FICTION
A Man of Many Names
A tale of a Celtic God on assignment in Canada.
Sophie radiated a pool of light despite it being a sunny morning. Her hair seemed to be aglow as she approached a noticeably older man. Anyone watching would see that he appeared to smile as she kissed him on both cheeks.
She wore a simply-designed long jacket of brushed leather. Her long, golden hair framed her face which was dominated by amber eyes. Seeing her eyes, one would almost think she was a hunter, a wolf in disguise. In her own way, she was a hunter, only one that was not in search of prey.
“Long time no see,” the tired looking man spoke with a smile touching the edges of his eyes. “You haven’t changed a bit, Sis. You’re still the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Sophie laughed as she hugged her brother close. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Griffin. You know, that name suits you, especially when you have disguised yourself as being so much older than me. There is a bit of gray in your hair, yet I can still see a hint of the sun deep within you. So what’s new in your life?”
Griffin couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, aside from living a solitary life, teaching entitled teenagers, it is all that I could have ever hoped for in a career.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, Griff,” Sophie stated with a hint of exasperation. Her brother was still the same, not the sunny disposition one would expect from someone who as also known as the sun god.
“You’re right, I am being unfair, Sophie. I shouldn’t blame the students. They are only living life the way they have been taught. So, I imagine that you have a reason for calling me to Paris for this meeting. You know, you could have made it easier by having us meet in Calgary.”
“Ugh! Calgary.” was all she snorted in disgust at that suggestion before continuing, “The All-Mother has had a change of plans for you, me, and Talan.”
“Sheesh! Don’t tell me I have to move already,” Griffin complained out of habit.” I’ve barely got started in Deer Crossing. Besides, there’s still another eight months of the school year left.”
“Yes, unfortunately the three of us have got to relocate. Be honest Griffin, you hate your current situation. I can’t say that I’m impressed with The All-Mother’s decision, as I was just beginning to get serious with this gorgeous guy in Vienna. It’s not that often you can find a good man who has both good looks and a great personality. It doesn’t hurt either that he has loads of money. And in the sack he’s …”
“Whoa, that’s enough, Griffin protested, pretending to cover his ears. “The last thing I need to hear about, is your sex life.”
Sophie grinned at her brother’s response. He was so predictable and she loved to rile him up. The truth was, there really wasn’t a guy in her life at the moment but she wasn’t going to admit that to him.
“So,” Griffin began in an attempt to change the conversation, where are we being sent? To Siberia?”
Just as the waiter appeared to take their order. Griffin didn’t bother to ask Sophie what she wanted. She always ordered the same thing every time they met in Paris, a croque monsieur avec frites, a fancy name for a ham and cheese sandwich, and white wine. As usual, Griffin ordered his usual, a bowl of onion soup, a house salad, and a bottle of Stella Artois beer. Over the past few decades, he had begun to prefer beer to red wine.
Sophie waited for the waiter to disappear before responding, “The All-Mother is having the two of us relocate to a place called Golden, a city in the province of Saskatchewan in Canada, not far from where you are now, from what I understand. You must have heard of it? Also, Talan is going to have a role to play in our assignment though I am not sure what his role is going to be. We will find out more when it is time”
“Vaguely,” I admitted. “Golden is a fair bit bigger place than where I am teaching right now. You just said that the two of us will be staying there. What about Talan, where is he going to relocate?”
“He’ll be joining us, but he doesn’t know about it yet.”
“So, why isn’t he here with us now to learn about The All-Mother’s new plan?”
Griffin began to suspect that it was going to be up to him to pass on the bad news to his younger brother. He knew that Talan was enjoying his current life in Austin, Texas. The two brothers were frequently communicating via cell phone, even if it was usually just dumb jokes.
“Well, you know how Talan is. He’s got such a temper and, well, um, you’re the only one he actually listens to. You know, the big brother worship kind of thing and all that.”
Griffin sighed, Sophie was right. Talan always fought with Sophie as a matter of principle. He did have a temper, something to be expected from a man who has spent the most of his existence as a warrior.
“So what is the plan for springing Talan out of his present contract in Texas, and my role as a high school teacher in Alberta?” Talan was currently working on the protection detail for the present Governor of Texas.
“The All Mother said that it would be between you and Talan have to figure it out. She’s confident that the two of you’d come up with a plan.”
Sophie waved her hand dismissively as though that particular bit of conversation was now done. Changing topics, she continued, “Now, let me tell you what The All-Mother has planned for us.”
To be continued …
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