Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

What's Her Name?

The entrance hall alone was completely otherworldly compared to the lifestyle I myself was accustomed to. A long, open foyer with spectacularly large marble columns dotting it. Beneath us, a chequered marble floor, blue-grey tiles alternating with white. A marble quite clearly sourced from a different place than the columns, which were mostly cream with blue-grey veins.

... A clearly different source, an entirely different variety of marble, perhaps even originating half a continent away.

And yet ...

A perfect match to the tile; a flawlessly designed compliment.

In other words ...

... This isn't simply wealth;

This is wealth beyond all measure.

Radiating out in regular intervals around the foyer were large, airy passageways leading to the main arteries, the three main wings of the home.

As the bottoms of my trainers squeaked against the perfectly polished floor, Evan's hand fell reluctantly away off the small of my back. Turning to face one another, he nodded and then began pointing, "Right. So first things first. That wing there and that one there, I've sealed them both off entirely. If you're really curious, of course I'd be happy to show them to you. But for now, let's just consider them extraneous. That one there leads to the indoor conservatories as well as the housing accommodations for the help. And that one there houses all the main social areas. You know, large ballrooms, reception rooms, etc."

"... Right."

Excuse me?!

Cheeks suddenly reddening self consciously, Evan turned his attention from me towards the grand staircase behind Reggie, "That ... that leads upstairs to the second floor, the family residences. We'll get there eventually. But if you'll come this way first..." 

Gesturing, he began guiding us down the third corridor, a large, long hall that led towards the back of the manor, "I keep this area open. There are more than a few rooms here we like to use."

Continuing along in silence, we stopped at the first set of double doors we came to. Doors carved from a rich buttery mahogany coloured wood, which Reggie now pushed open for us, "Right. So here we have the grand library. This is one of two that Evan keeps open for us. But we like this one best, it's central and roomy."

Roomy?!

... You don't say.

It was the sort of library a reader dreams of. All along the length of the walls the entire room was lined with black walnut bookcases, each hand carved and decorated with various motifs. Closer inspection would reveal each bookcase had its own special theme of wooden carvings; where one showed painstakingly detailed reproductions of magical plants, another showcased magical insects. And on yet another, silhouette portraits of important members of the Rosier family. On and on and on, all the way around the room. 

Above each bookcase, a whole second row of bookcases, just as large. These accessed via an ornately hand carved wooden rolling ladder affixed to the walls. And above it all, a huge vaulted ceiling, the entirety of which was charmed to show an exquisite depiction of an epic ancient wizarding battle. Stepping forward and tossing my head back, I began to study the swirling figures as they drifted slowly back and forth in what looked to be an eternal struggle, "... So what's happening here?"

"Ah. Just the family origin story. Your typical ancient wizarding battle. Early first century. Back when France was still Roman Gaul." 

Following my gaze, Evan pointed towards the very centre of the mural, "There. Caturix. Chieftain of a Gallican tribe and my family's founder. Apparently quite a force to be reckoned with. This depicts his crowning achievement in life, winning a decisive battle on behalf of a much more powerful Roman wizard. For his toils, his unflappable loyalty, and his unprecedented bloodshed, he was granted quite a fortune in land and title. And so ... from Caturix, everything."