8
The One Outside the Circle but Part of the Whole
It had moved to late evening, and all those coming to his meeting from Los Iluminados Once had arrived at Stonehaven. Paul and Ridley walked into the colossal study to discover several more had arrived. They were an odd bunch to Ridley, but it seemed like they should be here. The other arrivals included:
Cecil Thornton, who had been mentioned, represented the West Coast of the United States. He was handsome but the most out of place in the group. It wasn’t because of his looks. He had nice features, blond hair in a ponytail, intelligent eyes. He was average in height and stature. He was a Harley Davidson enthusiast and dressed the part. He had a shirt that proudly announced, “Fuck the Man!” The apprentice assumed it was referring to authority figures and government officials. All those sorts of things, but he was a friendly guy.
His presence, along with Nat’s and Paul’s, meant that all the members from North America were present. Ridley thought, ‘Go, Team USA!’.
A couple more had drifted in as well, possibly literally. Next was introduced as Sir Phillip Hawthorne, a big man representing Poland. A slight rub with him, but not insurmountable, he realized the importance of matters. That trumped petty grudges, as he had for Count Renault De Char Le Maine. The apprentice was learning there was a story involved with all of them. Not strange as it was so with every individual alive. Some were not so alive but still ambling about.
The issue here was the grounds in France that Cedric currently occupied. That would be Chateau Merchfield, the original home of the Char Le Maine family for centuries. It sounded spectacular, with huge grounds in the French countryside renowned for its grape vineyards and the wine produced there. This place had once been in Char Le Maine’s possession, who now lived in a basement in the hills of Tennessee.
While Char Le Maine was abroad over a hundred years ago, his progeny Antonio had gotten drunk and gambled the lands and Chateau away. Which, of course, explained what went wrong between Renault and Antonio. The fact that Antonio was still about proves that Char Le Maine was not the wrong sort. Hawthorne sounded like an English name, but amongst the royalty, that was deceptive. He was born and raised in France as a young man in his teens. He had worked in the vineyards of Chateau Merchfield when it was still under the possession of Remmy’s father.
Phillip, who was of the same blood as them, aspired to ascend to that seat one day. It might have been possible, as he and Cedric would have had equal claims. What had shipwrecked Phillips’s aspirations was World War II. A different side of his family was tied to Poland by marriage. The Germans and Russians struggled over these lands. During this struggle, Phillips's grandfather was a casualty. At the appointed time, he was the closest blood relative.
Ironically, just as Cedric longed for Stonehaven and his homeland of the UK, so did Phillip for where Cedric was currently seated. Most of the English had a natural rivalry with France. The big man took it in good stride. However, the Poles had welcomed him with open arms as one of their own. He was one of the few who was married and had two sons. The oldest would take his place in Poland when the time came. He had trained them both, a tradition until most of those seated stopped marrying and having kids.
Physically, Phillip is an imposing man with sharp European Royal features and a quick wit. He lost the hair battle just as Nathaniel did. Yet, raising two good sons made him a content man. He was good-natured, other than clashing with Char Le Maine on occasion. He was not what they all called the “Wrong Sort.”
The only other to make it was Duke Remington Davenport, who held the seat in Italy. He didn’t sound Italian, and again, World War II. It was weighted in here. Los Iluminados Once, including the German seat, had opposed Germany for their actions as they had begun the war and done some atrocious things. The ruling family in Italy, who no one would even say their names, had thrown in with the Axis powers. Once the allies were victorious, they were removed and unseated by the council's collective action.
So, it had been back to who was next on the family tree, and congratulations to the Hawthornes, who had the most substantial claim. It was a small world, as Ridley had crossed paths with the youngest known member of the unseated family, who was so ashamed that he went by Castle. This, of course, was the big bag of puppy love Ridley had witnessed the fight at the Midway with Johnny Temple. He used that name because his legal name had been changed to Castle.
The remaining eleven were engaged in important matters. This was a good core group, so the meeting could now occur. There was no need for incense or robes, ancient rituals, or good food—well, English Food. It was topped with liberal amounts of alcohol and good, civil conversation.
It was strange to Ridley to be included in this group, yet he was now one of them. He was told they would try to fill in any missing gaps and strategize how best to keep Ridley safe from the rogue elements that would only see him for his power. They had a guest outside the council coming that would go a long way in that. If they would, if not, crack their heads. This group rarely had any infighting but would rage against the other factions of the unseen world.
This group, in totality, was not to be trifled with lightly. Every council or governing body had a leader. They were no different, and Ridley’s Master was the leader. They all had mutual respect and admiration for Paul Rogers. The United States had become so very important. They had helped mightily to do their part in the Great Wars. Paul’s family ties were potent. He was level-headed and always willing to lend a hand. He was not argumentative and sensible, so that they could have done much worse.
Since he was Ridley’s apprentice, this put him in a wrong position that was unfair to him and Ridley, and he had to map it out further. Everyone agreed that since Nathaniel was hosting, he was as good a choice as any, though any could contribute.
Nathaniel said, “Since Paul is the head of the council, this simply means that if you ever, due to circumstance, must take his seat. You would be the head of this council.”
Ridley considered this, as that seemed like a significant shift if he ever must do this. It was just a great deal to think about. It would take much careful consideration. He said, “I ran across an ancient test in our work that references, ‘One outside of the circle but is part of the whole.’ For many reasons, it sounds like it is talking about me. Do you know about this?”
Nathaniel said, “You are very astute and have done some significant reading. For centuries, those from your line have been on this council. It was so long ago now it is hard to piece together. We have spoken of this and believe that you are part, in some way, of the entirety of the unseen world. Not even we have all the answers. As for the Vampires, Char Le Maine can inform you much better than us.”
They gave Ridley a moment to consider this before Nathaniel continued.
Nathaniel said, “How familiar are you with the term Necromancer? Other than what you have seen in movies or any fashion?”
The apprentice was honest with them: “I read the fictional novels written by Bryan Lumley, and they had a theme of that. Don’t tell me I can speak this to those that have departed?”
Cedric said, “It is a bit more profound than that. Suppose you are anything from your family lime like those of the past. It is not just the ability to talk to them, as you did with Paul. You can pull them back to this side as you get stronger. Vampires, ghosts, and other things like that would have great control over them. There is evidence that your long relative is in the far past. They took someone such as Char Le Maine and returned them to a man. Except it was a woman in this case. We have information handed down. We read the old books and scrolls; again, Char Le Maine knows much more.”
Evelyn said, “One of the two things that makes a tressure like no other to them. It was one of your lines that fashioned them. You will grow to be able to control them, Ridley. We know this from reading, and word of mouth is passed down.”
They gave him a small break to absorb this. None wanted to cause him to hyperventilate. They were all having drinks of various kinds.
Cedric said, “There is something about completing that spell on Char Le Maine and his kind. They are not too talkative about it, and that worries us.”
The apprentice thought again for a moment. Did whoever this was intentionally do this to animate them such as he did?”
The new arrival, Hawthorne, spoke this time: “I will answer as best I can on that, but this was long ago. My area is the closest to where this occurred. It makes sense, in a way, so I have read much. My sons even assist in this research. We know the member of the house you descended from ancestor’s name that did this. It is unclear exactly why, except in legend. There is much literature that references it, but it is elusive.”
He continued, “His name was Montague, sounds like the one from the Shakespearean play. The legends even have a theme along those lines, in a way. They say he was attempting to pull someone back that had gone so deep into the other side. That what you did for your Master was not possible. This magic was known from time to before him, but for some reason, it was never used. Until here did, for reasons we don’t know. He was mostly complete in what he was doing. Other members of the House you are related to intervened and stopped him from completing it. It is rumored to be one of the most potent magic struggles ever. Are you familiar with the meteor that did an airburst over Siberia in 1908?”
Ridley answered, “Yes, I have read and watched documentaries about it. It devastated thousands of acres. It was a violent occurrence.”
Hawthorne said, “Your ancestors, who were trying to stop him, let’s say that was a violent occurrence as well. They won, but their magical energies on each other destroyed large areas in Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Germany, and Austria. This even predated the time of the Romans. It would have been a monumental thing. Now, we are only into rumor and what was passed down in verbal language. Gypsies to this day speak of Montague, Destroyer of Lands. A campfire still tells this, but the forces he had worked with were so sensitive. Not even mages were meant to tamper with, regardless of how powerful. They say Montague and the other members from your lineage who fought did not destroy each other. They were transformed into the first of what your friend Char Le Maine is.”
Now, everyone paused as they considered this. No wonder Char Le Maine had been secretive.
His Master said, “Some claim a few, especially Montague, still exist in this state. They would be ancient, and once this occurred, they all lost their ability to cast. It is why they drink blood to draw essence from people. If these creatures exist, they will come for you wherever you are. So, we are keeping whom you descended from a secret. Those never last, so we must keep them from getting you and completing that spell.”
Ridley looked concerned, “What would they be if I did?”
Cedric said, “No one but the Vampires knows, and they are not saying. We hope Char Le Maine may know or have an idea and tell you.”
Paul said, “Ridley, if any part of the unseen world knew who you are. All of them would want their hands on you. The present company and the rest of the Council are excluded. There is nothing either great or good about that. So, now you understand the importance of secrecy?”
Ridley replied, “Yes, Master, I can see your reasoning.”
Nathaniel said, “Quite right. The best thing is to get you trained as well as Paul can and when you grow into your full power. They would not be able to. Now, dinner! There was so much going on we haven’t eaten, and I am famished.”
They all moved to the dining room, where Bentley set out a feast of English food. As they began to eat, Ridley wondered just what the fuck was up with Black or Blood Pudding. Did it come flying out of the magical explosion Montague and his other ancestors had caused? ‘Sorry for roasting a portion of Europe. We will compensate you with this delicious Black Pudding.
Bentley, who was generally very busy, had taken mercy on their American Cousins. He put down plates of tasty-looking spaghetti and meatballs, which looked like the pasta had been made fresh. Ridley looked out of the corner of his eyes. It was amusing to watch how their host, Baron Nathaniel Stonehaven, went at his food like an “Alien” face hugger. He looked across the table at his brother, Nat. He was disguising nothing, and he was staring at him straight out.
Nat said, “Please tell brother since I must have mixed it up as a child. Does the word ‘famished’ denote being on the edge of starvation?”
Nathaniel dabbed his mouth with a napkin, “Nat, Nat, are we going to have to seat you at the kiddie table?”
Cedric said, “The two of you bloody well never did grow up.”
Cecil and Remington politely ate and watched. Who knew what they thought?
Evelyn Brookhaven had a different take, “The two of you are but Unreife Shciesse.”
Nathaniel dabbed with the napkin again, “Charming as ever, Fraulein. Perhaps we can get your apprentice to project you on them when the Russians act up again?”
His Master asked Phillip, “You sister, Princess Gabriella, not coming to this one?”
Phillip answered, “Apparently not, some sort of dire emergency in Norway.”
Cedric swallowed his food and said, “I bet you bloody well hate that.”
The Europeans paused and began laughing again, but Phillip looked sour. Ridley guessed there must be bad blood there. Why did European siblings never get along? He would ask his Master and Char Le Maine about that one. He would not have wanted to be their father when they were younger. That is what Americans refer to as a nightmare.
Paul picked his glass up and dinged it several times with an unused utensil. Everyone stopped their eating and looked. He said, “I have a happy announcement to make. Ridley is pregnant.”
Now, they all laughed at that.
When it died, his master continued, “Seriously, Ridley and I will be legally married. So, it will no longer be just oath ties of Master and apprenticeship. We are making honest men of each other. You must all come to Pine Grove for the occasion.”
Nathaniel said, “Oh, yes, June 26th in the year of our Lord, 2015. When the world tilted, the Colonies joined Europe and escaped the Dark Ages.”
Cedric said, “Cheers to you, and about bloody well time too.”
Evelyn Brookhaven looked a bit disappointed, “Prost! It is about time, Paul.”
Remington raised a glass, “Congratulations to Paul and Ridley.”
Phillip stayed with English, “Happy for you two, love to see those charming mountains again.”
Nat said, “Well, hell, we are practically neighbors. You know I am glad for you. Half the NCAA Midwest teams are clamoring to get into the SEC. Oklahoma and even Texas already have.”
Ridley knew they had a thing for college football, as they always talked about it on the phone. He decided to demonstrate something he had learned from his Master besides magic. He said, “Both A&M and the imposter University of Texas. Though we enjoy watching them play.”
Nat grinned, “Imposter? How?”
Ridley said, “The University of Tennessee existed before Texas was a state. We will keep the UT, thank you.”
Paul and Ridley were glad because now all the Europeans looked befuddled. They had no clue what they were talking about.
Nat said, “You can keep it so we can borrow it occasionally.”
Ridley said, “That is fine. The college I went to mostly had walk-ons on the football team.”
Cedric said, “Football? So, you wizened up and finally began mass soccer events. About bloody well time.”
Everyone just let it go. Ridley guessed America had to have a culture like Europe's. Many citizens of the USA went crazy for their local college teams. People in their state drove orange vans, wore orange and white shirts, painted themselves orange, and wore orange tennis shoes. Paul's orange and white flag
flew below the Stars and Stripes in the front yard.
Bentley came in and whispered into Nathaniel’s ear. He excused himself and left the room. There was a subtle shift in the air, and everyone at the table noticed it. Ridley knew it well, as he got it about every day. It was like the sensation he got in Renault’s presence, but it was different. That must be their guest, he guessed.
They were all shuffled into what Ridley was now terming the den without end. Then, what a surprise, more alcohol was served. He asked Paul, “How do they have a liver left?”
His Master just looked at him with an amused look. Nathaniel came into the room and got himself a full glass of it. It was an expensive bourbon now. He sat down and looked at everyone.
He announced, “Gentleman and one Frauline, we have a guest representing the ruling council of our friends with a cold nature. Some are friends, anyway, Char Le Maine to most. Sorry, Phillip. I will introduce Dominick Fairchild to you.”
What came through the door was a Vampire. His aura looked a great deal like Char Le Maines’s. He was dressed in modern clothes and looked like a late teenager. He was about Ridley’s age, and he had been well. He wore jeans and an all-Old Glory T-shirt, a continuous British flag. He had on sporty tennis shoes. He, too, had been a beauty, with light hair, but his red eyes were a bit strange. He had smooth, explicit features, and there was an intelligence around him. One could feel it as it permeated around him. Everything in Ridley’s bones said politician.
He bowed to everyone, “Thank you for the invite and the hospitality, Nathaniel. There are so many of you, so a group hello to you all.”
That was a very thick accent, and he might have been 17-19 in life, but he spoke more proper English than any seasoned Professor. He looked around the room, and his eyes settled on Ridley. He began to walk towards him when Cedric, Nat, Remington, Evelyn, and Paul all projected blue staticky fields from them and enveloped him. It locked him solidly in place, and he looked annoyed.
He spoke, and it sounded like he was making some effort: “If you don’t mind, I would say hello and shake his hand. It would be best if you guys were careful with that. For one, not as old as I, this could have destroyed them.”
Nathaniel said, “We can trust Dominick. He always keeps his word.”
Cedric said, “He bloody well better.”
They seemed satisfied, and this creature was perfectly aware of their abilities. One at a time, they released him. It had ruffled his T-shirt, and some of his light-colored hair was raised due to static discharge. He took a moment to straighten his T-shirt out and ran a hand over his hair to flatten it. He began to move slowly forward carefully. One did not live 438 years to be smoked by a fireball.
Ridley stood to greet him, and so did his Master. Every eye in the room watched this, as this interaction could mean a lot. He was about three inches shorter than Ridley. That would be right, as people of his time generally needed better nutrition and were of smaller stature on average.
Ridley did not let his height advantage fool him. He knew what these creatures were capable of. He came right up to Ridley and bowed gracefully. They seemed to do that often, and Ridley stuck his hand out. The shorter Vampire took his hand and shook it. It was not a warm handshake, but not out of hostility.
It said, “Hello, I am Dominick Fairchild, Viceroy of the ruling council for Vampires that are aligned. I am delighted to meet you. I do not see auras like all of you, but I sense you are a powerhouse.”
Ridley looked at Paul, who shook his head and said, “It is nice to meet you, Viceroy Fairchild. I am Ridley Johnson, apprentice of Paul Rogers of the Americas.”
Dominick kept his hand and gently, very slowly, raised it closer to his nose. He smelled it carefully several times. This is something Char Le Maine did with people at times. Their sense of smell was potent. Ridley told him that they were named Nose-Foratu. It was like he was a wine collector, and Ridley was an outstanding vintage. He closed his eyes and seemed to enjoy it.
He released Ridley’s hand and said, “My, that is something. The council will not allow any of our members to harm this one. You have my solemn word, plus I hear he is a friend of Char Le Maine’s. I only got my appointment because he didn’t take it. I hear he lives in your basement. Is this true? Ridley Johnson?”
Ridley answered, “It is a very nice basement.”
He looked at Ridley and said, “I would wager being close to you all the time is worth it.”
Ridley had now met two of these for being potentially murderous. They had a sensual quality about them. He was almost as elegant and refined as Char Le Maine, but not quite. He could imagine Dominick standing in a spot in some museum and someone coming by daily. He would step out, and they would dust him off.
Never taking his eyes from Ridley, he said, “Master Mage Paul Rogers, there is but one way to be sure. May I?”
Paul said, “Ridley, he knows the taste of the ancestors that Char Le Maine picked up when you let him drink you. He wants to see for himself. He won’t harm you of that, I can assure you. It would be suicide amongst all of us. Up to you?”
Ridley was not following customs, so he didn’t take a knee. He raised his wrist, and Dominick leaned forward. As with Char Le Maine, there was no pain to be felt as he gently bit into the wrist. He stayed there briefly, eyes closed, and then released the apprentice’s arm. He opened his eyes slowly, and they seemed to glow almost. He almost staggered backward and composed himself.
He stared into Ridley’s eyes and said, “Uh, yeah, I would know that taste anywhere. There is no doubt that he is one of Montague’s people. Again, you have my word that no one who answers to my council would dare. However, we do not control the entirety of the world. There are those of the Far and Middle East and the rogue ones. Char Le Maine is a very formidable escort. I would gladly send more if allowed. This one is worthy of protection, but two sets of eyes are insufficient.”
Cedric said, “Well, that could have, bloody well, gone a bit worse.”
Everyone relaxed a bit, and the tension left the air.
Paul said, “I will have to think about that one.”
Dominick continued to look at Ridley, “It is always so strange to look at even a distant relative of the one that made us all. Those of my kind, anyway.” s
It had been a poor time to relax, as a group of those nonaligned Vampires and some non-seated mages attacked Stonehaven. Everyone in the room sensed all the magic being thrown at it. It collided with the shielding. That would not last forever.
As they all got up to report back, Nathaniel said, “Why do people keep trying to tear the Estate down?”
Gwen, Evelyn Brookhaven’s apprentice, had a mage who was not seated as a friend. The two girls were talking by channeling through the water to see each other’s images through the reflections. She had not meant harm in telling her friend, Aida’. They were inexperienced and didn’t know others were watching. The unseen world knew. Secrets never did keep, as Nathaniel had cautioned.
