Briarwood by J.A. Hitchcock The castle ruins had always fascinated her. With her eyes closed, she could almost hear the clanging of swords, the cheers for the king and queen, the laughter of women being wooed by knights in shining armor. As always, she would open her eyes and wish that the castle and people in it were real. "Amberly!" She heard the anger in her husband's voice and looked at the ruins one last time with a heavy sigh. She began to turn away from the window, but a movement caught her eye. She stopped. It looked like a man on horseback. A man dressed in medieval clothing. "Amberly, where the hell are you?!" What she'd seen fled her mind as she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her head. She adjusted the belt on her robe and waited. The bedroom door flew open an instant later. A tall, blond man walked in, his gaunt face red. His blue eyes flashed as he looked at her. "What's wrong? I was in the shower." Amberly smiled sweetly. The redness slowly left Richard's face. He walked to her and roughly kissed her forehead. "I just got back from the studio and thought you'd gone." "But you ordered me to never leave the house without your permission . . . your highness." Amberly mock-curtsied. "Damn it!" Richard slapped her face and Amberly fell backwards to the floor. "Why do you always do that? You've got everything you could ever want." Amberly gingerly touched her cheek. He knew how to slap her face without leaving any marks, but it was still painful She slowly stood and readjusted the towel around her head, then looked him straight in the eyes. "Yes, I have everything," her voice was soft. "Except a husband I can love and respect." Richard grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him, her nose almost touching his. "I told you, Amberly, you are my wife." He spoke quietly through clenched teeth. "You will do as I say, when I say it. And you will not disobey me." "Oh really?" Amberly pulled away from him. "You kidnapped your own wife and brought her to England just so that you, the famous Richard Morris, wouldn't suffer any repercussions from the press." Her voice rose slightly. "Why? Because Richard Morris didn't want the public to know he slapped his wife around. Or that he was an alcoholic and a cocaine addict. No. Richard Morris is the epitome of music. The musician's musician. Isn't that right, darling?" Richard stared at her. This was the first time she'd stood up to him. She knew he wanted to hit her, to hurt her. It obviously took all he could to hold back. He stalked to the bedroom door and looked back. "Amberly." He whispered her name, yet it carried to her ears with stunning clarity. "The only way you'll ever leave this house is when one of us is dead." Richard walked out of the bedroom and closed the door. A key turned in the lock, then he spoke again. "I'll be back for dinner. We're having guests over. Make sure you're dressed and charming, as usual." There was a long pause. "Or else." Amberly threw the towel off her head. Her black hair cascaded to her waist. She picked up a hairbrush as she looked into the mirror and saw a woman she didn't recognize anymore. Pale green eyes stared from a sad, thin face. Her full lips were white at the edges with fear. She noticed a small bruise on her arm where Richard had hit her the other day. The other bruises lay under her robe, where no one could see them. No one except Richard and her. What had happened to her? She felt she was slowly going out of her mind. Her eyes wandered to the room behind her, the room that had been her prison for months now. Furnished with antiques and light colors, the room was definitely cheery enough and big enough. The four-poster bed was something she'd always dreamed of having, but now she'd grown to hate it, especially when Richard slept in it. But, no matter how big and cheerful the room was, it was still her prison, her cell. Her only escape was the balcony, where she spent most of her time, even in the rain. The castle ruins were her salvation. For some reason, the simple act of looking at them soothed her. She would sit for hours and watch the birds and animals and daydream about the castle on the hill overlooking the English Channel. She would pretend she was a princess, an adoring prince by her side. Then reality set in when Richard came home; Amberly would wait for the night to end and the next day to begin so she could dream again. Amberly sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve, then walked to the balcony doors. She pushed them open and stood on the balcony. She raised her face to the sky, eyes closed. A sob escaped her lips as the sun's warmth dried her tears and gently caressed her face. * * * He watched from behind a large tree. He had wondered where the house had come from, then he had seen her. Nothing else mattered after that. He quieted his horse as it stamped the ground. His grey eyes watched the woman on the balcony. He had never seen such beauty before, even as she cried to the sky. He looked back at the castle. He could hear the distant music from the fair. And he heard his name being called. "Prince Lionel!" "Yes, yes," he muttered to himself. "I hear you." He rubbed the horse's neck and picked up the reins. The woman was looking towards the castle, confusion in her eyes. "Farewell, lovely maiden," he whispered softly, then turned his horse around. * * * Amberly's head jerked at the sound of a horse's whinny. She looked towards the ruins of the castle. She saw the flicker of a horse's tail and for a moment she heard the music of flutes and mandolins floating over a disappearing mist. "I'm either dreaming or going crazy," she whispered to herself, then turned to walk back into her bedroom. She froze. A rose lay on the balcony railing. She reached for it. The rose was deep red with dewdrops clinging to its barely opened petals. Its thorns had been removed. Amberly inhaled its fragrance as she looked at the castle ruins. She hugged the rose to her chest, then went into her bedroom and softly closed the balcony doors. * * * Amberly was a hit at dinner, as usual. Her red dress, with its vee neck in front and back, showed off her ivory skin, shapely figure and raven hair. And it hid her bruises well, as did the artfully applied makeup. The pearls around her neck shone in the candlelight. Amberly smiled and laughed when it was appropriate. She always kept up on the latest news, so she jumped in on most of the conversation throughout dinner. She even told a few jokes, much to the delight of the guests. The cornish hens were cooked to perfection, the vegetables stylishly arranged on the blue and white china, all served by the catering service in short order and with not one problem. Applause arose when dessert, Bananas Foster, was lit. The best wine had been brought up from the wine cellar and met the approval of everyone sitting around the long mahogany dining table. Richard beamed with approval as compliments about his wife, the dinner, and the house were bestowed upon him. "I cannot believe how much work you put into this house, Richard." One of the older men, Arthur Cranmore, vigorously puffed on a cigar as the Bananas Foster was served. "I'm just glad the former owners, the Martins, had a caretaker keep an eye on the estate after they moved." Richard smiled. "An old friend told us all about it and a day later it was ours. What a steal!" The guests fell silent. Richard looked at them one by one. "What is it?" He asked. "Richard, dear." Arthur's wife, Marion, cleared her throat. "Didn't you wonder why this house was empty all those years?" "Not really." Richard shrugged his shoulders. "The caretaker said the owners moved to the United States." "Warren Martin moved there, alone." Arthur corrected Richard. "The old boy just didn't have the heart to sell it. When he died last year and no heirs made claim to it, the house went on the market. You were the only one interested in purchasing it." "I don't understand." Amberly leaned forward, curious. "Well, after Warren left, rumors began to circulate," Marion said. "Some say he was an alcoholic and hit his wife. Others said she was crazy. Poor Emily may have been depressed, but she was not crazy." A chill ran down Amberly's spine. "Emily was a beautiful thing." Marion laughed lightly. "Long, golden hair and blue, blue eyes. I used to visit her when Warren would allow it. But towards the end Emily became withdrawn. She would stare out the window toward the ruins of that castle and sigh. I asked her what fascinated her so about it. She told me she wished she had been born back in those wondrous days of knights and shining armor." Amberly stifled a gasp. "The day before she disappeared, Emily and I sat on the balcony outside her room. We were having tea and looking at the castle ruins. Suddenly, Emily became animated. She asked if I could hear the music. I followed her eyes to the castle. It was as though she could see something I could not." Amberly began to shake. The other guests were too busy watching Marion to notice. "What was really odd was a mist in front of the ruins. There was no mist anywhere else. I blinked my eyes and for a moment, I thought I saw a man on horseback looking at us. Emily was entranced. Her smile was one of pure love. The mist disappeared. Then it was as if nothing had happened. Nothing at all." "Ex . . . excuse me." Amberly ran out of the room. The guests were too involved with the story to note her departure. Their voices followed her. "Marion, you say she disappeared the next day?" "Yes. I'll never forget it. They looked everywhere, but never found her." Marion's voice trailed off. * * * Amberly ran up the stairs to her bedroom and shut the door, her stomach wrenching with sickness and fear. She didn't turn on the light. She pushed open the balcony doors and stood there, her eyes searching in the darkness for the castle ruins. A rustling noise came from the balcony floor. A piece of paper touched her feet. Amberly knelt down and picked it up. Parchment. The handwriting was filled with swirls and curlicues. Amberly's heart pounded as she read it. _Dark as night, your hair caresses my eyes Smooth as cream, your skin calls to my lips I see you each morn and eve And I yearn to be with you The one I have grown to love._ Amberly looked up, her eyes wide. Could it be? For a moment, the ruins were ruins no longer. The walls of the castle materialized before her eyes, swirling mist all around it. She saw towers and turrets. Colorful pennants fluttered in the night sky. Sounds of laughter and gaiety tugged at Amberly's heart. She swore she could smell bread baking. And lilacs. She inhaled deeply. Amberly wanted to run there, to run away from the hurt and pain she felt. But the mist surrounded the castle and it slowly disappeared. Only ruins loomed in the moonlight. * * * _"Lionel, may I come in?" The voice was a whisper. "Please, mother." Lionel sat in a chair near the window. He did not look up when she laid her hand upon his shoulder. "I thought it would end with me." She paused and knelt in front of her son. "Lionel, I was once married to a man named Warren Martin. In that house. His ancestors lived there off and on for years. I found out that once in a great many years, one of Warren's family would disappear. I was fascinated with the story and delved into old family books, journals, anything I could get my hands on. I discovered that the house was over 500 years old. All of the journals described the same thing -- someone had been sad in that house." Her voice dropped and Lionel leaned forward. "Not just sad, but miserable; then that person disappeared. It was almost like the house and anyone who dwelled in it was cursed." Emily's voice rose a little. "Soon after, Warren changed. It seemed like it happened overnight. He stayed out late at night, drinking and carrying on. He would come home and," she paused again, "there were times when I could not move, the pain was so great. I feared for my life every day. Then, I saw the castle." "This castle, mother?" Lionel's asked quietly. "Yes, Briarwood. At first, I thought I was crazy. Then I knew it was real. Your father would watch me from here. We would smile at each other. I would find little presents on my balcony. We were so much in love." Emily paused. "I knew this castle was from a different time, possibly even another world, but I didn't care." She sighed. "Warren became worse. I knew I had to escape or I'd die. One morning, I was out walking in the garden and suddenly I saw the opening that let me view the castle and your father. Without thinking, I ran to it. I leaped and landed in your father's arms. I think he was as amazed as I." Emily's soft laugh made Lionel smile. She stood and looked out the window. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Sometimes, I hear her crying." "Mother?" Lionel stood next to her. "She belongs here." Emily looked at her son. "Lionel, go to her. But end this madness." "How?" "Destroy the house. It is cursed with misery." Emily wiped tears from her cheeks. "Tomorrow, Lionel. Tomorrow the window to that horrid house will open again. You must get her, then destroy the house and return to Briarwood." Lionel nodded. "I love her, mother, with all my heart. I will bring her back." Emily smiled, not surprised at all that her son could love someone he'd never met. It had happened to her, so why not him, too? Lionel put his arm around his mother's shoulders and they looked at the night sky together._ Amberly opened her eyes. She blinked and felt a hand on her arm. Richard lay next to her, his snores muffled by the sheet over his head. She gently moved his hand off her arm, then sat up. Pain filled her body. She didn't remember what time Richard had come to her room. The minute she had smelled the alcohol on his breath, she tuned him out as she always did. Amberly walked to the bathroom and quietly closed the door. Tears of anger spilled out of her eyes as she looked in the mirror. Bruises were already beginning to show. She tenderly touched on her right cheek. Richard was getting more violent and seeming not to care where he hit her. She filled the sink with warm water and soap. She dipped a washcloth in it, then began the ritual of cleansing her body. "You have to get out of here, Amberly," she whispered to herself. "Before he kills you." Richard knocked on the bathroom door and Amberly jumped. "I'm leaving now. I'll see you around six." He didn't wait for a reply and Amberly heard the bedroom door shut, but no sound of the key in the lock. Amberly wasn't surprised. It was a silent truce between them when he had one of his "bad" nights. She intended to take full advantage of it today and escape. Amberly quickly got dressed, overwhelmed with fear that Richard would return. The phone rang in the hall and she jumped. Amberly picked up the receiver on the fourth ring. "Hello?" "Amberly, luv, is that you?" A familiar voice. "Yes. Who's this?" "Marion Chambers, from dinner last evening. I called to see how you were feeling." "I'm fine, Mrs. Chambers. Thank you for being so concerned . . ." "Concerned, pah! Richard was in a foul mood when Arthur and I left. He kept avoiding our questions." Marion lowered her voice. "Amberly, you've seen the castle, haven't you?" Amberly almost dropped the receiver. "Amberly?" "Yes, yes, I'm here." Amberly almost choked on the words. "Amberly, we must talk. Today." "Why?" "The castle. I know why it's appeared again." "What do you mean?" "Emily told me." Amberly gasped. "Emily?" "We've been in touch for years, when the window is open." "The window?" "Please, let me come by," Marion insisted. "I can explain it better." "All right. I'll wait." "Good girl." Amberly blindly put the receiver down. * * * ". . . then when Emily left me the first note and described how Warren used to hit her, I was so angry I could spit. But I was happy she was in another place that suited her. So once a week I've come to the ruins and there is always a note for me. I leave one for her and this is how we've communicated over the years." Marion paused. "Of course, no one knows." Amberly didn't say a word. "Richard has hit you, too, hasn't he?" Marion said softly. Amberly nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn't speak. "I thought so," Marion shook her head slightly. "I could sense he was acting a lot like Warren did before Emily disappeared." She handed Amberly a piece of parchment. "This is the note I received yesterday from Emily." Amberly quickly scanned the words. Marion, It's happened again. Lionel has found the window and is going through it tomorrow. He knows he must destroy the house to end this curse. Love sometimes makes us do crazy things, don't you agree? So, this will be my last letter to you, my friend. I'll never forget you. Emily Amberly looked up. "Lionel is the one I've seen?" Amberly asked. "Emily's son. He'll be coming through the window today." "When?" Marion shook her head. "I don't know, but he will find you." Marion stood and motioned for Amberly to follow. "We must destroy this house." "But how?" "Fire."

Amberly and Marion walked toward the garage where Richard kept extra petrol for the cars. Marion stopped and stared at the path to the castle ruins. A horse's head appeared out of nowhere. The rest of the horse materialized and the rider atop it pulled on the reins. Amberly stared at the rider. He wore leather breeches, a calfskin shirt, and boots of some sort. His wheat-colored hair ruffled in the breeze. He dismounted, his eyes never leaving hers. He walked to Amberly, gently took her hand in his and raised it to his lips, kissing it every so lightly. "You are the one I have come for," he murmured as he lowered her hand, not letting it go. Amberly blushed and felt her heart pound wildly. Could she really have fallen in love with someone she didn't really know? "I have watched you for a long time, my love," Lionel let go of her hand and reached up to touch a bruise on her cheek. His eyes hardened. "No one will ever hurt you again, I vow it." "Lionel?" Marion found the courage to speak first. His eyes broke from Amberly's and looked at Marion. He smiled at her and bowed. "You must be mistress Marion, my mother's friend." "Yes, luv, I am. We must hurry if we're to do this right. Leave your horse here." Lionel nodded. "The house?" He asked. "Fire." Marion's voice was strong. "Fire." Lionel repeated the word. "Yes. So it shall be." "Oh God!" Amberly moaned as a chill ran up her spine. "What day is it?" "Why, it's Sunday, luv." Marion replied. "What's wrong?" "Richard." Amberly looked at Marion. "He never goes into London on a Sunday. He must have forgotten because he drank so much last night. He could return at any moment." "Calm down, luv." Marion frowned. "You two go on. I'll keep an eye out for Richard." Marion watched them go into the garage and pulled out the handgun hidden in her jacket. Richard Morris was not going to inflict pain on anyone anymore. "This is for you, Emily, for you and Amberly," Marion whispered as she checked the gun, then slid it back in her jacket.

Smoke soon curled from the windows of the house. The trio quietly watched the flames lick at the house, gaining in strength and destruction. "Give this to Emily for me." Marion pressed something into Amberly's hand. "Tell her she will be in my thoughts always." Amberly looked at the black and white photograph in her hand. Two young woman laughed into the camera. Emily and Marion. Amberly nodded, then raced with Lionel to his horse.

"Amberly! Marion! What the hell?" Richard's voice came through the smoke. "Richard, leave her alone." Marion stood in front of him as he came around the garage. Richard stopped and stared at the gun in her hand.

"Marion, put the gun down." "Not until you're dead. Only then will this madness end." Marion pulled the trigger. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Amberly watched in horror. Richard's eyes were angry, yet confused as he turned his head towards Amberly. He tried to step forward but the bullet hit him square in the chest. * * * Amberly screamed as Richard fell backwards. Marion turned to her. "The curse is lifted. Go. Before the window closes." "But what about you, Marion?" Amberly cried, "What will happen to you?" "Don't worry about me, luv, I've been in this village for far too long. If I say it was self-defense, then that is what it shall be." Marion smiled and tried not to cry. "Now go, you two, go!" Lionel urged his horse forward and held Amberly close to him. "Your life begins anew at this window," Lionel murmured in her ear. "Let the world behind us remain there and let me become your only memory." Amberly choked back her tears. Then her eyes widened. The pennants of Briarwood floated lazily in the breeze. She heard laughter and gaiety. The castle was beautiful. ----- This ASCII representation is the copyrighted property of the author. You may not redistribute it for any reason. The original story is available on-line at http://tale.com/titles-free.phtml?title_id=22 Formatting copyright (C) 1998 Mind's Eye Fiction, http://tale.com/