had stayed just a thought as a warning glare was sent his way from Dakoda,

“But that hardly matters, not if your smart… which I think it is safe to say you are a very intelligent young woman, My Lady,” Menachem adds as she finally joins in on the conversation putting forth her opinion.

“It would seem so, I Must admit sometimes the burden of intelligence is rather a curse. Late nights and racing thoughts, My how I envy the simplicity of those who have the minds of goldfish,” Dakoda grins rolling her eyes.

As the night continued the atmosphere of the room grew warmer and more joyous as laughter was shared among them all. but little to Dakoda’s, or any of her servant's knowledge, a reasonably tall figure shrouded in shadows stood just in the tree line of the forest which took up roughly a third of Dakodas estate. The figure stood still in the shadows facing up towards the window which would show the scene of happiness inside were it not for the curtains drawn to cover them. With a gruff snarl the figure breathed out a string of lewd curse words, their eyes narrow and they step back into the woods

“You may think they are safe just because you are around, but the minute you start coming after me again, That monstrosity of a maid will be the first to go. For now, I must study Lord Watson,” they mutter turning and strolling through the woods, the figure was a male, no older than twenty, he had a raggedy hat -which had the appearance of an odd mish-mash of a fedora and a leather Plague doctor hat- pulled low over his glittering grey eyes, a long heavy duty wool coat, the tattered edges of which stopped just below his knees. Walking with a slight limp the man made his way to the very back wall of the estate. Despite the apparent injury to his leg he effortlessly leapt over the meter high brick fence, one hand atop the bricks to keep him stead he vaulted over and landed gracefully on his feet, the heave steel capped boots crunching twigs and leaves underfoot.

“What do you think you are doing?! Hooligan!” A woman shrieks at him with a tone of anger. He pauses and straightens, the wind picking up and causing his coat to billow around his legs slightly adding to his mysterious appearance. The woman had started to approach him- he assumed to give him an earful for trespassing on private property and for him to go back to the ghetto part of town where low life scum like him belonged.

A twisted smile makes itself apparent on the man's face as he observes the woman in her first approach, his eyes glint with a look of entertainment.

“I am merely taking precautions, Lady Roberts, I would not want Scotland yard to be finding me just yet now would I,” He smirks bowing slightly. It may have been a while since The man had lived his life as an aristocrat but his charming personality had not yet left him, only now it was more seen as a shady and untrustworthy charm by most who had met him.

“My… Is that really who I think it is?” the woman, Lady Roberts smiles. “My boy, It has been too long, We had all assumed you had been killed or died, Does you… Why are you looking at me like that..” Lady Roberts frowns taking a step back and narrowing her eyes. “I know you must have had trouble with whatever happened back then but surely you have not forgotten what is and is not appropriate, now stop looking at me like I am a piece of meat!” Lady Roberts huffs crossing her arms and tilting her head back slightly to glare at the man down her nose in disgust, the man chuckles lowly, his voice smooth and almost velvety, not raising above a soft whisper as he looks at the woman in front of him much like a predator would observe its prey.

“You are not on my list, but I think for you, I can make an exception,” he speaks as he steps to circle around her, like a hawk he circles her his gaze trailing over every inch of her to be sure no weapon would be concealed within her skits, he was sure the only woman who ever held a weapon -let alone hold one upon her person- in this city was Lady Cipher. He moved in closer as the woman stood frozen in place, leaning in close he places his head near hers, his mouth next to her ear, parting his lips slightly holding back the grin which fought its way to them, he breathes out a low and smooth whisper.

“Do you know,” He starts with a smirk causing the woman to shake beside him. “How many deaths I have caused,” he chuckles. Lady Roberts gasps and her muscles lock up as she stands next to him. Looping his arm around her he slowly walks behind her and to her other side,

“The fear, in their eyes, is by far my favourite thing to see, the way they panic and…” he smiles running a lock of her hair through his fingers. “...fight.” he laughs. Lady Roberts raises an arm to push him away but he grabs her wrist holding it tightly. He hears footsteps approaching and with a look at the woman he raises a hand and holds his finger in front of his lips,

“Hush now, we don't want them to be alerted, that would mean I will be left with no other option but to hurt you,” he utters in hushed tones of sly charm. With a frightened gulp, Lady Roberts nods stiffly

“Everything alright overhears,” an officer calls out, the man steps away from Lady Roberts and tips his hat leaving it dipped over his eyes

“‘Course not sir, see I was just out walkin’ on this lovely night. found myself in the wrong place this… kind... Lady was just pointin’ me on my way,” the man announces loudly with a well-practised accent. He looks over to Lady Roberts with a lopsided smile

“Ain't that right’ Lil Lady,” he adds with a hearty chuckle, a chuckle which challenged lady Roberts to say otherwise. Lady Roberts -who up till that point had stood still as a statue- nodded slowly

“Yes, That is exactly what happened, No need to worry officer Langdon,” Lady Roberts awkwardly chuckles,

“It would seem that it is all under control,” Langdon nods satisfied that nothing was up. He nods to Lady Roberts and then mocks tipping a hat to the man, “A good night to you both, do try to keep out of trouble lad, and Lady Roberts Best be getting home now, It is far too late for a lady such as yourself to be out,” the officer says before nodding a farewell and pacing back into the street.

The man turned to Lady Roberts and smiles sadistically.

“I must admit I am terribly sorry that I must do this, you are innocent, I have no reason to harm you... But I cannot allow you to speak out, So I must silence you,” he explains proceeding to creep towards her once again stalking her like prey. With a speed of which took the woman by surprise, the man dashed forward and thrust a hand over her mouth, lifting her up in one swift move her heaved her over the brick wall and jumps over after her. She had landed roughly but adrenaline helped her to leap up and run through the forest. Her skirts slowing her down and heeled boots in no way appropriate for running meant that he caught up with no effort and wrapped his arms around her, once again with a hand over her mouth to muffle any screams he roughly dragged her through the woods until they came up to the opening in which the man had killed Lady Ciphers Fiance, Virgil. Smiling as he recalled the struggle that man had put up he pushes the woman down and slams his boot down on her chest, no longer having to worry about making sure it looked like all injuries were self-inflicted he leant down so his face was close to hers, so close that he could smell the floral and delicate perfume which she wore.

“Like I said, I do not particularly want to kill you, but that does not mean I won't, taking that into account I will give you the option… I will offer a relatively painless death, or we have a little fun, I give you a fighting chance,” he retorts. Lady Roberts recoils and turns her face away

“you are to kill me anyway?” she murmurs with a shaky voice. The man moves away while not removing his boot from her

“Yes, That is correct,” he shrugs

“Then… I shall choose… a quick death, if you might,” she whimpers closing her eyes.

“As you wish,” the man says quietly. He pulls a small vial and a strange looking contraption which looked like an odd hybrid of a medical syringe and a vintage gun, loading the vial into the peculiar weapon he looks down at the woman,

“This concoction will take awhile to come into effect, It will be slow but painless. After injecting it into your bloodstream the poison will latch onto your blood cells and will be carried throughout your body, once fully spreading it will slowly kill you by sending signals to your brain to shut down all your vital organs at once, it is particularly horrible but is painless and relatively difficult to trace,” he explains in a soothing whisper, “you will go die in your sleep essentially, or you might fall down in the streets on your way home. Either way, they will not find any trace of the poison without specifically looking for it, will rule your death off as natural causes, I will lead you back to the wall in which I threw you over to get hear and will help you back over, at which point you will tell me if the road is clear of people and if it is I will be on my merry way and you will die. A calm and painless death,” he instructs. With a nod of understanding from Lady Roberts he bends down and lines the device up with the veins on her inner wrist, by pulling a trigger a needle shoots out and the slightly transparent yellowish liquid flows slowly from the vial through the needle and into her arm, with a slight gasp at the sudden injection she flinches slightly.

“Again I do apologize for this but… do try to understand I cannot risk anyone ruining my plans, not even her,” he whispers “they can not be allowed to continue and if that means I am to be a killer and a criminal to stop them then so be it,”

Lady Roberts nods slowly her brown eyes dull.

“I understand, though I wish it did not have to end this way, I do think I understand why it must… I was… in the wrong place, at the wrong time,” she mumbles as he removes his boot and offers her a hand up.

“Precisely,” he hums heaving her up with little to no effort. Walking slowly and with heavy breaths, she follows the man out of the woods and to the brick wall which served as a perimeter fence to the Cipher Estate, he assists her over and landing quietly on the other side she glances around while he hides just behind the fence.

“The coast is clear,” she mutters in a monotonous voice before walking away, presumably to her home. The man leaps over the brick wall and straightens his coat and hat before putting his hands into his pockets and strolling away into the night whistling leisurely as though the heinous sin which he had just committed had not at all taken place.