The vampire moaned and then said “It was Pelleau. Why do you care about those orphans?”
“Pelleau? Does he have a first name?”
“Jean. Jean-Claude Pelleau.”
“Where did he take them?”
“Pelleau didn’t say. He said it was a rich man in Lyon.”
“Where does this Pelleau live?”
“He owns the Pelleau Blacksmith Shop. It’s on the road back to Paris, just inside the city walls.”
“Why did you take a girl from this orphanage?” At this, Marie leaned forward.
“We didn’t want to. Better to just take one from the streets at night. Pelleau said they had to be a certain age, between maybe ten and thirteen. He said we had to fill the quota of five girls around four nights ago, or else he would find someone else in the future. He had to deliver five. Sometimes it is one or two, but in the spring and fall, it is sometimes five he wants.” Marie strained and started forward, but Henri held her firmly. “We got that last one from the orphanage because Pelleau was in a hurry to send five to Lyon.”
Marie and Cosette had gasped upon hearing this revelation of ongoing kidnappings. It was silent as the five exchanged grim looks.
“Who is this hanging here?”
“Someone who tried to stop us from taking one of the street orphans.”
“Where did you find him?”
“About two miles east of Pelleau’s shop, across from a large church.”
“Well, I don’t have any more questions for this one, do any of you?
There was a chorus of “No.”
Li said “I have one. How does this feel?” and with that he struck like a flash of lightning using a two-handed blow, striking the vampire’s head off at his shoulders.
Chapter 42
The Rodriguez family had arrived in Barcelona yesterday afternoon. They had met over supper and the father had properly proclaimed the intentions of his son to Eduardo Vasquez, the father of Alandra. They had wine to seal that part of the formal declaration and acceptance on the sides of each of the two families. The courtship of Alandra had officially begun as in time-honored tradition. A ring of betrothal would be soon offered in yet another formal dinner while they were yet visiting together. There would be a token passage of time, perhaps three days to keep the tradition of the heads of the two families having time to consider the proposal. It was a formality, but one that would be strictly adhered to.
Eduardo was very happy as was his wife. They both liked Philippe’ and thought him to be a good match for Alandra. They were a stunning couple. He was only four years older than she and they could tell that she was not repelled by him and was fond of him. Neither one would have ever forced her to marry one whom she disliked.
Today the two would go to the marketplace and bazaar, and that night there would be a formal dance at the Vasquez villa. The couple set off, complete with their chaperone and escort group. The lead carriage had Eduardo, Philippe’s father, Celita, and Alandra’s little brother as passengers. The second carriage contained Alandra, her mother, Philippe’s mother and Philippe’. All were splendidly dressed.
They arrived at the marketplace and bazaar in style. Leaving their carriages to stand with drivers waiting in a space reserved only for such people, they strolled about through the area. The two fathers stopped to look at some fine saddles and bridles. Philippe’ and Alandra took the lead, with their two mothers following. The others were strung out behind the procession. The two fathers talked business, politics, and trade, while the two mothers talked dresses and weddings.
Near a lamp post stood three young men. One was a bit taller than the other two, and quite handsome. The tall man watched the group idly, his eyes passing over them to other sights, but then as recognition dawned in his mind, his eyes snapped back to the couple in the forefront of the group. He focused his gaze on the woman in the lead. He clenched his jaw muscles until his teeth ground together and his body became rigid with rage. He began to walk somewhat parallel to the group. “You two follow me, but stay well back.” he said.
They approached an area where flowers were sold. There was a lovely man-made pond, set inside of a low stone wall. Ducks paddled about in it and a flowering tree grew in a manicured island in its center. There were benches all around for sitting and trees for shade. Near to the man watching was an area of flower vendors. He edged into that area, watching as the group all stopped and chose seats. Then the young man accompanying Alandra got up and said something to her. She inclined her head and he turned, making his way to the area of the flower sellers.
As he approached that area the man watching started to move. He appeared to be moving casually but in fact it was with a malicious purpose. The two older men with the group followed behind the young man, obviously to buy their wives flowers too. They were no more than forty feet behind the young man. Philippe’ and the tall man converged, one unaware while the other coldly executed his plan.
His eyes fixed on the finest and largest bouquet he could see, Philippe’ walked a bit faster towards it, for fear of someone else getting it first. He was approaching a booth called Geraldo’s Flower Shop when suddenly he felt his shoulder bump against another person. Turning he saw a tall man sprawled on his back. Philippe’ apologized, extending his hand to help the tall man up, smiling apologetically.
“How clumsy of me senor! My apologies. Here, let me help you.”
The man lowered his voice and stepping a bit closer as he rose and still looking down said “Son of a whore, watch your step. Forget about flowers. You can send that young whore over there on that bench to me tonight and I’ll satisfy her!”
A wide area had begun to open at this time, the two in the center of it. Just as the two fathers came into this circle Philippe’ lashed out and struck the tall man in his face, bloodying his nose. The man crashed down on his back as the two fathers watched, stunned. The ladies had just gotten to the scene and saw Philippe’ knock the man down. They were horrified. Alandra’s face suddenly paled, as did Celitas’.
The man got up and dusted himself off, his nose streaming blood. “I demand satisfaction, senor.”
Philippe’ drew himself up and said “You shall have it senor.”
“Sabers then, right here, at dawn tomorrow, senor!
“Done Senor. Sabers at dawn tomorrow, here.”
Eduardo’s face paled as he rushed in to speak with the two, but turning to the tall man he said. “Senor, please don’t be so hasty. This can be resolved in other ways. I’m sure we can all sit down like the gentlemen we are and sort this misunderstanding out without bloodshed or violence.”
Philippe’ said “With all due respect Senor Vasquez, there will be no further talking. This will be settled with honor tomorrow.”
“Then I will be here senor.” said the tall man.
“Now senor, surely you don’t mean to go through with this. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Eduardo Vasquez, Ambassador for his Majesty to France.”
Wiping the blood from his face, the tall man said “An honor, senor. I am Carlos Chavez.”
“I know that name, senor. I know a Chavez who is prosecutor for the crown.”
“That is my father, senor.”
“Senor, surely we can settle this amicably……”
Philippe’ said “We will settle this with honor tomorrow, Senor Vasquez. There is no need to discuss things with such a pig as this man.” Chavez smiled coldly, saying nothing.
“We saw the whole thing, senor Vasquez.” said one of Chavez’ companions “We were standing right here when this man knocked Senor Chavez to the ground and struck him as he tried to get up. It must be settled on the field of honor, senor.”
“I will be there tomorrow at dawn then, Senor.” With that, Philippe’ turned and walked towards the ladies and said, “Let us be away from this place. The swine have overrun it.”
Alandra advanced to Philippe’ and said
“No Philippe’, you mustn’t do this thing.”
“My apologies, senorita Vasquez, but indeed I must. His insult shall not be forgotten.”
Turning to her father she said “Papa, tell him. He mustn’t go through with this thing. He mustn’t, Papa.” Eduardo turned to Philippe’s father and said “It would be best if you leave tonight Senor Rodriguez. I can arrange a passage out of here discreetly.”
“I thank you for your concern, Senor Vasquez, but that won’t be necessary. Philippe’ has made up his mind on this. It is now a matter of honor.”
“My father is right, Senor Vasquez. It’s not necessary. Shall I run like a coward when I’ve come to ask your daughters’ hand in marriage? That cannot be, with all due respect!”
Stepping forward completely out of her place, Alandra said “Is it honorable to die in a trap set by a serpent? I know this villain and he is a serpent. He has done this some way, I’m sure of it! I’m honored to have you for my betrothed, Philippe’, and you don’t have to prove your worth to me. I’ve already seen enough to know that I would be honored to be your bride. I’ll marry you, without your participating in this duel. We’ll come to Almeria. You and I can be married there on a date which your father and mine will set. We’ll live there and I’ll do my very best to make of myself the best wife you could ever hope for. You have my word on it. Now dear Philippe’, do please turn away from this duel, for our sakes!”
The two fathers were stunned, both standing with their mouths agape. The two mothers were stunned. Philippe’ was stunned. He stood there silent, but happy beyond his wildest imagination. He had not seen Alandra display an ounce of passion in their time together until now, but here he saw that her depth of passion, commitment and love was boundless.
“Senorita Alandra, you are a woman worthy of any king who has ever lived. How can I ever hold my head up again or look you in the eyes if I run from this thing? I must meet that pig tomorrow. That is the end of it, Senorita”
Chapter 43
After letting the sun consume the grisly remains of the nine vampires, Ian and the others searched the property for implements. They found some and dug a grave for the dead human at vampire speed. Ian recited the 23rd Psalm over the grave and asked for God’s everlasting mercy for a man who had lost his life trying to help a child. The group then saw to their weapons and departed into the woods.
Ian led them to the big creek he had jumped earlier. They paired off and scattered along the stream to strip and bathe. Ian and Cosette went downstream for a quarter mile to find a sizeable pool. They stripped and waded in, washing the blood and grime off wordlessly as they washed their clothing. Ian came up behind Cosette and pulled her to him, both of them sitting down in the deep shade against a tree growing on the bank of the creek, her back to him. He just held her there, both arms around her, kissing her hair and her cheek as she turned her head to one side. They lay like that in the water for several minutes. Ian sighed then he said “Ah, lass. I know that was hard on you and Marie, seeing that. I wish it hadn’t happened that way. I regret that you saw me behave that way with those vampires after we’d beaten them.”
“Hah! If you hadn’t done that Marie and I would have! All I could think of was those little girls and how terrified they must be. What else would anyone with any feelings at all have done? Those murdering vermin had done this before. How many little ones have they delivered to God knows what fate? And that Jean Pelleau? His days are numbered!”
Shortly they had dressed and picked their way upstream, calling ahead so that the others knew they were coming. They were answered, and rejoined the others in a place of deep shade. Marie had retrieved her gloves and broad-brimmed hat and Cosette’s as well, handing them to her. Li rejoined them then, having bathed elsewhere along the stream.
Ian said “We have all of our weapons, powder, shot, and sabers. Henri, Li, and I can divide those and carry them. We should be off to Lyon now. We can stay in the forest to avoid being seen until after dark. Isn’t it is east and a bit south of here?”
Henri replied “Yes, it may take us some eight hours on foot. We go on foot or we might as well not go. I’ll take the lead.”
Cosette said “What about money?”
“You’re right. I’ll go retrieve our money and have the headmaster send our clothing to our apartment” Marie said.
Li asked ”What about Sophia?”
“She’ll be told to wait in our apartment. We have two servants on duty now so she can remain there in comfort. We can come back here after this is done and visit Celeste too.”
Li nodded agreement as she leaped away and streaked towards the orphanage, knowing that her clothes would be dried by the time she arrived. The others went more slowly down the hill to the flat plain and waited there. Soon she came back with three purses which Ian, Li, and Henri hung around their necks. The group had taken nourishment from their copper flasks while she was gone. Henri handed a flask to Marie and said “Take it now and drain it. We’ll find more along the way.” He bounded away toward the east, the others behind him.
A few hours later they were over halfway there and stopped to feed when Henri scared up a doe. Within ten more minutes they were again on their way.
***
Chloe rolled about in the darkened carriage, her bonds chafing her skin. She was sure that there were other girls with her in the carriage. It never stopped for long, but when it did, there were sounds of horses being walked about and the carriage would jiggle about a bit. There would be a little talking between men somewhere not too distant. Someone would open a carriage door and take a gag from her mouth and give her water to drink. After she drank all she could, she was gagged again. It wouldn’t be too long though after the last one was given water that she would feel the carriage start up again and they would ride along for hours and hours without stopping. They did that around ten times she thought. She finally came to think that they were changing horses. It seemed that it would go on forever, and she was sure that they had been traveling now for over three days, maybe even four. She and the others had soiled themselves several times by now, and the blankets they were wrapped in stunk badly.
In the beginning she’d seen the eyes of the others, wide with fear, darting towards every sound or each time one of the side curtains would let a sliver of light in. In time those same eyes became lifeless and dull; no longer darting to every different sound or change of lighting within the stinking carriage.
They stopped and something was different. She couldn’t hear any horses being walked about or feel the jolt of the carriage having new horses attached. The doors suddenly opened. It was dusk and black-hooded figures carried them one by one through a small door in the side of what looked to be a really large mansion. They were taken down a flight of stairs into a large cellar room. It had a cobblestone floor and some sort of five-pointed design set into it with some kind of tile. Tall candelabras were set everywhere and were lit with innumerable candles.
They passed through that and went to a small room beyond that where they had their clothing stripped. Then they were put whimpering and weeping into a large tub to be bathed in total silence by the black-hooded figures.
***
It was already dark as the five came into Lyon so they stopped on a knoll overlooking the city. Ian asked Henri “Do you know where the Francoise chateau is?”
Henri smiled at him and said “Bankers know all kinds of things about rich people, including where they live. They live to the east of Lyon on the road to Geneva, overlooking the Rhone. Follow me.”
He bounded away and the others streaked after him. They skirted the city and climbed through more rolling country. In around twenty minutes they came to a clearing through which they could see the lights of a really large chateau. It was a magnificent place with a commanding view of the Rhone River to the south and the foothills and mountains beyond. They skirted the place, knowing that the
re were dogs, but those were confined in an area behind the chateau in a kennel on the north side of the main house.
There was a steady breeze from the north, so they were left with three sides to approach without alarming the dogs. Henri stopped after they got to an area just west of the mansion. Three hundred feet further west behind them in the woods was a creek that paralleled the house.
Henri said “Let me go and look through the windows on the main level. I might see what kind of security they have. Just wait here.” He flitted silently away toward the house. When he got there he ghosted from window to window silently. He saw no one, but the house wasn’t darkened at all. People were in the kitchen who he thought might be staff. There were easily a dozen and they wore uniforms.
Finally he saw movement in a corner room near the front of the house. As he carefully peered in from some fifteen feet away, he recognized Marcel Francoise himself. He sat at a beautiful ornate desk, a very large one and he was writing in a ledger book of some kind. In some five or six minutes, he closed that book and put it in the bottom drawer on the right-hand side. He stood and opening a small closet with a key hanging around his neck, he took a red hooded robe. Leaving the room he didn’t bother with the lamps. Henri waited several minutes, and then he stepped to a window and pressed his elbow against it until it cracked. It made only a tiny noise. Waiting two full minutes he reached through and undid the latch, raising the window. He went to the desk and in seconds had broken into the bottom right hand drawer. Taking the ledger, he tucked it in his pocket and rearranged the drapes so that they covered the broken window pane. He vanished like smoke through the window, closing and locking it; he rejoined the others.
“I have a ledger book and when we go in, I’ll leave it here with the rucksacks.” He showed it to everyone and then they talked about where to go in.
“Ian, Li, what do you think of that row of dormers along the third story?”
“I count twelve. Maybe the window of one is unlocked?”
“One way to find out. Are our weapons all ready?
“Yes. We’re ready to fight.”