Author's note: Good things will always make you wait for them. But here it is at last the fourth chapter of Adrift Song. I'm really glad that you liked so far. I feel very proud of this story and I hope I can lead it to the capo lavoro (Master Piece) degree that it deserves. Maybe that is too much to ask from myself, but oh, well… Go, baby, go!

I do own the Falstaffs and my dear Mina.

Song belongs to Red Eagle (Globomedia).

4. Thief

The day went on with Carlotta's rehearsals and the preparation for Hannibal. Erik was tired of being inside his friend's dressing room but there was no where else he could go as going to his underground lair was too risky in his present state. He was like a thief in a house with the owner inside.

How was he going to reach Christine with such problems?

Hu?

Someone was singing and it was not Christine. Who could that be? Painfully, he got up and looked through the door. The coast was clear and according to his marvellous ears, the angel voice comes from one of the side little courtyards where they keep the horses and wash the clothes.

Erik covered with his wide brim hat, mask and cape snooped from the shadows of the place how a young member of the staff was hanging out the washed clothes. She was not Christine that was for sure but still she was far from the songbird. That poor little creature was no doubt the Falstaff´s maid, Mina. Erik knew the Falstaffs. A married couple that was closer to hell than the devil himself.

Vivienne Falstaff was a gorgeous young lady married to a fat ambitious man, and so she brought men to her lair each time she had a chance. Rumour said that she "ate men" like a dog chews bones.

But above all things, they wanted to keep their reputation clean. No matter the unclear business they were unto, they were to all a happy and reputed couple. And to keep it that way all methods were allowed, including murder and blackmailing.

Erik snorted. He knew them well. They were both very close to the two new owners of the opera so it was not strange to find their maid working there.

Poor Mina. With her lovely blonde long hair reduced to a soldier's brush hair cut and her lovely deep blue eyes darkened with sadness. Erik like her so. Since he first saw her coming from time to time to Giry´s house, he knew she was special. And she was not like any other girl around. She had a strange ink tattoo along her neck with letters on it. Mina had no voice to speak but could sing short songs sometimes. She had overcome her muteness by using her hands and writing. But to Erik, her eyes were all she needed to say what she wanted.

"When the clouds take over the sky,

And the road seems too tough.

When the winds scratch your face,

Remember then than I'm here for thee.

When the war calls upon your name

Or a friend has fallen death.

If blood…"

She stopped as she saw his golden eyes and smiled. Erik walked to her without fear, Mina had never been scared of him.

"That was my heavenly done, dear." He smiled for her.

"It was nothing." She gestured. "I was worried when I saw you fall."

"Just a scratch. I'll be fine. Where are those vultures?"

"In an official act"

"Then, I hope you don't mind if I spend some time here with you. I have been for hours between four walls and now I need some fresh air."

"Is that girl of Carlotta your friend?"

"Her name is Christine. Sings like an angel but I tell you something. She is far from what you are to me. My best friend, my story teller. You Mina are light among other lights. Christine is an angel but does not have your spirit." He sits down with her help. "Finish the song, my chérie. I will die if you don't." Mina smiled. She was not jealous, she knew that Erik had always look upon girls with talent not people like her but still, it was marvellous to know that she really meant something to him.

Madame Giry was going mad. Where was Erik? Had he went back to the lair? Had he been captured? A song captured her attention and she walked to the courtyard. The mistress widely smiled when she saw him listening peacefully to Mina's song. She could go back to her choirs and fear nothing from the new directors. Giggle. Antoinette wondered if Christine and Meg would be jealous one day of Mina, but the ballet mistress knew that that young maid was different from the two girls and that was more than anything.

"When the clouds take over the sky,

And the road seems too tough.

When the winds scratch your face,

Remember then than I'm here for thee.

When the war calls upon your name

Or a friend has fallen death.

Rain drops bring you my love,

Breeze shall bring my word.

And back from war, I shall be

Your bride or widow; I'll wait thee."

Lovely song I tell you.

If you want to find it look in youtube for "La Canción de Margarita" which is a Spanish version of Scarborough Fair.

Hope you like this short but refreshing chapter.

More to come.

Next stop: Waiting for the wheel to turn.