Sara was at the door of the Opera Populaire just after the morning papers had been delivered. They'd been collected from the stoop, so surely someone was already inside.
Trying the latch, finding it open she wandered inside. She'd been in the foyer years ago when her husband was still alive. Even in its' present state, it was still astoundingly grand and beautiful. Sara wasn't quite sure where the office of administration would be, but guessed it was behind the stairs, so she proceeded there, calling out a faint inquiry. "Hello…is there anyone here? Hello….." She wandered through several charred dressing rooms, a room that was likely for props. The further she moved the more intense the damage became so she retreated to the foyer again, scratching at her head beneath her cap.
"May I help you?" A short man with a full head of curly gray hair said approaching her. "We are closed now, and are not looking to hire…" Sara interrupted. "No, I am not looking for employment, I'm an innkeeper, I'd had Madame Giry and her daughter staying with me since the, since the…." She stopped.
"Yes, yes, what is it that you want?" he said a bit agitatedly. "Well, I've come to see about their present address, as I know Madame Giry left the information with her employers, and I.." the man interrupted her "yes, we have the address but it is of little business for an innkeeper as she will be gone for several months" he turned walking back up the stairs.
"No, I'm quite afraid that she's forgotten some of her things at my inn, some delicate items I'm sure she'll miss very soon." The man sighed disgustedly as his ire grew. "Very well then. I'll have a messenger bring the information to you after I've discussed it with the Patron." He turned on his heels marching back up the stairs and disappearing down the hall.
Sara stood in the foyer alone again. "So this is what all the fuss is about?" she thought to herself, shaking her head. She walked back across the street to her inn. She hoped the messenger wouldn't be too long, she'd want to employ a hansom before noon if she'd have any hope in catching them.
XXXXX
Nadir slowly approached from the rear of the inn, keeping a safe distance as he searched the perimeter with his eyes. Surely the horse would give away the man's position as it would be out of place in a thicket or wood so close to someone's property.
Nadir decided to rest his beast and continue on foot. Knowing the woods would be full of wolves and the like, he walked his horse to the fence, throwing a heavy blanket over the barbs on the wire, he pushed it down with his foot, guiding his somewhat hesitant horse over it, lashing him lightly to the nearest tree. A good pat on his side, Nadir retrieved a jug of water and a bag of oats before moving into the dense trees behind his sister's inn.
He'd not traveled far before he could hear faint rustling of the fallen autumn leaves that hadn't been touched by the winter snows. The canopy of trees here were so thick it almost made this part impervious; seemingly escaping even mother-nature's hand. Nadir drew the gun from his belt as he moved stealthily toward where he had heard the sound. He was quite adept at traveling quietly, having been a military man himself. Having fought side-by-side with Erik countless times, he knew of many tactics to stalk one's prey, catching them unaware.
In ten minutes time he was beside the man's horse beneath the pine. Equestrian training had prepared Nadir well to subdue the horse before it's neighing could betray his presence. Nadir quietly approached the large blanket that lay beneath the tree. Alas the bed was empty.
The morning light grew brighter in the distance beyond the trees, drawing Nadir's attention to the movement that lay a hundred yards ahead of him. Straining to see what it might be, he could barely perceive the outline of a man in a cloak. Nadir lowered his head, pulling in his own tightly about him, so it might not snag or disturb anything as he began. The hunt was on, and he'd not stop until his appetite was satisfied.
XXXX
Joseph had returned with the horseshoe, the horse now shod, a pair of extra shoes in his kit, and the happy news that the blacksmith's wife had delivered not one but a pair of healthy boys. He busied himself readying the carriage, reaffixing the harnesses and the like. The officers were dressed and watching on as the stable boys finished a light grooming of their horses.
Joseph's mind wandered to the day ahead. He wondered if the officers were now heading back to Paris, or if they intended to follow them on to the next inn. His thoughts were interrupted by the first officer who approached from behind, he jumped a foot.
"Good man, I'd dare say you're a bit jumpy this morning!" Joseph smiled back at him, "just anticipating the ride sir…so….what are your intentions…are you heading back to Paris this morning?" "We've just been discussing that very issue. We were instructed to accompany this family to their original destination and then return by mid-day today. If we are to now continue on, we will be out of our usual duty, and not having opportunity to arrange a messenger to inquire with Monsieur DeChagny, we feel we must return to Paris….that is if you feel sufficiently secure that you shan't be needing our protection."
Joseph smiled wickedly to himself, blanking his face before turning to address the officer. "I do say that it has been a fairly uneventful trip thus far, I cannot imagine there would be anything unusual from this point forward…the most excitement will likely rise from the landscape, as I fear this road is fairly mundane."
The officer smiled, having elicited the response he hoped for. His men being anxious to return to retrieve their reward, and to dine with Monsieur DeChagny at the Starboard as planned this evening.
"Then it is all agreed. We shall see you off, and then head back to Paris." Joseph nodded. "I must say I'll miss the good competition at cards this evening though!" The officer laughed as he walked back to his men, nodding at them.
Joseph was relieved. By mid-day he'd be off on his way, a bit lighter load than that he'd been carrying before. Yes, this was the last one, he'd promised himself before retiring last night.
XXX
Erik calmed himself enough to finish repacking the few things he'd taken out. He and Christine passed each other in silence in the very same room that beheld their fiery passions not twelve hours before. Christine wanting to allow Erik time to collect his thoughts, Erik wanting to give Christine time to accept his apology. The hansom was ready and waiting downstairs.
XXXX
Meg and Madame Giry were packed, their luggage at the door, and were cheerfully conversing with Claire in the foyer. "Thank you for your hospitality last evening. It was most pleasant and considerate of you as we certainly were unexpected guests." Madame Giry said to Claire as she sipped on a cup of hot tea. Claire smiled at her, no realization that Madame Giry knew of the events of the previous evening, or the gun she'd entrusted to Christine. "It was my pleasure" Claire said.
They turned as they heard a shuffle on the stairs. Stephan and Elizabeth stood at the top, looking like they might topple down the flight with their canes. Meg scampered up the stairs, taking the traveling bags in her hands and bringing them to the bottom before returning to offer her assistance to them one by one.
Soon the group gathered at the back door of the Inn, exchanging formal words of thanks as they made their way to the side of the carriage. The officers were all mounted on their horses, looking rather regal and dignified, two on either side of the carriage. The site of the officers comforted the foursome as they walked toward the carriage. It would be difficult for anyone to breech such security, Erick let out a small relieved breath.
Joseph helped first Meg, then Madame Giry, and next Elizabeth into the carriage. Erik stood outside the carriage, rearranging his coat, and extending his cane toward the door.
A sudden scream came from behind them, making both he and Joseph whirl around. A man came rushing out from the side of the house, a gun in one hand, and a large piece of crumpled paper in the other. "I am here to take this beast back to Paris where he is wanted on charges of murder!"
Erik's heart leapt in his chest as the officers on horses began to move around frantically, each having drawn their weapon. Both Erik and Joseph began to back up moving closer and closer to the side of the carriage. The man shouted out again "he's a murderer, he must be brought to justice, blood of many are on his head!" The first officer approached the man, weapon drawn as he retrieved the crumpled paper from the his hand, returning to the others that had now gathered in a small group in front of the horses attached to the carriage.
Neither Joseph nor Erik moved. Erik's mind reeled as he thought of the promise he had made to Christine just moments ago. He'd promised to protect her, to keep her from harm, now she would surely watch as his life was taken from him, something no wife should have to endure, but he could not save her from even this fate.
He worked himself slowly, but ever closer to the side of the carriage. His sword was in its' belly, but he didn't know if he could retrieve it before he'd be shot dead…or even if it made sense to do it now, for what good would it do? Joseph moved ever closer to Erik, the purpose was not evident to Erik, perhaps it was the man's fear, or instinct?
The triangle stood in a stale mate as the officers studied the paper, looking back at the men standing next to the carriage. "Is it true?" one officer yelled out. Erik stood motionless, he'd admit to nothing, he'd give them no satisfaction.
In the distance could be heard stamping boots, everyone turned toward where they could hear the noise. "Stop that man, he's…." just as Nadir appeared from the side of the house, Joseph grabbed Erik about the neck, sticking a sharp object into his side. Erik could tell the man's skill as the knife was positioned just over his liver, and a blow there would surely kill him. Erik was confused, thinking that even now his hansom had been part of the plan. Erik struggled slightly as the knife pierced the first layers of his clothes and now rested on his skin.
Erick caught site of Nadir just as he drew his weapon aiming it at Joseph, pulling the trigger. At that precise moment Joseph pushed Erik in front of him, three shots rang out. Erik flinched as blood began to spurt from his side, he felt himself going cold. Christine was the last thing that flashed through his mind as he hit the ground, his face now turned as he fell, he could see her leaning out of the carriage, mouth gaping.
He had felt the arms of the man release him as he fell. Now next to him on the ground was Joseph, blood trickling from his mouth, his expression blank, a gaping wound that bled profusely on his back. Erik turned his head back to look at Christine as he lost consciousness, his eyes traveling from her face down to her hand, there in it was what Claire had given to her….he winced as the white light flooded over him, loud ringing filled his mind and everything went black.
Nadir fell to his knees, dropping his pistol to the ground, Claire coming out of the house rushed to his side. "Nadir…what has happened?" A terrified shriek came out of Nadir's throat. "They never even gave…" The first officer had dismounted and was now standing over Nadir. Using his foot, he pushed the pistol just beyond Nadir's grasp.
"Thank you for your assistance, your quick thinking may have spared that poor man's life," he said looking down. "What?" Nadir turned his head up and through bleary eyes tried to make out the officer's face. "But he is on the ground, bleeding…saved his life…" "He's a letch really, saved the crown a bit of sterling you did by putting a swift end to him." The officer smiled and looked at the paper in his hand.
Nadir felt rage growing in him. "That man was.." Nadir's face fell to the piece of crumpled paper that the officer dropped to the ground in front of him. There on the ink stained parchment was a picture. Scrawling below it smudged now, barely legible. "Wanted: Joseph Crawling Alleged crime: Murder and robbery of Francis DePlout and his wife and two daughters. Murder and robbery Frederick Rions, his mother, sister, and nephew. Murder and robbery of Claire Aubury and her maid. Murder mademoiselle Sara DuPrie and her sister Catherine DeMiex. Highest reward for the return of said person, dead or alive." A picture of the man now lying next to Erik was etched above the inscription. Nadir gasped…he hadn't been after Erik after all. He lowered his head to the ground and began to weep bitterly.
There on the ground lay three men. One dead, one bleeding, one with a leg broken clean through from the bullet that had come from the house. One would be buried that day, the other mended, the last…his life held in a precarious balance, the pull of this world and the shadow of the next both staking claim to his soul.
Author's Notes:
Yikes, I know a couple of you would like to strangle me right now…but please understand….
Captain Oblivious: Yes it is amazing sometimes how small the world actually is! We are all spinning around on this singular sphere together, some lives intertwined, some not, but we are all in this together! Nobody gets out alive…not even people that live only in our minds….. Now I've gone and gotten all nostalgic….another bad habit of mine I'm afraid. Please forgive my recent dive into the world of blood…it was as inevitable as death itself!
CrayAnn: Right now I'm sure you're pounding the top of your computer, wishing you knew where I lived! I promise you, do not give up hope…I am not a fatalist…. Perhaps all will be forgiven in the morning…..
Squishmich: Welcome to the family! I have no idea how long it will be before you happen upon this reply, so I'll date it for you 7-7-5. I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and follow along with us as we ride this sometimes bumpy roller-coaster!