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Story: Birthright -- Part 3

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Copyright (C) 2013 by Kevin L. O'Brien

Continued from Part 2

An hour later she sat in the meeting room off the office with her senior staff. As Master-at-Arms, LCpl. Giles Holt, soon to be Corporal Holt, was the newest member, and by her invitation he sat at the opposite end of the long table from her. On her left were Aelfraed and Mrs. Widget, representing the house staff, while on her right were Mr. Mannering and Doc LeClerc, representing the Caerleon Order personnel. Ordinarily the estate troop commander would have joined them, but while a replacement platoon had arrived during the funeral, it had only a sergeant in charge. Differel expected a second platoon would arrive in a day or so, and no doubt the new commander would be coming with it.

Vlad stood behind her, towering over her chair like the Angel of Death, and she noted that her housekeeper, chief analyst, and chief medical officer were still nervous in his presence.

Though she had read his report before he sent it to Whitehall, she asked Mannering to go over his investigation of Mandy's coup attempt one more time. She wanted the details fresh in her memory for when she appeared before the committee. She couldn't know what the members might ask, but she figured it was likely they would request a recount of the events.

"We found no physical evidence in your bedroom, so we cannot substantiate your claim that Baroness Pendragon tried to 'infect' you with a Fomorian 'embryo', and with no bodies we cannot prove that she had an embryo inside her. However, we can show with reasonable certainty that all shots fired came from your aunt's guards, with one trajectory matching your graze wound nearly exactly."

"How would you define 'reasonable certainty'?"

"I would swear to it in a court of law."

She didn't question his conviction. Before her father recruited him for the Order, he had worked as a criminologist for the Metropolitan Police Service in the crime lab at New Scotland Yard.

"Go on."

"Aelfraed has informed me that there are some members of the government who believe, or just suspect, that you assassinated your aunt to take control of the Order, possibly with the...ahem, help of Dracula. If any accusations are made publically, I am again reasonably certain that we can demonstrate that all shots fired in the mausoleum came from your aunt or her guards, not yourself."

"But I confessed in my report to killing Mandy, and I stated that Vlad killed her guards."

"True, but our findings should indicate that you acted in self-defense. Besides, a murder charge cannot be sustained without a coroner's verdict, which cannot be rendered without a body."

"I should add," Dr. LeClerc said, "that I asked Mr. Mannering to collect any blood and tissue samples from underneath the cat's claws. He not only found some, but when I ran an analysis I discovered they were human, and had the same blood and tissue types as Baroness Pendragon."

"So we can substantiate at least part of your story," Mannering added.

"Good. What of the nurse?"

"Ah, there we have a bit more to work with. Though the only physical evidence is the ichor samples obtain by Dr. LeClerc, we have the video we took of his autopsy, and the eyewitness reports of the attack. We cannot prove that the nurse and the Fomorian were one and the same, but I am reasonably certain we can demonstrate the Fomorian was real, and we can make a strong inferential argument that it was the nurse. Then too we have the analyses and peptide sequences of the two drugs she had administered, or tried to. I am reasonably certain we can prove she tried to kill you."

"Very well. Have either you or Dr. LeClerc learned anything new since you filed your reports?"

"No, though..."

"Though what?"

"We suspended our investigations after we filed our reports. We had no loose ends, and there seemed no point in continuing."

"I see. I would appreciate it if the two of you could make copies of your reports, and the video. I would like to take them with me to Grimmwalde tomorrow."

"We anticipated that, Madam," Aelfraed said. He passed her a Bernoulli disk and a betacam tape. "We've also appended depositions attesting to the truth of the reports, and the events as described."

She took them, nodding. "Thank you, gentlemen. Was there anything else?"

Holt raised his hand. "Pardon me, Mum, but I would like permission to put together a Quick Reaction Force for while you're gone."

"I beg your pardon?"

"It is a unit of troops that would be able to come to your rescue at a moment's notice."

She looked back and up at Vlad. He returned her gaze and cracked a leering grin.

She turned back forward. "I have Vlad for that."

"Aelfraed informed me that the summons had warned you not to try to call him to the house."

She turned around in her chair. "That reminds me: how do we get you inside?"

"What is the nature of the wards, Master?"

She glanced at Aelfraed. "Please repeat what you read to me."

"The summons stated that you would be harmed or killed if you tried to enter the premises."

"Just enter?"

"That's all it said, yes."

The Vampire displayed a wolfish grin. "In that case, once you have arrived and are alone, Master, call to me. I will tell you what you need to do. But, Mr. Holt's idea is a sensible precaution. You cannot know what danger you may find yourself in, or how a threat might develop."

She turned back to face her Master-at-Arms. "Can you put such a force together?"

He nodded. "Yes, Mum, I believe we have the resources."

"How would you do it?"

"We have the new platoon; that would be enough men to establish a defensive position while extracting you and any other persons in danger."

"How far away is it to Grimmwalde?"

"About 315 kilometers, but I would transfer the force to Bethmoira Castle. That would give us an ETA of 40 minutes."

"A lot can happen in two-thirds of an hour."

He nodded. "Yes, but unfortunately we can't get any closer, and it's still closer than Norfolk. Besides, from what I've learned, Grimmwalde's normal security is pretty formidable. I doubt it would be overrun before we arrived."

"Then why bother with the force?"

"My responsibility is your safety. It wouldn't matter if the house was surrounded by a million-man army, I would still feel better knowing we could go in and bring you out if we had to."

"Very well. How would you get there, or to Bethmoira for that matter?"

He flashed a grin. "You father was a boy scout; he always believed in being prepared. He developed a friendship with the commander of RAF Marham, and through him was able to secure the use of three helicopters for Order operations."

She remembered Aelfraed's briefing from a fortnight before. RAF Marham was a Royal Air Force station located just outside of the village of Marham some eighteen kilometers northeast of the estate, up towards Swaffham way. It was one of the RAF's main operating bases, because it was the home of an expeditionary air wing with three squadrons of Panavia Tornado combat aircraft.

"What sort of helicopters?"

"One is a Westland Gazelle light attack helicopter, which the Order uses for reconnaissance. Another is a Westland Lynx multi-purpose helicopter, which is used for search and rescue, or to deliver troops to respond to a situation that cannot be handled by local agents. And just this year the station commander informed us that the base has received the first of several AugustaWestland Merlin transport helicopters. With his cooperation, all three can be armed with rocket launchers and machine guns for ground attack, while the platoon rappels down from the Merlin. Once we secure the situation, and you and anyone else can be evacuated using the Lynx. In addition, I could petition him to have a section of two or three Tornados armed for a ground attack sortie standing by. They could reach Grimmwalde in approximately fifteen minutes."

"How cooperative is he?"

"Very, but there are limits. He cannot lend us resources on a whim, or which are committed for operations of national importance. He has superiors he must answer to, who would take a dim view of him lending us aircraft too often and for no good reason. And while he understands that emergencies that require a rapid response can arise, he prefers a reasonable amount of warning time to make the necessary preparations."

"What are the chances he might refuse?"

"It's hard to say, but this kind of situation has both pros and cons. On the one hand, there's a good chance the helicopters and fighters won't be needed, but on the other, he must take aircraft off of active duty to hold them in reserve, and he must authorize arming them without securing permission from his superiors. However, he took his friendship with your father quite seriously, so I feel he would see it as an obligation to do what he can to protect you."

"How would I get word to you that I'm in danger?"

"I assume you could send Dracula to tell me."

"I may not be able to leave," the Vampire rumbled, "and I do not know where this Bethmoira Castle is. Besides, I may not be able to return through wards."

He nodded. "I anticipated that." He removed an object from an upper jacket pocket and handed it to Mrs. Widget, who passed it to Aelfraed. He waited until she had it in her hand. It looked like a remote control for a keyless entry system.

"That is a transponder that sends out a powerful high frequency coded signal for ten seconds. It should be able to punch through any interference. I will have a receiver. Once it receives the signal it will alert me continuously until I shut it off. I can then dispatch the response force, which will be standing by."

"Very good. My commendation, Mr. Holt. Please set up your force as soon as you can."

"Yes, Mum."

"Is that all, then?"

"I believe that was everything we wished to discuss," Aelfraed said, and the others nodded.

"Very well. I've asked Aelfraed to accept the appointment of Chief of Staff. At his request I am allowing him a trial period so that he can determine if he wants to accept. Mr. Mannering, your efforts as CoS have been exemplary, but I feel you are wasted in that capacity, and I would prefer you concentrate on your analysis duties. Mrs. Widget, while Aelfraed will continue as butler and my valet, I would like you to take over his other house management duties. I would like the two of you to coordinate your activities between yourselves.

"Meanwhile, according to the summons I may be gone for as long as a week. I do not know what, if any, arrangements will be made to allow us to communicate, but in the event that I am cut off from the estate, as Chief of Staff Aelfraed will be in charge. He and Mr. Holt will make all decisions that I normally would. I am permitted to take along a servant to see to my needs. I've thought about it a good deal, and since Aelfraed and Mr. Holt must remain here, I would like Mrs. Widget to accompany me."

It took a moment to sink in, but then her eyes grew wide and bulged out behind her granny glasses, which made Differel smile. She always was more expressive than her brother Aelfraed. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Nonsense. As I've already explained, I need Aelfraed and Mr. Holt to run things while I'm gone. Besides, I would be expected to bring a woman. An agent or a guard would probably arouse suspicion, but one of the maids wouldn't know how to defend herself if trouble does erupt. You accompanied Aelfraed and Mr. Holt when they came to rescue me from Mandy, and you weren't afraid to approach Vlad inside the mausoleum. Plus, you never hesitate to reprimand me if you feel I need it. As far as I'm concerned, you're my ideal choice."

"I appreciate the compliment, Madam, but I think someone younger and stronger would be more appropriate."

"No, in a situation like this experience, nerve, and common sense are more important. I won't order you to come with me, if you really don't want to, but I would consider it a personal favour."

She still looked uncertain, but she finally smiled and nodded. "However I may be of service, Madam."

"Thank you. The summons specifically stated that you could only bring one piece of luggage. I suspect our mode of transportation will have a very cramped boot. Will that be a problem?"

"No, I won't need much for just a week."

"Don't try to smuggle any weapons with you. I'm pretty sure our bags will be searched, and we may be as well. In any event, they will probably be confiscated, and our hosts are likely to take a dim view of the attempt."

"Of course."

"Aelfraed, when do we need to leave in the morning to reach Marham by eight?"

"No later than seven-thirty, Madam."

"Very well. I will set my alarm for six."

"Very good, Madam. I will have your breakfast ready at six-ten."

"Thank you. Now, if there is no more business, that concludes this meeting. Aelfraed, could you stay a moment, please?"

Her butler remained seated as the others left.

"Please leave us alone," she said to Vlad without turning around.

"Yes, My Master." Even though she couldn't see him, she felt him exit through the floor. She realized that she had experienced that same feeling other times before, but had not been consciously aware of it because she had seen him depart.

"What can I do for you, Madam?"

"When I woke up in the infirmary the day after Mandy tried to assassinate me, I told you I had killed her with a sword that just appeared in my hand."

"Yes, Madam, I recall."

"Your reaction at the time suggested that you recognized it; that you had seen it before."

"Possibly, Madam."

"It has appeared to me again twice since: when the Fomorian attacked me and earlier today while I showered."

"I remember seeing it that second time, but it disappeared before I get a closer look at it. What made it appear recently?"

"It doesn't matter; a false alarm, brought about by my own anxiety. However, Vlad saw it. He told me it used to belong to my mother."

"It could have, if we are speaking of the same sword."

"Caliburn?"

His expression turned grave. "Yes, Madam, that's what it was called."

"He also told me that it was the legacy of the Pendragon family; that they were monster hunters like the Van Helsings; and that they were descended from the original Pendragon, King Arthur. Which would make it Excalibur. Is any of that true?"

"It is, insofar as that is what the Pendragons believed."

"Why wasn't I told?"

A consternated look flashed across his face. "Your father and I were not sure if we should. We didn't know if you had inherited the Pendragon gift. That it has appeared to you three times now suggests that you have, but I could not be sure it was the same sword until just now. Can you summon it at will?"

She closed her eyes and concentrated as hard as she could, but nothing happened. After a couple of minutes she looked at him, feeling like a failure. "No, I can't. I think maybe it only responds to strong emotions, or comes and goes on its own."

"You mother indicated otherwise."

"Do you know how she summoned it?"

He shook his head. "No, Madam, I'm sorry. I wish I could help, but this is one thing you have to learn on your own."

She felt her stomach sink with disappointment. "I understand. Assuming I can." She fell silent for a moment. "There is one thing you can do, if you would."

"Certainly, Madam, whatever I can."

"Could you...could you tell me about her, and about her...that is, about my maternal family?"

He smiled. "I can explain as much as I know, but I would encourage you to read the journals in the library written by the different members. They can say more than I can."

"This evening, during tea?"

"Of course, Madam. Anything else?"

A stray thought flashed through her mind. "I would like to learn Welsh."

A slight smile tugged at his lips. "I believe that is most appropriate, considering you are two-fifths Welsh yourself. It may take a few days, but I believe we can find a suitable tutor."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure, Madam. Was there anything else?"

"Not right now, no."

He stood up and bowed his head before he left.

She didn't follow him; instead, she leaned her face against one hand, propped up on the table by an elbow, and drummed the top with the fingers of the other as she brooded.

A lot had changed in the past two months; too much, in fact. Before her birthday she had been a careful girl, with only school to worry about, and swimming, riding, and her cello to while away the leisure hours. Afterwards, two enemies had tried to kill her and Whitehall was giving her fits, on top of having to learn to run the Order, her intensive training schedule, figuring out how to deal with Vlad, and the mysteries surrounding the sword and her Pendragon family. Each resolution of a crisis created ten more problems; there just seemed to be no end to it all. She hoped that with the committee's decision, one way or the other, things would finally calm down and smooth out, but she found herself wondering what new crisis waited for her just over the horizon.

A sleek black cat with glowing red eyes leapt up through the table top in a puff of shadow and landed in front of her. Its sudden appearance startled her, but she recognized it immediately. Vlad strode towards her a few steps then sat on his haunches and curled his tail around his front feet.

"Do not be overly concerned, Master. Whatever tomorrow brings, we will face it together, you and I. Death and the maiden. We will never be defeated, even if all the forces of Hell be loosed against us."

She couldn't help grinning at the absurdity of his words, and there was just enough of an irreverent tone to inform her he was being facetious. She reached out and scratched him behind the ears. He closed his eyes, purred, and pushed his head against her palm.

"Oh shut it, you silly bugger. I feel like shooting something. Would you join me on the shooting range?"

"Last one there has to eat garlic." And he vanished in a cloud of shadow.

She laughed as she jumped out of the chair. "Hey! No fair, you bloodsucking wanker!" She ran out though the glass door into the portico and flew across the terrace and patio into the garden as she made for the electric cart shed.


Continued in Part 4
Here is part 3 of "Birthright"!

In this installment, Differel meets with her senior to prepare for her appearance before the special committee.

Continued in Part 4.

Copyright (C) 2013 by Kevin L. O'Brien

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