A Bonnie Moonlit Lark
Part 3
It was as much for her benefit, but the mentor claimed it was for the sake of stealth and warrior training. Besides, he'd realized that sitting in a lazyboy recliner was not how he wanted to spend his nights now that someone had interest in him, stirring long locked up sensations.
"Patience Lass, we'd be but a few more blocks yet, before our target," Hudson reassured her. Underlit by gold radiance and his upper in night darkness, he lost the mantle of age for a timeless moment. Ray saw instead the warrior who had taken many a chance in living on the edge, because each instinct must be razor sharp in the fight for survival. Alliances with humans aside, his clan in Scotland lived because they were accustomed to ever present dangers, where training became as quick as instinct. Something else motivated him perhaps, because he sought to prove that he was every bit the fighter to the clan, still a vital resource that could be relied upon in a pinch.
Red lights flickered accompanied by a high pitched whoop that reminded Hudson of a female gargoyle's war wail. Gliding beside him, Ray struggled to keep her course steady, and he saw the red and blue lights from the streets far below pulsing over her belly, chest and shapely legs. Unlike the males who wore loincloths that hearkened to traditional attire, she wore comfortable shorts, a top that had a strap from one shoulder to the opposite, and a long loose vest overtop. It was the badge of a geologist, a shred of her last ties to a former life she was loath to let go. Around her hips was wrapped a climber's belt, complete with the faint jingling of clamps and pitons. Seeing Hudson's concerned look, she reached down to unclip several and stow them in a less noisy place. On her left wrist glowed a digital watch; while around her neck gleamed two silver necklaces. Long reddish hair was French braided, but a few tendrils swirled around her riled forehead.
She could almost be Deborah, he thought to himself. Eerily the same coloration, and the same spirit. Perhaps that was what spooked him from being there to first comfort her. Hudson cursed himself for such a mistake, and prayed that he would be able to pick up those tenuous promising threads of something special that he'd started when she was in her human form. "You never DID say exactly where we were going, did you?" she whispered.
"That be part of the challenge, lass," came his reply, as he adjusted his course to put himself slightly to the left and below. His glance shifted to the position of her wings and body as she glided, and she felt flush come over her body.
"Is it a friend, or foe? I'm guessing it must be a close friend if you're this secretive with the clan... because if you DID Tell me who, I might back out of meeting whoever it is..."
"Ye could say that," Hudson winked. "But time's passing, and we'd best be continuing on our quest..."
He circled around, and she matched his pattern, tensing as she went. He folded his wings in a bit, and dropped effortlessly on the roof of an apartment complex with a slight crunch of claws on blacktop. Ray dropped with the grace of an albatross, and stumbled over her high arched feet. Hudson turned, and she crashed into him, knocking him into the edge of the roof.
"Damn, I'll never get the hang of that," she mumbled, as he steadied her.
"Next lesson, how t' land when yer out of control... and leaping from roof to rooftop," he teased.
"Especially when you crash into someone?"
"And a right bonny self ye are t' crash into, indeed," he answered. "But to the task at hand... we've blocks t' go... over in that direction... towards the river..."
With a taloned finger he pointed to the stretch of glassy black ribbon that shimmered with yellow and white ripples. It was bordered by a strip of white that moved into small rows of homes further up the length of Manhattan. They were midtown by now, and heading uptown towards what was called Harlem, and then towards Jamaica bay. He set his foot on the ledge, and extended a talon to her. She put her hand in his and he helped set her onto the ledge next to him. At least she wasn't scared of heights, which was a definite benefit derived from her mountain climbing experience. Taking her hand in his, he counted off, and they leapt into open space. There came the releasing when she unfurled the twin membrane wings and swooshed after him about three yards. Only the whistling of wind in her ears came between the vast openness and the sounds of horns honking, doors thumping, and the rush of traffic far below. Buildings tracked by, and the swerving and tacking into the building shadows kept them out of the lights and view of any potential threats. Another building, this time an office space that had seen better days was their next destination. Then the band of five floors and old apartment neighborhoods that diminished in size from the huge Manhattan glass mountains.
Hudson stopped her with one hand before she climbed over the edge of this rooftop. Something had caught his ears. A slamming door and a squealing of tires, and he pushed her down out of sight. Ray however moved around him to peer over the edge, and before he could stop her she was climbing down the front of the ten-story office building face first on her claws. Impatiently he climbed down next to her, and saw what grabbed her attention. A black van with a silver hammer, and several people rushing into it from the building they had made their resting-place.
"Note to Elisa, this is one of their spots, and we're on top of it!" she whispered.
"This is a disturbing development. Best be getting oot o' here," he muttered, crawling back over the top, and taking her wrist with an urgent tug. They crawled over to the other side, and leapt off in the building's shadow as the van rushed away with squealing tires.
Out towards St. John the Divine's they glided, hearing the sound of traffic increasing. Oddly enough the van seemed to be on every block that they crossed over, and Hudson was getting a nasty suspicion they'd been spotted. Ray banked with him, and they circled about, in the hopes of losing them. The van slid into a side street, and was momentarily was forgotten.
"Looks like the natives are restless," she commented, as another bath of flickering lights played across their underlit bodies and Hudson suddenly heard angry shouts and gunfire. Flashes roared up from the streets, and Raina tensed. Bad move, because it became difficult for her wings to stay furled to catch air currents.
"Ware, it be quarrymen," Hudson shouted sharply. Why were they shooting up unless....
"Hudson... look out!" she cried. He swerved, as she pushed into him, and they both narrowly banked as a fireflash exploded. Back and forth they weaved, dodging flashes and bangs. But it wasn't just them; it was the quarrymen, and some sort of local street gang.
"Follow me! This is no place for us... it's no our quarrel..." came his shout. He pointed down, and she saw the black shape of an armored vehicle firing randomly towards them, but more in the direction of what appeared to be a helicopter. The wind battered and slashed at them, and she felt the slipstream as it passed them. Hudson shot behind her, catching her as she whisked past, and they swooped into the lee of a twelve-story condo.
"What are they doing? Are they nuts?" Ray cried.
"Seems that story on the television's playing out," Hudson called back. "They've gotten their hands on some arms, and the Quarrymen want them for themselves... just like when Goliath..."
"They're heading back!" she cried, and the roar of the helicopter banking and surging toward them drowned the rest of her voice out. Flashes and bangs sounded on the ground, and were punctuated by sirens. What seemed to be a blue and white craft was in hot pursuit, and they were smack in the middle of it?
A burst of fire seemed to shoot randomly up, and a flash illuminated the city block for half a mile. Raina whirled off balance, and Hudson banked to anticipate her fall. Somehow the shock of whatever exploded must have knocked the wind from her, and she plummeted like a stone towards a nearby church tower. Pulling his wings close to his body, Hudson dove, his heart pounding. She dropped out of site as she bounced off the high part of the spire, and Hudson threw himself after her. The sharp 'phutt' of something caught his ear, and he glanced just in time to see that Ray was only yards from the street. Something trailed out behind her, and she jerked to a stop, much to his surprise. Quickly he banked, trying to pull out of his frantic dive, and managed to twist just in time to grab at the first bit of stone to catch himself. Claws bit into stone, and hissed with dust as Hudson arrested his fall. Momentarily his eyes flared white, and he snarled, pulling himself hand over hand by his claws to regain his senses.
Ray was all right, swinging back and forth like a pendulum, just out of range of the streetlights in the shadows of the tall cathedral. Hudson had heard of such structures in his day, but they were only things of mere talk in far-off lands south in England, and overseas in Norman territory. The smell of the stone and its texture were familiar, and he saw the carved likenesses greeting him in aching frozen poses. Carved to represent his race, they were a snapshot into a past he'd never see again.
Rock crunched as he crawled across the masonry and under a flying buttress to get to where she dangled from the thin rope. He saw the end had wrapped around one of the supports of the copper roof, and she was dangling from one arm. Carefully he reached the edge, and grasped the thin rope, slowly pulling it up so that he could see if she was still stunned. If she were conscious she would have pulled herself up by now. Placing her over one shoulder, he began to claw his way around to find a hiding spot so he could bring her round. Relief and anger mingled as he heard her breathing by his ear, and the angry shouts and sirens of police arresting a mass of black suited Q men. Some of them had started to scale the church, only to be stopped inches from smashing the statuary.
"Humans are such dolts and dullards. Only they could create such beauty only t' tear it down in a fit of rage," he mumbled. It was an uncomfortable reminder of his clan's fate, and he dared not move till she had come round. What had he been thinking? This training session had an ulterior motive, but was it worth the risk now?
"Ray, lass, can y hear me," he whispered, stretching her out so she could lie more comfortably. He perched in a semi squatting position, with her head cradled in one arm, across his thighs as he stroked her hair and rubbed her hand.
"Hudson, I didn't know you cared," she groaned, and blinked. The faint smile told him he'd had a nasty scare, but she seemed fine.
"Go on ye mcclarty," he growled and laughed at the same time. "Giving me a fright like that! I'll have no more o' yer mischief, or else ye'll get a larupping for making me take on so!"
"Here, or somewhere else?" she joked, and felt reassured by his significant body around and near her. A flashing blink passed, and the sounds of sirens faded into the distance with the angry shouts. Hudson placed her hand across her belly, and noticed the wristcuff that the rope extended from. Raina glanced down and pressed a stud in her inner wrist. Quickly the small spindle on the back whirred, and retracted the cord.
"That's one way t' stop, I suppose, thanks t' that wee gadget, but there are more traditional ways for gargoyles t' be landing in battle," he shook his head. "You fair near had me thinking ye had yer head down. How am I supposed t' teach y' the ways of our kind if ye keep falling off o' buildings?"
From the gruffness and the twinkling in his eyes she knew he was teasing her, to relieve the momentary panic he'd felt, and the sudden embarrassment of being caught unawares. "I'm beginning to think I'll never quite get ALL the norms of your society," she whispered. "You've been doing this since you were a hatchling. I'm just learning things that are instinct to your species..."
"Ye'll take t' it soon enau," Hudson reassured her as he brushed hair out of her eyes, and she squirmed to sit up. His hand supported her, and she managed to sit beside him, her head still ringing from the blast.
"You're taking an awful risk, dancing with death," she commented. "And we've got no idea where we're going... or I don't rather. I know better than to ask, because it's probably some gargoyle rite of passage for a warrior..."
"Indeed 'tis a tradition, but a far more recent one in the making. And I'd be loathe t' abandon it, for a few wee quarrymen... but if ye'd rather turn around, best let me know now... and I'll take ye back..." Hudson offered. He hunched over and dug into the stone with his claws, grinding the edge to dust. A low growl in his throat told her that he was kicking himself for letting himself and her have such a nasty scare.
"Uh uh, you're not getting rid of me THAT easily. I asked about what you did on Thursday nights, and you said you'd show me, and Brooklyn assigned us on patrol together. So, considering we're pretty far from the building, and I stink at gliding, I think we're committed. And you know it as well as I do," Raina quipped, trying to use humor to snap Hudson out of his brooding.
"Bah, it's no the same thing... I shouldna have asked ye t' put yerself into danger... but there is much y' must learn about our ways... and the only way for you t' learn is by the doing... and I keep fergetting ye were not a gargoyle all yer life... though it pains me t' see ye hurt…"
"Oh, so you're not sure you wanna risk it? Quarrymen everywhere?" she asked, glancing at him sidelong. "A brave warrior and mentor like you, who's doubtless trained many a rookery would find this VERY easy... unless you're trying to wriggle out of it..."
"I never wriggle out of anything I canna tackle," Hudson shot back, irritated. "I'd be a warrior o' the clan... and if I say that I'll take ye, I'll take ye, right enough!"
"That's the Hudson we know and love," she said with a grin, and Hudson saw the twinkle in her eyes. Bless her crazy spirit. He glanced down to get his bearings, and shook his head.
"They're gone now. Best be moving while all's clear," he nodded. "Are ye fit t' glide?"
"I'm fine, Hudson... it was just a small shock... you felt it too... I don't know why you're making such a big deal..."
"'Tis my job to fuss," he mumbled. "Is it so bad t' have someone worrying o'er ye?"
"Well, depends," she said. His taloned hand touched hers, and she felt a prickle of electricity in its touch. Marveling at its sweetness, she met his gaze, and knew she had to let go a little. Allow him to care about her welfare and not pretend to be so self-sufficient. There was an aching in her shoulder, and she tried to ignore it as she moved behind him, and readied herself to leap after him. Below the police were too busy mopping things up to notice two figures gliding away towards the bay.
Something had landed on the fence, and in the yard. Jeffry Robins could tell because of the change in the air. Not to mention the sudden whine and bark of Ginny, accompanied by the clatter of dog toenails on a hardwood floor as her bark decreased in volume. Rising from the desk, he followed her barks across a floor that he knew the entire number of steps.
"We've got company, don't we girl," he said as he took the handle that protruded from her harness, and reached for the front door. The open window gave him the sense of what was surrounding his place, and the sounds had been not so pleasant lately. Squealing tires, angry shouts, police sirens. Not to mention the clack of boots and whistle of rocks that were followed by a tinkling of glass shards. Reports on the television blaring about them everywhere.
Or the stone dust between his fingers when he was out on his morning walk, and realized that by the position of the wind blowing in his face from a position at his fence, that something had broken. His hands formed the shape of a stone gargoyle that had been reduced to a splintered pile of rubble. Ginny's barks and growls had told him it was no accident. It was a nice isolated piece of property, in an exclusive beachfront community, but that was at least two years ago. Every Thursday night since then he worried about a friend more than ever. Seemed the ugliness was invading here even.
He was relieved when someone knocked on the door, a heavy hand by the sound, and Ginny let out a friendly whine, and a questioning single bark. Turning the handle and drawing the bolts back he said, "Hudson? Unexpected surprise... I'd thought you'd be here much later... or not at all..."
"I must apologize, Geoffrey," Hudson's voice came, and the smell of wet concrete mingled with leather. "Ran into a wee spot o' bother on the way..."
"I knew you couldn't miss hot chocolate, and the latest chapter of my novel," Geoffrey commented. "And we have an additional visitor... Rachel is it? Pleasure to meet you..."
"I've been told you know all about me?" came the feminine voice, musical yet mature in tone. A three fingered hand enclosed in his, tipped with the same taloned fingernails, but smaller in scale than Hudson's. Followed by a firm shake, and Hudson's footsteps sounding as he shifted his weight.
"All good, ma'am, it's a pleasure... Hudson's been keeping you hidden for weeks... but I see that I finally twisted his arm enough," Geoffrey smiled. "I've got a fire going... and I'm dying of curiosity to hear about what kept you on the way here... considering what's been happening lately."
"If ye don't mind, we'd be having t' spend more than just a few hours..." came Hudson's voice, and there was a frenzied urgency that clued that it wasn't just a mere diversion.
"You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble to keep an appointment Hudson, if things are as bad as they sound on the news... better get in here..." Geoffrey said, and heard the growl of Ginny, and felt the leathery velvet of two figures as he rushed them past. Dog footsteps bounced around a heavy step that vibrated the floor, and a lighter step that was less deliberately spaced.
"Easy nau, we're safe here lass," came Hudson's reassuring voice, and Geoffrey turned.
"First aid kit's in the kitchen, I can go get it... and you'll probably need a warm blanket for her," he said. "You can rest in the living room... you're more than welcome here... Dr. Vitreum..."
"How did you know," Rachel's voice raised in pitch.
"Hudson's told me all about you," Geoffrey said. "And he has good taste in friends..."
"I can see," came Ray's sigh of relief, and he excused himself to find the kit. He'd left the television on, and as he listened to more, he could kick himself for not connecting the two problems. After all, he assumed since Hudson was a warrior it wouldn't be much of a hassle. However he wasn't so sure as he heard more details from the radio in the kitchen. Normally his friend showed better judgement than this, for there were times in the past, especially during the first manifestations of the Quarrymen where if a gargoyle set foot outside the castle, he risked becoming sand under a hammer. Additionally, it was clear to Robbins that the cause of Hudson's sudden lapses in judgement had to do with a gargoyle version of a midlife crisis.
"So, he knows everything?" Ray asked as Hudson helped her to sit down in a large comfortable overstuffed sofa. Her whole body ached, and the makeshift bandage around her shoulder was soaking through with reddish blood. Hudson kept his hand on hers, and gently patted it, as he shifted close to her, and she felt him drape a blanket around her to give her some warmth.
"Aye, here's some cocoa, he was expecting us both...but not in such a manner," Hudson muttered as he thrust the mug into her hands, and she sipped it gratefully. Although Goliath had said that the cold didn't bother them much, gargoyles could still go into shock when traumatized. She saw Geoffrey bring out some clean bandages and other first aid supplies, and hand them to Hudson as he sat opposite them.
"It'll heal in sunlight," Ray said, irritable that they were both making such a big deal over what seemed superficial.
"Maybe so, but dawn is hours away," Hudson reminded her. "I'll not have ye getting into worse shape on account o' me..."
"Hudson, as pleasant as it is to meet your lady friend, you shouldn't have risked it," Geoffrey said as he helped pull the bandage into position, and then clip it with the surgical tape. Hudson winced and Raina saw the momentary flush of embarrassment at the term. She widened her eyes and felt the same awkwardness.
"Aye, perhaps not. But it'd be letting them win if I didna come," Hudson said stubbornly. "And we are here... though not altogether in one piece... thanks to a lack of foresight in the matter. But what's done 'tis done, and there be no undoing it, for we're here."
"I enjoyed your last novel, the Sword and the Staff. Have to say I didn't get around to reading it when it first came out in hardback," Raina suddenly interrupted, wanting desperately to change the subject and cut through tension that had built up.
"There's more important things than my books, Dr. Vitreum...." Geoffrey said, and then turned to Hudson with a frown. "And far more important things than foolishly tempting fate just to prove a point."
"The moment we let our enemy stop us from living as we do means they've won," Hudson said darkly. "And I've a lass t' train in our ways..."
"Hudson, you just should have told me we were going to visit him. Not make it some big secret..."
"I wanted this t' be a pleasant surprise, and time fer training as well..." he trailed off, and looked angrily out the window.
"You're responsible for her safety Hudson, and I understand why you went to the trouble, but even though I'd like to be optimistic that things will turn around, this city's showing a dark face right now..."
"Aye, and I'm sorry. Sorry most of all t' ye, Ray m' lass," Hudson said gloomily. "It's jest that one can go mad without a challenge. We're warriors, not rats, and we can no more stop protecting than..."
"Breathing the air," Geoffrey completed. "I don't blame you. They want you to be afraid. Just like they want blind people and others who're different to stop living life the way we're all entitled to... but there's being safe, and there's being responsible."
"I can handle the challenge," Ray said.
"Aye, and she wished to come," Hudson said softly. "How could I refuse? It's madness out there, Geoffrey, and Goliath is at his wits end. Quarrymen everywhere, and hatred at every turn. But we're still bound to protect Manhattan. And I for one won't let those sassinaches win..."
"Maybe so, but next time, give me a call. I'd have sent a car for you. There's safer ways of keeping our appointment," Geoffrey said.
"Aye, I'll remember that," Hudson said, guilty. "But since we're here... I would like the pleasure of yer company, unless you'd prefer not."
"Dr. Vitreum, could you please take that pillow and hit him hard in his fat head with it?" Geoffrey said seriously, but she heard the laughter in his voice. "I don't let my guests, and my friends out in the cold. Especially not with a new chapter that one of you's dying to read..."
"I'll be getting the hot chocolate then," Hudson said. "Tis the least I can do for worrying ye so."
Another knock sounded at the door, and Hudson momentarily tensed, while Ray looked up. Robbins held up a hand and rose to get it. Judging by the way Ginny ran in a half circle and pawed at the door, it was no threat. Hudson opened his mouth to suggest that they should move, when he heard a familiar voice that made him exhale the breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"Another surprise…"
"I was on my way home, but the traffic was hell, and then I figured you wouldn't mind some company…" came her voice.
"You're always welcome here, Doctor, but we don't exactly have the place to ourselves. I'm having a special reading of Chapter 25…"
"You mean…"
"Absolutely. He's here. With a friend," came Jeffry's voice. By now, Hudson had ducked into the kitchen, and Ray heard the clattering of pots, which indicated he was supposedly whipping up the cocoa he'd promised. Ray straightened up as Jeffrey walked into the living room again, arm in arm with a dark haired woman in her mid forties, with pale olive skin and hazel eyes. No doubt they were quite familiar with one another, because she seemed comfortable with his physical presence. By now Geoffry had tossed her coat onto the clothes tree by the door, and she seemed to know the way already into the living area.
"Cornelia, I'd like you to meet someone…" he said, leading her to just opposite the sofa.
"Cornelia Stahlmann?" asked Ray. "As in the eye surgeon?"
"That'd be me… um… nice to meet you… "
"It's not polite to stare, Cornelia," Geoffry teased. "Why don't you two get acquainted. I'll see what's keeping the cocoa… since we're all going to be here a while…"
After he left them alone, both women regarded one another a moment and Cornelia sat down in the love seat across from the sofa. "Nice to meet you… you'll have to excuse my… shock, but I'm not used to seeing a female gargoyle…"
"And I'm not used to seeing an eye surgeon dropping by at such a late hour," Ray teased. "Name's Ray. As in Rachel…"
"You must be a friend of Hudson's… I don't know if he ever mentioned where we first met…"
"No, but I'm sure you're about to tell me, Sylvia," said Ray with a smile, although she felt more tired than she wanted to admit.
"Maybe I should let Hudson tell you though… considering why he came to meet me in the first place…"
"Well, I can guess he must have been the first gargoyle you treated for something," Ray said. "But the rest I'll figure out later…"
"My assistant couldn't stop talking about it for weeks," Cornelia chuckled, as she folded one leg over the other, and leaned back. Ray could tell she was more at ease now. The questions had been raised, and she for one was grateful for another distraction.
"I dinnae think I'd be seeing ye here," came Hudson's comment as he walked out, carrying a tray. Jeffry followed, and Ray caught Hudson's slightly awkward look that told her of the nature of the treatment he must've received. It only went to show how much about him she had to learn.
"It's good to see you doing so well, Hudson," said Cornelia as she moved to get up, but Robbins sat next to her, holding her gently down with one hand. But Hudson set down the tray on the coffee table and moved to take her hand in his and place a kiss to the back.
"Aye, and likewise… this be a surprise… I'd be supposing ye've met Ray… she's new t' me clan… and Ray this be…"
"We've been introduced, now how about that hot cocoa? I don't know about you but I'm freezing… and I'm sure Ray is too," Cornelia asked as Hudson seemed quite sheepish and flustered, shifting his weight with his tail twitching at the tip. Glancing over his shoulder she saw Cornelia take the carafe while she flipped over the mugs, and started pouring.
"Ach, I'd be fergetting," he said as he sat down next to Ray.
"Well, the more the merrier. And good thing I haven't finished off your last batch of cookie either," Robbins nodded to Cornelia as he reached for one on the plate she put before him.
"They're the best thing other than popcorn for a manuscript reading," Hudson broke in, and he seemed to relax slightly. Cornelia got up momentarily to get something from the nearby desk, but Robbins beat her to it, crossing the floor easily to his computer station. A digital recorder and a screen with a text type were all set up, and Ray saw him pick up the printout and pass it to Hudson.
"Ye want me t' read it," he muttered.
"You never minded doing me the honor before," Robbins said with a mischievous smile.
"It sounds so much better in your accent," Cornelia said. "I'm sure Ray would agree…"
"Yes, I'm looking forward to this," Ray smiled as Hudson realized he was the center of attention, although a bit unwelcome.
"Ach I'd be getting too old fer this level of excitement," he mumbled as he turned the pages to the place where he last remembered stopping. Robbins picked up his Braille copy, and settled down next to Cornelia again.