Chap 9
In the foyer at Capellen's manor house, Dr. Dyson, Nate, Angelique and Elaine stood for a moment or two, looking back and forth at each other, tense after the scene with Montegue. The sounds of the carriage riding away echoed in the foyer where they all stood. Angelique decided it was her place to break the tension.
"Dr. Dyson, all I can say is I apologize." She said as she approached him. She gave a respectful curtsy and a nod. "I regret that my brother has behaved in this manner. He asked me to, so I brought him here and for that I am sorry. He said he came to deliver a message from the King." She said, regret in her tone. Angelique always knew how instinctively to diffuse an edgy situation. This was a gift her father, the King, used often, sending her as his ambassador and negotiator all over Europe.
"I thank you Angelique, for you show the graciousness of your house that your brother lacks. You need not apologize for him. He acted of his own accord, not as an emissary of your father." Said Dr. Dyson, reflecting the formal humility of Angelique. Less inflamed, he walked up to her. "And, my dear, you are not only among friends. You are as family to me. You are always welcome here." He reached out his hand in greeting, and gave her a small bow. Dr. Dyson had spent years on his opinion of Angelique. He did not appreciate what he heard of her romantic exploits with various men, particularly when his Elaine was involved in their younger years, but he admired her deeply for her intellect and tact. Those particular characteristics were readily apparent in the aftermath of Montague's departure.
"Well, now that that excitement is over." said Nate "I will go alert the kitchen to place another setting for dinner." He walked past Angelique, and gave her a wink. "Pleasure to see you again, Baroness. British bulldog indeed. Next time I'll show him the dog, I'll kick him in the…" he muttered, walking towards the kitchen. Everyone laughed as he walked away. Nate had is own way of diffusing situations. Angelique turned back to face the doctor.
"Dr. Dyson, I must talk with you in private. Not now, but after everyone has settled down a bit. Will you be able to give me an audience later today?" She requested humbly. There were few men she respected, and he was one that she held in high regard. She spent all of her vacations from boarding school with the Dyson's, and he always treated her respectfully as a daughter, despite all the tales of her improprieties. Monty had come with her a few times as a youth, but proved to be too disruptive. Elaine could not stand to see him, even as a child.
So, Monty is not the only one with business to discuss. Thought Dr. Dyson.
"Yes, my dear. I think it best after dinner." He said. He smiled at her and retired to his library. Once in the quiet of his office, he picked up the journal article again and resumed his reading. He was doing some research on amnesia, trying to find out how best to help Erik regain his memory. He heard the sound of a thud come from the room above him. He knew it was Erik's room.
Maybe something has happened to Erik? He thought. He got up and strode into the foyer.
Dr. Dyson walked up the stairs quickly. He rushed to Erik's door and opened it gently. He saw Erik lying on the floor near a chair by the window. He closed the door behind him and rushed to Erik's side.
"Erik, Erik, can you hear me?" he said turning him over and shaking his shoulders. He was about to rise and get some cold water and smelling salts when Erik's eyes opened and he focused in on Dr. Dyson's worried face.
"What happened?" He said, sitting up with Dr. Dyson's help.
"I don't know, I heard a noise in my office downstairs and came up here. You were lying on the floor. Did you hurt yourself? Were you trying to get up?" he asked, as Erik managed to pull himself up onto a chair with Dr. Dyson's help.
"No, no, I'm fine. The last thing I remember was Nate leaving. Then I got a horrid headache, followed by these visions. The next thing I know, you are here shaking me."
Dr Dyson picked up the crutches, eying them with suspicion.
"Maybe it was too early for you to try these. You may be too weak still." He leaned them against the wall nearby.
"I don't think so Dr. Dyson. I had been sitting for a while after walking around with those. I had no ill feeling for all that time. I passed out after feeling very angry…" Erik stopped short, not wanting to reveal the reason for his anger.
"Very angry? So... Was that before or after the visions came?" Asked Dr. Dyson, remembering something he had just read about amnesia. "Your memories may return in the midst of strong emotions."
"I was angry before the visions." Said Erik, rubbing at his knee. It was sore from the fall. Dr. Dyson nodded to himself.
"I see. That would make sense then." Dr. Dyson queried. "But Erik. why were you so angry?" Erik sighed and looked away, feeling embarrassed for eavesdropping.
"I must apologize. I was overhearing your conversation with this…Prince Montague. I was angry at the way he was treating you and talking about Elaine." Erik said. Dr. Dyson was not very upset at the eavesdropping, but was curious as to why Erik was suddenly so concerned about them.
"My 'guest' and I were having a rather loud discussion. I suppose you could not help but to hear it. Everybody heard it. Now about the visions you were talking about. Do you still remember them?" Dr. Dyson said, walking over to a drawer and rummaging through it. He found what he was looking for: a journal full of blank paper and a pen with some ink.
"Yes, I do. They were dark, but detailed, like nightmares. They come on with a blazing headache that leaves me faint." He held his head remembering the pain.
"Whatever they were, fact or fiction, you must document them. We can try to make some sense of them later. By the way, Erik, thank you for your concern. For us I mean. Prince Montague is a bad sort, but he really has no power or drive to fulfill his threats. He really poses us no danger." Dr. Dyson said, a little disturbed. When it came to Montegue, he was worried. The man was growing more dangerous and irrational each time they met.
"I must admit, though. You look better today. Especially once you get off the floor." Dr. Dyson remarked. Both men had a little well-deserved laughter. Erik looked out of the window, a wistful look on his face. He turned back to face the physician.
"Dr. Dyson, Nate told me that you have an academic library. I wondered if I could take a look there. I do not want to read any more of the fiction that is in this room. These books have stories of other people's lives. I am confused enough about my own. If I could look through some texts, maybe I would remember my schooling. That may make me remember a little about what I have learned in the past, and give me some insight as to what I did for my life's work." Erik said almost pleading. "All I really want to do is find out who I really am." Dr. Dyson smiled and nodded.
"Don't we all want to know who we really are. Some of us never find out." Dr. Dyson said, waxing philosophical for a moment. "Of course you can see my library. If you feel up to it, we could go now." He prompted. Erik smiled back.
"Yes, that would be great. But, you don't have to take me. I don't want to waste a minute more of your time." Said Erik.
"You are not wasting my time Erik. From what I can tell, you seem to be a learned man. I look forward to discussions with you." Dr. Dyson said, helping Erik up onto his crutches. "I assume no more emotional outbursts are in your near future. It is actually important for you to start to moving around the limbs you can."
The women were heard, walking up the stairs noisily again, lingering outside Erik's door in the hallway.
The two men in the room looked at each other awkwardly. Erik felt some trepidation at the presence of the Baroness. She did not seem to posses the qualities of compassion that was so apparent in the Dysons.
"Maybe later, thank you. I should rest and start writing down these visions anyway." Said Erik, settling back into the chair. As he did that, the room began to spin. "The room just took a turn…maybe you are right, I am not really ready to move around as much as I have been." Erik said. Secretly, Dr. Dyson was relieved. He did not yet want to subject Erik to the Baroness.
"Very well, I will talk to you later, Erik. Try to keep your feet up if you feel faint again." Said Dr. Dyson, heading to the door. "I'll send someone up with some dinner later. Unless, of course, you want to join us downstairs." He offered. He could guess the response.
"Some other time, Doctor. I'm not even dressed for dinner." Erik joked, patting the loose nightclothes on his frame.
"That is right, thank you for reminding me. We will need to have you fitted for some new clothes. Your old clothing was destroyed." He said.
"I thank you again for such generosity, Dr. Dyson." Erik said. Dr. Dyson simply smiled back at him, leaving the room.
Erik sat quietly, thankful to be alone for a little while, to nurse his aching head. He desperately needed to gather his thoughts together after the day's affairs. It felt so strange being in a strange place, being completely unaware of his past.
Hesitantly, he opened the journal and picked up the pen…