Post by Dame Aegraine lePower-Zurban on May 29, 2012 14:26:16 GMT -6
Chapel of St. Ramon, patron saint of secrets
By the players of the characters herein mentioned, plus any who wish to join in.
Time passed and Aegraine's father cut short his seemingly endless visit to the Zurban household. The sting of losing his dear Aurilla was still with him and images of her haunted his thoughts day and night. He recalled the first time theyhad quarreled seriously, while in France, when Aegraine was little more than a toddler. He heard Rilla'svoice each time Aegraine talked in the dining hall,where it echoed back, as if from times past. He lived at edge of all those memories.
"Time to shake some cobwebs off my mind, children." Martin called the Zurban’s children, for to him, they were as young as the grandchildren he left back in Waterford. " I may be an old man, but let an old man use his years of experience, I say. Take me with you to Turas Lan, to the Isay. Take me with you to Turas Lan, to the castle, Dmitrii. I aim to teach some classes for the young ones; mathematics and things to keep a recruit busy andout of trouble the winter long."
On one side of him, Pytor was clutching the drawcloth and shaking wine glasses as he tugged on the cloth, having such fun. Across, held by her nurse, Rosetta was howling, suffering the pain of teething, such pitiful sobs. It cut right through the old man's head like a steel blade. And he had to reach fast to keep his wine goblet from crashing onto the floor, "I have a proposition to put to the King and Queen, as din in the hall was too loud for Martin's mumbling to be heard.
Next morning, Martin LePower had to be lifted onto the placid bay that was his transport horse to town, for he was still not going to be hauled "like a bag of turnips" in a cart, not just yet. His mind was still younger than his aching old muscles, as Martin found out, trying to keep up with Dmitrii and Aegaine on the hour ride to town.
Once in the Castle,Martin's request for audience with the royal couple was granted, without delay, and he went to the meeting along with his daughter and her husband. "Let me brush this lint off your shoulder, Da. Baby blanket lint! I swear. It gets everywhere." The engineer flicked white shreds off LePower's plain navy merchant's robe, and stepped back to look over the suit of clothing, to make sure it was tidy. "There, that did it."
For months, each day, Aegraine and Dmitrii rode back and forth to Turas Lan together; their way of enjoying “alone” time together. Between the twins, the nannies, and her aging Father, the once large Manor Home on the Lake was shrinking, or so it seemed. Martin was aging, his bodily frame dwindling, muscles that once bulged, now have become flabby… His seven decades have not yet diminished his mind as much as it has his body… which is oft the opposite of many aging humans.
Martin was a great man, his knowledge of engineering and construction legendary. The many fantastic structures all over England was a prime example and his legacy; for the Gaelic King, in conjunction with Duchess Claramae St. Laurence, had financed the rebuilding and refurbishment of English structures as part of the plan to lure English
hearts into the Gaelic Renaissance, and it was Martin LePower who had been assigned that difficult task…
Four years from construction drafts to inhabiting rooms and offices was almost unheard of, but the massive undertaking employed tens of thousands men, and women. Herculean efforts that nearly drained the King’s coffers, but the immediate financial exhaustion would be short-lived, as the King’s vision in international trade was brought to
fruition which would virtually refinanced the entire construction cost.
But this morning’s trip would be much slower as the married couple would accompany the legacy to the Capital as his request for royal audience had been granted. Royal Guards stood watch as the trio prepared to be summoned by the King and Queen.
With two thumps of the ornate staff upon the marble floors, the trio was heralded forthwith to the royal audience. Athrone, decorated with Gaelic carvings of old, the throne which his Grandfather had sat many years ago. The boyish features combated the years of stress and strains of war and kingship… and for the time-being, was winning that age-old battle. Adam simply smiled that charming smile when he saw the trio, legacies and true longtime-friends of the Crown… his wrist flicked beckoning them forward.
Dmitrii approached his beloved King and friend, his hand supporting his Father-in-law’s arm… and Dmitrii bowed deep, and Martin bowed the best he could… “Your Majesties… your humble servants pray for your health
and well-being…”
Adam looked at Bess and smiled… Was that a tear in the King’s eye? If so, then it was one of joy and happiness at the sight of true friends… devoted friends of many years, who could be trusted with their very lives… “Dmitrii… Lady Aegraine… and my good friend Lord Martin… wot joy
thy have bro’t tae an old King…” the King rose and greeted the trio with great familiarity of hugs and kisses…. And the King smiled !!!
The Queen was not a woman who let the ornate trappings of what surrounded her family reach her head for wrong. If she wore pearls, she appreciated they came from a buried oyster. If she ate a dear, she appreciated the skill of the hunter that took the creature down. What adorned her body in fabric had known the skill of crafts folk to make
it to the shape it was now. Everything had a purpose in this life. To not know what one's purpose is was to be adrift on a sea of naught-to-do until the way to the purpose was formed. Now, purpose changes with age, too. Let one never forget that.
In the last few years, just such a change had come over Bess. One was that her birth-name was not absent from herself; mother was the name of God on the mouths of children who were not supposed to have been born
of her womb, she saw ships sail away instead of stand on them, and the drums of war did not drown out the voice of reason in her head. She fought battles instead on the parliament floor or the great hall of the castle! A brother long ago stated that she had come to understand the
villany of words. It was a rare day that any man put an ill
intentioned proposition or contract in her person that she didn't identify. It was not uncommon now for Adam to trust his wife's sound judgement, and if the advisor of years before could see her now?
Aman-un-Din would have been pleased. The world whereinshe'd defended herself with a loud bellow and a heavy hand, where she defended her people by the same thing, had softened. It seemed one good consequence
was that after years of blood, flesh, and infamy, it was deemed her head was a fitting place for a crown. To this day she did not doubt there were many other women just as fit to wear one. Yet no one came to be where she'd been like herself. None had claimed their place as the rightful Lady of the Isles, the Duchess of Skye, in such a fashion.
Still, even the accomplished grow a little restless. In change comes times when as others make their own lives, you lose sight of them. It was never a part of time that she enjoyed.
The year was now a few weeks in to its new self when the talk of LePower seeking an audience reached the shell of her ear. If the old man could have seen the smile he produced it would have let him know his place was as assured as the sun's position in the Eastern sky. With him would come The a fine thing. Let them come as quick as they please! Ye can tell the kitchen tae see tae it their favorite foods be in wait tae put on a table. N' we will take supper in one o' our private rooms after the audience.One ne'er fergets they visit with friends." By the time the Chamberlain's great staff fell upon the floor, her heart was already
fit to burst. She could hardly contain the glee filling up her heart. It spilled over, running through the shine in her eyes. Beside the King's carved thrown was the one her ancestor, the Isle's Lady, had sat in. The twining knotwork formed loops of infinity; this would be what
was forever, and what history would always remark of this unusual court.
"How could I nay be will, sir, with ye n' m'sight? Tae see m'husband look this way at your arrival n' feel it m'self, ah, m'lord. I am vera well, very well indeed! Welcome again tae court, Sir Dmitrii, Lady Aegraine, n' M'Lord Martin! Many, many times a'welcome!" She came down from the dais to follow in the footsteps of her husband. Unlike
some, for whom this would all be an act born out of duty? It was naught but the purest joy! When Adam was finished she took her turn with all of them. "Ye know, Lord Martin, m'ladies n' I were just agreein' on how yer wit n' humor was one of the finest in the kingdom. One says since her grace, m'self, enjoys tae be humored, perhaps yer comin' tae court would make quite the scandal." She put a hand to
Martin's forearm and winked! " Yer father should be locked n' the tower, Lady Aegraine. He makes a woman's heart leap tae much! Twill have tae be after a meal. Ye, yer husband, yer father. Please say you will? Ah've had the kitchens start tae make the meals I know ye favored
most in your time here. M'hope is ye will tell us what ye desire across full mugs n' plates? We Scotts are most amiable with an ale nearby."
Aegraine looked over at her Father, a loving glance of pride and admiration. This was the Da of her youth, the charmer, the clever man of Waterford still caught a lady's attention with those bright blue eyes and his mischievous grin. Years took his strength and few inches of his height, but the man Martin was present in his every word and
deed, after all these years.
"Your Majesties. I come to the end of my roaming; leaving my son Alan in charge back home to lead the business. Tis a task he was born to and overdue he take over. Me? I come to you land, here to Skye and humbly request permission to use my talents for the good of your land. I want to take over a mathematics and engineering class for advanced recruits, in order my daughter be free to work on the wall maintanance, until spring." The elder stood before the King and Queen, a walking stick to assure his balance, Of late, his legs gave him sharp pain when walking every so much, with a stop to rest giving the only respite. Healers here in Turas Lan gave him no hope it would be improve. Old age had started to collect the payment for youth's advantage. He stood resting the aching calf muscles and leaned both hands upon his walking stick,
looking into the Royla's eyes, directly - not so much as a act of
boldness or rebelliousness but as one friend to another, sincerely.
"I have in me one last trip, a journey I was to take with my late departed wife , come this spring. I am offering you and you kingdom great wealth and riches, yea indeed a full treasure ship full of goods, which were to have been my payment for a long accomplished project." He
looked all about to assure himself that the five of them were the only ones in earshot, as the old man continued in a raspy whisper to explain.
"It was back in the days when DeMolay and his men yet held sway, when any danger to the Tempalrs was but a whisper, a slight hint things could even change. It was then friends of mine from the old days in Jerusalam, architects and knights, came to out company with a request. My crew to build a secure vault, that might hold seventeen ships of 'items". Of course, they meant wealth and holy relics. " The old man gestured with arms wide open, the walking stick clanged to the floor, startling Aegraine, who hung onto her husband's arm. Who knew. Maybe that walking was a relic from the Holy lands and might change into a serpent when it hit the stone floor.
"I took with me a full crew, accredited navigator, my wife and child to this location, by way of open sea, so we were not heralded along our approach.
With the directions provided, we came to the place and locacted the
site; did our assignment and were about to return home, when it all
began to unravel." The sigh he emited came from a deep place in his
being, as if it were his very lifespirit mourning a great loss. "The
killings began. All Templar heirachy arrested and held; the order had
come to confiscate all wealth and lands of the order. I need not add,
the ruling King did not find all the treasures; in fact most of the
goods were already on their way to secure holdings. Among those, the
items in the storage room I had established. In all, sixteen ships
left full loaded to their safe houses; the seventeenth was to be my
payment. Alas, when the the time came, my ship was gone, off to sea
and with it my crew, the navigator who eloped with my wife. My wife!
" Anger raged in Martin as if it had happened this very moment, there
was more to his story but those facts he left for later. A man can
only take so much. Face so many awful truths at one time.
"Time has passed and I am a better man for it. I took my daughter and
with Aegraine, riding a purloined mule, made my way to Paris and from
there back home. I healed. " Scars from that time had healed in
recent years, with a new peaceful time with his wife, almost too late
and the two wonderful grandchildren he adored, "In the end, I would
like to live out my days here in Turas Lan, in Skye and in gratitude,
bless this land with the ship of treasure I earned those many years
ago. I propose we go, my family here and crew and ship manned with
Skye folk and go get my reward; this I would choose to give to the
place and people who took in my only daughter and gave her a real
future. I am old. Either we go for the gold this spring, or maybe
never. I am not getting any younger." Martin turned on the charm and
gave his energetic wink to Aegraine and Dmitrii. He wanted to wink at
the Queen, but thought better of it.
Adam smiled at the approaching trio… his sea-green eyes sparkled as he
turned to return to his dais. As the man spoke, Adam settled into the
old throne, his ears filled with the raspy old voice as the man spoke
and told of tales long ago. And yet, when Martin spoke of DeMolay and
the Templars, he sat erect in the ornate chair. “Pray tell M’Lord…” It
was not solely about the treasure, unless one considered treasure to be
the secrets of long ago…
Dmitrii walked beside the old man who had become a permanent fixture in
his heart as well, as his home. But even the warrior knight knew not
what his father-in-law wanted with the Royal audience. Standing his
usual stance, weight evenly upon both feet, his hands behind his back…
but this time, his fingers were unlaced, just in case the old fart
stumbled.
Was this a rouse for attention, or did old Martin have truth to offer the royal ears? Dmi was skeptical and steel grey eyes veered to his beloved wife. He had grown up without a father to call his own… and he would never, ever, deny his beloved Aegraine that luxury. Besides Martin was not “that” bad. But he even “smelled” old.
To Dmitrii’s ears, Martin made sense in his discussions… But the
revelation that Martin proposed was one for a younger man… a venture
such as this could kill the old codger… Those steel-grey eyes, veered
to his wife again, this time with a curious tint of grey.
A venture for the young was often not able to be done unless they were well guided. The Queen listened with an open pair of ears, and an intuition that told her Martin would not let his age slow him down.
Out in the world was a piece of legacy that was his to claim. What else would another do, but die in the process? If the treasure were claimed, what would the foolish squander it on? Here was a berth of treasure LePower offered to feel their majesty's treasury. A treasury, that too be frank, could easily be challenged in a time of war or expansion. Were it not for some of the peerage with aged fortunes so able to pay their taxes or lost fortunes regained, their reign would have crumbled before it had even left the days of its infancy. Fortune favors the brave. The brave then can be well monied, and have something to be remembered by.
Her Weapon's Master looked caught off guard by the entire affair. Would Aegraine expect it? Her own passions were as ecentric as her father's current ideas, given that a woman such as herself scaled heights and wore dirt on her face instead of rich powders. Her children would know her touch to be equally soft, yet worn for all the work she had ever done in this life. It would be Beathag, who had only a moment ago insisted they sit down to eat before business, who would look to Martin with a keen zeal to match his own.
She had softened to a woman's gentler ways as time went by, but she never lost her curiosity or her sea calling. It only went to bed, with the rest of her former life, to sleep for a while.
"Ah'm interested in this, good Martin," she looked at Adam before smiling to him again. "Will it interest ye tae know, tha' fer all o' the ill fortunes the Templar experienced n' their comin' tae solace here, tha' the mystery o' the ships has been somethin' we have heard more than once? " Whatever did she mean? She offered Martin her hand.
Her hand, ripe for the taking like some fruit on an ever yielding vine. She was certain that between the two of them Martinwoulde upright and the Queen would have an escort. "Can ye spare him, ye two? We shall always be in yer hearin', n' I shan't let him fall. Ah've a keen knowledge o' how tae keep close unusual men." Adam was given a mischievous, playful glance. Beneath the golden head was a mind that kept a great many things. Adam had his place in government and his fair of intrigue.
She, too, remembered much in her own dealings.
"M'lord, yer friend n' patron The Duchess St. Laurence has been in the midst o' a Templar dealin' or more, n' furthermore, one o' the courts foremost scholars n' archivist was in her care for many years. Tha' young woman, the scholar, is appreciated much by the knights on the isle. Sir Robert Frail has come tae call on her fondly when he has question. But tae come tae a point, m'friend, yer ship is one I wish tae see. The young woman found the contents o' at least two 'o' the others, though little good it does fer the treasure holds were buried beneath rock n' ruin, thus lost. But yours..ah, LePower. Ye daughter has kept our walls standin, n' well ye have Aegraine," she smiled to her," yer son n' law is His Majesty's most loyal protector n' friend, n' aids the forces with how they be armed. Ye? Ah think if ye built the Pavilion beneath which King Adam n' I were coronated, n' the marvels o' England, n' if ye seek tae give o' yer mind tae those after yerself..I should much like tae see yer ship n' the contents o' it.
Fer a man who can do all those things can surely fetch him a boat before any God should call him tae sojourn in the heavens. Ah'm nay the only mind tae make such choice though," fer it was not without the will of the King, thus the will of the crown combined in them, would it move. Nor would she zealously push for something merely because it involved the sea...no matter how much she missed the feel of a boat under her feet from time to time. "Ye may tell us more n' we will hear wot all think aye, e'en yer kin, whom surely now must worry fer ye n' these ventures ye seek." She thrived on such zeal though.
By the players of the characters herein mentioned, plus any who wish to join in.
Time passed and Aegraine's father cut short his seemingly endless visit to the Zurban household. The sting of losing his dear Aurilla was still with him and images of her haunted his thoughts day and night. He recalled the first time theyhad quarreled seriously, while in France, when Aegraine was little more than a toddler. He heard Rilla'svoice each time Aegraine talked in the dining hall,where it echoed back, as if from times past. He lived at edge of all those memories.
"Time to shake some cobwebs off my mind, children." Martin called the Zurban’s children, for to him, they were as young as the grandchildren he left back in Waterford. " I may be an old man, but let an old man use his years of experience, I say. Take me with you to Turas Lan, to the Isay. Take me with you to Turas Lan, to the castle, Dmitrii. I aim to teach some classes for the young ones; mathematics and things to keep a recruit busy andout of trouble the winter long."
On one side of him, Pytor was clutching the drawcloth and shaking wine glasses as he tugged on the cloth, having such fun. Across, held by her nurse, Rosetta was howling, suffering the pain of teething, such pitiful sobs. It cut right through the old man's head like a steel blade. And he had to reach fast to keep his wine goblet from crashing onto the floor, "I have a proposition to put to the King and Queen, as din in the hall was too loud for Martin's mumbling to be heard.
Next morning, Martin LePower had to be lifted onto the placid bay that was his transport horse to town, for he was still not going to be hauled "like a bag of turnips" in a cart, not just yet. His mind was still younger than his aching old muscles, as Martin found out, trying to keep up with Dmitrii and Aegaine on the hour ride to town.
Once in the Castle,Martin's request for audience with the royal couple was granted, without delay, and he went to the meeting along with his daughter and her husband. "Let me brush this lint off your shoulder, Da. Baby blanket lint! I swear. It gets everywhere." The engineer flicked white shreds off LePower's plain navy merchant's robe, and stepped back to look over the suit of clothing, to make sure it was tidy. "There, that did it."
For months, each day, Aegraine and Dmitrii rode back and forth to Turas Lan together; their way of enjoying “alone” time together. Between the twins, the nannies, and her aging Father, the once large Manor Home on the Lake was shrinking, or so it seemed. Martin was aging, his bodily frame dwindling, muscles that once bulged, now have become flabby… His seven decades have not yet diminished his mind as much as it has his body… which is oft the opposite of many aging humans.
Martin was a great man, his knowledge of engineering and construction legendary. The many fantastic structures all over England was a prime example and his legacy; for the Gaelic King, in conjunction with Duchess Claramae St. Laurence, had financed the rebuilding and refurbishment of English structures as part of the plan to lure English
hearts into the Gaelic Renaissance, and it was Martin LePower who had been assigned that difficult task…
Four years from construction drafts to inhabiting rooms and offices was almost unheard of, but the massive undertaking employed tens of thousands men, and women. Herculean efforts that nearly drained the King’s coffers, but the immediate financial exhaustion would be short-lived, as the King’s vision in international trade was brought to
fruition which would virtually refinanced the entire construction cost.
But this morning’s trip would be much slower as the married couple would accompany the legacy to the Capital as his request for royal audience had been granted. Royal Guards stood watch as the trio prepared to be summoned by the King and Queen.
With two thumps of the ornate staff upon the marble floors, the trio was heralded forthwith to the royal audience. Athrone, decorated with Gaelic carvings of old, the throne which his Grandfather had sat many years ago. The boyish features combated the years of stress and strains of war and kingship… and for the time-being, was winning that age-old battle. Adam simply smiled that charming smile when he saw the trio, legacies and true longtime-friends of the Crown… his wrist flicked beckoning them forward.
Dmitrii approached his beloved King and friend, his hand supporting his Father-in-law’s arm… and Dmitrii bowed deep, and Martin bowed the best he could… “Your Majesties… your humble servants pray for your health
and well-being…”
Adam looked at Bess and smiled… Was that a tear in the King’s eye? If so, then it was one of joy and happiness at the sight of true friends… devoted friends of many years, who could be trusted with their very lives… “Dmitrii… Lady Aegraine… and my good friend Lord Martin… wot joy
thy have bro’t tae an old King…” the King rose and greeted the trio with great familiarity of hugs and kisses…. And the King smiled !!!
The Queen was not a woman who let the ornate trappings of what surrounded her family reach her head for wrong. If she wore pearls, she appreciated they came from a buried oyster. If she ate a dear, she appreciated the skill of the hunter that took the creature down. What adorned her body in fabric had known the skill of crafts folk to make
it to the shape it was now. Everything had a purpose in this life. To not know what one's purpose is was to be adrift on a sea of naught-to-do until the way to the purpose was formed. Now, purpose changes with age, too. Let one never forget that.
In the last few years, just such a change had come over Bess. One was that her birth-name was not absent from herself; mother was the name of God on the mouths of children who were not supposed to have been born
of her womb, she saw ships sail away instead of stand on them, and the drums of war did not drown out the voice of reason in her head. She fought battles instead on the parliament floor or the great hall of the castle! A brother long ago stated that she had come to understand the
villany of words. It was a rare day that any man put an ill
intentioned proposition or contract in her person that she didn't identify. It was not uncommon now for Adam to trust his wife's sound judgement, and if the advisor of years before could see her now?
Aman-un-Din would have been pleased. The world whereinshe'd defended herself with a loud bellow and a heavy hand, where she defended her people by the same thing, had softened. It seemed one good consequence
was that after years of blood, flesh, and infamy, it was deemed her head was a fitting place for a crown. To this day she did not doubt there were many other women just as fit to wear one. Yet no one came to be where she'd been like herself. None had claimed their place as the rightful Lady of the Isles, the Duchess of Skye, in such a fashion.
Still, even the accomplished grow a little restless. In change comes times when as others make their own lives, you lose sight of them. It was never a part of time that she enjoyed.
The year was now a few weeks in to its new self when the talk of LePower seeking an audience reached the shell of her ear. If the old man could have seen the smile he produced it would have let him know his place was as assured as the sun's position in the Eastern sky. With him would come The a fine thing. Let them come as quick as they please! Ye can tell the kitchen tae see tae it their favorite foods be in wait tae put on a table. N' we will take supper in one o' our private rooms after the audience.One ne'er fergets they visit with friends." By the time the Chamberlain's great staff fell upon the floor, her heart was already
fit to burst. She could hardly contain the glee filling up her heart. It spilled over, running through the shine in her eyes. Beside the King's carved thrown was the one her ancestor, the Isle's Lady, had sat in. The twining knotwork formed loops of infinity; this would be what
was forever, and what history would always remark of this unusual court.
"How could I nay be will, sir, with ye n' m'sight? Tae see m'husband look this way at your arrival n' feel it m'self, ah, m'lord. I am vera well, very well indeed! Welcome again tae court, Sir Dmitrii, Lady Aegraine, n' M'Lord Martin! Many, many times a'welcome!" She came down from the dais to follow in the footsteps of her husband. Unlike
some, for whom this would all be an act born out of duty? It was naught but the purest joy! When Adam was finished she took her turn with all of them. "Ye know, Lord Martin, m'ladies n' I were just agreein' on how yer wit n' humor was one of the finest in the kingdom. One says since her grace, m'self, enjoys tae be humored, perhaps yer comin' tae court would make quite the scandal." She put a hand to
Martin's forearm and winked! " Yer father should be locked n' the tower, Lady Aegraine. He makes a woman's heart leap tae much! Twill have tae be after a meal. Ye, yer husband, yer father. Please say you will? Ah've had the kitchens start tae make the meals I know ye favored
most in your time here. M'hope is ye will tell us what ye desire across full mugs n' plates? We Scotts are most amiable with an ale nearby."
Aegraine looked over at her Father, a loving glance of pride and admiration. This was the Da of her youth, the charmer, the clever man of Waterford still caught a lady's attention with those bright blue eyes and his mischievous grin. Years took his strength and few inches of his height, but the man Martin was present in his every word and
deed, after all these years.
"Your Majesties. I come to the end of my roaming; leaving my son Alan in charge back home to lead the business. Tis a task he was born to and overdue he take over. Me? I come to you land, here to Skye and humbly request permission to use my talents for the good of your land. I want to take over a mathematics and engineering class for advanced recruits, in order my daughter be free to work on the wall maintanance, until spring." The elder stood before the King and Queen, a walking stick to assure his balance, Of late, his legs gave him sharp pain when walking every so much, with a stop to rest giving the only respite. Healers here in Turas Lan gave him no hope it would be improve. Old age had started to collect the payment for youth's advantage. He stood resting the aching calf muscles and leaned both hands upon his walking stick,
looking into the Royla's eyes, directly - not so much as a act of
boldness or rebelliousness but as one friend to another, sincerely.
"I have in me one last trip, a journey I was to take with my late departed wife , come this spring. I am offering you and you kingdom great wealth and riches, yea indeed a full treasure ship full of goods, which were to have been my payment for a long accomplished project." He
looked all about to assure himself that the five of them were the only ones in earshot, as the old man continued in a raspy whisper to explain.
"It was back in the days when DeMolay and his men yet held sway, when any danger to the Tempalrs was but a whisper, a slight hint things could even change. It was then friends of mine from the old days in Jerusalam, architects and knights, came to out company with a request. My crew to build a secure vault, that might hold seventeen ships of 'items". Of course, they meant wealth and holy relics. " The old man gestured with arms wide open, the walking stick clanged to the floor, startling Aegraine, who hung onto her husband's arm. Who knew. Maybe that walking was a relic from the Holy lands and might change into a serpent when it hit the stone floor.
"I took with me a full crew, accredited navigator, my wife and child to this location, by way of open sea, so we were not heralded along our approach.
With the directions provided, we came to the place and locacted the
site; did our assignment and were about to return home, when it all
began to unravel." The sigh he emited came from a deep place in his
being, as if it were his very lifespirit mourning a great loss. "The
killings began. All Templar heirachy arrested and held; the order had
come to confiscate all wealth and lands of the order. I need not add,
the ruling King did not find all the treasures; in fact most of the
goods were already on their way to secure holdings. Among those, the
items in the storage room I had established. In all, sixteen ships
left full loaded to their safe houses; the seventeenth was to be my
payment. Alas, when the the time came, my ship was gone, off to sea
and with it my crew, the navigator who eloped with my wife. My wife!
" Anger raged in Martin as if it had happened this very moment, there
was more to his story but those facts he left for later. A man can
only take so much. Face so many awful truths at one time.
"Time has passed and I am a better man for it. I took my daughter and
with Aegraine, riding a purloined mule, made my way to Paris and from
there back home. I healed. " Scars from that time had healed in
recent years, with a new peaceful time with his wife, almost too late
and the two wonderful grandchildren he adored, "In the end, I would
like to live out my days here in Turas Lan, in Skye and in gratitude,
bless this land with the ship of treasure I earned those many years
ago. I propose we go, my family here and crew and ship manned with
Skye folk and go get my reward; this I would choose to give to the
place and people who took in my only daughter and gave her a real
future. I am old. Either we go for the gold this spring, or maybe
never. I am not getting any younger." Martin turned on the charm and
gave his energetic wink to Aegraine and Dmitrii. He wanted to wink at
the Queen, but thought better of it.
Adam smiled at the approaching trio… his sea-green eyes sparkled as he
turned to return to his dais. As the man spoke, Adam settled into the
old throne, his ears filled with the raspy old voice as the man spoke
and told of tales long ago. And yet, when Martin spoke of DeMolay and
the Templars, he sat erect in the ornate chair. “Pray tell M’Lord…” It
was not solely about the treasure, unless one considered treasure to be
the secrets of long ago…
Dmitrii walked beside the old man who had become a permanent fixture in
his heart as well, as his home. But even the warrior knight knew not
what his father-in-law wanted with the Royal audience. Standing his
usual stance, weight evenly upon both feet, his hands behind his back…
but this time, his fingers were unlaced, just in case the old fart
stumbled.
Was this a rouse for attention, or did old Martin have truth to offer the royal ears? Dmi was skeptical and steel grey eyes veered to his beloved wife. He had grown up without a father to call his own… and he would never, ever, deny his beloved Aegraine that luxury. Besides Martin was not “that” bad. But he even “smelled” old.
To Dmitrii’s ears, Martin made sense in his discussions… But the
revelation that Martin proposed was one for a younger man… a venture
such as this could kill the old codger… Those steel-grey eyes, veered
to his wife again, this time with a curious tint of grey.
A venture for the young was often not able to be done unless they were well guided. The Queen listened with an open pair of ears, and an intuition that told her Martin would not let his age slow him down.
Out in the world was a piece of legacy that was his to claim. What else would another do, but die in the process? If the treasure were claimed, what would the foolish squander it on? Here was a berth of treasure LePower offered to feel their majesty's treasury. A treasury, that too be frank, could easily be challenged in a time of war or expansion. Were it not for some of the peerage with aged fortunes so able to pay their taxes or lost fortunes regained, their reign would have crumbled before it had even left the days of its infancy. Fortune favors the brave. The brave then can be well monied, and have something to be remembered by.
Her Weapon's Master looked caught off guard by the entire affair. Would Aegraine expect it? Her own passions were as ecentric as her father's current ideas, given that a woman such as herself scaled heights and wore dirt on her face instead of rich powders. Her children would know her touch to be equally soft, yet worn for all the work she had ever done in this life. It would be Beathag, who had only a moment ago insisted they sit down to eat before business, who would look to Martin with a keen zeal to match his own.
She had softened to a woman's gentler ways as time went by, but she never lost her curiosity or her sea calling. It only went to bed, with the rest of her former life, to sleep for a while.
"Ah'm interested in this, good Martin," she looked at Adam before smiling to him again. "Will it interest ye tae know, tha' fer all o' the ill fortunes the Templar experienced n' their comin' tae solace here, tha' the mystery o' the ships has been somethin' we have heard more than once? " Whatever did she mean? She offered Martin her hand.
Her hand, ripe for the taking like some fruit on an ever yielding vine. She was certain that between the two of them Martinwoulde upright and the Queen would have an escort. "Can ye spare him, ye two? We shall always be in yer hearin', n' I shan't let him fall. Ah've a keen knowledge o' how tae keep close unusual men." Adam was given a mischievous, playful glance. Beneath the golden head was a mind that kept a great many things. Adam had his place in government and his fair of intrigue.
She, too, remembered much in her own dealings.
"M'lord, yer friend n' patron The Duchess St. Laurence has been in the midst o' a Templar dealin' or more, n' furthermore, one o' the courts foremost scholars n' archivist was in her care for many years. Tha' young woman, the scholar, is appreciated much by the knights on the isle. Sir Robert Frail has come tae call on her fondly when he has question. But tae come tae a point, m'friend, yer ship is one I wish tae see. The young woman found the contents o' at least two 'o' the others, though little good it does fer the treasure holds were buried beneath rock n' ruin, thus lost. But yours..ah, LePower. Ye daughter has kept our walls standin, n' well ye have Aegraine," she smiled to her," yer son n' law is His Majesty's most loyal protector n' friend, n' aids the forces with how they be armed. Ye? Ah think if ye built the Pavilion beneath which King Adam n' I were coronated, n' the marvels o' England, n' if ye seek tae give o' yer mind tae those after yerself..I should much like tae see yer ship n' the contents o' it.
Fer a man who can do all those things can surely fetch him a boat before any God should call him tae sojourn in the heavens. Ah'm nay the only mind tae make such choice though," fer it was not without the will of the King, thus the will of the crown combined in them, would it move. Nor would she zealously push for something merely because it involved the sea...no matter how much she missed the feel of a boat under her feet from time to time. "Ye may tell us more n' we will hear wot all think aye, e'en yer kin, whom surely now must worry fer ye n' these ventures ye seek." She thrived on such zeal though.
