Decisions

A crash sounded from the dining room as a vase hit the wall. Erik paced the floor in fury, knocking over anything within reach. "Why did you take her filthy money." He growled at himself as he tore down the curtains. "You are pitiful. Agreeing to hunt down a servant girl and bring her back to the hell which she tried to escape! Payed by someone you should have destroyed long ago! What vile, revolting monster would agree to this? Oh that's right! ME!" He overturned the table with a snarl and fled the room. Horrified servants tried desperately to tidy the remains of the room. Their master had a temper that left everyone gloomy and irritable, but they had never seen him this way before. Never had he screamed at himself like a madman and paced the room like a wild animal. Soon the thick silence of the manor was replaced by their master's piano. He was an enthusiastic player to say the least. Bold fingers owned the keys with their entrancing movements. He could play to make you weep or smile, but the music he played now was cruel and fiery. Anguish was emanated with every note, and they all cringed as they heard his masterpiece grow to an unimaginable volume. The servants retreated as soon as the wreckage was cleared, knowing nothing could appease Erik.

Michael looked up from his book when he heard a knock at his door. A young maid by the name of Mary entered. She cautiously approached him, a look of fear plain in her eyes. Michael immediately went on his knees before the girl. "What is wrong Mary? What has you frightened so?"

"It's Monsieur Desslar. He has not left his room for hours, and he destroyed the dining room. Everything is in pieces. What do we do?" Michael groaned. So Erik was having a tantrum again. He took the girl's hand and led her down to the kitchen. Poor thing, she was shaking so badly it was hard for her to walk. She had not worked here long, and was unused to having such an unpredictable master. It was certainly a change for her.

As he handed Mary a glass of water, he tried to explain about how Erik worked. "Monsieur Desslar has many mood swings, and does not know how to control his temper. You are probably very afraid of him." She nodded quickly. "No matter how scary he seems though, he will never harm you or anyone in this house. You are safe." She smiled weakly at him before exiting the room to calm the other children. Michael was closer to the master than the others, and young servants often looked to him for comfort. He sighed as he left the kitchen, knowing what must be done. Someone had to speak to Erik, or things would be worse than they were now.

"Monsieur?" Michael asked as he gently knocked on the door. There was a shuffling of papers and then footsteps across the stone floor. Erik opened the door, but not in the state Michael had expected. The man before him was not moody or frustrated, but calm and collected. Very unusual, but not very reassuring. He was very good at hiding emotions, and there was always a reason for it.

"Ah, Michael. Just the man I was looking for." Now Michael saw what he had been dreading. An insane look clouded the master's features. One of someone who was about to do something blatant. His skeptical look made Erik scowl. "Just saddle my horse. I'll be gone awhile." He growled.

"Erik." Michael knew he shouldn't be so informal, but he continued anyway. "Don't do something you'll regret. Stay... and think things through. Then leave." Erik would not put up with such behavior and he spoke harshly.

"Remember your place Michael. It would be wise to hold your tongue and stay out of business that doesn't concern you." With that Michael left, knowing he would not get through to the master.

Meg Giry watched angrily as her mistress went through Christine's belongings, looking for any clue to where she had gone. She hoped Isabel never found her, and that Christine had left no trace. She must have had a destination in mind, but hopefully had not written it down. They had been like sisters all these years at the chateau, and though Meg was not mad at Christine for leaving, she felt very alone.

It was horrible how little Isabel cared for Christine. She was a cruel step mother and had shown no love. Christine was treated like a servant here. She was of noble blood, yet she was given no fine clothes and was given more work than the others. It was not even a bit fair and Meg had thought she would be relieved when she left, but apparently not. Now Isabel was riffling through her clothes and treasures and trying to hunt her down like an animal.

"You there! What are you doing?" Meg turned bright red when a guard down the hall saw her staring at Isabel. She began to walk away, but Isabel had heard the commotion and stopped her.

"You're that Giry girl right?" Meg nodded slowly, petrified with fear as Isabel sneered at her. "I will find Christine, you know." Meg glared at her with defiance that was new to her. "You will regret helping her, I'll make sure of that." With that she turned and walked away.

"But I didn't..." Meg tried to explain, but it fell on deaf ears. "What am I going to do?" She groaned.

Christine yawned and stretched, thankful for the warmth that surrounded her in this soft bed. It was a moment of bliss before she remembered. Her eyes snapped open and she bolted upright, her body protesting such sudden movements. She ignored her soreness and tried to get up. "Leaving so soon?" Her eyes found a man standing off to the side of the room. He was Persian with shaggy black hair and a thin mustache. Despite his dark intimidating eyes, he had a warm and welcoming face. He smiled at her and she relaxed a bit.

"Where am I?" She didn't think this man would hurt her, but she did not like how vulnerable she was. He realized she was uncomfortable and began to explain.

"My name is Nadir Khan, but please just call me Nadir." He paused and gave a reassuring smile. "You must be very confused and to tell you the truth, so am I." Christine looked at him and nodded, but did not interrupt. "You are only a little ways from where I found you, in my cabin. I'm still curious to know what a young girl like yourself was doing in the middle of the woods in a rainstorm, but if you are not ready to speak of it, I will not pester you for information. You are welcome here as long as you need a place to stay." Any and all of Christine's fears vanished and she smiled warmly at the man.

"You are very kind and I thank you for your hospitality. You have saved my life, for I might have died in such a storm." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I do in fact owe you an explanation, but you must promise me that my location stays a secret. I am in danger, and me staying here may bring danger to you, so if you do not wish this, then I will leave and you can forget ever seeing me." In truth Christine did not want to leave, but she would not make Nadir suffer.

"Christine, I do not want you to leave if you are in danger, and no one will know that you are here. Come, I will make us some tea. I feel this will be a long tale, and one full of woe." He helped her up, and together they walked to the sitting room.