Thaumatology 07 - Eagle's Shadow

by Teasdale, Niall

  ‘A diplomatic function,’ Carter was saying as Ceri walked back from a drinks run. ‘It sounds… most entertaining.’

  ‘Well, I could take Alec instead,’ Cheryl suggested. ‘I’m sure he looks very good in a tux.’

  ‘I don’t,’ the werewolf said, ‘you’re taking Carter.’

  ‘I happen to know,’ Carter said, ‘that Alec scrubs up very well, and is an excellent dancer.’

  ‘She’s still taking you. You’re the playboy millionaire, I’m just an old werewolf who tends a bar.’

  Carter heaved an overly heavy sigh. ‘I suppose I’ll just have to spend an evening chatting to politicians’ trophy wives in clinging dresses.’

  ‘I pity you,’ Alec growled.

  ‘I’ll have to get Cheryl something suitable as well,’ Carter mused.

  ‘Definitely,’ Lily said, strutting over from her tables. ‘Something subtle, elegant, and far too tight to wear underwear with.’

  Cheryl’s blush went all the way down to her chest and Carter hid his smirk badly. ‘I believe I’ve seen something very suitable,’ he said.

  ‘Oh dear,’ was Cheryl’s reply. Ceri was also wondering what he could get Cheryl into which would be both decorous enough for a diplomatic affair and satisfy his apparently insatiable urge to dress her in indecent clothing.

  The thought was stopped as a shiver ran up her spine. She turned to the door of the club and the lectern people waited at to be seated. The woman standing there was tall with long, black hair and a stunning figure. Ceri recognised her immediately; Brenhines, her distant, but direct, draconic ancestor. She did not normally leave Anglesey and it was always a surprise to see her in the flesh. As usual she was wearing a white dress, floor length and hugging her figure from her throat down to her knees where it flared out. She looked, as always, regal.

  Spotting Ceri she walked over, long legs carrying her with grace which only Lily could match. ‘I hope you don’t mind me breaking the normal protocol,’ she said as she approached.

  Carter turned at the voice and smiled. ‘I believe we can forgive you. Welcome, once again, to the Jade Dragon…’

  ‘Gwyn. Call me Gwyn.’ Her gaze turned to Ceri and she smiled her knowing smile. ‘I thought I would visit to see how my… youngest relative was doing and thank you all for helping her.’

  ‘We were glad you helped,’ Cheryl said.

  ‘Indeed,’ Carter agreed. ‘We would have been unable to do what we did without your instruction.’

  Gwyn waved a dismissive hand. ‘I merely provided the tools. Without Doctor Tennant to interpret my theory, and yourself, Mister Fleming, and Alexandra to make it work, and indeed Lily to provide the focus, nothing I did would have helped.’ She paused. ‘If I might borrow Ceridwyn for a moment?’

  Ceri glanced at Carter and then moved. ‘We can go in the back,’ she said.

  ‘Use my office,’ Carter said as they walked past.

  Carter’s office was sumptuous, but functional. Aside from a large, oak desk which Carter did work behind occasionally, there were two very large sofas in dark leather flanking a low table. These were used for business meetings as well as for certain other, more intimate meetings on occasion.

  Brenhines settled down on one, resting her arms along the back and crossing her legs. Now she looked more like a dragon queen, resplendent on her throne. ‘Comfortable,’ she commented as Ceri took the seat opposite her. ‘I’d imagine Mister Fleming has consummated a few conquests on these.’

  ‘One or two,’ Ceri replied. She was feeling a little uncomfortable. Something about thrones and sitting perched on one…

  ‘You’ve been having dreams you can’t quite remember.’ It was a statement, but it seemed to demand an answer.

  ‘Yes. Since the ball, I think.’

  ‘And what did you think of the Grand Imperial Dragon?’

  Ceri frowned; people kept asking her that in ways which suggested her opinion should change. ‘Charming, but far from perfect. Mei Long… suggested that I should be wary of him. Sort of.’

  ‘She walks a narrow line,’ Brenhines said, ‘always the observer. She does not choose sides in any conflict.’

  ‘Conflict?’

  ‘The wrong word, perhaps. Debate?’

  ‘Huh,’ Ceri grunted. She was probably not going to get a straight answer. ‘He told me you were over a hundred thousand years old.’

  Brenhines looked thoughtful for a second. ‘I suppose I am, by your measure of time. I recall the births of Mei Long and Athro. Her mother died not long after and I took her under my wing, so to speak, for a time. That was… fifty thousand years ago, approximately.’

  ‘You were born before the Toba Flare began.’

  Brenhines nodded. ‘I was one of those who first discovered we could reach this world. The pendant I gave you, you still have it?’

  The sudden change of subject surprised Ceri. ‘Uh, yes, of course.’

  ‘Wear it, especially at night. You’ll find the dreams don’t bother you.’

  ‘What does it do? There’s some sort of enchantment on it, but…’

  ‘Not quite an enchantment, but something similar. It provides… oh, insight is probably the right word.’ Ceri grinned. ‘You are amused?’ Brenhines asked.

  ‘I’m surrounded by people who love enigmatic statements,’ Ceri replied.

  Brenhines’ smile was broad. ‘Dragons practically invented enigmas, my dear.’ She grew serious again. ‘Some things you should learn for yourself. Giving hints will cause no harm, but just telling you… Well, experience is a great educator. Knowledge you come to of your own work is better than anything which can be taught or told.’

  ‘You sound like Ed, Athro.’

  ‘Who do you think he learned from?’

  Ceri frowned. ‘Do you think I can trust Huanglong?’

  ‘No.’ It was a very direct answer and Ceri’s eyebrows went up in surprise. ‘However, you don’t entirely trust me, so can you trust my opinion of him?’ Ceri opened her mouth to protest, but Brenhines stopped her. ‘Trust is earned, child. I’d no more expect you to readily trust me than I would expect you to trust any other person you barely know.’

  ‘I owe you a debt of gratitude,’ Ceri said. ‘You helped save me from Falk and Gadriel. You exposed yourself to do it.’

  Brenhines smiled again. ‘I’ll accept your gratitude, but there is no debt. I was protecting a child. We had no children of our own so you are the closest I’ll ever get.’ She paused, looking thoughtful again. ‘I hope that isn’t too presumptuous of me?’

  Ceri returned the thoughtful look. ‘You can’t replace my parents, but I’ve just the one living relative and she’s senile. I can accept you as one. Besides… I wouldn’t deny you that if it helps.’

  The dragon queen leant forward, suddenly seeming smaller, more vulnerable. When she spoke, her voice was low and carried more emotion than Ceri had ever heard in it. ‘Thank you, Ceridwyn. It does.’

  Kennington, January 28th

  ‘You’re quite sure I’m not imposing?’ Brenhines said as they walked in through the doors of High Towers. ‘I can find somewhere to stay without any trouble.’

  Ceri smiled. ‘Twill? Do you mind having a guest for the night?’

  The tiny brown woman appeared out of nowhere, flitting across to hover in front of Brenhines, her wings flicking rapidly. ‘Good evening, Brenhines. Of course you’re not imposing.’ Her eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Unless you need a bed of gold coins to sleep on. We don’t have one handy and it would be terribly difficult to get one at this time of night.’

  Brenhines laughed; she had a beautiful, melodic laugh. ‘Dragons sleeping on beds of gold is a myth, as I think you well know.’ She paused. ‘Well, there was one in Europe in the Dark Ages, but he was frankly off his head. Had a thing for kidnapping virgin women.’

  ‘Seriously?’ Ceri asked.

  ‘Oh yes,’ Brenhines replied, walking slowly into the hall and looking around slowly. ‘He was eventually killed by a sor
cerer from one of the Germanic tribes after he stole their könig’s daughter. Now this place really is more what I would expect of a sorceress. The little room downstairs is well stocked, but this is much grander. I approve.’

  ‘My parents had it built,’ Ceri said.

  ‘You should see the dungeon,’ Lily added, grinning. Ceri felt her cheeks heating; for some reason the thought of Brenhines knowing about the dungeon…

  ‘You have a dungeon?’ The dragon queen sounded far too interested.

  ‘Next door to the summoning room,’ Lily said. Her grin said she knew it was embarrassing Ceri and was thoroughly enjoying it.

  ‘It was Lily’s idea,’ Ceri said. ‘Somewhere she could lock herself if her demon was starting to dominate, and, uh…’

  ‘Does it have chains?’ Brenhines asked.

  ‘And whips,’ Lily replied. ‘And various toys, and we got this really cool electrical gadget that…’

  ‘I so don’t want to be hearing this,’ Ceri said, starting for the stairs. ‘You’re practically my mother. Grandmother at least. It’s a well-known fact that children’s parents are celibate!’

  Brenhines actually looked confused, while Lily giggled. ‘My dear girl, where do you think you came from?’ Brenhines asked.

  ‘I was delivered by a stork,’ Ceri replied as she marched up the stairs.

  Brenhines waited just exactly the right amount of time before calling out, ‘So I’ll be sleeping in the guest room then?’

  Ceri fled.

  ~~~

  ‘Why aren’t you both the shape and size of pregnant dragons?’ Brenhines asked as she tucked into a plate of scrambled eggs. ‘This is wonderful, Twill.’ Somehow the fairy managed to bob a curtsey in the air.

  ‘Lily burns calories like a furnace,’ Ceri said, ‘and I… well, I try not to eat too much.’

  ‘Your willpower is amazing,’ the dragon said around a mouthful of eggs. She was dressed in one of Ceri’s shirts and her longs legs stuck out from under the table. She was also apparently completely oblivious to Lily’s casual nudity as the half-succubus leant against the kitchen counter and drank coffee.

  ‘It is,’ Lily said. ‘You’re nothing like what I expected.’

  Brenhines looked up at her, smiling slightly. ‘What were you expecting?’

  ‘Someone… stiffer, more regal. Don’t get me wrong, you look the part. Even sitting there stuffing your face you’ve got poise. I can almost smell the aristocracy from here. You’re just more down to earth than I expected.’

  ‘You were more formal the first time we met,’ Ceri commented.

  Brenhines savoured her last mouthful of eggs, leaning back on her chair. Her chest filled out Ceri’s shirt far better than Ceri could manage; the buttons were actually straining a little. ‘I suppose I was. I’ve been spending more time around people. Re-socialising myself, so to speak.’

  ‘How long has it been?’ Lily asked, her voice soft.

  ‘Millennia.’ Brenhines smiled. ‘I’ve had no reason to bother with society, of any sort, for a long time.’

  ‘What changed? Ceri?’

  ‘Yes.’ The dragon rose to her feet smoothly. ‘You look after my great-granddaughter. And you,’ she looked at Ceri, ‘keep that necklace on. You slept better last night?’

  Ceri raised her hand to the metal charm under her own shirt. ‘No dreams,’ she said.

  Nodding, Brenhines started for the door. ‘I’ll collect my dress and be on my way. I’ve taken enough of your time and I have things to do. Don’t say goodbye, I’ll be with you.’ With that she left the room leaving Ceri frowning.

  ‘I like her,’ Lily said.

  ‘Yeah, so do I.’ Trusting her, though… Ceri was not yet sure she trusted her draconic mother yet.

  Soho

  The tall, slim figure standing in the entrance of the Jade Dragon was not immediately recognisable, but Ceri knew he was a dragon. There was the same tightening sensation somewhere in her mind that dragons always invoked. He waited at the lectern like any other customer, but there was something about the way he held himself that Ceri recognised; a sort of suppressed arrogance.

  ‘I’ll take this one, Boss,’ Ceri said and, getting a nod from Carter, she started across to the lectern, already settling her professional smile into place. The man watched her approaching as though he was used to being waited on, except faster. ‘Good evening,’ Ceri said, ‘I’m Ceri and I’ll be your waitress for the evening.’

  ‘This is no job for the daughter of dragons,’ the man replied. The voice was far too familiar.

  ‘Funny, Brenhines said the same the first time she came here, Huanglong. I enjoy the work, the money is useful, and it gets me out of the house.’

  ‘Your parents were royalty,’ he said, ‘but you play at being a servant?’

  ‘My parents were enchanters and went to university with the owner of this place,’ Ceri replied.

  The dragon’s eyes moved over her shoulder toward the bar area where Carter was standing. ‘Yes, he was.’ His eyes lowered again. ‘But your biology is nothing to do with who you are. You are the daughter of…’

  ‘Two enchanters, who loved me a great deal, and protected me through a lot of years before there were any dragons around to do it. Now the only living dragon I’m actually related to was able to handle me working in a club, so I can take you to a table and get you a drink, or you can go about your business.’

  His back straightened and his eyes widened a little; he was surprised. Ceri wondered when a human, or a mostly-human anyway, had last stood up to him. She was guessing at never, and pretty sure it was “never this century.” He seemed to hesitate a second before saying, ‘I’ll return another time,’ and turned on his heel.

  ‘I’ll see you another night then,’ Ceri said. She got no answer as he walked out onto the street, turning left and heading down Dean Street. Ceri turned around herself and headed back to the bar.

  ‘Not interested?’ Carter asked.

  ‘I’m not sure I know what he was interested in,’ Ceri replied. ‘That was Huanglong, though if he’s at this thing on Monday he’ll probably look different.’

  ‘I rather prefer Gwyn,’ Carter said.

  ‘Of course you do,’ Alec said from behind the bar, ‘she’s female, attractive, and she’s got a bust you could ski down.’

  Carter nodded. ‘There is that, but I think it’s mostly that she doesn’t give me the creeps.’

  Ceri chuckled and started off across the floor toward table twelve.

  January 29th

  It was a dark night, overcast and cold with a hint of rain in the air. Ceri and Lily hurried toward the tube station at Leicester Square with Ceri holding her coat tightly around her. Lily, with her demonic central heating, was not as cold, but she stretched her legs to keep pace with Ceri anyway.

  ‘I wish I had your legs,’ Lily said as they turned down Charring Cross Road.

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘Your legs, they’re longer than mine. Your legs, my body, I’d be lethal.’

  ‘You are lethal, love.’

  ‘More lethal then, and I wouldn’t have to push to keep up when you’re hurrying.’

  Ceri giggled. The thought that Lily envied any part of her body was an ego boost, though Ceri thought Lily was just perfect. In thirty or so minutes they would be home and Ceri would be enjoying that perfect body along with Michael. Just the thought of it warmed her up and…

  Ceri stopped, looking around. ‘What’s wrong?’ Lily asked, coming to a halt a step further on.

  ‘There’s a dragon nearby.’

  Lily looked around. ‘You can’t tell where?’

  Ceri shook her head. ‘It’s not that specific.’ She looked around one last time, but there were plenty of places someone could watch from without being seen. ‘Let’s go. Maybe they’re just keeping an eye one me.’

  Lily fell into step once more. ‘But why? Why now? They haven’t been bothered before.’

  ‘I don’t know. They think there
’s some sort of danger?’

  ‘Why not just warn you?’

  Ceri grunted a half-laugh. ‘Since when has anyone around us who knows anything just told us what they know?’

  ‘Huh, yeah, you’ve got a point.’ They turned down the steps into the station oblivious to the dark shape which rose into the sky across the street.

  Kennington

  ‘Any sign of that dragon?’ Lily asked as they entered the park.

  ‘No,’ Ceri replied. ‘Either he didn’t follow or he’s bright enough to stay out of range.’

  ‘I don’t like it,’ Lily said. ‘Maybe it’s the demon in me. Like Dad said, they’re a demon’s natural competition.’

  ‘I don’t think it works like that. And you’re not bothered by me and I’m probably more dragon than you are demon.’

  ‘You’re my mistress,’ Lily said. ‘And you’re gorgeous. And sexy.’

  ‘Brenhines is sexy.’

  ‘Yes, she is,’ Lily said brightly, ‘but not as sexy as you are. However, you’re right, she doesn’t bother me. It’s a shame you went all “she’s my grandmother” last night. I bet she’s had plenty of practice in bed and she seemed keen on the dungeon.’

  Ceri cringed. ‘I am not going to bed with her. It’d feel like… like…’

  ‘Bedding your granny?’

  ‘Yuck! Yes.’

  Lily giggled. ‘I wonder whether she really would have, or whether she was just teasing.’

  ‘Teasing,’ Ceri said. ‘I think she was teasing. I hope she was teasing. I know a lot about werewolf and demon society now, but nothing much about dragons. It’s not like I’m really related to her. She had sex with someone who’s such a distant relation you’d need an archaeologist to work out the relationship. Maybe she would.’

  ‘Would it be so bad?’

  ‘It would probably be wonderful… until I woke up the next morning.’

  ‘Regrets,’ Lily said, ‘I don’t see the point in them. Certainly not over something like that. She’s not really your relative. Not in any meaningful sense.’

  ‘Can we quit this line of thought before we put me off having sex entirely?’