Lord of the Sea: Louis d’Avranches
Act Bergazeet
Table of Contents
Chapter I
October 13th, 1144
Port Delatsuki
After ending his emergency meeting, Louis quickly made his way to his residence to bring the news to his family. Like many other officers, he had brought his young family along with him to Bergazeet. However, since war was on the horizon, it was no longer safe for them. According to previous plans, the families of the sailors would be sent away in the event of a major war coming to the peninsula to Tsukiyama or Suzuya on the mainland. There was a specific group of men that were designated to organise and prepare the evacuation. Louis, however, wanted to break the news himself to his family.
As he entered his residence, he was greeted with the smell of eggs and sausage. Lulu had just finished making breakfast and the children were all gathered around at the table about to pray over their meals. But upon hearing the creaking of the door, and the appearance of their beloved father they all rushed towards him shouting "PAPA YOU'RE BACK!" as he bends over to hug them all. He looks up to see his wife with a surprised smile on her face.
"Ah, Mon amour! You are back just in time!"
"Yes, yes I am." Louis says. "Now, my beloveds, let's eat."
Louis sits down with his family, and they pray over the meal, each of them thanking the Kami aloud for something they were grateful to have. The little 3 year old angel, Emylia says with great enthusiasm: "I AM THANKFUL THAT I HAVE PAPA AND MAMA AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT I LOVE SO MUCH AND THEY LOVE ME TOO!" Oh, how these touching words stung Louis as he prepared to deliver the news.
After some small talk over the meal, Louis cuts to the chase after a deep breath:
"War is coming in two days...Enjoy this meal, for it is the last we will share for a while... I am afraid that it won't be safe for you all, whom I love the most, to stay here..." The mood in the room suddenly changes from warmth to sorrow. "After we share this meal, pack up please, a-and head to the harbour with the kind gentlemen that will arrive later today. I will be waiting for you there..."
"Why do we have to go? Why is it unsafe?" said Emylia.
Louis was having trouble bringing himself to look in the eyes of his daughter, he knew that if he did he would break down in tears. Lulu noticed this and just told her that it was grown up business and for her own good. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife as the family ate in silence.
6-year-old Catherine then broke the ice and asked: "Daddy! Can we spend some more time with you before we leave at least? pwease?"
"Afraid not, my dear. I must oversee preparations for the fleet."
"Awww, but you always say that!"
Louis sees how heartbroken his children are and can barely answer her "I-I know... I am sorry but unfortunately daddy has to do this."
Catherine breaks down in tears, and runs over to hug him. "It's not fair though!
"Yeah!" says Emylia. "Baddies can't hurt us when your around anyways!"
Lulu once again tries to help defuse the situation, explaining that this is another adult thing, but neither of the girls are buying it. However, the eldest, 9 year old Olivier steps in to save the day. "No, Mamie and Papa are right! He can't stay here right now, so maybe if we pack up fast enough we can spend time with him then!"
"Thank Lize for my son" Louis says under his breath.
"You think so, Ollie?" asks Catherine.
"He's right, dearest. You can come spend some time with me once you have packed and got everything down to the docks, OK?"
"ALRIGHT! I love you daddy!"
"Love you, too. Love all of you." Louis says with a smile. He stands up, nodding at his wife, before saying. "I will see you all, hopefully in a short time!"
He then leaves his residence red eyed, thinking "Man, that was more painful than flesh wounds." Heading back to the admiralty, he prays that his family will make their way to Tsukiyama safely. However, more pressing matters are on hand.
Four hours later, Louis overseeing the preparations at the docks when he spots his family with the valet heading towards him. He can clearly tell that not all is well, Lulu looks rather cross with Olivier: who sure enough is dressed like a sailor. "Lize give me strength" Louis mutters under his breath as motions to his second-in-command, Weißenfels, to look over in his place while he deals with this situation.
"LOUIS, TELL THIS BOY HE CANNOT STAY!"
"Hold on, hold on, hold on." Louis says. "Ollie, why have you got it into your head that you can stay?"
The boy looks down sheepishly, before clicking his heels together, giving a perfect salute and saying. "Admiral d'Avranches! I request that I, Olivier d'Avranches, be allowed to become a cabin boy... uh... effective IMMEDIATELY!"
Louis looks at his wife, and two daughters before looking back at his son with a serious face that is hiding the smirk underneath.
"Olivier d'Avranches... come with me for a second and I will review your request..."
Louis takes his son by the hand and leads him around a corner. "Sit down boy."
"Do tell me, why exactly do you wish to become a cabin boy... and talk to me like my son and not another sailor right now please."
"I have seen visions of me being a great admiral! My blood rite dictates that it be so after all!" he says not knowing what he even meant fully!
Louis knows him too well however, and retorts. "Blood rite, Ollie... Haha, I know you have no idea what that even means and just heard it from some book you read. C'mon, give me the real reason."
"Rats... Ok, but don't laugh."
"I won't."
"I want to spend more time with you..."
"Is that your true reason?"
"Yes, though becoming a great admiral like you would be pretty amazing too right?"
"Ollie, I understand your feelings rather well... Indeed, you may be surprised but the reason I joined the navy was also to spend more time with your grandfather... However, like me back then, I doubt you understand how what it's going to be like.... If you think for a minute that being the son of the Commander will make your life aboard a ship any easier, you have it all wrong. In fact, I will make you work twice as hard as other cabin boys..."
Ollie grins. "So it is a yes then."
"Ye-, I mean no!" Louis takes a look at his son and sighs. "Well, it's complicated Ollie... I would love to see you take up the mantle and follow in my footsteps, but the circumstances of this make me want to refuse." He puts his arm around him. "When I joined, I wasn't thrown into a war like you would be if I agreed. My fatherly instincts are telling me no because I do not want to put you into such a situation..."
"I'll be fine, Papa! T-This was something i have wanted to do for a while..."
Louis puts his hand on his face. He is torn as a father because he always wanted Ollie to follow in his footsteps, but he also doesn't want to be in the situation that he personally is about to be in. He is just about to tell him that he cannot put him in this danger when a familiar divine voice seems to whisper into his ear: "Let your son join you, he will be safe." It's Lize.
"Very well, my son. I will grant you your wish... But as I said, I will work you twice as hard as the other boys and make you do even things they don't do!"
Ollie stands up rapidly, claps his heels, and gives him a salute. "I await your orders!"
Louis smiles at him, before standing up himself, returning the salute and replying. "You will return with me to your mother, and we will hope she does not kill us both for this!"
It took some time, but Louis managed to convince his wife to let the boy join. Ollie then is immediately sent aboard the Helesta with his belongings where he will be trained immediately as a cabin boy. Louis spends the rest of the time with his wife and daughters before bidding them farewell around 4 pm. Once this is finished, and the heartfelt goodbyes are said, he spends the next hour ensuring everything is now ready for his operation to begin before boarding the Helesta himself around 6pm. He is greeted by the sight of his son working hard and dutifully at his new post. He smiles, but truly wonders if he made the right decision as the Helesta casts off at 615 pm...