EHYEH-ASHER-EHYEH (I AM THAT I AM): An Elena Duran/Corazon Negro
Vi Moreau (vmoreau@directvinternet.com)
Sat, 21 Sep 2002 13:22:17 -0400
Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh (I am that I am) 11.1/34
Julio Cesar divad72@prodigy.net.mx
Vi Moreau vmoreau@directvinternet.com
Island of Nod
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean
March 28, 2013
Livia felt the buzz as the air vibrated around her. "You look tired,
great-grandmother!" Gaius said to her as he entered the room.
Livia looked incredulously at Gaius. "Does that strike you as a pleasant
thing to say, my 'little God'?" She gazed at him with large, suspicious
eyes, trying to read the other Immortal's intent. Did he plan to put Livia
off with insults and aggravate her into making a mistake? Or was he just
boorish, selfish, and so far withdrawn from polite society-like most
Headless Children-that he spared no effort on civility?
Gaius shrugged. "You're not here for me to flatter you."
Livia smiled, hoping to set her companion at ease. "No, I'm not, but a bit
of decorum would certainly be appropriate, and welcome."
"Fine. You look simply ravishing. Under other circumstances, I'd want to
fuck the hell out of you."
"How sweet. But as I recall you gave that up when I got 'too old' for you.
Remember on my deathbed, when you told me I'd burn in hell?" Livia had never
forgotten or forgiven him for that, not even two millennia later. Gaius said
nothing, so she continued. "Now, do you just want to exchange commentaries
or did this visit have a purpose?" Livia caught a glimpse of her reflection
as she passed a mirror in the foyer of her suite of rooms. Gaius was
right-she did look tired. Unconsciously, she drew in a breath. The events of
the past hours had worn on her, and she didn't intend to let this
negotiation go sour.
They all were taking a big risk. Still, despite the fact that she had no
intention of forging any kind of alliance with the Ancient Gathering, she
planed to do her best to survive this war. If Lilitu or her foes perceived
her as a threat, either of them could destroy an old woman, but she hadn't
been plotting for centuries to die now, at anyone's hands.
She looked at Gaius one more time. "What were you thinking of yesterday at
the table? Vlad could easily have killed you. He might still," she mused out
loud.
"Hardly," he answered. "I know you're not going to like my ideas; I can
guarantee that. But I have changed; I'm no longer the one to soften the
blow, so I'm not going to give you a song-and-dance."
Livia once again stood still as Gaius continued. "Tell me, why bother with
this whole charade at all? I know what this is about. It's about Lilitu and
the Ancient Gathering lined up on either side of the world and both laying
claim to it."
Livia nodded. "Smart boy."
"Well, it doesn't take a genius. You're forgetting something, though."
"And what's that?" she asked, bored and trying to sound interested.
Gaius licked his lips and paused a bit before continuing. "The world doesn't
need to be under the thumb of either Lilitu or the Ancient Gathering."
Livia frowned. "I think you're being a bit naïve, no? You know that we're
fighting a war, and if you are not with Lilitu, you are against her."
This silenced Gaius for a moment. But he charged again, following Livia into
her chambers, filled with ancient antiques and Roman furniture. The rooms
looked like an ancient Roman villa-Livia had brought many of her things and
made herself at home in what she considered her most comfortable
surroundings.
"But what does that mean? I'll tell you plainly. Many Immortals have no
interest in pursuing an alliance with Lilitu 'or' with the Ancient
Gathering. Most Immortals don't even know about either one," Gaius said.
"Yes, I know. Not even the Watchers know about the very ancient ones. And
for the record, there was one who indeed formed relationships with Lilitu
and the Ancient Gathering, albeit on an individual level," Livia commented.
"You mean Naema? She's dead," Gaius said smiling.
"And we could wind up just like her for having this talk," Livia said, her
icy voice laced with menace.
Sarcasm veritably dripped from Gaius's voice. "That's not what I mean."
"Ooh! But I do." Livia smiled wickedly. "Sooner or later, even the oldest
and wisest among us has to fall."
Gaius replied aloud, so Livia would hopefully have some idea of what was he
meant. "Such a smug tone! You know that we could just focus on Lilitu and
turn our attentions back to the Ancient Gathering later, don't you,
great-grandmother?"
Livia wasn't quite sure she understood what he meant. "I know we could, but
we won't. Not even you, my 'little God' could pull that off. Lilitu would
kill you instantly."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, like vermin. You and I know our resources would be better used against
the Ancient Gathering." Livia took a seat on her favorite padded bench and
crossed her hands on her lap. "You disappoint me, Gaius. I was hoping for a
display of madness or excess, and instead you tell me that I've placed too
much stock in your education."
Gaius lowered his gaze and without even attempting to make eye contact with
Livia, he left the room as he turned at the door. "I'm sure you can see that
we have nothing in common anymore, and therefore nothing to gain with this
empty alliance. Don't be so foolish as to think we can pluck the Ancient
Gathering like a ripe plum," he finished from the entrance.
"That's not the problem, my child. Within a few days, the Ancient Gathering
will fall to us. Take my advice, 'little God'. Pay tribute, or crumble like
the rest of Immortals around the world are doing, even as we speak."
========
Later, same day.
If anything, Lilitu's announcement at the previous night's council meeting
had increased the intensity of the infighting among the Headless Children.
There had already been no fewer than three near fights during the evening's
proceedings and the pace did not appear to be slacking.
The news Lilitu had brought to the council was that all their plans had
suddenly and irrevocably changed. Centuries of effort and sums of money that
would have put many nations' gross national products to shame had been
expended on positioning the Headless Children for a siege. Forces from
Moscow, Madrid and Amsterdam had moved stealthily into position. Even the
mortals known as the Hunters had tried to penetrate the Ancient Gathering's
resources, in vain. They knew, however, that the Ancient Gathering was also
ready.
The Headless Children had needed a strategy that would bring the human world
inexorably to its knees. Lilitu had been clear enough. All their efforts had
been overturned in a single evening, in a single utterance. There would be
no siege. Instead, there would be war, total annihilation. She'd started it
herself with the very destructive killings on Holy Ground, and they were
supposed to finish it.
It had taken some time to quell the initial commotion, which, once Lilitu
left, bordered on the total riot that had followed her pronouncement the
night before. Cartiphilus had been the only one able to explain Lilitu's
enigmatic declaration.
"There will be no siege, gentlemen, because Lilitu desires the battle for
the world to be decided in one single, irresistible assault. We will sack
our target, smashing every shred of resistance in an all-out offensive. That
offensive, gentlemen, will take place two days from now."
The stunned silence that had met that pronouncement last night was in marked
contrast to the unbridled chaos that reigned in the council chambers today.
The news had had its chance to sink in, to work its transformations. Where
last night's council had been a somber council of war, this day's assembly
was a whooping war party waiting to be loosed to massacre its unsuspecting
victims.
Cartiphilus was not entirely pleased by this turn of events. The former
centurion had gone to some effort to ensure that everything was just so for
this momentous meeting. Cartiphilus could see the already strained tempers
beginning to grind together. Tonight he must remain vigilant-not only
against the Ancient Gathering who would be fighting for their very lives,
but also against his partners in the Headless Children who would be looking
to improve their lot through any means at their disposal.
For Vlad and Rasputin, this would mean a grab for glory on the field of
battle. For Torquemada and Livia, the assault would mark the culmination of
their intrigues and plays for political power. In the unfolding of the final
act, these powerbrokers would be bringing to bear all of their resources.
Then there were always the opportunists-like little Caligula-who knew full
well that the assault would provide the perfect cover for the disappearance
of a careless rival.
Cartiphilus found himself hoping that enough of the Headless council would
survive the next day after the assault to carry the project through to its
completion. Fortunately, the leaders of the Hunters spearheading the attack
were already dispatched and taking up their positions in the field in New
York.
There had been a good deal of argument, of course, over which forces should
have the honor of leading the attack. In the end, the council had agreed to
send in the Hunters first. A meeting of the leaders of the Headless Children
would bring together all of the notable Ancient Gathering leaders in the
city under one roof. All the Headless Children had to do was bring down that
roof.
Livia was the first to speak. "You are no doubt aware that only a few short
hours stand between us and the utter and devastating conquest of the world.
Last night you heard Mother relate to us of the glory of her plans." She
paused to let her words sink in. "Tomorrow, gentlemen, our forces will
totally overrun the unsuspecting Ancient Gathering. We have the advantage
over them in numbers, tactics, power and surprise. Our single-minded
devotion to the cause allows no room for failure."
Cartiphilus folded his hands before him on the table.
Livia's lip curled into a grimace of a smile as she continued. "It is time
to steel our outrage and cast our prowess into the very faces of God,
Immortals and men. And it will not end here, gentlemen. Already, our advance
forces are on the move. Tomorrow we shall smash the human world forces. Mark
my words."
Silence reigned in the council chamber. Everyone present nodded in
agreement. Finally, Vlad broke the stillness. "Precisely how much
information about the defenses did your informant give you, Rasputin?"
Vlad's voice betrayed an edge of irritability, but that was all.
In his seat, Torquemada glanced over at him and said a silent prayer that
the Voivode's temper would fray no further, at least not now. There was too
much work to be done.
Rasputin pushed a small sheath of papers across their round table with a
noncommittal expression on his face. Thankfully, the map of New York on the
tabletop did not so much as wrinkle. "Everything I was sent is here,
Voivode. We know everything about their numbers and strength. The target
will be ours." The monk held his hands, as if to disavow any malicious
intent in his words.
Vlad maintained a calm demeanor and even allowed a slightly bemused smile to
creep onto his face, and then he glanced over Cartiphilus, who nodded once.
The Voivode reached for the papers. For several minutes, there were no
sounds but the rustling of pages, and various noises of approval or
disapproval that Vlad made, seemingly without knowing he did it.
Cartiphilus could feel a change in those seconds-not a lessening of tension,
but more the tension coming to a head. He sensed something else as
well-something he suspected was a direct result of Lilitu's influence-a
dangerous lack of restraint in the argument.
Vlad's smile faded. His manner turned hard. "Hmm. Is that all?" He finally
said. "We could sweep the city with a single attack." He looked smug as he
put the papers down on the table.
"We could," said Rasputin, his eyes slowly grew wide, his face darkened
noticeably, "but the city is not the target." His face showed no trace of
the disgust that colored his voice ever so slightly.
"Indeed. And we must strike with overwhelming force. We must wash the mortal
governments in blood, drown them in foes!" Vlad was on his feet, face
flushed as he imagined a victory not yet won. "No losses! With strength and
with numbers, we shall eradicate them!"
"I couldn't agree more," added Livia. "The attack must be overwhelming, and
rather than entrust it to a lesser-able man, a warlord should take personal
command. You," she said directly to Vlad, "are the perfect leader."
Vlad, his thoughts processes apparently having caught up to his bravado,
took a pause at the suggestion. He retook his seat. "Personal command, in
the field?"
"That is not a good idea," said Gaius at once. He'd been expecting the
suggestion from Torquemada maybe, but from Livia as well...?
Livia turned to Gaius. "There is no glory without risk," she pointed out.
"He is the most experienced warlord, and with Lilitu by his side, my 'little
God', I'm sure the Voivode will have nothing to fear."
Gaius scowled. Vlad, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, seemed caught
between conflicting thoughts of Lilitu on one hand and crushing his enemies
on the other.
Rasputin spoke up suddenly. "If it will ease everyone's mind, I will
accompany the Voivode, merely as an observer to his command, of course. With
the two of us, who by our very presence define the word 'overkill', and a
sizeable force, we should triumph." The monk's voice was mild, but amused.
Vlad turned to glare at his peer, then glanced at Cartiphilus' dispassionate
face. "Even so," Vlad said, "we shall bring numbers, and we shall make sure
that you and I, Rasputin, are prominently visible. I don't expect the
evening to be much of an exercise for either of us, but even so, as you say,
it will do the Hunters good to have us seen on the field." Vlad inclined his
head, bird-like. "And I trust Mother will keep us safe as we do so."
Torquemada gave a quick frown. "Lilitu could if you don't expose yourselves
too much, Voivode. Remember: no crucifixions this time. No torments. I say
that now so I am not forced to remind you of it later."
Vlad nodded and fanned away the objection. "Yes, yes, I understand. Rest
assured that I will take no unnecessary risk, and I trust Rasputin to do the
same."
"Very well." Torquemada sounded resigned, and not at all convinced.
Vlad ignored him. "Rasputin," he continued, "would you like to involve any
of your people in the operation? Perhaps you have some pets you wish to
field-test? Or surely some of your adherents are growing restless and would
enjoy an exercise in the field. I was thinking that perhaps three war
parties, plus our presence and the Hunters, would be sufficient? Perhaps we
could use this building, and the intersection there," he pointed at the
target on the map, "as a good place to start. Of course, my personal forces
will be waiting for us there to help."
Cartiphilus held in a sigh. Was Vlad for some reason enjoying this? The
former centurion looked at the man known as Dracula. He regarded him coolly
for a long moment, and then turned away. They were Immortals. They lived
forever. They fucked people. It was that simple. Cartiphilus was accustomed
to making sure that he was not the one who got fucked.