A Lost Painting's Story

They say not all Renaissance painters were famous. That's true. There was a frustrated painter in the late 16th century in France who joined the army under the banner of Duke De Rohan. The painter became close with the duke and encouraged him to continue painting.

He returned after a few decades, proud of the art pieces he had completed. He went to the duke's manor, only to learn that the duke had already passed away. As a tribute, he created three paintings depicting the duke's war experiences. The heir of the duchy found it amusing that an unknown painter was offering this tribute and sent him away. It was only years later that someone from the De Rohan family discovered a record of this event, along with one dusty painting in a basement. They tried to locate the painter, but since he wasn't famous, they had a hard time finding him. After much effort, they found another of his paintings but failed to locate the last one.

"That heir guy was a jerk," Elle remarked after hearing my story while we were driving, referring to the painting we are trying to retrieve.

"You can't blame him. He was high nobility, after all," I replied.

"And now they've just found the last one. Wow. They should have accepted all of it," Elle said thoughtfully.

"Based on the file, the painter, Rousel Fay, was quite the artist," I added.

"His paintings show detailed soldiers, powerful movements, and action-packed scenes. Using strong light and shadow, he highlights the chaos and bravery of battle, while maintaining balanced composition. His style combines the grandeur of Renaissance art with a focus on history and heroism, making his war scenes both dramatic and inspiring," Elle read from the report.

"Why was he not famous? Just looking at these two sample paintings… Wow," Elle mused.

"It was the Renaissance age, after all. Competition was fierce," I said while still driving.

Elle was engrossed in it. I remembered that she's also quite an artist—she's the one painting murals in her city. One of the reasons she became popular among the masses and even won a seat on the city council.

After a while, we arrived at our destination.

"We're here now," I announced, stopping outside a grand ancestral house.

"Wow! The ancestral houses here in Vigan are always surreal to see!" Elle exclaimed as she stepped out of the car.

We had arrived in Vigan, a famous city in Ilocos Sur known for its Spanish-style buildings and cobblestone streets. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its historic city layout that reflects a blend of Asian and European influences.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

I knocked on the gate, and an old man in a plain white shirt opened it.

"Good afternoon. I'm Roy, here to see Mr. Carlos Reyes regarding a painting I requested," I greeted.

"A guest of Sir Caloy! Come in, he's in the sala waiting," the old man said with a smile and gestured us inside.

We entered the house and saw a man in his 80s seated, holding a delicate wooden cane. He looked at us and smiled.

"Come here and sit. Serve our guests some food, Tonyo," he said.

"Yes, señor," the old man, Tonyo, replied and left to fetch the food.

"So, why do you want to see the paintings?" the old man asked, pointing with his lips at the art on the wall.

I looked at the paintings and asked Elle to examine them more closely. She nodded and approached one on the wall.

The painting was a medium-sized canvas capturing a tense moment in war. At its center, an officer stood tall, grim and resolute. He raised his hand, giving a sharp command, while his soldiers around him appeared strained and anxious. The scene buzzed with chaos, but the officer's commanding presence cut through the turmoil.

"He really idolized the duke," Elle said softly, her face astonished.

We now understood why the heir had rejected the paintings—probably because of this last piece. Beneath the paintings, an old French inscription read: "Méritant d'estre roi"—which Elle translated as "Deserving to be king."

She smiled at me. "I think this is exactly what we're looking for. The experts will examine it further anyway."

"Good," I said with a smile.

"I won't sell it," Señor Caloy declared.

I was about to speak when Tonyo and other maids arrived, bringing food.

"Let's eat first," Señor Caloy said warmly.

They served dishes famous in their province—Pinakbet, simmered with vibrant vegetables; crispy, savory Bagnet; and warm empanadas.

"Try all of these, Toto and Neneng. Each plate is a taste of home," Caloy said kindly.

Toto and Neneng are their common terms for young people.

I nodded and smiled. "Thank you!"

While we ate, I noticed Señor Caloy was watching me closely.

"You wanted to ask why I won't sell it, Toto?" he asked with a gentle smile.

"Yes. Name your price, Señor," I replied seriously.

"Hah! It's not a famous piece. The price would be cheap," he said dismissively.

"But—" I started to reply, but he cut me off.

"But it's important?" he asked.

He chuckled softly. "I know that."

I chose not to answer and simply observed him.

"Someone from the De Rohan family wants it, right?" he asked after a moment.

"Yes. How did you know?" I asked, curious.

"I know the story behind the painting. My grandfather told me," he said.

He continued, "His father, my great-grandfather, was an officer of the Katipunan. He studied in Europe too, along with the Lunas, but stayed low-profile and didn't initially join their circle. His best friend at the time was from a French lineage. So, I believe you know it now too—the lineage of Rousel Fay."

I was astonished by the background story.

"Right. Do you know what he said to my great-grandfather?" he asked with anticipation.

Elle stopped eating and looked at him curiously. "What is it, sir?"

He grinned. "His words: 'His descendants are cowards compared to their ancestors.'"

He laughed. "They're afraid of what the painting represent."

Elle chuckled softly, and I continued to observe him.

After a moment, he asked, "Are they brave enough now to accept the painting?"

"No need to be afraid of any king or emperor," I answered confidently.

"Tsk. Too late," he said, shaking his head.

He reached for an empanada. "I guess you now understand why I won't sell it."

"Yes," I replied.

I looked at the painting again and asked, "There was an agreement between your great-grandfather and the descendant of Rousel Fay, correct?"

He grinned. "Aha! I knew you were smart, Toto!" He laughed. "La joute judiciaire!"

Elle, leaning in closer, nodded thoughtfully. "An old-fashioned combat trial."

"Correct," he said seriously. "As the representative of the De Rohans, do you agree?"

"Fine by me," I answered without hesitation.

"Good. As the Fay family's representative, I authorize this trial."

He leaned back, smirking. "We'll do the trial differently this time. We're not French, after all."

"I'm open to any kind of trial," I said.

Elle watched us with eager anticipation. She knew I would accept. When it comes to combat, she believes confidently that no one in our country can match me.

"I've scattered my men across the city. Try to locate five of these old coins," Señor Caloy said, pulling out a small, worn coin.

I examined it. It was small, scratched, and faded, with a woman holding a rod beside a bird. The faint words read "ONE PESO" and "PHILIPPINES."

"Wow, that's a coin from 1907!" Elle exclaimed.

"The trial begins after you leave my house. You have three days," he said.

"This is a bit anticlimactic, sir," Elle sighed. "No 'Go fort!' or any other message before we start?"

He chuckled heartily. "I'm too old now. I might die soon, so I don't want to waste time."

It was a fun conversation, but it carried weight. I believe in my skills, and with Elle's help, I know I can finish it in three days. No, I'll surprise him and complete it in two.