09/10/2026
Rumors swirled around the small village, of Countess Stefania’s final Halloween masquerade ball. Were the rumors true? Wondering to herself she could only imagine being invited. Who will be on the guest list? What would I wear? “Grandmother have you heard the rumors of the masquerade ball?” “Hush child” with a stern voice. Sarah was young and beautiful, her eyes bright and glistening with an untamed spirit, but destined to be at Grandmother’s beck and call…. Her imagination had to be tamed. The following day was filled with the usual household duties, it was early evening and the tense silence stretched into the dusk, Sarah forced her face into an expression of quiet submission. She carefully prepared a tray with hot tea and fresh biscuits, carrying it up the creaking stairs to her grandmother's dimly lit bedroom. Her grandmother sat propped up against her pillows, her sharp eyes tracking Sarah's every movement. The older woman took the warm cup, her expression softening just a fraction at the familiar, dutiful gesture. "You are a good girl, Sarah," she murmured, her voice sounding frail now that the sun was setting. "I only speak harshly because the world outside this village is a dangerous place for a girl with stars in her eyes”. Making her way down stairs, Sarah returned to her evening duties…… Stoking the fire she was memorized by the sparks and flames, her thoughts of grandeur reclaimed her imagination. Tap Tap Tap….. She was startled back to reality, summoned to the front door still holding the fire poker almost paralyzed with fright, she parted the curtains and peered out to see a strange and disheveled gentleman. Against her better judgement she quietly opened the door. Seeing the large parchment envelope engraved with the crested owl…. Could it be she thought? “Miss Sarah?” he asked “Yes” she responded and with quivering hands she accepted the offering. With a quick nod, the stranger returned to the dark of the night. Her hands still shaking, she quickly knelt before the flickering light of the fire. She had only heard the stories of the crested owl. Turning over the large parchment envelope and seeing the beautiful wax seal, again with the crested owl. After reading the invitation obviously written with kindness and a pure heart, Sarah’s fear evaporated, replaced by a fierce, burning resolve. She looked at the front door, realizing the tapping wasn't a threat at all. It was an opportunity. Quickly returning to her bedroom and safely tucking the invitation into her dresser drawer, Sarah’s imagination quickly turned into reality and planning! A visit to see Mr. Boris must be soon and in secret. Retrieving the tin box from beneath her bed she counted the monies that she had scrimped and saved over the years of grandmother’s mere pittance to her. The following day she announced to her grandmother that she would be going to the town market to purchase the necessities needed for the next few days. Her grandmother merely grunted from her rocking chair, satisfied by the girl's apparent obedience. After wrapping herself tightly in her woolen shawl and her knit hat she was on her way. But as soon as Sarah rounded the bend of the dirt road, out of sight of the cottage windows, she quickened her pace and veered left toward the old and worn, cobblestone path. Moments later with a racing heart through the thicket and brambles, the old oaken door was before her. With excitement in her voice she squealed and shuddered as she showed Mr. Boris her invitation! “Sarah my child, a rare and special invitation indeed”. “Come and sit, I have many things to show you”……… The Dark Side Mercantile will be open this Saturday!
