by J B Forest
He spent the remainder of the afternoon becoming familiar with the operation of the motorcycle, exploring the city, and observing human behavior. So much had changed since his last visit to earth. He returned to his hotel room to rest and prepare for the evening. He used his new iPad to conduct more internet research on members of his blood line.
He could not find a specific address, but he located the name of the city. Once he was within close proximity, his senses would do the remainder of the work locating those of his blood line. He hoped that information regarding their origins had been passed down through the centuries. It would make his job easier if they were aware and receptive. However, he planned to use caution in case the stories were distorted, lost, or dismissed as myths. Faery tales he laughed to himself.
He called Jennifer promptly at 7:00 pm and they made plans to meet at a restaurant called Pappadeaux’s. They met about an hour later; each entering the parking lot on their motorcycles. They received more than a few appreciative stares from other patrons waiting for tables at the restaurant. The food was excellent. It was extremely rich and spicy and the serving sizes rivaled those of his sister’s tables in the Seelie palace.
She followed him back to his hotel after dinner where they went to the bar for drinks. She appeared relieved when he finally asked her to accompany him back to his room. He had forgotten the finer details and pleasures of having sex with humans. However, by the end of the evening, he was entirely sated and believed that he had provided Jennifer with an experience that would never be paralleled.
Tristen watched Jennifer sleep for a while and then moved into the living room of the hotel suite to conduct more research on the internet. The evening with the human woman proved very beneficial. She provided a wealth of information regarding the people of the time through their general conversation. The added bonus was the carnal treat at the end of the evening. He felt prepared to begin his task in earnest and decided to leave the next morning to seek out his descendants.
Chapter 14 – Present Day – Southwest Louisiana
“Hi Granddad,” Taylor smiled as she entered the room. “How are you feeling?”
“Taylor,” James sighed, relieved that his granddaughter made it while he was still lucid. “I’m fine. Did you get the package that I left for you?”
“Yes, I did. That was a pretty fantastic story. Did those things really happen? I have so many questions.”
“Taylor, it’s very important that you believe every word. I know that your studies profess that these stories are all myth, but there had to be some basis in reality for them to originate.”
“Granddad, that’s exactly what my research is focused on, finding the link between the reality and the myths. But it seems like I won’t be able to publish my findings if your warnings about keeping the knowledge secret are true.”
“Unfortunately, child, that is true. Even in today’s advanced world, I don’t believe that society is ready to accept the fact that we are not alone,” her grandfather smiled sadly.
“What made you decide to share this information with me now,” she asked.
“The other night I was awakened by something that felt very disturbing. I can’t exactly explain what it was, but I felt it deep inside and knew that it had to do with our bloodline. Taylor, I fear that far outside our little world, something is amiss and our family will have a role to play. I can’t explain why I think that somehow, we have a role in what is happening outside of earth, but I fear that the burden will be left to you because I am not strong enough anymore. That is why I wanted you to understand your roots and know the real story. Also, please don’t tell your mother; she would never understand.”
Taylor was excited and distressed at the same time. She still hadn’t fully digested the ramifications of beings other than humans and the existence of a world or worlds with sentient beings outside of earth.
“Granddad, what could I do to help these peop…. er, beings? There is no written record that they have required our assistance in the past, why would they need us now?”
“Taylor, just as our family has its secrets, I am sure that there are others throughout the world with similar secrets. We may never know the full impact that other species have had on our society. I wanted to share all my knowledge with you as quickly as I could because my lucid moments are not guaranteed anymore. How I would have loved to play a part in our ancestor’s world,” James smiled wistfully.
“Granddad, you’re lucid now and who’s to say that if or when we get a visit from this mysterious ancestor that you won’t have a role to play. Who knows just how advanced this race is, they may only want the assistance of male progeny,” she smiled and hugged her grandfather tightly.
“I wish it were true child, that I could help out but I fear that my days are numbered,” he responded.
“Granddad, please don’t say such things,” she chided him.
“Enough sentimentality, let’s get down to business. I want to make sure that you are familiar with everything that has been passed down to me. You might want to ask Sandy for something to write on so that you can take notes.”
Taylor quickly pulled out her tablet and waited for her grandfather. He shook his head and returned to the story. She listened, took notes, asked questions, and tried to absorb the information. By the end of the night, she agreed with her grandfather that something unusual was happening. It still sounded like an episode from Star Trek or Lord of the Rings or something. She convinced her grandfather to rest for a while; they had been talking for several hours.
Sandy stopped by earlier to let them know that her shift was over and she was going home. But she assured them that the nurses from the next shift would not pose a problem. She told Taylor that she could spend the night since it was so late.
Once her grandfather was asleep, Taylor spent time going over the information that she and her grandfather discussed. She tried to envision what role she or her grandfather would have if they were truly called upon by another race to help solve a problem. She had no frame of reference. All of her research and studies only dealt with legends and myths of events that occurred on earth. Only vague references were made to someplace else since it didn’t appear that any humans who may have visited these other worlds returned to tell the story or shared it with others if they did. She fell asleep in the chair next to her grandfather’s bed thinking about what she learned.
James awoke the next morning pleased to realize that he remembered everything from the day before. More often than not, his memory would fail him from day to day. He smiled at the sight of his beautiful granddaughter curled up in the chair beside his bed. He remembered fondly the days when was a little girl, she followed him around, hanging on every word of his ‘tales’. He had hoped that she would be the one in the family line to receive their ‘gift’. His hopes were realized when she confirmed that she too felt something different a few nights ago. Although she had no idea what the feeling meant, neither did he for that matter, the fact that she noticed something different was proof enough for him.
She was just waking up when he came out of the bathroom refreshed from his shower and dressed for the day. He hadn’t felt so good in weeks. He silently prayed that the sickness would remain at bay for a little while at least.
“Good morning sleepy head,” he teased her.
“Good morning Granddad. Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes, I did, in fact I feel great this morning. Why don’t you freshen up a little in the bathroom and we can go to the dining hall to have some breakfast. Or rather lunch,” he corrected as he looked at the clock. It was nearly 12:30 pm. “I guess we both slept in today, huh?”
“Well I think we both deserved it. It was nearly dawn when we stopped talking,” she replied. “If you’re up to it, maybe we can eat outside. It looks like a beautiful day and the temperature outside should be nice.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
They brought their breakfast trays out to the
courtyard behind the main building. Tables were scattered throughout the courtyard along with lawn chairs and benches. The facility managers put a lot of effort into making the place feel like ‘home’. There was a large water feature in the center of the courtyard complete with a fountain surrounded by a pond stocked with colorful Japanese koi.
James selected a table slightly apart from the main group. He didn’t want to share his granddaughter with anyone else. He guiltily thought that he should contact his daughter, but he felt like being a little selfish today. Besides they still needed to continue to prepare for whatever was going to happen and that would have been impossible with Marion present.
The trip from Houston to Southwest Louisiana was uneventful. The terrain was flat, and although he travelled through a few smaller cities along the way, there was nothing to catch his interest. Tristen used the time to become more familiar with operating his motorcycle in a more mundane manner. He did not want to solely rely on his Fae powers during his time among the humans. By the end of the two-hour trip, he was comfortable operating the vehicle that way a human would do it.
He felt the pull of his bloodline as soon as he crossed the bridge leading into the city of Lake Charles. He rode along the shore of the lake. He assumed the city was named for this body of water. He pulled over in the parking lot of a large building that was situated on the edge of the lake. The sign in front identified it as the Lake Charles Civic Center. It appeared to be a place where public events were held. He parked his motorcycle and walked along the lakefront to stretch his legs and try to get a directional bearing on the location of his descendants.
He had not been able to determine how many were in the area, it did not appear to be a large presence, but the pull of the blood was strong. Whoever they were, the traits were strong and his blood ran true. He smiled at the thought that after so many centuries of mixing with human bloodlines, that his blood was so strong in his descendants.
He returned to the motorcycle after a brief time, closed his eyes and focused on his destination. He took a deep breath and drove away, he was surprised that he was a little nervous. But the future of the Fae Dominion rested upon his ability to succeed in this endeavor. He arrived at his destination a few minutes later.
He stopped his vehicle in a parking area and took time to view his surroundings. The complex consisted of one larger structure with smaller structures scattered around. Large trees were scattered throughout and there was a lake along the back boundaries. The larger structure had chairs placed along the front. Several chairs were occupied by the inhabitants, but none of them were related to him. This did not look like the residence of one family.
He sat in the parking area for several minutes trying to determine the best way to find his descendants without attracting the attention of others. He was about to take the direct route through the front door of the larger building when he sensed a presence outside in the rear of the building.
Chapter 15 - Eleven Lands – Ljosar Realm
The trio had no problems entering Cidrean. Aleesia led them to her parents’ home to spend the night rather than taking the Svartans to the palace. She planned to send a messenger to announce the arrival of the emissaries. She felt that their unplanned arrival would cause unnecessary delays, particularly if the wrong guards were on duty.
Connak noticed that they were not taking a direct route to the castle and asked, “Aleesia, where are we going? We seem to be headed away from the palace.”
“You are correct, I think it will be best if we spend the night at my parents’ home and send a messenger to announce your arrival before going to the palace. It will avoid unnecessary delays and possible resistance,” she replied.
I defer to your judgment. Will our presence cause any difficulties for your family?”
“The note provided by Glarald will dispel any misgivings that my father may have. Besides, my family trusts my judgment or at least they did in the past.”
They reached her family’s home without incident. She instructed them to wait for her just outside the gates to the family home while she informed her family of her arrival and the visitors.
Laosx was not surprised to see that Aleesia’s family home was palatial. Based on the information about her that Glarald provided, he suspected that her family was well placed in the Ljosan society. The size of the property was a clear indication that the family was wealthy and influential. He looked across to his friend as they waited for Aleesia’s return. Connak was clearly disturbed by his visions. Laosx felt helpless because he could not ease his friend’s distress.
Aleesia recognized the sentry guarding the entry to her family’s home. He was the son of her father’s long-time friend and personal guard. She noticed that he tensed when he sensed her approach. “Orrion,” she called out.
“Who goes there?” he replied.
“It is Aleesia,” she said as she approached him.
“Yes, it is, you were not expected. What brings you to Cidrean, traveling at such a late hour?” he asked.
I am on urgent business and I am escorting emissaries to the High Council. But we need to rest and I thought it best to bring them here rather than the palace.”
“There are accommodations at the palace for emissaries, why bring them here?”
“You will see soon enough. Please notify the stable hands to come out and care for the horses.”
She left to return to her charges before Orrion had a chance to ask more questions. The Svartans looked as tired as she felt. She hoped that a night in a warm and comfortable bed would be sufficient to prepare them for their meeting with the High Council. She did not envy them in their task.
“Connak, Laosx, follow me,” she called.
She was pleased to see that two young stable hands were waiting next to Orrion when they approached the entrance. They removed their bags from the mounts and handed the horses to the stable hands who took them away for grooming. Aleesia noticed Orrion’s look of surprise that disappeared as quickly as it came when he saw the emissaries. She smiled to herself, he was well trained and she was grateful that he waited for her introduction and explanation before commenting.
“Orrion, this is Connak and Laosx. They are emissaries from the Svartan High Council on a mission of some urgency. Orrion is a member of my father’s personal guard, as is his father.”
The trio greeted each other with clasped forearms.
“I sent word of your arrival to your father. I did not know how many emissaries accompanied you,” Orrion told Aleesia.
“Thank you,” she replied. “We have been traveling hard and could use some food and drink before retiring for much needed rest. Tell Father that we will be in the kitchen.” She led the Svartans through the courtyard and around the side of the great estate to the kitchen area.
“There will be sufficient bread, cheese, and fruit in the kitchen. The cooks always leave food for the night prowlers in my family. My brothers are notorious for their late-night raids on the kitchen. There should be ale and tea as well,” she looked in Laosx’s direction as she said the last sentence.
“Thank you, you are most kind and we appreciate the hospitality,” Laosx replied.
“Are you sure that our presence will not cause problems for your family?” asked Connak.
“My father is a reasonable man and is also a member of the High Council. He will listen to what you have to say and make an assessment based on the information. He is not one to act without information,” she responded.
Connak was surprised to find out that Aleesia’s father was a member of the High Council. He wondered why she had not mentioned this information earlier. This would give him an opportunity to test the Ljosan’s receptiveness to the Svartan proposal and hopefully gain an ally before meeting the entire council.
They had just settled down to eat when Aleesia’s father arrived with the head of his personal guard. They all stood immediately.
“Daughter, you have come home unexpectedly and with guests I s
ee,” boomed Aleesia’s father as he entered the kitchen. He was unprepared to find Svartans sitting at his kitchen table, but was careful to keep his expression neutral as he greeted his daughter and nodded to the visitors.
Aleesia bowed to her father and greeted him formally with clasped forearms. “Father, we are on a mission of urgency and there was no time to send word in advance. Let me introduce the emissaries from the Svartan High Council. This is Connak and Laosx and they seek an audience with the High Council. Connak, Laosx, this is my father Alwin, and the head of his personal guard, Elre,” she nodded and assessed their reactions as she made her introductions.