Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 40

 

40.

 

Ms. Poem stood there at the window of the Uni building for the legal fraternity. She was looking at the yard, where the incident took place. The menhirs were removed, and the burnt area was covered with planks, while flower pots were laid on top of it. Students and members of the faculties were seen rushing from the yard to their respective work areas.

It had already been two weeks since the incident at the yard. She recalled there were several bodies laid into the bonfire.

The dean and the mortician: an odd couple indeed. Some of the other faculty members are unimportant to be named.

The inspector was one, and there was an elderly lady.

The fallen menhir was raised, but nobody was beneath it.

“Madame Dean, are you ready to address the newspaper on the incident?” The trusted aide of hers asked. “I could tell them ……”

“No, Alice. It is time to unveil the truth,” Ms. Poem said. In her mind, the truth was how you tell it—cunningly—to the ones that will listen. She is a member of the legal profession.

Her thoughts went back to Elizabeth. The lady had remained secluded. The newspaper had hounded her, but she refused to see them. She was attended by Dolores and the new friend, Lilith.

“I will ensure she gets her privacy.” The new inspector arrived to take over with five constables. He was posted by London.

“Thank you, Inspector Queens.” Ms. Poem smiled then, when she felt that matter was settled.

“Richard, Richard Queen. I am of service.” The tall frame of the Inspector stood to attention. They had met outside at Elizabeth’s house. “I was brief on the situation.”

“Have you ever dealt with monsters and … witches?”

“Yes, Ms. Poem. In my line of work, I had seen many types of …… monsters and … demons will be how I described the others. I will be retiring in some years to come and will take my son, Ellery, with me.” The Inspector smiled. “Far from here.”

“The tropics? Or Europe. Italy is nice.”

“Not for Ellery. He will be fine perhaps in …… New York. There are monsters there, but they are…… human-inspired. I capture them here, and one day, maybe Ellery will do the same there.” The inspector smiled.

“Is that how you view your life, Sir?”

“Ms. Poem, I will not deny that as my true existence. I am the third generation of law enforcement. My father was a bobby ……. A peeler they were also named then... walking the port area of London. His father was a Frontier Officer on the Indian continent, managing relations with tribal leaders, using the Jirga (tribal council) to settle disputes, and conducting military expeditions if necessary.  We are bred to do enforcement.”

“What of the daughters?” Ms. Poem asked.

“None. The family heirs were all lads like my son.” The Inspector smiled. “I will be doing my task now.”

That was the brief dialogue of their meeting.

“Madame Dean, I thought you wanted to know.” Alice had not stepped from the dean’s chamber. “I got news of…… Elizabeth Frankenstein. She sold the house and moved to the Frankenstein’s … or rather the cottage there.”

Ms. Poem nodded. That will need some investigating later. On that day, she had arrived at the mansion and saw the massive explosion that collapsed the mansion. The whole structure was in ruins. They could not dare to approach it, for fear of further collapse. They then returned to the town.

“There is a letter for you.” Alice handed the letter over. Ms. Poem studied the seal on it. She knew that seal well and opened it to read the letter.

“Madame, we received your report. Congratulations on your new rank. We summarize that the issue is resolved and admit it is inconclusive as such. However, we have taken remedial steps to correct it. You may focus on the task there, subdue the euphoria of the monster, and suggested that you also pursue your legal academic learning.”  

“Excellentia in operibus.”

At that moment, the Helsing family was in the monastery near the ancient Hadrian's Wall. Abel was treated by the monks there, expertly taught in the healing arts going back to the age of the Picts. Kane had shut himself in the library, immersed in the works there. He had refused to speak on the incident at the cottage.

“I am concerned about Kane.” Doctor Helsing took to his solitude with the elderly monk there. “It was my mistake to bring them along. They are not ready. Not yet.”

“I doubt anyone will ever be ready, Doctor.” The monk said. “The tasks we do are unique. We hold no commandments on how we are to serve, but we trust our instincts here.”

“I have, as my family had done. We served the High Council, but… could we question their motives? Never had.” Doctor Helsing sighed. “I lay my life, my son’s life, for them.”

“Motives are self-motivation,” the monk said. “We hold no motive here in this holy place. We only seek salvation. This monastery is built over a Pict sacrifice temple.

“The Picts?” The doctor smiled. “I had not met any. I had met the nomadic tribes and some rare settlers like the Veps at the steppe, but….”

“Do you know the Picts once before held their beliefs on forms of polytheistic, nature-based paganism before converting to Christianity around the 4th century? What made them do so?”

“Persecution? Or was it salvation?” The doctor said.

“These walls existed long and may hold the tale for it, but it will not tell.” The monk looked to the walls of the monastery.

“Was I right to ……. Forego the monster?” Doctor Helsing changed the subject. “You may know of my… encounter with the monster?”

“Monster? Our mind definition is …. Truly fixated on what we do not know means it shall be called …….” The monk was cut off then.

“Unbelievable to many?” Doctor Helsing chuckled. “I have seen many unbelievable things.”

“Did the Romans then? They viewed HIM as a demon and crucified him. Yet he lived on in us as the son of God. Not every action of ours is determined by …… it was an act then of our soul. Our inner soul tells us what was needed. Was it wrong, or right? That we may know when we faced HIM. The unbelievable becomes believable.”

“You are not any monk.” Doctor Helsing smiled.

“Nor are you any man. Please accept our ……. Disbeliefs here.” The monk took his leave of the doctor.

“Your name, sir?” Doctor Helsing asked.

“Merrlyn the Old.” The monk replied. “Some called me Merlin. I have lived a long time.”

“For a while, I thought you said Merlin of the Round Table.” Doctor Helsing chuckled.

“Oh, that fabulous wizard. He is an inspiration, but I hold my own.” Merrlyn smiled. “I do have a wand.”

“Нека ѓаволот почива во пеколот (May the devil rest in Hell.) Merrlyn waved his right hand and then laughed. “I must admit my incantations are for children at parties. I have not pulled a dwarf from my long hat, but a rabbit I had.”

“You are a magician, Merrlyn.” The doctor smiled.

“An uncertain magician who roams the dark passages of this monastery.” Merrlyn laughed louder. “Where the demons may be interned before leaving for Hell.”