Chapter 8

I do not own Claymore

Henrietta Maria turned to Viktor and said. "Viktor, would you please invite our eavesdropper in for a little chat? I'm sure we'll have much to talk about." Viktor bowed slightly to his Queen, turned and beckoned to two more bulky men, then exited the house.

There was a brief interlude of eyes exchanging glances and questions forming when the front door opened again and Viktor entered with a rumpled man dressed in overalls right behind him and two more bulky men right behind the rumpled man.

"The Queen, will see you now!" Viktor remarked to the man, he had in one hand a broken cell phone and he gestured towards Henrietta Maria.

"Agent Bryce, Henrietta Maria, my Queen."

Agent Bryce stood fumbling with his hat for a moment, then he said.

"It's an honor to meet you, your Majesty, I hadn't figured on being invited in for a chat, I'm just a humble field operative for the Museum of Cryptozoology and not trained in diplomacy."

"Ah!" Said the Queen, "Your expertise is in snooping and prying into people's private affairs, particularly those of a head of state, is it not?"

Bryce flushed slightly and replied. "Guilty as charged, your Majesty. In my own defense, I plead guilty of being deeply interested in the existence of supernatural beings."

He glanced around the room and continued, "It's not often, a being out of legend and fantasy actually enters this country under cover of darkness and visits a quiet little neighborhood in Sherman Oaks, California. May I ask why?"

Henrietta Maria chuckled and replied pleasantly, "Agent Bryce, your lack of training in diplomacy is quite apparent, you're much too direct. A true diplomat could have dragged this out for another hour at least."

She smiled and continued, "I came here because rogue elements in my realm had decided on their own to attempt an assassination on one of my personal friends.

"I took it quite personally and came here at once, we have concluded our investigation and will be returning to our realm tomorrow night. If, that is all right with you?"

Agent Bryce smiled back at her and replied. "Far be it from me to interfere in matters of state, your Highness. I do find it most interesting that you have made the acquaintances of several other beings out of legend." and he glanced over at the warriors for emphasis.

Miria remarked cooly, "I was wondering when you were going to include us in this conversation, you do know that we have our own rights too, even if we don't officially exist and we will thank you to respect them."

Agent Bryce smiled at Miria and replied, "I am not here to spy on you and your sisters, we at the Museum are well aware of your existence, same as we are aware of the other supernatural beings hiding in plain sight.

"We just don't want any problems, we'll be the first to admit that humanity just isn't ready to know about you just yet. It might interest you to know that we have worked long and hard with Doctor Yuma to keep you hidden from society."

"And we do appreciate your efforts, agent Bryce." Interjected Galatea "Though some of us do wonder about the recent publishing of a Japanese manga series, the airing of an animated TV show and live action mini series all based on nearly forgotten legends about us. I admit to being a little concerned at how close to the truth, some of the stories actually are."

A soft chuckle came from Henrietta Maria and she said. "I share a similar concern. The recent popularity of vampire and werewolf themed literature and films, all putting a glamorous face on something that had been actively persecuted by officialdom for millenia."

She fixed her violet-eyed gaze on agent Bryce and continued, "These authors and producers don't seem to realize that we vampires are in truth, a predatory species and that humanity serves as our food source. We avoid killing our prey because it is counterproductive and leads to our being hunted by angry mobs. I admit that at times, an irresponsible vampire will turn a human unwisely," She glanced at Count Orloff and at Tony, briefly.

"We have dealt with these individuals accordingly and the rogue elements will be dealt with upon our return to the hidden realm."

Agent Bryce closed his eyes for a moment and then said, "We have been working with elements within both the hidden realm and with the claymores, it is partly our responsibility for the recent spate of novels, graphic novels and films, both live action and animated. The long term goal is to slowly raise the tolerance levels of human society to include supernatural beings as being acceptable in society much like homosexuality and transgendered individuals are becoming in today's societal norms."

He shrugged and remarked ruefully, "I don't think I will live to see it, but I'm fairly certain that all of you here will see it."

Henrietta Maria smiled at him and said softly, "When that blessed day arrives, we will be sure to acknowledge you and the many other humans who have worked on our behalf."

Agent Bryce smiled at her and replied, "I appreciate that, your Majesty and I would love to chat some more, unfortunately, duty calls and I simply have to go. We're extracting a lamia family from southern Algeria and I'm in charge of their eventual settlement here in the U.S."

Henrietta Maria's eyebrows rose perceptibly and she remarked, "We were not aware that any lamia's still lived, agent Bryce, I trust you will keep me informed of your progress?"

Agent Bryce grinned at her and replied, "I will do that your Majesty, in fact, I will send what information I already have pertaining to this family."

He took out a business card and handed it to Viktor who merely glanced at it before turning and bowing stiffly as he presented it to his queen.

She took the card and glanced at it for a moment before her violet eyed gaze returned to agent Bryce and she asked.

"World Wide News? Isn't that a tabloid filled with rumors and hearsay?"

"For the most part it is, your Majesty, but if the news item is on an odd numbered page, it is more than likely true. The articles on the even numbered pages are deliberate falsehoods. They also have a web page, if you enter the code number beneath my name on this card, a link will connect you to my page and my progress reports." replied agent Bryce.

He paused a moment to hand business cards to the warrior trio and he saluted everyone before he turned to leave.

Henrietta Maria spoke up suddenly. "Tell me agent Bryce, what is your interest in helping supernaturals?"

Agent Bryce looked straight at Henrietta Maria and replied earnestly. "That lamia family I mentioned? They're my relatives... I met their oldest daughter while I was investigating the legends coming from Algeria's remoter areas. Once I got over the shock of her being real, I soon discovered that she was as warm and wonderful a girl as I could ever wish for. We fell hopelessly in love with each other and I brought her home with me."

He smiled softly and said, "We've been married nearly five months now, we have a baby on the way and we're happier than ever. The Al Qaeda is moving into Algeria's remote areas and it is only a matter of time before her family is found and destroyed as monsters."

His voice became strident as he cried." I cannot allow that your Majesty, I just can't! They gave me their beautiful daughter and called me son, saving them is the least I can do!"

Henrietta Maria smiled at him and said in a commanding voice. "Go then agent Bryce, go with my blessings and woe to any supernaturals who hinder you in your quest! Go, I say!"

Her lace gloved hand rose and pointed straight out with a stiffened finger at the door to Tony's house.

Agent Bryce bowed deeply to her and said. "Thank you, your Majesty, thank you!" He turned and all but bolted from the house and into the night.

The warriors were a little amused to see both Anastasia and Henrietta Maria dabbing at their eyes.

Anastasia sighed deeply and said. "I didn't think romance like that existed anymore, he just put my best efforts to shame with his real life story. I feel very humbled right now and I really want a writing tablet to jot this down while it is still so fresh in my mind."

She looked up to see Tony standing beside her with a yellow legal pad and a couple of pens, he smiled at her and placed them in her hands while saying. "Will these do? My lady?"

Anastasia smiled and said. "These are perfect Tony, thank you!" She began rapidly jotting down notes, her hand flying over the yellow paper.

Henrietta Maria smiled and said to her, "When he gets back, will you interview him and write down what he says? A human and lamia marriage in this day and age is very romantic!"

She pulled out a small voice recorder and said quietly into it, "Look into instituting a "knights of the hidden realm" order for humans who perform a great service to us." Anastasia straightened up from her furious scribbling and declared. "I will do better than that your Majesty, I shall write a novel and you, shall be the first to read it!"

She rubbed her hands together and said with glee."This is such a goldmine of material, a human and lamia romance, it'll be unusual I admit, but oh, the possibilities. I don't even care if it sells, I just want to write it!"

Miria and Galatea glanced at each other briefly, nodded then turned to Henrietta Maria.

Miria smiled and said. "We have someone who is possibly, the world's best pilot and driver. I think she'll be willing to help agent Bryce."

Miria held up the business card he'd given her and declared. "I will call this Rachel Thompson person and make arrangements to lend a hand."

Henrietta Maria smiled and declared. "We shall provide financial support for this and can provide a jet for the flight. A medium sized Gulfstream should be sufficient." Miria nodded and said. "Helen is qualified for business class jets, a Gulfstream will be perfect."

Tony raised his hand and queried. "Helen?"

Miria replied, "Helen Larsen, she is one of us former warriors."

Tony grinned and remarked, "I've heard of her then, if she is the same Helen Larsen who's dominated rally car racing and won the Paris-Dakar six times. She drives like there is no tomorrow!"

Galatea chuckled and said. "That sounds like our Helen! A drive with her is not to be forgotten easily." Tony smiled and said. "I'd love to get her autograph!"

Miria grinned at him and remarked. "I'll be sure to tell her then, that she has an admirer!"