Black

LET’S HAVE HER SETTLE IN THE VILLAGE. Arrives by a wagon, visits, returns. Keyholder not to know.

Rolling along the black road, Kate Oneal approached the black door in the endless black wall. The door would open for her: all doors here would. Yes, she was injured, and had been absent for years. Nonetheless, Kate’s power here was still strong. Perhaps, finally, strong enough. It was time to find out.

As she neared the door, it opened, as she knew it must. “Welcome, Miss,” said the bent grey-clad man within. “Thank you, Joris,” Kate said. “Is the Keyholder present?”

“No, Miss. No doubt he will return soon enough. Meanwhile, you also hold a Key, so please let me make you comfortable. Should I prepare your usual room …”. Joris’s voice faltered as he took in Kate’s wheelchair.

Kate laughed. “I think something on the ground floor might be best, if you please, Joris. Near the library, where perhaps you could bring me a little refreshment at your convenience.”

“Of course, Miss. At once.”

Kate turned to the left and was soon at the library. As usual, the skylights admitted a golden light entirely unlike the dark and threatening skies that had hung closely over the dark road. The library was everywhere dark wood, leather-topped tables, with long padded backless benches. Scattered around the room were smaller tables with comfortable chairs beside them.

Kate found her favorite old chair and transferred into it. The book she wanted was on the side table, of course, and she opened it to read. A ray of brighter light shone on the book from above.

Soon Joris entered, pushing a small cart laden with food and drink. He placed it before her. “Will there be anything else, Miss?”

“I regret not mentioning it before, Joris. I feel the need of my blades in this place. Would you please go to my room and fetch them? They’ll be in my dresser. The room door and dresser will open for you now.”

Shortly, Joris returned and laid Kate’s blades by her side. The Twins, Hawk, and Kismet. Kate pushed up her sleeves and strapped a Twin to each forearm. The small hawksbill, already on a golden chain, she put around her neck and let fall between her breasts. Kismet, the final blade, about a half-meter in length, would normally have hung from her waist. With Kate permanently seated, that was not to be. Kismet would have to wait for placement.

Joris stood, waiting to be dismissed. Kate smiled. “Thank you Joris, two more things, if you please?”

“For you, Miss Kate, two or two thousand.”

“You are a treasure, Joris, and a true friend. Tomorrow morning, please have Anna bring some of my clothing, and three small bolts of silk to my new downstairs room, red, black, and silver. And for now, sit with me a bit, please. I would have an update, if you are willing.”

“Of course. I will tell you what I can. Of some things, as you know, I cannot speak.” Joris pulled up a short footstool and sat before Kate. “May I ask …”

Kate smiled, and gestured toward her still legs. “This? An accident, or so it was made to seem. My spouse and I were struck by a vehicle that seemed to do much more damage than was possible. I was hurt. As a mortal, he did not survive.”

“I am truly sorry, little Miss. I know you loved him, and he you.”

“It is true, Joris, and that is why I have made the journey home when I felt ready. I will learn the truth, and if it is as I believe, there will be a reckoning. Now tell me. How goes the homestead, and the land?”

Joris said, “It is not well. There is something evil on the land. Animals disappear, or are found in the morning torn apart. Sometimes a horse or cow will find its way home with a terrible wound. They never survive.

“Doors are locked at night, as they never were before. And yet, on some mornings, a single man, or a widow, will not be seen. One time, at least, a couple was missed. When the missing’s houses are entered, always by breaking down the still-locked door, there is blood everywhere but no body, no body at all.”

Kate held up her hand. “Where is the Keyholder during all this? Has he done nothing?”

Joris lowered his head. “Nothing, and some say worse than nothing. He is seen in the day, never at night, by the townspeople, nor even by the staff here.”

“Is he here at night, or out and about?”

“He goes to his room as always, Miss Kate, and is never seen until morning. There is never a sound from his room, nor does he ever take a companion from the village as was his habit before. In the morning, he seems full of energy, and often full of anger. He may take a bite of breakfast and then often goes out. Occasionally he returns with some money, enough for the staff to keep the household running. Where he gets it, I do not know for sure. In the town, none will speak to us more than they must. One day, as she paid for our groceries, Anna heard the storekeeper mutter ‘Look, he returns our own coin to us. How kind he is.’”

Kate frowned. “He is taxing the people? Extorting from them under threat? That is not our way. We were put here to protect the people, not to exploit them. And what of the animals and missing people? What can that be about?”

Joris seemed to be trying to speak. Finally, “I cannot say, little Miss. Literally I cannot.”

“Let me guess. You cannot speak ill of the Keyholder. Are you under any other constraints?”

“Yes, Miss. No, Miss, only that one.”

“But then riddle me this, Joris. Does he beat or otherwise punish the staff?”

“No, Miss”

Kate smiled. “There’s nothing I enjoy more than a poorly crafted enchantment. Has his appetite been good?”

“No, Miss, he seldom takes much sustenance here.”

“Perhaps he dines at the inn. Do you know?”

“I visit weekly, to pay the household’s tab. He has the occasional drink, no more, little Miss.”

“Well then. Perhaps he pays in cash?”

“I confess I have asked, most casually, whether that was the case. The innkeeper assured me it was not.”

“Do you think he has anything to do with the evils of the night?”

Joris was silent.

Kate smiled. “This was too easy. I didn’t even have to ask questions about what you would have said had I opened door number two and behind it we found a goat. I could improvise a more effective geas in my sleep.”

“Miss, your skills have always been unparalleled.”

“My parents taught me well, Joris, as did you and the Master of Arms. What of Kendrick, by the way? Is he well? I may need to refresh my skills, and, frankly, develop some new ones suited to my new situation. Seated, I mean.” Kate smiled.

“Kendrick left the household, Miss Kate, and now operates an arms shop in the village. He still does some training, when there is demand. He and I meet at the tavern sometimes, and talk about old times. We miss you, to be frank.”

“I miss being here, in many ways, though my place now may be in the other world. I shall abide here for a bit, however. It seems that I may have stayed away too long. Some improvements may be called for.”

“Miss Kate, you are brave, but do not do anything unwise. The Keyholder is strong and would be a formidable foe to anyone, even …”

“Joris, I trust that my skills in the Arts have not all left me, and I’ll be refreshing them. Besides, my style is not one of confrontation. In any case, the situation needs to be explored, and improved if possible.

“Leave me to my reading now, if you will. Tell Anna that I’ll be grateful for a bit of morning help at six, and a bit of breakfast at seven, please, and please think about transportation to the village. I’m not fit to sit a horse these days. Something simple, with wheels, and room for my own. And a driver, I think. If he were good with a blade, that would be best.

“Oh, and if the Keyholder were not apprised of my presence here, that would be ideal.”

“I shall see to it, Miss Kate. Good night, and welcome.”