Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 25: Return to Bartholy Castle

Pushing Alba to a steady gallop, Peter reached Bartholy Castle in a little over half an hour.  To his relief, the roads surrounding it had been cleared of snow and he was able to ride all the way to the front entrance.  The oil lamps lining the main pathway were lit and Peter could see there was also light inside the castle.  He jumped off the horse and tied her to a nearby tree.  He then ran up to the massive front door and banged on it.

"Open up!  It's Peter Rakoczy!"  He shouted.

To his surprise, the door opened fairly quickly and he was met by Ion.  The old valet squinted as he looked Peter up and down. He scowled when he recognized him.

"What do you want?"  Ion's raspy voice was as friendly as always.

"I need to speak to your Master," Peter answered firmly.

"At this late hour?"  Ion raised his bushy eyebrows, but Peter didn't answer.  Instead, he brushed past the old man and stormed inside the atrium.

"Nicolae!"  Peter shouted.  "Where are you?"

Behind him, Ion huffed and puffed.  "You cannot barge in like that," he scolded Peter.

"I just did," Peter snubbed the valet.  "Nicolae Bartholy!  I must speak to you!" 

The door to the family den opened and Nicolae walked out.  He was dressed in the same garb he wore the first time Peter met him.  His face bore a puzzled expression as he approached his late night guest.

"Peter!  What can I do for you?" 

Nicolae stopped in front of Peter and extended his hand.  When Peter shook it, it felt ice-cold.  Nicolae's grip was like a vice and almost made Peter wince.  He refrained from doing so and peered straight into Nicolae's grey eyes.  Nicolae regarded him with curiosity and slight amusement.

"I'm looking for my niece, Nina," Peter got straight to the point.  "I have reason to believe she is here... with you."

Nicolae raised his eyebrows.  "And what makes you believe that?"

"I saw you talking to her at the masquerade ball," Peter answered.  "I overheard part of your conversation."

Nicolae's expression turned dark.  "So you were spying on us..."

"I wouldn't call it exactly spying," Peter said.  "I happened to be nearby."

Nicolae nodded.  "Right... And what exactly did you hear?"  He took a step closer and loomed over Peter, trying to intimidate him.

"Enough to make me believe Nina is here," Peter stood his ground.

Nicolae scoffed.  "Let's suppose for a moment that Nina was here." He paused.  "What would you do about it?"

Peter wasn't expecting that answer.  He blinked quickly a few times before speaking.  "I would take her back home," he finally said.

"Then please... be my guest," Nicolae gestured around him with one arm.  "Go find your niece."

Peter frowned.  He was confused by Nicolae's behavior. 

"So she is here?"  He asked his unwilling host.

Nicolae smirked in response.  "You seem to believe she is.  Feel free to look around."

Peter walked past Nicolae and into the family room.  The fire was crackling in the hearth, and a book laid open on the table.  But the room was empty.  Peter suddenly heard Nicolae's voice right behind him.

"As you can see, I was in the middle of reading when you... barged in," his host said icily.

Peter turned and found Nicolae standing in the doorway.  His arms were crossed over his chest and his eyes were hostile.