CHAPTER 22 - Darkness Comes


Vadim Kiselev - Les Danses de la Lumiere; Gothic Prelude


Andre wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned back against the barn wall. For today his job was done. All he had to do was pick up the tools, pack them on Robuste, who was standing nearby, and go home. Andre took a deep breath a few times as the air finally felt cool and refreshing. You could feel autumn slowly departing. The long winter evenings were about to begin, and Andre was already getting worried, as always at this time of the year. Would the winter be mild or cold this time? Would they have enough supplies for people and animals until spring comes? Would none of them get sick? Winter in the provinces could be cruel and ruthless.

Andre reached under his shirt where he kept the sack of money. He happily put in it the two small coins he had earned today. It was quite a rarity. People in the countryside were poor. Most of them did not have horses, so they didn't need the services of a blacksmith. They plowed the soil by their own hands or with the help of lean oxen. The slightly wealthier ones owned one horse, especially those who sold their wares at the Chavigny market or drove them to Fontgombault Abbey. A miller and a baker also had a horse in Angles. But Andre couldn't just rely on the job he found there, because his family would be starving. So often the inhabitants of the neighboring villages would come to his forge, or he himself would go to them. He shoeed horses, repaired horseshoes, but also checked the health of animals. He had some herbal ointments from Ella to heal minor cuts or abrasions.

Andre could earn extra money by bringing honey and fruit to the market and writing articles. The Paris press had still a good reputation and readership, despite the fall of the aristocracy.

On that day he went to a farmer from neighboring Le Bois. The man had a lot of arable land and three horses. While most of the blacksmith's services were paid with food: flour, vegetables, or straw, the farmer from Le Bois always paid in dinars.

Andre strove to be a valuable member of society. He wanted to teach his son the importance of hard work, home and family. And also to compensate his countrymen a little for years of working in the service of the regime that oppressed them. Now he became a different man, and no one would have imagined that he spent most of his life in a noble court. Only Ella knew the truth. She was the only one to whom he confided everything. Who he was before. How he got there.

He also told her who Lusien's mother was. And maybe that was his only mistake. Ever since Oscar arrived in Angles, Andre had seen the uncertainty in Ella's eyes. She was still the same loving, caring person, but she began to pull away. As if she sensed that Oscar's presence was a temptation for him and a threat to her. But was it really so?

In fact, Andre's heart was torn by conflicting feelings. When he awoke from a fever-induced lethargy, he vowed to leave that life from before his arrival in Angles behind him. That from that moment on, those feelings and longing would no longer rule his life. That he would start over here. When he was finally starting to settle his life, Oscar showed up on the doorstep of his house to confuse him. That's why he was furious. What could she bring to their lives, apart from violence and suffering? Then it turned out that Oscar had become a different person for some incomprehensible reason. She was quiet and obedient. Helpful. She was doing things Andre never expected of her to do. She even put on the dress without a single word of objection.

And most of all, she behaved perfectly towards Lusien. She was loving and caring. It seemed as if she wanted to compensate him for all the wrong she had done him earlier. While Andre could ignore the hand extended towards him, he could not underestimate Oscar's efforts towards the child. So he let Oscar stay, for them to catch up a little bit of lost time, risking his own peace of heart.

One day he saw them dancing in the orchard. Oscar was holding Lusien's hands, and they both swirled to the song she sang.

Above me, the sky is sparkling blue

The sun warms my face

I know you love me and I love you

Our love is as hot as the sun's rays*

The words of an old song, sung in the streets of the Parisian slums. How did Oscar know it? Was it Rosalie humming it sometimes while she was living with them at the Jarjayes Manor?

Andre didn't know. What he saw, instead, was Oscar's hair shining with gold, reflecting the rays of the August sun and her face radiant with happiness. Lusien tried to keep up with Oscar and laughed hard at the same time, and when they both lost their balance and landed on the grass, the boy hugged her chest tightly. Andre, standing in hiding, saw Oscar's face change in surprise, then embrace the baby tightly in her arms, fighting the tears that appeared in her eyes.

Then Andre turned and walked away, unable to take it anymore. For he felt a stab of breathtaking pain in his heart, a memory of a feeling that had burned him for fifteen years. The realization that the feeling didn't die with that other Andre infuriated him.

Then each day he understood more that he was unable to escape. So he pushed Oscar away from him in all possible ways, he discouraged her. And she unexpectedly put up with it without even a single bad word. That night, by the bonfire, she told him the truth about her participation in the whole story, and that completely demolished the wall he had built around himself. He knew then that he would love Oscar forever, until the end of his days. This love grew into his heart, and even hatred and death couldn't get it out of there.

But love for Oscar was like love for a goddess. He always put her on a pedestal, adored and worshiped her. Even when she was close, it was only appearances. Their worlds penetrated but could never merge. It was like trying to touch what was on the other side of the mirror. Totally impossible.

Even now, when Oscar lived with them, slept in their house, ate with them at the same table, she was still like a statue to him. Dazzlingly beautiful, but cold and distant. As if the past had left a mark that could not be erased by anything. A trace of the social distance that had separated them all these years. A trace of her indifference.

But Ella..

Ella appeared in his life at the darkest moment and was standing by his side ever since, illuminating his days like a lamp on a cold winter night. Without thinking for a moment, she reached out to him and pulled him out of the darkness into which the others had pushed him. With endless patience and gentleness. Without waiting for gratitude or any kind of payment. Her kindness was like a cure for his broken heart. Her smile was like a warm sunbeam, and the touch of her fingers washed away the anger. At first he did not trust her, because his love for Oscar and the way she dealt with him left him insensitive to the female charm. So he closed his heart, and with it all the dirty hatred with which he himself had filled it. Ella, however, did not give up. Day after day, she proved to him that she was worthy for it that he would open his heart for her to chase away the darkness and replace it with tenderness. While he was lying in pain and fever, she looked after Lusien. She fed him, made him sleep, sang lullabies and played with him. And then she still had the strength to watch him at night when his condition worsened. Andre knew that he would never be able to pay back the debt of gratitude he owed her back then.

So at first he thought he had mistaken love for gratitude. That the sentiment he began to feel for Ella was based only on a commitment to reward her for the effort she had put in to free him from the grip of death and for her concern for his son. However, one day she suddenly fell into his arms, and he discovered a whole new world. A world of sweet tenderness and fingers trembling on the skin. A world of unconditional acceptance, giving yourself without expecting anything in return. Two existences that, instead of remaining next to each other, were intertwined completely. Simple words. Simple gestures. Caring and kindness. Taking care of the other person. Ordinary life.

Staying side by side without having to sacrifice the future, health and life just to feel worthy of the other person. So different from what he knew so far.

And he choked on this happiness. This passion. He saw understanding and approval in Ella's eyes every day. For the first time he thought about giving himself the right to arrange his life. And give Lusien a chance to finally feel the warmth of motherly love.

He was even going to propose, he just waited for the right moment. He had no doubts. Ella was beautiful, intelligent, and good. She loved him and he loved her. Before he could summon the courage to ask her, however, Oscar showed up and turned their lives upside down.

He couldn't decide now which was better for Lusien and him. Could he rob his own child of being able to grow up next to a woman who was his real mother? Was choosing a simple but joyful love better or worse than the love of a difficult and burdened past?

Two women. So different from each other. Was it possible that he loved them both?..

Andre sighed heavily and made himself more comfortable in the saddle. Robuste's hooves lapped steadily on the hard-beaten road leading to Angles. He'd be home soon. The wind that in the morning had been just a little zephyr now began to blow with full force. Andre figured the barn roof and the supplies would need to be checked again. When he looked back down at the road, in the distance, on the horizon, he saw a small silhouette of a man waving vigorously at him. He hurried up to him. It was one of the neighbors, Mr. Debre.

- Andre, you are here at last! - the other shouted to him, clearly concerned.

- Mr. Gerard, is something wrong? - Andre asked as he saw the man breathing heavily. He must have run all the way from Angles.

- Come back soon! - the other replied - Something happened near your house! Yves ran out to help out, and I decided to find you.

- But what happened? - asked Andre, heart pounding.

- I do not know. They just heard shots, pistol shots, Andre. Drive fast!

- Damn - Andre swore violently, tightened Robuste and galloped off.

There was only one person who could shoot there.

...

Oscar walked slowly home, sighing again and again. There was once a time when she thought that if she found her son and told Andre the whole truth, things would suddenly turn out beautifully and the days would be beautiful and peaceful. But why was she still not at peace in her heart?

Instead, her soul was torn by conflicting feelings. What should she do now? Should she stay and fight? Or maybe go away and let them go back to their old lives?

She didn't want to leave Lusien. Of that one thing she was sure of. She would never give up on him. If anyone had told her to leave the child, she would rather kill herself than live without him again.

But there was also Andre. There was nothing she could do against him. And he was silent. He passed her kindly but avoided any serious subject. As if the current situation was difficult to solve also for him. Ella hardly ever came to their house anymore. Since that conversation in the barn, the girl greeted her by waving at her from a distance, but she disappeared almost as quickly as she appeared. Andre's visits to Ella also grew less and less. Oscar was afraid that one day Andre would hate her for chasing the girl out of his house.

She also felt guilty about this boy who accidentally found his place in her life. She knew perfectly well how it hurts when someone does not love you back. She lived it for years, loving Fersen hopelessly. Now she loved Andre just as hopelessly. It seemed she was doomed to unrequited love. But Pierre didn't have to experience the same. He was an adorable young man. He should find a person who can accept his heart with true sincerity.

When they met at school shortly after that afternoon, Pierre was impeccable. He was nice and friendly as usual. As always, he made her coffee and placed the steaming drink in front of her with a smile on his face. Only his eyes were a little sadder than usual. He ran to his classes soon after, and only came back when Oscar was starting her music lesson. He boldly approached her and asked:

- May I stay in your class today, mademoiselle? I need a few more sketches for the painting, and I don't want to bother you too much. Come on, please. I'll try not to disturb you - he promised seriously.

- Of course - Oscar replied without hesitating.

She was surprised that Pierre had not given up the idea of finishing the painting. The boy sat at the back of the room and carefully sketched throughout the lesson. Only sometimes Oscar caught the gaze of his eerily blue eyes when he stared at her a little too long. After finishing classes, he came, bowed and thanked her politely, and squeezed her hand gently as a farewell.

Pierre.

Pierre was so nice. Why couldn't she convince her heart to love him? Everything would then become much easier.

Oscar sighed once more and spurred her horse to accelerate. The wind began to blow harder, and she shuddered, wrapping her shawl tighter around her.

The most important thing, however, was that everyone was safe. From the day she read that letter from Bernard, she looked anxiously at the road outside their house every day. As if still unconsciously expecting that one day someone will appear on their doorstep, asking for her life. It could have been the Royal Guard from which she had deserted. Or revolutionaries who might want to take revenge on the aristocrat and high-ranking man of the monarchy. It could also be her own father seeking revenge for her betrayal. A house in a small town in New Aquitaine was a safe haven, but any hiding place, even the best, may be discovered one day.

Oscar did not even realize that the quiet days were actually almost over..

She had passed the first houses in Angles and their house was almost in sight. The walls of the castle loomed majestically high above it, and birds soared above them, carried by gusts of wind. Apart from the rustle of the treetops and the murmur of the river, there was silence. And then Oscar heard a scream.

The call was not loud. For a moment she thought it was a bird or another animal hiding in the bushes. She stopped her horse and listened. She felt her dress seem to fall almost painfully, and she was back to the uniformed soldier waiting for an ambush. Vigilant and ready to attack.

For a moment she heard nothing. She had almost given up, thinking she had misheard, but then her watchful ear registered the sound again. It was a sob. The sobbing of a woman who had run out of strength.

Oscar silently jumped off her horse, then tied it to a tree standing next to it. With trembling hands, she reached into the folds of her skirt and pulled out the gun Andre had left her. She checked it was charged, then began to creep up. On the left, the River Anglin meandered and poured over the rock bottom. Clumps of trees and bushes grew on its shore. In this place the grove was exceptionally dense and it could well hide something. Oscar approached cautiously and parted the branches. The sight chilled her blood in her veins. A few yards away, she saw two men. One of them was holding the semiconscious woman by the hands, pinning her to the trunk of a large tree, and the other was leaning over her, digging through his pants with one hand. The woman had a torn dress and her front was tucked up high. Her face was bluish from the blows, and blood was dripping down her hands. It was evident that she was trying to defend herself, but the men were much stronger. Oscar hardly recognized Ella in this bruised woman. Her hands shook for a moment, but then she regained her composure. Without delay, she left her hiding place, unlocked her gun, and pointed it at one of the men.

- Leave her now - she said slowly but firmly.

The man holding Ella looked up darkly at her as the other froze with his hand on his belt, then turned slowly. He assessed her from top to bottom, then smiled cheekily.

- Well, well, well - he mumbled and laughed hoarsely - Who do we have here! Look, Remi, it looks like we won't have to share this little body here because the other lady came herself to please us - he chuckled and the other man smiled, looking at her lasciviously.

- I like blondes - he replied, releasing Ella's hands at the same time as she dropped to her knees with a soft groan. Then the man took a step forward.

- Don't even try - Oscar said in an icy voice, and the man obeyed for some reason. Perhaps he was alerted by the tone of her voice - Listen to me well now - Oscar continued - I want you both to put on your pants and then walk politely along the river towards Saint-Pierre. Don't try any tricks.

The men looked at each other in surprise, then their faces turned serious. Someone else probably didn't see the almost imperceptible nod that the shorter man sent to the more powerful one named Remi. However, Oscar was not an ordinary woman. Before the man could take a step towards her, a bullet shattered his arm and he howled in pain. Oscar reloaded her gun in no time, then pointed it at the other man.

- Don't move, or you'll be next - she hissed.

The man stared at her in bewilderment, then turned his gaze to his companion, who was pressing his hand against the profusely bleeding wound.

- You whore - the other muttered, gritting his teeth against the pain - You shot me. You won't get away with this, bitch!

- Get out of here! - Oscar shouted, ignoring his words.

- Why are you interfering, miss? - laughed venomously the smaller of men - You may have a gun, but I'm afraid that the second time you may not be so lucky!

- I say one last time. Get out! - Oscar repeated, undaunted.

- Oh, how stubborn - he hissed, and before Oscar could react, he grabbed Ella lying next to him and held the knife to her throat - So it will be like that, my lovely. Now you will put that gun down and lie face down on the grass, then wait for me to come over to you. If you are good, maybe I won't hurt your little friend.

- All right - Oscar said confidently, and began to lower the gun, but her eyes never left the hand that held the knife - But first I want to know that she will be fine. Just put the knife back and I'll do whatever you want.

- Don't listen to her - growled Remi, still kneeling on the ground and trying to stop the bleeding with a makeshift handkerchief dressing - She's a witch.

- My friend, the lady looks scary, but a moment ago she just barely scratched you - the man laughed - Probably hubby taught her to shoot and now she thinks that she is so good at it. The lady will calm down when I take this blade, right? - he chuckled, moving the knife away from Ella's throat.

A second later, the knife hit the ground with a slight clink, and the man stared in horror at the circular hole that gasped in the center of his hand. He let go of Ella, who now dropped lifelessly on the moss beside the tree, and pressed his arm against his body, fighting the shooting pain and staring at Oscar as she recharged the gun and aimed it straight at his head.

- Do you need any extra incentive to get out of here? - she said in a voice that could turn water into ice.

- You.. - the man began, but the other interrupted him.

- Don't be silly, Antoine. Madame can shoot - he added with a slight nod of the head towards Oscar - We won't disturb you ladies anymore, right? - he rose from the ground he had been kneeling on since Oscar had shot him.

- Fuck - muttered the one whose name was Antoine, but obediently began to retreat with his friend towards the river. Blood dripped profusely from the hole in his hand, dyeing his clothes a carmine red.

After a while, they both disappeared in the thicket of riverside greenery. Oscar listened for a moment to hear footsteps, then quickly walked over to Ella lying on the ground. She just checked that the girl was alive, then went to make sure the men were really gone. When she saw their silhouettes disappearing in the distance, she returned to the unconscious girl. She grabbed her arm and shook her lightly, not to cause pain but to sober her up. She couldn't imagine dragging her in this state. Nor could she leave her.

- Ella - she whispered close to her ear - Ella, wake up, please!

Nothing happened for a while, but then the girl sighed and opened that eye, which wasn't swollen. When she saw Oscar leaning over, her eyes filled with tears and sobs tugged at her aching body.

- Francoise - she said in an almost inaudible whisper - Thank God..

And then she started to cry terribly.


Dear Readers!

I'm terribly sorry that it lasted so long to deliver this chapter. I was struggling with writer's block and the holiday season at work in the same time. But it's here at last. I hope you like it :)

I want to promise you one thing. How long would it take, how hard it would be, I'm going to end this story. So, for those of you who are afraid that I will abandon it, don't be afraid ;)

Have a nice reading!


*the song doesn't exist in real life ;)