Post by Cesare Deliambre on Aug 28, 2014 18:35:31 GMT -5
For the past three months, Cesare had been at sea upon the Golden Wave. The journey had been an adventurous and worthwhile one, indeed. The summer months afforded the crew the opportunity to visit the realms of the North. The reason was twofold. Officially, Cesare was quite keen on conducting business in the region. The society was one that appealed to him, possessing both the qualities of the civilized and the barbaric. There was something to be said about the harsh reality and honesty so-called barbarians wielded. Indeed, Cesare had no shortage of friends among the tribes on the fringes of society, which the more 'cultivated' folk of the cities both appreciated and took advantage of. It was all good for business. The Golden Wave typically sailed away with a variety of goods, ranging from the fine furs of the tribes to the precious metals of the cities.
The other reason was far more personal. On this particular trip, Cesare finally learned what happened to his precious Hilda. Every time he visited the area, he made a point to spend some time seeking her out. Finally, he found her. She had married a jarl farther north in the region, and was reportedly leading a content, if not happy life there. It seemed that she, rightfully so, moved on from the apparent follies of her youth and entered an adulthood full of responsibility and social sobriety. Cesare found it a pity. He spent a night at a tavern mourning the lost opportunity, and then left Hilda and the past behind the following morning.
"The delta to Lago dell'Alba is in sight, Capitano."
"Raise the flag high and take us home, Vittorio." The order was offered in an almost distracted manner. The captain in question settled into his cabin, half lost in reading and half lost in thought. Where those thoughts were going, Vittorio could easily guess.
"Capitano," Vittorio ventured, sticking his large head further into the cabin so that he might give a more pointed look. "Your voice should give those orders, not mine. Celebrate with us. Come."
Cesare gave his first mate a sidelong gaze before letting out a sigh.
"You've been brooding this whole trip. Let it go with the last of these winds, si?"
A lengthy pause followed. "You're right." A gusty sigh was let out as he lurched to a stand and straightened out his tunic. The book was tossed aside upon the bed. With confident and determined steps, Cesare moved past Vittorio, climbed the steps and emerged on the deck. "Signore Gambino, confirmation of sighting?" The question was called to the crow's nest above.
"Si, Capitano! Lago dell'Alba is in sight!"
A moment later, Cesare's face broke into a satisfied grin. "Then homeward bound, we are! Run our flag high and bring us to port!"
The crew broke into a cheer and immediately set into work.
------------------------
The ride to Castello di Mare was a refreshing one for Cesare. As much as he loved the sea and the adventures she provided, there was no place like home. From what he could tell, not a great deal had changed at the castello nor to Catanara. Certainly, no news had reached his ears, but perhaps his brother had something to share with him. The horse thundered up to the stables and in a singular motion, Cesare dismounted, passed off the reins and marched right into the castle. Indeed, he struck a dramatic pose with his Captain's cloak billowing about him.
The first person to see him was Catalina, to whom Ceseare gave a warm kiss of greeting to both of her cheeks. "Mia cognata. It is good to see you again. You are well?"
"I am, Cesare," she greeted with equal warmth, a twinkle evident in her eye. "I can see from the looks from you that had another adventure."
"You could say that," the smile stayed in place, though it did not quite reach his eyes.
"Perhaps you'll tell me of it sometime," Catalina was not one to pry into her brother-in-law's private matters.
"Perhaps."
"Your brother is in his study, if you'd care to see him."
"I would, si. Grazie." And with that, Cesare made that his next destination.
Antonin Deliambre
The other reason was far more personal. On this particular trip, Cesare finally learned what happened to his precious Hilda. Every time he visited the area, he made a point to spend some time seeking her out. Finally, he found her. She had married a jarl farther north in the region, and was reportedly leading a content, if not happy life there. It seemed that she, rightfully so, moved on from the apparent follies of her youth and entered an adulthood full of responsibility and social sobriety. Cesare found it a pity. He spent a night at a tavern mourning the lost opportunity, and then left Hilda and the past behind the following morning.
"The delta to Lago dell'Alba is in sight, Capitano."
"Raise the flag high and take us home, Vittorio." The order was offered in an almost distracted manner. The captain in question settled into his cabin, half lost in reading and half lost in thought. Where those thoughts were going, Vittorio could easily guess.
"Capitano," Vittorio ventured, sticking his large head further into the cabin so that he might give a more pointed look. "Your voice should give those orders, not mine. Celebrate with us. Come."
Cesare gave his first mate a sidelong gaze before letting out a sigh.
"You've been brooding this whole trip. Let it go with the last of these winds, si?"
A lengthy pause followed. "You're right." A gusty sigh was let out as he lurched to a stand and straightened out his tunic. The book was tossed aside upon the bed. With confident and determined steps, Cesare moved past Vittorio, climbed the steps and emerged on the deck. "Signore Gambino, confirmation of sighting?" The question was called to the crow's nest above.
"Si, Capitano! Lago dell'Alba is in sight!"
A moment later, Cesare's face broke into a satisfied grin. "Then homeward bound, we are! Run our flag high and bring us to port!"
The crew broke into a cheer and immediately set into work.
------------------------
The ride to Castello di Mare was a refreshing one for Cesare. As much as he loved the sea and the adventures she provided, there was no place like home. From what he could tell, not a great deal had changed at the castello nor to Catanara. Certainly, no news had reached his ears, but perhaps his brother had something to share with him. The horse thundered up to the stables and in a singular motion, Cesare dismounted, passed off the reins and marched right into the castle. Indeed, he struck a dramatic pose with his Captain's cloak billowing about him.
The first person to see him was Catalina, to whom Ceseare gave a warm kiss of greeting to both of her cheeks. "Mia cognata. It is good to see you again. You are well?"
"I am, Cesare," she greeted with equal warmth, a twinkle evident in her eye. "I can see from the looks from you that had another adventure."
"You could say that," the smile stayed in place, though it did not quite reach his eyes.
"Perhaps you'll tell me of it sometime," Catalina was not one to pry into her brother-in-law's private matters.
"Perhaps."
"Your brother is in his study, if you'd care to see him."
"I would, si. Grazie." And with that, Cesare made that his next destination.
Antonin Deliambre