Bastian

“I’m worried about you, you don’t look well,” Maximin said, unable to hold back his concern any more.

   Alma and the dog frolicked in the garden. Odette finally turned to look at him, her face illumined by the sun streaming through the pergola, she almost looked like she glowed.

   “I’m fine, Sir Xanders, there is no need to worry.”

   “Well, actually, it was the Countess Trier that is concerned about you the most. She asked me to check up on you as she is currently busy with relatives in another city, she regrets not being able to come and visit you in person,” Maximin confessed as he lifted a tea cup to his lips. “She would also like me to say that if there is anything you need, anything at all, you only need to ask.”

   “Ah, I see,” Odette said, turning back to watch Alma play with Margrethe.

   “Seeing you, though, I can understand why the Countess would be concerned. Have you seen a doctor?” Maximin grew more concerned.

   “No, its not necessary.”

   “I can introduce you to my families doctor, he’s very good and I can keep it as discreet as you would like.”

   Odette had changed since her husband returned. At first, he thought it might have been the weight of losing her father, but now he was certain it was something else and the only other thing he could think of was Bastian.

   “Thank you, but I must decline, there really is no need, I don’t want to drop Dr Kramer’s credibility by being examined by another doctor.” Odette said politely.

   “I’m sorry, Odette, I feel I may have misspoke in my concern for your health.” Maximin’s eyes fell to Odette’s loose fitted wedding ring. The awkward silence between them was broken by the infectious laughter of Alma returning.

   “I’ll give this to Mrs Klauswitz.” Alma approached Odette, holding out a bouquet of freshly plucked flowers.

   “Alma, you mustn’t pick other peoples flowers without permission,” Maximin said.

   “Its okay, Sir Xanders, really,” Odette said. She accepted the flowers with an affectionate smile. “They’re so pretty, Alma, just like you.”

   “Flowers are the prettiest, so you should say they are pretty like Mrs Klauswitz,” Alma said, like a teacher to a child.

   Odette couldn’t help but break out into laughter at Alma’s mischief. Alma also laughed, not fully understanding the exchange, even Margrethe barked at the fun. Odette leaned down and kissed Alma on the cheek.

   The mood was only ruin by the sudden thought that there was only three days left. It was overwhelming to even think about it, but she had to leave.

   What made matters more urgent was the letter Molly had given her from Theodora, who had offered to help her and promised to provide her with money. There was a condition attached to that aid, she had to disappear before winter.

   It was presented like a generous offer, but Odette could see it for the threat it really was. A desperate measure to protect her son, who was showing an unhealthy obsession with his stepbrother’s wife. Money was like poison in this situation.

   Odette wished to remain resolute in the face of the woman’s manipulations. She burnt the letter and almost drove Molly off, but that would have been too obvious. She had no intention of joining hands with Theodora, at least, not with the intention to harm Bastian. It was time time to leave this rats nest behind for good.

   “Will you be heading to Ratz now?” Odette asked, politely hinted she wanted to their conversation

   “Yes, once I have taken Alma back home, I need to get back to my research. Speaking of which, I should really be heading off soon.”

   “Could I ask a favour?” 

Maximin smiled warmly at her as the words she had pondered over for a while flowed effortlessly from her.

“Tell me, Odette. Anything you want.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The pounding crunch of marching soldiers filled the air as Bastian woke up from his short nap. Habitually he looked at his wristwatch. He still had about half an hour until he was needed at a strategy meeting at 2.

   Bastian got up and went to the kitchen to splash cold water on his face, washing away the sleepy fug still lingering just behind his eyes. Gazing out of the window at the vibrant autumn colors of the water garden, he felt as though he was peering into a hazy scene from a recently awakened dream.

Within the dream, he wandered through an expansive field, surrounded by a sea of red.He thought it was blood, but after closer look, it turned out to be a carpet of red flowers. The brilliant, golden sunlight cascaded over the undulating waves of crimson, making it almost blinding. He felt someone approaching from beyond the horizon, but what happened afterward became hazy and indistinct in his memory.

Shaking off the meaningless dream, Bastian approached the sink and refreshed his face with a splash of cold water.

   “You planning on meeting with your father tonight?” A voice came from behind him.

   Drying his face, Bastian looked over at Erich, who had come in from the next room, he was holding out a cigarette pack to him. Bastian took one and walked out of the kitchen and into the study, lighting the cigarette as he went. He conjured up the metaphorical image of the whole world trying to strangle his father, some even getting close enough to wrap their fingers around his throat.

   “I hear you went to play tricks on the Count Ewald yesterday. Is it really worth the trouble? Franz wont last much longer any way, once his mothers influence wears off,” Erich said, following after Bastian.

   “Its getting boring,” Bastian said, the reply not something Erich was expecting at all.

   “Well, I guess you have a point. It might be a long while yet until your stepmother kicks the bucket. So, once you settle things, what fun do you have in mind?”

   “I don’t know,” Bastian said as he took a deep drag of the cigarette. He did not look very enthusiastic. His indifference did not match the ambitious representation of someone obsessed with success.

   Bastian was always like that. He would quietly and discreetly dedicate himself to his duty and responsibilities, even though he never seemed to desire anything, but eventually achieved great success. What was even more astounding was that he never seemed to have any regrets or reflections on his success, like he had no idea how many medals and citations he wore on his dress uniform.

   “You’ve built yourself quite the company that no one can ignore. You’re the youngest admiral in the navy. Is there anything left for Bastian Klauswitz’s ambition or are you going to go back to trading junk?”

   Erich was rambling, blurting out words like he would burst if he didn’t. He didn’t realise his mistake until too late and tensed up, carefully waiting for Bastian’s reaction, but Bastian remained as calm as ever, maybe he was still numbed from sleep.

   “Now that wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

   Bastian’s overly casual nature made Erich wonder if he was being genuine or not. Just then, the clock in the living room chimed softly to indicate fifteen minutes before the hour. 

   “Well, what ever you decides, its going to be hard to stand up to your fathers whims. Good luck with that.”

   Erich left through the front door, waving as he went and Bastian returned to the study and stood in front of the mirror, checking over his uniform.

   The man who had killed his wife and abused his children was not worth much of Bastian’s time, but a woman that simply stole a few documents was worth all of Bastian’s ire. How did that make any sense?

   “Major Klauswitz,” a booming voice echoed down the hallways of Naval HQ. Admiral Demel.

   Adjusting his epaulettes one last time, Bastian scooped up the documents on the small coffee table and headed into the office where Admiral Demel was waiting for him.

While strolling through the passage that linked the two buildings, Bastian recapped the agenda for the impending meeting and briefed Admiral Demel. Amid this, the memory of the vivid red dream resurfaced.

Without thinking, he turned his head, and was greeted by a garden bathed in maple hues. The hazy remnants of the dream seemed to blend seamlessly with reality. Lost in these nebulous memories, he was abruptly jolted back to the present as he reached the corridor’s terminus.

 Bastian dispelled these futile musings and stepped into the headquarters.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Sir Xanders’ car came to a stop on the western side of the park in Ratz, where Odette had requested to be dropped off.

   Alma was asleep in his arms. Maximin looked over at Odette, who was busy wiping the sweat from her forehead and putting on the wide brimmed hat that accented her dress quite well and grabbed her large, heavy bag.

   “Why don’t you tell me exactly where you’re going, I can take you straight there.”

   “No, that’s okay, its not too far from here. It would be more inconvenient to take the car all the way, thank you though,” Odette said politely and hurried out of the car.

   Maximin could do nothing but watch the curious woman leave. The driver got back into the car again, but Maximin struggled to tell him to drive on while he could still see Odette walk away.

“My Lord!”

When Maximin thought about bringing Odette back an unexpected shout spread through the air. The driver hurriedly got out of the car and ran toward the sidewalk that bordered the park.

Maximin was on the verge of letting out a scream himself, taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Alma, roused from sleep, joined the chorus of surprise with tears streaming down her cheeks. 

Leaving the crying Alma in the car, Maximin hastily hurriedly sprinted toward Odette lying on the road.