The Princess and the Sheriff
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.
Thomas Jefferson
To fight and conquer in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy with no fight at all, that's the highest skill.
- Sun Tsu
Chapter 9: Godric and Sophie-Ann
**
Godric watched as the moon played hide-and-seek with him in the sky. Thin clouds drifted across the white sphere, tugged along by a warm breeze. The heavy scent of damp salt permeated the air. He heard the laughter of the ocean near by. He thought of happy children, playing. Their laughter calling to him, won't you join us? He smiled as the shy moon's pale light illuminated the structure below palace of Queen Sophie-Ann was by modern standards, flashy. It was meant to inspire awe, reminding visitors of where they were. Godric stood on the low hill before the large, sprawling house. He made his way down, crossing to main entry.
To gain access to palacehe had to cross a man-made lake via floating boardwalks. They formed a cross on the water; allowing access from three sides. He was facing the center path. There were two male vampires in black suits standing on either side of the main door. The exterior was richly decorated with different shades of pale cream-colored marble. Columns ran the length of the house from the ground to the second floor; supporting it. The further up one looked at the building; the more grand and glorious it got. It was built in the style of Ancient Greek palaces. A statement of the owner's believed importance to the world.
After more then 2000 years of life; he had seen palaces before. The house had no effect on him. He focused on the task at hand. He was here to speak to the queen; about his presence in her domain. It was a courtesy call really, politically speaking. He closed his eyes a moment; to ground himself. Within his mind he could feel Lennie's presence miles away in Shreveport. He tapped the link between them. He could see her moving about their house, Eric stood with her. They were moving furniture and talking between themselves. She was doing as he has asked, settling their home. Godric could feel her apprehension for him; her concern that Sophie-Ann may attempt to overpower him. Godric was moved; no one worried about him quite like his Lovisa. She didn't worry because she thought him helpless; she knew he wasn't. She worried because she loved him so.
Godric withdrew from the link between them; lest she sense his presence in her own. He opened his eyes and crossed the water. The boards under his feet moved, rocking gently with the water. It was oddly soothing. Crossing to the other side he paused as the guards opened the door. Godric saw the marble and gilded hallway before him. No expense had been spared in this home. He had seen grandeur before; he was not intimidated or at all moved by his surroundings.
A human stood in the hall waiting for him. She was dressed in short-shorts and a red bikini top. Her feet were bare. Her hair was styled into pig-tails on either side of her head. She smiled at him; looking over his clothes.
"Jeans are comfortable aren't they?" She asked. "I'm Hadley, by the way."
Godric didn't reply, simply walked through the open door. One of the men shut it behind him.
"I like the t-shirt too," The human said, "I hadn't thought the infamous Godric would be a Slipknot fan."
His clothes had been picked up by one of Eric's human employees. They'd come to the house before he left to visit the queen. There hadn't been enough time between landing at the airport and coming here to find him a tailored suit. Not that he would have worn it. He had dressed this way for a reason.
"Well, come on." The human turned and led him through the marble hallway. "You sure are a quiet one."
The human led him to a large pool area. It reminded him of the great bath houses found in Rome during the height of its power. Along the exterior wall, it was all windows. There was an uninterrupted view of the ocean from this room. The ceiling was dripping with crystal chandeliers; real gold was inlaid between the marble tiles over head. Frescos decorated the walls in a beach-theme; striking him as slightly childish in their details. The soft strings of classical music came from every corner of the great pool-house.
Sophie-Ann, Queen of Louisiana, was lounging on a chaise. Her pale body was draped in a rich red silk robe; her black two-piece swimsuit was meant to accent her sex appeal. Godric stood across the pool from her. She was reading a copy of Living Dead magazine, it was a vampire-publication similar to OK! and US WEEKLY. There was a picture of Lennie on the cover. It was from the lobby of the hotel; her arm over her face. The headline: WHAT IS SHE HIDING? splashed across the cover in yellow letters. After several long seconds; Sophie-Ann lowered the magazine. She stared at him through her white-rimmed sunglasses. Using one manicured fingernail she lowered the large-lens sunglasses, regarding him coolly. Her gaze swept over his simple clothes; she was unimpressed. Her pale blue eyes were empty of expression; she looked bored.
"Queen Sophie-Ann," Godric's tone was reserved, "I came as courtesy to announce my presence here. I apologize for not giving you more notice."
She waved a manicured hand at him; the polish on her nails matched her red robe. "It's not everyday Godric the Great, drops by."
Godric tipped his head in acknowledgment.
He had been made aware of his nickname centuries ago. It was not one he had chosen. Indeed, it had been bestowed on him by others of his kind. He would not have given himself such a name. Calling himself Godric the Great seemed pretentious.
"Have you fed tonight?" She asked lightly, "Hadley?"
The human took a step closer. Godric ignored her, "I have no need."
Sophie-Ann smiled, it was a touch evil. "Perhaps you would prefer something younger?"
"No, thank you." Godric spoke softly.
Sophie-Ann waved her hand, dismissing Hadley. They were alone. She picked up her magazine again. A few moments of silence passed by.
Godric spoke, "I am simply here to assure you, that my stay in your queendom is temporary. I came only to visit with Eric."
"I love reading these things." Unmoving from her chaise; She turned another page in her magazine. "I heard you ran into trouble with the Fellowship in Dallas."
"Some," He admitted.
"It's good that Newlin creep is dead. He had it coming, self-righteous dick that he was. I've wondered though, who among your vampires would kill him? You certainly wouldn't do it. It goes againast your goals of peace. But it does ensure the humans take us serisously."She turned another page of the magazine. "They will think twice before coming after us." She paused, "However, they did send a suicide bomber into your nest. Missing that was a sloppy mistake on your part."
Sophie-Ann settled more comfortbly on her chaise turning another page. "However, I have considered the destruction of Newlin's church. I would have ordered it if Texas was my queendom." She considered again, still not looking agawy from her magazine. However, the extent of the fire, the...sheer size of it...reminds me of someone." She paused dramaticly.
She was openly toying with Godric. He was unaffected by it. The queen waved her hand as if dismissing whatever she thought.
"That was a very nice touch. Very Hollywood." She took a moment to examine her nails. "I very turned on by what I saw. Such destruction always gets me going. I wish I had someone like that here. Life might not be so incredibly dull" She ran her thumb over her nails, "Sorry to hear about you getting kicked out of Dallas."
Godric knew she wasn't the least bit sorry. Her tone was devoid of anything but arrogance. He didn't say a word.
The queen glanced at him then, "Your progeny, Eric," She mused slightly, "I do enjoy having him as my Sheriff." She smiled to herself. "He's very..."She waved her hand, "Good at what he does. His future is bright, at the moment."
Godric didn't miss the vieled threat in those words. He kept himself still, nodding at her words. "It's good to hear he is doing well."
"So, you want me to just leave you be and let you hang out?" The queen regarded him for a long moment; studying his clothes critically.
She stood up then; moving with grace. Her beauty did not affect him as she made her way around the pool. She came to stand in front of him; bending down like an adult would to a small child. She clasped her hands on her knees, peering at him.
"You really expect me to believe that, Godric? That your only here to see Eric."
He met her gaze, "It is the truth."
"So you came all this way for a family reunion?" She laughed; it was a bright, sparkling sound. "How sweet. Tell me, is Lennie still with you? I saw her last movie; great work." Sophie-Ann stood, regarding him with cool eyes. "Had you brought her with you, when you came to see me, I might have believed you sincere. But since you did not…" She turned away, her hand moved in a cast-off gesture. "I can only think that you are lying to me."
"I have no reason to lie." His tone was calm.
Sophie-Ann appeared in front of him, fangs out. "You have every reason to lie to me! You think me a fool? Do you honestly think I don't know what you want?"
"I want to visit my son." He repeated.
Sophie-Ann snarled at him, "You are here to take my domain from me."
"I have no desire to be king of any territory. Not now, not ever. I came as a courtesy to you. A gesture of respect for your position." Godric met those pale blue eyes unaffected by her outrage. "I did not need to come here."
She scoffed at him as her fangs snapped back. She shook her head as if he were a silly child. "I am queen of this area. Had you not come to me; I would hunted you down and killed you. Do not think for a moment that Eric would stop me. He knows his place in our world."
Godric tipped his chin up, just slightly. "Now, it is you who is foolish, your majesty. To think that any forces you send would survive."
"You would not fight them." She said indignently, turning her back to him. She walked away as if to forget him.
Godric's spoke with surety. "Lennie would; you know her willingess to kill. She is a feared enemy, your majesty. It is not wise to cross her."
The queen waved a hand in the air; dismissing his words. "You want peace; everyone knows that. But peace with humans is a ridiculous goal!"
She turned, as model would at the end of a runway, posing to her own rflection in the mirrors around her. Making her way back to him, she gave him little attention.
"You would order her not to fight. Yet another massacre because of you. You can't afford any more bad press. Where could you go then? No one would give you shelter."
Godric made no reply to her words. Sophie-Ann scoffed at him. Thinking him intimidated. She laughed again; enjoying her precieved authority over him.
"Give me Lennie," The Queen demanded, "Send her to me. As long as she stays with me, you are welcome to stay with Eric. It's a fair trade."
Godric gave the slightest shake of his head, "I will not."
Sophie-Ann shrugged him off, she paused a few feet from him. "Then you are not welcome in my queendom."
"I have every intention of staying your lands." Godric did not look away from the menacing glare she levelled at him.
Suddenly she laughed again, "God I love it! Your not at all what I expected. You think you're hot shit, don't you, boy?" She closed the gap between them. Bending down to his level. Her gaze met his, his dark eyes were calm. Her expression was patronizing
"Such arrogance, little man. Don't forget, I am the Queen here. You have no authority." She taunted him.
Godric let his age give weight to his eyes. Suddenly those dark depths were something more. Sophie-Ann flinched just a little but kept his gaze. The barest touch of his true power brushed across her. The softest whisper can annoucnce the greatest storm. The air pressure around her became a physical mass. Her body felt weaker, fragile. Godric's will took hold of her mind. She tried to ignore it. To push it away. Then everything got worse; she suddenly felt very human! Sophie-Ann tried to stand; to look away. Anything. But her body would not move. She was no longer in control of her own self. Panic trickled through her. She had forgotten who she really dealing with.
When he spoke, his tone was quiet. "I am here only to visit Eric." The weight lifed off her, releasing her, as Godric's eyes cleared. The Queen felt drained; sucked dry. She found herself gasping for air she didn't need. She felt shaky.
Godric's spoke lightly, "If you choose to send your forces to interupt my stay, you may. You know from experience, the cost of coming against me."
Sophie-Ann's gaze could no longer meet his eyes. Despite Godric having lifted his power from her. She continued to feel his power push against her, forcing her to step back against her will. She straightened; her hand played with the edge of her robe. It was a nervous human gesture. Her eyes held real fear now. For the first time since he arrived; she really looked at him. Remembered who and what stood before her. She shook her head. The motion was that of some one who was afraid. Turning away from him, she continued to shake her head as if trying to clear it of an unwanted memory. Her red hair moving with the force of it.
"No, no, no!" Her anger over-riding the human emotion. "You! I will not be afraid of you. I am Queen!" The tough words were a vain attempt to hide her fear. She searched wildly around the room, nothing she saw calmed her. Terror taken hold of her expression know. Whatever she was remembering because of his words; filled her with dread. "You would not do it; you are peaceful ..." Her voice trembled. Gone was the bravado of a queen. She was a frightened woman as she stared at the vampire boy before her.
The look on Godric's face was that of angel. She shut her eyes to stay the memories he had stirred. Sophie-Ann struggled to regain her composure but was still shaking. The effects of Godric's power were fresh in her mind. What had she done?
Godric turned, she made a grab for him. A desperate attempt to re-assert herself over the one she called boy.
"I have not dismissed you! I will have Lennie!And I will do as I please with Eric." She snarled.
He looked back at her. The authority of two thousand plus years of vampire existence filled every corner of that great room. She felt small and frail. A dying leaf against the wrath of a growing hurricane. She froze in mid-reach for him, her hand shaking. Invisible weight forced her hand down to her side. Pushing, demanding that she fall. Her knees threatened to cave in. The room seemed to close in on her. The sheer weight of his presence forced her to her knees. She caught herself on one arm. The other still clamped to her side.
"Know this," He said barely above a whisper, "All that has happened here tonight; all that you have remembered, is but a taste of what I am. This will be nothing; if you do not leave us alone."
Godric stepped back, turned away from her, heading back the way he came.
Sophie-Ann fought to rise. But she could not even lift a finger. He had made not one physical motion, other then turning away and still she knelt, watching him leave. Still the force around her demanded she go lower. As though to crush her through the very floor upon which she knelt. Her bones ached, bending under the pressure. She whimpered softly, believing herself to be moments from final death.
"Godric!" Sophie-Ann cried. "Godric!"
Godric moved to the front door. Sophie-Ann's cries echoed in the great palace. Still no one had come to her aid. One of the two guards blocked his exit. The second stood outside; readying to attack if his friend faild. The first one charged at Godric, with a yell of courage.. Godric blurred himself forward; one guard was suddenly flying through the air. The marble wall several yards away cracked as the guard slammed against it. Bits and pieces fell around him as he lay still on the polished floor. The second guard hesitated, looking down at the boy in a Slipknot t-shirt and jeans. In the same moment, the moon appeared from the clouds. Godric's presence transmuted the moon's soft silver glow had turned to sunlight. The pale light breathed across both of them. But only the guard began to scream. Smoke curled into the night air as blisters formed and skin peeled. BLood ran out from between the cracks in his skin, burning where it touched. Godric crossed the floating boardwalk as the moon slid behind it's cloudy cover.
The injured guards watched Godric's receding back, his power weighed down their very bones. This was not merely a boy in blue jeans. They had seen a boy approach the house, unassuming, forgettable. But it was Godric the Great they watched leave. Who would not fear the fullness extent of the power he commanded so easily?