A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 8 (Part 5)

     Oliver and Gregory followed the mayor as they climbed the stairs and marched through long corridors with numerous sharp turns. The air grew colder and damper as they went deeper into the maze-like structure of the building. Soon, they arrived at their destination; they stood before a pair of massive wooden doors with golden handles. Frederick slowly twisted the handle and pushed the doors open, revealing an impenetrable darkness beyond. Oliver and Gregory hesitated to enter as they peered into the abyss.

Gregory couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity. "What is this place?" he wondered aloud.

Frederick chuckled nervously. "Oh, pardon me for the inconvenience. I forgot to tell my servants to light up my home office," he said as he entered the dim room.

"Don't worry," Oliver told Frederick.

     Flicking his wrist, Oliver snapped his fingers, igniting every candle inside the office. The candles' wicks burst into life, casting a warm glow that revealed the details of the room. At the end of the room stood a broad wooden desk with neatly arranged sheets of paper.

     Large cabinets and shelves filled with documents and books lined the walls. The candlelights danced across the polished surfaces of every piece of furniture, casting a serene and inviting atmosphere over the room. The scent of old leather and paper flooded the air.

     Frederick quickly went to a cabinet on the office's left side, opened the bottom drawer, and took out a folded piece of paper. The paper was stiff and broader than a table. He then placed it on his desk and unfolded it, setting books on each side to prevent it from curling up again.

"The Podeshire lineage is one of the most heavily documented histories in all of Asbranne," Frederick explained as Oliver and Gregory stepped towards the desk.

"What is that?" Oliver asked politely, gazing at the extensive letterings written on the paper.

"Your family tree," Frederick replied.

"My... f-family tree?"

"Yes, take a look," Frederick said.

     Oliver stepped forward and stood between the mayor and Gregory. He glanced down at the document, and his eyes quickly scanned through the text until he found his name and those of his biological family members. Then, he glanced up to the top of the paper, where the names of the first Podeshires were listed.

Oliver's eyes widened. "Anderson...?" Oliver read the name on the document.

Frederick nodded. "Yes, Anderson Podeshire. He was married to a woman named Osana," he informed.

"Os... Osana...?"

"Osana... she was no ordinary human..." Frederick said. "...She was a kean from Geveria."

"...What's a kean...?" Oliver inquired.

"Keans... they are known for their magical abilities. They can manipulate and summon elements, and Osana was one of them. Anderson and Osana's relationship was considered immoral by the Geverians, but they beat the odds and had a child named John," said Frederick.

Oliver's eyes widened even further. "John Podeshire? The one with the portrait in the City Hall?" Oliver tilted his head.

"Yes. John is the first-ever Podeshire to have elemental powers," Frederick glanced at Oliver. "And he inherited them from his mother, Osana."