Chapter 4: Behind The Mask

5 years had passed since Erik had left Persia behind him and it was only three weeks ago that he passed his 31st birthday; Erik had traveled the world training in combat and defense that he became stronger and braver so that he might rescue Claire from the Shah's court... Claire... There had not been a single day that passed in which Erik did not think of her... The nightmare of the last time they saw each other still haunted him; Her screams of pain and the crack of the whip would frequently sound within his mind causing him to close his eyes tightly, willing the demons away.

Erik sat upon his steed; Ceasar. The stallion had too become strong and brave like his master during the past few years. Erik glared towards the Shah's palace and endured the stolen exotic music that drifted from the place known to him as Claire's prison,

"I'm coming, Claire" he vowed before nudging Caesar in encouragement to ride quickly towards the palace.

Slave girls dressed in exotic clothing danced whilst twirling ribbons of pure blue and gold silk to entertain the shah whom was sat on his throne drinking his 12th goblet of wine with a satisfied and smug smile on his face... His smile became a smirk when Erik strode into the throne room causing the court to gasp in shock and the dancers quickly dispersed,

"Well, well, well... Has it really been only five years since I last saw you?... After all I would know that mask anywhere" The shah mocked with a chuckle causing the rest of the court to laugh; Erik saw that the only person whom didn't join in the laughter was his old friend, Nadir whom had no choice but to continue standing by the shah's side as he took another drink from his goblet,

"You have some nerve showing your masked face around here, magician" the shah pointed out,

"What is your business here?" he asked as Erik approached the throne and looked the Persian king dead in the eye,

"Where is my wife?" Erik growled, clenching his fist as the shah smirked smugly,

"Your wife?... I wasn't aware that you had a wife. After all I was the one whom told you that she wasn't your wife and my word is law. Isn't that right, Nadir?" the shah asked and Nadir frowned but bowed his head respectfully,

"Indeed it is my lord shah" Nadir confirmed growing very concerned when Erik suddenly and very quickly grasped the shah's throat,

"I will not ask you again" Erik growled in warning, feeling his blood boil as the shah still maintained the nerve to continue smirking up at him as he held up a hand and snapped his fingers,

"Guards... Fetch the magician's desire from the dungeon" he instructed and Erik kept his eyes burning upon the Shah until the guards returned with Claire whose face was tarnished with dirt and both her wrists and ankles were bound with chains of pure gold; She wore the same garments as the slave girls that had been dancing only a moment earlier,

"Claire!" Erik yelled before rushing forward, glaring at the guards whom retreated at the shah's command.

Erik cupped Claire's cheek as he looked upon her dirt and bruised covered face,

"It's alright, Claire. I'm here. I've come to take you away" Erik assured her but felt his blood boil when the Shah laughed,

"Perhaps you should ask her if she wants to leave with you, Magician. Is that not the polite thing to do?" the shah mocked and Erik glared at him,

"Of course she does. Claire?" He pressed, turning back to her but she had still yet to make eye contact with him; Keeping her sad and broken gaze upon the stone floor,

"... No" she murmured after a long moment causing Erik to look stunned as the Shah chuckled whilst standing from his throne and descended the marble steps from his throne,

"You see, Magician?... She doesn't want to leave" the shah told Erik smugly as he came to stand behind Claire and caressed her bare shoulders with a smirk on his face,

"She is only saying what you want her too because she's terrified!" Erik yelled and was even more stunned when Claire jumped and turned away, hugging the Shah's husky frame in fear and the Persian King stroked her hair with a chuckle,

"She is quite the obedient and timid little slave is she not?... I have her well trained. Five years worth of obedience training is more than enough" the shah told Erik whom looked at Claire's scared form,

"Claire?... Please, you don't need to be afraid of me. We're friends..." Erik told her gently,

"Friends don't give their friends 20 lashes now do they, Magician?" the shah mocked,

"It wasn't like that! You made me do that to her!" Erik yelled whilst glaring at him,

"Did I?... I don't think that's how my mistress remembers how it happened" The shah told him smugly and Erik felt his blood boil with a burning inferno,

"Your... Your mistress..." Erik mumbled as everything sunk in and Erik gently moved Claire out of the way before tackling the shah,

"I SHALL END YOUR WORTHLESS LIFE!" Erik yelled, clasping his throat tightly,

"NO! Please I beg you! Don't hurt him!" Claire yelled and Erik turned to look at her stunned and he saw the terrified and desperate pleading expression on her face... Erik could not bare it and slowly released the Shah's throat, standing as Guards rushed over and helped their ruler as Erik took one last sad look at Claire before leaving the throne room. Nadir was quick to follow after his old friend.

What has the Shah done to Claire?! You shall have to review if you want to find out quicker! Can Erik Save Claire from the Shah's hold?!

Review for Chapter 5!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996