Town and Turret: The Tale of Castle Gothica

[Stormtrooper of Death]

Yup. Indeed.

[emeraldlonewoulf]

Great job Humane! We're collectively perched on the edge of our various office chairs, bed-foots, floors, or whatever else happens to be in front of our computers.

also, check your PM's when you can.

[HumanePain]

Chapter 8

The town council chambers were overflowing with heads. Gentleman's heads with hair sleeked back and shining, and lady's heads: thousands of dollars worth of coloring, styling, ribbons and braiding, all promenading as if the bodies they sat on were for the sole purpose of flaunting their tops.

At the far chamber stage, a podium was standing ready, with chairs flanking either side, and the front of stage peppered here and there with a member of the local press.

The constant din of excited conversation and occasional laughter was deafening.

On the left side of the stage by the stairs was the new Mayor, dressed to kill but with dignity, and conversing with members of the press.

On the right side of the stage, Renatus was intently listening to one of the council members and a member of the Clan, Jillian, debating the future steps the government should take. Crimson Von Paine stood immediately behind Renatus, and looked shyly from time to time from her escort to survey the room. Damn! Duchmann had just arrived, and was shoving people out of his way making straight for the Mayor. Crimson restrained the urge to frown and narrow her eyes.

Following close behind Duchmann was Molly McKenzie, smiling as if every close bump and grind through the crowd was an exquisite pleasure, and making mental note of each man she saw smiling in submissive courtesy, and which ones frowned.

The Mayor had impeccable timing. Seeing Duchmann approaching, she glanced at the chambers wall clock and then turned around to proceed up the stairs.

Crimson elbowed Renatus and nodded towrds the stairs.

"Excuse me Jillian, Councilman" and he too turned and climbed the stairs. Crimson worked her way to the floor immediately below the center stage.

The Mayor and Renatus took their seats, as well as the council members who had followed up the stairs behind them. Renatus was grateful for Crimson's diligence, in pushing him first up the right side stairway, with the visual result that everyone ascending the stairs behind him would appear to be following him as the leader. The Mayor instinctively knew this and had executed the same ploy on the left side stairs.

The crowd began to hush, and then the Sargent at Arms, Sgt. Westebbe, walked up to the podium and announced with authority:

"The honorable Mayor elect, Madame L'Oiseau!"

The visual ploys with the stair climbing must have worked, for the sudden applause in response was thunderous as she walked up to the podium and smiled with a bowed head at the Sargent.

"Thank you Sargent! And thank all of you, for your support this past election! Together we will continue our community's glory and legacy!"

More thunderous applause....

..........................

Outside the chambers, having arrived late, Duane tightened his tie and shifted his collar on his rather large neck. He then began to hurry up the steps, when a gentle hand grasped his right arm.

"Duane!" It was Sarah.

"Why Sarah! This will make my entrance less disrespectful, us going in together!" He smiled but then recognized fear in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Duane, I think something is going to happen tonight! Last night, someone, some...woman... or man... oh God I don't know, but they were measuring the street and steps and checking out the chambers as if...they were going to do something secret and terrible! I am afraid for the Mayor!"

Duane's heart skipped a beat. He looked around and then grabbed Sarah and went to the side of the chambers.

"We are going to the stage entrance!"

[HumanePain]

Von Paine tried to relax, looking at the fire and loosing himself in thought of the town meeting tonight as if it were already a success, but long experience and cold analysis of the facts and players involved would not let him be at ease. He knew his blood pressure was rising, and decided he better take his medicine.

"Zombina!" Now where had that woman gone to?

Walking outside the Library door to the top of the stairs he called out:

"Edward! Zombina!" The two helpers were all that had remained at the castle after the rest of the Clan had gone to the meeting. The rest of the help had the weeknight off.

Von Paine began down the stairs. His furrowed brow was still due to contemplation of the future more than the inconvenience of the present. And that could be fatal.

The loud retort of gunfire and the cracking of the stone behind him brought his consciousness instantly into the now.

Looking towards the third floor stairway landing, he saw the assassin.

"Emil Von Troop. You're aim is terrible."

The German smiled and pointed his gun with more precision.

"That vas on purpose Herr Paine. I vanted you to know who killed you before you die." He squeezed the trigger and saw the bullet create the instant cone of penetration into Von Paine's rob covering his chest. The old man fell and rolled down the stairs to Von Troop's feet.

Smiling, the German holstered his gun, and kicked Von Paine's side.

The corpse to be grabbed the German's insulting leg and twisted it with a snap!

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Shrieking with agony, the German looked at Von Paine as the corpse stood up, and pulled his broken leg out from under his would be murder. The German collapsed with wide eyes and more shrieks.

"You forgot the head shot. Terrible aim, and a terrible assassin, but I don't mean that as a compliment." Von Paine bent over and took the German's gun from it's holster.

"Now, would you like to know it was I who kills you before you die, or would you prefer I let you live, with the condition that you tell me what else you and your associates have planned for tonight? Hmmm?"

Von Paine pulled back the trigger and put the barrel against the injured man's skull.

"How..." He grimaced in pain "how?..."

Von Paine lifted his robe to reveal a bullet proof vest.

"It was only logical that the night where I would be most vulnerable would be the night you would strike. Now, about your plans?"

[HumanePain]

Pardon me my dear readers, but I feel as though I rushed that last chapter (as evidenced that I forgot to call it Chapter 9). When my muse strikes I become a feverish writer, my hands won't type fast enough and the visions run racing through my mind and I get careless. I did a disservice in this last presentation, but I cannot recall it because of the 5 minute limit. I will let it stand and continue to Chapter 10, but wanted to let you all know that I know I rushed it. Sorry. I am going to bed and will rest so as to continue fresh and more diligent with Friday's writing.

Good night and don't let the gloves fit tight...on your defenseless mouths!

[Underwater Ophelia]

I'm liking it, Humane, a very fun read!

[Duane]

No one is perfect... except Duckman, maybe. It's cool, in fact it's a little mistake, don't worry about it.

[Sir Canvas Corpsey]

Wow thank you H.P. and so close to the real me!

Now the events of one particular birthday party are coming back to me...

those poor people.

<3

[HumanePain]

Chapter 10

Von Paine found Edward and Zombina where Von Troop had said he left them: tied up and gagged in basement, where he had intended to execute them after he had killed the old man.

"Sorry about this, it will hurt a bit." He tried to carefully peel the tape from their mouths.

Gasping breath, Zombina exclaimed her relief:

"Thank heavens you are ok sir!" The old man then took quite a few minutes to undo their tied hands. Arthritic hands that had snapped the assassin's leg had done so with the pain killer of adrenaline, but now under less pressure the joint pain had returned. While he struggled with their bonds they spoke.

"How had he tied you up?"

Edward looked over.
"I was in the kitchen when he came in with a gun pointed to Zombina's head. He forced her to tie me up, then he tied her."

Von Paine became concerned. He managed to untie Zombina first, and then started on Edward's bonds.

"Zombina...go to the stairs. You will find the man on the third floor landing, holding his leg in agony. Be careful, and try to get him to the elevator and take him upstairs to the guest bedroom."

"Yes sir." Rubbing her hands she ran up the stairs.

Von Paine untied Edward much more quickly than he had the girl.
"Edward, get your shotgun and hide outside the front. Watch for a car leaving the grounds."

"Yes sir." Rubbing his hands but with a puzzled look, Edward went to the hunting armory to obey Von Paine's orders.

....................

Edward loaded the shotgun and walked to the front castle entrance, and decided to stand between the tall Italian cypress trees lining the driveway.
Sure enough, there was a strange car parked in front of the garage. To his amazement, the garage entrance door to the castle mudroom opened, with two long shadows on the walkway. Zombina was helping Von Troop to the car!

He stepped out and readied the shotgun with a shick-schick!

"This is NOT the guest room Zombina."

The traitor looked in fear at Edward, and Von Troop frowned.

"I...I thought he needed to be taken to the hospital, he could bleed to death!"

"Just as he intended our master to bleed? Put your hands up and get on your knees!"

Zombina cried and dropped Von Troop. The assassin moaned in pain.

Out of the entrance now came Von Paine.

"You could not have been tied by a man who held a gun in one hand and tried tying you with the other Zombina. How long have you been conspiring against me?"

"Sir, it is not like that at all, I swear!" She cried rivers of tears and sobbed loudly.

"It won't work Zombina. Crimson tried those tricks on me as a child, I know too well your little act. Edward, keep a close aim on her. Zombina, I'm afraid you are going to be tied up again, but this time you will untied by the police."

"You old bastard! One way or another your time will come! You should have let Duchmann..." Then she suddenly fell silent seeing Von Paine smile as she stopped.

"Yes, thank you my dear. You have relieved any last bit of compassion I had left for you. There is more to leadership than the mere popularity of one like Duchmann."

[L'Oiseau Noir]

So far, so good, H.P!

Keep going. I want to read more!

[HumanePain]

Originally Posted by Xombie

I hate to just go along with the crowd, but..but..can I be in it? =D

Done. Read the previous chapter. I made you a baaaaaad girl!

[HumanePain]

Originally Posted by L'Oiseau Noir

So far, so good, H.P!

Keep going. I want to read more!

Thanks. I am still kicking myself over using "You're aim" instead of "Your aim" but I was tired last night. I am even more tired now.

[HumanePain]

Originally Posted by Emerald, the Lone Woulf

Humane, i wouldn't mind being made into a character. Complete creative license. Although I must say that Emerald Woulf, ranger for hire, has a certain ring to it.....

Goodness gracious, I almost missed this request, as well as Mir's.

Every time I try to draw the story to a close a new arc needs to be reconciled to accomodate all the requests! (whew!) But that's ok, I am glad the story continues. It just makes the plot a little more complicated.

I have to introduce three new characters within the next few chapters so the finale won't likely be until Saturday or Sunday.

Cheers!

-hp

[Malice In Wonderland]

I love it so far.
I've only briefly been skimming through it while doing my maths homework.

Is there likely to be a sequel?

[HumanePain]

I have been entertaining the idea of making it a continuing story, which is feasable as there is a continuous influx of new members. Hmmmm...

[Tha Duckman]

This works as a steam punk style yolkie.

I wanna end up being a robot. That would rule.

[Stormtrooper of Death]

Cool, my leg get's broken! Very nice sir, I very much like it!

[Bella Sophia]

I haven't posted in here yet. Could you put me in your story? I could put you in mine if you like.

[L'Oiseau Noir]

Originally Posted by Bella Sophia

I haven't posted in here yet. Could you put me in your story? I could put you in mine if you like.

If I remember, H.P was the one who loved Penguins.

...

Make him a big, talking Penguin with a silk top hat, trousers, and a snappy tailcoat and cane. Oh, oh! And a monocle. He needs a monocle.

[Bella Sophia]

Originally Posted by L'Oiseau Noir

If I remember, H.P was the one who loved Penguins.

...

Make him a big, talking Penguin with a silk top hat, trousers, and a snappy tailcoat and cane. Oh, oh! And a monocle. He needs a monocle.

Ooooh fancy penguin! You're right though. Monocles are awesome!

[honeythorn]

OOO I have enjoyed reading this Mr Humane! Very good so far. Can I be pleeease in it at some point?

[HumanePain]

Originally Posted by Ravenmother

Lol...HP. I love how this is coming along. Very creative...more...I need more!! Please,....

Patient my dear woman, your part is coming, and it is significant! Although, I hope certain scenes will not ...frighten you! MWUHAHAHAHA!!!
:rubs hands together with an evil grin:

And Miss Honeythorn, Duchmann only mentioned you in the very first chapter, but I shall give you a greater role to play as matriarch of the Clan!

[Bella Sophia]

Originally Posted by Bella Sophia

I haven't posted in here yet. Could you put me in your story? I could put you in mine if you like.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[honeythorn]

Originally Posted by HumanePain

And Miss Honeythorn, Duchmann only mentioned you in the very first chapter, but I shall give you a greater role to play as matriarch of the Clan!

Huzzah!

I wondered if that was me! Haha, now I know..

[HumanePain]

Mir was very uncomfortable in the suit and tie, he felt his neck irritated and red and wanted even more to get back into familiar surroundings than this crowd of fake smiles and over-polite, over large words. He just wanted to get the job done and get paid. He hadn't had a drink in 2 days and was getting cranky. No delirium tremens this time thankfully, but he would get them if he didn't get a drink of something soon.

No one recognized him, as he cleaned up rather well from his usual town drunk attire. Everyone was listening to the new Mayor.

"Thank you Mr. Renatus for your kind words, and many thanks to The Clan as well as Mr. Von Paine. Please pass along the best wishes of the town and myself for his speedy recovery."

She was a pretty good looker, but not worth the trouble. He would have to put on his best act ever to make what he was about to do seem sincere. She spoke and then the audience applauded. Damn this noise! His head thundered from the clapping so close to his ears. At least it would be over soon and then he would be swimming in wine.

He worked his way to the floor directly in front of the podium as planned. He had to bump some girl in a button down dress and puffy sleeves out of his way. The girl looked at his rudeness with a scowl, but he dismissed her as unimportant. It was time.

"Noir! NOIR! My love! My God you are glorious! Now will you come and run away with me as you promised? Now is the time we should tell EVERYONE about our wedding! And I want to everyone to know that I will soon be a father!"

There were gasps and then the crowd fell silent. The Mayor looked with disbelief at the town drunk. Crimson's mouth fell open at the man's declaration.

The Mayor replied, rage and insult red in her face.

"I have NO idea who you are but I do know that you have insane delusions poor sir!" She looked over her shoulder at the Sargent at arms, who strode towards the stage edge and jumped to the floor to arrest and escort the heckler from the building.

Mir seemed ready for the Sargent, his arms stretched out as the officer landed nearly on top of Mir. The two men struggling and fighting held everyone's attention, so no one noticed what was happening on the stage by the Mayor and Renatus.

Crimson was hesitating to become involved. Her father had told her to save her hidden power for protecting Renatus, and that to prematurely demonstrate her skill would make the enemy more difficult to predict. Let them go after perceived weaknesses until one was ready to counterattack.

But then she saw Mir grab the Sargent's pistol from it's holster! Adrenaline surged in her, Renatus was still on the stage and could be hit! She lunged forward, Mir lifted the pistol up to the stage, and as Crimson grabbed the man's arm to push it up, he squeezed the trigger. The gun was pointed at the Mayor.

What happened next all seemed to play in slow motion in Crimson's view: while facing the Sargent in struggle, Mir obviously was not intentionally aiming at the Mayor. But as the gun fired, Crimson saw from the corner of her eye the swift motion of Duane, the barkeep lunging in front of the Mayor.

The chambers filled with screams and shouts as Crimson now realized that she was struggling with the Sargent for control of the gun. With Crimson's death grip on Mir's arm, the Sargent let go of him and grabbed the gun with both hands, turned it to Mir and shot him point blank! The drunk collapsed, eyes wide open as he lay spread eagle on the floor.

Turning around, seeing Renatus was ok and was standing over the crowd on the stage, Crimson saw Duane, laying on the floor, the Mayor kneeling next to him with agony in her face.

"Duane! Duane! NO! Oh God NO!"

Sarah ran up the stage and kneeled down next to the Mayor. She looked up and then shouted at a beautiful, well dressed woman next to the Sargent.

"A doctor! You! Dr. Thorn! Please! We need your skills!"

Dr. Thorn, member of the Clan and also one of the town doctor's went quickly up the stairs to see what could be done. Her skills with health were not limited to the body, she employed her knowledge to lead the Clan as well, a peer of Von Paine.

Crimson checked Mir's pulse. He was dead. She looked up at the Sargent. He was unloading the pistol. She cursed herself for thinking the attack would be outside instead of here in full view of the public. Using a disposable town drunk had not been foreseen. She had planned and calculated a defense outside the chamber entrance for nothing.

Looking up again at the stage, she saw Dr. Thorn look solemnly at the Mayor and Sarah, who were both crying, tears sparkling as they fell on Duane.