Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 05:07:02 -0500 From: "Frederick Tidd" To: None of these characters are mine. Pity. warning : child abuse Golden Boy Lacroix rode through the dark forest, on his huge black stallion. Even with the thousands of horses he'd ridden in his long life, he had to admit, this creature was magnificent. He was a war horse, bred for battle. Lacroix was dressed in the costume of this time with a large gold medallion hanging from a chain around his throat. No matter the life he assumed, traveling through out the world and time, Lacroix had never been poor and even in this filthy, disorganized place, he was a man of high standing. He was known as a baron in the lonely country side of France. His manor was one that had been abandoned for many years before he'd found it and had it remade from the ground up. It had been easy to come up with the meager evidence that law demanded that he was the rightful heir to this barony. Aristotle had taken care of the little details. Now he rode to his home after a night of successful hunting. Poachers had invaded his land, stealing his animals. It didn't matter to him that the men were providing needed food for their families. It mattered even less that they were starving as they attacked the wild boar with their bare hands. They had managed to kill the beast, but suffered bad wounds in the process. The only thing that bothered the ancient vampire as he drank their life from them was the dreadful smell. Did no one bathe in this land? Not that he was any worse for the loss of the boar. Thieves could have killed every animal in his forest and it didn't affect him in the least. It was the fact that they had stolen from him. They had taken what was his. His cold, imperial mind could not tolerate this. Lacroix thought of Jeanette, away in Germany, visiting some cousins. She had done so well since he had brought her across and become independent after just a few months of education. She rarely needed his guidance anymore. He was not lonely! His stern pride would never allow him to admit something that, even to himself. Though, he had to admit, the evenings were passing very slowly since she'd left. The full moon shone like a silver coin in the blackness of the sky and Lacroix heard a heart beat. He pulled his horse roughly to a halt. Surely, not more poachers? Curious, the tall, regal man dismounted his horse and looked briefly around before focusing on the heart beat. He followed the soft, steady thumping on silent feet, as only a vampire could do. He came to the edge of the path and, surprisingly, found a small boy sleeping beside a fallen tree. Lacroix raised an eyebrow. Odd. True, orphans were not unusual, but they tended to stay in the villages and cities were begging and stealing were easier. Also, this boy was dressed quite well, in heavy woolen clothes. His hair was curly blonde and looked as though it had been brushed recently. His skin bore the dark tan of one who spent his days in the sun. Lacroix sat on the fallen log and studied the child. There was something different about him. As though he felt the ancient's eyes on him, the boy woke slowly. He met Lacroix's amused gaze with steady, bright blue eyes. The boy sat up and they stared at each other for several moment before Lacroix said, "Shouldn't all good little boys be in bed at this hour?" "I'm not going home tonight." The boy said seriously. "And where is home?" "I'm not telling." "Why?" "Because you'll take me back and I don't want to go back yet." Lacroix, by now, had noticed the child's blackened eye and guessed why he didn't wish to go home. "I can assure you I have no interest in escorting you home." Lacroix told him honestly. The boy thought, looking at Lacroix cautiously. " I live at Brabant manor." Lacroix knew the place, though he had never seen reason to pay a visit on his neighbor. He knew he should take the boy as a dessert or simply leave him out here, but something stopped him. He stood abruptly and walked to where his horse waited obediently. Lacroix looked back to where the boy watched him curiously. "Come along, child. We are closer to my home than yours, I expect. You may spend the day with me and tomorrow night I shall send you on your way." Seeing that the boy hesitated warily, Lacroix said "I'll not take you back unless you wish it." Finally, the boy stood and made his way to Lacroix. In addition to the bruised eye, Lacroix could now see that he limped on his left leg. He was small, even for an eight year old and scrawny as if he were under nourished. Lacroix easily lifted the small boy onto his horse and the swung himself up with the grace of someone who'd been riding for a thousand years. With one hand on the reins and his other arm wrapped around his new "guest" to prevent any accidental falls, he spurred his horse into an easy canter. "I've forgotten my manners," Lacroix said after a little while of silence. "I am Lucien Lacroix. What is your name?" "Nicholas de Brabant." *********** Nicholas sat in front of Lacroix and the elder vampire could smell several years worth of filth on the boy. Honestly! If these savages weren't caught in a rain storm, he was convinced they would go their whole lives without bathing. The thought was absolutely appalling to his Roman sensibilities. He was able to adapt to almost any change as the years passed without any qualms, but the idea of keeping one's self clean, however, was not something he would give up. Lacroix had faith that one day cleanliness would one day come back into fashion. Until that desperately awaited day, Nicholas would have to be cleaned if they were to spend the day together. Thinking of the quickly approaching day made Lacroix spur his horse onto a fast gallop. He intensely dislike close calls. He preferred things to be in control. His control. Nicholas leaned forward, excited by the sudden burst of speed and Lacroix could heard the rush of his blood. The boy's heart pounded loudly and, looking down at the small child in front of him, Lacroix felt his fangs extend. With iron will, Lacroix forced them back and took control of his hunger. Time enough for that later. For now, this Nicholas intrigued him. ************ They arrived at Lacroix's manor long before the sun began to rise and he lifted tiny Nicholas off the horse as a groom came out to meet them. Lacroix employed a full staff of servants as he was not about to lower himself to do the menial labor life demanded. He led the boy into the main house, holding him by the hand. As usual, none of the servants or serfs dared to question this peculiar sight as their vile tempered master walked through the corridors with his guest. Nicholas, for his part, followed with childish trust, to wherever Lacroix might be leading him. They went to the library, Lacroix's favorite room. It had no windows, of coarse, and a great set of books, nearly ten, all set on a large table. There were several chairs and a burning fireplace. On the table there was also a musical instrument, which Nicholas had no idea what it was called. Lacroix sat in his chair and watched as Nicholas explored the room, totally relaxed. "Are you hungry?" Lacroix asked softly. At the mention of food, Nicholas immediately stopped his exploring and swung to look at Lacroix with a beaming smile and bright eyes. Obviously, like every boy, he was ruled by his stomach. "Yes, sir." "Then you will wash for dinner." "Wash?" The child repeated, puzzled. Lacroix stifled a groan and called out, "Mary!" A plump, young maid came bustling in and curtsied to her lord. "Have a tub of warmed water prepared in my quarters." The girl nodded and hurried away. She was familiar, by now, to his odd, dangerous habit of washing nearly every day. "Strip." Lacroix ordered Nicholas. Even if it were only for a short while, he would not have this dirty, smelly urchin in his home. Nicholas, used to obeying orders, stripped to the waist and took off his boots, leaving him only in his loose fitting trousers. Lacroix saw half healed scars and a few infected wounds. He could also see the boy's ribs. Without hesitation, Lacroix picked up the flea infested garments and tossed them into the flames of his fire. "Hey!" The boy objected angrily. "What'll I wear home, now?" He glared up at Lacroix, unafraid. Lacroix smiled, amused. It was pleasant to meet someone who wasn't afraid of him. Usually, his vampire nature combined with his cold personality was enough to send grown men to tears or to soil their trousers. And here was an under grown, beaten, half starved child who would stand up to him over an old shirt. This could be quite diverting. "I thought you weren't going home?" Lacroix said, completely unrepentant about his actions. "Well, I have to go home sometime>" Nicholas said as though it were obvious. "I can't run away forever!" "Why not?" "I have to take care of mother. She's going to have a baby." Nicholas told him proudly. "You have a father, surely? Will he not care for your mother?" Nicholas' face darkened and he let his gaze fall to the floor. Lacroix moved to stand in front of Nicholas and took the boy's chin in his hand. He raised Nicholas' face to look him in the eyes. "Tell me." He ordered in his soft, velvet voice. Nicholas looked angry at first and then sighed and decided to tell the truth. "Father drinks to much. He gets angry when he drinks and he wants to hurt mother. I try to distract him so he won't hurt her. He beats me, but he forgets mother and goes to sleep." "And what does your mother think of your protection?" Nicholas frowned. "She doesn't like it. But, I can't let him hurt her, can I?" "Of coarse not. " Lacroix firmly agreed. "Protecting your family is your most important duty." In his life Lacroix fully understood the necessary disciplining on one's children for their own well being. Left to be lawless and without respect for anyone, they would be unhappy, dead, or both. Beating a child in the midst of a drunken rage, however, was another thing entirely. Mary entered at this point to tell her lard that the bath water was ready and Lacroix instructed her to find suitable clothing for their young visitor., including a night shirt. Once in Lacroix's bedchambers, Nicholas eyed the tub of steaming water, warily. He had obviously been brought up with the popular notion that one bathed twice in one's life. Once at birth and once at death. This assumption would have to be corrected. Lacroix went to the table beside his bed and took a bar of rough lye soap from a clay dish and a washing rag. "Are you sure about this?" Nicholas asked when Lacroix handed him the items. "Finish undressing. The sooner you get clean, the sooner you eat." The low grumbling in his belly was enough to overcome his fear of the water and Nicholas climbed in. While he washed, Lacroix busied himself on some correspondence that had come earlier in the day. It wasn't long before Nicholas stood and began to get out of the tub. "What do you think you're doing?" Lacroix asked not looking up from his letters. "I'm clean, now." Nicholas said defensively. Lacroix looked up and instantly focused on the one missed area. He could practically smell fleas in the boy's hair! Standing, with a frown, Lacroix rolled his sleeves up and strode over to the puzzled looking boy. Without a word of warning, Lacroix put his hand on the top of Nicholas' head and pushed down. Nicholas barely had time for a startled yelp before he was submerged in the now luke warm water. He came up spluttering indignantly as his head was roughly assaulted by Lacroix's hands and the bar of soap. He soon stopped resisting and let himself be cleaned. Only when Lacroix was absolutely certain that he was cleaned was Nicholas allowed to get out of the tub and wrap up in a large woolen blanket As Lacroix had also thrown his trousers into the fire, Nicholas now sat awkwardly on Lacroix's huge bed, not certain what he should do next. He sat there silently while Lacroix continued through his pile of letters. He even found one from Jeanette. Lacroix looked up when he noticed the boy staring at him. "Can we eat now?" Nicholas asked impatiently. "After you are dressed." Lacroix replied. "But I don't need clothes to eat." Nicholas objected. Lacroix looked at him sternly. "Civilized people do not eat unclothed. We will wait." The sun had long since risen so the meal would have to be served in the safety of his chambers. There had been windows in here once, long ago, but he had ordered them sealed up by a mason as soon as he'd taken over the manor. Mary returned with a white linen night shirt and an unhappy smile. "I'm sorry, master, but we've nothing to fit the young sir. This should do well enough for the night and I've set the seamstress to work on something for the morning." "Very well, it will have to do." Lacroix said. Actually, Mistress Guluna was a most talented seamstress and Nicholas was sure to return home better dressed than he'd left. Lacroix took the proffered shirt from his servant and he told Nicholas to dress himself . He dismissed Mary after ordering a large meal to be served in his chambers. When he turned back to Nicholas, the change was startling. The boy was golden! With tanned skin and bright eyes the color of the long forgotten morning sky, and hair like sunlight captured. The meal of roasted mutton, bread with butter, apples, and water was greedily eaten by Nicholas who ate as though he would never see such a feast again. "So," Lacroix asked, watching him eat "why did you run away if you think you should be protecting your family?" Nicholas tried to speak through a mouthful of half chewed food and Lacroix had to look away from the nauseating sight to prevent himself from retching. "Swallow what's in your mouth before you speak." Lacroix instructed. Did no one teach manners any longer? After doing as he was told, Nicholas said, "Father had beaten me and all ready fallen asleep. He'll sleep until mid day tomorrow. I just wanted to get away for a little while. Mother knows I'll be back." Lacroix remembered the scars and welts he'd seen when Nicholas was bathing. He found himself wanting to strangle the abusive father who would do this to his own child. He was surprised by the force of this emotion. After all, he hadn't been an ideal father himself. Lacroix shook the thought away from his mind. Brooding would do no one any good. Still, he had no reasonable idea why he should be feeling so protective of the boy. Nicholas was nothing special, on the surface. He was very ordinary, really. Nicholas finished eating and gave a great yawn. Lacroix smiled and realized that he, too, was feeling quite weary. Dawn had come hours ago. "Very well." He said. "To bed with you." Lacroix gestured to his bed. "Are you sure, sir? I don't want to take your bed." Lacroix smiled as Nicholas began to fall asleep infront of him. Lacroix took the plate from Nicholas and set it on the table. He pulled back the covers of his bed and encouraged Nicholas top lay down. "Rest, child. Tomorrow night I will take you home." Nicholas smiled from where he now rested on the feather pillow. "On your horse?" "Of coarse." Nicholas' breathing changed and Lacroix knew he was asleep, likely dreaming of the next night's ride. Silently, Lacroix covered up the sleeping child and tucked him in. A small push with his mind ensured that he would sleep until the next night. Lacroix sat in the chair next to the bed and watched the boy sleep for a few moments. What wouldn't he give for a son like this! He had no desire to take children, however. Divia had shown him how wrong that was. Perhaps it would be for the best to wait a decade or two. Lacroix had plenty of time and patience. The vampire let himself fall asleep thinking about the future. ********** Nicholas woke and found new clothes waiting for him. They were better, finer things than he'd ever had before. They were black and styled after Lord Lacroix's own clothing. Loose fitting trousers with a belt and a long sleeved shirt. Even the black cloak that the tall lord wore. After he had dressed, Lord Lacroix came in and gave him a heavy gold chain to wear around his neck. Nicholas gaped at the generous gift and then looked up at his benefactor. He was so proud and pleased with how moch the looked alike. The kind lord smiled back at him and Nicholas wondered why his own father couldn't be more like this man. "Would you like to eat before we leave?" Lord Lacroix asked gently. "Yes, please, sir." Nicholas said quickly. The lord gave him a great feast like the one he'd had last night and Nicholas was grateful. He never seemed to get so much food. Father hated him. He knew this because father had given orders that Nicholas was only to be fed certain things and only eat twice a day. If he had behaved. Some days he didn't eat at all. He had seen his parents and even the servants eat better than himself, and Nicholas still did not know why his father hated him. After he'd eaten Lord Lacroix stood and led him by the hand back to the stables where that wonderful horse waited for them. The man's hand felt very strong and secure to Nicholas, despite how cold he was. Nicholas didn't care how cold the man felt. All he knew was that he felt safer with him than anyone else. Lord Lacroix could protect him. He just knew he would. The tall man lifted Nicholas easily up onto the horse and then himself. They rode at an slow, easy walk through the night and Nicholas leaned back against Lacroix who, as he had last night, held Nicholas so he wouldn't fall. When they finally came into sight of the Brabant manor Nicholas said, without turning around, "Will you come back to visit me?" Lacroix paused only a moment before saying, "Perhaps, but you are welcome at my home, if you come at night." Nicholas nodded, satisfied that he would be able to sneak away again to see his friend. They halted at the front gate where a very pregnant woman was standing. "Mother!" Nicholas cried happily. Lord Lacroix helped him off the horse without getting down himself. ********** Lacroix felt a stab of jealously watching Nicholas embrace the woman who looked like him. Who was this great cow to demand Nicholas' love?! She looked up at Lacroix with the same crystal blue eyes as Nicholas and smiled. "Thank you for bringing him home." She said. "I was very worried when he wasn't back by this morning." "He was my guest for a short while." Lacroix answered simply. He felt no need to explain anything to this sow, except to make sure Nicholas wasn't blamed for his absence. She nodded her thanks again and continued, "Please, be our guest. I'm certain that Nicholas would enjoy it." Lacroix was about to politely refuse the invitation until he saw Nicholas look at him with such hope, well. how could he refuse? They spent the remained of the night together with Nicholas taking him on a tour of the grounds and showing him his favorite places. Lacroix followed where he was led obediently with amusement. Nicholas' mother was a bit upset at the thought of him spending the whole night out, but a few reassuring words (and a bit of wammy) from Lacroix set her mind at ease. As dawn approached, Nicholas began to lose his energy. He was getting very tired. Lacroix led him back to the manor where he tucked him into bed before going to his own chambers. He had requested, and received, an inner room without the ever dangerous windows. Soon after laying down on the hard, rough bed, he was sleeping soundly. Lacroix was slowly woken by the sounds of soft sobbing and a small warm body huddled against him, shaking. His instinct ,upon first waking, was to feed, but he had always thought himself better than a mere animal obeying primal urges, and he opened his eyes. Nicholas had crawled into his bed sometime during the day and was trying very hard not to cry. The rich smell of blood caught Lacroix attention quickly. "Nicholas?" He started, putting an arm around the boy comfortingly. "Mon enfant, what is wrong?" The quiet crying slowly stopped at Nicholas looked up at him with blood shot eyes, irritated from the tears. "It hurts." Nicholas whimpered. Frowning, Lacroix pulled the blankets down, away from Nicholas and was shocked at what he found. Nicholas had been whipped. Brutally beaten like an animal! He was pale and shaking. Lacroix looked closely at Nicholas. "Your father?" Nicholas nodded silently. Lacroix felt a murderous rage burn though him. He gently stroked the side of Nicholas' face. "Rest, Mon Enfant. I will make everything better. There is no pain." Nicholas relaxed his whole body instantly and Lacroix helped him to straighten himself out. Nichols lay on his belly so that Lacroic could more easily examine him. Lacroix washed the wounds with water from the basin by his bed and then wrapped his back and chest using the linens from his bed. Nicholas was about to fall asleep when Lacroix heard him say softly, "I wish you were my father instead." "Do you really?" The question was more directed at himself than the now sleeping Nicholas. Then he went in search of the Baron de Brabant. He found the beast snoring into a plate of beef. Lacroix grabbed him by the throat and threw him against the wall, hard. The man woke abruptly and tried to fight, but Lacroix was far to strong. "Tell me plainly," Lacroix whispered, staring in his enemies eyes. "Did you rape your own son?" Nicholas' father nodded, still stunned by the attack. Lacroix bit into the man deeply, not bothering to made the experience painless. He didn't even bother to drink the blood. He simply ripped the throat out of the man who had dared to harm his Nicholas. ********** When Nicholas woke in the morning he found that his friend had gone and his father was dead. The guards told Nicholas that his father had been found early in the morning with his throat slashed and his own knife in his hand. Everyone believed that he had killed himself. Nicholas was more saddened by the fact that his friend hadn't bothered to say good-bye than his fathers death. In fact, he'd been praying for this day for a long while. Nicholas only hoped he would see his friend again soon. end