Author's note:
FF seems out to get me, as I have had more trouble with disappearing chapters. To insure that you have read everything, I recommend taking a glace at chapters 4 & 5—all the chapter positions have changed. Therefore, whatever chapter you may have reviewed before is no longer the same-or at least I think that is how it works. Sorry for the confusion!
Once again, thank you all for the reviews!
Shall we?
"Good evening, Monsieur Gardnier," the foreman called, approaching the two men. "I am afraid if you have come to inspect our progress, most of the men have retired for the night."
"Oh, I have no need to inspect. It is quite obvious your laborers have followed directions implicitly. It is thrilling to see what once was an image take form."
The foreman nodded, rubbing his hands together to warm them. "Thank you, sir."
Aubert glanced back at Galen. "If you will excuse us, I promised my brother I would show him around the site."
"Very good, sir."
With all the glee of a child, the architect started moving through the walls and dusty stone, pointing to various structures while his brother followed. Walking from the large vestibule into another expansive chamber, Galen paused.
"And what will this become?" he asked, gazing upward at the uncompleted ceiling, "the main hall?"
"Hardly. We are standing in the future stable."
"Since when do horses receive more grandeur than the opera patrons themselves?"
His brother could only chuckle, moving forward once more. Long minutes passed before he turned his head back.
"…and here we have…Galen?"
He retraced his steps, finding his brother standing in the shadows. With a sigh of relief, Aubert approached him quickly.
"Dear God, man, do not frighten me like that again! Even I could get lost in…"
"Where does this lead to?" Galen interrupted.
Aubert followed his brother's rapt gaze upon the archway before them.
"The underground caverns. This is one of two entrances, though eventually I intend to close it off."
"I desire to see it."
Aubert folded his arms across his body, the cold finally starting to seep into his limbs. "There is nothing but damp stone and water down there, Galen. The design you saw makes the whole thing seem quite elegant, actually."
"That fact does not stay my curiosity."
His brother sighed, a muscle in his jaw tightening. "As you wish."
Taking one of the lanterns hanging nearby, Aubert moved slowly through the descending passage, the air growing thicker around them. To his surprise, the depths did provide some warmth from the frosty air outside.
At the edge of the stone walkway, he paused, the lake before them.
"Does it extend further?" Galen asked.
Aubert nodded. "Yes, though not accessible, save by boat."
Galen stepped to the edge, silent a long moment. "You know," he said, turning back toward Aubert, "it really is quite stunning…in gothic sort of way. Imagine how it would appear under the light of a thousand candles…"
Aubert laughed, the sound echoing through the darkness. "The dank air must be getting to your senses, Galen. Come, we have been here long enough."
He had only moved a few feet before his leg brushed past something. Drawing in his breath, Aubert spun, lowering the lantern.
A figure moved in the dim light. Galen moved forward slowly. Like a cornered animal, wide eyes turned from one man to the other before the figure bolted.
With surprising dexterity, Galen caught hold of the child's shoulders. The boy struggled only a minute before slumping in his hands. Galen rested him on the ground and felt the small, pale hands. Frowning, he pulled down part of the mask, exposing the child's forehead. Resting his hand against it, his eyes widened.
"My God, he burns with fever."
Gathering the thin body in his arms, Galen started moving up the long passageways leading to the entrance. Aubert scrambled after him.
"Galen, surely you don't mean to bring him back…"
The physician turned toward him, his stare one of resolve. "Have you no compassion, Aubert? This child will die without aid!"
Aubert gave a consenting nod, ashamed at his callousness. They walked through the passageways in the caverns in silence, the lantern throwing haunting shadows around them. When they arrived at the surface, Galen navigated quickly through the construction to the waiting coach. Barking orders to the driver, he stepped inside, the boy still in his arms. Aubert had no more than closed the door before the coach pitched forward into the night.