Nadir's horse panted heavily as he pushed the animal for all it was worth. The road was even and the air though still cold, held no bitter chill. Nadir was focused on one thing and one thing alone…reaching the Inn before Erik made a preemptive strike, or the other man made a foolish attempt. Erik's was a force to be reckoned with. Now with someone to protect, he would likely be even more ferocious in his dealings. Erik had witnessed too much violence, been part of too much senseless harm…it was no way for a human being to be formed. His harshness could be attributed to his environment, for truly this was all that the world had ever shown him. It was a wonder to Nadir that he had grown into anything other than a brutal monster.
Nadir felt his horse slow beneath him. Despite Nadir's cajoling, the horse first slowed further, then took off with a bolt, nearly toppling Nadir from his seat in the saddle. Nadir pulled hard on the reins, the horse breathing heavily winced from the pain in the bit, but continued without regard. Nadir sensed that instinct had taken over and he was at the mercy of the animal beneath him. He lowered himself to the horse, looking off to each side as he did. At once Nadir understood the urgency, for on each side he could make out three, nay, four wolves. Travelers often heard of stories of lone horses being taken down by the wolves that lived in that broad area between cities. Such stories always ended with the mournful pronouncement "no one knows what became of the rider."
Nadir shuttered as he clung to the sides of the animal, praying that the adrenaline would last long enough for them to escape from this present danger. Nadir being grateful that he had selected his sturdiest steed for the journey, not knowing what lay ahead.
XXXXXX
Joseph had been triumphant. For though the officers had brought little funds with them, it had only taken him hours to make it his own. They were all tired, and a bit done in by the ale they'd consumed, all had gone to bed except him.
Making his way down to the stables below, he wanted only one thing more now, to see what sort of treasures his passengers carried with them. Joseph quite easily opened Madame Giry's trunk, lifting the garments one by one, seeing if any would fit the ladies that he had become acquainted with in his travels. Selecting the finest of the garments, a dress of chartreuse and lace, he put the other things back in, smoothing them down.
The second was that of Meg's. Joseph took particular interest in looking through this one, as it contained much daintier things, scented with lavender from the sachets that were in the bottom. He sighed, putting everything back in this one, as none of his lady friends were of a size small enough for these garments to be of any good use.
The third trunk was Elizabeth's. This one was much harder to open, as it was latched firmly with a strange sort of clasp, and it appeared to need a key to open. Joseph grumbled to himself, surely this one would contain something that he could use, and perhaps something of value. He looked around for something to pick the lock with. Finding nothing at his easy disposal, he went on to the last trunk.
It was larger than the others, and had a much heavier cover. There was no lock, and it seemed no way to open the trunk for it contained no latches, just ornate carvings on the top. Joseph studied it for a long while, scratching at his beard and head. He looked at the trunk and said to himself in a low voice "how on earth does he.." "Does he open this?" a voice said behind him.
Joseph gasped, jumping to his feet, he whirled around to see Stephan standing in the shadows behind him. "Good sir, I'm, it is…." he stammered, having no plausible response knowing he'd been overheard.
"It is not meant for any other than the owner to open." Erik said, although hunched over from his ruse, a fiery fury burned in his glance as he walked out of the shadow into full view of Joseph.
"Pray do tell me sir, what business you have rummaging through the personal effects of those who employ you, nay, trust you with their safe keeping?"
Joseph was on his feet now, backing away, glancing toward the door, knowing he'd never make it there without passing by Stephan. True, he was an older man, but he was also in his temporary employ, and he had not been fully paid. Thinking up a feeble excuse, he said "I thought I saw the stable boys playing with the trunks, as they were carelessly strewn about as you see them here." Joseph motioned with his arms. "I was going to see that the covers were secure before putting them back on the carriage sir."
Erik, having not observed the man for more than a minute, could not be certain if the fear in Joseph's face was because he startled him, or because he was guilty of some yet unknown crime. He studied his face looking for something to betray him, but he found nothing. "I see, then you should not be interested in knowing how to open the trunks, but rather fix your attention on making sure the covers are secure and returning the trunks to their rightful place on the rear of the carriage then." Erik turned, and walked out of the door of the carriage house, back toward the house.
Joseph breathed a sigh of relief, feeling he had certainly passed the test. Now wary that he might be observed, he put the trunks back. He pulled the dress he had taken out of Madame Giry's trunk out from under the hay he had stuffed over it. "At least I have this one," he smiled, pressing it into his satchel, before going off to bed.
Erik slowly walked back to the house, the night air warmer than he expected. His eyes had fully adjusted to the darkness of the night as he came to the path leading up to the Inn. Off to the right, in the distance, beyond the trees, he though he saw movement. Likely it was an animal on the hunt, but it drew his attention none-the-less. He had observed so many things being hunted. Although gruesome, it was interesting to him how each had their own method. He had learned much by watching the fox, the wolf, the bear, each employed their own skills to be victorious.
He watched as he walked, expecting to see a hare scamper out if its hiding place only to be prey to the predator. He saw movement again, but this time, his keen eyes saw that it was the frame of something much larger, surely that of a person, not a beast. Erik's pace quickened, his heart began to pound. He did not want to allow his movements to betray what he now knew. He was amazingly rational, knowing it was entirely possible that this was a mere robber, a lonely traveler just arriving, but whatever the case, he wanted to observe until he was certain that it posed no danger to him or his family.
Erik moved quietly inside, knowing the best view would be from the back of the house. He made his way through the dark halls until he came to a swinging door he assumed was the kitchen. Moving it carefully, he pushed it open slowly.
He heard a gasp and the cock of a gun he was certain was aimed directly at him. "Mr. Courtland!" Claire gaped. "What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" Claire said trying to regain the breath that had escaped her, for surely she nearly shot the very man she was trying to protect.
"Madame, I am sorry to have frightened you. I often cannot sleep, I was thinking of having a bit.." Erik saw movement beyond the trees, the figure was most definitely coming towards the house. Claire noticed his glance, looking down she knew she had to take him into her confidence, for surely they shared the same concern. "He's been out there since twilight, perhaps before, it is then that I first noticed him." Erik knew that she had been observing the same thing, which explained the gun that now lay in her lap.
"I don't know what he is doing here, or what his intentions are, but I've been keeping an eye on him most of the night." Claire said, looking up at Stephan who was watching the man intently.
"Allow me to introduce myself," she said, standing, wiping her hands on her apron and extending it toward him. "My name is Claire." Erik turned his attentions briefly to her, his brow furrowed, not sure what significance this introduction served. "How do you do" he said firmly, but with no real interest in his tone.
"My good sir, my brother is Nadir." Erik blinked several times, turning his full attention to her. "What did you say?" "My brother Nadir told me that you and your family would be passing through on the way to his Inn, just in case you stopped here, he wanted to see that I would attend to your needs especially." Erik was confused. He had no idea how much Nadir had entrusted her with, and not wanting to offer more than he ought, he remained silent.
"My brother said that you had a great many enemies who would delight in your demise, and I was to be observant in watching over you if you tarried here." Erik looked at her smiling, he could see a bit of Nadir in her, their eyes being somewhat similar, and now knowing of her relation, he could see the familiar look of concern that Nadir gave him on many occasions.
He glanced back out the window. Claire joined him, watching as the man moved slowly, step by step in the deep snow. "After I noticed him, I became concerned that he might follow you through the night as you traveled. If he were indeed an assassin, he would certainly have no trouble overcoming your hansom, and surely put an end to you and your keeps. It was then that I devised in my mind a plan to keep you here under my safekeeping. I must confess it was I that dislodged the shoe from the horse, taking all spares from the kit in the carriage." Erik smiled at her resourcefulness. Surely Nadir would be proud of her quick thinking.
"Stephan, I know not of your business dealings, or of what importance you are to my brother, but he has asked me to look after you, and I shall do my best until morning light." Claire said, reaching down, grabbing another apple to peel.
"It could be nothing," Erik said, coming to rest in a chair beside Claire, perched for full view of the window. "True" said Claire, putting her knife to the apple, slicing it through its core. "But one can never be too careful," she said looking up at Stephan.
"You must be tired" Erik said, looking at Claire whose hair was loosed and strayed into her face: the coffee in the cup next to her now cold. "You should get some rest, you have many things to attend to on the morrow, and I can rest in the carriage on the way to your brother's."
Claire looked at Stephan, and a bit hesitantly said "you'd like to stand watch for a man who might be looking to do you harm?"
"Surely chivalry is not completely dead dear Madame, I am not accustomed to having a woman look after my safety, for being proper, it ought to be the other way around!" Erik felt himself asserting his protestations beyond that of a man of his years might.
Claire looked at Stephan, giving him a knowing glance she said "alright then, if you insist." She poured cool water over the peeled apples, and put the rest in the bushel on the floor. "I should think you'd be needing this then," she handed him the gun. It felt familiar in his hands, looking at the shank, he saw it bore the same markings as the one he had admired of Nadir's.
"Yes, it is a lovely specimen" Claire said. "Hardly shows the treachery that it can wage if used improperly." Claire looked seriously at Stephan. "If that man moves close to the house, I want you to whistle. My room is not far down this corridor," she pointed down the dark hallway. "It will take me but a moment to find additional weapons to assist." Erik glanced at her and nodded as she disappeared into the dark.
He turned to watch as the man took careful steps closer and closer. It seemed his direction had turned not so much moving toward the Inn now as to the carriage house behind. Erik wasn't sure what to make of it, but he would be watching until first light.
Looking down at the unfinished bushel of apples, and over at the bowl of sliced ones on the counter, he picked up the knife, and slid the bowl back towards him. He was always more comfortable when his hands had something to do, after all, the apples weren't going to peel themselves.
XXXX
Christine had no idea how long she'd been sleeping. She blinked lightly, colored beams of light filling her vision as her eyes came to focus. She instinctively reached out her hand searching the bed next to her….Erik was not there. She grimaced…would he do this often? She liked waking with him at her side, she felt happier when she could gaze upon his sleeping form. Sitting up slightly, she pulled the covers around her. "Erik?" she called out, but there was no answer. He would return, and her eyelids were heavy. She lay back down, nestling beneath the covers, pushing her head into the soft pillows, the silk sheets tickling at her skin. As her lids grew heavy she gazed about the room, the flickering of the candles, the rays of deep blue and green dancing in her view as she drifted back to sleep.
Author's Notes:
Waytoointoerik: The deep end is a very fine place to be don't you think? Only crazy people can fully appreciate crazy people! Sorry about the cliffe….I seem to like those for some reason. I hope you had a great holiday. I did. I watched fireworks with my 13 year old nephew….he's one that thinks I'm crazy because I watch POTO every night! I guess I'm teaching him what obsession is like! I hope you like the next chapters. Erik and Christine have been having just a little too much relaxation…..
GlitterQueen of the Ice Show: Yes, many chapters. It was because of knowing I'd be gone for several days, and because I'd had several reviewers who wanted more. I'm glad you're liking the story. Yes, there are others in the story aside from Erik and Christine, but that is because they all started this journey together, and I cannot seem to leave anyone behind….they either live on through the story, or die at the hand of the author….alas, my murderous intent is fairly fleeting…for right now anyway. Although the more I delve into Erik's dark past….that might change!
Captain Oblivious: I'm glad to see that you'd not abandoned me! I was getting worried… Yes, a tortured pair they are. Like many of the "great loves" in literature, they are not destined to have a life of leisure. There is such a strange, fragile line between pain and passion. Without the struggle, the angst….the love would not be as sweet! I hope you enjoyed the literary reference of Lancelot by Tennyson…I tucked that one in for you. Literature lovers I find always like Tennyson. Did you see some similarities between the characters of Erik and Lancelot? If not well fooey….I've got mud on my face!
Super-girlcom: Checking for updates? Sounds like me! I have a few stories that I follow too, and my heart leaps in my chest when I find that they've been updated! I'm glad that you're still following the story…things are going to get pretty interesting now….
Xojulexso: Welcome to the family. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It is fairly unusual for me to be away for so many days in a row…normally I'll update it almost every day. I hope you enjoy the next chapters!
Seablue4u: You have several good questions…secret identities are a must for them right now, and Raoul…..well…..you'll just have to keep reading to find out! Hope you enjoy the next chapters!
