The Last Knight

by Candace Sams

  “Yes, Mr. Bloodnight?” a female quickly responded.

  “I need to speak to David Harrington.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll put you through.”

  At least things were efficiently and quickly handled. He had only a few seconds to wait. No complaints there.

  “Hello up there in the wild lands?” David Harrington amicably greeted. “What can I do for you, Gart?”

  “Just asking after that new claviger, David.” He hesitated. “Should I be… concerned?”

  “Ah, yes! Anna Gast has implemented her rather extensive radar, and now has her nickers in a knot. I understand.”

  Gart grinned. Everyone knew his general house manager had special contacts at home office. He and David still understood her to be the most trustworthy of all individuals. As good a job as she did, no one ever questioned her questioning superiors. It was just Anna Gast’s way and always had been.

  “What’s up with this claviger, David?”

  “If Mrs. Gast told you that she’s a bit…squeamish…about this job, well…”

  “David…is that hesitation I hear in your voice? Are you trying to say that this woman really doesn’t want to be here, as I’ve been led to believe?” Gart asked.

  “I would have told you the truth earlier, old boy. I was afraid you’d send her packing and we need her there. With you.”

  “Why would I have sent her…David, just tell me what’s up. Please? This intrigue isn’t making for a good day.”

  “Are you sitting down?”

  “Do I need to be?” For Gart, the word concern suddenly took on a whole new definition.

  “Gart…she’s an immortal. We kept that information secret. Even from the most rigorous fact-digging expedition Mrs. Gast could muster. As to that, Anna Gast will be told what I’m telling you. Right after our conversation!”

  Gart lowered the phone for a long moment. He heard David Harrington’s voice calling, but it took at least a full minute to force himself to respond. When he did, he reacted with less tact than usual. “Why the bloody damned hell are you sending an immortal…to guard another immortal?”

  “You and I both know that the term guarding is very loosely implied. Clavigers are meant to watch immortals. They’re meant to report back to home office on what their immortals are doing. They’re willing spies. We all know it, so let’s not pretend otherwise.”

  “I understand the job description, David! I’m not implying their powers are more than they ever have been. I agreed to be watched. Durington agreed to be the watcher in my case. As a gentle reminder, he was my clavier and he’s dead. I was supposed to be sent another normal human to replace him. Isn’t that the agreement I made with the government…about a century ago? Isn’t that the law?”

  “Calm down, old boy…calm down. I know this seems highly irregular. But just listen to me, will you?”

  Gart took a very deep breath before responding. “All right. Go on. But don’t interpret my having listened as approval of the situation,” he quickly and adamantly added.

  “Quite right! Now…let me explain about Jean Long. There’s a story to tell in that respect. It’s a sad one, actually.”

  “Sad?”

  “She’s only been immortal for a few months.”

  “How?”

  “Traffic mishap. Her parents were killed. She was with them, and woke up in the ambulance…healing. It was as if her broken legs, shattered backbone, and punctured pelvis never occurred. Of course, the law requires physicians encountering such oddities—”

  “The doctors called the government straight away,” Gart finished. “Get to the point.”

  “Gart, she needs guidance. She’s having a very hard time accepting what is clearly her lot in life. The organization took her under their wing. We’ve explained the laws and her responsibilities. She is trying, but the entire affair has been quite tragic and devastating.”

  He shook his head. “She’s not a claviger, David. I’m supposed to have an ordinary human watcher. That’s the law,” he reminded.

  “Dear boy, I know all this. We all know it. But this girl—”

  “Why is she getting special treatment when no other newly discovered immortal would? She’s supposed to be assigned a claviger to watch her actions. She’s supposed to be given compensation for working with the authorities, if she chooses a legal life. And that compensation should be far more than enough. Why are you sending her here?”

  “Well…that’s uh…a bit of a…you see…”

  “David!”

  “She’s James’s great granddaughter.”

  Memories of eighty years ago came flooding back. Gart was suddenly drawn to a place of horrible, life-altering decisions. At that time, WWII was very close or fully involved in some places. People were dying everywhere. James Long was a soldier and a very great friend. A very human one.

  “Are you there, Gart? Gart!”

  “I’m h-here.” He swallowed hard. “How could such a thing happen?”

  “My dear friend, there’s never been any DNA or other precursors denoting immortality, as you well know. You’ve known many regular humans whose offspring became immortals. It happens and no one knows why,” David reminded. “Since she has become what she’s become, I owe the girl an allegiance that can never be repaid. So do you.”

  “We all owe James! But I don’t know anything about this girl. She shouldn’t be here. She needs to be taught how to live within the laws governing any immortal in any country. Since she’s here, in our country, she’s got to learn how to live by UK standards. As for me, I need a human claviger. There’s nothing this woman can get from me.”

  “That’s not true. You know it! I will restate how very much we all owe James Long. That debt extends to his family.” David paused. “I wasn’t there, but I know Major Long’s history. You’re aware of his heroism and sacrifices. You more than anyone know what he did.”

  “Of course I—”

  “Gart, this agency has orders to make sure she’s taken care of. In every possible way.”

  “What orders? From whom?”

  “From the highest source!”

  Buckingham Palace had its influence, elbow deep, in this situation. Gart knew it even if David wouldn’t say so.

  “Gart, please! She’s all alone in the world. You, more than anyone, can understand what it’s like…you know how hard it is to wake up one day, and find out you’re not going to die, but watch everything change around you. For eternity.”

  “I came to grips with my circumstances a long time ago, David. If I hadn’t, I’d have had somebody cut my head off, or would have contracted some thug to take out my heart. Unlike some other immortals, I don’t see my situation as anything other than a blessing…though, at times, I wonder about the future.” He slowly shook his head. “This girl should be told to get on with her life in accordance with the laws.” He paused. “I don’t know what you want from me, but I want my claviger lest I be in violation of the very laws I help enforce! Immortals are feared. Our powers are feared. The laws, as they are, keep people from fearing us even more. The idea behind human clavigers was devised so that everyone can live in peace. With a human watching us, other humans sleep better at night. What part of this arrangement don’t you understand?”

  “Orders, old friend. I’ll reiterate that you have them, and that they come from the same place mine do.” David paused. “There’s nothing to be done, old boy. The girl needs tutoring. She needs help understanding this new life she’s entering. You’ve been deemed the one to help her do so. Her Majesty believes she and this country’s residents owe Major James Long every full measure of respect. Since this girl is the last of that family line, the respect falls to her. In James’s memory.” He cleared his throat. “Furthermore, Mrs. Gast will be promoted to claviger. I’ll call and tell her the circumstances straight away so you won’t have that issue to sort. Orders installing someone as a claviger must come from me anyhow. Anna knows that and will certainly accept the situat
ion. In this new role, Anna can still maintain her presence in your household, and without any of the usual upheavals that transferring a new employee might bring. That’ll certainly satisfy the regulations, and the queen won’t be on my doorstep wondering why I didn’t flaming do as she ordered!”

  “David…I can’t make someone accept immortality if they don’t want it. I assume that’s the main problem in this case?”

  “Precisely.”

  “What do you want me to tell ‘er? And how long is this situation supposed to last?”

  “As far as the position of claviger goes, Mrs. Gast’s promotion in final. I daresay she’ll be thrilled. We, at home office, believe that she’ll do remarkably well. As far as the girl goes…that’s up to you. Train her. Talk to her. But, above all, have the common decency to understand that she didn’t ask for this. Your orders are to get on with it. Finally…do quit whining. It’s very unseemly…that’s a good chap!”

  The line went dead.

  Gart stood there a full five minutes before putting his cell back in its holder on his desktop. The dressing down he’d just been given filtered away. In its place, old memories surfaced.

  Memories came flying back like birds winging by his office window.

  It was late 1938. The entire world was about to explode.

  Back then they’d all been different people. The world was peopled with men and women who acted and believed differently.

  He’d even had a different surname.

  Most of the planet back then had a cause. People had a common enemy.

  As he’d just been so brusquely and suitably reminded, he owed James Long everything. How could he forget that his every breath these days was due to that brave man? How could he forget, indeed?

  Chapter 2

  “Sir, she’s here,” Mrs. Gast announced. “I’ve taken her upstairs, given her your instructions, and made sure she’s comfortable. I helped her unpack some of her trunks.”

  Gart swiftly turned away from the window, then glanced at his wristwatch. As he’d so recently noted the leisurely movement of time, that commodity had paradoxically begun to hasten. “I hadn’t realized I’d been woolgathering,” he admitted while not revealing the sequence of his daydreaming.

  “If I may suggest, sir?”

  “Yes?”

  “I think you should go up and see the girl,” Mrs. Gast insisted.

  “Doesn’t she want time to herself? Time to acclimate? I know she’s now immortal, but she’s very new to this existence. She hasn’t developed her full strength yet. She might be tired from the journey, or mentally taxed at the very least.”

  “Tired or not. Taxed or not. I really think you should go see her.”

  He tilted his head and considered the request while pondering Anna Gast’s intense expression.

  “I think you’re going to be surprised, sir.”

  “How so?”

  “She’s not what any of us expected. Indeed, she’s really rather…”

  “Rather what?” Now, his concern was magnified. What was his new claviger not telling him? He decided to get around Mrs. Gast’s wiles by jumping to another subject. “I suppose that you’ve been informed of Miss Long’s immortality as well as your new duties? I’d have said something to you myself, but David wanted to break the news. That’s the accepted procedure.”

  Mrs. Gast smiled brightly. “Mr. Harrington did ring. He did explain about the young woman being immortal, and about her having a hard time with the entire concept. Though it’ll be unusual having her here, I’ve suddenly come to a different conclusion.”

  “Which is?”

  “That she’ll come around, sir. And quite brilliantly.”

  “And this sudden change in your attitude is due to…”

  “Simple acceptance of the situation, sir. As to my being made claviger for the both of you…Ben is just as surprised and happy as I am. It’s a unique circumstance, but think I shall do the job professionally while not revealing every moment of your personal life, of course.”

  He grinned. “If you and Ben are happy about your promotion, then I’m ecstatic!”

  That Mrs. Gast would also report on Jean Long’s activities wasn’t surprising. A claviger was supposed to do these things, by law. Being the only guardian present, it was assumed David Harrington would have Anna Gast watch both him and Jean. Anna’s husband, Ben, would likely help his wife as much as the rules allowed.

  “You will need to find someone to replace you as far as seeing after the household chores. You’ll have reports to file, and they’re endless.”

  “I’ve already decided to promote Mrs. Whitehorn, from Drury Village. She’ll do the job ably. She’s been consulted about the schedule for years, and will eagerly accept a raise. She won’t be living in, more’s the pity. But the errands will still get done.” She sighed. “Now, all I have to do is get used to the damned computer so that I can log your activities and Miss Long’s.”

  “I’m not supposed to offer or meddle, but I’ll show you anything you need to know. We’ll get it settled.”

  “Splendid! That’s it, then. We’re all set,” she told him, with a firm nod of her head. “Now, you need to quit putting me off the subject. Go upstairs and welcome our new, resident immortal.”

  He lifted one brow and put his hands on his hips. “Are you sure she’s good with being disturbed? David told me she wasn’t taking to changes in her life. She might not like me barging in, right after she’s arrived.”

  “Indeed, she wouldn’t! She actually said as much.”

  Taken aback, he put his hands out in a supplicating gesture. “Then, why in hell would I start off doing precisely the exact opposite of what this woman wants? She should be allowed the evening to settle in and transition. She may very well see me as her captor. David, and likely the rest of home office, are insisting she stays here. She must feel as though her rights don’t matter.”

  Mrs. Gast chuckled. “I daresay. But you still need to go up. The sooner the better.”

  “If I don’t, is my new claviger going to report me to the powers that be?”

  “I may very well do just that,” she joked. “Still, I think you’ll be glad you introduced yourself. In fact, she might be glad that I didn’t listen to her, and that I sent you upstairs to offer a greeting.”

  “What’s all that supposed to mean?”

  “Just go. Now, please?”

  Gart checked the time again and sighed heavily.

  Mrs. Gast was trying to make another one of her points. When she did things like what she was doing now—insisting on a certain behavior—he’d always been sorry when he didn’t cooperate. This silliness had nothing to do with Anna Gast being a new claviger, throwing her weight around. The woman had always mother-henned him. She’d become quite dear to everyone on the premises for her persistent, if very crafty-but-gentle interference in lives.

  “I’ll still be taking the day off with my Ben,” she called as he left his study.

  Certain that their new house member didn’t want to see him on the very day she’d arrived, and knowing this stranger would likely be upset with everything that’d happened to her over the past weeks—just as David warned—Gart didn’t see this meeting going well.

  Still, it had to happen. No one insisted that he stay long and chat her up. All he had to do was pop his head in her door and say hello.

  Perhaps Mrs. Gast’s idea was best.

  He’d been told more than once that his presence was a bit shocking. Others had said so all the way through WWII. In fact, Miss Long’s own great grandfather had commented on the unusual nature of his appearance, but without being nasty or cruel. James Long had nicknamed him Hercules. For whatever reason, that name stuck with Gart for the duration of the war. It even became his code name.

  As he headed up the stairway, shunning the use of the lift as he always did, Gart recalled the very first-meeting expression on Anna Gast’s face, as well as the wide-eyed stare on her husband’s mug. At that time,
so long ago in human years, Anna and Ben had arrived to interview for the combined positions of head housekeeper, plus head gardener and stable foreman. Their respective duties were to oversee others who’d help in those tasks.

  He’d hired them both that same day, and had never been sorry for it. Their expressions of awe and wonder were nothing compared to Hingus Tate’s when a driver and general repairman had been needed. Anna, Ben and Hingus were the three people who currently made up the most trusted of his staff, though there were many dependable folks who came in from Drury Village these days. They all helped keep the place going. Without them, he couldn’t live this luxurious life.

  His employees knew he was immortal. All of them had that ridiculous, doe-in-a-headlight stare when he’d first met and hired them. Naturally, there had to be some truth in the theory that his appearance was extreme. Otherwise, people wouldn’t act so confounded on first contact.

  When viewing his own reflection each day, however, he didn’t see the reason for all the fuss. But it wasn’t his opinion that mattered. Currently, it was Miss Long’s.

  All that considered, if Jean Long got just a quick glimpse of him today, the initial surprise would be over. The woman might fare better tomorrow, and in the days to come. Mrs. Gast’s point was well taken though his beloved, newly promoted claviger was far too tactful to have mentioned his first impression shortfalls.

  He strode the length of the upstairs gallery where precious oil paintings of bucolic pastoral scenes were professionally hung. Under each well-lit painting, a hall table was positioned to hold flowers or other paraphernalia suitable for display. Along the oak floor, a red and blue patterned hall carpet was perfectly groomed. He tried to imagine what Jean Long’s first impression of all the grandeur had been. The home office generally had rather frugal apartments available for new immortals in London. Long ago, it’d been deemed necessary to temporarily bring them into shelter for their own good, to orient them to their supernatural existence. Those who obeyed the law and took advantage of such help always got along better in the world.