Dracule: Race, refugees from a destroyed world, vampiric however consider drinking human blood for food to be abominable, life span ~2,000 years, create and carry their young in same manner as humans, can create turned vampires, powerful mind-speakers, can change limited shape, cannot tell a falsehood because of mind to mind meld contact, only one known individual that could create Human Hybrids - known as M'beleci Captain of Dracule, omnivores.
Turned Vampire: Created only by the exchange of blood fluids with a Dracule (see Dracule above) or a Hybrid (see Hybrid below), light sensitive, strong sunlight is fatal, cannot create other turned vampires, cannot create or bear young, vampiric however consider drinking human blood for food abominable, life span less than 2,000 years, mind-speakers, cannot tell a falsehood because of mind to mind meld contact, extremely loyal to their maker, referred to as childe, omnivores.
Hybrid; Correct term is Human Hybrid, created by exchange of blood fluids with two hybrids known as makers, progenitors of the race are known as Roger and Little Bear, somewhat sensitive to strong light, can change shape in many forms, extremely powerful mind-speakers, can combine with other Hybrids or Turned Vampires to create extremely powerful long range mind-sweeps, cannot tell a falsehood because of mind to mind meld contact, can read minds of human, turned vampire and Dracule, believed to be able to control human minds or plant false images, vampiric but consider drinking human blood for food to be an abomination, there is a life-long maker/childe relationship, cannot create or bear young, have an almost fanatic urge to protect humans particularly children, have an intense hatred of those who would harm humans particularly children slavers, can be savage fighters of great ferocity, life span unknown but believed to be greater than 2,000 years, form life long relationship with their mate, only occur in the male form - no known female Hybrids exist, it is not known how many mated pairs exist, also known as Spirit Warriors, Roger is Captain of Hybrids, omnivores.
Human Sensitive: Many Humans have rudimentary mind-speak abilities, and most are unaware of their ability. Humans who have worked with the Human Hybrid Warriors have developed their mind-speak abilities to a greater degree than those who have not been exposed to the Warriors. It is believed that Humans, under ideal circumstances, are able to mind-meld with Human Hybrid Warriors, however, there is considerable risk to the humans doing so.
With extended peace came great prosperity to the three great Kingdoms, Hawaii, The Hegemony of Australia and Mariposa. Prince Protector Roger and his mate Prince Protector Little Bear had been the shield against those who would destroy humanity for twenty-four centuries! They were the first, the progenitors of the race known as Human Hybrid Warriors and through them, the Lodge of Warriors now numbered more than two-hundred mated pairs of these wondrous beings. Their peace extended beyond the borders of these nations, it sheltered allied peoples and small island communities, wherever found. Wherever these Warriors went, they were instantly recognized, not only for what they were, but also who they were. Every boy yearned to be a Human Hybrid Warrior, every girl had pictures of each Warrior and could recite their names and accomplishments. It was the horror of nightmare to every pirate, every slaver and every cannibal to see a Human Hybrid Warrior coming in their direction. Everywhere these powerful, but gentle beings went, children crowded around them, holding their hands, asking to be carried or to ride on their shoulders. They know, beyond any doubt, that they would be forgiven any trespass! The Warriors so loved children, those who would harm them would not survive the encounter.
The headquarters and principal residence of the Warriors was Fort Warrior in Cairns, Australia, a huge complex of reinforced structures, specially constructed to withstand the terrible energies wielded by the Warriors’ minds! It was here that the Warriors retreated after their last encounter with slavers and cannibals, the long years having taken a toll on their Leaders’ minds and bodies. Roger and Little Bear retreated to their home, taking great pleasure in the company of their sons, Lord Knight Protectors both, Teddy and Tong-Fu.
Each day, the great gates were opened and local children streamed in, some to attend school, some to partake in the foods served in the Fort, but most came just for the company of the great men, these GENTLE GIANTS!
For some reason, known only to the children, they were being drawn to the company of Roger and Little Bear. They would come and sit quietly, cuddle in their arms or just stand, holding their Warrior’s hand. The children demanded nothing, only that they be allowed the presence of Prince Roger and Prince Little Bear, children began demanding of their parents that they be allowed to go “vigil”, as they called it. From as far away as the Land of the Herders, they came.
El Jefe Bobby and his mate Andrea, the rulers of Mariposa and Warriors themselves, made two ships available to carry the children and their parents as pilgrims. The Great Shamans of both the Aborigine People and Maori People gathered before the Great Fort in silence, waiting. The Folk of the Dracule knew what was happening, their sorrow was beyond bearing. Each day, they stood attendance upon the two Warrior Leaders and the Lodge of Vampires erected a mind barrier that those within its confines would not be troubled by the outside world. That the end of their beloved Roger and Little Bear was near, they had no doubt, but would insure that no trouble would intrude, no danger would threaten, nor anger disturb those protected within their barrier. The leaders of the three Greater Nations quietly assembled at Fort Warrior to wait, with the children, in “vigil.” Quiet and silence reigned. Sorrow beyond bearing.
Shortly after 1:00 pm, all radio and television transmissions were interrupted; “Ladies and Gentlemen, this program has been interrupted to inform you that five minutes ago our Beloved Roger, Captain of Hybrids, and his Mate, Little Bear died………” The announcer could not continue, he broke into tears and collapsed to the floor.
The wailing of the children was beyond bearing, many collapsed and required resuscitation. Teddy and Tong-Fu, staggered in their sorrow, fought collapse, knowing that the Tradition of The Human Hybrid Warriors, the legacy of their Fathers must be preserved. The two, each supporting the other, asked that the Radio and Television crews be brought to the Great Balcony, from where so many flights of protection had originated.
They waited until the equipment was set up and stabilized, then Teddy began to speak, “Peoples of our Nations,……… It is my sorrow to report that our Fathers, Roger and Little Bear, have, at last, laid down their mantle of protection, they have passed it to us, those who remain. Their spirits are gone from us now, but their legacy lives on. The Lodge of Warriors will meet tomorrow and will elect new leaders.” He couldn’t go on.
Tong-Fu took up the dialogue, “Roger and Little Bear spent twenty-four centuries readying those of us who remain, to follow in their footsteps. My brother, my mate, Lord Knight Protector Teddy, and I assure you, the Human Hybrid Warriors will continue. Turning to the crowd of children, he said, “Our love of children abides!” Looking straight into the cameras, he said, “Our love for you abides!” Continuing, he made his eyes go red, smoke trailed from his eyes, and his fangs went to full drop, looking directly into the cameras, he continued, “All cannibals, pirates and slavers know, nothing has changed, beware our wrath!”
Teddy and Tong-Fu held hands and Teddy said, “Our peoples remain protected, go now and console one another, as we console each other of our loss.” They cut the transmission and all stations played nothing but music for the next 24 hours.
The next morning, still suffering the horrors of despair and loss, Prince Paul, acting Moderator of the Lodge of Warriors, rapped for attention, “My Brothers, I dispense with protocol and propose Lord Knight Protector Teddy and Lord Knight Protector Tong-Fu to the leadership of our order. All those who would object, please stand.” Nobody moved. He turned to the opened wall, leading to the Lodge of Vampires, and repeated his statement. Again, nobody moved. Prince Paul then walked to Teddy and Tong-Fu and dropped to his knees. “PRINCES PROTECTOR, TEDDY AND TONG-FU, I PLEDGE MY BODY AND MY IMMORTAL SOUL TO YOUR SERVICE, SO HELP ME GOD.”
His mate, Joseph, Earl of Kelsey, repeated the same oath, then, one after another, mated pairs knelt and gave oath. When it came to the Two Monarchs and the Mariposan Rulers, all of whom were Human Hybrid Warriors, they also knelt and repeated the oath! One by one, each Turned Vampire knelt and repeated the oath. There was a knock on the door, there stood T’kli and all his folk and the surviving Dracule, demanding they be allowed to give oath. Following them, the Human Sensitives knelt and gave oath! As the doors opened, the children began to stream into the room, The boys, under the leadership of a young teen knelt as one and gave oath to the new leaders, behind them, so also did the girls. Teddy opened his arms and was covered in crying children. Tong-Fu sat on the floor and was also covered.
All remained chaos until there was a rap for attention, it was the News Reporter, who had collapsed the day before, “Princes Protector, please make a statement to our people, they are frightened that you might reject them!”
Teddy and Tong-Fu had a look of horror on their faces, “Yes, by all means, let us reassure our folk!”
Teddy mind-screamed, “WARRIORS-ATTEND ME.”
As the Warriors stood behind Teddy and Tong-Fu the news crew readied their cameras and microphones. Teddy and Tong-Fu stood before the cameras and microphones, still holding children in their arms and said, “Peoples of our nations, our bond continues. Let none who would harm our folk forget our wrath!” At that, two more children climbed his leg to settle in the crook of his arm. Teddy smiled and kissed each child. Tong-Fu did the same and all the children began to giggle. They screamed and wailed their love for these men, so fearful they had been that they had lost that love.
THE LIVES AND TIMES OF THESE GENTLE GIANTS CONTINUE, THE FATES ARE NOT FINISHED WITH ROGER AND LITTLE BEAR EITHER, PERHAPS THEY WILL BE IN ANOTHER WHERE?
Charles Bird