She didn't think she had slept long this time, but since there was no clock on the wall, and no windows, she could only guess as to the time. She was still very weak, but able to move her limbs slowly. It was as if she was under water, being weighted down. The I.V. bag hanging above her was only about a quarter empty, so she figured she hadn't been out for long.
There was no way she could get up out of the bed. She just didn't have the energy. She struggled to sit up, with her back against the headboard, and even that little expense exhausted her. But at least she wasn't prone on the bed anymore. She rotated her head to the right and to the left, to try and loosen her neck muscles. Anything to get the blood flowing, she thought. That had to help.
It wasn't long before a knock came to the door. Deidra didn't think Travers would knock, so she hoped it would be Allison.
"Come in," she said softly.
It was indeed Allison, with a tray that held a bowl of soup, and a pitcher of water. Allison smiled at her and set her burden down on the chair. There was no other furniture in the room. "A table at least would be nice about now, wouldn't it?" She smiled shyly at Allison.
"Yes, indeed. I'm sure we can arrange that shortly." Allison then walked over to the I.V. bag to check it's flow.
"What is this stuff you're pumping in to me anyway?" Deidra asked with a scowl.
Allison frowned. It was hard for her to explain that she was just doing her job, for now. Patience. She would just maintain the show for now. She wished she could tell Deidra that she was there to protect her, to be her Guardian, but for the camera! Time would come though, and then all would be revealed.
"Deidra, trust me. It's for your own good. It is hydrating you, and it administered the antidote for the paralyzing formula that had been invading your body when you got here. The medicine in here prevented your organs from shutting down. I promise you that I am not injecting you with anything that would hurt you. I can't tell you more than that. Please, trust me?"
Deidra couldn't explain it, but she did trust Allison. She had to. What else could she do? She had to believe in her instincts, and they told her that Allison would help when the time was right.
Before she could ask any more questions, Travers came in pushing a hospital type table. "Is everything under control, Allison?"
"Yes sir, her condition is as expected."
"Then leave us please." Travers directed. Allison exited with bowed head, closing the door behind her. Deidra was crestfallen to see her go, and slowly pulled her eyes away from the door. She wondered how many more prisoners were being held here. And was it the Council that held them, or just Travers for his "prophecy?"
Travers placed the tray on her bed and told her to eat her soup, and when she was finished, they would talk. Deidra was surprised to find how hungry she was. Of course, she hadn't got to eaten her lunch, and had no idea how long she had been here.
"May I ask how long I've been here?"
"Two days," he said.
What? Two days?! No wonder she was ravenous. She tentatively tasted the soup, and found it quite good. Her stomach growled as the warm broth hit her center, and she promptly finished the whole bowl. Travers sat down in the chair and watched her finish, then he took the tray and placed it on the bedside table. It was only as she settled down into the bed that she realized she felt funny again. Just when she was starting to feel better too! There must have been something in the soup! She was as weak as ever again, barely able to move. Her tongue felt heavy and huge in her mouth. She couldn't speak, and had to concentrate on her breathing. Allison might not be administering deadly chemicals into her system, but Travers most certainly was.
"Just a little something in the soup to keep you cooperative," Travers said. "I don't want any interruptions or struggles from you. When I have finished telling you of your destiny, of our destiny, you will be prepared. You'll know what's coming. I know you'll want to prevent it, but there is no saving yourself or anyone else."
Deidra just glared at him. She would never be able to save herself, or anyone else when he kept her so drugged all the time.
"Now, where was I? Oh, yes, Mr. Giles."
Travers settled in to tell his history as if he was reading a bed time story to his beloved daughter before tucking her in for the night.
"Mr. Giles had been informed that his Slayer was killed in the Cruciamentum, when in actuality, Luisa didn't die until nine months later, after your birth. When she died, it put a chink in my plan. I couldn't raise you on my own. I had my duties to attend to at the Watcher's Council, and could not spend my time away, or they would get suspicious. I needed help. The prophecy could not be fulfilled until you reached the age of 16, and I could not hide you all by myself for sixteen years!"
Sixteen. Deidra turned sixteen next week. So that must be why he chose now to strike. What a birthday this would be, she thought. Drugged, kidnapped, and thrown through some portal to rip the world apart. Happy Birthday to me!
"It was then that I decided to put my knowledge of Mr. Giles duplicity into action," he continued. "Mr. Giles was a Watcher, but he had his weaknesses. He knew the dark side, and had begun to dabble in the black arts. They were beginning to effect his work, and distract him from training Luisa properly. That was one of the reasons it was so easy to convince him that Luisa had been killed by the vampire during her trial, and it filled him with guilt. I fed off that guilt. He was stupid, to get caught in his practice, unlike myself." Travers smiled wickedly. "I went to him and told him that Luisa was killed due to his incompetence, and his distractions in black magic. I threatened to take away all his power, his lively hood, and separate him from his wife and baby son. I had the authority, I told him, to not only strip him of his Watcher position, but imprison him in the Watcher's Council for the rest of his days. Watcher's had been executed for lesser offenses, so he knew I spoke the truth. Of course, he didn't know that I was acting on my own authority, and not the Council's. They knew nothing."
Travers stood and again began to pace as he warmed to his story, the memory and knowledge of his power filling him like an adrenaline rush. He could hardly contain his excitement. It was obvious that Mr. Giles was not the only one that had exposed himself to the dark arts. It was easy for Deidra to see, even in her doped state, that Travers was more than touched by the darkness. The black magic filled him, and it was terrifying to be in such close proximity to him. If Deidra had been able, she would have ran from him screaming and never looked back. But she wasn't able. She could only lie there, unable to shut off the sound of his voice.
"In a way, I did imprison Mr. Giles, and I was his keeper. I told him the Council would ask him to put his knowledge of the black arts to use once in awhile, per my instructions. It was to be confidential at all times, and if his work ever got out, he would indeed be taken away by the Council and punished accordingly."
Travers walked over to the table and poured himself a glass of water. After he quenched his thirst, he again sat down in the chair to conclude his dialogue.
"I used Giles every so often for the next several years to aid me in preparations for the fulfillment of my prophecy. Of course, he knew none of the reasons for his assignments, and rarely the outcomes. He was just a tool at my disposal. I saw to it that his son, Rupert, would be called as a Watcher, to tie his family to me as much as possible. I could care less about Council problems, but I wanted as much control over that family as possible.
I placed you with the Sestons as soon as you were born. They were a young married couple in the Council, inexperienced, scared, and dirt poor. I offered them a monthly stipend to house you. They never wanted children, but they were in my employ and had to do what I instructed. I placed them next to the Giles residence. That was a inside joke on my part, you see. I placed a spell on him so that he could never tell you were Luisa's child, but he got so lost in his training, and I kept him so busy on "dark Council matters" that he probably wouldn't have noticed anyway.
His training of you, however, was not planned. When I first realized what he was doing, using you to practice with young Rupert, I thought about stepping in and putting an end to it. But then I decided, why bother. In the end, it wouldn't do you any good. And it kept you all occupied. Plus, I realized that when this time came to reveal everything to you, your studies and research would have partly prepared you already, and would help you to understand and believe. Not that I care that you believe, because it won't matter. You can't fight now, though dear daughter, can you?" He smiled that evil grin at her again. Deidra wouldn't even look at him, but just stared straight ahead.
For the next week, you'll be staying here in this lovely room, so I hope you like it. The one bloody inconvenience with this prophecy is you have to be alive when I put you in the dimensional portal. However, you don't have to be conscious. I mostly just need your blood. I'll keep the potions coming, so you won't feel a thing, so don't worry about that. I wouldn't want to see my daughter suffer." He stood then, grabbed the tray and walked towards the door. "It will be a long week for us both, I'm afraid. I'm anxious to begin the ritual, and begin my reign. I'm sorry that you won't be sitting at my right side, but after thinking about it I realize that I could never trust you. You have to be alive when you go through the portal, but my research shows that you won't live through it's passage." With that, he left.
It wasn't long after Travers left the room, when Allison came back. She looked worriedly at Deidra. "He put something in the soup, didn't he?" She asked.
Deidra just nodded. She wanted to sleep. She was so tired. She was weak physically, and mentally and emotionally exhausted as well. Perhaps this was all a bad nightmare, and soon she would awaken with her head on a book in the library.
Allison looked sadly at Deidra. Their eyes met, and then Deidra saw a new expression on Allison's face. It was one of strength, and resolve. The emotions of peace and love were still there, like a sanctuary for her, but there was also control and power electrifying the room.
"It is time," Allison said. She reached down and held Deidra's hand in her own. Allison's grip was strong, and at her touch, Deidra was filled with light. Her entire body trembled as if she was filled by lightning. She closed her eyes to try and blot out the light, only to wrench them back open again when a roaring sound of wind filled her ears. In the background, as if far in the distance, she heard pounding and shouting at the door. Travers was trying to break it down to get in. But Allison held it tightly shut with her mind, and concentrated on the wind. The wind in the room came together to form a spiral in the corner, and then changed form again into a tunnel of light. Allison pulled Deidra to her, and walked into the tunnel. Deidra had never known such peace and love, and it enveloped her in the tunnel. Her eyes were squeezed tightly against the light, but she couldn't keep it out of inside her, and she didn't want to.
When the noise of the wind stopped, Deidra felt herself coming down as if she were being dropped from a high place. She landed with a thud, and exhaled the breath she had been holding. She was no longer filled with the lightning, but a residual feeling of peace and comfort stayed with her. She opened her eyes to find herself in a forest. Allison was standing beside her, with a beautiful smile on her face.
"Welcome to my home," she said.
Deidra stood and looked around. It was beautiful. The forest was not dark and imposing, but welcoming. The ground was covered with thousands of yellow and purple flowers, and golden grass. The trees were miles high, with khaki trunks and yellow and purple leaves.
"This is Laus," Deidra whispered.
"Yes, my home. Come, we shall go and see Sulu. He will care for you, and instruct you."
Instruct me, Deidra thought? What did that mean? She was curious, but not wary. She just knew and felt that this was a good place, and Sulu and Allison were there to help her. Deidra was taught to not argue or question elders. The Sestons and Mr. Giles had ingrained that in her, but she had no fear in questioning Allison.
"Allison, who are you really? Why am I here? Can you please tell me what is going on?"
Allison took Deidra's hand as they walked beside a clear blue creek. Deidra could see a shelter of some sort in the distance and figured that must be their destination.
"I am your Guardian, Deidra. I was placed where I was to protect you and guide you, and bring you here. Here you will find answers. Have you not heard of Sulu in any of your studies? But, no, you were too young to have delved that deep into the seers and prophets. Sulu is the greatest Seer and Prophet. He foretold the prophecy from which Travers discovered. But prophecy is not always what it looks like. Travers could indeed have destroyed all dimensions, as he had planned. But prophecy can bend and change. It is all in the interpretation, and in choice. Sulu will help to guide you with your decision making, and I will protect you in the future as much as possible."
"I won't be staying here, will I?" Deidra asked, already knowing the answer.
"No. You will be going back. But Sulu must prepare you first." They had reached the shelter. It was a one room house, by the looks of the outside, made of some kind of bronze stone. When Allison opened the door, however, Deidra found herself looking into many rooms, with many passage ways, and many doors. It made her dizzy just gazing into the doorway.
They stepped into the first room, and Allison closed the door behind them. She led Deidra through a great hall, and opened an ornate door at the far end. She beckoned Deidra in, then Allison turned and left her, shutting the door behind her.
Deidra gazed all around her. The door had led to a wonderful garden. There was the sound of running water, and chirping birds. The scent of aromatic flowers coated the air she breathed, and colors were splashed everywhere. So caught up in her paradise like surroundings was she, that she failed to notice Sulu at first. And then her eyes stopped on him, as he sat on a stone bench. He was looking at her kindly. "Hello, Deidra. Come, sit beside me."
He was out of a fairy tale, she thought. "You look like Merlin!"
Sulu laughed a warm laugh. "Yes, I've been told that I resemble myself quite nicely."
Deidra's eyes almost bugged out of her head. "Are you Merlin?" she asked.
"I have many names. But you can call me Sulu. Please, sit child. We have much to talk about."
Deidra sat before him, and Sulu reached down to pick up a wooden cup he had placed between his feet. He handed the cup to Deidra, indicating to her to drink. She smelled the orange liquid, and it was heavenly. When it hit her tongue, her mouth came alive. Never had she tasted so much at once. It was the sweetest of nectar she had ever imagined. She swallowed it all, then looked at Sulu guiltily. "Sorry," she said. "It was just so wonderful."
Sulu chuckled kindly again, and nodded his head. "You have been through a lot, and needed some restoratives. That should fix you right up in no time," he said. "You will need much energy for your return trip."
Deidra frowned at that. "Must I leave here? It is so peaceful and wonderful. Why should I go back? I have no home, no family…" she choked on her words. "Why can't I stay here?" She pleaded at him.
"Because Rupert and his Slayer need you." Sulu said.
Deidra's head snapped up at that. "His Slayer? Rupert has a slayer? But he hasn't even left for Oxford yet? Oh, wait...prophesy, you are speaking of the future?"
"I am speaking of the now. In your mind, you are still fifteen, sixteen next week?" Deidra nodded. Sulu reached into an inside pocket of his gown, and pulled out a small hand held mirror. "Look into the mirror," he instructed.
Deidra took the mirror and gazed at herself, and gasped! Who was this woman that reflected in the mirror? It wasn't here. It wasn't a little girl. It was a woman? But the woman had her hair, and her eyes. What was going on?
"Yes, Deidra. It is your reflection. You are no longer a child. The portal into this dimension aged you 12 years. In that 12 years Rupert has struggled with his destiny, but has come full circle and is now training as a Watcher at the Council. When you go back, you will age another 12 years. By then, he will have a slayer, will have won many battles, but will need you for the ultimate battle."
Twelve years? She had aged twelve years? That meant she was looking at a 28 year old reflection. Twelve more years onto that would make her 40. She would be old. Very old. Her whole life would be practically over!
Sulu read her thoughts. "Deidra, I cannot give you back the time you have lost, but I can prepare you for the time ahead. Your world will need you, the Watcher and Slayer will need you, and I can prepare you for the battles to come." He took the mirror out of her hand, and replaced it within his robes. He stood up. "Come, you need to rest. In the morning, our training and your studies will begin."
Deidra didn't think she could sleep now if her life depended on it, but she followed Sulu back into the house of rooms. He led her down a passage way to the right, and opened a door to a bedchamber. Allison was there turning down the bed. Sulu bowed to them both, and then left. Immediately Deidra's eyes became heavy, and sleep sounded like a good idea after all. Allison tucked her in to the warm, soft bed. It was the most comfortable bed Deidra had ever been in. She fell asleep at once.
She dreamed. They were vivid, and real, but they weren't about her. It was as if she was watching a movie. She saw Rupert in the Seston's library. He had come to show her his acceptance letter into Oxford, but all he found was destruction, and his friend missing. She saw Mr. Giles tell him to forget about her. Then she saw Rupert in Oxford. After a time, he suppressed her memory, ran from himself and his destiny by losing himself in the dark magics, just like his father had done. Rupert didn't know his father's addiction though, and in time, he proved stronger than that of his father. He broke from Ethan Rayne, returned to his studies, and eventually accepted his destiny at the Watcher's Council. The last scene she saw before awakening was Rupert in the library in Sunnydale, handing his new charge, his slayer, a book entitled, "Vampyr". Deidra awoke with a start.
Allison was there, and greeted her with an angelic smile. Deidra sat up, and smiled tentatively in return. "Good morning," Deidra said.
In her hands, Allison held up a luxurious white bathrobe. She showed Deidra the bathroom, and told her to freshen up, opening a wardrobe full of clothing. "After you have dressed, Sulu will meet you for breakfast in the garden. He's waiting for you." And then with a small bow, Allison was gone.
Deidra took a long, hot shower, letting the water sluice away the soreness in her body. Her mind recalled the dreams of her sleep, and she knew they had not been dreams at all. Somehow, she came to know what had happened to Rupert in the last twelve years. She was surprised to find herself not angry at him at all for his transgressions. She was proud of him, in fact. He had overcome the blackness that had filled his life. She sensed he was still aloof, and lonely, and sad. But he had accepted his lot in life, and would put his all in training and protecting his slayer…Buffy.
Rupert hadn't thought much of her over the years though. That darkness that his father and Travers had inflicted in him remained. He was told to forget her, that she didn't exist anymore, and in time, he had done just that. But what choice had he had, really? Deidra understood. She wasn't angry at him. But she would find and pummel Travers when she got the chance! She just prayed Rupert would understand and accept her, despite Travers.
With renewed vigor, she toweled off and put on the clothing she had chosen from the wardrobe. Jeans and a nice white cotton tee shirt. Perhaps it should have been strange that everything fit perfectly, but she had come to expect perfection in this land. She yearned to stay here, in peace and joy. She was afraid to leave the bed chamber to learn her fate. It was with trepidation that she tread down the passage way to the ornate door at the end of the great hall.
Sunlight flooded her vision as the door opened before her. The garden was the same, and Sulu was dressed the same, again sitting on the stone bench. Before him sat a wooden table with fresh fruit and bread, and cups of what Deidra recognized as the nectar drink she had enjoyed last night.
"Good Morning Deidra. Please, join me at table for some breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day." He said with a smile. "I trust you slept well?"
Deidra joined him at the table. "I feel rested, but I dreamed." She looked at him questioningly.
"Yes, and no. They weren't dreams, Deidra. But I expect you know that. Please, eat, and then we will talk." He leaned back and enjoyed the sounds and smells of the garden, showing Deidra that there would be no conversation until his bidding was done. He smiled at her, and waved his hand to get her to proceed with her breakfast.
The nectar was as sweet as the night before, and the grapes and various other unidentifiable fruits were the best she had ever eaten. How could she ever eat again in comparison?
When she had finished her breakfast, Sulu clapped his hands once and the table evaporated before her very eyes. "Wow! Neat trick. Is that in my training?"
Sulu laughed. "Not exactly. Now, tell me of your dreams."
Deidra told him of her visions, of Rupert's struggles, and finally his acceptance. She tried to leave out her feelings, and just state the things she had seen. Sulu, in all his wisdom, knew her thoughts and feelings better than she did, but he didn't let on. When she had finished telling him of the dreams, they both sat in companionable silence for a few moments. Finally Deidra asked, "Why was I shown all of this, Sulu? I mean, I realize these are the actions that have occurred in the time I've been away. It is so strange though to think of it in those terms. I feel like I've only been gone two days, not twelve years!"
"Actually, the longer you stay here, the more time passes."
"What? You mean I've been here more than twelve years? I thought the portal caused the time to elapse?" Deidra cried.
"It takes one twelve years to pass through the portal, but every day you spend here is about another year's time in your world. Today, you are 29 in your years. Now you understand the urgency in this matter. We must prepare you as soon as possible. These visions you have been shown are more than just to orient you with events. They are to show you how important the power of choice and following one's destiny is, my child. Rupert had a choice to lose himself in the darkness, as his father had, but he was strong enough to resist and to follow his path in life. Life is all about choices. Thus far, his choices have been the correct ones. His choices, and those of Buffy, have saved your world several times. Even more times than you yet know. However, the biggest battle has yet to come, and I fear it's outcome."
Sulu then stood up from the bench, and beckoned Deidra to follow him down the garden path. The path wound through various flowers that she had never seen before, their colors so vivid they were almost hard to look at with her human eyes.
"What is this battle?" Deidra asked her new mentor.
"It is the Last battle." Sulu continued. "It is the battle of the prophesy from which Travers read, and I wrote."
"Well, if you wrote it, you know how it ends, don't you?"
"Deidra, have you been listening?" he frowned at her.
"Oh. Yesterday, I was told that prophesy is an interpretation. And I assume it is going to involve choice. My choice? As I am the "Forgotten One" whatever that is. What am I, Sulu?"
"I cannot answer all of your questions, Deidra. You must find the answers in yourself. All I can do is prepare you in heart, mind, and body for the battle to come." They had reached the end of the path, and another stone building rested at the bottom of a hill, left of the path. Sulu stopped and turned his gaze to meet Deidra's. "Inside that building you will find Magna. He will begin your physical lessons."
"I thought Laus demons were nonviolent?" Deidra asked.
"Magna is not a Laus demon. He's a 300 year old vampire."
"A vampire? To give me lessons? Won't he just drink my blood and kill me? It's not that I don't trust you, Sulu, but….a vampire? Is there such thing as a nice vampire?"
Sulu chuckled. Deidra had no knowledge of Angel yet, or Spike for that matter. But she would learn. "Deidra, some things are not always what they appear to be. Knowledge comes with all kind of covers. Some books are black, some are white, and some are gray. But all contain some form of knowledge. Magna is like a book, with many chapters. Some chapters are darker than others. But you are in luck. He is in a light chapter of his life now." Sulu laughed at his own joke. Deidra just looked at him with confusion.
"Sorry, my child. I do not mean to laugh at your expense. Magna was an evil vampire as you can imagine, in his days. But he has possessed a soul for some years now and has been living here in peace. He has been waiting for you. To train you is a redemption of sorts for him. It is his job to see that you can fight to stay alive before you even reach the Last battle. There will be many demons and creatures after you when you leave this world. Travers is only one of many who seek to rule the melding of dimensions. You must learn how to protect yourself, and others. That is Magna's job."
"I have had some training. Mr. Giles, er…Rupert's father, trained me as a slayer."
"That's a start. It will be a foundation from which Magna will build off of. Now, go to him, and we will meet when you have finished." Deidra started to ask another question, but Sulu vanished before her very eyes. He seemed to know a lot of neat tricks, she thought, as she loped towards the building, and opened the heavy wooden door.
It took a moment for Deidra's eyes to adjust to the darkness of the chamber she had just entered. It had been so bright and alive outside, but here, inside, it was as dark and dank as a dungeon. She advanced a few steps, and the door slammed shut behind her. She jumped and turned, but there was no one there. She yanked on the doorknob, but it refused to turn, and the door would not budge. She was trapped inside.
There was some light. Candles were hanging from the walls, and their flames flickered in the stone chamber. She saw various weapons hanging on shelves: knives, crossbows, balls and chains, and the most beautiful sword she had ever seen. That is when she saw the vampire, Magna. He was standing against the wall in the shadows, next to the beautiful sword that hung on the wall.
"H..H.Hello," Deidra stuttered.
"Welcome," said Magna. His voice was deep and rich. He stepped out of the shadows and his magnificence took Deidra's breath away. Magna was tall, well over six feet, she -surmised. He looked nothing like she had pictured a vampire to be. He was ruggedly handsome with strong brows and a roman nose. He wore a fedora on his head, a brown leather jacket, and brown boots. At his side he held a whip in his strong hands. His cheeks were unshaven, to give him a very masculine, hard look to his features. But his smile softened his face, and lit up his eyes.
"You must be Deidra. I am Magna, at your service." He bent at the waist and bowed at her. "Come closer, let me have a good look at you." Deidra walked towards him and met him in the middle of the room, never taking her gaze off of his. Magna spoke as he examined her. "Yes, you have good height, around five nine I would guess. Good muscle tone, so the Slayer training has prepared you somewhat. That is good. Nice long brown hair. I always liked brunettes!" He then vamped out with a leer.
Deidra screamed and backed away. Magna was a monster. His handsome human face was just a disguise.
Magna then went back into his human form. "Yes, Deidra, I am a demon inside. Best you don't forget that. That is the first lesson of many you are to learn." He threw the whip across the room onto the floor, and floated his hat next to it. "First we will start with some basic hand to hand. Show me what you have got."
Deidra closed her eyes and tried to relax, and then crouched into her fighting stance. Magna smiled at her again, but this time it was a kind smile. She just glared at him, faked with her left, and then drove her right fist into his stomach, following the punch with a roundhouse kick to his chin. Before she could regain her balance from the kick however, he swept her legs with his, and she fell to the ground. He stood above looking down on her. "That was a good start, but you must never lose your balance. Balance is the key to everything, whether that be offense, or defense." He held his hand out to her to help her back up to her feet.
Time moved differently in this dimension, but it seemed like several hours later that Deidra stopped, bruised and battered and exhausted from the hand to hand combat. But she had to admit she had learned more now with Magna then in all of her previous practice with Rupert and his father. She was very relieved when Magna told her to sit, and he placed a jug of water in front of her. She took dipper full after dipper full, enjoying the sweetness of the cool water on her tongue and parched throat.
Magna went around to all the candles and torches relighting those that had gone out. She watched him in silence for awhile, and then he came and joined her, sitting across from her. "May I?" he asked, before reaching for the water.
"You need water? I mean…you get thirsty…for water I mean?" Deidra stammered out the question.
Magna barked out a laugh before answering. "I guess I don't need it as you do. But I could get very uncomfortable without it. Lack of water wouldn't kill me, since I'm already dead, but it does cleanse the pallet."
"What happened to you? Can I ask you that? Can you tell me about it? Everyone seems to know everything about me. It would be nice for some sharing?" Deidra smiled at him as she asked. She liked Magna, as long as he didn't put his vamp face on. That had freaked her out big time! His man face was very handsome however.
Magna settled his back against the wall. "It's fine for you to ask, but it's a very long and complicated story."
"How about a short version?"
Magna chuckled. "It was in the early 1700s, and I was traveling with the family business. My father was a ringmaster at the British Royal Circus. It was a family business, and had been that way for generations. As a boy I was in charge of feeding the animals, caring for them, cleaning after them. The animals, especially the lions, became a passion for me. As I got older, my Uncle apprenticed me as a lion tamer. At the age of 25, I took over as lead lion tamer. We were in Liverpool for a performance one night. After the show, it was common for special dignitaries and important members of the community to come and view the animals in their cages after the performance. Usually I would have an apprentice show the crowds around, but this time a beautiful young lady had caught my eye." He smiled in memory.
"Let me guess," said Deidra. "She was a vampire."
Magna squinted at her. "Are you going to let me tell the story, or not?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry," she mumbled. "Please, go on."
"I sent my apprentice off to bed, and gave the tour myself. When everyone else had left, this young woman stayed behind. I asked her if she'd like a nightcap, and she smiled at me and said yes, and followed me back to my tent. She was so beautiful, with black curls that fell almost to her waist, and deep penetrating blue eyes. Those eyes, they captivated me, hypnotized me. I was never a ladies man. I was always to busy with the animals. Plus, the smells, well, one just can't get the animal smell off, you know? Not that attractive to the females. So for this lady to pay me any attention, it was quite something."
Deidra watched his face as he told the story. Not many emotions crossed his face. He didn't seem sad or wistful as he talked, or angry. He was just straightforward with the speaking of it.
"We shared a nightcap, and things...ah...started to progress. Only her idea of necking took on an entirely different meaning, if you get my drift." Magna laughed at that, which in turn caused Deidra to smile. It just had to be the environment of this place, Deidra thought. Here I am, sitting in the dark alone with a vampire, but I'm really not scared at all. Well, as long as he keeps his man face on anyway. And here he is, telling me of his turning, and I'm not even frightened.
"It's this place, isn't it Magna? The reason I'm not scared, relaxed even. I know in my soul that you are not going to hurt me, that I am safe. It's this place, dimension, Laus, whatever it is, it's this environment that protects me, isn't it?"
"Yes, you are safe here. We are safe here. But remember, when you return, you will not be safe, and that is why we must continue the training. Knives next I think. Are you ready?"
Deidra stood and dusted herself off. "Ready!"
And just as with the hand to hand, the two trained with knives, and then the crossbow, and then with swords. Time passed, but they never really tired. The water before had energized them for the task at hand. By the time Magna was finished with his teachings, there wasn't a weapon that Deidra was not expert in. As a reward, Magna presented her with the beautiful sword that hung on the wall.
"I knew this day would come, and I've been saving this sword for you. I want you to remember me, and this place, whenever you touch it. This sword is a weapon of protection for you, and it will guard you and keep you safe. It holds all the lessons and answers and truth of your training, and when you hold it, it will reward you always with it's loyalty. It will remind you of this place, and hopefully remind you of me." He again bowed before her as he presented the sword. "Your humble servant always, Forgotten One."
Deidra was speechless. She took the sword in her hand, and felt it's power and warmth spread through every part of her being. It felt like home in her grip. "Thank you," she gasped.
Magna stood up. "We have one more lesson today, and now that it is dark out, we must proceed." He led her to the back of the room and opened a door. They walked out into the night. A million stars shown in the sky. It was breathtaking, and Deidra was so caught up in the sky's brilliance, that she didn't notice Magna had stopped in front of her until she smacked right into him. "Oof," she gasped. She still had the sword in her hand, but thankfully it was pointed down. She smiled up at him shyly. "Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention."
"Obviously. Here, hand me the sword." Deidra didn't want to part with it, but she did hand it to him reluctantly. He took it in one hand, and with his other hand he removed a tarp from an object in front of him. It was a motorcycle. A black and shining monster of a motorcycle. He opened a compartment on it's side, and placed the sword inside. Then he turned to Deidra with a grin. "Want to go for a ride?"
"Heck yeah!" she exclaimed. Magna got on, and instructed Deidra to sit behind him, putting her hands around his waist. He started the motorcycle with one turn, and it boomed into life. They sped off into the night, with the powerful motor humming underneath Deidra's legs. It was so exciting, and she never felt more alive.