Part 3
He forced himself to move along the road in the direction Nickolas had pointed but his mind was a chaotic whirlwind. What were these stories about The Dark Lords? Was this why their driver had refused to carry them further? Why would his wife be safe but his life was in danger? What puzzled him even more was Nickolas’ promise to find him tomorrow in town. How was that possible if the town was day’s journey? Something just wasn’t right but what could he do? Samantha wasn’t strong enough to travel and that Lord Alexander was already suspicious. He trusted Nickolas’ warnings so he really didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. He would have to trust that beautiful stranger to take care of his wife and bring her back to him. Now, if he could just shake this feeling of being watched.
Ahead of him, Brian spotted a fire. Maybe whoever had started it would be friendly and allow him to rest there. As he picked up his pace, Nickolas’ words rang in his head….they own it, all of it, and all that is in it…including the people. Would this person be afraid to allow a stranger to share the fire?
Cautiously, Brian approached the clearing and could see a young man, about his age. He was dressed much like a beggar and dirty with dark hair and a mustache and beard. Brian couldn’t see his eyes because the man wore some type of dark spectacles covering them. There was something vaguely familiar about this beggar but Brian couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.
"Good evening," greeted the beggar without looking up. "Join me."
Brian looked around the small camp to see that there was two of everything; two pallets, two cups, two plates. Over the fire hung a pot with more than enough food for two people. It was as if this beggar had known he was coming and he should have been nervous but instead, Brian was completely at ease, like a spell had been cast over him.
Taking a seat across from the beggar, he said, "My name is Brian."
"Are you hungry?"
"Very."
The beggar handed him the second plate as he said, "Eat up. There’s plenty more where that came from."
Without hesitation, Brian filled his plate and ate ravenously as the beggar watched intently. Not once did the beggar touch the food before him but Brian never noticed.
When he had had his fill, Brian set the plate down and leaned back against the tree. "Thank you for the meal."
"You’re welcome. How long has it been since you last ate?"
"I’m not exactly sure. We…."
"We?"
"My wife,
Samantha….we left on our honeymoon over a week ago. We were going to tour the
continent."
"But?"
"We were left stranded at the edge of The Black Forest. Without explanation, our driver refused to continue and left us with one horse and a sack of food to make our way alone. We became lost and were wondering for days with no clue where we were until I found a château."
"Where is your wife now?" asked the beggar with what seemed to be genuine concern.
"I had to leave her. She was weak and sick and the man at the cottage….I guess he was the grounds keeper….said he would take care of her but I wasn’t safe if I stayed." Sleep was stalking him. "I’m tired. Do you mind if I rest?"
"Go ahead," replied the beggar in a soothing voice. He watched as Brian got comfortable on the pallet and as the young man began to drift off, he moved closer. Just like the fog drifting in, his voice drifted to Brian as he asked, "Why was your wife ill?"
In a sleepy voice, Brian said, "She caught ill in the rain."
"You said it was your honeymoon. Could she be with child?"
As if hypnotized, Brian answered, "No…she is still pure."
Blackness engulfed the sleeping young man and with the wave of his hand, Lord Alexander transformed from the beggar back to the nobleman he was. He wiped the trickle of blood that ran down his chin as he looked down on Brian.
"You’ll be but a dream to her," and he disappeared into the night leaving not a trace of a camp.
