Chapter 10 – The Kei'dran
Katherine stood and walked towards the fireplace on the left wall. Resting her hand on the mantle, she looked back at the three Hellsing representatives.
"Paracelsus first published the concept of elementals around the 16th century, but the folk lore in many countries reports similar concepts. As you know, what appears to be fiction frequently has a basis in fact." Katherine nodded towards Alucard, who smirked in response.
"An Elementalist has the ability to either summon elementals from their home plan to this one, or learns how to project their own spirit to the elemental's plane. While some may try to ignorantly bind an elemental to their will, a better method is simply to cast a summoning and see who responds. Those that have the persona that complements the summoner will be drawn to the human may offer to become kael'dran. It's a difficult concept, but perhaps familiar will suffice for now."
"Occasionally," she continued.
"Rarely" came the thought.
"Rarely, a stronger bond will be offered between a single elemental and the summoner. It is...an extraordinary bond and partnership." Here, her voice softened. "The elemental offers unconditional acceptance, companionship and support that no other relationship can offer. This elemental becomes the kei'dran and the elementalist becomes the mei'dran."
She looked at the fireplace and it obligingly burst into flames, which spilled out and pooled on the floor around her feet. A tendril of fire from the pool snaked its way around her body coming up over her shoulder and pausing there. The flame formed into a serpent-like head and two eyes blinked at the group.
"Greetings," came the public thought. If a mental voice had a flavor, this one was hot, lively and decidedly amused. "You have my thanks for caring for my mei'dran".
Katherine smiled affectionately at her kei'dran, swallowing a chuckle at its dramatics. She lifted a hand to stroke its head, and its serpentine coil around her body shrunk upwards until it was only a teacup sized flame resting on her shoulder which leaned in to her hand.
She walked back to Sir Integra's desk with the fire elemental riding on her shoulder. "I survived, because my kei'dran wasn't willing to let me die. Rather than only my own energy and life force powering the Seal, we both powered it." She seated herself again and leaned back into the chair.
"To answer your last question, it's also related to being an Elementalist. Once one reaches master level; using the typical trade levels of apprentice, journeyman, master and adept; the elementalist can draw energy from the element to supplement or replace their own. Any form of fire or a related element, such as heat and sometimes light, can be a source of energy for me, speeding my healing significantly."
Katherine noticed that all three sets of eyes seemed to be focused on her kei'dran. Looking down, she saw it had created tiny arms and hands and was braiding a lock of her singed hair. She chuckled in affectionate amusement and answering laughter filled her mind.
"Do you think they believe I'm a small, child-like, non-threat mei'dran?" he snickered. "Maybe I should be a kitten and just purr in your lap. I can roll on my back and you can scratch my stomach."
Katherine tried to ignore her kei'dran's monologue and somehow kept a straight face as she continued "When I said that I had woven additional protections into the seal, I meant that I tied it to the elemental plane. Every elemental will know if the seal begins to fade. If they are kael'dran, they will notify their human companions."
Katherine sat down again, letting the other three absorb the information. "I'll wager the woman is figuring out how she can use you" thought her kei'dran. "No doubt. That reminds me of a question of my own I wanted to confirm", she thought back.
"Sir Integra, may I ask what role the Hellsing Organization fills?"
"What do you imagine it to be?" the other woman responded.
Katherine smiled. "If I had to guess, I would say you protect Great Britain from supernatural threats. With Alucard as a member of your organization, I would also say you judge each entity by its actions not by its nature. However, I also see what appears to be a military organization and that perplexes me."
"Alucard is our strongest weapon, but it would be foolish to have only a single weapon. Nor can he be everywhere at once. The troops you may see here on the estate are all dedicated to protecting the Queen, Country and the Church of England from supernatural threats. "
Sir Integra looked at the petite woman across from her who was nodding in comprehension. "What role do you fill in Chicago, Ms. Wolfe?"
"I write children's books", Katherine said with a broad grin.
Integra schooled her impatience at the apparently flippant answer before inclining her head once. "Of course, that allows you to work independently and travel as you choose without requiring approval."
Katherine beamed at her quick understanding. "Exactly! Plus it gave me the nest egg that I could invest to fund anything else that needs funding. But to answer the question you truly asked, I am only one of many in an unofficial network of diverse talents who covertly protect their communities against supernatural threats. We are the invisible sentinels who help ensure that the rest of the country can live with an absolute certainty that demons, werewolves, vampires, and zombies only exist in a sci-fi writer's imagination."
Alucard leaned forward and said "Why weren't you afraid of me and how did you know that I could take you to the Chapel?"
Katherine laughed softly. "I was a guest in this house. The head of the Hellsing organization called for you and you immediately responded. She gave specific instructions and her trust in your carrying them out was evident. Since you offered me no harm and only aid, why would I be afraid of you?"
"As to my understanding of vampiric abilities, let's just say that I have a nightwalking friend who I dare say is not far from your level who has transported me before. I also tend to judge beings based on their actions, not their species."
She chuckled remembering something else. "It's also why I knew that it was likely distracting to you to have my hand bleeding at the chapel. I've been told that my blood is like a 150 year old cognac, rich and potent."
"A bit stronger than that, but a good analogy" Alucard muttered. Katherine laughed as she realized he was admitting that he tasted it, although Sir Integra glared at the vampire.
Katherine smiled at them all and asked "Where there any other questions I can answer? If not, I should pack and return to the hotel. I've intruded on your very generous hospitality long enough. Although I would like to offer my thanks to the medical staff that treated me before I go, if permissable."
Sir Integra hesitated. There was very limited documentation on elementalists, and here was a practitioner with a wealth of first-hand information. However, she disliked asking for favors and wondered if there was a mutually beneficial trade they could work out, trying to think what she had to offer. As the seconds ticked by, Katherine realized that Sir Integra's wanted something.
"Unless there is some other way I can be of service, of course" she offered, leaving it open-ended. "I still have a little over two weeks of my scheduled holiday remaining, so am available if you think of something you may need."
To her surprise, her kei'dran jumped from her shoulder to Sir integra's desk. Katherine noticed that both Alucard and Walter tensed, but Integra just looked at the little flame curiously. "Kei'dran, what are you up to? Don't go rummaging in her mind without her permission…" she said silently.
"We should stay for another day mei'dran" it thought publicly. "Besides, tomorrow night you will be healthy enough to spar with the vampire." A hot dry mental laugh accompanied that thought.
Katherine just raised an eyebrow at her kei'dran, but Walter and Sir Integra both uttered "What?!" at the little flame's thought. Alucard responded to the comment by leaning forward eagerly and laughing loudly.
"Oh yes, you must stay and spar with the vampire!" He grinned evilly all sharp teeth showing.