The Knights TombThe island of Somerset sat off the coast of Seaforth, once the home of a Rokkenjiman military base, the home of Rishiri and of course the home of House Rhodes. As the small convoy of vehicles made their way towards the imposing fortress that was Castle Rhodes,
Melanie Bell contemplated the inevitability of this journey, she'd always known whatever she found that she'd be coming here she'd just never thought that she'd be coming for this particular reason. Her mind was buzzing not only with her theory but also the implications of it, if she was right then what she had was one heck of a family tree taking shape before her. Still however it had to be scientifically proven, they didn't have much yet on the sketch front but they didn't need that to prove the theory to be true with luck science would do that job. After parking up Melanie got out of the jeep she was driving and looked at the front door of the castle, two guards stood by the door and waiting for them was
Harper Rhodes, sister of the Seaforthian King.
"Mob handed Melanie?" Harper asked
"I'm afraid this is a little more than me telling you what we found." Melanie said "We need access to Jocelyn's tomb."
"Why?" Harper asked
"Because I might know who she was." Melanie said, Harper looked ready to reject it out of hand but nodded and showed Melanie and her group inside.
"So what's this about?" Harper asked
"We found the island and in the process we came across some stuff relevant to Jocelyn that suggests her name is a pseudonym for someone else." Melanie said "Presumably because of the language barrier."
"Explain." Harper said showing them into the lounge area.
"The island of Rhodes is modern day Caesarea in Vanora." Melanie said "We've got more than enough evidence to say that, our evidence says the siege was during the time of the blood libel so the siege has to have been in Vanora on that basis, an island sinking is going to be documented so rather than ruins we needed to think about the passage of time, land reclamation. Everything we've found points to this."
"Your evidence is?" Harper asked
"Paul the Explorer." Melanie said "He writes about the Blood Libel in his journals. He mentions Jocelyn as well, the name derives from the roses that sit on the island rose becomes Rhodes, Jocelyn can mean chief, lord, even knight."
"Ok so what?" Harper asked
"Knight of the Rose is also a phrase from Paul's writings." Melanie said "It's an affectionate name he has for Anezaki Ayanami."
"And you think Jocelyn of Rhodes was Anezaki Ayanami?" Harper asked
"Yes." Melanie said
"Basis?" Harper asked
"Everything we've already said." Melanie said "The timing fits, Jocelyn dies in Seaforth in 1142, Paul returns to East Moreland around that time takes wife number three and passes away in 1144."
"And then there's this."
Rosalie McLean said handing Harper a copy of Paul's sketch of Anezaki
"Anezaki Ayanami but what am I looking for?" Harper said
"The sword." Rosalie said
"Maiden sisters typically favor the katana style blade, but that is Anezaki using a long sword and it looks oddly like something else." Melanie said
"The sword of Somerset." Harper said she sighed "What do you want to do?"
"DNA tests involving yourself, Jocelyn's remains and the Ayanami family." Melanie said "We'd also like to do a facial reconstruction of Jocelyn and examine the sword of Somerset."
"You do know how to do that?" Harper asked
"We brought a professional." Melanie said
The professional was
Melissa Cunningham, an authenticator for the CETO she was shown to the Rhodes family mausoleum, it was an impressive place a true tribute to the people whose remains were interred there. At the very end under a stained glass window was the tomb of Jocelyn of Rhodes, a solid stone casket adorned with gold and silver it seemed very appropriate for the person. With the assistance of
Brian Raines and his daughter
Natasha Melissa removed the stone lid and then the trio coughed as the dust settled.
"Ok." Melissa said "I'll get the sample you two scan the skull."
"All right." Brian said
"Yeah." Natasha said, as Melissa harvested what samples she could Brian carefully rotated the skull while Natasha used a laser scanner to record the measurements "If this is Anezaki then wow."
"Certainly one word for it." Brian said "Anezaki Ayanami, maiden sister, Queen of East Moreland, founder of Seaforth and that's before we get into the bloodlines."
"Tell me about it." Melissa said
In the castle Harper had given a DNA sample and now was watching as
Lori Downing carefully picked up the
Sword of Somerset and nodded "It's lightweight, flexible, one and a half handed hilt it's got all the principles of a maiden sister blade and right here on the flat of the blade it says rose blade."
"Which is Anezaki's named sword." Melanie said
"But why's it different from the katana?" Harper asked
"Paul."
Leon Downing, Lori's brother, said "East Moreland is pretty much forged by the sword, he could easily have discussed swords with Anezaki while she was still an initiate."
At this point Melissa and company returned
"You get everything?" Melanie asked
"Yes." Melissa said
"When will you have the results?" Harper asked
"A few days." Melissa said
"I'm coming back with you." Harper said "I want to be there."
"All right." Melanie said