by Tom Keller
"Diantha, this is Siegfried and Martin." I paused a moment as they nodded. "Gentlemen, this is Diantha, a priestess of the old ways. I believe she can be of assistance."
She walked forward and greeted them. "Ahh...a warrior and a wolf," she remarked and then she turned towards me. "How may I serve you, my Lord?"
I watched Martin as she stepped forward. He may have been skeptical of the old ways remark but she definitely had his attention. Of course, being gorgeous never hurt either. "Martin has lost something. I was hoping you could help him."
"As you command," she answered.
I gave her a cautionary look but she just rolled her eyes. Reaching to the wooden stand next to the stool she picked up a metal dish and handed it to Siegfried. "I will need you to fill this with spring water. You will find a pool outside behind the trailer."
He took the dish and went outside, then she turned to Martin. "I have bathed in the spring water and can do as commanded. Are you willing to hear my words?"
"Sure, I'll hear what you have to say," he said, doubt obvious in his voice.
Looking around I almost couldn't blame him. I mean here we were in a dismal trailer outside of Pahrump with a guy he's never met before. That guy just killed two of his Weres and now a hottie wearing old jeans and a brothel t-shirt says she's going to tell his future. Not exactly a recipe for a spiritual reading. I almost started to laugh but it was Diantha's turn to give me a dirty look as she walked to the kitchen and returned with a glass jar containing some type of leaves.
At about the same time Siegfried returned with the dish.
"Place it here," she said, motioning a spot on the small stand.
As Siegfried put it down she reached into the jar and removed a handful of leaves. "These are from the laurel tree," she explained as she crushed them and scattered them over the water in the dish. Then she walked over to a shelf and lit some incense in a small burner. In seconds the pungent odor began to fill the room. "Step forward and I will begin," she said as she sat down on the stool."
Martin glanced back at both of us before moving a few a steps in front of her. He still looked unconvinced.
Diantha closed her eyes and just swayed back and forth for a while, chanting something too quiet to hear. Then I saw her reach over and pick up the dish. She looked down into it.
"I will require an offering."
No one moved.
It was probably cheating but I removed the dagger I had taken from her earlier and stepped forward. The blade was still stained with the dead Were's blood.
"A blood offering?" she remarked, looking at me curiously.
"I must know if he is worthy."
Martin started to say something but was stopped by Diantha. "Remain silent," she commanded. Then she looked back into the dish. Slowly, a fog began to form, its source the dish in her hands.
I watched as she breathed in the smoky fumes.
It wasn't fog, or smoke, it was tendrils of magic. I wondered if Siegfried saw it as I did. She chanted for a few more minutes just staring into the water, the magic flowing first into her then toward Martin and back again. Suddenly she looked up at me, her face one of revelation. It lasted for only a second before she returned her gaze to him. I wondered what she had seen. She stepped off the stool and walked towards him, her eyes glowing.
"Few could sail the desert sands in such perilous times and find their way as you have. It has not gone unnoticed. Fear not your enemies. You need but pray to the Gods of your forefathers and they will gift you that which you seek," she proclaimed with outstretched arms. "Blessed by the Gods shall your reign be." Seconds later she collapsed and fell to the floor, writhing.
Martin didn't move but Siegfried was at her side before I was. Lifting her gently, she stilled, and he laid her on the couch. I walked over to her and felt her head. It was hot but she was already coming to. I ran to the kitchen to get her some water. By the time I returned she was sitting up.
"You could have warned me," she whispered as she took the cool cup and lifted it to her lips.
I didn't reply.
"What the hell does that mean?" Martin asked.
I stood up and faced him. "It means that this belongs to you," I said as I pulled the scepter out of my back pocket. The leather bag fell from the top as I pulled it out and then I felt the magic kick in.
Martin stood before me, almost in awe as I held it out and the blue jewel lit up. "How... " he started to say. He never finished, his eyes glued to the ever brightening jewel.
Once again the magic altered my perceptions. Information was flowing into me and I was struggling to process it all. I could see his strength and character. He was a proud man who did what he thought best for his kind, too few in numbers for his liking, and he worried about their future. I felt the betrayal of Turner as well. History aside; it was like a knife in his guts.
For a moment I felt like a voyeur. It made me feel almost guilty. I'd never asked for this God stuff and I wondered once again what I had gotten into. I didn't have time to continue with that thought. As with the eye that I had placed around Diantha's neck I felt something from this scepter. It wasn't as strong as before but I felt its wish to be returned to Martin. I also knew that he had not known of its true potential or power. The jewel showed me the wolf behind the man and I knew what to do. I placed it into his hands and he held it up in front of him.
As he took it the jewel brightened and then flashed at him.
"This belongs to you, creature of the forest," I said, remembering what Bernd had told me. "I offer the same as was offered your forefathers. This scepter of power proclaims your right to share our lands and borders and strengthens your magic. Friend I name you, and ally."
The jewel flashed brightly as I spoke, then dimmed.
He seemed mesmerized as he held it, but I saw him nod ascent. I stepped back and I felt the magic within me recede. Finally he lowered his hands. "What the hell are you?" he asked, moving his eyes from it to me.
I really hate that question.
"I would like to know as well," I heard Siegfried whisper as he came up behind me.
Martin was still staring at me. "...and how did you get the scepter?"
"Only a God could do such a thing," Diantha proclaimed as she got up from the couch.
Oh, great, I thought to myself, and she had phrased it without calling me a God directly. Never let it be said she wasn't crafty.
"First, as to the scepter, I took it from the Weres I fought when we first met. Since it was my ancestors that gave it to yours, I couldn't return it to you without being sure you deserved it."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" he asked, his face an expression of annoyance.
I felt the magic calling and I raised my hand; the staff began to glow again. "Answer that yourself. You now wield the power."
Martin held the scepter up. The annoyance turned to surprise and then to understanding. "I'm sorry, I never knew," he muttered. "All this time I thought it was just a symbol. I never believed the stories." Then he looked at me hard, the scepter still glowing. "You are a God!" he said as he started to kneel.
Shit, not again, I thought to myself. "Martin, please, just stand up, what did I say. You're a friend and an ally, nothing less."
"But...," he started to say as I pulled him to his feet, hoping this was not going to become a regular ritual.
"No buts. Listen, all of you." I turned to make sure all three of them were listening. I pointed at each of them as I spoke. "Diantha, I have your oath, but the rest is still true. Siegfried, you are my friend and kin, nothing less. Martin, I merely return to you that which was already yours. Besides, with what the scepter can do for you, you'll get an idea what I feel like these days."
I glanced at Siegfried. "Have you told him of the attacks?"
"Yes," Siegfried answered. "He has promised to lend trackers if we need them."
"Good. Diantha, I'll explain when we head to Vegas. But you two already know, someone's out there kill
ing Fae and we have enough on our plates without complicating our lives with talk of Gods. Besides," I added, "I've got enough enemies. I don't need any more by throwing a wrench in the local hierarchy."
They didn't look convinced. Martin appeared weary but he nodded in the affirmative and Siegfried slapped me on the shoulder. I guess that was enough for now.
I left Martin in the trailer to rest for a few. Diantha was watching over him. He might have been a Werewolf but the scepter was a different type of magic. I guessed that between what the magic could take out of you the first time and finding out that the scepter was more than just an heirloom, it took some getting used to. Hell, I could sympathize. Outside I stopped at the base of the stairs.
"An interesting performance," Siegfried said, walking up and standing next to me. "I wonder what you have become."
"That makes two of us."
"Diantha seems to think you are a God. Are you?"
I stepped back and sat down on the stairs. Siegfried moved to sit next to me. "Damn, Siegfried, things have moved so fast I don't really know what I am anymore." I told him what Bernd had said about my lineage and that Diantha had called me both God and High Fae. Then I joked and called myself a bastard king. I don’t think he found that funny.
"What do you plan to do?" he asked, watching me intently.
"I never asked for any this and I meant what I said. I don't want to be king of anything. The last thing I need is folks like Milagre and the others thinking I'm going to try and take over. We have enough problems without me threatening the status quo."
"What you want and what will be may be out of your control," he stated. "As I have said, the Fae are ruled by strength, strength in magic. And you, my friend, appear to have that in abundance. You will have to tread lightly; I cannot guess how the others will react to this knowledge."
"What about you Siegfried?" He startled me when he laughed.
"I will not betray my duties to Mr. Milagre but I do not abandon my kin. I, too, am your friend and ally. That has not changed." He slapped my leg as he stood up. "I believe it will be interesting to see where all this leads. Besides, as you have said, we have an enemy that must be stopped. We will need more of your magic if what he has done in the past is any indication."
"Well that's a fact," I replied as I followed him back into the trailer.
Once inside we grabbed Diantha's things and carried them out to the vehicles. Martin was going back with Siegfried and I would take Diantha. We agreed to meet at the Neptune.
"What about the trailer?" I asked Siegfried as we stood in the dirt road.
He grinned as he took something out of the back of the SUV and carried it inside. "I believe there is a problem with its propane system," he said as he came out a minute or so later. "We should go, it is better that we are well away before anything else that can attract the human's attention occurs."
That apparently handled, I got into my car. Siegfried followed me to Pahrump and then we took the highway back to Vegas. I knew things were about to get more interesting. Too many folks had seen the aftermath of what had happened. I was sure I was safe from regular people but the Fae were too close a community to keep many secrets from. I'd just have to see how this hand played out.
Chapter 20
The ride back to town with Diantha was anything but boring. She was a little irritated about the scepter. Apparently between its magic and the blood from the dagger she'd gotten quite a jolt. She figured it was another test. I didn't have the heart, or the inclination, to correct her.
I also got quite a history lesson from her. Well, her history at least. You'd think someone like her would have lived the high life, but to hear her tell it, it wasn't that great, at least not for the last 15 centuries or so. Even with the conflict between the Fae she'd done ok. But when they had started to disappear, things had gotten a bit dicey. Just because you can't die and you heal fast doesn't mean you can't feel pain. All this took a moment to sink in; it's easy to forget that she's over 2500 years old.
Then there was the Church. Things were difficult enough for a woman in those times, let alone a prior Oracle. She hadn't expounded but just reading between the lines it wasn't a pretty picture. She eventually came to the new world, America. There had been few Fae here so she didn't have that to worry about, but times had still been hard. Still, she'd survived. You could go a long way when you were young and beautiful in those days, and being intelligent and devious didn't hurt either. Well, as long as no one else knows, anyway. Those were her words, not mine. But there was always a downside. Laws didn't protect women much in those days and there had been some rough patches. She didn't seem to have any regrets, though, except maybe about losing the necklace. That part still nagged her.
Although I felt like she'd keep to her oath I wouldn't put it past her to try and find a loophole. You didn't need to be a lawyer to see that she'd probably already been thinking about it. Oh well, one more thing to keep an eye out for. I'll just add it to the ever-growing list.
When we arrived at the Neptune I followed Siegfried into the VIP parking lot (I didn't have to use my borrowed card and code this time). We pulled into adjacent spots and Martin got out of the SUV and walked over to me as Diantha as I exited the car.
"Thank you. Siegfried told me how to get in touch with you. I guess I owe you for the scepter. I already told him I'd keep this quiet. I think I understand our relationship. I won't forget."
"Listen, you don't owe me anything. Although handling Turner would be a favor I'd appreciate. I don't really want to be watching my back all the time."
"Trust me; he's on the top of my list. I look forward to working with you in the future." He took off towards the other side of the lot after waving goodbye to Diantha.
"That's it?" she asked as she walked around the car towards me. "You could have had anything you wanted from him."
I shook my head. "What did I say? It's a different world, remember? Besides," I added to placate her, "he won't forget me. And the scepter's magic is tied to me either way."
She started to say something but Siegfried came over to us before she could reply. "I have someone making arrangements for Diantha and they will have a suite prepared. Mr. Milagre is off property but Meredith would like to meet with you both."
Things were moving fast now but I had to go with the flow. "Sounds good," I replied. "Diantha, a suite work for you? Oh, I almost forgot," I said as I walked back to the rear of my car. I popped the trunk and got out the package containing the money I had for her. Walking back I handed it to her.
"Fifty thousand, as we agreed."
She opened the envelope and fanned the cash with her fingers without removing it.
"Don't you want to count it?" I asked.
"I trust you, my Lord," she answered with a giggle, stuffing the envelope in her pocket.
"Hey, what'd I say about that? Call me Robert."
"The old Gods were so much easier to understand," she declared, winking at Siegfried and linking her arm in mine.
He chuckled at her remark. Then we followed him to his office where the young woman I had seen the night of the incident with the Mages was already waiting.
"Diantha, this is Laera, she will see to your needs."
"Miss Diantha, would you come with me to my office for a moment, I have a few things to discuss with you. It shouldn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes,'" Laera said as she held out her hand for Diantha to follow.
Diantha gave me a quick glance and then accompanied Laera out of the room.
"She's going to discuss the accommodations and get a few housekeeping items in order. I think we should go over a few things while we wait for them to return," Siegfried said as he sat down at his desk.
I knew what was coming so I plopped down in one of the chairs.
"Meredith knows some of what occurred as I needed her approval due to the circumstances of your call. She should be here when Diantha returns. I'd appreciate knowing how much you plan on telling her."
> He looked concerned but all I could think about was that line from the Lord of the Rings about meddling in the affairs of wizards. But what do you do if you find out you are one? Siegfried was one person I wouldn't cause grief, or at least any more than I already had.
"I'm gonna tell her the truth, Siegfried, what else can I do?" Well, at least a version of it.
He looked relieved.
"What can you tell me of the political situation? I mean the Fae political situation, what am I up against?"
"As I have said, in our world strength in magic is power. The Milagre's are the most influential Fae in the state. I believe you have met Mr. Cornwall. His is an ancient line but he sees his role as an advisor. Do not misunderstand, he wields considerable influence but he prefers to stay in the background."
Yep, that's a lawyer for you, I thought to myself. I asked a few follow up questions and then he continued.
"Martin has some power and he will earn more now that you have returned the scepter and he knows its potential. As to the rest, there are a few other clans in the area that wield some influence..."
We were interrupted by a knock on the door. Before Siegfried could say anything else it opened and Meredith came into the room. Diantha was behind and she came back into the room with Laera following her.
"Laera, refreshments for our guests," Meredith said, motioning to her. "Bring coffee and soft drinks and some assorted pastries."
"Would anyone prefer something stronger?" she asked, looking over at Diantha.
"Red wine, a nice vintage," Diantha said.
"Of course," Meredith replied and turned back to Laera. "My private reserve for our latest guest as well."
The girl nodded and left the room.
"So, this is the famous oracle, a pleasure."
"Mine as well," Diantha replied.
"I will have Michael working on some papers for you. Do you wish to remain as Deborah Kent?"
Wow, talk about a Faerie underground.
"List her as my mother; I would like to go back to using Diantha again."
