The Iron Man [Serial]

Night Visit

Murphy was reluctant to continue discussing Mr. Hichens, so the subject was dropped. The author moved out of site, presumably to some other part of the city which we were to leave the next morning. I still wondered if I could have spoken to Hichens. Was there a way to ask him about his intent in writing that book?

I tried to shift focus.

Me'rah had purchased some antique books and Murphy selected a few smaller-sized novels. I wasn't sure I could assist them, but looked for interesting books: Pictorial Guide to Modern Home Needlecraft, The Farmer's Wife, Knots the Sailors Use, Scouts in Bondage, and Miss Nancy's Guide for Girls. I was rather pleased about that last one, given I'd lost my sister's copy in leaving London.

We made our way to the steam-cab and Murphy took over driving. We were stopped briefly at the gate to the Palais d'Antoniadis. Murphy showed identification papers, which were waved away by the guard who recognized him. Murphy then said he had his mother with him, and Julien—me—who had been admitted previously by Hypatia. The guard nodded at this and cranked open the gate. 

The household staff treated Murphy as a master of the house and asked what rooms he needed ready. He asked they please serve dinner for three and that he would need the third floor plus the second floor bedroom closest to the stairs. He said something about taking the luggage to the stairs and he would manage it from there.

We rested a while in a parlor which I had seen once before, where we were offered water, juice and tea. There was opportunity to use washrooms as well.

We went upstairs then, having given the staff time to see that the bedrooms were open. Murphy offered the second floor room to his mother, and asked if it seemed good to her. They had some further conversation in whispers—Me'rah's tone was often quiet to begin—before Murphy turned away from her door.

He asked me to help carry our remaining luggage upstairs. I had a sewing kit still, plus a garment bag I had acquired for clothing, and a canvas satchel I'd purchased from one of the Egyptian Regs to hold my sketchbooks, pencils and colors, along with an electric torch, small alabaster lamp, oil, and gun cleaning kit. And there were besides those the peace-bound Scipio, Micah's parcel, and a stack of slightly used books, and a pair of chopines awkwardly hanging from the satchel strap.

"We may need to get you a suitcase." Murphy laughed, then said, "You'll stay in Thené's room."

"Alpha's? I couldn't."

"It's all right with him, I promise."

Alpha's room was roughly the same size and shape as Murphy's. Same shuttered windows. Sunbeams shining on polished wooden furniture showed that the staff had recently come in to dust. Its furnishings made it as much an artist studio as a bed chamber, with easels and map chests for holding paper.

I was there a short while, until dinner was ready. I changed into fresh clothing to go down to eat. The meal went quickly with just the three of us and little conversation. Murphy said he was tired and would go to bed after dinner.

"I would like to walk in the gardens then have a bath before I go," I said.

"I will wash first," Me'rah said quietly in English, "then I would like the books."

"Jules bought some of those with his money."

Me'rah nodded. "All the books we are willing to sell. Payment to go to each who is due."

"I will bring them to your door," I promised.

The evening went as discussed. I saw the gardens, watched the sunset, collected books for Me'rah, then had my bath.

I was alone in Alpha's room. I thought it should have felt awkward. I'd had such a hopeless infatuation with him. But, I didn't feel that way. I felt safe. As I had when resting in his bed aboard the Narcís. The way I might have sleeping in my mother's bed when she was not there. 

I woke later in the night. I was alone in the quiet room with cool light coming through the window. I wondered what might have woken me, and as I listened there came a soft creak of wood and then the jangle of a doorknob.

"Jules?" It was Murphy. "Are you?"

"Awake."

"I won't stay," he said. I saw him dimly the way he sometimes looked when waking: half dressed with hair in loose waves. "I couldn't sleep."

"You had a nightmare." It wasn't a question.

Murphy sat on the floor with his back to the bed. "I dreamt you were a vampire."

I reached out of bed to comb his hair. "Like in that play that got banned?"

He made some affirmative sound.

"I promise I do not want to suck your blood."

Murphy shuddered.

"Murphy. Since you told me about Hichens, what does it mean for me?"

"What?" He climbed up onto his knees and turned towards the bed. "No. it's different now. After all that happened, I had private conversations with my father. I realized...."

I waited, but Murphy didn't continue. It was dark, but I thought his eyes looked off somewhere. "Realized what?"

"My father was a trader and a soldier. He had dealings with other tribes and nations. He knew. Better than I. People can be created different, but each one can as easily be a patriot, ally, friend, or an enemy as the next."

"He was...fine?"

"Tolerant? He said he would help me, but that I should make my own way in the world, and mind my public face. He did send me to Micah's father in Cairo, who tutored me and helped me get into University. My father and uncle paid my tuition."

"Then...?"

"I was young. He wanted to know no one was forced. That my feelings weren't passing, or something I could outgrow if presented another option."

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Chapter 85! Almost at 4K reads.

The media for the chapter is the song "Ajnabi Hawaayein" from the movie Shaapit. I was looking for songs/videos that might evoke a feeling of a quiet night.

The books Julien lists are, except one, actual titles of publications available in the 1930s, however their particular details in this story are fictionalized.

Julien references a play involving a vampire that was banned. I've had an idea about this for some while, but not known where to introduce it. I will possibly reveal more background info about it later in the story.

I have questioned myself whether Murphy so much backstory in dialogue is necessary or the most effective means of introducing the information. But, ultimately, I've risked doing it.