Free The Dark Magical World of Alamptria by Richard A. Valicek Page A

landscape more lush. “It is interesting how much she knew about the pocket watches. It is as though she is a part of all this,” said Caprius.
    “I don’t trust her,” said Calista. They came to a hilltop manor bearing the address she’d written down. They walked through the gate and up the long path to the house. Lying over the grassy knoll to the house was a low mist, giving the effect of a graveyard.
    When they got to the front door, Caprius took Calista by the shoulders and looked intently at her. “I think I should do this alone,” he said. “It seems she likes me, and I can use that to our advantage. While I entertain her, you go around to the back and try to check out the house.”
    Calista raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
    “I’ll give you five minutes before I knock on the door,” said Caprius.
    Caprius waited, listening to the call of hoot owls. After five minutes, he knocked on the door. He knocked several times. Finally, Enlora came down to answer the door. The door creaked open, and she invited him in. “It is good to see you again, Enlora,” said Caprius, noticing her gown, which was cut very low in front and touched every gentle curve of her form.
    “It is good to see you, too,” she said. “Where is Calista?” she asked.
    “She couldn’t make it. I came alone,” Caprius said.
    She smiled. “We’ll walk this way. I want to begin by painting a portrait of you.” She took him to a room at the corner of the house and escorted Caprius to a chair. “I will begin by sketching you on canvas. Then I will apply the oils.” As she said this, she ran her long fingers slowly over her arm.
    Caprius looked around. “What a beautiful room. So very many French windows,” he said, taking his seat before her canvas.
    “You enjoy looking into the beautiful surroundings, the darkness of the night?” she asked, picking up her charcoal.
    “It is a peaceful winter’s night,” he said. “You can almost hear the tinkle of snowfall coming into the room.” His eye fell on the grand piano in the corner.
    “Do you play?” he asked.
    “I will tonight, after I have taken care of you,” she said. “Whenever I invite someone over to paint his portrait, once I have finished, I always play a melody. It soothes me, for it will be the last time I shall see him.”
    “Yes, I would gather in your line of work there aren’t too many repeat customers,” said Caprius.
    Enlora didn’t reply but continued to sketch. Caprius tried not to move, but his muscles were seizing up. “I’m sorry, but I need to move around a bit.”
    She lifted her hand. “That doesn’t bother me. As long as you get back into a similar position, I can finish. In any case,” she said, “I have finished sketching you.”
    “May I see?” asked Caprius.
    She held her arm out to the canvas.
    Caprius peered around at the drawing. “And next you apply the paint?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she said and again stared at him as though looking through him.
    Caprius found her beautiful, but her face was so still, it was as if made of stone. She dipped her brush in some paint and began applying it to the canvas.
    Outside, Calista found a door that led out to the rear garden. It was locked, so she took her dagger and carved around the edge of a small window. After digging into the wood, she was able to pop out the glass, catching it just as it fell from the frame. She put her arm through and easily unlocked the door.
    Caprius posed again but became impatient. “Enlora, if you don’t mind, I would like to get up and walk around for a bit.”
    “Please, go right ahead,” she said.
    Caprius paced back and forth a number of times to stretch his legs. He could see Enlora was not one for idle chatter, so he didn’t bother trying. The quiet was actually rather nice. He walked over to the window and gazed out into the night, then turned and went to the piano, striking a few chords, which turned into a tune.
    “You didn’t tell me you could