Chapter 24

July 20, Bethesda, Maryland.

“So, George, how is retirement treating you?” Harry Bligh asked. “I hear you got carefully escorted out of the treasury building annex and that your personal stuff was shipped to you.”

“Don’t be so smug, Harry.” George Stephenson replied. “I found some far better contacts outside of government service.”

“Really, George? Who with? Anyone in this country? Because I don’t know of anyone who is in this country that would hire you. Except some of the radical Republicans out west.” Carol Crossman said with a snipe.

“Actually, I decided to sup with the Devil. She’s one of your own primary sources. Abagail Anders. She’s quite an interesting woman. I learned a lot from her. And I learned about the real danger to this nation. Someone who seized power from the conservative establishment of those who regulate these creatures and placed himself outside of the respect for any Canon Law.”

Both were in shock. “So. Ms. Anders got you on a leash?” Carol asked.

“No. I have her on one. Evidently her life was turned upside down by a trio of dangerous mages who attacked her partner and her at some public gathering last year. And she’s been exiled to the Balkans ever since.” George said. “And she’s given me almost enough information to mount some offensive actions against these witches. Which is what you should have done, Carol. These people have more power than they are entitled to have and they have nothing but their own desires to limit them. They are a true danger to this nation by just walking around. We need to capture them and confine them. Especially Pat and this kid Hank Lambert.”

“And how do you propose to do that? Didn’t you lose six people the last time you tried this? And what are you going to do, use American troops? Oh, you don’t have any of those any more, do you George?” Carol said with a smile

“Did you ever hear of Posse Comitatus? All it takes is a single law enforcement officer with the stones of a man and the clear vision of a god fearing American to come to get these witches captured and burned.” George said.

“George, you are talking insane. Has someone brainwashed you?” Harry said with a laugh.

“No. I’m just an honest American looking to protect and defend this nation. No individual should have the sort of power that these witches have. Not without being sworn agents of the United States government. Hell, we can make the case they are not really human.”

“And you want them working for you.”

“Of course. Like any other trained dog. And not for some willy Wonka elected official with no sense of judgement in the sort of government we have.”

“So what are you going to do about it, George? Cry to the papers?”

“Not at all. I have some actions that are in the works right now. The big problem was money and intelligence. And you, my friends, are going to help with the intelligence. Because I don’t have any on them, but I do have a lot of it on both of you.” George said with a smile.

Harry and Carol both looked disturbed. It was entirely probable that the volumes of research the FBI had could have any kind of dirt. And if it didn’t it could make some up, and have it held in reserve to keep the rest of the administrative entities in line. Hoover set the standard of “Find a person, and we will make a charge that locks him up”. And it hadn’t diminished with his departure.

“So, what do you want?” Carol asked.

“Everything you have.” George said. “We’re building a bit of a action plan.

Summertime, and the living is?

If there is anything about July in Georgia that has to be experienced to be understood, it is that it’s hot, sticky, susceptible to thunderstorms, followed by hot and sticky again. The dog days of summer are a continual chain of ninety degrees and ninety percent humidity.

A lot has happened since D Day (Delivery Day). The twins were two weeks early, (June 23) and that was probably the best thing for Paula and Jeffery. Everyone was there to greet the newborns, and we were all happy that they had ten fingers, ten toes, were not green or brown, or orange, or any other sign of not being human. As to Magic? We will see what happens.

The kids were typical giggling, drooling, messing little monsters and Jeffery was a typical giggling, drooling mess of a father. And he was constantly close by. Which meant that Jeffery got a lot more involved in the business end of what is Lambert and Company, LLC.

Jeffery being inside more meant that we had to outsource more action on the capture amulets we put in rivers and streams in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. We were expanding our search to include Star Blue Quartz in Alabama because of its ability to store massive amounts of energy. Almost as much as Diamond. The necklaces for these stones rivaled the collars we built for our Dragonets and Gargoyles. (Multiple large stones set in Stirling silver. We were experimenting with Titanium for strength, but we didn’t want to have to keep replacing as the Dragonets grew larger.)

Jeffery being sidelined meant that Albert, John, and Edward rotated the artifact capture and mining business outside in the field. The background of Their breeding and their affinity for power began to show itself more and more as they became very strong Hedge witches. I was wondering if I could find a way to suggest we find them partners to breed with to get them over the Hump between Hedge witch and Power Mage.

Sheesh. I was starting to sound like Abagail.

Charlotte and Elizabeth were filling in on a critical role we had not initially considered when we decided to make “La Palace de Crystal”. We needed an outside mediator twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. Someone had to greet and help the visitors, settle disputes, and monitor the activities of everything between the Crystal prisoners and the outside world. That was a combination of baby-sitting, mediation, meditation, and general governance of the mob of six different races. (Human/normal, Human/Mage-Wizard, Elf, Dwarf, Gnome and Goblin.) Everyone did some, but the heavy load was on Charlotte and Elizabeth. And they did an amazing job. Having to be everywhere and knowledgeable about everything in all the simultaneous conversations and plans would have driven me nuts. I know because I did Friday afternoons, to let the ladies (and gentlemen) take a break. Plus, it gave me some time with Cindy.

And we got a lot of benefits from the Town Hall. You think one mage is inventive? Or one Wizard. Imagine eleven of them, including a former Council President of the European Council.

And them being balanced by eight Elves, eight Dwarves, all of whom were also magic users or significant Mages in their own race. Add to that the creativity of all that condensed in a single place, and you have the likes of Lawrence Livermore Labs of Magic.

The idea of “The Three Women” riding herd on this from the inside, plus having gatekeepers and mediators handling the in and out of the town was tough. But it worked. The library was growing almost by a book a day. When visitors were there, it supercharged the brains of the people inside. Cindy said that it was a real eye opener, doing negotiation and mediation with all of the different people Made her want to change her major from Medical to Political and Business Management. “This place is an education.”

And there were some arguments. A whole lot of arguments. All of it was tied to race/time of capture, and the lack of knowledge of how the world has changed. Education about the simplest things (Like flush toilets) took long and interesting conversations. I have to say, though, that the species issue died quick. The three women killed that quickly and readily by reminding everyone that cohabitation was better than Isolation.

The greatest single unifying factor was everyone hated Karudorich. And the replay of his mind being stripped, and his body burned to ash was everyone’s entertainment tonight movie. With frequent replay. (The popcorn memory that Cindy had that was passed around to everyone was a total hit. It became the universal snack food with everyone.)

And we got ideas. And spell alignments. And rune suggestions on how to improve shields and searches. All the makings of a Wizardry Armory and Training center. And editorial comments on all the things we captured from the different libraries. And boy was that an education for a poor Georgia boy.

I got a crash course in the political behavior of Christian, Jewish, Moslem and all other faiths. Like Jeffery said, there are all kinds of power. Political, Military, Legal, Natural, Royal, Monetary, and Muscle. And Religion used all of them whenever they thought it necessary to further the cause of domination of the local society. If you want to see people fight, do something to challenge the folks in the funny robes and hats. Or any of those who felt that they deserved whatever form of power was in the existing political system. Because all of them are fighting to be on top. And all of them feeling that they had the right to whatever anyone else had. “If you have it, I want it and you don’t deserve it” was the common mantra.

The unabridged and unedited texts supporting the “Old Testament” were very revealing. And it was funny to see that most of the “Orders from God” were to support the pocketbooks of Priests, Shamans, Imams and Jewish Kohanim. Put a whole new light on religion for me. There wasn’t a lot of righteous behavior there among the “Pillars of Religious society”

I have to say, it was an interesting education. And it set a few strong impressions. I kept getting teased about having a 50-year-old brain in a 18 year old body. My skeptic outlook on almost everything was a lot influenced by the past year.

Summer was also a great time for me and Wendy. She and Melissa Gordon spent almost all of June and July with us. Melissa spent a lot of time with Peter and Grace. She got a little exposed to the Yankee version of Southern Charm. (I think.)

Wendy and Carrie and Maggie spent a lot of evenings with Me. Helen finally realized that she could not do anything about teenage hormones, and decided that Witches, Warlocks, Mages and Wizards and their affectionate “familiars” needed some room to enjoy life.

Every clear weekend was spent at the Arch Park. And Paula did get into the pool. I don’t know what Jeffery did with her while she was there, but she sure did smile a lot that Saturday night.

Natalie resumed her off again, on again relationship with Jeffery McAlister. I didn’t have any worries with Lech involved, he wasn’t going to let anything happen with her. Besides her amulet on her wrist kept her pretty close to us as well. It was a lovely summer. So far.

But we were looking hard at August first, when we were going to have a meeting of the (remaining) Mage Over council and the American Mage Council and the Wizards Council. One of the subjects of the meeting was, “Who was Cecile Henrard, and where was she/he?”

It promised to be a lot of interesting discussion. Especially if George Nagy attended. (I assumed that he was.)

I had Chief Arnold Hotawa (from the Indian Reservation work) come to 1030 to build a large temporary pocket meeting room that would accommodate the different arrivals. We put it off of the Lounge for three reasons. First it was close to the Rest Rooms. Second it was close to the Bar. Third it was in a secure area. As a Pocket Room, you had to enter it somehow from real space, and the Lounge was as secure an entry and exit as we could build. The Chief suggested that I keep the charms in place for future events and call this the Bar Annex. “Use this for magic users. Keep the norms on the one on the second floor next to the offices for the business and lawyers and Peter. Besides. The bar gets busy with all the guests coming and going. The cozy and intimate area is a little too small for a large get together.”

We had all the wards, shields and other protections improved and increased, including the unmasking geas in the foyer, and entrance of the Lounge. And needed to see the reality of who was coming.

Reggie was going to represent the American Council. Angus Reilly the United Kingdom. The European Over Council was represented by Jacque Pernard, and Rudolph Essenam. Dowager Lady Eisenham was acting as chairwoman of this meeting and Sir David Drummond was representing the Wizards.

Natalie was representing Clan Lambert along with her Familiar, Lech. Which was sure to get some eyebrows raised. We also had established an Astral fog projection (like a ghost) for several Crystal prisoners including Cecile Henrard. Her presentation and testimony was sure to clarify some of items coming from Europe. It also would probably kick off a major set of arguments and conflicts. But that was expected.

The meeting was scheduled for Sunday, and the arrivals were expected to be here at 10:00

Kicked out of my own House

So. Where was the intrepid hero of this tale at the moment when Clan Lambert was hosting all of the Major Mages and Wizards in the world? Natalie broached a subject with me early on Saturday, during the planning of the meeting.

“Hank, do you have confidence in me?” Natalie asked.

“OF course I do. You and Lech are probably two of the most competent people here to cope with all of the diplomacy of this situation.”

“Ok, Hank. This is hard for me to ask you. But could you take Wendy, Maggie and Carrie with you to Arch Park tomorrow for the day?”

I looked at her face and saw her fearful of me blowing up. Then I thought about it. And I thought about “Side Shows”. We discussed during this last week. How side issues took people away from the main track, and that people would rather take arguments about silly things rather then tackle the core problems. And how people would raise the temperature to get tempers short and then use that as an excuse to leave. Or escalate issues. Book after book of history was written about how to get the local advantage to win the mind game. The biggest mind game book of all time was by Niccolo Machiavelli. And we had at least six world class gamesmen coming here to talk about “The sins of this silly kid”.

“Hank,” Natalie continued “I have Paula, Jeffery and Peter here. And Brynstan as well. Plus at least ten Gargoyles. That’s enough firepower to stop the D-Day invasion. Why don’t you guys go and have a picnic? Visit the park. Have Auger mix you some drinks. Enjoy the sun on the fields. Yes, it will be hot, but you don’t have to mow the grass. Watch some of the Fae play. Let me do the history lesson for these self-entitled, self-important fools. None of them have a firecracker of power compared to your atomic bomb. Besides. Clan Lambert isn’t really part of any of that. We are separate. Isn’t that what you said three weeks ago?”

I am not mentally equipped to do battle with a lawyer. “How will this appear?” I asked.

“Simple. I will tell them you have something important to do and you delegated this meeting to me.”

So where was I? Sitting in a Gazebo, with strong drinks, three beautiful women, and watching Dwarves playing against Elves in a soccer game on the fields. With a large lizard (er, Dragonet) sitting in the pool totally submerged. I thought about what was going on at home, but after a while I sat back on the swing with my girls and said “Fuck it.” And I took a nap.

Third intra-Council meeting.

Lady Eisenham and Sir David and Lady Elizabeth Drummond were the first to arrive. Jeffery immediately ushered them through the Lounge into the meeting room, where the large circular table was already laid out. The placards were placed and the ladies were shown to their seats.

The European contingent arrived next. It was well after noon for them, and as such drinks and snacks were already laid out. Ogernaut had done an excellent job of preparing canapes and having several kinds of wine opened at the buffet table in the large meeting room, where Riska and Setno were already in place. Riska as bartender, and Setno as representing the Royal Fae court.

The expected group was three, and the arrival of eight was somewhat unexpected, however the table was easily large enough to allow for the extra arrivals. And there was no warning of any disguise. However a couple of scents were very distinct. Which triggered warnings to Reggie and Sir David.

Immediately following that was Reggie and Janice, along with the new Warlocks, John DeCare, and David Foster. Nathan Hughes as well as Sylvia Groton and Michael Fitzhugh.

Natalie came in shortly thereafter and passed around printed “Proposed agenda items” for this first meeting. And shortly after that, Lady Eisenham called the meeting to order.

“Gentlemen and ladies, I wish to welcome you one and all. Joint meetings have been few and far between and in this increasingly complex world, I believe that we should take some measures to improve communications and resolve the differences that may come up. With that I call this meeting to order.”

“Lady Eisenham, it was my understanding that this meeting was to be under the same rules and agreement of the meeting in St. Petersburgh in 1886. Is that everyone’s understanding?” Jacque Pernard asked. “If that is true then why is there so much security here?”

“Mr. Pernard, the security here is present to safeguard this meeting as well as the valuable works of literature and the Fumeral that provides the economic refilling of artifacts that takes place here normally. As well as to prevent the attempted penetration of dangerous unwanted individuals intending to do harm to the persons living here.”

“Is this country to dangerous that it needs so much security?” Jacque asked.

“There have been incidents where force was used to attempt to seize unlawfully the assets of this location. Such attempts were stopped.” Lady Eisenham replied.

“By whom was this attempted?”

“That’s one of the items on this agenda for today’s discussion.”

“A couple of our members have some issues they also want to raise” Jacque said. “Perhaps we can cover those first.?”

“Like the burglary of George Nagy’s house in Volgograd and the theft of the Elfen Helmet known as “the Ripper” 39 crystals of storage that retained the minds, memories, thoughts and souls of various humans and fae and Mages?” Natalie asked politely.

“That was my house, and I demand the return of My Property”. George Nagy said. His detection had occurred as soon as he entered, and he kept talking while Jacque admonished him to be quiet.

“George, we are glad you came. The ownership and custodianship of that property seems to be in dispute. It was my understanding that Eli Karudorich had stolen this property and had hidden it in several places over the years. It’s true ownership was to the Senior Prince of Elves on earth, and both that helmet and its crystals were to be returned to the Elves under warrant as soon as possible. I believe that all of the councils signed agreements to that effect.” Lady Eisenham replied. “Is that you’re understanding as well, Jacque?”

“The fact remains that it was taken from a member’s house with no warning or due process” Jacque replied. “And it was taken without an authorization from the Over Council.”

“Actually, we have the copy of the warrant as agreed by one of your predecessors some two hundred and eighty years ago. And you have received that some time ago.” Eisenham replied.

“Where is this stolen property now?” Jacque asked.

“We can show you fairly simply.” Natalie offered. “In just a moment. I would like to introduce you to my friend and erstwhile companion that some of you may already know.”

Lech emerged from behind Natalie’s chair and expanded to his full size. He looked with both heads at the assembled mage and wizards and spoke to their minds very clearly “Good morning to you gentlemen and ladies. I see you have met my new host.”

“MY GOD, that’s the Polish Double Eagle” Rudolph Ressenham said. “That has been lost for over three hundred years.”

“No. I was stolen some three hundred years ago by a series of criminal Mages. “Lech replied. “Recently I escaped to my new host when Sobliski attempted to use me as a tool to kill her. She accepted me, and we have grown a very productive and comfortable relationship. I intend to live here for a long, long time.”

“Jacque, this has to be some sort of trick” George Nagy said.

“Not so. I happen to know that when Sobliski was sent back to us the second time, the Eagle was gone. He was babbling and said that it deserted him. Throughout history that creature told only the truth but was captive by many evil and otherwise challenged men. But it never yielded any lies. Now I know where it is and I ask that it be returned to us as the artifact of power that it is.” Rudolph said.

“We have a problem with that.” Natalie said. “First, he came here as the dependent of a illegal alien. Twice. As such he would be entitled to sanctuary. And in this country, no being can be held as a slave. So with that point covered, can we move on to the presentation? As for Mr. Nagy’s issues, I am afraid that it is quite beyond anyone’s ability to restore the stolen property to any recent claimant.”

With that, Lech performed a magic that none of them had seen before. A screen of power that showed the contents of a crystal for all to see and hear clearly. It was above Natalie’s head, and clear enough that everyone could see and hear the capture and execution of Karudorich in the court of Arno and the Fae. Then the incendiary treatment of the Ripper helmet and Karudorich’s body. The final sound of the melted mass hitting the floor was clearly audible.

“We have two elves who were personal witness of these events of the destruction of both Mr. Karudorich and the stolen property that he had with him.” Natalie said. I propose that this is evidence of his conduct and punishment.”

“Where are these crystals now?” Rudolph asked.

“Glad you asked.” Natalie continued. “We have worked with the Fae and with records of our own research and found out how to enable the actions within these crystals. And to be able to actively communicate with them directly without either the Ripper or the Restorer helmets. Which provided some interesting surprises. For instance,”

At that point Lech shifted his display to show Cecile Henrard in her living room. “Hello, Rudolph. Hello Jacque. Believe me it is very, very nice for me to see you both again.”

“That’s a trick” Nagy shouted.

“I don’t think so. Lech, you are the true Polish Double eagle.” Rudolph said with amazement in his voice.

“Yes. And I cannot portray anything that is less than the absolute truth. Which is why I am so seldom seen.” Lech said.

“Rudolph, you always were the historian. I don’t know what you are seeing, but I imagine that it’s pretty impressive, given the partnership that I have formed with Ms. Natalie and her friend. How do you like my job? Are the smell of apricots still in the air around my desk?”

“That has to be a trick” Nagy said.

“I don’t think so. Apricots?”

“You know I love them. Fresh from the garden almost all year around” Cecile said with a smile.”

“That’s no trick. What the hell happened here?” Rudolph said.

“Rudolph, I was frozen, and canned in this crystal by Karudorich, and then he stepped into everyone’s mind using a Geas that made them think he was me. It overwrote everyone’s memories of me and allowed him to act as me. I heard he has been a bad boy, but I understand that he’s now in his own crystal prison. But enough of me and my issues. We can talk later about how you get to communicate with this amazing colony we have here, compliments of Hank Lambert. In the meantime, Mr. Nagy, there is someone who wants to talk to you.”

The next face shown was familiar to Lady Eisenham and possibly two others. She had befriended the lonely elf when she was in the court of Russia in the 1840s. And was told that the woman was dead. Lady Eisenham’s reaction was one of shock.

Someone else’s reaction was as well. Geoge Nagy immediately stood up from his chair and began to back away from Natalie and Lech when Princess Arial’s face was shown. “Hello Nagy. Surprised to see me? Is that the name you go by these days? Geog Nagy?”

“Impossible” Nagy said. The others in the room from the European Over Council were also in shock, realizing that this woman who was supposed to be dead was not. And that the man that imprisoned her was one of their company.

“Not quite.” Arial’s voice said to the room. “Almost, I am sure. But aren’t you happy to see me? There are a number of people here who would love to see you. Especially after I told them about how you managed to get me entombed in this crystal prison. To be hidden on a shelf by that monster Karudorich. Did you know that my nephew is here? Setno was anxious to speak with you, but these silly rules prohibiting action against you for twenty-four hours after you depart this place of meeting is all that keeps him from a duel. Of course, now that the entire court knows I am still alive within the confines of this crystal prison that you placed me, I would not be interested in insuring your existence more then another forty-eight hours. I understand that there is a custom in this country called a “betting pool”. People place bets on when something happens. I wonder if I can get to bet in this “pool”. Arial said with a small laugh in her voice.

“That’s unbelievable. Who all was in this collection of crystals? “Lady Eisenham asked.

“The census is on the last sheet of the handout I have given you all.” Natalie said. “Included are 9 Wizards and mages of historical significance who “disappeared” at different times in history. Clan Lambert and the Fae Court are working in conjunction to attempt to provide solace and sanity to the confined and we have done quite a bit. But our real goal is to return these people to bodies that are like their originals. That is a long and difficult road. In the meantime, we have provided an improvement over what they were in before.”

“Improvement? Compared to before it’s a damn Paradise” Arial said. “Natalie, you and Paula have literally let me out of the darkness. Folks, I am more conservative then almost anyone else. I thought Arno was a fool when I was in court. But I have to admit that Clan Lambert and its people are Friends of Fae. I know now what friends are.”

Rising Tempers.

“Jacque, I demand that my accuser come to me to my face. Where is Hank Lambert?” Nagy said. Obviously this revelation was not something he had planned for and was scaring him. He badly needed to shift the meeting to some argument he felt he could win.

“Mr. Nagy, Mr. Lambert is working on business projects that demand his attention, which is why he delegated me to present the facts, the histories and the visible presence of the Men and women who this project has found who were wrongfully imprisoned.” Natalie calmly said.

“This is nonsense. I see projections that are a poor quality of a Movie. These cannot be the real people. Those people are missing and probably dead.” Nagy said, trying to change the atmosphere, which had decidedly become chilly.

“You sound like an old Jesuit, Nagy. While the bodies are not here, the souls, minds and emotions are. Captured forever in crystal by your partner Karudorich.” Sir David said.

“Jacque, don’t let this nonsense magic show fool you. This woman has be a trick” Nagy said, feeling he was losing ground in the argument.

“Nagy, how about the Polish Eagle. That’s genuine.”

“That’s also a trick. I am sure that there is a spell or a rune or something that lets her play the part of this fraud. What I want to know is why Lambert is not here?” Nagy said, trying again to shift the conversation and becoming more agitated.

“In part, Mr. Nagy, Mr. Lambert is not here to keep him from violating the sanctity of this congress. Because after you had killed both of his parents, then his two lovers and imprisoning the third in this cage for your friend, I would think he would want to enact some level of revenge. And as we all know, youth can be impetuous. Maybe even apt to apply the sort of power on you that would make your existence impossible.” Natalie calmly said. “I’m sure that after a legitimate interval, Mr. Lambert will be delighted to meet you in person. Anywhere and at any time after the agreed truce time is passed.”

“This is your Country. I demand to face my accuser, NOW.”

“That would be me.” Cindy said.

“This is a fantom, a trick of the mind and the eyes and ears. Show me the body.”

“it’s in the oil drum full of cleaning solvent you put me in. What is left here is what was ripped from my body.” Cindy said.

“Really? A recording of some sort? A clever movie? This man stole from me, and I demand satisfaction.”

“Nagy, this is a congress conference. There will be no duel here.”

“Then why does this coward refuse to meet me? I came into his house to confront him, and he ran away.” Nagy said.

“How very European to make blind accusations about a person who is not here to provide a response. Tell me, Jacque, how did this person, and his companion, come to be able to represent the Over Council of Europe here? I am curious to know how that transpired.” Natalie asked. “No Matter, as this conference is under a truce, both you and Abigail Anders are protected for the duration of this conference plus twenty-four hours”