“Fascinating, isn’t it?”
I jumped at the sound of a voice next to me.
“Sorry to have startled you, Ms. Fortune.” The man talking to me was shorter than me, plump and balding with a striking resemblance to Danny DeVito. He extended a hand for me to shake and I had to put my shopping bags down to take it. “I’m Mayor Peck, but you can call me Christian.”
“Nice to meet you, Christian. And please, call me Libby.”
“So, you’re doing a little research into the history of our town?”
“Sure.” I didn’t want to tell him I’d found this room by accident.
“It really is an incredible place. I’m guessing your uncle’s already told you about our history, but there’s nothing like seeing it for yourself, is there?”
“Actually, I didn’t even know I had an uncle until recently,” I said. “I don’t know anything about Lashire Bluff apart from the fact people think my house is haunted when really it was just my uncle playing tricks on them.”
“Is that so?” Christian nodded slowly, pondering what I’d just said. “That’s interesting because we have plenty of documented cases of people experiencing strange occurrences in your new home. In fact, if you walk this way, you’ll see our little collection of unexplained photographs all taken in the mansion.”
I followed him over to another display cabinet, where a number of photos were laid out. Looking at them, I saw the usual array of out-of-focus shots and alleged globes which were nothing but the light reflecting off insects.
“Wow,” I deadpanned. “Impressive.”
“Isn’t it just?” Clearly, Christian didn’t understand sarcasm because he seemed delighted by my response. “And if you’ll follow me over here, you’ll see our display of the disasters which have befallen the town when a Fortune turned their back on their duty. Luckily, it hasn’t happened very often. The last time was during the First World War when the owner of the Fortune mansion was called into the army. The local doctor was willing to give him a medical exemption, but he decided that he needed to fight for his country. As soon as he left to sign up, a terrible avalanche devastated the town and not long after he was killed in action. It was a terrible tragedy.”
“That’s awful!” I gasped.
“And completely avoidable,” sighed Christian.
“What do you mean? Nobody could have predicted an avalanche.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Look over here.” Christian led me to another display, this time featuring a parchment with delicate lettering. Even without reading the description, I could tell it was ancient.
“This parchment is the oldest existing evidence of a tradition which dates back to when people first settled in the area. According to local legend, one of your ancestors performed a powerful ritual which summoned the spirits of the mountains. He made an agreement with them that his family would always be rich beyond reckoning as long as the head of the family never strayed beyond the town’s boundaries. If they did, the spirits would rise up and show their wrath.”
“With an avalanche?” I couldn’t keep the scepticism out of my voice.
“With an avalanche,” confirmed Christian. “When the old Fortune dies, the heir must move into the mansion within a month or the mountains will get angry. This is why we hold the winter and summer fayres – to give thanks to the spirits of the mountains for watching over us.”
“You can’t be serious?” I laughed nervously, knowing that Christian believed every word of the crazy story he was telling me.
“Deadly,” Christian said. “But your father felt the same as you. When your uncle told him that he was naming him as heir, they had a huge argument. Your father said he refused to spend his life here, that he would never come back. He kept his word and it broke your uncle’s heart. Of course, he couldn’t leave Lashire Bluff to go and make peace with his brother, so all he could do was watch over you from afar. He tried to send your father money, but every letter was returned unopened. Your father was a stubborn man. Then, of course, he died, so your uncle changed his will. As the last Fortune, we all prayed you would accept your legacy and fulfil your obligation to the town. You have no idea how happy we all are you’re here to stay.”
“Whoa.” I shook my head. “I haven’t decided anything of the sort. And if you’re saying I can never leave this town, then I’m afraid you’re in for some mighty big avalanches. There’s no way I’m staying here for the rest of my life.”
Christian’s face paled. “You can’t mean that.”
“Watch me.”
Picking up my bags, I turned and left.
***
“Matthew?” I called, as I walked through the front door. “Are you still here?”
“In the library.” I followed the sound of Matthew’s voice and found him right where he said he was.
“How was the fayre?” he asked.
“Interesting.” I lifted up all my bags. “I got a whole heap of cool stuff, but then I met the mayor. He’s officially insane, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he told me this incredible story about how I have to stay in this place for the rest of my life or imaginary mountain fairies will have a hissy fit and throw rocks at the town.”
As I said that, there was a loud crash as a whole heap of books fell from a shelf, as if someone had run their arm along it and swept them all off.
“Careful now,” Matthew warned. “You’ll make the house angry.”
“Not you as well,” I sighed. “Is there something in
