The Devil's Daughter by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 20

Leaving Paris, they wove their way across Europe and although limited to English, they were graciously welcomed wherever they went. The people of Europe knew money when they saw it and keeping with the habits of wealthy Americans, Bradley and Janet spent a great deal of money, shipping many items back to the states. But when funds began to run low, they would send a telegram and more would be wired to the nearest bank. They believed that money was the cure for any ill – not for others, of course, but for themselves. However, money cannot fix everything and Bradley and Janet would soon discover the shortcomings of wealth, that while it can buy a great deal of luxury, it cannot purchase a completely safe life. They would also learn that some places are best left by the wayside, their inroads passed without the slightest curiosity.

Before arriving at their destination, Bradley and Janet, along with their child, stopped in Budapest. There, the young parents took in the sights, marveled at architectural wonders and lost themselves in centuries of history. But they would never be able to see everything, and two weeks later, they left for Romania. By this time, Janet had fallen in love with Eastern Europe. She found the landscape timeless, the people charming, and their way of life simple and rustic. However, once again, she saw only what she wanted to see, her youthful misconceptions sweetening a world soiled by poverty and suffering.

Traveling by carriage, they crossed the border into Romania and a day later, stopped in the town of Taga Mures. It wasn't much to look at and relied mostly on trade, lumber, and mining. Due to the towns' mountainous location, tourists were rare, and the townspeople saw the small family as something of an oddity but did what they could to make them feel at home. During their visit, Janet began inquiring into their next destination. Finding the Carpathian Mountains a romantic backdrop for their travels, she talked Bradley into hiring a guide and it didn't take long to find someone who needed the money.

His name was Kaku, an older man with long white hair, a full beard, and the odor of someone who hadn't seen a bathtub in months. In fact, his smell could be detected before he was seen and Janet having experienced his presence for the first time, questioned Bradley on his decision to hire the man.

“Darling,” she began. “Are you sure about him? He wreaks of week-old garbage. Isn't there anyone else? Perhaps someone who has recently bathed.” Bradley found it difficult to deal with as well but explained to her that not only were their customs far different than their own, but their bathing habits were just as foreign. With no other options, Janet yielded to Bradley's decision, and paying their new guide, they packed their luggage and started out for the Carpathians. However, Janet agreed to these arrangements under one condition. They would travel in a closed carriage. She wanted adequate shelter for their baby, as well as a protective barrier from the odor of their guide.

Before beginning their trek, Kaku advised them of what dark things might lay ahead for them. “Those mountains are not safe,” he began. “Many dark things hide there. They come out at night. You may not see them, but you might hear them. Some of them howl, while others shriek. They may be faint, and far away, or right next to us. The only reason I'm doing this is for the money. Otherwise, I would not risk my life for any of you.”

Bradley hung on every word, and his brief response was more than clear.

“I understand,” he replied. “If you wish, you may arm yourself.”

Without hesitation, Kaku bluntly replied. “Trust me, I do not need your permission to defend myself, and given what you have paid me, I will defend you and your family. Now, we need to go while it's early.” Bradley took the conversation very seriously, while Janet saw Kaku's warning as the product of folklore and superstition. In her mind, she imagined all manner of horrific beasts, their faces dripping with blood as they howled at the full moon, beneath a dark, starry sky. She heard their growls and angry snarls, as they fight off ghostly predators, roaming the Carpathian Mountains, in search of flesh and blood. Without hearing of the necessity of being armed, Janet let her romantic imagination fly and became even more excited to begin what would be the last leg of their journey.