Yesterday, today, tomorrow…to those heroes that were, that are, and that will be…I am forever grateful.
Forever Grateful
30 Monday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
in30 Monday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
inYesterday, today, tomorrow…to those heroes that were, that are, and that will be…I am forever grateful.
29 Sunday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
inThe characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.
This story is rated MA. Contains language and sexual adult situations.
Justified Crazy — Chapter the Twelves
Eric pulled her in for a kiss. Something slow and deliberate and soul pounding. Something that made her breathless, wet, breast aching, and wanting more. When they broke apart, Sookie’s breathing was coming is short, raspy, sounds.
“Our first time together, in our home,” he smiled at her and then kissed her again, “is not going to be a quickie. The sun is getting ready to be a horizon event.
We are going to shelter and you, I know you won’t stay in the castle, but at least, please, stay on the grounds.”
“I will,” she smiled. “And you stay tucked away out of sunlight. I am not asking you to sleep, just be aware,” she pulled him down for another kiss.
“This I will do.”
“Now, do you need to feed before you retire?” she asked.
“No,” he shook his head. “I do not feel hungry for blood. However, that waffle and bacon,” he sighed and then kissed her, again.
There was a soft chiming sound going off in the residence.
“Sunrise in thirty minutes,” Ian said as he, Samuel, Cedric and Lafayette came into the room.
“I assured Sookie we would shelter,” Eric said. “That if we are awake and no bleeds, perhaps something a bit different, tomorrow.”
“Sounds good, my Brother,” Samuel smiled at him. “I believe Cook has taken over the kitchen and if we desire a waffle and bacon sandwich, he has one at the ready for all of us.”
“Well then, let us take our picnic and depart the area,” Ian sighed. “Lafayette, Miss Sookie, I believe I can speak for the group when I say we do so enjoy your company and all family members should be so pleasant and a blessing to all those around them.”
“Well thank you,” she smiled in return. “Now, the birds are waking up. A sure sign that dawn is about to happen. You all need to scoot. So grab your breakfast and head on to wherever it is you day rest. Know that Lafayette and I will be just fine.
We won’t leave the grounds but we will do some walkin’ about.”
“You might find the grist mill interesting,” Ian smiled. “It is still working and they don’t give tours because they have to meet health and safety guidelines. But you can certainly admire the water wheel on the outside.
Also, there are standing stones. Not a large circle, but they are tall enough you could ride on a horse, under them.”
“That sounds good,” Sookie smiled. “We’ll look into that. I figure is we go super- sonic we should be able to hit all the sights and be back in time for lunch.”
Lafayette and Sookie were blowing them kisses and waving them off as the vampires started up a staircase and disappeared from sight.
“Breakfast, awaits,” Wadsworth announced. “This way please and I will serve you in the dining room. Clifford has taken our gentlemen’s breakfast sandwiches to their antechamber and they will eat there, before they retire for the day.”
“Bits different from their norm, huh?” Lafayette grinned.
Wadsworth chuckled. “Cook just might have job security. And I am to tell you lunch will be served whenever you return.”
“Yummy,” Sookie replied. “Breakfast smells great and we’ll be back at twelve or there abouts.”
“Yes madam, I will inform him. I know you will have a most pleasant out and about. Now this way please and allow me to pour up your tea and get you started with a piece of dark fruitcake.”
.
“It’s midnight!” Hadley cackled. “I mean it is fucking midnight! I have decreed it to be midnight and here it is!
See,” she turned to Jason, “I really am that special. Queen of Battle, that is me! Forevermore!”
“Queen of Battle Cuz,” Jason put the piece of fried chicken down and looked over at her. “Yes, it is midnight. It says right here on the clock in my truck. We came all the way to Shreveport to get fried chicken ‘cause you said you had to eat some at midnight. So here we are. Midnight, fried chicken, and I like their coleslaw and this biscuit with honey on it, why, it reminds me of Gran’s. Ain’t nothin’ coming out of a can about this biscuit. This is the real mixed by hand and cut out with a donut cutter, deal. And if you are not gonna’ drink your tea, can you just pass it on over here. I normally do not like it this sweet, but it is workin’ for me now. This sugar is giving me a buzz. I feel like I got flies wantin’ to come out my dick!”
Hadley looked over at Jason. What a mean thing to say to her! Like she could not declare it to be midnight anytime she wanted, too. Well, if he fucked with her, she would fix him! And how disgusting…flies coming out of what! Well, this is what happened when you had to fuck the relatives. They took all kinds of liberties! Sadly, she needed him to be the baby daddy, ‘cause Sookie was nowhere around to sacrifice.
“This is the feast I was havin’ the last time Uncle War came callin’. And I need to speak to him. I want a crown, and ridin’ boots and maybe one of those hats, you know, that they were at the Kentucky Derby and in all those old black and white movies when the guys would wear a tux. And they would always check their hat and cane at the door. Hey, maybe I should have a cane as well.”
Jason did a double-take. Old black and white movies? Cane? Did you war with a cane? Did she mean a walking cane or a cane fishin’ pole? What? Jason was having a moment. She watched old black and white movies? Well, he had watched old cowboy movies in black and white. “You mean a cowboy hat?” Jason asked as he wiped the grease on his hands onto his jeans. “’Cause I got a hat right here in the back. It is my righteous ride, hat. You know, when I go out lookin’ for a nice lady, I wear a nice hat. Not my baseball hat that I work in.”
“You really are all that, you know that Jason, right?” she smiled at him. She had to keep this conversation going because, fuck it all, she needed him. Man, when you needed relatives, you were out of them! It was not like you could go to Piggly Wiggly and buy yourself a couple! Man, her life would be simpler if she could.
“That is why I picked you to be the baby daddy of all my sacrifices. So kind and thoughtful and always knowing what to do in any situation. I admire that. That is what makes a man a man. And, he knows when to withdraw before he cums and when to stay for makin’ a baby.”
“Well, I always wear a condom, ‘cause she can get pregnant whether I unload inside of her or not. My little guys, they are tricky that way, or at least that is what Coach said.” Jason took on Coach’s winning team voice. “Always wrap that willy ‘cause they swim. And it just takes one and there you are with child support or havin’ to, you know, move out of state. I thought I was gonna’ have to move to Texas because of Prissy Jean. Turns out, it was not my baby. Damn, I had to have blood drawn and everythin’. She was ready to haul my ass into court then the blood test came back and she talked with her daddy and so I was off the hook. I can’t believe that she was two-timin’ me. But there you have it, the blood does not lie.”
“See,” Hadley reached over and punched him on the arm, “you are baby daddy material. Made to order. And I can’t believe she was two-timin’ you either. So what happened to that loser?”
“She has an uncle who is a big-time rancher outside of Oklahoma City. He needed someone to help him with training his horses so she went there. Damn, too bad I was not the baby daddy. I hear she is doing very well. She trains horses and manages the stables so she has a house and a truck and I guess a whollopin’ good salary. She was in town a couple of weeks ago, to visit with her folks. And she was dressed real nice. I mean, really nice. She had on a pair of Tony Lama’s that cost over a thousand bucks. And her jeans were Levi’s and I swear, that was one of those AzTex Classic cattlemen’s hats she was wearin’. That’s a thousand, easy, also.
Her little girl is just the cutest thing. Blonde, curly hair and big blue eyes. Looks a whole lot like Sookie did when she was that age. Just as cute as a button. And I normally don’t say that about kids, cause mostly they are…well kids…but I would even say she is adorable.
You know, but then they grow up. I mean, just look at Sookie now. Nothin’ adorable about her. Hell, she is so stupid, she quit workin’ for Sam. Did somehow manage to hook up with a guy in uniform. Poor sucker. I feel sorry for him. I guess she must have somethin’ goin’ on for her. But I cannot imagine just what that is.”
Hadley was rolling her eyes. “Seriously, she has never dated so how does she know what to do to please her man in bed? I mean seriously? Why would you want to hang out with that? Why, I know how to do everythin’. And well, honestly, there are some things I just won’t. I mean, sex…it is just messy and most of it is disgusting and un-lady like. And my momma raised me to be a lady. I don’t swear, or smoke or chew and spit tobacco. And I certainly am not ever gonna’ put any guy’s dick in my mouth. I mean, just how gross and un-lady like is that?”
“I know your rule, Queen of Battle Cuz. Thrust one, two, three and get off of me.”
“And rightly so. It is the man’s job to get himself there and my job to be the willing recipient.”
“And rightly so,” Jason smiled at her. “You want some more chicken?” he asked. “I am gonna eat all this fried okra and then that last piece if you don’t want it.”
“Naw, that’s okay. You go ahead. But we are gonna’ need a bucket of chicken to take home. You have to rub that chicken all over me and then eat a piece. It is time for round two of make me the Queen of Battle whoop-ass.”
“Thrust one, two, three, and get off of me,” Jason sang. “Queen of Battle Cuz, you always have a plan. Let’s see who shows up tonight lookin’ for good eats. And this fried chicken is some of the finest I have had since Gran died. Maybe Uncle War will come on back and bring the rest of the family.”
.
Breakfast had been lovely. Sookie was now officially worried about gaining back that twenty-pounds she had lost, and then some. After cheery good-byes and waving, it was time for the walk about.
“So what do you think about the rest of the family weighin’ in on this?” Sookie asked Lafayette while they walked and took photos of points of interest.
Snorting, he said, “Just how justified crazy do you want to be? ‘Cause I don’t thinks that will sell as an excuse.
I thinks, Miss Sooks, we is gonna’ have us some righteously upset and irritated folks when they rise if we was to go snoopin’ around Highgate without them. That is what His La La Fineness thinks.”
“Just how upset do you think we are talkin?” she asked.
“I think probably more than a raised eyebrow,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Well just drat, then! So, I guess we are sticking close to home.”
“Looks that way,” he replied. “Although I am not for real sure how close we are now. We are followin’ this creek up hill. The Grist Mill cannot be far. Well now, would you just be lookin’ at this. There is a weather vane with a red dragon it. I knows we has not gone so fars as to be in Wales. I am beginnin’ to think that charmin’ rascal is followin’ us.”
Sookie raised an eyebrow and Lafayette chuckled. “I think he is a metal weather vane. And he is charming looking. Maybe we should look around about for cool dragon kinds of things to take home with us. I think he would look very cool on top of the roof of the old farmhouse.”
“Yes he would,” Lafayette nodded, “or looking down on us from atop a castle in case we do not want to go back to Louisiana.”
“Are you the telepath, now?” she asked, watching him closely.
“You know I am nots,” he replied. “But girlfriend, you and Mr. Erics, you are joined at the hip and a few other places. I think you wants what he wants and that would be vice-versa. He would be willin’ to be and do where ever you wanted to be and do it.”
“He is spectacular,” she sighed. “Too good to be true. He talks about how love never ends well for him, because humans die.”
“And this makes him what? More special than the rest of us? No,” Lafayette said with a sad shake of his head. “I talks with spooks. Sees them, listen’s to them, does the occasional selfie with them. And what I has learned is that we all have a shelf date, Miss Sooks. Even vampires. And apparently, so do the Horsemen. Accordin’ to my selfie’ wantin’ dead relatives, most times, you do not see it comin’. So our happily ever after is not to be played out here on earth. We can be happy, but this here is not our ever after.”
“Wow,” she shook her head at him. “To the point and then some.”
“Lawyer,” he nodded and pointed to himself. “If you want someone to blow sunshine up your ass, unless it is the truths and justified, it will not be me doin’ that.
Sookie,” he sighed, “we are human. We are here to live our life and know good and evil. Make some informed choices. Do the best we can with what we have. Because this planet is not our final destination.
We are to get through this so we can someday get to the new creation with the new Heaven and the new Earth. And there, girlfriend, is where we are gonna’ find our happily ever after. Except for those mo’ fo’ers who are burnin’ in Hell. Hopes they are havin’ a real good time in the here and now ‘cause not so good times is comin’ on their way.”
Sookie smiled at her friend. “Not only a lawyer, but a preacher as well. That is one of the best sermons I have heard in a while. Maybe ever.”
Lafayette grinned at her. “Just makin’ the best of what I has gots.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I can see that. Now, let’s follow this creek bed on up. I think I am hearing the water wheel.”
As they stepped out of the woods, they could see the cleared fields with sheep grazing in them as they approached civilization.
“Would you look at that gate,” Sookie stopped for a moment. “I swear, I am believin’ we are not in Wales, but there is that dragon, again.”
“Yes,” Lafayette nodded and then pointed his finger at him. “You and mes,” he was staring intently at the metal dragon, “one of these fine days, we will be havin’ us some words.”
“You know him?” Sookie asked.
“I am beginnin’ to believe so,” Lafayette turned around and took another look. “He is lookin’ very familiar.”
“Well, through here and oh, look, up ahead is The Grist Mill. We are having an adventure, a bit of history and thar be dragons with our walk about this morning,” she chuckled.
“M-m-m-m hm-m-m-m, His La La Fineness says. And eventually some lunch.”
“Okay, according to the map that Ian drew us, up ahead about fifteen miles as the dragon flies, or the horsemen giddy-up,” she chuckled, “are the standing stones. Let us head that way.”
They talked as they walked, about love, life, and anytime a spectacular cream sauce was used, how much they enjoyed that as well.
“Oh look, there goes a group of older ladies coming out of that fence area,” Sookie said as she smiled and waved at them. “I think that is where we are headed.”
“Good morning,” the group of older women cheerily called out. “A good day for a stretch of the legs.”
“Good morning,” Lafayette and Sookie called back.
“And yes it is,” Sookie smiled.
“Dear ladies,” Lafayette said with a regal bow. “We are looking for the righteous and wizarded upon, stones. His La La Fineness thinks this just might be the place. Especially after seeing a group of lovely ladies comin’ our way.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” one answered.
“If you are in the middle of nowhere, you have found them,” one called back.
“We maybe live there,” Sookie chuckled. “I can appreciate the exercise you get by walking up and down these hills. Because I love a full on English Breakfast.”
“Oh,” one woman smiled, “yes, these hills are special and magical and every time we come this way, there is something magical in the air. This morning, we are greeted with whispered on the wind and we are all rejoicing.
This is our early outing walking club. We start off in our village and whoever joins in, we walk the five-mile loop and then back to town for lunch, somewhere, and a spot of tea. And if the day is cold and blustery, perhaps something a bit more on the whiskey side to warm your insides and feed your inner dragon.”
“Inner dragon, His La La Fineness says. That is myself. And this is Miss Sooks. Have you ladies ever seen a dragon in these parts?”
The women all had a moment as they stared at the handsome black man.
“Oh yes,” one stepped forward. “My name is Olivia and you would be referencing that handsome O.I.? He pretends to be a metal sign or some such, but he is not fooling any of us. We grew up in these parts. He is waiting for King Arthur to awake and return to us. Do you see this circle of hills that surrounds, us? That is O.I., in all his magnificence, slumbering until he is needed. During the ages, he has been covered with rocks and stones and trees that helped to build Camelot. Word is that as Merlin lay dying, O.I. asked Merlin to put him to sleep so that when Merlin returns, they could once more walk through this world, together. And for Merlin to appear, he needs to be called forth,” Olivia said with a slight bow. “And o’ to be the one to do that. What a glorious day it would be to have The Merlin and O.I. once more walk the hills and dales and call to the stars and whisper on the winds that blow in off the sea. There are times when we are out walking, we can hear them speaking on the wind of times past and times to come.”
Sookie and Lafayette both turned and looked at the chain of small hills that surrounded them.
“I could see that,” Sookie nodded. “That pass right there,” she said pointing, “is where his head meets his tail. And there, that would be the highest part of his back and then it slopes back down to his tail. Yes…” she turned back to the group, “I can understand why O.I. would take his rest, here.”
“King Arthur is to rise whenever England is in dire need,” Lafayette answered. “So O.I. will rise as well and shake off the good earth that protects him for now and will safeguard the king, when he once more walks among us?”
“Yes,” Oliva answered. “And Merlin, his brother, will be here to greet him. Until that time, O.I. keeps watch. When each piece has been put into the puzzle, we shall have the best possible outcome.”
“O.I.?” Lafayette questioned her. “Does that stand for something?”
Olivia chuckled. “Órga Ingne. I could pronounce his name in the Welsh, but it comes down to meaning he who is golden,” she grinned. “He is the King of the Dragons. After all, you would need a king to watch over a king. And Merlin could be brother to no one but a king.”
“Of course,” Lafayette bowed to her. “Fair and good ladies of the realm, we thank you for your time and story.”
“You are more than welcome. When you finish up here, you will find us at the Dragon’s Castle Dragoons. If the rain moves in…”
“And when does it not,” was hooted from the group.
“We will still be there,” she continued on. “We would be honored if you would join us.”
“That sounds most enticing,” Lafayette bowed again. “But we have a lot of ground to cover today and needs to be making the best of it. Especially if the rain is moving back in.”
All the ladies bowed and Olivia said, “Turas sábháilte chugat Merlin agus Mhuire Cogaidh.”
Sookie and Lafayette bowed in return.
“Pleasant journeys to you and yours,” was called out as the ladies began their trek down the hill and Sookie and Lafayette began theirs past the gate and into the field.
“King of the dragons,” Lafayette was musing to himself. “Miss Sooks, this O.I. How does you gets to have such a following? Those ladies looked right as rain. Not a tin foil hat on any of them.”
“Lafayette, you are talking to War of the four horsemen and you are our lawyer. I hope you are not expecting me to be your righteous voice of reason or sanity. Remember me, justified crazy.”
“Point taken,” he nodded. “So, when I finds you, Mr. O.I. king of the dragons,” he said looking skyward, “you and me we are gonna be havin’ us some very fine words.
‘Cause, once upon a time, I thinks I knew you and your very fine dragon self. And since I now lawyer for the four horsemen, I can admit to myself, that I have a dragon for a friend and to others without thinkin’ I should be the one wearin’ the tin foil hat.”
Sookie looked at her friend and grinned. “Maybe we should just invest in tin foil, ‘cause I am thinking maybe I am going to wake up and find out I have dreamed all this.”
“Girlfriend,” Lafayette stopped and pointed straight, ahead. “Are you seein’ this upside-down shadow?”
“Yes-s-s-s,” she said slowly, “and you do mean the one of the metal dragon we have been seeing, right?”
“That would be right so you are not dreamin’. ‘Cause I am seein’ it also. And where is the dragon sign casting this shadow? I am searchin’ the sky and other what nots and I am not seein’ what is castin’ that shadow.”
“Me neither,” she responded. “However, those standing stones are very cool. And look, the closer we get, that shadow begins to disappear. Let’s take a closer look and maybe get some photos and then go on back. I am starting to get hungry.
And maybe a bit tired. I think I could use some sleep.”
“Well, back to normal, sorta?” Lafayette grinned.
“Well, if this is normal, then yes, I guess so.”
“What do you think they said to us, as they were leaving?” Lafayette.
“Safe journey to you, Merlin, and Lady of War,” Sookie responded.
They both stopped.
“How do you know that?” Lafayette asked.
Sookie shrugged, “I just do. See justified crazy.”
“No Miss Sooks, you are not. You are just justified.”
Hand-in-hand they walked. Their trek back was uneventful. There were pastures with sheep and an occasionally odd, tall, standing stone tucked into the field with them.
“A part of the Old Tracks,” Lafayette would nod and point to the stone. “They line up straight and intersect and you can follow them across England, into Scotland, and Ireland. There was some serious walk abouts back in the day.
And woulds you just look at this. Do you see what is now in our line of sight?
“I can see the clock tower on the castle,” she mused. “Dead ahead. I mean, we are on this rise and going downhill, but, clearly, that is where we are headed. That is interesting. On the path behind is the henge and the stone markers we have been following. And castle is in front of us. You can hear the clock tower chiming to twelve. We are just in time for lunch. Let’s speed up a bit and get there. I could use some food and a nap.”
“Let’s do,” Lafayette responded. “We is walkin’ a ley line. Never in my born days did I think I would be doin’ that.”
“Do you feel any different?” Sookie asked.
“Don’t think so,” he responded, patting around on himself. “How about you?”
“Just hungry and tired. But then, I think maybe I should be. But now,” she looked down at her feet, “I just don’t know. And I wonder if walking it will wake up things in you?”
“What kinda things are we talkin?” he asked.
“Merlin kinda things,” Sookie grinned. “Hey, do not look at me like that. If I am War then you are Merlin. Now, on this trek there are things to note and track and think about for later. But in the meantime, wafting on the breeze is something delicious. Let’s go find out what it is.”
.
Wadsworth was there to meet them at the door.
“We are so hungry,” Sookie smiled at him as he helped her with her jacket. “And oh,” she said kicking off her shoes, “you have warm house slippers for us!”
“And,” he smiled, “a jacket that has been warming by the fire. Please sir, let me help you with yours and I will get you to lunch. Clifford is most anxious for your return.”
“Really?” Sookie said.
“Yes, madam,” Wadsworth chuckled. “He worries. For everyone. And especially humans. His humans, he has told me more than once.”
“Oh,” she grinned.
“Yes,” he nodded. “Just his way of telling me not to get too attached. Now, to lunch.”
.
Sookie was regarding the bottom of her empty soup bowl and wondering if she could ask for more.
“More soup, Miss Sookie?” Clifford asked as he placed the tureen on the table and lifted the lid.
“Yes, please,” she sighed. “This is delicious. Apple and parsnip. Not ever would I have thought of that. Of course, enough heavy cream and butter and how could it not taste good.”
“I will tell Cook,” he grinned. “Mr. Lafayette? Another bowl for you, sir?”
“Just set that tureen here in front of me, His La La Fineness says, and that will do for starters.”
Grinning, Clifford refilled Lafayette’s bowl. “The roasted chicken with grilled mushrooms and potatoes will be out in a moment,” Clifford added as he refilled their water glasses. “And Cook has done the asparagus in the most delightful lemon bows with a hollandaise sauce on the side.
Are you sure you would not like a glass of wine?”
Sookie looked over at Lafayette and they both shook their head no.
“Food is what we are requirin’ Mr. Cliffords, for the here and now. Just bring it on out here,” Lafayette nodded. “This soup is just warmin’ up my tummy for finer things.”
Clifford stepped out and then returned with their plates. Setting them down, he started to leave when Lafayette stopped him.
“Mr. Clifford, do you knows anything about Merlin?”
“Well of course, sir,” he said turning around. “I started out as a sailor for the British fleet before the American Revolutionary War. And I came from this area. O.I, the king of the dragons, guards the hills while Merlin walks the peaks and calls to the stars; his voice lingering on the breeze before the raging winds come blowing in off the coast.”
“Why would someone call me Merlin?” Lafayette asked.
“Why would they not?” Clifford responded.
“Well, because I am black.”
“Well of course sir, but so was Merlin.”
“What?” came out of Lafayette’s mouth.
“The ley lines that are connected to Stonehenge, back in the day, it acted as a radio receiver, transmitter, all in one package for the completed henge. Mystics came from all over the world, following the ley lines. They are not original to us. They are stretched out all across the continents and are used as the need arises.
And those that walked and listened to the lines, they came to gather and celebrate the beginning of a new age and a new henge.
The seasons passed and some stayed and married and others disappeared into time.
Others are recorded in our poetry and in the song of a lark or the speech of a crow. But they all speak of Merlin. The walker between worlds and the helper of those lost.
Merlin, black of face and swift of feet,
Couched his words with myrrh and power.
In fiery circles he did meet
The fierceness of O.I. whose words doth sour
The thoughts of mortal man.
To those delayed, Merlin brought rest
And sent them on their way.
O.I. breathed fire not in jest,
His words roared they could not stay
And evil roamers he did ban.
The moon shines down upon the crown that both had cast, aside.
Here in friendship and powers unseen, their love does still abide.
“Huh,” Sookie nodded as she buttered her brown bread, her face thoughtful. “Thank you, Mr. Clifford. We did not know that.”
“These are our folk songs, for this part of England,” he said. “Each area has something slightly different. For this part of the country, you would not readily find them if you were not specifically looking for them.”
“Yes,” Sookie nodded. “We have ones peculiar to Louisiana. And some very specific to New Orleans.
That,” she said directing her attention at Lafayette. “That sounds like you,” she nodded. “You sending spooks on their way.”
“That is some truths, there, His La La Fineness says. And being Merlin, that is something I have never considered and I have run plenty through my deeply disturbed imagination and good feelings well-being. Merlin,” he shrugged. “I gots nothin’ for that. But a dragon for my shot-gun in my righteous ride,” he nodded. “That almost sounds right and definitely has my approval.
Thank you Mr. Clifford, you have indeed given me somethin’ to thinks, about.”
.
Eric was awake and watching the monitors in his sleep chamber. “Damn, I do so hope Sookie and Lafayette do not think I am spying on them,” he smiled as he glanced over at another monitor.
“The Residence is looking good,” he smiled as he watched the Weres wrestle the big stuff into the building. “Looks like the bar has arrived,” he chuckled.
“We need eyes on her home,” he said to himself. “I need to contact my security folk and get someone out there.”
There was a knock at his door and there stood Samuel.
“I have been working, today,” Samuel replied. “And from the looks of things, I would say you have as well.”
“Yes,” Ian stepped in behind Samuel. “I have been awake most of the day and no bleeds. And damn if I don’t want another waffle and bacon sandwich. Or even, a full English breakfast.”
“Myself self as well, my boy’o,” Cedric stuck his head in. “Are we a’goin’ topside? I am hopin’ for somethin’ a bit heartier than blood for me evenin’ meal. And that full Irish breakfast could be a tasty morsel.”
Eric looked from one to the other. “English, Irish, English, Irish…breakfast,” he was shaking his head. “Actually, that sounds good,” Eric nodded. “Let me finish up some business, and then venture forth. It is late in the afternoon and there should be lots of shadows. We will show the above stairs crew that we can be careful and respectful of the last rays of the day.
Fine, I am hitting send, and now, upstairs we go!”
.
Stop! Look! Listen! Was Eric’s go to guys in the world of physical security. When they got the text, Mrs. Adams looked up from her monitor and turned to Whitney. “Mr. Eric needs a job done. I’m about to go home. Who is on call tonight?”
“Sammy and Donny.”
“This is the address, I am sending it to you now. There is no one home so there should not be a problem. Let’s get these two out there to do the cameras, tonight. Mr. Eric says just to set three of them up in the trees so there is a clear shot of the front door. It is somewhat of a long driveway. He says no need to really approach the house if they can get it from the trees there in the front. No need for sound. They can do that tomorrow when they install the doorbell. He just wants eyes on for now.”
“That sounds almost easy,” Whitney replied. “These two have mounted more cameras in the dark then donuts sold at Dunkin’. Let me call that out. We’ll get that done and knock part of that off our to-do list.”
.
Donny looked up from his phone. “Mr. Eric needs eyes on this house. Looks to be outside of Bon Temps. He says eyes only, ears can be done tomorrow with the doorbell. But we did just get in these new cameras and the ears on them are supposed to be outstanding.”
“Well then, I think it is time to do the research and the trial run,” Sammy nodded. “I hope these newest tech-kno-see all/ hear all wizards do what they claim. Cause damn, I love writing those reviews. A great big shout out if it really is all that and a great big who the fuck thought this was a good idea thumbs down if it sucks the ugly one.”
“You do write a most excellent review,” Donny smiled. “Let’s get this done. We always get the nicest bonus when Mr. Eric sends us out. Damn, I love working for him.”
22 Sunday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
inThe characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.
This story is rated MA. Contains language and sexual adult situations.
Justified Crazy — Chapter the Elevens
“That is some serious architecture,” Sookie nodded, looking around. “And I can see why you would defend this place to the death.
Eric, seriously, this is phenomenal. You dream of these kind of places and you actually own one.
And there are faces everywhere you look. And all of them are different.”
Shrugging, he replied. “I lease it to Ian and so it is occupied and maintained. I always enjoy coming here and I like the idea of having someplace like this to call home.
Now that you have stepped inside, the bathrooms are straight ahead and the first door on the left.
Lafayette, there is another across the hall from it.
I think I need to get back outside and wait for this…whoever this is, to show up.”
“I’ll be right there,” Sookie said as she took off for the bathroom. “As in, right there. I just have to pee.”
“I am goods,” Lafayette nodded. “I want to meet these mo’ fo’rs that are pushin’ my hungries button for a sit down or stand up rebukin’.”
The two men waited for her to come out. Together, they went back outside and walked to the end of the drive and waited.
“About five miles out,” Ian replied. “And he has pulled over. We have eyes on and it is streaming to my phone. Perhaps we should go and meet them. It is an AmE van, you know, a small transit van.”
“Give me a moment,” Samuel said as he input the vehicle’s info. Looking up from his phone he said, “Actually, it is a hearse, or that is how the tag is registered.”
“A hearse?” Lafayette chuckled. “Well, maybe this is why I have had an upgrade in my Fineness. Boo and be spooked!” he said with authority. “We could just sally forth and show them my bona fides. We good for five miles out?” he asked. “Don’t want to be breakin’ any British laws about disturbin’ the spooks on a public venue.
I knows folks pays to come and do the haunted tours. Don’t want to be puttin’ anyone out of business.”
“They are parked on the grounds,” Ian chuckled. “Well, a different set of grounds. But we own the land. So you will not be putting anyone out of business. We could test our new flight times and…well,” he grinned, “I think this could be game-on. So let’s just start walking along the side of the road.”
All of them nodded yes and then started moving.
“This is interesting,” Eric grinned. “I have never been able to see anyone else or speak to them while moving at an accelerated speed.”
“Entirely new and very charming,” Samuel responded. “And look, here we are.”
“There is no driver in the van,” Cedric said as he walked up to it.
“I do not feel anyone else, about,” Eric said, looking around. “No alarms going off.”
“But if you be a’lookin’ here inside…” Cedric’s voice trailed off. “I am a’seein’ spooks. His La La Fineness, I would say this could be your call.”
“Could and rightly be true,” Lafayette replied as he came closer. “But these spooks are wearin’ military service caps to go with their uniforms. And I am seein’ some medals. I don’t want to be wishin’ ill on the Crown’s go-to soldiers, so I coulds use some help. King Ian, if you would please. Who am I talkin’ too?”
Ian approached and looked through the windshield and into the back. They were seated on the floor.
“Looks to be six of the full mounted dress of the Household Cavalry. One each, representing the NCO Corps. A Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Company Sergeant Major, and Regimental Sergeant Major.
And for the Officer Corps, a Captain.”
“How do we proceed?” Lafayette asked, looking at those around him. “Do I knock on the window, do I just open the driver’s door and start speakin’, go around to the back and open those doors?”
“Lafayette,” Eric broke in, “these would have been the royals’ guards. While on duty, they do not speak. You’ve seen the photos of folks trying to get them to talk while they are standing guard.
Let us go around to the back and I will open the doors. I guess it is a good thing that QE I made me a Lord of the land. Let me just take it from here.”
“A Lord of the land?” Sookie echoed.
“We helped her to build her fleet to defeat the Spanish Armada,” Samuel said. “He is the Duke of Richmond Fairfax. From the looks of their uniforms, there seems to be a representation of the time-line; dating from present day and perhaps several hundred years, ago. I think Eric, with his peerage, has the better chance at this.”
Eric and Lafayette walked around to the back of the vehicle and Eric opened the doors.
“Good evening,” he began. “I am the Duke of Richmond Fairfax, and welcome to Richmond Castle. How many we be of service to you and your men, tonight, Captain? It would be an honor to be of assistance to HRM’s finest.”
The middle-aged man looked around and replied. “I am at a bit of a loss, your Lordship. The last thing I remember is looking across a field at a German machine gun nest.
And later, this evening, I was walking through Highgate Cemetery. I know it was Highgate because of the Egyptian Avenue. My great-grandfather was buried there and my grandmother would take me when she would go to leave flowers at his grave.”
“Highgate Cemetery. The Egyptian Avenue. I know the area to which you reference.”
Eric directed his next question. “Regimental Sergeant Major,” Eric was regarding the man. “How did you come to be in attendance with these soldiers?”
“Well, yes,” he said, a perplexed look on his face. “HRM George asked me to go riding with him. He often rode in the evenings when his day was a bit less distracted. I went to the stables to ready the horses and…and…” he reached around with his left hand to his right side, “…and there was pain,” he said, “and drawing my hand away, blood,” his voice stopped. “And that is all I remember. Until I saw the Captain, walking in Highgate.”
“Highgate,” Eric repeated. “Were you over by the Egyptian Avenue?”
“Well, yes,” he nodded. “For a moment I was wondering what I was doing in Egypt.”
“Lance Corporal,” Eric addressed him.
“I was in the mountains. On horseback. I was there because I could speak Afghani. We had marched in from India. It was cold and snowing. There were rumors that a Russian patrol was in the area. There was a rumble from up above us and I think…I think maybe, the mountain came down on top of us…” he said shaking off the memory. “And then, I was walking in Highgate. Also, along the Egyptian Avenue.”
Eric could clearly see the pattern. “Corporal, have you a similar story?” he asked.
“I was in the desert. It was hot and a shamal was getting ready to blow in. Our track vehicle had stopped and I was climbing down from my machine gun mount. I did not put my gloves on. When I put my hand on the metal, I burned myself. I could feel it start to blister.”
“And you found yourself walking in Highgate,” Eric added softly.
“Yes sir, I did. I saw my fellow Blues and Royals walking in front of me and so I called out and joined them.”
“I am Sergeant Kirkland, your Lordship. I was…I was sitting, overlooking the river and…and…I ordered a meal, I think. And I was watching the crocodiles giving way to the boats that were on the Nile. And then I was walking down the street in Highgate. My family is buried there, outside the Egyptian Avenue.”
“I remember the jungle,” the Company Sergeant Major said. “The monsoons had moved in. We were going to go out with the Yanks. A unit of (Special Forces) Snake Eaters had found a tunnel.” Shrugging, he looked confused. “I don’t remember anything after that, really. I remember putting out my cigarette and then hearing, saddle up.
There was the van at the cemetery. And…and…” he looked confused. “A man, person, personage…” his mouth opened and closed several times.
“Then we loaded into the vehicle and…and somehow we got to Heathrow and then we just motored on out here.
He pulled over and stopped. He looked back at us and told us that things had not gone the way he had planned. He was weeping and apologizing for taking us from our rest. That we were not the ones. He realized that. That we were not the ones, he kept repeating. That we were not the blood of the righteous and that we were not fortified with the blood of the upright-righteous and that we would not war as one against our family. Opening the door, he got out and left.”
“War as one against your family?” Eric asked. “What is your family name, Company Sergeant Major?”
“Stackhouse,” he answered.
Eric could feel the crowd behind him sorting through that and it was not sitting very well.
“Mine as well,” the Captain, said.
“My mother’s maiden name was Stackhouse,” Kirkland said.
Eric could feel the emotions begin to riot through Sookie. She was getting agitated.
“Yes, my mother’s was also,” the Corporal answered.
The Regimental Sergeant Major spoke up, “My last name is Stackhouse.”
“Lance Corporal?” Eric asked.
“Stackhouse,” he answered, looking around at his fellow family members.
“There is someone I would like for you to meet,” Eric said holding out his hand and Sookie came forward.
“Sookie Stackhouse,” she said.
All the men just stared at her.
“I live in the U.S. Louisiana, is where I call home.”
“You are the branch of the family that emigrated there back in the early 1700’s,” the Lance Corporal said. “Your family line just drops out of the family Bible. My grandmother often wished she had some way of contacting you.”
“That could be right,” she nodded. “What part of England are your from?” she asked.
“Cornwall,” he answered.
“Yes,” Sookie nodded, “that is where my family came from.”
“Family,” Eric was beginning to get pissed off. “You are all family and all from the Blues and Royals. Different time lines, but all the same. Soldiers. The finest.”
“Does that mean something, your Lordship?” The Regimental Sergeant Major asked. “And how is any of this possible?”
“You are dead,” Eric said gently.
“How,” the R.S.M. choked out. “How is any of this possible?”
“We don’t know yet, other than you were called forth out of the grave.”
“Who, was the man driving the van?” Captain Stackhouse asked. “Is he the one that did…did this?”
“Apparently so,” Eric replied.
Eric could feel it building inside of him. No matter how often he encountered it, family betrayal was something that always fueled his berserker rage. “I do not know his first name, but his last name is Stackhouse. And with him, that makes you a family of seven. Do you know what your mission was?”
“Mission?” they all shook their heads, looking horrified.
“Mission, we had a mission?” the Captain asked. “What kind of mission do you send six, dead, Blues and Royals family members, on? And we would not, as one, war against ourfamily? What…what is so wicked that we would be commanded to do that?”
“You have all heard of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?”
“Yes,” they nodded.
“That man driving the vehicle, is one of your relatives. And that, gentlemen, is the Horseman War.”
“So all the stories are true,” the Lance Corporal shuddered. “My Granny always said our family was picked from the beginning of days to sponsor the Horsemen. That it was our fate. And from our ranks would always come the four riders.”
Sergeant Kirkland took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I saw them once. The four, they was gathered on horseback out in the feed lot. They came riding in during a storm, seeking something warm to drink and a place to shelter until the storm passed. I could hear my mother and father. My mother said that they were family and that they could not send them away. That she was under a family geas to offer them succor. She sent father out to stable to wipe down their horses while she heated up a pot of broth and they stood just inside the kitchen door.
When she saw me lurking in the shadows, she sent me away. I could hear one of the men laughing and saying I would make a good weather snipe. I had no idea what he meant but she said he was a guest in their home, family or not, and that he was to keep their ways from her family.
When I got up the next morning, I asked her who the visitors were that calling during the night. She looked at me rather oddly and said I must have been dreaming. That we had no visitors. My father said the same thing.”
“They were glamoured,” Eric replied, thoughtfully.
There were questioning looks all around.
“Glamour. Just think on it as a gift, he has. Like being hypnotized, only this will cause you to forget.”
“Oh,” they all nodded.
“And with all of you walking through the cemetery, he was there, with the vehicle waiting for you?” he asked, but he now had a good understanding of how this bastard worked.
“We just got in and he started driving. And then we were at the airport…” the Captain said, his voice low and thoughtful. “And apparently, when we arrived here, he realized we were not enough.
If he is War, would he not know this?”
“Yes, perhaps if he had held true to his calling. But, I think perhaps he has gone rogue. The man that came to collect you at the cemetery,” Eric began slowly. “Now there is a story. The Horseman War walks, literally, among us. So far, he is a solo act. Which makes me ask the question, where are the other three? And why does he need you? And apparently, he is recruiting family members. But you must fill a specific billet so you can war against your own family.
Can you tell us what he looked like?”
A glance passed among the men.
“I take that as a no,” Eric nodded. “Glamour.”
“And this works on dead folk as well…” the RSM added as his face took on a horrified look.
“Apparently the living and the dead,” Eric’s eyes sparked.
“Why did he bring us here?” the Captain asked.
“Because we are family, also,” Eric replied. “And we believe next in line to be the Four Horsemen.”
“And he would want us for what?” the Lance Corporal asked. “To war against you?”
“Yes,” Eric replied, then shrugged. “I am of the opinion he is not yet ready to retire and is working his own agenda. We do not know where the rest of the horsemen are located. But since he could track us, perhaps the other three can as well. And maybe Highgate is a place to start, or not,” he shrugged. “War seemed to be recruiting family from there. And because he could sense us, I am hoping, perhaps, the other three can as well and will come here.”
“Here, your Lordship?” the Captain said. “Do you need us to stand guard?”
Eric may have blinked.
“We understand,” the Regimental Sergeant Major replied. “You do not know if we are friend or foe. If War was to return, where would our allegiances lie. Especially if he can glamour us, like you said. Work his gift on us so that we work against you.
I like to think that we would stand with the Crown, but we have no way of knowing for sure.”
“I am honored to have you as family,” Sookie smiled at them. “Your names, please.”
They fell into formation.
“Lance Corporal Arthur Stackhouse,” he said and rendered a salute.
“Corporal Keith Dundee,” he replied, as he saluted.
“Sergeant Raymond Kirkland,” came his reply as he saluted.
“Company Sergeant Major William Stackhouse,” he said with his parade field voice.
“Regimental Sergeant Major Peter Stackhouse,” the oldest male of the group said proudly.
“Captain Reginald Stackhouse,” he saluted her smartly.
“It has been a pleasure, Lady War. And it will be with great honor at the end of days to stand with you and defeat our enemy, be they family or not.”
“Blues and Royals, at-t-t-t-tentio-o-o-on,” the RSM said as he called his fellow warriors to order. “Present Arms,” he continued on with the order.
They all snapped to attention and saluted.
“We thank you for your service,” Lafayette said to them, placing his hands over his heart. “Be at peace.”
The six members of one of the Crown’s oldest military units smiled.
“Parade rest,” the RSM bellowed.
And with that, the human likeness faded and was replaced with sparkles of all colors which swirled, formed an S, then shot up into the night sky.
“That was very elegant,” Sookie said, wiping her eyes. “Very elegant,” she repeated putting her arm around Eric. “And he called me Lady War.”
“Yes,” Eric nodded, “he did. Obviously, he has knowledge of who you are.”
Sookie thought about that. “I…I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“You don’t need to,” Eric smiled at her. “This is a part of who you are and those that need to know who you are will be able to read, or sense, you. And are filled with the knowledge of who you are.”
“That’s a lot to take in,” she nodded to herself. “I…I am ready to head on back to the house…castle…”
Eric finished for her, “…home. Let’s go home,” he smiled at her.
His eyes cut over to the van. “We’ll need to call in this stolen vehicle.”
“On that,” Samuel replied as they began their return journey.
As they approached the front door, Sookie was looking at everything around her. “My family…the full mounted dress of the Household Cavalry. The Blues and Royals. I know soldiering was not so unusual. Why there?” she asked.
“From a family standpoint, if you had a family member that was in a unit, you could petition for that regiment as a legacy. This was not uncommon.
From a tactical standpoint, perhaps War has been helping his future generations into this esteemed group, all along.”
“Do you think they are all buried there, in Highgate, or is that just War’s HQ?” Ian asked.
“Good question,” Eric eyed his friend. “And one that needs to be investigated.
As a rule, they did not bring the bodies home, just buried them where they fell. Those with money could do so, but the body had to be transported in a lead box, etc.”
“I don’t know that my branch of the family had money,” Sookie responded. “But then, I really do not know.”
“Well, Highgate just might be the place to start looking for War. Around the Egyptian Avenue.”
“Most excellent,” Samuel looked up from his phone. “The abandoned vehicle has been reported and the police are on their way. I told the dispatch that we passed it on our way home.
We still have a couple of hours before sunrise. Miss Sookie, I think you would probably like the tour.
Anyone of us can take the questions if the police come to the door.”
“Thanks,” Sookie smiled at them. “I am looking forward to the grand tour.”
As they entered, Ian took Lafayette to walk around and Eric and Sookie began their own trek.
“Do not get me wrong, Eric, this is gorgeous. I mean, breath takingly so. And I don’t know that I believe in over the top. But this…wow…I don’t even know if I could have imagined this.”
Eric smiled at her and shrugged. “I guess it is for my Mor.
She would love this,” he said wistfully. “To be surrounded by such beauty and art and craftsmanship.
My Mor,” he said proudly, “she was an artist. And an engineer. She would pick up a piece of charcoal out of the fireplace when your birth date rolled around and sketch your likeness upon her Wall of Heroes, she called it. Eventually, everyone’s likeness would end up, there.
There were a lot of birthdates in September,” he chuckled. “Winter Solstice was a popular time for the wind to howl and the snow storms to rage and to snuggle under the covers. During the month of September, she was kept busy, sketching, and the wall filled up.
So, at the end of September, there was always the ritual of painting the walls, white. And with the 1st of October, she would start anew with her sketches.
And if someone had died that year, she would leave the sketch and draw a black square around it and they would be celebrated, as well. So we would not forget them, she would say.
Our long house was famous for its many faces. And on stormy nights, she would point to whatever dead person was going to be the topic of conversation for the evening, and we would spin stories and forget-me-knots about them.
You know, their one most famous line, or skill that they were known for, or, their most embarrassing moment.
Those were great times,” he chuckled. “Remembering them so they would not be forgotten.
When I commissioned the artists to do this,” he indicated with his hands, “it was with that in mind. I gave them the general descriptions of the folks in our village and they adapted. The heads on these wood carvings can actually be removed. I thought maybe there would come a time when…when I could give a more accurate description and a finer representation could be done.”
Eric grew very quiet, Sookie noted. She could see that young man he had once been. Taking his hand, he continued on.
“When I purchased this castle, I also went back to my village. The village was gone and I was very surprised that the long house still stood. The structure was still being used. It was the farmer’s home, and his barn at one end. Not so unusual for the time.
I purchased that as well. It continued on as a farm with repairs being done and small upgrades to the building. It still stands. I believe we now have the technology to take it back to its original structure and remove the clay slur that was used for paint and return the walls to her sketches.”
“Oh Eric,” she whispered.
There was that little boy grin. “I can still see them, in my mind’s eye. The villagers that she sketched, there.
But I want once more to see the sketches that she did of herself, my Far and my systir, Gretta.
Take photographs and have artists work from those and place their likeness here.”
Sookie said nothing, just bought his hand to her lips and placed a kiss, there.
“Me loving someone Sookie, this does not end well for me. They die and I am left alone. Ian, Cedric, Samuel and Pamela, I dared for no others.
And now you.
I want our son to know these amazing people who helped to shape me and watched me grow to be a man. I just wish Mor was still alive so she could add you and our son to her Wall of Heroes.
I did not tell you this to make you cry,” he smiled at her as he wiped the tears from her face. “Only to tell you what is in my heart.”
“Eric, I am honored that you would think of me in such a way.”
“Sookie, I am the one that is honored,” he smiled at her and pulled her up for a kiss. “So very honored. Thank you for loving me.
So please, kind lady, allow me to introduce you to my village,” he said with a grand sweep of his arm. “They are good folks and mostly kind hearted. But also fierce.
We might as well start in the corner tower. This room, with all the stained glass is one of my favorites. When the sun comes up you will get a much better feel for it. I have always dreamed of having…of having my family here with me and perhaps sharing a meal.
Mor would talk about stained glass. She had seen some smaller pieces. There was a salesmen…” he began.
“A traveling salesman,” Sookie smiled at him.
“Yes,” he nodded. “And yes, my father told me on numerous occasions just how much I looked like that traveling salesman, Fendor. But I digress. Fendor made his way to our village once a year and he always had interesting things. And he knows my mother likes interesting things.
And this man travels widely and brings back news from afar.
You need to know about the relationship Fendor had with mother. In today’s vehicular, my mother liked cool stuff and Fendor had a nonstop supply of cool stuff.
There was one summer Fendor stopped by with this wild tale of how stone was used to build what would now be called a fireplace on an outside wall. All we had was a fire pit in the center with a hole in the roof. And there were times when the smoke was overwhelming.
Mor listened while he talked and she did sketches and he would add his bits and pieces, nodding in agreement with her about the type of stone and the look she wanted to achieve.
She finally told my father that the fire pit could stay in the center of the building but she wanted one of these, she would stress, pointing to her sketch.
Father would look over at Fendor and mumbled something about take your ass out of here and never come back.
So,” Eric chuckled, “Far and I and the men of the long house, spent a couple of days hauling up river rock and building to her specs, with her there overseeing.
She liked it so well, she did then sketches of building a chimney around the fire pit and helping to channel that smoke outside.
One year, Fendo shows up with what he says is ancient Roman glass in a wooden window frame and mother is intrigued. There is an eagle set in the center and four different colors of glass in the corners.
Fendor spent the night and the next and the next.
After those river rock building improvements,” Eric’s grin split his face. “Far could see where this was going. Our long house did not have windows.
Mor was going to want a window and Fendor was doing his best to be seen, yet unobtrusive. After all, Mor was carrying around the window and placing it everywhere.
Far did his best. But it is an eagle, he would say pointing to the center of the glass. We are the clan of the bear he would say in his most appeasing voice.
And Mor would smile and say We are going to be the clan of the window.”
Sookie was laughing. “Clan of the window, huh? Was there something else she was saying with her eyes. Like maybe you are going to be the clan chieftain who is who never going to get laid, again?”
Eric laughed out loud. “Mor did have her ways of making Far see her point of view. Most of the time, it was just with a raised eyebrow.
And indeed, the Clan of the Window did come to pass,” he chuckled. “So, the stained glass is for her. Every time I see a piece, I think of her and how proud I am of her and how thankful I am that I am her son. And how much I love her,” he added softly.
“She was a woman of vision and drive. And an incredible heart. I miss her,” he said, taking Sookie’s hand and bringing it up for a kiss. “After all these years, I still miss her.”
“She lives on in her son,” Sookie smiled at him and brought his hand up for a kiss. “And his love for her.”
15 Sunday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
inThe characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.
This story is rated MA. Contains language and sexual adult situations.
Justified Crazy — Chapter the Tens
“Seven what?” Cedric asked. “God has a what? A council? Why would God need a council? He is God.”
Lafayette shrugged, “Share in the braggin’ rights?” he offered up. “You know, hear everyone’s idea and get their input. I do call Him Father God. And good daddies are interested in what their children have to say,” he added with a nod of his head.
Cedric’s eyes got round. “Wait one? Children? As in more than one?” he whispered.
“Well, we do know he had at least one son,” Ian added. “Maybe,” his voice hesitated, his face thoughtful, “maybe he has…” and that thought ran off and out.
“At least one?” Cedric’s voice was a little incredulous as he crossed himself. “Are your sayin’ maybe more than The Son? Will I be a’burnin’ in Hell for such thoughts?”
“Let us not lose focus,” Samuel breathed out. “And I know it would be easy to do,” he cautioned, “to get off topic. Because this is a potential mine field.
But, God’s council,” Samuel nodded, “is found in Isaiah 11:2. They are known as God’s council and they are called the Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirit of Wisdom, The Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, the Spirit of Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and the Spirit of Fear of the Lord.”
“Holy Mother,” Cedric muttered. “Those are some mighty big guns, no matter what their relationship is with the Almighty. And those are all good and righteous things that we should all be a’livin our lives, by…”
Vampire…he did not believe until he was one. And now, God, His Council and the Horsemen with Hades and a lawyer in attendance knocked at his door, had opened it, closed it and now he had to deal with that reality. There were some things, he now believed, he just did not want to know because he was just a good Catholic lad and was trying like crazy to cling to that.
But that small door that was his life was now closed and there was a much, bigger door that had opened into a whole new world. And it was filled with thoughts and ideas that he did not want to be having.
“And just to put this all in perspective,” he looked lost. “We are just the Horsemen, correct? And…and Hades. And a lawyer. No need to be associating with the…the Council. They are not gonn’a come callin’…?”
“Probably not, His La La Fineness says. Nor, can I be swearin’ that they won’t.
And I know from time-to-time, we have all had doubts and a case of the shakes about what has happened to our lives. This is La La, just puttin’ the facts out there. We are not the ones pullin’ the strings, sittin’ down to the table, and askin’ to be chattin’ up God’s Council or askin’ to be havin’ a sit down with anyone in the Heavenly realm,” he was violently shaking his head. “’Cause that would be no. We just stand witness to this…this that is now our lives that is God’s doin’. And we will be of service to Him. Of service…here to serve…cannot stress that enough. Horsemen, Hades and lawyer. Yiippee I ‘O ki yay. Beer for my horses and…and…” he shrugged. “I could use a bottle of somethin’ righteous with a high alcohol content,” he shook all over. “But this needs to be said.
We all know, none of us has the mo jo to be pullin’ this down from Heaven. ‘Cause that is not who we are or what we do. We might stand and defend the right, and fight the good fight unto death or whatever house drops on us next. But until then, we is just gonn’a glory, hallelujah and amen this, ‘cause that there is all that’s I gots until someone in wings and a halo walks through that wall and tells me different. Or unless, you know, The Man, himself, walks through the side of the plane and tells me so,” Lafayette said motioning with his hand.
For a moment, all heads turned in that direction, stared for an instant and then there was a sigh of relief.
“Not that I don’t believe,” Ian said. “But, I have to come to terms with this…all of this…” his voice held humor and disbelief, “and where do you even start? I mean, the Four Horsemen…and I am not one to swear, but the four fucking Horsemen…”
Samuel nodded in agreement. “It was one thing to be carried across the parted sea by an angel with Pharaoh’s army perusing us. I think it is entirely something else to declare yourself one of the Horsemen.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“Hopefully,” Samuel eyed the group who were still looking a bit pensive, “Sookie and Eric will eventually come this way before sunrise. That way, we can get their take on this, as well. Because I could always day walk and drink the wine from Israel on God’s holy days…and this…it is looking to me like,” he eyed his two vampire brothers-in-arms and one brother, “that things have shifted in our favor.”
.
“Woof, and woof again,” Sookie giggled as she lay on top of Eric, kissing on his face. “And just dam-m-m-m-m-m-n, thrown in for good measure. ‘Cause that was sure enough, you know, beyond any definition I have for good.
And I can give you no bragging rights. I have no idea how many times I orgasmed. I lost track after number five.”
“Oh number five,” he looked thoughtful. “Was that the reverse cowboy?”
“Woof,” she chuckled, “well I do believe it was. After that…” she shook all over, “I…I just sorta’ lost consciousness and did nothing but scream your name.”
There was a hearty male chuckle coming from beneath her. Eric was sounding very pleased. “That was most satisfying,” he batted his eyes at her. “So, tell me Lover, how are you doing?”
“Good,” she nodded, “and hungry. I could use some food. How about you?”
“A waffle and bacon sandwich almost sounds good enough to partake, of.”
“Seriously?” she eyed him. “That is an all-time favorite with me.”
“Yes, this is most curious. Let’s get dressed and see about something to eat. On God’s holy days, Samuel can eat and drink fruit-based things from his time as human. I have always loved the smell of waffles being made and bacon cooking. I think I am game.”
.
Eric stuck his head in the game room door. “Sookie and I are off to find Cook,” he said. “We are hungry for waffles and bacon. Anyone else?” he asked as his eyes noted the whiskey/whisky glasses sitting on the table along with the deck of cards and what appeared to be feathers.
“We have questions,” Samuel replied.
“Some good questions,” Lafayette threw in.
“Lots of questions, me boy’o,” Cedric’s voice was low and serious.
“Yes,” Ian said nodding his head.
Eric took another look around the room. Yes, it was the game room. Nothing seemed out of place except for the feathers in the center of the table.
“Feathers?” he asked.
“Yes,” Sookie stuck her head in. “What is up with the feathers?”
“We found them,” Samuel looked around at the group and they all sorta shrugged.
“And then started using them for money in our game of Go Fish,” Ian replied.
“You found them?” Eric arched an eyebrow. “Here, on the jet? At 43,000 feet?”
“Yes,” Samuel nodded. “Apparently the harmonics you two released, tonight, was so extraordinary, that the vibrations from the notes either knocked the feathers off the angles that are watching over us, or the angels threw them in jubilation. I could go either way with that.”
“Either way,” all the guys nodded in agreement.
“Woof,” Sookie managed to get out. “And Eric is hungry. For food, as in waffles and bacon.”
“It just gets better and better,” Samuel smiled, saluted, and then waved them off as they went to the galley.
Within minutes, they were back.
“Cook sent us away and said he would get right on that,” Eric said as they came in. Pulling up an extra chair he sat down and Sookie sat in his lap.
“I am not sure what color those feathers are. White? Silver? Tinged with more white? Or is that a very light blue? And it looks like maybe…maybe about fifty feathers, all total,” he commented. “And maybe some are streaked with black?”
“To be exact, forty-nine,” Cedric commented. “And correct about the shifting colors.”
“Pick one up,” Samuel smiled at him.
“Okay.” Reaching over he lifted one off the table. “Now what?” Eric asked.
“Just place it there in the air,” Samuel replied with a grin. “Where ever you think the best spot might be.”
“An active choice?” Eric asked.
“Yes,” Samuel nodded.
“Okay,” he smiled. “I think right here above the center of the table with the…” his words stopped as the feather continued to float where he had placed it.
“I have not seen that before,” Eric continued on with surprise in his voice.
There was laughter from the room.
“We all agree, me boy’o,” Cedric chuckled with perhaps a note of hysteria, “that none of us has seen that before.”
“What do you think it means?” Eric asked as he plucked the feather from the air and placed it on the table.
“I think it means you want waffles and bacon,” Samuel laughed. “It will be interesting to see if you can eat it.”
“Mor made something similar back in the day,” Eric responded. “A fluffy pancake sorta thing on an iron griddle and then there would be bacon…” he shrugged, “to go in it. Samuel, if you can eat and drink fruit-based things on holy days, I am hoping for something a bit heartier.
After all, someday, I am going to be a father and I want to be able to have breakfast with our son.”
Eyebrows went up all around the table.
There was a very proud Viking that sat in their midst. “Not today and not tomorrow, but someday. Sookie has seen this in a vision and I want to be there for him in all ways,” he stressed with a grin on his face.
“I don’t know if he continues the Horseman line or not,” Sookie said. “I did not get that. Just that Eric and I would have a son. When?” she shrugged. “I don’t know. Just that he is promised to us for a job well done.”
“So we are going to make sure this is a job well done,” Eric smiled at the crowd, nodding his head, just to help make his point. “Now, what else do we need to do to see to it that this happens?
And what else did we miss out on?”
“Well, there were the musical scales we were all singing,” Ian began.
“Oh,” Sookie and Eric both said.
“Oh?” Samuel lifted an eyebrow.
“We were singing the scales as well,” Sookie was lost in the remembering. “I am not for real sure how many we actually sang.”
“Seven major scales,” Lafayette added, looking at the two. “That came through and outa our mouths. I just figured that there was one for each of us…I didn’t know who the 7th scale was for…maybe it is for your baby boy,” he nodded his head, “or for a player to be named at a later date,” he shrugged. “Do not know, only time will tell and they,” he indicated the feathers, “seem to know.
You know, those feathers, after each game ended, they divided themselves back up and each of us got a stack of seven. With three stacks off to the side. So, when we would start a new game, we divided those three stacks among us and we’d put the left over one in the center to start the pot.”
Samuel nodded. “Oh, and it has just not been an evening of feathers.
The bread multiplied, so maybe we can have a say in goodbye to famine.
There were some dead locust. Hopefully, we are putting Pestilence out of business.
It was interesting that a live one came buzzing in and went to the East player and died and then got up and vanished. So maybe Death is going to be out of a job as well. Or at least on a warring scale.
For War,” Samuel smiled, “there was nothing. Lafayette was sitting in the Western chair, and nothing happened. So maybe War has been reversed, now, as well. As in…and we shall war no more…just something to think about,” he sighed and then smiled. “Maybe among us, we will find a way to work that.”
“We just figured this was all tied into what you two were doing,” Ian’s face was serious. “I think we were all praying that this was tied into what you two were doing. Because Cedric and I can now have a sip of our family’s distillery.”
“Ah-h-h-h,” Sookie was thoughtful. “Break this down for me in laymen’s terms.”
“Free will,” Lafayette began. “We has been blessed by it and we has gots it.
So for War, maybe it is no longer the have a nuke for breakfast club. Maybe it could be I declare War on poverty.
And for Famine, maybe he speaks the good words and all are hungry for the word of God.
Death…well…death to evil and those mo’fo’rs and anyone else that is a mo’ fo’r.
Pestilence; disease, just kiss your skanky ass, goodbye. Maybe we will have us a pandemic of righteousness, instead. And cancer can be a thing that eats you, not literally, up with love. Maybe it is ours to define and to put out there,” he said with hopefulness.
“Good words, Lafayette,” Sookie said nodding. “Maybe the Four Horsemen need a re-think. You know, The Second Coming is somewhere in the future and the Revelation of John,” she shrugged. “So many different theories on that,” she shrugged again, “who is to say? Certainly not me.
But we are not there yet and I think I smell food coming this way.”
.
The talk continued until Clifford came in and announced breakfast was being served in the dining room.
Entering, a small buffet had been set up and Cook was there to oversee, personally.
There was a pause as they entered the door. The vamps were perhaps, having a rethink. They had spoken the good words, but now, apparently, none of them were in a hurry to test the new theory.
“Well, I could eat,” Sookie said as she pushed on past the males.
“Myself as well,” Lafayette smiled and headed toward the food.
“Waffles and bacon, I can do this. I want to do this,” Eric nodded and started toward his lover and his lawyer who were making yummy noises and telling Cook what a fine man he was and that his kitchen was just the best!
Watching Eric go through the buffet, sniffing, lifting lids and actually lifting portions to his plate, the other three joined him.
Picking up a plate, they trailed behind Eric, not wanting to venture too far off the menu of what The Viking was putting on his plate.
“Waffles and bacon,” Sookie sighed as she sat down with her breakfast. “On nice china and lovely silverware,” she grinned. “Cute folded napkin. Looks like a swan.”
“Yes, His La La Fineness says. Tis very regal. Brother Samuel, what say you?” he asked as Samuel pulled out his chair.
“I have a blueberry muffin, a waffle with butter and maple syrup and something Cook calls turkey link sausages.”
“I am having a typical English breakfast,” Ian announced as he put down his plate and sat down. “Grilled tomatoes and baked beans, eggs, sausage,” he said as he got a whiff of the maple syrup. “That smells delicious,” he smiled, “but as an Englishman,” his stiff upper lip was back, “I feel it is my duty to partake in such a fashion to uphold any long standing tradition I have not been able to partake of in the past eight hundred years.”
“My boy’o is full of himself,” Cedric sat down and eyed what the humans were eating. “I just have some blackberries for now. They grow wild on the Isle and I knew them as a boy. Cook assures me that soon enough there shall be a lovely loaf of brown bread with butter comin’ hot from the oven. I am a’waitin’ on that.”
“Gentlemen,” Clifford approached with two decanters and snifters. “Something from your home distilleries. I will leave these with you,” he said with a bow of his head as he placed them on the table.
Eric was still standing at the buffet, sniffing this and eyeing that. “Lover,” Eric called over to her. “I am really enjoying the smell of this hot, maple syrup. And I can smell the butter! What think you?”
“Go for it,” she called back, a big smile on her face.
When Eric came back with his plate, he sat and admired his handiwork. “It looks lovely,” he nodded. “Not a sandwich, but I could just place the bacon in the center and fold it in half.”
“That is a good idea,” Sookie smiled at him, excited by his enthusiasm. “But how about if you just start small. Savor something on your tongue, then just a bite of this and that.”
“Excellent,” he nodded and was still staring at his plate.
“How about if you just dip your fork tine into the syrup, for starters.”
“Excellent,” he said, again. Looking at her, intently and with dedication, Sookie finally reached up with her hand and ran it down his face.
“What are you thinking?” she asked softly.
“That I would puke my guts out every morning if I could sit and eat breakfast with you and someday our son.”
“Oh Eric,” she leaned in and rubbed her nose against his. “I love you,” she whispered. “And Erikr is going to love you, breakfast or not. You will be just the best daddy in the world.”
“Erikr?” his voice was soft as he smiled at her.
“M-m-m-m,” she nodded. “Erikr Ericsson Northman. That is how it is done, correct?”
Bringing both of her hands up to his lips, he kissed them.
“Yes,” he replied. “Yes, that is how it is done.
Now,” he smiled at her. “I believe our food is getting cold and I can see Cook getting ready to switch out our plates if we do not move forward.”
There was a knock at the door and when Clifford opened it, there floated the feathers. While traveling to the table, they all flashed with color. The feathers going from white to effervescent, to a riot of colors that went zinging through them.
In front of Ian settled the light green feathers.
In front of Sookie, the red feathers.
Cedric was graced with the black feathers.
And Eric the white ones.
For Lafayette, the feathers flashed the colors, green, black, red, and white.
Then weird just continued to happen. The feathers doubled and seven attached themselves to their right shoulder and then seven attached themselves to their left shoulder and from their mouths came their individual, respective major scale, harmonizing into one Hallelujah!
The music filled the cabin and colors radiated out from everything, within.
Their wings spread out behind them and they were the color of their calling of the Horsemen.
When they stopped vibrating, it was Lafayette that finally broke the silence. “For a moment there, I was seeing everything in dazzling colors. Any one else?” he whispered.
“Dazzling red,” Sookie replied. “I mean, red things popped red, all other colors receded into the background.”
“Same with me,” Eric said. “Only white and the white colors sparkled!”
“Like fireworks,” Ian was quiet. “And I could see this light green color lighting up everywhere,” his voice shook a little.
“Color based,” Cedric whispered and crossed, himself. “Everything has a true color,” he whispered as he shook. “We are…we remember the true colors in Heaven and then…why some things are so familiar and some are not,” he reasoned.
“Black,” Cedric nodded. “With glitter, sparkles…fireworks…” he nodded. “Things back to normal?” he asked.
“Yes,” they all nodded.
“Wings tucked away?” his voice was still shaking as he reached up and felt around for where the feathers had attached on his shoulders. “I am not a’feelin’ mine and I am not a’seein’ yours.”
“Yes,” the group nodded as they felt around on their shoulders.
“Let’s eat,” Sookie blew out a lot of air and then looked out at her brothers-in-arms. “I think maybe, we can all partake.
Brother Samuel if you would please, how about just a small prayer of thanksgiving.”
.
The meal went very slowly. Sookie and Lafayette ate with gusto, but for the others at the table, it went slowly.
Every bite was savored…allowed to sit on the tongue, they chewed delicately, then swallowed.
“We will be landing at Heathrow, shortly sir,” Clifford said to Samuel.
“Thank you, Clifford,” Samuel replied as he added a strawberry to his waffle and then took a small bit. “And we all thank you for not laughing at us.”
“Of course, sir,” he said with a bow of his head. “It has indeed, been my pleasure to see to your needs this dark.”
“And thank you for not laughing,” Ian added. “I know once or twice I had to chuckle at myself, but Clifford, thank you. I know that when you have wings, that maybe you do not need to proceed so carefully…” his laughter turned into a choked response.
“My pleasure sir,” he said with another bow of his head. “I just consider this another dark with Master Samuel. I have seen things I did not think was possible, but then my mind is limited and it is always a pleasure to add something new to your repertoire.”
“Mr. Clifford, you’re good,” Lafayette said with a chuckle. “’Cause mostly weird shit is not life affirmin’ and can cause you to hurt, yourself.”
“I am a Supe, sir,” he grinned. “And I am here with Master Samuel until he walks as spirit with God. Let’s just say when I get hurt, I heal quickly. Now, I will begin to clear the area if nothing else is required.”
“Thank you, Clifford,” Samuel smiled at him.
“Cedric,” Ian directed his gaze at his brother. “Seriously, put down the decanter of your whiskey. Either drink it or not, but truly, you look ridiculous trying to sneak up on it. And if you are not going to eat those blueberries, pass them over here.
I thought you were the luck of the Irish and all that. I would hate to think that The Child was right and you were just a poser. Seriously my brother, you have not yet puked and you have had a bite of the Irish Brown Bread that Cook made just for you with Irish butter spread upon it.”
“Actually,” Sookie looked up from her berries, “he ate the entire piece. You know, he kept offering it to me but he would take a bite when no one was looking.”
There were chuckles from around the table and multiple blueberries were thrown at Cedric who caught them and put them in his mouth.
“Has been an experience breakfastin’ with you good folks, His La La Fineness says. And that was some righteous bacon. So sorry Brother Samuel that you could not partake of that. I am prouds to say you stand by your religious beliefs, ‘cause that was some mighty fine little piggy.
So, we have got us some vampires that can partake of food at the table. Can they day walk their asses around London? Inquiring minds wants to knows. ‘Cause that unspoken question has been hangin’ in the air since we sat down, here. On all of you I has seen hopefuls and I has seen scareds and I has seen fuck yeah! Day walk!”
All the vamps looked sheepish and small smiles appeared on their faces.
“We shall shelter during the day,” Ian said. “Perhaps we shall shelter and stay awake. If no one gets the bleeds, maybe…?” he shrugged.
The vamps all looked at each other and nodded, while giving that some serious thought.
“Sounds like a plan,” Eric replied. “But personally, I think we are a go for launch. And our wings,” he shrugged, “I think this is going to make us fast. As in Sookie fast.
Did we receive our bona fides during the old dark? I am believing that is a yes. But we won’t know that until we know.”
“And you are not to be foolish,” Sookie arched her eyebrow at each of them.
“A true act of faith,” Ian nodded and then smiled. “And no to the foolish. I like it.
It is going to be dark when we land. That will give us an hour or two to get our sea legs before the sun is a horizon event. “
.
Once they cleared customs, Samuel’s car was there, waiting for them. “Ian, my place our yours?” he asked.
Ian took a deep whiff of the air that smelled like home. Yes, there was the overt whiff of jet fuel, but in the distance, there was the sharp, clean, salty smell of the ocean and the moving fresh water of the Thames.
And maybe something else…
“I have a bit of business to attend, too,” he said sadly. “Perhaps not at my town residence. I am so sorry for that,” he sighed and bowed to Sookie and Lafayette. “I think perhaps, yes, perhaps, we would be better suited at the castle outside of town. And I certainly have room for everyone. Perhaps we should all shelter there, this dark and move on to London in a couple of days if you so desire.”
Eric nodded in agreement. “London is lovely, but there is nothing like looking out your window at the sheep in the brilliant green, pastures, with fog rising up from the ground and a heavy mist in the air.”
“What do you think, family?” Ian asked.
“Sounds lovely,” Sookie replied.
“Excellent, then. Let’s hunker down at Ian’s for the day,” Eric replied. “If Lafayette and Sookie wish to go out and about, they can easily do so. They can take the car and seriously, I do not believe they need an escort of armed guards. We have all seen Sookie take care of not only herself, but everyone around her.
Let’s load up, now that we have decided. Clifford, if you will please get the luggage to the Richmond Castle, it would be muchly appreciated.”
.
The drive from the airport was entertaining. They all got the stories of who had done what to whom in the different residences through the centuries. That was the thing about being in a country with thousands of years of history and traveling companions that had lived and experienced history, you got the down and dirty!
“Huh,” Sookie would say from time-to-time. “You fellas have certainly been around for a while. I mean, I know you are old, but when you start telling stories that start with, seven hundred years, ago…” she chuckled. “When that village was just a smithy and a pub…”
“Yes,” Lafayette nodded. “And would you just look at that Welsh dragon sittin’ so pretty on the top of that roof. And that moon behind, him. Feels like I have done and come on home.”
“Y Ddraig Goch of Bretland,” Eric nodded. “The Red Dragon of Wales.”
Cedric snorted and Ian kicked his leg.
Samuel cleared his throat and all four vampires grew strangely quiet.
“What?” Lafayette said, taking a hard look around the passengers. “Just what? Any time this group gets quiet, there is somethin’ goin’ round-about that needs to be tended. Just what happened in Wales?”
Sookie was starting at Eric who was squeezing her hand, just a might bit harder.
“Okay,” she nodded. “Something happened in Wales.”
“No,” everyone shook their head.
“Okay, something did not happen in Wales,” she reasoned. “Did something happen with a dragon?” she asked with a chuckle.
“Maybe,” Eric answered. “We…we don’t deliberate over that and when it does come up, it is Ian’s job to kick us in the shins until we move on from that area of discussion.”
“Mo’ fo’n,” Lafayette choked out, “you did see a dragon!”
All four of them just shrugged.
“Maybe,” Eric nodded. “We all four agree that we saw something,” he said, eyeing the group that all nodded yes.
“And I know I combined Cymraeg and Old Norse,” Eric groused at himself, “But, when I think about that night, my thoughts still do not seem to come into clear focus and are maybe a bit jumbled. Like maybe I had been glamoured. I believe all of us were glamoured.”
“You means like the flashy light thing in the movie, Men In Black?” Lafayette asked.
“Yes, I think so,” he nodded and so did the other three. “And since we are vampire, who, we all had to ask, can glamour us? And it did look like that dragon,” Eric sighed. “So, I guess a dragon could glamour us.”
“It was very proud and regal,” Samuel added. “Almost like a living thing. But most assuredly, that shape.”
“The eyes were alive,” Ian whispered. “Purple starlight.”
“And his nails were perfect,” Cedric nodded. “I am deeply and abidingly embarrassed to admit his manicure was all I could look at. His nails looked like paved gold diamonds.”
“M-m-m-m hm-m-m-m,” Lafayette nodded, “I sure enough needs to meet his nail tech to find out how that is done,” he said holding up his hands and admiring his own nails. “That sounds like a look I could admires and cherish.
And I loves the idea of stayin’ in a real castle. We can always do London, but stayin’ in a castle, one of my fantasies is comin’ to life!” and the smile lit up his face. “I could even deal with the spooks,” he laughed. “Boo and be gone!” he said with authority.
With those words out of his mouth, several light posts got just a little less bright.
“Did you see that?” Ian asked looking intently out the window as they continued down the street.
“It got not as bright, on this stretch of road,” Samuel added, looking over at Lafayette.
“You…you think what?” Sookie asked. “That their inner ghost plasma or whatever made those lights a little brighter, were brighter because ghosts were floating around it? Like moths to a flame. And Lafayette rebuked them?”
“Maybe,” Eric nodded looking over at Lafayette. “Maybe whatever gifts we have are now enhanced.”
“That,” Lafayette nodded, “coulds be useful.”
“One more something to think, about,” Eric said thoughtfully as they left the city suburbs surrounding Heathrow and started for the country. “Richmond Castle, here we come.”
“So, Ian what is your home like?” Sookie asked.
“Well, it is on a hill and overlooks the Thames and it is a castle built in the early 1300’s and has had improvements as the years have passed by.
It is said in kindness that it is mine. Actually, it is not. I am just leasing it.
It is Eric’s. Because folks have this notion how British vampire royalty should live. My residence in London is sufficient. A lovely manor home and keep, keeping with the history of my part of town. I do a lot of entertaining, there.
But at times,” he sighed and shrugged. “Folks want spectacular and I cannot afford spectacular. Or the upkeep. Or the staff that it takes to run it. The grounds keepers and gardeners at the castle make more a year than I do. And rightly so. The place is famous for its gardens.
And the Motte and Baily architecture is lovely and true to form and sucks the coin right out of your purse.
But if you need a grand and a royal kiss my ass, you peasants with new money, abode, this would be the place to call home. And once in a while, when the continent comes calling, I can tell them to suck it from the battlements while they look up at me from down below.
Well, there you have it,” he sighed. “I admit defeat. There is a reason The Child calls me a poser. I am the king who has no castle; just a lease agreement with his brother,” his sigh got bigger. “A true poser.
And you have seen The Residence,” his voice was sincere as he looked at Lafayette and Sookie. “So parts of the castle,” he cleared his throat, and nodded, “are going to look very familiar.
And because we are vampires in good standing, and there are many vampires in bad standing, that we all need and benefit from safeguards. That by staying at the castle, there are all types of places we can safely shelter during the day. All kinds of hidey holes and secret passages and underground bunkers.”
“So, it is just not me,” Samuel grinned.
“No,” Eric shook his head. “We are being followed.”
“Picked them up once we got past the customs, I believes,” Lafayette nodded.
“Seriously?” Sookie asked. “I am not reading anything. Should I be pinging or something?”
“Not pinging,” Lafayette shook his head no. “More of a gut rumble, maybe. And cravin’ somethin’ like a weapon or something that can be used for a weapon.”
“Kinda like when you are hungry?” she asked. “And you don’t know what you want to eat?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “And since you are War, I just figures you runs with the big guns all the times.”
“Huh,” she looked thoughtful.
“Good description,” Eric nodded. “Now, Samuel,” Eric reached under the seat, “don’t you keep some swords at the ready?”
“Indeed I do,” he grinned, as Eric pulled out several canvas bags.
“Oh look, a very sharp sword for each of us. Just like there was a plan,” Samuel grinned. “So, are we taking these sneaks who are keeping watch over us by night to the house?”
“Well, yes, another reason to have a castle on the outskirts of civilization. You can war without discretion,” Eric chuckled. “We will pull in and wait to see if they want to storm the castle with what remains of the dark or will it be a horizon event, when all good vampires have gone to bed and are oh so helpless and well you know, helpless,” he chuckled.
Lafayette was shaking his head. “This crowd, helpless? Be there daylight or not, I cannot see any of yous going down without a fight.”
“Our lawyer knows us oh so well,” Ian grinned. “And just perhaps we have done that once or twice with unexpected visitors who have come calling during the day. And it is just sad to listen to our staff complain about how they were not invited to the fight.”
“The last thing our uninvited guests saw was the flash of our steel,” Cedric laughed. “And maybe our fangs.”
Ian took out his phone. “I am alerting the staff. They shall be there to welcome us and have backup in case it is needed.”
“They still have not forgiven you for the last time The Duke of Comely-Paris came calling?” Eric chuckled.
“No,” Ian sighed. “And that is a conversation and sad looks I do not need to repeat.
Oh look, you can see the lights, up ahead. The moon does look fabulous behind it, don’t you think?”
“Fabulous is not what I think I would use to describe it, His La La Fineness says. That would be Fab-b-b-b-u-u-u-ulousness!”
“Seriously,” Sookie nodded in agreement. “And yet spooky, at the same time. That is some serious shadows and light going on there. I don’t know if there is something looking out those windows at me or not.” Then she had a moment. “Of course, that would be the idea. The deck is always to be stacked in your favor.”
“Of course,” Ian nodded. “Most good, we are home. Time to do the meet and greet.”
Pulling up to the front steps, the car door was opened and Sookie was helped, out.
“Please madam, I am Wadsworth, King Ian’s Majordomo. It will be my pleasure to help provide for our comfort while you are here. This way please. The staff is inside waiting to welcome you.
And you are not to worry about anything. We wish you only the best during your stay, but King Ian has prepared us for the worst. We all carry,” he added.
“I understand that,” she smiled at him. “I grew up in Louisiana. Everyone keeps a shot gun by the front door. Just in case a snake comes slithering up, wanting to come on in.”
“Indeed, madam,” he nodded. “It will be our pleasure to see to it that you feel right at home.”
“Thank you,” she smiled and nodded her head. “I look forward to my stay with you.”
Eric offered her his arm and together they went in the front door.
“Woof,” she said looking upwards until her eyes hit the ceiling. “I can see where The Residence gets its beginnings.”
08 Sunday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
inThe characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.
This story is rated MA. Contains language and sexual adult situations.
Justified Crazy — Chapter the Nines
“Your majesty,” Bill said, bowing. “Is there something I might do for you to help this along? Money, investigation, research at the highest levels of learning… I am a professor emeritus at…” his voice trailed off as Hadley eyed him and was shaking her head, no.
“Professor emeritus my ass. You are just pathetic. And from the way you are dressed, I would say cheap. You are not even dressed redneck comfortable. So, cut the crap, vampire,” she said as she pulled a pistol from her pocket and pointed it at him and fired one shot into his gut.
There was a tremendous roar of pain as Bill took a step backwards and fell to the ground and began thrashing, about. “You bitch!” he was screaming. “You fucking bitch. I will pull your head off and drink from you like a cheap assed beer!”
“Are you calling The Queen of Battle a bitch and comparing me to a cheap ass beer?” she snarled as she walked over to the edge of the porch and aiming for his crotch, she put another round in him. “I am nothin’ like a cheap assed, anything! You are just a liar!” she screeched. “And so pathetic to call me something like that. I shop at a mall and never eat at a fast-food place. I like restaurants. Where they bring me my meal and depending on how they treat me, I can decide on whether or not to tip them.”
Another wail came up from the ground.
Hadley shook all over and then righted, herself. “I just hate it when I get like that,” she sighed and looked at Jason. “I am a true Southern lady. You know that. I was raised right. Why, I went to Sunday School along with the eleven o’clock service. I never raise my voice or act out of turn. I have manners and decorum. Not like that pathetic asshole!”
“He was being an asshole, Cuz,” Jason replied with a stern voice and a nod of his head. “Who uses that kind of language around a lady? Or says those rude things to her?”
“Thank you, Jason,” she smiled at him. “For pulling me back to ground zero. He started this. And, as the Queen of Battle, I am goin’ have to get used to finishin’ it.”
“You know that is right,” he nodded in agreement as he pointed his finger at her. “Just as right as rain. Now, look at him down there,” he nodded toward the sniveling, bloody mass of Bill Compton. “He looks like maybe he still has some sass left in him. I think you need to straighten him out.”
“Well thank you Cuz. I am feelin’ vindicated and oh so righteous.
As you can see,” her attention was now focused on Bill, “dick-less, or maybe that is ball-less, I am armed with silver bullets and I know what you did to Gran…my Gran! You cheap assed fuckwad!” she hissed at him. “Because, she had two granddaughters,” she stressed. “Two! So that makes her my gran as well and that makes me entitled. Two to spend money on! There was a time or two when I asked her for money and she had none, none, I stress, because it was all tied up in gas money with driving you about.
Seriously, just what the fuck? She was an old woman that lived on six hundred dollars a month Social Security. Just a damn good thing this place was paid for or she would have been livin’ under a bridge in Shreveport so she could get her meals at a homeless shelter.
And then, you just had to go to Monroe or some other bullshit place and she just had to drive you, because what? So you could chat her up about the dead relatives? How the neighborhood has changed? You could not drive, yourself? And how would I know that?” she snarked at him. “Why that would be because I had just called her asking for gas money, myself. And she told me she had to take you to the Glorious Dead meetin’ and shoppin’ and I am just askin’ shoppin’ for what? Certainly not clothes or a haircut.
And you what? Don’t own an auto? Because you what, can only drive a horse and buggy? Which I seriously doubt. I bet if I was to put a couple more bullets in you and take your wallet, that there would be a driver’s license in it. Along with a bunch of moths that would come flying out. You are just one cheap assed, lying, scum of the world, bastard.
So, dumb ass, spare me your righteous bullshit and come-hither look. I’ll gladly write my own come hither look on your face with a silver bullet that I have perhaps melted down and poured down your throat.
Now, stop your caterwauling and oh woe is poor me. Or, do you want me to do you a favor and put one in your heart and end your misery?” she smiled sweetly at him. “We Southern girls are very good shots. “
“No,” he screeched.
“Very good then, pathetic Bill, for now, I won’t. Let us just keep that in mind the next time you are so disrespectful to your queen. Because I could end you, right now. And begin my righteous war for world domination starting with you and those you hold dear to you in New Orleans.
Just what do you think about that?”
Bill was thinking, “Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck! She has blown off Ole’ Nub! Fucking bitch! I am going to drain her after I torture her! I will use and abuse her and heal her and then…”
His scream interrupted his delightful time of doing justice to the whore. He heard the bullet leave the chamber, smelled the gunpowder and she was apparently a very good shot as his left ball just turned to a gooey mess! His scream turned to a sob. With his left eye, he could see her and she was looking very pissed off!
“Get yourself together, William T.,” he sobbed to himself. “Pull up every inch of manhood you have left and hero up! This is for the glory and all the marbles.
It was very disrespectful of me, your majesty, to speak to you in such a way. Please, I am begging for forgiveness,” he managed to get out.
“Much better attitude, Bill. It pleases me to see that you can adjust. Now, I don’t have a vampire minion. And I guess you will do. So, you will need to swear fealty to me.”
“What?” Bill moaned. “You want me to do what? That is a very big and important sounding word and one I am not familiar with so I don’t know what fealty means? Do you know what it means?”
Hadley walked down off the steps and pointed the pistol at Bill’s heart. “What a pathetic, stupid fuckwad you are,” she chuckled.” You think I don’t know jack shit about vamps and their way of doing business.
There is a very tall, blond, vamp by the name of Eric Northman I would like to do some business, with. And he works in Shreveport. Now, his day is comin’ around, but right now, Bill, this is about you.
Last call, last dance Bill. This is gonna be your last chance to greet a new dark. One last time. I said swear fealty to me. That you promise to love, honor and obey me. That I am your queen above all others. That you will walk where I tell you to walk and you will speak the good talk that I tell you to talk. That you will war at my bidding and you will continue to war until I tell you to stop. Swear it on your own life and an equally painful true death.”
“What?” he snarled and she put a bullet into his left eye.
His screams and thrashing about did not impress anyone who was watching.
“Nice shot, Cuz,” Jason said in awe. “He was even twitching about and you still got him.”
“Thanks,” she smiled at Jason and then turned her attention back to the lying bastard on the ground that was bleedin’ everywhere.
“True death, Bill is what is waiting for you if you do not,” she smiled at him. “And oh, the fealty oath, make sure you use your name and my name. And I want you on your knees.”
“This is for all the marbles,” he was sobbing. “Just like that time I was playing marbles with that Stackhouse, urchin. I had glass marbles and his was only clay. I wanted to lie down and take that shot, but he said no, the rules were you had to shoot from your knees. No wonder he beat be. Little cheating scum. I see it still runs in the family.” His silent tirade gave him a chance to heal a bit so he could at least levitate, a bit.
Bill managed to get upon his knees, and with blood pouring from his eye, he began the process of getting to what he thought was going to be the most satisfying meal of his life.
“I, William T. Compton, swear fealty to Hadley Savoy, who is known as War; the Queen of Battle. I promise to love, honor and obey you. That you are my queen above all others. That I will walk where you tell me to walk and I will speak the good talk that you tell me to talk. I will war at your bidding and I will continue to war until you tell me to stop. I swear it on my own life and my equally painful true death.”
“Most excellent,” she replied. “Now, while you are down there, do you think you can manage a bow to me?”
“Yes,” he said offering her a sweeping one from the waist.
“Good,” she smiled at him as she walked down the steps. “I reward such loyal service. Here,” she said pricking her finger on the rose bush next to her, “so that you can see that I stand true as your queen. I too, am faithful and righteous. So have a lick, and don’t get greedy, Jason has his pistol trained on you as well.”
“Yes, my queen,” he licked her outstretched finger. “Thank you, my queen,” as he tasted the drop of life’s elixir and something inside of him now clinched tight in his belly and in his blood, something roared with rage because his blood was being tainted and would soon belong to his righteous queen. It now no longer mattered what he did or did not want. For a taste or even a slup of that, he would even blow Northman, swallow him down and enjoy it.
“Most excellent. Now to business. You, William T. Compton, can drain Uncle Bartlett unto death. He is one selfish, miserable, suck-ass believer in bed and he is not family. And I want him gone.”
“Of course, my queen, with pleasure.” Bill’s eye rolled up into the back of his head at the thought of tasting something she had tasted. Springing up, he had Bartlett down on the ground and the selfish, miserable, suck-ass believer screamed in outrage as Bill tore into his neck and began one of the tastiest, most evil meals he had ever had the joy in partaking.
“My Queen,” Jason bowed to her and smiled. “Uncle War did not lie. Line up the family blood and make the sacrifice and the world can be yours. Just look at Compton down there. Damn, I think you have a new lapdog.”
“Yes,” she sighed. “Sadly, he can only come out at night. But that will do for starters.
Bill, once you are finished with that abomination,” she kicked Bartlett, “I have one or two more things for you to do. I need to finance a war and you are going to help me do that. I understand Sophia-Anne has a handsome war chest, herself. And I want it.”
“I,” Bill stammered as he dropped the husk of Bartlett, “to do that, I will need to return to New Orleans.”
“Yes, you will. So get on that. As in haul ass, right now. And drop Bartlett off in the swamp for the gators. We can’t have that left lying around here. It will attract rats. After all, this is my family’s home. And I want it to spotless for any guest who will drop by unannounced. I mean, I am thinking the entire town will be by to bow and swear fealty.”
“You heard, her,” Jason stepped forward. “Now get!”
“You cannot command me, you tasty moral,” Bill leapt at him and found himself slammed against an invisible wall.
Hadley was shaking her head in disgust. “Seriously, Bill, that is my cousin. And the baby daddy. And my chauffeur. And he gives me folding money and all his change. Just what the fuck?” she asked raising the pistol and this time, emptying the magazine into his heart. When he exploded, she smiled. “Well, we need another vampire. I really want the tall blond at Fangtasia. I hear Northman is a really nice piece of undead meat.
We shall have to work on that.
And I really like the idea of Sophie Anne’s war chest. Let us get rid of Bartlett and make that happen.”
“Do you need to be sexed up, tonight?” Jason asked.
“Under this moon?” she shuddered. “No thanks. That moon is just an abomination. I mean, just what the fuck? Looks like someone took a big bite out of it. How can you have respect for anyone who cannot protect themselves. And that moon, why, it should just be ashamed. Gives me the creeps, having it up there staring down at me with part of it missin’.” I am to be given all due respect, and I am just not feelin’ it from that moon.”
.
“Damn, I love that moon,” Sookie sighed looking out the jet’s window. “Just how fabulous is that. You know, reminds me of a Reese’s cup when I have licked all the chocolate off of it and only then am do I allow myself to take a bite out of it. You know, when you have something worth enjoying, you make it last as long as you can.”
Eric smiled at her. His companion, hopefully for the rest of their days, was a looking at everything in the observation lounge and not commenting on much. It was a nice commentary about the moon. He had to smile. She rewarded herself in unexpected ways. Making the most of everything in her life.
When she grew quiet, there were things she needed to say but probably would not. He respected that, but he did not want her to get lost there. And the sweetest sound he had ever heard was her voice. His heart ached to hear her speak.
“Is there a topic of conversation you would like to talk about?” he asked.
“Am I being pensive?” she asked.
“No, just…quiet…and I find I miss the sound of your voice.”
“I am thinking about everything and nothing, this and that, what is important and what is just bullshit to be shoveled.
I guess, my biggest concentration is just what is important to me. It used to be having enough money to pay taxes. Then it was having enough money to eat.
And you need those things for living, but they are not soul satisfying. They really do not fill-in-the-blanks about me.
So, what part of me now is something that I could not walk away from? Or if I did, it would be a life defining moment.
As long as you have been alive, I guess you have had several of those.”
“Yes,” he nodded. “When my grandmother bled out the women’s magic onto me. When I sailed to the New World and returned home and with the star map that I drew up that charted our course. When I was made vampire. When I met Samuel. Then Ian and Cedric. When I made Pamela vampire. And when I met you.”
“Yes,” she nodded, looking at him intently. “When I met you. You are my life defining moment. That one point in time and space that intersects with what I comprehend as my true self and I know my destiny that reaches out before me. Isn’t that odd. That I know how this flesh will become more and someday, will be used to do my Father’s bidding. That I have options, free will; but now I find that I do not want options. That I want to be as I am intended to be. I desire this. In my heart. That thought brings me joy.
Destiny,” she chuckled. “Fate, fortune, the luck of the draw. The high road instead of the low road. I have pondered that, believe me.
And since this has happened to me, sometimes I just think no,” she shook her head. “Why me and not someone else? Truly, why me? I am not worthy…or smart enough…or faithful enough…or whatever enough. That list is a long one. I have been struggling with that,” she shrugged.
“And I have finally just admitted to myself why me is because this is my task to do. Or my job. Or my calling. I guess there are all kinds of labels you can stick on it. But this is now what I desire to do. I am all in. To embrace what lies ahead and ride it like it I stole it. If I might borrow a guy phrase, balls to the wall. That is where I am headed. And I like it. I feel so right about myself. I don’t think I have ever felt this right about myself. And it is comforting. I have stopped looking for…for…” shrugging she said, “This. The rest of me. One of the four Horsemen. Or maybe just Sookie,” she smiled. “Sookie who understands that this is her path. And that I will walk it to the best of my ability. That I want to walk it to the best of my ability.”
Her words were intense and heart felt. Before him sat the warrior who knew victory. And the woman he would always carry in his heart. His champion.
“Do you need a companion?” he asked.
Smiling she laughed. “I have always wanted to be a member of the mile high club. Are we a mile up?”
“Oh Miss Stackhouse,” Eric smiled in return. “I believe we are.” Then he became serious. “Sookie are you sure?”
“About making love to you, yes,” she nodded. “This observation deck is lovely, but perhaps we need someplace a bit more private.
It just so happens, I have a room if you would care to join me. And it has a very nice bathroom. Complete with a big tub and shower.”
“I would be most delighted to do so,” he answered in turn, taking her hands and pulling her up for a kiss.
The kiss, was soft, sweet, a gentle probing. A quiet, soul satisfying, moment in time. Nothing hurried. Just anticipation of the hours, ahead, and how satisfying they were going to be.
When the kiss ended, Eric pulled back and whispered, “Lover.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “Please, this is going to be a life defining moment for both of us.”
With her hands in his hair, softly and oh so gently she rubbed her nose against his.
“From our joining, Eric, we shall have a son,” her eyes held his. “I could see him…in our future…our life defining moment. He is ours to bring forth. I do not know if he continues the Horseman cycle, but he is there. Waiting for us. And he is strong and sure and righteous.”
Laying his forehead against hers, she could smell the bloody tears he was crying.
“I love you,” he whispered to her.
“Show me,” slowly and with delight, she rubbed her nose against his as she licked the blood from his face. “I am yours and you are mine, show me.”
Sweeping her up into his arms, he brought them down the stairs and into the living areas, below.
Opening the door to her bedroom, he carried her in and placed her feet gently on the floor.
“I have been thinking about this for a long time,” she smiled up at him. “Since the first night I met you.
About what it would be like with you. And…and I just want to lie on the bed and look at you. I mean really look at you. I want to be able touch your face and run my fingers through your hair. Outline your lips,” she chuckled, “maybe with my nipple,” she grinned at him and shrugged. “I want to watch your pupils dilate and hear your breathing get ragged from desire. And I know you don’t breathe,” she laughed, “but accommodate me please, on this small matter.”
He picked her hand up and kissed it while watching her eyes.
“I want to know you, Eric. The good, the bad, the turned on and the pissed off. But for right now, I just want to know you when you are hungry for sex, desiring me. All of me. The good, the bad, and the pissed off. And I want you to know just how hungry I am for you. How much I want you.”
“A good place to start,” he said as she grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt. Eric leaned down toward her and she pulled it over his head.
“Now your turn,” she smiled. “Pick an article of clothing and please remove it.”
“A difficult choice,” his eyes roamed up and down her body. “You have several desirable parts, Miss Stackhouse,” he mused. “But since the truck ride, I am highly enamored of your ass. Why, I do believe that has become the most important part of you.”
“I never figured you for as ass kind a of guy,” she smiled. “More of a neck guy.”
“Oh, it is just not anyone’s ass I find delectable, just yours,” he smiled as he unfastened her pants and picking her up, placed her on the bed. “Now,” he began to pull them down, kissing on the exposed parts as he went. “I believe this could take me a few minutes. There seems to be something right here,” his mouth made contact with her crotch and he pushed in with his tongue as she wiggled and squirmed and moaned.
When her hands grabbed his shoulders, he shifted his gaze so he could see her.
“May I remove two for one?” he asked looking up.
“Yes please,” she managed to get out.
Once she was bare bottomed, there was coolness on her skin from the air conditioning in the room. And heat and liquid now coming from her now exposed, core. Her vaginal odor was unlike any he had ever encountered. He always knew when she entered a room.
Life defining moments…this would be one he would carry the rest of his days. His eyes never leaving hers when his fingers made contact with her clit. The expression on her face…one of surprise and pleasure. She was smiling as she whimpered his name.
A moan escaped from both of them when she bucked, lightly, as Eric spent not long enough there, his fingers playing with her. A life time would not be long enough! When her clothing was down around her knees, Eric placed kisses all over her nether region. There was a long, “M-m-m-m-m,” sound from him when he latched onto her nub with his mouth. As he suckled and licked, Sookie was beating on the bed with her fist’s.
Eric’s hands traveled up her body until he reached her shirt and bra, her breasts there for the taking. Her nipples were hard and he was going to pluck and pull on them until she begged him for more. When she started panting, he buried his tongue inside of her, one hand was still on her nipple, massaging and milking her while his other hand moved to her clit. Where he began to massage and milk her there as well.
The moaning gave way to heavy panting and then her body began to tighten up. The first of many orgasms was on its way.
“Eric please,” she managed to get out. “Please, please.”
Taking his tongue out of her, he once more latched onto her clit. With sheer will of force, he kept his fangs retracted and moved his other hand around to her ass cheeks.
Pushing them apart, he lightly ran his fingers along her crack and she started to buck.
“Lover, I am still dressed,” he sighed. “And so are you.”
“Fuck,” she hissed out. “Please, get me there.”
“But, you wanted…”
“My wants Eric,” she raised her head and looked at him, “have changed. Look,” she said sitting up, “I am removing my own shirt and bra and kicking the rest of my pants off.
Now, you please, do the same. Take off your pants. I am going to watch.”
“Slow and easy,” he began….
“Fuck no,” she hissed. “Rip those things off.”
With a chuckle and vampire magic, his jeans were gone and she had to admit, he was magnificent! And King Eric, of whom she had heard from time-to-time before he was whacked, was crowing!
“Now, like in the truck, only I am going to be laying on top of you while your hands just do whatever they want to, to me.”
“Seriously,” he eyed her as he crawled up to her from the bottom of the bed.
“Yes,” she nodded. “And if somewhere along the way, you need to bite me, please do so. My blood is humming about a million bees per heart-beat. And I want to get off. And I want you to get off. And…and…I had no idea I could feel this way.”
Eric laid down as King Eric sat up and watched as Sookie climbed on top of him.
“This is not bad either,” she sighed as she wiggled around on him. Straddling his chest, she leaned down pushing her breast together, offering him both nipples. “If you sucking on one makes me nuts, sucking on both should get me committed,” she said with a nod of her head.
What she saw in his eyes made her crazy with desire. It was there, for her to see, just what she did to him, as well!
Sookie leaned down to him and Eric took both in his mouth. And somewhere between human pressure and vampire sucking, she started to pant his name that was turning into a raspy scream!
One hand found its way to her ass and the other one was on her clit. That was when she started vibrating, and from her mouth came a scream that was a chromatic scale that was the perfect pitch!
At that moment, Eric flipped her over and was on top. Her wetness was everywhere. When she wrapped her legs around him and started bucking, that was all the encouragement he needed. His mouth found hers and pushing his tongue into her, King Eric then did the same thing. She was wet…so wet…and hot…and wet…and screaming his name was all that registered within him! Mine! screamed out of him as he pushed into her and stoked inside of her and then a chromatic scale from his mouth harmonized with hers as his lower body went into convulsions inside of her! All he could do was hang onto her as she absorbed his body and his music. When the last note left his mouth, he licked her neck then bit.
His dick and his sucking were synchronized. As he pushed in, he sucked out with his mouth. Once, twice, thrice, and a fourth. Licking the wound, he lay his head down on her shoulder as his pelvis continued to rock inside of her!
.
As the sound waves went ringing through the atmosphere, Ian, Cedric, Samuel and Lafayette all stopped the card game they were playing and let the pure tones saturate them.
“Damm-m-m-m-m-n, and glory and hallelujah,” Lafayette shook all over as the words left his mouth in the form of smoke. He could feel the energy as it seeped out of his body through his toes. And his words still hung in the air. All of them giving off a slight pitch.
“Seriously,” Samuel nodded as he exhaled a smoke ring and a note vibrated from that word as well.
“Well that’s new,” Ian said as his words hung on the air in smoke, more notes, harmonizing.
“Father God, bless us all,” Cedric said and his words lingered on the air, as well, as his words completed the harmonics.
Samuel was looking around. Nothing else seemed out of place. “Twelve words were spoken, twelve distinct notes sounded off. A complete chromatic scale.
I am going to check on the staff and the crew,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
When he returned, he just shrugged. “Nothing unusual. Our pilot did say we have picked up a tail wind that is pushing us along. Other than that, all the electronics are registering just fine.”
“You seen Miss Sooks and Mr. Eric’s?” Lafayette asked.
“No,” Samuel shook his head. “Her door is closed and it did not sound like they wanted to be interrupted.”
All the males nodded their heads in agreement.
“You thinkin’, me boy’o, maybe this is the next phase of the Horsemen?” Cedric crossed himself and then looked intently at the others.
“Possibly, probably,” Samuel nodded. “We know that this is family and that It carries in the blood.” Shrugging, he continued on. “And I would say that the blood,” his eyes got round, “got excited. So much so that perhaps it brought the rest of us on line. Or at least laid the ground work for the next phase.”
“The next phase. Has gots to wonder about the pure power and majesty of all that’s. His La La Fineness says it has been all talked up by the preacher and the TV’s come to Jesus about how we would be meetin’ Jesus up in the air. I am thinkin’ we just had us a come-to-Jesus meetin’, you know, up here in the air. Complete with the glory, hallelujah, the sounds of sacred music hanging in the air, literally, and blowin’ smoke to make our own clouds.”
Their looks of astonishment were appropriate to the words Lafayette had spoken.
“Amen,” they all said as they looked at each other and the words that were still lingering in the air.
“Should…should we knock on their door?” Ian asked, as he swatted at the hazy words he had spoken.
Samuel merely arched an eyebrow at him and shook his head no. “I would say, if that was round one, maybe we,” he stressed, “need to prepare for round two.”
“Maybe some good words addressed to Father God would be appropriate right about now,” Lafayette said reaching out his hands towards the men who sat at the right and left of him at the table.
“Prayer is always beneficial and preferred,” Samuel said as he took his family’s hands.
“Father God, O’ King of the Universe,” he began…as the other three nodded in agreement and said, “Amen.”
.
“Just damn,” Sookie breathed out, as she kissed Eric’s chest and her hands ran lovingly up and down his back.
Eric was still on top of her and his pelvis was still vibrating. “I, I think I really am breathing,” he said as he took his face out of her neck and looked into her eyes.
“I, I have never sang before when I had sex. And those tones sounded pure…and…and…”
“Not of this world,” Sookie finished for him. “There was someone else inside of me who was doing the singing. I…I could feel myself…shift gears, maybe…something engaged inside of me.”
“Yes,” Eric nodded. “There was a part of me that…I think shifting gears explains it. It was a smooth transition but assuredly a shift…”
“Like when you put the clutch in and you feel that second before you put in in the next gear…”
“Yes,” he nodded. “Sookie, how…how are you doing? I am embarrassed to say that I had planned on taking all night to get you there. To tease you along and make you crazy and get you off before I broke you.”
Smiling at him she nodded, “I know and I had planned on enjoying that…that bit of nice thought. But once the music started,” she rubbed her nose against his. “There was no stopping that…what we did…there was no stopping that. And I feel good. I mean, really good. Complete…charged, refreshed. Like I could conqueror the world. I mean, really seriously, I feel…normal…” she hesitated on that word. “Yes, maybe normal describes it. I…I don’t know that I have ever used that word to describe, myself.
And did you hear my voice?” she sounded shocked. “Fuck, I can’t sing. This is a well known fact. But I love too. And I always thought, you know, I could…maybe…in some far and distant land, once upon a time, I did sing and I was not embarrassed about it.
Turns out, there is a part of me that can sing. I don’t know if that is gonna stick around, but I sure enough enjoyed hearing it while it did.
And then, the way the two of us harmonized, that was…” she wiped at the tears that were forming in her eyes. “That was magical…”
“Yes,” he leaned down and kissed her, his lips lingering on her for a moment and then drew back. “Yes, magical…such pure, sweet tones we produced. Perfect pitch, timing, everything about the music was unworldly.”
“So,” she was thoughtful, “so maybe that is what we sound like as pure spirit. You know, how God created us to be.”
“Yes,” he was thoughtful. “Yes,” he smiled at her.
“M-m-m-m-m,” she smiled at him. “It is so nice to have someone to talk the weird shit out with,” she put a finger on his chest and pushed him back onto the bed. “I mean, really, nice. So,” she straddled his chest and slid back done onto King Eric. “What are you doing the rest of my life?”
“Whatever you want me too,” Eric moaned as she ground around on him.
Before King Eric could shout anything, he had been captured inside one of the loveliest ladies to walk the planet.
Getting onto all fours, Sookie began to rock back and forth while she watched Eric. “What do you like the most?” she asked. “Something just for you? You were very kind and considerate of me. Asking what I wanted. I can do likewise. Just name it and I am willing to give it a try.
What is,” she said with a twirl of her hands and shaking her bosom at him. “your heart’s desire. I am here to grant that wish.”
“My heart’s desire,” he said, and clearly the tone and mood of the conversation had changed. “Would…” he began his voice cracking a bit…”Would you…” he began again, this time Sookie could see his tears.
“What?” she asked, placing her hands on his face.
“Would you really have my child?” he managed to get out.
Leaning down, she licked the tears from his face and the kissed him. “Just come inside of me, you big stud,” she smiled at him. “And when the time is right, I will give you your heart’s desire.
So sayeth the Baby Momma to the Baby Daddy,” she added, batting her eyelashes.
With a chuckle, he picked Sookie up and now her knees were beside his ears. “I really like,” he said, licking the blood up her leg to her vaginal opening, “eating at the source. Now just where is that little guy in the row boat. I could swear I heard him shouting something about dropping anchor in my mouth…”
This time, when Eric latched on, Sookie bucked into his mouth. Repeatedly. His sucking was fast and his tongue detailed every bit of her clit and surrounding region. The moan that escaped from her was low and guttural.
Lifting her from his face, he still held her while he floated in the air. “I believe I said something earlier about your very sweet ass.”
“Oh Eric,” she managed to get out and then she was belly down on the bed, with his hands spreading her ass cheeks.
“Most charming,” his voice was very serious as he placed King Eric on the brown spot and began to gently throb there.
“Once I am in,” he leaned around so he could see her face, “I am going to flip you around to be on top and those nipples and that nub are going to be mine, as well. And I just might have a finger or two that will be scissoring inside of you.”
“Just damn,” she moaned. “This is the baby momma, thanking you, the baby daddy, in advance for doing those things to me. Make me scream in pleasure like I mean it! And no matter how much I beg, shake and shudder, please don’t stop!”
Eric was chuckling and then gazed into her eyes. “Try and keep count of your orgasms,” he blew her a kiss as he pushed forward and one hand slid beneath her and fingered her clit causing her to pant. “I need my bragging rights as well.”
.
The guys had taken a vote and decided that the very best place for all of them to be was here in the game room. That way they could monitor each other for whatever happened next. Because things were happening.
The chromatic scales continued from time-to-time and the fellas would join in.
“That loaf of bread just multiplied,” Lafayette remarked as he reached to tear off a hunk to dip in the cheese fondue.
“Okay,” Samuel looked over at the bread board. “So, that means what? Famine has been reversed?”
Looking at each other, they all shrugged and nodded maybe yes.
The card game continued.
“H-m-m-m-m,” Ian said, hearing a buzzing noise and swatting at nothing.
“That, ah-h-h,” Samuel arched an eyebrow as he threw down a card, “that appears to be some dead locus here on the north end of the table. So Pestilence has been reversed?”
“Maybe,” Cedric replied. “You got any two’s, me boy’o,” Cedric asked.
“Go Fish,” Ian replied.
The card game continued and so did weird.
“Good thang we is vamps and a Medium and weird is just another day,” Lafayette said as he regarded his cards and this time, the D Major Scale come singing from their lips.
“So that’s been, C, D, G & A scales so far,” Ian noted as he fanned out his cards.
“Yes,” Samuel nodded. “Have any four’s?”
“Go Fish,” Cedric replied.
“So we are missin’ two more scales, maybe?” Lafayette asked. “One for Hades and one for the lawyer?”
All of them shrugged.
“We have hours yet before sunrise,” Ian noted. “Anything is possible and probable. And well, given the odds, it is just bloody hell likely to happen. And I am sure it is all for the best because I have a weird craving for a glass of my family’s finest, aged to perfection.”
“I’ll ask Clifford,” Samuel responded. “Mean time, Lafayette, you have any aces?”
“Go Fish,” he chuckled, “and I think I feel a B Major scale comin’ on.”
.
The guys had finished that round and sat back from their cards. Ian and Cedric were admiring a glass of whiskey that came from each of their family’s distilleries. They each had a sip and nothing horrible or embarrassing had happened.
“There were seven distinct major scales, His La La Fineness says. C, D, G, A, B, F, E, that came pusin’ through here. Out of our mouths and I still hears bits and pieces of them floatin’ on the air.
There are seven righteous spirits that is God’s secret council. Thinkin’ maybe we just mights has unleashed them, as well.”
Dear Readers,
Happy Mother’s Day!
To you and yours, all the best!
As always, thanks for reading!
Be blessed and be the blessing,
CES
01 Sunday May 2022
Posted Uncategorized
inThe characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.
This story is rated MA. Contains language and sexual adult situations.
Justified Crazy — Chapter the Eights
There was quiet as they all sat back down around the fireplace.
“Another round of somethin’ fine, His La La Fineness says,” as he sat down and put his feet up. “I don’t know, Miss Sooks, we still have some porto?”
“Sounds good,” she nodded. “Don’t get up, I’ll just…”
“More porto,” Clifford smiled as he came out of the kitchen with a tray and two glasses.
“And this just arrived by special currier,” he smiled. “Your passports, I believe.”
“Thank you,” Sookie mouthed as he sat down the glass in front of her along with her gateway to the world.
“Mr. Clifford, you are just the best,” Lafayette sighed and picked up his glass and his passport and thumbed through it. “You truly know how to work magic. Well, I do believe I see all kinds of entryways to the world, soon to be inked on these pretty pages.
All this,” he saluted him with his glass, “and travel, too.
This evenin’….not even could I have seen this comin’ on and none of my dead relatives has been whisperin’ to me about this. And they all do so love to gossip. And selfies…lordy,” he said shaking it off.
“That is a lot to assimilate and go forth, putting one foot in front of the other. Lordy, the Four Horsemen. And Death rides with Hades. And since Death riding with Hades is only mentioned in Revelation, does that mean the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? And that sure sounds like a different campaign from, you know, The Horsemen in the Old Testament.
Those were family members that our boys have seen…and…and…” Lafayette who was seldom at a loss for words, seemed to be struggling. “And are we talkin’ the Apocalypse since we have Hades ridin’ with Death? And if so,” he said with a shake of his head and making a cross with his two index fingers and putting it out in front of him, “am I supposed to be the lawyer for the Four of the Apocalypse?”
“I do not believe you can side step this that easily,” Sookie said with an arched eyebrow. “So put down the fingers. ’Cause if that works for you, I want some of that finger rebuking power, also.”
“Good questions one and all,” Samuel nodded his head. “This would be where the drinking comes in. Because just thinking about that responsibility makes me want to open a bottle of something and drink until my eyes bleed out. And puke my insides, out. And all manner of other things. And being vampire, I know I cannot do that, but there is enough of the human in me left that wants to do that and looks on this type of responsibility as…as…if you don’t make the correct decision, this is criminal,” he whispered. “We are talking dismantling the human race.”
“So you think what?” Sookie asked. “That our ancestor, War, got so drunk one night he maybe used his Rune set to pay out from his bar bill? Or just stumbled out leaving it on the table? They got picked up, have floated around here and there and those evil tramps that came in held them in their possession…and when they left them on the table, they were freed from her and that is why they came to rest on me?
Because I am family? This is what I am thinking, anyone got anything different? And does anyone have anything about the car going back to being a pumpkin?”
“No,” they all replied while they sat staring at her.
“No,” Eric was thoughtful. “And the car to pumpkin…” he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “We just don’t know what the Horsemen’s powers are…but I don’t know…that just does not sound like one of them.”
“Which means there is something or someone evil out there working with….” Samuel was thoughtful. “With a lot of know-how. Which is another topic. But for now, we need to sit as Council with Sookie.”
“You are correct, of course my brother,” Eric nodded. “I have in my mind how I have always observed the fours. And now that I have the visual, this has held true through the ages.
War sits to the West. So that is Sookie. Across from her is Death and now Hades, to the East. So that is Ian and Cedric.
Now, obviously, I am to the North, so that makes me Pestilence and lo and behold, Samuel would sit to the South, just as his family lived to the South of Israel in Egypt, as Famine.”
“And there,” Sookie pointed to Lafayette with her head, “sits our erstwhile, lawyer. Here to offer council and yea or nay our good, bad, indifferent decisions. You know,” she arched an eyebrow at Lafayette, “you know, call us on our bullshit and its far-flung effects and is it all righteous? Because you are still flashing around that cross you made with your index fingers.”
“You thinkin’ I am the voice of reason?” Lafayette sounded a bit flabbergasted, as he threw his hands up in the air. “No, no, and no! And not just no, but hell no!”
“Yes,” they all said.
“Lordy,” he said shaking his head no and looking around the room. “And no, again, I am addin’ for emphasis.”
“You said Judge Bloom was a good and righteous source of the law,” Sookie shook her finger at him. “How much you respected him and enjoyed clerking for him. Because he held the law above all else. We expect you to do the same.
Are we in agreement so far?”
Heads were nodding all around the room.
“I cans not be trusted,” Lafayette was wiping the tears from his eyes.
“Yes, you can,” she nodded. “Because I would not another to hold that position.
But until we get to that time and place, it is just life as usual, correct?” she asked.
They all nodded again and looked somewhat relieved.
“Okay, so The Residence has crates that need to be unboxed. Can we go there now and get started? Personally, I cannot wait to see it.”
They all looked at each other and shrugged and nodded.
“Well yes, of course,” Eric grinned. “It will be good to see some of our old friends, again.”
“Excellent,” Samuel nodded. “Let us make this happen. Then to England to fit any nooks and crannies with priceless treasures that seem to be without.”
“Yes, please,” Ian grimaced. “Bell needs to be gone from my residence. I have a hard enough time finding dates. Who needs that type of competition? He is oh so charming and he persuades them into doing Karaoke with him playing back-up with his mellow ding-a-ling.”
“Bell,” Eric wiggled his eyebrows, “has still got it.
Saddle up,” Eric grinned. “And let us be gone. First stop, Shreveport. Then on to London. I believe we can purchase whatever is needed.”
“I will alert Clifford,” Samuel smiled. “He will put all of this in motion.”
“Can we be grabbin’ a toothbrush?” Lafayette asked. “And a small bag?”
“Just a small one,” Sookie nodded. “Myself as well. We’ll get everything else we might need once we get there.”
“We’ll work The Residence then to the airport and then be on our way,” Samuel nodded. “It shall be a most satisfying walkabout in Eric’s new place of business. Then an equally pleasant one in Ian’s home and other places of interest along the way.”
“Yes, we are going to need to stop off in Cardiff, as well. Now that I have seen Fealty Hall in the moonlight, I have a couple of architectural elements that need to come home with us.”
“Cardiff, as in Wales?” Sookie asked.
“Indeed,” Eric replied.
“Just keeps getting better and better,” she grinned.
.
It did not take long for the crew to clear out of the farmhouse.
Sookie and Lafayette both had a small bag with a toothbrush, paste, clean undies and a change of clothes.
Then they loaded into the helo and were bound for Shreveport.
When they sat down in the parking lot, Sookie was a little spell bound.
“I really like those gargoyle drain spouts,” she nodded. “And that one with the moon shining through his horns, that is spectacular.
And those guys sitting on the roof. Wow, in the dark with some moon and it is not even full, yet, this place is awesome. And this is just the outside. And it looks so realistic because…” she reached out and touched the stones on the side of the building…it was like touching something ancient. The way the stones were faced, you could still feel where it had been chipped away. “It is…?” her voice trailed off.
“Yes, nothing mass produced, here. All authentic with a touch of magic. Please,”
Eric bowed to her, “this way to the front doors. Our group of sojourning Viking longboat sailors will be there to welcome us. They have dropped anchor and should have pleasant and welcoming things to say,” as Eric led the way. “Just give me a moment to make sure all the tools have been picked up and there is nothing left for you to stumble, upon.”
There was indeed, a raucous coming from the front door. “Heave to,” was yelled from the brass door knocker in a boisterous voice. “The Viking approaches. A taller land lover, toad sucking fool has never walked amongst us,” Arne, the coxswain yelled loudly.
Bo, Frode, Gorm and Halfdan all cheered in unruly agreement. “Long legs and no muscle!”
“When was the last time his ass was out on the water, making a living?” Roar, laughed. “As in actually working? I doubt that he has ever worked for a living.”
Skarde, Sune, Svend, all started chanting, “Land lover, land lover, land lover!”
“Not fit for rowing,” Ulf, hooted. “No muscles left in that land lover’s arms at all. Could not even hang his ass off the side and take a shit! Let alone, clean himself! Obviously, a toad sucker. He thinks his visions are real!”
“Truly,” Ødger was banging his oar against the side of the boat. “His shit is weak! We can take him. Make him the anchor!”
“Miss Stackhouse,” Eric turned to her as she approached from behind him, “I deeply apologize for you having to witness the rude and uncouth remarks made by these rough and unruly marauders that are attached to the door. If you so wish it, gladly will I remove these brigands and build a fire here, so that you may watch me melt them down to slag.”
“A lady,” was whispered amongst the boat crew as they all gasped as Sookie approached. “A lady of power and substance,” they whispered, again. “A beautiful lady that is clearly too good for the likes of that long-limbed, ugly, toad sucking land lover.”
“Fair lady,” Skarde stood and bowed. “I do so apologize for this crew that has been at sea for so long they have forgotten how to act in polite company. For sadly and alack, we have been ocean going for millennia and any concept of manners amongst us, shamefully, has been washed away by the high seas and the fishmongers that would throw their swill upon us whenever we would dock our boat on their shores.
We all do apologize that you were to witness such ugly, grating, gruff words because of our exceedingly horrific manners. It is just that you are such a surprise! Who would have thought that such an ugly, toad sucking, land lover would be in the accompany of such a great and beautiful lady? This is so unexpected and you are such a treasure to look upon. Not at any time or anywhere on our numerous travels have we encountered such a one as yourself. And we would certainly not expect you to be in company of Erikr. Not that his poor company reflects on you fair lady. It is just that he is just such poor, gruff company. And a toad sucker.”
“Thank you for your apology,” Sookie smiled at the two-foot-long Viking dragon boat that was the door knocker, a whale in the water was the strike plate.
“You are too kind, o’ fair lady. May you always be blessed with fair winds and following seas.”
“I thank you,” she smiled as Eric unlocked the door and they went inside.
“How do you get that to happen?” she asked. “That is very clever. I can see how guests would be enchanted.”
“That,” Eric nodded backwards toward the door, “is not of my doing. That is magic.”
Sookie stopped and walked back to the door.
All the men at the oars stood and bowed to her.
“We are indeed graced by your presence, most beautiful one. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Skarde, the captain of the loud, foul-mouthed crew. And with me are…”
“Seriously,” Eric broke in and Skarde shook his oar at him in displeasure.
“Miss Sookie, we can be here all night while they chat you up. Please, there are others,” Eric arched his eyebrow at the crew, “waiting to meet you.” Offering her his arm, she put his hand on it and off they walked.
“Fellas,” Cedric saluted them as he passed by. “Better luck next time,” he chuckled.
“Either fish or cut bait, Irish,” they yelled at him, shaking their oars. “Your women welcomed us with open arms because you could not get the job done! I did not hear you thank us for your long legs and red hair!”
“Miss Sookie can still hear you,” Samuel said as he passed by.
“Our apologies,” they all sniveled. “For too long we have only resided in the company of that weak assed, toad sucking, land lover.”
“I am closing the door,” Ian said as he passed by.
“Freaking English,” they roared. “Your women welcomed us with open arms because you could not…”
The door closed with a solid thud.
“Lordy, His La La Fineness says,” chuckling and looking around. “Mr. Erics, you run with a tough crowd. But sure enough, I would be here just for the front door entertainment. I take it Mr. Eric, that toad sucking was known back in your day and frowned upon.”
“Indeed,” he nodded. “A high is a high is a high and toad sucking has been around, forever.”
“So, not just 21st century trash partaking,” Lafayette said as he was intently looking around. “Who else in this fine Gothic Manor works their magic?”
“Well,” Eric smiled, “what are you in the mood for? Music or literature? Muscle or beauty?
Or perhaps a bit of each?”
“Let us go with a bit of each, His La La Fineness, says. And is the bar open yet?” he said with a chuckle. “I am used to spooks to come callin’, I am thinkin’ it is time to toast a whole new venue,” he said looking around at the three-story high ceilings. “And those resemble perches up there.”
“Those are for Algernon, Bellamy, Boden, and Boswell. They will be coming back on this flight. Along with their mates Berthe, Baptistine, Benoite, and Clarisse. Their ladies shall pick their own perches. The males just requested the high ground.”
“And that is some very fine high-ground,” Sookie whistled looking up at the highly carved rock ledge with the stone walls behind it. “Looks like they are sitting on an outside wall. A very nice outside wall. This king,” she pointed upward, “or whoever owned the keep, had exquisite taste and money.”
“Yes,” Eric nodded. “We are all about trying to keep it as authentic as possible. And with the transport we have today, you can have it removed and transported with care.”
“Is this architectural nicety from one of yours?” she asked.
“Yes,” he nodded. “The entire building is made up of bits and pieces of my past homes.”
“Is there something from your Viking era?”
“The carved, wooden box chairs,” he replied. “Not true to my village, but true to my time.”
“He made those, himself,” Samuel smiled at his brother.
“Well of course,” Sookie was thoughtful, “you would not just be a boatwright. But wood working and building the long houses. All phases of it. Carpenter, plus. So, you were just not a builder for survival, but an artist as well.
What a gift you have,” she smiled at him. “I will be sure and look for those as well.
This, this contains your history,” she said thoughtfully. “And it is elegant and beautiful and rugged. Very masculine. But I guess the outside of a fortress would be.
So, you feel comfortable enough bringing all these things into one place? You don’t worry about this building burning down?”
“No, the magic will keep things contained and if the fire rages out of control, they know what to grab and flee the building, with,” Eric said, looking around. “Their souls are the most important things in this building. Everything else is just stuff.”
“Eric,” Ian called out. “I see the crates marked books in the library. Do you want to start there?”
“Yes,” he called back. “With all of you here that can hover, this should go quickly.
I am going to check in with the magics. I think we could have some music.
Piano,” he said, running his hand across it, “pick your big band music from the 1940’s. And you choir of rocks behind him, please, some voices to do the piece justice.
Tankards,” he spoke into the bar area. “If you would like to keep the beat, that would be appreciated.”
Sookie and Lafayette stood and watched as the building material and what appeared to be inanimate objects came to life.
“Wow,” was all she could mumble from time-to-time, then watched as the rug that had been pushed over to the side unrolled and straightened itself out.
“And you are part owner,” Eric grinned and winked at her.
“Wow,” she smiled at him and pulled him down for a kiss. “And wow,” she whispered when they broke apart. “That curled my toes.”
“You are part owner in that as well,” his voice very sincere, his face hopeful.
“Thank you,” she ran her hand through his hair and down one side of his face. Her thumb lingering on his lips. “Thank you,” she sighed and then put her arm around him and they started for the library.
.
There was a lot of oh-h-h-h-ing and aw-w-w-w-ing in the library as the boxes were opened and the books came out. Sookie and Lafayette were feeling astonishment and deeply humbled when the illuminated manuscripts surfaced.
“Are…are these….?” Lafayette began.
“Ancient,” Eric grinned, “no. Those are stored in one of Samuel’s homes. But I have several friends who do exceptional reproductions. I would not call them forgeries,” he chuckled, pointing to what was on the table. “And since these artists lived through that time, they still delight in doing them, today.
Now, do they sell them as originals?” he shrugged. “Well, not to me,” he added with a chuckle.
“So, is okay if I look through one?” Sookie asked.
“Of course,” he replied. “Let me find you a chair and a more comfortable table and I will set you and Lafayette up if you care to look through them.”
.
The vampires continued on with the righting of the library while the two humans enjoyed themselves looking through the illuminated versions of classics and some not so classics.
“Wait one,” Sookie chuckled. “This is a very old and rugged, been used, chain missing, illuminated version of The Father’s Daughter by Carrol. E. Stewart.” Opening it up, her laughter continued.
“My gosh, there are notes in the margin and things that have been highlighted. Just like what was done in the originals.
Would you happen to have The Joy of Sex in here?” she directed the question to Eric who was tossing books up to Samuel.
“Maybe,” Eric said, looking a tiny bit embarrassed.
“My brother has found it humorous to take the best sellers of the 20th and 21st century and have them reworked in such a fashion,” Samuel added for clarification.
Sookie looked over at Eric who just grinned sheepishly and then shrugged.
“Most excellent,” she smiled at him and picked up Welcome to Morning, another CES novel. “I see you and I appreciate the same author.”
Happily, she continued through the stack until Eric announced that it was time to move in the furniture.
And it was over-stuffed, leather, wing-back chairs and couches with stained glass lamps on the end tables that sat next to comfy places to sit and read.
Looking around The Library, the three-story high shelves that faced four walls, were filled with books. The pocket doors and the rolling ladders, were resplendent with carvings. Yes, indeed, this looked like someplace she would enjoy living. And she could understand how anyone would want this type of space. No matter what your time line.
Eric was looking very pleased. “Let’s move on to Fealty Hall. The stained glass should be installed and I am interested in seeing the ceiling, stained glass with moon light shining through it.”
Eric turned on the lights in the wide hallway that they had entered and now appeared to go all the way to the back of the building. What she could not see until it was illuminated, was the stained glass that was set into the walls and the square, stained glass piece that was showcased in the ceiling.
There were gasps from everyone in the room.
“It is called A Day in the Park,” he said as he admired the beautiful, explosion of color and art.* Balloons and clouds floating in the sky with the flowers in full bloom. A beautiful day.”
This will be the main dining area. Those tables and chairs are coming back on the plane with us as well.
What do you think?” Eric asked. “We have done a good dark’s work. Are we London bound?”
“Hear! Hear!” the crowd shouted. Gathering up their things, they were out the door.
.
Bill had finished up with the bathrooms at the bus station. Pam had been in a hurry and that had been a plus for him. He had not cleaned the floors with a tooth brush like she had threatened. Instead, he used a big ass mop!
When he had finished, he went to get her only to find that she was gone.
“That blood sucker, Northman, thinks he can tell me what to do,” Bill grumped as he started his car and drove off. “Leaving his child in charge of me! Treating me like Were shit! Making me pay those folks whose job I was doing and then, having to come out and put more money in the parking meter.
No way in hell am I going to be at his beck-and-call, again. I can do whatever I damn well please. And it pleases me to go where my daddy’s house stood and walk the land. Thinks he can control my life and my way of doing things.
He maybe the Sheriff of Area Five, but I am William T. Compton and I can do whatever the fuck I want.
I am going to leave my car here, or…or…at least somewhere, where there is not a H.O.A. or parking meter,” he added hurriedly. “And just what age do I live in that you can just have your car towed and…and…Weres think they are entitled to strip it! Just what the fuck! I guess I will park it at the mall.
And vamp speed to my daddy’s house. Just a quick visit to once more gaze upon my first home and then motor on back to N.O.
Report in and…and…well, if the worst Eric is going to do to me is clean bathrooms,” he snorted, “I will drain every breather in sight between now and daylight.”
.
When he arrived at his daddy’s home, he came to a standstill and inhaled deeply, hoping that something of home still existed. Everything still carried the heavy smell of wood smoke. The charred remains of the house sat like rotted teeth in the maw of some dead, prehistoric, castrated, animal. The upper floor had collapsed, hit the first floor and had fallen haphazardly into the root cellar.
The smell of wet, smoke, and mold was overwhelming. There was nothing here that echoed with his happy voice or laughter. Also missing was his daddy’s laughter and his momma’s…
“How odd,” he took a step back. “I don’t ever remember my momma laughing. Or her even smiling. Just how odd. My daddy provided for her a lovely home and plenty of work to keep her hands busy. After all, idle hands are the devil’s tools, he would say.
I asked him once where he heard that and he said he was quoting Chaucer.
That was a proud moment for me. My daddy was quoting Chaucer.
My daddy was so smart. Could read, write and cypher. And quote Chaucer. Of course, you had to be able to do those things if you wanted to be landed gentry. And we were so I was taught to do those things as well.”
The wind picked up and began to howl through the chimney that was still partially standing. Things began to blow about and a piece of the roof took off towards the cemetery.
His eyes followed the shingles that had taken flight. “We should have owned that house and land as well,” he said with a bit of anger. “Damned dirt farmers.” And the more he thought about how his family manse had suffered and the Stackhouses had refused the two mules and the wagon they had offered them for their place, the angrier he got.
“I wonder if they still own the place,” he mused as he began to walk towards the cemetery. “Now there could be some good times. Get a meal and see if the present-day owners would be willing to sell to me at a glamoured, rock bottom price. I could use a steady income. They used to have a lovely pecan grove.”
As he approached the house, there were people sitting on the front porch.
“Bill Compton,” the older man said. “As I live and breathe. I heard you had been made vampire. There is a photo of you in an old newspaper clipping in my great granny’s memory book. You still wearing those side burns. Not a look that carries on, today.”
“And you are?” he asked.
“Bartlett Hale,” he answered. “My family has been here just as long as the Stackhouses. Perhaps you have heard the family name. We served with pride during the war.”
“So, this place still in the family?”
“My sister married a Stackhouse and used to own this land,” he replied. “Shame about your home.
Your family place burned, just the other day. Probably hit by lightning.”
“Yes,” he nodded. “I still have not yet received an official police report of how that happened so that I might fill a claim with my insurance, company.”
“I used to be an insurance, adjuster. Last time I looked in that direction, it was a wonder it was still standing. Nothing there much to claim.
Back in the day, I would totally fuck with anyone who would try and falsify a claim. I guarded that money like it was my own.”
“I am sure you did your very best for your employer,” Bill stressed. “I just thought I would come over and meet the neighbors. I am seriously considering rebuilding.”
“Good for you,” Bartlett smiled at him. “Get the old days and the old ways back to rights.”
“Would these fine folks happen to be my new neighbors?” Bill asked.
“No, this is my nephew Jason Stackhouse and my niece Queen Hadley Savoy.”
“Pleasure,” he nodded and tried his very best to not take note of Queen Hadley. Just what the fuck was that about? Queen? Of what? And that ridiculous old man said it with so much pride. This woman looked a little worn and used. “So the Stackhouses’ still own this land?” he asked, again.
“Well yes,” Bartlett nodded. “My niece does.”
“Congratulations, miss,” Bill nodded to her. “It appears you have taken care of your family’s heritage.”
“Oh, not that niece,” Bartlett frowned and nodded his head toward Hadley. “The one that owns it, her name is Sookie Stackhouse. Left to her by my sister, Adele.”
“Is she inside?” Bill asked. “I would very much like to meet her since we are going to be neighbors. Perhaps I could tell her about her ancestors and their bravery during the war.”
“No, she is not here, which is why we are sitting out here, waiting for her to come home,” Bartlett bitched as he shook his head. “I need to take a dump and I am too old to squat in the woods. I really like a flush throne.
No one has heard from Sookie. The little whore quit her job and has not been seen since. I know Adele had no money to leave her, so she must be spreadin’ her legs in Shreveport. Because if she was doin’ so locally, we would have heard.”
“You know that is right, Uncle,” Jason said with a nod of his head. “I work with the county road crew and I would have heard.”
“That is right,” Hadley nodded. “And the only reason I spread mine is for the family and righteous reasons,” she nodded, again.
“What?” Bill said as he stared at her. She said she did what? With the family?
“I am the Queen and I have my royal subjects,” she said with dignity. “I,” she stressed, “I produced the blood sacrifice that was offered up and set the spell for my five minions.”
“Your majesty,” Bill replied, offering up a deep bow and thinking how easy this was going to be. Drain all these crazies and wait for other niece to come home and be inviting him in. Then he was moving in and having himself a house slave.
“Do you perhaps have a key to the residence so that we might all go inside. I think the rain is going to start,” Bill said. Yes, wait for Sookie to come home, tell her that there were strangers in her home and if she would just invite him in, he would throw them out for her. Why, he could be her hero!
“Yes,” Jason nodded, “but it does not work. Can’t seem to break a window, either. Or torch the place. Tried that as well. There is no way we can get into the house.”
“This just proves my magic,” Hadley nodded. “I have to hook up with my other riders to know all the secrets. But I would say that as the Queen of Battle, no one can battle, on, what will someday be mine.”
Bartlett and Jason both nodded in agreement.
“And we are so looking forward to seeing you in your goodness and all mightiness,” Jason said. “I will be your Prince Consort and daddy to anything you need put in your body. And detail any auto that you want me to drive you around in. ‘Cause you know, we are family, first.”
“Well thank you, Jason,” she smiled at him. “Have you ever seen,” she focused on Bill, “Mr. Compton, a pumpkin turn into an auto?” she smiled. “Well, when your family produces the Four Horsemen, and if you produce something innocent that carries your family’s blood, with the right traveling companions, you can do just about anything. And my friends have in their possession things that most folks only dream about.”
“What?” Bill said and took a step backwards. “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Is that what you are referencing?”
“Well yes,” she grinned. “I met up with an uncle that is one of the Four Horsemen. He told me his name is War. Uncle War,” she said dreamily. “And he told me that the Horsemen’s magic is in the family’s blood. And since I am going to be queen, and want to rule the world, you know, I needed living tissue that had carried the family’s blood to have the spell, worked.
So, I explained this to my two living male relatives,” she said with a grand bow towards the two men. “I hooked up with not only Jason, but Bartlett as well. And I know the old man is not Stackhouse blood, but, I was hedging my bets. And their seed planted and at two months, well, I got that hot mess removed from my body and that is what I placed on the altar of give me what I want. I mean really, Bill,” her voice was earnest. “There are folks out there that care more about two cells than they do a two-year old. And I certainly did not want a two-year old so goodbye to the cells. Which looked like it might have been more than two, but then, I am not for sure what two cells look like. Or any cells.
You can see that, correct?”
“Yes,” he said, taking a step forward this time. This reeked of corruption and it just might be the truth. And it sounded like maybe a good truth. And he could certainly do corruption if he got to rule the world. Or do favors for someone who did.
“See, you are indeed a reasonable, 21st century being. Along with my cousin and uncle,” she said nodding to the men on the porch. “Two cells are nothing. I,” she pointed to herself, “am everything. Because of my sacrifice, I got what I wanted, because my Uncle War helped me change a pumpkin into an auto with the help of five, very delicious friends who are going to bring Uncle and I all the goodies they have been collecting from the beginning of time.”
“Say it, say it, say it…” was being chanted by every Stackhouse in the Bon Temps cemetery and all those Stackhouse souls that were buried around the world as well. “Say it!”
“And I am going to be War, the Queen of Battle.”
“Yes, bring her to justice,” the voices of the dead whispered the words as it died on the wind and the terror of the ages woke and his words were not whispered.
They were loud and righteous!
“Mo-o-o fo’n,” rumbled through the purple starlight, disgust in his voice. “War, Queen of Battle,” he chuckled. “Just a filthy skank, wanna be ruler of the world, by any other name. Game on, you mo fo’n bitch!”
And the dragon, that was the brother to the world’s best lawyer, came out swinging. With praise to the Almighty Father on his lips, and a hallelujah on his tongue. He and his big mans was back in the biz!
.
*This photo was taken at Archmere Academy; Claymont, Deleware.
Dear Readers and those of tender hearts and helpful hands and lovely smiles and kind and loving ways,
‘Tis I, O.I., King of the Dragons that has stopped by to put an end to this travesty of a story. Miss Stewart has good story tellin’ intentions, bless her heart. (I am rollin’ my eyes, snortin’ with mismanaged mirth and tryin’ not to pukes at the wonder of it all…she has done and put her books in this here story and not me, O.I.! King of the Dragons! Mo, fo’n…
…and she has left my Big Mans to fight these battles without me! Shameful! And then some! Fortunately, I has stepped up and stepped in and I has invited myself to the party!
Just mo’ fo’n…it is a sad day when I am surely the answer to the problem and my Big Mans is off to London without me? Really?
So, evil that lurks and hides out there…just get your skank on! ‘Cause I am here to parrrrrrrrteeeeeeeee! With my Big Mans and a cast of characters that I am proud to say I knows.
Please, just consider me your most humble of humble servants that stands at the ready to kick ass, take names, and drop your mangey ass off in Hell.
As always, thanks for reading!
Be blessed and be the blessing,
O.I.
P.S. I has returned Miss Stewart the use of the key board….Miss Stewart, if you would please…as I just smiles and nods my head at her….
Dear Readers,
What has happened to my shot of tequila?
And my nachos? They were hot and all melty good, just out of the air fryer!
And who changed my music out from Toby Keith to Barry Manilow? Not that I don’t like Barry, but it was a Toby kinda vibe I had going.
And where is my Death by Chocolate piece of pie?
What? Wait one! Purple starlight in my fireplace? Was that O.I. I just now caught out of the corner of my eye…just what the fuc-c-c-…..
…Or maybe I has not….
Love,
O.I.
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