Dear Faithfuls: I will be away again, unexpectedly on Thursday, therefore, there will not be an update that day. I hope the fact that this chapter is a bit longer than most, will help! I do promise something special for the Friday addition however!
Meg sat now cross-legged in the center of the enormous bed with Christine. The pair were facing one another in eager anticipation; a giddy excitement dancing across their eyes. She'd watched and waited until she was certain that her mother was beyond hearing distance. Turning her attentions to Christine once more she smiled; taking Christine's hands into hers. "Tell me Christine, how does it feel?" She blushed, "feel to be wife and mother?" Searching Christine's face for a reply.
Christine's face lit with such a glow, that the very act alone, without any words, would have told Meg how utterly blissful she felt having been joined to Erik as his wife…and mother to his children. "Meg, it is wonderful." She paused, "no, far more than wonderful…it is like a cool glass of water if one was dying of thirst…it is life saving!" She smiled at Meg. "There is no simple way to say how very fulfilled, content, loved, I feel now."
Meg looked at her with wondering eyes. "So when do you suppose…"
Christine already knew what question Meg was posing. Her eyes glassy and glowing she responded, "I am not certain of the timing, there were so many opportunities….perhaps it may have been on our wedding night or one of the days that followed." Christine was blushing heavily, she paused. If she were like many of the other girls at the Opera House, she would go into all of the sordid details, but such was not the nature of Christine. She'd passed through that window of maturity, to the physical side of love, and that was an entirely private matter.
Meg was glancing down at her hands, unsure of what to make of all she'd heard.
Christine reached out touching her hand, her face glowing a fevered crimson. "He's a generous lover Meg, tender and sweet." She exhaled. "To love someone in this way Meg," she paused to clarify, "to love your husband in this way…it gives you full understanding of why God saw fit to command that it be a sacred part of a relationship that binds two flesh into one." Her face became loving, yet serious. "It is true, that once you've joined your hearts in love, and then further bond with one another in flesh, you lose track of where you end, and your husband begins. Your joy becomes his joy, his sorrow becomes your sorrow, his love becomes your love." She looked at Meg, a tenderness playing in her eyes. "It was not until I'd exchanged those vows, joined myself to Erik, that I truly understood the words…and two shall become as one."
Christine was nearly overcome with emotion as she realized where she was, with whom she was, and under what circumstances they'd all found themselves there that very night. "Meg, I know only those girls we watched throw themselves about as harlots at the Opera House will never know the joy of sweet love. It was only in that most personal surrender that I found way to physically express my love for him." Christine blushed as she looked upon Meg now; realizing that she'd already said far more than she'd intended.
Christine smiled at Meg, laying down stretching out a bit on the bed. "It is a beautiful bed is it not?"
Meg smiled widely, flopping to her back joining Christine. She stretched out next to her. The bed had been enrobed from ceiling to floor, with a large black lace canopy; two purposes no doubt. To provide Christine with a bit of privacy, before she and Erik came to know one another; and to obscure the ceiling of cold gray stone that lay just beyond it.
"Christine?" Meg said, staring up at the bunched black layers of lace. "Were you ever afraid….afraid when you'd gone? Did you leave with him of your own accord…or had it not been as much your choice as it appeared?"
Christine's brow furrowed, "Meg, have we not already spoken of all of this? You know it was my choice…my choice to be with him forever."
Meg's face was suddenly serious, she turned up on her elbow to look at Christine. "Yes, you've told me, all the time that we spent at Courtland Manor….I just wonder now, all this time later…if he'd never been changed as he is now…would you be afraid?"
Christine turned up on her side. Her face now just inches from Meg's. They had found themselves so many times in this pose as young girls sharing secrets in the dark of the dormitories long after they were to have been asleep. "Meg, I loved him deeply from the first. I was possessed by no question, nor fear of him in my mind. The perfection or imperfections of his flesh meant little to me….it was his heart….his soul that drew me inexplicably to him. I've never felt this strongly about anything or anyone as I do him. Did I fear? Him no. Reprisal, yes. Being hunted and running forevermore, yes. But fear him, I did not. Once my eyes were opened to the great love that was within him…within me…the path was clear, the choice was self-evident."
Christine smiled faintly rolling once more to her back as she lingered in thought. "I've realized so much since I've been with Erik Meg. I longed for him in a way that I did not fully comprehend," she paused. "The first time he touched me….it was as if I was going home…going home to the longings of my heart." A wide smiled crossed Christine's face, a tear escaping the corner of her eye. "Every time I find myself surrendered in his arms as his wife….the feeling washes over me yet again. He is kind and gentle…tender." Christine felt herself blush as she thought of the brief yet intense moments before Meg arrived.
"He has shared so very much of life with me….taught me so very much. Opened my eyes to things…feelings I have never known. I let my mind start to journey to a strange new world, I left the thoughts of the life I knew before, I let my soul take me where it longed to be, only then could I belong to him." She smiled wide, his words ringing loudly in her ears. "It only makes me hunger for more."
Christine looked at Meg. Christine knew Meg had never, just she herself had not before, tasted the sweetness of a love saved. It had been Christine's world too until recently. Meg's eyes beheld the look of having someone enchant you with tales of far off lands that they've visited. The look of knowing you've nothing more than your imagination to help picture it. It was like trying to describe the essence of a fruit you'd longed for but never tasted. You cannot appreciate fully a land you've always admired…but never visited.
"Meg, he is an unquenchable thirst in my soul." She paused, she could elaborate but the examples would be innumerable. "He is much more complex, much more talented, much stronger, more wise…than one could ever have imagined." She smiled again. "In all of my life…and do not misunderstand at all for I shan't mean this as it might at first sound, I have never been as joyous or fulfilled as I have been in the months since he took me as his wife." She turned her head looking at Meg. "If I feel this way when I am with him….how could I ever be afraid?"
Meg was smiling. She felt an odd release in the confessions, nay professions, of Christine's utterances. If Christine's heart held Erik in such reverent regard…surely there was no room in it for anyone else….most specifically…any room to harbor feelings for Raoul. "Christine…you've been cruel, nearly bringing me to tears…that was so beautiful!" They both began to giggle, reaching out and squeezing each other's hands. "Oh to be in love such as this…it is like a fairy tale!" Meg laughed.
Christine inhaled sharply, smiling so wide she thought the corners of her lips must have met in the back of her head. "Yes, I suppose it does have that ring to it! I the little chorus girl rescued from a life that was planned for her…and Erik…he is my dark prince come to rescue me…bringing me to a world where all things are possible…showering me with a love so great that it has the power to wash away every unhappiness." Christine's eyes grew wide as she crafted the tale. "Then the prince takes her as his bride, and she comes to find he is not a dark prince at all, merely a brilliant shining king in hiding….a king that has only love and hope to share with the world." Christine was musing…oh how she loved fairy tales!
Meg sighed, "oh how utterly enchanting Christine. You've made me giddy!" Meg laughed.
Christine smiled widely. "And I now carry his princes or princesses in my womb." Christine lifted the layers of her dress, leaving but her silken slip covering her flesh. She turned her head looking at Meg. "Here, give me your hand."
Meg rolled up on her side, extending her left hand to Christine with a bit of question in her eye.
Christine glided Meg's hand ever so carefully to the small lump that was protruding a little more each day from her flesh. Meg's eyes grew wide, and she was instantly shedding tears of joy.
"Oh Christine!" She ran her hand gently back and forth over the bump, laughing and crying all the while. "Christine, it is simply wonderful!" Then her look changed, a veil of sorrow passed over her eyes as she lowered herself once more to her back, tears still freely flowing.
Christine's euphoric joy suddenly washing away, a pained expression taking its place. "Meg, whatever is it? What causes you such grief?" She leaned over brushing the stray hairs from Meg's forehead.
Meg sobbed once. "Christine…it is difficult to imagine…" a great sob swelling in her chest, "that I won't be with you…with you through all of it…to see the children be born…to share that part of life with you as we had always imagined we would." Meg's eyes blinking rapidly trying to clear the new tears as quickly as the old ones ran down the side of her face. She looked pleadingly up at Christine.
Christine's eyes too now filled with tears. The thought had crossed her mind dozens of times, and it had grieved her. "Meg, we will find a way…a way for you to come to us. We shall make a way my sister…you shan't miss it, I promise you." She leaned over placing a delicate kiss of reassurance on her forehead. "I'll not have you missing it at all. For you shall in fact one day be their aunt…." She paused, carefully proceeding, "and Raoul shall be their uncle…though I dare say an unknowing one."
Meg now gasped. The sharp contrast in feelings now changed from sorrow to terror. Somewhere deep inside of her she'd not allowed her mind to wander to that reality…and it might be more true than Christine would ever in her wildest imaginings believe. She fought to regain her composure. "Christine…I…."
"Meg, do not worry, we shall find a way through all of this." She smiled at her once more.
Meg's thoughts flitted here and there, rather like a moth caught in a spider's web trying to free itself. She glanced down, nearly ashamed to ask, yet another question, especially one she knew had the propensity to cause Christine such pain.
"Christine…do you ever worry…worry that one of your children might have….. as Erik did…might have.."
Christine's face turned suddenly serious; nary a glimmer of fear in her eye, nor of resignation to that fate. Rather it held a look of utterly determined hope. "Meg, my dear Meg, do not think that has not crossed my mind, and Erik's." She paused, inhaling carefully. "This blessing," she smoothed her hand over her dress, "is a blessing from God Himself. Whatever God sees fit to bring into our lives, we shall love and cherish without reservation. A blemish does not ruin an entire apple does it? Is not the flesh of the fruit as sweet, provide sustenance to those who partake of it?" The question was rhetorical, she'd need not wait for Meg's reply.
"My dear sister, I've set it in my mind that each child will arrive with its own blessing, its own talent, its own strengths. With a father such as Erik, they shall be educated, loved, and nurtured no matter if they are born with goose down or fur backs, they shall all be treated equally, with the love of a father and mother, devoted like no others."
There was a long moment of silence, as Christine let her words settle upon Meg's mind and heart.
Christine reached out a reassuring hand, touching Meg's. "Now dear sister, I've shared so very much with you…how in good conscience could you be so coy with me?" She laughed at Meg's expression. "Meg, now do tell me…", she'd noticed the new garments, the fine satin ribbons, the necklace, the hair ornaments, and most importantly the rather beautiful new piece of jewelry Meg had been mindlessly spinning about on her finger during their entire visit.
Meg looked down, a bit of blush now making her cheeks glow. She really ought to have been prepared for it, but somehow she still felt uneasy, and unsure of what to say.
Christine, sensing her ill-at-ease, reached out touching her shoulder. "Meg, I am a married woman now." She raised her right eyebrow, "I carry the evidence of my commitment to that love deep within my womb." She looked at Meg most seriously until Meg's eyes joined hers in a gaze.
"I am beholden to the man that God Himself made for me…I can assure you that I love no other…harbor feelings for no other. I shan't want you to doubt that any longer sister dear. I only have want for your every happiness…wherever that may lead you," she paused, "to whomever it leads you."
Tears anew grew in Meg's eyes. "Christine….I shan't be able to tell you how my heart grieved that very issue. I know that he meant…that Raoul meant a great deal to you. It is so very difficult to imagine that even though you love another, and love him greatly, that you shan't be affected…have your perception of our growing affections for one another tainted by those feelings." She glanced down at her hands, pausing briefly as she felt the weight of Christine's gaze fall upon her.
She mustered her courage. "Christine, I've known you to be a trusted friend for a very long while. In all of those times, I've not known you to be dishonest, not once, in your dealings with me." A pleading look passed over her face, but she did not so much as blink. "If you assure me that you shan't mind, that it will cause you no injury, nor alter your opinion of me nor of Raoul….then I shall gladly tell you all that you wish to know."
Christine inhaled, considering Meg's words carefully. It would be with a most solemn vow that she would answer. She glanced from Meg to the door and back again. "I so swear Meg."
A wide smile passed over her as she settled in, pillow now bunched beneath her head, for a long story.
Meg returned Christine's smile. She'd noticed her staring at the ring all evening, unconsciously that is why she'd been toying with it at all. Perhaps it was there that she would begin. There was so very much to tell. Of the room, the sleigh ride, the painting easels, the games, the conversations, the nights spent in front of the fire, the proper dinners, the interactions with Raoul's father, the safe closet, the first kiss, the statues outside her bedroom window, the secret grotto, the stories of his mother. She worried only that there shan't be enough time to tell all of it before they would have to go.
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Madame Giry had walked about the great caverns lost in thought. She'd heard Erik speak of it so many times, she felt as though she should have known every nook of it. Even though his descriptions were vivid, she could never have truly imagined the utter solitude that it provided. It had to have been….all those years…much like a haven and yet a prison all at once.
She'd finally settled herself on a large blanket on the floor, leaning against one of the rather large trunks. She stared out at the placid water of the lagoon. Slowly she began to blink, and before long the exhaustion from lack of sleep from the night before overtook her. She was utterly relaxed, for everyone she cared for were in the rooms just behind her, and she could imagine nothing more sweet or comforting as the knowledge that they were all happily together, if but for however brief a time.
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Nadir leaned his back against the wall, a bit of astonishment on his face. Erik had spoken so freely, of every detail. He could not tell what shocked him more. "Erik, it brings us to such a place now does it not?"
Erik was nodding, looking so very much more relaxed having unburdened himself to the one person who would understand why he struggled with all of it as he did. No one else on the face of the earth had shared as much of the worst of his life with him than Nadir. For what he had endured during his time in Persia made the time spent with the gypsies look like a simple childish matter of years.
"Erik, where does that leave things…in Chauesser? Where are the books that the woman gave you?" After all there was a glimmer of hope that they contained just the sort of thing that would piece together what Nadir believed more and more each day…that Erik was the son of DeChagny.
Erik was shaking his head. "In truth I do not know. In my haste to leave that place, I'd forgotten them in the bag by the fireplace. For all I know they may have been discarded or taken by some other. I shall send someone into the City upon our return to collect them if they are still able to." Erik said matter of fact.
Nadir glanced over at Erik. "And now, where does the woman rest?"
Erik looked down at the ground, a bit of sadness in his eye, and even more evident in the tone of his reply, "she was taken to the undertaker with funds and instructions as to her provisions. I only hope that he is a trustworthy man and has done as he was asked, for he was most certainly well compensated. I've no want to cause those dear ladies any further injury. I dare say that Nicole has sacrificed much to care for her family. I wish only that there was something more that I could do for she and her mother. They are a proud lot though, and I've no doubt that even though they'd no funds of their own to speak of, that they feel terrible accepting the small token of my caring for the woman's final expenses."
Erik looked knowingly at Nadir. "There was an unspoken connection to this woman, something that I cannot put into words. And the place…the place that I found her…it had an odd feeling of familiarity though I cannot imagine why." Erik looked at Nadir, though it was if he looked through him, beyond him, and not at him.
Nadir felt a deeper and deeper need to spend time in Chauesser, it became more and more obvious to him that this place held more promise for discovering the truth about Erik than any other place. If the feelings were strong there…strong for Erik…perhaps there was a reason.
Erik glanced at Nadir. "Have you any other questions of me?"
"Just a hundred or so my friend!" Both Nadir and Erik laughed.
"I'm quite afraid that we shan't have time for all of them, so perhaps you could narrow it a bit to four or five. I've want to see what the ladies have been doing this long while."
Nadir smiled, "do not tell me you miss her when she is but one room away from you!"
Erik did not flinch, nor smile, "always…I miss her always unless she is in the safety of my arms."
Nadir smiled. A very deep part of him was so very relieved, so very happy. Erik had found a happiness that he had so badly needed. Erik was an intense man, and when he hated, he hated vehemently, when he loved…he loved passionately.
"Erik, what now are your intentions? Where shall you settle until the children arrive?"
Erik looked down first and then over at Nadir. "I know that Christine shall protest, and my household will meet such news with much chagrin, as they've spent days setting up a proper house, but I feel quite compelled to leave Chausser and return to Courtland Manor. It is much further for you to travel for a visit, and I am sorry for the additional strain…it is simply that I cannot feel at home there, at the winter house, with all of the events going on in the City."
Erik's eyes now turning dark. "I wish to give Christine as gentle and uncomplicated a time for her pregnancy as I can duly provide. I dare say that the good citizens of Chauesser may not allow for it if they keep on this path of unrealistic behaviors. Honestly a hero…you can but imagine the upheaval…"
Nadir was nodding. He could see the flee response growing in Erik's eyes…it was one he knew quite well. "Do not worry for the additional distance. I shall make it gladly. We've only need now to find opportunities to bring Meg along for visits. I felt at once joy and sorrow when Meg and Christine found one another again. It will not do well for either of them to be parted at length…though some day I fear it will be of a much more permanent nature."
Erik grimaced, for he'd thought of it too. "Let us be pragmatic Nadir. We could quite easily extend visits throughout the next few seasons, with the eventual death of at least Stephan. That would take us to the end of Christine's pregnancy, and indeed the funeral and setting things in order could leave Meg with Christine for several weeks after the children's birth. Though Christine will have all of the assistance that she requires, I know in my heart she will want to share this with Meg. After that there will be the lingering of Elizabeth, and her eventual illness, decline and death. That will give us perhaps another season or two. After that time, I do not know what excuse we shall use…" Erik's eyes now drifted toward the doorway that led out into the great room. "Perhaps there will be developments that will arise that we have yet to discover making further excuse for visits."
Nadir flinched…for little did Erik know, that he was hoping for that very same thing as well…though in decidedly a different way. "Perhaps," was all he could manage.
"We shall return to the seamstress shop, tarrying there for the night. Then when morning arrives, return to Chauesser. I do not know when we will next, or if we will return to Paris." Erik's uncertainty about leaving Paris behind for good was growing. He'd noted the tone with which Christine spoke, and the fact that she'd left a few of the paintings yet unexplained…he knew she was up to something, though she not said it.
Nadir was shaking his head. "We shall stay in Madame Giry's quarters tonight. I know that the women had hoped to return to DeChagny's yet this evening, but in truth there are but a few more things that I've to take care of in the city." Nadir's thoughts returning to LeMortem street to pay the undertaker.
"What thing do you speak of Nadir?" Erik questioned.
"The Magistrate will help me in finding Sara's family. I've some additional papers to complete, he has decided to make me her testator as no others have come forward as of yet, and there is great interest in the property as the Opera House will be reopening soon, and he'd very much like to have the business, because of its physical proximity to the Opera House, in use again. It is mot untraditional, but since he's agreed, I'd like to take the opportunity to do so before I return to Raoul's. Then there is the matter of seeing to final payment at Perdue's."
Erik grimaced yet again. It had been nearly an hour since Raoul had crossed his mind.
Nadir caught his pain. "Erik, there is great honor in saving one's life…"
Erik flashed him a dark, threatening look.
Nadir's tone turning rather fatherly. "Erik, in saving a life, even one of your enemy, you are slowly paying penance for the lives that were lost in Persia." Nadir paused, he could not even look at Erik for he knew what torture would be playing across his face just now. "It was not your fault, no more than it was mine. When you are swallowed whole by such evil…right and wrong becomes muddled, unclear, murky. Let us never forget that we were tricked, used, manipulated."
Erik's jaw was clenched, his teeth gritted so tightly that it sent shooting pains into his skull. "Did I tell you that vile creature was in Paris?"
Nadir's face went ashen. "Erik…here in Paris…but how could she have…is she here now?" His pulse immediately pounding in his head.
"No, she is not here, and I doubt very much that she will be a threat to us ever again Nadir." Erik paused, he himself had worked up into a lather. He shook his head. "It was rather innocent…the way I came to this knowledge." He glanced at Nadir, yet another confession to make. "At the seamstress shop, the number of paintings that I'd completed…hung on display as I told you…" Erik closed his eyes, it was foolishness on his part, but he'd never thought she'd ever find them so very far away. "It seems that somehow she'd become aware of them."
Nadir gasped. "And what of this knowledge? Where is she now?"
Erik had raised his hand, palm down, patting the air as if the very motion would have a calming affect on Nadir. "How it was discovered I know not. The woman creates garments for all manner of people from long distances away. No doubt they've some additional appeal beyond the beauty of the garment…perhaps something about being created by a blind seamstress has some significance. Regardless of how they were discovered, it was several years ago that the…" he could not bring himself to even use her name it was such a bitter ember on his tongue. "She came with her entourage to the woman's shop, rather insisting that she be allowed to purchase the paintings…something about them matching part of a collection she had in her palace.'
Nadir gasped once more. "No Erik…you did not…"
"It was not intentional Nadir. How was I to know that she would ever find me so very far from Persia? It could have been any artist. It was but mere chance that she found her way to them."
Nadir was staring at the floor. If it were true, if that beast had suspicion that they were in Paris, they'd have to flee…he and Erik…or all that they loved would be brutally destroyed out of sheer vengeance.
Erik reached out grasping Nadir's shoulder. "Good friend, I tell you the old woman is very clever," he raised his eyebrow, "though she knew not what or whom she was protecting," he sighed, "it is but one more thing that I admire about her. It seems that the…..well…she was quite insistent that she be allowed to purchase the pictures for her collection, for a healthy sum I might add, with one condition." Erik's eyes growing dark again, though this time the hatred was tinged with fear. "She insisted upon meeting the artist! She'd wanted opportunity to commission further works for the collection." Erik looked at Nadir, the dear old man looked as if he would be ill. "She really is rather clever Nadir, I assure you."
Nadir looked at him a bit relieved. If Erik was not stirred into a frightened rage, he could rest at ease that the end of the conversation would provide him with the same comfort.
"You see, when first I'd begun painting for the woman, and she'd come upon the idea of displaying them…I'd only but one thing I required for my permission to be granted, and that was that she never reveal by whose hands they had come to her, nor by whom they in fact had been created." Erik flashed a smile at Nadir. "It was, as it turns out, a good bargain." Nadir smiled too, though he'd not known why. "The woman, as retold by Christine…"
Nadir gasped, "Christine knows of the…the….Sultana?" Nadir's eyes fell to the ground as though he'd been struck by a hot iron. They'd agreed never to share of the things in Persia, and certainly he knew Christine's inquisitive mind…she would not let it rest.
Erik shook his head. "No Nadir, nor do I ever have any reason to believe she ever shall, it was mere happenstance that she told me the story. She is wholly unaware of the significance, or of what release this very story gave me…an unintended gift." Erik's chest now fell as he released a relaxing, cleansing breath.
"You see the woman had stayed true to her promise, she'd not reveal any knowledge of the painter, nor his whereabouts, it had been her solemn vow. Christine said the woman had no intentions of selling even one of them, no matter what the price or condition, but the last terms had infuriated her, the pompous arrogance of the beast had repulsed her." Erik's smile grew wide…then a mournful look overcame him. "Perhaps those without eyes can better see evil for what it is, far sooner than those of us who are easily impressed by wealth and grandeur. Perhaps it is we who are truly blind…"
A moment of silence fell between Erik and Nadir. They'd both talked many times of that very subject…that they'd been blinded by what they had perceived as great gain.
Erik inhaled, looking at Nadir; he continued. "She'd not reveal what she knew, in fact though she loathes, no abhors dishonesty, she'd spun a yarn quite of her own accord, telling that beast that the painter had died just several years before…a fever of some kind or another." Erik looked at Nadir, who was breathing a bit easier now. "As I understand it, the woman became enraged, and did not even stay to be measured for the garments for which her initial visit had been arranged." Erik glanced at Nadir again. "I think we may have finally been released from the fear that she would find us Nadir."
Nadir was looking down, yes he was relieved, but not entirely certain that they were safe, for he was not living in the shadows as Erik had been, he'd no disguise to hide behind.
Erik, sensing Nadir's thoughts, interjected, "Nadir, it was because of me…my refusal…that she would have hunted you. You were but a means to an end, it was I who she'd wished to torture, to break. If she now thinks me dead, there shall be no fear that she will return. You my friend, are a freed man….just as I am!" He turned taking both of Nadir's shoulders into his firm grip. "Do you not see, we can live…we can live a life not in the shadows of fear of that beast's return?"
Nadir blinked. Yes, it was true that the past, the past of Persia, may very well indeed lay behind them, but what now of Paris, of Christine? Truly, they were not yet free, there was much to conquer, though this battle held much less fear of the depth of evil the last surely would have waged.
"Erik, what of life now…what will life now bring to your doorstep?" Nadir's question deep and sincere.
"That my friend," Erik said with such assuredness, "only time and fate will tell. I know only that in this moment, I am a man full of happiness, full of hope that life will be manageable." He rapped his knuckles on the cold hard surface of the coffin that lay beneath them. "I am assured now that I'll have no use for this in my life until I've come to its natural end. A life spent wholly around loving my wife, rearing our children, and in the company of dear, dear friends. I shall lay in this coffin nary again until my life has been fully lived, and all that I was born for. accomplished."
Nadir smiled at him, "very well my friend, very well." Nadir only hoped that one day the could be a part of opening further doors of Erik's life that would hold more possibility than Erik himself could ever have imagined.
"Nadir?" Erik said glancing at his friend. "Do not worry for Perdue…he has been paid in full, you are released of that obligation."
Nadir shot him a glance. Perdue had obviously told him of the payment. Once again, Erik had rescued his honor, and yet again, he found himself indebted to his friend.