out of town

Going out of town untiul December first.  I will post again on Wednesday Dec 2nd and get back to a regular schedule after that.  Sorry about the screwiness of the schedule. Happy Thanksgiving! v

Keeper: Chapter 14

Sorry for the delay.  Had to work out some plot issues. v

Chapter 14

Jamie returned to the parlor and took a seat in the red striped chair while Del showed the High Talbot to a guest bathroom Jamie hadn’t known existed. He wondered if the house had secret rooms it only revealed when there was need of them. He sipped his cooling tea. In time Del escorted the High Talbot back to the parlor. Jamie idly wondered if this was protocol or if the brownie didn’t really want to leave anyone, no matter what the rank, free to prowl around unescorted. Jamie rose from his chair as they entered. He set his cup down on the small table with the slight chink of china on china as it met the saucer. The High Talbot was still dabbing at a barely discernable smudge on his shirt.



“This is appears will be as good as can be expected,” The High Talbot said deliberately looking away from the spot.



“I’m sorry,” Jamie said somewhat hesitantly. “Is there something else…?” His comments were waved away.”



“No Keeper your housekeeper has been most helpful. What I need now is merely a change of clothing.”



“I see,” Jamie said. He wondered exactly what type of Fey the High Talbot was and if all of his ilk were this obsessive.



“Meanwhile I will have someone sent to remove the remains of the bag from your porch as well as to remove the detritus upstairs.”



“Thank you,” Jamie replied. “I really appreciate it.” The High Talbot waved away Jamie’s gratitude.



“It is nothing,” he said. He fixed his piercing blue eyes on Jamie who suddenly had to fight the urge to squirm. “The Keeper maintains order and balance. I wish you luck in a speedy resolve to your situation.”



“Thank you,” Jamie said realizing the problem of who was trying to kill him was all his.



“I will send any information gleaned from the remains to you. If the man who tried to bluff his way into Keeper status is found any information gleaned there will be returned to you as well.” Jamie again relayed his thanks as the High Talbot took his hat and coat from Del and prepared to leave. At the door, which Del held open, the High Talbot paused and looked at Jamie as if he wanted to say something. He thought better of it and instead merely gave a formal parting. Jamie wondered if he had driven to the house and mentally pictured a carriage drawn by horses breathing fire. Del shut the door before Jamie could see any sort of vehicle and when Jamie looked out of the sidelight the High Talbot was gone.



“Well that was certainly interesting,” he said. Del snorted.



“Interesting is not exactly the word I’d be using.”



“Probably not,” Jamie conceded. He thought of the burned spot on the bedroom floor. “Will we need to put water on the upstairs floorboards to keep them from burning down the house?”



“No,” Del told him. There was an amused glint in his eyes and Jamie had the feeling his ignorance was amusing. “The clean up crew will deal with it.” As if on cue footsteps sounded on the porch. Del opened the door before anyone could knock. The two of them looked out on what Jamie privately thought of as a Fey decontamination crew. They were shorter than Del by about a foot but what type of people they were was hard to tell as they all wore some sort of miniature hazmat suit.



“Good timing,” Del told them. “We have this nasty bit on the porch and a mess in the bedroom to clear.”



“Don’t forget the calling cards,” Jamie said, wanting them out of the house as well since all of the information had been taken from them. All three of the decontamination crew turned and stared at him. No one moved. Del sighed.

“You are making them nervous Keeper. Best if you go on about your business and I’ll deal with them.”



“Ah,” Jamie said. “Well then I’ll be in the library.” Jamie turned and left. As he stepped away he heard the sounds of movement and assumed the crew was dealing with the decimated luggage. He was curious and wanted to watch but figured he would rather have it done right then have some one forget something because they were jumpy from observation. Upstairs, Jamie avoided Albe’s room and paced between the library and the study as he tried to determine his next move.



As he moved he looked at the empty spot on the shelf where Albe’s most recent journal would have been placed. The other books had been ordered from the catalog and with luck would arrive soon, bearing with them some sort of clarification. The journal could not be replaced. Jamie stopped and scanned the arranged volumes wondering what Albe had seen, not only in the last few weeks but over his lifetime as Keeper. The volumes were dated but it didn’t look like Albe had followed the one volume for every year. The dates on the spines appeared to be hand written. The first date was the date of the first entry in the volume and the second date the same as the final entry. Some volumes spanned several years while other years seemed to take up several volumes.



“Busy time,” Jamie concluded. He scanned to the earliest volume. Its start date was listed as May 12, 1937. Jamie did some quick math and realized Albe would have been in his twenties at the time. Jamie slid the volume off the shelf and flipped to the first entry.



May 12, 1937



Grandfather is dead. That thought keeps swimming through my head in an inescapable loop. He was a force and thinking of him as gone is like thinking of the world without rain or wind. It is as though the natural order has been upended. Perhaps it merely seems that way because I am now alone in the house. His house. The family has all gone to their respective homes leaving enough covered dishes behind to feed me for a month. I did not tell them that much of it will spoil before I get around to eating it. I also did not tell them that I felt relief at their leaving. If I had to hear one more time about Elizabeth’s theory of threes I would have lost what little patience remained. I had run out of my store of logical arguments by the end. While I admit both grandfather’s passing and the Hindenburg’s crashing were both tragedies I hardly thing they are on the same level even if they did happen on the same day and I refuse to live in fear of the third tragedy Elizabeth believes to be waiting somewhere around the corner. I tried pointing out to her that if the two events were equated Grandfather’s death was one death and the dirigible’s demise signaled the deaths of 36 others bringing the entire count up to 37 individual tragedies. She burst into tears exclaiming that my pronouncement meant two more deaths were on the way. I did not try to ferret out the logic of this as I was too busy being chastised by Aunt Margret for disregarding Elizabeth’s delicate constitution. I suppose that complaining about delicate cousin Elizabeth was not what Grandfather meant me to record when he told me that I must keep a journal during my time as Keeper of the Crossroads just as the others before me had done. I wish he had told me what the Keeper of the Crossroads was and what I’m supposed to do other then just hand me a dusty volume of rules and an odd little necklace.



Jamie smiled at the entry. At least he wasn’t the only one thrown into the deep end of the pool without swim fins. Jamie closed the journal as a thought struck him.



“All of the Keepers kept journals,” he said. “Or they were supposed to.” If the Lune Merdos occurred on the Day of the Dead then details might have been recorded in previous years. Jamie flipped through the journal until he reached November 2nd. There were some notes about a war in Spain but no mention of Lune Merdos. He scanned over the few days prior to the second and learned that Albe had met a very pretty woman named Eleanor when he had run some errands in town and had several conversations with a fairy. Jamie shrugged, no longer thinking such entries were unusual.



“After all I spent a good portion of today talking to a brownie and a sentient house.” He replaced the book on the shelf and picked up another volume with November 2nd entries. This one was for 1938. Again nothing mentioning Lune Merdos. “Maybe it doesn’t happen every year.” He mused. Jamie continued to the end of Albe’s journals. He found vague references to world events and odd happenings in the realm of the fey. He also found that Albe had married pretty Eleanor and that she had died in childbirth. She and the baby, who did not live past the birthing, were buried in a small family cemetery on the property. Jamie never remembered seeing a cemetery on any of his walks with Albe. He made a mental note to look for it’s location on the property maps and pay a visit. Even if there was no burial, he could put a marker there for Albe. Jamie closed the last of the journals. He found no mention of Lune Merdos.



“It can’t be a one time thing,” Jamie said to himself. “Maybe it happens only every one hundred years.” In that case he would need some of the older journals. Jamie put Albe’s journal back on the shelf and walked over to the desk. If the journals weren’t stored in the library or study then they had to be in one of the back rooms. Jamie quickly flipped through pages, dismissing furniture and jewelry in a way that would have made his mother gasp in horror. Midway through the inventory he found what he was looking for. It was a list entitled Journals. Below it was a list of names and years.



“Now I just have to figure out what room they called Storage room 3.” Jamie smiled. “I guess I get to go on a scavenger hunt after all.”

Keeper: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The High Talbot stared at Jamie. He had gone completely still with Jamie’s pronouncement. He looked like a statue. Jamie could not even see the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. Del wheeled in a small cart containing a tea pot with the appropriate gear for two and a plate with a variety of sweet and savory offerings. His appearance broke the High Talbots statue like stance.



“I hope you do not find this too presumptuous Keeper but I believe you are mistaken.”



“No,” Jamie said as Del began to pour the tea. “I don’t believe I am. Someone tried to kill me this morning. Quite early this morning actually.” Jamie looked at Del as he took the offered tea cup. “Thank you.”



“You are serious?” The High Talbot said. Jamie nodded.



“Quite serious.” The High Talbot’s eyes shifted to Del. Del nodded.



“It is true your Lordship. The Keeper isn’t exaggerating. It happened shortly before dawn.”



“Who would do such a thing,” the High Talbot said. By the tone of voice Jamie though the comment was just voicing a thought rather than a question but he answered it anyway.



“I believe it is the same person or people who killed the Keeper before me.” Jamie took a sip of the piping hot tea. It was brewed nearly as strong as coffee. The High Talbot reached for his own cup. He poured a small measure of cream into it and used the tongs to add a sugar cube. Jamie noticed as he moved that his hands were shaking slightly. When the cup was fixed to his satisfaction the High Talbot took a deep sip. It seemed to steady him. He looked at Jamie his blue eyes bright and piercing.



“You believe Keeper Albrecht Fulton was murdered.”



Jamie met his gaze. “I do.” The High Talbot exhaled an impossibly long breath and took another sip.



“This will not do,” he said. Jamie quirked an eyebrow up in surprise. “There are rules.” He told Jamie firmly. “The Keeper maintains the balance. One does not kill the Keeper. It simply won’t do.”



“I appreciate the sentiment,” Jamie said dryly. From his position by the door Del quirked his mouth up in a half smile. He was too polite to do more than that in the presence of such a high personage. Jamie got the impression that he would have retreated out of sight and back to the kitchen quickly if her weren’t needed to confirm earlier events.



“Yes, this is most distressing to you as a person I am sure sir but you are the Keeper. As reprehensible as killing one person may be it is magnified exponentially when your position is taken into account.”



“I see,” Jamie said. “My I ask what would have happened if I had been killed this morning?”



“Chaos,” the man said firmly. “The entire system would be out of balance. It would be utter chaos. Most improper.” Jamie got the distinct impression that the High Talbot did not like things out of order. “May I ask what happened?”



“Last night I fell asleep in the Library,” Jamie began. Somehow he figured telling people where he was sleeping while someone was actively trying to kill him in his sleep was not a good idea. It was the only deception in his tale however and Del had no problem nodding in agreement when the High Talbot looked to him for confirmation.



“You used rubbing alcohol and paint?” The High Talbot asked. Jamie had been proud of his ruse but the tone of the question made him feel a little silly.



“Well I didn’t want to really hurt him,” Jamie replied.



“I see,” The High Talbot said. “In that case it was quite resourceful.”



“Thank you.”



“I believe I may be of assistance. I would like to take a look at the damage upstairs if I may? If, as your housekeeper suspects, a secondary trap exists I may be able to nullify it, possibly determining something of it creator as well.”



“That would indeed be of assistance,” Jamie told him. Del gave him a sharp look. “And I would be deeply grateful.” He added quickly. Apparently the High Talbot did not usually render assistance in person.



“It will be my pleasure.” He stood and Jamie followed suit. He let the way upstairs, the High Talbot following and Del trailing along after. At the closed door to Albe’s room Jamie reached for the door knob. Behind him the High Talbot cleared his throat. Jamie turned to find both of his companions frowning at him.



“If there is an active spell within the room it is most likely keyed to your presence. It would perhaps be best if it remain dormant while we have a look.” Jamie looked slightly puzzled.



“In this case dormant would mean not actively trying to kill you.” Jamie moved his hand away from the door knob as though it were red hot.



“I see,” he said sheepishly. “Sorry, I’m just not used to this whole magic thing and people trying to kill me.” He backed away from the door. Del made a shooing motion and Jamie kept backing up until the brownie was satisfied he was out of harms way. Feeling a little useless Jamie watched as the High Talbot opened the door to Albe’s bedroom. The man lifted an eyebrow as he took in the damage.



“It was perhaps a good thing that you fell asleep in the library,” the High Talbot commented. “And I believe your Housekeeper is correct. There is something still active.”



“Can you remove it?” Jamie asked. The High Talbot opened his mouth to reply but shut it again rapidly. He stared into the room and Jamie wished he could see what was going on.



“That is most distressing,” The High Talbot said.



“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one,” Del said. The High Talbot glanced down at him. “Sir,” he added.



“What is going on?” Jamie asked. He took a step forward. Green smoke started to drift around the High Talbot’s feet. Jamie froze.



“It seems to be activated by your voice so I would appreciate your not speaking.” The High Talbot said. Jamie nodded and clamped his lips down into a thin line. “You will need to back out of the way,” he told Del. Del nodded and moved out of the doorway. He placed himself halfway down the hall, squarely between Jamie and the door. Jamie smiled despite the danger. The smoke tried to move past the High Talbot, pushing into the hallway. Instinctively Jamie backed up a step. The smoke seemed to turn towards him and he decided that moving might be as bad an idea as talking. He pretended to be made of granite.



“I do not think so,” the High Talbot said to the smoke. He spread his hands wide, palms towards the smoke.Jamie thought he saw something like a heat haze directly below the hands. He narrowed his eyes but the haze did not change. The High Talbot appeared to push down and the smoke retreated into the bedroom. It moved slowly, grudgingly Jamie could see the High Talbot’s jaw clench and he realized that whatever was happening took effort. The High Talbot followed the smoke back in the room. Whatever was happening was silent and beyond Jamie’s line of vision. He had the feeling Del would not let him walk over and peek inside. The brownie was doing his own statue imitation and taking up more of the hallway than Jamie thought possible. They waited and Jamie’s breath sounded load to his own ears. He was beginning to wonder if someone should go into the room to check on the High Talbot when a hand gripped the door frame. The High Talbot stepped into the hallway, leaning heavily on the door frame. His hair was askew, his suit rumpled and it looked as though he had bitten through his own lip.



“I believe that has done it,” he said. Jamie relaxed.



“Thank you,” he said.



“Not at all,” he replied. “I don’t suppose you have somewhere I might use to freshen up a bit?” He eyed his rumpled suit with distain.



“Of course,” Jamie said, wondering which of the guest bathrooms would be suitable.



“This way your Lordship,” Del said taking the decision out of his hands and leading the High Talbot away. Jamie followed, glancing into Albe’s bedroom as he passed. The wooden floorboards were scorched in a vaguely circular area about three feet wide. In the center were two hand prints of unburned wood. The air had an acrid smell that snuck into the back of his throat and lodged there like a stone. He coughed, wanting to spit the taste out. Wondering if he should put some water on it to make sure the house didn’t burn down he followed the two people who might know the answer.

Keeper: Chapter 12

Sorry about the missing day, got a bit tangled up this week.  v.

Chapter 12

Jamie tidied his paint and assorted other jars and with Del’s help brought them back out to the porch studio.



“That was pretty quick thinking on your part,” Del said with a proud smile. Jamie grinned.



“It was wasn’t it? You weren’t so bad yourself.”



“I do try,” Del responded. He sniffed the jar of what was supposed to be toxic acid. His nose wriggled at the smell. “So what exactly is that stuff. It smells evil.” Jamie laughed.



“Paint and rubbing alcohol. I figured the paint would give it color and the alcohol would tingle. If it had gotten into his eyes it would have burned like hell but no real damage would have been done.” Del nodded his approval and they went back into the kitchen so Jamie could wash off his hands.



“Do you know a Stedovan?” Jamie asked as he dried his hands on the towel looped through the refrigerator’s handle. Del shook his head.



“Doesn’t ring a bell.”



“Hmm,” Jamie thought for a moment. “Del what do you know of the keeper’s house? Or what did you know before you came?”



“Not much,” Del replied. “Mostly that it is the keeper’s house so therefore whoever lives here must be the keeper. There are rumors that the house knows the false keeper.”



“So in theory, if the man had shown up and taken residence here as temporary keeper he would be recognized as keeper because he occupied the house?”



“Sounds true. Which might explain why they tried to move so fast. No one has really met you,” Del said.



“You have,” Jamie said as they moved back towards the parlor to straighten it for the High Talbot’s arrival. Del snorted.



“No one of note has met you,” he amended. “The High Talbot authorized me to work here. If I had been daft enough to buy this fellows story, especially if you had met your end with the boulder last night, then he would for all appearances be accepted. He would answer calls and my guess is that there would be no mention of his being interim anything where company could hear. He would just be called Keeper and folks would accept that since he was in the house.” Jamie straightened the chair and set its feet back into the indentions in the carpet. Del wound the rope back up into a coil. Jamie pretended not to notice that the cut Del had made to free their prisoner had been mended and the rope was now just one long piece.



“So he could have pulled it off.” Jamie said. He thought of House. “In theory.”



“In theory yes,” Del said. “There are those who would have been so rattled they would have bought the story as a life line. As a rule folks like me look after the house and those that live in it. We don’t get mixed up in wider doings.”



“House?” Jamie asked.



“Yes Keeper.”



“If I were killed with the boulder upstairs, what would have happened?”



“The housekeeper would have sought out the High Talbot and I would have sealed all entrances and exits until another Keeper came.”



“So if I had died you would have let this man is as the new Keeper?”



“No,” came the reply. “He is not Keeper.”



“How would you know?”



“Because you are the Keeper.”



“Yes but if I was dead how would you know who the new Keeper was?”



“He would wear the key.”



“I see,” Jamie said. Del was staring at him with an amused look on his face and Jamie remembered the brownie could not hear the house speak. Jamie shrugged and lifted the chain, pulling the medallion everyone seemed to refer as the key from his shirt. “So if he had been wearing this he would have been accepted as the Keeper?”



“No,” came House’s reply.



“Why not?” Jamie asked with a frown.



“He could not be Keeper.”



“Why not?”



“Because you are Keeper.” Jamie sighed. He had the feeling that House was not an esoteric thinker.



“If I were dead.”



“No even of you were dead he would not be Keeper.”



“Why not?”



“He was not human.”



“So a Keeper must be human?”



“Yes.”



“Why?”



“I do not know.”



“You just know that it is.”



“Yes.” Jamie turned to Del.



“Did you know that the Keeper has to be human?”



“No,” Del said shaking his head. “But it makes sense.”



“Oh?”



“Human’s aren’t tied to any of the houses so they would be outside of any conflict. A keeper’s job is to resolve the conflicts with an outsider’s perspective.”



“Makes sense I suppose,” Jamie agreed. “On more question House if you don’t mind.”



“Of course not Keeper.”



“Did you sense anything coming into this house after we let the man in?” Del’s eyebrow rose at the question.



“No Keeper.”



“Nothing at all? Not even a flicker of something?”



“Nothing at all.”



“I see, thank you.”



“So the house couldn’t sense the smoke?” Del asked.



“Seems that way. I wonder if that is because the smoke wasn’t really alive or because it was tied to the virus like thing someone slipped into the calling cards,” Jamie mused.



“I couldn’t tell you,” el replied. “For that we would need an expert.”



A knock sounded on the door. Del jumped but looked to Jamie before moving to answer it.



“I think by now everyone realizes I am still alive.” Del walked into the hallway and opened the door. On the porch was a tall man dressed in a black suit. Jamie could see the suit had tiny gray pinstripes. The stripes were dark gray and almost blended with the black as if the owner thought that even pin stripes were too ostentatious. He was, by Jamie’s estimation nearly seven feet tall. He was thin however, not as though he were starved but as though he as built that way. One hand was wrapped around the top of a black cane with a sliver knob handle. He had a top hat on his head and piercing green eyes. He didn’t look overly unfriendly but Jamie had the feeling he was a bad man to cross. At the moment he had a frown on his face. His gaze however was not aimed at Del. It was aimed at the bag the intruder had brought with him.



“Or more aptly the remains of the bag,” Jamie thought. The satchel looked as though something inside had exploded from it without bothering to open it.



“Probably explains where the green smoke snake came from,” Jamie said into the quiet. The tall man’s gaze snapped to him. Del cleared his throat. The tall man looked down.



“Good day your Lordship,” Del said with a little head bob. “Thank you for coming so quickly, please won’t you come in?” Del stepped out of the way and the tall man crossed the threshold.



“Keeper Fulton,” Del said. “I would like to present to you his lordship the High Talbot.” The High Talbot removed his hat and Jamie was surprised to see the man had hair the color of straw. Somehow he had expected it to be black.



“A pleasure to meet you sir,” The man said his voice rolling out in smooth tones. He inclined his head slightly.



“The pleasure is mine of course,” Jamie replied. “Please, won’t you come have a seat in the parlor?”



“Thank you,” the High Talbot said. He held out his hat which Del took immediately. He then shucked his coat, handing it to Del as well. Del turned and whisked them both off as the High Talbot followed Jamie into the parlor.



“We have had some what of an odd day today,” Jamie began as they both seated themselves. “Thank you for coming so quickly, I hope it hasn’t inconvenienced you in any way.”



“It would be more inconvenient to have a discomfited Keeper,” the High Talbot said with a friendly smile. “Not to presume too much but I suppose that … thing on your porch is tied to your odd day?”



“It is, although it does come in at the end of the story,” Jamie confirmed.



“The end? Well I suspect the beginning must be quite something.”



“It is actually,” Jamie replied. “My day started with someone trying to kill me.”

Keeper: Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Jamie watched as Del tied the unconscious man to one of the red striped chairs.



“The one without the key,” Jamie thought absently to himself. He was sort of in a daze as Del worked. Things like tying people to chairs after having knocked them out were not something he had ever contemplated as part of his life. Del stepped back and Jamie seated himself in the other chair, the one with the key and waited for the man to wake up. Since his head hadn’t been hit that hard, it was not a long wait. With a moan he stirred and as soon as he realized he was bound, he started to struggle.



“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jamie cautioned. “You might upset the chair and knock yourself out again.” The man stopped struggling. He stared at Jamie through narrowed eyes.



“Release me now,” he said. The words came out with a slight reptilian hiss and Jamie lifted an eyebrow.



“You aren’t human are you?” Jamie asked, his tone more curious than anything. He received only a glare in response. Jamie shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter, I suppose all things being equal. What do you know about rocks? Specifically the kind that magically appear to crush unwary sleepers?” The man started to open his mouth and then clamped it shut in a thin line, as if he thought better of his response. Del poked him in the back with the rolling pin.



“Silence isn’t going to help you,” Del said, his tone dark.



“We could just wait until the High Talbot gets here,” Jamie said. “It shouldn’t be too long.” He watched panic skitter across the man’s face. Jamie leaned in as if speaking confidentially. “He doesn’t really like people using his name improperly does he?”



“I heard he takes a dim view of it,” Del said. “A very dim view.” The man swallowed hard but kept his mouth shut. Jamie was starting to think they would have to actually call the High Talbot. He hadn’t because he didn’t know if the High Talbot was in on this plot.



“Of course,” he thought. “I’m still not sure what the High Talbot does other than act as a work reference.” From the man’s fear he bet the High Talbot was a little higher on the food chain than your typical temp agency supervisor. He stared at the man in the chair. Interrogation was not exactly something he was trained for. Odd scenes from bad movies flashed through his mind.



“You know if he won’t talk on his own,” Jamie said. “We’ll just have to take matters into our own hands. After all I have questions and it would be a shame to let the High Talbot have all of the fun getting them. Watch him while I go get my tools.” Del looked somewhat surprised but nodded. Jamie got up and left the parlor. Behind him he could hear Del talking to the bound man, telling him it would be better if he talked before Jamie returned.



Jamie shook his head not sure how far his impromptu bluff would get them. He went out to the small studio Albe had created for him in the enclosed back porch. He picked up anything he thought might be useful and returned to the parlor. Del was still making low threats and the man in the chair had begun to shake. Jamie felt bad for him but reminded himself that the man was part of a plot to kill him and summoned his inner terrorist such as it was. He resisted the bad German accent as it seemed to go more with mad scientists than the role he was attempting.



“Has he decided to be smart yet?” Jamie asked. The man swiveled his head around at the sound of Jamie’s voice but Del blocked him from seeing Jamie’s ‘tools’. Jamie took his time arranging them on the sideboard. He made sure the glass clinked and the wood and metal implement snapped harshly against the surface.



“No,” Del told him. “He has decided to be very, very stupid.”



“Pity,” Jamie said, trying to keep his tone dispassionate. “I rather liked this carpet.”



“We can always have it cleaned,” Del said.



“True,” Jamie agreed. “But it is never the same. And the maids do complain so frightfully.” Jamie walked away from his tools and into the man’s line of sight. He could see the man swallowing hard, his eyes wide as he watched Jamie. Jamie felt like a snake mesmerizing a rabbit. Jamie kneeled in front of the man until he could look him in the eye. He stared into his eyes for a moment then sighed.



“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said truthfully. “But you are leaving me no choice. Are you sure there is nothing you wish to tell me? Nothing you wish to share?” The man’s eyes were wide and he was breathing so hard and fast that Jamie feared he would hyperventilate but he didn’t say a word. Jamie sighed again and stood up.



“Very well then. I suppose we could always get new carpet.” Jamie walked back over to the sideboard and picked up an empty mason jar.



“It has been years since I had to mix this particular concoction,” Jamie said addressing his words to the room at large. “Most people aren’t stupid enough for me to have to use it. But some things you never forget.”



He placed the Mason jar down with a click and picked up a bottle of de-natured alcohol. He clinked the glass bottle against the other containers and slowly unscrewed the cap.



“In their separate components,” he said conversationally, “The elements are harmless. That is what makes them so wonderful. Even under the closest inspection no one would think their being here even slightly odd.” Jamie poured the alcohol into the Mason jar. “Unless one knew the recipe.”



Jamie picked up a jar of red paint and slowly poured enough into the alcohol to tint it. He then exchanged the red paint for the blank and mixed it until it was a darkly evil looking red. As he mixed he wondered how long he could keep this bluff going. Jamie picked up the Mason jar and a long handled wooden paint brush. He also grabbed a rag. He moved to stand in front of the man again.



Jamie carefully placed the Mason jar on the small decorative table between the two chairs. He made his movements very careful and precise as if afraid of spilling anything on himself. The man’s eyes followed the jar and then darted back to Jamie.



“Don’t touch that,” Jamie told Del. “I wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”



“Of course, Keeper,” Del said, his tone respectful. “Is that what I think it is?”



“Yes,” Jamie said. “Unfortunately it is.” Dell let out a low whistle.



“I didn’t know there was still a man alive who knew how to mix it.” Del said in awe. Jamie was thankful for the brownie’s acting ability.



“I always hoped I’d never halve to. But unfortunately someone is trying to kill me.”



“Understandable during these circumstances Keeper. No one would fault you.” Jamie took the rag and slowly wound it around the base of the paintbrush.



“I wouldn’t want to burn my hand,” Jamie told the watching man. “You understand.” Jamie indicated the jar. “You know what that is and what it does don’t you?” The man shook his head. “Really?” Jamie continued. “The name is of course unimportant as it changes from time to time. But what it does is very important. Do you think I should tell him what it does or keep it a surprise?” Jamie asked Del.



“Seems like it would be up to you.” Came the reply. Jamie looked thoughtful for a moment.



“I suppose there is no harm as he seems determined to find out for himself.” Jamie smiled. “This is a very special concoction. When brushed lightly on your skin it will slightly tingle. So light you might even begin to enjoy the cooling sensation. But once it dries. If a second layer is applied a lovely chemical reaction takes place and the skin begins to burn and blister.”



“Very nasty stuff,” Del said.



“It is,” Jamie agreed. “That is why this is so rarely used. Of course that is nothing to what happens should any of it get into your eyes or mouth.”



Del clucked his tongue. “Now that is the stuff of horrors.”



“Once in your eyes it doesn’t need a second layer to start the burning and every blink, every shift of your eye will spread the burning fire is it eats its way through.” Jamie thought of the sting rubbing alcohol would have in the eyes and magnified the pain. “In your throat it would burn out your vocal cords, searing your throat with every swallow. And once started it can’t be stopped.” Jamie paused. “That is why we always start on the mouth last. It would be hard for you to talk without those.”



“And out here there is no one to hear you scream,” Del added. Jamie made sure his hand was shielded from drips by the rag and moved the paint brush towards the Mason jar.



“Are you sure you have nothing to say?” The man shook his head. Resigned Jamie dipped the brush in the Jar. He looked over at Del. “House?” Jamie said. “You had best call the High Talbot and tell him to hurry here.”



“Of course Keeper,” House said. No one else blinked and Jamie realized no one else could hear the house.



“Thank you,” Jamie turned back to the seated man. “People have been known to go mad with the pain.” Jamie lifted the dripping paint brush from the jar and slowly moved it towards the man’s face. He knew as the alcohol started to evaporate it would produce a cool tingling sensation. He knew he would have to be careful and go slow. With luck someone would arrive before he had to start on the second layer. “Hold still,” Jamie said. The man flinched as the paintbrush came into contact with his cheek. Jamie traced a line down the side of the man’s face and then pulled the brush away as if awaiting a reaction. The man’s mouth opened and closed as he felt the tingle of the evaporation.



“We can stop any time,” Jamie told him. “The permanent damage only occurs after the first layer is complete.” Jamie traced a line across the man’s forehead and again waited. The third line went across the man’s upper lip and Jamie nearly smiled, breaking the illusion. The line above his lips dripped down a little on the side making it look like an odd mustache. The smell of the paint and alcohol made the man’s eyes water.



“I can’t tell you,” he gasped out. Jamie paused, his brush close to the man’s cheek.



“Tell me.” He said.



“He will kill me.”



“So will we,” Del told him. The man paused, torn between the thought of which death would be worse.



“Who will kill you?” Jamie asked.



“Stedovan,” the main whispered the name, his voice barely audible.



“Stedovan?” Jamie repeated. “And who exactly is Stedovan?” The man’s eyes went wider than Jamie had seen them, the whites gleaming.



“He’ll kill me,” the man said, his voice panicky. Out of the corner of his eye, Jamie caught movement in the hallway. He stood and looked. Del turned to see what had caught Jamie’s attention. Green smoke was sliding through the cracks around the door. It wasn’t billowing as though something had caught fire and was edging in but like a solid gaseous being. Once through the cracks instead of dissipating like smoke it came together as though it were one long snake. The green smoke snake began slithering into the parlor. Del backed away. He started pulling Jamie with him.



“We can’t just leave him here,” Jamie said pointing to the man in the chair. If the smoke snake was dangerous, and all of Jamie’s natural instincts said it would be, then abandoning a bound man to it would add some of the blame for his death to Jamie’s score. Jamie started forward. With a groan, Del shoved him back and took a step forward. A small knife glinted in his hand. The man squeaked but Del simply cut the ropes binding him.



The ropes fell away and the man sprang to his feet. Del grabbed him by his shirt collar and hauled him towards the front window. The snake flowed towards them as they stepped away from Jamie. Del reached the window and tugged it open with one hand. When it was open, Del heaved the man through the open window and stepped quickly away. Seeing its prey escape, the snake darted towards the open window and in a moment was gone. Jamie looked through the glass as Del slammed the window shut. The man was running as fast as his legs would carry him, the snake following in pursuit.



“Well that was certainly interesting,” Del said as they both watched the man disappear beyond a stand of trees. “I wonder what the High Talbot will make of that.

Keeper: Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Jamie left the study and headed back down to the kitchen. He didn’t know if anyone was watching the upper windows for movement so he ducked low and avoided them. He felt a little silly doing so, as if he had been transported into some sort of spy movie, but the thought of the crushed bed was a good motivator.




“After all,” he thought, “If you wanted to kill someone how much easier would a sniper be?” Del was mixing something in a bowl when Jamie entered the kitchen. Luckily he was far enough away from the windows. Thinking more of snipers than anything else Jamie was glad the man was safe. Del glanced at Jamie with his usual smile but when he spotted the look on Jamie’s have the smile fell.



“What’s happened?”



“House says someone is sneaking around the outside. Whoever it is accidentally brushed up against the glass when looking in.”



Del’s face darkened at the news. “I see,” he said. His set the bowl down and picked up a wicked looking cleaver. Jamie swallowed hard.



“I’d rather find out a few things than scare him away.”



“I can find out a few things.”



“Without bloodshed if possible.” Jamie looked pointedly at the cleaver and Del sighed. He put the cleaver down and picked up a rolling pin. It was the marble one that Millie had always used for pasteries.



“Better?” Del asked.



“Yes, thank you.”



“They started it you know.”



“I know ,” Jamie told him. Del seemed disappointed by the change in weapon but he didn’t reach for the cleaver again. “We need a plan.” Del shrugged.



“I sneak outside knock them out tie them to a chair and when they wake up you ask your questions,” Del said. “What more of a plan do we need?” Jamie frowned. Somehow he thought Del’s tap on the noggin with the marble rolling pin might not be something their intruder would wake up from.



“The intruder has stepped on to the porch, Keeper.” House said. It sounded affronted by the action.



“He’s on the porch?” Jamie responded.



“How do you know that?” Del asked.



“What?”



“How do you know the intruder is on the porch?” Del asked again.



“House just told me. You didn’t hear?”



“No,” Del responded shaking his head.



“Great, so I’m the only one who can hear the house talk. Why is that not comforting?” Del chuckled.



“It means you are the true Keeper. The House is keyed to you. It wouldn’t do for it to be blabbing to everyone the secrets it keeps for you.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Jamie conceded.



“But I suppose if he is on the porch He shouldn’t be too hard to find.” Del started to move to the back door that led out into the kitchen garden. “I’ll just sneak around the side. You stay here.” Before Jamie could protest there was a knock at the front door. Both of them turned, startled by the sound.



“That’s not usually how intruders operate,” Del said.



“No it isn’t.” Jamie agreed. “New plan. You go answer the door and show our guest into the parlor. Try to find out what he wants without the rolling pin. I’ll stay out of sight.” The knock sounded again and Del moved towards the front door. Jamie noticed he didn’t put the rolling pin down.



“I’m coming,” He called. The knocking stopped. Jamie slipped into the informal parlor where he could listen in while not being seen. Once Del was certain he was out of sight he opened the door. Standing on the doorstep was a rather ordinary looking man. He was dressed in cream colored slacks with a white dress shirt neatly tucked in. He had skinny tan suspenders with shiny silver fasteners. They appeared to be more of an affectation rather than pants support. His shoes were soft brown leather and he was tapping one foot rather impatiently. By his feet was a brown leather suitcase. The man had light brown hair and brown eyes. His nose reminded Jamie of a Greek statue as it was sharply pointed. Jamie watched him in the reflection of the doors glass. He frowned at Del.



“It is about time,” he said sharply. “Do you leave all of your guests stranded out her for this long? If so that will be changing immediately.” The man tried to step forward over the threshold but Del did not give way.



“May I help you sir?” Del asked. The man snorted.



“Do you not know who I am? Have you not been told of my arrival?”



“No sir I have not.” Jamie had to give Del points for maintaining an even tone of voice if nothing else.



“I am the interim Keeper. I would have thought that much would have been clear.”



“Interim keeper?” Del asked.



“Yes, yes,” the man said. ‘It is unfortunate that the keeper was killed without naming a successor but these things happen. I will be in charge until it gets all sorted out.” He looked down at Del. “And I can say I will be sorting out a few things here as well.”



“I see sir.” Del said. “Why don’t you come into the parlor then and sit down after your no doubt long trip.” Del stepped to the side to allow the man passage. Jamie couldn’t see Del’s face but if he had been the man on the porch nothing would have gotten him to go into the parlor. Del’s voice made it sound like something of a gallows invitation. The man however was not Jamie and his tone softened with the invitation.



“Finally, some decent manners.” He stepped over the threshold. “Have my bags brought to my room and fetch some tea while you are at it.” The man turned to the formal parlor and walked into the room without looking back. Del shut the door, leaving the suitcase on the porch. Jamie snuck into the hallway as Del followed the man into the parlor.



“May I ask sir,” Del began. “Who sent you?” There was another snort from the man.



“The High Talbot of course. Who else? Now I find I am hungry as well. With the tea please bring me a light snack to tide me over for dinner. When you return I will look over the evening menu and decide if it is appropriate.” In the hallway Jamie rolled his eyes and decided he had had enough.



“I don’t think that will be necessary Del,” he said stepping into the formal parlor. The man was sitting in one of the red striped chairs and as Jamie entered he stood.



“You dare to countermand one of my orders to my staff?” The man said indignantly. “Who do you think you are?”



“How rude of me, Please allow me to introduce myself. I am James Fulton, Keeper of the Crossroads. The rock missed.” Color drained from the man’s face. He started to stammer out a response but no words came. He bolted trying to run for the door but Del was faster than he was. He tripped the man and he went sprawling, hitting his head on the edge of the table on the way down. He was unconscious when he hit the floor. Del tapped the rolling pin he still carried against his leg.



“I guess I didn’t need this after all.”



“I guess not,” Jamie said. He bent over to make sure the man was still breathing. To Jamie’s relief, he was. They both looked at him for a moment.



“I’ll go get the rope from the kitchen. We can decide what to do after he is secure.”