by Leji Albano
Smiling happily, the apprentice continued to work the metal….
Alexander left the house early Tuesday morning and arrived at the office long before Tina. He took the elevator upstairs and spent some time getting ready. When he made his way back downstairs, he stopped at the espresso machine and brewed coffee for two. Then he placed the cups and saucers, and a long, polished rosewood box onto a platter and carried it out into Tina’s domain. When he set the tray down, she looked up at him with a puzzled expression.
He placed the coffee in front of her and set the box aside. The tray went onto a cabinet near her desk. Sipping his own coffee, Alexander asked how her weekend was and listened as she talked about spending time with her family. Her animated descriptions of her everyday interactions with her parents and siblings elicited a pang of longing that he quickly suppressed. That part of his life was firmly in the past, and there was nothing he could do about it. When she finally wound down, her eyes returned to the rosewood box.
He followed her gaze and said. “I noticed that you didn’t have a letter-opener, so I made you one. Go ahead and open it.”
Tentatively, she reached out and pulled the box until it rested just in front of her. Tina glanced up at him curiously, then opened the lid. Nestled in black velvet was something that was about as related to a letter-opener as a tricycle was to a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
“May I?” Alexander asked, gesturing to the knife that lay within.
Tina inclined her head, speechless.
“Your Aunt Maria also has a dagger that I created just for her. Has she ever shown it to you?” She shook her head. He carefully lifted the sheathed weapon from the box. “I seldom have time to spend in front of a forge these days, but when I do, I find it therapeutic for me to create things of beauty from the raw materials nature provides.”
While speaking, he slid the rigid red leather scabbard off, revealing a dramatically patterned blade. “This is an Italian-style Renaissance dagger. They were practical items, as well as effective in either defensive or offensive situations. I decided that a woman whose ancestors called Italy home should have something that speaks to that heritage.” Twisting the knife so that it caught the light, he continued, “The blade itself is a Damascus spear-shape, acid-etched to make the multi-layered steel reveal the random patterns of the different metals used. Both sides of the blade are sharpened, so be careful when using it. The guard and fluted pommel are also Damascus, and I used ironwood when I crafted the hilt.”
Tina’s eyes had widened while she listened to Alexander describe the weapon. She may not have known much about knives or daggers, but she could spot the work of a master craftsman when she saw it.
“Why? Why would you make something like this for me?” she asked him quietly.
He smiled down at her and said, “Do I really need a reason? Making this was rewarding enough in itself. Maybe, I thought you would appreciate it? And hey, some of the mail we get around here is pretty vicious, you can’t be too careful.” His eyes glittered as he handed it to her. Tina’s fingers closed around the hilt, and she realized that it fit her hand perfectly.
“If you like, I can explain how to take care of it later. In the meantime, I need to get back to work.”
He strode toward his office but halted momentarily as Tina asked quietly, “Did you make the box too?”
She heard a soft “Yes,” but never saw the satisfied expression on his face as he closed the door behind him.
Tina marveled at the deadly grace of the dagger Alexander had crafted for her. Truth be told, the rosewood box by itself was a gift that anyone would be happy with. On the other hand, she had absolutely no idea what to do with a knife. She was confident it wasn’t something you would toss in the silverware drawer, only to be pulled out to carve a wedge of cheese occasionally.
The more she thought about it, the more confused she became, so she did the only thing she could think of. Tina called her aunt.
“Hello, dear.” The mellow voice of her Aunt Maria spoke into her ear. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
Brow furrowed in consternation, Tina replied, “Alexander gave me a knife this morning. He said you have one too, but what am I supposed to do with it?”
“Oh, dear. You and I need to have lunch …and please bring his gift with you. Why don’t we meet at Twigs in Riverpark Square at noon?”
Tina exhaled loudly. “Oh-kaay. I’ll see you then.
Maria was already seated at a table, overlooking the atrium of the mall when Tina arrived at the restaurant. She dropped her bag on the chair next to her as she sat down. Her aunt said, “I hope you don’t mind; I took the liberty of ordering the wine.”
“That’s fine, I think I can use a drink. Or five.”
Maria chuckled as she looked across the table at her niece. She really was a beautiful child, even when flustered.
“We haven’t had time to catch up. How is the new job treating you?”
Tina waved a hand in the air. “Good. Mostly. I mean, the work itself is interesting and keeps me busy.”
“But?” Maria asked.
Her niece blew a puff of air between her lips and said, “But Alexander is the single most frustrating man I’ve ever met. Don’t get me wrong—he hasn’t turned into an octopus suddenly, and I don’t get a rape-y vibe off him… But I don’t think he even sees me. Is he gay, Aunt Maria?” she asked plaintively.
A sudden bout of coughing followed by laughter was her response to that question. Maria held up a hand as she got herself back under control, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Don’t do that to me, child. At least warn an old lady before you crack a joke.”
Considering her niece for a moment, she chose her words carefully. “You want him to notice you, right? And the fact that he has been a proper gentleman bothers you?”
“Yes. No. Maybe? I’m so confused. He makes me so angry sometimes. Then he does something like this.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the box. “What am I supposed to make of a gift like this? I mean seriously, it’s not like it’s a pair of shoes or something normal like that.”
“No, dear, it is a gift far more thoughtful than clothes.” Maria set an ebony box of similar size on the table next to the other. She opened it, revealing a beautifully crafted Japanese-style tanto, in a black lacquered sheath with brass cherry blossoms trailing down the length of the scabbard.
Tina sat there, trembling, staring in disbelief at what her aunt had just revealed. “Why a knife? Is it a sign he wants to sever the relationship? I know it’s just an old superstition, but still… I just don’t understand, Aunt Maria.”
“I know you don’t, child; that’s why I wanted to meet for lunch. As for severing ties with you goes—I think you can put that worry to rest.” She took the tanto up from where it nested in white silk, rested it across both palms, and presented it to her niece. “Allow me to introduce you to Shijima. That roughly translates to Serenity in English.” As she spoke, Maria slowly pulled the blade partway from the scabbard. Shiny metal with a slightly lighter edge that was scalloped in a wave pattern gleamed in the sunlight.
Tina looked even more confused as she met her aunt’s eyes. “Why does your knife have a name?”
“Not just a knife, Tina. This is a blade created with a soul, a blade meant for battle, for defense, for my protection. I didn’t understand either when Alexander gave this to me years ago. The ass refused to give me a good answer when I asked, too.” She smiled in remembrance, then continued, “So, I researched it. I learned more about Japanese sword-making in a week than I had in my whole life prior. This isn’t some cheap copy that you can buy on the internet from Amazon. It’s the real deal.” She leaned forward slightly. “When I was in Japan some years ago, not long after Alexander gave it to me, I took this blade to a master swordsmith and asked him what he thought. Do you know what he told me, Tina?”
Her niece just shook her head.
“That master of his art grunted as he inspect
ed the work and handed Shijima back to me, respectfully. When I pressed him on how he would rate the quality, I was told that he could find no flaw in the blade and furniture. He stated that it was the equal of anything he could produce.”
Her niece finally took the tanto from her aunt’s hands and pulled the blade entirely from the scabbard. There was no denying its beauty. The metal shimmered like water until it joined an oval brass piece just in front of the hilt, and a wavering line ran along the edge of the blade. Touching the brass with a fingertip, she marveled at the representation of a wolf snarling at a hunter.
“That is called a tsuba in Japanese. Westerners would name it a guard. It’s there to protect the fingers and stop an enemy blade…among other things,” Maria told her. “The hilt is wrapped in sharkskin and silk.”
“Do you want to know what I did when I discovered this?” Tina nodded mutely again. “I freaked out like you are doing now, and when I calmed down sufficiently, I went to Alexander and asked him to train me in its use. That blade was with me almost every day thereafter. When I had learned enough, and I was comfortable with the weapon, he asked me what her name was.”
“Excuse me? Her name?” Tina asked plaintively.
Maria smiled fondly at her niece. “Of course. Alexander forged this weapon for me, and since I am a woman, the spirit of the blade is female too. The next morning, I walked into his office and told him that because I felt calm and at peace when wielding this tanto, her name was Shijima.”
“What did he say when you shared her name?”
“Alexander just smiled happily and said it was a good name. He then told me he could tell Shijima was happy too. I don’t know if he was pulling my leg or not, but sometimes I swear I can feel her satisfaction when I practice.” Maria gestured for the blade in her niece’s hands and put it away. “Now, let me see what he made for you.”
Tina slid the rosewood box over to Maria and watched to see her reaction. Her aunt slowly opened the box and inhaled sharply when she saw the contents. She reached in and quickly freed the dagger, then wasted little time unsheathing it.
“Oh my, Damascus steel. It’s beautiful, Tina.” She turned the weapon this way and that as she soaked in each detail. “You do realize this is a live blade, don’t you?”
“I don’t even know what that means, Aunt Maria!” she said with no little exasperation. “He told me I needed a letter-opener.”
“Oh my God, he didn’t!” Maria laughed heartily at Tina’s words.
“He did.”
“What an ass. Nevertheless, this is a priceless work of art; please don’t use it as a letter-opener.”
With a serious look on her face, Tina said, “I’m still confused, though. Why would he give me a knife? I don’t even know how to use one.”
Maria put the weapon away and reached out for one of Tina’s hands. “Well then, that is the first thing you must remedy. Ask him to train you. There is no one better to learn from. Trust me, I know.”
“I may not be an expert when it comes to how Alexander’s brain works, but I can tell you this. He wouldn’t have made this for you if he didn’t care about you and your safety.” She looked up briefly, then back at her niece. “Very, very rarely, the world of antiquities Alexander operates in can be a dangerous place. He will do everything he can to keep you out of that side of things, but sometimes they trickle through. I’m guessing you haven’t gone on a trip with him yet?”
“Not yet. He has taken a couple of flights to China, but hasn’t asked me to come along so far. I’m actually a bit jealous.”
“Don’t worry, dear, our Alexander is just easing you into the life.”
Tina sat in silence for a minute, then frowned. “So, does this mean he likes me? I’m so confused. He sends mixed signals, but I get the feeling he would never act on it even if he did.”
Maria smiled sadly, then said, “He is a very complex man, dear. That being said, please don’t get your hopes up. I’m fairly certain he has noticed you, being that he is a man after all.”
Her niece peered at her with watery eyes. “But he will never chance hurting you. There are some barriers he just won’t cross, and the employee/employer line is one of those. My advice is to enjoy your time with him, and be the friend he needs.”
“Friends with benefits?” Tina asked, hopefully. “Never mind, I guess I know the answer to that. I’m just being ridiculous, aren’t I?” She used the napkin in her lap to daub at her teary eyes.
“Not ridiculous, my dear, one can always hope. Just don’t pin everything on it.”
Tina sniffled, then got an angry look on her face. “And who the fuck is Melinda?” She made quotation marks in the air.
Maria burst into laughter again, and then launched into a series of stories about Melinda that took up the remainder of their extended lunch.
6
“…I joined the Army on April 7th, 1917. A state of war had been declared between the United States and Germany just the day before. My sense of patriotism was as great as any normal American man, and there was no chance I would try to sit this out. My arrival on the Western Front in the summer of 1918 proved to be a sobering experience. Poor tactics and leadership that led to countless unnecessary deaths, horrible mental and physical wounds that many survivors carried until their deaths, ungodly sanitary conditions that contributed to all sorts of sickness and disease, and the sheer randomness of who died and who lived, changed my worldview forever. This is also where I began to formulate a plan to learn more about myself and the others like me. I needed to focus on something more than the horrors of daily life in the trenches….”
An excerpt from the diary of Alexander Matthews
February 1990, Spokane, Washington
Alexander tossed about on the sweat-soaked sheets, lost in a fever dream of a past that wasn’t his. Eyes writhed beneath quivering lids as REM sleep kept his conscious mind submerged, and ancient events played out in his dreams. The occasional moan or word in some forgotten language was the only sound to break the silence.
In his mind, what would become the Yucatan Peninsula stretched out before him, an ice age savannah rich with life and dominated by a glistening city. Step pyramids rose above the lime-plastered walls that protected the inhabitants, and smoke from hearths and temples rose languidly into the air. Farmland surrounded the tall walls, green and verdant, easily enough to feed several thousand people even without the abundant sources of meat that could be harvested not far away.
Too bad the army he led was here to destroy everything. He looked behind and raised his hand into the air, then chopped it down, giving the signal to attack. Standard humans, interspersed with his Dire wolf brethren, charged forward, and screams and war-cries rent the very air. The ground trembled as more than three thousand pairs of feet propelled themselves at the enemy.
This attack did not go unopposed, however, and the city gates opened wide, disgorging defenders who would meet the invaders on the plain before the walls. Just before the two armies slammed together, volleys of arrows and spears flew through the air, piercing and slicing into flesh. The roars of battle-frenzy, and the cries of fear and pain, reverberated off the walls, adding confusion to an already-chaotic melee.
Sabretooth Cats and Dire Wolves faced off, as did their respective hybrid forms, while some of the Weres chose to fight in human form. The general in charge of the attacking force was one who remained human. His attempts to direct the fighting were largely unsuccessful, and things were not going well. His army had been outnumbered from the very beginning and was slowly being pressed back. There were a few bright spots, such as the burning fields, which would deny the denizens of the enemy city food resources, but that was a long-term goal and did nothing for the immediate situation.
He looked to a low rise in the west and raised his spear, waving it to and fro, the banner streaming from it whipping through the air. This was a signal to the small force he had stationed there to launch their portion of the attack. They ran forward an
d began to loft fire-arrows over the wall, hoping to ignite fires that would burn the city to the ground. When the defenders saw this, small groups of skirmishers were sent to harry and destroy the arsonists.
Billowing smoke began to rise from within the walls as the battle still raged outside on the plain. Now we just have to buy enough time for the fires to do their work, the general thought, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he fought and continued to direct his forces….
Tina was preparing to go to lunch, or more accurately, the gym when her boss strode into her office. He seemed excited about something—he was practically bouncing on his toes. She smiled wistfully for a moment then refocused her attention on what he was saying. Something about a buyer for one of the items he’d picked up in China earlier in the year….
Alexander paused. “You haven’t actually seen the vaults yet, have you?”
“Is that a trick question, boss? I’ve seen our business suite, and that’s about it.” The flush came on rapidly, starting in her cheeks but quickly made its way down to her chest, where it disappeared under the linen blouse she was wearing. “Unless you count a brief glimpse of your living quarters.”
He grinned evilly at her as she responded.
“Well, I have certainly been remiss then. Come with me.”
Alexander held the door for her, his eyes straying to her shapely bottom as Tina walked past. He shook his head ruefully. Focus, Alexander, focus, he told himself as he closed the door and stepped around her to lead the way. They passed a couple of what Tina assumed were empty rental spaces, then stopped in front of a door that looked just as unassuming as any of the others in the hallway. Alexander took out a set of keys and unlocked the entrance, then gestured her in.
Rather than the standard office suite she expected, her eyes were immediately drawn to the definitely non-standard security door that was set into the reinforced metal wall that spanned the entire width of the room approximately five feet from the hallway entrance.
