The Search Continues

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

After the journey from the City Of Elua to the coast of Eisande, Palo was relieved to finally see the ocean, and knowing that at least this part of the journey was done with gave him a renewed sense of hope that his search would soon see it's end.

They rolled to a stop outside their destination and opening the carriage door he stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. He stood facing a modest two story building complete with wings on either side of the main house, a circular entry with well kept grounds and outbuildings for the staff, and a view that led the eye all the way to the seashore. Simple yet breathtaking, and Palo had to blink twice before moving forward.

The bellman greeted him at the front door, directing another member of staff to take care of his bags, informing him that the master of the house had made arrangements for him to stay there for the duration of their meetings.

"Tha-Thank you," Palo said, as he followed the bellman to his rooms, pleased to have such a warm welcome.

"The Master will be waiting for you in the solarium once you have found a moment to freshen up from your travels, sir." The bellman told him, letting a member of the staff know to be available to show him the way there once he was ready.

Palo thanked him again and the bellman nodded, returning to his duties and quickly dissappearing around a corner, leaving a very surprised Palo to explore the comfortable rooms appointed to him.


Meanwhile, the bellman made his way to the library to inform the master of his guests' arrival.

When a knock sounded at the door Jean-luc looked up from the page he was reading and called his bellman in, setting down his reading glass momentarily to hear the news and the brief estimate on when his guest would appear downstairs.

"Good, good. Thank you, Marcel. Let us know when the evening meal will be ready and we shall dine at that time." he said, picking up his reading glass once more as Marcel made a bow and left the room, leaving his master to his books.

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

An hour later Palo made his way downstairs with his guide to announce his appearance to the solarium, and bowing in greeting he finally came face to face with the only person he had found who knew Xaurora personally.

"Good afternoon, my lord." he said, eyes steady but full of barely contained excitement.

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

Bauldouin rose to greet his unlikely guest, shaking hands cordially, "I am pleased to have received your message, Monsieur Agostino, Please have a seat and tell me more about your story." He said, taking a seat across from him in the solarium. "I was very intrigued to your message, Monsieur. Xaurora has always been like a daughter to me, and I have wondered how she has been these last few years."

"I am glad to hear you're interested in helping, sir," Palo replied, glad to have found an open door. "I've been searching for the young Lady for quite some time," he added, making himself comfortable.

"Is that right?" Bauldouin replied, Somewhat amazed, "Tell me, why have you come all this way just to inquire about the girl, she's special I'll give you that, but she's not ever been a Lady." He grinned, knowing what he did about Xaurora made him grin at the comparison.

Clearing his throat a little Paolo told him; "To tell you the whole story would take longer than the sun's entire passage through the sky and perhaps continue into the night." He said, his features set seriously, but after a pause he continued and seemed to relax more as he did. After all, he thought, this man had known Xaurora for her entire life. If anyone he'd hear him out to the last.

"The point of all this is that Xaurora, daughter of Daedalus Areleous and Alina Belle Cardona nó Areleous, is thus the Granddaughter of the Vicomt Dicarlo Torre de Cardona and his only living relative. Three years ago I was entrusted with the Vicomte's estates and since then I have been to the ends of the known world trying to locate her and bestow upon her the inheritance her Grandfather has left to her. Among which includes his title, lands, and a grande estate with a moderate income."

"You see, your precious girl is actually a Lady after all." He said, for once smiling and proud.

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

Bauldouin blinked, It had never occured to him to look up Xaurora's relatives, even after the loss of her parents. He rather supposed that there just hadn't been any as her mother hadn't spoken of them.

"I'm amazed. I mean I would never have thought, and now after all this time you have found her, or rather me," He said, eyes wide with amazement and increduity, "And you have traveled all over looking for her?" he added with a slight chuckle.

"I think then that you didn't know much of her father then." He continued. "Yes he was a wanderer, but mostly because it profited him to do so. Traveling salesmen were always a liability in those days so he made it a point to sell his own wares in person to make more money." Turning to the table at his right he poured two drinks and offered one to his guest.

"Yes I have been following many of his known trade routes with very little luck up until recently." Paolo added, accepting the fruited wine.

Bauldouin nodded, "And likely so, you see, he may have traveled a lot but he never really called any place home other Terre d'Ange herself." He said, taking a drink of the refreshingly chilled Saangri to wet his lips.

"If you had done a little more digging I'm sure you would have found that he had actually settled near the heart of Terre d'Ange, but then of course you found me first and decided to go from there."

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

Paolo nodded, that was almost exactly what he had done. "I did find you first, actually, and I'm glad that I did, you see my funds are running low and I didn't want to have to delay my search by having to stop to earn money for another trip. So this has all worked out rather well." He said, enjoying the fragrance of the wine first before drinking it.

Setting his glass aside for a moment he withdrew a few papers from his satchel to hand to Bauldouin. "These documents detail the lands and title which I hold in trust for Lady Xaurora." He said, pulling forth another set of papers, "This is the final will and testament of Dicarlo Torre de Cardona, naming Xaurora his heir entirely upon her eighteenth natal, by which my calculations has already passed two years ago." He added, carefully withdrawing one last item.

"This was also left for her,"He said, pulling at the ties of the rolled parchment, a fine layer of paper covering what looked to be a drawing. It was twice as large as a normal piece of parchment and aged along the edges.

"I believe it was commissioned shortly after Xaurora was born," he continued, "It arrived later the following year, bound and framed as a gift. I didn't want to ruin the frame so I just have this, but the rest of it's pieces are in a safe place." He said, carefully unrolling the paper.

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

Bauldouin looked over the documents, quietly amazed beyond belief. And everything looked as it should, legal and formal, every detail in order as it should be. He couldn't find a fault with it in the least. "I see," he said, quite simply astounded at the revelations unveiling before him.

Then he looked up to view what Paolo was speaking of, his jaw droping open slightly as he looked it over fully. It was of Daedalus and Alina, the proud parents of a new baby girl that looked at him from the exquisite drawing, their smiles just as he remembered them, their faces glowing with joy and happiness. Alina stood holding a precious little angel with curly hair, little hands and big eyes, while Daedalus held his arm around her lovingly, exuding protection and pride. The perfect portrait of a family.

"I haven't seen that in almost twelve years," Bauldouin remarked, finally able to find his voice. "I didn't know that there had been a copy made. I only knew of the one that hung in the halls of their home before they, before the fire." he managed, reaching out to touch the drawing, as if reaffirming the existence of it.

"Hmm, yes, that may be. As far as I know there wasn't a message with the gift only that it arrived somewhat unexpectedly. I believe she was around a year old at the time." Paolo said, carefully putting the drawing away.

Bauldouin nodded, "That's about right, yes, it was about that time. Ah, that brings back memories." he said, his voice trailing away at the last word, his eyes sad but with a small smile on his face.

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

Paolo cleared his throat, not meaning to be rude, but the light was fading in the solarium and he had noticed the bellman hovering at the door.

Noticing that they had company Bauldouin acknowleged Marcel and realized what time it must be. "Dinner is served, sir." He announced with a bow, then turned to leave without interrupting further.

Bauldouin nodded, "Ah, yes, If you don't mind, we can continue our discussion over dinner?" He asked, rising from his chair, and waiting for his guest to rise before leaving.

"It would be my pleasure," Paolo replied, noticing the rumble of his own stomach as he made to follow.

[Xaurora Areleous nó Gentian]

Seating themselves appropriately the two gentlemen entertained themselves with stories of old times, Paolo telling of his journeys and adventures in seeking out Xaurora and Bauldouin telling of her childhood.

After they had finished their meal the two retired to the library, sitting in front of a cozy fire and discussing travel plans.

"So, I believe we have it settled then," Bauldouin said, rising to refill his glass and taking another drag on his cighar, fragrant smoke drifting around his head. "We can be on our way in two days time, that way I can settle matters here for a time and be away as long as we need." he said, settling himself back into the comfortable chair.

"I don't think that Xaurora has left Gentian House, so we don't need to be in a hurry, besides, I would have hoped to have had word if she had." He added, Paolo nodding to agree with the plans. A few days rest would do him some good anyway, he though, puffing on his own cighar, a pleasure he hadn't been able to enjoy in quite some time.

As the sun set on their companionable evening the two withdrew to bed, both being rather tiered and excited, and both eagerly looking forward to setting out on a new adventure.