Chapter Text
The carriage rattled along the winding road, its thin but large wheels hobbled up the road, pulled by the two grey horses at the front, inside the carriage was a single well-built man with raven black hair and a crisp suit.
The man’s name was Abolish Veylocke, he was a high-ranking lawyer in one of England’s most respectable firms, he was travelling to the town of Oakhurst on what his superiors called an “exciting opportunity for our company,” which basically translates to “a way for us to make a lot of money to embezzle.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter, his soon to be husband had placed in his hand as Abolish got into the carriage, he had been told not to open it until far away, halfway across the island of Britain was probably enough in his opinion.
My dearest Abby,
While I know this is just a simple business venture, I also know you will meet many interesting characters in Oakhurst, while I have complete fate that you will remain loyal to me on this trip, know that if you are to fall prey to be it a muscly man or enchanting woman, my thoughts shall be put at ease when I think of our wedding in a few months’ time, and also of course your fellow lawyer Czelaw, that scholar boy Jack (though I heard he's going by the name Pyro now for some odd reason) who has put on some delicious size these past few months since he came back from that trip up north, and if I look for variety, that librarian girl down the road who lives with Pyro.
More love then I could ever possibly explain, your fiancé.
The carriage came to a shuddering stop as Abolish folded the letter back into his pocket, he heard the driver jump down and limp his way over to the carriage door, he swung it open and as Abolish stepped out, he noticed he was just outside the town.
“Excuse me driver, but I was promised you would take me directly to the Count's castle?”
“I will go no further, it is a mistake that you even came here in the first place.” The Driver Marco sneered.
“May you at least help me carry my luggage to the town?”
“I told you, I shall go no further, this place is cursed.” Marco replied as he crossed himself.
Marco quickly handed Abolish his few bags, he limped as fast as he could back to the box seat, he muttered about the devil as he looked back at Abolish.
“Strange.” Abolish said to himself as he began to walk towards the town.
The sky rumbled with ominous storm clouds as Abolish made his way to the town entrance, Abolish hoped it would not rain, the suit he was wearing was quite new and he would hate for it to get wet on his first time wearing it.
With multiple cases slung over his arm Abolish finally reached the walls of the “cursed” town, he noticed a few townsfolk still out and about despite it being past nine, though he couldn’t be certain due to the clouds blocking the sky.
“Here, let me help you with that.”
Abolish turned to the left to see a man with a buzz cut and monocle smiling at him kindly, motioning for Abolish to hand him some of his cases.
“And you are?” Abolish asked.
“Oh sorry, I’m the doctor in this town, Legundo, but most people call me Legs.”
“While it is a kind offer, I can assure you Legundo, that I am perfectly fine carrying my cases.”
“And you’re just going to carry your cases for the rest of your journey?”
Abolish was about to answer, but he paused. He wasn’t sure where he was supposed to go, he couldn’t see the Count’s manor so that must mean it was deep in the forest.
“I’m not too sure, is there anywhere I could rest until I regain my bearings?” Abolish asked.
“Of course, you can stay in the town’s tavern, I’m sure the owner Renhardt will have no objections to you staying as long as you need.”
“That shall not be long, I plan to leave and head to my destination as soon as possible.”
“And what is your destination may I ask?”
“The Count’s manor, I am a lawyer and I’ve been hired to assist the count in setting up a property in London.”
All colour drained from the doctor’s face, his breath caught for a moment. “You must not go there, it is for your own good.”
“But why not?” Abolish asked, it seemed even the locals were superstitious.
“Bad things happen to the people who visit the count.” The doctor replied. “I can see it in your eyes that I cannot change your mind, just please do not mention it to the townsfolk, the Count is a controversial figure here.”
Abolish could see he would not get any further answers out of the man so he simply followed the doctor up the path to the largest building in the town, smoke was pouring out of the chimney and Abolish could hear people talking inside.
“Here you may leave your bags, the people in this town are respectable, you will not need to worry about theft.”
Abolish slowly removed each of his four bags from his arms, he was only planning to stay the night, but he always did like to overpack. The doctor swung open the door, voices quieting as people strained their necks to see who had entered the tavern, they seemed to be taken aback when they noticed their Doctor standing with a strange man.
A man with a rather impressive moustache walked over to greet Abolish, he was cleaning a glass with a rag so Abolish assumed he must be the tavern owner.
“Lovely to meet ye, young man. My name is Renhardt Dogmourne, but you may call me Ren don’t ya know.”
“Nice to meet you as well, My name is Abolish Veylocke, pardon me but I can’t seem to place your accent, where is it from?”
“My tongue was cursed by a witch as a young laddie,” Ren replied, “I know young men like you don’t believe in magic anymore but believe me it’s true.”
“Of course.” Abolish replied, he started to regret entering the tavern, what if the rest of the townsfolk were just as mad as this Ren?
“Abolish is looking for accommodation until he can get back on his journey to his destination.”
“And he came to the right place, though might I ask, where is your destination young sir?”
The doctor gave Ren a look and Ren turned to Abolish, sympathy in his eyes.
“I see, well I do apologise.” Ren said. “Your first drink will be on the house don’t ya know, go take a seat over there, get yourself acquainted with the townsfolk.”
“Thank you,” Abolish said as he made his way over to where Ren had pointed, it was a stool in between a few townsfolk.
“Now if you’re settled I shall leave you, I would stay but I have patients to attend to.” The doctor said.
“Of course,” Abolish replied.
Abolish took his seat, around him was a woman with brownish hair and some sort of bundle in her arms, a red-haired woman wearing a dark dress and a tanned man with a trimmed beard.
“Here you go sir, I hope you like a strong beer as that’s all we have at the moment don’t ya know.” The tavern owner said as he placed a mug of beer in front of Abolish.
“And who is this Ren?” The red-haired woman asked.
“My name is Abolish Veylocke, I’m here on business actually so I shan’t be staying long, and who might you be?”
“I’m Apo, this is my wife Cherri and he’s Sausage.”
“M!” Sausage corrected. “I’m an aspiring author, I wrote Twilight, have you heard of it? I’m nearly finished the second one actually, I could get you a free copy.”
“Sausage, no one outside of Oakhurst has heard of your book.” Cherri said as gave him a look.
“Actually, I think my fiancé has read it, he enjoyed it quite thoroughly.” Abolish answered.
“That’s amazing! How long have you been engaged actually?” Sausage asked.
“Almost a year now, our wedding is in three months, why?”
“Oh, I was just wondering if you were set on marrying this man, he is very lucky you know.” Sausage replied as his eyes roamed Abolish.
“Sausage, it’s rude to objectify people when you first meet them, actually it’s rude to objectify people in general.” Apo said as Abolish took a sip of his drink, it was only alright, it had a bitter aftertaste.
Suddenly a soft cry began emanating from the bundle of blankets, two breaths and then a wail, repeated. That was when Abolish realized that it wasn’t just a bundle but a baby wrapped in one.
“Is that child yours?” Abolish asked.
“No, she was left at the town gates a few weeks ago and me and Cherri agreed to take her in until she could get a proper home.” Apo said as Cherri got up to leave, she rocked the baby as she got up.
“It’s okay Apo, you stay, I’ll calm Liz down.” Cherri said.
Abolish gulped down more of his bitter beer as Apo thanked Cherri, he waved politely at Cherri as she left, however Ren mistook it as a request for another drink so he came over with another filled mug of beer.
“Oh, sorry I didn’t mean to call you over, you seem to be working awful hard, why don’t you have it?” Abolish asked.
“That is very kind, I guess I can take a small break.” Ren said as he took a large swig of the beer.
“You know Ren, did Abolish tell you that he’s getting married in three months?”
“Why no! They’re quite lucky.” Ren said.
“Actually Abolish, what are you doing in Oakhurst if you’re getting married so soon?” Apo asked.
Ren tried to signal to Abolish not to answer but he was just out of Abolish eyeline.
“Like I said, I’m here on business, I’ve been sent to go through some paperwork with the Count of this town.” Abolish said, slightly louder than he meant to.
The entire tavern went silent apart from the faint cries from the baby outside, everyone turned to Abolish, all with sadness in their eyes, Abolish wasn’t sure why the townsfolk seemed to dislike the Count so much, he had heard only praise from his superiors back in London.
“Oh, I’m truly sorry.” Apo said, Abolish thought he could see a tear forming in one of her eyes.
“You should go wait outside Abolish, the count’s driver shall be here to collect you soon.” Ren said.
“Of course, you have all been very kind to me, maybe I’ll come back tomorrow before I head off back to London.”
All he received was a kind smile from Sausage, Apo turned away and Ren got up to go back to serving drinks. Abolish left the building, he grabbed his bags as he left, Cherri was standing outside, the baby Liz still being rocked in her arms.
“I heard what you said inside,” Cherri said as she removed a cross necklace from her pocket. “Please take this, the count does not know of its existence, perhaps it shall keep you safe.”
“I couldn’t, it must be worth far too much for me just to take!” Abolish replied.
“Please, think of it as an early wedding present as I won’t be able to attend it.”
“With the amount of hospitality everyone I’ve met so far has shown me, I shall have to invite the whole town to my wedding!” Abolish laughed.
“Then think of it as a present from Liz, please sir.” Cherri pleaded.
“Oh alright,” Abolish sighed as he took the cross necklace from Cherri’s hand and placed it in his pocket gently.
“Thank you,” Cherri said, her eyes flicked past Abolish for a moment. “I will leave you now, the Count’s driver will be here any moment.”
Without even giving Abolish the chance to say goodbye she speedily walked off towards one of the nearby houses, Abolish heard the click of the lock echo slightly through the town.
Abolish turned to the towns entrance and saw a black carriage emerge from the woods, the driver was wrapped in black from head to toe, Abolish could see a pale line of flesh around the driver’s eyes as he got nearer. The horses were also black and he thought he could see some bones sticking through their gaunt flesh.
The carriage slowed down right in front of him, the Driver hopped down from his seat and pulled open the door for Abolish, Abolish began to climb in when he noticed the driver wrapping his thin arms around Abolish’s bags.
“I don’t mean to be rude but I fear you won’t be able to lift al- “
Much to Abolish’s shock the driver managed to lift every last one of Abolish’s bags without so much as struggling, was everyone in Oakhurst that strong?
As Abolish settled his thoughts and reminded himself he was to be married soon, the carriage began moving once more, Abolish thought it strange the horse’s hadn’t so much as neighed but perhaps they were just trained well.
Abolish undone the curtains on the carriage window, strange that the Count had them up as Oakhurst did not seem to be that bright of a place, perhaps he just had sensitive skin.
Abolish stared out the window, taking in the landscape he could see. There didn’t seem to be any break in the trees apart from the path he was on now, he wondered how often the townsfolk got lost in the woods.
Abolish could see a bridge in the far distance, it was well kept from what he could see, there seemed to be no lanterns across it which he thought strange, maybe the Count was just going for an aesthetic.
All drowsiness fled from Abolish as he laid eyes on the castle itself, it was enormous, taking up the entire mountain it was sat on, windows were scattered up and down the walls, though they all seemed to be covered from the inside, just the sight of the entrance hallway made him feel small, just how rich was this Count?
The carriage shuddered to a stop just outside the large door, both horses yet to make a sound, without making a sound the Driver jumped down from his seat and Abolish jumped slightly when he pulled open the door without Abolish even realising he had moved.
Abolish slipped down onto the ground, he had no idea how the Driver hadn’t made a sound since Abolish’s shoes echoed loudly against the stone floor, Abolish turned to the carriage to find the Driver had already pulled all of his bags off the carriage and placed them neatly on the ground and climbed back up to his seat.
“Actually Driver, I was wondering if you could help me with my bags at least until I get them in the door?” Abolish asked politely.
Without responding the Driver cracked his whip and the horses set off immediately, Abolish sighed, his arms were getting more exercise than he had done in that place from just moving his bags alone.
Abolish knocked loudly on the door, he waited a few moments and nothing happened. Perhaps the Count was out with another man, from what he had heard the Count was a rather handsome fellow.
Without even a moment’s warning, wave after wave of bats flew around Abolish, he attempted to wave them away but they didn’t even so much as flinch as he flailed his arms.
As quick as they appeared the bats left, Abolish turned back to the door to find it was now wide open, not a person in sight though which Abolish thought was rather strange, in fact he would have thought he would have been able to hear even something from inside the castle, but it was silent apart from his steps echoing throughout it as he hobbled in with all his bags slung across his arms and back.
Abolish left his bags near the front door hoping a servant would come and move them, he made his way through the first door he saw and found himself in a vast room with a roaring fireplace to one side and a large table that looked like it could fit twenty yet only had two seats, stranger still was the fact that one side of the table had everything from plump chickens to small sandwiches and the finest red wines while the other had nothing.
When still no one greeted Abolish he walked over to the table to taste one of the seemingly already open wine bottles when he heard a cane knock against the floor, he looked up to see an older man looking down at him.
“I- I’m sorry, the wine was open so I assumed I could have some, I can put it back if you want or give it to you.” Abolish stammered.
“I do not drink.” The man paused for a moment, “wine, I welcome you to my castle, I am Count Scott Goldsmith.”
This man was the Count? That couldn’t be true, from what he had heard the Count was probably one of the most handsome men alive, having nearly as much relationships as years that cult had been active. This thing was ugly and wrinkled with knotted silver hair and needed a cane to stand.
The Count made his way down to the dining hall, Abolish took note of his clothes, they looked like bedroom robes, not the kind of thing you’d wear when meeting a guest.
“Go on, eat as much as you want, I had it made for you.” Scott said as he took a seat at the side of the table without food or drink.
“But sir, that is too much for just me! Why don’t you have something as well?”
“I ate already, and if you talk to me you may refer to me as either Count or Scott.”
“Of course, sorry.”
Abolish took his seat and pulled one of the many dishes towards himself, inside was one of the finest salmon he had ever seen, he began to dine on the fish when the Count began to pull out document after document from his robes, finally stopping with a single small pen.
Scott sat in silence for a few minutes as he let Abolish enjoy the fish, in Abolish’s opinion it was rather awkward to gorge himself on the food in front of him while Scott picked him apart with his eyes, nothing like his meals with Jim, who talked his entire way through their dinners each night.
Eventually the Count spoke again, “Your superiors at your law firm speak very highly of you, nothing but praise.”
Abolish took this as a chance to talk business and break the awkward tension he felt, “Yes, the property has been purchased in your name, everything is going perfectly, I’ll just need your signature on a few things.”
“I look forward so much to your city, Abolish, the architecture, the history, oh and the people, I hope all the men are just as handsome as you.” Scott said. “The people here are so simple, I practically fade among them, they are,” The count paused as he searched for the right word. “They are without flavour!”
Abolish paused, “Perhaps you mean character?”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Scott chuckled “This is good Abolish, you must correct my English at every possible time, from you I shall learn to act just like an Englishman.”
“Your English is already excellent, just like the townsfolk, there must be some brilliant teachers in this town.”
“You flatter me.” The Count laughed.
“I swear I don’t,” Abolish replied. They laughed together for a few more moments until Abolish broke it. “I afraid however I will have to leave tomorrow, I’m on a rather tight schedule.”
All amusement faded from Scott’s wrinkled and pale face, “No.” He said simply.
“I’m sorry?”
“No need to apologise dear friend, it has already been agreed with your superiors that you will stay.” Scott replied as he got up from the table. “You shall stay here under my roof for one month exactly, you will help me with my English and my understanding of your culture.”
“But, I can’t!” Abolish stammered as the Count hobbled his way towards him, using both his cane and the table for support.
“Please do not argue with me! I am but a frail old man, have mercy upon me please!” Scott begged as he began a fit of coughing.
“Scott, I’m a lawyer not some teacher.” Abolish begged.
Scott’s coughing faded and he placed one hand on Abolish’s neck and caressed it gently, his entire hand unusually cold. “There will be no need for you to teach me anything, just be by my side and I shall absorb you.”