Meet the Ancients: Chapter 3

"Do you think that she will come back regardless?"

I thought back to the conversation I had with her out in the parking lot. "Yes I do."

After Pam left again I looked over at the dais. Bill and Sookie were still there, not sure whether to leave or stay. I summoned them. They walked over and sat down in the seat Pam had vacated.

"Sookie I need you to tell me everything that you heard from her."

Bill glared at me and I realized that he had not yet figured out that I am rapidly losing interest in "his" Sookie. Then again, however, possession of 2 telepaths might be interesting. Too bad neither of them seems to be of the type that would be willing to share.

"Well, I didn't get much about the Ancient. Mostly visual images; clear green eyes, light brown hair, muscled build – he was a warrior not a farmer, height maybe 6'2" or 6'3". He has tattoos, they look old – similar to the ones Godric had, but different. And . . . I think I saw a wolf."

A warrior I thought, well that was good – and bad. We should be able to understand each other when we did meet – and I am certain that we will. Of course if he wants to keep her that will be very bad – he is at least four times my age. . . And what can a wolf possibly mean?

"And Erik . . . "she sounded worried.

"Yes"

"There is another power that they have that other younger vampires don't. She was about to tell you and then covered over it with the information about silver." She hesitated.

"What is it?"

"They can set another vampire on fire from the inside out just by thinking about it."

Great, this just keeps getting better and better I thought, but this is not the information that I want.

"Tell me about her; likes, dislikes, hobbies, pets. About those wines which she said she likes, I know the McLaren Valley is in Australia – but where is the other one from?"

Bill looked at me oddly – maybe he is finally figuring it out.

"The Viognier is from a small winery in Central California, Paso Robles. It's fermented with wild yeast. And it is only sold to those on the winery's membership list. She will be impressed if you find it."

I will send someone to the winery tomorrow and have them purchase several cases; either bribery or threats should do the job.

"She has 2 cats – both black and white, long haired, tuxedo patterned and 1 dog – a red pit-bull. They are with her at the house she rented for 4 months."

4 months – this is good.

"How long has she been here?" I asked.

"Not long, maybe 2 weeks."

This is good news – she will be around for a while still.

"The property has a stable on it to keep the horses she purchases in. She plans on breeding a few before she goes home."

"She is going to miss the snow while she is here. She likes to sail, owns a catamaran and a small sailboat. She also has a pair of ocean kayaks that she takes out on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. "Sookie shivered then, "It was sooo cold when she capsized at Pictured Rocks."

Well that narrows down the area that she lives in. Odd, that is the general area that I lived when I first moved to the New World.

"She can fence, although she hasn't practiced recently. She pulled out of my mind that you were a Viking and wondered how good you are with a sword – or if you prefer a battle axe."

So she was wondering about me? This is encouraging.

"She likes 'real' lakes; all we have here are oversized ponds. Also likes forests, mountains and thunderstorms. She hates deserts, high heat and humidity, spiders and California reptiles."

"She likes to dance and was Goth before it was ever a term. And she is 47 years old."

She was 20 then when she met whoever her friend is.

"Although she goes by the name Nordhast now, she has used Nordstrom and Nordlund in the past. Her real last name is Nordberg."

Good information for Pam to use in her search.

"She has been to Sweden 5 times on vacation. Lived there for 2 years and is returning there this summer to kayak from Stockholm west to the sea on the canals. She is also in the planning process for a trip to kayak Isle Royale."

That explains why she can understand and speak Swedish.

"That's all I got. Some of it she made sure I saw."

"If you remember any more tell Bill immediately. Bill do not waste any time informing me if Sookie comes up with anything, you have my cell number. Oh . . . and be here no later than 7:00 on Thursday."

Bill scowled at me again. He definitely has not figured it out yet. He always was a little slow.

I went through the back door, walked down the hall and entered my office. Pam was sitting there working on the computer. She glanced up at me.

"I am researching her name and Friesian horse farms within a half days drive. I would like to check vehicle records – did you happen to get her license plate number or the state it is from?"

That would have been a good idea. She had certainly gotten to me.

"No", I went on, "but I do have more clues for you thanks to Sookie."

"Her real last name is Nordberg, but also look under Nordstrom and Nordlund. Check into kayaking clubs. She most likely lives in northeast Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan, check Michigan first. Also look for a US passport and Swedish visa."

Pam gave me a look at that one, "So that is how she . . ."

I interrupted, "She lived there for 2 years and vacations there regularly." I continued, "She may have lived in California, that winery for the Viognier is there and is very small. Plus it only sells to a membership list – maybe you can get a hold of a copy of the list."

"She is renting a house somewhere around Shreveport for 4 months. It will have a stable – and she has not been in it long."

"Oh – and she is 47 years old."

Pam raised an eyebrow at this piece of news. "I did not know our blood could do that."

"I never heard of the effect lasting so long." I continued on, "Thursday I will have someone else actually working the door. I need you to keep an eye out for her; I do not want her to have to bother with the line or finding me. She told me before she drove off that she would be here at 6:30. She ought to be easy to spot driving in – her vehicle is a silver one ton crew cab pickup. Keep one of the waitresses with you. When she arrives, call me on my cell and send the waitress to bring the wine to my booth."

"Also keep an eye out for a vampire who is about 6'3", warrior build, light brown hair, clear green eyes, old tattoos of geometric designs in blue woad."

I paused then continued, "Be very careful if you see him. He may show up before Thursday. Let me know immediately – especially if somehow a wolf is connected to him."

"Who is he?"

"It is a visual image that Sookie got from Magan's mind of Him."

"You think he will come here?"

"I know he will – it is just a matter of time", I added in my mind - I would if I were Him.

Well that was it, hope you liked it.

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