| Pas de seigneur sans terre, Pas de terre sans seigneur"… No lord without land, No land without lord. I was born … Francesca Isabella Téa-Doro d'Sauvine in the town of Padova, south of the Italian Venetian Alps in the year of our lord 1623 to an Italian patrician mother and a French aristocratic father. My parents were fond of calling me by the name of Bella. My mother is known as the Duchesse Gabriella Elena Lodovico Téa-Doro, a long established family of nobility to the House of Giambattista. Our descendants have produced many that have served in Rome to our beloved Pope and also discovered new lands sailing the high seas from which we gained our fortunes. My father however, the Duc Pierre Francois Henri Dumont d' Sauvine, returned to his estate in France in the city of Versailles to fulfill his obligations to the Royal House of Vienois. My dear mother not fond of the climate nor politics of my fathers region chose to remain at our beautiful country estate overlooking the vineyards and olive trees. Twas times such as these I would race down into the fields picking wild flowers to give to Ma'ma so that her loneliness on such occasions would depart. Life in a busy merchant city was demanding and full of activity but had its advantages. We acquired only the finest from all parts of the known world that the Port of Venice had to offer. However, I enjoyed most the times our family spent at Villa Téa-Doro Giambattista where I played with my brothers and sister and gazed upon our scenic mountains as the sun set behind them. Life was much more pleasant and uncomplicated there. Our home in Venice was a bit more ostentatious. The Villa de Coronado contained within its walls a great hall that displayed beautiful cornices, frescoes and painted friezes, a large fireplace made of marble with precious tile and a great alter piece over the mantle. There were commissioned works of art and statues created to line our neatly manicured gardens and fountains. We had splendid furnishings such as the likes of walnut chairs and mahogany tables, marble benches and English oak chests which were exquisitely hand carved. Ma'ma purchased beautifully designed carpets from India and the brocade drapes and wall tapestries throughout the Villa were of the smoothest silks and satins and tightly weaved wools from the far East. Underneath quilted velvet coverlets our beds were fitted with linen sheets which lie upon wool mattresses to comfort us on cold winter nights. I recall many maps secured to our library walls from our ancestors of which whom sailed the oceans and appealed to my insatiable curiosity of life beyond our borders. For I had an adventurous spirit. On special occasions our dining room featured place settings fit for any visiting dignitary or nobleman from the great houses of Europe. Setting upon setting of beautiful Venetian crystal goblets, silverware, gleaming brass candlesticks and fine bone china. There also hung icons of the Saints in gilt frames with each room appearing grander then the next. I am the eldest of my parent’s four children. My sister Angelique was born when I was but two years of age and my twin brothers a year and a half later. It was during my fifth year that one of my brothers scarcely a year old took seriously ill and died. The physician had spirited his lifeless body away before my mother could witness his last breath. My parents were grief-stricken and mourned their loss for many years. We have but one painting of him stored away in our attic, I go there often to remember him. My younger brother is Julien Aldo Xavier Dumont d' Sauvine and we affectionately call him Juli. I am very protective of him since the death of my beloved brother Dominic, his twin. Juli is next in line to succeed my father’s titles and estates in Versailles when he comes of age. He is the only remaining male heir to the d'Sauvine line. Pa'pa has good reason for worry since there is a dispute among our relatives within the House of Vienois which may affect the outcome of our family’s interests in France. Therefore, my father has wisely determined to keep us safely tucked away with our Ma'ma in Italy while he straightens out this family quarrel. It is this dispute that eventually leads to my life upon the high seas with the likes of Captain Jack Sparrow and his ship the “Black Pearl”. Aye, I be Captain Jack’s former cabin girl, Bella Sauvine, of which you speak of so ubiquitously. _______________________________________________________________________________________ I may have been purchased for ye price of a few pearls, but you'll not find one more loyal to such as one as the Captain. For you see, he rescued me from the dark cold rat infested prison dungeons of Monte Claire on the Ile de Noirmoutier.Ney, I had not committed an offense of which I should have been imprisoned, but say one, to be of royal blood and next in line to the throne. This is my only offense of which I a waited my death. My blood ties threatened the Emperor and his plans of dominion upon the folk of my country. Ye Captain Sparrow caught and jailed for a minor offense shared his iron bars next to mine and we struck conversation in which quickly formed an alliance against my blood-feud. In exchange for my freedom, I gladly share the vault of secret treasure in the Emperors Palaceonce the coin and jewels stolen from my barony across the land. For I would give a Kings ransom in exchange for my head not being detached from my lovely shoulders. You'll not find in all the seas a crew who would risk their necks on the gallows to enter the Francais borders in order to rescue a beloved Captain such as he. Yet this is what they did, risking life and limb. Ye Captain made good on his promise to free me and under cover of a Pirates banner I will remain… until the day of my revenge. Captain Sparrow being verily impressed by my abilities to gain coin through charm and trickery promoted me to first mate and as a loyal companion to the Captain with years of good service to the Black Pearl and her crew, I 'ave learned to be a good sea-woman and a pirate to be reckoned with in my own right. For a worthy pirate, be him male or female is worth their salt when they add their weight in gold to the Black Pearl's treasure. For all shall share an equal part in the end. So say what you will 'bout me, but restrain from saying nary an unkind word with regard to me Captain. Bella, aka”Lady Cara” |
| Bella' Sauvine |