The Main Room, A Few Minutes Later
Victor and Maple quickly met the others at the now-silent stage. “We need to find out where they're keeping the rest of the Crimson Blade's men, including C.J,” Mackie was saying.
Victor nodded. “I agree.” He was already retrieving his cape from the hall press in the lobby. “While the rest of you learn what's became of them, I'll ride to Fort Pitt and alert the military there. I think they should know about more about the Governor's criminal endeavors these past few years. Besides, there's information I still need to give them about the British and their plans for General Washington's troops.”
Elizabeth went to Victor's side. Maple sat on one of the benches intended for the audience, frowning. Elizabeth's brown eyes were frightened. “Victor, please be careful. You don't need to die again. There are thieves on the road who aren't nearly as noble as the Crimson Blade and his people, not to mention Pruitt's men are out there somewhere.”
“I'm certain I won't encounter any difficulties on the road. It's only a short journey from the Inn to Fort Pitt.” He wrapped his cloak around his shoulders. “I'll return as quickly as possible.” He gave her a kiss, but Elizabeth just pulled away. She sat down on a bench as he left, confused.
Maple put her hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. “I think, maybe you are not as in love with him as you were.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I don't know what to think anymore.”
Hilary joined them. “Maybe we ought to get to finding the others. I'm sure this will all come out after we've rescued Scott and my Jeff.”
“I'm not so sure about that,” Gertrude muttered. She saw how disappointed Maple looked when Victor left, and how perplexed he and Elizabeth were. Their feelings had changed, even if they weren't entirely aware of it.
Hilary looked up as the sound of feet in heavy boots could be heard stomping up the porch. “What is that?”
Mackie gulped. “I don't know, but it doesn't sound like I want to be around for it!”
They all stood at once as James Crawley lead a troop of the governor's guards into the main room. “Well, well. What do we have here? All the workers at my Inn.”
“Your inn?” Mr. Eldridge shook his fist. “Now see here, young man, just because you have one inn doesn't mean you can say you have another! This inn is owned by someone else! Someone,” he smiled a little bit, “a lot smarter than you are.”
“Oh yes, I intend to find out who owns it soon enough. I'm still very interested in buying this little Inn. It would be perfect for what my good friend the Governor and I have in mind. I want the brilliant ideas all of you come up with to attract customers. He wants to use it as a gathering place for a few chums of our to discuss business with our contacts in England.” He looked around. “There seems to be a few of you missing. Where are Mr. Comstock and His Lordship? Out for a drink at the Buttery Tavern?”
Lady Hilary Booth rose to her full height. “Mr. Crawley, I have no idea where my...where Lord Singer is. Mr. Comstock had an appointment in Pittsburgh Village with people who sell us costumes for our plays. He's running a little late.”
“He must be running very late. Most costumers are long closed at this time of night.” He waved his hand around. “I want them all all locked into their rooms.” He pointed at Elizabeth, who moved back. “Except for that girl. The Governor had an interest in her.”
“Oh no, you don't.” Mackie growled. Mr. Foley had quietly made his way to the stage. He pulled out a prop sword he used in 'When In Rome' and tossed another to Mackie. “En guarde, you...dirty Innkeeper!”
Crawley just laughed. “Those aren't real. We use them for our plays, too.”
Eugenia hurried to her pianoforte and leaned as hard as she could on the keys, drawing out a loud, long sound. Maple leaped next to her and played the keys on the other half, making as much noise as she could. Mr. Foley handed his sword to Lester and started banging on his gong.
The distraction gave Mackie just enough time to hit Crawley in the chin as the inn's remaining guests hurried downstairs. Elizabeth got onstage and pointed at Crawley. “Those men are trying to attack us! They're English spies who want to use us for their headquarters!”
That was enough to rally the other guests, who swarmed onto the guards. Fists and fake swords flew. Hilary took Mackie's sword. Lester tossed his to Maple and put his arms around a few of the female guests, ignoring the guards fighting around them.
Mackie grabbed Crawley by the lapels of his gray wool jacket. “Ok buddy, if you're a pal of Pruitt's, maybe you can tell us where he's holding the Crimson Blade's men.” He smirked at Maple alongside him, sword in hand. “Or my lady friend here just found herself a new pincushion.”
“I will if you'll let me go.”
“You'll let us know by postcard from scenic Boston!” snapped Elizabeth as she joined them, holding a prop pistol she found onstage.
“I'm not saying anything without a lawyer!”
Hilary smirked. “Now Mackie, that's no way to treat a fellow innkeeper. After all, he does own a very important establishment.” She put an arm around him. “I'm sure he could tell us where those poor men are. Perhaps,” she patted his cravat, “I could even have a talk with some of the richest merchants in Pittsburgh Village. I know many merchants who would put in a good word about his fine business.”
Maple made a face. “Your Ladyship, what do you do?”
Hilary ignored her. She lead Crawley to the benches. “Why don't we discuss it right here?” She was all but sitting on his lap. “You tell me where those dear men are, and I'll give you a few addresses for some of the richest merchants in town.”
Crawley grinned. “They're at my Inn, in the attic. The military did have them at Fort Pitt, but my close, personal friend Governor Pruitt wanted them where he could keep an eye on them.”
“That's all we needed to know. Thank you, dear, sweet Crawley.” Hilary smirked. “Now, close your eyes and open your lips, and you'll get a big surprise.”
Crawley did so...and was surprised to feel Lady Hilary's fist in his face. She knocked him head over heels off the bench and onto the floor. Mackie laughed as he and Mr. Foley took hold of him. “Nice shot, Your Ladyship.”
“Thank you. A woman does need to learn how to keep the wandering hands of overly amorous noblemen from getting too familiar.” She went right up to Crowley. “You, sir, are going to take us to the Inn. You will free Mr. Byrnes and the others whom you have imprisoned there.”
Crawley gulped. “What about me? I could still tell Pruitt about this.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, you could.” A light went on in her eyes. “But you can't if you come with us.”
Mackie and Mr. Foley joined her. “Everything's settled here, Liz. Most of the guards were either tied up or locked in the manager's office and parlor room.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Mr. Foley, take Mr. Crawley to the manager's office with his men.” Mr. Foley did so, taking Crawley by his arm, ignoring his angry protests. She shook her head and made her way to the stage. The remaining guests and staff members were talking amongst themselves. Lester was knocked over the couch by the two women, who didn't like where he put his hands. “Excuse me!”
Maple slammed down on the pianoforte, getting everyone's attention. “QUIET! SLILENCIEUX!” The entire group immediately shut up and stared at her and Elizabeth.
“Thank you, Maple.” Elizabeth addressed the crowd. “I know the last thing most of you were expecting was to be under attack at this time of night. Rest assured, this is not business as usual at the Monongahela Inn. We're really just a little place off the road, where people can rest their feet for a while and enjoy a romance or an adventure or a little music before they venture forth into the world again. We want to help you forget your troubles, not create more.”
Maple joined her. “But there are people, bad people, who want to take the Inn for themselves. They say we should not be allowed to make travelers happy. The Governor, he says we are no better than dirt under his toenails.”
Hilary stood next to them. “It doesn't matter what part of society you're from, if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, or no spoon at all. You can still be a part of a colony.” She smiled at the other women. “And a family.”
Mackie went to Hilary. “And that's what matters in the end. We're all family. No matter what we look like, or where we were from originally, or how old or young we are.”
Mr. Eldridge patted Mackie's shoulder. “After all, it's always nice to have someone to count on when the pickle chips fall down.”
Gertrude joined them with Lester, Eugenia, and Mr. Foley. “And someone to tell your troubles to.”
Elizabeth turned to the remaining guests. “Two members of our family, Scott Sherwood and Lord Jeffrey Singer, are in the hands of Captain Pavla DeVile, the most notorious pirate on the Monongahela and the Allegheny, and there are others who are prisoners at the Weeping Joker Inn. Will you all stand with us and fight for our friends...our family...our very lives? Who's with us?”
The ten or so people who remained let out loud cheers. They shook everyone's hands, even Hilary's, and shook their fists happily as the staff made their way off the stage and into the crowd. Elizabeth gathered everyone as close as she could. “All right. We all need to work as a team if we're going to stop Pruitt and rescue our friends.” She looked at Hilary with a small smile. “And our lovers.” Hilary nodded, her smile knowing.
“How are we gonna get into the Weeping Joker Inn?” Mackie looked nervous. “Crawley could tell the staff there what we're doing, and they could call the cops.”
Gertrude saw Mr. Eldridge trying on a heavy coat with fancy braiding. “Where did you get that?”
“From one of the nice officers we put in the parlor room. They weren't using it, so I thought I might look better in it.”
Elizabeth's eyes brightened. “That's it!” She nodded at the coat. “Why don't we all...borrow...their coats? We'll dress as soldiers.”
“Oui!” Maple grinned. “And they will just think we are Pruitt's men. They will not suspect anything!”
“I refuse to be costumed as a mere enlisted man.” Hilary took a fancy plumed tri-corn hat off a chair on the stage. “I'm not a simple, workaday officer. I am a general!”
“Oui,” Maple muttered to Eugenia, “a general pain in the derriere.” Eugenia giggled.
Hilary glared at them. “What was that?”
Eugenia and Maple tried to look innocent. “Oh, nothing,” Maple said quickly.
“I just hope Mr. Comstock is all right,” Eugenia added. “He did ride to Fort Pitt all alone.”
“Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine, Eugenia.” Elizabeth didn't look as confident as she sounded.
The Road to Fort Pitt, Shortly After Midnight
Victor galloped down the road as fast as he could push his steed. He had to get to Fort Pitt. His influence there could be of considerable use in aiding the others. As long as I keep the Crimson Blade out of my confession somehow. I promised Maple I wouldn't allow harm to come to her or Sherwood, and I intend to keep that promise. Victor frowned. Even if Sherwood does somehow always seem to gain the upper hand with the women. He has that silver tongue and Irish charm.
He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't heed the sounds of more hooves coming towards him. Were the woods always so dark? It was if all the light in the colony had been snuffed out by some unseen hand. The road was barely visible two inches in front of his face.
Suddenly, the horse reared, nearly throwing him off. Three men in red uniforms blocked the road. Three more surrounded him. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Victor Comstock, you're under arrest, by order of the governor of this colony.”
“Under arrest? Why? I've committed no felony.”
“The governor says you've been passing information to the British about plans for General Washington's first attack.”
“That's absurd! I'm an innkeeper from Pittsburgh Village out on an errand.”
“At this hour of the night?” One of the soldiers reached for his horse. Victor hit him in the chin and tried to ride on, but two more men appeared. One grabbed his horse. Two more took hold of his legs and dragged him off his saddle.
Victor struggled angrily. “When I put in my report with Fort Pitt, you can rest assured that I'll complain heavily about the quality of security on the roads going out of Pittsburgh Village!”
Another man clamped a hand over Victor's mouth. “I forgot, the boss lady said he can talk up a storm when he gets going.” He smirked as they dragged the tall man away. “Take him to the Ursula Gothel. Our boss and our governor are both really interested in that information he's been passin'.”
The Adventures of the Crimson Blade
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