The grail of clockwork and death

Chapter III

It had been a week since Scotland yard had first been called to investigate the death of Lord Humphrey, The death which had been labelled by the media as an ‘Unfortunate suicide’ the community lapped it up, the rumours started to spread, the theories of why. It was the talk of the city, upper class and lower class men, women and children all talking in hushed whispers about what had happened. They took the misfortune of the Humphrey household and twisted the good and decent aspects of Lord Humphreys reputation and life into a tainted scandal. Much like Dakoda the Humphreys had resorted to isolation, Dakoda had a growing suspicion it was to avoid embarrassment which had been placed upon them by the reactions of society.

Twisting the cramp out of her wrist Dakoda looks over the last of her Invitations, a pile of the small invite cards and envelopes now were spread over her desktop. She inspects the one which she had only just now completed making sure the deep indigo ink which she had used to scribble the cursive invite would not smudge on the aged handmade card paper, once the ink had fully dried she slides each invite card into an envelope and seals it shut with crimson red wax and her family's crest -a clockwork crow- signing off the back of the individual envelopes with the household name of those which she had decided on inviting.

The Humphreys', the Smiths', the Thompsons', the Damarcus and the Watsons'. Dakoda knew it was an extremely small list but for the moment that was all she was comfortable with inviting.

"Alright, Menachem, you may see to it that You deliver these now," Dakoda sighs gathering the five envelopes, wrapping a red ribbon around them she groans and hands them to the metal maid.

"I am sure it will not be as bad as you are making it out to be, Lady Cipher," Menachem conveys with a small smile,

"Oh maybe I am, maybe I am not, all I know, Menachem, is that I am sure it will be much worse than I am making it out to be, gathering all the people I once was closely acquainted with, who my parents were once close to, into my home, on my birthday, The eve of my parents death day, It is quite possibly the worst idea which that fiance of mine has ever had," Dakoda groans still half laying on her desk. "Speaking of, has he been around yet today? It has gotten quite late and I have not yet heard from him today, it is most unusual for him," She quips raising her head slightly to glance at the maid.

"Negative, Lady Cipher, Lord Damarcus has neither visited nor been in contact since he left early yesterday," Menachem addresses.

"How odd, It is very unlike him, I must take Audrey down to the market, Deliver those invitations and then clean up the garden path," Dakoda orders standing, she pauses as she adjusts her bronze-tan coat a little.

"If Virgil does show up, tell Him that I had Ezekiel to make some apple pie and he may have a slice while he waits for me to return." She adds.

"Affirmative, Lady Cipher." Menachem bows. With a curt nod, Dakoda gives Menachem a smile before swiftly exiting the room.

As she walks down the halls to the main grand entrance her pulse quickens and breathing hitches, thoughts running wild as she imagines all the horrible things that could have happened to her fiance.

"No, Virgil is fine, I must remember that he has his own life outside of visiting me, It is not fair of me to get upset over something as simple as him not showing up for one day," She mutters to herself in assurance, with a deep breath she strolls down the grand staircase and to the excessively large coat rack. Picking up her parasol and cane she turns to the numerous coats of different colours and styles. With a quick browse of the options and a soft scoff, Dakoda turns away from them deciding her bronze-tan coat will be sufficient enough for a trip down to the market.

"AUDREY, Come along now, we mustn't dawdle or the market shall close before we have a chance to even browse," Dakoda calls out, waiting by the door she pulls a delicate silver, gold and bronze pocket watch from the breast pocket of her bodice, clicking it open she checks the time,

"Hmm, your running slow, I shall have to fix that and fire the good for nothing sod that made you, I will have nothing but the best from my company," She utters aloud to herself.

The young maid comes speeding around the corner her uniform bustling around her as she runs.

"I am so very extremely sorry to have kept you waiting, Me Lady, I am such a Useless servant," the young maid whimpers as she slides to a stop in front of Dakoda kneeling down on one knee with her head hung low.

"Please, My Lady, please don't fire me, Your the only person who was willing to hire me," she sobs

"Oh do stand up and quit that reached sobbing, you are far too attractive of a woman to be sobbing so hideously in front of the company of others, I would never dream of firing you, Audrey, you did not have me waiting too long anyhow," Dakoda chuckles, "now come along, we must get moving," she adds.

"Yes, My Lady," Audrey hiccups using the palm of her hand to wipe away the heavy tears, sniffling slightly as she stands and shuffles to Dakota's side.

They walk out the door and to a smaller building just off to the side. The ground around it is littered with bits of hey and there is a slight odour which might be seen as unpleasant to some, Dakoda smiles slightly as she enters the stables. Pulling the large double barn door open she leads the two horses out, the carriage which they drew behind them was only as extravagant as Dakoda thought necessary, with enough eccentric flare to get across that she was an aristocrat but nowhere near as fancy as those of a higher class family would have. The horses -one a pure black Clydesdale and the other a light grey with an appaloosa pattern- whinney as Dakoda lightly pats their soft coats.

"Would you care to have a go at driving the carriage today Audrey?" She enquirers as she double checks that the horses are harnessed properly.

"No, Not today, if that is quite alright, My Lady," The servant girl timidly replies gulping as she stays distant from the large animals.

"If that is your choice, then that is your choice, It does not affect me." Dakoda utters giving the two large horses one last stroke before she opens the door to the carriage and enters it, Audrey not far behind her.

"Should I go find Bartholomew? So he might drive the carriage," Audrey asks.

"No, maybe….. Yes, actually, could you," Dakoda declares with a soft sigh.

The young maid exits the carriage and runs back to the manor. Disappearing out of Dakodas sight. Something rather large swings from the rafters of the barn behind her, momentarily blocking the light from the window causing a shadow to catch Dakodas attention. A slight shiver runs down her spine as she gets a strange feeling of discomfort, brushing it off as her paranoia at being by herself she looks to the horses. Both of which seem to have become rather tense and spooked out by something. The shadow passes again and this time it causes Dakodas blood to run cold. She sits frozen staring at the shadow which passes caused by the swinging object as she realizes why it had initially caused her discomfort.

Taking a deep breath she reaches into her pocket and pulls out her steam gun. Gripping the weapon so tightly that it causes her delicately gloved hands to begin to ache slightly as they tremble with her nerves.

Audrey walks around the corner of the barn door with Dakoda's hired security guard Bartholomew a few feet behind her. With a shaky breath and hand Dakoda beacons for then to come into the carriage. Immediately recognizing the look of nervous paranoia in Dakoda’s actions Bartholomew steps into action. Standing in the doorway of the carriage he assists Audrey before turning to Dakoda,

"Is something amiss, Lady Cipher?" He asks with concern.

"I have reason to believe, that there is an intruder inside the barn." She whispers tensely.

"Might I inquire as to why you think this, My Lady," He demands with a low, quiet voice.

"The barn is an enclosed room, no windows are open at the moment and even had there been one left open there is not even so much as a breeze outside at the moment," Dakoda declares motioning to the shadow with the gun in her hands "So do tell me, how is it that something which was not moving when I entered that barn, Is now swinging freely,"

"Shall I investigate?" Bartholomew questions. Dakoda shakes her head reluctantly clicking the safety switch back on. She slips the gun back into her pocket

"We shall wait and see what happens, make sure that the house is locked up, go warn Ezekiel and Menachem to be on high guard. I shall stop by at Scotland yard on our trip home," she instructs. "They do not know we are aware of their presence yet, best keep it that way least they try and attack," She goes on to explain, with a curt nod Bartholomew shuts the carriage door before he leads the horses to draw the carriage out of the barn and to wait by the front entrance of the house. He quickly disappears inside to follow out his orders and warn the other two servants of the possible danger. He then exits the manor locking the door behind him and walks up to the front of the carriage, getting up into the front seat. After a few moments, the carriage jolts slightly and begins to move. Pulling the black silt curtain across to block her view of outside Dakoda lets out a light Sigh.

______________

Once they had gathered all which they had intended from the market -plus a few additional items which had become last-minute decisions like a new gown for Dakoda and some additional ingredients for Ezekiel- Dakoda began the trek back through the marketplace with Audrey trailing behind holding most of the bags and boxes of purchases. They find their way back to where Bartholomew was waiting with the carriage. With an acknowledging nod as they walk up Dakoda motions behind her to Audrey,

"Help Audrey load all these onto the cartridge and then we shall go to Scotland yard, When we arrive there you two may wait out front while I go in to talk to the Detective inspector," Dakoda instructs Before getting into the carriage.

"Yes, My Lady." Audrey and Bartholomew address in Synchronization. Bartholomew bows down before taking a few of the bags and food and making sure they are secured in the carriage, Audrey assists and secures the dress box in the appropriate spot.

Untiring the horses Bartholomew turns to the young maid.

"Mrs Audrey, shall you be sitting at the front with me or inside the carriage with Lady Cipher," He asks taking the reigns and awaiting her response. Slightly dazed the young maid shakes her head

"I shall say by Me Lady's side," she declares before rushing into the carriage.

Dakoda giving a slight smirk of acknowledgement to the brief conversation and the show of apparent loyalty. The soft sound of the leather reigns hitting the wood of the carriage and the slight lurch as the wheels suddenly start moving lets Dakoda know that they were on their way to Scotland Yard. Not looking forward to the inevitable conversation which she must have with the incompetent detective inspector she slumps back into her seat with a groan.

After what had felt like an eternity in Dakoda's eyes, but would more realistically have been only a few minutes at most the carriage comes to a stop with a slight sudden jolt. Moving the curtain aside Dakoda grimaces slightly.

Taking a deep breathing she breathes out slowly

"You can do this," she whispers to herself in encouragement. Standing she makes her way out of the carriage and stands on the metal, man-made, pavement of the city's streets. Her heels only just large enough to not accidentally slip through the grates

She takes another deep breath and walks through the large rusted iron gates.

Approaching the door she thrusts her arm up and shoves the door open. Entering the previously silent building with an obnoxious flare as the door slams open hitting the wall with a loud crash.

"WHERE IS DETECTIVE INSPECTOR KEELAND!" Dakoda shouts her eyes narrow and a scowl gracing her facial features.

The young man behind the main desk sighs and narrows his eyes.

"Ma'am I must ask you what your troubles are, and please do refrain from slamming the door again." He addresses with a soft-spoken voice. One which would be better suited for a man in a library.

"I am Countess Dakoda Cipher and you shall address me as such! Now answer me you obtuse fool! Where is Detective Inspector Reginald Keeland!" Dakoda hisses grinding her teeth together ever so slightly as her cheeks start to heat up.

'If you wish to speak with Inspector Keeland Mrs Cipher, you will have to wait for him to be free to speak with you" the man speaks.

"That is Lady Cipher! You numpty peasant! Now I demand you take me to Keeland!" She sneers stomping up to the desk and leaning over it ever so slightly so her hands were pressed firmly against the wooden desk.

"Lady Cipher, I must ask that you step back," the officer beside the young man snaps harshly

"take me to Detective Inspector Keeland, officer Malone, it is of the utmost urgency!" She snaps back glaring at the man.

"Not until you calm yourself down woman!" Malone grunts.

"take me to see Inspector Keeland! Now!" she yells slamming her hands down onto the desktop. Accidentally hitting the blade of a pair of stray scissors as she did so. Ignoring the numbing pain as blood flows from her wound she stares at officer Malone.

"Christ, woman, you're insane!" He shouts standing abruptly causing his desk chair to topple backwards.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ALL THIS BLASTED YELLING!" A rough and stern voice calls out. Lifting her head Dakoda glares at the doorway behind the desk. A relatively tall man with white hair, red piercing eyes -framed by bronze spectacles- and a proud stance stares back at her.

"Detective Inspector Reginald Keeland, how nice of you to finally grace me with your pathetic lowly presence!" Dakoda spits out harshly lifting her still rapidly bleeding hand up off the desk. With a soft sigh, she turns to the young officer who she had never yet meet.

"I apologize for my behaviour and for the mess, if you shall be needing any assistance cleaning it up Bartholomew will be more then willing to help you, he just waits outside with my carriage," she mutters to the young officer. Before turning and glaring and the Malone once more.

"And as for you, you incompetent old fool, you're just as unbearable as the last time we had the misfortune of speaking," She huffs before storming past to Keeland. He sighs and steps aside.

"We can talk in my office, officer Langdon, please bring me the medical kit," Keeland instructs. The young officer salutes and stands as Dakoda stomps past Keeland into the decently sized office. The room was nowhere near as large or well furnished as her study was but it had an odd feeling of comfort to it.

"Why have you come rampaging into Scotland yard today, Lady Dakoda Cipher," Keeland grunts as he sits behind the desk.

"I have reason to believe that my manor has been or has intended to have been, infiltrated by an intruder, at this point in time the intentions are unknown," Dakoda says sitting opposite him clutching her hand and frowning down at her now soiled gown.

"shame, I rather liked this gown, the red rather suits me," she sighs as officer Langdon enters handing a small medical kit to Keeland.

"Alright come a little closer, explain in more detail the reason behind this suspicion," Inspector Keeland demands as he sorts through the small box of medical supplies

"Thank you for the medical aid, Mister Langdon, would you be Please to bring me a form to fill out for a suspected missing person?" Dakoda addresses. The young official looks to the inspector who nods to indicate that he should do as asked. He leaves the room closing the door behind him.

"OK so now I really do need an explanation, Lady Cipher. I understand that you do not enjoy associating with us after the unfortunate outcome of what happened with your parents, But to storm in hear nearly three years after our last encounter and demanding that someone has intruded your home and that someone has gone missing?" Detective Inspector Keeland sighs

"Just as I was preparing to leave to go to the marketplace, my maid Audrey returned to the manor to retrieve Bartholomew, while I was waiting in the carriage still in the barn, something up in the rafters knocked something hanging from the rafters causing it to swing." Dakoda hisses grimacing as the pain of the cut on her palm starts to set in.

"Alright, and this warrants suspicion for an intruder? And who might the missing person report for?" He asks as the door to the office clicks open and officer Langdon walks in, hands Keeland the paperwork for the missing person and leaves.

"The barn is enclosed and all windows were shut, It takes force to cause something of a significant size such as that to swing and as for the missing person, You remember my fiance, Earl Virgil Damarcus? He has not been seen by me or any of my servants since early yesterday morning and it is most unusual for him to not come by and visit me during breakfast or dinner, while I am least busy with the paperwork for my business," Dakoda explains quietly. Keeland finishes wrapping a bandage around her hand tightly and looks her in the eye.

"So it has only been less than a day," He asks.

"Look I understand that it is not that long but I also know my fiance, Inspector Keeland, I…. I know you think I am off my rockers, sometimes I do as well… but I am truly worried about him, he understands how my mind works and how frail it can be… If he could not make it for some reason then he would have sent a servant to inform me." She sighs softly fiddling with the ring on her finger.

"I will check for any possible intruders on the property, but unfortunately, Lady Cipher, we can not officially start looking for Lord Damarcus until two days have passed, if he does not show up before then feel free to return but until then we can not follow through with any procedures," Keeland hums

"Thank you, for fixing up my injury, and attempting to reassure me. This does not mean I am any less angry at you for the murder investigation of my parents but I am slightly grateful for your help, Detective Keeland," Dakoda addresses as she stands.

"I will Admit, Lady Cipher, I would have expected no less from a woman of your stature," Inspector Keeland smirks flirtatiously as he stands, his eyes trailing over her

"I shall wait In My carriage, just let Bartholomew know when you are ready to leave and we shall be on our way back to my manor." Dakoda sneers "I expect your inappropriate behaviour to improve before then, you filthy scoundrel!" She sneers turning with a stomp of her foot and storms out of the office, glaring at the two officers behind the desk with narrow eyes and she scrunches up her nose slightly.

"Filthy pigs," She mutters under her breath at them as she stomps past the desk and out the door making sure to slam it as roughly as she possibly could, walking up to the carriage she snaps her attention to Bartholomew,

"That good for nothing, useless, filthy pig of a man! Will be out heard soon, As soon as he tells you we can leave, We are leaving!" Dakoda growls before climbing into the carriage and slamming the door behind her. Shuffling aside and gulping Audrey bites her lip.

"Is everything alright, My Lady?" The young servant asks, Dakoda replies with a harsh nod and a scowl

"Everything is absolutely dandy, whatever would make you think otherwise!" She growls glaring at the seat opposite her with pure unrelenting hatred.

"Yes, of course, I am sorry, My Lady,” Audrey squeaks looking down into her lap as her shoulders tense up. The carriage door clicks open and the detective inspector steps in.

"What in heaven's name do you think you are doing!" Dakoda snaps at him as he sits down opposite her and Audrey. With a smirk, he pushes the brass-rimmed spectacles up his nose.

"Well If there truly is an intruder at your estate then it would be best to catch them off guard, returning to your home with Scotland yard in tow is not exactly inconspicuous now, is it?" Keeland quips as he looks Dakoda up and down.

"You filthy mutt! You just wanted an excuse to ride in the same carriage as me!" Dakoda hisses her eye twitching with a venomous annoyance Keeland glares at her

"It is rather unbecoming to speak so rudely to a man, women should learn their place," He asserts. With her hands balled into tight fists -her long and pristinely kept nails digging into her frail flesh- Dakoda glares at him,

"And to have a low servant riding in the same carriage as their master? That is rather inappropriate is it not, servants should be seated out at the front of the carriage, driving the beasts that pull it," Inspector Keeland smirks. Dakoda leans forward in her seat and slaps him roughly on the cheek with the back of her un-injured hand

"I did not come to you so you may Insult my Servants and my way of life! I have willingly returned, you incompetent fool, for assistance in keeping my estate and all people on it safe from any possible danger! Stop being so bloody ignorant for once in your pitiful life and pay attention to what you have been asked to do and not what you think must be changed!" She screams before falling back down into the seat as the carriage hits a bump in the road.

"Audrey is inside the carriage as for today Menachem is busy with other preparations, that makes Audrey my personal maid for the day and as such she has been assisting me with shopping, this means I have allowed her the privilege of sitting with me. And as for beast, I know not of what you mean. Just because my carriage is not a mechanical contraption doe that means that it is run by beasts? For I must say that judgement is rather crude indeed Inspector, My horses are that of only the finest of breeds, To my eyes at least and for me that is all that matters,” Dakoda addresses. Her nose turned up at the man and her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"If I might speak, My Lady?" Audrey mutters quietly, her head down, back straight and posture overly rigid and tense.

"Go ahead Audrey, say what is on your mind, loud and clear," Dakoda says smirking at Keeland with narrow eyes which just begged him to object to Audrey being granted speech. Audrey looks up at him and with narrow eyes scowls.

"I will accept You addressing me as a servant, But if You ever dare to speak so low of My Lady again…" She spits out only to be cut off by Dakoda raising her hand.

"Quite enough Audrey, I appreciate your loyalty and that you would stand out so boldly but do not get yourself arrested for the sake of sticking up for me, I am not worth it," Dakoda says. "We have arrived, detective inspector, so tell me, Now that you are at my estate, How do you plan on returning to Scotland Yard? With or without his heathen which has trespassed onto my property you did not bring any form of transport for yourself and I am terribly afraid I cannot provide any for you either," Dakoda smirks as she brushes her hands down her skirts flinching as the movement causes pain in her injured hand.

"I will admit I did assume I would borrow your carriage and driver to return back to Scotland yard, But I see you have other plans, Is this some sort of odd way of you inviting me into your home?" He quips with a sly grin. Dakoda narrows her eyes

"Am I needing to slap you again Inspector, Perhaps I shall have Audrey do it for me, I should not want to further injure my hand after all," She growls

"Tsk, tsk, Now it would truly be a shame if I had to arrest you for threatening an officer with a physical offence, Dakoda, what would happen to the business which you have put all your time, effort and money into? What will happen to your house, your servants? Your family?" Keeland says leaning forward in a feeble attempt to intimidate Dakoda.

"You know what, I think I would rather face my chances with this damned intruder then Have any further conversations with you, Come now Audrey, Make sure to tell Bartholomew he may let the horses graze out in the fields while you empty the carriage of groceries, You, Detective, may search the property for the intruder, If you wish to pass on your findings to me I shall be either in my study, Or out in the gardens." Dakoda declares as the carriage comes to a stop and she exits, walking into the manor to change out of the now tarnished and essentially ruined vermilion dress.