Gothick

Chapter Eleven

With the party so close, the manor felt more like a train station. Cleaners dashed in and out, and there seemed to be more servants than Emma had ever seen before, either setting up décor or preparing food for the event. Whenever someone caught a glimpse of Emma, they would either stare or grimace. So, she would keep to her room or stay outside.

It was during one of these mornings, with the manor bustling just beyond the dining room doors, that Nan announced that she found a doctor to examine Emma.

"He's a delightful man," Nan said. "A doctor of the highest degree! I was speaking with him during your hearing. He was going that very day to verify his credentials with the Majesty. It's a shame you two didn't meet him."

"Are you sure he can be trusted?" Dominick asked, wrinkling his nose.

"Of course, he can," Nan replied. "I can see good character as well as you can see a mathematical equation...or whatever it is you study!"

So, Nan set the appointment, and Emma and Dominick loaded into the carriage. Nan walked them to the gate, staying behind to oversee party preparations. Emma craned out the window, watching Nan wave them off before the old woman turned back toward the house.

Now, the only things that accompanied Emma and Dominick were the sound of wooden wheels on unpaved road and the cabin's rocking. Emma tried to keep her attention on the passing landscape. Trees lined the road, and just beyond, the gray wall surrounding Nördlingen could be seen.

"How have you been feeling?" Dominick asked.

"I've been well," Emma replied quickly.

"Ah, very good..."

Dominick sighed.

"I've never been very good at this," he said. Emma glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Dominick stared, while his long fingers drummed the top hat sitting on his lap. "Nan suggests that perhaps...we should talk more."

"Oh?" Emma said, and she stifled a groan. Why must you do this, Nan?

"Yes," he muttered. "I realize I've been very-"

"Pretentious?" Emma said. Dominick straightened.

"Well...I was going to say preoccupied," Dominick said, indignantly.

For a moment, it felt as though she watched a child-his head lowered, and his large hazel eyes staring at her. It was a look she had seen many times before, particularly when Dominick had done something improper. But this is the first time I've seen it...Emma thought. She tried to push the feeling of Déjà vu away, but it lingered nevertheless.

The carriage turned into the east gate, and the rocking lessened as they transitioned from dirt road to cobblestone. People walked up and down the sidewalk, while carriages and hansoms crept by on the roads. No blood. No bodies. It was almost as if there hadn't been an attack only a couple of days ago. Even so, Emma found herself checking darkened alleyways, half-expecting to see some slumped figure.

The two remained silent until they reached a series of old, red brick buildings. Dominick put on his hat and walked to the front door with Emma behind.

He rapped on the door.

"One moment!" came a muffled shout. Heavy footsteps came from the other side of the door, and after a few moments, it swung open. A squat man stood on the other side, his peppered hair, mustache, and goatee slightly askew. He peered at the two through thick spectacles before leaping aside. "HerrWürde! Please, come in!"

"Doctor Balthazar, I presume?" Dominick said, stepping inside.

"That I am," Balthazar said in a rough voice, a light accent clinging to his speech. They entered a foyer small enough to be a corridor at the manor. The light blue wallpaper was rippled and faded from age. A narrow stairwell stood to their right.