Valentine

Chapter Six - Orion

I remember the early years of Meyerton when it was still a silver mining outpost under the name Calico. Having not stepped out of the seclusion that was my mother's territory since the late nineteenth century, my confusion to the town's now lowered standards, was not unexpected. Not that living in a mountain’s cave system would give us any indication of what went on in the outside world anyway.

Having returned back to the coven after venturing out, I was left feeling hollow. The world had such potential, where here I was just a slave to my mother and the next queen and so on for my eternity.

Knowing that back then I would never step out of line, I was always left wondering why no man took charge in a line of succession. It was a peculiarity that went unquestioned in the coven, but why should we not take the reign? Was it not the men who stood at arms for their queen, while the women took to the queen’s side or the more menial tasks? It was strange to me, but it was the only life I knew.

“Orion,” My mother’s second, Lisbeth came to me, “Your mother wants to see you. Have you any word of one to take her place?”

Though she was second, there was no democracy in the coven of Lamia. The queen could not be succeeded by another that she did not give consent over. Lisbeth was a good woman, had a good moral compass and a strong urgency towards the coven, but she was not to my mother’s liking. Remaining as a second in charge was fine because she never stepped out of line, but the crown could corrupt the weak of heart. I believe that this is why my mother sent me out to find the future queen. This was another peculiarity, however. I could have found anyone, someone to benefit my own agendas. Not that I would do something like this to my mother, or my coven.

“What does she want me for, Lisbeth?” I asked.

“She wants to discuss what you’ve come up with, in terms of bringing in a new queen.” She replied. My brow furrowed.

“It’s not been a week. How does she expect me to work, if I do not have the time?” I said.

“Your mother does not have time. We must work fast in finding a replacement so that we are not stuck without another leader. You do understand these concerns, correct?”

“I do. But there’s more to it than a simple point and choose, wouldn’t you agree? If we do not get the right queen in, she will crumble, or become ruthless. On that note, I do believe I have found the woman I will bring in as queen. She's young and malleable, from Calico." Lisbeth, like me, has not left the coven walls in far too long to know the new name. The booming empire that was once Calico was replaced with empty streets and bumbling buffoons. I believe that if I broke the news to Lisbeth, she would have had the same reaction as I did; a deep disappointment to the way society has become.

“Good. Then come, let’s talk to your mother about all of this. We have business to discuss anyway.” Lisbeth begins.

“Sure. Is it to do with trade?” One thing that the modern world looks to have gotten right is weapons. The advances in warfare have grown infinitely since I was a warrior. Lamia has been supplying weapons in and out for over a hundred years now. Personally, I've never left the six-shooters that came with the Wild West era.

But the arms trade has proved profitable for myself, my family and my coven. That’s why I kept it all those years, becoming the main overseer of the projects, but in Lamia, men were never meant to lead. My mother fought tooth and nail to bring the council over to understanding that I was the best fit for the job and when it was all done, I proved myself tenfold.

"The San Francisco contact has come in and discussed his concerns on our routes and shipments." We worked with vampires and vampires only. We traveled by night and never missed a sale. I hated when concerns regarding my methods came up.

"Tell Mister Briggs that if he is displeased with our methods, then he can find another supplier," I reply. Unlike Lisbeth, I remember each and every client that has ever come to me for weapons. My mind was sharp to the business world and it was forever growing stronger.

Having been met by Lisbeth outside the entrance to the coven, when we finally made it into the hollowed out cave floor, I felt the security of my home. It was a massive stretch of land, with houses and hovels, shops and buildings all built on their own platforms or into the stone. Lights forever burning in the eternal darkness. It made sense of us to live down here, there was nothing that could harm us, apart from an enemy coven that tried their luck.

Merchants stood around their stalls, guards making their rounds, and others formed crowds that observed or made their purchases. Lamia had become the west coast hub for trade among vampires, as well as a citadel of sorts to the major dealings. I was proud to be a part of it.

Who wouldn’t be?

“What if Mister Briggs chooses to opt out of our supply chain? We can’t lose the San Francisco border because of your obstinacy.” Lisbeth replied, leading me to my mother's palace.

“Lisbeth, do not forget your place. This is my business and if you’re not going to stand with my decision, then don’t get into my business. Do we have an understanding?” A drop of water from the cave's ceiling landed on my shoulder. I stopped, looking at the droplet for longer than I thought I would, getting lost in thought, before continuing my course.

“I understand.” Lisbeth’s response.

“Are you going to join me for my meeting with mother?” I asked.

“No, you can handle it yourself. She is in good stead today.” Her reply.

“Great. Then I should see her quickly, before the turn. Do not attempt to go over my head on San Francisco. If they fall, we will take on New York.” I said, taking a jog up the giant staircase, toward the two wooden entry doors of my mother’s palace.

~ ~ ~

When I arrived at my mother’s bedroom, it was different than the last time I visited her. She stood at the window, overlooking the city below. The window behind showed a beautiful night garden that was always well maintained. In her early years, my mother loved to spend time in her garden. She got lost in the beauty of her flowers.

"Mother. I heard you called me." I brought my hands to my chest in an X, bowing down. It was the traditional show of respect to the queen to do so. It was meant for any who held a knight status, towards their higher officers and nobles. Though I seldom did it for my mother, today the handmaids did not leave on my entry and thus followed protocol.

“Yes, I want to know what developments of the future queen. I know that I’ve not given you much time, Orion, but there is not much time to give.” My mother said, turning back to see that her handmaids hadn’t left, “Clear the room.” She said, gesturing with a hand that they scatter.

“I understand mother.” I responded, once the room was empty, “But we cannot rush the process. I know we’re on a deadline, but if we don’t put in our effort, we could end up with someone that will not benefit the cause.”

My mother walked back towards her bed, sitting on the edge. I took her place at the window overlooking the bustling mecca below.

“Then why are you back home?” She asked.

“I came to speak with you over one I believe could have potential. Strong-willed and temperamental; you’d love her.” Though I only spent a few minutes with Elizabeth, my intuition was strong, I seldom misread people.

“Then when do you bring her in?”

“I don’t know yet, mother.” Resting my arm against the windows frame, head against my arm, I looked down to a child running with a loaf of bread in his hands, guards chasing after him. He'd be sentenced to death for that crime if caught. Not that I'd bother helping with such an execution. I was raised in luxury, this boy was raised in poverty.

Below the glorious palace, day to day struggles continued.

"Then you best return to it as soon as you can. We need to commence with the ceremony and give her, her place in this world before it's too late for me. Everything falls to Lisbeth if I lose this battle, Orion. Neither of us wants this.” I turned to her and nodded.

“Yes, mother. Sorry for wasting time on returning to share the news. I should have only come when I had her.” I replied. I didn’t really know why I came in the first place. I suppose it must have been the excitement of finding someone, but in the end, was it even finding someone? She was just one in a sea of potential woman.

“Thank you, Orion,” My mother went back to lying down on the bed, smiling at me for the first time in as long as I could remember, “Can you put a record on?” She asked.

I walked towards the record player, took an album from her rack without looking over to which it was, and placed it on the player.

On The Nickel by Tom Waits. I never knew my mother was a fan. She never ceased to surprise me.

“Thanks, son.”

“Of course, mother.” I left her to her music.