The Heart is Slow to Learn
 

Chapter Seven

        A dark shadow stood just outside of the window, watching the lovers embrace.  He stared at the lovers, his eyes burning.  He thought about the endless floggings he�d had to bear after his frenghi guard had escaped.  He thought about the jeers, the abuse, and the disgrace.

          But no more.

          �Soon, frenghi, you will be mine.  Then there will be only happiness.  My honor will be whole once more and my estates restored to me.  But for you, my enemy, there will be no happiness.�  A golden earring glinted at his ear, bright against his wind-burned skin.  �Yes, love now, for when I have you in my hands again, you will never know happiness again.  There will be no rest from the hell that I bring to you then.�

          Yes, he knew exactly what to do now.  How to set his trap.

          Soon, the captain of the Dey�s elite personal guard would know the sweet, sweet taste of revenge.

* * * *

          He stood in the doorway, looking out over the room.

          He saw all around him the love that seemed everywhere.  Erik looked at the mullioned windows gleaming like diamonds and the priceless old rugs that lay jewel like in the pooled sunlight.

          And he knew finally what a home and family was . . . and would do anything to protect it and all that lived within its walls.

          He walked over to a piano and gently caressed its mahogany frame.  Casually, he plunked out a few notes on the ivory keys, frowning when he noticed that they were out of tune.  Sitting on the bench, he played a small tune, only to find that the piano was sadly neglected and in dire need of tuning.  Intent on discovering the cause of the problem, he never heard the light footsteps behind him.  Not until a hand was covering his mouth as a dreaded voice from his past hissed in his ear.  �I didn�t think that you were dead.  One with as evil of a heart as yours does not die that easily.  You may now have a face that does not make women scream and children to hide in their mother�s clothing.  But I remember that voice � and soon you, as well as the other frenghi will pay for all the pain you have caused me.�

          Then there was a sharp pain and as the room turned dark, Erik�s last thoughts were of India.

          Soft, dark shadows were creeping across the room as India de Chagney slowly awoke.  Stretching her hand out, India frowned slightly to find the spot next to her empty.

          Strange, she thought, I don�t remember Erik coming to bed �

          With a start, she bolted upright in bed. Danger . . . Erik is in danger!

          Frantically, she scrambled out of bed and cinched on her robe.  Her bare feet padded down the carpeted hallway, and then down the stairs.  Room by room, she searched for her lover, finally coming to the music room.  At first, she glanced around and was about to leave when her eyes came across the jacket that he had tossed down so carelessly.  Rushing over, she grabbed at the cloth, holding it tightly in her arms.  And then she saw the blood.  Bright, gleaming blots of it spattered across the piano�s white ivory keys.

          Her first, high scream brought Raoul rushing through the hall.  He had just left a sleeping Christine, and was heading for the stables when he heard his sisters cry.  The second scream almost impelled him through the house.  When he finally found India, she was standing there shaking, her face bloodless.  �Raoul,� she ran to him, practically collapsing into his arms.  �Raoul, someone has found Eric . . .  Mon Dieu who?  We have been so careful to hide his identity.    Your men finished destroying anything that the mob had left behind.  No one saw us leave Paris . . . and who would recognize him now?  Who would kidnap him?�

          �I know.�

          Turning, Raoul saw Christine standing in the door, a doll in her hand.  The vacant blue eyes of the doll were exactly the same shade as Christine�s eyes.  Shaking, she went over to Raoul and handed him the doll.  �Here.  I found this . . . this thing in my wardrobe when I went to dress.  Whoever has Eric is the same person who knew about Cosette.�

          India looked at Christine, bewildered and enraged that Christine was talking about dolls when her beloved was in danger.  Snatching the doll from Raoul�s hands, she bitterly threw it to the floor.  �Why are you talking about a child�s toy when Erik�s very life is in danger?�

          �India, you don�t understand,� soothed Raoul.  �Christine is right, there has to be a connection . . . if only we knew what it � My God, look!�

          Gazing down at the floor, Raoul and India could only gasp at the scattered jewels that lay on the carpeted floors.  Jewels of various sizes and colors sparkled and gleamed in the sunlight.  �Christine, no wonder your father told you to guard that doll well.  Christine?�

          Turning, Raoul saw that she had vanished but before he could look for her, India moaned and then collapsed in his arms.  As Raoul stood there cradling his sister, he wondered how the world could suddenly have gone so awry.

* * * *

        Hours passed as Raoul vainly spoke to everyone on the estate that could have possibly seen Erik leave.  Finally, he sank to the steps, all hope gone that anyone could give a clue as to what had happened.  A small moan captured his attention, and looking up, he saw a young stable hand, his head wrapped in bandages.  Wearily, Raoul rose and walked over to the lad, �What happened to you, lad?  Get to close to one of the mares?�

          �No sir,� the lad said startled.  �Your guest, Master Erik and some other fella came out to the stables and when I didn�t saddle Allegro fast enough, he cuffed me for my troubles.�

          Suddenly, Raoul was filled with renewed energy.  �What did he look like?  This man with Master Erik?�

          Squinting his eyes tightly shut, Raoul thought for a moment that he had not heard what had been said.  �Boy?  I asked you a question.�

          �I was tryin to remember.  Somefin was strange about the fella � he talked real strange like.  And was dark like he�d been in the sun too long, and he must�ve been a sailor or somefin �cause he had a gold earring in his ear.  I�d never seen the like of it before.  He was real dark like with the darkest, evilest eyes I�d ever seen.�

          Stefan, Raoul thought.  The description fit him perfectly, and the Captain of the Dey�s elite guard would be the only one with a reason and the means to follow them all the way to France and then know to go on to England.

          Taking a coin from his pocket, he tossed it to the boy, �here lad, this should ease the pain in your skull.  Now run back to the stables and mount me my horse.�

          �Make that three horse�s lad.�

          As the boy ran off, blessing his luck, Raoul turned to see Christine and India standing at the door.  �You two are staying home where it�s safe.  I don�t have the time to try protecting you and getting Erik back at the same time.�

          There was a cold, hard look in Raoul�s blue eyes, his lips thinned into a grim line.  �You have no idea what kind of a man . . . �

          �Yes, I do,� India, said quietly.  �Erik told me about Stefan and what a devil the man is.  And you know very well that I can shoot a pistol as well as you, Raoul de Chagney!�

          �And so can I,� asserted Christine.  �Papa was always worried about my welfare should something happen to him.  I believe there is much about me to learn, Raoul.  Now, either you wait for us, or so help me God; we will follow your trail.  Now, instead of standing there fuming, go get some of the other men to help while we change.�  Without glancing back, Christine grabbed India�s arm, and the two raced back into the house.

          Shaking his head, Raoul left in the direction of the stables.  He knew that a large band would only attract unwanted attention.  Nevertheless, there was one man, Connor MacKinnon that fit the situation perfectly.  Connor had also spent time in Persia, in charge of the magnificent horses in the Dey�s stable.  Only one day after the Dey had abused one of the horses, the Irishman�s temper got the best of his common sense and Raoul had had to stand and protect the very man he had hated.  He had not been able to prevent the subsequent flogging that Connor had to endure, but he had been able to send Connor away before the Dey�s executioner had been summoned.  Later, Connor had shown up the estate, and willingly Raoul had kept on his friend.

          Raoul and Connor were just taking the horses outside the stable when India and Christine arrived, and for a moment, Raoul didn�t know weather to explode in laughter or indignation.

          His sister and wife stood wearing breeches that obviously had belonged to him when he was younger. . and slimmer.  The cloth hugged their slender thighs, while a makeshift belt that had once been a scarf, cinched their slender waists.  Both had pistols tucked in their waists, and India held out his sword.  �Here, even with the extra pistols, you may need this.�

          Connor MacKinnon exploded in loud laughter as he looked on.  �Christ Raoul, what did your mother feed you two as babes?  I�ve never seen such a family as ready to make war as make music?�  Helping the two women onto their mounts, Connor watched as Raoul swung onto his saddle, hating to see the transformation that had taken place.  Gone was the happy, easygoing man that Raoul had been since his return.  His former self had returned, and it was easy for Connor to see the hard, lean officer that Raoul had once been.

          �What do we do next?� Connor asked softly.

          �It seems that we�ll have to head out the main road.  There is a small inlet to the south of us, where a small boat could be hidden.  This used to be all smuggler territory.  Fortunately, Philippe and I explored most of the coves around here, and my guess is the nearest one isn�t that far away.�  Turning so that only Connor could hear, Raoul muttered.  �God, how can I go back to the way I was in front of them?  Conn, you know the things that happed to me there, and the things I was forced to do to stay alive.  How can I possibly face them again?�

          After a moment, his friend smiled.  �It�s not all that difficult.  You simply keep moving on, with each day putting a bit more distance to the past.  And you keep remembering how much all of these people love you.  And you keep doing it, even though the pain builds until you think that you are going to die of it.  And then before you know it, the hard part is over and you�ve finally put the past and its pain behind you.�

          Raoul�s brow slanted up, �are you speaking from personal experience?�

          �Aye,� the great broad-shouldered man said.  �We all have our secrets, Raoul de Chagney.  The fact is, my young friend that our secrets make us what we are.  It just takes some of us,� he added smiling, �a lot longer to appreciate that fact.�

* * * *

          Waves slapping on water.

          Somewhere, the distant cry of seabirds.

          A plunk as oars dipped and swished.

          Dizzily, Erik opened his eyes to darkness.  They had caught him in the music room.  Of course, he had been alone.  He had cursed himself for being so complacent.  Why had he let his guard down?

          But it was too late now, Erik realized, wiping away a tickle of blood.  He was trussed like a chicken flung into the back of what felt like a rowboat making its way in the darkness.  He heard muttered voices nearby and the slap of oars.  Without warning hands yanked him up into the air and bound him inside a huge miller�s sack.

          Nausea churned through him.  Back and forth, he pitched and swayed, hanging from the shoulder of his captor.  He heard a door creak open and wood scrape over stone, and then he was thrown down upon a cold, hard floor.  A blade pierced the coarse burlap.

          The next moment Erik was gazing up, half blinded, into the corona of a candle.  Looking about, he could see that they were inside some kind of a warehouse, and from the sounds outside, he knew they were near water.

          �Ah, welcome, Monsieur Angel of Death.�

          Blinking, Erick pushed to his feet and glared at the man before him.  A single gold ring glinted at his ear and his black eyes were hard in a walnut face.

          �How in the devil did you find me, Stefan?�

          The man threw back his head and laughed.  �What, no fear?  Excellent.  I find that most amusing in a slave.�

          �Well, you surely won�t like it in me,� Erik hissed, kicking out with his foot.  He missed him, however and his response was to wrap a length of silken cord around Erik�s hands, binding them in front of him.

          �There, that should take the fight out of you,� he snarled. 

          �Don�t count on it,� Erik snapped. 

          The man crossed his arms and stared at him, his eyes hooded.  �Let�s see how brave you are in a few hours.�

          Erik�s heart began to pound.  The couldn�t have gotten India, could they?  He felt his knees go weak at the thought of India paying the price for his past, but he wasn�t about to show Stefan that he was frightened.  �I doubt it,� he said acidly.

          �What do you want?� he demanded.

          �It�s very simple, really.  First, I want both you and the other frenghi that dishonored me so.  Then, I want the jewels that were hidden inside of Christine Daae�s doll.  Her father had told me that the doll was cursed, and that only he or his daughter could break the curse.�

          For a moment, Erik was amazed that this ruthless killer could believe in such a story.  Then he remembered the superstitious nature of his captor and shrugged his shoulders.  �I know nothing about a doll, I can assure you.�

          Stefan�s eyes did not leave Erik�s face as he pulled a jeweled dagger from his pocket.  Its blade was polished and curved, a lethal sweep of silver.  He smiled as he lodged the point against Erik�s throat.  �And now I believe it�s time that you told me the truth.�

          �I know nothing about any doll, why would I?�

          The Barbary corsair shrugged.  �I know that you went to great means to further Christine�s career.  I know first hand of the young lady�s temperament, so you had to have been in love with her.�

          �You fool!� Erik snapped.  �She married young de Chagney.  If I had been in love with her that would never had happened.�

          �How unfortunate, that you are being so stubborn.  Of course, she married de Chagney, even with your face repaired, why would she marry a commoner when she could have a titled, rich husband.  It was what her father had wanted all along.  And when he continued to refuse my offers, retribution was swift and absolute.�

          �You killed him!� Erik hissed.

          �Of course I did.  I was also the one that arranged for the dashing Viscount to disappear.  Alas, he proved useful to the Dey, and so he was allowed to live.�

          The silver blade lowered to the point above Erik�s heart.  �Now we wait.  I am sure that the Dey�s Captain will come looking for his sisters lover.  And when he does, I will take both of you back with me.  And perhaps his sister and wife also.  They will make welcome addition to my harem.�

          Erik glared at him.  �This has been a most delightful discussion, but there is one slight problem.  De Chagney, as you have pointed out, is a nobleman.  What makes you think that he wants to rescue me?�

          The corsair�s blade pressed insistently against his heart and Erik winced as he felt a jab of pain.

          �You doubt that he will come, frenghi?�  Stefan whirled around and clapped his hands sharply.  From the shadows at the far wall, two figures loomed into view.  In a language that Erik had once spoken fluently, he listened as Stefan gave orders for Raoul and the two women to be found and brought to him.

          His blood ran cold as Erik thought of Christine and India in this mans hands.

          �No,� Erik breathed, horrified.  �Not the women. . .�

          �But of course.  When you two escaped me, I was made to pay dearly.  I mean to exact revenge.�

* * * *

        Raoul awoke cursing.  His head was throbbing, and as he tried to get his bearings, he remembered Connor warning him that it was dangerous for him to go ahead to scout out the land.  Still, habits died hard, and he had thought it would be less dangerous if he went ahead and left Connor with the women.

          Now he struggled as he was dragged in front of Stefan.

          �Tie him,� Stefan said tautly.  When the command was obeyed, he shoved Erik into a corner and moved toward Raoul.  From a table near the wall, he lifted a whip braided with leather and strung with discs of steel.  He held it out to one of his grinning compatriots.  �Abdul, you may begin.�

          Raoul twisted at his bounds.  �What do you want, Stefan?�

          �I want frenghi to watch you suffer; to watch you gasp and cry out, begging for my compassion � which of course I will not give you.�  Stefan seated himself in a chair and began to a pressed cake layered with date paste.  �As you suffer, I expect that your friends tongue will loosen praise Allah.  And now we shall begin.�  He nodded to the man called Abdul.

          The whip flew down; digging across Raoul�s back and raking up lines of blood.

          Erik gasped and flung himself at the corsair.  His fist cracked against his jaw and sent him flying to the floor.   Stefan did not even look up as he struck Erik, his eyes intent on Raoul.

          For a second time the whip cracked down.  Desperately, Erik looked about him and saw a knife in one corner.  Saying a silent prayer, he edged forward and worked at the ropes, trying not to think about the cruel slap of the leather whip on Raoul�s back.

          The rope came free.  A rage began to burn inside of Erik like none he had never known before.  A groan broke the stillness, Raoul twisting with each slap of the whip.  This was the man, Erik realized, who had given him a new life . . . a love to hold.  The young aristocrat that he had once so despised was taking a punishment that would have broken a better man.

          Moving in silence, his fingers clenched on the rope still around his wrists.  Inching behind Stefan, Erik flashed the knife to the wall beside Raoul, as he jerked the rope down around Stefan�s neck.

          He was on his feet in an instant, and his strength was more than Erik could have imagined.  Cursing, he seized the rope and twisted about, nearly wrenching Erik�s shoulders from their sockets.  Tears burned in his eyes.  He fought to keep his grip, but the pirate�s strength was too great.  With a twist of his massive hands, he tore away the makeshift noose and circled his neck.

          Lights exploded behind Erik�s eyes.  His throat felt crushed and there was a roaring in his ears.  Dimly he heard Raoul shout and then the muffled thump of falling bodies.

          But it was all from a great distance, set far apart from him and the roaring that churned through his head.

          Blackness surged toward him.  He saw the candle flickering on the table.  Gritting his teeth and struggling to summon a last burst of energy, he launched out his foot and caught the edge of the candle, sending it spiraling to the floor.

          Instantly the room was plunged into darkness.

          Somehow, Erik managed to stay upright, kicking and twisting at the lethal hands he could no longer see.  Then, abruptly, Erik was free, the fingers gone from around his throat.

          Stefan�s voice boomed out in the darkness.  �You have no hope of escaping, Captain.  Cease your foolish efforts and yield to me.  Then perhaps I might show mercy to your women when my men find them.�

          Gritting his teeth against the pain in his throat, Erik moved on until he found the wall.  Orders barked out in Stefan�s native tongue and boots hammered over wood.  Silently, Erik waited for a sign of Raoul.

          But none came.

          With every heartbeat, the waiting grew harder.  Each second became an agony.  He was about to take matters into his own hands and go after Raoul when calloused hands slid around his wrists.  He started to react but a hand blocked his mouth.  Then Erik smelled the familiar scent of lemon and leather with a hint of brandy.  Raoul�s scent.

          �Don�t move,� he whispered, �or make a sound.�

          Abruptly, a pistol barked in the darkness and a bulled went whining past Erik�s shoulder.  He felt Raoul tense behind him.  He pulled him down toward the floor just seconds before a second shot hissed by, only inches away.

          Raoul cursed.  Another shot exploded past them.

          �Stay close,� he whispered.  �We�re going out.�

          But before they could move, flint hissed and light filled the room.  Erik blinked as his eyes adjusted to the painful light.  Too late, he saw the glint of a gold earring.  Too late, he saw hard lips curl into a cruel smile.

          Then he was jerked backward, while Stefan�s laughter rang in his ears.

          �You�ve lost, Frenchman.  You cannot hope to win against me.  Now I shall take the Angel of Death with me, and teach him the rewards for betrayal.  You will be able to hear his screams from here, I think.�

          He shouted an order to his subordinate, who moved toward Raoul, a pistol trained on Raoul�s head.

          Erik twisted and fought to no avail.  He was jerked out to the stairway and shoved down into a waiting boat.  And this time there was no hope of escape, for two of Stefan�s sailors sat grinning in the bow.