Captive of the Crimson Countess, Chapter 10: Scars

Nadia went to bed early that night and woke in time for a proper breakfast. She wouldn’t do this most days. But Nadia knew Blair would be up, taking advantage of the countess’s absence. Nadia hurried to the dining hall. Blair sat in the spot Nadia had sat yesterday. The hunter ate a breakfast of egg-toast and cheese. Blair waved to Nadia as she entered the hall. 

Nadia placed her order with the kitchen and rushed to the table. 

“May I join you?” 

Blair smiled. “I would adore that.”

Nadia settled in beside Blair and slid up until the two of them were touching. Blair shuffled a little, but did not move away. Nadia grinned. 

“How did you sleep?”

Blair shook her head. “It was an eventful sleep. Full of confusing dreams. You?”

Nadia considered for a second, and then decided to be bold. “I dreamed of you.”

Blair started and turned to look at Nadia, face crimson. “You did? In what capacity?”

“A brave knight on horseback swept me off my feet and carried me away to safety.”

“I thought you were against trying to escape?”

Nadia nodded. “I am. I long for escape. But I don’t believe it’s possible.”

“It’s possible.” Blair said. “And I want to save all the girls, even Hester, even the girl in the cage.”

“You’re planning the impossible. If a miracle occurred, we two might escape. If a second miracle occurred, we might avoid recapture. But get all the girls out? No. Such a plan is hopeless. We will never escape the countess. Her reach is too long.”

“Please. I need your help to do this. The guards listen to you. You could get through doors the other girls couldn’t.”

“You overestimate my influence with the guards.”

“We have to try. Use any advantages we can find.”

Nadia looked away for a moment and then sighed. “Let me show you what happens to disobedient girls.”

“I saw what happened to the other hunter.” Blair said.

Nadia unbuttoned her high collared top and exposed her neck and collarbone. Blair gasped and Nadia flinched. Blair reached out, and Nadia didn’t stop the other woman. Blair touched the vicious scar where it began, behind Nadia’s ear, hidden by her hair. In silence, Blair traced the scar down the side of Nadia’s neck. Nadia quivered. Blair’s touch was soft, gentle. It was unlike what Nadia had expected of the monster hunter. Blair continued to trace the scar where it spread into five gouges across her collarbone. Nadia closed her eyes.

“I’m not so pretty with my clothes off these days.” Nadia whispered. 

Blair traced a finger up Nadia’s throat, and then across her chin. Blair settled an open hand on Nadia’s cheek.

“I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you.”

Nadia opened her eyes, tears welling up. Blair began to lean forward. Nadia caught her breath. 

And then a quiet, “Ahem,” sounded beside them.

Both women jolted and looked at the server carrying Nadia’s breakfast. Nadia rebuttoned her top, not looking at the server as he placed the apple pancakes and egg toast in front of Nadia. The server departed, and Nadia looked at Blair. The other woman was looking away with her hands in her lap. Nadia grimaced and wished misfortune on the departing server. 

Nadia summoned up her courage and said, “The countess carved me open. And as I lay bleeding out, she threatened to let her monsters devour me alive.”

Blair turned back to look at Nadia. 

“And so you gave in.”

“And so I gave in.” Nadia said. 

“I don’t think less of you for that.”

“I do.”

“We’ve all done things we regret.” Blair said.

= = =

They passed the day walking the castle grounds. Blair insisted that she needed to have the layout memorized. But to Nadia’s relief, Blair was willing to talk about her own life back in Ys as a member of House Wander. But the topic of escape returned like an unwanted house guest.

“This passageway is unguarded?” Blair noted. “Where does it lead?”

“The kitchen.” Nadia answered. “You can’t succeed in this. Why commit yourself to causing your own death?”

“I might succeed.” Blair said.

“No. You saw that barghest last night. She has dozens of barghests in the depths of her catacombs beneath Castle Crimson. And more. Chimeras and manticores. Things I didn’t recognize. And they obey her through her immortal powers.”

“I’ve killed all those things before.” Blair said.

“Have you seen the terrain around the castle?” Nadia asked. “The mountains are brutal. They can guard the only passes through those mountains. And the rest of the terrain is impassable.”

“We can find a way.” Blair said. 

“You’ve seen how powerful the countess is. She’ll tear you apart or she’ll devour you whole. You couldn’t even see when she left us. How will you fight her?”

“I don’t care. Maybe, I’ll die. I’m going to die either way. I would prefer to die fighting.”