Chapter 6 - Broken Roads

England April 1864

Anthony heard loud banging on his bedroom door. He buried himself in his down covers. He just wanted to ignore the outside world. He had two guesses who was on the other side of the door. It was either Flynn, trying to drag his ass out of bed; which he wanted nothing to do with today. His other guess was that one of the many servants, who was trying to serving breakfast. He was hoping it was his second guess.

“Just come in and leave the food, I’ll get to it,” he mumbled under the warm covers. He buried his head under the soft down and tried to doze off.

“I may be broke, but I am not your maid, sir.” A thick Scottish brogue boomed from the other side of the door. Anthony groaned loudly.

“You go about your adventures through this bloody house. I am tired.” Anthony said through the muffled covers. He just wanted to escape all of this. He wanted to duck all the responsibilities as the new lord of the Town of Lloyd. He wanted to forget this stupid wild goose chase with this far fetched Order. It was becoming too overwhelming. Anthony began to think as he tossed and turned. Who were these people anyway to just show up in his life? They completely put his life into an upheaval. It wasn’t proper, this whole thing was madness. Mr. Burke had not said much on what this Order was, other than some ridiculous club. Anthony was still trying the best he could, to put into his mind, the events in his grandfather’s study. He was passing them off as just the cause of bad nerves and too much of the drink. He was hopeful Flynn was going to leave him alone to sulk, but his hopes were dashed to pieces as he heard a soft click and a loud BANG. Then heavy footsteps entered the room.

“You picked the lock,” Anthony said defeated.

“I did, you sorry sack of dung.” He said with a great laugh. “Better than kicking the door down. I did trip over the chair you had in the way. So, now we are even.” Anthony did have to laugh. He sat up from his four-post bed.

“Alright, you have me up. Now what insane thing are you having me do today?” He shrugged.

“Today is Sunday, its almost time for Mass. I say we cram a pastry in your face and get you all dolled up. We make a grand entrance, that the young lord has returned.” Flynn said. A maid entered the room with two cups of tea, some honey cakes and fresh crispy bacon. The smell was delightful. Anthony reached out and grabbed a warm honey cake.

“Thank you ever so kindly my dear for putting up with us two blokes,” Flynn smiled at the young maid. She blushed deep crimson.

“Tis my job, young masters. If you need anything else, please just ring the bell. Shall I send up the butler to have the young lord dressed?”

“Oh hell no! I am quite capable!” Anthony was cut short. He felt his face growing hot.

“He’s not used to this, lass. I remember my uncle was a butler for one of the lords back in my village. He taught me a thing or two, but we are used to dressing ourselves at the University. Self reliance has been what we are use to, if you don’t mind. Other than food and a bit of help with the chores, we lads can make our own way. Can you let the staff know? Would you dear?” He gave her one of those stunning smiles. She blushed again and then made off with a curtsy.

“Now that wasn’t too painful. Well maybe to you, lord of Lloyd,” he laughed with a mouth full of bacon.

“You are an ass.” Anthony said calmly. “I am so thankful that you’re here though. It’s making it a lot easier for me to get through this whole nonsense.” He grabbed a cup of tea off the tray. It was carefully placed on the edge of his bed. “You have a way with people.”

“So do you, if you let your guard down to a degree. Put the whole lord bit on the shelf. Who gives a rat’s knickers if you have a title. I learned something long ago, as horrific as this may sound, its true. When the pox hit my village, it hit everyone. Everyone was equal. Didn’t matter if you were rich or poor. The lords were not immune because of status. At our lords' funeral, his service, he was thrown in a cheap pine box. The only person in attendance, was just the priest. I attended to earn some extra coin and I helped bury the bloke. My father, however, was not a rich man and the whole village showed up when he died. People came from all over. That is how you measure a man’s wealth.” Flynn smiled.

“I remembered when my grandfather passed. There were several services. One in London, the church was packed. I had letters written from all over the globe.” Anthony said sadly. “Then there was one here. I couldn’t attend, it was too painful.”

“Say chap, did you open any of the letters that were sent to you when your grandfather passed ?” Flynn asked, his hands almost pulling on his reddish colored hair.

“No.” Anthony said sheepishly. “I had Mr. Williams put them all in a box, they are stored somewhere. To be on the truthful side, there were dozens and dozens of boxes. I have no idea where he would have put them.” Flynn jumped straight up off his chair as if a bee had bit his backside.

“I bet you there might be some information in some of the letters.” Flynn slapped his knee.

“Do you honestly think so?” Anthony said.

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“Think about it. The information may not be jumping out in plain daylight. At least we can track where he has been, to a degree. He has been looking for certain items and his old contacts are about to become your new contacts. Visit some of them under the pretense of condolences. Your grandfather is also the perfect cover as well! Figuring out friend or foe and as we say… how deep does the rabbit hole really go?”

“Oh yes, what I really need is to get my head cleaved off by the queen of hearts.” Anthony chuckled. “Where do you find the time to read such nonsense with all your studying? Every time I turn around, your cramming your head into several medical journals.” I see you got your hands on that new story that was sitting on the desk. I swear, my grandfather funds everything. I had no idea we had money in a publishing company.”

“You see my friend, between studying the human heart, bladder and kidneys it is good to stop and take a peek inside mans’ imagination once in a while. Or you will grow bloody dull. A persons’ piece of artwork can give you a bit of insight on the person itself. At least, that’s what I take away from it.” He pulled out a comb from his pocket. “I’ll give you a lesson right here. Now, something for you to chew on for the day.” Then he walked over to Anthony’s closet where all the grooming tools were kept.

“What’s the point of this?” Anthony sighed. “I have a comb, exactly like the one in your pocket. I have to grab mine in a moment and fix my hair.”

“I know you do. That’s exactly why I am making this point, so you can relate. We got ours cheap, they are all the same. No crafting required, made with some sort of mold I think. Children make them, if I am not mistaken. Not a practice I am fond of, again nothing special about this ordinary cheap piece of wood.” Flynn opened the deep oak-stained drawer and found an ivory comb. It was delicately carved and he tossed it to Anthony. “They both do the same job, am I correct? They are both the same item, are they not? One was made by an artist, the other was not. Just by glancing at the ivory comb, is a glimpse into the eyes of that creator. You look at the one in our pockets, there is nothing, just dull mass production.”

Anthony was always amazed how his friend could see wonders of the simplest things. It was a talent that he never possessed, but hoped to learn. He brushed his hair with the regular comb. He finally got out of bed and began to get dressed in his Sunday best. He decided on something that he would normally wear in London. He felt not bringing too much attention to himself would be a smart idea. If he went out on the streets, he would pass as a very wealthy business man. He did notice something on the nightstand that was not there the night before. It was an old ornate box. Resting near the box was a letter with a wax seal. He recognized it at once. The wax emblem was his coat of arms from the ring once worn by his grandfather. He picked up the letter under the box. He ran his finger over the wax seal ever so carefully. He took a deep breath, broke the seal and began to read.

My Dearest Anthony;

If you are reading this, I am sure you have many questions. I apologize to you, that I cannot answer them. I can only hope that I have passed on my FAITH and my HOPES to you. I can only imagine the turmoil you must be facing coming home. My work was left incomplete. It was never supposed to be left to you or your father. For now, all I can tell you is trust your heart, rebuild where it is needed. Now you are not only Gatekeeper to this land. I have left you with that heavy burden. You are one of the Gatekeepers to something much broader than you could have possibly dreamed. My only regret in life is that I have to put the task of Gatekeeper on to you now. Balancing these two lives can be hard. With hard work comes great reward. You are now the rightful heir to this land. Things will reveal themselves in time. Be strong. When you travel, remember FAITH is like music, it comes in many forms. One thing you must remember most of all, it all comes from the same place, the heart.

Your loving Grandfather

Anthony picked up the box, it was sealed by wax. There was no coat of arms seal on the box. Instead of feeling the deep sadness that had plagued him all these years, he felt a queer feeling in his chest he could not place. It was neither peace nor an emptiness. He could almost relate it to the calm before a great storm. Where the wind is bellowing all around from a distance, but has not come yet. He had to determine his own path yet. He broke open the seal from the box to discover a male’s broach with his coat of arms. Included in the box, was his coat of arms seal ring, sitting face up on a black velvet pillow. This was different from the ring Mr. Burke had given him. This was for all to see.

Flynn was bustling about the room making sure that they were indeed going to be ready for church. He took notice of Anthony’s facial expressions while he read the letter but stayed quiet. He had learned to deal with the pain of loss at a very young age. Much better than his friend had, they were both alone in the world. While servants could be companions, Flynn knew in his heart Anthony had yet to mend his broken road. He honestly had no idea what would fix that. The responsibilities that were being stacked upon both of them, would be quite disheartening for any man with money, nobility or not. He vowed to stay by his friend no matter what.

“Any diamonds or pearls in there chap?” Flynn said to lighten the mood. The silence in the room was beginning to grow rather thick. Anthony snapped out of his daze.

“I think there might be,” he had a half smile on his face. “I never paid much attention. I’m dressed, can you help me attach this broach? I have not a clue how to put it on. I am hoping you have half an idea about these things.” He tossed Flynn the coat of arms broach.

“Ah it’s a coat of arms! Ring to match. You will want to switch fingers, with the other one from the order. Put that one on your right middle and the crest on your left ring finger. For a lord, you really don't know etiquette.” Flynn chuckled. “ Shouldn’t you need a few peacock feathers and a giant parade to announce your coming?” He laughed. Flynn proceeded to walk over and Anthony threw his top hat at him. Flynn roared in laughter. Anthony started to laugh too.

“Maybe a few ducks behind me and I will feel right at home.” Anthony laughed. “I am so glad the rest of those lords leave me alone. It’s a nice day. I think we shall just ride on horseback into town.”

“You are going to cause such a gossip. The new lord riding, just on horseback like the good ol common folk, to church.” Flynn chuckled as he put the broach in place. “There, the pin will hold fine now. You’re breaking all the rules here, when it comes to mingling with the commoners.”

“It’s rubbish.” Anthony growled. “Who cares, I am actually looking forward to the trip to the Americas. Everything should be on equal ground. Now from a doctor’s standpoint, you have delivered many babies. What is the difference between a nobility birth and that of a commoner?”

“Not many.” Flynn shrugged. “Besides diet really. If they all had access to the same things, you couldn’t tell any difference.”

“My point exactly Flynn. Let’s get to the stable. This house is becoming stuffy, I am ready to get out of here and get into town.”