Erik reached out lifting one of Christine's curls, leaning over he kissed her shoulder. She was lying on her side looking up into his eyes. Erik had propped himself up on one elbow, lying down didn't agree with his cough.
"Yes, there is a story behind the piano, but how did you know of it?" Erik smiled, somehow no longer feeling threatened by her inquisitiveness. He'd found a soul he could trust with everything, though he may spare her some things that were too horrible to repeat, and too painful to remember.
Christine looked up at him, a brief flicker of worry in her eye. Erik leaned down kissing her cheek. "Do not worry Christine." She smiled at him sweetly.
"I was admiring it, while you were gone….trying to imagine in my mind you sitting at it playing so beautifully as you had the night before." Christine blushed. "The maid saw me looking at it admiringly, and that is when she told me that you'd rescued it from tragedy…or something of that nature. It truly is a beautiful piano Erik."
Erik smiled at Christine, lowering his lips once more to the curved edge of her shoulder, placing a delicate kiss there. Christine smiled up at him with such innocent eyes. He'd seen them before, when she would listen to his stories. Then he was still an angel in her mind. Now, she could focus on his eyes, touch his flesh as he spoke, it was all very different now, yet she still had the innocent eyes of a child whenever he told her of a new story…perhaps she always would.
"It was a very long time ago." Erik sighed. Not an irritated sigh, but a relaxed happy sigh. A sigh that one does when they are content, and would rather be no where other than where they are. He continued, "not long after I acquired this house in fact." Erik said raising his eyebrow. A memory that he could recall with such clarity, and it contained no malice, so he could recall it with pleasure. Christine settled into her pillow, running her hand along Erik's chest as he began to speak. He smiled down at her.
"I'd been traveling along this road, as I'd done many times before on my way to pay a visit to Nadir. I traveled then by the dark of night. The reason for which is most obvious. It was then that I noticed a glow, a rather unusual large glow off in the distant forest. I knew well that there were many small villages not far from there, several that had been nearly abandoned for some months as hunger had driven those that lived there off to find a more hospitable environment. The wildlife had been greatly diminished by disease that had swept through the season before."
Erik looked down at Christine who was listening intently. "They'd every intention of returning once they could no doubt, as they'd left a great deal standing. My curiosity grew the closer I ventured to the glow. The village had been on fire for what appeared to be a long while, several houses charred to the ground. The last building to have caught fire was the church. It was a humble one, but lay at the center of their village, a position of importance. There would be no stopping the blaze, one man could not begin to do so alone. I knew they would be greatly saddened when they returned to find their buildings gone. I ventured ever closer until I was certain that their was none there to bare witness to it. I moved into the church, in hopes of removing the small cross and bell that stood in the tower above the steeple. If at least I could spare them this, they could rebuild the structure."
Erik looked down at Christine. He'd not often spoken of deeds he'd done that were altruistic, but in this case, he'd had to make an exception. For what other plausible reason would he have gone into the church? "When I'd entered the church, I found it mostly intact, and made my way swiftly to the bell tower, removing the items and lowering them to the ground by rope." Erik sighed.
"It was when I was coming down to leave that I saw it over in the corner, covered in a thick soot soaked sheet. I knew instinctively what it was. It had been at the center of where the flames first entered and had been lashed by the peels of fire that had swept in and moved on to the curtains. Fire is a curious thing, sometimes leaving things intact and completely consuming others. I'd gone to it and found it to be easily moved…well, it wasn't long and I'd opened the church doors wide, of course feeding the monster that roared inside, and pushed the piano out of the door. I took it, and the cross and bell to the edge of the town, covering it with damp branches of pine. If the fire did reach that far the forest was in danger, and nothing would be spared. In the absence of a wagon, and extra men, it was all I could do for them."
Christine reached up and touched Erik's face. He looked rather like a man who'd found a lost treasure, but knew it was not his own. He shook his head. "I waited there the night, and nothing came, save the rain, extinguishing the languishing fire until it was but a smolder. It seemed God had intervened. I left that small village, and would not come back for several months."
Christine smiled at Erik to encourage him. "How is it then that it found its way here?"
Erik exhaled, lifting yet another curl from Christine's neck, putting it delicately behind her head. He leaned down sliding his fingers through the long tresses of her hair along the curve of her neck until his hand came to rest behind her head. Slowly he pulled it to his lips, placing a kiss on her forehead. He smiled as he leaned away. Just gazing upon her face in the glow of the fire was a pleasure to him.
"It was on my way back to Paris that out of curiosity I'd stopped to see what had become of the village. Someone had returned, as many houses had been knocked to the ground and all that remained were stone bases where the houses had been. The church had been entirely knocked to the ground, and the contents removed. Whoever had done the work had taken the charred pews from the church and thrown them in a heap on top of the piano. It looked as if they'd intended to burn the lot of it, but had for whatever reason abandoned the job, as moss grew over the pews. Thankfully they'd taken the bell and cross. I know not whatever became of the people of that village, or why it had never been reoccupied." Erik paused thoughtfully as if he could see the leveled village in his mind.
"I returned with a wagon and retrieved the piano, and several of the pews. I brought them to Courtland Manor where they were refinished with great care. The pews no doubt you found in the study there. Oh, somewhat shortened of course as they'd had to remove the parts too damaged to save, but they are pews of the same church I can assure you." Erik smiled down at Christine.
"So what is it that brought the piano here and not to Courtland Manor?"
Erik smiled as he ran his finger along her jaw. "I've no need for two pianos in one household my dear, and the one at Courtland Manor too has a story, though not as adventurous as this one!"
Christine smiled. "It must have taken a great deal to restore such a beautiful piece."
Erik nodded, "yes, yes, I'm certain it did." He leaned down kissing Christine's shoulder once again. "When something is damaged it does not mean it is beyond rescue." Erik's eyes glistened. Christine did not have to ask, she knew what was meant by his words.
Lifting her head slightly, she reached for Erik's lips. He slid his hands beneath her as he took her up into his arms. He shan't ever tire of sharing his love with this woman. One never knew how many days one would be given on the face of this earth, so one must love as if it was their last day, and pray and believe that there would be many more.
The fire in the hearth warmed the room. Erik and Christine lay together for a long while. The dinner hour had come and gone now, but neither cared…it would wait, love could not.
XXXXXXXX
The mercantile was swarming. The humidor had been nearly emptied; the smoking room was brimming and overflowing with gentlemen. The shelves had been well stocked, but now even the storeroom supplies were dwindling. Comfort items such as liquors and candies had been all but entirely depleted. Other supplies such as candles, and fabrics had also been in great demand. The tables in the tiny sitting area were full, and pots of tea could barely be brewed fast enough to keep up with the demand. The bakery case had been emptied long ago, and the merchant's wife and daughter had been baking cookies in their own kitchen to provide that which was wanted.
The merchant sat down on the stool behind the counter, a temporary lull provided a tiny break so that he might be off his feet, if but for only a moment. He didn't know if he was more fatigued from the labors of the day, or of the chatter about this new mystery man. Of course the conversations had started with the most important topic, the rescue and subsequent death of the "town pest" as he'd heard so many bitterly say. Gentleman, noble, hero…all adjectives used to describe him.
What tired him most were the speculations that followed. As conversations wore on, they attempted to guess why he'd come to town, what he was running from, running to, and what right he'd had to chastise the people at the inn. They spoke scandalously of his much younger wife, and why he valued his privacy so. They wondered of his wealth, his friends, and nearly every other aspect of one's life that would normally be private.
That was the unflattering side of a small city, everyone seemed to feel that the lives, private and otherwise, of all the citizens should be available for their scrutiny, even though their own lives were often less than exemplary.
The shopkeeper finally departed behind the curtain to his back office. He needed a reprieve. Gossip…it was like breathing tongues of fire. It was an unfeeling beast. Uncaring as to who or what it harmed along its path to be spread.
It was a normal course of events that after such a storm, the mercantile would keep its doors open until the last of the men and women made their way out of their own volition. This night would be no different the shopkeeper supposed. He and his family would have a rather short respite after the guests left. They'd have to tidy up in the wake of such an influx. The morrow would bring business as usual, or as usual as it could be, present circumstances considered.
The innkeeper shivered as the door opened once more. Peering out from behind the thick black curtain that hung by brass rings on a pole high in the arch of the doorway that separated his office from the insanity that lay just beyond it. He sighed heavily. It was Sebastian and Pyotr. He'd rather hoped cynically, they'd perished in the storm. Though he knew in an instant that his thoughts were malevolent, he felt little remorse over them. There was something about those men he simply did not trust, and he'd become a fairly good judge of character over the years.
He watched with a wary eye as the men walked with purposeful directness towards him. It was obvious that they were not interested in the smoking room today, nor were they there for provisions. They'd have some sort of business on their mind. He sighed once more as they bobbed and weaved through the swarms of bodies that occupied the mercantile, making their way over to the counter in front of the room where he now hid.
"Good Evening gentlemen, what is it that I might do for you?" the shopkeeper said, appearing from behind the curtain as if on cue. Though they were anything but gentlemen in his mind, he'd not lower himself to the standards of their behavior. He'd treat them with respect, though they didn't deserve it.
Sebastian pulled a bundle of letters from beneath his cloak. "We've need to send several posts. Pray do tell of me of the schedule for the next courier that is due?"
The shopkeeper looked at the men in near disbelief. "A post?" He nearly laughed, they were certainly as ignorant and simpleton as they appeared. "There'll be no post sir, not likely for days. Nor messengers, nor anything of the sort. There will be no travel unless one has a sleigh, and even that is no guarantee as the snow begins to melt."
The men looked at each other, whispering between them. "Have you a sleigh, one for purchase good sir?"
The shopkeeper smiled at them, even if he had one to sell, he doubted that he'd sell it to the likes of them…even if it were the last thing between he and starvation. "No sleighs here sir. Perhaps you might inquire at an Inn, oft times they have one for use by their guests."
"That is an excellent suggestion." Pyotr exclaimed, they would look into it. The men turned and wandered past the smoking room. It was entirely too full for their taste. Then they were on their way out the door They'd no need to stay there. It provided nothing for them, and they never found want to become too familiar with anyone in that city…it made their business dealings much easier that way.
The shopkeeper sighed again, rubbing at the back of his neck. A fatigue had begun to set in. He wished at this moment he did have a sleigh. He'd not mind finding his way to the gentleman's house to thank him personally for his unselfishness. It had been a grand act of kindness, even if he'd not want to be praised for it. Further more, to warn him. Warn him about the pettiness of a city so charmed by itself that it had need for fresh gossip. The shopkeeper neither had want to know why the man had come, nor need to know. A man's business was his own. It was a splendid refreshment that a man of character had arrived. For the town needed a savior, and Lady C needed an allie.
XXXXX
Nicole had been working for a good while before the doctor found her. He was shaking his head. "You should be resting Nicole, this is neither the time to be brave, nor put on a stiff lip." He took the potato and knife from her hand leading her to the sink to wash her hands. He'd already found and removed her mother from the laundry.
Nicole dried her hands and was led by the doctor to the room by the grand hearth. He sat her down, and found a place across from the both of them. Nicole sat next to her mother, leaning over she put her head lightly on her mother's shoulder.
"Dear ladies, let me first extend to you my condolences. I had hoped that I might bring some healing to your grandmother, but fate, it seems, had other plans. Though the woman was beyond the hands of men, it brings me some comfort to know that both of you were able to join her at the last, I am entirely certain it made the passage much easier for her. I want to assure you, upon examination, your grandmother would not have survived long, nor if she had, would she have had use of her legs. The large shard of glass, no doubt from a broken window, severed too much of her."
Nicole squirmed a bit. It was no doubt that this physician had little experience with uneducated masses. She sincerely hoped that he'd not go into more graphic detail.
"I want to assure you that nothing that I could have done, you could have done, Monsieur Courtland could have done, that would have produced a different outcome." He looked down rubbing his hands together. "Your mother, grandmother," he said looking between her mother and Nicole, "has made her way to the undertaker."
The doctor flinched, he knew, from what the innkeeper had told him, these were women of pride, and would likely not take well what he would next say. "The man, Monsieur Courtland insisted on taking care of the arrangements."
Nicole's mother furrowed her brow, "of what things do you speak?"
The doctor reached out touching her shoulder. "Taking care of the arrangements. He's insisted, and given note to his intentions to be delivered with her."
Nicole's lip began to tremble. She had wondered, worried, how she and her mother would ever pay for a proper burial for her grandmother. They'd barely been making their expenses each month, very little had ever been saved.
Nicole's mother looked at her daughter, "we musn't…we cannot allow…"
Nicole reached out covering her mother's hand. "Mother, I know…I understand…but how else are we to manage? It is most generous…and perhaps he will allow us to repay him…"
Her mother was shaking her head, "no, we should be beholden to no one…owe no one…"
The doctor smiled slightly, the innkeeper had been right in his estimates. "The Monsieur was quite insistent I'm afraid, whatever arrangements are to be made among you, let it be your business."
Nicole patted her mother's hand reassuringly. If she knew the man at all, there was something she was fairly certain of, and that it would be that he would neither hold this over them, nor even mention it. They would have time…time to figure out how best to repay him.
"Ladies, if you would now permit me, I'd like to examine the both of you." They sat up a bit straighter. Nicole's mother rose following him to a room in the back, leaving Nicole to sit by the fire.
She stared into it, the dancing flames provided comfort both to her body and her mind as she watched as the rising heat pushed the flames too and fro. Life was a bit like that she thought to herself. You can be strong, and as hearty as a blazing flame, and the essence of life would push you about, no matter how well you'd planned.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was the innkeeper. He came to sit next to her on the bench. "Nicole, there is little I can say that would improve your situation. Simply know that you are welcome to stay as long as you like. You shan't worry for work my dear, nor of your pay. Your sum will be the same this week as it was the last." He looked down at the ground. "There have been so many times you've lent a hand without request for compensation my dear, this is the very least I could offer you in return." He smiled at her as she looked up with her heavy eyes. Then he rose and left her yet again alone. She was lost in her thoughts…memories racing before her…she missed her….missed her already.
XXXXX
Nadir and the doctor found themselves at a table in the lower levels of the Opera House. The man that received them had been more than accommodating after reading the letter from the Vicomte. Soon a loaf of bread and two dishes of stew were in front of them, along with a pitcher of ale. Not quite what either of them were accustomed to, but neither complained. It was simple sustenance.
"The man died pitifully, though he did wake at the last, however briefly."
Nadir listened as the doctor concluded his lengthy description of the evening past, and how difficult it had been for his now-grieving widow.
The doctor looked around, shuffling his chair closer to the table, and Nadir. He began in a nervous and strained whisper, "Nadir, it is what the man said last that causes me to venture to Raoul's this night."
Nadir put his spoon down into his stew, leaning closer. "He said that Raoul was next!"
Nadir nearly chocked on his mouth full of ale. He wiped at his face with his napkin, his eyes growing wide.
"Has anyone an idea of where that Crawlings character is?" Nadir felt like the several miles from Paris that he had been at Raoul's was an entire world away.
The doctor replied, "he's not been seen or heard from, and no further treachery on his account has fallen in the City since the murders of the innkeepers, so it is very likely he's fled the City." The doctor looked weary, no doubt from his lack of sleep and worry. "The snow has likely slowed him, wherever he might be, no doubt it has bought us time. If you have no knowledge of his presence at Raoul's, then he is likely far from the City, but we cannot be too careful. I must arrive at Raoul's tonight!"
The doctor was quite adamant. He'd not want to raise concerns, nor draw attention to the situations. Raoul's actions in the distant city where he'd defended Meg were not common knowledge. Crawlings seeking vengeance on Raoul without motive would make no sense, and would certainly raise question among society as to the cause of it. No, he'd deliver this news on his own, no second party to spread rumor. "Nadir, you understand the importance of this discretion do you not?"
Nadir nodded. Oh how he wished he'd not had to stay in Paris and tend to the financial affairs for Sara's final disposition. He'd not want the doctor to travel alone, nor would he want Madame Giry nor Meg to be in harms way if Crawlings was indeed in search of Raoul. For these days, wherever Raoul went, Meg seemed to follow.
Nadir was conflicted. What would happen if he did not pay the man, would he put Sara out into the street? Nadir shook his head, surely he would not. Then he thought, perhaps he could excuse himself from dinner and venture down to the caverns to find something of value…no…it could take hours. He was perplexed.
The doctor looked at him "Nadir? What is it that vexes you?"
Nadir shook his head slightly, "I'm torn. I have obligations which I should tend to here, but I feel it compulsory to accompany you, lest you encounter this man, and truly, Meg's uncle would be most distressed to learn she was in peril and I'd not tended to her."
The doctor nodded. "I see your dilemma." He was a bit relieved to find Nadir may accompany him on his travels to Raoul's. The doctor had hunted hare, and fox, but had never pointed a gun at a man, nor did he know if he could even if it were required to save his own life.
Nadir had not finished his dinner but was already rising from the table. "Good sir, it is most prudent that I accompany you. The affairs of which I speak, can be tended to on the morrow, for surely DeChagny will want to venture into Paris, I can see to them then." The doctor was rising. "No, do finish your supper, I've but one errand to see to before we depart. I shall be back by the top of the hour," Nadir said as he peered at his pocket watch. The doctor did the same. "The driver will come to retrieve us, do be ready, I will join you by the stairs in the foyer." Nadir nodded and departed.
The doctor didn't know quite what to make of this man. He was a foreigner, but had quickly taken up Raoul's concerns as his own. No doubt his loyalties to Meg and Madame Giry extended to those that surrounded them, thus ensuring their happiness. How very fortunate they were to have someone like him to look after them. The doctor sighed, more than a bit relieved. The journey would not be a pleasant one.
Nadir made his way to the back of the Opera House. He was trying to remember what Meg had told him of the location of the dressing room with the mirror. The halls were fairly dark, single lamps here and there, but very few. He opened door after door. Some rooms were finished, a hint of fresh paint in the air, but he'd not found one with a mirror. It was the very last door that he opened, that revealed a room finely appointed, and at the rear wall, a very large, ornate mirror.
Nadir closed the door behind him. He made his way to the mirror, reaching his hand around ever side. He slid his fingers all the way around the mirror but found nothing. He'd bloodied several knuckles before he sat down on the chair. He was exasperated. The mirror had to open somehow! Perhaps the lever was on the other side of the mirror. Meg had said that the mirror was slightly ajar when she'd come to it. Nadir knew there had to be another way to the lower levels though he knew not where…if only Meg were there. He could hardly ask anyone else, as they would wonder of his intentions. Meg knew the Opera House like the back of her own hand.
Nadir scratched at his chin. Perhaps he could send an note to the undertaker, explaining a most urgent situation had arisen, and that he would be there the day after next to settle his account. Nadir did worry though, the man had said that but one more day, prepared or not, the woman would not be allowed to be buried in the City. He closed his eyes. Was it of more honor to protect those that were still living in lieu of paying respect to those now passed? He sighed, putting his elbows on his knees, cradling his head in his hands.
"Forgive me Sara, I'd every intentions of joining you with your husband." Nadir stood, looking at his pocket watch, it was five minutes until the top of the hour. The doctor would be waiting.
He left the room, never having noticed the shadow that had crossed the window just outside. His presence had not been detected, nor had the shadow's. On that account they were dead even, though they'd be in a race for their lives before the sun rose.
Author's Notes:
PhantomsRogue: Before I begin with anything else, let me just say stick to your guns about NOT watching 'American Psycho'. While you'll see plenty of Bale, maybe more than you ever wanted to….the movie is horrific. Maybe I'm just not that much into the horror genre…and I'd be the first to admit that I'm not, I was intrigued by the psychological aspect of such a dark character. The movie does not give much analysis of the depth of his psyche, which is why I watched it. There is too much graphic violence, and it is terribly bad for women…suffice it to say, the movie was more than disturbing, and if your boyfriend wants you to watch it (and he's already see it) I think I'd ask him why.
Now, on to the story. Yes, our dear Sara finally made it to the undertakers, though I'd not have wanted to be Nadir sitting in that creepy little room…I just could imagine the warm, sick smell, and the strange sounds…too creepy for me. Anyway….things are being set, as you so carefully observed, for the next leg of this journey…it too shall have its twists! (Who would have thought otherwise?) LOL!
'Corpse Bride', I am almost ashamed to say that I'm not much of a Tim Burton fan, Yikes dodges flying tomatoes! I know I should see it for the music though. Now, if this doesn't sound strange enough…I am not all that fond of animated things other than those that are pure whimsy, like 'Cinderella', etc. I rather fancy seeing actual actors, and I don't mind digitizing some aspects of a movie. O.K. enough of true confessions. Perhaps I shall see it just for the music!
Le bon jour mon âme-soeur, ma soeur !
Batteredchild: Yes summer is not my favorite either. I don't like being hot…in fact I fantasize about Erik's lake under the Opera House all summer just thinking how delightfully it cool it must have been down there! LOL! I too am fair skinned, so burning is a real issue for me.
Ah yes, Roman and Egyptian history…how very lovely indeed. Though I must say I do favor Roman…having taken Latin, I have a special love for it! My favorite period was the early 300's when Constantine the Great became Emperor… Oh…I probably shouldn't get started…I could talk for hours about Constantinople….
Sorry about the absence of Erik and Christine…I think I had a few sad faces looking at their computer screens last night rather disappointed. I think Erik and Christine must have been sleeping or something. A young couple does need their privacy from time to time! LOL!
Yes, these pesky computers. They are a blessing and a curse…again the whole balance of nature thing…what is wrong without right, blessings without curses.
Have a wonderful evening…and if I could…I'd send you a big frozen tropical snow cone right now…keeping cool and comfy needs to be a priority after all!
PhantomLover05: You are most welcome. It is quite an honor and I think Erik would be proud that our Phamily now has a first-chair piccolo flautist! I'm sure he'd definitely approve! LOL!
I am entirely jealous…I had plenty of science teachers (I was a bio-chem major at one point in my life) and not one of them did anything nearly as fun. Oh, the best one was we got to make peanut brittle in our chemistry class one Christmas, but that was about it! I think your science teacher sounds like a great deal of fun…and a cape and mask…well, how could anyone ask for anything more!
Nordygirl: Again another wonderful rendition…I have to say I've had more music from ummm musicals, running through my head these last days…now why ever could that be? LOL! You do brighten my day my dear…humor is food for the soul!
Diveprincess: Most certainly my dear…that is what Phamily is for! I hope all goes well for you…friends are far too great a possession to lose.
Hope this chapter proved to be a bit of a distraction for you…you know how I love distractions! Have a great night!