Found Heritage

Chapter 5

I stepped out of the town car after Phèdre, following her to a local tavern.

"The Cockerel," Phèdre said. We walked inside. "A friend of mine..."

"Phèdre!"

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a dark skinned teen waving us over. Phèdre led the way to the usual table in the back. I walked through the crowd with ease, having gone to the bar that Mother worked at numerous times and sat down. The male teen joined us, carrying a jug of some sort of liquid and three glasses.

"So, Delaunay decided to let you out," he directed at Phèdre. "And who's your friend?" He poured two glasses, giving one to Phèdre.

Which left me to pouring myself some of the liquid before I answered. "Morgan Donna."

"You don't look D'Angeline."

"That's cuz I'm not."

He leaned over to look more closely at me. I leaned away from him, not sure what he was looking for. "Not even Aragonian or from Caerdicca

Unitas? And you're too short to be Skaldia."

I'm sure I had a confused look on my face. I didn't recognize any of the names that he said. Though if I remembered correctly, Aragonia was once a kingdom in Spain. I failed to see any importance in the names.

"Caerdicca Unitas is the country to the south of us," I heard Phédre say. "Kinda shaped like a boot."

Italy, I thought. "And Skaldia?"

"To the east of us. Just this side of the mountains."

Then Skaldia is Russia. I took a drink of what I had poured and nearly returned it to the glass. "Are you gonna introduce yourself, or do I have to go asking about?"

He had the look of feigned hurt. "You haven't heard of me?"

"I've been here for about twelve hours. Enlighten me if you will."

"I am Hyacinthe, the Prince of Travelers." His voice had risen when he gave his title of Prince of Travelers.

"I feel honored," I replied, jesting. "To have met a Prince of Travelers."

The next day, I focused on unpacking all that was still on the boxes. I could barely hear the going-ons downstairs and heard the front door open then close. I didn't think much of it since I knew that someone must have either gone or were entertaining someone who had arrived. Hearing footsteps on the stairs then the hallway, I finished unpacking the last of the boxes that had my clothes in it.

"Morgan," I heard from the door. I turned to see Alcuin there. "Lord Delaunay wishes to see you." Then he left.

I made a mental note on what I finished and what I still had to unpack then left to see where Delaunay was. I found him and Phédre in his
study with an unknown man in dove-gray clothes.

"Morgan," Delaunay said. waving me in. "Come meet Joscelin. Your escort for whenever you leave the house."

I walked in and sized this Joscelin up. "What's he suppose to be? A failed ninja? 'Sides, I don't need a bodyguard." I looked at Delaunay.

"I'm a Cassiline," Joscelin said, giving me a stiff bow.

I looked at Phédre, who seem to share my feelings and thoughts. "And who, or what, is a Cassiline?"

"You've never heard of the Cassiline Brotherhood?" He looked at me, his expression showed his surprise.

I shook my head. "I've been in the country for a day. Indulge me, Cassiline."

He looked to Delaunay for help. Apparently he's never had to deal with someone who hasn't heard of the Brotherhood.

"Morgan," Delaunay spoke, gaining my attention. "Of all Elua's Companions, Cassiel was the only one that stood by his side."

"And I'm to be saddled with him?"

"Unless Phèdre or Alcuin go on an assignation, yes."

I looked to Phèdre, who motioned to follow. I took the escape and followed her upstairs. In the privacy of my still unpacked room, Phèdre

closed the door."Care to explain all this business of Companions, Elua, and assignations?" I asked her. "And don't beat around the bush with me."

"Assignations are done between adepts of any one of the thirteen Houses of the Night Court," Phédre explained. "Meaning that if one had the

money, they could chose an adept for a secret lovers' meeting."

"I know what assignation means." I waved it off. "What about this Elua and his Companions?"

"Elua was conceived through the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of the One God," Phédre began. "When a Tiberium soldier used a spear to pierce his side and the tears of the Magdalene combined in the womb of Mother Earth herself. While the One God mourned the loss of Yeshua, Elua traveled the land, but was rejected by many because he wasn't the One God's legitimate son and the offspring of the enemy by the people of Tiberium.

"He was arrested for unknown charges in Persis. By this time, tales of his travels reached Heaven and eight of God's own angels came to free Elua. They're Azza, Anael, Camael, Cassiel, Eisheth, Naamah, and Shemhazai."

I sat on the bed, content on listening the religious history of Terre d'Ange. After all, what I would learn in the following months and year would prove to be much more of a shock to me than this.

"Naamah went to the King of Persis and offered one night to him in return for Elua's freedom. He accepted," Phédre continued as if my act of sitting didn't happen. "Each of the thirteen Houses of the Night Court have a version of this night. But the King was the afraid of the One God's wraith and broke his promise. He feared the Angels, so instead of killing Elua, the King gave them strong wine to drink and put them in a boat and sent them into the middle of the sea with no sails." She took a breath. I guess all this explaining took time. "But Elua sang and dolphins took him to shore.

"The people of Bhodistan didn't wish to turn away from their multitude of Gods, they saw light in Elua and wished him no harm. When Elua grew hungry and Mother Earth's creatures couldn't sustain him, Naamah would lay with strangers in the market. So, that's why her servants are near holy figures and what we do, we do is almost a sacred act. In Skaldia, Elua made friends of ravens and wolves.

"When they came to a nameless country, which was Terre d'Ange at the time, the armies of Tiberium were retreating during the collapse of their empire. The land was fertile and the people welcomed them with open arms. Here, Elua and His Companions founded their own territories. All but Cassiel who remained loyal to the One God and Elua."

I couldn't believe I was caught up in the tale until Phédre stopped to regain her breath. I wouldn't necessary call myself a religious person, but the story of the beginning of the religion of Terre d'Ange.

"After some years, the One God turned from his grieving and saw what Elua and His Companions had created. Seeing that their offspring would overrun the earth, he sent his host's leader to summon them before him. But Elua smiled at the host, gave the kiss of peace, and laying flower necklaces around his neck. The leader returned empty-handed. The One God sent his arch-herald with an offer of forgiveness and a place with

him in heaven.

"Elua borrowed Cassiel's dagger and scored his own palm, the blood falling on the earth anemones, which bloomed. Elua refused, saying 'My grandfather's Heaven is bloodless and I am not. Let him offer a better place where we may love, sing, and grow as we are wont, where our children and our children's children may join us, and I will go.' He was told there wasn't such a place. But Mother Earth spoke to her once husband and said they could create such a place. Thus the creature of the true Terre d'Ange that lies beyond our perception. Blessed Elua and his Companions went willing to it, passing through not the dark gate of death but through the bright gate. Only Cassiel gazed back in sorrow."

Thus Phèdre finished the tale of Elua and I couldn't help but wonder if there were more to the tale. I wanted there to be more to the tale.