Navarre

Gironde, France

Terry was staying at a Relais & Chateau resort just outside Gironde on the northern boarder of the land that was once called Navarre. Claude had confessed everything to her the night she discovered Etienne’s secret as she purposely went to his bedroom and woke him from his sleep. They spoke for hours and the old man told Terry everything from twenty years passed when Tien first appeared before him until his disappearance that night. At first she took it all in very logically and with Claude’s help she took several books he had concerning the region home with her to Chateau Malrome to do some research. Monday went well enough having gotten her new housekeeper and brother settled in and another superb meal that night but sleep did not come. Terry thought about Tien and his kisses, his touches and his closeness and she freaked out thinking about how he had been so real. Too real for a spirit she thought and then Terry realized he had been watching her. Was he watching her now? Here in the bedroom? When she dressed for the day? Those were the questions she asked Tuesday morning and she became afraid as did her husband’s mother, and she packed some things and left that morning for Gironde. She drove madly towards the small city that lay south of Bordeaux until she came to the resort Terry had heard about. It was Saturday now and she had become more relaxed until she thought of the Chateau then she was anxious again.

Etienne sat on Goliath at the border of his land looking at the resort Terry was in from a distance. Only a hill separated him from the woman he had fallen in love with as he had watched her finally drive from his Chateau to this new place. He knew she was hiding from him and fear had struck and he was sad and miserable. Tien had hope when she returned to Malrome the previous Monday only to be dashed when she sped off the next day. Now he sat looking high atop his Friesen hoping to see a glimpse of her and to once again feel Terry against his hard body. He wanted to kiss her delicate red lips as he pulled his fingers through the expanse of her gold hair. To smell her scent as he whispered words of love in her ear as he made love to her. So he was resigned now to wait and hope something or someone would bring her back in to his arms.

“Hi Aunt Helen” Terry stated as she went in to Gironde to pick her aunt up at the train station. “It seems like we just said goodbye.”

“We did!” shouted her aunt over the noise of the trains on the tracks. “I had to pull a few strings to get off from the University. Come on let’s get out of here! I need something to eat too!”

They walked in to the station and through all the locals and their vending carts that were set up for tourists. It was not the tourist season but they diligently tried to sell their wares.
Terry parked her yellow Citron right out front in a non-parking zone as she was in a hurry. She and her aunt arrived in time as the parking maid was heading now in their direction as Terry tossed the luggage in her truck and hurried her aunt in to her seat.

“There’s a nice restaurant back at the place I’m staying” Terry stated. “It’s only fifteen minutes out of town.”

“God! You really are taking this seriously aren’t you Honey?” Aunt Helen remarked.

“Enough to bring you’re here thousands of miles”, stated Terry as she glanced over to the older woman. “This Etienne d’Navarre is no ordinary ghost. He kisses and wants to make love. Wants to make love to me!”

“This reminds me of that old movie The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Remember that one? She’s the widow and the sea captain ghost falls for her”, Aunt Helen stated trying for some reason to make a correlation.

“The only problem with that was she had to live her whole life and die. Then they got together” Terry exclaimed. “I’m afraid I can’t wait that long!”

“Terry! What are you saying?” asked Aunt Helen. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for this guy? I mean this spirit.”

“Yeah. I think I have. I was when I thought he was just a man and even after all this I still have the same feeling. Shit! This is ridiculous!” Terry stated as they finally reached the resort.

“Leave the bags in the trunk Terry. I think the best course of action now is to go back to Chateau Malrome. You’ll get your things after lunch and then we’ll head back” stated Helen. “Then I’ll have a look at those books.”

Lunch was pleasant and they spoke about what had happened since the older woman had left and Terry began her early morning rides with Etienne. Terry told her aunt everything as they were very close, even the intimate parts she shared with Tien. Aunt Helen felt sorry for her young niece as she could see her smile as she told the tale thinking Terry had been happy with Maurice but happier now. Aunt Helen did believe in the spirit world and had studied the occult during the Medieval period she was an expert in. It intrigued her now to find out why this particular man of those times succumbed to live out his after life as a ghost, doomed to walk the lands he had once owned. Perhaps there was a way to bring him in to the real world and in to the arms of her niece. Or else release him from whatever curse held him and away in to oblivion. The later was not her choice but Aunt Helen would do her best to help Terry find some answers.

The ladies enjoyed a good bottle of local Bordeaux with some equally local cuisine prepared by the resort’s chef and by the time their meal was over Terry felt confident to return to Malrome. By three they were heading in to Navarre much to the relief of Etienne, who now saw Terry with her aunt driving the small narrow road that led her back on to his land. Tien kept his distance as he had, since he parted from her. Now she was entering his Chateau once again and the place he desperately wanted her to stay and make her home.

“How about some more wine while I have a look at these books?” asked Aunt Helen.

Terry nodded and went to the wine cellar and its small refrigerator for a bottle of the white Bordeaux and two glasses. Her Aunt had a Doctorate in Medieval Literature and Languages and she was confident that the woman would find something. Some reason Tien was a ghost. All Terry knew now was she wanted to see him and she did not care if his flesh was not really flesh, as she remembered his hot breath on her neck and his full lips on hers. But he did not appear even when she finally called to him at night.

“Please Tien. If you’re here please let me see you. I just want to talk”, she said as she stood dead center in her room at four in the morning the following week.

But Tien was not there to hear her calling and Terry resigned, went back to bed and an exhausted slumber.

“Anything?” asked Terry to her Aunt having gone over all the literature.

“All these books, except for this one, were written just a few hundred years ago. They talk about the region and mention Navarre and Etienne but nothing specific. This one” Helen picked up the largest “Is definitely from the fifteen hundreds.”

“Anything about Tien in that?” Terry questioned.

“Tien? Is that what you call him or it?” Aunt Helen laughed at the familiarity, which was not typical of her niece who usually did not take to men, or in this case ghosts, quickly. “Yes. In fact it gives a short biography. His name ofcourse is Etienne d’Navarre which mean “from Navarre” and he was born in northern part of France in the late twelve hundreds. He was a mercenary. A soldier for hire and quite famous from what this says. He was granted Navarre from the French King and built this Chateau and Saint-Emilion vineyard. It also talks about several of the campaigns he lead for various Kings and Princes throughout Europe. Then it says he died around thirteen hundred thirty and that’s it.”

“Damn! That’s nothing to go on”, stated Terry has she enjoyed the white wine. “Maybe they have more in Bordeaux. There’s a library there. We need to find out why he’s here.”

“There are many reasons that the energy of the dead still remain earthbound. One is because of love. If a person cannot let go of the loved one they lost that will often cause the dead to remain. Another is if a crime against them was committed and never discovered and the victim remains to see that the secret becomes known. And another reason is because of some unfinished business. Something that the dead person needed to do and didn’t finish doing it.” Helen sat back now thinking of all the possibilities.

“It could be anyone of those!” Terry exclaimed. “How in God’s name do we find out which?”

“By asking this ghost of yours that’s how!” stated Helen. “You have to contact him so we can talk. He probably knows what this is all about anyway.”

“I’ve tried Aunt Helen” Terry replied. “He just won’t appear to me.”

“Well, you need to try harder. Maybe he hasn’t been at the Chateau. From what you said he might be as disturbed about this as you are”, the older woman remarked. “He’s become emotionally and physically involved with a woman that’s mortal. And now you’ve found out his little secret. He’s probably scared to death. I mean scared”, she laughed at that faux pas.

That night Terry slept quite well knowing what she was going to do the next morning as it finally came and she dressed as she used to for her morning ride with Tien. It had snowed that night and heavily as she made her way to the stables finding Oscar grooming and feeding the horses. He saddled Terry’s horse quickly as she was in a hurry for some reason and then helped her mount, finally slapping its rump to speed it along. Terry had a difficult time getting her horse through the new snow that was on the ground but she prevailed, as did the animal until they were at Tien and her favorite spot in the middle of a field. There they would stand on their horses and look around the expanse of land. They would look at forest and the hills surrounding and then the vineyard in the distance. It was a beautiful and serene place and one she suspected Etienne came to often alone as they did together.

“I know you’re here!” shouted Terry after a while. “Show yourself!”

Nothing happened and she circled her nervous horse trying to steady it. The air was cold and the wind had picked up from the north blowing her long hair, which she had forgotten to bind. Then the snow began again but lightly.

“I want to help you Tien!” she now shouted becoming frustrated.

“Help me to do what?” his voice came and she turned her horse and now saw him on Goliath.

“I don’t know! Solve your problem! God! I don’t know what I’m saying!” she exclaimed as he looked at her and how beautiful she was to him. “I just wanted to kiss you again.”

Etienne brought Goliath up next to her and he reached out his large hand putting it behind Terry’s neck bringing her towards him. His lips met hers in a gentle, soft kiss. A kiss of understanding one another, and he knew now without her saying another word that she loved him as he loved her. They knew in that moment that they could not continue apart and after Tien broke from Terry’s moist lips, he took the reins of her horse and guided her towards the forest. Terry said nothing as they entered the border of trees going deeper down a path she was not familiar with. Everything looked different as they went through the massive trees that somehow looked less aged. Then she saw a clearing up ahead and in its center a home that was larger than a cottage with smoke billowing out the chimney and she turned to Etienne.

“This place was not here when we rode before Tien. We’ve been in this part of the forest many times”, she stated.

“Non. Ma petit. It was not here before. Only when I call it does it appear” he exclaimed looking at her with all the same desire she had in her eyes. “It is or was my hunting lodge when I was alive. This is where I will bed you now.”

Terry wanted him to “bed” her and grew more aroused at the bluntness of the word and act. She had wondered now how it took her so long to figure out his was a ghost and a man from a different age. His manner and his speech were not because he was foreign but because he was of another time and place. Tien brought them to the front of the lodge where he dismounted Goliath and tied him, then came to help Terry, which he did with his hands around her waist bringing her safely on to the snowy ground. He tied her horse then took her hand leading her to the heavy wood door and opened it. She could feel the warmth from the fireplace. He took her in to the hunting lodge that was fashioned of rough- cut wood containing one large room with a hearth at one end. There was a table for eating and a small place for preparing food and a single chair by the fire. Furs were scattered on the floor, hung on the walls and thrown over the bed that was to the side facing the fireplace. It was a very big bed Terry thought that looked inviting with the luxurious fox fur blanket that was spread across which she immediately went to and felt.
Tien laughed and came up behind her taking her jacket off then bending to kiss her neck.

“Are you I such a hurry for me? You do not look around like most women do first?” he asked.

“Have you had a lot of women here? The bed is so big” she questioned as she turned to look at him.

“Are you jealous already? That always happens after” he remarked.

Terry looked at him quizzically seeing his impassioned face. “After what?” she asked naively then she watched as he brought his hand between her legs taking hold of her.

“After this” he replied then brought her in to a hard kiss, opening his mouth to cover hers and explore its depth.

Terry responded to him quite naturally as if they had done this a thousand times and each time like it was the first. She was not comfortable with men in general but with Tien it was different she thought as she took her sweater off over her head. By the time she had done that Etienne stood before her naked having willed his clothes away in a moments thought. Terry was a typical woman and she looked first at his private area, which readily showed what she wanted. It was powerful as was the rest of him when she finally looked from his long raven hair down to his feet that were long and graceful looking as were his hands. The hands that came towards her to unfastened her brassiere and expose to him again what Tien had seen the night he had carried her to bed and undressed her. Now he touched her fullness and bent over giving her kisses and small nips as he undid her tight leather pants.

“This would be so much easier if you were a spirit”, he grumbled as he finally picked her up easily throwing her on the bed then grabbing each of her boots taking them off.

“But not as fun” she said seductively as he came up on to her grabbing at the leather and pulling it down, showing him now that she wore no undergarments.

“Only a brazen woman would wear no under clothing”, he whispered in her ear as he came back laying on her now, kissing her again and she could feel his heaviness on her.

Terry brought her arms around his muscled back bringing him fully on her then reached her hands down to feel his buttocks.

Tien broke away and knelt slightly bringing his full attention to her soft center that he ministered to, getting her ready for him and his bedding. It was apparent she had not been with a man for along time the way she came so easily to his touch and again so soon after he joined with her. He felt her rhythm against his thrusts, bringing him to total satisfaction quickly as he had not been with a woman for a very long time himself. Centuries in fact. The thought made him laugh after he came from Terry and lay back on the fur. Terry was insecure enough and his laughing grabbed at her heart, which she had so freely given him. She sat up bending her knees and grabbing on to them with her crossed arms as she started to cry, bringing her head down to cover her face. Tien’s heart tightened knowing instantly that his laughter had offended her and he sat up caressing her hair and now hearing her soft, emotion filled voice.

“Was I that bad?” she asked through her tears as she continued to hide her face from him.

“Ma petit” he said gently as he positioned himself so he was now facing her. He tried with his right hand to make her look up but she would not budge. Finally in a voice he used as a soldier. “Look at me!”

Terry’s red face shot up but her eyes avoided his and he grabbed her arms tightly now slightly angry.

“I said look at me!” he repeated and her blue eyes now met his deep brown ones. His black pupils were large as he gazed in to hers and in to her soul. “I was not laughing at you! I was amused at the thought of how long it has been since I have been with a woman. You please me! You cannot tell this from how I am with you?”

“It’s just been so long”, she cried again. “It was never that good with my Maurice. I use to fake it all the time. We loved each other but I always thought there was something wrong with me. Then when he got sick he couldn’t do it.”

“There is nothing wrong with you. You just did not have me to make you cry out”, he stated remembering minutes before when she dug her nails in his back screaming out his name.

Terry was now upset thinking about Maurice and Tien was frustrated knowing this and in his love for her.

“I don’t want to talk about your husband anymore! He is dead!” Etienne shouted jumping up thinking now of this situation. “And so am I!”

Etienne crossed the room and stood in front of the fire watching the flames. He was a spirit and she flesh and blood. What future was there? He asked himself that a thousand times since he saw Terry. He did not hear her cries stop as she calmed after his declaration and she watched him standing poised like a magnificent and powerful animal. His hair slightly down his back and she could see all the muscles in his body had tensed as she knew he was thinking of her and him together. Terry got up and walked towards him and he did hear her but kept his back towards her, as his eyes were now moist with tears. Perhaps he was right Terry thought. Perhaps Maurice had not been the right man for her and only his death ended a relationship that might have ended anyway. And he was gone and no spirit that came back, like Etienne to haunt and now to love her.

Terry came up behind Tien and touched the strength of his buttock as he continued to stand. Tien became instantly aroused she discovered, as she glided her hands on his flesh around to finally take hold of him. She kissed the left side of his back and then the right and then she continued down until she knelt and gently bit his hard backside. The left and then the right.

“You are brazen”, he laughed when he felt her teeth nip at him and then he turned. “Do you want to bite this?”

Much to his amazement she did and now ministered to him in the most erotic ways he had never experienced. These were the actions only done by whores when he was alive but he also knew that times had changed and he liked the changes. He brought her up now standing her infront of him.

“Your mouth is as dangerous as this” he exclaimed touching the softness again at her center.

“I want you to bed me again and again”, she whispered erotically. “I think I like that word. Bed.”

At that he picked her up like a sack of potatoes across his shoulder and she started to kick a little. She did not know if he had that much natural strength or if some of it was supernatural. None-the-less, his little cave man routine was working as he threw her down on the fur and “bedded” her again and again as she had requested, bringing them well passed night fall. It was only when they both heard Oscar calling, that they woke up in each other’s arms and then much to Etienne’s surprise, the older man walked through the door with a flash- light seeing them in bed.

“I am sorry” he stated and then shut the door going back outside as Tien jumped up.

“He saw us!” he exclaimed as he turned from looking at the door to looking at Terry naked under the fur blanket.

“Yeah. Why?” she asked sitting up now. “You’re obviously not shy.”

“No one sees my hunting lodge unless I wish it Terry. And I only wished you to see it” he replied. “They are worried about you. Your Aunt no doubt sent Oscar to look for you.”

“How do you know about my Aunt?” she asked curious to know now if he had been watching her.

“I saw you with her at the Inn and when you drove to my Chateau” he answered and saw her smile.

“Is that all you’ve seen?” she asked getting up and coming in to his welcoming arms for a kiss. She then bit his lower lip and pulled at the hair on his chin slightly, making him laugh.

“I stayed at a distance. I was worried how you would be after discovering my secret” he responded. “You should get dressed. I will tell Oscar that I will bring you home.”

“Then you’re going to stay there and tell us your story”, she stated putting her pants on to find him dressed again when she looked up.

“That is an interesting tale. One I have not spoken of in many hundreds of years” he replied walking towards the door and out of site.

The Austrian was waiting outside as Etienne came out in to the dark, lit only by moonlight against the white snow.

“You are the ghost they speak of” he said as a fact with no fear in his eyes.

“Yes. I am” replied Tien. “All I ask is that you say nothing of this”, he continued turning and pointing to the lodge and in it Terry.

“You secret is safe with me my friend” Oscar replied. “I will return to Chateau Malrome. Bring the lady back when you can.”

“We will follow you shortly” Tien remarked and now touched the man’s shoulder surprising him with that very real touch.

Oscar had seen them together in bed and wondered how a mere apparition could be with a very mortal woman. He had heard her conversations with her aunt about Etienne d’Navarre and spoke quite openly about it he thought. Now he had actually seen him and only when his hand touched Oscar, did the older man truly believe it. But how could a ghost be flesh? Oscar would find the answer to that question himself.

Tien went back in to the lodge to find Terry with her fur jacket on and ready to leave. He came up and took her in his arms for one last kiss not knowing when they would be together again. She bent her head back to accept his lips and inquiring tongue and then broke slightly to look at his face.

“Next time I’d prefer sleeping on top of the fur. The underside is too rough” she said for some reason.

“Next time ma petit?” he laughed with an erotic tone. “It did not take you long to beg for more of this.” With that he pulled her in further to his hardness and kissed her hard.

He knew she loved the lodge as much as he did and he would bring her back the next morning after their ride. This he promised himself as they rode off back towards the Chateau with the enchanted hunting lodge disappearing again. They arrived back at Chateau Malrome almost by eight that evening and Aunt Helen was quite worried until she saw Terry with Etienne. Oscar had returned saying she was with Claude’s son and then everything became clear to her what must have happened during that day. Helen was a true romantic and she believed all things were possible, especially for this young and very unusual couple who, strolled hand in hand.

“I was worried!” Helen shouted as they approached the front door where she stood waiting.

“Everything is fine” Terry smiled as did Tien. “This is my Aunt Helen. This is Etienne.”

Terry completed the introductions and then the three went in to the warmer rooms of the massive home and in to the dining room where dinner was waiting. Each took a seat with Tien helping the ladies first, as he was a gentleman despite the rough life he must have lead being a soldier both women thought. Helga came in with potato soup for all and Tien gave his excuse of not being hungry, but he accepted a glass of the white wine for show.

“I can imagine what you two have been up to today. And I’m sure it had nothing to do with any talking” Helen laughed as she ate her soup.

“God! Aunt Helen!” exclaimed Terry as she turned crimson and took a long drink of her wine.

“My lord had nothing to do with it” Etienne said seriously not knowing why he said that. “I know you both have questions.”

“Well, why don’t you start by telling us where you were born and then go from there” stated Terry as Oscar came in to pour more wine.

“It is all right. He knows”, stated Etienne of Oscar as Terry had gone silent when he appeared. “To answer that questions. I was born in Paris in our Lord’s year twelve ninty-five. My father was a great soldier for the King and my mother from a wealthy family. I was born and raised in the city and became a soldier at fourteen. I went on my first campaign with my father that year and from them on I became quite good at it. Good enough to be granted Navarre and to be hired by a Prince in Italy for a time. I was Captain of his private guards and it was there that I met my beautiful Isabeau.”

“Isabeau?” asked Terry. “Was she you wife?” She had become slightly jealous at his mentioning another woman.

“Yes, but only after many years. There was a jealous and sadistic Bishop that controlled the city where we lived. He fell in love with her and through black magic he condemned us to live apart. Isabeau transformed in to a hawk during the day and I a wolf at night. We traveled many years together but always apart. Then we returned to this Bishop’s citadel to confront him and kill him. It was only by the help of a young boy and a priest that we were able to break the curse. Isabeau and I married and returned to France and this chateau.”

“So what happened to her Tien?” Terry asked when he finished and he became saddened.

“We finally were together only to be parted a year later when she died giving birth to our son. She left me alone to raise Claude. I retired from soldiering and built the vineyard. We were happy enough until some of my enemies found me. I was hunting in the woods and had just settled in to the lodge for the night and I was attacked. I fought as best I could but I was overtaken. I remember the feel of the blade that brought on my death and then I was standing over my own body watching myself take my last breath. Then I saw them slaughter Goliath and burn the lodge with my body still in it” he spoke reflecting on it emotionally especially remembrances of his beloved horse.

“So who was the man or men that attacked you?” Helen questioned.

“I do not know. I had been a soldier so many years and I had many enemies whose faces I would not know” he answered. “Through the first years of being a spirit I tried to discover their identity but I could not.”

“How old were you? And what happened to Claude?” inquired Terry as Helga came out to serve the main dish.

That time the room did go silent until she left then Tien continued.

“I was thirty five and Claude was eight. My Father’s younger brother, who was younger than me, came and took care of him. He was a gentle man and knew about wine making. He cared for Claude until my son was old enough to care for himself. Claude became a good wine maker and continued the vineyard and married happily. His wife bore him four sons” Tien remembered as he had always been there in the shadows watching his family and each generation. “Claude San-Emilion is the last.”

“I figured that”, remarked Terry. “Does he know?”

“Yes. He reminded me of my son and when he lost his wife I had to be with him” Etienne replied. “He does not know that however.”

“So you didn’t have any other children running around?” asked Helen and Terry gave her a “look.” “Well, I’m sorry that’s just what happened back then with soldiers.”

Etienne laughed heartily leaning back further in to his chair. “You are very clever. Yes. I am sure I had many children. I was very active before I met Isabeau. I have seen only one other son however. Born from a woman I was with in Germany. Her granddaughter came to the Chateau for money making a claim to my estate. She had no proof so she was run off. After that I do not know what happened.”

“OK then. We know what you’re all about. But do you have any idea why you’re a ghost?” Helen questioned.

“I have tried to find the answer to that question. But with time I have become happy with this “life” as it is” he said. “That is why I am not sure why Terry said you wanted to help me. I do not wish to leave Navarre. I do not wish to go to this after life. But there are questions that I have. Why can I become flesh? Why can I not leave Navarre? And most important, why am I still here?”

“Perhaps someone from the other side can answer that”, remarked Helen.

“Get the Ouiji board out Aunt Helen?” Terry laughed as they got up having finished dinner. “Let’s go in the living room and sit by the fire. I’m chilled to the bone all of a sudden.”

“I was thinking the same thing. I’m all of sudden cold myself. Interesting” the older woman reflected thinking there might be someone from the after life with them now.
“Anyway. No! I wasn’t thinking of a game but a séance.”

They got in to the large room and Etienne pulled up an extra chair sitting by the two women warming themselves by the fire in silence for a time.

“We should contact my wife”, stated Tien breaking the silence. “She would know. But who would perform this séance. I have heard of such things. The gypsy’s that would visit Navarre had such powers.”

“That’s an interesting point. The only women I know that has the gift lives in New Mexico. And she’s not going to fly over here to help us” exclaimed Helen.

“I have the gift as does the rest of my family” a voice came from the dining room door and they all turned to see Helga standing there having heard everything. “I will help the young spirit contact his wife.”

“God! Who the hell else knows about this?” Terry exclaimed.

“My sister. Why do you think she gets the staff out every weekend? She knew about your visits to the old man” Helga replied talking now to Etienne who was very surprised.

“Great! Well, anyway. What do we do Helga?” Terry asked now as the woman came over.

“I have felt the presence of a woman since coming here. She is trying to tell us something and I believe her to be your wife” Helga stated looking at the handsome face of Navarre.

It was the one reason she and her brother were anxious to join Terry’s staff. To finally meet someone of the other world and now they had the opportunity in their hands to be of assistance. Her brother and sister had been blessed with special gifts and it was because of that that Oscar was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and from being a priest. He, like his sisters, was open about their powers and this did not sit well with his superiors who finally stripped him of his collar and his flourishing parish just outside Vienna.

“We will have Oscar join us at midnight and then we will try to make contact with this presence” Helga continued. “I will make the necessary arrangements.”

“It’s only ten. Can’t we do it now?” inquired Terry who reached over taking Tien’s hand in hers.

“Midnight is the time when the spirits are the most approachable” the housekeeper replied then left the room as quickly as she had come in.

“She’s spooky! Anyway, I have to change” Terry abruptly stated getting up from her chair and breaking her hand from Etienne’s.

She looked at Tien’s face as he was getting out of his chair to join her. Terry shook her head and he understood she wanted to be alone, so he continued sitting as he watched her leave to go upstairs. There was just too much to this tale and so unbelievable. Etienne’s whole life was filled with magic and curses she could not fathom. A wolf at night and his ladyhawke, he had called Isabeau fondly. Now they were going to contact this love of his and Terry did not want that. She did not want some other spirit proclaiming her undying love to the one Terry now loved with all her heart. The way Tien looked when he spoke of Isabeau tugged at her jealous heart, as she wanted that look for herself. But there was a history between Etienne and this woman that Terry could not come between, so she resigned herself to what was to occur at midnight. She would be a big girl when Tien finally spoke to Isabeau and then she knew he would change his mind and want to join her in the afterlife. Terry lingered in her room for over an hour taking a hot bath and then changing in to another pair of pants and a heavier sweater as she was still chilled. She was aching for Etienne’s touch again and when she thought that, he appeared to her.

“You are worried that I will want to join Isabeau”, he said softly as he approached her taking Terry in his arms.

She held him tightly as she placed her head on his shoulder. Tien stroked her long hair then put his fingers through its silkiness. They held each other for what seemed eternity then Tien spoke softly again.

“I loved Isabeau too long ago ma petit. Too long ago for you to worry about her” he stated. “My feelings for you are so very different. You are the woman that God meant for me. I love you” he spoke in to her ear then watched as she lifted her head to speak.

He was not saying this to make her feeling better she could easily see this. He was a man of honor and truth both she and her aunt were readily aware of. Etienne was speaking from his heart now as he finally touched her lips gently with his before she made her reply.

“I love you Tien”, she finally said out loud. “I don’t want to be apart from you.” She started to weep and this tugged at his heart.

“Come now. Stop your tears. We will find out about all of this and perhaps a way to stay together forever” he responded taking her chin with his hand and putting it up. He then wiped her face gently with his fingers to dry it then he kissed her eyes and then her mouth.

They went downstairs to join Helen who he had disappeared from without a word, leaving her alone. There was so much, but in all her reading about the supernatural not once was there an instance where they spoke of a ghost or energy becoming solid. This perplexed Helen as she went over to the table she had placed her laptop on bringing it back to her seat. The couple watched her as she sent an e-mail to someone and then Terry finally spoke up.

“Who are you e-mailing?” she asked.

“My friend in New Mexico. I though she might at least know why Etienne can take solid form. Just an after thought” the older woman responded as she finished and then placed the laptop to the side.

“I am ready” spoke Helga now as the clock on the side table was chiming midnight.

The three stood up and followed her in to the library where there was a round table at the center. Terry had thought nothing of the table before but now she thought how very appropriate for a séance. The room was lit only with candles as they entered to find Oscar sitting already for the night’s activities. Helga pointed to each place she designated with Tien by her side to the left, Oscar to her right followed by Terry and then Helen. Full circle as she instructed everyone to hold hands and then Terry started to giggle. Tien kicked her under the table.

“Quiet ma petit. This is very serious” he smiled at her winking.

“I’m sorry”, she stated trying to control her giggles which were just nervousness, but she could not.

Terry jumped up and went over to the small table that had liquor on it and poured herself a brandy taking a quick sip to steady herself. After a few more sips she was under control and returned and sat holding Oscar and Helen’s hands again.

“Better now?” asked Tien shaking his head and now reaching over with his leg to caress hers.

“I’m fine. Let’s get started” Terry exclaimed and then they turned to watch Helga who it appeared was already in a trance. “That didn’t take long.”

“Ssh” sounded Oscar who now looked over to Etienne. “Call for your wife.”

All of a sudden Etienne was scared, not really knowing how he would react. He did as Oscar said.

“Isabeau! It’s Tien!” he shouted.

“She may be dead but I don’t think she’s deaf”, remarked Terry smiling at Tien who smiled back at her.

“Ssh” sounded Oscar again. “Call her again.”

“Isabeau. If you are here let us know” Tien said and then all watched now as Helga straightened her body sitting as his wife did, placing her hands as Isabeau would do on the table when they had their meals. “It is she.”

They all looked at Etienne and knew he recognized something in Helga’s manner to indicate she was now possessed of Isabeau’s energy.

“Are you Isabeau?” asked Oscar, as they all broke free from each other’s hands.

“Oui. J’mappelle Isabeau” Helga replied in a small high voice so unlike her own but from looking at Tien’s face it was his wife’s.

“Is she going to speak in French?” asked Terry. “Can you speak English?” Terry asked that of Helga or Isabeau and the woman nodded.

“Yes. I can speak so you will all understand me” the tiny voice replied in English to Terry and Helen, German to Oscar and French to Tien.

“This is interesting. I hear the voice in German”, stated Oscar having never experienced that in the other séance’s his sister would have.

“She is speaking French to me” replied Tien. “Do you understand her Terry?”

“I hear English” Terry remarked then looked over at her aunt who said she did also.

“How long have you been here Isabeau?” asked Oscar.

“Only for a short while. I needed to tell Etienne something”, the voice stated.

Etienne knew what she was going to say as he had been calling out to her. Calling out to Isabeau for permission.

“What is it Isabeau?” asked Tien as he sat now listening and watching the all too familiar expressions appear on Helga’s face.

“You have asked me if it is all right for you to love another. That is why he kept you here. It was your last wish to be with the love of your life. And I am not that love my husband. It is the woman you lay with now” Isabeau responded.

Etienne’s eyes filled with tears and he wiped then with the back of his large hand looking over at Terry who understood.

“Who kept me here Isabeau?” he finally asked.

“You do not remember Tien? The day you died we met again here in paradise. God granted you your wish then. I must go now to Claude” the voice ended and Helga came quickly out of her trance.

“Did she appear?” asked Helga of her brother who nodded and then she looked around to each person. “What was the outcome?”

“I have been here at Navarre waiting for Terry”, stated Tien. “My finally wish before I died.”

“But that still doesn’t answer why you’re flesh when you want to be” remarked Helen then she looked over at Oscar who was smiling. “You look amused Oscar. Any ideas?”

They all turned to him waiting for his reply then he shook his head.

“It is so very obvious now”, the former priest stated. “Etienne is not a ghost. He is an angel.”

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Navarre - Chapter 5