Aurelius had not stayed long after his breakfast, much to his mother's disappointment. He after having confirmed the trip in the afternoon decided to pack certain supplies. This would be his first trip out of the manor grounds and he was nervous yet excited.
"Cerci, what do you think the common people here live like? I mean if this were like the 1500s or something I could guess but 1000 ce is too far back from my time." Aurelius asked curiously.
"Young Lord, I have observed the daily life of the common folk but have no knowledge of the lifestyle from your time period and thus cannot comment." She answered monotonously.
"Then let me know your observations." Aurelius stated.
"Well the common people have a rough living in the winter months. With heating and hygiene non existent. The best luxuries they can afford is probably cotton for summer clothes and furs for winter, honey being used as sweetner. However, due the ports and location of the city the common people have ample opportunity to work and are at the brink." Cerci explained.
"The ten people I asked you to train, I want to focus their education on certain sectors. Train two people in the military with one specializing in spywork. Three in city management, and two in banking. For the remain three will be industry be that research or application doesn't matter but it has to be scalable." Aurelius said.
"Okay." Cerci answered.
"We will be leaving in a few hours anything that needs to be prepared?" Aurelius questioned.
"That shouldn't be necessary, your mother will handle it." Cerci answered.
As Cerci said, the Duchess was indeed preparing for the afternoon outing.
"Isabelle, you have been studying to control your weather skills over the few years and made great progress." Theodora said.
"Oh mother, I have longed learned to influence the weather. In fact, I have awakened control over thunder and lightning and have made a minor achievement. Ambrosius said I am to accompany Father during is expedition into the Adriatic Sea. What is that about?" Isabelle questioned.
"Oh nothing much just the church paying us to make a big deal about it since they lost quite a few donors in the last few years. Usually we would just delegate this to another family but we are being discreet so we need to take the matter into our own hands." Theodora explained. "You should go find you father now, he will want you prepared completely."
"Yes, mother." Isabelle complied. Leaving the room to find her father.
Isabelle was making her way her father's study, when she encountered Aurelius coming out of the library. Bumping into him she paused.
"Brother, why do you avoid everyone in the house?" Isabelle asked.
Caught off guard by such a deep question Aurelius was flustered and hesitated to respond.
"Its okay you don' have to answer now but we are family and should trust each other." Isabelle said and continued on her way.
"I heard she has already learnt the elemental skills of the family and made great headway on empathy. That should be the reason she guessed your attituded towards the family." Cerci stated.
I have always wanted to know what it means to have a loving family. My wishes were to ensure that this happened. But...
Aurelius was surprised that Isabelle would say such things on there first meeting and could shake of the alien feeling that was creeping in.
"I still seem to have my past lingering and affecting my relations." Aurelius commented.
"You have to make an effort too. You know, My Lord." Cerci answered.
Isabelle had finally made it to her father, who was in his study going over the paper.
The Duke was reviewing the official request the Church had sent, and was worried about the implementation of it. Over the years the family did not intend to hide as they used the cover of servants of the church but now they can not attract any form of attention.
"Ambrosius, what details have you found about the creature the church has sent us of the hunt this time." Duke questioned the butler.
"Your Grace, it seems to be confirmed that the creature is a water based violent creature and we will need to bring healers as the lagoon tends to lead to many wound infections. This is evident from previous expedition.
Isabelle could stay quite any longer.
"Father." Isabelle called out.
"Oh Isabelle you are here? Wonderful, I had asked your mother to send for you." The Duke commented interrupting his conversation with Ambrosius.
"You have made great progress in your elemental control which is good, but the bloodline gives more important to the power of mind and psychic. I will take you in this expedition to give you more exposure." He explained.
Ambrosius immediately commented. " Your Grace, I will make the preparations."
Seeing Ambrosius leave, Isabelle knew that the conversation had ended.
"Isabelle your younger brother is old enough now yet you have not made the effort to interact with him at all. Why?" The Duke asked. "Do you not understand the importance of family and the resulting blood ties?" He pushed.
"Umm. Father, its not that I don't want to talk with its that he just keeps to himself and rarely leaves any opportunity for interactions." Isabelle complained.
"Regardless of this actions you have not taken the initiative and that is what is the problem. I know he is distant and keeps to himself but that doesn't mean we can't take the step towards him. " The Duke suggested.
" I will do as you say, Father." Isabelle answered. It wasn't like she was opposed to the idea anyway.