A/N: Sorry I took so long y'all. I had a term paper due (shudders) and
just haven't had time, or the site was freakin' out on me! Hope it's worth
the wait!
I ran to the stables and pulled the door open. I needed to get to father before Raoul did, or who knew what would happen. The only person guarding the animals was a stable boy, who was soon nestled in the straw, sound asleep, with a sizeable bump on the back of his head. I looked over the horses, and even as worried as I was, I couldn't help but be impressed. There were about six magnificent examples of the species in as many stalls. I hurridly examined them, finally picking out a huge, firey, black stallion from a stall marked "Marc Antony." I saddled him and was out within five minutes.
The rain beat down and the road was slick, but Antony and I nearly flew. -Any sane person would be inside today, no matter how urgent their task. Let's just hope that the husband is saner than the wife.- I thought. -But, there was something about her. It wasn't just madness, brought on by the baby's death. What was it?-
Antony was the best horse I had ever ridden. He was as fast as the wind and as strong as an ox. We cut the time to Paris in half. We were there by nine the next night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I had taken the coach, and the rain made the road into mud. It caught the wheels, and the entire carraige was out of commission by four that afternoon. I had taken two Belgiums, steady and strong when together, but hopeless when alone, but I didn't have a choice. I left one at an inn, with instructions as to where it was to go, and rode the other. It was so slow that it took until eight-thirty the next night to get to Paris. When I got there, I went straight to the opera house, to the Rue Scribe entrance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being alone again had been hard enough. Not knowing where or how Lyra was, and not being able to do anything about it was nothing short of torture. I had searched for miles in every direction of Lyon and Paris, but there was absolutely no luck. The last letter was little more than a crumpled piece of trash now, the ink had worn off from all of the times I had unfolded it. I kept thinking that I had to be missing a vital clue, one that would tell me exactly where she was, but no matter what I did, I couldn't find it. I was disgusted with myself, and turned back to my music and architecture, trying desperately to forget for a few minutes at a time. Maybe she would never come back, and it would all be my fault.
That day, I had been working since six, refining some plans for my latest commission. It was a mansion, made to specifications, and I could do very little with it. The BLIND woman had insisted that it be built with arches, columns, and butresses everywhere, most preferably inside. I loathed the thing by now, there was no way to save it.
I was still trying to salvage a particuarly offensive room, I think it was the entry hall, when the Rue Scribe entance rang. There were only three other people that knew of that entrance, and two of them had dissappeared from my life years ago. That left...
"Lyra!" I grinned. -She's come back! But, she never uses that door, not unless she must. Maybe she's in a hurry. Anyway, better to be safe.-
I fingered the lasso tucked familiarly in my coat. At least I was prepared. I blew out the lamp and walked outside, intent on finding out what was happening.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I took the shortest way in, the one that only the two of us knew about. It was also the only one without a doorbell. -Oh, please.- I thought. -Let me get there in time.- I broke into a run.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Even after all these years, it still seems familiar. I know every twist and turn that the Persian, never did learn his name, showed me. I run all of the way. I've waited for this day for too long. It's time to show that monster not to mess with other people's wives.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I watched as the figure emerged from the shadows. It wasn't Lyra, that was sure. This was a man, obviously a middle aged man at that. That left one candidate. He moved into the slim light offered by the one candleabra still burning and all doubt fell away. Raoul de Changy, and carrying a gun. He bent, untied the boat, and rowed across, reaching this shore in record time. He started walking toward the house and, coincidentally, me.
Then, from my other side, there was a quick movement. I turned my head to see a familiar, small, form sprint around the corner of the house.
--------------------------------------------------------------
There was a flicker of White. A quick movement. It's him! The mask!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He was right beside me, and he saw her too. He raised his gun. The fool! That wasn't me!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The next few moments were made up of instants. I came around the corner and the world fragmented.
*Flash* Dark figure with gun pointed at me.
*Flash* Another dark figure, jumping out of the shadows.
*Flash* Gunshot.
*Flash* Someone screams. I realize that its me.
*Flash* Jumping figure makes strange movement in midair, falls to ground.
*Flash* Recognize both figures.
RAGE. Pain. I had been mad before, but not like this. This hurt. I reached into my pocket, pulling out the rope I had hidden there when I had changed. It was a good, thick rope, and it had only one purpose. I opened the loop at the end and ran forward.
It took less than five seconds for the Comte Raoul de Changy to leave this world. I had been taught by the best.
-----------------------------------------
A/N: Now, before you review, remember that I am the ALL POWERFUL AUTHORESS and everything I do HAS A REASON! (Even if it isn't shown in the next seven chapters. -nervous laugh-) However, to my reviewers.
Ladylupin: 100% right. It is, as you say, a concept phic, I'm glad someone understands!
Morauko: As you can now see, there were reasons for Raoul's reactions. Plus, if the person I loved wasn't in love with me and our child had just died, I'd go a bit ape too. And, yes, it will be a bit akward, but look for Phillippe someday, if not soon.
Angelofnight: Who isn't bothered for Erik?!
I ran to the stables and pulled the door open. I needed to get to father before Raoul did, or who knew what would happen. The only person guarding the animals was a stable boy, who was soon nestled in the straw, sound asleep, with a sizeable bump on the back of his head. I looked over the horses, and even as worried as I was, I couldn't help but be impressed. There were about six magnificent examples of the species in as many stalls. I hurridly examined them, finally picking out a huge, firey, black stallion from a stall marked "Marc Antony." I saddled him and was out within five minutes.
The rain beat down and the road was slick, but Antony and I nearly flew. -Any sane person would be inside today, no matter how urgent their task. Let's just hope that the husband is saner than the wife.- I thought. -But, there was something about her. It wasn't just madness, brought on by the baby's death. What was it?-
Antony was the best horse I had ever ridden. He was as fast as the wind and as strong as an ox. We cut the time to Paris in half. We were there by nine the next night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I had taken the coach, and the rain made the road into mud. It caught the wheels, and the entire carraige was out of commission by four that afternoon. I had taken two Belgiums, steady and strong when together, but hopeless when alone, but I didn't have a choice. I left one at an inn, with instructions as to where it was to go, and rode the other. It was so slow that it took until eight-thirty the next night to get to Paris. When I got there, I went straight to the opera house, to the Rue Scribe entrance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being alone again had been hard enough. Not knowing where or how Lyra was, and not being able to do anything about it was nothing short of torture. I had searched for miles in every direction of Lyon and Paris, but there was absolutely no luck. The last letter was little more than a crumpled piece of trash now, the ink had worn off from all of the times I had unfolded it. I kept thinking that I had to be missing a vital clue, one that would tell me exactly where she was, but no matter what I did, I couldn't find it. I was disgusted with myself, and turned back to my music and architecture, trying desperately to forget for a few minutes at a time. Maybe she would never come back, and it would all be my fault.
That day, I had been working since six, refining some plans for my latest commission. It was a mansion, made to specifications, and I could do very little with it. The BLIND woman had insisted that it be built with arches, columns, and butresses everywhere, most preferably inside. I loathed the thing by now, there was no way to save it.
I was still trying to salvage a particuarly offensive room, I think it was the entry hall, when the Rue Scribe entance rang. There were only three other people that knew of that entrance, and two of them had dissappeared from my life years ago. That left...
"Lyra!" I grinned. -She's come back! But, she never uses that door, not unless she must. Maybe she's in a hurry. Anyway, better to be safe.-
I fingered the lasso tucked familiarly in my coat. At least I was prepared. I blew out the lamp and walked outside, intent on finding out what was happening.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I took the shortest way in, the one that only the two of us knew about. It was also the only one without a doorbell. -Oh, please.- I thought. -Let me get there in time.- I broke into a run.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Even after all these years, it still seems familiar. I know every twist and turn that the Persian, never did learn his name, showed me. I run all of the way. I've waited for this day for too long. It's time to show that monster not to mess with other people's wives.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I watched as the figure emerged from the shadows. It wasn't Lyra, that was sure. This was a man, obviously a middle aged man at that. That left one candidate. He moved into the slim light offered by the one candleabra still burning and all doubt fell away. Raoul de Changy, and carrying a gun. He bent, untied the boat, and rowed across, reaching this shore in record time. He started walking toward the house and, coincidentally, me.
Then, from my other side, there was a quick movement. I turned my head to see a familiar, small, form sprint around the corner of the house.
--------------------------------------------------------------
There was a flicker of White. A quick movement. It's him! The mask!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He was right beside me, and he saw her too. He raised his gun. The fool! That wasn't me!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The next few moments were made up of instants. I came around the corner and the world fragmented.
*Flash* Dark figure with gun pointed at me.
*Flash* Another dark figure, jumping out of the shadows.
*Flash* Gunshot.
*Flash* Someone screams. I realize that its me.
*Flash* Jumping figure makes strange movement in midair, falls to ground.
*Flash* Recognize both figures.
RAGE. Pain. I had been mad before, but not like this. This hurt. I reached into my pocket, pulling out the rope I had hidden there when I had changed. It was a good, thick rope, and it had only one purpose. I opened the loop at the end and ran forward.
It took less than five seconds for the Comte Raoul de Changy to leave this world. I had been taught by the best.
-----------------------------------------
A/N: Now, before you review, remember that I am the ALL POWERFUL AUTHORESS and everything I do HAS A REASON! (Even if it isn't shown in the next seven chapters. -nervous laugh-) However, to my reviewers.
Ladylupin: 100% right. It is, as you say, a concept phic, I'm glad someone understands!
Morauko: As you can now see, there were reasons for Raoul's reactions. Plus, if the person I loved wasn't in love with me and our child had just died, I'd go a bit ape too. And, yes, it will be a bit akward, but look for Phillippe someday, if not soon.
Angelofnight: Who isn't bothered for Erik?!
