So here we go, dancing about the scene, as we change perspectives as easily as one might change a jacket. A sensation which can be both fun and disconcerting, all at the same time, but I enjoy every moment, don't you? I hope you do because there are a lot more such transitions to come before our little story reaches its conclusion.
So, we will leave our poor little prisoner in a self-imposed suspended state and wind our way through the castle. We will climb the stairs and enter within the personal quarters of the royal family who have yet to stir at this time in the morning. We move along into the bedchamber of a lovely young maiden, who just so happens to be an early riser.
Amelia rouses herself from her bed and takes in the bright new day. Despite all that has transpired yesterday, she slept soundly. She quickly dresses herself and hurries to and down the winding stair. She knows she'll be expected in the dining hall in just an hour or so, but there is another matter that she needs to tend to first.
She takes the familiar way down to the prison where she is stopped by the formidable door that is the sole entrance to the cells further down below. "Guards!" she shouts through the small, barred window while she bangs on the door. Let me in!"
One of the two guards on duty hurries over to the massive peep hole which he uses to identify the visitor. "C, captain," he stammers, before bolting to the wall and retrieving the key that hangs there.
The door is soon opened allowing Amelia inside before being shut behind her. She brushes past the two saluting sentries as she sets off for the stairs. She takes the first step before turning around and making her way back to her subordinates. She fixes both of them with a hard stare as they stand at attention.
She extends a closed fist toward them. "I was never here," she insists, as she drops a coin into each of the guards' awaiting hands.
"Yes ma'am," they both declare and snap to.
After which, Amelia fixes them with another hard stare before turning about and carrying on. She reaches the stairs at a brisk pace as she strolls down them. Slowly she descends to the lower level, turns toward the cells and is grabbed from behind by a pair of hands that seem to materialize out of the shadow cast by the torches against the wall.
A heavy hand clasps over her mouth. "Scream and I won't hesitate to break your neck," a gruff voice informs her and tightens its grip
This is it! After waiting the whole night for the guards to doze off, The Silent Man finally has a hostage, but he would soon find it very difficult to hold her as Amelia surmises exactly where he has hold of her. Aside from the hand on her mouth, is an arm extended across her chest and a leg between hers. It's far too easy.
She reaches low, takes hold of the assailant's most sensitive part and squeezes. Immediately, she feels his strength give and his limbs retreat till they no longer hold onto her. Wasting no time, she turns about and faces her attacker. He's doubled over and holding himself as he tries desperately not to wretch.
"That, was a dirty, move!" the Silent Man exclaims between breaths as he fights to fix her with an intense glare.
"Says the would-be kidnapper," Amelia replies, sharply and crosses her arms. "How did you get out of your cell anyway? You're not a locksmith as well, are you?"
"It wasn't locked," the Silent Man grunts, as he slowly stands up.
"Unlocked?!" Amelia bursts forth as a curious look twists at her face. "But it couldn't have been."
"I don't know what you want me to say," the Silent Man responds and finally reaches his full posture. "The door was unlocked. I simply opened it."
"Well anyway," Amelia starts in, as she motions to take hold of the escaped prisoner. "You'll just have to go back in."
"I don't think so," the Silent Man speaks as he withdraws from the advancing hand. "I appreciate the accommodations, but I really need to be getting out of here."
"But you haven't been cleared yet," Amelia informs him as she continues to snatch at the ever elusive hand.
"Cleared of what?" the Silent Man inquires as he dodges this way and that, until he's had enough. "And will you stop that?"
"Fine," Amelia states as she ceases her motions. "But you have to be acquitted of your strange activities in the graveyard last night."
"Strange activities?" the Silent Man counters as he straightens himself. "I was simply visiting a grave."
"And you had nothing to do with the grave robbers?" Amelia pries and takes a step forward.
"Grave robbers?" the Silent Man fires back and leans slightly backward. "No, I'm not a grave robber."
Amelia steps up to him and stares deep in his eyes. "I believe you," she replies after several moments of searching his face.
"You do?" the Silent Man responds more surprised that he would be believed so easily, even though truth is on his side.
"Yes, you don't possess the eyes of a liar," Amelia clarifies, as she continues to stare.
"So, you'll let me go," the Silent Man ventures as he returns the stare.
"No," Amelia shoots down the idea as she stares at him with more intensity.
"What?" the Silent Man blurts and tries to meet her gaze. "But you said you believed me."
"And I do," Amelia assures him and returns her stare lessening a degree or two. "But I'm not the one you have to convince."
"Okay, I'll bite," the Silent Man responds and crosses his arms. "Who do I have to convince?"
"The magistrate," Amelia informs him and drops her hands to her sides. "He'll be opening his session soon and the grave robbers are first on the agenda."
"Well sorry," the Silent Man continues as he edges his way closer to the exit. "But like I said, I can't stay." He motions to go, but soon finds himself pinned to the wall.
"And I said you can't," Amelia counters as she tightens her grip upon him.
The Silent Man struggles, but the woman's grip is too strong. "What the hell is this chick made of?" he thinks as he strains against her. "But I'll bet she's not expecting this." He leans in and kisses her.
Of all the possible actions that Amelia would have expected, this is not one of them. It takes her entirely by surprise and she begins to loosen her grip. Most shocking of all, is how much she seems to enjoy it and she reaches forward to take in his embrace, but all she meets is the wall. She looks about, stunned as she catches sight of the Lothario dashing up the stairs.
"See ya cupie doll," he calls after her as he bounds up the stairs. "Can't play it quiet anymore," he muses as he speeds toward the guards who scramble to prepare themselves.
Suddenly, he is taken full force from behind, by a tremendous shock wave. "YOU BASTARD!!!" a booming voice comes blasting from below, which rattles all three men.
The Silent Man turns about and stares down the stairway, where he finds the fiery redhead standing at the bottom.
"I'll have your heart you bastard!" Amelia screams as she ascends the staircase, a fire blazing in her eyes.
The Silent Man turns around and bolts toward the prison door and subsequently, the two guards who watch over it. They both put a hand to the sword clipped to their respective belts, but their adversary is upon them before they can draw. It's as though he's composed of lightning, flashing within their proximity much faster than he should have been able.
First, he puts a hand to the hilt of the nearest guard's sword, effectively stopping him from wielding his blade, while at the same time using his other hand to take hold of the same guard's collar. He spins him about, effectively blocking his compatriot, before pushing him forward. He crashes into his partner, sending them both to the floor. They're both out of the fight.
His opponents down, the Silent Man finds he has unfettered access to the key, which still hangs from the wall. He puts forth his hand and takes hold of his prize, when his eyes spy Amelia, newly arrived at the top of the stair and a bit out of breath. Both stand in stillness as they watch to see who will make the first move.
It's the Silent Man who breaks first as he yanks the key and bolts for the door. His pursuer covers half the distance in the time it takes him to release the lock. She just makes it to the door when he slips outside and shuts it behind him. He thrusts all his weight against the door and it's sufficient to keep it closed while he jams the key into the keyhole.
Amelia bangs on the door as the lock slides back into place, effectively trapping her inside the prison. She frets as she opens the window and takes sight of her jailer. The two stare at one another with blank expressions as neither knows what to say in the situation. The man on the other side breaks first and flees the scene.
"Wait!" the woman pleads as she holds onto the bars. "Please wait!"
The Silent Man halts his retreat and turns his steps back the way he came. "What do you want?" he asks as he gazes through the narrow window.
"I need to know who you are," Amelia insists as she stares back at him.
"Why?" the Silent Man prods and casts a suspicious eye her way.
"Because, I think you and I are connected somehow," Amelia pleads her case and intensifies her gaze to match her desperation.
"What makes you think that?" the Silent Man asks warily and crosses his arms.
"I don't really know," Amelia admits and lowers her eyes some. "But it has to do with the fire in the graveyard."
"The fire, huh," the Silent Man replies as he thinks back on that time. "Yeah, I don't see the connection"
"What about this?" Amelia asks as she produces the wooden trinket, the one marked with the name Timothy.
The Silent Man stares at it intently for several moments. "That's not me," he states flatly as his eyes become hollow.
"Not you?" Amelia returns as she gazes at the object. "But it was around your neck."
"It may have been," the Silent Man counters and shakes his head. "But it's not me."
"Then why did you have it?" Amelia pries and pushes it closer.
"I just did," the Silent Man relays as he turns around to leave.
"Wait!" Amelia pleads with him all the more and even reaches out for him as though her hand can touch him. "Please, wait!"
"What now?" the Silent Man queries as he stops and merely turns his head.
Amelia takes a breath. "I need to understand this mystery," she explains and fixes him with an intense gaze. "So, I'll make you a deal."
"I'm listening," the Silent Man says, but gives no further action.
"I'll help you escape," Amelia propositions and opens her other hand as though offering something invisible. "If you tell me about this trinket."
"You really are obsessed with that thing," the Silent Man observes as he turns about. "Aren't you?"
"I just," Amelia starts in as she sighs. "I just need to know."
"Okay," the Silent Man acquiesces and takes a step forward. "But only if I can make it back to my home."
Amelia does not even hesitate. "Deal," she states and holds out her hand.
The Silent Man walks over and unlocks the door.
"Follow me." Amelia commands as she exits the door and takes point. "I know of a side entrance, where we shouldn't encounter too much resistance."