Chapter one 2020
Head director of the Ancient histories department of the natural museum of Canterbyr stood on the steps of the old museum awaiting her class of the day. Faded brown locks of hair cascaded down her shoulders, a strand getting stuck in her glasses as she moved it away. Today Jane could feel a chill in the autumn air, one that signaled change. A horn sounded causing Jane to smile as the University of Canterbyr charter bus turned into the museum drive. It was a rare treat for Jane to be the teacher for a day, even more so for the University of Canterbyr to allow her to be the chosen instructor for the fall and spring semester. Jane's smile widened when she saw the bus driver as he opened the door. He was near sixty with balding gray hair, yet he was fitter than most men his age as years of service called for a routine to be kept. Jarvis wore the red dragon emblem on his coat symbolizing the school's history.
"Jarvis, I thought you were going to retire." Jane exclaimed joyfully seeing her mentor and friend.
"Ay lass I felt the call to stay till the end of this school year. I brought four recruits today."
"Thank you Jarvis, it's been years since the university sent anyone to me. I feared for a while that perhaps the young minds of today saw the need to forget their history."
Jarvis motioned at the four students to make their way from the back of the charter bus. Jane internally wanted to scream as one of the females looked almost identical to her recent find of the lady in the Red Hood. If she believed in fate Jane would have been more cautious down the road. As it was she found the similarities far too astonishing. Needless to say she was ecstatic as she took in the rest of the group.
"This Red headed lass with the blue t-shirt and brown shorts is Miss Alva Boon. She is top of her class and in her last year at UC." Oh yes this is more than just a chance. Though she does favor the other woman in this group it's faint but they could pass as sisters .
Jarvis then motioned at the other female, this lady shared small similarities with Alva , high cheekbones and regal stance. The difference was this woman knew how to use it to her advantage. Lucius dark black locks of raven hair adorned in gold beads and blue jaded earrings that made the women's green eyes shine unearthly. The fine blue dress and gold necklace helped the woman stand out. At once Jane knew this young woman eerily resembles another key person in their topic to come. She was a proud woman that Jane could tell straight away with a rare beauty to her. Jarvis for his credit only seemed to smile wider.
"This lovely lass is Andrea Sellers ." Lastly Jarvis motioned to the last two students, both of which were males. Jane inwardly cringed at the woman's name, it felt off to Jane. She seemed more like a noble woman than some college student from the masses. Thought to her credit almost as if the young woman could read her thoughts, Andrea seemed to look into Jane's eyes questionably almost as if she was daring her to say otherwise . Jane recognized the look that seemed to alight those emerald green orbs of hers, challenging her to call her out and deal with the consequences of the scandal that would follow. A cough sound and Jarvis motioned to the males of the group breaking the silent awkwardness.
"These are Jacob Dunn and Harry O'Quinn, mind you they are not related. I made that mistake in assuming as much when these two first started at UC." Jane gave a knowing glance at Jarvis. This was not a random selection that was picked for her subject matter that had been planned. Only a select few knew the importance of her recent discoveries .She was excited to share with the chosen class as they would complete their on the job training and graduate with if they were lucky with the most important discoveries since that of the discovery of the First King back in 2015. She knew the impact such discovery would have for their careers once they were free of the university. As such Jane had requested only the most promising four to accompany their digging season. Some knew that due to the sensitive nature of their recent findings perhaps it was not bad if whom she thought had a hand in selecting these four bright minds was behind this. Only time would tell. Jane mused.
"First of all, welcome to Canterbyr Museum. I will be your instructor for this fall semester. My name is Professor Jane or Miss Jane if you prefer . You will stay at Ulyassa Abbey over there to my right adjacent from the Museum here. All of your belongings can be left in the charter bus as the staff will come to collect and place your things in your rooms. Class will begin after breakfast in the fields. You will need to dress accordingly as we shall be hands on for the first few weeks only using the labs to test findings on those rare occasions. Today I will familiarize you with the museum halls and the Abbey estate so that for the next twelve months of your stay with us you all shall at least have a bit of knowledge beforehand." Jane paused before continuing gathering her things as she motioned for the students to follow her.
" The abbey itself was originally the central grounds of the kingdom it is named for. The museum was once the cathedral with slight modification and skilled mason workers were able to move it from its original post by the cliffs. That in the least was a nightmare. It took eighty-two years as the process was started by the late earl Lord Thomas and duchess Nichol." Pride laced Jane's tone as she recalled her father and mothers hard work as they tried to preserve the family estate. So much sacrifice had occurred to keep the Estate alive and safe from the mighty jaws of Time. Each member of their high society had a story to tell with these hallowed grounds now Jane found herself the last of a great generation doing what she could to help preserve her family legacy.
"The relocation was done to save it from the weathering cliffside that later fell into the ocean below. After the second world war we had to add rooms to it and later it was turned into what we have today." Jane had to give it to them. At least this group seemed genuine about their passion to learn. Though some showed it far less than their peers. It was an uplifting sight to see in her forty- six years living on the estate of her ancestral home.
An alarm sounded followed by shouts in the Museum switching Jane's attention from the college group to her lifeblood's work. "Professor Jane, you are needed to Dr. Oswald's chambers code R.E.D."
Jane gave Jarvis a look that said you know their drill, while muttering apologies at the group before running to her partner.
The four students looked at each other with mixed emotions on their faces. Each however was curious as to why their professor left in such a haste. Jarvis gave a toothy grin as he escorted his four charges to Abby. His gaze never left the proud gothic feature that was the museum. Its broad, unnerving impenetrable stone gaze held the old kingdom together in more ways in one. To Jarvis this was not just some museum , or old kingdom seat of power, it was her proud, yet dark history that none could replicate. His family history was darker, holding secrets still, some of which needed to stay hidden in the past. He had a mission as well, one that he hoped Miss Jane would forgive him for keeping. If they were unable to bury it, He knew that devastation and chaos could come to light, The order had declared both governments unable to comprehend the truth. They failed to protect what mattered most in 1995 and again in 2015. Their order had little standings left but the ones they held were formidable , as such Jarvis found himself at their call once more. He just hoped that this time they could protect both nations. Sometimes the truth was harder for people to accept. A truth like this would spell disaster for far too many lives to be accepted.
***
Princess Alexandra sighed as her cover still remained intact . She cursed her Uncle and mother for making her come to this university, then making her go under a false name. When her father was assassinated in 2015 she was forced to go to public school to stay hidden. No one would think to look for a royal in plain sight, especially one the public wasn't fully aware of. She had two identities; her real one was so highly classified only a select few had the clearance to know. Being the last born had its benefits, though it made no sense. True, the public knew very little about the youngest Child of King Sombra and Queen Vivanna Of Germanna. Most only cared about the missing Princess to even attempt to question the youngest royal. There were few that actually cared enough to try and befriend her, none came a fraction close. Not even the annoyingly outgoing and overly friendly Alva, who was followed around like a lost puppy Jacob Dunn and over-protective Harry O'Quinn.
Hector Germanna Her father and Mothers royal adviser and Uncle had seen to ensure none knew of her royal bloodline, only her inner family. They claimed it was to keep her safe. One princess had already been kidnapped at the young age of four years old, while she was with the royal Nanny at the time.
Princess Alex knew that even if that had meant well to shield her from the public long ago, it still made her feel as if her life was meaningless. Knowing you were only a pawn to a modern day court filled with multiple attempts at your life or path you should take meant Alex had little say in regards to her fate .Duty would always come before her personal happiness even if she was just the spare to the heir until such time her brother had children.
At times Alex wished she could be free from the unwanted bonds she was born into. Even more so when she had no one other than her oldest brother Daron, even if they could only talk through text messages and letters thanks to his station in the royal court. He was the only person who understood her pain and frustration. He was old enough to remember their missing sister. Her loss hit Daron hard as he was the twin brother of the lost princess. Alex knew that was why he tried to give her as much freedom as he could, knowing how sheltered both had been, none so much as her. Yet his influence over her life was shrinking. It had been five years ago now, since she had seen her brother in person.
Five years later she was forced to go to college to maintain some form of education and ability to stand next to her brother as an advisor when her uncle retired. It had only become recent that the crown called upon her to complete a stealth mission regarding the historical community. A mission that was given to her based on its less than appealing credible sources. It was in her opinion that the only reason she was tasked with it was due to their ancient and powerful history in Germanna's government. Thus Alex was here with a task at hand. Find out what their rival kingdom had that could shake the foundations of both governments so badly that the royal family would believe anything from the ancient clan of the Men of the Woods. They were not thugs by any means. Even Alex had to begrudgingly give the pagan like group that. The Men of the Woods were the last of the natives that still practiced the old transitions of Germanna. They hardly ever came from their ancestral lands to the court or even to the towns. Thus why she was given the mission. In their long history she could recall only four other times the royal records showing their clan name mentioned each was brought with War, Famine, Death of some sort to the entire kingdom. Steeling herself with firm resolve Princess Alexaderia inhaled a deep breath as she stared at the notebook in her suitcase . Her mission was simple: find out what this so-called internship recently discovered and report back to her uncle if she found anything that could squash their centuries old feud with their rivals in the kingdoms of Ulyassa. Londinium and Canterbyr.
With that aside she held another more personal matter to also solve. One she had been on since she turned fifteen that held so far less than stellar results. She was determined to find her lost sister. Leads had led her to this University prior to her being told to come, sadly so far she had no leads to where her sister could be. Two of her contacts had been reported dead and only sporadic communication came from a latter source; this one was less cryptic yet still it was annoying to just wait. The royal Family had officially given up hope for the older daughters' return on what would have been her seventh birthday. whereas Alexandra had not. Just then Alva came into their shared room. Alexandria Green's calculating eyes silently watched as the older woman recklessly tossed her case on the floor by her bed, almost knocking over a priceless vase with a strange metallic design. Then proceeded to flop down like a teenager onto the inviting mattress. Alexandria found the older woman's free nature disturbing for some reason. For that reason alone Alex tried her best to not let the older woman get under her skin even though she seemed a lot like her brother able to do the exact thing Alex tried to prevent. Alva intrigued and confused the Princess too much, even if she never voiced such complaints in the past. Yet for once Alexandria couldn't help herself as she turned her full attention away from unpacking.
"You could have broken something just by throwing your case like that." Alva sat halfway up for a moment, her red hair covered her fair face in a mess of curls, before she moved it. Green intelligent eyes challenged Blue orbs that seemed more haunted than Princess Alexandria had imagined them to be. Apparently Alva thought speaking out against Alex's complaint wasn't worth her time, so she got off her bed barefoot before making her way to the men's room. No doubt that she was off to find her boyfriend? Or whatever they were at this time. Princess Alexaderia found the small window of opportunity to finish unpacking and start her research. After all, her source had led her to this particular path. He'd never steered her wrong before leaving little doubt for the Princess of Germanna that her source would start now.
**
Jane hurriedly scrambled into Dr. Oswald's chambers. nearly panting from the long run. At first glance the place was a mess. Papers scattered all over the normally tidy office. Yet the extent of the damage didn't merely stop with papers littering the officer floor. However they had intentionally broken one of the backdoor windows that normally only staff would know of as it stayed hidden behind at 1700s Europeans battle tapestry. Which laid dramatically on the ground not proudly at its normal place. Dr. Oswald stood by a broken cabinet door, a forlorn expression on his normally stoic face, giving him an aged look, instead of someone well kept in their early forties. Brown locks of hair barely fell over his eyes as he held head in his hands. Gracelynn the Museum's rare blue Macaw flew chaotic in circles over the shattered relics that were once on Dr. Oswald's desk.
"Red is the color of my lady fair...
Swore to secrecy we must all take care...
Hail the hood of the knightly band…
Fear the ones who hide in Red…
For all whom wear her crimson red…
Serve the Red Hoods WILD Clan…
We are her wolves that stalk the night
When you hear the wolves cry just remember that we tried"
"What happened here!" Jane cried as she ran to her partner's side only to be in a trance as she heard Gracelynn voice sing the same song over and over again. "What is Gracelynn singing?" Jane asked as she bent down to help pick up papers. At first the Doctor didn't respond, then he bent down to pick up what appeared to be an old arrow with a red father attached, along with a note sealed in fine wax with the letters RH embedded on the seal. Jane tentatively accepted the letter, not sure what she was supposed to be looking at. Finally after what seemed ages the Doctor no longer looked defeated as he looked hard into Jane's eyes.
"I am afraid we have lost the jewel of our recent discovery this foul morning." Jane held her breath fearing his next words. "Eliza came into the office once she heard the shattering of glass. She claims a figure in a red medieval looking hooded jacket broke the door and found the hidden entrance to the catacombs. I am afraid they stole our most hidden treasure."
"No don't tell me---"
"Yes, they stole the necklace along with the diary of Princess Alva Lokison-Germanna and Ulysses the first."
"Shirly the security cameras under the catacombs cough-"
"It was either an inside job , or someone who has come to work for us over the years. However there is a silver lining to this. We are certain the thief has not left the area. Mr. Hopkins, our security guard, has reported that there was an altercation with an individual in the hood . A guest saw the man running madly and attempted to stop the thief in turn. Ultimately that helped our culprit drop the diary, Yet I'm afraid he is still in the area with the rare necklace."
Jane nodded slowly as she took in her partner's words. The information was odd and disappointing. It had taken their team nearly four years to find that necklace and they were supposed to send their findings to the prime minister to deliver it to their royal historian for authentication due to the royal nature of the find to review. Now that seemed like a moot event without the prized artifact.
"What is with this letter then? Surely it isn't his calling card?" Jane questioned, perplexed and touched at the almost medieval gesture.
"I was waiting for you to get here before we broke the seal. Plus it makes me wonder why the culprit used a medieval sealing wax and if there may be any clues the police department can scoop for." With that Jane sat on the other side of the table pulling a seat up as she slowly opened the letter and read it out loud.
"Dear Lady Lokison and Mr. Oswald, we have been watching your development and research closely. While amused at first we are no longer. Your plans to disrupt the past by wishing to unveil your finds to the Prime minister of Ulyassa and Canterbyr. This is against our oath to allow. There are reasons that some things in our past must stay hidden. If you continue to dig we will meet the challenge.
"Red is the color of my lady fair...
Swore to secrecy we must all take care...
Hail the hood of the knightly band…
Fear the ones who wear her seal
They ride with wolves in the night…
For they are a part of our dear Ladies fight"
-Red Hood Clan
"Red Hood Clan?" Dr. Oswald repeated before nearly falling from his chair as he leapt up from it like a gazelle on the run. Jane watched amused at the man's antics as he scanned his library before he picked up a journal. Jane recognized it as an amused look began to play on her fair face. The doctor could have chosen any of the historical books yet he chose to pull an ancient folklore book of fairy tales. Blowing the dust from the finely aged leather he proceeded to slip through the pages till finally he found what he was looking for.
"Ah HA!!!" shout the doctor as he slammed the journal down on the desk.
"Aha?" Jane asked, confused with a faint smile and blush on her face. Thankfully the Doctor seemed to not notice.
"Let's hold off for now on the cops."
"Do what!"
"I mean my dear Lady is that we have a golden opportunity here to catch and possibly interview them. If we can do that it would strengthen our thesis!"
" Thesis bloody hell! On Who?"
"Why my dear on the legacy of Robin Hood and his Lady in Red. Red Riding hood's Clan. I thought they were a fairytale until your last two finds. However it seems to me that we just may have made a major lead on things." Jane contemplated calling a shrink for the Doctor until he showed her the Journal. Still it felt not all right to allow the thief to be unhandled or looked for by the police. Especially if they were going on some hunch based on ancient folklore.
"Still they have threatened us. How are we to even know this wasn't some ruse to your interest to make you want to back off."
"Tell you my Lady if they strike again then we can call the cops,for now let us handle this in house. In the meantime, take care of your students and only tell them the bare minimum they should ask. We can move from there tomorrow after we get back from the dig site. Why I will even meet you in the fields tomorrow you were going to take them on an excavation tomorrow morning weren't you?
Jane nodded, not trusting her words in his excitable mood. Jane thought, sometimes the man could seem bipolar.
"Good to see you tomorrow Lady Jane!" With that Dr. Oswald gave her a peck at the check before he ran out of the room, it was then that Jane realized he wasn't going to be cleaning up the mess. With a groan she started tidying up his office.