Sunday, May 30, 2010
We were settled on the Anubis Sweden airliner. We were pretty tired but we were looking forward to the things we were going to see which might be connected with Eric and anything that might help us understand the last two weeks. We had battled with rogue Vampires, crazy vindictive fairies with a grudge and now we were going to see the past, something that might help us understand what we might be seeing.
I was lost in those thoughts when Body Guard spoke to me. “Aslinn, how to the three world intersect each other?”
“I have given this a lot of thought. The first world in the world created and manipulated by the Connection,” I said. “She is sort of our oracle. She knows the past present and future. Each summer’s adventures are the future. The Source has access to the Connection and he can manipulate the future. I mean, if you knew, without a doubt, that there was going to be a tornado to land right on top of your house, wouldn’t you move the family out of the way?” Body Guard nodded.
“The Source is sort of like a playful god who overlooks the things we know from the connection and moves things around and creates what seems amusing to him,” I said. “The things we do is the third world and it creates the bridge between the two to a certain extent. We have experiences that attempt to explain what we know from the Connection and what we might see in the adventures.”
“Does it effect either world?” he asked.
“It may, but only in our perception of it,” I said. “Our relationship, our adventures do not effect the Source or the Connection.”
Body Guard seemed to be taking all this in. He looked off into space, deep in thought.
The plane landed. The skies were bright blue and the air was clear and just a little cool. I felt energized by the clean light and the air after being shut away from it. I snapped out of my reveries quickly as I watched the four travel coffins being unloaded. Again I checked all our bags and each member had their own computer bags and I counted each person. The Anubis representative came up to me.
“Madam, welcome to Sweden,” he said. “Mr. Northman has made arrangements for you to stay at the Sheraton Sundown, the most modern and exclusive Vampire hotel in Europe. It is fully equipped with generous amenities for human companions; including a wonderful five star restaurant and daytime areas.”
“How is security?” I asked.
“Security is military level. Former French Foreign Legion, Swedish military, American military and retired NATO,” he said. “We are the ultimate model for the rest of the world,” he said. I looked at the man. He was definitely human and he belonged to a Vampire. I could see a bit of a fang mark on his neck, just on the edge of the starched shirt’s collar. “I you will follow me, we will get you and your Vampire hosts on the transport and take you to the hotel.”
“Do lone humans ever check into the hotel?” I asked.
“No, this is not a tourist hotel. Every human has to be connected with a Vampire and all Vampires are responsible for their humans. We have no desire to exploit Vampires because they are Vampires and they become the object of curiosity. We want to create an atmosphere where Vampires and their human companions can relax, be themselves, and enjoy the city,” he said.
We were loaded onto the shuttle and were given the nickel tour of Stockholm. It was a beautiful city and the buildings were exquisite. We were near the sea and each thoroughfare opened to the sea. I loved the buildings and the fountains and the features of the city. Our host droned on and on about the city.
The Sheraton Sundown looked as though it had been built by a gothic architect and then sent in toto to be set down in the middle of Stockholm. There were large columns in the front and they were covered at the tops and bottoms with hand carved marble lilies and vines that more or less trailed down and disappeared into the smooth stone. The door was heavily embellished wrought iron gates with heavy wooden doors that could be closed. There were a pair of doormen who were armed.
“Sir, do you have anti-Vampire sentiment in Sweden?” asked Renee.
“We do, unfortunately. That is why you must be escorted from the airport to the hotel. You will all be given a pass to show the doormen if you decide to venture out into the city on your own. Of course being accompanied by Vampires will get you into the hotel without question,” he said.
“Good,” she said.
When the van came to stop, the hearse bearing our Vampires drove into a gate.
“Wait, where are they going with our friends?” I asked.
“Don’t be alarmed, madam, they are just going into the side entrance. When we go into the lobby, you will see their travel containers waiting for you and I will be helping you with the check in process,” he said.
“Sorry, I am responsible for them and us and if I am a bit overprotective, it is because I am a bit over protective,” I said.
“Completely understandable,” he said. “Let’s get you reunited quickly, shall we?”
We unloaded and Renee took my notebook to check off the luggage and told me to go on. I grabbed Scarlett and Fairy and Chris and God Speed to go in with me immediately. I wanted one of us with a coffin at all times. We walked in.
The main foyer was opulent. It had beautiful marble floors and gigantic hanging chandeliers. There was huge lounge. I was fascinated there was a Vampire sitting there. I looked questioningly at the hotelier who had been our guide.
“How is he up in the middle of the day?” I asked.
“He is the owner madam, and he is very old. Older Vampires can actually move around during the day for short periods. The windows were designed by IKEA, developed to allow light but not the hazardous solar rays that kill Vampires. We have a special menu for your Vampire hosts, if they would prefer a meal from the source,” he said.
“They will have to decide about that,” I said.
“Of course,” he said. “Do you have Mr. Northman’s information for check in?” he asked.
“Yes, Chris, please get his book out,” I said. Eric had put together a wallet for Chris to take care of with his passport, ID and credit cards. He sat down with her and showed her what use when we got to destinations in the day. She pulled out the slender book and handed it to me. “You take care of it Chris.” I turned the man again. “This is Mr. Northman’s personal assistant, Chris.”
“Very good,” he said, and guided Chris to the grand desk and she began to complete the process. Bell boys and the hotel staff who received the travel coffins came to us and we took our places by the coffins. I watched Chris as she watched the day auditor set up the keys and small portfolios for all of us. He handed her a piece of paper and Chris signed it, her smile was broad as she put the pen on the paper.
The rest of the group had joined us and were standing around. Their eyes were drinking in everything, looking at the room. Even Barrister, who had been accustomed to fine surroundings, was looking around. Chris began calling out our names and we picked up our keys and packets and were finally shown up to our rooms.
Every Vampire had their own room, carefully nestled in among our rooms. Barrister and I shared a room, which was a small suite complete with a galley kitchen. The next room was Bill’s. The room on the other side of him was occupied by Lina and Linzy and Butter and Bella and Eric had the next room. After Eric was Fairy and Scarlett and Renee and Chris then Jessica’s suite. The next room was Westexan and Raki and Minnie and Violet. Pam took the next Vampire room and Body Guard and Aolani had a suite with a second bedroom where God Speed and Jen made themselves comfortable.
We sprawled out in our suites, some of us napping, others just resting. We had satellite American TV and caught up on the goings on in the states and we all noted the disaster with the oil slick coming from the damaged oil platform in the gulf. I foresaw heavier taxes on Eric and the other Vampires from their queen, already adding to the list of gripes and grumblings against her.
I took a long hot bath and stretched out on the bed and turned on the computer and began to look up some things about the city we were in and the museum and the Viking past we were exploring. That was something that fascinated me about Eric that was not a facet about Bill. I knew much about America and her beginnings and so I felt I understood Bill to an extent that I did not have with Eric. The Vampire life was a constantly unfolding thing, things we were learning as we went along and had contact with our friends in that world. And even that was evolving as the community was in closer and closer contact with us.
The Vikings were a viable community until the 11th century. Eric would be alive in the decline of the richer culture of the people. Christianity was looming over the old pagan ways and though he may have heard rumors of a new religion, he missed it. He was Vampire by then and had little or no need for religion. But to be honest, he didn’t seem to suffer from a lack of religion. If he believed in a creator, I did not know.
The new Sweden was a study in both conservative and liberal notions. They were more open to diversity in thought and philosophies and had been one of the first countries to embrace their undead sons and daughters. They had a king, but they had a parliament and a prime minister. They were mostly peaceful now, though they had a maintained military and young men were expected to serve in the military it was relatively easy to get out of the service. Sweden was big on its seafaring past and many Swedish people enjoyed the water.
I perused the web sites a while longer and finally slid under the blankets and went to sleep. I dreamed my dreams, especially of Bill. I don’t know what I or my sister wives would have done if something had happened to him. It would have been too much, I suspect. Of course I would have been hurt on another level, but just as deeply, had something bad happened to Eric. Last night, he seemed quiet, as though the effects of the glamour still held sway over his spirit. Perhaps he, like us, was tired. We had not expected the trip to be this arduous.
I still wondered about Niall. Why did he send us to see the oracle and how much did he know. Did he know, for example that we would likely be attacked? I didn’t think so. Not that I thought he would mind because he did not know him and he did not know us and loved Eric very little. Did any of this answer the questions we had about the fae from the Connection? I simply refused to believe that Sookie was the key in the fae wars fought out in Bon Temps and environs. Of course I did not doubt that Niall would do whatever he could to protect his great granddaughter, I suspected the fae war really started long ago, and it started over a sword that was taken from the hand of a dead fairy prince in a war somewhere in this area. The Oracle had said that the disappearance of the sword robbed her side of the family a claim to Faery, the kingdom, and I suspected Niall may be using Eric to get that sword back so he would have a stronger claim to the throne and could then begin the process of importing more and stronger fae from the old world to the New World. To what ends, I did not know. All I knew was I did not trust him and I knew, if I knew nothing else, that Eric did not trust him.
I wondered about the Viking again. What did the archeologist know about Eric and his people and what would tell the Viking? Would it clear things up for him or would he be confused and moody. As I closed my eyes, I hoped not. I didn’t think I could handle Eric being confused anymore. If I was going to be around him and have to do things to help him, I wanted to know what I could expect. I had to know if I had to go into a dark room, were there things there which might harm me or the others? Or should I just do what he keeps telling me: Trust me? There were some things I trusted him with, but there were others I simply did not. Eric’s evasive nature, indeed the evasive nature of all the Vampires, was troubling, I did not care for it. So, until I learned more, I would play this close to the vest.
I knew one thing. I trusted Vampires far more than I trusted fairies.
I closed my eyes and slept.
Monday, May 31, 2010
We woke from our daytime rest and moved around slowly in our suites to try and wake up and get ready for the final leg of our adventure. I slid out of bed and pulled on my robe and went into the parlor of our suite. Barrister had called up a big pot of coffee and some breakfast cakes. He made me a cup, dressed as I like it and I sat down on the couch and sipped it and lit the first cigarette of the evening.
“Is there Tru:Blood in the refrigerator?” I asked him.
“Yes,” said Barrister. He brought me a warm pastry on a plate and when I finished my cigarette, I began to eat it. I missed my regular schedule of morning, noon and night but I consoled myself that we would soon be back on our schedule. It was nearly dark and I went and pecked on Bill’s connecting door.
“Come in,” I heard him say. I opened the door and walked in. He was coming from the bathroom where he had taken a shower. He was wearing a robe and silky pajama pants and it was open. I tried not to openly lust for him but I was unsuccessful. “Sweetheart, you look like a hungry Vampire.” I blushed.
“Well, you look rather tasty,” I said. “Speaking of hungry Vampire, you can order off the menu and have a live blood meal if you like.”
“I think I shall have to,” said Bill. “I am rather tired.”
“Thought so,” I said. “So order up and I’ll leave you to eat.” I was far more understanding of Bill’s needs for real blood from time to time and more than just a love nip. He winked at me and smiled that sweet closed lip smile. I smooched him and left him to get his supper. I went to the other dividing door and knocked and Lina came to the door.
“Hey girl,” I said. “Everyone moving around over here?”
“Yeah, and moving pretty slow,” she said. “Bill awake?”
“Yeah, he is ordering a blood meal,” I answered. “Eric up?”
“Yeah, I heard Fairy in there a moment ago,” said Lina. “I don’t think she was happy that Eric was ordering from the menu, but I think he convinced her that he needed the real thing and didn’t want to weaken her.”
“I’ll wait then, he may be feeding,” I said. I sat down in their parlor. Bella came and sat down next to me. She was one of my sister wives. “Hey, when we get home, we should work on entering that stuff into Bill’s data base.”
“Yes, we can do that while he is …” said Bella.
“Hey, he is going to be okay,” I said. “And this is a way to keep the faith, know what I mean?” She nodded. Bella was very sensitive about Bill and didn’t blame her, I felt the same.
“Do we get to keep the laptops?” asked Lina.
“I don’t know,” I said. “They would be useful, especially if we are to do more work for them.” There was a knock on the interior door from Eric’s side of the door.
“Come in,” called Linzy. Eric walked in. He looked healthy and pink from his blood meal.
“Everyone decent?” he asked. “Anyone indecent?” he smiled his lopsided grin and Linzy came up to him and put her arms around him and he kissed her passionately on the mouth.
“Oh Lord,” I said to Bella, rolling my eyes.
“Praying again Aslinn? I didn’t know you were so religious,” said Eric. He sent Linzy away with a gentle pat on her behind and came and sat in the chair adjacent to the couch. He stretched his long legs and placed his bare feet on the coffee table.
“Only when I am around you, Eric,” I said.
“Praying for strength?” he asked.
“Praying for your damnable soul,” I said. “You look in the pink.”
“I am feeling well rested,” he said. “How are you Bella?” Eric loved to tease Bill’s sister wives with promises of protection and attention when Bill was away. Bella, a staunch Bill wife rarely spoke to the Viking.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Do we get to keep these laptops?”
“Indeed you do,” said Eric. Lina had just finished a pastry form the breakfast tray and she walked by Eric who grabbed her wrist and kissed her, tasting the pastry and sugar and whatever else was there. “Um….what was that delightful confection dearest?”
“I think it was a cinnamon apple thing, sort of like a strudel,” she said.
“Delicious,” he said.
“Eric, would it make you sick to eat food?” I asked. It seemed all our Vampires liked to taste things on our mouths when we ate or drank, especially wines and sweets.
“Yes, we can’t digest the food at all,” he said. “And animal blood is nauseating so that interesting fiction that we could be “vegetarian” simply doesn’t exist. We may be able to drink the synthetic blood, but that is because it has elements of real human blood in it, but real blood is far better and makes us more up to par.”
“Do you remember the taste of food?” I asked.
“Not exactly,” he said. “Jessica would, of course, but not me. When I taste things on your mouths and your breaths, I don’t remember what they are, but if they are pleasant, we sometimes ask humans to eat them.”
“What do you like to taste best?” I asked.
“Taking notes, Aslinn?” he asked.
“No, just a general inquiry,” I said.
“Chocolates are lovely. Some very sweet fruits, honey, and spices,” he said. “Sweet wines are a treat and some whiskeys and liquors are lovely.”
“Good to know,” I said. “Well, I am going to get dressed.”
“Need any help?” he asked.
“No, Eric, I have been dressing myself for some time now,” I said.
“You could help me,” he said.
“No thanks,” I said. I got up and pecked on Bill’s door. “Are you finished in there?”
“Yes, darling, please come through,” he said.
“I’ll go with you and visit with Bill,” said Bella. We both went in and as I closed the door I heard Eric requesting Raki come and help him get dressed. I shook my head.
Bill looked nice pink after his feed and Bella sidled up to him and was rewarded with a kiss. “You aren’t dressed yet, sweetheart,” he said to her.
“I thought I would help you get dressed,” I heard her say as I went into my suite and closed the door. Barrister was wrapped in a towel around his waist; he’d just gotten out of the shower.
“You need help getting dressed?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said.
We were all finally ready and dressed and quick calls to everyone’s rooms had us all gathered in the lobby of the hotel. It was bustling with Vampires and their human companions alike. We followed the evening concierge to the dining room and were seated together at one large table. Menus in English were given to us and we ordered drinks. We settled to look at the menus and our Vampires were given blood cards. They had all had human meals in the rooms, even Jessica under the careful eye of Pam, but when they sat at table with us, they usually had a synthetic blood, simply to share the dining experience with us.
“Jessica, why don’t try a glass of Royalty,” suggested Eric. “As a treat. The sensation is quite lovely.”
“Sure,” she said. “If it is alright with Bill.” Bill nodded his approval and ordered two Royalty and Eric contented himself with a glass of something domestic. Pam had a Tru:Blood.
“You are not trying any foreign cuisine?” asked Scarlett.
“No,” she said. “Synthetic blood is always what it is, synthetic, regardless of how they dress it up. No reason to spend a lot of money on that.”
I could see her point. Substitute foods were never as tasty as the real thing. I would rather make pizzas with just few slices of pepperoni than load it down with the turkey versions, which never tasted just right anyway. Give me the real thing…I would figure out how to make it work.
We all ordered our supper. I had the breaded veal and marinara sauce and a salad. After dinner, I had simple, homey ice cream, drizzled in chocolate and sprinkled with nuts and a cup of coffee. I found that I was hungry for homey food, food like we made in the parlor for our Wednesday night meetings. I think the others did too. When we were finished, Eric began to talk.
“I contacted this museum many years ago, long before the Great Revelation. I have been sending them money and been a patron mainly because I began to be curious about what, if anything, is left of my home country,” explained the Viking. “When Vampires came out of the coffin and made themselves known, there has been a surge of interest in antiquities. Not that there is much to be had, we were hunted and persecuted and often had to abandon what we had in order to escape. Often we made off with only what we had in our pockets. That is why Vampires have little attachment for things and often times people.”
“But you are so old Eric, what could you possibly find?” asked Butter.
“Not very much,” he admitted. “Unlike Bill, who had living relatives until recently, I have no blood relations and so much time has passed, there is nearly nothing left of my culture or people. Or so I thought. I think my people were in a region of Sweden called Skulesgogen. It is now a part of a reserve, a…” Eric seemed to be looking for the word.
“A national park?” suggested God Speed.
“Yes, a national park,” said Eric. “And as such, it is fairly untouched. My friend, named Johan, called me about a year ago and told me they had found a village there, at least the remains of a village and they were going to begin excavation there.”
“So, they have found things,” said Jen.
“They have found many things,” said Eric. “They found a couple of tombs and some dishes and weapons and other artifacts they hope they can identify with my help.”
“Did they find any people?” asked Body Guard.
“They have found people, yes,” said Eric.
“Would you know by looking at them if they were your people?” asked Fairy.
“I don’t know,” he said. “If they have certain clothing I remember or a piece of jewelry on them that was especially fine or unique, perhaps. I have heard from some Vampires who have said that they sometimes sense people who are in some way connected their human families. I once met an Egyptian Vampire who saw a mummy in the London museum in the early 1900’s who said he recognized an ancestor in a sarcophagus. He said he felt a connection to the mummy he had felt with no other mummy in the room. He thought perhaps the trace of blood in the mummy’s human shell called out to his.”
“But, when you guys are made, aren’t you bled dry?” asked Butter.
“Oh no, we are kept alive just enough to drink the blood of our maker. A trace of our human blood still exists in us,” he said.
“Do Vampires have blood types?” asked Minnie.
“No, we don’t have blood types anymore,” said Eric. “That is why we can drink any blood type and we can give blood to any blood type.”
“You should be careful about who you tell that to,” I said.
“Aslinn, I tell you that because unlike you, I trust you,” said the Viking, giving me a piercing look. I gave the look back at him. Finally he looked away. “At any rate, we will be going there tonight to look at the collection. It will take us many days. Chris, dearest, you should bring the computer and everyone brings their phones so you can photograph things and look at them later and study them.”
“Do you want us to start researching things?” asked Renee.
“If you think you can,” said Eric. “I don’t know how well you will be able to research things but any bit you can come up with will be useful.”
We got up from the table and I stood with Barrister and Renee and Bill as some of the others went up to get their computers and cameras. I checked my phone and felt ready for whatever we would be doing. Eric came over and stood by me. I ignored him. That little jibe hurt and I had nothing to say to him.
“Aslinn,” he started.
“Leave me alone Eric,” I said. I walked away from him and Barrister followed me. Bill sidled up to me.
“Don’t pay attention to Eric, Aslinn,” said Bill. “He doesn’t like it when he feels as though he doesn’t have your absolute trust in him.”
“That’s just tough, Bill,” I said. “Be honest, you guys don’t tell us everything and there are some things we don’t need to know, or really don’t want to know, but there are some things we have to know and he doesn’t even tell us those things.”
“Aslinn,” he said.
“No Bill,” I said. “He knew there was likely to be trouble, even danger, and he has dragged us around and gotten us into shit. It isn’t fair. I liked it better when all of you were in the shadows, at least we didn’t have to do all of this just to be your friends.”
Bill walked away. I hated flying off at the handle at Bill. He was just following Eric’s orders. We after all could have decided not to come; we could even choose to go home if we really wanted. Bill couldn’t, he was bound by obligation to his sheriff. I felt as angry with myself as I was with Eric. Some time, I would make it up to the both of them, but not right now.
We finally headed out to the museum. I looked at the city lit up for the night. It looked quite different from the city we had seen in the day. The shadows on the ornate decorations on the old buildings looked somehow sinister instead of simply decorative. The Vampires did not seem to look at the city much. Perhaps it was because cities looked so much alike in the nighttime. How sad. I felt even sorrier for Eric for being angry with him.
The National Museum was a beautiful place. You could see the clean, modern lines of the building and the artistic lighting on the grounds, highlighting the architecture. We parked and we filed out. Someone I assumed to be Johan was waiting outside. We ranged around Eric as he made his acquaintance with Johan, speaking softly in Swedish to the young man. He was robust and blond and fairly tall, though not as tall as Eric. He could have been Eric’s cousin or long lost brother, the similarity was so close. Finally he turned to us.
“Johan,” he said in English, “These are my very dear friends. I first want to introduce you to my ladies, Fairy, Minnie, Raki, Linzy, Lina, Aolani, Butter and Jen. With them are God Speed and Body Guard. Aslinn, Renee, Chris, my personal assistant, Scarlett, Westexan and Bella and Barrister. Then there are my Vampire cohorts, my child Pam, Bill and his child Jessica.”
“Great, please, come into the museum,” he said. He led us to the double doors and God Speed and Body Guard held the doors open. One of the first things that greeted us was a huge Viking boat.
“Is this the boat found in a lake?” I asked.
“Yes it is,” said Johan. He began to tell us all about the boat and who built it. Eric ran his hand over it and felt the smooth wood under his palms. I remembered how he told me that he had gone to Dublin as a child and I wondered if it was in a boat like that.
We walked on. There were many Viking antiquities and we stopped for the nickel tour. I knew Eric was anxious to see the new things found at his home site. But he stopped to allow us to get a look at the things the museum already had on display and finally, our guide turned.
“If you will follow me, I will take you to the room where we have the new things,” he said.
To Be Continued
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The room was very brightly lit and there dozens of tables in rows in the large 60’X40’ room. “Look all you like and take as many pictures as you like, just please don’t handle anything,” said Johan.
We scattered into small groups. The tables contained small trays with objects in them sitting on cotton cloth. Renee and Chris and I stood at one table of pottery. There were ornate bowls and platters and cups.
“Okay,” I said. “You can see the real difference between Celtic art and Norse art. And these are everyday objects. They decorated things just for the sake of making them pretty. You can even see where the potters used brass in the clay as decorative elements and some polished stones. Aolani, there is quite a lot of obsidian in these pieces.” Aolani came over to look at the piece. “Eric, did your people have a belief about obsidian?”
“If they did I do not remember,” said Eric, looking at the bits. “But I remembered watching the potters make things and cut brass wire to heat and bend and use in the pottery.”
“How was the class structure in Norse villages?” I asked.
“Everyone had a use. If you were not a warrior, you were an artisan. Children were evaluated early to see how they would contribute to the community. Some were warriors, some where teachers or priests, some were potters, others were metal workers, some were healers and others worked in the fields and some were weavers and leather workers,” said Eric.
“What was the policy on disabled people?” I asked.
“If they were just crippled, they could be taught to do something else useful. If they were deficient in some other way, they were put away to starve or sacrificed,” he said. Eric noted the horrified glances of the people around him. “They would be a burden to the people. In times of hunger, we could not spare a lot of food for those who could not contribute. Cruel but necessary.”
“I understand Eric,” I said. “Native Americans did the same things.”
“Here are some examples of textiles we have saved,” said Johan. We walked over to the table.
The fabrics were coarse by modern standards, but by the standards of the time they would be exquisite. They were dyed with vegetable dyes and over sewn almost like crewel work with other threads of contrasting colors.
“These are wonderful,” I said. “These are more Celtic in influence; could the cloth have been an import?”
“Very good,” said Johan. “The fibers are flax, which accounts for the preservation. This was part of a woman’s funerary robes. The flax has been traced to Scotland so it was thought this was some sort imported good, chosen as a gift perhaps.”
“Do you recognize it Eric?” I asked.
“No,” he said and walked away.
“Here are some weapons,” said Johan, leading us to another table. “There are six swords, a couple dozen daggers and what looks like house hold knives. There are some lance points and some arrow heads and few bludgeoning tools.”
God Speed and Body Guard were already there. Body Guard looked up at me. “Take a look at this Aslinn, this is not Norse is it?” I went over and looked at the piece Body Guard was looking at. It was a broad sword, heavily decorated but covered in very heavy rust or hardened deposits. “Johan, has this sword been examined by metallurgists?”
“Yes, it is an exquisite piece,” he said. He pulled on a pair of gloves and carefully picked it up. “It looks like Celtic but I have never seen such detail in human art. There are some ogram symbols but it is very archaic, no known samples so it may be a new artistic period. The blade is iron, but folded in way that was seen only in the far east. The handle is gold but it is the strangest composition I have ever seen. It is an alloy with seven precious metals.”
I took out my phone and photographed the sword. I took out a note book and transcribed the ogram letters .
“It is not Norse,” I said. “Eric, can you come and look at this please?” The Viking came over. “Look at this sword. Does it look familiar to you?”
Eric leaned forward and looked at it. Johan moved his fingers from off the grip and Eric leaned closer, almost close enough to kiss it. He refrained from touching it.
“Is there silver content?” he asked.
“Unknown,” said Johan.
“We can find out in moment if you will let me touch the grip,” said Eric. Bill and Pam came over and stood with him. Johan nodded and turned the sword with the grip to Eric. He put his hand on it and wrapped his fingers around it, but only for a second when he let it go. Tiny burn-like blisters were disappearing as we watched.
“We know there is copper and brass there as well,” said Johan.
“Gold, silver, copper and brass,” I said, writing it down in my book. “When will you have the metallurgist report?”
“A few weeks,” he said.
“Is it familiar to you Eric?” I asked. Eric shook his head.
“Here is some jewelry,” he said, leading us over to another table. “These are other objects we found in a funerary site.” We looked at the things. There were a couple of broaches, some toys or fetishes, bracelets and earrings, rings, hair combs, a small collection of buttons, some buckles, pendants and semi precious stones.
“Do you have the human remains?” I asked. Johan took me to the side.
“How well do you know Mr. Northman?” he asked.
“As well as anyone knows him,” I said.
“You know about his wife, his family?” he asked.
“I know he had a wife and I know he had children,” I said. “Eric told us he buried them in a tomb, with a broach and he put the child on her breast. You know, he can hear us.”
“Come with me,” he said. I grabbed Fairy and pulled her with me into the adjoining room. Johan looked at Fairy.
“This is Eric’s lead wife,” I said. “If there is something in here that will cause Eric to break down, Fairy should be here with him.” He nodded and led us into another room. It was very cool and with the flip of a switch it was very brightly lit. There were a couple dozen tables and on each table was a body and one of those bodies was very small. “Oh God,” I moaned, covering my mouth with my hand.
We walked over to the first table. There was a large person there lying on a sheet. I went over to him. It was apparent he was very important. The most unusual thing about him was that his face bound, like the Victorians did to bodies to set the jaw.
“This is not the usual practice of the Norse is it?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “He suffered a grievous wound across the face, as if his jaw was forced very wide open, the tear goes down to the jugular.”
“Are all of them torn up like this?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “Some of them are injured, some are simply dead.”
“What about this little one?” I asked.
“It was found in a tomb with a female, lying on her chest. There is skin still on the infant and some hair, and it was wrapped in what we would call swaddling cloths. I was only a week old tops,” said Johan, looking down at the little dark corpse. “The female is here.” We walked over to the table next to it. If she was five feet tall, I would eat your hat. She was naked and there was some flesh on her, dry like leather. There was long blond hair braided and wrapped neatly around her head and pinned with several brass pins.
“Who was she?” I asked.
“We don’t know,” he said. “But if we are right, it could be his wife.”
“Aslinn, I don’t know if we can let him see them like this,” said Fairy. “If this is his wife and child.” I nodded.
“Have you done any computer reconstructions of these people?” I asked.
“We have,” said Johan. I looked again at the woman. One of her hands was laying flat on the table.
“There is a tattoo here,” I said. “On the back of her hand.”
“Many Norse people are tattooed,” he said. “We have a computer enhancement of the tattoo.”
“Can I see it?” I asked. He opened a notebook that was on a table. It was an intricate Celtic knot with vines and roses around it. “This is not Norse. It’s Celtic.” Fairy looked at it. “This looks like the tattoo work on the woman we met in Lough Derg.”
I looked at Fairy. She looked at me.
“Was Aude? Could she have been…” began Fairy.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Can I get these cgi’s on disk?”
“Certainly,” he said. He reached over and took a disc from the stack and gave it to me.
“I think we should sit down with Eric and show him these pictures first and see if he recognizes them and then we see if he wants to see the bodies,” I said.
When we walked back into the main room, Eric moved with Vampire speed to us. He grabbed me by the shoulders.
“What is in there?” he asked.
“Eric, I need you to calm down and listen to me carefully,” I said. “There some bodies in there, but we don’t know who they are, or even if they were your people. I have a computer file of them reconstructing their faces. This will be more meaningful to you for the time being.”
“Tell me!” he said shaking me.
“Eric, you are hurting me,” I said calmly. Bill was by my side in an instant. “Eric, please, I promise you, I have told you everything. There were about 20 bodies in there, one of them is a very small child and another is a woman. We don’t know who they are or how they died or if they are anyone to you. We need to take a look at these reconstructed pictures and then, we can come back and we will let you go in and look at them. Okay?”
Eric let me go. I fought the urge to rub my shoulders. I knew I would have bruises there in the morning. He nodded and walked away from me. I looked at Bill and at Barrister who had come up behind Eric. I followed Eric and Fairy who had caught up to him.
The bus ride back to the hotel was quiet and Bill kept looking over at me. I shook my head at him and he turned to look straight ahead. Pam was whispering to Eric quietly.
We filed into the hotel, admitted with no problems as we were in the company of our Vampires. We took the lifts to the suites. Eric turned to me. “We will meet in Lina and Linzy’s suite.” I nodded.
I went into my room to get my computer and Bill followed me in.
“I do not approve of Eric handling you so roughly,” said Bill.
“Well, in light of the fact they may have the mortal remains of Eric’s wife and last child in there, I totally understand,” I said, rubbing my shoulder.
“Would you like some of my blood,” offered Bill.
“I think I will be okay, but I sure appreciate it honey,” I said, kissing him briefly. “We better hurry over.”
Eric was sitting on the couch. Chris opened her computer and opened a clean file to write up the meeting and I brought the disc in. I went over to the tv and opened the cabinet and turned on the DVD player and selected Jpeg feature and slide show. I put in the disc and slid the cradle into the driver.
“Okay, I don’t know where the main pictures I want you to look at are on the contents so we will just have to look at all of them. Just say something when you see something interesting or if you think you recognize them,” I said. Eric nodded. I pressed play.
We went slow. Each person had a full face view and a side face view. I watched Eric’s face carefully. We came to a picture of the man with terrible face wound. Eric asked me to pause the picture. He looked at it for a long time.
“Do you know him Eric?” I asked.
“He seems familiar to me. Maybe a warrior who fought with my father. How did he die?” asked Eric.
“It looks like his wound happened on his face and it tore into his jugular,” I said. “He was maybe 5’8” tall, maybe a little taller. He appears to be a heavy man, but not fat. He has darkish hair.”
Eric nodded and I pressed play again. There were pictures of limbs with tattoos. “Eric, were there many tattooed people in your village?”
“There many of us who were tattooed,” said Eric.
“How come you were not,” I asked.
“The women liked my skin unmarked,” he said, a ghost of a smile flitting across his face. “There were many warriors who were so tattooed that even without clothes, they seemed to be covered.”
“Were there many women tattooed?” I asked.
“There were some,” he said.
I stopped the slide show when we came to computer image of the hand of the woman Fairy and I spent so much time looking at. Eric leaned forward.
“Do you recognize it Eric?” I asked softly. Eric nodded. He did not speak for a long time.
“Is this woman there in that room?” he asked, this voice a trifle thick.
“Yes, she is,” I said. “Do you remember who this tattoo belonged to?” He nodded, his hand going to his mouth. “Who was she?” He shook his head, his eyes seeming more reddish ringed. I slid from the chair, kneeling beside the couch, and took his hand in mine. “There are pictures of her face, would you like to see her?” He looked at me and nodded. “Do you want to be alone?” He shook his head.
“Eric, we can give you a moment’s privacy,” said God Speed. “This must be very difficult for you.”
“No,” he said.
I could not imagine what it would be like to look into the long gone face of someone I loved who had died. Jimmy, my husband, had been cremated so, the last time I had seen him was when I held him in my arms after he had died in his sleep deep in coma. There was a part of me that was thankful there was no resting place for me to visit. Poor Eric.
But even with my concern, I knew Eric would have to compose himself quickly because I had to ask him about the tattoos and how he and his family came to have her in the family. I suspect this woman was kin to the Oracle and if this was so, Eric had children with a fae and that would answer the question perhaps how the Goblin made sword came into his people’s possession and perhaps what became of them after Eric was made Vampire.
“Okay, Eric,” I said. “Take a look at this picture and tell me what you see.”
We were settled on the Anubis Sweden airliner. We were pretty tired but we were looking forward to the things we were going to see which might be connected with Eric and anything that might help us understand the last two weeks. We had battled with rogue Vampires, crazy vindictive fairies with a grudge and now we were going to see the past, something that might help us understand what we might be seeing.
I was lost in those thoughts when Body Guard spoke to me. “Aslinn, how to the three world intersect each other?”
“I have given this a lot of thought. The first world in the world created and manipulated by the Connection,” I said. “She is sort of our oracle. She knows the past present and future. Each summer’s adventures are the future. The Source has access to the Connection and he can manipulate the future. I mean, if you knew, without a doubt, that there was going to be a tornado to land right on top of your house, wouldn’t you move the family out of the way?” Body Guard nodded.
“The Source is sort of like a playful god who overlooks the things we know from the connection and moves things around and creates what seems amusing to him,” I said. “The things we do is the third world and it creates the bridge between the two to a certain extent. We have experiences that attempt to explain what we know from the Connection and what we might see in the adventures.”
“Does it effect either world?” he asked.
“It may, but only in our perception of it,” I said. “Our relationship, our adventures do not effect the Source or the Connection.”
Body Guard seemed to be taking all this in. He looked off into space, deep in thought.
The plane landed. The skies were bright blue and the air was clear and just a little cool. I felt energized by the clean light and the air after being shut away from it. I snapped out of my reveries quickly as I watched the four travel coffins being unloaded. Again I checked all our bags and each member had their own computer bags and I counted each person. The Anubis representative came up to me.
“Madam, welcome to Sweden,” he said. “Mr. Northman has made arrangements for you to stay at the Sheraton Sundown, the most modern and exclusive Vampire hotel in Europe. It is fully equipped with generous amenities for human companions; including a wonderful five star restaurant and daytime areas.”
“How is security?” I asked.
“Security is military level. Former French Foreign Legion, Swedish military, American military and retired NATO,” he said. “We are the ultimate model for the rest of the world,” he said. I looked at the man. He was definitely human and he belonged to a Vampire. I could see a bit of a fang mark on his neck, just on the edge of the starched shirt’s collar. “I you will follow me, we will get you and your Vampire hosts on the transport and take you to the hotel.”
“Do lone humans ever check into the hotel?” I asked.
“No, this is not a tourist hotel. Every human has to be connected with a Vampire and all Vampires are responsible for their humans. We have no desire to exploit Vampires because they are Vampires and they become the object of curiosity. We want to create an atmosphere where Vampires and their human companions can relax, be themselves, and enjoy the city,” he said.
We were loaded onto the shuttle and were given the nickel tour of Stockholm. It was a beautiful city and the buildings were exquisite. We were near the sea and each thoroughfare opened to the sea. I loved the buildings and the fountains and the features of the city. Our host droned on and on about the city.
The Sheraton Sundown looked as though it had been built by a gothic architect and then sent in toto to be set down in the middle of Stockholm. There were large columns in the front and they were covered at the tops and bottoms with hand carved marble lilies and vines that more or less trailed down and disappeared into the smooth stone. The door was heavily embellished wrought iron gates with heavy wooden doors that could be closed. There were a pair of doormen who were armed.
“Sir, do you have anti-Vampire sentiment in Sweden?” asked Renee.
“We do, unfortunately. That is why you must be escorted from the airport to the hotel. You will all be given a pass to show the doormen if you decide to venture out into the city on your own. Of course being accompanied by Vampires will get you into the hotel without question,” he said.
“Good,” she said.
When the van came to stop, the hearse bearing our Vampires drove into a gate.
“Wait, where are they going with our friends?” I asked.
“Don’t be alarmed, madam, they are just going into the side entrance. When we go into the lobby, you will see their travel containers waiting for you and I will be helping you with the check in process,” he said.
“Sorry, I am responsible for them and us and if I am a bit overprotective, it is because I am a bit over protective,” I said.
“Completely understandable,” he said. “Let’s get you reunited quickly, shall we?”
We unloaded and Renee took my notebook to check off the luggage and told me to go on. I grabbed Scarlett and Fairy and Chris and God Speed to go in with me immediately. I wanted one of us with a coffin at all times. We walked in.
The main foyer was opulent. It had beautiful marble floors and gigantic hanging chandeliers. There was huge lounge. I was fascinated there was a Vampire sitting there. I looked questioningly at the hotelier who had been our guide.
“How is he up in the middle of the day?” I asked.
“He is the owner madam, and he is very old. Older Vampires can actually move around during the day for short periods. The windows were designed by IKEA, developed to allow light but not the hazardous solar rays that kill Vampires. We have a special menu for your Vampire hosts, if they would prefer a meal from the source,” he said.
“They will have to decide about that,” I said.
“Of course,” he said. “Do you have Mr. Northman’s information for check in?” he asked.
“Yes, Chris, please get his book out,” I said. Eric had put together a wallet for Chris to take care of with his passport, ID and credit cards. He sat down with her and showed her what use when we got to destinations in the day. She pulled out the slender book and handed it to me. “You take care of it Chris.” I turned the man again. “This is Mr. Northman’s personal assistant, Chris.”
“Very good,” he said, and guided Chris to the grand desk and she began to complete the process. Bell boys and the hotel staff who received the travel coffins came to us and we took our places by the coffins. I watched Chris as she watched the day auditor set up the keys and small portfolios for all of us. He handed her a piece of paper and Chris signed it, her smile was broad as she put the pen on the paper.
The rest of the group had joined us and were standing around. Their eyes were drinking in everything, looking at the room. Even Barrister, who had been accustomed to fine surroundings, was looking around. Chris began calling out our names and we picked up our keys and packets and were finally shown up to our rooms.
Every Vampire had their own room, carefully nestled in among our rooms. Barrister and I shared a room, which was a small suite complete with a galley kitchen. The next room was Bill’s. The room on the other side of him was occupied by Lina and Linzy and Butter and Bella and Eric had the next room. After Eric was Fairy and Scarlett and Renee and Chris then Jessica’s suite. The next room was Westexan and Raki and Minnie and Violet. Pam took the next Vampire room and Body Guard and Aolani had a suite with a second bedroom where God Speed and Jen made themselves comfortable.
We sprawled out in our suites, some of us napping, others just resting. We had satellite American TV and caught up on the goings on in the states and we all noted the disaster with the oil slick coming from the damaged oil platform in the gulf. I foresaw heavier taxes on Eric and the other Vampires from their queen, already adding to the list of gripes and grumblings against her.
I took a long hot bath and stretched out on the bed and turned on the computer and began to look up some things about the city we were in and the museum and the Viking past we were exploring. That was something that fascinated me about Eric that was not a facet about Bill. I knew much about America and her beginnings and so I felt I understood Bill to an extent that I did not have with Eric. The Vampire life was a constantly unfolding thing, things we were learning as we went along and had contact with our friends in that world. And even that was evolving as the community was in closer and closer contact with us.
The Vikings were a viable community until the 11th century. Eric would be alive in the decline of the richer culture of the people. Christianity was looming over the old pagan ways and though he may have heard rumors of a new religion, he missed it. He was Vampire by then and had little or no need for religion. But to be honest, he didn’t seem to suffer from a lack of religion. If he believed in a creator, I did not know.
The new Sweden was a study in both conservative and liberal notions. They were more open to diversity in thought and philosophies and had been one of the first countries to embrace their undead sons and daughters. They had a king, but they had a parliament and a prime minister. They were mostly peaceful now, though they had a maintained military and young men were expected to serve in the military it was relatively easy to get out of the service. Sweden was big on its seafaring past and many Swedish people enjoyed the water.
I perused the web sites a while longer and finally slid under the blankets and went to sleep. I dreamed my dreams, especially of Bill. I don’t know what I or my sister wives would have done if something had happened to him. It would have been too much, I suspect. Of course I would have been hurt on another level, but just as deeply, had something bad happened to Eric. Last night, he seemed quiet, as though the effects of the glamour still held sway over his spirit. Perhaps he, like us, was tired. We had not expected the trip to be this arduous.
I still wondered about Niall. Why did he send us to see the oracle and how much did he know. Did he know, for example that we would likely be attacked? I didn’t think so. Not that I thought he would mind because he did not know him and he did not know us and loved Eric very little. Did any of this answer the questions we had about the fae from the Connection? I simply refused to believe that Sookie was the key in the fae wars fought out in Bon Temps and environs. Of course I did not doubt that Niall would do whatever he could to protect his great granddaughter, I suspected the fae war really started long ago, and it started over a sword that was taken from the hand of a dead fairy prince in a war somewhere in this area. The Oracle had said that the disappearance of the sword robbed her side of the family a claim to Faery, the kingdom, and I suspected Niall may be using Eric to get that sword back so he would have a stronger claim to the throne and could then begin the process of importing more and stronger fae from the old world to the New World. To what ends, I did not know. All I knew was I did not trust him and I knew, if I knew nothing else, that Eric did not trust him.
I wondered about the Viking again. What did the archeologist know about Eric and his people and what would tell the Viking? Would it clear things up for him or would he be confused and moody. As I closed my eyes, I hoped not. I didn’t think I could handle Eric being confused anymore. If I was going to be around him and have to do things to help him, I wanted to know what I could expect. I had to know if I had to go into a dark room, were there things there which might harm me or the others? Or should I just do what he keeps telling me: Trust me? There were some things I trusted him with, but there were others I simply did not. Eric’s evasive nature, indeed the evasive nature of all the Vampires, was troubling, I did not care for it. So, until I learned more, I would play this close to the vest.
I knew one thing. I trusted Vampires far more than I trusted fairies.
I closed my eyes and slept.
Monday, May 31, 2010
We woke from our daytime rest and moved around slowly in our suites to try and wake up and get ready for the final leg of our adventure. I slid out of bed and pulled on my robe and went into the parlor of our suite. Barrister had called up a big pot of coffee and some breakfast cakes. He made me a cup, dressed as I like it and I sat down on the couch and sipped it and lit the first cigarette of the evening.
“Is there Tru:Blood in the refrigerator?” I asked him.
“Yes,” said Barrister. He brought me a warm pastry on a plate and when I finished my cigarette, I began to eat it. I missed my regular schedule of morning, noon and night but I consoled myself that we would soon be back on our schedule. It was nearly dark and I went and pecked on Bill’s connecting door.
“Come in,” I heard him say. I opened the door and walked in. He was coming from the bathroom where he had taken a shower. He was wearing a robe and silky pajama pants and it was open. I tried not to openly lust for him but I was unsuccessful. “Sweetheart, you look like a hungry Vampire.” I blushed.
“Well, you look rather tasty,” I said. “Speaking of hungry Vampire, you can order off the menu and have a live blood meal if you like.”
“I think I shall have to,” said Bill. “I am rather tired.”
“Thought so,” I said. “So order up and I’ll leave you to eat.” I was far more understanding of Bill’s needs for real blood from time to time and more than just a love nip. He winked at me and smiled that sweet closed lip smile. I smooched him and left him to get his supper. I went to the other dividing door and knocked and Lina came to the door.
“Hey girl,” I said. “Everyone moving around over here?”
“Yeah, and moving pretty slow,” she said. “Bill awake?”
“Yeah, he is ordering a blood meal,” I answered. “Eric up?”
“Yeah, I heard Fairy in there a moment ago,” said Lina. “I don’t think she was happy that Eric was ordering from the menu, but I think he convinced her that he needed the real thing and didn’t want to weaken her.”
“I’ll wait then, he may be feeding,” I said. I sat down in their parlor. Bella came and sat down next to me. She was one of my sister wives. “Hey, when we get home, we should work on entering that stuff into Bill’s data base.”
“Yes, we can do that while he is …” said Bella.
“Hey, he is going to be okay,” I said. “And this is a way to keep the faith, know what I mean?” She nodded. Bella was very sensitive about Bill and didn’t blame her, I felt the same.
“Do we get to keep the laptops?” asked Lina.
“I don’t know,” I said. “They would be useful, especially if we are to do more work for them.” There was a knock on the interior door from Eric’s side of the door.
“Come in,” called Linzy. Eric walked in. He looked healthy and pink from his blood meal.
“Everyone decent?” he asked. “Anyone indecent?” he smiled his lopsided grin and Linzy came up to him and put her arms around him and he kissed her passionately on the mouth.
“Oh Lord,” I said to Bella, rolling my eyes.
“Praying again Aslinn? I didn’t know you were so religious,” said Eric. He sent Linzy away with a gentle pat on her behind and came and sat in the chair adjacent to the couch. He stretched his long legs and placed his bare feet on the coffee table.
“Only when I am around you, Eric,” I said.
“Praying for strength?” he asked.
“Praying for your damnable soul,” I said. “You look in the pink.”
“I am feeling well rested,” he said. “How are you Bella?” Eric loved to tease Bill’s sister wives with promises of protection and attention when Bill was away. Bella, a staunch Bill wife rarely spoke to the Viking.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Do we get to keep these laptops?”
“Indeed you do,” said Eric. Lina had just finished a pastry form the breakfast tray and she walked by Eric who grabbed her wrist and kissed her, tasting the pastry and sugar and whatever else was there. “Um….what was that delightful confection dearest?”
“I think it was a cinnamon apple thing, sort of like a strudel,” she said.
“Delicious,” he said.
“Eric, would it make you sick to eat food?” I asked. It seemed all our Vampires liked to taste things on our mouths when we ate or drank, especially wines and sweets.
“Yes, we can’t digest the food at all,” he said. “And animal blood is nauseating so that interesting fiction that we could be “vegetarian” simply doesn’t exist. We may be able to drink the synthetic blood, but that is because it has elements of real human blood in it, but real blood is far better and makes us more up to par.”
“Do you remember the taste of food?” I asked.
“Not exactly,” he said. “Jessica would, of course, but not me. When I taste things on your mouths and your breaths, I don’t remember what they are, but if they are pleasant, we sometimes ask humans to eat them.”
“What do you like to taste best?” I asked.
“Taking notes, Aslinn?” he asked.
“No, just a general inquiry,” I said.
“Chocolates are lovely. Some very sweet fruits, honey, and spices,” he said. “Sweet wines are a treat and some whiskeys and liquors are lovely.”
“Good to know,” I said. “Well, I am going to get dressed.”
“Need any help?” he asked.
“No, Eric, I have been dressing myself for some time now,” I said.
“You could help me,” he said.
“No thanks,” I said. I got up and pecked on Bill’s door. “Are you finished in there?”
“Yes, darling, please come through,” he said.
“I’ll go with you and visit with Bill,” said Bella. We both went in and as I closed the door I heard Eric requesting Raki come and help him get dressed. I shook my head.
Bill looked nice pink after his feed and Bella sidled up to him and was rewarded with a kiss. “You aren’t dressed yet, sweetheart,” he said to her.
“I thought I would help you get dressed,” I heard her say as I went into my suite and closed the door. Barrister was wrapped in a towel around his waist; he’d just gotten out of the shower.
“You need help getting dressed?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said.
We were all finally ready and dressed and quick calls to everyone’s rooms had us all gathered in the lobby of the hotel. It was bustling with Vampires and their human companions alike. We followed the evening concierge to the dining room and were seated together at one large table. Menus in English were given to us and we ordered drinks. We settled to look at the menus and our Vampires were given blood cards. They had all had human meals in the rooms, even Jessica under the careful eye of Pam, but when they sat at table with us, they usually had a synthetic blood, simply to share the dining experience with us.
“Jessica, why don’t try a glass of Royalty,” suggested Eric. “As a treat. The sensation is quite lovely.”
“Sure,” she said. “If it is alright with Bill.” Bill nodded his approval and ordered two Royalty and Eric contented himself with a glass of something domestic. Pam had a Tru:Blood.
“You are not trying any foreign cuisine?” asked Scarlett.
“No,” she said. “Synthetic blood is always what it is, synthetic, regardless of how they dress it up. No reason to spend a lot of money on that.”
I could see her point. Substitute foods were never as tasty as the real thing. I would rather make pizzas with just few slices of pepperoni than load it down with the turkey versions, which never tasted just right anyway. Give me the real thing…I would figure out how to make it work.
We all ordered our supper. I had the breaded veal and marinara sauce and a salad. After dinner, I had simple, homey ice cream, drizzled in chocolate and sprinkled with nuts and a cup of coffee. I found that I was hungry for homey food, food like we made in the parlor for our Wednesday night meetings. I think the others did too. When we were finished, Eric began to talk.
“I contacted this museum many years ago, long before the Great Revelation. I have been sending them money and been a patron mainly because I began to be curious about what, if anything, is left of my home country,” explained the Viking. “When Vampires came out of the coffin and made themselves known, there has been a surge of interest in antiquities. Not that there is much to be had, we were hunted and persecuted and often had to abandon what we had in order to escape. Often we made off with only what we had in our pockets. That is why Vampires have little attachment for things and often times people.”
“But you are so old Eric, what could you possibly find?” asked Butter.
“Not very much,” he admitted. “Unlike Bill, who had living relatives until recently, I have no blood relations and so much time has passed, there is nearly nothing left of my culture or people. Or so I thought. I think my people were in a region of Sweden called Skulesgogen. It is now a part of a reserve, a…” Eric seemed to be looking for the word.
“A national park?” suggested God Speed.
“Yes, a national park,” said Eric. “And as such, it is fairly untouched. My friend, named Johan, called me about a year ago and told me they had found a village there, at least the remains of a village and they were going to begin excavation there.”
“So, they have found things,” said Jen.
“They have found many things,” said Eric. “They found a couple of tombs and some dishes and weapons and other artifacts they hope they can identify with my help.”
“Did they find any people?” asked Body Guard.
“They have found people, yes,” said Eric.
“Would you know by looking at them if they were your people?” asked Fairy.
“I don’t know,” he said. “If they have certain clothing I remember or a piece of jewelry on them that was especially fine or unique, perhaps. I have heard from some Vampires who have said that they sometimes sense people who are in some way connected their human families. I once met an Egyptian Vampire who saw a mummy in the London museum in the early 1900’s who said he recognized an ancestor in a sarcophagus. He said he felt a connection to the mummy he had felt with no other mummy in the room. He thought perhaps the trace of blood in the mummy’s human shell called out to his.”
“But, when you guys are made, aren’t you bled dry?” asked Butter.
“Oh no, we are kept alive just enough to drink the blood of our maker. A trace of our human blood still exists in us,” he said.
“Do Vampires have blood types?” asked Minnie.
“No, we don’t have blood types anymore,” said Eric. “That is why we can drink any blood type and we can give blood to any blood type.”
“You should be careful about who you tell that to,” I said.
“Aslinn, I tell you that because unlike you, I trust you,” said the Viking, giving me a piercing look. I gave the look back at him. Finally he looked away. “At any rate, we will be going there tonight to look at the collection. It will take us many days. Chris, dearest, you should bring the computer and everyone brings their phones so you can photograph things and look at them later and study them.”
“Do you want us to start researching things?” asked Renee.
“If you think you can,” said Eric. “I don’t know how well you will be able to research things but any bit you can come up with will be useful.”
We got up from the table and I stood with Barrister and Renee and Bill as some of the others went up to get their computers and cameras. I checked my phone and felt ready for whatever we would be doing. Eric came over and stood by me. I ignored him. That little jibe hurt and I had nothing to say to him.
“Aslinn,” he started.
“Leave me alone Eric,” I said. I walked away from him and Barrister followed me. Bill sidled up to me.
“Don’t pay attention to Eric, Aslinn,” said Bill. “He doesn’t like it when he feels as though he doesn’t have your absolute trust in him.”
“That’s just tough, Bill,” I said. “Be honest, you guys don’t tell us everything and there are some things we don’t need to know, or really don’t want to know, but there are some things we have to know and he doesn’t even tell us those things.”
“Aslinn,” he said.
“No Bill,” I said. “He knew there was likely to be trouble, even danger, and he has dragged us around and gotten us into shit. It isn’t fair. I liked it better when all of you were in the shadows, at least we didn’t have to do all of this just to be your friends.”
Bill walked away. I hated flying off at the handle at Bill. He was just following Eric’s orders. We after all could have decided not to come; we could even choose to go home if we really wanted. Bill couldn’t, he was bound by obligation to his sheriff. I felt as angry with myself as I was with Eric. Some time, I would make it up to the both of them, but not right now.
We finally headed out to the museum. I looked at the city lit up for the night. It looked quite different from the city we had seen in the day. The shadows on the ornate decorations on the old buildings looked somehow sinister instead of simply decorative. The Vampires did not seem to look at the city much. Perhaps it was because cities looked so much alike in the nighttime. How sad. I felt even sorrier for Eric for being angry with him.
The National Museum was a beautiful place. You could see the clean, modern lines of the building and the artistic lighting on the grounds, highlighting the architecture. We parked and we filed out. Someone I assumed to be Johan was waiting outside. We ranged around Eric as he made his acquaintance with Johan, speaking softly in Swedish to the young man. He was robust and blond and fairly tall, though not as tall as Eric. He could have been Eric’s cousin or long lost brother, the similarity was so close. Finally he turned to us.
“Johan,” he said in English, “These are my very dear friends. I first want to introduce you to my ladies, Fairy, Minnie, Raki, Linzy, Lina, Aolani, Butter and Jen. With them are God Speed and Body Guard. Aslinn, Renee, Chris, my personal assistant, Scarlett, Westexan and Bella and Barrister. Then there are my Vampire cohorts, my child Pam, Bill and his child Jessica.”
“Great, please, come into the museum,” he said. He led us to the double doors and God Speed and Body Guard held the doors open. One of the first things that greeted us was a huge Viking boat.
“Is this the boat found in a lake?” I asked.
“Yes it is,” said Johan. He began to tell us all about the boat and who built it. Eric ran his hand over it and felt the smooth wood under his palms. I remembered how he told me that he had gone to Dublin as a child and I wondered if it was in a boat like that.
We walked on. There were many Viking antiquities and we stopped for the nickel tour. I knew Eric was anxious to see the new things found at his home site. But he stopped to allow us to get a look at the things the museum already had on display and finally, our guide turned.
“If you will follow me, I will take you to the room where we have the new things,” he said.
To Be Continued
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The room was very brightly lit and there dozens of tables in rows in the large 60’X40’ room. “Look all you like and take as many pictures as you like, just please don’t handle anything,” said Johan.
We scattered into small groups. The tables contained small trays with objects in them sitting on cotton cloth. Renee and Chris and I stood at one table of pottery. There were ornate bowls and platters and cups.
“Okay,” I said. “You can see the real difference between Celtic art and Norse art. And these are everyday objects. They decorated things just for the sake of making them pretty. You can even see where the potters used brass in the clay as decorative elements and some polished stones. Aolani, there is quite a lot of obsidian in these pieces.” Aolani came over to look at the piece. “Eric, did your people have a belief about obsidian?”
“If they did I do not remember,” said Eric, looking at the bits. “But I remembered watching the potters make things and cut brass wire to heat and bend and use in the pottery.”
“How was the class structure in Norse villages?” I asked.
“Everyone had a use. If you were not a warrior, you were an artisan. Children were evaluated early to see how they would contribute to the community. Some were warriors, some where teachers or priests, some were potters, others were metal workers, some were healers and others worked in the fields and some were weavers and leather workers,” said Eric.
“What was the policy on disabled people?” I asked.
“If they were just crippled, they could be taught to do something else useful. If they were deficient in some other way, they were put away to starve or sacrificed,” he said. Eric noted the horrified glances of the people around him. “They would be a burden to the people. In times of hunger, we could not spare a lot of food for those who could not contribute. Cruel but necessary.”
“I understand Eric,” I said. “Native Americans did the same things.”
“Here are some examples of textiles we have saved,” said Johan. We walked over to the table.
The fabrics were coarse by modern standards, but by the standards of the time they would be exquisite. They were dyed with vegetable dyes and over sewn almost like crewel work with other threads of contrasting colors.
“These are wonderful,” I said. “These are more Celtic in influence; could the cloth have been an import?”
“Very good,” said Johan. “The fibers are flax, which accounts for the preservation. This was part of a woman’s funerary robes. The flax has been traced to Scotland so it was thought this was some sort imported good, chosen as a gift perhaps.”
“Do you recognize it Eric?” I asked.
“No,” he said and walked away.
“Here are some weapons,” said Johan, leading us to another table. “There are six swords, a couple dozen daggers and what looks like house hold knives. There are some lance points and some arrow heads and few bludgeoning tools.”
God Speed and Body Guard were already there. Body Guard looked up at me. “Take a look at this Aslinn, this is not Norse is it?” I went over and looked at the piece Body Guard was looking at. It was a broad sword, heavily decorated but covered in very heavy rust or hardened deposits. “Johan, has this sword been examined by metallurgists?”
“Yes, it is an exquisite piece,” he said. He pulled on a pair of gloves and carefully picked it up. “It looks like Celtic but I have never seen such detail in human art. There are some ogram symbols but it is very archaic, no known samples so it may be a new artistic period. The blade is iron, but folded in way that was seen only in the far east. The handle is gold but it is the strangest composition I have ever seen. It is an alloy with seven precious metals.”
I took out my phone and photographed the sword. I took out a note book and transcribed the ogram letters .
“It is not Norse,” I said. “Eric, can you come and look at this please?” The Viking came over. “Look at this sword. Does it look familiar to you?”
Eric leaned forward and looked at it. Johan moved his fingers from off the grip and Eric leaned closer, almost close enough to kiss it. He refrained from touching it.
“Is there silver content?” he asked.
“Unknown,” said Johan.
“We can find out in moment if you will let me touch the grip,” said Eric. Bill and Pam came over and stood with him. Johan nodded and turned the sword with the grip to Eric. He put his hand on it and wrapped his fingers around it, but only for a second when he let it go. Tiny burn-like blisters were disappearing as we watched.
“We know there is copper and brass there as well,” said Johan.
“Gold, silver, copper and brass,” I said, writing it down in my book. “When will you have the metallurgist report?”
“A few weeks,” he said.
“Is it familiar to you Eric?” I asked. Eric shook his head.
“Here is some jewelry,” he said, leading us over to another table. “These are other objects we found in a funerary site.” We looked at the things. There were a couple of broaches, some toys or fetishes, bracelets and earrings, rings, hair combs, a small collection of buttons, some buckles, pendants and semi precious stones.
“Do you have the human remains?” I asked. Johan took me to the side.
“How well do you know Mr. Northman?” he asked.
“As well as anyone knows him,” I said.
“You know about his wife, his family?” he asked.
“I know he had a wife and I know he had children,” I said. “Eric told us he buried them in a tomb, with a broach and he put the child on her breast. You know, he can hear us.”
“Come with me,” he said. I grabbed Fairy and pulled her with me into the adjoining room. Johan looked at Fairy.
“This is Eric’s lead wife,” I said. “If there is something in here that will cause Eric to break down, Fairy should be here with him.” He nodded and led us into another room. It was very cool and with the flip of a switch it was very brightly lit. There were a couple dozen tables and on each table was a body and one of those bodies was very small. “Oh God,” I moaned, covering my mouth with my hand.
We walked over to the first table. There was a large person there lying on a sheet. I went over to him. It was apparent he was very important. The most unusual thing about him was that his face bound, like the Victorians did to bodies to set the jaw.
“This is not the usual practice of the Norse is it?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “He suffered a grievous wound across the face, as if his jaw was forced very wide open, the tear goes down to the jugular.”
“Are all of them torn up like this?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “Some of them are injured, some are simply dead.”
“What about this little one?” I asked.
“It was found in a tomb with a female, lying on her chest. There is skin still on the infant and some hair, and it was wrapped in what we would call swaddling cloths. I was only a week old tops,” said Johan, looking down at the little dark corpse. “The female is here.” We walked over to the table next to it. If she was five feet tall, I would eat your hat. She was naked and there was some flesh on her, dry like leather. There was long blond hair braided and wrapped neatly around her head and pinned with several brass pins.
“Who was she?” I asked.
“We don’t know,” he said. “But if we are right, it could be his wife.”
“Aslinn, I don’t know if we can let him see them like this,” said Fairy. “If this is his wife and child.” I nodded.
“Have you done any computer reconstructions of these people?” I asked.
“We have,” said Johan. I looked again at the woman. One of her hands was laying flat on the table.
“There is a tattoo here,” I said. “On the back of her hand.”
“Many Norse people are tattooed,” he said. “We have a computer enhancement of the tattoo.”
“Can I see it?” I asked. He opened a notebook that was on a table. It was an intricate Celtic knot with vines and roses around it. “This is not Norse. It’s Celtic.” Fairy looked at it. “This looks like the tattoo work on the woman we met in Lough Derg.”
I looked at Fairy. She looked at me.
“Was Aude? Could she have been…” began Fairy.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Can I get these cgi’s on disk?”
“Certainly,” he said. He reached over and took a disc from the stack and gave it to me.
“I think we should sit down with Eric and show him these pictures first and see if he recognizes them and then we see if he wants to see the bodies,” I said.
When we walked back into the main room, Eric moved with Vampire speed to us. He grabbed me by the shoulders.
“What is in there?” he asked.
“Eric, I need you to calm down and listen to me carefully,” I said. “There some bodies in there, but we don’t know who they are, or even if they were your people. I have a computer file of them reconstructing their faces. This will be more meaningful to you for the time being.”
“Tell me!” he said shaking me.
“Eric, you are hurting me,” I said calmly. Bill was by my side in an instant. “Eric, please, I promise you, I have told you everything. There were about 20 bodies in there, one of them is a very small child and another is a woman. We don’t know who they are or how they died or if they are anyone to you. We need to take a look at these reconstructed pictures and then, we can come back and we will let you go in and look at them. Okay?”
Eric let me go. I fought the urge to rub my shoulders. I knew I would have bruises there in the morning. He nodded and walked away from me. I looked at Bill and at Barrister who had come up behind Eric. I followed Eric and Fairy who had caught up to him.
The bus ride back to the hotel was quiet and Bill kept looking over at me. I shook my head at him and he turned to look straight ahead. Pam was whispering to Eric quietly.
We filed into the hotel, admitted with no problems as we were in the company of our Vampires. We took the lifts to the suites. Eric turned to me. “We will meet in Lina and Linzy’s suite.” I nodded.
I went into my room to get my computer and Bill followed me in.
“I do not approve of Eric handling you so roughly,” said Bill.
“Well, in light of the fact they may have the mortal remains of Eric’s wife and last child in there, I totally understand,” I said, rubbing my shoulder.
“Would you like some of my blood,” offered Bill.
“I think I will be okay, but I sure appreciate it honey,” I said, kissing him briefly. “We better hurry over.”
Eric was sitting on the couch. Chris opened her computer and opened a clean file to write up the meeting and I brought the disc in. I went over to the tv and opened the cabinet and turned on the DVD player and selected Jpeg feature and slide show. I put in the disc and slid the cradle into the driver.
“Okay, I don’t know where the main pictures I want you to look at are on the contents so we will just have to look at all of them. Just say something when you see something interesting or if you think you recognize them,” I said. Eric nodded. I pressed play.
We went slow. Each person had a full face view and a side face view. I watched Eric’s face carefully. We came to a picture of the man with terrible face wound. Eric asked me to pause the picture. He looked at it for a long time.
“Do you know him Eric?” I asked.
“He seems familiar to me. Maybe a warrior who fought with my father. How did he die?” asked Eric.
“It looks like his wound happened on his face and it tore into his jugular,” I said. “He was maybe 5’8” tall, maybe a little taller. He appears to be a heavy man, but not fat. He has darkish hair.”
Eric nodded and I pressed play again. There were pictures of limbs with tattoos. “Eric, were there many tattooed people in your village?”
“There many of us who were tattooed,” said Eric.
“How come you were not,” I asked.
“The women liked my skin unmarked,” he said, a ghost of a smile flitting across his face. “There were many warriors who were so tattooed that even without clothes, they seemed to be covered.”
“Were there many women tattooed?” I asked.
“There were some,” he said.
I stopped the slide show when we came to computer image of the hand of the woman Fairy and I spent so much time looking at. Eric leaned forward.
“Do you recognize it Eric?” I asked softly. Eric nodded. He did not speak for a long time.
“Is this woman there in that room?” he asked, this voice a trifle thick.
“Yes, she is,” I said. “Do you remember who this tattoo belonged to?” He nodded, his hand going to his mouth. “Who was she?” He shook his head, his eyes seeming more reddish ringed. I slid from the chair, kneeling beside the couch, and took his hand in mine. “There are pictures of her face, would you like to see her?” He looked at me and nodded. “Do you want to be alone?” He shook his head.
“Eric, we can give you a moment’s privacy,” said God Speed. “This must be very difficult for you.”
“No,” he said.
I could not imagine what it would be like to look into the long gone face of someone I loved who had died. Jimmy, my husband, had been cremated so, the last time I had seen him was when I held him in my arms after he had died in his sleep deep in coma. There was a part of me that was thankful there was no resting place for me to visit. Poor Eric.
But even with my concern, I knew Eric would have to compose himself quickly because I had to ask him about the tattoos and how he and his family came to have her in the family. I suspect this woman was kin to the Oracle and if this was so, Eric had children with a fae and that would answer the question perhaps how the Goblin made sword came into his people’s possession and perhaps what became of them after Eric was made Vampire.
“Okay, Eric,” I said. “Take a look at this picture and tell me what you see.”
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