Chapter Five
Diya's Surprise
With our horses at a full gallop, it only took us a few more minutes to reach Nadir's home. Darius took our horses to the stable where one of the other servants would care for them. Then, carrying our luggage with us, Nadir and I followed his trusted servant up the stone path that lead to his home. It was a beautiful house, almost like a small palace built entirely of rich white stone. As soon as we entered his dwelling, the sound of a young boy's voice filled our ears.
"Father!" The voice came from a small child who was obviously the Daroga's son. He tried to run to his father, but stumbled a little along the way. I flinched at his faltering steps. A woman stood in the corner—apparently the boy's attendant—looking on restlessly. Nadir quickly closed the distance between them, making it a bit easier on his son. The maidservant disappeared in the direction from which she had come, as the happy father swooped his son up into his arms and whirled him around. I took a few steps back, feeling a bit out of place in the midst of this happy reunion.
"Did you bring me a pet monkey this time?" the boy questioned excitedly.
"Always a pet monkey, is it?" Nadir returned, still holding the child in his arms. "No, not this time. I thought that you had given up that notion months ago."
Once Nadir had his son's feet planted firmly on the ground, the two talked for a moment, not seeming to remember that I was present. Suddenly, the boy turned in my direction.
"Who is that, Father?" he asked, pointed towards me, a look of childish glee in his eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry Erik," Nadir apologized. "Diya, this is the great magician that the Shah sent me to find. His name is Erik Garron." He gave me an inquisitive look as if to say, "Did I get it right?" I nodded in response and gave him a bit of a smile. "Erik, this is the boy whom I told you of, my son Diya. He has been looking forward to meeting you."
"How do you do, Diya?" I said with a courteous bow.
"How do you do, sir?" The boy returned my bow and then looked at me with an unveiled expression of delight. "Oh Mr. Erik—may I call you Mr. Erik?—are you really the greatest magician in the whole world?" I scarcely had the chance to give my reply to his first question by way of nodding before the child continued, "Can you really make anything disappear… even people and whole buildings? Mr. Erik, will you please show me some of your magic?"
"Some have called me that," I said, gently placing a long finger to the boy's lips in order to silence him, "but I fear that their stories may be a bit exaggerated." I could not help but laugh at his eagerness. "Perhaps I will show you some later this evening," I replied. Then, without any further words, I pulled Nadir's watch from inside my cloak. The boy was absolutely delighted by the simple trick. I returned his smile and then glanced at the timepiece. "It's about dinner time," I said casually, "and I am sure your father will wish for us to eat first, as we have not had any lunch." Still smiling, I handed the Daroga his watch. He looked at me utterly dumbfounded.
"By Allah! How did you get this?" he demanded. "I just had it in my hand a moment ago, and then I put it in my pocket. Erik you-"
I shrugged. "We magicians never tell our secrets." I looked down at the boy who was still gazing up at me in wonder. He clapped his hands gleefully.
"Oh, do more, do more!" he exclaimed. "Please Mr. Erik!"
"Erik is right," Nadir said, putting his arm on Diya's shoulder. "We would like to clean up a bit and have some dinner first. Then perhaps he will give us a private show of his skills." He looked at me questioningly.
"Yes, a bath would be most enjoyable," I said, looking down at my grimy clothing. "And perhaps I will take something to eat after I have washed. Then it would be my pleasure to perform for you and your son."
Diya's eyes danced as he looked from me to his father and then back to me. "Oh wonderful, wonderful! I knew you would! You are so nice, Mr. Erik," he said. Then throwing his arms around my legs, he hugged me rather roughly for a boy of his size. I was so surprised that my knees nearly gave way. When I had recovered from the initial shock, I steadied myself and looked helplessly at Nadir. I was quite unaccustomed to this kind of affection from any member of the human race. I could not help but notice that the Daroga appeared to be a bit uncomfortable with the situation as well.
"Come Diya," Nadir said a bit sharply, pulling the boy away from me. "You must remember your manners. We will show Erik to his room now. You may come if you will behave as a young gentlemen."
"Yes Father."
Diya walked demurely between us, holding one of my hands and one of his father's hands. The chilling touch of my fingers surprised the lad at first, yet it did not seem to trouble him as it did most people. We moved upstairs into a lovely guestroom, and there my host motioned for me to put down my things.
"This is where you will be staying while you are with us," Nadir informed me. "And now, young man," he said, turning to his son, addressing him a bit more gently. "I think we better leave Erik alone to clean up."
"Alright," he agreed reluctantly. "But-"
"Come now Diya."
The boy followed his father back to the door, a disappointed expression on his young features. There he turned and waved to me. I waved back almost mechanically, still surprised by the kindness that the boy was already showing towards me. Then, with some difficulty, he left.
Once they were gone, I set down my things, got out a clean outfit, and headed for the bathtub. I could not help but pity the boy. He was son young, and yet his illness was far worse than I had imagined. It would be more than difficult to explain our dilemma to his father: the boy would not out-grow his infirmity. From the looks of things the decease was spreading and would only become worse over time. I dreaded the discussion that Nadir and I must have, and I made up my mind to put aside the subject until the following morning. Again I lingered in the tub for a long time, reveling in the feeling of the warm water all over my tiered body. I finally had to force myself to get out and dry off. I glanced at my filthy clothes and then placed them in a basket, assuming that the servants would find them there and see that they were properly cleaned. With that, I changed into the dry clothes, replaced my mask, and headed back downstairs.
Diya greeted me when I reached the front room where he sat with a book in his lap, his attendant not far away.
"Hello Mr. Erik," he said with a smile. "Father is waiting for us in the dinning room."
"Thank you, Diya." I offered him an arm for support. "Will you show me the way?"
Waving his servant away and forcing a smile, I assisted the boy in standing. With careful steps, he led me to the dinning room. Nadir stood upon our entrance.
"Well Erik, I was hopping you would join us," he said with a smile. "Please sit down."
Diya and I moved to the head of the table, sitting on either side of him. A lady whom I took to be the Daroga's cook came and served us a fantastic dinner. As I had had very little food on my journey, I was quite famished. I ate rather more than I should have, but Nadir seemed pleased by my unexpected change of appetite. When I was done, I was exceedingly full, and I promised myself that it would be several more days before I ate again.
With a slight groan, I sat back in my chair, folding my hands over my flat mid-section, which felt as though it had swollen at least three times its normal size. A good, long nap would have been most welcome at the moment; however, I would not have that opportunity. No sooner had I assumed this relaxing position then Diya was standing beside me, excitedly begging that I keep my promise.
"Please, will you show us some more tricks now, Mr. Erik? Please… please?"
Despite my weariness, I could not help but smile at his enthusiasm.
"Yes, of course I will. If you will excuse me a moment, I will prepare for the show," I told them, rising from my chair.
"Alright," Nadir replied. "If you would not mind. Diya is a bit tonight overly excited, although I must admit that I am curious myself. I am sure that your reputation is well earned. Come out on the balcony when you are ready. We will watch you there."
They showed me to the balcony that he spoke of, and then I headed upstairs to retrieve my cloak and other props. Soon I returned to Nadir and his son and gave them an elaborate display of my skills. I included all the tricks that would have been in one of my normal show, with the exception of the unmasking. How thankful I was not to have to show my face for this audience. Diya and his father were the perfect audience. They both watched in sheer amazement as I went through my routines. The boy especially seemed to enjoy the bit of ventriloquism that I did. When my performance was over, Diya and Nadir clapped vigorously.
"Oh, please do more!" Diya exclaimed.
I was about to concede to his request, when Nadir spoke.
"I think it is time we should all be going to bed," he said firmly, placing a hand calmingly on the boy's shoulder. "It has been a long day for all of us, and I am sure Erik is quite worn out."
"Really, Daroga, I am fine," I contradicted his statement. "If your son would like for me do a few more tricks, surely it cannot do any harm."
"Yes, please, Father," Diya begged, pulling at Nadir's sleeve.
"Well, alright," he gave in. "If it will make you happy, my child. But just a few more."
Diya was thrilled with my final maneuvers. Even the Daroga seemed totally amazed. When I finished, they clapped even more excitedly. I bowed as both father and son applauded me.
"That was fantastic, Mr. Erik!" the boy exclaimed, struggling to stand. His father helped him to walk to me. And then he embraced me again. This time, I was more prepared for the boy's affection and managed to keep my balance.
In a few moments, Nadir tapped his son on the shoulder.
"Alright Diya, enough of that. It is past your bed time," he said.
The boy did not move.
"Now Diya, if you are a good boy and go to bed now, like your father said," I put in, "tomorrow I will have a special surprise for you."
"A surprise?" he squealed with joy.
"Yes," I replied, delighted that he was so pleased. "You will have a special surprise, one that not even the Shah will see."
The boy was thrilled, although, I was sure that Nadir did not approved of my bribery.
"Leila," Nadir called. The middle-aged maidservant who attended the boy came out onto the balcony. "Leila," he addressed her, "see that Diya gets to bed now."
"Yes master," she said with a bow. Then she escorted the child off to his room.
As soon at they were out of sight, Nadir turned to me.
"Well, what do you think?" he asked eagerly.
"What do I think?" I questioned in surprise. "What do I think of what?"
"Of Diya, of course. Is there anything that you can do for him?" he inquired.
I flinched. "I… I don't know," I stammered, a bit taken off guard. Not tonight. I could not tell him so soon. "I haven't really had a chance to examine him," I told him warily. "Perhaps I can do that tomorrow."
"Oh yes, please do. It would mean ever so much to me," Nadir said, his eyes full of concern. Again I felt that sorrowful envy rising with in my chest. Perhaps this trip had not been wise. I could never be a part of a real family, and seeing the Daroga with his son only served to arouse longings for things that I could not have. Things such as love. Rapidly pushing those thoughts aside, I forced a smile and nodded.
"Very well, tomorrow it is. How can I refuse?"
When I returned to my quarters, it was not for sleep. That night, I was up until it was almost dawn, for I was working on my special surprise for Diya. When at last it was finished, I admired my work, smiling to myself. Diya would be delighted. With a sigh of complete exhaustion, I removed my mask, collapsing a moment later onto my bed. In sheer moments I was sleeping soundly.