We followed the man from the carriage up a flight of mahogany stained stairs and down a long hallway. The man stopped at an open doorway and motioned us inside. He then turned and proceeded down the hall several feet and sat in a chair situated in an alcove off of the main hallway. He was giving me space and my respect for him grew.
I stepped into the room followed by Zarsha, who stayed close to me. The room was well lit and had enough books in it to be classified as a library, even though it appeared to be a bedroom. Books were everywhere.
A large desk dominating the center of the room caught my attention as did the man behind it. The desk was an exact replica to the one in my grandfathers' study! I relaxed inside a little at the sight of it. We must be in the right place.
The man stood and walked around the desk and approached me. His distinguished features where enigmatic as he asked, "Have you seen such a desk before? If so I would be most interested in its whereabouts as that I might purchase it?"
"Its owner would not part with it I'm afraid, but he would perhaps part with a book."
I reached into a large pocket of my cloak and drew out the book Thaddeus had given me and handed it to the man. He took the book with eagerness and opened it to the table of contents.
What he saw there I do not know, but as he read he would flip to random pages throughout the book and then return to the table of contents. Finally he closed the book and laid it on the shelf behind the desk. He reached out a hand towards me and I took it with my own already liking the man somehow.
"It is good to shake hands once again with one of my own blood."
At my puzzled look he smiled, "Your great grandfather was somewhat of a ladies' man even late into life, of which I am living proof of. You see Roric I am your great uncle and the younger illegitimate, as it were, half brother of your grandfather. It is good to see that our blood line has not perished after all. Roric you are a man of surprises. The greatest of which is this enchanting young lady, who stands so gracefully before me?"
He leaned down and looked into Zarsha's eyes kindly and reached out a hand. "Tell me dear lady, of whom do I have the honor of meeting?"
Zarsha looked up at me and I nodded back at her. She looked at the man and said, "Zarsha."