The woman rapped at the door. Even the slight touch of her bare knuckles on the surface of it caused her a shudder. The chill of the stairwell itself gave sufficient reason to shiver; if one were not already doing so already from the fear that gripped them from merely being in such a place. She listed to the scraping of a wooden chair that echoed in a nearly barren room behind the heavily rusted metal door. Then, the slow heavy footsteps of the thick leather boots that the man wore scuffling across the floor. What lay between them slowly creaked open slightly; a man of an age not easy to estimate peered out of the aperture.
"What would bring a woman to my door at this time of night? Has there been an unfortunate accident? A murder? Surely you've not come to pay a social call!" His voice nearly as gruff and disconcerting as his appearance. His soiled face and tousled hair, did little to help promote any higher opinion of the man.
The woman was visibly shaking now, to which he took much pleasure. She closed her eyes. "I've come…I've come…I need…."
"Ah yes, you've need for me to do something for you…well let me see…what price can I exact for you having disturbed my slumber…" the man was scratching at the scraggily beard at the end of his chin.
If the woman shan't have known better, she'd have let her imagination of his identity run away with her. Some had rumored that the Phantom had been nothing more than an elaborate ruse perpetrated by the master of deception himself. Recent events most decidedly had tarnished those whispers, but an ill-at-ease was still felt in the man's presence, even if a heavy door lay between them.
The woman swallowed. Before she'd give him a chance to set a price, she'd tell him lest the price increase with his knowledge of the deed. She'd want to know forthright and straightaway. If the price were too steep, she'd try to find another, though she doubted she could.
XXXXXX
Erik sat quietly holding Christine as she slept. The sleigh jostled slightly back and forth as small hills were mounted and descended. It was something of a surprise that the snow had unknowing provided a swifter more placid trip to the City than would have the well-traveled paths had they not been obscured from use by the feet of snow that provided the glass like surface they now traveled.
He listened carefully to Erphan's voice as he spoke rather reassuringly to the young stable hand who sat next to him on the driver's seat of the sleigh. He chuckled to himself. Erphan was perhaps eighteen-months his senior, yet he spoke to the other as though he were a sage philosopher. Erphan had indeed done his homework; reading all that had been given him. Erik could hear him quoting of the wisdoms. "Aliena nobis, nostra plus aliis placent - Other people's things are more pleasing to us, and ours to other people. That was Latin spoken by Publilius Syrus". Though it was entirely amusing for Erik, he knew there was a distinct difference in merely regurgitating what one had read or heard, and knowing it to be true when comparing it to the rawness of life. No, there was something different in merely possessing the knowledge, and the knowledge making itself real with the events of one's life.
The other young man was either duly impressed or entirely bored. Perhaps that would say something about the boy himself. If he'd no impression after hearing of the great philosophers, if however unevenly quoted, then perhaps he'd no real interest in anything of depth.
Erik smiled. It was rather like opera he supposed. The first true viewing of it was the most important. If you sat with wide eyed wonder watching as the story unfolded, enthralled by the music, the costumes, caught up by the dramatics of the characters, if it truly took your breath away, it would be part of you forever. On the contrary, if it did not grasp at your soul from the first, it would be merely something you dabbled with, most likely for socially polite reasons. Literature was no different. Some had a penchant for it, and others did not.
Erik pitied the little minds who could not at least reach out in curiosity. He shook his head. That was no way to think…that was no way to respond… "pity the little minds…"
He raised his hand to his face, as if the act could shield him from the torments of his own mind. There was that wretched voice again, filling his mind, causing his pulse to quicken. If only he'd had the courage, the foresight to put an end to that vile creature, so many, including he, would have been spared such suffering.
He rubbed at his brow, it was slowly dampening though the carriage grew cold. Erik tried to remember Nadir's words as they'd left that behind…. "beware dear friend…hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." She'd hated Erik for declining her advances, and further still that doing her bidding had become more and more distasteful to him. If she could not possess the man in flesh, she'd endeavor to possess his soul. It was her last words to him, indeed, the very night that he and Nadir escaped from her clutches that haunted him most.
"You shall never be free from all you've done…you may run from it, from me…but the very ends of the earth shan't be far enough Lord Erik."
Erik shuddered again, his breathing was rapid, his lips grew cold, his hands were as ice, his spine growing rigid. She couldn't hurt him now. But, she could do was haunt his thoughts…and that she did with farther reaching tentacles than she might herself even have imagined. A great instinct to flee, to run, to recluse, welled up inside of him…he was a monster…she'd created a monster….and he'd succumbed to it slowly as a frog does in a pot of gradually warming water. The pervasiveness of her treachery was without parallel.
He'd thought he'd be sick if he'd not rid his mind of these infernal thoughts. Why now? Why after all this time had it come back to haunt him with a merciless vengeance? Perhaps it was in the possession of the creature he now held in his arms…the promise of a life filled with love and family. Perhaps the memories floated in to remind him how truly unworthy of such a life he was….indeed…the very ends of the earth would not be far enough to run from the doubt.
Erik had to reason it out, not run from it, not run from it…. He swallowed, oh how he longed for something to take away this pain, to erase those parts of his life. He'd managed a great many years under the Opera House without any sort of external intoxicant. But now faced with the bruising reality of the land of the living, he wasn't entirely sure he could manage without some sort of assistance of the remedial kind.
He wiped his hand across his forehead, it was beaded with a frigid sweat. He couldn't, he wouldn't, he'd not in years and now with his wife in his arms on the way to Paris, his own pains should be the least of his concerns.
He was immediately remorseful. What would Christine think of his mental wanderings? Was she not enough relief for the woes of a hundred aching men? Erik closed his eyes, now doubly lashing himself.
He would fight these urges, these memories. For years he'd put them away, he'd bottled them up and sunken them to the furthest depths of his memory, he could do so again….if he could but unearth what had opened this Pandora's box inside of him. For surely what now possessed him, felt as if it were the plague that leveled the likes of the Pharos army when they'd dared to peer inside the box. If he'd not discover the means within him to close that box and toss it into the abyss, it had the power to destroy all he'd ever hoped for, and all he would ever be.
There was a rap on the top of the sleigh. Erik jerked so hard he nearly toppled Christine from his arms. He grabbed her about the waist, bringing her to a half-seated position with great apology.
"Erik?" Her eyes were bleary as she blinked with force trying to focus in the dark of the interior. "Erik what is it?" She reached out touching his face, withdrawing her hand quickly in horror…it was as cold as that of a dead man. "Erik, are you not well…is something wrong, is there…"
Erik slipped a finger over her lips. "From this point forward, you must address me as Stephan. No doubt we are nearing the City Christine."
Christine tugged on Erik's shoulder pulling herself erect. Her cloak was tightly pulled about her, it had grown cold within the sleigh, though she was much assured that it was much warmer than the bitter ride that the two young men seated above them had endured. "Erik, why is it that you…"
He put his finger over her lips once more. "I am most serious my love, you've need to address me as our household addresses me. There is little time for us to speak freely now, so I must ask of you to listen carefully." Erik knew Christine would protest, and that is precisely why he'd waited until the end to speak of it. It had allowed her hours of peaceful sleep. "My love I've need to call on you now to keep your promise, just as you'd insisted I hold fast to mine."
Christine listened warily. She neither liked the tone with which he now addressed her, nor the posture she could feel he'd taken. "Erik, I promised you in good faith…"
Erik interrupted, making his point of reminder with his own address, "my dear Elizabeth,
I too made my promise in good faith, though I'd come later to grieve for the making of it. I shan't have want to put my family in peril, but it was a promise that'd I'd not separate us for such a distance again." He paused, feeling in the darkness for her hands. "Now my love, I've brought you to this City, as I'd promised."
Christine waited, but he said nothing further. "Er...Stephan," she corrected herself. "Stephan what are we to do now?"
Erik smiled, she'd been obedient with her words. "My dear, is there anything further that you can tell me of this dream, anything you might have missed, anything at all?"
Christine looked down at her lap, concentrating on the words she'd shared with him hours before. No, she was certain she'd told him all that she'd seen. "No, I've nothing further to add to that which you already know."
Erik sighed, now he could tell her of his intentions. "My dear, my love," he leaned over brushing a kiss across her lips, briefly lingering, he could sense her fear. "The promise you made to be most obedient, without question, I've need for you to prove your word now."
Christine furrowed her brow, and though she could not see him, she looked in his direction, "whatever you ask love, as I'd promised." Though she couldn't imagine what significant role she could play in defending either of them in the depths of the Opera House.
Erik reached out once more caressing her chin. "I've given Erphan instructions." As if on cue the sleigh began to slow. "He is to take the sleigh to a place on the edge of the city. A woman there is a most amenable host, and has been known by me for a number of years. She is blind, which oft served my purposes when I'd have need for things that she could procure, that I could not for myself."
In truth Erik knew they were things that he'd been far to ashamed to ask Madame Giry for, the woman had served his purposes well. Erik felt no guilt for having employed her services, she'd been handsomely rewarded for her efforts.
"She will not mind a call being paid on her. She's only the need to be told that an old friend an old benefactor has requested her most important services, and she will know that it is me."
Christine wondered why he'd bothered telling her as much since he'd be accompanying her….she gasped. "Stephan?"
Erik closed his eyes, lowering his head slightly; she had already figured him out. "It is only for a few hours my love. You promised your obedience, and I shall expect it of you."
Christine wanted to protest, but how could she? She'd held him to his…he had brought her to the City. "Stephan, but how will you, how will I?"
Erik inhaled, there was no room for dishonesty, and the cruel reality of the most undesirable outcome would have to be broached.
"You will stay with this woman for but limited hours. When you arrive in a short while, you are to tell her that I require a place for the three of you to rest and take in a meal. While you are there, inform her that I'm in need of a new smoking jacket, black velvet, she knows my measurements. For her it is but a half-day is labor. That should be sufficient time. Altogether the meal, the jacket, it should give me until sunset. When the setting of the sun arrives on the morrow, you shall be on your way back to Chauesser."
Erik looked down at Christine, raising his brow slightly, "If by that time I do not join you, Erphan is instructed to return you to the winter house, and then move you and the household on to Courtland Manor. He is then to send a post to Madame Giry. Within the week she would come to you, baring whatever news she knew of." There, he'd said it. He listened but there was no sound, not even a breath escaping her lungs.
Christine was holding her breath…what would have happened if she'd not come? What would happen if he did not return, would she be able to get into that sleigh and leave the City without him?
He leaned over whispering into her ear. "I know that all that I've spoken of grieves you my love, there is simply no other way. I cannot have you at the Opera House if there is the unspeakable. I shan't be able to defend them and protect you, it is simply not possible to do both…and if I cannot defend them…then our very trip here will be for naught."
Christine wanted to scream, to say it was unfair, that she could hide, she could take care of herself…but she knew her words were nothing more than a soothing lie of the most selfish kind. Her desire to be where he was, where they were, not to be separated yet again. His logic had once again superceded hers and she'd nothing more to do but comply.
Erik waited. "Elizabeth?" He heard her sigh. "It is time." He shoved a bundle of money into a pouch, pressing it into her hand. "This is payment for the woman's work it is bound together, and an additional sum should you or Erphan find yourself in need."
Erik scooped her up into his arms. "My love, whenever you are outside, though it is dark, keep your hood up, and do make sure she has no other company before you remove your cloak. Then, and only then do so in the back rooms where she keeps the windows covered. If you've need to go of doors, the hood must be up at all times. You know the risks we've taken venturing back into this City." He paused, "Promise me?"
Christine nestled her face into his neck, kissing it. "I shall do as you ask. Do be careful my love." She shuddered as she watched him putting several knives in his boots, affixing his sword on the length of his leg, and the gun over his shoulder, concealed beneath his cloak. Erik pulled out a top hat, to which Christine blinked. She'd never seen in him a gentleman's hat. Under normal circumstances she'd have reveled in his move toward refinement, though now she knew it was nothing more than a prop to ensure his safe passage. Even without it, none would recognize him…not now.
Erik reached over, taking her lips into his passionately once more before he released her. His head leaned against hers, she slid her arms beneath his cloak, embracing him with all the strength she could muster. She looked up into his eyes, placing a tender kiss just behind his ear, whisper in it in a breathy voice, "I love you Erik, more than life itself…I love you." Erik placed one last tender kiss on her temple. "And I you my love." The sleigh came to a stop. They were barely inside of the City, Christine knew instinctively from what she saw when Erphan opened the door to help Erik disembark.
"Take good care of her, and do exactly as you've been instructed Erphan, I am trusting you to do that and nothing more without question." He put both hands on the boy's shoulders. Erphan stood as straight as he could.
"As you've requested sir, without question. I shall wait until sunset, if you've not joined us, I shall return to the Winter House….with.." he paused swallowing, "or without you sir. God's speed to you."
Erik nodded at the young man. Glancing once more into the sleigh. It was a pitiful sight; Christine looking out at him with such worry on her face. "Rest my dear, I've promised to return to you, and I shall…my angel." Then he was gone.
XXXXX
The sleigh careened around the drifts with amazing swiftness. There was little doubt these men had experience handling the sleigh. Nadir and the doctor hung on for all they were worth. It wasn't until they'd passed around the last hill that the horses had a straight away on which to move. It was also then they'd the first glimpse of the glow that came from the distance where Raoul's house lay. The drivers were pushing the horses as hard as they could.
Nadir closed his eyes, lowering his head, "no Lord, no…" He shouldn't have left. If he had been there…IF HE HAD BEEN THERE! It could not be possible. Had he waited in the woods, had he… Nadir's head jerked as one of the men turned around calling out over his shoulder.
"It's not the house, it's beyond the barn, we can see it!"
The doctor and Nadir exhaled in unison. Though they were thankful it wasn't the house, they remained a bit concerned. Why would anyone build so large a fire outside at this time of night? Surely after a storm such as they'd seen, it would not be for a social occasion. No something else was going on, and it frustrated them that they shan't know until they arrived. There had been gun shots, many of them, no…something had gone on.
The closer they drew the more anxious Nadir became. It was something of an unconscious reaction. He stood as they slid over the last small hill, coming down into the yard between the house proper and the carriage house. Nadir jumped from the sleigh, his hand already on his waist pocket, his gun in hand as he ran toward the fire. The men came out of the carriage house, yet another armful of wood, tossing it into the fire.
It wasn't long before the doctor was at Nadir's side. The men tending the fire need say nothing. The hissing, sizzling carcasses in the fire were explanation enough. Nadir and the doctor stood side-by-side looking at the masses that were now burned beyond recognition. The doctor glanced at Nadir, a strange look on his face. Nadir knew this practice well, and further that it repulsed the doctor. He leaned down offering explanation.
"Wolves. They have to burn them. They'd surely return if they did not. No doubt there were a number of them, or they'd have been able to scare them with a single shot. I cannot be certain, but there must be at least four if not five." Nadir turned as he heard footsteps behind them.
"There are five." As he turned he saw Raoul, his arms outstretched to greet him with a warm embrace. "Nadir, we'd thought you'd stay in the City tonight? And you sir," he said turning and embracing the doctor. "What brings you sir, I'd have thought you'd be at the finest hotel in Paris by now."
The doctor greeted Raoul, but he could not manage a smile. Raoul didn't notice, he was more interested in getting the men inside where it was warm, as they were quite obviously chilled through and through.
As they walked toward the house, Nadir glanced over both shoulders, scanning the woods, the doctor was doing the same. Raoul looked at both men, thinking them to be looking for the wolves.
"I can assure you good sirs, they shan't be back, though we've taken precautions, the dogs have been…" Raoul stopped. It was true he'd not known Nadir long, but it was when he turned looking at the doctor, a man whose face he knew better than that of his own father, that he grew ashen. "Whatever is it sir? What causes you such fright?"
The doctor put his hand on Raoul's shoulder, walking a bit quicker toward the house, "Raoul, have you somewhere we can speak, somewhere quite private?"
Raoul looked at him his brow now furrowed in genuine concern, "of course, of course, but whatever is it that…." He paused, a sickening feeling growing quickly in the pit of his stomach, "it is Crawlings isn't it?" Raoul knew the answer before he'd even posed the question.
Nadir replied as he pushed Raoul in through the door on the veranda, "yes it is I'm afraid" he said as the door shut behind them scanning the yard once more.
XXXXXX
Off in the distance the boy could see the amber and orange shafts from the glow of the blaze. He'd dismounted his horse, and walked along the compacted snow that lay beneath his feet. He stood a long while simply watching. The fire was surely built so large for a purpose, though he could not imagine what. He sighed heavily. There would be no surprise visits this night unless an opportunity presented itself. Someone would be outside all through the night tending that fire. The boy spun on his heels. He knew it was most likely his imagination, but he was nearly certain he'd heard something behind him.
XXXXX
Misty was in her room. She'd turned the bundle over and over again in her hand. Oh, how she wished to know the contents; her adolescent curiosity nearly getting the best of her several times, though she fought it.
Who would she trust to accompany her? She would have to choose, and choose in the next hours before the sun rose. It would be one and only one, and they'd have to travel by horse together, for there was no other sleigh to be had. She lay down on her bed, the bundle tucked neatly between her arms. She pulled a blanket over her. Perhaps a bit of rest would aid her mind. The morrow would be rather long, and she'd need to keep her wits about her.
She wondered why Monsieur Courtland would not have shared his triumph with the household upon his return….but she shook her head. He was not a man likely to boast. He had a presence that simply could not be explained. He was a man of great strength, though gentle. He was no doubt a man of great intelligence, though he never belittled anyone for their lack of it. He was wealthy, though he'd not the common snobbish air about him that so many in his standing would have. He was a gifted musician; Misty having been able to hear what he'd played several nights before for his young wife in the library. He was a bit of a mystery really. There was so many reasons to respect the man. She fumbled with the bundle once more before she closed her eyes. He'd assigned her a task, and she'd see to its doing.
Author's Notes:
Phantomsrogue: Bonjour mon cheri! I cannot tell you how good it is to be home. Hope the move is going well, and that no boxes are lost in the "black hole" during the move! If your office is quite large, it can be a bit tricky.
Yes, I think everyone in the Phamily is a bit worried about Meg and that little brown bottle that is still tucked inside the drawer in her nightstand. It would seem logical that she might look for a crutch when the waters are troubled as they seem to be stirring in that direction. But, alas, I shall plea ignorance of that part of the story! LOL!
And our dearest Erik. The more he tries to embrace the future, the harder his past seems to fight to hold on to him. When he was beneath the Opera House, he'd had everything in his control, under his power. He used fear and trickery and all sorts of things he learned in his former life to manipulate circumstances and people to do his bidding. Now he is learning things are much more complex when he cannot shape them to his liking. Even for a strong and brilliant man, letting go of that control can be frightening. Fear, especially unrecognized, or un-confessed fears can manifest themselves in strange ways, such as haunting memories that were long repressed now coming to the surface. What is good about that, is that it provides a window into his sufferings for the reader, and it provides him a way to finally deal with his past…repression is never healthy.
Oh, Chicago…I love that city. I hope you walk down Michigan Avenue and think of me…I love that stroll, especially after the sun sets and the moon is glowing, with all of the lights twinkling….ah yes….how wonderful indeed. Do be sure (after you've had your fill of turkey, to have some pizza at Geno's….I love that pizza…yummmm.
The name of that place in Williamsburg is Christina Campbell's. I absolutely loved that place…everything about it. Now I know there was electricity in the kitchen, but the remainder of the place was all lit by gas lamp or candlelight, and the servers all dress in colonial garb. I think I ate a dozen of their sweet-potato muffins! The food was fabulous, right down to the Virginia ham. Now, I loved Philadelphia…the historic parts, but if I could have a second choice for a colonial atmosphere…Colonial Williamsburg is the place I would choose to go. I loved it there. If you like that sort of thing at all, plan two days there, and plan to get your feet dirty. You can even have a try at helping them make bricks by stomping about in the mud…and oh, don't forget to try the root beer at the mercantile…it is expensive I think it was $ 4 a bottle, but very worth it! The part I found to be nearly a spiritual experience, is when we were sitting there in the candlelight having dinner, and I realized, and really thought about the fact that those same walls, that same floor, had witnessed George Washington….he had sat at those very same tables, ate under that very same roof….ohhh, I've given myself goose bumps! The other place I had the same feeling was Constitution Hall in Philadelphia….I actually touched the chair where Benjamin Franklin sat…walked along the halls he walked….it was like traveling back in time to when the United States was but a dream in the mind of very brave men.
Sadly no, I do not have IM or Yahoo. If I cannot even return my e-mails, I best not even consider having something more…it would only further my guilt pangs for neglecting those with whom I converse! LOL!
I hope you liked this chapter, though I am afraid that Crawlings is still living and breathing…but for how long….only the authoress knows! LOL!
Bon Nuit mon cheri!
Nordygirl: I too can see the actors playing parts of the scenes in my head…ahhh to see Gerard as our dear Erik….it is a quite lovely phantasy! 'I feel pretty' is a bit of an annoying song, but you've made a lovely rhyme for it! Hope you enjoyed this latest edition! I do worry for you my dear…If this story continues, you're going to run out of musicals to pick from ! LOL!
Poetzproblem: I am more happy to be back than I can even explain. I too was having withdrawl….this writing thing is beginning to be a bit of a drug for me…. Ah yes, you do ask most excellent questions. Erik finally had to break it to Christine…he did trick her a bit, keeping his promise, for the most part, but did anyone, including Christine really think he'd put her in harms way? Not on his life he wouldn't. He's a special little surprise for her….ah, yikes…almost spoiled it didn't I? LOL! Yes, there is some question about how Meg and Nadir would find themselves together in the lair…it is a bit complicated, but hopefully the next few chapters will make it all a bit more clear!
Have a wonderful night!
Diveprincess: It is good to hear from you. Thank you for the compliment on how the story is progressing. I am sorry to hear of your news regarding your old teacher. It is a hard thing to lose someone we love, especially to the ravaging beast of cancer. I lost my step mother to it a few years back. I think everyone in our Phamily knows of someone who has fought it at some point or another. Brain cancer is one of the worst I think, as it robs them of the use of their mind toward the end. I know you were not looking for advice, but if I might offer some, for your sake and hers….spend time talking to her now while she still can converse with you. I'm rather assuming you cannot be with her physically, but a phone call would do the both of you so much good. Tell her how much you appreciated having her as a teacher, perhaps being specific with something that she taught you that you won't ever forget….for a teacher…there is no greater compliment. I'm remembering a story…did you ever see the movie 'October Sky'? If not, rent it…it might help you understand how teachers feel. You are right, everything in life does happen for a reason, even though sometimes we don't understand it until years later. I promise you if you take the few minutes to make the phone call, you'll never, never, regret having done it.
So how is James? Hope all is going well on that account.
Writermuseofthenight: It is good to hear from you! I understand completely about obligations that take us away from what we want to do…. Ah, finally some questions that I can answer! LOL! March, it is the later part of March… The wolves…they are both metaphorical, and symbolic, but very real. I do have a bit of a complicated thought process, so I'm always throwing in those twists…I cannot seem to help myself. The wolves do have a symbolic meaning in that they are hungry, ever lurking….sort of like the memories that haunt Erik, threatening him when he least expects it. The storm too is a big symbolic, truth be told, it is rather like the great storm that brews deep within the heart of our beloved Phantom. He has so much to reconcile in his mind, in his soul…before he can truly move on. There are so many pieces of his puzzle that have yet to be discovered and put in place before he feels whole, feels strong. So, enough of my true confessions…lest people think me to be quite mad!
Meg and the Vicomte. They too have a road ahead of them, but it just might be that certain things force the hands of fate…which way, I cannot say…but we know well that they cannot, no, Meg cannot live in both worlds…she will have to choose….
As far as Christine and Erik being in Paris again….it is likely far more dangerous for Christine than it is Erik, for he is no longer having to hide behind a mask, and is rather a handsome one at that, making the women swoon, and the men think him to be an aristocrat! But, yes, there is danger in it, for all concerned!
Christine is already mother to her children which she will birth….I can say nothing more.
Sol omnibus lucet - The sun shines upon us all. (Petronius)