Subj: Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise VI
Date: 5/19/99 8:57:44 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Mysterious Millicent
Quentin's Thoughts and Barnabas' Demise VI
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 ANDREAS PETOFI...
Written on this paper, be the bargain of the cure of werewolf, and payment thereof, in the taking of the hand of Count Andre Petofi, thus removing the curse for all time.
Be it known, that the hand is the property of the Romano Tribe, not to be used, stolen, or destroyed without gracious permission of the King.
Sealed in blood this day, April 22, 1785."
The paper was signed by Stefano Romano, King of the Romano Tribe, Marta Julianka remover of curse, and Count Andre Petofi.
Beth stared at the parchment. What was Quentin doing with this? And where did it come from? Who was this Count Petofi? Was this the mysterious hand that everyone was always talking about in town?
Not sure what to do, she stared at the paper. Beth was unaware she was not alone in the room. As she was staring at the parchment, a figure stood near the fireplace watching her. Beth stiffened and knew someone was looking at her and she turned around. The other woman smiled at her and she looked familiar, but Beth couldn't place her. "Who are you? How did you get into this room?"
The other woman walked slowly over to Beth and said, "I am a good friend of Quentin's. I've come to help him........ and you."
Beth was now confused. But there was something about this woman that made her want to trust her. "You've come to help us? How?"
"Come to the fire and I will show you." the other woman beckoned Beth. And she walked over to the fireplace. Once there the other woman bade Beth to look into the flames. "See the fire. Look closely, Beth and you will see what must be done."
Beth stared into the fire, she was mesmerized by the flames, leaping up high into the air, and then falling down into the glowing embers. Only to be caught again, by the current, that drove them even higher into the air. Falling down, the flames split apart and burst into many colors before fading from sight and then grew brilliant as they rose again, high into the sky.
Angelique stood behind Beth and began to speak in a voice of authority. "Beth Chavez you will hear only my voice. Do you understand?"
As if in a trance, Beth replied, "Yes, I understand."
"You will take the vial of liquid you got today and throw it into the fire."
Beth hesitated.
Angelique's voice grew stronger. "Throw the potion into the fire. Do as I say, do you hear me?"
Beth took the vial from her pocket and looked at it for a moment and then tossed it into the fire.
"Now the paper with the chant on it. Throw that into the fire as well." Angelique watched closely to see that Beth responded.
Again Beth put her hand into her pocket and retrieved the piece of paper with the writing Lady Greystone had given her and threw it into the fire as well. The flames changed colors and began to paint beautiful pictures as the potion was mixed with the embers and the paper was consumed.
Smiling, Angelique said softly. "Good. You have done well, Beth. And now, you will leave this room, and go to your own room. You will wait for Quentin to return, and you will comfort him as best you can. Do you understand?"
Beth, still gazing into the flames responded, "I understand."
Angelique continued, "And you will forget coming into this room and seeing the parchment paper on the desk. Is that clear?"
Beth nodded her head. "Yes."
"Go now, to your room and wait for Quentin's return."
Beth walked slowly out of the room. Angelique looked down at the fire. Good. The potion from Lady Greystone had been destroyed, and the chant with it. Now she would have to deal with Petofi. She made sure the parchment was again rolled up and tied with the ribbon for Quentin to see, and placed on his desk. Then she looked about to see that everything was in order, before she disappeared from sight.
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Petofi's place, near the mill.....
Count Petofi paced back and forth in the room. {Where is Aristede? Why has he taken so long to take care of that errand? And how did he let Lady Greystone catch sight of him!}
He continued to pace, stopping for a moment to pick up one of the books on the desk and then slamming it back down. He turned around and started across to the other side of the room and then suddenly stopped. He stiffened for a brief moment as if listening. A small smile crossed his lips and he slowly walked over to the desk, and again picked up one of the books and opened it pretending to read.
From upstairs a door opened and then shut. The sound of youthful feet was heard and then down the stairs. Aristede had returned to his master. He bounded up to Petofi and bowed low. "I have returned Excellency!"
Petofi did not turn around but pretended to continue with his reading, but replied to his youthful slave. "So I see. And what did you do this night, my boy?"
Aristede frowned when he heard this. Everytime his master asked him a question like this, he knew he was in trouble. And he knew also, that it was pointless to tell him about Beth, because he already sensed it. Hesitatingly, he responded, "I did what you told me to do. I went to the Collinsport Inn and waited to see if anyone had any news of the hand. But I heard nothing this night."
"That is true, you heard nothing but you saw much didn't you, my young Aristede?"
"What do you mean Excellency?" Aristede replied with a somewhat quavering voice.
Petofi turned to face the young man. "You found out that Lady Greystone was in Collinsport and you did not come back to tell me of this immediately! Why?"
"I...I... I followed a young woman who had gone to her for help. I saw them in the Inn together and wondered what they were doing. So I followed them up to the old woman's room and listened in at the keyhole"
With this, Count Petofi was taken by the amusement of the situation. Oh how careless Lady Greystone has become, to not be aware of the snooping young man at her very door. It was this and only this that saved Aristede from being beaten or far worse this night. For Petofi had originally meant to punish him severly, but he found the humor of the situation had softened his mood. Still the cheeky lad had to be taught a lesson. But later. Now he really wanted to hear the tale of what had happened.
Petofi chuckled to himself. "You still have not lost your touch for snooping have you my boy? So, come into the inner chambers and tell me what you overheard and who the woman was that you followed.
Petofi led a now very relieved Aristede into another room that had Petofi's most prized possessions of the occult. And as the door shut behind them, Aristede sighed with relief that he had not angered Petofi to the point of punishment. His master could be extremely cruel. But Petofi had gone over to one of the candles to light it and then sat down in a chair and Aristede knew that he was safe.
He sat down in the opposite chair and began to tell his master what he had seen and heard, about the potion, and following Beth to Collinwood and the meeting with the Beast.
As he was relating all this to Petofi, his master suddenly put out his hand to quiet him, and stood up. His eyes grew larger and his body grew stiff. It was clear his master had picked up on something.
"Something is happening at Colllinwood! Something that I must know!"