Part 2
“Barefoot in the Park”
Samuel steadied himself within the carriage, he had preferred to ride where he could well protect his employer but on this day, Mr. Bernard had insisted that they ride together in the coach. It was a bumpy and nauseating ride to say the least. In true Brittan form it had rained for days since their return and tonight was no different, the rain was light and the winds teasing, and in the distance they could see the occasional dance of lightning across the sky mixed with a low rumble as if a great beast was approaching.
The carriage line took nearly the better part of an hour to traverse as they waited in line for admittance to the gala. While Mr. Bernard had an ample estate, Mr. Dewitt had a well-appointed home. Sam was certain the thing was at least twice the size of his employers, but the majority of the space was taken up by a much larger dining hall as well as a ball room to which his employer had forgone in the construction of his humble estate.
“Ready ol’ boy?” Mr. Bernard asked him pulling him back to the here and now.
Sam gave his Employer a nod as the carriage door clicked and swung open, and he lead the way out the door nodding to the ushers as they bowed in respect. He took a quick glance around surveying the area for threats, force of habit, but one could never be too careful. He turned and nodded to his Employer who was slowly extracting himself from the carriage. His eyes narrowed as he caught the scent of something on the air, against the smell of the falling rain was something else, it reminded him of wet dog.
“Everything alright Samuel?” Mr. Bernard asked him as he came to stand next to him noting the narrowing of his eyes and his sudden scanning of the area once more.
Sam shook his head. “It’s fine, just an odd smell.” He said as he gestured for the door. “Shall we?”
“Oh yes,” his employer said with a smile. “We shall!” he said leading the way up the stairs to the entrance.
They passed through the first set of doors and then a second as they moved into the estate’s foyer. They were again greeted by more Ushers who took their coats and hats leaving them with a check ticket which Sam spirited away into a vest pocket on his shirt. He declined to relinquish his weapons choosing to keep the sword hanging at his left side and his pistol on his right hip. He often came to these events with his employer and he wanted to believe they would have stopped asking him by now but they persisted. He was polite about it of course. The two were sent down the main hall to which the steady stream of music was floating down to greet them. At the end, a brightly lit set of double doors, which would admit them to the great ballroom.
“You know you can relax here.” His employer said as they slowly made their way down the hall. “Mr. Dewitt has guards of his own.”
Sam smiled broadly, “It’s not their job to protect you. It is mine.” He said. “Besides I assumed I looked more dashing with my weapons.”
The elder man laughed and nodded. “I suppose that to be true but I imagine it would make others feel more at ease if you didn’t. But I do appreciate it all the same Sam.” He said as they came to a stop at the doors. “Besides, it will give you a chance to show off your new blade.”
Sam could not help the smile that slipped onto his lips. He glanced down at the intricate hilt and then back to his employer. “Indeed.”
They turned as the doors parted to admit them to the ballroom; it was a sight to be sure. Mr. Dewitt had clearly remodeled since the last time they were here as the room had changed drastically. No doubt, he had gotten bored with the same décor. There were now four large chandeliers and several small ones hanging from the ceiling all decorated with some kind of glass or crystal, which seem to send intricate lighting effects in all directions as the light passed through them. There was a new stage now set in the middle of the room, tables and chairs were all around with plenty of real estate for dancing. The two pressed on weaving through the tables heading towards the long table, which was slightly elevated over the rest, and Mr. Dewitt.
“Ah, Ernest my boy. Please come, you must tell Mr. Peebles of our adventure to the new world. He does not believe my account and I could use some affirmation!” Mr. Dewitt said spotting the two approaching. He waved both to chairs at his rounded table. He noted the two spots, which bore their names. He stopped astonished, as there was a seat at the table assigned to him as well, which was not something he had not expected. Normally he sat nearby at a table with what these socialites considered ‘the help’.
He bowed slightly in respect to Mr. Dewitt and settled slowly into his chair taking a moment to take in the scene as his employer moved to stand between Mr. Dewitt and Peebles and began recounting the tale of the two’s adventure. He remembered that vividly as this was how he came to be in Mr. Bernard’s employ. He could not help but smile, his eyes starting to scan the room. He came back around full circle stopping on the trio.
“So we were traversing New York and in a not so hospitable part of town actually heading back to our ship as we were due to depart that very afternoon when we were waylaid by bandits. Lucky for us Mr. McKenzie was near!” he heard and caught a hand gesturing towards him.
Sam nodded. “Indeed, those men meant business.” He added.
“Sam was at one of the local establishments enjoying a refreshment when the commotion went down. Had it not had been for a stray bullet I’m not sure we would have met.” His employer said.
“Damned thing hit my bottle.” He added.
All three men laughed. “He was so angry, he came rushing out of the saloon half drunken himself. All he had was a sword in hand, it was spectacular he rushed forward and just in the nick of time, he took the leaders arm off at the bicep it was rather frightening and yet entertaining.”
“I was aiming for his head.” Sam said flatly, which once again brought another round of laughter. “I had the element of surprise, and of course intimidation at that point against the others.”
“Really? How many?” Mr. Peebles asked.
“While Mr. Dewitt seems to remember a few more men than there were sometimes, in total there was five.” Sam said with a bit of a grin.
“Surely you don’t recall with as drunk as you were?” Their host said scoffing in mock insult.
Sam shook a hand in the air. “It sound so much better when you tell it though!” he said with a smirk. “After disabling the obvious loud mouthed leader the others were in shock and I took advantage even with only my sword. I advanced on the first and ran him through without a thought, took the leg from his companion. The other two began shooting at me as I ran toward them but they were so frightened by my unholy charge they missed every shot. I disarmed both of them as they frantically tried to reload, knocked one cold the other stood shaking in fear having dropped his weapon, my blade resting on his chest above his heart.”
“Truly?” Mr. Peebles asked, clearly enthralled.
“Truly.” Sam said nodding. “I poked him ever so gently with the tip of the blade, he was frozen in fear. I stood there with my blade.” He said standing and taking a pose holding one hand back as a fencer would and the other outstretched. “You owe me a bottle of whiskey!” he said smiling. “He provided the correct compensation and ran. I’m certain based on the stench he left in his wake that he was going to need a dip in the river.” He said returning to his seat.
“Incredible. Now I see why Mr. Bernard hired you.” Mr. Peebles said leaning back in his chair, the man seemed spent of energy himself as if he had been part of the act himself.
Sam Smiled. “You should see what I can do with a pistol and a rifle.”
The man nodded, clearly his mind racing he seemed to regress into his own mind leaving the others to chat. Mr. Dewitt turned to him. “You downplay your role in that adventure sir, truly.”
Sam nodded. “It’s a bit more plausible.”
“Indeed. Even the two of us were taken back by what you did that day.” Mr. Bernard added.
“Thank you.” Sam simply said taking up a glass of water on the table. “Fate put me in your path, I may have saved you two but you certainly saved me.”
“Why did you take his offer and not mine?” Mr. Dewitt asked an eyebrow rising in curiosity.
“Honestly?” Sam said setting the water back down, he looked between the two men. He could see that Mr. Bernard’s curiosity was also piqued.
“Alright. While you made a very generous offer on a contract, you seemed to have a well-protected lifestyle. You were not the adventurous type as much as Mr. Bernard was. He seemed like the logical choice with as unique as his lifestyle was.”
Mr. Bernard’s head tilted, he appeared confused. However, Mr. Dewitt seemed to catch the inference. “You meant he presented a greater opportunity for adventure?”
Sam nodded knowingly. “That and the best opportunity for a good death.” All three men suddenly were staring at him in amazement. “I was in a far different place then.”
“How did you know he would present the highest chance for something such as that?” Mr. Dewitt asked. “I mean you didn’t know us if at all.”
Sam thought about his request and the consequences of indulging that curiosity but he felt he had nothing to lose by being honest. “The company I worked for. You asked them about a possible contract with me after we parted ways that day, despite what you might think that organization is very well connected and they were able to look into both your backgrounds and presented a dossier on both of you to me in order to make a choice. While Mr. Dewitt you offered a considerable sum of money you did not possess the opportunity that person that I was, was looking for at the time. “
“Dossier?” Mr. Peebles asked suddenly.
“It’s an intelligence file, just gave an account of activities, social circles, Political affiliations, and any other pertinent information.” Sam said.
“I had no idea that people did such a thing for such a job.” Mr. Dewitt said.
“They do it to make sure you can pay my friend.” Mr. Bernard said patting him on the shoulder. “I knew they did such things.”
“Why would you seek death?” Mr. Peebles asked, he seemed confused about the idea.
“I was a different person back then, lost, confused. I had some…” he paused as his mind suddenly flashed back on his time with the Military. “I had an experience that I cannot rightly explain or talk about. I ended up leaving military service because of it.”
“Ah, you were in the Queen’s Regiments?”
Sam shook his head. “Not exactly.”
“Oh…” Mr. Peebles said as he realized what he was implying. “I see.”
The conversation seemed to take a somber turn; Sam had given a little too much information perhaps about his past. He was not concerned about the company as much as how it had turned the mood. He frowned looking down at his hands for a moment. The sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention bringing his eyes up to meet Mr. Bernard’s.
“You should show off your new blade perhaps?”
The smile returned suddenly to his lips. “Ah, yes.” He said standing.
“New blade?” Mr. Dewitt said. “Ah yes, that trinket you picked up that you were telling me about?”
Mr. Bernard nodded to his friend smiling and pointing with his cane as Sam was removing it from its belt clasp. “The very same!”
“Oh, I’ve been waiting to see this. He wouldn’t talk about anything else when we met, he was certain you would be smitten with the trinket.” Mr. Dewitt said.
“That is certainly one word.” He said holding the blade aloft between his hands. “Certainly a work of art.”
“My word...” Mr. Peebles said leaning forward to look closer. “Such craftsmanship.”
“Very nice.” Mr. Dewitt said as he leaned in to inspect the scabbard.
The blade sung as Sam slowly pulled it from its sheath. He held the blade upside down resting the backside of the Katana on his hand. “I’m told it’s made from a rock that fell from the sky and it unbelievably can cut anything!” he could not help keep the excitement out of his voice.
“Anything?”
Sam Nodded. “Indeed anything. Split a cast iron pot in two perfectly and didn’t even scratch the blade.”
“Impossible!” Mr. Peebles said leaning back in his chair.
Mr. Dewitt picked up one of the candelabra from the table with a sly grin and tossed it into the air candles and all. It tumbled up into the air wax dripping and flying through the air. Sam slipped his hand down to the handle, flipped the blade, and deftly swung the blade in an upward arc as the candelabra came down. The sword hummed as it passed through the metal and sent the two pieces tumbling to the floor in two directions to the amazement of all.
“That’s incredible!” both men said, and Mr. Bernard just stood smiling.
“Amazing, and it’s not even marked!” Mr. Peebles said staring at the blade.
Sam smiled in return and knew that some interesting antics were likely to be had, and he was right they went on to demonstrate this several more times choosing various trinkets and bobbles to throw at him while he deftly severed them in two and on one occasional three parts. Sam did not entirely enjoy these kinds of parties but he was enjoying himself now, though short lived. He sat and watched as they sang, danced, and told stories of the adventures they undertook while in Africa.
He did not like bragging about his exploits but did not mind when others did, even when they were embarrassing. He was listening to his employer telling a particularly embarrassing story about his being assaulted by a slithering reptile while in the John. It had made its way into the ceiling, and then fell upon him while he was in the processes of relieving himself when he caught that smell again, something much like wet dog over the smell of food, smoke, and alcohol. He slowly looked around the room until he spotted a particularly odd sight, one of the staff; a waiter was staring at him from the complete opposite side of the room. The man seemed much focused on him. His gaze was intense. He blinked and shook his head and the man was gone. He stood and looked across the crowd for signs of hurried movement, but other than dancing, there was none.
“What is it?” he heard Mr. Bernard’s hushed voice.
He shook his head still scanning the room. “I don’t know.”
Mr. Bernard stood now and was looking across the room in the direction of Sam’s gaze. “Are you having one of those things you get?” he asked.
Sam nodded, indeed his senses were screaming at him that something was off, that something was out of place, and not right. He gave a nod. “Yes.” He said. “We should go.” He said, his tone shifting to convey the seriousness of his suggestion.
“Alright, allow me a moment to thank our host.” He said a bit of dismay at their early departure snuck into his voice.
Sam stayed by his employer’s side as they found their host and graciously thanked him for his hospitality and the invitation then the two moved to the exit saying a few quick goodbyes as they fled. The ferocity of the storm outside did not become obvious until they entered the hall that would take them to the foyer. The rain was coming down in sheets beating against the shutters. The wind howled outside, but something else entirely was making the hair on Sam’s neck stand on end. It was not the lightning. It was the feeling of being stalked by something sinister.
“Are you certain we need such a hasty retreat Sam?” his boss asked, noting the look on his face as they moved down the hall.
He nodded. “Yes, very!” he said as they rounded the corner. One of the ushers perked up as he spotted the two and stepped forward.
He bowed. “Sir’s tis not safe to depart, I wouldn’t advise against it. Tis storm’n something fierce.” He said.
“Never the less, we must depart.” Sam said sternly.
“Aye, as you wish.” The man said somewhat dejectedly, turned and nodded to the two men standing side by side at the doors. “Fetch Mr. Bernard’s carriage!”
The doors swung open and powerfully so as the wind forced the doors against their ushers pushing them back into the walls side by side, the wind violently whipped through the hall starting everyone. Lightning ripped and crackled through the sky in the distance sending a rumble so deep one felt it. Sam quickly pulled down his next strap from his hat to try to keep it securely on his head; he still had to raise a hand to block the onslaught of rain that beat on them as they moved to the carriage. They hastily climbed into the carriage; the driver gave them a worried look as they disappeared from sight.
The horses dutifully bumped the carriage into motion, the wind buffeted the carriage causing it to creek and shudder as the wind slammed into it, the rain was steady thunderous sound as they pulled out into the weather and the driver spurred the horses to continue around the bend and take them from the estate. “This is one hell of a storm!” Sam said as he peered out the cloudy windows.
“Indeed!” Mr. Bernard said as he settled back into his seat trying to get comfortable as the carriage bucked and bobbed.
Sam stared intently back towards the manor as they moved further away, his eyebrow rose as he caught a momentary flash of a figure darting from the side of the building. The speed was alarming, so much so he had to blink wondering if it was his eyes playing tricks on him. “Almost as bad as that storm we hit near South Africa!”
“Very much so I wager.” The elder man said and then let out a screech as lightning struck above them, the flash of light was blinding, and the thunder came immediately with a deafening roar. “My word!”
The carriage suddenly lurched to a stop, sending Sam against the wall and the elder Bernard nearly into his lap. The horses could be heard in a panic and the carriage shook as they bucked. Lightning struck again causing both men to jump. “Stay here!” Sam said pushing himself towards the carriage door. He undid the latch and pushed his way out, the rain had calmed considerably and very suddenly. Looking to his left Sam could see one of the two horses lay slain on the ground, which caused him to immediately draw his firearm and hastily close the carriage door latching it. “Stay inside!” he said loudly and sternly.
Pulling back the hammer, he moved towards the front of the carriage. The driver lay slumped over, blood was pouring down the front of his body his jugular had been ripped from his throat, it was a gory sight. He scanned around him listening, strange sounds emanated from the nearby hedgerow which caused him to press forward.
Sam slowly peered around the bushes and leveled his revolver; the first thing he could see was the other horse and as lighting struck it silhouetted something else. It slowly stood upright its head craning around to look at him, he steadied his aim and fired into the creature, and continued firing until he expended all the rounds in his pistol.
The creature jerked with each round that landed but it did not seem to faze it otherwise.
He had no chance to move, the creature was lighting fact. Sam suddenly found himself pitched through the air and landed hard rolling. His body screaming in pain at him. He had the right of mind to roll over and start to draw his sword, but the creature was already upon him. This time he was able to see it for a brief moment in time, it looked like a dog but much more sinister. He had only heard about things such as this in fable, his face contorted in a mixture of pain and horror as struck again sending him sprawling to the floor. He felt his vision swim, as his head lulled to the side; he could see the door to the carriage faintly swing open and only for a split second could he see his employer and the astonished look on his face before, Mr. Bernard’s lips moved as he pointed and raised his cane high drawing the hidden blade from within. The last thing he could see was the dog like creature leap through the air slamming into the carte knocking it clean over, and then darkness came.
Sam was not sure how long had passed, but when his eyes fluttered open it was still night, still certainly raining. The pain was nothing like he had felt before. Everything seemed to echo, the raindrops sounded like cannons reporting next to his ears. Slowly his vision rolled as his body did. It was like his instincts were taking over he slowly rose to his feet. Looking down he could see the ragged wounds in his chest and across his stomach, he was certain he could see his insides, but he felt no panic. Oddly all he felt was calm, and focus despite the pain.
His head spun around and his eyes came to rest on the toppled carriage, his hand went for his revolver but it was missing and in a flash of steel his sword was in hand and at the ready. He crept up to the carriage, and quickly moved around to the other side of the badly damaged vehicle. The top had been ripped apart, and the sight that met him was grizzly indeed. All that remained of his now former employer was a mangled mess.
“You should have stayed down!” a labored voice called from behind sam.
He spun bringing the blade up in a guard position both ready to block any incoming attack and ready himself for an assault himself. The creature stood before him, its fur drenched in blood, eyes boring into his soul. “I’ll kill you!” He said through clenched teeth.
“You’ll try!” it said, laughing and slowly began moving to his right. He started moving to his left away from the carriage. “Others have.” It says flexing its clawed fingers taunting him.
Sam felt his body tense and he let out a battle cry before charging forward with startling speed, his first attach missed high as the creature bobbed under his attack and he took a blow to the chest for it sending him back several paces sliding in the mud. He repositioned the blade and again was hit in the chest sliding back another few feet but this time he was ready bringing the blade down and drawing it back across the creatures shoulder, then swiped back up diagonally across his chest missing this time.
The creature howled in pain backing a way, he had clearly surprised it. He pressed the advantage. Quickly he thrust forward while leaping and sliding forward but the creature dodged and swiped at him racking its claws across his back. ‘
Sam cried out in pain, but spun bringing the blade around deftly in a waist high swipe and ducking another swipe by the creature meant to take his head clean off he assumed, his blade found purchase on its stomach sending it leaping away howling in pain. He stumbled himself as he stood back upright, he was starting to feel cold, he could feel his fingertips and toes starting to go numb no doubt from blood loss. “Come on!” he taunted.
The creature held its belly starting back at him, breathing labored. “It’s been a long time since I fought someone worthy such as you.” It lowered itself down on all fours. “Shame I must end this game!” It spat, and then sprung forward.
Everything seemed to slow down for Sam, the rain drops seemed to suspend themselves as the creature lept into the air, and moved through the air, he could see the raindrops as the creature collided with them. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears; he knew the end was near. He brought the sword down in front of him and summoned what strength he had left, and pushed forward dropping to his knees sliding in the mud forward, he brought the blade up as the creature came over head, he felt claws again as it made a last ditch effort to attack him as it flew over him. His blade flashed as it passed through the creature, and for a moment, the look of horror on its face was obvious to him. He had heard tales about moments like this where time seemed to stop for two warriors locked in combat during his training in Japan. Never thought he would experience a single moment in time such as this.
Sam came to a stop, his arms felt heavy and fell to his side his blade dropping from his hand. His vision swam as he slowly fell over, he willed himself to roll over. If his death was coming, he was going to see it coming.
The creature slowly turned, stumbling as it did. It stared down at him and slowly began to change back into a man. He stood naked in the rain, covered in mud and blood. It looked down at him and smiled. Not something Sam expected at all. “Thank you.” The words came out as a gurgle, and to his horror the being split in two and fell in two halves into the mud, his blade had cut clean through the body. He felt his breathing getting harder and harder. Trying desperately to get up, he managed for a moment but found himself fixated on the fact that his boots were missing. He was barefoot. Glancing around him spotting his boots sitting where he had stood originally by the hedgerow. He had been knocked clean out of his boots. He looked down at the blood still oozing from his wounds then everything went sideways as he collapsed back to the ground, and darkness took him once again. His last thoughts were of how silly it must be to be caught in this kind of weather barefoot in the park.
