Train To Castle D'Elur: The Franz Fichte Tales, #4

By H.H. Marcus

Franz Fichte renowned explorer, world traveler and adventurer returns in his fourth exciting tale. Franz under advice of his colleagues decided to take a vacation from adventuring only to have his plans for recreation break down. He finds himself thrust into a quandary and is embroiled in a thrilling mystery full of betrayal, deceit and not everything is as it seems. Franz makes strange new allies at Castle D'Elur, a fortification with a history of legendary power and a curse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: 84 North Publishing
• Release date: Feb 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201272791

Book preview

Train To Castle D'Elur

By H.H. Marcus

Chapter 1

Sir, I have had enough of your ribaldrous stories about the dark arts! I am offended you'd assume me to be the superstitious type. You honestly expect a man of my stature to believe in your fairy tales and myths? the gentleman said as he left his seat in a hurry, shaking his head as he crossed the threshold of the doorway.

I was on a train and I didn't know where I was heading at the time. My life before this was unbelievable to most people I encountered in conversation. It's true that I am fortunate in many ways but it is misfortune that always seems to wink in my direction.

My friends Gaston, and Mr. Wieland encouraged me to take a vacation after what I had gone through. I still dream of the asylum and their cruel torture. I still curse Bellegarde's name under my breath when I recount my past years.

This asylum with its seemingly endless corridors full of memories is haunting my dreams. It was good that I decided to leave to somewhere new, otherwise it would have become impossible for me to let go.

Well, Franz, said Annette with her customary grin. It has been fun having you here.

Annette had been following me the entire train ride. She recognized me from my adventurous exploits and claims to work for a newspaper in America but I am not familiar with all of their publications.

I gave Annette a look as if to say 'hey, there is something wrong'.

Do you know who that man is? she asked me in a rather bold manner. He's M. Eton, The Ambassador of Belgium to Italy.

I don't typically get along with Belgians. I stated dryly.

Funny. Annette said annoyed with my deflection.

She was still angry I wouldn't answer her prying questions into my family life and my involvement in the incidents in Cairo. I was doing my best to honor the Fichte name but these days there were a lot of people who wanted to blame me for everything. No one wanted to hear about the mastermind pulling my strings.

I looked out the window to give the moment some silence. I'd rather hear the train than listen to Annette any longer.

The gentleman, M. Eton came back into the car.

Herr Eton, could we talk? Just the two of us. This won't take long. she urged.

M'Lady. I just returned for my hat. If you follow me, perhaps I'll give you 5 minutes of my precious time. Eton replied with his nose in the air as he grabbed his hat from the shelf above the seat.

I gave him a polite smile as you do in public. Annette finally left her seat following Eton. I could not stand his bloviating on and on about about the minutia of his favorite haberdasheries in Berlin.

The train approached a tunnel and I leaned back and closed my eyes.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because I had the strangest dream. A woman came to me, I did not trust her. She told me that I will experience someone making a transformation that I cannot explain. I was rattled away by the train coming to a stop. We were out of the tunnel but it looked like there was some sort of delay.

Chapter 2

The train had stopped and it seemed my destination of relaxing in Brașov was out of the question. We were far off near as I could tell. I regretted not bringing a map with me. I overheard someone saying there was a bridge out and the delay would last perhaps several days.

I stood up and my stomach began to grumble. I really needed to find a place to stay the night but first I needed my energy. I was not going to spend my vacation cramped in a train. There was something claustrophobic about a train car that isn't moving.

There were a few men getting off and talking in Romanian about anything or nothing. There were also two older gentlemen and they were headed toward the front of the car in a murmur. I noted the large black backpack they carried, as I also traveled lightly.

One of the gentlemen came to me.

Călătorule, văd că nu ai avut de ales decât să cobori din această cursă. Ai fost supărat pe belgian. Ar trebui să te întâlnești cu prietenii noștri, ei te vor ajuta să găsești cazare. Vă recunoaștem, domnule Fichte și vrem să vă prezentăm grupul nostru. the man said in Romanian.

I speak fluent Romanian so let me translate that for you:

Traveler, I see you had no choice but to get off this ride. You were annoyed with the Belgian. You should meet our friends, they will help you find lodging. We recognize you, Mr. Fichte and want you to meet our group.

I nodded along. I needed to stretch my legs and I felt like I had already been on vacation too long.

Where are you traveling to? the man asked.

Brașov. I replied.

We have an invite to a castle in the hills nearby. My colleague would like to meet you first because I'm sure you hear this a lot, but your reputation precedes you Mr. Fichte!

Please, call me Franz. If we are to help each other let not get hung up on formalities. I am on vacation after all.

"Very well, Franz. I am Marius, I