[RP] An abandoned home

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

Nearly a year.

Nearly a year since he had been kidnapped and taken hostage by political rivals, being taken by sea to be imprisoned in the distant island of Madeira, which belonged to Portugal. Who had done this? And for what purpose? Being powerful and important as he had been before, Piero knew he had earned many enemies... despite his polite manners and rational attitude. Luckily - or not, he thought sometimes, the ship in which he had been imprisoned was caught in a storm, and wrecked near Spain. Piero survived alongside some sailors, being rescued by a Portuguese fishing boat and taken to Porto. However, without money... without being recognized by someone, how could he prove he was the Duke of Richmond? How could he prove his genealogy? There was nothing left for him, except his rotten clothes and his arms... he would have to make use of it.

Being the explorer he was, knowing that for the sake of his life and for his life - as the unknow enemy who had caused this tragedy to him was probably still alive - Piero joined a group of settlers who sailed from Portugal to the distant colony of Brazil, in South America, where he found a home in Salvador, capital of the Portuguese colony. By the time, Portugal was in war against the Dutch for the possession of the Northeast, in which Piero took part, rapidly rising to the rank of captain due to his military knowledge. He even made a good amount of money through sugar smuggling to France... and with that money he could afford, nearly a year later, his return to... beloved England.

He was very different now. His once pale skin had become tanned due to his long exposure to the hot climate of the tropics. He now wore an eyepatch, due to losing his left eye in a battle, with a scar which went from his left eyebrown to his left cheek. His clothes didn't look miserable as before, but he could pass for an ordinary Portuguese trader with them...

The streets of London had never looked so desert, so cold and distant for Piero, as he descended from Santa Maria, the ship which brought him back to London. Perhaps, he could get some news about how the Queendom was... and so, he wandered around the city.

Posts : 69 Join date : 2009-01-11

A ship, an unknown ship arrived in London, carrying a passenger for the town. It was not unusual that ships came to London to trade, but they never brought passengers of which it was known in advance that they would be on the ship. It was this fact that made the whole case interesting and it was because of this fact that Alex was now running towards the port of London. He could see that the ship, called Santa Maria, had already made port. He had missed the passenger. He would have liked to see who had arrived in London, who the mysterious passenger was.

When he returned to his own ship a bit later, he heared of his crew that they had seen the passenger, but he was unfamiliar to them. One of the sailors had set out to follow the man who made his way into the city and so the only thing he could do now was wait for news. Alex was curious as ever about this man, who was said to be a Portuguese trader of some sorts, by the look of his cloths, at least, so say his sailors.

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

How would his sister react after such a long time? This question consumed his mind... people surely thought he was dead.
He had only one chance to stay one step ahead of his shadow past, one chance to recover all he had lost... "Damn Cromwell followers!", he thought. Were those the responsibles for his fall? For what happened to him? The desire of revenge thorned his soul.
And with those thoughts, Piero walked through London, towards a local bar. Once there, he ordered a cup of wine. How could he approach Catherine? He read her letter... she didn't believe he was still alive. She was surely well guarded and he wouldn't be able to approach her. He took another sip of his wine, wondering on what to do...

Posts : 69 Join date : 2009-01-11

It was as soon as the man had set foot in one of londons bars, that the sailor returned to the ship to report to Alexander. He told where the man could be found and a few moments later Alexander left his ship and went to the bar which the sailor had told him about. He kept a high pace, as he wanted to know who it was that set foot on english soil. Maybe it would be someone of one of the countries he had once visited when he was young. He would like to hear of all the evolutions and changes that have been taking place lately. But that was not the priority, first, it was getting to know the person.

He finally arrived at the bar and he opened the door. It had been a long time since he had been to portugal, but the fact that this was a local bar, made the man he was looking for visible, even without knowing what portugese clothing looked like. The man was drinking a glass of wine and Alexander decided to take a good look at him before he would speak to the man.

And the more he looked to that man, who he had never seen before, the more he had a feeling something familiar was there. After a few minutes of staring, he went to the bar, ordered a bottle of wine and he placed it close to the man, on his table. Alexander seated himself on the opposite side. Goodday to you Sir. I am Alexander Castlemount, I have some titles on my name but they do not matter. I was wondering what you came to do in the city of London.

Alexander sighed shortly. But that doesn't seem to matter anymore, I cannot get the feeling out of my head that I know you, although your appearance nor clothing look familiar to me... So tell me, good Sir, for this good bottle of wine on my behalf, what is your name? Do I know you?

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

Piero was surprised to hear that familiar voice out of nowhere... he wasn't paying attention to the surroundings, only immersed on his own thoughts and suddenly someone spoke to him. He fastly turned his eyes towards the man and immediatelly recognized him. Alexander! Guess we know each other.... yes, indeed.
Piero finished his glass, without looking at Alexander and thus spoke. Don't you recognize me? I'm Piero... you may think I'm presumably dead, don't you?

Posts : 69 Join date : 2009-01-11

Alexander stared at the man for another few moments. Piero? Yes, it could be, that could be the familiar feeling he had with this man. And hearing his voice actually made any doubt leave his mind. Piero, my old friend. You have... have changed quite a lot since the time we last spoke or saw each other. It must have been, half a year, maybe a year. But... Alexander raised an eyebrow. Why would I presume you are dead? The last months I have been losing many of my contacts out of sight and I wish it wasn't so, but that doesn't mean that I think they are all dead, just because I don't see them or they don't see me.

Alexander now, reluctantly sounded a bit worried. But tell me, Piero, if you say that I would think that you are dead, then what has happened that I could think such a thing?

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

Piero sighed as Alexander recognized him. I'm relieved someone "knows" me! Yes, I changed... you don't imagine how many burdens I had to carry through my shoulders for all these months, my friend.
He leaned towards the other man, his eyes going from a side to the other, avoiding eavesdroppers. He told quietly about what happened to him, being kidnapped in his carriage and driven by force to the dark cellars of a ship, and how he escaped when it wrecked and all of his adventures in Brazil, fighting for the Portuguese Crown against the Dutch dominion of Pernambuco. I thought everyone believed I was dead... as I disappeared without traces. I must reach my sister, Catherine... as soon as possible, Alexander. She's my only family left and I cannot imagine how she's living now... tell me, do you know how is she? And where is Catherine?... and I'm sorry, how are you? It's been such a long time, my friend!

Posts : 69 Join date : 2009-01-11

When Piero tells everything that had happened to him in the time that he was gone, Alexander almost couldn't believe it and if it was anyone else who would have told him this, then he probably wouldn't have believed it. When Piero ends his story, Alexander replies. You have been through quite a lot, too much for any man to go through, even in a whole lifetime. But the most important thing is that you are back now!

I am fine my friend, the only thing I can complain about is that it has been to quiet around here, like everyone falls asleep for a time now and then and time passes by without almost any sign off life. But you don't have to worry about your sister Catherine. She had become an even more fine and intelligent woman and she momentarily leads this nation and the Royal Council well, as Lord High Regent, euhm, or Lady High Regent, I don't really know that for sure. In every case, she is doing well. I think she now lives in the Palace, to raise the young Queen and rule the Kingdom. You know, if they don't let you through yourselve, then I can always get you inside for a meeting.

Posts : 179 Join date : 2009-01-03 Age : 48

Piero listened carefully to what Alexander said... England had changed so much! His sister, even! My friend... I thank you very much for this information. I believe I may find a way to get inside the Palace... but... in any case, I hope I will be able to meet you soon. I must now rush!

He was so thrilled as he left the tavern and Alex, almost rushing through the streets, taking his way to the Palace of Whitehall.

Posts : 69 Join date : 2009-01-11

Before Alexander could say another thing, Piero already rushed out of the tavern. Alexander smiled. He was happy that he could do his friend the small favor and he hoped that Piero would get inside the palace without to much problems.

He stood up, put his hat on and he left the tavern as well.

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