Matthias

  Chapter 30 Dance Card

  I knew where he would be. Same place he always went when he was thinking. The Stonehenge, a Ye Olde Pub that served too-warm beer in sandstone surrounds with long tables made of oak. On any chosen evening, you would find barmaids dressed in authentic costumes, and Barmen that wandered around in beer aprons and linen shirts. There was a small windowless room in the back, and though I was certain at this time of the morning the whole place was just open for him, I knew he would be commiserating in that room.

  When Viktor had first found this place, he had been so pleased to know it was here, just 10 minutes away from the club, we had spent a whole month there. The publicans loved it of course, but about fifteen years ago we had had to take a serious break so no one noticed the fact we were never aging. That had been a bad eight years trying to appease Viktor in other ways. Since it changed hands he had started coming back again, though less often and mainly when it was busy to avoid being so noticeable. A tactic designed to extend the time he could spend coming here. Assuming no one noticed him of course, but he was a hard guy to miss. Still, from the 30 plus years since we first set up, this little town had become a central hub for a growing population, and I think we all knew it wasn’t going to be long before moving on, and passing the management of the club was going to have to be a reality for all of us very soon.

  As I walked in to the room, I saw Viktor slouched across a bench arm on the table swilling beer in his mug. He looked up to acknowledge me but didn’t say anything. I took a seat across from him, and he waved a hand in the air to indicate a drink for me.

  “I love that we can’t eat, but we can still drink.” He opened.

  “It is useful, I have to admit. I miss being able to get drunk though.”

  “I agree, but then, I can always just try and drink faster, get more alcohol in than gets processed out.” With that Viktor threw back his glass and drained the contents in time for the lone manager to arrive with two fresh glasses.

  “Do I need to ask how you got them to open this place up for you?” I asked looking around. There seemed to be just the one man hovering behind the bar polishing glasses and waiting.

  “I brainwashed him.” Came the flat response.

  “You can influence people?” I was legitimately surprised, I had never seen Viktor even attempt it.

  “I’m not one for flashy tricks.” Viktor dismissed.

  “Just flashy science and techno-things.” I said referencing his ongoing interest in technologically progressive gadgets, weapons and other tools.

  “That’s different. That’s human advancement, it’s incredible. I came from a time where those things were inconceivable. The line between science and magic was a lot thinner back then.”

  I decided to come to the point before daylight became too strong. “So I’m here to persuade you to come back Viktor. I promised to get you home today, and I know you’ll regret it if you don’t see her before she goes.”

  “I’ll be back when she can see straight again.” He finished his beer again and signaled for another two.

  “That might be a while. I am hoping you realize there’s nothing more I can do about making her stay behind.”

  “Love is one of those ridiculous things Matthias. It makes no sense, detracts you from achieving what you need to do. What’s its purpose – explain me that! Of all the things I have seen, experienced…. Violet floors me. A girl.”

  “She’s a whole lot more than that. I’ve never seen a girl bring a Viking to drink before.” I smirked and he responded in kind.

  “Hmm.” Was all he mustered for me. Two more drinks were placed on the end of the table.

  “I’m fine.” I said automatically, but before the barman could remove it, Viktor stopped him.

  “Not to worry, they’re both for me.” The barman eased away.

  Viktor seemed more relaxed and changed the subject, though not by much. “I was this close to being forced to marry and settle down.” He gestured with his thumb and forefinger to leave about a CM gap between them.

  “God forbid!” I exclaimed dramatically leaning back and taking another drink.

  “You laugh, but you should have seen her. And you have to remember I was a little more than 30 when I was changed. That was old then, especially in my town.”

  “I can’t imagine what you’ve seen. Over 1000 years.” I prompted, knowing he was going to talk, and I wanted to know what Camille had meant by ‘coming back’.

  “I have seen some truly amazing moments, some truly horrific ones – even been part of them. Done things I regretted.” Viktor paused to take another drink before leaning forward with an excited look on his face. “I saw the crusades run their course, the fall of the Byzantine empire– they were impressive in a fight. I was around when France, became France, not just the kingdom of the Franks. That was big news. The things that still made the biggest impact were when my sister got to use the first weight loom in our village. Or when I helped build our crank and rotary grindstone. The first sword I sharpened on one, was fantastic. Fantastic.”

  “That was before you were changed. What happened after?” I asked. Viktor’s face changed to become sullen.

  “There were so many changes in maps and borders, changes in rulers, so many wars. I did what I was told, killed too many people for him. But even after my maker died I still got myself mixed up in one war after another. There is always at least one somewhere.”

  “I always thought Belil changed you.” I said curiously.

  Viktor raised his eyebrows and stared into his glass as though he might see an image from his past. “No, actually it was his maker, about 500 years before he succumbed to his own vanity. He allied himself with three other vampires of influence, offering them power from these devices, talismans and charms that he had sourced, but never found. He of course, tried to betray them, kill them off and take their resources, but was unsuccessful. Belil and I were lucky we got away at all.”

  “You and Belil stayed together then?”

  “No, I went my own way, but Belil took his place of course. He almost stepped in to the old man’s burnt ashes in his hurry to take his place. Groveling to the others for peace, which he got. I don’t really begrudge Belil though, if he had waited too long, someone else would have taken his spot. There is always someone waiting in the wings of a powerful man. Usually they are at least at first deluded that they are carrying on some kind of legacy from their predecessor, until they get carried away with themselves again. Anyhow, before long I was back with Belil to see what other mess I could find for myself. I guess.”

  “Belil’s legacy was the Amulet, and hunting down the items promised to the others.” Viktor nodded.

  “I was back when he found the Amulet you know. I wasn’t really gone for all that long. 100 years or so.” Viktor quantified the timeline for me when something fell in to place for me.

  “You were there when he took it? When he killed Camille’s family.”

  “I was.” Viktor replied. I was struck still in momentary surprise. “I said I had done things I regretted. That day, was definitely one of those things. I might not have killed for him, but I stood there and watched just the same.” Viktor finished the next beer, but didn’t signal for another.

  “Where did you go when you left? You said you were in wars. What wars?” I wanted to know more before he gave up on talking and fell into sleeping.

  “Like I said, any war I could. Made me feel alive again. Killing for a purpose. And I got to choose who, why, how and mostly when. As long as I timed it with sieges and attacks.”

  “So you were in the military?” I wasn’t clear on how Viktor could spend days patrolling when he was only just now coming to the stage where he could stumble around in the early morning rays.

  “Not really.” Viktor said, hardly clearing this up for me.

  I screwed my eyes up in overly dramatic thought. “How does that work?”

  “I forged documen
ts to get in and out when I needed to, influenced people’s minds as required, but as they got themselves together better, became more organized, more technologically driven it got harder, and it wasn’t really anything like I was used to. I don’t regret it, but it lost it’s shine. I was looking for something to replace what I missed, what I knew….Ridiculous. Missing war, fighting. It’s taken me all this time, and all that bloodshed to realize that war is a ridiculous waste of time. It makes no sense, not really.”

  “It detracts you from achieving what you need to do?” I asked the question knowing he would think me a smart arse.

  “You are a smart arse, you know that.” He said looking me straight in the eye.

  “I might be, but I’m still your friend though, clearly, so listen to what I am going to say Viktor.” I had noticed the daylight streaming through the windows in the other room. “Lights up, the sun is well and truly over the horizon. It’s time to go home.”

  “I’m able to manage - you know that. A little sunlight won’t kill me.” Viktor retorted, clearly displeased that I might have detected a weakness.

  “You might be able to manage, but not as well as Violet and I yet. Don’t pretend, or I’m going to have to carry you out of here. How is that going to be for your ego?”

  “Anyone ever tell you that you are insufferably persistent Matthias?.”

  I ran with it, because I knew I was getting through. “That must make me your best friend then.”

  “You’re not wrong.” I smiled at his backhanded compliment.

  “I might sleep this one off.” Viktor said finally.

  “Sleep it off at home.” I replied. “I’m not going back to face Violet without you. Besides, she’ll just come down here herself and drag you back.” Viktor sighed and stood, throwing some money on the table.

  “Love is one strange mistress, and her name is Violet. Take me home to her.” Viktor requested in defeat as we walked out, shading our eyes from the sun.

  After a restless sleep, night arrived and we found ourselves passing time as we waited for Myria, Violet and Viktor spent time on the balcony, simply standing together, looking out over the streets below.

  I knew when she arrived before anyone else did. “Violet. Its now or never.”

  Viktor strode in with her. “So what’s plan B?” He demanded.

  “There is no plan B. This is it. This will work.”

  “Then I’ll see you when you get back.” Viktor added before kissing Violet’s forehead.

  Violet turned to Viktor before we left. “Come with us Viktor.”

  “I’m going to sit this one out. You don’t need me hanging around taking up space. Besides, I know you’ve got this.” At his words, Violet smiled, and I knew all was at peace between the two of them. 25+ years and this was their first real fight. That wasn’t bad odds-wise.

  “On that note,” Cam said determined. “I think I am going to leave you to it. I need to get out of here for a while.”

  “You aren’t going stay?” I quizzed.

  “I want to be gone before she starts asking too many questions. I think it’s best. Plus I’m not as patient as Viktor. I need to keep myself busy. Good luck. I’ll be here by the time you get back.” She glided out of the room, and left Violet and I to do what we needed to do.

  Violet and I made our way to my room to pick up Cassie. “Seriously, no back up plan; We really are trusting her again?” Violet asked sincerely. 

  “I know, once bitten… but what choice do we have?” I reasoned. “At least the tattoos should protect us.” 

  I picked up Cassie in my arms, and led the way outside. Violet stood to my right.

  When we saw her, Myria looked confident, wearing a gold and green flowing shirt over tight black pants and platform lace up ankle boots. “Where is Camille?” She queried.

  “She can’t come.” Violet answered for me.

  “She won’t come.” Myria responded.

  “You know it’s complicated Myria.” I said as her eyes searched the windows and balconies of the club for any sign of Cam.

  “Fine. Where’s the second part of the scroll so we can get on with this.” Myria casually continued on.

  “We don’t need it.” I started to explain. You have a device built, all you need is the crystal, and we have it.” Violet held up the bag with the crystal in it, and Myria cocked her head to the side.

  “You are tricky aren’t you?” Myria said before straightening her posture again. “So give me the crystal.”

  “So, give me Cassandra back.” I defended.

  “I need the device to do it.” Myria bat back surprising me.

  “Now who’s being tricky.”

  “It’s been a long time Matt. Its one thing to poison someone, another to reverse it. I need to get her to the device, I already have something set up for us.” Myria seemed sincere, but time and experience had taught me otherwise. “You don’t trust me.” She said reading my hesitation. “Fine, don’t, but then we are all going to spend a long time standing here waiting for someone to break. I am willing to do this. So lets just get it done and we can all move on with our lives.” Violet looked at me and I looked back at Violet. She nodded and I walked up to Myria, still holding Cassie.

  “Myria. Don’t disappoint me and make a liar out of me. I trust you to follow through.” I stated. A flicker of emotion shot across her face. Fear? Surprise? I wasn’t sure.

  Moving quickly through the night, we arrived at the Cave. It was shut down and quiet for once, no strobes, no florescent flashes and tacky smoke from the smoke machine. Soft light from down lights illuminated our passage, down into the main chamber, then through to the VIP quarters. Myria led us to another door, behind the raised platform she would commonly sit at with a small group of minions and groupies, cordoned off from the rest of the room by dark glass beads hanging from the ceiling. Brushing these aside we stood on the platform as she ventured to the back wall. Drawing away the bead lengths we saw another door, to the rest of the building. Once in the corridor, we walked a short distance to a smaller room, not lit up at all like the others. As we entered, there was only light from the doorway and corridor.

  “Let me find the switch.” Myria said, but I could already just make patterning on the walls. I started to feel something, something slight at first, but which quickly became overwhelming.

  “Matt.” I heard Violet choke, followed by the thud of her body on the floor. I felt sick to my stomach, and sank to my knees trying not to drop Cassie. I just managed to place her down when I lapsed into a drowsy, sickened state with my world reeling. The last thing I saw were dozens of blood red symbols drawn across the room, and Myria standing over me as my sight faded and I collapsed into unconsciousness.