Chapter 2: In which Janneia, older and wiser, replies to an unusual advertisement.
Janneia often read the Personal Advertisements in the back of the Barin Chronicle. It had taken her several weeks but she had started to understand the Code used by People looking for Romantic assignations. Her father disapproved of her Hobby, which of course made it all the more entertaining.
“I don’t understand this one,” she announced one day at breakfast.
“What does it say?”
“Adventurers required for an Expedition of Exploration.”
“Perhaps it is someone looking for Gentlemen Explorers,” her Father replied.
“Why only Gentlemen?”
“Certainly no Lady would ever attempt to join such a Voyage.”
“Whyever not?”
“She would be cooped up with Men. There would be no Privacy for her Ablutions. And it would be Dangerous. Explorers always travel to Unknown Places, Populated with Savages and Cannibals. Certainly not suitable for a Young Lady.”
Janneia was intrigued and so partly to spite her Father and without his Knowledge, she wrote a letter in reply enquiring as to the Nature of the Expedition.
Dear Sir,
I am enquiring as to the nature of your forthcoming expedition and would be interested in receiving further information. Namely, to which country are you planning to travel and are there any requirements as to who can partake in your expedition?
I for one would be most interested in joining such a venture, though I am not sure that I fulfil all the requirements you may seek.
Yours faithfully, Janneia Schmitt
She did not expect a Reply, therefore it was a Great Surprise when Two Weeks later a reply was received in the Morning Mail.
Dear Janneia,
We have no preconceptions as to the members of our party, though we do insist that all associates are financially independent and can pay for their own accoutrements, clothes and so forth. In addition we would require some members with medical knowledge and knowledge of languages as we are planning to travel beyond the limits of civilisation. We intend to travel beyond The Great Desert. I cannot give out any further information, though I must express my surprise at receiving a reply from a young Lady.
Yours faithfully, Bern Morhave
Janneia corresponded with Bern Morhave over the ensuing weeks and while there was no ban on Ladies Joining the Expedition, as it had never been considered. If Janneia when visiting Barin wouldn’t mind visiting, they could discuss things further.
Despite still living with Her Father, Janneia had just gained the age of majority[1] and could therefore travel and meet with whom she liked. So it was five weeks after first noticing the Advertisement, she announced that she would be travelling to Barin.
Bern Morhave lived in one of the Narrow Streets that Branched off the Malin Road. Number 15B, Janneia read from her Letter.
She approached the black Door and knocked. Two minutes later she could hear some shuffling and then the Door opened to reveal a Man only a little older than she was.
“I am Janneia,” she said. “I do believe you have been expecting me.”
“And my name is Bern,” he replied staring. “Sorry I was expecting someone a bit older.”
“As was I.”
“Do come in. I have just made a pot of Tea.”
Bern indicated to the room on the left and Janneia walked into a Library.
“Please take a seat,” Bern said. “I shall return forthwith.”
Three minutes later Bern was pouring two cups of tea. “Now I have many questions for you.”
“As do I have for you,” Janneia replied.
“Then you go first, because if I cannot satisfy your enquiries, mine will become moot.”
“I am interested why you think you can traverse The Great Desert when so many have tried previously and failed,” she asked.
“Because I have knowledge.”
“And the nature of this knowledge?”
“Ah I would rather not say at the moment. Security and all that.”
“And why are you allowing a Young Lady to join you on your Adventures?” she asked.
“Because there is no good Reason to Forbid it. If a Young Lady understands the Risks and Dangers inherent in such an undertaking, then who am I to say she could not partake. When I placed my advertisement I made a promise to myself not to disallow any from taking part except for the most extreme reasons.”
“And have you had many offers?”
“Apart from yours, I have had five offers of interest. Three from ex-soldiers looking for Fame and Fortune. We would have need of their skills. Then one from a Doctor interested in researching exotic diseases and finally the fifth person is a Gentlemen like myself.”
“And have you informed them that you are accepting Ladies on your trip?”
“I have not, none of the others have met each other. More Tea?”
“Yes please,” Janneia replied. If nothing else came of the afternoon, then she would have had a pleasant cup of Tea.
“None of my respondents know of each other’s Identity. Now can I ask you some questions?”
“You may.”
“Are you seriously interested in coming on such a Dangerous Voyage?”
“I am.”
“And what can you bring to the Party[2]?”
“I have received what many consider to be an exceptional Education for one such as I. I am fluent in three languages and I can use a Rifle.”
“Now I am intrigued, how come you are so fortunate?”
“My aunt. Perhaps you have heard of her. Madelera Jan Liorin, she provided my family with an Endowment. One of the Conditions was that I was to receive the best education a Woman could receive. I have had a series of Governesses of varying nationalities and of varying abilities.”
“I have heard of your aunt.”
“And do you approve?”
“I do not disapprove, to be honest I found her exploits, how can I say this without appearing rude, Entertaining. That’s the word, she was entertaining and the world is a poorer place without her.”
“And it is from my Aunt that I have received my Inheritance that is legally mine until I decide to marry.”
“Then I hope you will marry someone who will let you spend you Inheritance as you will,” Bern replied. “Now are the stories of how your Aunt earnt her money true?”
“I do not know what you mean?”
“No I suppose it was rude of me to enquire. Will you accept my apologies and we will speak no more of it.”
“I accept your apology,” Janneia said. Her aunt’s infamy was as much of a curse as her wealth had been a blessing. “I have had men call her a whore[3] to my face.”
“Then I would assume that those men are not Gentlemen. And why do you wish to travel to The Great Desert,” Bern asked coming to the crux of the matter.
“Because I believe I once met someone from beyond the Great Desert.”
“Now I am intrigued, what made you think that he came from beyond the Desert?”
“I shall tell you when you tell me the Nature of your Knowledge.”
Bern laughed. “I look forward to hearing your Explanation. And so are you still interested in coming on our Expedition?”
“I am,” Janneia replied after a moment’s thought. “I have heard nothing to dissuade me, though I reserve the right to withdraw if I decided that you have no knowledge on how to reach the other Side.”
“I assure you. You shall not be disappointed,” Bern replied smiling.
[1] We believe this to be twenty. This is the age when parents in Haré are no longer legally responsible for their children. Though, as in most societies, there are a series of ages when children gain more and more responsibility.
[2] The term party may seem unusual here, but we believe it is meant as an alternative to the term expedition and not as we would use it.
[3] We know this word was not in the first editions; it was only after Cheryil’s success was she able to have it reinstated.
“I don’t understand this one,” she announced one day at breakfast.
“What does it say?”
“Adventurers required for an Expedition of Exploration.”
“Perhaps it is someone looking for Gentlemen Explorers,” her Father replied.
“Why only Gentlemen?”
“Certainly no Lady would ever attempt to join such a Voyage.”
“Whyever not?”
“She would be cooped up with Men. There would be no Privacy for her Ablutions. And it would be Dangerous. Explorers always travel to Unknown Places, Populated with Savages and Cannibals. Certainly not suitable for a Young Lady.”
Janneia was intrigued and so partly to spite her Father and without his Knowledge, she wrote a letter in reply enquiring as to the Nature of the Expedition.
Dear Sir,
I am enquiring as to the nature of your forthcoming expedition and would be interested in receiving further information. Namely, to which country are you planning to travel and are there any requirements as to who can partake in your expedition?
I for one would be most interested in joining such a venture, though I am not sure that I fulfil all the requirements you may seek.
Yours faithfully, Janneia Schmitt
She did not expect a Reply, therefore it was a Great Surprise when Two Weeks later a reply was received in the Morning Mail.
Dear Janneia,
We have no preconceptions as to the members of our party, though we do insist that all associates are financially independent and can pay for their own accoutrements, clothes and so forth. In addition we would require some members with medical knowledge and knowledge of languages as we are planning to travel beyond the limits of civilisation. We intend to travel beyond The Great Desert. I cannot give out any further information, though I must express my surprise at receiving a reply from a young Lady.
Yours faithfully, Bern Morhave
Janneia corresponded with Bern Morhave over the ensuing weeks and while there was no ban on Ladies Joining the Expedition, as it had never been considered. If Janneia when visiting Barin wouldn’t mind visiting, they could discuss things further.
Despite still living with Her Father, Janneia had just gained the age of majority[1] and could therefore travel and meet with whom she liked. So it was five weeks after first noticing the Advertisement, she announced that she would be travelling to Barin.
Bern Morhave lived in one of the Narrow Streets that Branched off the Malin Road. Number 15B, Janneia read from her Letter.
She approached the black Door and knocked. Two minutes later she could hear some shuffling and then the Door opened to reveal a Man only a little older than she was.
“I am Janneia,” she said. “I do believe you have been expecting me.”
“And my name is Bern,” he replied staring. “Sorry I was expecting someone a bit older.”
“As was I.”
“Do come in. I have just made a pot of Tea.”
Bern indicated to the room on the left and Janneia walked into a Library.
“Please take a seat,” Bern said. “I shall return forthwith.”
Three minutes later Bern was pouring two cups of tea. “Now I have many questions for you.”
“As do I have for you,” Janneia replied.
“Then you go first, because if I cannot satisfy your enquiries, mine will become moot.”
“I am interested why you think you can traverse The Great Desert when so many have tried previously and failed,” she asked.
“Because I have knowledge.”
“And the nature of this knowledge?”
“Ah I would rather not say at the moment. Security and all that.”
“And why are you allowing a Young Lady to join you on your Adventures?” she asked.
“Because there is no good Reason to Forbid it. If a Young Lady understands the Risks and Dangers inherent in such an undertaking, then who am I to say she could not partake. When I placed my advertisement I made a promise to myself not to disallow any from taking part except for the most extreme reasons.”
“And have you had many offers?”
“Apart from yours, I have had five offers of interest. Three from ex-soldiers looking for Fame and Fortune. We would have need of their skills. Then one from a Doctor interested in researching exotic diseases and finally the fifth person is a Gentlemen like myself.”
“And have you informed them that you are accepting Ladies on your trip?”
“I have not, none of the others have met each other. More Tea?”
“Yes please,” Janneia replied. If nothing else came of the afternoon, then she would have had a pleasant cup of Tea.
“None of my respondents know of each other’s Identity. Now can I ask you some questions?”
“You may.”
“Are you seriously interested in coming on such a Dangerous Voyage?”
“I am.”
“And what can you bring to the Party[2]?”
“I have received what many consider to be an exceptional Education for one such as I. I am fluent in three languages and I can use a Rifle.”
“Now I am intrigued, how come you are so fortunate?”
“My aunt. Perhaps you have heard of her. Madelera Jan Liorin, she provided my family with an Endowment. One of the Conditions was that I was to receive the best education a Woman could receive. I have had a series of Governesses of varying nationalities and of varying abilities.”
“I have heard of your aunt.”
“And do you approve?”
“I do not disapprove, to be honest I found her exploits, how can I say this without appearing rude, Entertaining. That’s the word, she was entertaining and the world is a poorer place without her.”
“And it is from my Aunt that I have received my Inheritance that is legally mine until I decide to marry.”
“Then I hope you will marry someone who will let you spend you Inheritance as you will,” Bern replied. “Now are the stories of how your Aunt earnt her money true?”
“I do not know what you mean?”
“No I suppose it was rude of me to enquire. Will you accept my apologies and we will speak no more of it.”
“I accept your apology,” Janneia said. Her aunt’s infamy was as much of a curse as her wealth had been a blessing. “I have had men call her a whore[3] to my face.”
“Then I would assume that those men are not Gentlemen. And why do you wish to travel to The Great Desert,” Bern asked coming to the crux of the matter.
“Because I believe I once met someone from beyond the Great Desert.”
“Now I am intrigued, what made you think that he came from beyond the Desert?”
“I shall tell you when you tell me the Nature of your Knowledge.”
Bern laughed. “I look forward to hearing your Explanation. And so are you still interested in coming on our Expedition?”
“I am,” Janneia replied after a moment’s thought. “I have heard nothing to dissuade me, though I reserve the right to withdraw if I decided that you have no knowledge on how to reach the other Side.”
“I assure you. You shall not be disappointed,” Bern replied smiling.
[1] We believe this to be twenty. This is the age when parents in Haré are no longer legally responsible for their children. Though, as in most societies, there are a series of ages when children gain more and more responsibility.
[2] The term party may seem unusual here, but we believe it is meant as an alternative to the term expedition and not as we would use it.
[3] We know this word was not in the first editions; it was only after Cheryil’s success was she able to have it reinstated.