The grail of clockwork and death

Chapter IX

Dakoda woke with a start, jumping up into a position of sitting. One of her hands pressed to her chest as her heart and breathing ran wild, her eyes were wide and flickering over the room and its features as the nightmare which had woken her had come to her mind as that.

A nightmare. A dreadful horrible nightmare just like all the other nightmares which had plagued her dreams whenever she managed to actually get to sleep. She didn't remember the last time she had had a good night's sleep or in the very least a nice dream that did not haunt her throughout her day. Falling back against her numerous soft pillows she lifts her arm up to cover her eyes as she thought through the events of her vile dream. Now just by taking the time to think about it most of what had happened in her dream was slipping from her mind as though it were sand running through her fingers. With a groan of annoyance she sits up and glances across the room into the darkness, it was far too early to be awake but the small nagging thoughts of what she did remember of the nightmare would never allow her a peaceful sleep for any longer than a few minutes before disrupting her night with more terror-inducing dreams. So she swung her legs over the edge of her bed and as quietly as possible on the old creaky floorboards she silently makes her war to her dressing room to ready herself for the long day ahead.

Adorning a simple yet elegant rusty red gown she makes her way to her study where she pulls out a dark burgundy leather-bound journal and writes what she could recall from her dream. With a soft sigh, she stares at the neat cursive writing and frowns.

“It has been years, surely It should be easier for me to discern when I am or am not dreaming if my parents are involved,” she huffs closing the book with a loud thump which causes Dakoda to flinch slightly. It was far too early in the morning for her to be bothering her companions, today was their day off -in a sense- they deserved to sleep in.

She puts the book back in its place on the shelf while glancing at the ornate clock hung just above the mantle of the small fireplace. with a groan of irritants towards how slowly time seemed to be passing she settles down into her chair and stares at her desk, deciding to catch up on her paperwork -which had been pushed aside to make room for her case notes- signing of papers and then filing away documents that she deemed important.

After some time had passed she started to hear the signs of life around the manor, the sound of Menachem's shoes clicking on the floor as she walked the halls going about completing her daily tasks and She could the sounds of Ezekiel cooking, pots and pans clanging and cutlery catering as they are moved about. Accompanied by a soft knock Dakoda looks up from her work to see Audrey enter with an extravagant silver trolley which held upon it a tray of tea and plate of scones.

“Morning, My Lady,” Audrey greets as she pours a cup of tea and hands it to Dakoda.

“Good morning,” Dakoda mutters accepting the drink. Audrey nods to the sprawling piles of paperwork and smiles

“Couldn't sleep?” she asks with a look of sympathy.

“Nightmare, I didn't wake you did I?” Dakoda replies as she settles the delicate china cup back into its saucer and picks up a scone from the plate smiling at the warmth that emanated from them.

“No you didn't, but you have almost completely finished your paperwork, that would indicate you have been in here for at least an hour,” Audrey chuckles.

“Hmm You are smart beyond your years Audrey,” Dakoda utters rolling her eyes slightly as she stretches her arms above her, with the scone in her mouth she rubs her eyes tiredly glancing back up to the clock which confirmed that she had been working for about an hour and a half. Taking a bite of the scone Dakoda stands up stretching out her stiff muscles.

With a shrug, Dakoda looks to Audrey and tilts her head slightly.

“Any word from Inspector Keeland?” she asks holding the scone much like how she would hold an apple.

“None yet, not concerning your case, but the paper just came in and Lady Roberts has passed away,” The young maid answers with a small nod and a bright smile.

“Oh, that's a shame. It has been a while but I do recall enjoying the company of Lady Roberts when I was younger. would it be rude if I asked how?” Dakoda inquires with a frown.

“They think it was a heart problem, definitely saying it was natural causes but they are not sure what the actual problem was, according to officer Langdon who had seen her with a mysterious stranger just earlier in the night she was completely fine, up until her death,” the maid drawls on as though she had memorised the paper's article in order to recite it for Dakoda,

“Hmm, odd, but not all that abnormal,” Dakoda hums as she goes over the information in her head.

“Quite so, Shall I have Ezekiel prepare a breakfast?” Audrey queries

“No, a few scones and I’ll have enough energy to get on with my work until lunch is served,” Dakoda dismisses as she glances back down to her paperwork. Pausing she directs her sight back to the maid, narrowing her eyes she slowly puts the scone down on her desk.

“Mysterious Stranger? She died hours after meeting a mysterious stranger?” Dakoda mutters slowly.

“I… I guess she did,” Audrey agrees, nodding slowly as her eyes widened for just a moment at the realization.

“Did the paper say what this stranger looked like? Was it a male, female maybe an automaton? Did they seem to be a higher class or lower class, aggressive or timid?” Dakoda mutters as she starts to pace, “this stranger could be our killer? But then how did he cause Lady Roberts death without being there at the exact time of her death, and how did he make it appear natural, did he even kill her or was it just a coincidence?” she rants

“I don't know, but Perhaps you could ask the officer?” Audrey quips as she watches Dakoda's short rant with a slight look of confused amusement.

“Yes, Officer Langdon, I know officer Langdon, he is a tolerable lawman,” she nods as she looks up at the clock to check the time. Sitting back down at her desk Dakoda picks up the scone and takes another bite while focusing her attention back on her paperwork.

“You are dismissed, Go help Menachem with the chores,” Dakoda says addressing the maid.

“Yes, My Lady,” Audrey complies with a bow before she slips out the study closing the door softly behind her.

“I shall talk to Officer Langdon after I catch this heathen criminal,” she murmurs to herself.

________

After having spent the majority of her day in her office going over her plans and checking her equipment, Dakoda now stood over her desk. Her hair pinned up out of her face and keeps neatly under a simple but well-secured hat, sometime after lunch she had changed into her riding crop while confronting the killer she would have more ease of mobility if she so needs it. The elegant black dress had been paired with sturdy flat heeled boots made from a fine quality tan leather. Though She knew it would be frowned upon she had a belt and holster secured around her waist, within which her steam gun, revolver and a small dagger were being held.

Leaning with her palms firmly on the surface of the desk she narrows her eyes at the maps in front of her, the holsters brushing against her leg every so often as she sways lightly to try to calm her restlessness. With a huff she pushes away from the desk and paces the room, her attire and attitude could lead to her being mistaken for an airship general if she were not in the confines of her study.

“Lady Cipher, Inspector Keeland is heard, Shall I escort him In or will you be meeting him at the main entrance?” Menachem informs from the door, perhaps if the maid were a Living Human, Dakodas pacing and other antics might have brought a smile to her face or made her grimace. Instead, she stood in the doorway waiting for an answer while observing her Master with a robotic and emotionless face.

“Send him in, I wish to discuss my plans with him before leaving,” Dakoda instructs, “tell him to hurry, We don't have the luxury of time on our side at this moment, that monster could strike at anytime, my predictions are not reliable,” she mutters as an afterthought.

“Affirmative, My Lady.” Menachem nods before closing the door and going to retrieve the detective. Laving Dakoda to return to her rhythmic pacing. With her thoughts, once again racing and her heart pounding in anticipation for what was to come. With a quick knock as he opened the door, Inspector Keeland enters and Dakoda’s attention quickly goes to him.

He makes a face at her attire then shakes his head.

“Lady Cipher, say what you have to and then we must be going,” He orders sternly.

“I want you and your men to hold back, stay around Harrisburg Avenue, and stay out of sight. We don't want to draw a crowd or give away what we are doing. Have some of your men circle around and cover any possible places he could run. But only after I give the signal, if the killer is not there or has heaven forbid already killed, there will be no point spreading out when I give the signal which we can discuss on the way over, have them spread out, when or if I give a second signal. I want you to come and intervene,” Dakoda instructs pacing the whole time only pausing to tap spots on the maps which she had marked.

“If that is what you think will work, I would like to put forth my dislike of this plan. It could go wrong on so many different levels, what am I to follow If something goes wrong, If you die what am I to do?” Keeland mutters rolling his eyes slightly.

“If I am to die then my servants know what to do, but I have faith that that won't happen,” Dakoda lies as she walks over to the Detective. Staring up into the man's red eyes she narrows her own.

“And let it be clear, my faith is in no way that you and your men will keep me safe, my faith is in myself and my ability to assess and react in a dangerous situation,” she hisses before walking out of the study and down the halls to the main entrance. She could her inspector Keeland huff as he follows behind her. Leaving her home and climbing into the inspector's carriage Dakoda takes note to ignore the stares and looks of disgust which she got from all of the men which Keeland had with him. Upon entering the carriage she smiles to officer Langdon and nods in greetings before scowling at Maloney.

Both gave her odd looks though Maloney was more one of disgust mirroring all the other men who had seen her outfit, Langdon, on the other hand, had reacted more like Audrey had when she had first seen the inappropriate getup. With a look of disagreement then curiosity and finally settling on a look of impression.

“What on earth are you wearing woman!?” Officer Maloney asks with a tone of hostility

“I'm wearing a dress and boots… why do you not like it? It's very rude to tell a woman you don't like her dress, I would be highly offended if I actually cared what you thought,” Dakoda snidely remarks as she sits opposite them crossing her leg left over her right and sitting with her back straight and hands placed delicately on her knee.

“I think it is rather lovely, It's very different and not what one would expect from a lady.” Officer Langdon chimes with a flirtatious smirk.

“Oh, why thank you, see Maloney, that is what a lady wants to hear about her attire, a nice compliment.” Dakoda chuckles, as she does inspector Keeland gets in the carriage and takes the seat next to her. The carriage jolts to a start and begins moving.

“don't encourage her behaviour, it is imprudent of a woman of her stature to be running amuck with such a wild apparel,” Maloney grunts.

“Well now I do apologize for having more trust and faith in my ability to aim a weapon then I have in your ability to ‘protect me’ officer,” Dakoda sneers at The man.

“that is enough, Maloney let her be, she will not be wearing… that… as an everyday thing, so I would say that if she wished to wear battle armour while going to battle so be it,” Keeland sighs rubbing his temples, clearly not happy about Dakoda’s outfit but knowing better than to start an argument with her.

“Oh actually, office Langdon, Would you mind me asking you about the mysterious person you saw with Lady Roberts last night?” Dakoda enquiries efficiently drawing all attention away from her attire.

“Well, it was a male, tall with a decent build. Was difficult to see his face but he had brown hair. Wore quite raggedy clothing, as I can recall he had a long coat and a leather hat on. Claimed he had been in the wrong place or something along the lines, why?” Langdon offers before his curiosity takes over.

“It is probably nothing but I find it just a little odd that a healthy woman such as Lady Roberts can find herself dying because of a heart attack, it is far too much of a coincidence that she also had been confronted by a man who from his description is not from around these parts of town,” Dakoda mutters as she goes over the information in her head.

“I suppose that it is a little strange but it is merely a coincidence,” Officer Langdon assures as his eyebrow raises in intrigue at Dakoda’s thoughts on it.

“Hmm, maybe it is,” Dakoda mumbles with a slight pout.

As the conversation dies down the carriage comes to a sudden halt. The jolt causing Dakoda to ungratefully fall from the seat onto officer Langdon.

With a face reddened by embarrassment, Dakoda pushes herself off of his unnervingly warm chest and gives a small look of apology before she hastily leaves the now stuffy carriage. Storming to the front of the carriage she glares up at the driver with narrow eyes full of rage.

“What in the name of… what was that!” she asks with anger.

“don't know what you mean miss,” the officer smirks. Giving a strained smile in feign amusement Dakoda goes to pull her revolver out of its holster but pauses and goes for the small blade instead.

With another glare and strained smile at the arrogance of the man she turns at lightning speed and hurls the knife at a nearby gaslamp the sharp blade piercing the metal with a thunk. The thrown knife had narrowly missed three officer's all of which now looked at her with her outstretched hand and face which almost screamed -don't mess with me when I'm angry- she lowers her arm and brushes her hands down her skirt before stomping up to the knife and grasping the handle yanking the blade free with almost no effort.

The driver had audibly gulped now warily eyeing her.

“Dakoda Sophronia Cipher, please do try to refrain from such brash actions, if you Are going to throw a temper tantrum then try stopping and thinking about how childish that is before you do,” Keeland calls out to her. She regards him with silent fury before nodding slightly towards the driver.

“Tell your men that if they dare make a fool out of me again… I will not hesitate in the slightest when retaliating,” Dakoda hisses shoving the knife back into its place on her belt.

Pulling her pocket watch out she scowls.

“I'm going to go and investigate the area, stay here until…” she glances around and spots one of the officers who she had nearly hit, “May I borrow you whistle?” She asks holding her hand out. Hesitating he unclips it from his belt and drops it in her hand.

“I will signal once for when you are spread out and then again when you are to intervene,” she says before turning and strolling down the street earning many stares. Coming up to the alley entrance she pauses to take a deep breath before observing the street around her to check and make sure The ‘victiem’ had not yet arrived. With a satisfied nod to herself she sneaks into the alley and slips behind one of the large creates waiting for the killer to arrive.

After crouching there for about ten minutes, her legs had started to ache and her focus had started to stray slightly. It happened very suddenly, Lord Watson was pushed into the alley a tall man with a long scruffy coat and leather hat pulled low following behind only visible by Dakoda for a millisecond before he stepped out of sight. Taking a deep breath she lifted the whistle to her lips and blew, sounding a loud piercing sound she then steps out of her spit and subconsciously stretches her legs.

“Sir, step away from him,” she orders glaring at them with narrow eyes as a glare of sunlight shines into her eyes from behind them. Cursing the unpredictably inconvenient weather she moves to take a step forward.

“I had hoped you would step down and leave things as they should be”the man sighs, “I'm sorry, Dakoda, but I can not do that,” the mysterious male speaks his voice a smooth and velvety baritone, sends chills down Dakoda’s spine.

“Might I ask why?” Dakoda enquiries placing a hand on her revolver Barroso neutral leaving it in its holster.

“these people have sinned, created monsters' as if they think themselves God's?” He scoffs pulling something out of his pocket “They need to be sent back to the depths of hell which they must surely have come from!” he adds holding the object up to show it was some sort of weapon. To Dakoda, it appeared as a slight blur in the bright sunlight. But as the light finally fades behind smog clouds, she noted it was some sort of amalgamation of a doctor's syringe and gun.

“What is that?” Dakoda cautiously asks hesitantly taking a step closer.

“This device will inject a concoction which will cause Lord Watson's brain to shut down all his organs, one by one. It is a quick and effective poison, he will feel little to no pain and it will look natural,” the man explains turning the device over in his hands. From where she stood she could faintly see a smirk of pride on the man's lips. The rest of his face, however, was hidden under his hat.

“that's horrible… you claim to be… to be killing these people because they are evil because they play God? How is what you are doing any better?” Dakoda replies muttering as she takes a few more hesitant but curiosity fueled steps toward him.

“Hmm, maybe that is so, Perhaps I am just as bad as them,” He shrugs. Tilting his head slightly he smiles.

“that whistle, wouldn't happen to have been to call Scotland yard hear would it?” He asks.

“They are surrounding us, they have orders not to attack yet, not until you try to harm someone,” she admits softly earning a glare from Lord Watson that clearly was supposed to mean something along the lines of -how stupid are you to share that information with him- the man holds the device up to Lord Watson's arm and places his unnaturally still hands over the trigger.

At the same Time, Dakoda effortlessly pulls her revolver out and aims it at the man. Her hands unlike his shook rather violently at the thought of having to actually possibly use the weapon in her grasp.

“If you do that I will call them!” she snaps, the man chuckles.

“go ahead, he will still die, and then my work is done, with him the last of their monstrous and evil ways will die with the pitiful excuse of a man,” He exclaims with a laugh. “All that little call of yours will do is make this all happen all lot faster,” He shrugs. Cursing under her breath she narrows her eyes at him again.

“suppose that what you say is the truth, why have you not yet injected the venom into his bloodstream?” Dakoda enquiries slightly lowering the gun. “Surely if you are this determined to kill this man, my Mear presence should not stop you,” she adds flattering slightly before lowering the weapon altogether and carefully returning it to its holster.

“woman would you shut up! This lunatic has a gun to me and you encourage him!?” Lord Watson shouts with a look of disdain.

“Hush now, let the lady speak her mind, I don't care if it is your life on the line and not hers,” the man laughs. Turning to Dakoda he smirks at her still hidden behind the hat.

“to answer your questions, I have not made a move to end him yet because you are hear, you my sweet dear have already seen far to much death in your life, a young woman should not have to see that and I feel I am in need of apologizing for being the cause of it all. But I did what I had to,” He calmly and softly says. Dakoda raises an eyebrow and then shrugs.

“though it is true I have seen many a death, I doubt you are the cause of all of them.” she hums placing a hand on her hip. “And if you are concerned that I am in the way, do not fret, I do not fear death. If you are to kill me for being in the way so be it, I gladly will accept my fate so long as it saves the lives of my friends,” she murmurs.

“And who might be your friends, My dear? Those servants? That monstrosity? These ‘people?’ ” He scoffs. Pulling the trigger on the device a yellowish liquid is rapidly injected into Lord Watson, the man glares down at his arm wincing at the pinprick of the needle before glaring up at Dakoda.

“You never know when you shut your damn mouth do you?” He whispers

“Are you happy now, my dear, your ‘friend’ is dying, is this what you wanted!?” the man shouts.

Staring wide-eyed at Lord Watson she lets out a shallow breath as she stands frozen with fear and shock.

“I…” Dakoda mumbles trying to wrap her head around all that had just happened.

“I'm sorry,” She whispers tears building up in her eyes. As the man roughly grabs Lord Watson by the arm he shoves him aside into one of the many crates surrounding them.

“If you had just left well enough alone! I never meant for you to even find out I was back! Why could you not just have fallen for the cover-up! Accept that they were suicides!” he shouts with a slight undertone of anger. Tightly gripping the whistle she lifts it to her lips and taking a deep breath she sends Scotland yard the second signal.

The man, who was now packing furiously and mumbling under his breath pauses at the sound and looks up. Now facing away from Dakoda he lets out away slight chuckle.

“It's a shame really, that things had to turn out this way. I wish I could have given you a better life, but I suppose we never had that good of a life to start with,” He whispers softly. Running his hands through his short scruffy brown hair he knocks his hat to the ground. Dakoda observes as his back heaves with each deep breath.

Then he turns to face her. Eyes glistening, a sorrowful and apologetic look painting his soft but well-structured features.

“I'm sorry I let you down, My dearest sister,” he whispers as an attempt at a smile ghosts his face.