1 An Invitation

My terror began in the comforts of my home. The world was ghost-quiet, except for the larch branch crackling in the fireplace. I sat in my boiled-beet chair, gin sloshed the ice tips at the bottom of my drink. The moon casted shadows that danced on the drapes that were lulling back and forth. The creaking of the door cut the silence as John, my butler, stepped in.

"A letter for you, sir," John announciated. His full face was illuminated by the fire, beads of sweat sat atop his forehead. I dismissed him with a wave of my hand, John shuffled out. The paper crinkled in my hands, on it there was a seal resembling a strange creature. Coal fur covered the face. Its lips curled from ear to ear, accompanied by fangs that could end a man. A shiver ran up my spine, as my tired eyes became more sharp. I opened the letter and began to read:

"Sir Algathon, did you miss me? I know I lit up your world with my marvellous banter so I'm sure you remember me. I've done a lot after serving as your lieutenant, I can't wait to tell you all about it. You could find a blade of grass and turn it into a one-man army! Even then I think I was harder to train than a blade of grass. It has been a long time so excuse my rambling. Did you settle down and have a family? You weren't the most romantic chap so for all I know you could be a hermit living in a tool shed now. Jokes aside, if you did settle I'm absolutely positive you are an amazing father and an even better lover. I'm inviting you all to a magnificent banquet, courtesy of me. It will be a marvelous time to become aquainted and catch up. It will be hosted at my fantastic manor. Yes, I said manor. I'll tell you all about it soon. Other friends of mine will be invited, some you might know. Directions are on the back. See you there! Nathaniel."

I set down the letter; I hadn't seen Nathaniel in a long while. I wonder how he is doing after all this time. It's Victoria's England after all. My legs felt tied to a ball and chain. I lit a candle, the sizzling of the fireplace growing fainter as I climbed the stairs. My boots creaked up the stairs. Traversing the long hallway, rapid footsteps came behind me. I quickly turned around and saw nothing or no one. The sound was there and gone the next. Steadying my breathing, I crept into my bedroom, my wife Ellayne on one side of the bed. I slid under the covers, trying to stop my racing thoughts.

"Goodnight, my dear," Ellayne said.

"Goodnight." I slept sweet dreams, not knowing what would happen during our trip.

________________________________________________________________________________

I awoke to a light airy breeze from the window that the housemaid had opened. I could hear the chorus of robins chirping from the courtyard, spring was on its way. Ellayne adored the shift in winter, but I knew it brought rains and floods among our great kingdom. I was glad to have her optimism in my life though. I silently slipped out of bed and relieved myself in the chamber pot, careful not to wake Ellayne. I climbed back into bed and Ellayne rolled over, her soft blonde curls complimenting her full face. Her rose-knotted nightgown from France rested upon her curves. I had never seen a woman as plump as her! Her mystifying thighs were bait for any man.

I'm baffled our children, on the other hand, somehow skipped out on our portrait worthy appearances. Our oldest, Cordellia was tall and lanky. I always assumed she would fill out as she approached womanhood but at fourteen she still resembled a scrawny peasant girl. She seemed intelligent for her age but she had a habit of speaking out. Edward, or Eddie as Ellayne calls him would have been a handsome chap if it were not for his abnormalities. He had a muscular build for a boy his age. As soon as one's eyes met his face however, his upward slanted eyes, small ears, and flat nose, complemented by a constantly dofus-like grin made me ashamed to call him my son. At first, the teachers said he was hopelessly illiterate. Ellayne says he is the happiest boy alive and that I should be grateful God blessed me with such an "amazing son." It's hard however when I know he will never be a true aristocrat like myself. I had hired the best apothecary to cure him but with no success.

"Morning darling," Ellayne yawned, breaking my train of thought. "Pass me some tea please." There was a fresh pot sitting on the side table laid out by Susan, the quietest housemaid one could ask for. We sipped our tea as I told Ellayne about the invitation to Nathaniel's manor. We decided to leave after breakfast as the journey would last several hours. I sent word for the stableboys to prepare the coach while Ellayne pack the children's bags. After a scrumptious meal of bacon and eggs, we went to wash up and put on our best for the day ahead. I wore a top hat that gave way for my chestnut-brown curls and a frock coat with a notched collar. Ellayne wore an exotic dress embroidered with daisies and a white sun-hat with a long silk ribbon. Cordellia walked in accompanied by Edward, wearing a plain sky-blue dress with her red hair down. Edward wore a white long-sleeved shirt with a flat cap.

"Are you two finished yet?" Cordellia said in an impatient tone as if she had been waiting for years.

"Yes, now let's go," I said, heading out the door.

________________________________________________________________________________

Edward let out a yawn that would wake up an entire town and babbled something incoherent. We were about to approach Nathaniel's manor. The birds chirped, the sun reflecting on the puddles. Ellayne was reading the newest gothic thriller novel "Scarlet Skin" about an aristocratic family disappearing one by one in a haunted manor after being invited by an old friend. I thought the plot was really dumb because it was too unrealistic. I sat thinking of nothing in particular. It was nice to not have to have people's lives in the hands of your battle plans. Having that burden was stressful. Speaking of people, what type of eccentric fellows would be at Nathaniel's manor? He was not the most normal himself. I am so used to him being my brash lieutenant I have no clue what he'll be like now. Apparently, he made some kind of life for himself.

"Are we there yet, father? We've been on the same beaten-down path for an hour," Cordellia whined.

"Soon, Cordellia, soon," I said sternly. There were about four seconds of serene silence until Ellayne glanced up from her book.

"So dear, how long exactly will it take until we're there?" Ellayne's French accent came through as she spoke. Her eyes flashed with boredom. I now see where Cordellia got her impatience from.

"About two more hours, dear." Edward began to pout like a dog wanting food scraps. I wish he was smarter than he was but alas, he is still my son. Though he'll never be able to lead people into battle like his dad. Maybe we could court him off... My train of thought was derailed as an extraordinary sight came into view.