Is This How I Will Die?

The Duchess of Ashberne stood by the window, her keen gaze sweeping beyond the thick canopy of trees that surrounded the mansion. A frown marred her face as she kept staring at the courtyard leading to the thick, heavy, iron gates. Streaks of light were beginning to lighten the sky creating an impasse between night and daylight. Stars were beginning to fade as dawn arrived, the sun's rays illuminating the landscape casting faint shadows on the sparkling snow.

The Duchess stared intently at the closed gates as if she could conjure the arrival of her son and his family. Maybe if she looked longer, the gates would creak open and the maroon carriages bearing the Ashberne crest will roll onto the courtyard. She would then call for Albert to prepare tea for the guests while Theresa would help ready her in the finest of dresses to greet them downstairs.

Yet, there was no sound of creaking wheels or horse hooves. No sight of the bright-colored carriage and no sign of her son striding in through the mansion gates, head held high.

The Duchess was about to turn and leave when her head snapped back, fingers clutching the windowsill, her breath fogging the glass as she squinted. Something had caught her attention. A red spot that was stumbling and rolling in the snow near the woods. She forced her eyes to focus and took a sharp breath.

Clutching her shawl tightly she called out for Albert. The butler appeared not a moment later, perhaps sensing the urgency and concern behind his mistress' tone as he ushered her into a chair and poured her a glass of water.

'Your Grace?' Albert folded his hands, eyes cast downward as he waited for her orders.

The Duchess wasted no time. 'There's a man outside clothed in red. I believe he is one of Eldric's servants. Bring him inside immediately!'

A while later, the man was being escorted inside by two guards, swords hanging at their waist. When he saw the Duchess sitting in front of him in a high-backed, leather chair, the man flung himself at her arms outstretched, a strange cry falling from his lips. 'Save me. Save me. Your Grace, save me!', the man screamed. He stopped in his tracks when one of the guards unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the man's necks barking an order to step away and maintain distance.

The man fell to his knees, arms hugging himself as he rocked back and forth. His face was ghastly pale, eyes skipping all over the place as he muttered strangely under his breath. Bruises cover most of his skin and there were bloody gashes on numerous places on his face and hands. He was young but something had frightened the years out of him making him look old and frail. It was clear that the man had lost his wits as he kept looking about himself as if something or someone would jump out of the shadows and attack him.

The Duchess was growing uneasy observing this man's bizarre behavior. She could sense that the man was suffering from a traumatic experience, but it was also increasing the ever-heavy doubt in her that Eldric and his family were in danger. That man was one of Eldric's servants and something horrific had happened to them on their way to Ravelon in which the man had barely survived and made his escape, stumbling to the mansion gates, most probably, to call for help.

Leveling her gaze at him, she inquired, her voice filled with authority. 'Where is Minister Ashberne?'

The man jerked at the sound of her voice, eyes rounding in horror. His mouth hung open. 'Minister, minister, minister – MASTER, my master, oh no, oh no, oh no.'

The rocking took on an aggressive turn, as the man started trembling uncontrollably. His hands went to his hair, clutching and clawing. The Duchess drew in a sharp breath as the guards pinned the unstable man down. Albert went closer and bent down, drawing the man's attention to him as he spoke in a soft voice.

'You're alright. This is the Ashberne Mansion and you're safe. You're alive. Take a deep breath.' Albert coaxed the man to calm down, politely taking out a handkerchief from his vest pocket, and offering it to the man who visibly relaxed under the butler's kind, sympathetic eyes. Though his trembling didn't cease, he uncurled his hands from his hair and took the proffered handkerchief. A servant brought a glass of water and Albert handed it to the man who took a cautious sip first, then gulped the whole of it down in one breath.

'You were with Minister Ashberne, I presume?' Albert began gently, 'What happened to you? Why are you injured?'

The man started nodding, head bobbing up and down in a violent motion. 'I was the driving the master's carriage. We were on our way to Ravelon. We set up camp for a brief rest then continued onward. Everything was alright, then suddenly-'

Terror flashed behind the man's eyes as if the scenes were replaying in his mind. He shook hard as his face twisted in pain and fear. Albert put a firm hand on the man's shoulder to bring him back to present. 'Suddenly?', he prompted.

'These mo-monsters at-at-attacked us.' The man stuttered as tears started streaming down his face. 'They lacked eyes, nose, and ears, but they moved so fast. So fast. They had sh-sharp claws. It took him. It took the guard n-n-next to me. The claws ripped his chest open, and it ate him. It ate him.

Their screeching sounds were so loud. Inhumane and monstrous. One tried to attack me, but another guard came in between. He slashed at it with his sword, but it made no difference. The guard's head was ripped off its body. I couldn't-couldn't take it anymore. I fled from there. I ran. I didn't know where to go. I ran here to ask for help. I am sure everyone is dead.'

No, it couldn't be. A Wraith attack? The Duchess couldn't deny the truth. The man's appearance and his behavior were proof enough. But Wraiths were all eradicated seventy years ago. Then why was this man describing the monsters with features resembling that of a Wraith? He didn't seem to be making it up on spot or following someone's orders. Then this meant that all the attacks on the travelers were because of these Wraiths, and everyone had ignored them. Or were they forced to be ignored?

'Preposterous!', The Duchess exclaimed as she stood up suddenly. The man flinched, falling back on his haunches as the Duchess glared at him. 'The Minister must be alive. Do not get ahead of yourself. Where was Melannia at that time?'

The man shook his head. 'Young Lady Ashberne was in the second carriage farther back. I am not sure what happened to it. It's likely that it was also attacked.' His condition worsened and he started sprouting nonsense about demons and the punishment of God.

The Duchess waved her hand, and the guards stood up, dragging the crying man outside the room with them. She turned to Albert who stood with his head bowed to hear her order.

'Gather all the men, give them arms and ask them to head out. Search far and wide. Return with my son and his family alive.'

Albert bowed at the waist and silently strode out of the room. The Duchess turned and walked back to the window in the far corner facing the courtyard. She murmured a silent prayer under her breath. Eldric had to be alive. And so did Melannia.