Disclaimer:

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FROM POTO!

Chapter 3.

"Father, I saw those men again today" she said quietly, while twirling a piece of fabric from her dress. Gustav quickly looked up and stared for a second before replying,

"Did you. Well, like I have said before, try to stay away from them. They are the sultan's henchmen and I would hate to see you become one of his puppets. He is a very dangerous man my dear, very dangerous indeed. Try to avoid them if it as at all possible"

"Yes father" she replied. Just as she said that, they heard a deafening knock at their front door. Exchanging weary glances, Christine got up and cautiously walked to the window peeking out through the curtains to look at who was there.

"Father! It's those men!"

She quickly looked back at her father and saw that he had gone pale. She saw him jump to his feet and quickly make his way to her grab her shoulders. Grasping them he said,

"Christine, I need to you pack your clothing, take the violin with you and go to Sharma's home. She will welcome you. Explain to her what…" he was cut off by an angry knock and another cry of

"Open the damned door" Looking back wildly he pushed her towards her bedroom and made his way to the door. Christine turned and said,

"Papa, what are you going to do, I am not leaving without you."

"Christine! If you respect me then you will do as I say!" startled she made her way to the bedroom and shoved her clothing into a bag and grabbed her father's violin sitting on the bed. Hearing the door crash open she muffled a scream and hid herself in her father's chest that sat at the foot of the bed. Opening it a crack she could see perfectly what went on at the door. Her father, weak as he was, stood proud against the men who were twice his size.

"Where is your daughter?" they asked.

"I think your are mistaken sirs, I have no daughter. My wife and daughter died years ago during birth" he said solemnly.

"You're lying" the biggest one said, slapping her father across the face. Christine bit back a cry as she watched her father fall to the floor at impact. He calmly stood up and said,

"I am not lying, and if you scoundrels are looking for a young women I suggest looking elsewhere because she is not here!" he said, his voice barely above a harsh whisper. Clearly annoyed she watched as the leader of the group, a burly looking man with short hair and beard, take out his sword and hold it against her father's neck.

"I suggest you hold your tongue old man. If you do not tell me where she is then I will not hesitate to kill you"

"As I said before…" he never even had a chance to finish his sentence, for the sword that sat at his neck sliced clean and true across her father's neck. She watched in horror, as he stumbled and fell back onto the hardwood floor. The same floor that he had once taught her how to walk on. Satisfied that the old man was dead, the men walked into her room and glanced around. It was clear to them that she had left the house but making sure they made their way through the entire house and ransacked each room leaving nothing behind. After they left, Christine carefully made her way out of the chest and stood a few feet away from her deceased father. She picked up a rose from one of the shattered vases and put it on his chest while whispering a silent prayer for him. With tears in her eyes she made her way out of the cottage and towards the village careful to conceal her face with her hood. She didn't call a rickshaw this time; instead she took her father's horse Ebony and rode quickly to Sharma, the violin maker's, shop. Once there, she tied her horse among Sharma's horses and gingerly made her way to the door and knocked. A few seconds later the door opened revealing a thin, stout woman with graying hair. Her eyes sharp as they were instantly soften upon seeing Christine. Pulling her inside she said,

"It cannot be…your father warned me of this Christine. Come inside dear"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The lone figure of a woman stood in the shadows. She leaned against the marble pillar and watched as Eric lounged carefree on a large golden bed with red silk covers. Her shoulders hunched as if they were ill, and were trembling. He could see that she was terrified. Eric's hard green eyes flickered over her as he came from the bed to stand before her. Such a sight wasn't unusual in the bed chambers of the sultan. No woman would want to be found here, but fortunately for him this black haired beauty was here. She looked as if she was only fourteen years old, and not a day older. Cursing to himself, he strode to the door and held it open for her.

"Leave, and tell Meghan to send a bottle of brandy" The girl, stood for a moment dumbfounded, and then quickly realized she was being set free. Scrambling towards the door, she curtsied and made her way towards the harem chambers. Eric stood for a moment watching her go and then closed the door quietly with a soft click. Making his way towards the piano that sat at the corner of his large room, he sat down and reached for his music. It had been days since he had time to indulge himself in music, but today, as it would seem, he had nothing else to do. Immersing himself, he found that he was quickly being pulled into the all-too familiar oblivion called music. He was interrupted by a soft knock on his doors, and the voice of Meghan.

"I've brought your drink, sire" she called,

"Come in, and leave it on the table, if you would please" he replied, he watched as Meghan quickly open the door and leave his bottle of brandy on the small table by his bed. She bowed deeply and left the room to his solitude.

The next morning he was greeted by the captain of his guards, Nadir Khan, who informed him of the death of one of his subjects in the main town.

"Gustav Daae", Nadir said with a frown. He knew the man, who had died, and was sad to hear of his death, but nothing could save a man from the Sultan. He wondered what made Eric kill this man, especially when this man was so insignificant. From what he had heard from the villagers, Gustav Daee, was an quiet recluse who lived a peaceful life with his one and only daughter. He did not bother to cause trouble, and neither did his daughter. His daughter, Christine, was said to be a soft spoken musician who wanted to become an aspiring bharatnatyam dancer. He watched Eric with a frown. What had caused him to kill this man. Surely it cannot be because of the girl. He was sure that Eric had not even had a glimpse of Christine, especially with his time restraints. After considering this thought, he concluded that the girl could not possibly be the cause of the murder, especially when there was already numerous additions made to the harem each week.

"Any family?" he asked casually, stirring sugar into his cup. Nadir, quickly snapped back into attention and replied,

"Yes, one daughter, Christine I believe her name was" He watched Eric's eyes flicker up to look into his.

"And where is she now?"

"We believe that she is now residing with one of the village merchants. If you would like we can find her exact location and bring her here" he offered.

"No, leave her to her peace." Eric said, standing up. "I don't think I need any more girls in my Harem, I have enough trouble with them as it is." Frowning, he stood up, and dusted the invisible crumbs off his black trousers. He quickly said his goodbyes and left the room, leaving Nadir to his own thoughts.

End of Chapter 3

Read & Review!

- Killik