Kill All Kill All

by Craig McNish

  The break at midday for a hot meal was a welcome one. Mills had worked hard all the morning and Mister Brass had made known his satisfaction at the effort, with mention there might even be a few extra pence in his pay packet at the end of the week. These sentiments must also have been passed onto the cook, for the portion he served would have been sufficient to feed two men. Mills offered his thanks and sat at a small table in the corner of the scullery to enjoy his meal.

  At the end of the afternoon, when it would soon be getting dark, Mills caught sight of Jane and Elizabeth in the courtyard, playing in the snow. Both girls were laughing and had glowing pink cheeks, looking to be a picture of perfect happiness. Jane happened to glance up and as she saw Mills approach, averted her eyes. Elizabeth though did no such thing; she loved Mills like an elder brother and ran to him, hoping he would pick her up and spin her around as he always did. She was not to be disappointed. He listened as the little girl chatted eagerly and without a care in the world, thinking all the while how much of a shame it would be that she would have to suffer for the actions of those she could not possibly hold any kind of control over. Maybe it could be avoided, but he thought not.

  “Miss Jane; you and Elizabeth look to be very much enjoying yourselves here in the snow...”

  “It is not exactly what I had planned for my afternoon, but Lizzie likes to be outside and with no other company it is my responsibility to be with her.” Jane was still finding it difficult to look Mills in the eye for more than a second as she spoke. “My father says you have worked hard all day – he is very pleased with your efforts.”

  “Maybe you would be kind enough to pass on my thanks to Mister Brass when you next speak, and let him know I appreciate his words.” Jane said nothing, simply nodded. Neither could think of anything more to say, and so Mills departed. For all he had no worry of being out in the harsh weather, he still welcomed the warmth of the Brass homestead. Time for a little rest and then he would go and feed the animals and collect a good supply of firewood from the barn before retiring to his quarters for the evening. Then he would be able to complete his plan.

  *

  Jane Brass had a plan of her own, and with young Elizabeth now tiring and in agreement with her sister that maybe now it was time to go indoors for the evening, her chance had finally come. She could only pray that the weather would hold and it was not now too late. Mentioning only in passing to a maid that she had an errand to run and would not be long gone, Jane took her leave of the welcoming glow and warmth of candlelight and a roaring fire in the hearth. She quickly prepared a horse for the ride into town and made off with caution in her mind and a mix of fear and excitement in her heart. She wished to be free so she might be with the man she truly loved, and her parent's plans for the evening had given her only this small amount of time to hopefully make her life complete. If she were to fail, it was likely that Jane would be cut off by her father and cast out of the family home to fend for herself. She dared not allow her mind to wander off to thoughts of failure.

  With her horse securely tethered to a post at one end of the market place, Jane could see light still illuminating from the blacksmith's place. Bancks, his apprentice, was a hard-working lad and Jane knew he would still be there. But how to speak with him quietly of her plan? A story would have to be made up, no matter how outlandish, and after she and Bancks had took their leave of this place it would matter little anyway. Looking through the open door of the shop as she neared, Jane could see no one but her disappointment was short-lived; she heard Ridgway make some remark and the sound of Bancks' laughter. Taking a quick moment to steady her courage, Jane entered the shop, which was empty apart from the two men who worked there. It was Ridgway who saw her first.

  “Miss Brass – a pleasant surprise indeed! What brings you out here on such a cold evening? I might have ventured that there was some problem with the nails I made for Mister Brass, but surely he would have sent Mills if that were the case. So, how might I be of help?”

  “I would like to speak with Mister Bancks, if I may?” Ridgway grinned, a sparkle in his eye.

  “Is that so? Well, here he is!” Bancks felt the blacksmith's large hands grasp his shoulders. “Say what you will, then!” Jane felt her cheeks begin to flush, Bancks likewise. Now Ridgway laughed heartily.

  “Would I be correct in saying you might wish to talk with me gone?” Jane said nothing, nodded politely. “Then I'll give you two young 'uns some time, but only a minute – me and Bancks have a very important matter to discuss that he has kindly agreed to help me with.” Ridgway disappeared into the back of his shop. Bancks checked once to see that he was gone before urging Jane to speak her mind, for he could see she looked troubled.

  “My mother and father are to dine with the Cutters this evening” she began. “I believe they will be discussing my wedding to William and that we will be to marry at Candlemas. I would never disobey my father, but this time I must. After the news you asked Mills to deliver regarding Mister Cutter's debt, I feel it would be a terrible mistake for the marriage to take place. Even if I loved him, I know my father would never agree to a wedding if what you say about his financial troubles are true. Do you have proof I might see with my own eyes that Mister Cutter is indebted to Ridgway?”

  “I do. Let me show you.” Bancks took the ledger from a shelf, and began pointing out to Jane Mister Cutter's payments, of lack thereof, explaining all the while how Ridgway had given him chance after chance to make good on the mounting debt. Jane listened intently at the description of the arguments the two men had had, and how each promise had been broken. Ridgway had now reached the limit of his patience and what Bancks told Jane next made her gasp loudly. The blacksmith was going to Mister Cutter's home that very evening to end the dispute once and for all; either the man would pay, or he would be arrested and thrown into prison.

  “So what was it that brought you here to speak to me, Miss Jane?”

  “There is first a question I must ask you, and it must be answered with all honesty.” She hesitated, unsure of how to say the words, and took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Do you love me, George Bancks?” Jane opened her eyes, looked into his, waited for his reply. Bancks had his eyes opened wide, a look of shock on his face. And then he spoke.

  “You asked for me to answer honestly, and I will. I love you very much, Jane Brass, and it makes me miserable to see you married off to William Cutter, but I fail to see what can be done to prevent it from happening. Your father would never approve of a blacksmith's apprentice marrying his daughter, and I could never keep you in the manner to which you have become accustomed. But it does make me happy you would ask such a thing and that you think of me so highly.” Jane held up a hand.

  “Please, stop talking. Let me ask you this; if two people love one another, do you believe it is right that they should be together and happy rather than apart and miserable?”

  “I believe that very much.”

  “Then I ask you one final thing. Will you take me away from here tonight, so we might be together?” Bancks stood quietly, his mouth hanging open.

  “This is all very sudden” he said. “Where would we go? What would we do? My parents would be only too happy if I were to leave home and pursue a dream, but what of yours? And then there is my work here – I cannot possibly go and leave Mister Ridgway without any help. He has been like a second father to me, and...”

  “And that's why I'll be stood at the edge of the road waving you off as you ride out of town.” Ridgway had come back and neither Jane nor Bancks had seen him. Both looked flustered, but it was Jane who panicked most.

  “Mister Ridgway! I beg of you, please do not tell my father any of this...”

  “He won't hear a word of it from me, that I promise you. I happen to agree with every word you said, truth be known. George is one of the best young apprentices I ever seen, and it would be a shame for him to go, but you two have your own lives to lead and I have no intention of putting a stop to that. He'll
be missed, but can be replaced. You let this chance go and you might never get another, and that is something I cannot allow. My priority right now is to make Robert Cutter learn his responsibilities, be it by paying what he owes me in full or spending time in prison thinking about how he shouldn't have crossed John Ridgway. So it might be that we can help each other here.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, I asked Bancks to come with me to the Cutters' house – he can bring the ledger and explain to Mister Cutter exactly where and when he was meant to pay what he owed me. It's most likely Cutter will dispute everything that is said, even with the proof right before his eyes, so I'll ask for George here to go and fetch the coroner. Soon as he does that, he can ride over to Brass Farm and meet with you. I'll ask for your mother and father to stay behind so they might speak with the coroner himself on the findings, something I feel certain your father would be glad to do. I have a good friend about ten miles north of here who has an inn; I'll give you a note to pass on to him when you arrive, let him know you are my friends and need his help. You could stay a few days until you decide where to go next.” Jane felt choked and could say nothing, instead embracing Ridgway and letting go some tears of joy and relief.

  “So what time will we go to the Cutter's, Mister Ridgway?” Ridgway looked to Jane for an answer.

  “My parents shall be leaving for there at seven precisely” she said. “It might be best to let them get comfortable first, and William has told me they usually eat at eight prompt. A short time after nine would probably be best, I think. I will wait halfway along the track from the farm, under the oak tree. If George were to get there for a half past, that would be grand.” Ridgway nodded his approval.

  “Pack only a small bag, for we won't be able to carry much” Bancks told Jane. “Bring whatever money you can, and I will do the same. If the weather doesn't worsen, we should be able to reach the inn a little after midnight. I have to ask you, Jane – are you certain this is what you want to do?” She paused, then nodded.

  “Then I will come for you, I promise.” Bancks leaned forward and kissed Jane lightly on the cheek. “You should go. Be at the oak tree for a half after nine. I will wait for you.” He walked Jane back to where her horse was stood and waved her goodbye as she headed back to Brass Farm for possibly the last time. So much was happening inside Bancks' head, but he allowed himself to put these happy thoughts to the back of his mind for now. There was still work to be done, and he knew it needed his fullest attention.

  *

  John Brass furrowed his brow in such a way to let his daughter know of his displeasure that she should have left home without saying where she was headed, but he asked no questions of her as she passed by and made for her bedroom. Were he not going out this evening, Jane was sure he would have questioned her at length. She would then have to tell her father a made-up tale, and she was not a good liar. Instead, she busied herself with preparations for later, when George Bancks would come for her and they would get away from this place. Jane decided that if she had time to spare, she would write a letter for her mother and father to find the next day, long after she and Bancks had gone and were out of reach. She found a small case, and in it packed some warm clothes, her Bible, and a few trinkets she felt might be of worth to earn them some extra money. She was glad her father had taught her the value of money, for she had kept savings since the time she was younger than Elizabeth; the princely sum of ten pounds and a few extra pence was placed into a small drawstring pouch and placed on her pillow. A small but ornate timepiece that stood on her desk had the time to be a half after six. There was a mix of fear and excitement at what was to happen just a short time from now. Jane had never been so disobedient and wondered what the consequences might be if her plan were to fail, but she knew Bancks would do all that he could to protect her. Jane let herself imagine him and she living happily together for a short while, until she heard her father call out and beckon his children to him. He would be leaving for the Cutter's place now, and no doubt had some words he wanted to pass on before going.

  “Me and your mother are going to the Cutter home now, where we are to dine and discuss the wedding of William to Jane here. You are not to leave this house for the rest of the evening, any of you, for any reason. Do you hear me? Mills is here to take care of your needs, and Farrowe has been told to prepare supper for nine o' clock. If I am needed back here at all, send Mills to summon me.” With his address at an end, both he and Margaret Brass bade their children farewell, while they in turn wished their parents a good evening. Still they did not suspect their elder daughter would be gone when they returned.

  Bancks was glad of the chance to help Ridgway this one last time, for he felt as though he owed the man a great debt. Not that Ridgway would agree, but he had taught the apprentice plenty and also promised him a share of the debt that Cutter owed, to say thank you for his help and also to help sustain he and Jane for a short while. The two had discussed what was to happen, and now they drank coffee in silence while they waited for the time to leave for Robert Cutter's house. He would likely be furious at their showing, but Ridgway reckoned the man would be more embarrassed than anything, for when the news spread he was a man with less means than he boasted, his reputation would be in tatters. That was something for which Ridgway cared little, if anything at all. A man should always settle his debts if he wants to be thought of as honourable, Ridgway would often say to Bancks, and now the time was at hand to see if Mister Cutter was a man of honour. But Bancks had no real interest in their dispute; his mind would think only of Jane, and nothing else. He could scarcely believe that she wanted to be with him, but the words had come from her own mouth and been heard by his own ears, so it had to be true. The young couple had no grand plan, but whatever they did it would be together and that was all that mattered.

  “Okay, lad – let us go and pay Mister Cutter a visit, shall we?” Ridgway said, sounding in good humour. “When you collect Jane, go back to the shop and hide there awhile. If I return with the sum that Cutter owes me, I shall give you a few pounds and also a note to take to the inn. It would do no good to carry it with you to Brass Farm, just in case Mister Brass has changed his plans and should catch you loitering on his property. Were he to see it he would know both yours and Jane's intentions and might be ready to send her away so the two of you could never speak again. You will be safe at the shop, and I won't keep you waiting long.” Bancks agreed to this, and each man took to his horse for the ride to the Cutter's house.

  “Do you suppose Mister Cutter is really not able to pay you what is due?” Bancks asked Ridgway a short time after they set out. “It is hard to believe a man could keep a family in such comfort as his without any means at his disposal. What would have happened to lose such a grand fortune in a short a time as this?”

  “An intriguing question, Mister Bancks, and soon we shall find out, for I intend to go nowhere until I either have what I am owed or see the man took off to prison. I would reckon that he has just gotten greedy as his wealth has grown and he wishes not to part with even a single penny. Well if he thinks my services are free then now he will think again! Tell me, Bancks, what do you and Jane plan to do when you are away from here?”

  “I honestly have no clue” said Bancks. “This is still very much a shock to me – a good shock, though – and so I have had little time to give the matter any thought. If your friend is able to accommodate us for half a week or so, it will give us time to make such decisions. I hear it is a decent place in which to live, and maybe they have a blacksmith there who requires an apprentice. But we shall see.”

  “With what you have learned from me, you could easily open your own shop and work for yourself. That is something you should think about. But I am very happy for you, Bancks; Jane is a lovely young lady and will make a fine wife and mother. Do not be shocked she prefers your company over Cutter's, for that boy has nothing but a head full of hot air! He sees the work that the likes of us do as menial, and below him.
It would do him some good to learn a little humility and realise we are just as skilled as he, if not more so. We rely on our hands and our brains to make our way in the world – he relies only on the purse of his father. In fact, I would be none too surprised if he has given all of his father's money away at the loss of some stupid wager.”

  “You really intend to have Cutter thrown in prison if he does not pay you tonight? I hear he has many friends who are not of a good sort, and could cause a lot of trouble...”

  “Most likely rumours he has started himself to try and make people afraid” suggested Ridgway. “Well he should know that I have a lot of friends too, and they would be only too happy to make an example out of someone like Robert Cutter! There, that's his house.” Ridgway pointed out a grand building about a quarter mile off. “We will wait here awhile. Let the man have his meal, for it might be the last good food he has for a long time.”

  *

  Mills was in his quarters, laid upon his bed. His room door was open, and he could hear quiet voices from another place in the house. He listened, and the more he listened, the more he loathed them. He could not hear what was being said, but the voices made him angry. They were light, pleasant voices, and sometimes there was laughter. It seemed the Brass children were finding some pastime of great amusement. Were they talking of how each had humiliated the young servant, made him look to be a fool, how he was not worthy of their companionship? Why, Master Brass was probably poisoning Elizabeth's mind this very second! Mills stole a glance at the two hatchets stood in the corner – the tools of his trade. Such powerful weapons, deadly in the wrong hands. Yes, they would do a fine job...