FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

Meadowbrook, Grier Country (The Fallen found for seven years)

DERAGAN

Nora and Meralee sat on Nora’s stoop watching the thick fog descending. It made the glow of the candle over the steps shine a dull orange and the cobbled stones glisten dark charcoal.

Nora sat in her white feathered cloak, the warmest she owned. Meralee’s usual gray one lovingly draped willowy curves. The collar framing her angular cheekbones and delicate jaw flatteringly.

“I can’t remember a darker night.” Nora rubbed her upper arms.

“You’ll not travel into self-pity.” Mera directed. “If you go down that road it's terribly hard to come back.” Her tone softened to match the honey shade of her eyes.

Neither girl said anything for a long while.

“This is why we’re so close, you know?” Mera murmured.

“Because we can appreciate each other’s company in silence?” Nora gave a slight laugh.

Mera nodded.

Both ladies were reluctant to talk. Nora sighed and dropped her arms between drawn knees.

The moon was diluted by the blanket of fog resting between her and the silver glow above.

“I find the moon comforting.” She blurted as she stared into the hazy night sky. Inhaling deeply of the coming rain. Vaguely surprised by the late Fall storm. “When it’s not full.” She clarified.

“You are strange.” Mera laughed in surprise.

Lawns were peppered with gold and brown leaves. Their luster long since faded they now crackled underfoot along the path to the steps.

Fog banks rose, overlapping in a sudden, eerie, bloom.

“What is that?” Mera squinted into the darkness.

“I don’t know. Something is wrong.”

“You’re shivering. You should go in.” Mera’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“I can’t. It’s too much inside with the twins.”

“Slap them and tell them you need peace.” Mera said vehemently.

Nora blinked at her. “You’re going to be a terrifying mum one day.”

Nodding emphatically Mera smiled. “It would be unwise for me to have young.”

“Young?” Nora gasped. “Most ladies call them children.”

“Are you implying I am a lady?”

Nora shook her head. “Not by any standard.”

“Good.” Mera relaxed and looked down the road.

Ripping open the front door, the twins barreled past the old butler, shoving each other.

Scrambling from the stoop, the ladies barely avoided being trampled.

Mera picked up a rock which she winged just past Marcus’ head. Her shouts earned only a sideways glance.

Wide-eyed Nora shook her head at her friend.

Marcus taunted his brother in a cooing voice. “Oh…Is whittle William angry?” Dodging William’s fist he put his hands up in mock surrender.

“Don’t be mad at me. Not my fault you like Miss Susie Becker.” He blinked in fake sincerity, putting his hand to his chest. “It’s okay with me that you like your women as plump as a spring chicken...”

William expostulated sputtering but his brother cut him off before he could muster words.

“To each their own, Good Sir.” He gave a mocking salute. “Merely leaves the finer sweets for me to sample.” Still laughing Marcus avoided further blows by dancing from his purple-faced brother’s path.

Crossing the lawn he tossed over his shoulder in a sincere tone. “They’re sleeping Nore.”

Nodding, she watched them approach the rickety Bishop carriage.