Subj: Together We Stand chapter2
Date: 7/10/00 1:16:16 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Julianka
The door to the Old House opened almost before he knocked.
"I have been most anxious to see you Professor." Barnabas stated.
"Yes Barnabas, Julia said you had found some letters for me to see." Eliot replied.
"More than letters, Professor. I have other guests who have much to tell you!"
Eliot turned to see Quentin standing by the columned archway.
"Please Professor, won't you come in and sit down?" Quentin invited. "I have need of your advise."
As they moved into the next room, Eliot saw another man standing with his hands on the mantel,staring into the flames of the fireplace. As the man turned,he recognized Chris Jennings. Everyone took a seat. Quentin cleared his throat, stood back up and set down again. Coming back to his feet,he said, "I find it difficult to begin Professor."
"Shall I help you then, Quentin? How was the werewolf curse first laid upon you?"asked Eliot.
Startled gasps came from every throat.
"Eliot, how did you know?" Julia queried.
"You forget the many times I have helped you search Collinwood. Once, quite accidentally, I came across a portrait of a wolf dressed as a man. The plaque read, Quentin Collins. I assumed the portrait absorbed the curse from him. As I have been with Quentin during full moons and he did not transform."
Barnabas asked, "You have known as long as that and yet,you never spoke of it?"
"I knew that eventually you would trust me enough to tell me your secrets, though I must admit,it wasn't easy to hold my own counsel. Why, at times I thought I would have to speak, but I just kept gathering clues, hoping that the more you came to know me, that you would trust me enough to unburden yourselves."
"Quentin, sit down and start at the beginning." Julia ever the caretaker, said as she poured brandy for him.
Quentin told of meeting and marrying Jenny. Several times Barnabas or Julia had to take over, telling Eliot where they had come in. He already knew of their time travel through the I-Ching Wands. Barnabas stated, "That brings us to the present situation Eliot."
Chris hadn't said a word since Eliot had come in. Now he spoke up. "I guess that's where I come in Professor. Two nights ago, I had a visitor. First, I think you should know that Quentin and I bought a cabin in the woods north of Collinwood. The man who owned it before had been sure that even if the bombs didn't fly during the Bay of Pigs, that eventually they would. The bomb shelter he built behind the cabin is set deep in the earth. Over this, there is a small shed to disquise the door to the shelter. We rigged the door to be locked from the outside, in order to contain me when I transform into the animal. So far, the wolf hasn't escaped."
Quentin added, "I'm sure he never will Chris. I would do anything so you wouldn't have to suffer the curse again!"
"I know you would Quentin. Just as you I don't blame you." Chris consuled.
Eliot reminded Chris, "You spoke of a visitor."
"Yes Professor," Chris replied, "I guess if you believe everything we have told you so far, you won't have any trouble with this."
Chris went on to tell Eliot that two nights ago, after Quentin had in the bomb shelter. As he sat waiting for the pains to start, a white mist began to form in front of his startled eyes. When the mist was so dense he could no longer see through it, a man stepped out of it.
"Who are you? What are you doing here? You've got to leave!" Chris cried out to the man.
"Do not be concerned for me Christopher Jennings, great-grandson of Jenny Rakosi Collins, late of the Romano Tribe! My name is Alexandry Romanoff, the latest to hold the power,but not the last! I come to pass the scimitar and that power on to you! Count Andreas Petoffi still lives, still persecutes my gypies! Killing us, hoping to wipe us out, for we are the only ones who can destroy him!!"
"I can't hunt this man you speak of, for I am cursed!" Chris blurted.
"Yes, you can, for he is returning to this area before the next moon is full. Christopher Jennings,I know you search for a cure. I say to you, destroy Petoffi and you will no longer be afraid of the moon! You will be free! Fail and you DIE! But not just you. Remember, your sister Amy is also part gypsy and therefor Petoffi's enemy."
Just then the pains started. When I came to the next morning, I found the golden scimitar and in that moment the memory of Alexandry Romanoff came back to me." So that's all I know Professor. Can you help me at all?"
" Where is the scimitar, Chris?" Eliot asked.
Barnabas rose and crossed the room to the bookcase. Removing several volumes,he explained, "We felt it best to keep the scimitar concealed."
"A good thought Barnabas. After I examine it, I would advise a more secure hiding place." suggested Eliot. Eliot commented as Barnabas placed the scimitar in his hands, "MY WORD!! This is a most extraordinary weapon! Fantastic! Look at the blade, it is almost pritine. And the hilt, these jewels don't seem to be set as they are simply for aesthetic purposes. They appear to have mystic significance. I would say that this weapon is extremely old." Eliot sat, looking at the faces turned toward him.
"You have given me to think about. I must have time to ponder the facts before I advise you." Eliot stated as he came to his feet. "Now I must go, for I have much to think over."
"Good Evening Eliot," Barnabas said, taking Eliot to the door.
"Thank-you Eliot." Julia said as she followed them to the door.
"Yes,Professor, Thank-you!" Quentin spoke up.
"Don't thank me yet. I have not said I would be able to solve this dilemma, only that I would try." Looking back at Chris he said, "Don't despair yet, Chris, I have the kernal of an idea."
"Shall I walk with you Professor?" Barnabas asked.
"No. I need to be alone. Good-night all."