Chapter 11
The vaults were an unexpected surprise to most visitors to the palace. When most first visited the vaults they were prepared for damp, dark and gloomy with flaming torches flickering along the walls. What they encountered instead was a large, airy, well-lit corridor with equally well-lit rooms spaced evenly along that corridor. The arches of granite and marble reinforced the natural stone ceiling and doorways.
Each room was secured by either a heavy steel or titanium door; titanium for the newer vaults, steel for the older vaults. The locking mechanisms for the rooms ranged from heavy security bolts that opened with specific keys on the older vaults to state of the art locking mechanism on the newer ones. Inside the vaults the items stored were often behind secured display cases or hung on the walls. In some instances, with books they were housed as if in a public library with a few behind lock and key.
The vaults had originally been natural caves located deep beneath the palace. Over the centuries the Genovian Crown had expanded them, reinforcing their natural high ceilings with granite and marble. The vaults maintained a constant temperature of 55 to 65 degrees and this made them ideal for storage of everything from wine to art to books.
Joe swiped his card, keyed in his access number and opened the large reinforced gate that blocked the only entrance to the vaults. Access to the vaults was heavily restricted- the Royal Family, Royal Head of Security, Royal Wine Steward, and the Royal Curator of Antiquities were the only ones who had unrestricted access. Everyone else was required to be accompanied by at least two members of security and everyone exiting was subject to searching. After all the most items housed here in the vaults were priceless.
Occasionally, the vaults were open to the public and during those rare times the public was invited to enjoy the immense collection of artefacts that the Royal Family possessed.
Joe walked down the well-lit corridor in the direction of the oldest vaults. He hadn't been down this far in years and vaguely recalled that each door had a specific motif engraved on it. He wasn't sure exactly which door he was looking for. He pulled the key out of pocket and stared at it. The crown on the key's bow triggered a memory for him. Moving further down the corridor Joe came to a stop in front of one of the oldest rooms in the vaults.
Gently placing the key in the small lock Joe turned the key slowly surprised when the lock gave way smoothly. Joe grabbed the handle and easily pulled the heavy steel door open.
'Micah must have had these doors tended to,' Joe thought as he entered. The light from the corridor barely illuminated the room. Joe walked in feeling along the wall to the left of the door he discovered the dimmer switch and slowly turned it. He was surprised at the sight that greeted him.
Inside the room the walls were covered floor to ceiling with bookcases. In between the cases were paintings of men from various times in history. Joe could only surmise that these were his predecessors- his brothers- the previous 'regina patronus quod paramours'. Most were not what would be considered good-looking; in fact, there were two that looked as if they had been on the receiving end of one too many broken noses. But the command and authority that radiated from their likenesses was unmistakable.
"Evidently, good looks are not a requirement for this position," he said, pleased at the discovery. Joe knew he wasn't what would be considered a 'pretty boy'. Hell, he could barely be referred to as handsome. Granted the whole package that constituted him wasn't bad but he knew if he had to rely on just looks he would be out of luck!
On the case shelves were row upon row of leather bound volumes interspersed with objets d'art. In front of one wall of cases sat, what appeared to be, a Louis XIV desk with a high backed leather chair tucked into it. To the right of the desk situated closer to the door sat two high-backed leather wing chairs with a low table, complete with lamp between them. The floor was covered with an Aubusson rug in deep reds, browns and blues. The whole room evoked a very masculine feel and Joe felt instantly at ease here.
Joe explored the room. On the shelves behind the desk he found a stack of diaries, each stamped with the mark of the 'regina patronus quod paramour. Opening one he discovered it to be blank but well-made with thick paper that he was sure was acid-free. Placing it back onto the stack, Joe continued to move around the room inspecting the shelves, the paintings and the objets d'art. A small door caught his eye between two bookcases. Opening it he was surprised to find a small sleeping room furnished with a bed, a waist high long table, and low dresser with an en suite bath attached.
'Interesting,' he thought.
Joe re-entered the main room looking around once more. From the positioning of the paintings Joe surmised that each bookcase contained the diaries of the subject of the painting. He knew that there was no way he could read every single diary from every single man – it would take years! And he didn't think he had years; His Majesty would not wait that long.
So… there had to be either an anthology of the diaries of each or a list of the most important diaries.
"Let's see if I am right," Joe murmured as he moved across the room.
Joe stopped at the painting of who he assumed was Fredrick Jacques. His dress indicated that he probably lived sometime in the 1500's. Looking at his face Joe wondered exactly what type of man was this first 'regina patronus quod paramour'.
'How much can I learn about a man from a few words?' Joe wondered.
Joe vaguely recalled what King Chevelair II's wife looked like- dark hair, dark eyes, and petite. If he wasn't mistaken there was a painting of her with the king here in the vaults. Later he would have to find it and see why Chevelair went to such lengths to protect her and the bloodline but for now he needed to find either an anthology or list that would aid him.
Joe climbed the short ladder to see the top shelf, his finger tracing the spines looking for a clue. Not finding anything on the first shelf, Joe continued to the second and finally to the third. Halfway through the third shelf he finally discovered what he was looking for. A small volume was tucked between two larger ones, pulling it out Joe opened it.
Inside was a list of numbers and corresponding dates. Each number and date had a single word behind it. He also noted that the dates covered a large expanse of time and that they only filled half the book. Armed with his discovery Joe began pulling down corresponding volumes. Soon he had three diaries sitting on the desk.
Sitting he opened the first diary going to the corresponding date that was listed.
Joe promised himself that eventually he would read each and every entry in every diary but right now he didn't have the time.
He needed to learn and learn quickly.