Aldo hs implored me that I should write, strange, seeing how the man seems more at home aboard this salty ship brimming with privateers hungry for traders stores. Messantia is our home, the home of many noble houses and the noble House de Luca who owns this very ship and employs all aboard. That is of course not including me, though I do receive money from House de Luca I am not a simple servant who goes forth and does the bidding of Admiral Demetrio de Luca so contently. Though as an Admiral of the Argossean Navy many bow in respect, he is much like a glass of the Detulo wine: a full flavored strong wine with a delicate smooth taste but followed by an aftertaste that leaves most blanched, so like my father it has a intimidating reputation. It is this history that I am sure Aldo beseeches me to write about, though I believe he simply desires to take a bottle to his chamber for the night.
I have many physical features in common with my father as we share our prominent chin and cheekbones, deep set eyes the color of the spices or Turan, thick ebony hair worn in the common fashion of our station. His approach to our business are different than mine as he has developed his approach based on his life in the military. I have learned of trade through the ways of the sea and aboard one of the family's ships, much like my grandfather had. Father's mind is always so consumed with order, respect, and keeping everything tidy and proper. It would seem that this is the foe he has come to know in me, as I have to come to learn these things associated so tightly with my station but believe in the principle of balance. If I am to expand my business while keeping the other noble families at bay then I shall not be afforded the luxury of sticking to one business approach. These things it would seem I inherited from my mother Alcina, as these things drew my father to her when they were still young.
As with many men the military changed him over time, the task of commanding men and managing the business of the family took his time and attention away from his noble House. Most of his attention in any case, as he concerned himself greatly with having a son to succeed him as he was the only son of my grandfather that still lived. Some years after my parents had first wed I was born, as most in House de Luca saw it a long awaited blessed event my father saw it as a bitter day. While he had gained a son, his wife had complications in the birth and was not likely to make it through another pregnancy. So my mother’s station became even less than before in my father’s eyes as he came to treat her as more of a trophy wife and little else. I have to come to understand the purpose in this as my father is in sole control of his life and his house, exactly as it should be in any noble house.
During this time my father did take an interest in raising me, though he hoped to one day gain more heirs it would seem he knew that someone must take over our noble house. I was no more fourteen years old before I had learned of the shipping routes, how our affairs were conducted and sailed aboard a privateer ship. Much of this learning did not come directly from my father, he instead appointed Aldo Brutii as my teacher in all things related to House De Luca. Aldo was a friend of my father’s since they were boys as his father had been an adviser to my grandfather, he remained with House De Luca fulfilling the same role.
This was all against the wishes of my mother, who wished that I be schooled in the ways of a gentlemen in society first and foremost before learning the noble nature of the seas. She was however too weak to see to these wishes, though even in ample health likely would not match my father. My mother had always been sick, as far as I can remember, after giving birth it was as if a piece of her had been taken away and never put back again. Though I imagined that I was that piece, as anytime that I spent time with mother she always seemed in such better countenance. I learned quickly of how dependent women are on the luxuries and if it was not for the men's hard work they would be hard pressed to survive. In any case I came to see my mothers weakness and was always a bit apprehensive to spend time with her when I do have leave from my duties. Leave is something I have found myself forcing upon my responsibilities as I have become a key instrument in the communication with the other noble houses that work along side my own, we may not be allied in every meaning of the word but we do work together against the other houses.
My teacher is not so fond of the longer bouts of land missions for my family and though he doesn't outwardly complain he does once he gets a bit of ale in him. Aldo is a capable teacher, especially in the ways of combat and the sword as he was regarded as a master by many. Like a Gutelli, a wine of the northern provinces of Argos that has a light flavor with a subtlety that remains far after it has been swallowed, though its taste is far different with a hearty meal. He is calm sort, very careful in the presence of nobility as he would seem to have a lot of practice around those higher in status. Though outside this company Aldo seems to have more in common with the privateers we employ, full of bawdy jokes and tales of far traveling. Many of the men we have sailed with speak finely of Aldo and look to him as a veteran of their trade. It is in these circumstances that I have learned my skills in leadership and swordplay, taught through life aboard the ship ‘The Shadow of the Brute’. It was named in honor of Aldo’s father and Aldo seemed to always favor the ship and her crew for my lessons in life.
After a few years of traveling here and there with Aldo I picked up many things in my travels and became a capable swordsman and leader of men. Though generally it was the younger sailors that would follow my lead in battle my confidence pulled me through. The older sailors never seemed to think highly of my tactics and would warn me that my impulsiveness could be my downfall. I see it as the other way, confidence is what people follow and in the heat of the moment decisions must be made. I am not like those men of the navy, like my father, who seem to think battles are won through planning every possible angle. In battle I began to gain an advantage over my opponents having been taught the art of the sword from such an early age that I was capable beyond my years with my cutlass and cloak. This style Aldo is not so fond of, says he would rather rely on the trusty iron of a shield rather than the fluttering of cloth. I have told him to of the benefits of balance, throwing off an opponent’s balance is far easier if they are less mobile than me.
As I am already grown my father is not as thrilled with how I have developed, as a lover of wine and good company. Not the disciplined sailor ready to join the navy. At this point he has decided that I would be better off with my own house to run so that I can gain some of the skills he believes I still lack, as I am simply an overconfident young dandy in his eyes. I however like most things respectfully disagree with my father, while he may have the blind following of his fellow navy officers he does not have mine. I do know that his choices have allowed the De Luca holdings to increase I disagree with his methods, it would seem that this dissension is simply too much as he has bid me to take up a separate residence in the Kings Prefect. I do value this choice even if it is meant to separate the connection between us and it allows for me to chose the company I keep and entertain when I see fit. It is along this course that I have come to venture into some business ventures with House Florens, deals that will continue to prosper my own holdings and one day combine with those of House De Luca. At this point I still receive funds from my father as it would seem he values my recent interest in developing an alternate source of profits. Aldo has likely visited him at some point when I have given him leave and spoke to the Admiral as only Aldo can, calming his hostile spirit towards me. I am sure that this is the way it will likely continue with the back and forth until I have ascended to my place at the head of the family. As I finish this account I am no longer at sea, land is my home for some time as I now have a reason to be back in the noble city. A reason that occupies my interest much more so than the fair eyes of the young noble ladies.
-Franco De Luca
Topic: The Argossean (Read 516 times)