//------------------------------// // Act I, Scene III // Story: The Angel in Red // by Inkquill //------------------------------// THE ANGEL IN RED By Inkquill Act I, Scene III The journey that followed was relatively quiet and uneventful, with Butterscotch only suffering from one or two more night terrors as the days went by along the way towards Genieghva. Upon reaching the mountainous borders of Sweetland, the party of three disembarked from the railways to proceed on their way via carriage for the final hurdle of their trek. However whilst resting at a small village inn Dusk had come across a most peculiar and mysterious article in the newspaper. Across the page it read in bold, dramatic lettering, “Ghost-Ship Arrives in Port; All Crew Missing!?” Apparently the night before, a schooner coming in from Germaneigh called the Lady Bird had arrived in port completely deserted, with the entire crew of twenty four, captain and first mate included, missing. On board, police discovered very little major clues to what might have happened, with the only significant items found being a gold locket with a picture of one of the sailors and his wife, a crate filled with dirt, and the captain’s log. In it he reports how his crew was slowly beginning to disappear one by one until it was only he and his first mate remaining before the final entry. Some witnesses reported seeing a large, black dog or wolf jump off the side of the railing as the ship pulled into port and ran off out of sight, but the police hadn’t thought much of it. Dusk Shine was instantly intrigued by the mystery. I mean, a whole ship-full of fully grown stallion doesn’t simply vanish into thin air?! To which he spent the better half of the afternoon coming up with possible theories of what might have befallen the ill-fated schooner, ranging from haunted mist to possible inter-dimensional displacement while Butterscotch all the while tried to block out the mysterious, and honestly, frightening report from his mind. Honestly he’d much rather be enjoying the lush mountainous scenery then worrying of what terrible thing might have befallen those sailors. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, it was just he’d rather not think of what they might of went through. The day went on relatively well, with Barbara securing them a decent carriage and driver for a very generous price, but things started to get a little rocky, no humor intended, as they set off into the mountains. Genieghva lay roughly thirty miles northeast of the town, on the shores of a small, picturesque lake that was fed annually by the glaciers that ran through the higher canyons of the mountain peaks. The thing was that the roads were particularly a hassle. Many being unpaved and treacherous as they hugged the cliff-faces and wound through the steep ravines. It was a quarter past eight as they neared the outskirts of Genieghva, arriving within another mile or so. Luckily the terrain has evened out a bit, opening up into hilly woodlands that flanked them on both sides and gradually climbed up the misty mountain sides. Glancing out the window, Butterscotch bit his lip as he looked out into the mist-covered forest. If he didn’t keep his wits about him he might have sworn he could see glowing eyes staring back at him from between the trees as they rode on. “Ohh~! I’m so excited!” Dusk exclaimed in a very school-coltish fashion. Seriously, the closer they seemed to get to Genieghva, the more giddy the Unicorn seemed to become. “I mean so many brilliant minds all coming together! It’s like a dream come true!” Barbara gave him an amused smirk as she shook her head, “Hold your horses big guy, no need to start getting all goofy before we even get there.” She said as she reached over to adjust his tie. “Besides, you're going to mess up your look if you start going all fan-boy on us.” “Sorry,” Dusk said as his cheeks flushed with color. “It’s just I’ve been looking forward to this for so long.” “Oh we know Dusk, there’s no need to be sorry.” Butterscotch interjected. “And don’t worry, we’re going to be right there to enjoy the moment with you.” “Here's to that!” Barbara cheered. “Thanks guys.” Dusk replied. “I mean, you two helped us get here as much as I did. I’m just glad we’re all here together for this.” “Oh! Come here you big dork!” Barbara chuckled as she wrapped her arms around her good friend. Butterscotch followed suit and the three all embraced each other in joyful laughter. However their merriment was short lived as the felt the carriage suddenly come to a stop. “Whoa!” The stage coach called out as he slowed the carriage down. Breaking the group hug, Dusk peeked his head out of the window and called up to the driver. “Hey, what’s the matter? Why have we stopped?” The elderly stage coached looked back to him for a moment before pointing forward with his hoof toward a bend some ways ahead of them. “Trouble up ahead Sir.” Following the driver’s hoof, Dusk peered down at the upcoming bend. As the road dipped and veered to the left, the violet Unicorn could see the large bulk of a carriage flipped over on its side resting along the bend. He could see the wheels still spinning but little sign of activity, but nevertheless, it was best they investigate. “Driver, pull up to them, they might be in real trouble.” As the stagecoach pulled up along side the other carriage, both Barbara and Butterscotch peered out the window to get a look at what was going on. As they drew closer they could see two figures moving about the the overturned carriage; its luggage still strapped to its rear end and roof. One of them was a young stallion with a blue coat and dark blue mane who was dressed similarly to their driver, while the other one was a tall and slender Pegasus mare who held herself regally as they approached. From where Butterscotch could see she was young Pegasus of generous beauty and refinement, her coat a rich ash-grey with a long platinum-silver mane that draped down her neck in an almost too-perfect fashion as it daintily led the eyes from her collar bone towards the softness of her face. She wore a bright red dress that showed signs of expert craftsmanship and hugged her body generously. However, the thing that stood out most was her eyes. They were a rich, scarlet-ruby; like two orbs of dancing wildfire that locked his gaze firmly with hers as their eyes met, despite his first impulse to look down in embarrassment. “Evening?” Dusk called out with concern. “Are you two in need of help?” The mare turned to him as she heard his voice, “Oh, yes. Sadly I’m afraid so.” She said in a very soft, lilting voice. “My poor driver Archibald were making our way to the Exhibition in Genieghva when we struck a rock as we turned the bend. As you can see, it didn’t end to well.” “Oh dear!” Butterscotch exclaimed. “Are either of you hurt?” “Oh no dear,” she said as she flashed him with a tender smile. “We’re perfectly alright. Though, sadly I doubt we’ll be able to get this carriage up and going again in time to make it to the Exhibition.” As soon as the first words escaped her lips, Butterscotch swore he felt his heart stop momentarily. That voice… that clear, silky voice… he had heard it before. No, it couldn’t be. His ears were twitching curiously as he analyzed they way she spoke and moved as haunted memories from his nightmares began to creep up from the back of his mind. Her voice sounded just like the shadowy figure’s, he swore to himself. But that was impossible, wasn’t it? Dusk Shine meanwhile looked back at his companions who all gave him a nod of approval as they silently agreed on what to do next. They couldn’t very well leave them stranded now could they? Though, Barbara eyed the strange mare suspiciously. She couldn't tell why, but something about her just didn't seem right. “Funny you should mention that.” Said Butterscotch. “We’re also heading to the Exhibition. We could give you a ride there if you’d like.” “Oh? Would you?” She said batting the dark fans of her eyelashes. “I mean, I don’t want to impose.” “No it’s perfectly alright!” Dusk reassured as he stepped out of the carriage. “I mean we have plenty of room in ours to spare. And besides, what kind of gentlecolt would leave such a lovely mare such as yourself stranded out in the middle of nowhere?” With an almost filly-like blush, she let a small chuckle escape her lips. “Oh well that’s just too kind of you.” Butterscotch, having followed Dusk’s example stepped out of the carriage, smiling awkwardly at the attractive Pegasus. She the meanwhile seemed to be particularly focused on him even though Dusk had been talking her directly. Butterscotch felt like his lungs grew heavier the more and more she looked him over, almost to the point where her gaze would provoke him to gasp for breath. “Are you alright dear?” He heard he ask. Realizing that he had been staring at her awkwardly, Butterscotch shook his head and chuckled nervously. “Oh! Sorry, I’m alright, just… this mountain air…” “But Butterscotch, you’re a Pegasus.” Barbara interjected. “You should be used to high altitude air?” Butterscotch shot a glare at the little dragoness as his cheeks flushed with color, a glare that simply said, ‘Not now Barbara’, soliciting a winking grin from the dragon. The mare gave a little chuckle in return, placing her hoof to her lips politely. “Butterscotch… that’s a handsome name. Rolls of the tongue… wouldn’t you agree dearest Archibald?” “Indeed ma’am.” The sullen-eyed stallion replied in a monotone voice. “What’s your name by the way?” Dusk inquired. With a proud smile she looked at the violet Unicorn and said, “I am the Lady Erzsebet Ondrushko good Sir. But please, call me Eris. It’s much easier to say.” Lifting up her hoof daintily, she offered it to the two stallions. Dusk, who was nearest to her took the offer first, taking her hoof in his and politely kissed it in the traditional manner. Butterscotch followed shortly after, but only after some nervous hesitation. Taking her hoof in his, he laid his lips down on her wrist blushingly. “It’s.. g-good to meet you, E-Eris.” As he rose back up, his eyes again met the with ruby-red of her’s, catching him a bit off guard. “The pleasure is mutual,” she replied. “Butterscotch…” “Dusk?” Barbara called. “Can I speak with you for a second?” Looking back at Barbara, who had remained in the carriage, he nodded trotted over to her. “Excuse me for a second.” He called back to Eris before turning to face his trusty assistant. “What’s up Barb? Is something the matter?” She gave him and bemused expression before darting her eyes back towards the strange mare. “Doesn’t this seem a little… strange?” “Strange?” Said Dusk. “What do you mean?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Pretty mare with eyelashes for days and swaying hips just stranded in the middle of nowhere? That doesn’t sound suspicious to you at all?” He thought it over for a second and he had to admit, she did have a point. This was unfamiliar territory and who knew what could happen in such remote areas. “I mean, what if this is all just a trap set up by bandits?” Barbara added. Plus, I know the road isn’t great, but I didn’t see any big rocks that could possibly overturn and whole carriage.” “Well… they could have been speeding? That may have done it?” She shook her head. “All I’m saying is that we may need to be careful. We don’t know who they are.” Dusk nodded as Barbara’s reasoning won out. Turning back he rejoined the others and dressed his lips with a pleasant smile. “Well, I’m sure we could give you a ride. I think we have enough space for the two of you, but please, if you don’t mind me asking, why is it that you’re going to the Exhibition?” Eris looked a little taken back by the question. “I don’t want to intrude but~” “Oh don’t worry about it dear Sir,” she said with a lighthearted chuckle. “I don’t mind. You see I’ve made some donations to the academic fields of science and the arcane, so I’m simply going to help participate in the celebration of the progress of knowledge.” “Oh! Well… that… that’s quite generous of you.” Dusk managed. “I try.” Eris replied. “Archibald could you please be a dear and help me load up the essentials? We can send the constable back out here later to fetch the rest.” “Right away Ma’am.” The stallion said as he carried three large suitcases over to the carriage, loading them on along with the rest of the luggage. “Do you need any help with that?” Butterscotch asked. “Oh don’t worry about him,” said Eris. “Archibald likes to deal with things himself.” Despite feeling uncomfortable about the situation, Barbara could tell that time was running thin for them as she checked her pocket watch. “Hey guys, we need to get a move on! Otherwise none of us will get to the Exhibition on time!” “Oh! Oh goodness!” Dusk exclaimed in a sudden panic. “Barbs right! We need to get this show on the road.” “Well let’s get moving shall we!?” Eris added. With a hurried step in their pace, they all piled into the carriage with Dusk and Barbara sitting on one side while Butterscotch sat beside Eris with Archibald climbing onto the back platform. “Onward driver!” Dusk called, prompting the carriage to continue of its journey. The carriage rode swiftly down the winding road, it’s wheels turning and jostling with the extra weight that had been added to it. The passengers sat quietly for the most part as they continued, with Eris simply closing her eyes and leaning back into softness of the seat as she smiled to herself. Butterscotch meanwhile kept his eyes down towards his hooves, trying not to focus on the extra company that had joined them, however, despite his best efforts, he would occasionally look up to steal fleeting glances at the mare, and it began even more difficult when she began glancing back at him. “I have to say,” she spoke finally. “I can’t thank you gentlecolts enough for this.” “It’s… it’s nothing,” Butterscotch replied. “Think nothing of it, it-it’s no big deal.” “Oh but it is!” Eris exclaimed as she placed her hoof over her breast. “You three are truly my knights in shining armor right now. I simply must repay you!” “Oh, that’s very kind of you Eris,” said Dusk. “But there’s no need for~” “Ah tut tut!” Eris interrupted. “I don’t want to hear a word of it. I’ve made up my mind. I have to repay you for your kindness, otherwise what kind of Lady would I be?” “That’s… that’s generous of you.” Butterscotch said with slight bow of his head. “Think nothing of it dearest.” She said with a wink. “It’s not much, but if you gentlecolts would like a place to stay while the Exhibition is going on, I have plenty of room at my Villa. I recently bought it not to long ago. It’s outside of Genieghva by a beautiful little lake. A little scene home away from home.” “My goodness that’s awfully generous of you.” said Dusk. “A little too generous if you ask me.” Barbara said, muttering under her breath. Eris giggled as she casually dismissed Dusk’s statement. “Oh please, Sir Dusk, It’s the least I can do.” “Where is home anyway?” “East.” said Eris. “Droll mountainous country. Nothing really spectacular… I won’t bore you with it.” Dusk looked between his two companions, silently asking them if they approved. Butterscotch shrugged nervously, not wanting to be rude about the kind offer, while Barbara was still quite skeptical of the whole situation, but begrudgingly nodded in approval. “I… I suppose we could take you up on your offer.” “Then it’s settled!” Eris cheered. “Oh this will be just wonderful! After the Exhibition we’ll head right on over and we can get you guys settled in and enjoy a big meal! Then we can all~ ow!” She let out a wince of pain as her eyes squinted suddenly from irritation. Rubbing her eye tenderly she felt a sudden jolt of pain shoot through her as out of the corner of her eye she spotted something glistening in the dim light of the carriage. Taking a closer look she could see around Butterscotch’s neck, hung a polished band of silver… “Is something wrong?” Butterscotch asked worriedly. Shaking her head she ignored the irritation and let a smile trace across her lips. “I’m… I’m fine, just got something in my eye…”