Lastly, there was the Baron. Lucy found him in the ballroom, standing before one of the portraits of his forebears, hands cinched at his back, rocking to and fro, and humming to himself. He was barefoot, and when he turned to face Lucy it was evident the madness had once more taken root in him. He wasn’t possessed by it yet, but was existing in some middle plane, straddling either reality. Lucy wondered just what had occurred over the preceding days; for it was as if some ill-wishing cloud had passed through the valley and rendered everyone simple.
A crooked smile hung on the Baron’s face, and at the start he couldn’t quite place the person who stood before him. “Lucy!” he said finally. “And how are you, boy? Someone told me you’d vanished into thin air.”
“Hello, sir. Yes, no, I’ve not vanished. How are you?”
The Baron nodded gladly, then resumed his portrait-gazing. Lucy took up a spot beside him and the Baron explained, “This is my great-great-grandfather, Victor Von Aux. He was responsible for the construction of the castle. What do you know of him, may I ask?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“You’ve heard no stories?”
“No, sir.”
“That he was a hot-air balloonist who dabbled in the black arts?”
“I didn’t know that, sir.”
“That he was an expert marksman with a penchant for opium?”
“No.”
“That he bred Arabian horses? That he was known to entertain his guests with executions?”
“No, sir.”
“Well. I’m surprised you haven’t heard any of this.”
“Yes, and so am I,” said Lucy. “He was a complicated man, by the sound of it.”
“A demon,” said the Baron flatly. He sidestepped, and was now standing before the portrait of the Baroness. He said, “She’s gone away again, boy.”
“Yes, sir, and I’m sorry to hear it.” Lucy also sidestepped. “Do you know where she’s gone to?”
“To the ocean, she says. She tells me she won’t be coming back this time.”
“Who can say, sir.”
“She can, and did. I’m inclined to take her at her word.” He looked at Lucy. “She claims to have no affection for me any longer. What do you think about that?”
“I don’t know, sir. Just that it seemed to me she did.”
The Baron nodded. “Yes, and to me also, boy. Well, possibly she did once. But apparently this has passed.” He swallowed, and cleared his throat. “Love leaves us like luck leaves us,” he said, and he turned and walked clear of the ballroom. Lucy stood by, looking up at the Baroness and considering these words. He took up his valise and left the Castle Von Aux forever.