La cité d'Iram | Part one

La cité d'Iram, part one

Louis Passer was a discreet young man, almost faded, nicknamed "the Sparrow" by his peers due to his shyness and small stature. Yet, beneath this fragile appearance lay an inquisitive soul, eager for knowledge and adventures. Since his earliest childhood, Louis had been fascinated by the symbols and hidden codes in works of art, books, and ancient buildings. This passion led him to pursue studies in art history before specializing in archival science at the École du Louvre.

There, he turned out to be a brilliant but reserved student, who preferred to spend his evenings in libraries and archives rather than in social salons. However, behind his calm and introverted appearance lay a tormented soul, driven by a thirst for discovery.

Louis had a gift for cartography, calligraphy, and the restoration of ancient documents, skills that quickly earned him a reputation as an expert in his field. But it was not just his technical expertise that set him apart... His rigor and discipline in his work were exemplary. He loved to take his time to thoroughly understand the subjects he studied and to find answers to his most complex questions. He was obsessed with the precision and accuracy of his analyses and left nothing to chance.

He was also drawn to mystery and the unknown, to the secrets that the archives could reveal. Louis felt that each document was a puzzle to solve, each archive a door to another world. He immersed himself in his research for hours, searching for hidden clues in the smallest details. This tireless quest pushed him further and further, to the brink of obsession.

Despite his expertise and passion, Louis remained a fragile young man, haunted by doubts and fears. He struggled to make friends and often felt alone in his research. Yet, he couldn't help but believe that something extraordinary was waiting for him, something that far exceeded his small existence as a solitary archivist.

It was during a conference on the history of the Incense Route, at the National Library of France, given by the polyglot adventurer, archaeologist, and history enthusiast Charles Huber that Louis's daily life was to be somewhat shaken up. The explorer had come to prepare an expedition on this mythical route connecting Arabia to Tibet via Persia and Afghanistan. Louis had listened with great attention to the conference of the latter, who was in search of a team and patrons in order to embark on this adventure that would lead him in the footsteps of the ancient civilizations that had traveled this route thousands of years ago.

Listening to the man describe his upcoming journey, Louis couldn't help but momentarily indulge in the sweet dream of embarking on an adventure himself... A dream quickly confronted by the reality of his existence and the harsh realization: what could a "skinny little sparrow" possibly do on such perilous roads, far from the comfort and safety of his archives?

As Louis was about to leave the conference with his notes under his arm, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir, I didn't mean to disturb you," a strange stranger had just caught up with him, wearing a warm smile. He was a tall and athletic man, with broad shoulders and an imposing build. He had wavy brown hair, piercing blue eyes that sparkled with intelligence and curiosity, a short and neatly trimmed beard. A warm smile lit up her face. His clothes, worn, testified to an adventurous life rich in experiences. "He was wearing a white shirt and beige canvas pants with brown leather boots that seemed to have traveled the entire world. The almost caricatural outfit of a novel adventurer who seems to mock conventions, Louis thought, but it was nonetheless..." elegant and imposing.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Étienne, Étienne Fauvelin," the man continued. "You are Louis Passer, correct? From the Louvre archives? I didn't expect to find you here, but I am very pleasantly surprised to see that Mr. Huber's projects have sparked some interest in you. I've heard about you, Mr. Passer. I was told that you are an expert in cartography and archival science. I won't beat around the bush: I need your skills for a project I am preparing, a journey into unknown lands."

Louis could not believe what he was hearing. This strange man knew him, a simple archivist, and was offering, just like that, almost on a whim, to take him with him on some adventures to the ends of the earth.

"I am sorry, Sir, I... I do not understand why you are talking to me about all this. I am a desk cartographer, I have never traveled in my life. There must have been a mistake in talking to you about me or someone is playing a bad joke on you."

Étienne smiled again, as if it amused him. "You are modest, Mr. Passer. You have a reputation in the field. I've been told that you are skilled with cards, drawings, symbols. You are exactly what I need for my journey."

Louis didn't know what to say. He felt intimidated by the presence of this charismatic man with the airs of an adventurer, seeming to have stepped straight out of a novel.

"I am sorry, Mr. Fauvelin, but I am not interested in traveling. I am very happy here in Paris, in my library, studying ancient documents."

Étienne looked at him intensely, as if he were reading into him. "I understand your reluctance, Mr. Passer. But you don't know what you're missing. This journey will be extraordinary. We will cross incredible lands, we will meet fascinating cultures. We will have the opportunity to discover things that no one has ever seen. And you, with your skills, will have a crucial role to play."

Louis shook his head. "I am sorry, Sir, but I am not made for traveling. I am a reserved man, I like to work in the calm of my library. I am not an adventurer."

Lowering his head, Louis turned on his heels and, with a quick step, left the conference room.

Behind him, he heard the explorer shout at him: 

"Who told you I was looking for an adventurer, Mr. Passer? I am looking for a cartographer, an archivist, a historian. And you, you are everything! Do you hear me? You are even more than that. You are a true genius in your field!"

Louis felt his face flush under these compliments that seemed to put him on a pedestal. He wondered if this man was serious or if he was mocking him. He quickened his pace, his head hunched into his shoulders and his eyes fixed on his feet.

For a few days, Louis did not leave his archives. He stayed there, doubtful. He had always dreamed of extraordinary adventures while reading the memoirs and reports of expeditions, but he was not sure he was ready to leave the safety and comfort of his office to embark on a risky expedition around the world. He needed time to think about this proposal that had caught him completely off guard. He also felt ashamed of how his meeting with Étienne had ended. He could not stop thinking about it. The enthusiasm and energy of this man, which was the opposite of his own introverted and reserved personality, fascinated him. 

His decision was made...

"After a quick search, he went to the office occupied by the mysterious explorer when he was in Paris. He had been confirmed that he could find him there: 'Fauvelin? Oh yes, his office is his library, his research place, and his home; he sleeps and lives there when he is here. If he is not out and about or at a conference, that’s where you will find him.' Louis had to try his luck."

He knocked on the oak door on which a brass plaque indicated "Étienne Fauvelin" with no other indications of position or degree, as if his name alone was enough. He was not famous, yet apparently those who were looking for him already knew who he was. He had not found it necessary to display, like his colleagues, all of his titles and qualifications on his door.

"Come in!" replied the voice of the adventurer.

He was indeed there. Louis could no longer back down. He complied, opened, and went through the door.

He was struck by the appearance of the place. It was exactly the office he had imagined.

A fascinating space rich in history, functionally arranged with sturdy and practical furniture, but decorated with exotic objects brought back from travels around the world.

In the center of the room stood a large solid wood desk, covered with a thick layer of papers, notebooks, maps, and compasses. On the wall shelves, leather-bound books are stacked on top of each other, ranging from literature of the sciences to travel narratives and works on natural history.

Exotic objects such as tribal masks, ivory figurines, old maps, navigation instruments, and traditional weapons were hung on the walls or arranged on shelves. Tropical plants were growing, albeit with some difficulty, in terracotta pots, adding a touch of greenery to the room.

A large globe stood in one corner of the room, while a telescope was set up near the window. The telescope offered a view of the surrounding park. Dark wooden walls and solid wood floors gave the room a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Étienne was sitting behind his desk, the file turned towards the door and his potential visitors. Louis could guess his host was staring into the distance offered by his window.

Without even turning around, the host of these places joyfully said: "I'I am delighted that you agree to join us on this incredible adventure, Mr. Passer. 

Louis was stunned. Was he that predictable?

"I am convinced that your cartographic talents will be essential for our mission. Sorry, yes, I will use the informal 'you', I use it with everyone and I expect the same in return," he laughed and continued: "We will explore unknown lands together, discover lost treasures, and uncover the secrets of ancient history. This is a unique opportunity that we have before us."

Louis smiled, intimidated by so much enthusiasm. "I am happy to join you," he said. 

Étienne burst out laughing, as if he had guessed Louis's thoughts. "My dear Louis, you are going to discover much more than you can imagine. You will experience incredible adventures, meet fascinating people, and discover things you never thought possible. But, above all, you will learn to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown." Louis nodded, a little anxious but also excited about what awaited him...

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