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