Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 15:48:53 EDT
From: SSch191950@aol.com
Subject: A Promise and a Curse, Part 14
A PROMISE AND A CURSE
by Stefan
http://stefan680.tripod.com/stefanstories/
Chapter Twelve - Part 1
Simon leafed through the Prague guide he had gotten from Nicholas
yesterday when he and Ben had seen him at home. He got some good tips on
what to visit and was looking forward to meeting his brother again.
Finally he put it aside and opened a journal. It was another one because
he left his diary at home for Ben to read.
He took a pen and began to write,
"Tuesday, May 26th
I just crossed the border and wonder what Prague will have in store for
me. I miss you already. I've learned from Marcus that Neil's -
George's brother-in-laws' work place is now the "Golden Gate" at
Prague's Castle Hradcany. I'm looking forward to visiting it.
I only hope Sebastian will not put himself into dangerous situations.
He has Daniel's certificate of authenticity with him, so I really hope
the chaplain of the church won't make any problems. But this is rubbish
when I think it over. I mean that chaplain had enough criminal energy
to have the altar stolen - so a certification won't convince him for
sure. How Christian! Wasn't there a Commandment, Thou shalt not steal
... or something. After all, you are the expert in Bible study, Ben.
Well, that's proof that even chaplains are just human. I wonder if it
would have been easier to ask Daniel if he would sell the altar, but Kay
told me that Daniel would never sell his precious altar.
You know what, Ben? The imagination to spend some days with my elder
brother makes me happy. We lost touch and it was entirely my fault, you
know this already. So, in this sense, I'm entirely glad now. Hmm, have
I told you that Marcus and Sebastian were lovers frequently when I had
been with Marcus? I won't say it doesn't hurt still but I'm a little
bit inhibited whenever I meet him. He is so ... sheer force, you know.
He has a strong presence. I wonder how Kay is coping with this."
A loudspeaker announcement told Simon that the train would soon arrive
at Prague central station, so he gathered all his clothes and got
ready. He saw both Sebastian and Kay instantly standing on the
platform, a bit wet from a rain shower. Soon he was greeted with big
hugs, Sebastian taking his bag and they were rushing out of the
old-fashioned art nouveau building.
"Oh gosh, I'm so happy that you are here. Too bad Ben couldn't make
it." Kay was chatting happily along while they stepped into Sebastian's
car.
"You know, we must go across the town to reach our hotel. Nicki
suggested a little one at the other side of the river ..." he bent over
to Sebastian, "what is the name?"
"To the Three Ostriches."
"Ah, yes. Strange name, isn't it? Anyway, it's lovely. We reserved a
double room for you just in case Ben's coming later. You know what?
It's set on a small island with little watermills on its beach. It is
said that Rabbi Loew has taken the clay from it to create his Golem."
Kay stopped his chattering abruptly and looked at his brother. "But you
say nothing! How are you?"
Sebastian and Simon laughed in unison. "Geez, how could I say anything
when your mouth doesn't stand still for a second? But I'm fine, thank
you."
Kay joined their laughter.
Sebastian turned into the large square of the Wenceslaus Place. Simon
saw a huge equestrian statue, flanked by four more statues. They
passed great looking hotels, jewelers, bank exchanges, cafes and
restaurants before they touched the Old Town Square, which was entirely
pedestrian zone.
"Look, there's the Teyn Church." Sebastian pointed to a twin belfry
made of dark brown, uncovered stone. Several little spires stuck into
the cloudy sky. It looked gloomy and Simon shivered as if he would have
a dejavu. He was sure he had seen these belfries before, perhaps in an
old movie about the Hussite Wars.
But a minute later they were crossing a bridge and Simon had the most
beautiful view ever. The Moldau was running calm as a dark, broad
stream, spanned by several bridges: the Charles Bridge was the most
impressive of all. It ended at two stone gates and behind it Prague's
castle, Hradcany, was towering over the town.
"Isn't it great?" Kay asked. "If I had known how beautiful Prague is
..." he sighed.
Sebastian stopped the car in front of a little, yellow washed hotel.
Over the door, three ostriches were painted. "U tri Pstrosu," Simon
read.
"It formerly belonged to a master of hat makers, who was purveyor to the
court for Emperor Rudolf II. He delivered ostrich feathers. He was so
proud of it, so he had three ostriches painted upon the wall," Kay said.
"Ah! And when was this?"
"Hey, you don't know about Rudolf II?" Sebastian asked. "The wimpy
Austrian Emperor ruled the whole Holy Roman Reich of German Nation?
It was about ... in the 17th century. He resided in the Hradcany and
employed many astrologers and astronomers like Tycho Brabe and Johannes
Kepler; painter like Archimboldo. It's said that he was busy with
alchemy and finding the Philosopher's stone. Rabbi Loew was his
contemporary."
Simon's head was swirling. This would be an interesting trip and his
diary would be full to the brim he thought well humored. He took his
bag and followed the others.
~~~~~~~~~
Simon noticed that his brother was very anxious regarding Simon's food
when they had their supper in one of the rustic pubs around the place.
He ordered him chicken and a green salad and Simon looked envious at
Sebastian's plate filled with little sausages, dumplings and a big
mountain of sauerkraut. "Too bad you can't have a taste, honey."
Sebastian said chewing. "It's delicious, but a bit fatty." Simon
grinned, watching Sebastian take a large gulp of black beer.
"Have you been in the church already?" He asked.
"No, not yet. Yesterday we were too tired you know. It took us a while
to arrive here."
Do you have any idea how to get the altar? I don't think it will be used
as the official altar, do you?" Simon asked him.
"Why not? When they think it's safe." Sebastian emptied his beer glass
and the waiter rushed to the table, offering a large plate full of
little bulbous glasses filled with a clear, ivory liquid.
"Becherovka?" he asked. "Good for your stomach," he continued in lovely
broken German. "It's not alcohol. It's medicine." He grinned.
Sebastian took two glasses and the waiter vanished.
"To your health," he said to Simon before he sniffed, made approving
noises and sipped on it. "Hmm, great." Kay said after doing the same.
It's herbal liqueur." He patted his belly where he felt an instant warm
feeling. Simon smiled sourly. He would have liked to taste it. Shitty
hepatitis.
"How long do you need to be so careful with your food?" Kay asked and
Simon sighed. "Frequently forever. At least two years of strict
dieting."
"Gosh! I'm so sorry." Kay put his hand over Simon's fingers and squeezed
them. "But you're looking good. Ben's care?"
Simon nodded. "He's the best thing that ever happened to me."
Sebastian smiled too. "Then to Ben!" he lifted another beer glass and
drank. "Damn this beer is great." "Oh," he said after a glance at
Simon. "I'm sorry." But Simon laughed. It was a good idea to drive to
Prague, he thought. He would have a lot of fun, he was sure.
"Do you know why the other piece of your cousin's altar is here in
Prague?" Simon asked after a while and Sebastian nodded.
"At least I guess so. Once whole Tyrol was one sovereign country
but after long quarrels the last sovereign, Margarete Maultasch, was
giving the governmental power to Duke Rudolf IV of Habsburg, an
Austrian/German dynasty."
He wiped his mouth with the napkin. "You know, he was an ancestor of
Emperor Rudolf II we talked about before. It was in ... 1363 and Tyrol
then belonged to the Habsburg Reich. You know surely about the parting
of Tyrol into North Tyrol, belonging now to Austria and South Tyrol,
becoming a part of Italy after World War I."
Simon said nothing; he must have missed it in school and glanced at his
brother who shrugged his shoulders helplessly. They grinned at each
other while Sebastian was giving them a lecture in European history.
"The peasant's rebellion in 1525 had great affect on Tyrol, especially
to a small village named St. Lorentzen. It was the birthplace of Jakob
Huter who founded the "Anabaptist movement," a Christian sect, not
beloved by the official church because they demanded a radical new order
of the clerical and society conditions. Hundreds of them were punished
with torture and execution. About 6.000 Hutterer fled to the more
tolerant Bohemia and founded there a first Brotherhood, living
restricted by the words of the Bible - without any private possessions.
Today they still live in parts of the United States of America and in
Canada. Like before, after the principles of the ancient Christian
community of property."
Sebastian's mouth was dry, so he ordered another black beer although he
felt a bit dizzy already.
"And what happened to ... Huter?" Kay wanted to know.
"He returned to Tyrol to preach his lesson, but he was imprisoned and in
Innsbruck burnt to ashes in 1536."
"Geez. Give me some of your beer." Kay grabbed the glass and gulped.
Sebastian ordered another one and a mineral water for Simon. The air in
the basement pub was getting thick with smoke.
"We suppose that one of the Hutterer took the altar with him or her. At
least this is what I worked out for myself after doing research in
Meran's annals. You know St. Lorenzen is still the place of a Pacher
altar, the remains of a big winged altar piece built in 1462, called
"The Madonna of the grapes."
"Again just remains?"
Sebastian nodded. He had to stop drinking this damn beer but it was
the best beer he ever had tasted. He wiped his forehead. "Yes, the
rest is still missing."
"Perhaps we'll find it here too?" Kay threw in. He was getting sleepy
and couldn't quite follow Sebastian's explanations any more. He slid
down his chair and closed his eyes.
"You know," Sebastian began again but his tongue was a bit heavy, "the
von Falkenstein's, Daniel's family, belonged in ancient times to the
crusaders of the Teutonic Order of Knights which was founded after the
fall of Jerusalem in 1099. Later they became mercenaries who fought on
the Catholic side of the Thirty Years' War, which began in 1618. After
the Battle of the White Rock, not far from Prague, they won over the
soldiers of the German protestant King Frederick V, so they took a piece
of Michael's father's altar with them. Since then it is in Daniel's
family possession."
Simon was listening with interest. He pushed Kay, who seemed to be
asleep, but he opened his eyes instantly. "I've heard everything," he
said and yawned. "So, now the riddle of the altar is solved - at least if
your theory is right, Bastian," Kay said. "The chaplain wanted to have
the altar complete, right?" He stretched himself. "With a tad rude
method. Robber baron methods." He looked at Sebastian's reddened face
and poked him in the ribs. "Bed is calling, sweetheart."
Sebastian grinned lopsided and waved the waiter over. He paid a
ridiculously small bill he realized astonished, left a big tip, rose and
swayed slightly. Together they climbed the stairs until they breathed
fresh night air. It hit Sebastian's head like a hammer. "Shit, one of
the beers must have been bad," he joked.
"I told you not to drink so much black beer," Kay was teasing him, took
his arm and led him in the direction of the hotel.
In front of their rooms Simon said to Sebastian, "I liked your story.
Hope to hear more of them.
Sebastian smiled, bowed slightly and nodded. Kay was pushing him
through the door. "If he begins to snore, I'll come into your bed." He
winked at Simon and closed the door.
Early next morning Simon met a pretty squashed Kay and a very fresh
looking Sebastian at the breakfast table. He grinned at his brother.
"Thought Sebastian was the one who had a beer too much yesterday," he
said. Sebastian answered his smile. "He's not a morning person,
you should know this."
"Yeah, I know." He nudged his brother and winked at Sebastian.
"Everything ok?"
"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked innocently. "You didn't think those
little black beers would knock me out, did you?"
Simon grinned mischievously. With a snort he bit into his fresh but dry
roll. He was forbidden to eat butter.
"And what now?" he asked.
"We could go sightseeing." Kay was awake now and lamely lifted Nicholas'
guide.
"Sightseeing!" Sebastian shouted. "Well, you can go sightseeing but I'm
going to the Teyn church."
"Not without us, sweetie," Kay said, "let's start with the church."
When they entered the Charles Bridge, leading over the Moldau they were
overwhelmed. On both sides were standing large black sandstone
sculptures, showing crucifixion scenes, saints and other groups.
Painters had set up their drawings, waiting for customers and admirers.
"Finished in 1402," Kay read. "In commission of Emperor Charles IV,
therefore the name. 'Karluv Most' is the Czech name. Look, here's the
statue of Holy John of Nepomuk. He was thrown into the river here."
Simon and Sebastian bent over the landing and stared into the water.
"Hey, did you know that the bricklayers mixed the mortar with egg yolk
to make it solid?" Kay exclaimed after reading on. "Whole wagon loads
came to Prague from the villages. One of them even sent hard boiled eggs
because they feared they would break during the journey."
All three laughed until they reached the Old Town Bridge Tower - a
mighty sandstone building with an acute roof. They admired the churches
and followed a small, winding street, full of tourists and passengers,
flanked by wonderful restored houses of all ages.
After passing the Town Hall they saw in the distance the brown, gloomy
towers of the Teyn church. Somehow it didn't fit into the scenery. In
front of it were several colourful houses and buildings. Simon was
staring at a broad bronze memorial amidst the wide place, then a horse
carriage blocked his view. He felt very sorry that Ben wasn't with him;
he would surely enjoy this trip.
"Memorial to Jan Hus, director of the university, reformer of the
church, burned at the stake by the council of Konstanz in 1415. King
Sigismund had betrayed him. It was the origin of the Hussite Wars."
"Oh dear, what a bloody history," Simon said but Sebastian was getting
impatient. He loved the look of the town but was very anxious about the
altar. He dragged the boys with him, trying to find the entrance but
failed. They stood in front of several restaurants, shops and cafe's
but the small lane was a dead end street. Helplessly they looked around
before Sebastian peered into a low, stony, vaulted passage, small enough
for only one man to pass.
"Let's try here." They found each other in a dark, wet and smelly yard
and saw a wooden door. The belfries of the church towered above them.
"Yes!" Kay shouted. He pulled at the door ring and the door opened with
a crunching sound.
It was very dark. They waited a moment for their eyes to adjust. The
naves were high, covered with ribbed vault and their steps were echoing
through the whole room. They passed altars and a carved wooden figure
of Holy Mary; it looked very old.
"Do you see something?" Simon whispered.
"Not yet. Too many altars." Kay answered. What does the altar look
like?" Simon shivered. It was very cold in here.
"Shush, stop talking," Sebastian said low. "Let me see." He vanished
into one of the small side naves while Simon stood in front of a red,
square gravestone plate, fixed to one of the pillars. It showed a man
in a knight's armour or something. "Tycho Brahe," Kay read. "Not
wealth, not honour, only art is eternal" read the engraving.
"Who is Tycho Brahe? Sebastian mentioned him yesterday."
"Could it be true that Tycho died of a burst bladder?" Kay asked instead
of an answer.
"Huh?"
Kay grinned. "Read it somewhere."
"Which reminds me... I need a piss," Simon said. "It's scary here."
Kay sighed and followed his brother, looking for Sebastian. He found
him sneaking into the sacristy. After a minute he returned and shook
his head. Pondering, he stood in front of the high altar, looking
blankly at the huge painting above it. "Well, I didn't expect it to be
easy," he said after a while.
Suddenly he examined the high altar more closely and a chortle came from
his throat. "Holy cow - can't see the wood for the trees." He rushed
forward, hands outstretched like the head as if he was about short of
sight. "This is it," he muttered. "Kay, Simon," he called low. "It's
looking so different now."
All three were gathered and stared silently at Michael Pacher's carved
altar. Mary was reunited with her mother, Anna, and Johannes, the
apostle, carrying a book in his hand.
Sebastian's fingers touched the flower elements, the clouds and the
stars, the stylized lilies at her feet and the foliage above their
heads. Simon and Kay didn't speak, they just looked.
"What now?" Simon finally asked. "It looks so heavy, do you think we
can carry it?"
Sebastian cautiously tried to lift one side and nodded. "It's not that
heavy, but we must bring the car and clothes next time."
Something startled him; his head flung around and he was listening.
"What is it?" Kay asked but Sebastian shushed him with outstretched
hand. One moment later he dragged and pushed the boys behind a pillar,
where they stood petrified in the gloomy darkness, silently.
It was not a moment too early. The three watched a bald, lanky, slender
man coming from the backside of the altar, perhaps a back entrance. He
was wearing a wide, ground length, black cloak with a white collar and
cuffs. Upon his chest was embroidered a big white cross with eight
radiant beams seemingly flowing out from it. Kay suppressed a gasp; the
man looked too strange. Sebastian's grip on his underarm was painful
but he said nothing.
Behind the man another one appeared, young and in normal clothes. At
the same time they heard footsteps on the spiral staircase. First a
torn pair of brown shoes appeared, then the hem of a brown habit.
Slowly he went over to the waiting man with the cross of eight radiant
beams on his chest. Sebastian wasn't sure but he seemed as if he would
like to make a silent request but the back of the bald man was stiff and
without movement. He was saying something they couldn't understand -
naturally. But his voice sounded harsh and rasping. He nodded
incessantly and patted the old wood. Then he covered it with a cloth
and beckoned both men to follow him. Groaning, they carried the altar to
the backdoor.
Suddenly the bald man turned his head. His black eyes pierced the
gloominess and Sebastian was suddenly sure that the man knew they were
present.
His stomach tingled and he had goose bumps all over his body. But
without any noise the slender, bald man vanished through the back door
with it's well lubricated hinges.
Sebastian shook off his odd feelings and made a rushing movement on
tiptoes. He followed them and peered around the door to see them put the
altar into the backseat of a black limousine. Disappointed he realized
that he had no chance being without a car. He shivered a bit from
excitement. These Maltese guys had been impressive. Sebastian left the
place and went silently back.
"Are they gone?" Simon asked and Sebastian nodded. "With a car."
The man in the habit returned into the church. In front of the high altar
he stood and folded his hands and guided them to his lips. Absorbed, he
stood there several minutes until he let out a deep moan. He raked his
stubble hair and trotted with dropped head up the staircase.
"I really need a piss." Simon whispered. Sebastian nodded in the
direction of the exit.
Outside they breathed deeply. "What was this for an odd costume with
the big cross?" Kay spluttered. "And why did he take the altar with
him? What a shit!" Simon added.
"Ah, give me a second, guys." Sebastian said. "Didn't you say you need
a piss? Here's a cafe."
"If I'm not wrong we saw the Grand master of the Order of the Knights of
Malta himself." Sebastian said, stirring the sugar in his cappuccino.
"The Grand master?" Kay snorted. "Sounds so medieval!"
"Indeed. But the order still exists." He sipped at his cup then looked
at the taciturn Simon. "Your chocolate ok?"
Simon nodded. "Taste great."
Sebastian's sharp eyes didn't miss the paleness of his face. "Are you
all right?" he asked.
"Hungry I think. Nothing more."
Sebastian remembered that Simon once had a bit more fat on his ribs.
"Are you eating enough when Ben isn't with you?" Sebastian sounded
concerned and Kay was examining his brother too.
"How about a second breakfast for you and meanwhile Sebastian can
enlighten us about this strange order."
Simon nodded and looked at the menu. He felt better when he had breads
with white cheese and leaned back satisfied. Across from him he watched
Sebastian, who had joined his order of bread. Once more he felt sad
that Ben wasn't with him; he would feel much better. A bit startled
about this thought his knife fell to the ground. Kay bent down to pick
it up. Simon had known before that he was in love with Ben but didn't
realize until now how much he would miss him. The last weeks had
developed a bond between them and Simon had to admit to himself that he
enjoyed it. This evening would be Ben's exhibition and then he hoped to
see Ben here in Prague.
Sebastian's voice penetrated his thoughts. "I don't know much about the
Maltese Order, but there's certainly a touch of mystery around it. All
I know is that the origin was founded in Jerusalem before the first
crusade. They called themselves 'Knights of the Hospital' or
something."
"Didn't you tell us yesterday that Daniel's ancestors had been crusaders
too?" Kay asked.
"Yes!" Sebastian's eyes glittered. Perhaps there was a connection? He
made a plan. "Listen, you both stay here and I will go back to the
church. I have to speak to the man in the habit. He must be the
chaplain."
Suddenly he slapped his forehead. "Stupid. Of course this must be Jan,
the chaplain Andrea was speaking of. Marcus told me on the phone."
"How will you talk with him? You know Czech language?"
"Perhaps he's able to speak English."
Kay didn't like the idea of Sebastian going alone but maybe it would be
better to stay here with his brother.
"If I'm not back in an hour, go back to the hotel and call for the
police, understand?"
Kay gave him an amazed look. "You think there could be trouble?"
"You never know." He patted Kay's hand and was gone. He didn't see the
worried looks the brothers exchanged.
Sebastian pushed open the heavy wooden door and went without hesitation
to the end of the spiral staircase.
"Hello!" he shouted upstairs. There was no answer. He tried it with
English. "Excuse me, but is it possible to speak to you?"
Perhaps the man had gone, but after a while he heard footsteps coming
down. Sebastian waited and checked him out. The habit was shabby but
clean; around his belly was a plain belt. His face looked tired and his
stubble hair began to gray.
"Do you speak English?"
The tiny, dull eyes twinkled. He nodded.
"Good, Sebastian von Scheffel, I'm from Germany. May I ask you some
questions?"
The man nodded once more, his face now wary and unfriendly.
"I suppose you are Jan, the chaplain, am I right?"
The man's eyes widened. "How ... how do you know?" His voice was
rough, as if he didn't speak often.
Sebastian shook his head. "I've watched you and the Grand master taking
an altar away." He watched for Jan's reaction but there wasn't any.
"May I ask you where they have taken it?"
"Why do you want to know? I cannot tell you."
"Sure you can. A part of it was stolen from a castle in Italy. I think
I have the right to know where it has been taken."
"Are you from the police?"
Sebastian seemed to hear fear in Jan's voice. He hesitated.
"Do you have a mark?"
"I'm not a policeman. But there's nothing that would stop me from
calling them."
Jan's laughter scratched in Sebastian's ear. "You have no evidence that
it was here. And I will not give you the new place." Jan sounded
determined and stared into Sebastian's eyes.
"You want evidence? All right, next time I'll bring the police."
"They will not believe a single word." Jan was getting a bit worried
though, he certainly was afraid of being interviewed by the police.
His heart was still bleeding from the loss of the altar, but he wouldn't
oppose the Grand master. He had spoken of a mystery in the altar but
Jan was afraid he would never learn the solution of the riddle. He
sighed. He couldn't tell this man the truth, if he did he would lose
everything, the Grand master would make sure.
He straightened his back and stared into Sebastian's gray green eyes.
Sebastian sensed that he had lost, but perhaps it wasn't important. He
knew now that the Maltese Order had it's fingers in it, and somewhere in
Prague they had their place. Surely Nicholas' guide would help.
"Tell me the place of the Order at least."
"Mala Strana."
"Pardon?"
"Mala Strana." Jan said through clenched teeth.
Sebastian tried to memorize the words and turned without saying good
bye.
Arriving at the little cafe where Kay and Simon still pondered about the
events, he snatched the city guide and leafed through the register,
ignoring the questions. "Here's something about it," he exclaimed after
a while. "Mala Strana ... Little Townside ... Order of the Knights of
Malta ... St. Mary beneath the Chain ... the house of the Grand priory
not far from our hotel."
Kay and Simon looked confused at him and Sebastian began to grin. "Jan
won't tell me anything, perhaps too afraid of the Grand master. Perhaps
he gave it away reluctantly."
"You don't want to start a fight with the Order of the Maltese? Kay
said. "This guy looked pretty frightening."
"Frightening?" Sebastian shook his head. "Could be worse. Now", he
clapped his hands upon the table, "what about sightseeing?" he asked
good-humouredly.
Once more the brothers exchanged worried glances. "Are you feeling all
right?" Kay asked cautiously.
"Hey, I thought you both would love playing games, so the game is on.
Let's have a visit at," he looked into the book, "St. Mary beneath the
chain!"
~~~~~~~~~~
The fragile parchment rustled between Daniel's fingers. He cursed
Victor's cranky peculiarity to use this delicate material for his
documents. Sleepily he glanced over the writing in search of
interesting passages. To his side, the sheets piled high up while he
lay half stretched out upon the couch in his living room. The last suns
rays grew pale behind the great mountain range.
"Yesterday Maximillian reveled a secret to me. It had been
late and our bellies had been cozily warmed up from the self
made Feigenschnaps - not to mention it was well filled with
Kamimwurzen, Maronen and Speck.
Maximilian's pipe painted tiny blue clouds into the evenings
fragrant air. It's a wonderful patch of earth here..."
Daniel yawned and his eyes were getting smaller. He wished Victor would
stop his flowery style and come to the point.
"Maximillian had told me about the long history of his family.
The old Knights of the Teutonic Order being in Jerusalem
during the Third Crusade. The von Falkensteins had seen
old Emperor Barbarossa drowning in the river, had seen his
mate Richard the Lion Heart and had knowledge of his arrest
in Austria and the years he languished in a dungeon at
Duernstein..."
Daniel's eyes fluttered and he groped for his glass of wine.
"They guarded for a long, long time the relics they had
taken away from Jerusalem to their castle Montfort north
of Akkon. And then Maximilian beckoned me to follow him...
We stood in the little chapel, the flickering light of
Maximilian's gas lamp illuminated Michael Pacher's
beautiful altar. I couldn't exactly see what he was doing
but I heard a scratching noise and a squeaking of wood and
then Maximilian opened his hand he had held under my noise.
I blinked and couldn't quite understand why Maximillian was
so excited. The reason I should learn instantly."
Daniel jerked upright as he read further. Then he stared out the
window. All these years - and he hadn't any clue ... his great
grandfather had hidden the secret well. Like having been bitten by a
tarantula, Daniel jumped up, ran into the hall to his telephone and
searched for Sebastian's number in Prague. Impatiently he waited to get
a connection and as soon as he heard his cousin's voice the words came
out.
~~~~~~~
Nicholas knew how Ben felt. He remembered the exhibition in January
where his own paintings had been exhibited and sold. Now it was the end
of May and so much in his life had changed. He folded his arms behind
his back and watched the people gathered in the rooms.
This time there were people here he hadn't seen before, visitors to
Berlin, enticed by the big signs Marcus had placed beside the entrance
and the hype he had made in newspapers. But he was genuinely pleased to
see some of his classmates.
>From the back room, where the furniture was placed, he heard Marcus'
voice explaining the uniqueness and history of the old wardrobe whose
twin was standing in the Louvre.
He watched Ben standing aside talking to a customer, explaining his
extensive, colourful paintings. Nicholas actually didn't like abstract
art but he definitely liked Ben's use of colours. He could easily
imagine them hanging in office rooms for representation. Ben didn't
seem to be too nervous or uncomfortable though, and Nicholas sighed.
Ben wasn't like he himself at all. Sometimes he envied him for this.
Someone tapped at his shoulder from behind and one moment later he
looked into Elli Schneiders smiling face. His cheeks turned a bit pink
remembering their last meeting.
"Where's the original of my painting, Nick? I didn't see it here."
While Nicholas pondered what she could mean she continued. "Kay - or
what was his name?"
"Oh, Kay. He's not in Germany."
"What a pity." She circled him like a predator does its prey.
"Made a decision?"
Nicholas watched her from the corner of his eyes. She was pressed into
a much too tight and short skirt, the white blouse tucked into the
belt. He could see her bra shimmering through. He nodded. "I think
ten sessions should be enough," he said and Elli's face lit up.
"Is this a yes?"
"If you tell me for whom I have to paint you..." Nick said
mischievously and Elli giggled. She ben to him. "Perhaps I'll tell
you." Her fingers brushed his cheeks and the nape of his neck.
"Perhaps I have something better for you," she said with a meaningful
wink. "Something better than Marcus has to offer."
She winked and went away but Nicholas almost snorted with laughter. If
she was thinking she could compete with his lover than she was seriously
barking up the wrong tree.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End of Chapter 12, Part 1. Part 2 is coming shortly