𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter thirty-one; Hidden In The Castle
" Now I will do what I can for you. "

  DEMETRE LANGLOIS HAD been busy. Not in the truest of ways, but in the way of a man who tried to fill his empty time to the brim.

  Currently, that meant falling back into the routines of patrolling, hunting, and sparring. Advising and training, sorting and ordering.

  "A two-month break and this is the best you've got?"

  Demetre rolled his eyes as Francis smiled, rounding the desk to peer over the papers piled up.

  "I tire of your father's greed," Demetre mumbled, "I fear he will bore me to death with the mentions of England."

  "I hardly thought you'd return his side," Francis admitted.

  "Never at his side," Demetre amended, standing from his seat, "It is a Langlois duty to become what is needed."

  Francis rolled his eyes, as he'd heard this speech many times before.

  "Ever noble, Demetre," The blonde smiled, before it faltered, "Listen, I did not come only to hear of your efforts to organize my father's thoughts."

  Demetre looked at him, raising a brow.

  "I come with news of Sebastian and Elspeth."

  The man sucked in a breath, his shoulder tightening.

  "I'll tell you as I've told Catherine," Demetre breathed, "I sent them a gift and my well wishes; that is where the conversation ends. I need not an update on their wedding or heirs--"

  "Demetre--"

  "Trust me, Francis, your mother has attempted this conversation fifty times and failed each one," Demetre said, his tone hardening, "I have work to do, so unless you have something to update me on concerning the crown or army, I--"

  "They never made it to Scotland."

  Demetre stilled at the words, his hands tightening around the papers he'd been holding, his eyes locking onto Francis's.

  "My mother has been searching since she first received a letter from Duke and Duchess Liens. Their first contact was a concern; their belongings arrived, with no sign of them or the horses they rode," Francis continued, "The letters turned frantic before the blame was pinned onto my parents. They should have arrived in two weeks; the only thing that has been found is the guards, my guards, that escorted them, murdered not far from the castle."

  "Why was I not informed."

  "Well, it sounds as though you didn't allow my mother to share the information with you," Francis said gently, "That is less than important, now. What matters is finding them; I fear the worst since my mother has found nothing of them. Not a whisper."

  Demetre's world was spinning, his mind reeling.

  "I'll dispatch soldiers to start a search," He said, his voice steely, "Send word to the Duke and Duchess-- by your hand. Send word to Douglas Liens as well; he resides separately in Paris; he deserves to hear the word the same as them--"

  Francis's heart flashed with hurt as he recalled his meeting with Douglas Liens.

  He'd agreed to look out for Elspeth in her brothers' stead. To keep her safe and happy while she resided at the French Court.

  Now he had to write a letter to Douglas, informing the man of his failure.

  "--Sebastian knows the land around the castle well, but I'm unsure how far he'd be able to lead them," Demetre continued, taking a seat at his desk and moving papers quickly, "Notify Mary if you have not already; perhaps she can move Scotland to begin a search if it has not already begun, just on the chance they've made it across the border."

  Francis nodded, hesitating as Demetre pulled a map to the top of his documents, quickly retracing the route Elspeth and Sebastian were meant to follow.

  "Mark where the men were found, that would be the last place Elspeth and Sebastian were for certain," Demetre said, standing, "I'm off to speak with your mother."

  Demetre left no room for argument, grabbing his cloak and hunting gloves as he started toward the exit. He slung the Grim's hide over his shoulders, resting a hand on the doorknob before turning to Francis.  

  "Thank you. For informing me."

  Elspeth knew it was crazy, but she didn't have much of a better idea. 

  Which was exactly how she and Sebastian wound up in the French Castle with Olivia D'Ameancourt.

  Elspeth peered around the stone wall, watching Nostradamus converse with a priest. He caught sight of her, rushing the man out and shutting the door behind him as Sebastian entered the infirmary, setting Olivia down on one of the beds.

  "I heard the two of you did not make it to Scotland, but--" Nostradamus said in greeting, approaching them, "Olivia D'Amencourt-- I thought she left court? What happened to the poor girl?"

  "She was wandering the woods in a confused and terrified state," Sebastian informed, "The slashes she did herself."

  "Poor child," Nostradamus said, inspecting the girl's arms, "These are not slashes, they're bite marks."

  "But are they animal or human?"

  "I don't know."

  Elspeth shifted uneasily as Nostradamus walked toward his shelf of elixirs and remedies, searching for something for Olivia.

  "We were told she was chosen," Sebastian continued, "Is it possible that she had an encounter with whatever it is the pagans are worshipping in the woods? Whatever that thing is, that creature that requires blood."

  "I don't believe in such beings."

  "People doubted the Grim's existence until Demetre returned with its pelt," Elspeth said quietly.

  Both men looked at her for a moment, and it was Nostradamus who spoke as he knelt at Olivia's side.

  "I don't believe there are things that require blood."

  "You don't believe there's a dark malignant power in the woods?"

  "Nature is not malignant. Nature does not care. Only humans are malignant. There is nothing evil in the woods. Unless it comes from us."

  Just then Olivia moved, her eyes open and shortly after she began gasping sporadically.

  "Can you help her?"

  "I can try," Nostradamus said, "I'll tell no one she's here for now-- she needs rest and gentle treatment, not a dozen questioners. You should leave. It's not safe for you here."

  "It is not safe outside," Sebastian said, looking to Elspeth, "I must put to rest whatever lingers in the woods. After I sort this out, we will travel to Scotland; safely, the way we were meant to."

  Elspeth's brow knitted in worry.

  "Nostradamus," Sebastian said, turning to the man, "Elspeth cannot come with me, but I fear her safety in the castle."

  "She can remain with me," He said, nodding, "Queen Catherine has--"

  "You cannot tell anyone she is here."

  "Queen Catherine has made those in her circle swear loyalty to herself and few others," Nostradamus continued slowly, "Those in the castle have lists. Elspeth Liens is on them."

  Elspeth seemed shocked by the news, but Sebastian nodded, sharing a few words with Nostradamus before pressing a kiss to Elspeth's forehead.

  "I will return before you know it," Sebastian said, "I love you, Elspeth."

  "I love you, Sebastian," She mirrored, a tired smile on her lips. "Be safe. . . And come back to me."

  Sebastian kissed her again before disappearing through the corridor they'd entered in. Elspeth stood, watching the stony doorway for a long moment, before turning to Nostradamus who was still tending to Olivia.

  "Can I help?"

  Nostradamus glanced up at her, hesitation in his eyes.

  ". . . Of course. Stay with her, hold this to her forehead."

  Elspeth obeyed, taking the man's place as he returned to his cabinet, rustling through bottles and jars.

  It took hours to get Olivia to settle, for her breathing to become deep and rhythmic and a gentle slumber took her away from the horrors of her waking mind.

  Once she had calmed, Nostradamus insisted he tend to Elspeth.

  The girl assured him she was healthy, but he convinced her to at least allow him to check her over.

  "You are malnourished," Nostradamus informed, "You must rest. And eat."

  "Of course," Elspeth nodded, "But truly, your concern should be focused on Olivia. Not me."

  "I've done what I can for Olivia until she wakes again," Nostradamus said, turning and walking toward the far side of the room, "Now I will do what I can for you. There is a bathing chamber through this door; I will retrieve new clothes and a meal for you, and then you must rest."

  Elspeth had no energy to argue, allowing Nostradamus to show her to the room before he shut the door behind himself and departed.

  She glanced around the bathing chamber, noting it appeared unused, at least in recent times.

  It was safe to assume this was only used for the worst patients, those who could not travel far out of Nostradamus's infirmary. 

  Elspeth tried not to dwell on it as she began preparing the bath.

  Not long after she shed her dirtied road clothes and sunk into the water did a knock sound on the door. Briefly, her heart lurched, until the gentle and familiar voice spoke.

  "I'll set the clothes outside the door," Nostradamus said, "Take your time."

  Elspeth thanked him, sinking further into the tub.

  She wondered if she truly needed to stay entirely hidden while Sebastian went to seek out whatever had harmed Olivia in the woods. Elspeth knew she had to avoid Henry discovering her presence, but would it hurt to see Kenna? To have Catherine visit the infirmary for her? Even just calling on Francis to tell him they were okay?

  Elspeth leaned her head back, looking at the dark wooden ceiling.

  She wondered if Demetre already knew she was back. Not because anyone had told him, just because Elspeth sometimes believed he had a sixth sense. To know where she was or how she felt; she wondered if he'd felt her presence return to the castle that day.

  Elspeth wasn't so sure Demetre would want to see her. The thought made her heart ache, just as it did every time she recalled her departure.

  She hadn't been able to shake it for the past two months; his cold expression and empty words as she left.

  Elspeth could not decipher what he had felt, why he hadn't hugged her the way he had before. Why he didn't promise to write or visit or care for the horses in her stead. 

  All she knew for certain was that any thought of Demetre Langlois tightened her heart.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
Poor Elspeth really has
just been  going through hell for
like 6 months at this point