The Name of Eternity

Chapter 5: Preparation is Everything

Rhea shivered.

“I swear I heard someone crying," she said quietly. “It sounded like a woman. I was trying to find the source of the sound."

Arras glanced out the window, “It was probably the wind, or some homeless person trespassing on my land."

Rhea frowned but mumbled her agreement, even though she knew what she heard. Sobbing did not sound like wind at all. She had done enough crying of her own in the past few years. This wasn't her house, however, and she wasn't going to press the matter…not yet.

“It was a horrible sound anyway," Rhea sighed.

Arras was still watching her.

“Come with me, I'll take you back to your room," he stepped aside to let Rhea come through the door. The monster of a dog padded quietly beside them, seemingly content with this visitor in his home.

Arras opened the door to Rhea's room and noted the temperature.

“You'll sleep better if the room was warmer," he commented, throwing a few more logs on the fire. “Our kitchen staff will not be in tomorrow, but Aedan has promised us a delicious breakfast.

Rhea caught the sarcasm and doubt in Arras's face and laughed. Her host looked surprised but then gave a small smile.

“I'm sure it will be fine," he said as he drifted out into the hallway. His voice floated back as he made his way down the hall. “Don't worry about strange sounds here, it's an old manor. Just enjoy your room until you wake up in the morning."

Rhea paused, “Strange that he would say that…"

There was a noise outside her door, and Rhea held her breath nervously as it began to creak open. Faelen stuck his head in.

Rhea laughed, “Well, what are your plans this evening?"

The dog wagged his tail then curled up outside her door, falling asleep almost instantly.

“Good idea," said Rhea and shut her door. Once she crawled back under the blankets, sleep welcomed her like an old friend.

By morning, the rain had stopped, but the wind still blew wildly. Rhea changed into her own clothes again and made her way down the winding staircase to follow the enticing smells of a cooking breakfast. Arras already sat at the table.

“Good morning," Rhea said cheerfully. “No Faelen this morning?"

Arras sipped his steaming drink, “He's out with Aedan and Brennus. They are cutting a big tree that fell across the laneway during the night."

He paused.

“Did you want to eat?"

“Oh, yes," Rhea sat quickly and began to fill the plate in front of her.

“I was able to contact your company. They are relieved you are alright. Aedan will drop you off once the tree is out of the way. Have a nice day, Rhea Thorne."

With that, Arras Mordhas stood and left the room. Rhea was left to eat alone. Eventually Aedan appeared and they climbed into the simple black car to head to Rhea's workplace.

She was greeted with curious and disbelieving stares.

Andrew shook his head with a smile, “Welcome back, adventurer."

“She's cunning," Stephen winked.

“What are you talking about?" Rhea rolled her eyes. “It was a pretty bad storm. No one offered to come get me."

Andrew looked surprised, “If you had called me, I would have come…but it was a really bad storm."

“It was bad enough to make Rhea sleep over at A. Mordhas' home, owner of the biggest investment company next door, and the person we worked for years to win over. Did you make a good impression?" Elisa laughed.

“If you are all wondering, I finished my day's work," Rhea looked over a list of things to do that day. One of the jobs was to catalog Opera House artifacts. She gasped.

Her coworkers looked up in alarm.

“He invited me to go to the Opera tomorrow. I don't have any clothes and I don't have time to buy anything!"

“He…invited you to the…opera?" Andrew stuttered.

Stephen stood up, “Which one?"

Rhea thought for a moment, “Fidelio."

“Ah, that's a nice one," Elisa smiled and nodded. “I have the perfect dress for you to borrow."

After work, the young ladies jumped into Elisa's dependable little car and headed to retrieve the dress. The floor length dress was a rich, dark blue color, and fit Rhea perfectly.

“Have a great time," Elisa hugged Rhea.

Back at the hotel, dress and shoes in hand. Rhea tried turning on her phone. To her surprise, the cell phone came on like it never got wet.

“That's so weird," Rhea said out loud. She left it charging and went to bed. A while later, Rhea heard a text message and rolled over to glance at her phone. Not recognizing the number, she picked up the phone to investigate.

“When you are done working, stay at the Manor," the text read. “You can get ready here."

“It's Arras," Rhea gasped, dropping the phone. “How does he know I'm going to be there tomorrow?"

Scrambling, and embarrassed that her hands were shaking, Rhea answered, “I look forward to it."

She then spent the rest of the night staring at the ceiling, and wondering why her heart beat so strongly in her chest after realizing Arras had texted her. He had her phone number.

Rhea met her friends at Mordhas' Manor the next day. They set out more grids to prepare for the excavation. Rhea couldn't help looking up at the windows and she realized she was hoping to catch a glimpse of one of her new friends.

“Rhea…earth to Rhea…" Andrew laughed. “I need you to pull that line tight. What's up?"

“Tonight is the opera!" Elisa gushed. “Lucky girl."

“Oh, I see," said Andrew. “Well, you still have an hour left of work, so let's get this done."

Stephen raised an eyebrow and helped Rhea lay the last grid.

Just then, Aedan and Brennus pulled up in front of the manor and came around to see the progress. Andrew and Stephen went over to chat, while Elisa and Rhea picked up the tools. Arras' two friends headed to the manor.

Brennus waved at Rhea, “Get your stuff and come inside. You can start getting cleaned up."

“We know you will need lots of time to get ready," winked Aedan. “Brennus had the kitchen staff make snacks for you."

That late afternoon, Rhea enjoyed a shower in the biggest bathroom she had ever seen. 'Manor staff,' as Brennus said, had set out her shoes and borrowed dress.

“Lucky my earrings are silver," Rhea exhaled as she looked at her matching shoes.

She twisted her hair into a simple bun, and used the borrowed makeup from Elisa.

When she was ready, Rhea came carefully down the stairs. Though the silver shoes had small heels, managing the formal dress, stairs and the intense stares of the three men at the bottom of the stairs caused Rhea to grip the railing tightly on her descent.

Aedan and Brennus separated to reveal a waiting Arras dressed impressively in a matching, fitted dark suit.

He watched her take the last few steps in silence.

“Beautiful," Aedan nodded, and turned to look at Arras.

Brennus smiled, “The dress matches your eyes."

Rhea blushed slightly at their compliments and looked at her dress. Aedan took the opportunity to nudge Arras sharply with his elbow.

Rhea looked up and caught Arras' gaze.

“You look divine," he whispered.

Arras offered his arm and Rhea took it. Aedan reached into a drawer of the small stand by the door and tossed an object to his friend. Arras impressively snatched it out of the air. He opened his hand and revealed a set of car keys.

Arras looked up at his friends, “Are you sure?"

Aedan winked, causing Rhea to smile. Without further conversation, Arras and Rhea left the Manor and stood on the steps outside.

“This is our ride for the evening," Arras nodded at the shining amber-colored convertible before them.

Rhea raised her eyebrows approvingly, “You and your friends have good taste."

Arras' eyebrows raised slightly.

“Yes."

He helped Rhea into the car and slid cooly behind the wheel. With one hand on the stick shift, Arras started the car and they were off. For the first few minutes, they drove in silence. The only movement was when Arras shifted gears. Rhea began making small talk, asking about different statues they passed, the opera house, and the opera itself. Arras slowly began to open up, and Rhea found his voice to be firm, yet still gentle, and ever so easy for her to listen to. He smoothly coasted up to the curb before the lit-up opera house.

“Wait," Arras ordered.

He got out of the car and went around to open Rhea's door. Arras offered her his hand and Rhea was surprised at how easily he helped her from the car. Valets were greeting Arras and calling him 'Mr. Mordhas'.

Arras and Rhea walked up the stairs and through the doors, without being asked for a ticket. They were escorted by an opera house employee through the elegant halls.

“Mr. Mordhas, your box is ready," the employee held out an arm to guide the couple. “We will bring refreshments during intermission like you asked."

“You have your own box?" Rhea asked.

Turning to look at the spectacle around him, Arras laughed ever so softly, “Yes, my own box and my own opera…I own the opera house."