Clockworks Chronicles of Zahn

7) And Dinner Is Now Served

Cooper was upstairs in the Steam and Whistle in his room changing back into his dress black uniform. He had spent the rest of the day, since he had met with Her Eminence in the morning, dressed in street clothes following up on leads and otherwise touching base with his network of eyes and ears on the streets. He was trying to find clues as to where the Shadow Battalion was hidden.

When he returned to The Steam and Whistle to prepare for dinner with, arguably, the most powerful person on the world of Zahn, he received the disturbing news from Elsie about a visit by Miss Tara James.

Both his daughters also chimed in on their observations on this mysterious woman. They, both having lived on the street for years, sensed right off she was trouble.

All three of them, each, gave a full account of what they saw and heard. Coop was chewing on this when he felt the presence behind him.

As fast as a rattle snakes strike, he had his service revolver drawn, cocked and pointed at a young teenage girl with blond braids and pale hazel green eyes. She looked a little young for this establishment, and a lot young to be alone in his chambers with him.

She didn’t even blink at the pistol inches away from her forehead. She simply smiled and said, “I didn’t mean to surprise you Cooper. There’s not enough of me to make much noise,” gesturing at her slight build “besides, its best I am not seen much these days. Especially, not seen with you for your sake and mine. You’re a lightning rod for trouble.”

Cooper, took a second to process the hints and clues he saw in this pale thin child before him and decided to reach up with his thumb while simultaneously pointing his pistol in a safe directions, releasing the hammer on his pistol while safely guiding it to the un-cocked position with his thumb. He then re-holstered his pistol and said, “Well we finally meet Valkyrie, or should I say Visk, or is it Malice?”

“I’m not dressed for Visk, but Visk will do. Besides, if you were going for the name, it’s Walkure. Valkyrie is a title, a position. I don’t like being called that title much anymore. It has too much upkeep and baggage. Although I admit it once had a bit of poetic justice to it. I’m also not here to kill you, so I’m not Malice today.”

“So, for what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

“We have unfinished business to begin with. The ten thousand sovereigns owed me for Calador’s head.”

“Of course.” He walked over to a picture on the wall of Victoria II and turned it aside to reveal a wall safe. He then worked the combination, thinking, ‘This safe would be way too easy to crack if not for the magical locks added’. Once finished with the combination he whispered a magical password and the safe refused to spring open. The last tumbler which required the magical ward to move didn’t budge. While he was doing this, he realized a strange sensation. His hip wasn’t bothering him at the moment. This was the first time in two months he didn’t feel any pain. This confirmed in his mind some intelligence he was pondering about Visk, the young street urchin thief and sometimes assassin ever since he first heard of her two years prior.

He had heard of clockworks and other machines malfunctioning around her as well as an account, by one of the servants on South Forge Island, about a force rod bolt that failed to even get close to her. All these reports had Cooper thinking she had some sort of null or mana absorber with her. Now the black sword’s chip ceased hurting him, this was confirmed to some extent.

Instead, he retrieved a small sack from a floorboard hiding place. He would not put anything back in it he didn’t want Visk (he couldn’t help thinking of her as this) to get, but he figured she had all the money she could want. This request about the money for Calador was more the principal of the thing. He withdrew a stack of Sovereign notes and handed them to her.

She accepted the stack of notes and put them in a satchel hanging to her side.

“Will you offer a girl a drink?” With her smile, she looked for all the world like one of his other girls.

“If you were a young girl, like you look like, I would only give you a soda. But since you’re over a thousand years old I guess you’re above the drinking age.” He moved over to the table in his room where a decanter of his favorite single malt was sitting along with several glasses. He then poured two glasses and held them both up and asked, “And the next bit of business?”

Visk took her glass and sipped. She made an amazed look on her face as she obviously approved of the fine scotch. “Thank you. I think you should know there is an underground bounty out for you and your trinket there.” She pointed to the sword cane in his hand.

Cooper pursed his lips and nodded, “And how much is it?”

“One hundred thousand Sovereigns.” She smiled after another sip. “This is really good stuff. Where do you get it?”

“My fiancé has connections to some of the finest liquors in the world.” He then went over to a cabinet next to the roll top desk in the corner. Opening it up, he took out a bottle of unopened scotch and offered it to her. “I think I can spare a bottle.”

She nodded appreciatively. “Thanks.”

“So, what can you tell me about Tara James?”

“She’s a demi. Cute kid. Bounty hunter who has been at it for about a century and a half. I’ve helped her rep and threw some shade off of me by dropping a rumor or two she might actually be me, or at least one of the ‘me’s’ some people know about. Is she after you?”

“Apparently. She paid my family a visit earlier today. Said something about me paying for the death of a Povlo Myslyvets. Do you know who that is?”

“He was an immortal who died mysteriously a few years ago. A former Cossack, hunter and Tara’s father.”

“So, what does that have to do with me?”

“Nothing as far as I know.”

Coop nodded thoughtfully. He went back to the floorboard hidey hole and retrieved a brown leather bag which jingled when he moved it. He tossed it to Visk and said, “This is a retainer for your services. If something happens to me, look up this Tara James and find out what she has to do with it.”

Visk looked at the bag for a moment and put it on the table and said, “This, I’ll do for free. We immortals should look after each other. Well within reason I mean. Oh, one other thing. Several other immortals are being compelled, one way or another, to come here to Gran City. I thought you should know. I have seen several who have not been here for many score of years. I don’t know what it means but I think it’s important.”

“Yes, it seems so.” Coop turned to the door when he heard a knock on it. He then looked back to see Visk had disappeared. His pain slammed back into him. He shrugged and asked, “Yes!”

“Are you ready yet?” Elsie asked from the other side of the door.

Cooper and his family were escorted to a dining room reserved for the Empress’ more intimate guests or for when she was dining alone as she had many nights.

The Sargent at Arms announced, “High Lord Colonel Calvin Cooper…”

Victoria held up her hand and said, “I know who they are Hamish. I invited them. Mind you I appreciate your dedication but unfortunately I have a bit of a headache tonight.”

Sargent Hamish Cavendish bowed his head in acknowledgement and motioned Cooper and his family in.

The table was small compared to most of the dining tables in the palace, but it still would be adequate to seat at least twenty. It was also adorned with fine china and silver services, bowls and platers. It was well lit fine silver candelabras and the room was also lit as a whole by fine Alpien crystal chandeliers of gas lights.

The place settings were all on one end of the table near the high-backed chair where Vicky was sitting.

Cooper bowed and his three ladies all curtsied although both Ehawee and Batty were obviously not well practiced at it.

Vicky reached both her hands out and took the girls hands affectionately and said, “Don’t stand on ceremony here tonight. Please sit here next to me on both sides. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to spend time with you young ladies as well as the rest of the children.

“And you dear Elsie, I finally get to meet you after all this time. I am so sorry for taking so much of your fiancé’s time as of late. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”

“Well, since he won’t listen to anyone but you, you could order him to take some time off.” Elsie never was known to hold her tongue, not even in such auspicious company.

“Well it will be one of my wedding presents to you. I will order him to take three months off for your honeymoon. Once he finishes with the current investigation I have him on I will make it so. Unfortunately, I cannot trust anyone else to do it.”

Elsie started to bristle but Coop kicked her foot under the table. She glared at him then nodded, but she had a, “Don’t think you’ve heard the last of this” look in her eyes. Then she turned back to Vicky, smiled, and said, “Of course Your Eminence.”

Cooper who hadn’t missed the familiar speech said, “So Vicky, what was the reason you wanted to see us?”

She smiled and said, “Two reasons actually. First I just wanted to have a relaxing dinner with the people I love.”

Coop smiled, feeling his face warm with emotions.

“Second, I actually wanted to talk to you Elsie about something which has been concerning me lately.”

Elsie was surprised by this and quite frankly felt like she was disarmed by the obvious charm of Vicky when she said the last bit. “And what can I possibly do as a service to you Your eminence?”

“Vicky please. We are having a family dinner and you I now consider family since you have the heart of my best friend.”

Elsie smiled demurely and said, “Alright, what can I do for you Vicky.” Although she sounded very uncomfortable with the familiar.

“It is regarding the children actually, the Children of the Crown. I have received some disturbing reports they are having difficulties settling in. Especially with the Imperial Headmaster.”

Elsie pursed her lips and nodded then said, “I can see how a group of children who pretty much raised themselves on the street could have difficulty adjusting to palace life.” She then smiled lovingly at Batty and Ehawee, “I know these two dears and I have had to make several adjustments. But nothing a little bit of love couldn’t solve.” She then looked thoughtful and added, “But really, what can I do?”

“Well Coop has done nothing but bragged about your tenacity and intuition. Since you have the trust of the man, I trust most in the world I will trust you. This is why I will grant you full authority to do what you must to help the children adjust.”

“Well, I’ll have to hire someone to manage my bar in my stead…”

“Of course, I happen to know Sargent Major Cavendish, Hamish’s father, will be retiring from service. He is trustworthy and capable. He will be needing something to do in his retirement. So I’ll make sure all the arrangements are made.”

Elsie said, obviously flabbergasted, “I would be honored.”

Dinner was served and the rest of the evening the talk was light and comfortable.

After dinner, on the carriage ride back to the Steam and Whistle Coop asked, “So now you finally met her, what do you think?”

“Quite frankly I’m surprised at how warm and charming she is. Now I think I understand why you’re so devoted to her.”