Duchess of Lamore

Again the language barrier interfered although the shop keeper was wise enough to know that a car of such magnitude could belong to only one person. He stepped from his shop and pointed west.

Drake slipped behind the wheel of the massive limousine and headed west. The roads left much to be desired, but the Phantom provide the smoothest ride anyone could have expected.

The country side struck Drake as rather baron. He began to wonder if he was headed in the right direction when he saw a log standing by the side of the road. It featured the two crescent moons with the obelisk in between. He smiled thinking the obelisk was pointing the way. After several more bends in the road he saw what had to be the Peacock Palace. It was the only structure for miles.

The Peacock Palace

It stood alone on a hillside. It was massive and eerie. Drake couldn't help but wonder why on earth the Duchess chose to live here. But then again what better place for a recluse?

He pulled the car to the huge gates and was met by a man wearing Punjab pants and a vest. He appeared to be of African descent and was rather large. Drake got out of the car and walked over to him.

"Hello. Drake Hampstead, Rolls Royce London. I'm here to deliver this beautiful automobile to the Duchess."

The man looked at him silently. He did not speak English. He did notice the coat of arms on the rear cabin door and opened the gates. Drake gave him a smile and pulled the car down the road.

The Palace was surrounded by large fields in all directions. Drake surmised that at some point in the past those fields produced food for the Palace. It appeared the Palace was several hundred years old and had a mysterious feel to it. Maybe it was due to the isolation and the quiet.

He parked the car in front of the Palace and headed for the front doors. He was met by another dark man wearing the same Punjab pants and vest as the man at the gate. Drake quickly surmised this was the uniform of the Palace.