Date: 05-28-09
Poster: Brogan Frasier
Post # 1
The
Will
It was too nice a night to stay inside. With the Casino closed and all
settled for the night, Brogan took himself outside for a walk. He still
couldn't get over Blue not just placing but taking the win for his race
last evening. Still had him grinning every time he thought about it
which was often considering. Suit jacket was gone, vest left on over
the fancy dress shirt. Tie undone left to hang mostly from one side.
Dress pants and boots had not been bother to be changed out of either.
He was at the fountain, looking it over before dipping his hands into
the cool water then running them across the back of his neck. The
commons court seemed to have few about at the present time. The bottle
of potcheen he'd brought with him, rested along the wall of the
fountain.
David had been inside the Thistle but as it was growing late, and no one
was about, he told Alex good night and headed outside. Pausing for a
moment at the top of the steps, he took in the fresh air then smiled
before heading down Whistling softly, he headed for the commons
which he usually walked through when heading to the manor. He hadn't
started to consider it home as of yet. Dressed in a poet's shirt tucked
into black pants, along with riding boots, he didn't look much like a
barrister tonight.
Sounds of footsteps caught his attention and focus as he straightened,
turning as he did to spy his brother. "David! Where have you been
off to tonight?" Although duly noted he was coming from the tavern
and a good chance he has spent some of his time there. "How much of
the lands have you seen yet?"
"Mostly what's around my manor." He grinned as he joined
Brogan. "I was just wandering about a bit, needing to get away from
the work at the manor for a while I checked the stores, purchased
a few things, and decided to have a bit of dinner and see if anyone came
in tonight. Alas, that didn't happen." He chuckled. "How was
business tonight?"
"Wednesday night, not too bad. Not as crowded as some nights which
is a relief. We still bring in good money even during weeknights.
We keep our doors closed on the Sabbath and alter days so we get a
couple off." Answering the question first while he thought on the
other. "I could show you some of the various places. Hang out with
my brother and maybe even find a wee bit of trouble." Taking up a
seat along the fountain wall where he left his bottle of potcheen. It
was lifted and offered his way.
He laughed at the last and nodded. "A wee bit of trouble is always
good." He took a seat beside Brogan and accepted the bottle. After
taking a drink, he offered it back. "Concessa Quinn has agreed to
work for me. I told her she could start after the jousts that are going
on elsewhere. Seems she decided to enter."
"Pretty little lass," though he realized she was not short for
a lass. Just something about her made her seem petite. "Jousting?
Seems a number of ladies do in these realms. I can wonder how she did.
She seems to have a lot of energy, shy but not too shy obviously."
Which had him chuckling picturing the lass jousting. "Maybe she'll
unseat them with her smile?"
He nodded agreement about her being a pretty little thing. Oh yes,
he had noticed. "Wearing a visor and helmet?" He laughed
softly. "She still may be able to. She was worried about her
brothers not being happy about it."
"Well, if I had a sister and she wanted to joust, I'd be worried
too on her welfare. Though they seem to make sure they're padded good,
the idea for fun and not blood in our neighboring allied lands. I should
take you to visit some of these places as well. Most times, especially
the tavern north of here, makes you appreciate home."
"Really?" He laughed softly. "Well, maybe we should then
though on a night when you're not going to be needed at the casino I
presume? " He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his
knees and looked at Brogan. "You know, Father tried to get in touch
with you several times. And before he died, he showed me his Will. For
good reason." He smiled at Brogan. "He didn't want you to feel
he didn't love you, or care about you."
"I've got days and nights coming to me for when Charles took a
leave to England a couple of time. It wont be when I'm needed at the
Casino the next day," which certainly implied having a good night
out, no bars held as he clapped his brother on the shoulder. The bottle
returned to his hand was then lifted for a drink. Lowered away to the
wall in reach of them both as needed. Brows furrowed as the conversation
turned more serious. "I was out wandering on my own for many years.
I stayed with my mother until about sixteen then went off on my own as
she wanted to return to France. She wanted me to go with her, but France
was not home to me nor ever could be. The highlands of Scotland called
more to my soul though I didn't return to Scotland. I came here in a
round way of it." He lifted the bottle for another drink as there
was pain where his father was concerned. "For a while I hated him
for breaking away from Mother. But after a while, I understood. She was
very self centered and everything had to be her way, she wanted to
return to France, insisted he move there as well. Father could never
bear France for long. I found I could not either." Which had him
studying David, "are you implying he left me something in his
will?" That would come very unexpected. He didn't really think his
father cared about him but then his mother had held him away from his
father without his knowledge. Any letters were destroyed, never getting
to Brogan.
"He did. In fact, I helped him with the will. You are his eldest
son, Brogan. He left you his main estates, his goods, money." David
smiled reassuringly. "And he didn't forget me. I have
property, including the building where I practiced law, some personal
items he wanted me to have, and some money. He didn't want to cause
conflict between you and your mother so he avoided it by not insisting
on seeing you. And, I think he was afraid to find you."
"Afraid I was more like my mother than a Frasier?" Which had
him frowning. "For a while I seemed lost between two identities and
the outcome was not favorable at all. I became a typically French
womanizer until I got disgusted with myself. I took off to France for my
mother had passed and there was a Will to see to there. One that left me
what little she had in France, a good size estate that was her family's,
now mine but covet by a few others. I left it in good hands. Their means
of acquiring it would be to kill me and at the time I had not the means
to continually hold them at bay. Perhaps in time I will show it to you.
What is mine is yours, David. You are my only sibling." Which had
him pausing a moment. "You are sure?" It was not uncommon for
a virile man like their father to have fathered some bastards too.
Though he was the type to remain faithful if married.
"So far as I know." Admitting it easily. "He had some
affairs I think before he was married but... " He shrugged
slightly, "and no, not afraid you were like your mother, but that
you hated and despised him. He could handle many things but I don't
think he could have handled that. He loved your mother very much but,
well, he said she drove him away. That could be his point of view so I'm
not judging. I think he wished things had been different between them,
not so bitter so he could have seen you, but he knew they couldn't be
together."
"I never hated Da. I was given the impression, and I was young,
that he didn't want either of us. I think Ma was afraid she would lose
me to him so there were lies. I wish I had gotten to see him before he
died. Perhaps a trip back to Scotland to see to the matters and Will is
in order even if late. Would you wish to be coming with me?" He
wasn't sure what was in the Will and what was left, what he even
remembered from so many years ago. Ones that had been buried in lies,
time to dig out and find the truth.
"Aye, I will. He looked up at the sky as he spoke. "He wanted
what was best for you and your mother. And that seemed to be getting
away. I don't know why he took up with my mother, Brogan, and I won't
try to guess but she knew he still loved your mother, even if not in the
same way as he had. And that he loved you. I know he loved her too and
me. He was a good man but at times he could be stern. Mother
never said much in either case. Maybe there were regrets on her part
too. But that was in the past." He looked back and grinned.
"And you should see what you've inherited. You may wish to keep it
all."
"Oh, I will keep what my Father has left me but it doesn't mean I
can't share it with my only brother." Which David could have taken
if a dishonest man and none would be the wiser most likely. "My
mother died some time ago. Is your mother still living?"
"No. She lived long enough to see me go to law school though."
He grinned easily at Brogan. "And thank you. It means a lot that
you've accepted me as you have."
"Get yourself set up in your new home and your law firm as
Barrister. We can see to a good time to take the trip back to Scotland
and square matters away." He knew he'd have to sign papers, see to
any lands and estates. His father has continued to prosper after their
separation. "I hear our cousin Gavin, who has yet to make his way
here to these lands, is studying law. Perhaps if he does come to be with
his siblings, you'll have another in the firm. Attorneys Frasier and
Frasier..." grinning as he offered the bottle after taking another
pull of the potcheen.
He nodded, then looked thoughtful. "Frasier and Fraiser, hmm. I
think I could handle that. I haven't met Gavin yet so hopefully we get
along." He took the bottle, saluted Brogan and took another drink.
"Well, I think the rest of the family was hoping he would come this
way as well. Least to check it out and see if he likes it here. There is
little not to like, and too much to like unless you prefer hell on earth
places. I prefer only to visit such places very rarely. Only if
needed." Once David had lowered the bottle, he took it over to have
another drink. He was feeling good. "Are you staying at the manor
or still have your things at the Thistle?"
"I'm staying at the manor. There was furniture there still, all of
it in good and there are spare bedrooms, so you're always welcome to
come stay." He gave the bottle over without even teasing. "He
may come soon. I think classes should be finished up for the year."
"Well then, I can go back with you and in the morning help you out.
I cook a grand breakfast but don't let that get around. Get you up and
running in no time at all so we will have time to see to those other
matters." Rising from the fountain wall where he'd been seated as
he spoke, only to hesitate as he took a step away. "I am assuming
we need to go back to Scotland to square things away? Exactly what was
left to me?" Not really remembering if any details were given other
than the impression of one of the estates. David having gotten one as
well.
"The main estate, being the manor house where we were both born,
the lands with it, the horses and livestock. Two other farms he owed and
rented out." He frowned slightly as he tried to remember. "A
townhouse in Edinburgh. A warehouse and no, I can have the papers sent
here if you'd rather. I also have copies of them that I just found when
I unpacked them so you can look those over."
Brows were lifting, his father had done even better than he heard.
Information that had gotten to him through various grapevines. "No.
I want to pay some kind of homage. I know Da would want me to see the
place firsthand. Would you agree? I always thought he'd live long enough
that I would make it back to Scotland before he died." He gave a
gesture towards the street that would bring them to the stable. The
manor was a distance from the commons out along the cliffs and traveling
was better done, especially at night, by horseback.
"Aye, he did." Grinning as he stood, pleased with his
brother's reaction. He had been borrowing a horse from the stable until
he could meet with Rory McDonough so nodded as he started toward the
stable. "Da made some good investments in his later years. He
didn't want some of the lands to go to certain people who were
interested in buying them. I'll tell you more as we ride."
Which was a good plan to him as it was starting to rain. At least he
kept a slicker in his saddlebag for by the feel of it, the way the warm
moisture filled your lungs, it would be pouring soon enough. Steps
quickened as they were best on their way. "I hope you stocked up on
potcheen." A few more drinks of it will chase away any chill from
the dampness.
"Aye, one of the first things I did." He had been carrying an
oilskin cloak with him the last few days. The rain had caught him
unexpectedly once or twice. "And there's food there too, so you'll
be able to make breakfast." He grinned as he hurried inside.
-tbc- |
