The two sat across from each other in the plain, little carriage. The
Baron's cloak looked worn, though not nearly as ragged as Erik's. He
noticed this, and waved off Erik's wariness with a smile.
"I'm taking you to the court in Kienburg, I'm sure we can find you some decent clothing there," he winked. "Believe me, we would not want you wandering around like that." Erik suddenly became aware of the mask that covered a good half of his face. The Baron didn't seem to note his discomfort this time, and Erik was relieved. He didn't like the thought of a man such as the Baron reading his thoughts. He still didn't trust him, but that was to be expected. Erik trusted no one.
They reached the courts in a matter of hours, though he wasn't sure exactly where the courts were located. He'd never heard of such a place. It was near midnight, the sky covered by a thin veil of cloud. The Baron helped Erik out of the carriage, careful of the pain that was still obviously afflicting his side. There was a wariness in his step, a caution in his words. Something about the situation didn't fit to Erik; like it had been too easy to get away from three years worth of suffering.
Inside, attendants rushed the greet them. Most tried not to look Erik in the face, others did, and quickly looked away again. They took their cloaks and the Baron's hat.
"My friend," he used the same words Alonso had used, but in a more endearing manner, "if you would follow me, I'll show you to your room. . ."
Erik almost gasped. His room? It had been a long while since he had slept in a bed, and an even longer while since he had set foot inside a place such as the court of Kienburg. It was a stately, beautiful place. Leaded crystal chandeliers lined the ceilings, gilded gold the walls. The floors were of a fine marble. It echoed wealth and dignity. The room, his room, held a magnificent four- poster bed. The draperies hung, rich and thick, against an ebony windowpane. The walls shimmered with gold trimming. There was even a delicate wash basin, porcelain, with dainty carvings strewn across it. He was astonished by the raw opulence that lie before him. It was unnerving.
"You will find, Erik, everything that you'd ever need. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we will discuss your duties here. Goodnight." The Baron exited quickly from the room. Erik wondered what his 'duties' would entail. Before he had the chance to think about what the Baron had said, he heard the clank of a lock as the door was bolted. He was locked in. Erik stood, dismayed, before regaining his senses and skittering to the window. It, too, was locked. And what's more, it was barred. He was trapped.
"I'm taking you to the court in Kienburg, I'm sure we can find you some decent clothing there," he winked. "Believe me, we would not want you wandering around like that." Erik suddenly became aware of the mask that covered a good half of his face. The Baron didn't seem to note his discomfort this time, and Erik was relieved. He didn't like the thought of a man such as the Baron reading his thoughts. He still didn't trust him, but that was to be expected. Erik trusted no one.
They reached the courts in a matter of hours, though he wasn't sure exactly where the courts were located. He'd never heard of such a place. It was near midnight, the sky covered by a thin veil of cloud. The Baron helped Erik out of the carriage, careful of the pain that was still obviously afflicting his side. There was a wariness in his step, a caution in his words. Something about the situation didn't fit to Erik; like it had been too easy to get away from three years worth of suffering.
Inside, attendants rushed the greet them. Most tried not to look Erik in the face, others did, and quickly looked away again. They took their cloaks and the Baron's hat.
"My friend," he used the same words Alonso had used, but in a more endearing manner, "if you would follow me, I'll show you to your room. . ."
Erik almost gasped. His room? It had been a long while since he had slept in a bed, and an even longer while since he had set foot inside a place such as the court of Kienburg. It was a stately, beautiful place. Leaded crystal chandeliers lined the ceilings, gilded gold the walls. The floors were of a fine marble. It echoed wealth and dignity. The room, his room, held a magnificent four- poster bed. The draperies hung, rich and thick, against an ebony windowpane. The walls shimmered with gold trimming. There was even a delicate wash basin, porcelain, with dainty carvings strewn across it. He was astonished by the raw opulence that lie before him. It was unnerving.
"You will find, Erik, everything that you'd ever need. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we will discuss your duties here. Goodnight." The Baron exited quickly from the room. Erik wondered what his 'duties' would entail. Before he had the chance to think about what the Baron had said, he heard the clank of a lock as the door was bolted. He was locked in. Erik stood, dismayed, before regaining his senses and skittering to the window. It, too, was locked. And what's more, it was barred. He was trapped.