|
Don Ferdinand Garcia Montoya, Castille swordsman
We were a bit worried when we first heard that Ferdinand Montoya was staying at the same inn, as we thought it was going to be Carlos' brother, but no, this Ferdinand is a distant relation, and a much nicer fellow too! B.
My name is Ferdinand Garcia Montoya. Born of Dulcie and Jose Montoya, I was their third child (after Roderigo, my elder brother, whom I adored, and my sister Gabriela, whom I worshipped).
My parents were of the Saldone family, with our main domicile being in the midst of La Selva de Fendes. Our main produce was wine - with much of our land being covered in vineyards.
My life was pretty normal for a Castillian youth of noble birth until, at the age of 15, the Montaigne invasion began. I was away at one of the remote villages, checking rumours of bandits, when a runner appeared with news that our home was under attack.
I sped back as fast as I could, but arrived only in time to see a man dressed as a Montaigne officer, standing over the body of my beloved sister. He and his men were laughing about something, though I did not catch what it was about. He looked up with a twisted smile as I rode towards him, and leapt off my horse.
"Another one? This one looks too small to worry about. I think we'll just throw him back until he grows up a bit - what do you think men?"
As they laughed, I glanced around, and saw Roderigo's body nearby, with a large sword wound through his heart. At once I was overwhelmed with rage.
"I am Ferdinand Garcia Montoya. For the honour of my sister, whose life you have despoiled, and my brother whom you have slain, I challenge you to a duel to the death."
"A feisty one! Maybe I shall have some fun before we return. I accept your challenge", he replied. "You may call me Captain Talbot - at least for the short time you have left".
One of his men laughed at this, and then said "Make it quick Rene - we don't want to be too long - the others may miss us!"
We squared off and commenced our duel. I was quickly apparent that as a young boy of 15, I was no match to an experience swordsman. He played with me for a short time, leaving swallow cuts on my upper arms and chest, before lunging towards me with a killing blow.
I do not know what it was that saved me, but I came to after dark that night, covered in blood and very weak. If it had not been for the arrival of Father Xavier with the men from the outlying villages, I'm sure I would not have survived. He took me to the home of Doña Jacinta Mondragon, a close neighbour of ours, where I was nursed back to health.
I am ashamed to admit that initially I was a terrible patient. I would have preferred to have been left to die, especially once I was told that both my parents had also been slain by the butchers, and that I was only surviving member of my immediate family.
It was Doña Jacinta that turned me from self-destruction.
"Dear boy, you are not the only one mortally wounded by this. Many other families have been destroyed by the Montaigne's. You can let yourself go, and add another family to the multitude that have gone before you, or you can help me take vengeance on these rapists of our lands".
She perked my curiosity with this statement. Over several days, it became clear what it was she wanted me to do. As a late grower, I could still pass as a young child if not examined too carefully. She wanted me to infiltrate the lands taken away, and gather information on what the Montaigne army was doing, and what they planned to do. Sabotage of their efforts was also planned, where it would not endanger the information I was to gather. I could already speak Montaigne (as one of my tutors was Montaigne) and could read and write it as well. The final argument that swayed me was that it would allow me to track down the Captain Rene Talbot and his men that slew my family.
Over the next few years, I spent much of my time roving the countryside of occupied Castille - initially in the disguise of a beggar child, and then later as a traveling doctor, merchant (of wines, naturally) or an actor. I passed many reports back to Doña Jacinta. I do not know what she did with them, but I had my suspicions that they were passed back to someone close to the King.
I was given a secret commision as a Lieutenant of his Majesties forces, but only Doña Jacinta and a handful of others knew of it.
I would have considered myself to a successful spy, and occasional assassin, but for the fact that I was totally unable to track down Captain Rene Talbot and his men.
After the Montaigne revolution, and the death of L'Empereur, Doña Jacinta released me from active service, so I could continue the hunt. She reserved the right to bring me back into service if need arises, and with all I owe her, I could but agree.
I have since been to Charouse, to check the army records (it was amazingly easy to get in). The records were not complete, but still I could not find any reference to a Captain Rene Talbot. I suspect he gave a false name, for some reason of his own.
The hunt continues...
|
