Chapter 30 - Furst of the Night

 Music Inspiration

Chapter 30

FURST OF THE NIGHT

Many years ago.
"You were angry!" cried Athena.
"I only resisted!" said little Marianne defiantly.
"You beat up all three boys!" Athena looked angrily at little Marianne.
"They always annoy me. I wanted it to stop!" Marianne crossed her arms.
"That's why Leander will get you tonight!" Athena looked down at little Marianne.
"No!" Marianne was a little afraid.
Leander always came to punish bad children, she was told that over and over again.
"To your room! Come on!" Athena shouted.
Little Marianne reluctantly did as he was told.
In her room she sat on the bed and looked out of the window.
Slowly the sun began to set.
"Oh, no," she said to herself, a little anxiously.
"Oh, no," said the figure next to her on the bed.
Marianne was startled and looked at the figure that suddenly sat next to her.
"Who are you? Where do you get away?"
The man smiled and asked a counter-question.

"Why oh, no?" he asked.
"Because Leander comes when the sun goes down. He punishes bad children," she said.
"And were you angry?" he asked.
"No! I just resisted. They always annoyed me," she said defiantly.
"Oh, I see. But did you have to strike right away?" he continued to smile.
"One had pushed me and the other had put a leg. So I hit them so that they would get scared and leave me alone," little Marianne said.
"Interesting. Then you really just fought back," he said.
"Yes, exactly!" Marianne crossed her arms.
"Then you don't have to be afraid of Leander," he smiled.
"Well, not really, but you don't know what makes him tick," she pouted.
"Shall I tell you something?" he asked.
"What?" Marianne became curious.
"He doesn't punish brave girls like you. You just fought back," he said.
"Yes, exactly! I don't have to be afraid," Marianne said defiantly.
"That calms me down," he smiled.
"Why?" Marianne was confused.
"Because I am Leander, the Furst of the Night," he smiled further.
"Noooooo!" She had big eyes.
"Yeeeeees!" He had to suppress a laugh.
"And now....?" Marianne looked at him uncertainly.
"Because you're a brave little girl, I'll make you a promise." He got up from the bed.
"Okaaaay." That didn't make Marianne any safer.
"I promise you that I will come to you in your most desperate hour and help you." He bowed to her.
"That's great!" smiled little Marianne.
"Isn't it? Too bad you won't remember this moment so you can't cheat, my dear," Leander winked at her.
"Uh, what?" Marianne was confused.
He snapped his fingers and Marianne fell asleep on the spot.
And when she awakens, she will remember no more until that day when her despair will call him.
Now!

Chapter 29 - Thoughts

 Music Inspiration

Chapter 29

THOUGHTS

Marianne stood at the railing of the ASCENSION.
She enjoyed the evening wind.
Her thoughts wandered to the kiss with Glenervan.
It wasn't really love.
She didn't even know him.
What was it then?
It felt good, it was liberating.
It felt like something she had needed for a long time.
Affection?
Understanding?
Closeness?
Glenervan stood a little further and looked at Astaroth's injuries.
Carefully he treated the wounds, which healed only slowly.
Ascendary stood next to her, had his paws on the railing and also looked into the distance.
The sun began to set.

Alexander had withdrawn and was taking care of his people below deck.
The ASCENSION rested in the shelter of a mountain.
Duke came on deck with Sedalia. Sedalia still looked battered.
Cecile sat in front of the ship's mast with a blank stare.
Danny sat next to her and held her hand, comforting her.
Marianne felt lost.
No! She felt the whole thing lost.
Ironically, only Glenervan was full of fighting spirit.
He, of all people, who was their enemy in the first place.
But betrayal can arouse tremendous anger and strength.
Suddenly, Ascendary became nervous.
He went into a fighting position.
Marianne looked around irritated.
Athena joined them.
"HE is here! I feel it!" she said.
"WHO is here? What are you talking about?" asked Marianne.
"There!" Athena pointed in one direction.
Marianne turned around.

On the railing on the other side stood a figure.
This figure wore aristocratic clothing and had his arms crossed.
He looked at Marianne and Athena while sailors moved away from him.
"WHO is that?" asked Marianne?
"This is Leander. The Prince of the Night," Athena said reverently.
Marianne froze.
The Furst of the Night. Marianne had heard legends about him. Stories that frightened bad children.
But she would never have thought that he really existed.
She looked around at her friends. Except for Glenervan, everyone seemed to be frightened.
And one more thing. They all seemed frozen.
Athena, too, seemed to be frozen.
Marianne had the feeling that time had stopped, because nothing and no one moved anymore.
Leander jumped from the railing onto the deck and walked slowly towards her.
"Stay away! Don't get too close to me!" she cried.
He stopped just in front of her.
"So we meet again," Leander smiled.