The Few (The Abductions of Langley Garret Book 2) (14 page)

Ellen finished taking her notes, then looked up at me. 'You know exactly what you're going to do, don't you?'

I just half grinned.

'You might be killing my doubts about you,' she said, with a smile, accompanied by the same look in her hazel eyes that I had shied away from moments before. I received their message, but decided that they would have to wait a very long time for my response.

'Can you get that ready and let me have a look at it tomorrow morning?'

'No problems. Anything else?'

'Just one thing. Give me a little time, will you? I'm learning, but it's going to take more than just a day or two for me to come to grips with all this. I need people on my side if I'm going to have any chance at all. You know exactly where I've come from, and obviously why it's going to be difficult. But, that said, can we work together?'

Ellen shifted in her seat and fiddled with a few papers in the file on her lap before she answered. 'I thought you'd want to get rid of me.'

'Because of what happened in Switzerland?'

'Yes. I couldn't blame you for hating me for what happened.'

'It's in the past, simple as that. There are far more important issues for both of us now. So, do you turn up for work in the morning? And help me?'

'Yes. I do want to do that. And I'm sorry for, well …. being a bit …….'

'Let's start afresh tomorrow morning Ellen,' I said, standing up and giving her a clear signal that our meeting was at an end.

'Of course,' she said, folding her file shut and standing. I walked from behind my desk to escort her to the door. She walked in front of me, silently. As we approached the door, she turned to me. 'I have always obeyed the word of the Strategos.'

'Thank you Ellen, I understand.'

After I closed the door, I sat back at my desk, and swivelled in my chair, looking out the window. Dark afternoon storm clouds were gathering across the lake.

*****

My thoughts were fighting a battle with each other as I wandered the terrace a little later, while the clouds continued to build up from behind the mountains, rising high above the still waters of the lake. The terrace near the house gave way to granite steps leading down to the swimming pool, and then stone paths that meandered through the garden down to the lakeshore. I stood at the top of the steps, taking in the view, the air and allowing my thoughts to continue their dispute.

'Decisions are always better made in the early morning I believe.'

Giovanna's voice startled me, and I spun my head around to see that she had managed to walk so close to me without having heard her.

'You snuck up on me,' I said, with a welcoming smile.

'I don't sneak up on people. I think you were well lost in your thoughts.'

'They are doing battle.'

'Yes, that's understandable. Anyway, I won't keep you from them for long. I just wanted to say thank you.'

'For what?'

'For accepting Thalia. She is young, but very determined to serve you and calm you.'

'Um, can I ask you something?'

She nodded.

'Does marriage have any place? I haven't heard it mentioned at all.'

'Marriage is just a piece of paper, so it holds no value at all with us. Our ancestors, spirits, titans and deities deliver the bonds that are made between us. These ties, bound by lust, loyalty and obedience, ensure our continuity and the eternal power of the spirits who live within us.'

'And who gets to choose these ties?'

'The spirits.'

'Leucippe chose Thalia. It was her obligation to make that decision.'

'So does Soter have any say in such matters?'

'Soter has many obligations, and he will know when and how to decide upon them.'

'I'm sure that will take a very long time for me to understand.'

'I think the process has already started.'

'Perhaps.'

'Well, I'll leave you to your thoughts.'

'Can I ask you one more thing?'

'Yes?' she said, half turned and ready to walk away.

'Ellen. Well, Clytemnestra.'

'You know then?'

'She told me.'

Giovanna turned and faced me squarely. 'Then you must understand now how necessary our ties are and how they are decided. Unsure of the possible carnation of Soter, Kratos, in his wisdom decided. With his remaining strength, he lay with Clytemnestra. It was his right, and his obligation.'

'Or his wont?'

'It doesn't matter. He was Kratos, the Strategos, therefore it was so.'

'You make it sound as if the Strategos has almost unlimited …. well, I'm not sure how I should say this.'

'You don't need to. Just know that it is vital to our existence that the spirits, and especially those of higher deities, live on and ensure that we fulfil our destiny. You have the power to decide this.'

'It's crazy. It sounds like I can choose women at will. I doubt that is the destiny you have in mind.'

'It was Poseidon who decided to lay with Cleito.'

'And they produced the five sets of twins, the ten sons. Yes, I know.'

'Then you know. Enjoy the afternoon Soter,' she said, before walking away, and back into the house.

A lightening bolt, and then a few seconds later, a roll of thunder echoed through the mountains. I thought of Chara, and her ashes that were to be scattered into the sea surrounding Decem Filios within the next few days, now probably along with those of Kratos. There would be no ceremony. Someone on Decem Filios would simply be given the task. With no marriages or funerals, births were the only life event that received any modicum of attention.

*****

Thalia was curled up on the sofa, reading in the living room when I returned to my suite. Rain was falling, and the storm that had threatened, was venting its anger above the lake and mountains, while Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody played, which was reaching its crescendo, and boldly entering its polka movement. With the volume of the music and her concentration on her book, she didn't notice me, standing quietly near the living room door, absorbing her youth and beauty. Giovanna was right about lust ensuring our continuity.

'Oh! Hello,' she said, startled by my presence.

'I like your taste in music.'

'Liszt and storms go together beautifully for me. Um, would you like something? A glass of wine?' she asked, putting her book down and standing up, as if to go.

'Yes, I'd like that. Will you join me?'

'Of course. I'll get it – so, red or white?'

'Red thanks,'

She set off for the kitchen and I sat down, glancing at her book lying open, face down on the coffee table. Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch's, Venus In Furs. At least she had classic taste in erotic literature. I could only wondered if she was seeking inspiration or succour from its pages. Liszt moved to the Piano Sonata, as I stretched my legs and lay my head back on the sofa. Thinking that if this was Sunday, a day of rest; what the hell would Monday bring?

Thalia returned, set the bottle on the table and poured two glasses, before handing one to me, and then curled her legs under herself on the sofa next to me.

'Good luck Soter,' she said, smiled, and clinked my glass.

I took a sip of my wine, looking into her eyes. She held my stare, as I took her glass from her hand, and placed both glasses on the table. I leant towards her, and slipped the shoulder strap of her dress down her arm, running my finger down the side of her neck, her shoulder and her arm, before cupping her small breast in my right hand, and softly kissing her bare shoulder. I heard her sigh, and felt her tremble a little, as she surrendered her body to my intentions, and carnal desires.

Equipoise

My first week as Strategos of the Sons of Cleito passed much more quietly that I had imagined it would. By Friday, I was beginning to understand the fact that my new role was purely that of a figurehead and therefore, there were those who were responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation, who busied themselves with whatever it was that the Sons of Cleito actually did. My two secretaries seemed to be able to fill their days, but apart from bringing me coffee, and putting through the very occasional phone call; I really had no idea what they did to fill their hours.

Ellen had briefed me on a number of issues during our daily meetings, which seemed to have found a regularity from about nine-thirty to close to midday each morning, except for Monday, when I attended the weekly executive meeting. I listened, which I decided was the best approach I could take until I had some basic idea of what I was supposed to do.

There was no mistaking Ellen's professionalism and dedication to her job, as our meetings helped me greatly in understanding the structures, processes, responsibilities and limitations that were necessary for me to learn if I was to have any chance of success. On an immediate and practical topic though, the Secretary had joined our meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss matters concerning my living arrangements and by extension, whether I had any thoughts regarding the continuation of the property here on Lake Como, as the unofficial base of the organisation.

After he had explained that Kratos had made the decision to move to Lake Como from Athens some twenty years before, due to his concerns about security in Athens at that time, and how many of the Grand Councillors viewed Lake Como as a much more secure, and low profile location to attend their meetings, I assured him that I was in no mind to make any changes. I think he appreciated my attempt at humour when I told him that I was just starting to find my way around the house anyway, so I was in no mood to start all over again. He asked me if I wished to change, modify or move my own living area in the house, but I assured him I was very comfortable in my suite, and couldn’t see any reason to change. He did have one piece of good news for me however. My apartment in Neuchâtel was secure, and if I wished for any of my belongings to be brought here, he would arrange this for me. After some discussion, he agreed with my request that my apartment would stay as it was, with the thought that it could be used as a safe-house on occasions, but that if Marcus deemed it safe for me to travel, I would go to Neuchâtel in the near future and collect personally the items and belongings I would like to have with me here.

I only met with Marcus once during the week, late on Thursday evening. He had only a little more information for me about my abductors, but he did have a detailed report about where I had been imprisoned and interrogated by the man with the Oxford accent and confirmed that The Few had ordered my detention. It was now early Friday evening as I read his report, for the fourth time. I looked down at my left hand, with its two immovable middle fingers, bent index finger, and a furrow of deformed metacarpals holding them in place. I could never forget the agonising pain of having my hand crushed by that blow.

I folded shut Marcus' report and slid it into a drawer in my desk, deciding I'd wait for more information before I allowed the idea that was rolling around in my brain to develop any further. Thalia was probably waiting for me, and there was good reason to appreciate that. However I sat a little longer, wondering why it was that I wished it was someone else who was waiting for me. I opened the drawer of my desk and took out Marcus' file, and read it yet again.

A knock at my door jolted me from my thoughts'

'Come in,' I called out.

The door opened slowly, and Ellen's head appeared. 'Working late?'

'I'm not sure what time is late in my new job. I'm well, adjusting.'

'Can I come in?'

'Of course.'

I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but she seemed more relaxed than at any time I had seen her during the week. Perhaps it was just the way she was dressed, in jeans, a sweater and sneakers that made the difference.

'You've got a reply from 'Sa'ud bin ash-Sheikh. I thought you'd like to hear what he said,' she said, as she sat down opposite me.

'So soon?'

'Do you want me to read it?'

'Sure.'

'Ok. He says, Dear Soter, Strategos of the Sons etcetera. It is with the most admirable pleasure that I have received you first correspondence, and assure you that I wish you the utmost success in your ascension to your esteemed position. With it however, comes the responsibility and an innate understanding of what stability and the eternal equilibrium means to us both. In this regard, I wish you well, and await advice and news of your ascension. Thank you also for appreciating the welcome, which I personally arranged to be sent to you. He ends with the normal formalities.'

'His personal welcome? Chara?''

'I presume that's what he means.'

'How do you feel about that?'

'It's not my position to have a feeling about it.'

'Really?'

'What do you want me to say?'

'What you think.'

'Shit! If I let my mouth loose, we might be here all night.'

'Well, I'm in no hurry,' I said, leaning back in my chair, noticing that her hair was longer than when I had first met her all those months ago, as she flicked it over her left shoulder. Perhaps it was lighter as well.