"Time to wake up, Katherine." Her eyes flew open, and she sat bolt upright. Vincent jerked awake in time to feel the wheels of the jet touch the runway, he looked over and saw her startled look.
"What's wrong, Katherine?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, I thought I heard someone talking to me."
Sophia arrived with a small tray of hot face towels. She glanced over at Vincent and nodded. It had been the Dominus who had spoken to Katherine through the headset. "You heard the captain announcing that we have arrived in Geneva." She handed the warm face towel to Katherine with a small set of tongs. "This will refresh you."
Vincent disappeared into the lavatory with his travel kit and nodded to Sophia to watch over Katherine while he was changing clothes.
Katherine took the towel and pressed it to her face. There was a scent of mint in the moist towel as she pressed it against her eyes. She handed it back to Sophia, "Thank you. What time is it?"
Sophia rolled her wrist and looked at her watch, "It's nearly four o'clock in the morning."
Vincent reappeared from the back. He had changed clothes and looked freshly shaved. He smiled at her. "It's all yours, plenty of hot water left."
"Your bag is waiting for you, so you can freshen up and change," Sophia told her then looked at Vincent, "The car will be here in about twenty minutes."
Katherine went to the back of the jet and found her luggage sitting on a bench. She unzipped the side and pulled new undergarments out, and her bag of toiletries. She could probably manage a 'cat bath' in the lavatory. Sophia appeared carrying a garment bag. "Here are a change of clothes, they just arrived."
Katherine turned around to see Sophia pulling several garments from the garment bag, including a light coat. "How?"
Sophia shrugged her shoulders lightly, "Let's see if you like any of these clothes, shall we?"
Katherine did like most of what had been selected for her. She decided on the dove grey trousers and a matching long raw silk tunic. At the bottom of the bag were several pairs of shoes that matched or coordinated with the clothes in the garment bag. Katherine took the flat loafers that were a near match to the trousers. Sophia hung everything on a hook, "I will be just outside if you need anything." She gave Katherine a warm smile and stepped out, closing the compartment doors with a click.
Katherine touched the raw silk tunic and smiled. Someone had excellent taste and knew the style of clothes she preferred. She went into the bathroom with her toiletry bag. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked well-rested and the strain on her face was gone! She smirked at her reflection, "Money in the bank does wonders doesn't it honey!" she whispered and pulled her toothbrush from the bag along with a small tube of toothpaste.
At the front of the cabin, Vanderau stood waiting to disembark. Vincent met the Dominus' eyes. "We will talk with you mid-morning, yes?"
"Yes," Vanderau said. "Let's push the time to 10:30 shall we? That will give Mrs. Tremeur time to prepare a light brunch before the call."
"Of course," Vincent replied.
Vanderau glanced down the length of the jet where Sophia had taken up guard while Katherine washed up. He lifted a hand in farewell and Sophia waved back. He ducked out and spoke briefly to Francis who waited at the bottom of the stairs. A sleek black SUV pulled up and Vanderau got into the back. Coffee was waiting for him along with the morning newspaper.
Katherine emerged from the bathroom just in time to see the black SUV out the oval window, she took a closer look and realized that someone was leaving, and it wasn't the pilot, and she could hear Vincent talking on his cell phone in rapid French.
She was standing there in her underwear when she realized the Dominus had been on the plane with them! When had he gotten on? Where had he been? She quickly slipped on her new clothes and ran her hands down her arms. She felt wonderful in these clothes! She glanced out the window again and saw the SUV was gone and another black sedan was sitting in its place.
Sophia tapped on the compartment door, "Are you decent?"
"I am!" Katherine called. "Just putting on my shoes."
Sophia opened the compartment and stepped back as Katherine walked into the jet's main body, "You look grand!"
Katherine smiled and then pointed out the closest window. "Who was that that just left? It was him -- the Dominus, wasn't it?"
Sophia's smile broadened. "Yes, he joined us at Heathrow. He co-piloted with Francis."
Katherine nodded. She turned her icy blue glare on Vincent, "Vincent!"
"Uh-oh, what have I done now?" Vincent asked. He turned around and grinned appreciatively at her. "You look stunning, Katherine!"
"You didn't wake me up to meet him!" Katherine accused Vincent. "Why?"
"It was not the time or the place to meet you, Katherine," Vincent replied gently. "He wants you to settle in for a few days and then you will meet. We will be speaking to him later on a conference call with the other members of the Sept."
She was prepared to be angry but for some reason, she was not, instead, she was just confused. "I just don't understand why all the evasion."
"I know," Vincent replied. "But you will understand soon, I promise you."
She nodded silently and picked up her backpack. Sophia was ready with her luggage bag and her garment bag with the rest of the clothes that were brought to her. She handed those to Francis who put them into the trunk of the car with Vincent's bag. The garment bag was laid carefully on top. Vincent watched the proceedings from the open door of the jet. It was still pre-dawn with a faint pink blush in the eastern skies. He slipped on his suit jacket. He took the light jacket from Sophia and held it for Katherine. She dropped her backpack into her seat and put her arms into each sleeve of the jacket. Vincent slid it up onto her shoulders. The jacket was made from the same material as her trousers but lined in grey silk. She turned to Sophia who impulsively threw her arms around Katherine, "Safe journey, Katherine!"
Katherine returned the hug, climbed down the steps of the jet, and shook hands with Francis as she reached the bottom. "Perhaps I'll see you again, Miss Van Dermeer."
"Perhaps, thank you for a wonderful flight --- even though I slept through most of it!" Katherine said with a smile.
Francis chuckled. "Next time we fly, you can take a peek into the cockpit, and see what I get to look at for most of the flight."
"I'd like that," Katherine replied.
Vincent shook Francis' hand, went to the passenger door, and opened it for Katherine. It was a European model, and it was a bit disconcerting sitting on the left side with no steering wheel. She took the seatbelt buckle Vincent pulled around to her. She took it from his fingers, she glanced up at him, "Vincent, no matter what happens," she said her blue eyes darkening with concern, "I'm sure the Dominus doesn't blame you for anything." and snapped it in place.
Vincent felt his knees turn to water and he sat down on the car's running board. His dark brown eyes were wide in wonder, "You heard my thoughts, Katherine!"
Whatever had happened to Katherine, it was like a door closing. She shook her head as if to clear it and she sighed. "It's happening again,"
Vincent frowned and then realized both Francis and Sophia were watching them. He stood and threw another wave to Sophia, got in, and locked his seatbelt. He pressed the power button and the car rumbled to life. "We'll reach Manor de le jeune fille du Soleil in a few hours." He told her, "Time enough for you to tell me what is happening to you again."
She drew in a deep steadying breath and let it go slowly. "Well, it started up again about three years ago. Before that, I was in college about mid-way from an important recital." She paused and glanced over at Vincent. He was intent on the road, a frown drawing his dark eyebrows together. "Anyway, three years ago, I started having terrible headaches, migraine-like, but the kind that didn't go away even with medication. The night terrors started up again, nearly every night. I'd wake up screaming." She scoffed lightly, "It got so bad that Taylor started sleeping in the guest room. That's when he suggested the psychiatrist."
"I see," Vincent said flatly, "Did he offer comfort to you?"
"He saw it as a psychological problem," Katherine said. "He seemed to think that I was trying to distance myself from him, but I wasn't."
Vincent grunted. Katherine smiled over at him. "It's okay, Vincent." She told him. "It's all over with now. So, tell me what was the name of the place we're going to?"
"It's called Manor de le jeune fille du Soleil." He replied, glancing over at her.
"Hmm, let me try and see if I can remember what that might be," Katherine said. "Sun maids manor?"
"That is very close!" Vincent cheered. "The place is called, 'the Sun Maiden's Manor.'"
"Vincent, can you tell me why the Dominus is so covert? He's been generous and I can't complain about the accommodations, but there is this feeling I keep having that I'm in danger."
Vincent checked his side mirror and then the rearview mirror. The roads were clear except for a few cars at the airport and the motorway they drove on was all but deserted. He found a spot that was specifically made for viewing the terrain. There were no other cars or tourists, so they were completely alone. He pulled over and stopped the car. He glanced at the car's dashboard and nodded out the windshield, "It's a bit brisk out there, you want to stretch your legs?"
She got out and came to stand at the high railing that gave a panoramic view of the valley below. They had been traveling up into the low hillside and beginning to ascend the mountain ranges. It was chilly and the wind that blew made her skin tingle. "What I can tell you is that the Dominus is protecting you. As a Potential, you must remain beyond reproach. You cannot be compromised – even by the Dominus. So, he must limit his contact with you. None of the others in the Sept, even those with Potentials, can approach. If anyone did even inadvertently, they forfeit their chance to be in the oculus during the testing."
"I understand," Katherine replied, "It just seems so over the top."
"Yes, but it is essential – everyone will do all they can to be beyond reproach," Vincent said. He saw her shivering and grinned, "So are you ready to get to the Sun Maiden?"
"I am! It's colder up here in the hills than when we got off the jet!" She declared. Vincent saw Katherine back safely in the car and they continued on the roadway. They traveled through rolling hills and small communities and out onto a forested meandering road that slowly took them to a higher elevation. They were in a dense forest for much of the trip when Katherine suddenly remembered something.
"You know Taylor recorded me during one of my episodes," she told Vincent. "When I played it for Dr. Prichard, he said it was gibberish, but I always thought it might have meant something."
"Do you have it?" Vincent asked.
"I do," Katherine said, "I have it saved on my phone." She drew her pack up and drew out her phone. She opened the file that held the recording. She frowned at it, the file was called, 'crazy talk'. She turned up the volume a bit, "I have to warn you, I'm screaming and crying at first then I calm down and start the gibberish."
Vincent glanced over at her. "Let me find a place to pull over and then I want you to play it for me."
"Okay," she answered, she was feeling nervous again, suppose Vincent thought she was crazy?
"You are not crazy, Katherine!" Vincent declared as he pulled over onto the wide shoulder of the road. They both stared at each other in surprise.
"Now you're reading my mind!" Katherine said and laughed lightly.
Vincent smiled gently at her, "Go ahead, play it."
As she had said, the recording was disturbing to listen to. She wept in terror and then when she began to scream it was as if she was being tortured! Vincent's heart pounded in fear and anger, how could the man just record the incident and not try to help wake her?
Then she started speaking. "Mother of God!" Vincent cried out. "It can't be!"
"Do you understand it?" Katherine asked.
"Back it up to when you are speaking, and turn the volume up, Katherine."
She did and Vincent listened closely. He looked astonished at her as he listened.
"Does it mean something?" Katherine asked.
"Yes!" Vincent said with barely contained rage. "How could he not have at least tried to find an answer for you?"
"It's okay, Vincent," Katherine said and placed a hand on his shoulder, "What language is it?"
"It's a very old dialect," Vincent said, "I am not certain of what you are saying, but it appears that you somehow have the memories of the first elemental."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Katherine said then as Vincent was about to explain, she waved away what he was going to say, "But what do you make of it?" Katherine wanted to know. "What is happening?"
"Best I can tell, there is a battle of wills going on," Vincent said, "Whomever you are battling, they are trying to dominate or kill you, I can't tell which. You call upon a primeval power, it is courting you, wanting you and you ask for its help. This entity grants the help, but it demands something from you in return. I do not know what the price was."
Katherine laughed lightly but Vincent took her hand in his. He looked both fearful and awed. She smiled at him and then looked at the file name. "I guess I should rename the file."
"Rename it, 'Kiss of Raine'," Vincent murmured. "Would you share the recording with me so I can find true answers for you?"
"I guess so, I do want answers," Katherine replied. "A few minutes of embarrassment is worth finding answers to the questions that have plagued me for such a long time."
He pulled his phone from the inside pocket of his coat and Katherine shared the audio file with him. When he received it he immediately forwarded it to several people, one being the Dominus. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Katherine," Vincent told her. "I promise you will have your answers!"
They continued on a narrow road that slowly crept up the side of a large hillside up to a black wrought iron gate. A man dressed in a security uniform pressed a button and the gates swung back. Vincent cracked the window and the guard ducked down to look past Vincent to Katherine. "Welcome home, madame."
Katherine leaned forward. "Thank you."
Vincent drove the car slowly through the gates and then continued up the now red brick road to the manor at the top of the hill. Upon seeing it for the first time, Katherine was amazed at how huge the place looked. It was a castle – not a manor house! "Wow, this is amazing!"
The car went around the circular courtyard and stopped at the wide bank of steps that led up to the front of the manor. Assembled on either side of the steps was the entire complement of people who ran the manor. Maids, butlers, house staff, gardeners, and the imposing figure of Mrs. Tremeur in a crisp charcoal grey dress with sturdy black shoes. Her white hair was swept up in a bun and her hands were folded in the sleeves of her jacket. The group of groomsmen, stable men, and women were banked on the other side of the steps. A man dressed for riding was about Katherine's age, perhaps a bit older, tanned by the sun, and watched everything with brown curious eyes.
Vincent came around and opened the passenger's side door and as Katherine swung her feet out he held out his hand to her. Mrs. Tremeur stepped up as Katherine exited the car. She executed a little dip of a curtsy, "Welcome, Ms. Van Dermeer."
"Thank you, Mrs. Tremeur." Katherine returned.
"Come," Mrs. Tremeur said extending her hand and arm to the house staff. "Meet the staff of Sun Maiden."
Mrs. Tremeur rattled off a long list of names, Katherine would never remember, but when she got to Katherine's chambermaid, Collette, she would remember this young woman who was barely out of her teens.
Then the stablemaster came up the steps, took his hat off, and bowed. "Madam, I am Etienne Moreau, stablemaster."
Katherine nodded to him and then he rattled off the names of the men and women who worked in the stables. Just before Mrs. Tremeur dismissed them all, Katherine turned to them from where she stood at the top of the steps. "Thank you for coming out so early in the morning and welcoming me to the Sun Maiden. It will take me a little while to learn all your names, but I will."
Collette came to Mrs. Tremeur for her instructions. "Take madame to her suite and get her settled. Would you care for a café or tea?"
"Café would be grand!" Katherine declared.
Mrs. Tremeur clapped her hands, and everyone immediately disappeared to deal with their errands. Katherine was suddenly reluctant to leave Vincent and glanced back over her shoulder at Vincent, and he winked showing her a warm flirty grin, "You go settle in and I'll see you in a little while, Katherine. I won't be far away."
Katherine nodded and followed Collette into the grand entrance hall and looked up at the ornate wooden beams and plaster molding. It was a palace! They went up the wide staircase and down the hallway to one of the bedroom suites she remembered from the photographs. Collette spoke to a young man who carried Katherine's garment bag and carry-on luggage. They spoke in quick French, and he bowed and left, closing the door behind him. Collette showed her through her suite of rooms. When they got to the walk-in closet Katherine was awed. There waiting for her was a complete wardrobe!
Everything imaginable was there. All in her size, all styles that she liked, and in a variety of colors and materials. Katherine walked through the closet and went from everyday wear to more formal dining clothes. Then there were riding outfits and shelves with folded yoga pants and tops. Several pairs of running shoes. By themselves on a tall rectangular shelf were tall riding boots and hanging next in a spot to their own, black dressage jackets and hats and the distinctive red hunting jacket. It seemed a little much for someone who was potentially only going to be around for two weeks!
The large bedroom had a massive tester bed with crème-colored bed curtains and ivory fringe. The bedspread was embroidered with flowers and butterflies. Everything was opulent and lavish. How could anyone be anything but happy living in a small palace? Still, even as Collette was drawing up a bath for her and setting out new lounging clothes and slippers Katherine felt the prickle of doubt. But so far, absolutely nothing had happened to make her feel even remotely in danger. She turned in a slow circle and took in her surroundings.
She pushed the thought and dismissed the voice with a shake of her head. Two weeks. Just two weeks in a luxurious little palace somewhere outside of Lake Geneva. What could be difficult?
Collette left her to bathe. She sank into the deep scented warm waters of the bath and soaked away the last cobwebs of her trip. Then she dried and put on her lounging pajamas and robe. Stuck her feet in the lambswool slippers and padded out into the sitting room where Collette had set coffee service and a flaky croissant with real pats of butter. Collette had unpacked her carry-on and plugged in her laptop and phone to charge. When Katherine sat down she picked up her phone and turned it on. There were six text messages and one telephone message. She looked first at the text messages, they were from Taylor, and all six messages said the same thing, "Don't do this, Katherine!" Even thousands of miles away he was still telling her what to do! She deleted them.
The phone message was from Mrs. Ellis, and she listened. "Hello, Katherine! Tell your young man I said thank you for the extra help. I'm going to be going out a bit more now that I have a driver. Bingo is this Saturday afternoon and I plan on winning the kitty! Have a great time in Europe!"
She chuckled and decided to save the message. Maybe she would play it for Vincent later. Collette went in and quietly gathered up her towel and garments and tidied up the bathroom. Then she excused herself and disappeared. "I will return when it is close to brunch with Mr. Thys."
"Thank you, Collette."
"You are welcome, madame." Collette returned with a nice smile that made her look even younger than she was.
Left alone, Katherine opened her laptop and waited for the Internet dongle to find and make a connection. It was password-protected. She'd have to wait. She sipped her coffee and ate her croissant. Even with the strong coffee, she still drifted off.
The Chamberlain and Vanderau received the audio file about the same time, and they stopped what they were doing and listened. Both men were horrified, each for very different reasons! The Chamberlain began to transcribe the one-sided conversation, he hoped the library beneath the Oculus would have the information he needed.
Nicklaus Vanderau listened to the audio file. He hated Taylor Ballard! How could he let her suffer? How could he not feel her pain? He listened again. How long had this woman dealt with this? Vanderau closed his eyes and recalled the image of Katherine asleep on the plane. At the time, he had been most affected by the flow of energy and being drawn to it. He was thankful Vincent had bound himself to her. He could protect her and keep her grounded. The Indago had special abilities that could give comfort to Katherine, at least until she could control her powers and understand them. When he opened his eyes he dashed tears from his cheeks and felt the ache in his heart for the woman he hoped would be his!
He picked up his cell phone and found Pierre Sauvageon's number in his phone list. He pressed the 'call' button. It rang several times and he heard Sauvageon cursing. He grinned, the old gladio hated using a cell phone! "Dammit Nicklaus, why you ever made me take this damnable contraption I'll never know! What makes you call me this early in the morning!"
"Early?" Vanderau returned, "It's nearly eight in the morning – where are you?"
"It doesn't matter," Sauvageon muttered, "What can I do for you?"
"I need you to come and train my potential blade and before you refuse I am sending you an audio file. Listen to it first and then call me back, yes?"
There was silence on the other end, then a sigh, "Yes, all right, Nicklaus."
For all his complaining about technology Sauvageon hung up the phone and when the file reached his cell phone he texted back to Vanderau that he had received it. He did not even have time to open it when the Chamberlain called him. He answered it, "Jan?"
"Pierre, have you heard from the Dominus?" The Chamberlain sounded excited, and he sounded scared.
"I just got off the phone with him. He sent me a recording." Sauvageon replied.
"Mother of God! Pierre, you will not believe it when you listen to it!"
"I'll call you back," Sauvageon replied and hung up. He squinted at the file and before he pressed 'play' he turned his speaker on. When it began to play his heart began to race wildly! Then the one-sided conversation began. He clutched his chest as he felt the stirrings of a power he thought was long dead inside his body! It was a dialect he had never heard spoken, only read in ancient texts. He listened to it again and before it ended, he closed the file and called Vanderau.
"When do you want me?"
"Today, Pierre," Vanderau said, "I need you to be at the Sun Maiden today, can you do it?"
"Of course, Nicklaus," Sauvageon answered. "How did you get the recording?"
"Vincent sent it to me," Vanderau said. "They have reached the manor by now. Katherine shared it with him and he sent it to me and the Chamberlain. There is a conference call coming up the Sept wants a chance to speak to her, but I need to know you will train her, Pierre – will you do it?"
"I'm on the way, Nicklaus," Sauvageon said, "You can let the Sept know I am coming!"
Collette returned and as she crossed over to where Katherine sat in the comfortable chair she called to Katherine, "Time to wake up madame!"
Katherine sat up and was a little disoriented then realized where she was. "Still feeling a bit of jetlag, I guess, even the café didn't keep me awake for very long."
"Come let's get you dressed. Mr. Thys is already downstairs."
Katherine got up and followed Collette into the closet. She went straight for the yoga pants and tunics, "I'll hurry and change." Katherine replied.
Collette placed on the bench that was in the room, her undergarments, and a pair of socks with a neat little pair of flats. She went out of the room and Katherine quickly dressed and emerged to find Collette waiting to take her downstairs. "Come with me, madame."
Katherine followed Collette down, passing another woman who was heading into her room to collect her coffee cup and dishes. On the way down the hall to the stairs she caught sight of a large grandfather clock, it was 10:15 am. Collette led her downstairs, down the side gallery, to a sunroom. Vincent was dressed casually and already sipping coffee and buttering toast. Collette seated Katherine and she brought her plate to her. Vincent poured her a cup of coffee from a silver coffee pot. "You rest all right?"
"I took another snooze," Katherine admitted. "I think if I can make myself stay away for the rest of the day I'll sleep tonight when I'm supposed to."
"After we finish the conference call, I'll give you the grand tour -- Etienne is looking forward to showing you the stables," Vincent replied. "The way the man drives – that should keep you wide awake!"
"What will this conference call be about?" Katherine asked as she cut into her quiche.
"Just a few questions to be answered," Vincent said. "I am not avoiding answering you – It is that I am not certain what the Sept members will be asking."
Katherine sipped her coffee a moment, "Well, it sounds like an interview, I've done a few of those recently."
"Why did you leave your teaching job?" Vincent asked.
"Too much paperwork and not enough actual teaching," Katherine replied.
They ate in comfortable silence and then at 10:45 am, Vincent's phone buzzed in his pocket. He ran his thumb over the dark screen and nodded, "Looks like they're ready for us."
Katherine nodded, daubed her mouth, and got to her feet. "I'm ready."
"We'll go into the library, and I'll place the call there."
They walked down to the end of the gallery and Vincent opened the heavy double doors with a flourish. Katherine stepped into the tower and looked up. There were three layers of bookshelves with a spiral staircase leading up to each level. In the center of the tower, there was a reading table and six chairs. In the center of the heavy wooden table was a modern conferencing module. A grey cable connected the conference module to a digital phone. Katherine sat down with the conference module in front of her. Vincent sat across from her, picked up the receiver, and began to dial. He listened and then pressed the speaker button on the module and Katherine could hear the ringing buzz. It rang several times, on the third ring a voice sounded, "Good morning, Katherine, Vincent."
There was that familiar voice again! Katherine pointed to the module and mouthed the word, 'Dominus' with raised eyebrows at Vincent. When he nodded she sat forward and spoke at the module, "Good morning, Dominus Vanderau."
There were murmurs and sounds of shuffling papers. Vincent rolled his eyes and that made Katherine grin. They heard a woman's voice speaking, it wasn't French but possibly Dutch or German. Katherine frowned at the conference module, all she heard was her name.
"Katherine, a member of the Sept has asked you if you have ever traveled out of the country before yesterday."
"No, I have not," Katherine answered.
Vanderau translated her answer, then he addressed whoever was in the room with him. His voice was rich and baritone. It was commanding and sounded like whatever he asked he expected immediate answers.
"Katherine, we will continue in English," Vanderau said, his voice was different when he spoke to her. It was softer and held a quality that made her feel calm and settled.
"Ms. Van Dermeer," came a heavily accented male voice, "The other potentials have at least three weeks of training ahead of you, I hope your instructors can quickly bring you up to date. I am afraid it will be rather taxing on you."
"I am sure I will be able to catch up," Katherine responded.
"Were you not properly notified?" asked a woman's voice.
Vincent frowned at the module. "Yes, I was properly notified," Katherine replied. "It was my suspicious nature that thwarted Mr. Thys' initial efforts."
"What changed your mind?" asked the woman who had criticized Vincent.
"I have not changed my mind," Katherine said. "I still have reservations, but I am willing to be open-minded."
"If you are the next gladio," a man with a distinctive crisp British accent asked, "Are you prepared to uphold those responsibilities demanded of you?"
Katherine bristled and she leaned toward the speaker on the table. "If I am chosen, I will do as I am asked."
"Ms. Van Dermeer if you are selected as gladio, it may not be you will serve the family Vanderau," a fourth man said, "You could be called by any of the Seven."
"Or not at all," Katherine added. "As I said before, if I am chosen, I will do as I am asked."
"Katherine," Vanderau's voice was very soft and quiet, "Two of your instructors will be arriving this afternoon, pay the closest attention to Pierre Sauvageon, he will answer all your questions regarding the testing of the potentials."
"I will, Dominus," Katherine answered.
They heard excited voices all speaking at once. The receiver was picked up, "Thank you, mon coeur," Vanderau said so softly that it was almost a whisper. Then his voice turned hard and business-like as he set the phone receiver back in the cradle and back in conference mode. "There is little need to question Miss Van Dermeer further. No more questions until we have heard from the instructors. Vincent, please show Katherine around the place. Enjoy your afternoon."
The phone went dead, and Vincent pressed the speaker button and picked up the receiver to make sure they were disconnected. He looked over at Katherine with interest.
Katherine was not sure what had just happened, but whatever it was the others in the conference room with Vanderau seemed very upset, "They were excited about something, was it about one of my instructors?" she asked him.
"Yes, it was," Vincent responded. His face was closed, and he was not going to reveal anything more. "Let's get out into the fresh air. Your visitors arrive later this afternoon."
Katherine got up from her chair. "I'm going to change into different shoes, if we're walking around, these flats aren't going to last. I'll be right back."
"I will meet you out front," Vincent replied.
Katherine went up the stairs and found her room without trouble. She changed her shoes and picked up a sweater on the way out of her closet. Vincent was on his phone, speaking, as always, in rapid French. As Katherine joined him an ATV came from a little trail near a large hedgerow and stopped. "Your chariot madame!" Vincent cheered as he put away his phone. Etienne and a young woman rolled up and Vincent greeted them both, "Katherine is ready for the grand tour, Etienne."
"Paulette, you and Vincent ride in the back, we'll have madame up here with me," Etienne replied.
Paulette grinned at Vincent, she did not mind at all being sent to ride in the back seat with Vincent. Katherine climbed in and as soon as everyone was seated, Etienne threw the ATV into gear and was off back through the hedgerows and onto the trail. They broke out into rolling pastures with the stables perched in the distance. "We'll start in the back pastures and come back to the stables," Etienne said cheerfully.
Katherine liked the speed, but she held onto the overhead grab bar. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Paulette and Vincent were doing the same. They sloshed through a puddle, throwing mud up and splattering the windshield and Etienne turned on the wiper that smeared the mud back and forth finally clearing a crescent of clear space to see through. They rolled down a track that ended in a small cul de sac with a small stable yard and a barn that housed several stalls. "Gregor is here somewhere," Etienne said.
"Gregor?" Katherine echoed. "Man, or animal?"
"A devil!" Vincent muttered.
Etienne squinted out over the pasture and pointed. "There he is, Gregor. The Dominus has him out here for a few more days and then he will be moved to the front pasture near the main stables."
Gregor lifted his black head and glared disdainfully at them. "A Friesian stallion newly acquired. Unbiddable and fierce!" Etienne said. "A fine animal."
Gregor pawed the earth and started a slow circle toward them, always keeping them in his sight. Katherine watched as the proud animal moved gracefully through the tall grass. He stopped short and called out in a challenge. Etienne grinned. "Yes, he will sire marvelous foals!"
"If we can ever get him to trust us handling him," Paulette said. "It takes three of us just to get him in the stable for grooming."
"His former owner had a heavy hand," Etienne said. "We have to win his trust."
They rolled back down the track and Gregor trotted alongside a safe distance from the fence and the rumbling ATV. Katherine grinned, the horse was gorgeous! In other pastures were several massive Percheron mares and their foals. One was a dappled grey with a nearly white foal that kept close to its mother. The other was a caramel-colored mare with a dark brown foal, it sprinted around its mother and pushed a small yellow ball around with its body. They drove past several other pastures with both mares and stallions. All looked well-groomed and relaxed. They arrived at the back way to the large stable. When they pulled up, they were greeted by whinnies and banging doors. Etienne whistled shrilly and silence fell. "It is feeding time! Come I'll show you the Sun King."
Katherine swung out and followed Etienne into the stables. All along either side of the immaculate stable were stalls with horses curiously peering out to see the visitors. Paulette went off on her duties and Vincent caught up with Katherine and Etienne. He had stopped to check his phone messages.
Etienne stopped and a massive white head poked out and leaned down to inspect the visitors. "This the Sun King, a five-year-old Percheron stallion. He is the pride of the Dominus."
"What do you do with him?" Katherine asked.
"He competes in events all over Europe," Vincent said. "The Sun King is from an ancient line – it is rumored his ancestors carried Alexander the Great into battle."
The horse stretched out his neck to sniff Katherine. She stepped closer and held out a hand. The horse put his velvety nose in her hand, and she stepped up to let him take a good whiff. He snorted approvingly and Etienne took her elbow, "Come, madame, you'll want to see the arena. You will take your riding lessons there."
The riding arena was attached to the stables, and it was massive! It was fully enclosed with natural light and artificial light provided by solar panels that ran along both sides of the vaulted roof. Paulette was with a young horse that was on a long lead and was trotting in a measured gait. Already pride was present in the animal, with an arched neck and high steps that were both powerful and graceful.
"They are magnificent, Etienne!" Katherine declared. "I don't know much about horses, but they do look happy and well-cared for."
Etienne grinned proudly. "Perhaps tomorrow you will have your first lesson?"
"I guess we'll see how things go today," Katherine replied. "Hopefully, I will get a chance for a lesson then?"
Etienne nodded silently, stepped over to a key panel, and plucked a set of keys from the hook. He handed the keys to Vincent, "The blue ATV is clean and ready to go back up to the main house."
"Thank you, Etienne," Vincent said as he looked over a Katherine, "Just received a text that Pierre Sauvageon has just arrived."
"Sauvageon?" Etienne whispered in awe. "You mustn't keep him waiting."
Vincent took Katherine's elbow and steered her out to the waiting ATV. She climbed in and Vincent crawled in beside her, turned the key, and was off. "Vincent, exactly who is Pierre Sauvageon?"
"Retired gladio," Vincent replied. "The only living gladio from the Vanderau family."
"Wow, how old of a man is he?" she wanted to know.
"I could not even hazard a guess," Vincent replied. "Some say he is ageless."
Vincent avoided the mud puddle and rolled up at the front steps of the mansion. Katherine climbed out of the ATV and Collette was out the door and taking her hand, "You must hurry! I have everything waiting!"
Katherine rushed in the front doors, and up the stairs to her room. She changed clothes for the third time in several hours! This time she was wearing a long maxi dress she favored, and her long hair was swept up and pinned neatly in a knot at her neck. Collette had her matching ballet-style shoes waiting and she was out the door on her way to a new part of the mansion, the conservatory. In the center was a beautiful grand piano! She walked in with Collette closing the doors behind her. From the bank of glass windows and doors, an elderly man entered. He was old, but he was ramrod straight and carried himself like royalty. He approached the center of the room where the piano stood under a heavy beamed and plastered vaulted ceiling. The acoustics Katherine guessed were perfect for the piano. "Come closer, Katherine!"
Though he had spoken softly, his voice reached her. She smiled, "Just like I thought, the acoustics here are wonderful." She replied.
Pierre Sauvageon looked toward the ceiling and smiled. As she came to stand before him, she paused. Those eyes! Déjà vu! As quickly as she felt it – it was gone! She held out her hand and he took it in his and bowed. They made eye contact once again and this time Sauvageon's eyes lit in recognition. On impulse, Katherine dipped a curtsey. "Well done." He told her. "The Dominus told you I was coming?"
"Yes," Katherine answered. "On the call earlier, the Dominus said I should pay particular attention to your instructions."
He nodded his head slowly, "I know that had the hens cackling!" Sauvageon said chuckling softly. "They are afraid of me – with good reason – I might add! Come let us sit and get to know one another."
Katherine followed him over to a small area with comfortable wingback chairs and hassocks. Sauvageon saw her seated in the chair with the windows behind her and then he took a seat facing her. He studied her for a long time, and she took in every detail of him.
He seemed tall but was of average height. It was because he carried himself straight and was wiry thin that he gave the appearance of being so tall. He had clear ice-grey eyes, and his features were refined. Katherine felt that in his youth, he was probably very handsome. He was very distinguished looking now. Vincent was right he seemed ageless. He smiled behind his hand as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. This was the same woman who had suffered terrible nightmares and was the same woman who had been screaming for help on the recording Vanderau had sent him. He crossed his long legs and draped his arms over the armrests of the wingback chair. "Every testing is different, but I do not think it will have changed so much that what I tell you will vary greatly. I will share with you what I know."
"Vincent said you were the Vanderau family's gladio?" She asked him.
He nodded. "I was." He replied. "I served Nicklaus' grandfather many, many years ago. And there is a great possibility that you will also be the next Vanderau blade."
"How can you tell?" Katherine wanted to know, "Magic?"
Sauvageon quirked a smile at her. "This is not the kind of magic you scorn. I do not speak of cartoon fairies flitting about granting wishes. The magic – the power, I speak of - is frightening if not controlled, and fatal if not properly trained."
"That is what you were sent here to do for me?" Katherine asked.
"If you have the willingness and open-mindedness to at least allow me to show you, yes that is exactly my purpose," Sauvageon told her. To his left, was a low table with a small chest on it. He tapped the top of the box with his fingers. "Let's set to work, shall we? You have a music instructor coming and I think I shall enjoy listening to you play."
He leaned forward to draw the chest to him. He opened the lid and held up an orb exactly as she had seen in her dream. She gasped as it caught the light.
"You have seen one of these before?" Sauvageon asked, his eyes caught and held hers for a long moment. "Where have you seen it?"
"I dreamt of one," Katherine answered, "What is it?"
"How long have you had these prescient dreams?" He asked her, his light grey eyes sparkling like gems.
Katherine shook her head. "Oh, I'm not sure, they started up again a few years ago," she answered, "I wouldn't call them prescient."
Sauvageon sat back in the chair the orb in one hand and gazed at her appraisingly. "What kind of idiot doctor told you they were anything else but prophetic? Did he tell you it was your mind? Creating scenarios in your dream state to help you make sense of your wakened state?"
She laughed. "Nearly word for word!"
Sauvageon scoffed and then held the orb aloft, the sphere caught the light and glittered as the sunlight touched it. "This is an instrument designed to help focus your thoughts, focus your power," Sauvageon replied. "My skills have waned over the years, but I can still set fire dancing in the heart of this orb. Would you like to see it?"
"Of course, I would," Katherine said leaning forward.
Sauvageon dropped his hand away from the orb and it continued to be suspended in the air! Katherine gasped, she opened her mouth to speak but he held a finger up to his lips. "Just observe, Katherine. Questions later!" Then he touched his index finger lightly over the smooth surface. From the center, a hot ball of light winked, and it began to flare and grow quickly into a bright ball of fire that appeared trapped inside the orb and swirled and curled in a small whirlwind. The flame puffed out like blowing out a burning match. He leaned forward and plucked the orb from the air and handed it over to Katherine. "Now, let's see you try. When you saw the orb in your dream, what did it look like?"
Katherine took the orb in her hands. It had weight and did not seem fragile like crystal glass. This orb was about the size and weight of a softball. She was expecting it to be hot or at least warm. It was cool. She turned the orb in her hands, "When I saw it in my dream, it looked a little like a snow globe or an opal, with sparkles of different colors swirling through white smoke. It was beautiful."
Sauvageon nodded. "Try to imagine it again as you hold the orb," he told her. "See if you can make it form. Think of what you were experiencing in the dream."
Katherine held the orb in one hand and passed the fingers of her other hand over the cool surface. She gazed into the center of the orb and tried to imagine the swirling smoke and flickering cool lights like fireflies. When nothing happened, she closed her eyes and tried to imagine the lights. Sauvageon sat forward, prepared to help her bring forth the lights, but to his satisfaction, he had only to watch as slowly, clouds formed in the orb, and flickers of light began to dance. He felt the power the Dominus had described to him. "Open your eyes Katherine and look for yourself."
She did and was shocked to see the mist with the dancing lights swirling like a snowstorm. When she tried to make it disappear, the mist began to seep out and spiral up in the air. Sauvageon smiled with pleasure but before she began to panic, he nodded to the manifestation that continued to swirl above them, "You control it, Katherine." He told her. "It is your will that calls it forth and your will that banishes it. Simply let it go."
It slowly evaporated and was gone like motes of dust in the sunlight. She tried to explain in her mind what had happened, a trick. A form of hypnosis?
Sauvageon chuckled. "A trick? I am not a magician! I am your teacher!"
"You can read my thoughts?" Katherine handed the orb back to Sauvageon.
He did not take it from her but snapped his fingers and like an obedient dog, the orb sprang from Katherine's hands to sit on the tips of Sauvageon's fingers. "I can now, but by the time we are finished with training, your thoughts will be your own and protected from others." He replied. "Now let us move on. I can hear your thoughts shouting out hundreds of questions. Focus on me and tell me what you want to know."
"What happens during the testing?" Katherine suddenly asked.
"It is different with each potential," Sauvageon told her. "When I was tested, I was bombarded by the thoughts and manifestations from each of the Seven. I was young then and I had never faced my demons of youth. It was an unpleasant experience."
"How old were you?"
"Not more than my early twenties," Sauvageon replied. "I had been on the streets of Germany as an orphan, stole food to stay alive, and later robbed men of their money as a deft pickpocket. But as all evil deeds bring about demise or retribution, I was caught and jailed. I came before the magistrate, who happened to be a Vanderau. He saw my potential and one of the Indago, like your Mr. Thys, collected me."
"And you were tested?" Katherine asked.
"Yes, I was tested, and I became the blade of Vanderau," Sauvageon told her. "I was quite good at it. Even better when Vanderau became the Dominus."
"What did you do, were you a weapon?" Katherine wanted to know, "A slave?"
"Never a slave and certainly not a weapon," Sauvageon answered. "You will train with me, learn new things, and discover many talents you did not know you possessed. You will revel in your skills, you may even be frightened by some of them, but you will never be ill-used."
"You come to a place called the Oculus. It is a round room where the Seven assemble. You enter and stand in the center of the Oculus, the eye is directly overhead, and the sunlight shines down on you. One by one, the Seven stand just outside the light and reach out with their powers. Each member weaves a strand of power that you will wrap around you, but only one strand will speak, and sing to you. That will be the one you will serve." Sauvageon stopped speaking as he saw her eyes grow distant. "Your dreams?"
She nodded. "My God, if my dreams are glimpses of what will be --- I."
Sauvageon snapped his fingers. The sound was like that of a burning log popping in a fireplace. "Forget the dreams! This is now, Katherine! Do you understand? You are in the present!"
"I am in the now." She repeated slowly
"You will absorb each strand of power and weave it into a single column of light. If you are chosen you will know who and bond with that individual."
Katherine nodded silently. "If I am lacking? What happens to me?"
"You will go home, and those powers will begin to wane. Soon you will be as you were." Sauvageon told her. "Many potentials stay with their families, but just as many leave and seek their careers and do whatever they wish to do in life."
"But you think I may be like you, the blade of Vanderau?" Katherine asked, but she was not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"We have two weeks to discover the answer to that question." He placed the orb back in the box and latched it. "You have a natural aptitude, it is very powerful, and you've already made quite an impression on your Indago, and the Dominus. This also places you in a precarious position. The others in the Sept do not know your innate powers -- yet. Though we will endeavor to keep them hidden – I fear that will be impossible. You naturally broadcast a brilliant aura and it will be noticed. Together we will work within your abilities. So, take this orb and practice calling up the light," Sauvageon told her. He lifted his head, "Your music teacher has arrived. I will stay and listen. I understand you are very accomplished."
Katherine blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, I can always know more, but I can't wait to play the grand! I've never had the chance before."
"Then you should enjoy your lessons!" Came a voice. "Come, Katherine, play something Sauvageon would enjoy!"
"Phillipe Montagne, it has been an age since I've seen you!" Sauvageon cheered.
Katherine rose and came to greet the flamboyant Phillipe Montagne, who dipped a courtly bow and pointed to the bench at the piano. "Come let me hear for myself!" He had a leather music portfolio under his arm, and he plopped it on the edge of the piano and opened it. He pulled out a packet of sheet music and went through it quickly, handing her his selection. She looked at the sheet music and raised an eyebrow at Montagne. "Something wrong, Katherine?" he returned the raised brow at her in question.
"No," Katherine said slowly and set the sheet music open across the music stand. "Just unexpected," This piece would give her a workout and assess her ability at sight reading. Montagne opened the grand piano so the music would flow out from the instrument and fill the conservatory with music. She flexed her fingers and lightly laid her hand over the keys. She decided as she repositioned her seat she would just play and have fun. Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag rang out in the conservatory, her hands could stretch the octaves easily and she adjusted her meter and rhythm several times because the music had to be felt and not just played as it was written.
As she worked across the entire keyboard, the household staff quietly appeared at the open doors of the conservatory and stood listening with grins on their faces. Sauvageon bobbed his head in satisfaction smiling at Montagne, who was avidly watching Katherine closely as she played. The thing that most caught his notice was she only glanced up at the sheet music as a reference, the rest of the time she seemed to have it memorized.
Vincent walked down the gallery as the jaunty strains floated out into the conservatory. He was on the phone with Vanderau. He stopped as the ragtime music rolled down the gallery. "Do you hear that?"
"Yes, is that Katherine?" Vanderau asked.
"It is!" Vincent declared. He stepped past the people standing in the doorway and moved closer. He turned the phone out toward the room so Vanderau could hear better.
When the last notes rang out, Katherine looked up with a grin. Applause rang out, startling her and Montagne smiled over at her. "Brava, Katherine. Now we hone your skills!"
Her fingers were feeling tingly, and she felt the tendons were warm at the workout they had received. She needed the practice, and it appeared Montagne was going to oblige! Montagne took the sheet music away and they began with advanced music theory. It was challenging and from the frown of concentration on Katherine's face she was ready for whatever Phillipe Montagne had waiting for her!
Vincent put the receiver back to his ear and stepped out of the room to the gallery. "I believe the lessons have begun."
"Is Sauvageon there?" Vanderau asked.
"Oh yes, he was tapping his foot with the rest of us," Vincent replied.
"Let Mrs. Tremeur know that Sauvageon will be staying for the time being. He cannot climb stairs anymore, so open up the lower rooms in my tower. We need him there to help Katherine, but I do not want him getting too close to her. I know you'll see to that."
"Yes, sir," Vincent answered.
"Does she seem happy, Vincent?" Vanderau asked.
"She does, I think she is still getting used to her situation," Vincent replied.
"I understand," Vanderau said. "I will speak to you tomorrow. Have a good evening."
Vincent heard something in Vanderau's voice that made him frown. "Thank you, Dominus."
The call ended and Vincent put the phone in his jacket. Sauvageon, Montagne, and Katherine were having an animated conversation, so he went in search of Mrs. Tremeur. As it turned out, she found him. "Vincent, a word."
"Yes, Mrs. Tremeur?"
"Will Sauvageon be staying?"
"He is," Vincent replied. "Dominus Vanderau wants him in his tower, the lower suite."
"He is a dangerous man, especially to the Potential!" Mrs. Tremeur said in a near whisper. "Already he is enamored of her and her powers."
"We can all feel it, Mrs. Tremeur," Vincent replied. "Sauvageon may be the only one who can help Katherine control and tame the potential in her. If she goes before the Sept unprepared ---,"
"I know," Mrs. Tremeur said. "I know! But with Sauvageon, it is like sending a maiden into a dragon's den!"
Vincent grinned and leaned toward the housekeeper conspiratorially, "You do not know Katherine well enough yet!"
Mrs. Tremeur scoffed at him, then announced. "Dinner is at seven!"
"I will tell everyone," Vincent said.
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