Subj: Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise V
Date: 5/19/99 9:51:11 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Mysterious Millicent
Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise V
The figure moving through the woods although bent
over walked with amazing speed. Long grey hair blew in the wind and the tattered
black cape billowed somewhat as the figure moved forward. Once, the figure stopped
to look about and sniff the wind, then continued moving forward. It wasn't long
before ghostly looking figure came to a rather small structure near
the old mill. Tall weeds and shrubs had grown up around the structure, except
those that had been cleared away near the entrance. The mysterious figure stopped
again at the entrance to look around and then as quickly as the apparation it
resembled, was gone inside the structure.
After taking a few steps forward inside the structure, the old figure came to some stairs. Down, the figure went, slowly and painfully. At the bottom was a fairly large room that was lit up with several candles. It was set with lavish furniture of expensive taste. There was a large tapestry on one wall, and a beautiful, large mirror on another wall. The setee was very beautiful, of soft velvet material and there were two chairs that matched it. An old desk was at another end of the room ladened with large books.
The old figure moved into the room and started toward the desk. From another doorway another figure watched in silence. He was of average height, and somewhat overweight, with silver grey hair that curled around his face, as did his beard. He appeared to be around 60 years old and there was nothing remarkable about him, save his glasses. They were rounded and extremely thick. One would conclude that his eyesight was very poor, bordering on near blindness. The man stood there, smoking a cigar and watching the figure moving in the main room with a great deal of interest.
The figure in black suddenly stopped and straightened as best it could. Then turned quickly to look towards the doorway. Slowly pulling the cape off the face the figure stood facing the man in the doorway. "So Petofi, we meet again."
The man in the doorway stepped into the room and bowing slightly smiled. "Yes it seems so."
The old woman began to remove her cloak and laid it down on one of the chairs. "Your taste in furniture is exquisite. I am impressed."
"Thank you, my dear. I have always had a fondness for richness. It shows one has money and power, don't you think?" Petofi said as he walked over to the cabinet that held a decanter of brandy. "And to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
The old woman looked intently at the man who now had his back towards her. How she loathed this man. He had been a thorn in her side for many, many years. And for some reason she just couldn't seem to get rid of him. "I saw your little plaything, Aristede tonight."
Petofi turned slightly to face the woman and said, "Do you like him? I find him rather plain really and of little value, but he does serve my purposes now and then."
The old woman moved closer to Petofi. "You are interfering in my plans Petofi. Leave Collinwood or you will regret it, I promise you."
"Are you threatening me, my dear? I would have thought you to be much wiser than that. You know that I only leave when I chose to, and that nothing you say will change my plans."
With this, the old woman's eyebrows dipped in a frown. "What plans? What are you up to?"
"I should think by now you would cease to ask such questions of me. We have been opposing each other for some time now. And you have never been able to stop me. I will not tell you what my plans are and I will not be threatened."
The old woman lips began to curve in a slight smile. "If only we had met under better circumstances, I might have considered you to be a worthy opponent. But as it is, you are only in my way." She walked back to the chair and picking up her cloak put it on and started towards the stairs.
"You have not told me what you wanted of me?" Petofi said as he watched the old woman putting on her cloak. "I must say the suspense is really quite annoying." And with that he chuckled.
The old woman took two steps up and then holding onto the bannister leaned over towards her old nemesis. "I warn you Petofi! Keep out of my business, and leave Quentin Collins alone."
Petofi laughed loudly in a burst of sudden humor. "Oh my dear, Lady Greystone! You are mistaken if you think I will leave Quentin Collins alone. He is of the utmost importance to my plans. And I will not be threatened!"
The old woman again smiled and said, "Oh but we are good at this game, are we not? And remember Petofi, it is I not you that have the power. Gypsies can be summoned quickly at any moment. So if you value your life, not to mention the retrieval of your hand, you had best listen to my warning! Goodbye." And the old woman ascended the stairs and was soon gone.
Petofi stood at the center of the room, trembling with rage and fear. The glass in his hand was thrown across the room. "That fool Aristede! He has been careless again. This time, I must destroy her if I wish for my plans to go forward. Tonight!"
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The front door of Collinwood.....
Beth and Aristede had come to the door of Collinwood. Beth looked up at Aristede and slowly smiled. "Thank you for helping me tonight. I will not forget what you did."
Aristede smiled back at Beth and said, "It was my pleasure." He moved a hand towards Beth's face and caressed it slowly. "You are very beautiful, Beth Chavez." Then he moved his hand away quickly and his face grew serious. "I must warn you again. Be careful what you do. And stay away from that old woman. She will harm you and the one you are trying to protect! Don't forget that I have warned you!" And turning suddenly, he was gone as quickly as he had appeared. Beth stared into the night. She had been very rattled by what had happened. Aristede had at first seemed so arrogant and rude, and yet now showed a certain tenderness that had touched her heart.
A troubled Beth, entered Collinwood and went upstairs
quickly to Quentin's room to see if he had gotten out of the house before the
transformation. Upon entering the room, she breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing
was touched. He had managed to get away before the werewolf had emerged. She
walked about the room when her eyes came upon the parchment lying on the
desk. Curious, she picked it up and removed the ribbon and unrolled the paper,
and began to read. In large bold letters at the top it read:
THE ROMANO TRIBE OF MASSACHUSETTS
DECLARATION OF PRICE AND BOND FOR SERVICES RENDERED TO ONE COUNT ANDRES PETOFI.......................