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Van Helsing, The eternal earth Walker and Witch

Written by Morgana Starr Branham....All rights reserved

Ireland: Thoughts and Memories

 

The wind blew coldly along the steep cliff.  A lone rider was riding atop a black steed, clad in a black leather duster and a wide brimmed hat.  Occasionally the figure would look down to watch the January waves tumble onto the cliff face far below, but happened with such force, that the sound was audible, even through the wind.  His face was alert, but the dark green eyes were wistful and lost in thought, but no one ever got close enough to notice these things about this dark and dangerous man, for he was a man who was both powerful and forgiving at the same time.  He was the Vatican’s solution to all of the evil things that prowled the earth, their “Problem Solver” as it were.  And his name was Gabriel Van Helsing.  And he had no idea how old he was.  He told Carl once that he remembered fighting the Romans at Masada in 73 A.D. but his memory had images of things before that.  Dracula had promised him his memory.  He even knew about his scars on his back, but the price, was not worth paying, although he had been tempted, he did not want to become on the inside, that which he had been hunting all of these years.  What he did wish to remember the most, was what KIND of man he was before he was found on the steps of the Vatican, and if he had any family.  

 

He had left the town of Killeton where he had attended confessional at their church of St. Eltan.  Ireland was beautiful enough.  A welcome change from “Old Europe” but from conversation overheard at the Inn, the landlord of the area was threatening eviction of the area.  Shame really.  He fought evil of a real palpable kind, but it existed in forms that could not be fought in the manner in which he was used to fighting.  He looked around as he rode out of town.  The area was quite beautiful.  To the west was an Oratory. He stopped and looked at it, reflecting at memories gone by.  He could of sworn he was here before,  Well, no matter, it was time to go.  As he followed the road out of town, he decided to follow the cliff instead, and he headed north.

 

Van Helsing rode his horse along the cliff, thinking of the two cables he had received.  The Vatican had sent for him with an urgent calling, and there had been one from Carl, his confidant, his friend, yes, his friend.  He knew that he would, this time, heed the call.  The one from Rome had been straightforward, but the one from Carl, was a plea.  It was the one from Carl that had made up his mind.  There was something about it, that was compelling.  :Van Helsing..Rome has told you of problem..I have more information..Need your help as a friend..Will work with you this time to help..Carl:  He knew that Carl’s wire was cryptic.  And he wondered why.  Shaking his head he urged his Transylvanian horse on.

 

He knew that in keeping busy, he would perhaps forget for a while, it had been after all, 5 years.  The date was winter of 1893, Gabriel had taken a long time off after loosing Anna, and he had wandered, mourning the loss of her.  Going from place to place, and from time to time, there would be messages waiting for him in the places he would stay at, urging him for contact.  It was no surprise to him.  The Vatican had their people that kept him under surveillance, and it was not as if he was trying to be hidden, from them at least.  He had grown his hair longer now, in an attempt to keep authorities from recognizing him, and now kept himself clean shaven.

 

With a sarcastic memory Gabriel thought of the others that the Vatican sent out to do “Gods work” in the name of the church.  Again the words that he had spoken years ago to the cardinal came back to him and he wondered if any of them valued or appreciated the transformation from non-human to human when they perished.  The words “I’m the one left standing there when they become the men they once were”.  He had survived a transformation, beyond god, to something that he struggled with still.  And though he no longer had Werewolf Venom running through his veins, his sight, and sense of smell was heightened.  Things it seemed had changed on a permanent basis within him.  When he finally reached Rome, he would leave that detail out.  And he was sure, within his heart that Carl had kept it to himself as well.

 

After all, Van Helsing thought, the Vatican had plenty of other “Problem Solvers” to help them solve their problems.  Perhaps not as good as he was, but destined to do the same dark work as he did.  There were about 10 of them.  All trained in the arts of fighting.  But Van Helsing was different.  He had come to them with memories of fighting skills.  But they had trained him none the less.  They had also trained him in arts, philosophy, and various techniques as well.  And they had also found that he spoke many languages, although he did not know he spoke many of them until someone spoke it and he would answer.  Van Helsing sighed at this thought.  Out of all the order, he was one of the best.  It was true, he had competition, but his results, his job, was not based on being the best.  He simply did his job, results be damned.  But it got done.

 

Thinking to all of the other Vatican operatives that were assigned, he knew that he was the best.  Fragmented memories of the past taunted his dreams, and nightmares.  Every time he went to a place that they told him to go, it was familiar, except for the developments that had happened where ever he went.  But that was inevitable of course.  Man liked to build.  Thinking of the most recent, Paris.  The building of the huge structure left of Notre Dame.  He had caught a sight of it when collecting Hyde.  His most recent wonderings in Southern England, looking at the hills that had the horse drawn on the side of the hill in Uffington, Berkshire Downs, he knew that he had seen it before.  He wanted to know what it represented, but could not remember.  It was virtually the same practically every where he was sent.

 

He was still the most wanted man in Europe however, which is why he tended to stay in smaller towns.  Paris was one of the most notable among them after he had contributed to the Rose window being shattered.  Even the Cardinal had had words to say about that.  No matter.  The Hyde problem had been dealt with in his typical fashion.  He had asked him in all fairness to come along quietly, and Hyde had refused.  The sickness from the formula had completely turned him evil, and being the Vatican’s “Top Problem Solver” is what he specialized in.  And the problem had been resolved.  His thoughts quieted as he rode on, and eventually came to a place where he arranged for a ships passage, taking him to sea and finally arriving at Le Havre France where he cabled the Vatican about his acceptance and then he went to the Rail Ways and made arrangements for transportation for both himself and his Transylvanian steed. 

 

Europe the Rome

Coming Home to do Gods Dark Work

 

He spent the next couple of hours walking along the Seine and eating some of the local food, and drinking some wine as he thought about his future encounter with the Cardinal.  It was always something of a war of minds that went on between them.  It was true enough that he did Gods work and vanquished what they sent him out to do.  But the Cardinal was a man that seldom treated him with a kind word, let alone a word of thanks or gratitude.  And he was sure that they were still upset over what had happened during the last assignment.  Though he had succeeded in killing Dracula, he had lost the last of the Valerious, Anna.  And the Cardinal was extremely displeased about it.  For generations that family, the Cardinal had told him, had been the un-official hunters of evil in that land, killing dozens of Werewolves and immortals.  Gabriel had left after resting in the Vatican City for a month.  And not even Carl could get him to talk, or console him.  For the first time, the walls of the Vatican brought no peace, and not even a visit from the Holy Father himself had helped, which surprised every one.  He left shortly after that, traveling to the various places that the Holy Order had sent him to for training, thinking if he absorbed himself in physical exertion, it would help.  But the reminder of the extra strength he had from his transformation, made his grief worse, but still he tried to forget himself in it.  He became faster and stronger.  More dangerous, more drawn into himself.

 

He shook his thoughts off, and made for the train as he heard a bell indicate it was 2 in the afternoon, and he boarded, going into his private cabin, and closed his eyes, hoping that he would get some rest before they reached the stop at Paris, where he would have to switch trains. 

 

Eventually he woke to the conductor’s voice telling him they had arrived, and he saw to it that his steed was taken care of and preparations made for the next train.  He had a few hours to kill, so he went walking around.  He noticed that the structure that was being built was now practically completed.  He asked a person “What is that structure?” and the person narrowed his eyes at him as if he recognized him but answered him “Come now, every one knows that is the Eiffel Tower sir.” He rudely turned and walked off.  Van Helsing thought to himself that Parisians had not changed one bit to foreigners no matter how well one spoke French.  He looked to the church, and noticed that the Rose Window had been repaired, and a slight smile touched his lips.  He stopped at a Café and had something to eat, and then made sure of his steed and boarded the train.  Nothing of significance happened, not even in Milan.  Eventually, 2 days later, he arrived in Rome, familiar territory.  Making his way through the streets, he made it to the Vatican Cities Barracks of the Swiss guards and he saw, that indeed, he was expected.  They were waiting to take command of the horse, and Carl was there to greet him.

 

“I take it your trip was alright Van Helsing.” He asked.  “Uneventful, really.  But then you know what passes for exciting with me don’t you?” he asked with a rare smile, and he clapped him on the arm.  Carl visibly winced.  “Well, we can talk later; you know the Cardinal is waiting for you in the confessional, I myself have to go to the Sistine Chapel.”  Van Helsing nodded.  “Carl wait, tell me, what was your cable about?” Carl looked at him and smiled “Well you’re here aren’t you?  And I really do need your help, but we can talk about it after Cardinal Jinette has talked to you.” They started walking in silence for a time, and Van Helsings thoughts were wondering about the evasiveness of Carls answer when the Chapel came into view, Carl nodded to him, and headed off into his destination, and Van Helsing Walked into Saint Peters square and made his way into the St. Peters Basilica.  The familiar sites and sounds surrounded his heightened senses, and Frankincense and Myrrh permeated him as he made his way through the milling people that were now leaving the Basilica that had come to see the spectacle.  It was quite late, and he was tired but his heightened senses were threatening to overpower him, but he quickly got them under control.  Going some distance to the rear, he went to the left to the confessional and stepped in, prepared himself for a war of wills, said the traditional words, and after a few tense moments a soft reply surprised him.

 

The Cardinal

A new Breifing

 

“Did you enjoy your rest Van Helsing?”  Cardinal Jinette asked gently.  Van Helsing cocked his head to one side and took off his hat and looked at the Cardinal through the divider.  “I did” he answered.  “I found the solitude somewhat relaxing.”

“That is good Van Helsing, but it is most unfortunate that you did not regain any of your memory” the Cardinal said carefully.  After a few moments of thinking of the past, of Dracula’s words to him, he thought of the perfect reply.  “Some things are better left forgotten Cardinal” Van Helsing replied “And the price was too high to learn them.  There will be another way to learn about the past, I’m sure of it.”  There was a tightness that proved that there was a tinge of anger in his voice, and the Cardinal sensed something different about Gabriel now, but still, he grimaced at the tone in Van Helsings voice.

Van Helsing grew quiet as he thought about Dracula’s promise, and how, as a Werewolf, he had heard and understood what Dracula said to him, his words had gotten through to him during his transformation, and bits of the past had as well.  They had been partners in the past that much had been revealed to him.  And He had been forced to kill him.  To be the “Left hand of God”, to Murder his friend.  And yet they still knew one another after he had murdered him.  Dracula had known him, and all or most of his past.  Guilt was there.  But the Cardinal broke him out of his thoughts.

Pressing the issue further the Cardinal asked “Is there anything that you wish to tell me my son, anything about what happened that you wish to be absolved from?”  He was taking a terrible gamble in risking to anger Gabriel, but he was sure that something was amiss here, and Gabriel had not been forthcoming with information the month after the incident in Transylvania.  Van Helsing took in a hiss of breath and moved suddenly, as if he was going to leave, but caught himself, and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers of his right hand.  The Cardinal noticed that he still wore the ring.  Darkly, and softly Van Helsing answered the Cardinal his thoughts churning as he fought to remain calm.  “Cardinal, I was the one that came back to you voluntarily; I’m ready to do your Dark work again.  The Past is where it should remain, in the past.”  The Cardinal sighed inwardly, but was surprised at Van Helsings new self control.  “Very well my son.” 

Van Helsing blinked.  Never before had he won so easily.  He wondered what was going on, and began to get suspicious of what was going to happen next.

 

Silently, the Cardinal pressed the leaver which opened the passageway and stood, and Van Helsing rose as well.

“Well, I am pleased to see that you are ready to do gods work again Van Helsing.” Cardinal Jinette was careful not to use his first name.  They made their way down to the archival area.  “For this time it is truly disturbing.”  Cardinal Jinette began to explain, and Van Helsing listened intently, his eyes reflecting surprise at what he heard.

 

“Their had been mention of unusual things happening there in the Americas, in Northern California, starting 8 months ago, but the story starts in Oklahoma.  An Indian Tribe that had brought up a red haired woman as their own, and taught her the ways of their magic is what begins this tale.  This woman had apparently had a rich mother from Ireland, and a Choctaw chief for a father, and had traveled to Haiti, and went all through South America, learning from their tribes, and learning their magic’s and then had traveled to these very lands, learning about the ancient past, and the old ways, and gods.  She studied extensively with Germanic shamans that were in hiding, and with Cultists in Germany, and studied with the Stregia in Western Europe.  And finally she did the same in Egypt, and with several tribes in Africa, and finally, most disturbingly of all, she went to the Asia and then to Japan.”

 

“How did you find out about her at all?”  Van Helsing asked, questions forming in his mind, and he was becoming intrigued.

Cardinal Jinette sighed, “We always came too late on her travels.  She was discrete, and the people that she had been with loved her.  The only way that we found out about her at all, is because of a fire that had started near her town.  She apparently drew some kind of a boundary around the town, and the fire did not touch it.”

Van Helsing’s eyes went up in surprise.  “Is this when she left the town?”

“Yes, yes it is.  Several of the town’s people became scared of her, and supposedly threatened her.  That was in 1873, and she disappeared.  That is when the church in Tulsa reported the incident to our operatives and we got word of her and started tracking her through all of her travels.  But this you will find interesting Van Helsing, we tracked her whereabouts to Transylvania in the early winter of 1888.” 

He paused, noticing Van Helsings face.  “Yes, she was in your area while you were fighting the Count.  We know that she visited the town you were in 2 weeks before you were there, and spoke to Velkin, but she left and studied with the Gypsies outside of a little town just 1 mile from Dracula’s castle.”  Van Helsings eyes narrowed, but the Cardinal continued “She has been tracked, as of 8 months ago to her new home in the Mountains near Santa Cruz in Northern California.”

 

Cardinal Jinette then told Van Helsing the rest of the tale.  “There have been reports of Un godly like creatures that were supposedly seen at night.  That she was seen walking at night without fear.  Several of the town’s people went to her for cures when they became sick, and were cured.  And she was never in need of anything.  She is a genius trapper and hunter.”  The cardinal motioned and the projector came on.

 

The Cardinal then had the monk show him pictures of her, one of her in strange garb, knee length white leather outfit, with fringes and bead work, but the face.  “This was taken with her tribe 16 years ago.”  The Cardinal motioned and another newer picture replaced it.  She was wearing all black with leather vest, but this was a close up of her face, and it struck him hard.  She was Anna’s exact opposite.  Her face was smooth with high cheekbones, and unusually shaped eyes that held wisdom and power, yet at the same time there was a delicacy there, despite the small scar at the corner of her right eye.  Her hair flowed over her shoulders like a waterfall, in curls.  And she had hardly aged.

 

“What is her name Cardinal, why haven’t you told me” Van Helsing asked.

Cardinal Jinette face went hard; this was not going to be easy.  “The name she gives now if Sulis Eagle MoonShadow.  But, the name that her mother and father gave her at birth was Anna Singing Star”

Van Helsings heart did something it never did.  It skipped a beat.  “What” he whispered.

“I know Van Helsing, but you need to know all of the information we have on her.”  Cardinal Jinette said.  “She is not a child of god; you are to go to the Americas and investigate her and see if she is evil or a threat.  There have been too many unusual things going on around her that cannot be explained.  People in that area are seeing strange creatures in the night, and there have been several that have seen her alone at night in the woods summoning things.  The Bishop from Tulsa was sent to observe her on Hallows eve and he reported that she went into the woods and created a dark circle, and all manner of dark forms surrounded the circle, and the feeling of menace was such, that he had to run away.  If you can sense no evil, bring her back to Rome and we will see for ourselves what to do with her.  But if she is evil, kill her, and bring any possessions she has back to us for us to look at, for clearly no one else should have them.”  

 

He looked at her picture again.  He was not to be fooled, yet her face haunted him.  As did her name.  But something nagged him, the fact that the Cardinal had used the word kill.  He had a sneaking suspicion that something more was going on, something that the Cardinal was not telling him.

 

“Friar Carl has been doing a lot of research on the places she has been, so he will accompany you to The Americas.  Go now and prepare, and may God go with you Van Helsing.” Cardinal Jinette handed him a gold and Emerald rosary “May this help you in your travels and in dealing with Sulis, and listen to Carl, he will finish briefing you.”

“Thank you, hopefully it will come in handy.” Van Helsing took the rosary and placed it in his pocket.  He watched as the Cardinal walked away, wondering why he was given this assignment, clearly the Cardinal knew that this assignment had a personal touch to him.  But what were the chances of the name being what it was?  His thoughts were disrupted by Carl.

 

Friar Carl, with a calm manner looked at Van Helsing “You realize that that was blessed by the Pope himself.”  Not being able to help himself he answered, “Well it something special then isn’t it.” Van Helsing said a little flippantly.

Sighing Friar Carl started to pack up their bags.  “Now I did a lot of researching about Sulis, and she studied with a sword master in Japan.  Here is a blade known as the Jade Blade, made about 500 years ago, said to have magical properties, to give the wielder speed and power. You might not be able to match this ones fighting style this time Van Helsing, but this will certainly help” Van Helsing’s brow went up at that comment. “What makes you say that?”

“Because every where she went, not only did she study their magic, she also studied their ways, local herbs and uses, and their weapons and fighting styles.” Van Helsing looked at the blade, and drew it out and gave an appreciative whistle and looked at Carl “I love a challenge, you know that” Van Helsing said.

Muttering, Friar Carl continued to pack things into the bag, he stopped when his hand paused over an unusual item it was a beaten silver bracelet with turquoise in it and a gold Torque with Amethysts at the end of both ends.  “Here, put these on.”  He said quite seriously.

“No thank you Carl, I don’t think it matches.” Van Helsing replied with a sneer.  “No, I’m quite serious, the bracelet is a Choctaw protection bracelet as well as an identifier and the other is from Ireland, made from the same clan that Sulis is from.  In wearing them, you will probably dissolve mistrust and well, if she is as powerful as I have researched, you will need all of the help you can get.  Now the Torque has never been worn before, you have to have the strength to bend it and place it…..” he became quiet for Van Helsing did it perfectly, to perfectly in fact.

 

Included in what they brought were two gas powered crossbows, and plenty of refills.  It was a shame that Van Helsing had lost the other one on the carriage ride in fighting the brides.  But Carl had improved on them immensely.  He had also packed quite a few other surprises for Van Helsing as well, which he was quite proud of.  He had also made improvements to his spinning blades. When they finished packing Van Helsing made his way to his quarters, which were nice, compared to the rest.  And he got some rest after packing a few belongings that he wanted to take with him.  Nightmares surrounded his rest, vague images of the past surrounded him, but he could not grasp them, eventually he woke himself, and he was covered in a thin sheet of sweat.  Shaking his head, he forced himself to lie back down, and this time it was a peaceful sleep.

 

The next morning Carl knocked on his door.  “Van Helsing, you look terrible, rough night?” He asked softly.  Van Helsing quickly grabbed his things and looked at Carl, “Don’t pry Carl, lets go.” He pushed past him and led the way.  They made their way to the station to board the train, and found their way to the port where they finally boarded the ship, along the way Carl continued briefing him, and tried to get him to talk about Anna, but one look from Van Helsing would quickly staunch the conversation.  They spent 3 weeks on the rolling winter seas of the Atlantic.  Van Helsing thought of nothing it seemed but the comparison of Anna, and Sulis Anna.  And of how he would research her.  Would he befriend her, or watch her from a distance at first.  These things he thought of quietly, and also of the fragmented nightmares that tortured him yet again, it seemed triggered by him coming back to the church. 

 

Strange things happened to him during the waking hours as well.  As he looked out across the sea, the bracelet would turn warm and then he would hear drumbeats and chanting.  At other times, he would hear whisperings and the torque would warm.  This would happen in the darkness as he was falling asleep. And a soft purple glow would come from the amethyst.  Whisperings would touch in his ear.  He kept these things to himself thinking that Carl would simply overreact.

 

And Van Helsing was not the only one that was besieged by dreams and whispers in the night.  Carl slept at night clutching at item hanging from around his neck under his frock.  Dreams of Draculas castle came back to him, of Aleeras death and of finding the chamber adjacent to the laboratory just before coming in to see the Wolf Van Helsing clutching Anna.  Finding the box, and opening it and finding…and Carl wakes.

 

When they arrived, Friar in tow, they rode on mustangs, given to them by a couple of Ojibwa Indians, once they saw the bracelet,  they had no problem in dealing with Van Helsing.  They rode cross country to Oklahoma, taking 2 weeks to get there, seeing all of the sites, refusing to take the train…learning all about the country.  Coming across various tribes and settlements, some of them welcoming them once the bracelet was seen others became hostile immediately and Van Helsing was forced to fight his way out.  But when the first tribe took them in, Carl proudly said “I TOLD you that would come in handy Van Helsing.” To which Van Helsing replied “Alright, I believe you now Carl.” When they arrived in Oklahoma and was welcomed in virtually every tribe they came across.  They stayed in a settlement and asked about the tribe that Carl had told him Sulis came from.  The next morning while they were on the road Van Helsing said “According to what the last settlement said, we will reach the Choctaw tribe tomorrow let’s see if we can get come information about Sulis Parents when we get there.”

 

And true enough the two of them reached it mid morning, having ridden all night.  But to their surprise, they were expected, and a welcoming party had come out to greet them in the light snow fall.  One of them spoke English.

“Welcome Dark Rider, We were told you would come today, welcome to our village.  Let us care for your horses, for you ride our native horses, that they have accepted you are a good sign.  Come with us.”

 

“Um, Van Helsing, how did they know we were coming?”

“I don’t know Carl, but stay calm, we will find out.  In the mean time let’s enjoy the food, for I am starving.”  Van Helsing dismounted and handed the reins over to the nearest brave.

 

As they entered the village a brave that was dressed in white deerskin that was fringed and beaded, made his way, as the others parted for him, came up to Van Helsing.  He reached for his arm and looked at the bracelet and then looked at the Torque and touched it.  He looked at Van Helsing intently for a long moment; it was then that Van Helsing noticed that this brave had green eyes. 

 

“Carl, look at his eyes” Van Helsing said.

“Yes, it is said that she has the same colored eyes.” He answered.

The brave’s eyes got bigger at this mentioning.  He suddenly pulled back his collar, and he had a gold Torque, except his had Quartz Crystals.

 

Van Helsing took a step back.  “Carl, I think we have found a direct relation to Sulis.”  Van Helsings senses came to life, the very senses that kept him alive all of these centuries.  He wasn’t sure what to expect, but he suspected that this man in front of him understood every word that he spoke.

 

The brave stood up taller, and it was at that moment that the sun came out for a brief moment, and touched this man.  His hair, though black, had red and golden highlights in it, not like the blue tinge that he had seen in other natives in this land so far.

 

He then stood up taller, and to the amazement of Van Helsing and Carl’s surprise he spoke.  “Anna Singing Star is my sister.  Sulis is her Spirit name, MoonShadow is her soul name.  How do you know of her?  You are no ordinary White Man Dark Rider.  You carry yourself like a wolf spirit.”

Van Helsing remained alert, but was a little relieved at the subtle hint of hostility, and the huge curiosity coming from this man.  Yet he choose his next words cautiously “I am a seeker from across the sea, that wants to know about your sister.  I have heard about her travels, and want to hear about them.”

The brave nodded “You are not the first to seek my sister.  Men of the White Mans church came not many moons ago asking about her, asking all about her past.  They were most strange.  They did not act like others of their kind, they were not asking to save her, they only wanted to know of her, and her deeds.  We told them little, and sent them away.  Yet here you are, with another man of their “God”, what do you want.”

**Excellent progress** Van Helsing thought.  “I only want to know about her, about her past her, of her mother and father, and why she left the town she was in, and why she left your tribe.  I come with a gift as well.”  Van Helsing had just thought of it, but it would be perfect for the tribe.  “Carl, get the extra crossbow and 2 extra rounds.”

“VAN HELSING!!!!”

“Carl, just do it.” He looked at the brave, “Where is something I can aim at?”

“There is a heard of Buffalo over the hill; my people were planning on hunting this afternoon.”

“Follow me” Van Helsing said, grabbed the crossbow from Carl, smiling at the exclamations of surprise from the tribe and started off.

The brave said something to the tribe and they followed Van Helsing to the top of the hill.

 

Van Helsing looked at the hundreds of Buffalo that were grazing at the grass they had shuffled up from the snow.  He lifted the sighting circle and took aim and started firing, and brought down 25 buffalo within seconds.  Turning he looked at the tribe.  They were staring at him in amazement and in anger.  Never had they let a white man hunt their buffalo before, but they were also surprised at the speed in which it had happened.  Quickly the brave spoke to the tribe, and Van Helsing assumed that he was assuring them because their gaze turned to the buffalo, then some of them turned and started moving towards them.

 

Then Van Helsing addressed the brave.  “This is a gift I give to you in exchange for information about your sister.  It will serve you well.”  He handed it to the brave.  And the people started whispering.  Quietly the women went to the slain buffalo and started butchering them.  One came back with a liver, as was the custom, and handed it to Van Helsing.

“It is a custom that the brave that kills the first buffalo eats the liver, it is a great honor.” The brave smiled at him

Van Helsing could think of worse things he had tasted, Dracula being the top one on his mind, so this could not be worse.  Tentatively he took a bite, and found it was actually good, so he took another big bite.  The braves around him let out a cry, and clapped him on the back.

 

“Well, you call me Dark Rider my friend, but actually it is Van Helsing.  So will you please tell me of your sister?”  He looked at the brave and added, and please, tell me your name.”

The Brave nodded “I will share, for it is a great gift you gave to us, and my name is Gabriel Wind Dancer, and their will be a great feast tonight.”

Van Helsing hardly heard him, for he was truly shocked, Sulis Anna was bad enough, but this man in front of him, this Gabriel Wind Dancer, was this a coincidence? His mind was racing; he did not hear what Gabriel was saying.

He did not hear Carl coming up behind him, and he jumped when Carl touched his shoulder. “VAN HELSING!!  Are you deft?”  Van Helsing snapped out of it.

“What is it Carl?”

“What are you thinking, giving that away?  They will be furious.”  Van Helsing smiled inwardly, yes, that was a definite plus.

“Relax, just tell them I lost it.”  Van Helsing turned to Gabriel, “Tell me about your mother and father Gabriel.”  He led him away, leaving an Open mouthed Carl, who was shocked **Sulis’s bother is called Gabriel?  What is going on here?  I think there is something more than meets the eye, and I think this assignment is going to get very dangerous for his soul**

 

They feasted into the night, eating some of the best meat that either of them had tasted in a long time.  Something about it being fresh and roasted over a fire making it juicy and good suited their appetites.  The type of drink, or mead, was made from honey and herbs, and was excellent, their maize was delicious and Pemmican was delicious.  Gabriel and Van Helsing talked, Carl listened.  Their Mother had come from Ireland escaping the persecution she was facing for being Pagan, like her mother before her.  And everything was at stake.  All of the family riches were passed down through the daughters, and the new man that Rose had married, threatened to take it all, because of the times, it became a real threat.  So rose arranged for him to go abroad on a long journey to India, and she packed all the things she would need for her craft, and liquidated all of her money, and made passage to the Americas, arriving in New York, with a gentleman friend with whom she could trust her life with  She placed all of her money in the largest and oldest bank she could find, mind you she had close to 3 million, which back them was a lot of money, they brought about 100,000 with them.

 

Van Helsing nodded and asked “So your Grandmother practiced Magic?  As did your Mother?”

Gabriel nodded and continued.  “They made their way to Oklahoma, and made it to these lands, and she set up in Tulsa, there they put the money in a bank, and continued traveling.  It was then that they were ambushed by Pawnee, but My father, Chief Bear Claw, saw what was going on, and saw Rose, and her hair, and took his warriors, and rescued her.  Her friend however was slain.  Rose fell in love with my father, and became his bride.  She lived in both worlds.  She learned the Choctaw ways, and Magic.  She had Anna first, and then me.”

 

“Anna learned quickly, and was always interested in magic, she was born during a brush fire, which was a powerful sign. I learned the ways of a warrior.  But Anna, she was insatiable.  She could always see spirits.  She could get animals to come to her.  I remember when I was little and she was 12, just becoming a woman, her first time into the woman’s hut,  she heard the wolves, and she came out during a full moon, and howled back at them, and then started singing, it woke my mother and me up from our lodge.  We went outside, to see three wolves coming through camp, straight to Anna, and they sat down in front of her and let her pet them.  Then she raised her hand, pointed, and said “Go” and they left as quietly as they had come.”

“They did not kill anything or do harm to her?” Han Helsing asked.

“No, it was as if she were one of the pack.”

“Tell me about the town, and what happened.”

 

“Oh, that, well the thing about that, is that she had done that for us before, and had made rain for us, but that was an effort for her.  We warned her not to do things like that for the White Man, but she did not listen.  What had happened was she had taken to going into town.  And this was when she was older, around 21, and she had yet to know a man.  The White Man intrigued her.  So she started renting an apartment and started working for the horse breaker there, claiming that she could break horses more efficiently.  They hired her.  One day a man came into town, a man that captured her heart.  A man that looked a little like you Dark Rider.  Except his hair was longer, and he had piercing blue eyes.  We learned of him, and observed him.  He robbed coaches and trains.  We tried to tell Anna of this but he had her entranced, almost to the point of her telling him about us.”

 

Van Helsing could picture it all in his mind as it unfolded like a picture show.  “Was she defiant of her parents?”

“Oh yes, completely.  She did not listen to us at all.  One night she was in the Saloon, relaxing after taming an exceptionally bad horse and he came in, already drunk.  He managed to talk her into going upstairs to talk, with a bottle.  He got her very drunk.  Anna can defend herself, but back then she could not drink the white mans drink very well.  And she fought him when he advanced on her, so much so, that the man now wears a scar on his right cheek, but he hit her several times, and she has a scar on her right eye to remind her of the rape.  She told him then of her origins, and that her people would hunt him down and kill him that he had better leave.  And he did.”

 

Despite him self, Van Helsing was boiling with rage.  “What is his name?  I want to know so I can track him down.”

“His name is Michael Doyle.” Gabriel said with anger.  “She came back to the tribe and said nothing to anyone until 2 months later, when she had not had her moon flow.  She then made the herbal tea to rid herself of the child she had within her.  But she was so filled with guilt, for letting it happen, she mixed the ingredients wrong, she took the tea, went into the stream, and rid herself of the child, but she kept bleeding.  She passed out in the stream face down, for how long she was there I don’t know, and what spirits protected her I don’t know, but when I found her, I saw her, blood flowing from between her legs, and 3 wolves standing there guarding her.  I ran to grab her, and I started breathing life back into her, and I felt my torque warm, and the Phoenix at her ankle started glowing, and suddenly she spat up water and screamed.”  Gabriel fell silent remembering.  “I haven’t spoken of this ever.”

 

“Suddenly I understand some things about your sister” Van Helsing said.  He was seething with anger.  But he was glad that he had meet with her brother, so far, from the history he was learning, Evil, as it had with Frankenstein’s monster, his friend, had left its mark on her.  That she does magic, is still something to be dealt with.

 

Gabriel continued.  “She made a quick recovery, after a few days in bed, but Mother and Father told her to leave until their rage had subsided, for she had not come to them in her time of need, and she had not heeded their warning about Michael.  She went back to town, and the townspeople were helpful and understanding about what had happened, for she was well liked.  It was about a month later that the fires on the plains happened.  Anna grabbed her staff, went to Joe the horse breaker, asking for the fastest horse, and told him to tell the towns people that she would keep the fires from coming to the town.  But first she came to her people, and put the barrier around her people, and then she did the same to the town.  The towns people watched in amazement as the flames passed the town by, and Anna was proclaimed a hero, but there were those that were afraid of her, and talks started happening of casting her out, of calling her a witch.  Her own people had abandoned her, the town, which she saved, turned its back on her.  So she packed her things that she needed most, made arrangements with the bank, took the train as far south as it went and made her journey.  I heard from her occasionally, but father and mother burned the messages when they found them.  Eventually they stopped coming.”  He paused.  He looked at Van Helsing, appraising him, watching him thoughtfully.  “So now you know.  I can tell you that the letters that I did read spoke of knowledge, of finding power, and of magic.  In Africa, she killed what she called a lion, with her bare hands.  But never did she do anything to harm anyone.  She claimed it went against a law she was taught, a three fold law.”

 

Van Helsing remained quiet while he thought.  If this were all true, about her adhering to a law that kept her from harming others, then she might be redeemable.  His mind was still whirling on the words spoken by Gabriel.

“Tell me my friend, do you think your sister would harm anyone?”

Gabriel smiled, “No Dark Rider, No I do not.  She could have begged for the life of Michael, to be taken, to be hunted down, but she did not.  In all of the letters, none of them hinted at a dark nature.”

“I thank you for your story Gabriel; I have a new friend in you.  When I see your sister, do you want me to say anything or to give her anything?”  Van Helsing asked.

Gabriel rose and went to his lodgings and came back with a Turquoise necklace “Give her this, it was made for her by both mother and father as a token of their forgiveness, they wanted her to have it.  It is late, I will retire now.”  He turned and left.

 

Friar Carl spoke for the first time in hours “Van Helsing, I think that this time you are in danger.  I don’t really want to mention this but..”

“Then don’t.” growled Van Helsing.

“Van Helsing, there is to many coincidences here, his name for…”

“I told you DON’T.” Van Helsing warned.

“No Van Helsing, it is to unusual.  Her story, her profile, it all makes sense, but the names.  And according to the letters she sent here, her brother may not be qualified to judge Evil from right.  You cannot come to conclusions yet, until you meet her or at the very least, observe her.” Carl let out a breath waiting for Van Helsings reply, but a moment turned into a minute, then into several.

Sighing Van Helsing lay down, and placed his hat over his eyes “You’re right, I have to meet her.  And I am well aware of the strangeness of the situation, but things have been happening to me ever since I got on that ship.  I sense nothing evil Carl, not yet.  And you have a hint of how long I’ve been alive.  Now I’m going to try to get some shut eye, good night.”

 

They both eventually went to sleep, and as for Van Helsing, he slept peacefully for a change.  The next morning, they ate with the tribe, he hugged Gabriel good bye and their horses, fresh and ready, were brought to them.  They made their way to Tulsa, and made arrangements to go on train to San Jose, and from there, on horse over the mountains to the costal Santa Cruz town. 

 

The next week passed uneventfully and eventually they made their way to San Jose, people hardly looked at them.  And Van Helsing was enjoying the fact that he was not a wanted man in the lands.  And they stayed for the night to ready themselves for the hard ride over the mountains.  In the Inn they overheard the bartender talking about the “Lady Witch” in the town over that gave him a potion for his sick daughter that cured her.

 

“Excuse me” Van Helsing asked “But did you say a “”Witch”” cured your daughter?”

“Yes I did.  Her name is Lady Sulis, and my daughter would not be alive without her, you see, my daughter fell into the water and caught a terrible cold.  The doctor had given up on her cough that she caught.  But Lady Sulis had heard about my child and came knocking on my door one morning, and put some rub on her chest, and gave me the paste she used and gave me some herbs for a tea, well 3 days later, my daughter still had a little cough, but she was out of bed.  She was a life saver.  But the strangest thing was, is that she would take no payment.  She said “Saving one of the Goddesses own” was payment enough.”

 

Van Helsing went back to drinking, looking and listening, and thinking.  “Carl, remember what Gabriel said about a code of ethics that she lived by, doesn’t this sound like it?”

“Sounds like a bloody Pagan Heathen to me Van Helsing.” He replied.

They soon went to bed, but Van Helsing was thinking of how he would meet this Anna Sulis.  

 

NEXT DAY

 

The next day they headed out over the mountains.  It took some doing, and it got frigidly cold, and it took the horses 2 days, but they got over the mountains.  About the time that they were through Van Helsing felt a presence.  He looked around, into the woods.  He thought he heard movement, but he was not sure.  His Torque grew warm again.  He looked more intently but it was gone.

 

TOWN

 

They arrived in town about mid afternoon.  They went to the lodgings area.  They paid for it, and the horses were taken care of and they took their things upstairs.  Van Helsing told Carl to go to the local church to inquire about Sulis, and cautioned him to use the name Sulis MoonShadow.  Carl nodded and he left.  Van Helsing went down to the street and went to the Saloon, and went in and ordered a drink, and a bottle.  He sat and he waited.   

 

He sat there about 2 hours when he heard a female Irish accented voice.  “I’ll be back at sunset Carl, that horse needs a rest.”  And footsteps came up the planks.  And Van Helsing adjusted the brim of his hat.  In the female figure came, wearing black leather pants, a black leather vest with a long white leather duster with fringes, ended in Turquoise beads that swept the floor, and a white hat.  She stopped and took off the duster, and he saw that she was wearing a short sleeved shirt under the vest. She removed the hat, and her long golden red hair tumbled down in curls, to her waist, and it was then that Van Helsing saw the marks on her wrists.  He knew the name of the one on her right one, it was called a Triquetra.  But the other one on her left, was disturbing, he had never seen its kind.  It was a circle with an interwoven 5 pointed star, with quarter circles on either side.

 

Van Helsing was stunned looking at her, but his face remained impassive.  This was the woman Gabriel spoke of.  He had yet to get a good look at her.

 

“Good afternoon Sulis.”  The bartender said, “Will you have your usual?”

“It’s been a particularly brutal morning, and I’ve worked up one hell of a thirst Joe, serve me up.”  Sulis’s voice cut right through him.  He watched as she took the bottle, and walked to the table near him, and blessedly she sat across from him, but she was sitting in a shadow.  He blinked in surprise when he saw her Torque like necklace.  It was braided, with gold,e necklas she was sitting in a shadow. him, e. sts. ed shirt under the vest. acket with fringes that s platinum and red gold.  And at the end of each side, were emeralds. She had rings on her hands, but it was hard to get a look at them. 

 

She took notice of him once, as she filled her glass with whisky, and lifted it recognition of him and said to him, “To a blessed day, and to you and yours sir.” Surprised, he lifted his glass said nothing, but drank his.

Now that he had seen her, he was observing her, and he could sense most defiantly, that evil was near her, that it was reaching out to her and tempting her,  but she was good.  She was not Evil.  Yet she was not with God.  How was that possible?  He did not understand it.  Why would Evil want her, if she was not with God?  He closed his eyes and reached out and felt.  Yes, evil surrounded her, but she was protected, from something, and from her own doing, it was like a shield.  Suddenly he could feel her awareness focus on him.  He opened his eyes and found she was looking at him intently.  Oh yes, She was like him in that aspect.

 

He stood up and left, and walked down the street and found a place where he could observe.  He had been observing her longer than he thought, for it was almost sun set.  Suddenly a thought occurred to him a way to meet her.  But he would observe her some more.  He watched as she left, and he followed her to where the horse waited for her.  She walked with a stance that suggested awareness, stealth and grace.  And more than once, she paused and stopped while he was following her.  No one else human had ever done that while he was following them, not in hundreds of years.  He watched as she entered the gates, and walked up to this monster of a stallion that reared its head when she approached.  He lifted his front legs to her and she raised her arms and softly said “Woah big boy, no one will hurt you, lets try this again.”  The horse shifted and came down to the side of her, nuzzling her head in the process.  She walked over to the fence, and the horse followed.  She grabbed the rope and stroking the neck, she placed it over his head.  The horse reared again, coming down on her shoulder,  Van Helsing almost moved forward expecting her to cry out, but instead, she went down to one knee, took in a breath and stood.

Anna Sulis raised her arms with her wrists up to the heavens, and started whispering, and brought them slowly down.  “Now listen great one, you are noble, and don’t want to be tamed, I understand this, but you are here with me, and I think that I want to keep you, for myself.  Let us come to an understanding.”  The horse nodded his great black head. 

 

To Van Helsings amazement, she leapt onto back of the horse, and started riding him bareback.  Now he had heard of such things, but he had never seen it, especially not with a female, such as this one, doing it on a great beast of a stallion.  He quickly went back to the boarding house and got his horse ready, and rode out.  And sure enough, she was removing the gates, planning on going out bareback.  It was dark, with only a half moon, but Van Helsings eye site was good enough, and he suspected Anna’s was good as well.

 

She got back on the horse and rode out into the town and sped out along the road along the cliffs, where the ocean was on the right, they were heading south, they went through woods, and finally, a beach appeared, she flew through the surf, and stopped by a cave.  Van Helsing went inland for a bit to watch from the woods where he could see and hear. 

 

She dismounted, and drew a circle around the horse and herself.  Then she went to the east, facing exactly where Van Helsing was.  Her face was calm and serene; She raised her arms, and suddenly looked intently where he was.  A chill came over him, he knew that he should not be watching what was about to happen, but he remained perfectly still.  She relaxed and raised her arms “Guardians of the East, powers of air and thought, watch over me and my circle”  As he watched, a yellow shimmer came in the air, and a large being became visible to him.  Amazed, he watched as she went to the South “Guardians of the South, powers of fire and passion watch over me and my circle.”  And this time a red shimmer and being came visible.  She went to the West “Guardians of the West, powers of Water and emotion, watch over me and my circle”, a being of blue appeared.  Then to the North she went “Guardians of the North, powers of Earth and balance, watch over me and my circle” and a being of green appeared.  Van Helsing thought that she was done, but she went back to his direction and did something that stupefied him, he witnessed what she must have done to the town, but he could SEE it.  She removed a blade from her boot,  Pointed it at the sky, and he could see the energy building in it.  She pointed it downwards, and walked around the circle saying, “I cast this circle between the worlds for protection and to contain the magic cast within.”  He could see the purple hue of the circle that was cast, or rather half circle, and it must extend under her.

 

She went to the west, and he had to strain to listen “Goddess Epona, Goddess of the Horse, I call upon you this night.  I have made friends with this horse, and I ask that you come to give your blessings to him in thanks for befriending me.  Though he hurt me let him know that I forgive him.  I ask for a name for this royal beast.  Please Epona, your Priestess begs for your blessings.”

Van Helsing was shocked at the use of the name Priestess.  But his thoughts were distracted by the clouds on the horizon, they were taking shape, in the form of a white horse, they got closer and closer, and suddenly they clarified.  And on the sea was a great horse with a silk clad female upon it with long flowing white hair.  She rode upon the beach, and Anna bent down on one knee and said “Greetings Goddess Epona, thank you for coming.” 

“You have my blessings, both you and Dark Moon; he knows and understands what happened.  Now my child, this is necessary.”  Van Helsing Yelled as Epona touched Anna Sulis and she collapsed, and he rode forward leapt off of his horse, and attempted to enter the circle, and was thrown back 50 feet.

 

Goddess Epona’s laughter was light and un earthly as he got up.

“What have you done to her?  What are you?” He demanded.

“She simply is not aware Gabriel Van Helsing, and as for what I am, I am Goddess.  I am an Immortal being, old as god, as is my Lord.  I exist in everything, I am divine, and have many followers, and have had them since Paleolithic times.” Epona replied.  “And I know why you are here, and what you might do to my priestess, if you so decide to do it.  And that I cannot have.”

Van Helsing touched the horse that Epona was on and she shifted suddenly to a golden haired beauty with black eyes, I am goddess, I have many faces, for I am also Bloodoweth, Diana, Hecate, Pele, many names.

“If Anna Sulis is evil, I will destroy her.” Van Helsing said.

“She is not Evil Gabriel, she lived by my creed, And it harm none, do as you will, and the three fold law, which means that what you do comes back to you times three.  Anna Sulis follows this law.  She would never hurt any one.  But she will defend herself, physically and magically.”

“Then why does Evil surround her?  I sense it, I know these things.” He retorted.

“I know you do Gabriel, Yes, it haunts her, because she is like you, earmarked for great things, to live on this planet as you do, forever, and I am training her for that.  That is why Evil wants her, to sway her.  That is why Michael Doyle came into her life.  For you see, if she takes a life out of anger, she WILL be on their side.”  The Goddess looked upwards, and a light shined down and a male figure materialized beside her, in roman toga garb, and the goddess changed form again.  “When she is ready, you can tell her of this conversation, you will know the time Gabriel.  For now, the Lord and I take your leave.  When you need me most, one of us will come to you, for there is a great battle to be waged, things that are not for this world will be released by those that have found keys to Hades.”

“And Gabriel” the Lord said, do not mourn any more, she is happy, your heart can find love again.” He gestured to Anna Sulis “If only you let it, and if you can find the conviction of letting go of Rome’s orders, remember the lesson you learned with Frankenstein’s monster, and of becoming lichen yourself.”

“Tell me two things then, what is the marking on her left wrist, and where can I find her house?”  Van Helsing asked.

“The marking is my symbol, the Triple Moon, the 3 phases of the moon, or the mother maiden and the crone.  And when I touch you I will give you our blessings, which she will see, and you will know where to find her.”

She reached down and touched him, and he knew, and suddenly he felt refreshed and peaceful, then they were gone.

 

Van Helsing gazed down at Anna Sulis, watching her as if she were sleeping.  Cautiously he placed his hand on the circle, and he received nothing more than a light shock.  He looked down at her, wishing that it was daylight so he could see her better, but he was glad for this time.  He thought on the Lords words, about love.  He thought about Rome.  If he were to take this woman back to Rome, to the church, she would be forbidden to do things like this, he was sure of it. He had to get to know her better.  He could see the scar on her eye, and anger seethed within him.  This woman was a paradox.  He closed his eyes and let his senses reach out.  He could feel nothing evil about her, but he could feel the evil pressing around the barrier she had put up.  The must want her desperately for them to be so present.  Suddenly she stirred, and Van Helsing quickly went to his horse and rode to the woods and watched.

 

Anna Sulis got up and shook her head and the horse neighed and nudged his nose into her neck.  Anna Sulis lightly laughed and stroked his nose.  She raised her arms and without a word blue mist collected between them.  She then went to the horse and spread her arms about his body, and the mist settled into him.  Van Helsing noticed that when she did this the mist crossed over into her as well.

 

When it was over, she went to each of the directions that she had started in and told the watchers “Hail and fair thee well, stay if you will go if you must.” And they disappeared.  She then drew the circle back into herself, and Van Helsing noticed, that the purple tinge stayed with her as she got onto Dark Moon and to his surprise came into his direction, but about 15 feet away.  So close that he could see the ecstasy in her face.  He waited a moment and then turned his horse, and to his surprise, he noticed a purple trail.  **Curious** he thought **So this is what Magic is, and the trail it leaves. **  

 

He followed it, knowing where it would lead, and he was right.  It was slightly into the mountains that it leads.  He stayed behind, knowing that he had a trail to follow.  Until, he noticed a gathering of the purple light up ahead in a clearing.  He dismounted and walked forward and noticed Anna Sulis looking intently on the ground, stooping occasionally to gather herbs.  It was cold, and he noticed the breath coming out of her, and he walked further a little more, and made a mistake, a rare one, but a mistake none the less, he broke a branch.  She spun around and extended her arm, hand flat to his direction, and spoke an unintelligible word.  He saw the air shimmer and come towards him, and it hit him, it was freezing cold, and immobilized him.  He was stunned, he could not move!!  He watched as she stared in his direction, and he felt a presence, that seemed to be probing.  He saw her move with admiration, in cat like fluidness, as she moved onto her horse and galloped away.

 

As soon as she was out of his vision there was a slight crack, and he could move again.  Van Helsing thought to himself **What POWER she has to do that to me!!** He mounted his horse, and followed, to the short distance to her home.  He stayed in the woods this time as he noticed her circling her house with a staff, and he could see a red mist gather and disappear.  He knew he would not try and enter her house at night.  He knew what he would do tomorrow morning.  He headed back to town and returned to the boarding house, where he talked to Carl, told him everything except about meeting the two presences that called themselves the Lady and the Lord.

 

“Carl, I don’t think I can take her back to Rome.”

“Why Van Helsing”

“Because she is not evil, she is powerful, she can defend herself, but she is not evil.”

“Van Helsing, You know what Rome said.”

“I have a plan Carl.  I am going to meet her”

“How are you going to do that?”

“You will see, I’m going to get some rest, and think on it.”  Van Helsing got up, and left a stupefied Carl in his Wake. Thoughts of the day’s events went through his head, and he wondered if his plan would work.  But eventually he tired and went to sleep, and strangely did not have any nightmares.

 

In the morning, at dawn, Van Helsing took his knife out and slashed his arm deep enough to need care.

“VAN HELSING!!! What are you doing?” Carl yelled.

“She is a healer, Carl, and she will not turn away someone who needs help.”

“One question, HOW do you know where she lives?”

“I told you last night Carl, I followed her.”

“Oh right, well do be careful Van Helsing, she IS a Pagan after all.”

Van Helsing looked at Carl, and muttered as he was leaving “She is more than that Carl.”

 

Van Helsing got on his horse and rode to her house.  His left arm was healing, but was throbbing.  When he got to the clearing where her house was he dismounted, he tentatively walked forward and noticed that as he crossed where the circle had been made the night prior, a warming in the air now happened.  The house was pleasant, with a wide porch surrounding it.  There was a rather large telescope on one end, and potted plants, with a couple of chairs.  He smelled fresh bread baking coming from the house, and it reminded him of how hungry he was.  He saw Dark Moon in the enclosure to the left, and he went up to the horse, not knowing what to expect.  Dark Moon immediately came up to him and nudged him.  Van Helsing smiled and turned to go to the house.  He walked forward and knocked on the door.

 

“One moment” her voice answered.  He listened, and barley heard as light un clad feet walked to the door.  Then she opened the door.  His breath caught as he looked into her eyes, for they were emerald green, with flecks of black.  She was most positively related to her brother.  She was wearing a short sleeved black shirt, and black leather pants.  Her long flowing, golden red hair was loose except for two small braids holding it from her eyes. He knew, from seeing her in the saloon, and from seeing her at night, that she was unique, but her features were otherworldly.  Her high cheekbones, and the shape of her eyes, spoke volumes of her Indian heritage.  Yet her extremely pale skin, which was so pale you could see her veins and her hair, spoke of her Irish decent.

 

He must have taken to long because she smiled at him and said “Yes?”  She asked, looking into his eyes.  “What can I do….for you?”  She looked at him and he answered.

“I was told that you were a healer.” She nodded and glanced down at his arm and exclaimed,  “You are hurt!” and before he could stop her, she took his left hand, and lead him inside, and once he was inside, she took off his duster, and placed it by the door.  She looked down, and lightly touched the religious Icons hanging on the left side of his leather vest, and looked into his eyes.

 

“Ï am Sulis, the local healer, and more, let me take care of that for you, I’ll be right back while I get what I will need.” She guided him into the dining area and had him sit in one of the chairs by the table.  And then walked past him to the living room, past a stand where a big book was sitting, and reached into the glass cabinets and retrieved some herbs, dropped them into a mortar on  a round table that had a lot of artifacts on it, and began crushing them.  “So how did you get that, what did you say your name was?” she asked him.  She added a paste to the mixture, and Van Helsing could smell the fragrance drifting through the room.  It was a nice smell, earthy.

 

“My name is Van Helsing, and I got this by accident, I’m too embarrassed to say actually.”  He said with a chuckle.  She laughed with him and came and set the mortar down by him and went to the kitchen and wet the cloth from the cabinet.  “Take off your shirt Van Helsing, so I can get to the wound.” She asked him.  Van Helsing did and she proceeded to wipe the wound clean.  “Hmmmm, this was made by a knife, a sharp one.  Now, I am going to warn you, don’t be alarmed by what you see and feel next, and do not tell anyone, agreed?”  Van Helsing nodded and watched her as she closed her eyes, and in a language he could not identify, she started chanting, and golden light started glowing between her hands.  She opened her eyes and looked into his, and he could see that she was not really there, that she was concentrating really hard.  She looked down at the wound, and he did as well and he could feel pressure as she placed her hand over his wound.  And he was astonished as the wound started closing!  He looked at her as she dipped her hand in the paste and coated his wound in it; it cooled his wound immediately, and made the scar disappear completely.

 

“That was amazing Sulis, where did you learn to do that?” he questioned.  “Well if you like, I am about to have some breakfast, would you like to stay and eat with me?”  She looked at him for long moments while he simply looked at her, as if her were analyzing her.  “I will take that as a yes then” she chuckled.  She rose and went to her oven and took out the bread.  She then started slicing it and placed it on the table, and went down to her root cellar and brought up honey, jam and butter and placed it on the table.  Van Helsing was silent as she poured him some coffee and then made some scrambled eggs and bacon.  He watched as she moved silently and with a cat like grace. He was beginning to like her.  Finally she sat down on the other side of the table.  She looked at his Torque and his bracelet suddenly, and gave a soft cry, but quickly composed her self. 

 

“So, I imagine that you are curious about me, most people are, and with most people, I usually have them close their eyes, or I blindfold them when I heal them, but for some reason, I was told, er, felt, that it would be alright with you.  You are the first who I have allowed in this country, to see me heal.”  She looked at him intently trying to see past his barriers.  She could see that he was a man of the church, but the Goddess had left her mark on this man.  And above all else, he wore the tribe Torque.  So tell me Van Helsing, why do you wear my tribes Torque?”

 

“It was a gift Sulis.”  He answered, hating the fact that he had to be dishonest.  She looked at him then buttered a piece of bread and nibbled on it.  “My tribe is a magical one, and the Torque is not given lightly, so you must either be magical, or immortal, and I do not sense any magic around you, you must be immortal, or did the person who gave you that not tell you that.  Only those types of beings can wear it and live.” Van Helsing was stunned; he glanced at her neck and saw hers, and the gold pentacle she wore below it.  He cleared his throat and spoke.  “No, they did not tell me that” He made a mental note to mention that to Carl, but it confirm what he suspected about himself.  “It is refreshing to be able to talk to someone about it.  Although my memory is not exactly all there.” He paused and took a bite of eggs.

 

Sulis nodded her head.  “It is a burden, I would imagine.  So tell me Van Helsing, how did you come by the bracelet?”  She said to change the subject, noticing his discomfort.  “That to was a gift.  A Friend gave it to me.  In fact I would like you to meet him, his name is Carl.  We came here from Italy.” He watched her reaction, and no surprise came over her face.  “Italy?  I’ve been there.  It was beautiful there.”  She was smiling “I learned a great deal there in fact.” Van Helsing could not stop himself in time “What did you learn?”  She stood suddenly and went into a back room and came back out with a sword.  “To make this” and she pulled it out and handed it to him.  He hefted it, appreciating its balance.

 

“You made this?” she nodded.  “I had to make one that was fit for me that moved with me.  Took me 10 tries, but the sword master said that it was perfect.”  Van Helsing nodded his head.  “So you know how to use it then?” knowing full well that she did.  She nodded and asked him to follow her to the back room.  He whistled as he saw the room.  It was full of various weapons, and some that he had never seen.  “This is quite impressive Sulis.  Where did you collect some of these?”  His fingertips brushed on some Japanese throwing stars, and then on a blow dart, that was crafted from a wood that he could not identify, it had 12 long needles next to it, and a jar that he assumed had either a potion or poison in it.  “Well that is from the rain forest, the rest of these things are from my travels.  If you stay in town and I get to know you better Van Helsing..” “Call me Gabriel Sulis.” He said to see what her reaction would be.  And he watched as her eyes widened and she looked at him for long moments before saying a word.

 

“I used to think that was a unique name.  My brother has that name.” Her face was a mask of sadness.  Van Helsing watched her carefully as she made her way out of the room, grabbing a sword on her way out.  His eyes widened in surprise at this, wondering what she was thinking.  “Let’s step outside shall we?”  She tossed the sword to him, which he caught perfectly, and she picked up her sword and strode outside.  “I could use some exercise, and it has been a long time since I’ve had a sparring partner Van Helsing, and something tells me that you will have no problem in doing that with me.” She turned and smiled at him, with no malice in her face what so ever.  Van Helsing smiled at her, wishing that he had the blade that Carl had given him.  He drew his sword, and noticed that she did the same.  She saluted him in a Roman fashion and went into a slight crouch, eyeing him intently.  “Hmmmm” he said as he readied himself, testing the weight and feel of the sword, which was quite remarkable, but not a sword that he would of used normally.  Several moments went by, and she did not make the first move initially, and Van Helsings senses focused on her.  Suddenly she moved forward, but did not move her sword, but it was lightning quick, and was done to draw him out and it worked, Van Helsing thrust first and she countered quickly.  He gave an intake of breath, for she was surprisingly strong. 

 

With quick speed she leapt forward and they parried back and fourth for many moments, countering perfectly, but he felt that she was playing with him, so he decided to really put her to the test.  With his left hand he retrieved a knife and lunged as he got her to raise her arm to counter thrust against a downward slice he gave with the sword.  And he was amazed as she yelled and blocked him, grabbed his other arm, swung him around, and he found himself with her behind him, and his very own knife was at his throat.  **Now this is interesting** he thought.  But with equal quickness he brought his hand up and grabbed her hand at his throat and spun around to face her, and forced her down to the ground.  He could swear her eyes flashed with a glowing force as her face got serious suddenly.  She arched her back with incredible strength and bucked him off of her, and leapt to her feet and stood over him, sword to his throat as she took his knife and threw it to the ground, mere inches from his head.  He rolled over and sprang up, sensing that the game had turned serious suddenly.

 

At the same time they sprang forward, sparring furiously until she ducked one of his advances and rolled to the side of him in an attempt to get behind him.  He spun around and countered as she sprang up and brought her sword up.  Now knowing that she could defend herself, he suddenly crouched and swung his leg, and knocked her down on her back and swung down quickly, and she rolled away as he kept trying to make contact with her.  She got far enough away to rise up and she came forward with knife in one hand, sword in the other.  She surprised him, because she was smiling, yet her eyes were ablaze with serious intent.  Van Helsing saw her flip the knife to where she was holding it by the hilt, and he readied himself by reaching to his back, and retrieved his spinning blade.  He saw the surprise in her face as he propelled it to its screaming rhythm.  She quickly threw the knife, and he batted it away with the spinning blade with a smile and quirked a brow at her, and she grinned.  Now it was Van Helsings advantage, both sword and spinning blade.  She crouched and came forward and parried against both of them, but Van Helsing was holding back.  With a quick motion that he had learned in dealing in fighting with both sword and spinning blade he waited until his sword and hers were together at the hilt, and he quickly let go of his sword, grabbed her arm, spun her around and landed on top of her, the spinning blade a hairs breath from her neck.

 

“Interesting move Gabriel, I’ve never seen it before.”  She said a little breathlessly.  “Well, it takes total commitment to do that, and trust.” He said looking down at her.  He was absolutely delighted that the expression on her face was one of joy.  She had done well, no woman had ever gone that long with him, and she did not even break a sweat.  He rose and she got up as well.

 

He looked at her.  Her determination and cat like eyes looked at him.  He Leaned forwarded and picked up his hat, and grabbed her arm as she took advantage of his movement, as if she wanted to keep sparring.  He simply held on to her and looked at her.  His werewolf strength surged through him.  “Lichen” she whispered, and took a step back.  “You are not one of them, but you are a part of them, how can this be?”   Van Helsing was stupefied.  He took a step back and looked at her, the mock fight forgotten.  “I don’t know what you are talking about” Sulis took a step forward and said “yes you do Gabriel, I can see it in your eyes, now I know it in the way you move, the way you look at me.”  She surprised him by taking another step forward.  “Don’t worry; I am not afraid of you, or what you are Gabriel Van Helsing.  I have something for you.” She motioned for him to follow her and he did, to the inside of her house.  She gave him an amulet of what he assumed were wolf claws and a piece of turquoise.  “This will better help you with your foreign nature.” she said. “Now, I’m ready to meet your friend Gabriel” He looked at her in surprise for using his first name.  He was beginning to like this woman.  Weather it is for bad or good, he liked her and what would come of it, god would only know.

 

She stood close to him, to close.  And he resisted the urges that came over him suddenly.  He inhaled suddenly, smelling Sage and Lavender.  It inflamed him, and threatened to consume him.  Sulis, as if sensing this, brushed her hand against his cheek, and quickly turned to go outside and mounted her horse bareback.  He studied her as she did this.  Mounting Dark Moon swiftly and as if it was a long lost friend.  Making a noise in this throat he mounted his own horse and waited as she circled her house 3 times.  He noticed, even in daylight a faint purple light wavering and enveloping the property.  She looked at him and said, “Well, take me to your Friar” he started, for he did not once use the name of Friar, but she was willingly going to meet him.

 

She held Dark Moon back as she followed him into town.  When they came to the boarding house, she excused herself, and led Dark moon to where she had befriended.  “Van Helsing, I’m going to take Dark Moon to the stables, I’ll meet you there momentarily in the saloon.” Van Helsing nodded his assent and watched as Sulis stopped at the coral, and took care of Dark Moon.  He then continued to the boarding house and had his horse taken care of and went to talk to Carl.

 

“I’ve met with her Carl, and I have arranged for us to meet her together.”

“What?  Why do I need to meet with her Van Helsing?  Why now, I’m not ready.”

“Because she isn’t evil Carl, I’ve meet with her, and I’ve determined that she is not evil yet.”

“And how did you come to that conclusion?”

“I’ll leave that up to you to decide Carl, evil surrounds her, presses her, but does not consume her, she is waiting down stairs.”

“You mean the witch, Sulis, is waiting downstairs to meet me?”

“Yes” Van Helsing looked at Carl with a look that meant that there was no negotiation to be had this time.  “At least give her an interview in the saloon Carl, talk to her.” He judged his reaction, which was far from favorable.

“Alright Van Helsing, for you, but if she turns out to be anything like the brides….”  Carl was thinking of all that he knew about this assignment that Van Helsing did not know.  “Trust me Carl, she can defend herself, and she would never harm someone like you, and she is nothing like the brides, you will see.”  They made their way to the Saloon.

 

Sulis made Dark moon comfortable, thinking of the sparing that she had done with Van Helsing.  She had come close to loosing herself on him, but had seen the goodness in his eyes.  He had been close to, no, HAD been her equal, but she lost.  She chuckled to herself.  And she had not experienced that in a long time.  She had been trained by the best.  But she suspected that Van Helsing had been trained for Centuries.  She felt an attraction to him.  Sighing she left the corral and made her way to the saloon.

 

Carl heard footsteps approaching and he glanced at the door.  He saw her walk in.  Pale, golden haired with high cheekbones and indescribable eyes he was speechless.  She was most defiantly related to her brother, but was also Irish in decent.  And given his readings, she was Celtic in nature.  Purely an exotic creature.  She walked up to him and shook his hand and in an accent of Irish and some sort of native blend, she asked, “You must be Carl.”

 

“Why yes, yes I am.” He replied.  “Just a moment Carl” she turned to the bar and addressed the bartender.  “Joe, a bottle of your finest, and three shot classes.” Joe gave her what she requested and she came back to the table where Van Helsing and Carl sat, and they watched as she poured and downed four shots of whiskey. She glanced at Carl and asked “What is it that you want to ask of me, man of the cloth.”  She asked with amusement. Van Helsing watched the proceedings with careful consideration.  Looking at Carl she poured him a drink, and them poured Van Helsing a drink, and waited.

 

“Van Helsing tells me that you are a healer Sulis, is that right?” he asked her.  Sulis chuckled and looked at Carl.  “Of sorts, and more but what I think what you really want to know Carl, is if I am a godless heretic, a Witch.  Am I right?” Carl blinked in surprised, but kept himself composed.  “Well, I, I wouldn’t use the words Godless Heretic Sulis, as that is a contradiction, but a Witch, yes certainly.” Sulis looked at him for long moments, as if pondering her strategy in this verbal banter.  “Carl, I think, given all that I have learned, I would say that I am beyond that.  I am Priestess.  Nothing more, nothing less.  I am a tool of the Lady and the Lord.  I harm no one intentionally, but I will defend myself.  Does that answer your question?”  

 

Carl took a much needed drink and Van Helsing noticed that his hand shook a little.  “Carl, is there anything we need to go in private and discuss?”  Carl looked at him, took a drink, grimaced and shook his head.  There were some things that he could not tell Van Helsing yet.  “Sulis” Carl said, and steeled himself “Have you made a pact with anything evil, have you intentionally ever loosed anything unearthly into the world, say like minions from another realm?”  Sulis almost laughed at the first part of what he asked, but her face became deadly serious at the second part of the question.

 

She glanced at Van Helsing who was watching her with intent eyes, and then back at Carl.  She bade Van Helsing to join her in another drink, which he did, and she proceeded to answer Carl’s question in a lowered voice.  “Carl, I have studied many forms of magic, and not once did I make any kind of arrangement, promise or pact with anything that remotely resembled, felt, or stank of evil, and trust me, I can sense these things, but about the second part of your question, it tells me something about you Carl.  It tells me that you know some things.  I have never loosed anything from another realm.  In fact, I fight to keep that from happening, as the Lord and Lady instruct me to on occasion.  But tell me Carl, how would you, a Friar, know to ask me a question such as that? Most especially, given the fact that certain things are indeed in motion right now in the magical realm to do just that.”

 

Carl took another drink and Van Helsing looked at him “Carl..” “Not now Van Helsing” Van Helsings widened in surprise.  Usually it was him that talked to Carl in that manner.  Something was certainly going on here, something that made his senses go off.  So he turned his attention to Sulis.  “What is going on between the two of you?” Sulis slowly took her eyes off of Carl and looked at Van Helsing.  “You two are here from Rome, aren’t you?  You are here to ask me questions to see if I’m the cause of what is starting to happen.”  Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Van Helsing then she looked at Carl.  “Carl, you can be sure, that I am not the cause.  I am one that is fighting it.  If you don’t believe me that is fine by me, but if you are here to find out about me, I suggest you find my brother and talk to him, talk to the town’s people, ask them if I’m evil.”  Carl decided to see what would happen so he spoke up “We have already talked to your brother Sulis, we know about what happened to you.”  Sulis lunged forward and grabbed Carl by his collar “And STILL you think that I’m evil Carl?” she shoved him back and stood up and looked at Van Helsing.  “My anger is not directed at you, only what you represent Gabriel” Carl looked at her in surprise for using Van Helsings first name, and he looked at him.  He looked aggravated when he looked at Carl with a warning glance, but un phased at the use of his name. 

 

Sulis strode out of the saloon and Van Helsing rose “Ill be right back Carl” and he pointed at him “Don’t even think of leaving.”  He followed Sulis down the street and called after her.  “Sulis, wait, don’t go.” She stopped and turned and waited.  “What do you want Gabriel?  Are there questions that you would like to ask me?  Or would you like to further satisfy yourself that I am evil, to judge me further?”  Van Helsing looked down and sighed.  “Sulis, Anna, It is true, we are from Rome.  And his questions had to be asked; in fact I suspect he has more.  And judging from the way you answered, and from what I sense from you, I do not feel evil from you.” She sighed, “But you have been touched by the Goddess, yet you are a man of God, it is the only reason why I am still talking to you Gabriel.  I am not evil, I FIGHT evil, I resist it every day of my life.”  She stood defiantly looking at him.  “Go back and talk to him Gabriel, he is keeping things from you.  I know what is happening, and if he will not tell you I will.  I will be at the stables working with the horses.” She turned and walked away and Van Helsing watched her go.  He shook his head and turned back and went into the saloon.

 

Composing himself he sat down and poured himself a drink.  How Sulis could drink like that was beyond him, but given what her brother had told them she had built up a tolerance.  He looked at Carl.  “All right Carl, what was that all about?”

 

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