PART DEUX
"Good day to you, Monsieur." The guard stated. "Welcome to le Manse Duboise-Renard. Are you expected?"
Esteban paused but then shook his head.
"Actually, we were just walking by and my friend, who happens to be a very talented violinist, was playing with such passion that his bow flew from his grasp up and over the wall into the back courtyard."
The guard simply stared back at Esteban seeming to digest everything that was just said to him, waiting for a punch line.
"You are telling me that this man was playing the violin outside of the wall to the estate and that as he was playing the bow flew from his hand?"
Erich moved behind Esteban, mortified.
Esteban continued.
"A true violinist always keeps a loose grip on his bow. It can happen."
The guard smiled and nodded.
"A true violinist also keeps the bow in his hand, Monsieur."
Erich butted his forehead into Esteban's back, silently moaning to himself. He suddenly wished he were on a desert island by himself.
The guard turned to the other and whispered something to him. He then turned back to Esteban and Erich. "I will have someone check on your ?bow', Monsieur. If you will be so kind as to wait for me?"
Esteban nodded.
Erich turned Esteban around and spoke in Castilian.
"The bow flew from my hand?" He asked, still gritting his teeth.
Esteban nodded.
"Can you imagine how eager these women will be to meet such a passionate musician?"
Erich suddenly stood straight up and looked seriously at his Castilian friend.
"Do you know how much I hate you right now?"
Esteban shook his head.
"Do not worry mi amigo. It's just a passing phase." Esteban smiled as he fixed Erich's attire. "You will like me again once this is over."
Erich rolled his eyes, painfully holding his rage in check.
Esteban watched as the guard approached the front entrance doors to the estate. The guard met with a male figure at the door, spoke a few words, then the guard returned to the gate.
"Your name, Monsieur?" He asked Erich.
Erich moaned under his breath.
"Erich." He said, suddenly feeling a nauseating feeling in his stomach. "Erich Vonbildhofen."
The guard walked back to the front entrance, spoke to the man there, and pointed to Erich. The man then withdrew back into the house, shutting the door behind him. Agonizing moments went by before the man returned. Erich was amazed at how quiet it seemed to be with the exception of a singing bird nearby. Then, he his tension seemed to increase as Esteban tried in vain to mimic the bird with terrible whistling.
The man at the door spoke with the guard again. Then the guard returned to the gate entrance. To Erich's amazement, the guard opened the gate for them.
"Monsieur Vonbildhofen, your presence is requested in the back courtyard. If you will follow me, please."
Erich turned to Esteban noting the smug look on the Castilian's face.
"After you, mi amigo." Esteban stated, allowing Erich to walk before him.
The two followed the guard to the door where they were met by a well-dressed older gentleman who was obviously the head servant of the estate. The man welcomed them both with a respectful bow.
"Welcome to le Manse Duboise-Renard, Monsieur." He said in very proper Montaigne. They followed the servant through many luxurious corridors and halls. It was obvious that the residents of this estate were of the upper-echelon of nobility in Charousse.
Finally, they reached the courtyard where they were assaulted by the aroma of floral scents and gardens so colorful it was if they had been painted. They were led to a gazebo where two lovely young ladies were seated. The younger of the two held a bow in her hands. Erich smiled at ease that it was found.
They stopped just outside of the open gazebo.
"Mademoiselle Duboise-Renaud, Monsieur Erich Vonbildofen and?" he looked to Esteban.
"Esteban De La Rosa." Esteban bowed before the ladies, taking his hat off in the process.
The female with the bow smiled.
"I am to believe this belongs to you, Monsieur Vonbildhofen." She said, lifting the bow up.
Erich nodded and held his hand out to retrieve it but the lady then returned the bow to her lap.
Erich's smile disappeared quickly.
She explained.
"You can have it back if you play something for us." She smiled looking over to Lady Duboise Renaud. "After all, even though you were playing so ?passionately' just outside the wall nearby, my cousin and I have yet to hear you perform."
Erich nodded understanding that Esteban's story had held little water with the two ladies.
He placed the violin case down, opened it, and retrieved the violin. He turned to the young lady and held his hand out.
"If I may, milady?"
She nodded and held the bow out but Erich then withdrew his hand.
"I will play for you if milady would be so kind as to reveal her name to me." He said with a smirk.
The lady responded with a smile, seemingly pleased with the Eisen's flirtation.
"I am Allaine de Chevreuse, sir."
With that, Erich clicked his heels together, gave a very respectful bow, and extended his hand forward, accepting his bow from the lady with a smile, realizing that if he released just the slightest restraint, that he could get lost in the woman's gaze with little effort.
This was how it was so easy for Esteban to lure him into trouble. Both of them danced within the black widow's web constantly when it came to lovely young ladies, whether they were married or not. It did not matter. All women wanted to feel special to someone. Both Erich and Esteban were very good at this though their approach differed greatly. Erich used haunting and often arousing music while Esteban had an aura of danger around him that appealed somehow to even the most noble of women.
Erich looked around as he tuned his instrument. He looked over at his Castilian friend and at the smirk he still held and shook his head.
Esteban was not dangerous.
Esteban was more like a mischievous artist that would begin a painting without a plan or any idea of what he was going to paint. More often than not, he was a terrible painter, but every now and then, he would luck out and create a masterpiece.
Erich wasn't sure about this one just yet.
"I will play a piece I call Feen im Garten."
Jeannette Duboise-Renaud smiled. "How very appropriate, Monsieur." She said, looking up out of the corner of her eye at Esteban.
Esteban noticed that the ladies and Erich were both snickering and smiled trying not to seem out of place. He was hardly well-versed in Eisen.
Erich began to play. It was a very whimsical tune, filled with merriment, joy, and a hint of magic. When Erich played, however, it was very much his emotion as well as the melody that could capture an audience's attention. You could truly visualize his music through Erich's demeanor when he played.
When he finished, his audience clapped in approval.
"Bravo, maestro!" Allaine exclaimed as she stood.
"Yes," added Jeanette, "and you even managed to hang onto your bow this time."
Erich smiled keeping his mouth closed over his clenched teeth at the comment. He felt a bit better only after walking past Esteban to dig the heel of his boot down onto Esteban's toes. The Castilian groaned under his breath trying to maintain his own smile.
"Forgive me, mon ami." He fiend a knowing smile.
Esteban gritted his teeth, masking the pain in his foot. "No forgiveness necessary, mi amigo."
Jeanette stood and walked over to the both of them. "A wonderful piece of work, Monsieur." She said to Erich, who accepted the praise graciously as always. "Almost as graceful as Monsieur De La Rosa's ability at climbing trees, Oui?"
Erich covered his mouth, stifling an outburst of laughter. He looked over at Esteban who was perfectly red-faced at this point. He seemed to be struggling with a retort. These moments were precious to Erich. Watching Esteban struggle with words was a scene worth watching over and over again and it seldom lost it's grandeur.
Esteban smiled and nodded, succumbing to the lady's subtle conviction.
"It is true, milady." He took a deep breath. "I am a terrible liar."
Jeanette nodded, waiting for what was coming next.
"The truth is," he turned his back to Erich, leaning toward the lady's ear. "He purposely tossed the bow over the wall for the opportunity to meet and possibly play for you two very lovely ladies."
*To be continued*
(If you want)
