Calqués Van Stromme hadn't been himself since the day he had left the trial. The trial had ended with Ashcroft Targeris saving him from death. He knew how Doric would have had him executed.
Death by Dragon breath. The last living dragon in Araguaia. Zemunder.
No one had been killed by it but he knew Doric wouldn't hesitate to make him example. He sat on his office chair and wandered off in thoughts, a knock on his door brought him back to reality. "Gwen, if that is you, I do not wish to talk..." He said with a little annoyance.
Gwen had been a pain in his neck ever since that fateful day, her anxiety made him sicker and for all he desired, it wasn't what he needed at that time. "It's me father..." A young dreamy voice resounded behind the fine wood door. "Reggie, .... Come on in" He recognized the voice of his youngest daughter. He smiled as a brunnette walked in, she was fair and beautiful, a slim face, deep inciting eyes that could make even a brave man stutter.
"Sit..." He gestured her to sit on a chair in front of his desk. "Father, I must confess that mother had me do this. She knows you wouldn't want to see her now" She said softly. "Ha! Your mother again. How many times will I have her know, her worries are nothing but speck of dust on a desert" He grunted.
"Father, I could go and meet Doric--"
"Reggie, you'll do no such thing. Our family has always been built on integrity, Lucius never bowed or gave in to any man and that is what we stand for. We will be brave even till death" He stopped her from talking. He let out a sigh, the feeling he was experiencing at that moment was inexplicably, he couldn't understand it, like a mixture of regret and anger.
Reggie had been seeing Doric ever before he was Governor, everyone thought they would end up together but soon their relationship broke off. Doric had left her due to pressure from his family.
Being Governor was quite a big deal especially for a second class family. Later, it became public that Doric had been engaged with Selena Yerx, a daughter of Samwell Yerx, Son of Guilford Yerx, a first class family. It was a painful feeling for Calqués, that his own daughter had become and object of ridicule.
He stared at her and then smiled. "You've become more of a beautiful woman just like your mother. I want you to trust me that everything will be fine" He stroked her face abd kissed her forehead. She smiled and hugged him. "A letter from Ashcroft Targeris, he wants to meet with you for dinner at Haven" She spoke as she handed him an invitation letter.
"Ha! And smart like your father too!!" He laughed out loud as he collected it from her.
*****
He looked at his watch as he alighted from the carriage that dropped him in front of the cream coloured castle gates of Haven, Ashcrost Targeris' manor. Ashcroft was a grandson of Percival Targeris, one of the founding fathers of Araguaia along side grandfather of Guilford Yerx, Amaegyon Yerx and it was safe to say, they were as well worth being in the top class of families in Araguaia.
Calqués walked into the glamorous compound of the building after an enquiry at the gates. Ashcroft wasn't a man who believed in extra security despite knowing about the things that happened in the city.
Never for once had he being targeted for the people feared him. Many called him a vampire, even some went as far calling him a god. "I've had my own ways" he would say and laughed anytime he heard these things.
"Ha! For one moment I was beginning to think myself low as to telling you to come to my house" Ashcroft had walked up to him to shake him. An old agile man, his white hair overflowed just like his beard. "You always have my respect, Ashcroft!" Calqués returned the gestured with a smile as well.
"Come!, dinner is almost served. I can't wait to eat of Minerva's chicken soup, she hasn't cooked it in thirty eight years, I do hope it goes well in your mouth" Ashcroft patted him on the shoulder and let a laugh resound loud in the large room they were in.
Soon dinner was served no sooner than five minutes. Ashcroft loved to have meals with a large gathering and so he had invited quite a number of people Calqués was familiar with. They ate and soon he had began to bade them farewell. "Ha! Calqués. You stay behind. A word or two" He had beckoned on Calqués as he bade the head of tax office, Dave Schuyler.
"I'm sure you know why I've asked that you wait behind" He finally walked up to meet him where he sat. "I believe regarding the unfortunate bliss I've caught myslf in" Calqués said with a smile. Ashcroft roared with laughter, "when you speak like that, you make words sweet like honey!".
"But it's true. You seem to have entangled yourself in something that cannot be fathomed..." He spoke again except this time more seriously. "I believe Doric only wishes to pull me on my knees, nothing more" Calqués said with a shrug. Ashcroft sipped of a cup of water a servant had dropped on a small table near him.
"Doric is only but a child who knows not the dangers of fire but plays with it. I hear something of a 'treasure of the undesirable' though" Ashcroft spoke again.
"Yes! The Crest of Marmalade..." Calqués whispered so that only he could hear. "We've once again messed with something we cannot control..." Ashcroft frowned a little, pulling his white long beard softly.
"What do you mean?!" Calqués asked curiously.
"Jacob, My brother....had the Crusaders invade a country of Vikings and destroyed them, stealing their treasures. One of which is called what you've called it. It's one amongst many stolen. It would have only been wise to give it a name more befitting, don't you think?!" Ashcroft heaved a sigh as he finished speaking. Calqués stared into space, thinking, trying to put pieces together.
"You worry about things you shouldn't be worried about" Ashcroft said again, noticing the look on his face. "It's not that...., it's about Celiona Serth. She was found with the Crest once she turned back to human from a VANDOLSK" Calqués finally spoke.
"I'll let you on something then. The VANDOLSK is no myth. Superficial creatures that roam the earth, they were men turned beasts, the Vikings cherished them, wanted to be them, made themselves to be them..." Ashcroft cleared his throat and spoke. "Does this mean....?"
"It only means one thing and it's simple. We are headed towards a war, one we are yet to be weary of and when it does starts, we won't be fighting mere mortals but demons with a vengeful spite" Ashcroft said again, standing to his feet. Calqués followed suit except that his mind had skipped a bit, Ashcroft had just said something that caused him fear even more.
"I'm afraid it's past my bedtime but you should worry not about your trial. It's mere nonsense that has no value anymore" Ashcroft patted him on the back and waved him goodbye.