Next chapter coming soon
I got Rdr2 and got so engrossed in it that I forgot writing!
I got Rdr2 and got so engrossed in it that I forgot writing!
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Chapter 10
Not a soul walked the darkened paths of Le Mere. The windows did glow orange with the warmth of people, but this warmth didn't extend outside the doors. As the two rode into it, Maria grew apprehensive,she sensed something wrong and rode ahead of Samuel. Samuel himself on the other hand took his time. He was taking in the scene. His first deduction was that maybe the people were afraid of an unknown forest beast or maybe bandit raids had forced them to stay in their houses. However, it seemed more and more unlikely considering that there were no night guards and no warnings outside. Even as he rode, he saw faces, strange sunken faces in the windows. They were watching with curiosity. They were watching him.
Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by Maria "Only one man in town can know what has happened, the mayor"
"Oh we shouldn't be disturbing him at such a late hour" said Samuel removing a bag of raisins from his horse.
"We are going to him. That's my brother, Jean du Poumont. Mayor of Le Mere!" said Maria.
Maria's old family home was huge. A plantation estate of sorts. It raised more questions than answers in Samuel's mind but he kept it to himself. He really did wonder why she had married such a poor trader in a faraway island rather than stay in Haiti.
Eventually, after hitching their horses there, they were greeted by an ancient manservant who welcomed them in. That was the first sign of civilization Samuel had seen since arrival in the town. Stepping inside the mansion felt even stranger after the experience outside as the mansion was filled with dozens of faceless servants who remained invisible at their tasks. Only the elderly manservant actually showed any emotion. He smiled welcoming and spoke some things in French with Maria in an accent that Samuel could not understand despite having learned French.
Finally it became clear that he was leading them to the inner hall of the mansion. They arrived there after a seemingly endless walk through opulent corridors. Maria raced ahead of him and a few minutes later Samuel heard loud voices of exclamation and happiness. Soon Samuel himself reached the hall. There, he saw a man that could only be described as half French. He was fair skinned but had just a touch of African in his features which only a man like Samuel could guess.
That was Jean Du Poumont. He was Haitian nobility. A French army officer who had switched sides and fought with the rebels in the revolution of 1803. He had been granted the rich estate in his hometown. This was a pattern that had been followed throughout the country. Haiti was the only country with a black or half-European elite class. It was the only country where actual Europeans were frowned upon.
Maria excitedly told all this to Samuel over a drink of wine and pleas to "Stop" from Jean. After the initial courtsies had been shown, they had freshened up and then sat down for a drink with Jean in his imppresive dining room.
Jean's first direct conversation with Samuel took place at this time after Maria and her barrages of questions about family were done. Jean asked the question
"And you Mr.Samuel. What do you do for a living?"
Not a soul walked the darkened paths of Le Mere. The windows did glow orange with the warmth of people, but this warmth didn't extend outside the doors. As the two rode into it, Maria grew apprehensive,she sensed something wrong and rode ahead of Samuel. Samuel himself on the other hand took his time. He was taking in the scene. His first deduction was that maybe the people were afraid of an unknown forest beast or maybe bandit raids had forced them to stay in their houses. However, it seemed more and more unlikely considering that there were no night guards and no warnings outside. Even as he rode, he saw faces, strange sunken faces in the windows. They were watching with curiosity. They were watching him.
Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by Maria "Only one man in town can know what has happened, the mayor"
"Oh we shouldn't be disturbing him at such a late hour" said Samuel removing a bag of raisins from his horse.
"We are going to him. That's my brother, Jean du Poumont. Mayor of Le Mere!" said Maria.
Maria's old family home was huge. A plantation estate of sorts. It raised more questions than answers in Samuel's mind but he kept it to himself. He really did wonder why she had married such a poor trader in a faraway island rather than stay in Haiti.
Eventually, after hitching their horses there, they were greeted by an ancient manservant who welcomed them in. That was the first sign of civilization Samuel had seen since arrival in the town. Stepping inside the mansion felt even stranger after the experience outside as the mansion was filled with dozens of faceless servants who remained invisible at their tasks. Only the elderly manservant actually showed any emotion. He smiled welcoming and spoke some things in French with Maria in an accent that Samuel could not understand despite having learned French.
Finally it became clear that he was leading them to the inner hall of the mansion. They arrived there after a seemingly endless walk through opulent corridors. Maria raced ahead of him and a few minutes later Samuel heard loud voices of exclamation and happiness. Soon Samuel himself reached the hall. There, he saw a man that could only be described as half French. He was fair skinned but had just a touch of African in his features which only a man like Samuel could guess.
That was Jean Du Poumont. He was Haitian nobility. A French army officer who had switched sides and fought with the rebels in the revolution of 1803. He had been granted the rich estate in his hometown. This was a pattern that had been followed throughout the country. Haiti was the only country with a black or half-European elite class. It was the only country where actual Europeans were frowned upon.
Maria excitedly told all this to Samuel over a drink of wine and pleas to "Stop" from Jean. After the initial courtsies had been shown, they had freshened up and then sat down for a drink with Jean in his imppresive dining room.
Jean's first direct conversation with Samuel took place at this time after Maria and her barrages of questions about family were done. Jean asked the question
"And you Mr.Samuel. What do you do for a living?"
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Note to the readers:
This story is still continuing.
My Sokoto AAR is a fast paced history book AAR and this is a slow narrative one. I like to write two styles at once depending on my mood.
This story is still continuing.
My Sokoto AAR is a fast paced history book AAR and this is a slow narrative one. I like to write two styles at once depending on my mood.
The captain had better tread carefully here. Something tells me Jean is not someone you'd want on your bad side.
As a regular writer and essayist, I concur! Writing multiple genres is a helpful way to grow one's writing skills and habits. And I've always said starting in AARland is a great way to start practicing and cultivating that habit.
Plus, I do have a soft spot for the still readable, though now rare, narrative! In part because narratives were among the AARs that lured me from being a ghost reader to actual member. And reading this, of course, is such a pleasure.
I'm with Samuel, it's odd that Maria married someone so humble when you consider her family. The heart wants what the heart wants, but it does raise an eyebrow.
I'm confident Captain Samuel can easily deal with that question, it's one a man in his line of work must get asked hundreds of times at countless ports.
Whether the mayor can satisfactorily answer the question about what is going on his town... that is a different matter. I look forward to finding out how he will handle it. I doubt Samuel will be foolish enough to ask directly, but Maria certainly will.
Whether the mayor can satisfactorily answer the question about what is going on his town... that is a different matter. I look forward to finding out how he will handle it. I doubt Samuel will be foolish enough to ask directly, but Maria certainly will.
Thankyou so much for commenting!
Thanks man. I am glad you are liking it
Thankyou so much for commenting man
Comments inspire me always
Very true
Thankyou very very much for commenting!
Thanks so much for taking out the time to comment man. I love comments.
Each comment is very encouraging to me.
I'm all excited for the inventive answer Samuel gives to the Mayor. Sure, Maria will vouch for him, but the man is a military man with real local power. He's not to be trifled with, surely Samuel understands that.
Maybe I should give this approach a go... Interesting...
Thanks for commenting
This AAR is not really abandoned
I want to and I will continue it
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I read everything so far in one sitting. Very interesting, am I the only who is curious about Maria's family's link to Voodoo mysticism?
If the brother shares her alleged fondness for... unconventional worship Samuel may need to be on his guard.
If the brother shares her alleged fondness for... unconventional worship Samuel may need to be on his guard.
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Thankyou very very much for checking this out and commenting man. Yes, Maria's brother is a powerful figure. Lets hope Samuel can bear him.
This AAR is dormant currently. I have not abandoned it. I will continue it again in the near future.
The reason I stopped writing it regularly is because of Jihad on the Savannah and because I could not handle the stress of writing a proper story with character building and stuff in the midst of my office work.
Nevertheless it will be continued
Thankyou very very much for checking this out and commenting man. Yes, Maria's brother is a powerful figure. Lets hope Samuel can bear him.
This AAR is dormant currently. I have not abandoned it. I will continue it again in the near future.
The reason I stopped writing it regularly is because of Jihad on the Savannah and because I could not handle the stress of writing a proper story with character building and stuff in the midst of my office work.
Nevertheless it will be continued
Take the time you need, I'm fine with being patient for good content.
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