Found Heritage
Chapter 9
The next day, Delaunay put me to work on learning what he called Caerdicci, I called it Italian, and Cruithne. I did attempt to tell him that I was a native speaker of English. He didn't have it. So I sat through my first few lessons of Italian. Granted, after learning French, Italian should have been easy. It wasn't. I had learned French from childhood. Alcuin and Phédre had learned Italian, English, and Russian when they were children. To all of Terre d'Ange, those were Caerdicci, Cruithne, and Skaldic.
"Seriously, Father. I have no need to learn a language I already know," I argued. "And what use do I need of Skaldic?" He had proposed that I learned the language.
"You never know if you might need the knowledge," Delaunay answered without looking up from the book he was reading.
"English is my native tongue, and what use would I need of for Russian?" I arched an eyebrow, waiting for his answer. When none came, I turned and headed for the door. I wanted to go out alone, but hadn't gotten sufficient knowledge of the city yet. "I'm going out!"
"Take Guy with you!"
I sighed and went in search of Guy and Phédre. I found Guy in his room. But Phédre I couldn't find so I joined Guy outside.
"Where to, Lady Delaunay?"
"The Cockerel, Guy," I answered before I slid into the car. He nodded and closed the door behind me. Soon, we were heading for Night's Doorstep. It amazed me that Terre d'Ange had managed to mix the old and the new. For as many vehicles and bikes - motorcycles and bicycles alike - I saw, I"m sure there were as many carriages and horses. We arrived at the Cockerel and I bet Guy in opening my door. "Go ahead and park nearby." I went in the tavern and heard the usual noise. Most of the patrons were in various stages of drunkenness. Of course, Haycinthe spotted me.
"Morgan! Come, have a drink!" he called.
I headed for the back table while he gained a wine jug and two glasses. He joined me and poured the wine. "So, tell me, what news have you brought me?" He flashed a white toothy grin.
"Well," I took a drink of the wine. I couldn't help but wonder when exactly I began drinking alcohol when I arrived in Terre d'Ange, but since I have arrived, I've had as much as I had water and milk. "Shortly before Baudoin's birthday, Delaunay told me he was my father."
Haycinthe, in the middle of taking a drink, made a choking sound. "You can't be serious."
"I wish I wasn't. I shoulda seen it sooner, but I was distracted." I looked at my glass. "Have you ever seen a woman who shares my eyes?"
Haycinthe shook his head. "Can't say that I have. So," he leaned back in his chair. "Why would Delaunay take you as his only begotten?"
"I don't know. I wanna say the eyes, but it has to be more than that." I took a drink of my wine.
"Delaunay doesn't do anything without reason."
"I think he said that about Melisande."
"Mmm." He took a thoughtful drink. "Did he tell you anything of himself?"
I shook my head. "Phédre and Alcuin did. Delaunay didn't want to have heirs, having fallen for Prince Rolande. The question is, why claim me when he adopted Phédre and Alcuin?"
Before an answer came, shouting and shooting was heard outside. Guy came rushing back to the table. "Morgan, we're going."
"Uh-uh. I ain't going out there. You crazy? I'm safe right here."
Shooting, even closer this time, was heard. Now the patrons were sobering up and began to murmur about the shootings. I looked to Haycinthe, hoping he knew a way out. He nodded and stood, leading the way to a wall. All the while, the shootings were growing closer. Haycinthe opened a panel and stepped aside to allow me to go first. I didn't argue and went in. I knew Guy and Haycinthe were behind me. We walked in silent darkness for some time before a door was opened to an alley. I blinked for the sudden brightness.
"We can head for my place," Haycinthe spoke. "Who's gonna suspect you being there."
I nodded.
At home, I found Delaunay speaking with Phédre then turned to Guy. "Not a word to Delaunay unless he brings it up."
"Of course, Morgan." He gave a bow and headed upstairs.
I turned and headed for the library. I waited for Phédre to answer about an assignation with Melisande before actually walking in. "Lord Delaunay," I started "Has word arrived from the courts, yet?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. They've approved the papers."
"I...I was thinking." I sat down in a chair. "I want a DNA test."
"What for?"
"To learned the truth if your my biological father." I looked at him. "I don't know who my family is any more." I looked down at my hands, feeling the dam that held back the tears beginning to break.
Delaunay knelt down in front of me and took my hands in his. Obviously larger than mine, but strangely they felt comforting. "Listen to me, child. Your family is within this house. Phédre and Alcuin are your siblings and Guy and Joscelin are your overprotective brothers."
I looked up, tears in my eyes. "And what does that make you?"
He placed a hand on a cheek, using a thumb to wipe a renegade tear away. "A father who wishes not to have his children be harmed."
Oh, I had a comment to that about Phédre, but she was anguissette and was born for finding pleasure in pain.
"Now," he broke into my thoughts. "I've give some thought to what I can teach you." He stood and stepped away.
"What's that?"
The Fourth came and went and I felt a sense of home sickness hit for the first possible time. I kept myself busy with the studies that Delaunay had laid upon me. I had been instructed to keep quiet about my studies. Yet I could keep my attention on them for so long. I was grateful that Delaunay kept the tumbling master. Granted I was no Servant of Naamah, but what I learned could have had some future use.
Finally, Phédre's assignation came and I sat in her room while she dressed. "You need to be careful with Melisande. She's playing a game too deadly for us."
There was a knock at the door before it opened to reveal Alcuin. Phédre by this time, was fully dressed, complete with a caul of gold mesh strung with seed pearl. Alcuin walked in and sat down next to me.
"You sure?"
"As I'm sitting here." I looked to Alcuin.
"Be careful," he said softly.
"I'm always careful." Phédre retorted, meeting our gazes in the mirror.
I arched an eyebrow, skeptical of her answer.
"You weren't careful with d'Essoms, and you won't be careful with Melisande," Alcuin spoke. "You could lose yourself in her, I've seen it. And she knows what we are."
I watched Phédre tuck a stray curl into the mesh and listened when she said she was for the Prince. Alcuin countered with that Melisande will be there. There was something about Melisande being there bothered me. But the carriage arrived before I spoke up. The three of us saw Phédre off and she left with Guy. Alcuin disappeared somewhere and I headed off for my room. When I neared the door, I heard noises coming from the room. I made my way quietly to the door and peered in. At the nightstand stood Alcuin. Normally I wouldn't mind him being in my room, but this looked like he was snooping. I walked in. "Whatcha looking for?"
Startled at my voice, Alcuin jumped and turned away from the nightstand. "I...um...Brought you something." He showed the item he held, it being wrapped. "I found that your birthday was not that long ago."
I crossed to the bed and sat on the edge, motioning Alcuin to do the same. He handed over the wrapped item and I looked at it. I tore open the wrapping and absent minded put it on the floor and found that in fact I was holding the complete book set all Naamah's Servants are required to read: The Ecstatica, Journey of Naamah, Trois Mille Joise, and Emmeline of Eisande's Log of Seven Hundred Kisses. "I don't know what to say, Al. Thanks."
"I figured you might be interested. I did some research on the American culture and..."
"It's lovely, Al." I peeked his cheek, which caused him to blush, and stood to place the books on a book shelf.
The next day, after Phédre recounted last night's assignation to Delaunay, he called for me. Unsure if he knew of Alcuin's gift to me, or if he found out about the shootings outside the Cockerel, I answered.
"It seems that I have overlooked your own natality," he said. "Follow me please. " He stood from the chair and led the way out into the back. Being curious, I followed. With a glance around the patio, nothing appeared out of place. Delaunay didn't stop, but continued on towards the stables. I had seen horses and carriages in the city, but didn't know if Delaunay had any. I could smell the horses before we even reached the stables. He opened a door and stepped aside so I could enter first. In two of the stalls were the carriage horses. In another was a horse I knew couldn't be a pure breed, or even of two known breeds.
"He's yours," Delaunay said. "Bought him at a small horse fair outside the City. Bred by Tsinginis."
I walked up to the stall wall and looked at the horse. He seemed built well enough. I wondered if Haycinthe could inspect him. I moved to the stall door, unlatched it, and went to closely look at the stallion. I didn't see any signs of abuse or neglect. I finally turned to Delaunay. "Thank you, Father."
"There is something else I wish to do for you."
"And what's that?"
