Several minutes later, Aidan returned, a smirkish smile on his face.
"Apparently, yes, Brant is running a bit late. He was over at my property taking care of Ace this morning and I guess Ace decided to act up a bit when he was being fed."
Jae snorted.
Sounds like Asmodeus...
"He's really a good horse, he just has his 'moments' every once in a while. Friesians are known to be very mild tempered."
"I see.."
"But Brant should be here in about five minutes. In the meantime, have you two looked at the history book any more?"
"No, we haven't."
"Well here.." said Aidan, taking the book and flipping through the pages, "I believe this is what you wanted to see.."
Pointing at a large section on the Tavingtons, Aidan handed the book to Jae, who took it and began reading the section.
"Wow, so he did live.."
"He did?" Jula asked.
"Oh, Col. Tavington did much more than that." Aidan replied with a proud air in his voice. "He flourished, moving to Ohio with his wife and son after the Insurrection, and became one of the most wealthy aristocrats in all of New Britain. My family still owns his property, and my brother and I visit it several times a year. It's a very haunting, yet beautiful place because everything looks the same as it did in his time. Even the house that the colonel built still stands on the property, along with everything in it, carefully preserved, with only minimal changes done to it to ensure authenticity and longevity. Brant and I stay in a nearby cabin, but occasionally will spend a night in the old house, sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor. And every time we do, Brant always seems to spook; he says it's because he can hear the ghost of the colonel walking up and down the hall at night, the metallic ring of his spurs and the soft thud of his boots hitting the wooden floorboards as he paces. But I don't know; I've never seen, or heard it, though I wouldn't be surprised. The house can get kind of creepy because it's so well preserved; it's like being locked in a different time when you go in there."
"Cool. I want to see it..." Jula said without thinking.
"Jula!" Jae hissed.
Aidan laughed softly and replied, "No, it's quite all right. We do offer tours, though, considering your relation to my ancestor, I believe we could get you in for free, that is, if you can make the trip.."
"Awesome! I hope Mom and Dad don't mind." Jula said excitedly.
"Hush! This is a library, you know.." one of the librarians said, glaring at Jula as she walked past with a cart full of books to shelve.
Jula's face flushed red and Aidan smirked.
"Aidan.." a voice called from behind him.
Aidan turned and smiled at a man coming toward him. He wore dark blue boot cut jeans with black leather boots and a black, tight fitting t-shirt that had the words "T-Style Props" emblazoned in white Old English lettering across the top of the chest with two sabers crossing a Union Jack in the center. His long dark chocolate colored hair was tied back in a tight ponytail.
God, he's even more physically identical than Aidan is to the colonel! Jae thought to herself.
"Brant, how's it going?"
"Just fine, since Ace decided to cooperate." replied Brant with a smirk.
"Yes well... Brant, there are a couple of girls I would like you to meet." said Aidan, gesturing at Jae and Jula. "This is Jae Barrington and her sister, Jula."
"Aidan, are you on crack?" Brant asked, cocking an eyebrow at the girls, staring at them curiously with emerald eyes.
"No, Brant, I am not on crack." Aidan replied with a snort.
"Then how the hell is this possible?" Brant asked, gesturing at Jae and Jula.
"The family tale is true, Brant, look at the book and compare the picture to them."
Taking the book from Jae and Jula, Brant found the picture and then compared it to the sisters, his eyes widening as comprehension dawned on him.
"Good lord." he said softly, eying the girls even more closely. "You're sure, Aidan?"
"Yes."
"Well, then this is going to be one hell of an adventure..."