Chapter 30 PURSUIT
NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW
Frenzied with dread, the clamor of waves hitting the rocky shore condoned serenity. It was her source of tranquil, a lavender tea in the middle of a hectic chase. She docked upon a rugged coast, a few miles away from the porch to avoid the group of vigilantes coming after her. It took her approximately an hour to get there. Perhaps the tremendous water surge was the cause.
Ezekiel stood by the bow, eyeing the surrounding beaches upon him. The cue to search the ship while avoiding panic was achieved, but they were nowhere to be found. He clenched his fist as they hear the shore. “She’s conspiring with him…”
Something he didn’t expect was to see her here, out and about, unlike what he theorized. He ought to catch him and save her later, but the plan was a fail. The ear-piercing grunge of the docking Venetian Ship soared. It made everyone’s ear covered, except for him. As he’s cursing himself, he had gone numb to the surrounding disturbance.
He waited a few seconds before taking a step. Beside him is Philip, denouncing the findings and statements of the men. “She used one of the spare boats, clutched it by the window and stepped out right after stuffing his mouth” he said with a serious face. “Ezekiel… is she taking the side of the Viscount? Are we even certain that it’s her? The division who went to his manor hasn’t report-“
“Ezekiel!” he faltered and stopped, eyeing the man who ran to them. He recognized that it’s one of the diggers.
“What’s the situation?”
“We explored his manor and found forty-three corpses buried by the lawn, and potentially many more at the back” A chill ran down the spine of everyone surrounding them. “all the important belongings are gone, and no hostage were held. Seems like he’s ready to leave everything behind! Even the heir, she wasn’t there-“
“she’s here” Ezekiel said calmly.
“I thought she’d be held captive but it seems like he did something to take these matters into his own hands…with the help of her”
He brushed the report off, passing by them as he marched outside.
He can't bear to fathom reality, he wasn't prepared. Not knowing how or why the Viscout was ready to abandon everything made his head ache. By the research and filing they did, he's not the kind of guy who'd run off immediately.
'What made his mind change?'
The rumbling of the wooden porch echoed as his quick and heavy steps arise. He made his way across the broken porch, heading straight to his black Peruvian Horse. Philip ran behind him, calling for him to wait “Follow me!” Ezekiel yelled back before fleeing.
Philip held his knees, catching his breath with a heave, “Why is that man so fast?” he asked himself as he gets on another horse tied in an array.
Bearing nothing but silence, the hitting of the hooves against the pavement captured his boggled mind. As usual, Ezekiel had a poker face but deep inside, the hunger to resolve this case is eating him. He clenched the lasso tight, hoping that his assumptions were right. He eyed the vast scenery of the ocean. Judging by the waves, her destination would be somewhere he's familiar with. If she were to sail alone with a place in mind, the direction of the moon would be her trump card. The gravitational pull of thy star would ease her journey. Making the possibilities of her being at the Felsig Bay higher compared to anywhere else.
“Ha!” he yelled, flapping the lasso, making the horse neigh and move faster. He watches the moon as it got closer. The foggy night has come to an end. The surroundings are clear, and the bright luminescence of the moon helped him navigate. It was a quick ride, lasting a quarter of an hour when he heard the subtle sound of a burdened bray. Neighing in stress, a sound of refusal from a horse sounded. He pulled the lasso out, stopping the horse just enough to gather her attention.
With eyes bearing his triumphant leverage, he got off and stood before her. Agatha stood frozen. Failing to recognize the man, she avoided eye contact. Ezekiel stepped closer. “What seems to be the problem, young lady?” he asked, with intentions of sealing a deal. Agatha shook her head nervously, “n-nothing mister…”
He scanned her. The horse seemed stress, more likely dying. “Casper! Please…”
Ezekiel gazed downwards. Eyeing a pack of suitcase, he noticed the recognizable white linen of the dress she wore earlier. He looked at her once more. She had wet hair, possibly caused by the engulfing waves. She wore a dress far different from the one on the ball. In fact, it was a winter robe. It looked bland since the sole purpose of it is to protect the person wearing from the harsh snow. An odd piece of clothing to wear since it's not even winter there.
He took a deep breath and held her shoulder. She froze in an instant, unable to look at him. “Miss, this stallion is dying”
Agatha gulped, realizing that what he’s saying is right. At this rate, she’ll fail to reach him before departure. “I can help you” Ezekiel offered, lowering his head to face her. Agatha contemplated for a moment. The Viscount warned her not to trust anyone, but with the situation at hand, she cannot help but to have second thoughts.
The night is ending. With every passing second, the chance of not making it is rising.
Biting her lips with dread, she came to a conclusion. “Sell me your horse” her eyes bared conviction, she’d do anything to reach him and Ezekiel realized it. She kneeled and took her case, opening it, exposing herself further. He was dead silent, unconceived at her innocence.
She took the pair of jewelries she wore earlier, handing it to him with glum. “This is from the land of Hagrid, these jade costs thousands.” She furrowed her brows.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked, unable to swallow the fact that the woman he wanted to save ought to choose him.
“I’ve no time!” she yelled. "If I answer your questions, the snow would pile along the rails!” she uttered with vex, almost tearing with frustration.
Using her words before her, Ezekiel achieved a valuable piece of information. With a secretive smile, he nodded. “May I have the dress too?”
Philip halted, along with the other men as they reach Ezekiel. He was standing in the middle of the lonesome road, holding a suitcase with a dying horse next to him. “What happened to you?” He asked loudly. Ezekiel grinned at Philip, “Let the news about the Viscount be publicized this midnight”
