Entry #525122, added on 08-01-07 @ 11:04 am EDT
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| Chapter Eighteen | Entry #525122 |
“What you are asking me to do is a perversion of our cause!”
“Come now Baron, you know as well as I do that life is a privilege. How many brilliant minds have been cut short by their own damned mortality?”
The two men stood at opposite ends of the cargo carriage of a train that was speeding towards Germany. Gas lanterns hung on ropes randomly around the carriage that swayed back and forth with the rhythmic clunking of the tracks. Cold night breeze whistled through the slits in the wooden panelled side of the carriage.
“My mind is made, I am to stay and continue our work as it was planned.”
“Do not underestimate the influence of our employer.”
“I work for myself. I do not need your employer’s charity. Now if you don’t mind you have brought me here under false pretences and I have other business.”
The Baron’s gaze began to search for an exit, only to find two. One from which he had entered and which was blocked by the man, and the other was a side door which led straight out of the fast moving train to whatever fate lay below. Either way he did not fancy his chances of a quick escape.
“You say you do not want his charity, but what of his protection, eh? What of Franz’s protection?”
The Baron turned at once back to the man.
“Are you threatening me Martin?”
“I am trying to make you see sense. What we have worked for was only the beginning. What we lacked in understanding we made up with ingenuity, but you know as well as I that certain necessary components were unavailable to us, making our success ever more improbable.”
“Those barriers can be overcome in time I am sure of it. The work that myself and Charles have done recently has proven we are close.”
“But with what my employer offers there will be no barriers.”
“What do you mean?”
“Everything we need is waiting for us. But I require your speciality to perfect it.”
Martin and the Baron became caught in each others gaze for a while. As if trying to read the others mind. After only moments of contemplation, the Baron broke his silence.
“Who is your employer?”
“Someone with great vision and immense resources. He is someone who is offering you the greatest opportunity of your life.”
“But at what price? These promises are all very fanciful but I would prefer to make my own destiny. Charles and I shall succeed, without your employers help.”
Another figure emerged from the shadows and approached the Baron.
“Listen to him Erik.”
“Charles! But what are you doing here?”
“Saving your life. What Martin says is true. There is only so far we can go you know that. This is our opportunity to make history.”
“You know me better than that Charles. My aspirations are not quite as lofty as your own.”
“No, but our goal is the same. You say yourself that you believe you will succeed in completing the work on your own if you must, what does it matter then if someone helps us. What will be lost?”
“Our souls? Have you ever thought about that? We knew when we started our journey that we were resurrecting a long forgotten darkness. We agreed then that it would only be our clear focus and faith that would steer us from corruption. What we are trying to do is not to be taken lightly, and indeed is not intended for outsiders.”
“Baron we are all outsiders, some are just too scared to admit it.”
“Listen to him Erik, he is speaking sense.”
The Baron stepped back from the two men, masking himself in half light and shadow.
“I have made up my mind Charles.”
At that, movement became noticeable from the shadows behind Martin. A muffled shout filled the carriage and some unknown and previously unseen men emerged from the doorway wheeling a tied and gagged man. The chair was tipped forward and the man was thrown to the ground.
“Franz!” The baron moved to attend to him but more men moved forward grabbing and restrained his progress.
“Martin, call off your men!”
“This is your last chance Baron, come with us!”
“Never! I shall never stray from the path.”
Martin strode over to the restrained Baron and removed a seven inch knife from beneath his coat.
“Martin what are you doing?” Charles screamed as he too was restrained by men.
“I have my orders Mason! Either the Baron works with us or he is against us. If he is against us then he needs to be eliminated.”
“Martin No!” Mason struggled frantically against his aggressors but failed to gain ground.
With a quick swing of his arm, Martin Jefferson rammed the blade deep into the Baron’s stomach. He then removed the knife and thrust it again into his chest. This time he left the knife within the Baron and stepped back.
“No!” Mason screamed his anger at Martin, but his objections were not heard.
Martin turned from the Baron and looked at Franz lying severely beaten and in an increasing puddle of his own blood.
“And to think he was trying to take the moral high ground! Hypocrite.!”
Martin left the room and it soon emptied after him, leaving the dying Baron slumped upon the floor and the crippled Franz staring through teary eyes at his lover. He called to him through the gag across his mouth, but the Baron did not answer. His mind had retreated into that far away place where the pain cannot touch you. His eyes looked back at Franz but he did not recognise him. Franz began to scream. He screamed through his tears and his pain, he screamed although his lungs burned and his heart pounded. He scarcely even noticed the return of two men nor felt them as they grabbed his broken body and threw him from the train.
“ERIK!”
The man sat up straight. Smoke and incense filling his lungs as he panted heavily from the shock. He quickly looked about himself to gather his senses and his bearings. ‘The Dragon’s Den’. A small oriental boy ran over to the man’s assistance.
“Can I help you sir?”
The man reached under his cloak and removed the small wooden box he had been hiding. His hands caressed it and the caress turned into a squeeze as the memories still burned his mind. With tears freely streaming down his face he turned to the boy.
“I must go.”
The man got unsteadily to his feet and concealing the box once again beneath his cloak he made his way for the door.
“I have a debt to repay.” |
© Copyright 2007 ReflectingeyE (UN: reflectingeye at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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