Disclaimer: I am neither Andrew Lloyd Webber nor Gaston Leroux.
Author Note: Hi guys! I actually managed to fulfil a promise and get this chapter up in a reasonable time frame- yay! With all that happiness and optimism said, we move swiftly onto a chapter I've been dying to share with you; the insight into our beloved (NOT) Emilian's mind and the whole explanation for Christine's ordeal. Some of you were definitely onto this after you read earlier chapters, so you can read this with a knowing smile :-D
NOTE: I forgot to thank my reviewers last chapter, which is not on! Please forgive my moment of stupidity and know that your reviews are always loved and make me smile for hours and hours *cheesy grin*.
Thank you to Filhound, MarilynKC, Billy4Me and TMara, for your lovely reviews and for being so patient with my awful time management :-)
SECOND NOTE: I have now finally read Susan Kay's 'Phantom'. I loved it! Nadir was awesome- which is good, because poor Nadir and his awesomeness often get missed out- and Kay's interpretation of the Erik/Christine relationship and all their moments was perfect, and not unrealistic, which was very nice to read. I cried buckets and now have loads of new favourite quotes to add to my never ending list, especially this;
'I had held her in trust for seventeen years until death chose to reunite her with the one to whom she truly belonged.'
Yes! Recognition of the fact Christine DID love Erik and from none other than Raoul de Chagny! Sorry that I have wasted a load of your time by ranting about this book... I'll get on with the chapter now... :-)
Twenty One- Devils Child
No one would have guessed as Pali sauntered lazily through the camp, arms idly swinging and eyes casually drifting as if he had very little interest in the sights that surrounded him, that in fact a very great purpose and importance rested on his relaxed shoulders. Nor would they have guessed, looking at his easy expression and leisurely gait, that beneath the cool exterior he was trembling like a petrified child, wanting nothing more than to turn on his heel and run back to the solace of his tent, forgetting all about the task that lay ahead.
He had been practically shivering with fright ever since last night, when he had carefully crept away from the clan into the night, leaving the other gypsies during the task of packing up the camp, readying themselves to move onto their next destination in the morning; instead of packing up his things and helping the other men disassemble the tents, he had gone to a midnight meeting with Erik, Nadir and their ponsy gentleman companion who seemed to be a regular fixture these days. The only purpose of the meeting had originally been to affirm the details for the plan, and for Pali to draw up a map of the next planned location for the clan to move to, but with Erik revealing that Christine was fully aware of all the details and with Nadir confirming that all the relevant supplies were bought, all eyes had come to rest on Pali, telling him silently that the time had come for him to play his crucial role; persuading Emilian.
It was a more than worrying prospect that all their hard work and labour, not to mention happiness, was now vulnerable to destruction simply if he failed to use every last speck of his gushing charisma to win his sadistic gypsy master over to their way of thinking- or, rather, to agree to let Christine to sing in a performance that was magically all set up for them already. The uncertainties and the weak parts of the proposition and the plan altogether now seemed glaringly obvious as Pali made his way through the camp, clenching his hands together to prevent the trembling. He didn't want to go through with this, his mind still dark with the thoughts that Erik was stepping closer and closer to danger, especially now that he planned to sing onstage with Christine, right before Emilian's eyes. It was unlikely that the barbaric man would recognise Erik, but it was a risk, a risk that Pali was uncomfortable with and thus a risk that made him tempted to purposefully sabotage this whole plan.
The clan and all their horses and wagons and lumbering caravans had spent the whole day rumbling through the dust and the dirt before eventually reaching their chosen destination- it was a promising spot, backed by dense woodland and so close to the nearby town which held their theatre that Pali swore he could hear the faint echoes of drunken laughter and bustling markets even now, in the heart of the maze of tents. With the sun rapidly slipping down in the sky and the air staring to turn cold, suggesting nightfall, Pali imagined that Erik, Nadir and Vicomte le Fop would be settled down in an inn of some description, no doubt trying and failing to remain relaxed or calm. Nadir would be trying to talk Erik into a mellow state of mind, his voice low and urgent and just bordering on frustration, and Erik would be pacing irritably, his murderous glinting stare enough to silence the moaning and whingeing of the third man, Raoul. Pali found himself smiling to think of it, the three of them, and how he now knew all their little ways and tempers and personalities. It struck him then, quite suddenly, that when Erik did take Christine and flee into the night, back to Paris, that he would have no time to say a long goodbye or promise a rendezvous. It would be the end of their fateful second encounter- the end of a friendship, most likely forever, and Pali felt infinitely sad to consider that he might never see Erik and his amiable companions ever again.
The thought of Christine, the poor girl, brought Pali's mind back to the very reason he had decided not to give into the temptation of sabotage. The girl had been grey faced and silent all day, sick with worry and not talking to anyone, her eyes filled with anxiety and terror. He hadn't spoken to her, for fear of working her into a frenzy with the news of what he had been charged to do, but he had seen her several times- huddled into the corner of the tent as she ignored everyone, closing her eyes and massaging her temples with shaking hands, retching over a bucket as her fear expressed itself physically. Even if Erik, the stubborn fool, refused to acknowledge what was blatantly obvious, it didn't mean that Pali had to be so blind- it was clear that Christine Daae was besotted with her Erik, and was so desperate to be with him and escape the clan that Pali could not bring himself to do anything but help the plan thunder onwards successfully.
Of course, reaching such a decision meant that he had every right to feel terrified as he eventually came to the closed door of Emilian's caravan in the heart of the camp, his hands sweating and his head reeling with all the dreadful considerations of what he would have to do if Emilian did turn down this offer, if the plan did grind to a halt. It would make things complicated and dangerous...most of all for him.
He hovered uncertainly outside the rickety wooden door, hopping from foot to foot as he detailed just how he was supposed to enter and create the best impression- clutched in his right hand was a clay jug of expensive wine, purchased by the Vicomte on the suggestion that the bastard was more likely to be open to their words if flattered with presents or just plain drunk. It would take a lot to get the sadist so drunk he would agree to a plan that went against everything he so wanted, but Pali only had to sniff the wine to know it was potent and well suited to the challenge ahead. But the wine in his grip did not help him in the matter of how to enter the caravan- with Emilian, even coming into his presence in the wrong way would be enough to achieve instant disapproval.
Perhaps the Erik attitude was required here- bracing himself, Pali seized the door handle and shoved it open, storming inside and trying not to tremble as he looked around the messy interior, starting to sweat as his eyes came into contact with the furious glare of Emilian, who was sprawled on a mess of colourful cushions and smoking something that made Pali's eyes water.
"Pali." Emilian intoned darkly, his voice a little less sharp than expected- the drugs he smoked had obviously started to have an effect, and luckily it seemed to act in their favour. His dark, evil eyes scanned the intruder, widening a little in surprise as they locked onto the clay jug. Sensing a gift, his defences relaxed and the glare melted into a cool, easy grin, a simple gesture beckoning Pali to come closer and sit down. "Bearing gifts, I see?"
"Oh, yes, some wine- I went into town, just to look around our new surroundings, and I thought to bring you some after I tried it. It is very appealing." Pali fought to keep his tone natural, trying not to breathe in too much of the choking smoke that was billowing around the sadistic leader.
Emilian threw back his head and laughed at Pali and his timid gesture, taking the wine jug eagerly and gulping down a good amount of the liquid with a ferocity that made him resemble a starving dog, leaving Pali rooted to the spot and staring in disgusted fascination at how a human being could be so very repulsive. The wine must have pleased him though, for another smile appeared on the wicked face, and a large amount of the wine was sloshed into a wooden goblet and handed to Pali- it was the closest he would get to civilised welcoming of company, and Pali quickly took it, not wanting to ruin this excellent mood he had found Emilian in.
He had to stop himself from staring hatefully at his leader, who reclined on his cushions and waved his arms around like a king on a throne. Pali bit back the bitter thoughts and smiled pleasantly instead, feeling nauseous already.
"So, Pali, why did you go on a pointless wonder into town?" Emilian asked amiably, drinking yet another huge portion of the wine- at this rate, he would be helpfully senseless. "We only arrived today- surely you had no cause to leave?"
There was, of course, a hint of suspicion in his voice, the very same paranoia that had lead to Christine suffering a beating and almost worse- Pali instantly felt it, like the prick of a hundred needles of ice on his spine, that he was already treading perilous ground before even trying to breach the subject he needed to bring up. He waited for a moment, desperately trying to decide if he should continue, or wait until the paranoia had ceased, but then he decided that he should just plough on and hope that the wine truly had mollified Emilian and satisfied his suspicions.
"I'm glad you asked, for it's an interesting tale. I heard about a tempting offer on our progress down here, so as soon as we arrived I went straight into town to find if it was too good to be true. Well, I was delighted to find that the gossip was in fact truth. I've thus told the man who was boasting this deal that our clan would love to strike up a bargain with his theatre." Pali announced as if it were nothing, just another inconsequential tale, and he quickly leaned forwards to pour yet more of the strong wine for the gypsy sat opposite from him, who already looked furious.
"And why exactly would you do such a thing, without consulting the clan and your leader, myself? Do you consider yourself better than your brothers and sisters of the gypsy blood, Pali, is that it?" he demanded hotly, his voice surprisingly venomous. "I don't suppose you're aware that there is strange business occurring within the depths of our clan, our tribe? There are strange stirrings in the order- people jostling for power that is not theirs to take! How long, Pali, until this conspiracy and plotting materialises in an act to oust me as leader?!"
"Emilian!" Pali exclaimed, some of the shock in his voice honest- he had not realised just how seriously his leader had taken the uneasy feeling stirring in the camp. It was no secret that many of the gypsies were unhappy that their beast of a leader had returned, or that many were unhappy with the return to the old barbaric ways, but surely Emilian knew that no one was brave enough to actually challenge his authority? He was far more cautious than Pali remembered, and he saw how Emilian- flushed and enraged- fiddled with his collar and shifted the material to one side, exposing the rough scar tissue that was so infamous amongst the tribe. The proof that their leader truly had been involved in a near deadly fight with a young gentleman. Perhaps that incidence had well and truly removed Emilian's cockiness. Pali did not truthfully care- so long as he accepted the deal, and the plan went ahead, it did not matter. "Why do you sound so accusing? You have not even heard of what the deal consists of yet, and trust me, you will understand just why I was so eager to secure it. My actions were only ever intended to help the clan- besides, you know my loyalty to you is unwavering, after all the time we spent together as children."
Emilian merely grunted and took another long drink of the depleting supply of wine, his actions far more lethargic and his eyes duller than before- the alcohol was starting to take effect. His eyes, however, were still troubled, and it seemed to Pali that his sadistic leader had been thinking the very same thing in regards to his loyalty.
Or maybe not.
"Your loyalty has not been consistent, Pali, never mind your intention! Do you not recall the incident with our young singer- you seem to dance to her tune above all other orders, despite the hierarchy. You send her love letters for her, you defend her impatience, you suffer blows for her and yet I am certain you, you who is so unusually happy with your single partner Rose, have never had our angelic singer in your bed even once! And this is where my confusion comes from, Pali- if dear little Christine is not giving you the greatest pleasure a man could hope for, nightly, then why oh why are you doing her bidding so willingly?!" Emilian muttered in exasperated tones, clearing demonstrating his barbarians mind, thinking that aiding a women could only come in return for seizing her company and forcing pleasure from her unwilling body.
It made Pali think immediately back to that night, that dreadful night, when he had found Christine so distraught and bloodied, how he had feared that the beastly Emilian really had violated her in the worst possible way, rather than stopping after beating her bloody. He hated Emilian for that act more than anything, because Christine was not a gypsy, or a teasing seductress- she was a vulnerable, helpless girl whose shining personality deserved better than to be bogged down with all this sordid filth. She, of all women, did not deserve to be tainted by the wandering, filthy hands of Emilian.
"I know the value of the girl, I meant only to maintain her and keep that value- besides, she is insane, and that insanity made me curious and wary. She has no memories, is a recluse, an introvert...the fact that she arrived at the camp the same day you disappeared made me fascinated with her. I am still curious." Pali reasoned swiftly, seeing Emilian's eyes flicker with realisation that he had been given the chance to speak of the past. His numbed, drunkard state made him seize the invitation to pour his blackened heart out all too gladly.
Pali settled back against the cushions and even took a sip of wine, his persuasive mission forgotten for now as he instead went diving for details regarding the missing part of the story that they had yet to piece together.
"It started out as nothing more than a drunken whim, you know, Pali. Myself and a few other men were drinking in a bar, and it was in that bar that I won Christine Daae from a young gentleman. He had come stumbling in, carrying her as she bled all over him, her head smashed open, and we laughed at him as he sobbed and sagged in weary relief. He was pathetic- a Vicomte, I believe he said, and a typical member of the aristocracy of course; rich, bigoted, fond of cards and alcohol and also completely gullible. Once he had dumped his injured woman in an upstairs room, we invited him over, bought him some drinks, challenged him to cards. We managed to get all the wealth he carried on him in just two games. Drunken fool." Emilian spat with disgust, not realising the irony of his slurred statement, cursing the man as he supped at his own jug of red wine.
"So, he bet you the girl?" Pali probed, reminding him to keep telling the tale, and Emilian laughed in disbelief.
"No, of course not. He wasn't that stupid as to bet her. But the drink had loosened his tongue, and it turned out he had quite a lot to say. He told us all about the fact that his girl was a world famous soprano, Christine Daae, and that he'd just won her back from some kidnapping stunt from his rival, a masked man who had haunted them at the Parisian opera, a master of illusion and trickery and trapdoors. He boasted that this masked man, called the Phantom of the Opera, was obsessed with sweet Christine and that he would do anything to get her back." Emilian's voice had gone quiet and low with anger. "He passed out soon afterwards and I sent the boys to fetch the girl and take her back into camp- Christine Daae, world famous soprano, worth so much money and more."
Pali had frozen into place, unable to speak in response to what his gypsy master was saying. The slurred words, no matter how insensible, were still bitter and furious with hate and loathing as he recalled the details of this masked man. He felt a strange falling sensation in the pit of his stomach, suddenly realising that all he had feared, all he had known would happen, was happening and he had no way to stop it. Gods teeth, Emilian had done it this time. For all his disgusting habits and evil acts he certainly was devilishly clever- too clever. Even clever down to the fact he knew he was safe to take a world famous soprano- for no one would ever look at the ragged girl in a gypsy clan and believe that she was Christine Daae. Only one person would know who she was, and Emilian, the clever, evil bastard, had known. Dear God, he had known all along-!
"The Vicomte's drunken tale had struck a chord within me, a chord I did not realise until the morning, when I finished collecting my supplies for the camp and was attacked by the young man in the middle of the street as he screamed at me to give his Christine back- if he'd had any sense he would have realised that the clan was only a mile into the woods. He got nowhere with me, Pali- although his dagger grazed my neck, it was I who knocked him unconscious and left him bleeding in the street, filthy scum." He paused, his voice sounding hollow again, as if the memories were painful. "I had seized Christine Daae for money, for her talent, but then the chord that had been struck seemed to appear to me as I stood over that bloodied Vicomte. A masked man, Pali, a masked man! A man skilled in magic and illusion, a man who was supernaturally talented, with an angels voice and a face from the devil! The beast who killed my father had been revealed to me at long last, his presence and existence uncovered, and I had his precious little Christine in my grip! All it would take would be to go to Paris, to lure out the wretch with the tales of what I had done to Christine, and he would be all mine to wreak pure hellish torture upon for what he had done to me! You asked why Christine Daae is important Pali- she is the answer to my endless years of blood thirst and anger! She will lure out my masked fiend, the Devils Child whose blood I am owed! You wonder why I became so enraged with her sending silly little notes, love letters- she might have been writing to him, Pali! He could be close! I can almost sense it! He was not in Paris, he was no-where, so he must be coming to her- to me! She will lure him out and when he does show his ugly face, his blood will be mine at last!"
Pali turned and retched, feeling so overcome with fear and the dumb realisation that he thought he might burst into horrific tears. Emilian was so fired up, he barely noticed.
"Why do you think I made sure to write to those I trusted most, to tell them to place her in a singing act, dressed up as an Angel, if not to lure out my Devil? Why do you think I bothered to ensure she remained pure and retained some dignity, if not to ensure that the Phantom would still want her?! Why did you think I was so overjoyed to hear that she had total memory loss, so would likely scream and alert someone if approached by a strange masked man whom she did not know?! It has all been to get him, Pali! It has all been to get his blood all over my hands, to taste that stinking blood, at last!"
Emilian suddenly seemed to realise how much he had revealed, his gaze uncertain and his eyes clouded with his drunken stupor. Pali forced himself to choke back the bile which had risen to his throat and simply get on with the deal, hurrying it so that he could get out of that festering caravan and tell Erik and Nadir everything as soon as possible.
"Christine Daae can earn us that good profit now." He said, his voice hoarse and his whole body shaking with the need to run and get out of this mad place. "The deal in town- it was a theatre, an advertisement, a 50/50 deal on ticket sales in return for one nights performance- I suggested Christine to him."
"50/50 for one night? Are you quite sure, Pali?" Emilian slurred, torn between sceptical caution and elated disbelief. The caravan interior had started to spin slowly, his stomach lurching, so Pali nodded and clutched at his stomach, hoping that he didn't disgrace himself and demonstrate his terror in the foulest of ways.
"It is a clever money making scheme, one that works. His theatre is popular enough as it is, so he can afford to take gambles and thus assess what the public likes, so that he is the first to start the new trend in shows. The contract is one night, so he doesn't lose his reputation, but manages to make enough of a profit from the fact he can sell it as a one night only opportunity." Pali garbled the rehearsed lines that Erik had drummed into him, rushing them, trying to get out as soon as possible. "It is win win situation Emilian- we earn good money, and it is just one night. I think we should take it."
"It does sound interesting, Pali...very interesting, and such a good scheme." The gypsy looked mildly surprised and undoubtedly impressed. "When would this one night performance occur? I want to move on from here soon- it is only a temporary stop-"
"The night after tomorrow." Pali cut him off desperately, nervous joy bubbling through the terror. Emilian looked surprised to hear how soon it would be, but the temptation of money had him hooked, and he gave a drunken nod and slumped back against the cushions, taking a great swig from the clay jug and then putting his hand to his head, which was no doubt already pounding. Pali waited, feeling sickened and perilously close to screaming with joyous frustration. The plan would be all set to go ahead, even Emilian having been won over, but now there was this very real threat to consider.
"I agree to this deal of yours. Prepare the girl, and do not even think about leaving the camp again- you have a lot of work to do, Pali, so don't let me down." He said darkly, and Pali felt his heart clutch- he would have to tell them about this as soon as he could, but clearly it wasn't going to be tonight. He stumbled up, preparing to leave at last and escape to the darkness of his tent, but Emilian's drunken musings held him there for a little while longer. "It's funny, Pali. Our childhood was haunted by that Devil's Child, in that cage, like a beast. My father knew an attraction when he saw one- he was a great man, a brilliant man. I don't suppose you ever think of that Devils Child, that loathsome gargoyle, do you Pali? You don't have reason to...to consider him...that...that blight...on our childhood..."
Emilian lapsed into an inebriated slumber, snoring and drooling in the most disgusting, animalistic fashion, and Pali stood over him, trembling with rage and disgust.
"That is where you are wrong, you foul creature. I do think of him, that Devils Child, that poor incarcerated child, enslaved and beaten and put in a cage by your barbaric father. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think of him, and not a day when I don't regret how I stood by and did nothing, nothing at all. He is far your superior, you drunken scum, and he will send you crashing down and I will laugh as you fall- I would gladly kill you with my own hands, just to ensure that he wins and you fall." Pali paused, his whispered rant faltering. "He is the Devils Child, but children cannot help who their parents are. But you...you are the Devil himself, and that is entirely your own doing."
And with that, he departed the caravan and the snoring gypsy, already despairing over the disaster he now knew was set to come.