When the Baron came, all had changed and not for the better.
When the Baron came, hope was stripped and darkness escalated.
When the Baron came, all were charged with the tax of living.
Fourteen years of his cruel ire.
Not a day did he age.
Not a year did he lose.
Not a moment, he did not know.
All places were his domain, except the Stromwell's residence.
May Elric Stone Stromwell rest in peace.
"Mother, this book recounts father and the Lux Knights. This particular story tells of Yule Hammersmith being turned to stone and blessed. There is another tale of Victor Hide becoming a monster and living in the Semper Woods. I have even read the tale of the knight, Sage, trapped in the Deus Lacum. I cannot find Hazehall, Shadowood, or Blackgout." Marco brushed a piece of his hair behind his ear.
A sudden deep tingle was felt. The air chilled. "Marco, quickly cover the book with the doe's innocent hide!" Marcela shouted, as the door to the Stromwell residence burst open.
"It is at its worst, Marcela. None of us have the gold to live."
Marco quickly slammed the book, covering it up with a piece of animal hide that had a religious symbol scrolled across it. He promptly stood up. "Mrs. Ashman, what a pleasant surprise it is."
Mrs. Ashman gave him a mean look. "It would be pleasant, but it's not. What were you doing, Marco?" Mrs. Ashman questioned, as she tried to look around Marco, only to see nothing on the table. She shrugged it off, marching further into the house.
"Mrs. Ashman, turn, please, I need to get the gold out." Marcela spoke through clinched teeth.
When Mrs. Ashman complied, Marcela quickly yanked a wolf's jaw above the fireplace. A panel right beside it opened, revealing a stash of gold. Marcela pulled a purse out, filling it full of coins. She withdrew and yanked on the wolf's jaw, closing the panel.
Marcela spoke as she turned around. "Mrs. Ashman, please pass this gold out to the beggars and to our neighbors."
"Oh, bless you, dear. I don't know from where you get your kindness." Mrs. Ashman took the purse.
"From Elric. He was wise enough to live meagerly, while storing what he had earned. He thought that if a situation arose, we would have it."
"Oh, bless his heart," Mrs. Ashman said tearfully.
"Mrs. Ashman, you should hurry. The gold needs to be distributed." Marco raised his arm pointing to the door.
Mrs. Ashman gasped, "Oh, you're right." She hurried off. Marco sat back down.
Once the door closed, Marco sighed. "Mother, the chill means it's him, right?"
Marcela frowned, nodding. "He is probably poking around." After Marcela spoke, the door once again opened, this time ever so quietly.
"Mother, how long must we survive under his rule." Marco's nose wrinkled.
Marcela's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
"Why, my dear boy, as long as you live." Lord Leon spoke as he stepped across the wooden floor. Lord Leon raised his right hand, revealing a quartz crystal with a cross engraved in it." I have not seen this in ages." Lord Leon gazed at it longingly. "I bet it is Sage's work. That boy was always too smart for his own good. Too clever and he got himself caught. He tried to take me with him." Lord Leon paced back and forth chuckling. "That was the most invigorating and clever attempt on my life. I miss Sage. He could talk circles with his sword, and mouth. Enough reminiscing!" he suddenly shouted.
Marco tensed, and Marcela closed her eyes.
"What are you going to do?" Marcela tried to keep the fear from her voice.
"What am I going to do? What a question!" Lord Lean roared.
Marco tensed, feeling ready to move, if necessary.
Marcela noticed. "Marco, stay still, live."
"Yes, stay Marco, stay seated. Why should the child suffer for the sins of his parents? You are lucky I am feeling generous. Thinking of Sage always brings a smile to my face." Lord Leon reached into his pocket, pulling out an amulet. It was encased with black metal and had a blood-red metallic shine to it. "For the sake of your son, please put this amulet on."
Marcela held out her hand to receive the amulet. She stepped forward and then glanced to the bearskin rug.
Marco stood up. "I will pay for my Mother's transgressions instead."
"No! Take my kindness, Marco. It will only happen once in a lifetime." The Baron spurned him, dropping the amulet into her hands.
Marcela quickly attached the amulet to her neck. Once the amulet touched her chest, she transformed into red glass.
Marco cried out, "Mother, no!" Tears streamed down his face. He bent over sobbing. Covering his mouth, he looked up to the Baron. "Why, Lord Leon? Why do you torment us?"
"You are still just a child if you have to ask that." Lord Leon walked over to the glass figure of Marcela. He tipped it forward. Marco rushed forward, as the Baron snapped his fingers, causing Marcela to faze right through his arms. Marcela hit the floor, shattering. The shattered glass was red on the inside, as well. Marco kneeled before his mother's shattered pieces. He picked one up, clinching it tightly. "I swear vengeance!"
"Good, now be a good little doggy and listen carefully." Lord Leon pointed to the shiny red of the shattered Marcela. "You have half a year to piece her together again, or she will actually die."