Jewel of his Heart

Chapter 8

A short while later the King and Minister Gauchére paid a surprise visit to the Cathedral. As Frollo walked the two around the Cathedral there was a debate between them on how France needed to change as the world outside was doing so, starting with the distribution of printed books. On this matter Frollo had a strong opinion against the idea because to him Notre Dame was the true keeper of knowledge due to its large collection of hand written books from all over the world and to him printed books were the work of the Devil and he was determined to have the King agree with him on the matter. Whereas Gauchére was all for it because to him printed books would be able to distribute knowledge amongst the citizens of Paris more easily since books written by hand take a very long time to complete and the use of a printing press could change the matter. And as for the King, he respected both men's opinions but he was finding it very difficult to decide whom he agreed with the most so he decided to leave the matter for now and bid farewell to Frollo before he and Gauchére left.

XXX

Later that night Frollo had locked himself away in his quarters to indulge in silent prayer and the 'Discipline'. His mind was once again consumed with thoughts of Sapphira that he thought beating himself would banish his unholy desire away but no matter how many times the whip struck him in the back the young gypsy girl's alluring image was fresh in his mind. In frustration he threw the whip across the room so it crashed into the wall then proceeded to clean himself up and redress. Suddenly he felt a compulsion to leave the Cathedral, almost as if someone was telling him to and that it was important.

XXX

As a favour to her sister Sapphira volunteered to take Djali out for one last walk whilst Moshi was riding on her shoulders. Being an energetic little goat Djali kept pulling on her lead trying to run at a great speed and poor Sapphira was being dragged along trying to keep up with her.

"Djali! You'll run us all over France! Come on stop you have to learn to walk like a lady. That's nice, very nice" she said as she finally got control of the little goat.

From the shadows a figure snuck up behind her before disappearing amongst some abandoned caravans.

The bells of the Notre Dame tolled the late hour, Sapphira looked up at the bell tower and her thoughts turned to Quasimodo. She overwhelmed with guilt as she recalled the events of today and wished she could have done more for the poor man. To ask for forgiveness she attempted to make the sign of the cross and pray but could not recall what to do after she touched her forehead so with her eyes fixed on the Cathedral she voiced her prayer.

"Holy Lady of this land I ask for forgiveness, an innocent was tortured because of me..." but before she could say more a raspy voice spoke to her from the shadows.

"I can give you absolution, Sapphira" the voice was that of Claude Frollo whom was hidden within the abandoned caravan next to her.

The young gypsy girl looked around to find whom the voice belonged to but saw no one and began to feel fear rise within her since the attack the other night made her feel wary of her surrounding when alone.

"Who's there?" she said holding on tightly to Djali's leash as a source of comfort whilst Moshi nuzzled her cheek to reassure her.

"An admirer, someone who has seen you dance and heard your voice" said Frollo as he removed his hood whilst he remained hidden.

Sapphira was now able to determine where Frollo was speaking from and leaned closer to the caravan to hear him more clearly.

"It was a day ago. I heard the sound of music. My window, looked out onto the Square, there I saw a creature dance, a creature so...perfect that God himself would have preferred her to the Virgin. Would have wished to have been born of her. And that creature...was you...my angel" said Frollo softly as he moved his hand up and down the interior of the caravan wanting so desperately to touch the young gypsy girl.

"What do you want of me!?" replied Sapphira trying to muster up as much bravery she could whilst inside her heart was racing.

"The lines of your body moving to the music, the sound of your voice reached feelings long buried within me, feelings I believe I had purged from my body, feelings of love...physical love...desires. I've not been able to work, that's when it struck me that you were an angel...yes an angel but not an angel of light...a dark angel sent from Hell to destroy me. To destroy me at a time when I am being most directly challenged. I've tried to put you out of my mind. I've tried to do God's will, but your image is burned on the inside of my eyelids, as though I had stared too long at the Sun" continued Frollo.

As he spoke Sapphira drew her dagger, given to her by Esmeralda, from her belt then slowly creped her head around to see her stalker only to find that there was no one there. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye, turned and saw Claude Frollo standing there which made her take a step back in fear.

He walked towards her slowly.

"That is when I resolved. That I must have you or I must rid myself of you" he said stopping a few inches away from Sapphira.

He lifted his hand and brushed it down the side of her face lovingly, Sapphira then took a hold as it came down to her chin and looked at his hand to read his palm. What she read made her fear of the priest increase tenfold.

"Death" she said looking at up at Frollo with wide eyes before running away like her life depended on it. When she had turned to run she had dropped her dagger.

Frollo looked down at his palm in confusion before turning his attention to the dagger on the floor and suddenly he got an idea.

A very sinister idea.