Chapter 2 - Continental Discovery

The rugged cobblestone path that ran abreast the vast fields of crops was known locally as Baltimore road. The path began in the very outskirts of Greywater city and extended directly away from Greywater for near enough twenty kilometres. Any individual who traversed the paths full length would be enveloped by fields as soon as they departed Greywater and remain enveloped throughout the journey. During the heights of summer an unceasing flow of gorgeous golden fields would be the roads only backdrop, broken only by the occasional crystal streams and channels. Eventually any travellers that walked its entire beautiful length would find themselves deposited at Baltimore manor.

Baltimore manor was a magnificent gothic marvel of architecture. The majority of the construct was crafted from a dark igneous rock that slumbered underneath the ground below the Baltimore lands, making the building seem as if it was cloaked in shadows permanently. The architects took full advantage of the regions rolling landscape choosing to construct the manor in a naturally formed bowl, hiding the majority of the intricate structure from any prying eyes.

The manor itself was hexagonal in shape, from point to opposite point the architectural feat had a diameter of eighty metres. Upon each of the six angular corners was a black spiralling tower that tapered upwards to a piercing point, seemingly threatening to puncture any clouds floating low enough. The outer rim of the gothic goliath was three stories tall however the roof was angled upwards coming to a jagged point atop the nucleus of the manor, resulting in it being five stories tall at the centre of the construct.

To further add to the complex and unorthodox nature of the design the interior of the manor had been equally divided into a inner region and an outer segment. Just the outer segment of the manor alone easily housed the numerous denizens of the Baltimore clan and the hundreds of serfs and servants that awaited the Baltimore's summons.

This was the manor that Drew and his father and mother resided in. The Baltimore manor.

Drew was normally left awed by the majesty and grandeur of the manor coming into sight. As you traversed Baltimore path you crested the last hill and were struck by what seemed to be the sight of six black spiralling points jutting from the earth. Only when you reached the lip of the bowl would you realise the gothic architectural genius that had been concealed by nature.

However this time as he returned home he was far to engaged in discussing the pit falls of an expansive underwater heating system with his dad to pay attention to a stunning setting sun enhancing the already magnificent view.

"Hmm I guess the hills would be a bit of a problem" Drew sighed from atop his fathers broad shoulders. His father was struggling to keep a straight face at his sons repeated insistence that an underground heating system was the answer to wet crops.

"So they would, not to mention the logistics of piping the entire estates lands. That's twenty-five thousand acres of field to lay pipes in. God knows how many kilometres of pipe that would be" His father deposited another reason to the already lengthy and still growing list of why pipes wouldn't work.

Oblivious to his father Drew's brows creased as he started counting his tiny fingers, trying as hard as he could with his limited mathematical abilities to answer his fathers rhetorical question. After reaching seven he paused for a moment before shaking his head and realising he'd been waylaid from the original discussion.

"Well why don't you just pipe one field and see how it goes?" Persisting onwards Drew's voice carried a self belief in his own apparent genius.

"I don't think so Drew, after all even if gave it a trial run how would you heat twenty-five thousand acres of piping? You'd need at least a furnace per acre, which is twenty-five thousand furnaces burning day and night. All the wood in the White Grove wouldn't be enough to keep them going for half an hour" Another downfall added to the list.

"And as well as heating you could use the pipes to water the fields if it ever got to dry." Choosing to ignore the minor matter of sourcing fuel Drew listed out all the positive elements he could think of to incorporate into his idea, just as his father continued to list short comings.

"And do tell how such a watering feature would work, any holes in hot pipes like yours would consistently leak water, leaving you with drowned crop not dry watered plants" The fathers refutation was prompt and almost semi serious at this point.

Drew dejectedly sighed "I'll let you know when I think of it" A minute passed and the sun finally slipped beneath the horizon giving way to the moon and stars. Suddenly Drew's brows uncreased as rumination was replaced by inspiration, his face lit up in the dark and he enthusiastically gestured and cried out "That's it!"

The father curiously peered up at his beaming son who still sat perched atop his shoulders, slightly intrigued by the outburst he queried "And what is it exactly?"

"Flexible pipes!" Drew loudly and proudly exclaimed. "Hills aren't a problem if the pipes bend" grinning the boy enthusiastically explained to his father the solution he had finally come up with to laying pipes in hilly fields.

The father was silent for but a moment before he started to chuckle merrily. Strong robust arms reached upwards as he effortlessly plucked his son up underneath the armpits and placed him on the ground whilst still gently laughing. Reaching a calloused hand out he dotingly rustled the boys cropped dark chestnut hair. "You might have inherited your fathers dashing looks but you sure didn't get much else from me son. That would be your mothers strange and wonderful mind whirring away in your head. No doubt about it"

Whilst being so engaged in the discussion the pair had practically already strolled to the manors gates. Stretching away either side of the estate gates was a four metre tall solid wall crafted from the same dark black rock as the manor. Two flickering lanterns were inset into the wall by the gates hinges, dimly lighting the scene. The wall was constructed from blocks that stood as tall as the boy, it unceasingly radiated a heavy and overbearing air.

The gates themselves stood six metres tall, black and intimidating, seemingly glowering at all who wished to pass through them. Upon their centre was an italic capital B that had been crafted to the finest detail out of twisted jagged metal. Just standing before the intricate grandiose structures at night, as the father and son now did, caused ones lungs to constrict.

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Standing before such black grandeur gates and walls with a dark goliath gothic manor that sported six twisting steeples in the not so far distance, one could easily feel the deep foundations and roots of the Baltimore clan.

Turning to the boy by his side the man spoke again, the gentle voice now slightly absent instead replaced by a certain amount of coolness "Let's leave the talk of your pipes here till dinner Drew. Once we're in the manor I'll need to pay a visit to my brother in the inner region. You'll have to go back home by yourself son" At the mention of his brother solemness drowned the love that had been burning brightly in the mans eyes, akin to a bucket of water dousing a dancing flame.

Biting his lip Drew longed to ask his father to come home with him. However one glance at the cold demeanour that had been adopted by his father and Drew already knew the answer to such a question. Visibly putting on a brave front he straightened his back, jutted his chin and nodded once in conformation to his father then turned and marched towards the great black gates that ominously stood guard in the night.

Staring at the little boys back striding away from him a trace of tenderness could be seen thawing the icy solemness in his eyes for the briefest of moments, till the man swept his gaze away from his sons back and over the looming gates to the lit up manor and its piercing spiralling steeples. Then his eyes froze again. Harder and colder than before. Stiffening his back he caught up to his son in a few strides then together the two marched side by side silently through the the night to the gates.

As the pair moved within a dozen metres of the manor entrance three men stepped into a pool of lantern light from the right side wall, where Drew knew there was located a concealed gate house. Two were young men and wore velvet red jackets, covering their hands were pristine white gloves whilst polished black brogues adorned their feet. The pair smoothly swung open the imposing gates for the father son duo before they both bent to one knee and dipped their heads remaining silent throughout the process. Eerily the giant gates swung open without making a noise.

The last man whom stood in the centre of the open gateway was elderly and also very well attired. He appeared a well refined individual a look reinforced by an exquisitely well maintained white drooping moustache which hung past his mouth to his weathered chin.

He wore a heavy black tailored jacket that swung about his knees and looked to be crafted from the finest of materials, a buttoned white silk shirt with a black handkerchief sitting in a chest pocket could be seen underneath the jacket. Hiding his wrinkled hands from the outside world were a pair of fitted black leather gloves which complemented a plain black top hat that safely sat atop his head. Intricately crafted leather brogues carried the elderly gentlemen over the gravelled threshold of the manor onto the Baltimore road.

With a flourish the butler removed his hat tipped it over his chest and then proceeded to elegantly bow from the waist. "Evening Lord Jasper and Young Master Drew" The mans voice was raspy and he pronounced each vowel individually and crisply "Truly a pleasure to welcome the both of you back home" After finishing his welcoming line he remained bowed.

"A pleasure indeed Boldwick" curtly replying Lord Jasper strode straight past the bowed butler and through the once barred gates onto the manors gravelled path. Carrying on ahead he passed the two gatemen without even heeding them. Drew perfectly mimicked his actions.

"My Lord, if I may" Boldwick spoke respectfully and slowly whilst remaining bowed in his original position, appearing to be honouring the sprawling Baltimore road.

The noise of Lord Jasper's footfalls upon the gravel track paused. Before with a frown that the darkness concealed he turned to face the butler "Speak Boldwick"

"My thanks Lord" Fluidly raising from his bow the butler turned to face Lord Jasper, keeping his head slightly bent he conveyed his message "Early noon today Lord Percy's guard came to this ones gates urgently looking for your Lordship. Upon learning your Lordship had ventured out to inspect the crops they departed in pursuit. Before they left they told me if your Lordship were to return without their escort I must inform your Lordship that Lord Percy has matters of the utmost urgency to discuss. That is all my Lord" From the narrations beginning to end Boldwick remained motionless with his head tipped.

The frown cutting into Lord Jasper's forehead deepened whilst the chilly aura he exuded intensified. Slowly and severely he spoke "Very good. That will be all Boldwick" Saying so he promptly turned on his heels and strode towards the Baltimore manor.

The gravelled track paving the way to the goliath manor was only a short fifty metre long track. Either side of the gravel track was an avenue of giant poplar trees that silently stood watch over the track during the cloak of night, stretching away behind the poplars was a freshly trimmed lawn that lined the interior of the walls lengths. The track itself led to a great open gravelled courtyard that sported a marvellous pool which featured a carved marble horse galloping through ocean waves as its fountain centre piece. The courtyard was splendidly lit by numerous lanterns around the perimeter.

Drew tried to match Lord Jaspers pace down the gravel track, entirely oblivious to the groomed lawns or the silent sentinel poplars either side of him only striving to march his way forward, trying to stay as close to Lord Jaspers broad back as possible.

The manor could now be seen cloaked in its full grandeur, a bright beacon of light in the darkness. Had Drew not be so keenly intent on following his father perhaps he would've taken but a moment to appreciate the numerous lit decorative painted windows and extravagantly carved balconies that frequently dotted this side of the manor.

A small flight of marble steps at the manors feet took one to a raised plateau that led to the main entrance. Gargantuan polished double oaken doors that towered at two stories tall and defiantly glowered at all who stood before them. Normally for day to day use people used the more appropriately sized side entrances however today for some reason both great oaken doors were thrown wide open like a starved gaping maw, inside the beasts jaws could be seen the extravagant decor of the entrance hall.

Crowded into the gravelled courtyard were nearly ten bustling horse drawn carriages, some carriages crafted from sedan and others oak. However all of them shared a similarity in the excess of decorative lacquer and exquisite craftsmanship. The smallest of the carriages was tethered to six horses whilst the largest and most splendid required ten young stallions to heft it into motion.

In addition to the carriages and braying horses in the courtyard there was also a great throng of people milling about the lantern light. The crowds seemed to be rapidly growing as a veritable stream of people filtered through the manors doors. The place was humming and bustling with chatter and commotion. A hive of activity.

Lord Jasper and Drew shared a confused glance "Stay close Drew" Lord Jasper warned his son then proceeded to head straight for the exquisitely attired massing mob.

Both of them had befuddlement and curiosity written across their features, however Lord Jasper's expression also carried more than a hint of worry. It wasn't that the pair had never seen the manor this busy before, come any random old event the entire estate was rammed with thousands of officials, nobles and other individuals of note. This time however the activity was unexpected. Unexpected situations that resulted in the manor being this bustling gave Lord Jasper plenty to worry about.

By the door to the largest lacquer carriage was a portly little man with flowing long blonde locks and round librarians spectacles. His face was rather round and currently stained a bright red from all the animated gestures he was making whilst earnestly discussing something with a beautifully garbed regal looking individual.

Out of the corner of his bespectacled eyes he caught Lord Jasper's proud figure entering the courtyard. Immediately he excused himself from conversation with the regal looking individual. Then whilst waving wildly without the slightest sense of decorum or pose he shouted out over the bustling courtyard "Jasper good god man where've you been all day! You've missed the discovery of a bloody continent!"