Subj: Together We Stand 8
Date: 7/10/00 1:23:11 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Julianka
The morning of Petoffi's arrival, there was much bustle of activity. After much discussion, it had been decided that Maggie and Joe would take David and Hallie to Boston for the weekend. Joe and the children just thought the trip was for fun. See the zoo, visit some museums, and take in a movie. Elizabeth reassured Maggie yet again that everything would be fine. "Maggie, you'll be much more help removing the children from the house. Think positive thoughts, and enjoy yourself."
"I'll try; -Mrs. Stokes," Maggie said with a smile. "And I'll pray for you, all of you," she said seriously.
Mrs. Johnson had left an hour before to catch an early
bus to Bangor. Elizabeth had persuaded her to take a couple of days off to visit
her niece. As the day wore on, nerves were verging on the breaking point. When
Barnabas arrived at 5:00, Elizabeth said, "I have decided to serve dinner early.
Maybe it
will calm us."
"What are we having Liz, I'm starved," Roger asked, picking up his napkin.
"I thought that we would have something hearty to fortify us. I prepared Beef Stew and buttermilk biscuits. Carolyn made the salad," Liz smiled at her daughter.
Two hours later, Collinwood appeared to be serene. Roger, Liz, and Carolyn were spending a quiet evening in the drawing room as they had passed so many others. When a knock sounded at the front door, Carolyn jumped. "Calm down dear. Think of something else," Liz cautioned her daughter.
Roger answered the door, as agreed earlier. "May I help you?" he inquired of a rather stout gentleman. 'This is a strange bird if I have ever seen one,' thought Roger, with tight-curled hair and coke-bottled lenses he appeared to be harmless.
"Yes, my good man. I am Victor Fingibbons. I have traveled far to visit Elizabeth Stoddard. Might I inquire if she is at home?" Petoffi asked.
"Please come in. My sister is in the drawing room. May I take your coat," Roger offered.
"Thank-you. What a magnificent clock! Collinwood is everything that I thought it would be," exclaimed Petoffi.
"So glad that you like it, come this way Victor. May I call you Victor?" said Roger gesturing to the drawing room.
"I would be insulted if you didn't my boy," Petoffi replied joining him.
"Elizabeth, Carolyn, this is Count Andreas Petoffi!" Roger shouted loudly.
Suddenly, Petoffi was surrounded on all sides. For Barnabas and Quentin had been concealed behind the window drapes. Chris and Julia had been hiding behind the secret panel. When Roger shouted, everyone emerged and formed a circle around Petoffi. All but Chris, who stood to the side watching intently. With tightly clasped hands, they formed a barrier around Petoffi. "What is this?! How dare you?! Release me AT ONCE!" he demanded.
Eliot began calling to Alexandry. "Alexandry Romanoff, appear to us. The time has come. Avenge yourself on this black- hearted villian!"
Recognizing the name of Alexandry Romanoff put Petoffi in a whining panic, "I must be released," he cried, raising his dread hand.
Alexandry Romanoff appeared at that moment. Seizing Petoffi's wrist, he summoned King Johnny, Julianka, Magda, and Jenny to come forth. As each spirit appeared, they too grasped Petoffi, holding his arms out to the side.
Alexandry commanded, "Chris Jennings, fulfill your destiny!"
Chris entered the circle, ducking under Quentin and
Julia's hands. Stiffly at his side, he held the golden scimitar. Watching the
shining scimitar raise over his head, Petoffi sobbed, "Please, please, not my
hand!
Anything but that!"
With a quick downward slice, Chris severed Petoffi's hand from his wrist. King Johnny Romano extracted the scimitar from Chris's nerveless fingers. "Petoffi, look at me. Do you remember King Johnny?" he commanded.
"Yes, I know you, you cursed gypsy!" Petoffi spat, whimpering.
So saying, he lifted the scimitar high, and with a mighty swing amputated Petoffi's head. As the head and body fell to the floor, the exposed skin immediately began to show signs of the vestiges of time. Time that Petoffi's power had held at bay. With that power gone, time caught up with Petoffi, and with a vengeance. Hundreds of tiny wriinkles traced across the graying skin. The body caved in; leaving the clothes eerily still inflated. The body then turned to a fine dust, as the clothes finall deflated. Eliot exhaled and realized that he hadn't been the only one holding his breath. As he drew breath to speak, Julianka, Magda, and Jenny stepped toward Quentin and Chris. Magda spoke first, "Quentin, I started all of this tragedy with the curse I placed upon you."
"No Magda, I am as accountable as you. I killed Jenny. I should have been her protector, not her murderer!" Quentin lamented, hanging his head.
Jenny responded, "Yes, Quentin, you are at fault. Just as I am. We all bear the onus of guilt. We all made mistakes."
"Even I, Julianka, bear guilt for I killed innocents with my curse against Magda. We have all paid for our sins. You have paid your debt Quentin. I, Julianka, with the help of Magda, will remove the curse from you and all of your descendants!" She intoned, "Let all living and dead bear witness. He who was cursed will be cleansed of the shadow of the wolf!" Laying the hand of Count Petoffi on Quentin's chest, she chanted, "The penalty has been paid. Walk free, Quentin Collins."
"Now drink this quickly Quentin," Magda commanded.
A golden goblet appeared in Magda's hand. Jewels sparkled
in the candlelight as Quentin drained the last drop. Shudders rapidly passed
through both Quentin and Chris. "It's leaving me! I feel . . . I feel liberated!
Chris, Chris do you feel it?!" Quentin rejoiced.
"I feel it! I feel it!" Chris gleefully crowed. "I'm FREE!"
All eyes had been focused on Quentin and Chris. Now, as Quentin turned, saying, "Thank-you, thank-- Where did they go?"
The spirits had faded in the wink of an eye.
To be Continued . . .