Betsy could hear the shuffle of feet. She heard the soft moan of a girl, somewhere in the near distance.
She closed her eyes, pressing her eyelids tight together.
Grace stared into the trunk of the car, paralyzed with fear. She had an appalling fear of tight places.
The trunk smelled of rancid urine.
“Get in!” the chauffeur whispered, his voice hoarse.
“Look at me,” she said. “Look me in the eye, damn it!”
His eyes were frantic like a wild-eyed horse.
“You must take me out of here the second we pass the gates. You must promise!”
“Not until main highway. Then, I promise, lady. Now—in!”
“Where are you going, Dr. Path?” said a voice. “You must remain for tonight’s entertainment. I insist. ”
Grace jumped.
When she turned, she saw a puff of smoke in the cool, wet air, and heard the ear-shattering roar of a gunshot. The Count stared straight ahead at his target, the pistol still in his hand.
Two men grabbed her arms, dragging her back toward the castle.
The chauffeur fell dead, a small crimson hole in his forehead.
Chapter 108
VISNOVE VALLEY
BELOW ČACHTICE CASTLE
DECEMBER 29, 1610
In the dark of night, Count Thurzo’s men assembled at the mouth of the cave. The King’s scout had intercepted Thurzo’s party along the road. The Habsburg rider accompanied an exhausted pastor, barely able to sit his horse.
“We will take the Countess by surprise,” Thurzo had told the King’s men. “Megyery the Red and Miklos Zrynyi will accompany me along with ten men. You and the pastor can come with us to see justice done. The rest of the troops are to circle around to the entrance of the castle. We will let them in the main gate once we have arrested the Countess.”
Thurzo turned to Zuzana. “You are certain this corridor leads directly to the dungeon?”
“Yes, it is part of the labyrinth. There are other entries, but this is one where a man can stoop, not crawl on his belly.”
Thurzo thought about the girl crawling like a worm through the dark tunnels. The commander of the troops had accompanied the small band this far, and now he held the Count’s horse as Thurzo dismounted.
As the Count started to enter the cave, Zuzana stepped in front of him, blocking his way. “Let me go ahead, Count Thurzo. If the Countess learns you are approaching, she will flee. If I go first, I can draw her attention.”
And her wrath, thought Thurzo. He opened his mouth to refuse her offer but saw the burning glint in her eye, despite the dim light.
“We will let you have only a few moments, no more,” he said, giving her a curt bow. “I admire your courage, Slecna Zuzana.”
“Always keep your right hand pressed against the wall. That way you cannot lose your way. Follow the wall until you see the stone stairs. The door is fitted with sharp spikes. You will hear the screams before you reach it, I fear.”
She drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “Come quietly,” she said, disappearing into the darkness.
Thurzo turned to his captain. “We are ready to proceed. Return to your men and lead them around to the main road. Be careful to stay well out of sight. Give us an hour. I want to gather enough evidence to convince the tribunal of her treachery.”
Hers and all the Bathorys, he thought bitterly. For if he did not present sufficient evidence to condemn the entire family, Gabor would retain his full power and find reason to attack Habsburg Hungary and even Vienna itself.
Thurzo realized the treacherous line he walked. He must bring enough evidence against the Countess to sentence her, dissuading Gabor from his quest for the crown. But he must also be careful not to produce so much damning evidence that the Habsburgs and their subjects turned against the entire Bathory family.
“Until midnight,” Thurzo said, dismissing the rest of the troops.
The commander headed down the hillside toward the road below, trailing the Count’s horse behind his own.
Hedvika pulled the screaming girl by her hair. She shoved her to the Countess’s feet.
“What’s this?” said Erzsebet, regarding the plump maiden.
Hedvika produced a bruised pear from her pocket. “I found this in her apron.”
The Countess’s eyes narrowed. She turned to the sobbing girl.
“How dare you betray me!” Erzsebet’s voice was low, dripping with menace. “I take you from a filthy hovel, and you repay me by stealing?”
“Mistress,” pleaded Doricza. “It was only one piece of fruit, and the flies were lighting on them. They had stood untouched since Christmas Eve—”
“Silence!”
Ilona Joo and Dorka crept out of the shadows, like stray cats.