Chapter 4

It was 4:00 am when Christian Daiee opened the door of his small cottage to the source of the persistent knocking. Christian was tired, having just performed a show with his beautiful daughter yet, having a kind heart; his conscience could not let him stay in bed while a potentially poor and helpless woman was knocking. The figure cloaked in black was nothing like he had been expecting.

"I am sorry to wake you at such an early hour sir but I think you'll appreciate what I have to say." The stranger spoke with an odd accent, the dialect of someone well cultured. Christian opened the door to let the man in out of the persistent rain and noticed two things. 1) This man was wealthy, it was obvious in the fine texture of his cloak, the way he walked and 2) something was wrong with him. Something to do with his face thought Christian. He flushed as the tall stranger caught him staring at the white mask covering half his face glowing in the moonlight. Erik sat upon the armchair in the area of the house serving as a living room/kitchen. Christian settled himself on a hard wooden chair sitting next to the stove and rubbed his eyes. He was fully awake now.

"Well Sir, what can I do for you?" asked Christian pulling on all the charm and culture he had developed from playing for the wealthy. It was not every day a noble man visited his house.

"Let's skip the formalities, shall we? I can here for a reason so let's discuss it so I can leave. I assure you I do not like being in your company any more than you do mine."

"Of course Sir but what business could…" Christian fell silent as he was interrupted by the strange man.

"I hear that your family is struggling with these hard times. I also hear that you are looking for a way to give your enfant better home. How do you wish to do that?"

"Well…You're..." Christian stammered alarmed at the subject that was pushed forward so suddenly. Could this man be inquiring about Nick and Christine? "Our friend had his son sent to work at the house of a local noble man, such as yourself. In exchange for food, necessary clothing and shelter, the boy would work for no pay with the promise that at the age of 18, he would be returned to his family. We were hoping that the same arrangements could be made for our children."

"Children?" asked the man

"Why yes, Nicholas and Christine, our children." After seeing the man's face turn into a scowl that shook him straight to his bones Christian added. "I am sorry Sir, but it is extremely important that they stay together. My son is young, not too young to work mind you, but being taken away from home and his sister at the same time? I fear it would be the end of him Sir." The man was silent.

"Of course I understand. I own the DeLauriere estate a few miles down and have been looking for some help. I would be willing to take your children under those conditions." Christian was elated.

"And the promise Sir, would it still be in place?"

"Of course." Said the strange man after a brief pause.

"Thank you Mr. DeLauriere, Sir. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Groveled Christian as his guest walked towards the door.

"Noon tomorrow, 12:00 O'clock sharp. I'll have a carriage sent for them."

"Tomorrow Sir, so soon? Are you sure you don't…" Christian was caught off guard by how quickly the man turned around.

"Do you want this agreement to stand or not M. Daiee?"

"Of course Sir, twelve o'clock." It was soon but it was better than nothing. Christian had heard good things about M. DeLauriere, he payed his bills on time, payed well too. He was always said to be aloof and strange but Christian assumed whatever lay behind that mask had something to do with that. His Christine would be good for that, she was kind and could see past peoples flaws easily. Yawning Christian climbed back into bed only an hour and a half left before he would have to wake up and tell his family about what had happened…