Time seemed to travel slowly for Alice as she dreamed of arriving once more in the home of her beloved father. Although it was unchanged since the days of his youth, Alice still seemed to find new things to discover. Before going back to school, she found a secret passage in her room and wondered where it led to. Also Jacob promised that when she was awake during the daylight hours, he would show her to the attic where her mother’s things were kept in storage. Although she treated it like a secret between her and Jacob, she knew in her heart it was with her father’s blessing she was allowed such a priviledge.
“Your stop is approaching miss,” the conductor said coming to the door of their car. “I have received confirmation that your carriage will be there awaiting you.”
“Thank you sir,” Alice said handing him five crowns.
Waking Tristan, they got their bags ready and exited the train once at the station. Seeing the coach waiting, Alice and Tristan handed the driver their bags and got inside. Once seated, the driver signalled the horses and the second part of their journey.
“Pardon me folks but it is dangerous traveling the roads around here at night what with werewolves and highwaymen abroad,” the driver said loudly when Tristan poked his head out the window to inquire why the coach was slowing down. “The inn up ahead is reasonable affordable and the mistress makes a fine lamb stew.”
Tristan was about to argue that speed was of the utmost priority when Alice placed her hand upon his arm.
“We can afford to spend the night in a proper bed Tristan,” Alice said smiling. “As eager as I am to get home…I need a hot bath and change of clothing.”
“Alright,” he called to the driver. “Lamb stew sounds too tempting to pass up right about now.”
Arriving at the inn, Alice smiled at the name…THE SCREAMING BANSHEE.
“Can you believe this,” Tristan whispered in her ear. “These people no doubt wouldn’t give us the time of day if they knew our bloodlines yet they name this place after one of the worst creatures known in stories.”
“True,” Alice nodded “however…if you remember the stories our fathers told us…these people welcome death as a new beginning.”
“My dear Alice don’t you see though,” Tristan smirked we are in the land of werewolves and banshees and vampires.”
“OH MY,” they said in unison laughing as they entered the inn.
“Welcome to the Screaming Banshee folks,” a hearty looking fellow said warmly. “Come have a seat by the fire to warm yer bones while me missus brings you some of her famous lamb stew. In the meantime I will get yer rooms ready.”
“Thank you,” Alice and Tristan said sitting near the fire and watched as the coach driver took their bags and followed the innkeeper upstairs.
“So what now,” Tristan asked curiously as he gazed at the fire.
“We eat our stew, get cleaned up and then have a good night’s rest. Everything else can wait until morning.
After retiring to their rooms, Alice heard a knock at her door. When she opened it, the innkeeper’s wife brought in towels and hot water to make a bath. Once done, she dressed and headed to the main desk where her husband waited to take away the bath once she was done. Getting a hot cup of tea, she returned to her room and extinguished the light all but one candle. Thinking of her father, she prayed that somehow his soul could be redeemed that when his life was no more he could be reunited with her mother once more instead of being cast into the eternal fires of hell for all eternity. Growing weary, she blew out the candle and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep as her ears were filled with the distant howling of wolves.
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