Nadir was busily giving information, orders, specific details to the carriage master. "It is most important that everything appear to be as usual. Yes, a carriage departing this time of night might likely be out of the ordinary, that is why the rather loud conversations out of doors are a necessary part of we have need to do if the boy is about."
The carriage master was not at all fond of the plan that had been made, quite without his permission, or even the courtesy of discussion. "It will take a bit of time you understand, to do all that you've requested." He looked at Nadir as he put on his cloak.
Nadir nodded his head. "Yes, yes, we know that it will take at least an hour's time before you'd have everything readied."
The man turned to glare at Nadir, that was a statement that fell short of his comprehension. "An hour or more sir. We've much to prepare as you've said."
Nadir nodded his head. "I do understand, but allow me to state this plainly. The life of one of the family members in this household you now serve may be in jeopardy. If you find your position, your surroundings, or take comfort in all that is provided for you and the men who work for you, then I'd think this but a minor request. Indeed, if the morrow would find a most unfortunate turn of events, then all of these comforts, these positions would cease to exist as they do now."
Nadir looked at the man, his eyes suddenly stony and level. He did not wish to be misunderstood.
The man nodded, the gravity of the situation had not fallen on deaf ears. "It shall be done. An hour's time, perhaps a bit more. You have my word."
Nadir nodded to him. "I'll share of your cooperation with the Vicomte, and I extend to you his most sincere gratitude." Nadir turned and was gone.
The carriage master was in swift motion. There was much to be done, and he would see to it personally.
XXXXXX
The boy watched shivering from beneath the pines. He could hear the wolves howling at a distance not terribly far from where he now hid. He waited and watched. Several men had come and gone from the carriage house, the last, a rather stout man had gone into the house and now the yard was quiet. It had been so for a long while.
The boy scowled, he could only imagine they'd built that large a fire to deter the wolves from coming into the yard. He thought it odd that no dogs were out; perhaps they'd been taken in for safekeeping. Whatever the circumstances, it seemed as though the timing would be near perfect. He'd no choice now but to take the horse with him, with the wolves about. It would make the travel much easier to detect, but as long as he saw no one, he could travel the distance quite easily.
Slowly, slyly, he moved step-by-step closer to the back of the carriage house. The distance took a long while to cover. He stopped ever few meters, allowing anyone who might see something to wonder if it had been their imagination. Soon he was behind the building. He could hear movement though he saw nothing. Something was going on in there, though he knew not what it might be.
It was perfect. All who would have born witness to his movements seemed to be quite occupied with other things. Indeed perhaps fortune had smiled on him after all. He would leave his horse there, and make his way to the house. If he made it that far undetected, he was certain to be victorious, for no one was as skilled at sneaking through a domicile as he…his father had told him as much.
XXXXX
"Forgive me my love," Erik said, a tear welling in his eye as he turned on LeMortem Street, heading back toward the Opera House. It was the only way that he could be certain that the dream did not come to fruition. For if he had been early, far earlier than the premonition of events, he'd have to see to preempting the very catalyst for them, whatever it proved to be….by all means necessary.
Erik had surprised himself at how easy it had been to leave the stables of the Opera House with a horse. True, they weren't taking in boarding horses just now without guests at the Opera House, but he'd thought there to have been some sort of guard that should be posted, though tonight he was entirely grateful that one had not been there.
He moved with some difficulty through the city, leading the horse by the reins. Inside he was entirely grateful that they'd found his horse in the stall beneath the Opera House, for he'd not had opportunity to set it free before he'd fled with Christine. True thought that fateful night he'd unleashed it, removed its bridle, but the horse had refused to move from its home, for it had been the only home it had known. Now, he'd have opportunity to ride the horse again, and it was more pleasing than one could imagine. Thus far, Erik was pleased that the crust on the snow seemed to hold its own under the weight of the horse. He could only hope that it would manage as well once he'd mounted the beast.
He'd made the journey to Raoul's house only twice before. Once after he and his father had become patrons of the Opera Populaire, and once more after he'd noticed that the Vicomte had taken a fancy with his Christine. He'd not really intended to harm him, but he had followed his carriage home one night after a production. Not really certain of what had motivated him, though he'd stalked him that night as if he was his prey.
The journey there tonight would be much different. He'd no idea how or if he'd be able to find Nadir once he arrived. He'd discovered the location of Raoul's room on a previous visit, and he'd had a hunch he knew which room he'd settled Meg into. For there was one corner of the house whose courtyard would be most pleasing to the eye of a woman. No doubt the guest rooms would be on the same level, somewhere between the two ends of the house. He'd find a way, somehow, to make his way to Nadir.
This trip to Paris from Chauesser had produced many revelations. Sara had yet to be buried. His former home had not been completely destroyed. The Opera House had been re-fashioned using his plans. Now this…whatever it was that had drawn Nadir out.
As he reached the edge of the City he thought of Christine. That last longing, pitiful look on her face as they'd parted ways. He was certain, he promised himself…this would be the last time he would separate the two of them until the children were born. Those who were part of their life would have to settle into whatever position they chose for themselves, excepting the consequences of those decisions. At least for a time, Erik's entire focus would be on Christine, and seeing their children safely into the world. Yes, after tonight, he'd focus on her, and nothing more.
He left the lights of the city behind as he moved passed the last row of buildings of the City. He'd travel to Raoul's, speak with Nadir warning him not to go into Paris, travel back to the City, and by that time it would be mid-day. He'd take in supper, and visit with the woman. Afterwards, he'd head back to Chauesser with Christine. Yes, it was a good plan. Providing there were no delays or complications, he'd be back in her arms before nightfall on the morrow.
XXXXX
Raoul sat with Meg and Madame Giry sipping their tea. In Raoul's absence, Madame Giry had helped Meg ready herself for bed, braiding her hair, applying the salve. Meg was relieved to hear that the doctor had returned and that Nadir had as well, though she shan't really know why.
"If the two of you will excuse me, I should like very much to return to my reading." Madame Giry said as she stood to go. She secretly hoped Nadir would pay her a visit, for no doubt something had compelled him to return, and she wished to know what, or more specifically whom.
"No, mother, if you'd not mind, perhaps you could sit with Meg until the doctor arrives. He's but settling into the room we've prepared for him. He'd like to visit with Meg, examine her, and the like. It would be good for Meg if you'd agree to stay with her."
Madame Giry nodded, thinking it a bit odd that he'd be leaving Meg's side once again, but she'd not question it.
Raoul stood, he'd almost forgotten. "Here Meg, allow me…" he went over to the curtains that were toward the back of the house. "There is no need for you to be kept from your slumber by the growing flames of the fire outside" he said as he loosed the curtains from their pullbacks, they fluttering into place over the window. He drew them together so as to not permit even one shaft of light to enter the room.
Almost on cue, Madeline walked through the door with a hot pot of tea. "Doctor ready, you see him?" She said to Raoul.
"Yes Madeline. And Madeline, do see to closing the curtains in Madame Giry's room won't you. I do not wish to have her sleep disturbed by the fire outside. No doubt they'll tend to it all evening."
Madeline nodded, "as wish Monsieur."
"Now Meg, mother, if you'll be so kind as to permit me, I shall fetch the physician for you."
Meg nodded, "that would be most acceptable Raoul."
Raoul walked over kissing her on the forehead. Then he turned to Madame Giry taking her hand, kissing her knuckles. "Ladies," Raoul said and then departed. He was quickly out into the hall. He'd retrieve the doctor and be on his way down to join Nadir. Thus far everything seemed to be going as planned, he could only hope his good fortune would continue.
XXXXX
Nadir made his way back out to the carriage house. He'd stow his weapons in the sleigh, the purpose would not be questioned. He glanced over at the fire. He'd not seen the eyes of the wolves as he thought he might. He tilted his ear, yes, he could hear them howling off at a distance, no doubt the fire had proved to be the proper discouragement for them.
There was something unsettling being out in the yard at night, no dogs to alert him to the presence of any unwelcome guests. If ever there was a more proper invitation for someone wishing to enter the compound undetected, he couldn't imagine it. Yes, he'd requested that the work be done within the hour, though he'd not thought the man to be foolish enough to pull all of the guards from the grounds to accomplish it.
The distance from the house proper and the carriage house was a few minutes walk across the snow. The winds had begun to blow again; the former softening crust was firming underfoot. The drifts were diminishing, though now compacted and solid, nearly earth-like. Nadir scanned the perimeter of the yard, at least that which the light from the fire allowed. Everything beyond it was as black as pitch.
Nadir slowed his pace, feigning that the snow had become a bit slippery underfoot. He would tell the carriage master to return at least two men to their posts guarding the house. He would scan what he could see easily to be certain all was secure before he himself would enter the carriage house making the house itself completely vulnerable.
Nadir's eyes were keen as he bent over under the pretense of having dropped his glove. As he rose his eyes caught it, two pair of eyes, glinting just beyond the carriage house. One much higher than the other…it was not the wolves…Nadir knew it well, it was a rider and his mount, and they'd been there with no intentions of being seen, for surely the man would not have dismounted and stayed in the shadows unannounced.
Nadir wanted to grab for his pistol, firing a shot in that direction, though he knew not what he would find. What if it were merely a traveler. No, he'd continue on his way, though now a bit swifter in his gate. He'd keep an eye on whomever it was until he was just at the carriage house. Then he would slide along the edge until he reached the corner, taking the rider by surprise.
Nadir's heart was racing. If this was indeed Crawlings, he was no doubt looking for Raoul, or he'd have shot Nadir dead. No, he was waiting, hoping to use his element of surprise to his advantage. Had it been any other man Nadir thought to himself, he'd have already betrayed his knowledge of the intruder's presence. But, Nadir was well experienced in this area, indeed more than he'd ever hoped to be.
He moved a bit swifter and was within ten meters of the carriage house when he heard the door of the house open. He spun around, and to his horror it was Raoul, walking out onto the veranda as open and clear a shot as any man could have want to have. What happened next seemed like a blur.
Nadir watched as the figures in the shadows moved swiftly from the edge of the building, the shaft of gun now lifted and aimed at Raoul. Nadir screamed, Raoul looking in horror in Nadir's direction before he fell to the ground. Nadir was screaming loudly as he ran in the direction of the boy who'd mounted his horse and was riding away.
The carriage house came to life, men scrambling from every door. Nadir looked once more into the darkness and then back up toward the house. He ran as fast as his feet would carry him toward Raoul. He felt as if he flew up onto the veranda, leaning over Raoul.
Raoul was breathing heavily though he tried to lay still. Nadir said, "Raoul, dear God Raoul!" Nadir's heart was pounding. Had he found Erik's brother only to have lost him? Had he failed at protecting them both?
Raoul lay still but began to speak. "Nadir, do not worry, I've not been struck by the bullet, though it did graze my shoulder, see look at the top of my jacket." Nadir glanced down, and surely there it was, a rip clean through the top of the fabric, never having made it to any part of his flesh.
Nadir gasped relieved. He gave Raoul a tense smile. "It is most wise of you to stay down on the ground, allow us to carry you in as though you've been hit. I've doubt that the boy would still tarry, but if he would be so bold, let us give him no cause to stay." Nadir stood, as the other men joined him from the carriage house.
The carriage master arriving at his side, a sheer look of horror coming over him, as he heard Nadir's words replaying in his mind. He glanced at Nadir.
Nadir said to him, "do take him inside swiftly". With that Nadir turned and took off on a dead run toward the carriage house. He'd have himself a horse and be after the boy. This was the last night that he would cause this City, this family any heartache, at least if Nadir had anything to do with it. This time had been too close, and he shan't give the boy another opportunity.
Nadir neither invited nor cared if any of Raoul's staff would be following him after the boy. Nadir had tracked many a man that ran from him, and he was quite capable of doing this alone.
The men scrambled taking Raoul inside. Two men were posted at all the corners of the house, several more going up the stairs to make certain that the doctor and Madame Giry and Meg were secure.
The man rapped on the door. Madame Giry had gone on to her own room, and the doctor sat visiting with Meg. "May I have a word sir?"
The doctor rose, excusing himself from Meg. The two men stood out in the hall. Meg could hear their muffled voices through the door, though she'd no knowledge of what they spoke of. She'd heard the single gun-shot, no doubt the wolves had returned she thought…how very dreadful. There was something to be said for living in the City. Though there was no lack of dangers lurking there after dark, at least they were human and somewhat predictable. Living in the country outside of Paris was a different thing entirely. She shuddered, settling back in beneath the blanket. She'd have to become accustomed to it if she were to live there with Raoul.
It was only a minute or two and the doctor returned, smiling at Meg, trying not to betray all that he knew. He turned closing the door behind him. His eyes pressed closed as he recomposed himself. He turned once more to face Meg. He'd had a story in mind, but she posed the question.
"Was it the wolves, returned once more?" Meg gave him a concerned though not threatened glance.
He breathed a small sigh of relief, that was even better than what he'd concocted in his own mind. "Yes, I'm quite afraid that it was." He walked back over to the divan and sat down in front of Meg. "Now, where were we. He lifted his magnifying glass asking Meg to lean forward.
He carefully examined the texture and lines of the scar. This is nearly healed. I've but a few snips really and the stitches will be able to be removed. Meg shuddered. She knew it shan't be a pleasant thing. "My dear, here, let me give you something. It shan't be without a bit of discomfort. He pulled a bottle from his bag.
Meg stood, walking toward her nightstand. "Doctor, these pills remain." She said retrieving the bottle and shaking it in her hand.
The doctor smiled at her. He was a bit relieved she'd not needed to take them. No doubt she'd been coping much better than he'd expected. The subsequent conversation would be far easier to have, and he had to admit he was a bit too distracted with this most recent development to be as attentive a listener as what Meg would likely require now.
"Ah yes, that will work." He smiled at her as she walked over with the bottle. He drew her a bit of water in a glass, she took it and swallowed one small pill. The doctor lifted the damp towel that he'd placed under the teapot. It was sufficiently warm. "Here my dear, hold this against your cheek, it should make the tugging a bit easier on your skin." He handed her the towel, and she pressed against her cheek. "I'll be back in but a moment my dear, I've need to retrieve one final thing from my room." Meg nodded as the doctor stood and retreated.
Once in the corridor he made his way as swiftly as he could to the lower level. True, he knew Raoul had not been struck, though he did worry for the young man. He found the lot of them in the study.
Raoul was pacing the floor, speaking in rather fevered tones. "I know I shan't be that lucky twice, but why is it that we cannot send out a party to search for the boy, finish him, put an end to this once and for all!" He paced the floor tensely.
"Vicomte, we've no idea if the boy was alone. With the wolves still out on the hunt, and the speed with which he departed, and he thinking you to be dead, there is no way to know where he might have gone, or if he's but to set a trap to kill even more of us."
Raoul was flailing his arms when the doctor made his way into the room.
"Raoul, you are well?" Raoul looked at him nodding his head rather irritatedly.
"If it had not been for Nadir's quick thinking I shan't have been as fortunate." He paused, looking around the room, "where is Nadir?"
The doctor returned to the hall, saw no one. He walked to the end of the corridor to see a young man running toward the veranda from the carriage house. He opened the door, scanning the grounds, "what is it?" he yelled before the man arrived.
He yelled back, "the foreigner, he's taken a horse, he's gone sir!"
The doctor looked out in horror, Nadir had gone after him, alone! He rushed back to Raoul, quite out of breath. "Raoul, Nadir, I'm quite afraid, he's gone after the boy!"
Raoul spun on his heels, "What?"
The doctor looked at Raoul, "the stable boy, he said that he took a horse and he's gone."
Raoul looked at the floor, then glanced at the carriage master. "You must, if you value your employment here sir, you shall take four of your finest men and go after them. We shan't have a guest of our household left alone with such a criminal."
The carriage master looked at Raoul, trying one last time, though he knew in vain to dissuade Raoul. "Vicomte, it does not bode well for so many to be away from your house, what if the boy returns, who then…." He lowered his head, receiving the blunt look of consternation from Raoul. "As you wish Vicomte."
He and the men that had joined him departed for the carriage house. They'd have to put saddles on all the horses that had already been attached to the sleigh, it would take a few minutes time, unfortunately giving both of them a head start.
XXXXX
Erik traveled swiftly over the snow. Now outside of Paris, he had to use what landmarks he could remember for the path to Raoul's. He was nearly certain he could recall all of them, and knowing full well that there were few other properties in that general vicinity made the task much easier.
He had to admit being out on the horse in the moonlight was not entirely un-enjoyable, though the circumstances were not what he would have chosen. He'd spent a great many hours on horseback in the moonlight, for him it was like second nature.
He let his thoughts drift to Christine. No doubt she and the woman by now would have sized one another up. He hoped, though he almost knew she would be, most hospitable to Christine. He wondered how long it had taken the woman to realize that this was likely the object of his affections all those years, and if Christine had yet seen all of the paintings. There would be so much to explain to her. Yet another piece of his past he'd not spoken to her of.
His brow gave a twinge. He felt a bit of guilt for having told Misty about the goings on in Chauesser before he'd even had opportunity to tell Christine. The urgency of the situation had necessitated it, he rationalized, but it still did not sit right with him. Christine needed to know of what happened, for certainly upon their return, word would have somehow reached the house, if not by Misty, then certainly whomever she chose to accompany her. He hoped it would not be any well-intentioned souls that would have wandered out to pay tribute.
He shook his head, oh how he'd want to forget it all now. Had it not been for Christine's request to tarry at the winter house, they'd happily be at Courtland Manor even now, but he acquiesced, agreeing to stay. It made him wonder if he'd have taken Christine all the way from Courtland Manor had she been there when she'd had the dream.
Ahhh, those infernal possibilities. They mattered little. What did matter was that he had found nothing, nothing at all at the Opera House. If the visit with Nadir went well, he'd warn him not to venture to the lair, and all would be well. He could return to Christine and they would be on their way home.
Erik was startled from his thoughts. He strained his eyes. Yes, he was certain that was the large grove of pines up in the distance, though he wondered why there was some source of light behind them providing him with some vision of a defining silhouette. He rode toward it. That simply had to be Raoul's home, it was indeed in the correct location if his memory served him well.
Erik cocked his head. He thought that he was mistaken, but then he brought his horse to a stand still. He was certain that he'd heard what sounded like the pounding of hooves, much like what one does of a horse on a firm dirt path. He sat in utter silence. He could hear wolves howling in the distance…but that wasn't it. No, there was someone coming, and whomever it was, they were in a hurry! He'd no wish to be discovered, but at the same time he was curious. If it were Nadir, he'd have want to stop him before he returned to Paris, though there too he'd have want to be careful, Nadir was most skilled in dealing with someone who caught him by surprise.
He'd try to stay as still as he could, for truly there was no where to hide that he shan't be observed now. He waited for what felt like an eternity, until he saw approximately seventy-five meters to his right, a horse, a cloaked rider on a dead run, snow churning in his wake. It was a rather large horse, and a small rider, and though Erik had no idea whom it might have been, he was entirely certain it had not been Nadir.
Now the question in his mind. To follow him, or to continue on to Raoul's. A tingling sensation ran down his spine. What if it had been Crawlings himself? Erik hesitated looking after the boy and then back towards Raoul's house. It was the second time in a few hours time he had to make a decision that led him in two very different directions. He really must speak to Nadir, but if it was Crawlings, he might very well have waged some terrible thing at Raoul's house, and if not found and dealt with swiftly, he might be lost yet again for months again, only to resurface once more. But, if it was not Crawlings and Erik chased down yet another unsuspecting person, one of Raoul's staff or a doctor perhaps, then he'd have much to explain about being out there in the dark of night, and who indeed he was. He was truly in a quandary.
When he'd been beneath the Opera House his decisions were far less complicated, and far more calculated. Now, they were anything but simple, and there were far more variables. He lowered his head, he'd have to decide and do so quickly.
Just as he was about to say a prayer, his head tilted, was that the sound of yet another horse? Erik's pulse quickened. Yes, it was the sound of yet another beast pounding its hooves against the hardened snow. He'd wait, whomever it was they were no doubt in pursuit of the first. Perhaps knowing that would aide him in making his decision…indeed, if the first man was worth pursuing, perhaps it was Crawlings, in which case his decision would be simple.
Erik looked once more at the line of trees. The silhouettes were becoming more and more defined, the light behind the tree line growing even brighter. A lump grew in Erik's throat….was Raoul's house on fire? Madame Giry, Meg…he'd not be able to live with himself if something had happened to them and he'd stood by and done nothing. He waited, as soon as the horse passed he would head to Raoul's. His discovery would have to be explained but he'd no wish to think of that now…
Just then the man on the horse that approached passed, somewhat closer than the first. Erik strained his eyes. It was a much stouter man, on a much smaller horse, he could tell. It wasn't until the horse was well passed and he heard the man let out a yelp, that he realized who it was that pursued the first….it was Nadir.
Erik never looked back. If Nadir had left the DeChagny house behind it was either far too late to be of any good, or he'd interrupted an attempt….whatever the case, he knew Nadir would not leave Meg nor Madame Giry behind unless he had no choice.
Erik turned his horse on its' hind legs, quickly darting off to catch up with Nadir. For surely wherever Nadir went, Erik would follow him now.
Author's Notes:
Dear Faithfuls: I am sad to learn that I might no longer be able to share responses to reviews with you as I have these many long chapters. If what I have heard is correct about this new FanFic rule, I shall comply, though not without much sadness. The story has been wonderful to share, but I think what has made us feel like a Phamily, has been sharing with each other in the reviews. I will let you know more, but if they would threaten to pull the story, then I shall have no other choice but to comply.
CaptainOblivious: Yes, a reunion would be most magnificent, though there are a few things to clear up before that is possible…Hmmm…
Finals week….I remember those well. I used to stay up all night studying. In fact, I got quite a little baking done while I studied because I reasoned that I couldn't very well go to sleep with something in the oven! LOL! Oh, I am thankful those days are behind me now….though…I am thinking about going back to get my doctorate…. Have a wonderful week, and get that studying done early…we don't want Erik to chase you down to get good grades now do we? Well, perhaps in your case that isn't proper motivation….you'd probably rather enjoy being pursued by the Phantom! LOL! Hmmm…perhaps we shall send Crawlings after you if you don't study! There, that should do nicely, yes, very nicely!
Have a good night my dear!
PhantomsRogue: I shall try, sister dear, to get to your e-mail as soon as I can. Alas, the question as to which way Erik went on LeMortem, was answered in this chapter, though I rather think that everyone was wishing he would go the other way! LOL! But he is a friend through and through, and is very logical. He has spent years being logical and calculating, a habit he is likely never to give up. If Nadir had gone out of the City at night…there was good reason, and he'd not leave his friend alone to face whatever it was.
Thanksgiving family jokes are always fun. I suppose that is why they make movies about coming home for the holidays. It is fun, and we look forward to it, but there is no absence of stress or complications no matter how well laid the plans are!
Bon Nuit mon amie!
Poetzproblem: Good to hear from you my dear! Yes, I too wonder what Raoul will think of all of this when and if he discovers the truth. He is something of a sad sort really…yes, entirely clueless…though I don't think we should count him out just yet. He was raised well, but has a mind of his own. I shall say no more.
I gasped in horror when I read your note about the reviews not being able to be part of the story. I shall check into this right away…though it saddens me to think we shall lose connection with one another…I think the Phamily has grown quite attached to one another. Perhaps there is yet another way…I shall do some checking. Thank you for the heads up though. I have to admit I don't regularly read all that Fanfic posts, so I'd have missed that if you'd not have mentioned it. Then one day we'd have gone to the sight and the story would have been gone….I shudder to think of it, so thank you, thank you, thank you.
Have a great night!
NordyGirl: Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I have considered writing professionally, though I'd doubted anyone would have read what I wrote. That is why I often express my gratitude to the Phamily because you've all given me courage to try! I've actually four other stories, nearly finished, that I've been penning for years. Once I am finished with this story, I'm going to turn my attentions to those, and another project that has become near and dear to my heart. I shall mourn the day that this story finishes however….I cannot even think of it without becoming all teary-eyed. I shall quit speaking of it now, lest my tears begin to roll, dropping onto my keyboard, thus making is short circuit and electrocute me….thus bringing an abrupt end to the story…..LOL!
You also have a wonderful night!
Diveprincess: My dear, you have had a very difficult year indeed! Through difficulty we build strength of character, though it is often not easy. If you can think of life as one large muscle, and the painful events that happen as growing pains, you can put into perspective why those things have to happen. Without them, we would never grow and become strong. I pray that 2006 is much more calm for you. I am sorry to hear that your friend left you so soon. Sometimes it seems unfair, that the "good ones" are taken from us far too early. But from what you've said about her before, it is no doubt that she served her purposes well here on this earth…touching many lives. I have no doubt also that you are thankful that you sent the letter to her before she passed. There is something comforting in knowing that you've shared your appreciation of her life with her while you still could. There was a song in the 1990's that made me think of this so often, I wish I could recall the name of it just now, but it talked about appreciating people while they are alive because its too late when they are gone. If I think of the name, I shall send it to you. Mrs. G. would be proud of you for keeping a smile on your face. Educators are a unique bunch of people….if they feel that they've contributed to making your day brighter, your world a better place, then they feel they've accomplished their mission…I'm sure Mrs. G. would agree. I pray that your heart heals, and in time, can recall with great fondness the wonderful times you had with your dear, dear, friend.
Have a peaceful night my dear!
PhantomFan13: I smiled when I read your review. If the story can make you jump up and down, I have succeeded in making it one that touches you….there can be no greater joy for a writer!
I am sorry for the absence on Friday…I should have been more specific about the days I would be gone. I smiled, and my heart warmed, when I read that you worried for me, and of course for the story should anything abruptly happen to me. Perhaps I should revise my will to include instructions for someone to update with a final chapter in the event something happens to me! LOL! I've said before if the story ends abruptly, we will all know that God has spoken!
In answer to your question about the information on Benjamin Franklin….yes, it is true. I must reveal another one of my passions….the Constitutional Convention, and everything that surrounds it. I spent an entire semester in college entirely enthralled by a class about that very subject. I ended the semester with a trip out to Philadelphia, where I actually stood in Constitution Hall….I cannot tell you how it felt to be there…to see the very desk where Benjamin Franklin sat…his inkwell and plume still in its place….So yes, I did watch 'National Treasure' in fact this past spring a dear person in my life bought it for me. There are some mis-truths in the movie, though I won't point them out lest they actually diminish the enjoyment of watching it, but overall I did like it. I can see where you would think the treasure was the Holy Grail…unless you'd studied it at all, that would seem to be the most logical treasure that someone would guard with such ferocity! The Knights Templer…there is much to study there if you are interested, though some may seem to be myth…unless you talk to one…they hold it very near and dear to their heart. It is likely that those treasures are all together, hidden for centuries for man to discover…and I'd bet there are people who spend their entire lives in search of it. 'Da Vinci Code'….I haven't brought myself to reading it yet…I've a few concerns about the book…but they are my own. I might try watching the movie first to see if I should invest the time in reading the book…. Have you ever read the book series 'Left Behind'? As I understand it, 'Da Vinci' takes an entirely different slant on a similar subject…and that is what I struggle with.
I hope your knee is feeling better…I guess that is the down side of having your computer where it is my dear! Have a great night!
BatteredChild: Storms and hay-fever…not a good combination. Yes, sneezing does interrupt being able to lead our normal lives…it is annoying, and just plain uncomfortable. I do not have that allergy, but every August where I live, something is blooming that makes my eyes itch terribly for about a week. Not quite the same as hay-fever though! A three year old? Was this your dear little one?
You are right, Madame Giry just tapped me on the shoulder and said "excuse me, have you forgotten someone?" LOL! I do understand what you are saying, it is much easier to read when you can focus on just one person….but alas, then when I go back to the other characters…it leaves us scratching our heads saying…what was happening with them again? I have yet to perfect the perfect model…perhaps I shall learn to do so with time!
Yes, I had a wonderful holiday…family, friends, and good food…who could ask for anything more!
Have a wonderful night!
Silverwolf08: Ah yes, some things such as copies of cherished books are among the most sacred things I own…anyone who appreciates literature, as I think all in our Phamily do, would not let them out of their sight let alone use them as a bargaining chip! LOL!
I was happy to arrive home yesterday to find my shipment from Amazon had arrived, yet another four gifts off my list! I have made a small dent in my list, but an even larger dent in my pocket book. I still have to order my copies of POTO for my relatives. They still think I'm crazy….and I don't want to let them down now! LOL! Oui, ceci est la vie, il est compliqué !
Have a great night.
BohemianPhantomlovr: Welcome to the Phamily my dear! We hope that your stay with us will be a long and happy one! Thank you for your persistence, and willingness to read so very many chapters! I hope that in the end it the story will have been worth all of the hours our dear Phamily members have invested in reading it!
Now, as has become our tradition, we simply must know how you arrived at your tag name! I am assuming that you have Bohemian roots, or perhaps are from Europe even now? The Phantomlovr part….well, let me just say, you are in very, very, good company in this Phamily….we all wish to have a little piece of the Phantom for our very own! LOL! If you care to share about your tag name, we'd love to know!
Murigen258: Welcome to the Phamily! We hope your stay with us will be a long and very happy one. I too am glad you were able to catch up with us, though it is no small undertaking! As for those that conspire against you…remember adversity builds character, and nothing builds it more than persistence under pressure! As for spending time with dad…did you need to have a day to recuperate from the visit, or did you contract a cold or flu during your stay? Either of course, would be most unfortunate.
No, you were not rambling at all my dear. In fact we have a rule about that sort of thing…well…sort of…I am likely more verbose than anyone you are likely to meet…and my thought patterns usually tend toward the strange…so I think pretty much anything goes in our little Phamily. I totally understand where you are coming from with Erik and with Gerry…little does the man know how much an influence he has been to people around the world…me included. Though I have little hope of ever meeting the man…I do feel like I've received the best part of him….his example of being willing to dream…and going for it! So, even if he never knows that I even took a breath on the face of this planet…I will have received a gift from him. Admiration or inspiration can come from people whom you've never met…too bad your teacher didn't give you the freedom to choose that part!
I am truly humbled by your compliments on this story. I have probably said this far too many times to members of our Phamily, but I consider it a gift that I have been able to write this revised ending to the story of POTO. It is a dream come true for me. It has been the encouragement of our Phamily that has kept me going on this story…and draws me back every day…hoping to make someone out there in the world smile….even if for a brief moment of their day! Yes, publishing it would be wonderful….I think I may have found a place that would be willing to do it…though copyrights to the original POTO could be a problem. Hmmm…much to think about!
Now, it is our tradition that whenever a new member joins our Phamily, that I attempt, sometimes very feebly, to guess the origins of their tag name. Yours, I must say, is something quite vexing. The only stab I can take is that it Murigen is your last name, and 258 is your house or apartment number? I am likely way off…please, if you are willing, do share with your new Phamily!