Samson

Stories From Haven - Water Master

"This is a much better view than the Grave Yard, but why the park?" The reporter asked me.

"Because Samson wanted to do the interview here," I told her, then looked around and smiled, I had the fondest memories of playing in the park here.  I turned to the cameraman, "You might want to start filming, out there." I pointed in the general direction I could feel Samson at.

  The cameraman turned it on and hit the record button, muttering about editing useless footage. I knew when Samson would come out, as a cloud passed over Lake Tarpon and the sun came out the other side with a single ray reaching all the way to the water. I snickered, but only in my head.

*"Show off"* I told him.

*"It will make great TV footage,"* was all he replied and it would, he had chosen to look like a Fresian today, black in the same way a dark smokey quartz is. The teenage girl in every woman would fall instantly in love with his 'horse', men would respect the power they could feel pouring off of him.

"Samson is a Kelpie?" the blonde reporter asked.

"Yes, he is," I replied, watching as he reached the sea-wall and jumped to the green grass. As his hooves touched the ground, they became black boots that ended at mid-calf black leather tucked in,  his Bronze/Gold scale mail glinting in the sun. There was something both sexy and deadly about him, grown women would be drooling over their remotes.

   I watched the reporter stand and smooth her dress over her hips, tongue wetting her lips as she took in the way Samson's armor emphasized his muscles.  I wondered what Samson's Mare's would think of having a human reporter as a Sister - friend with benefits? I projected the thought and a picture of the reporter 'riding' him.

*"I've told you that isn't the kind of riding I get into,"* Samson replied back.

*"Yeah, well that ain't the kinda riding she want's to do ON you either,"* I snickered at him. His eyes lit from within and one corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile that just told you he had nasty things on his mind.

*"The Herd Mare would have to approve, but I wouldn't mind her sitting on my lap and bouncing around."* His voice was almost a purr in my head as he reached her and when she held out her hand, he took it in his and brought it to his lips and kissed it, European style.

*"Ewww T.M.I. Brother, T.M.I.!"* I laughed back at him.

"Ms. Caroway, it is a pleasure to meet you," Samson told her.

"Jane, please call me Jane," The blonde said, as she waved a hand at the chairs and sat back down. both took a minute to sit and I backed out of camera range. "Ms. Scolta said that you volunteered for my second interview?"

"Water Master Scolta and yes, I did," Samson replied.

"Could you tell my viewers a little bit about Kelpies, about your people?" The reporter asked Samson nodded.

" We are one of the Greater Water Elementals, our nature is herd-minded. Each herd is led by a Lead Mare, the Matriarch of our clan, she makes all decisions that are not related to the direct safety of the herd. The Herd Stallion makes all decisions concerning safety," Samson answered.

"So the Lead Mare makes the rules, the Herd Stallion enforces them and keeps the Herd safe?" Jane asked, "Are these only your own rules - Herd rules or do you follow Human rules as well?"

"We follow Human Laws in whatever country we are in, when we go out into Society, in our home, however, we follow Herd Law only. Of course, the last time our Lead Mare interacted with Human society, women were basically owned by some male, be he relative or spouse." Samson said, I noticed the trend in his answers, they were leading her to ask about Kelpies as a society, but not about him personally, not yet anyway.

"How do those laws differ?" Jane asked.

"In some ways none, your history will show major areas. We are a Matriarchal society, humans have been a Patriarchal society for many centuries. We just withdraw from human society until it shifts back or as now were women as just as likely to be head of a family - or corporation if she works for it." Samson explained.

"The idea that I 'own' my Mares, would get me flayed alive, from all of them. I may be stronger than any one of my Mares, but not all of them. Let's take a major law that effects human women. Rape is illegal by human law, but depending on the culture the punishment can also include the woman that is raped. So we would withdraw from that culture or move to a one that better-protects women." Samson paused for a second.

" We have no jails or prisons, so the punishment for rape is death. I can see the next question, no a female cannot falsely accuse a male, for she must submit to the Lead Mare who will read or see the act and thus see the male who committed the crime, she will then broadcast that scene to all. It is a Law that will not change no matter what the human law is." Samson stated, "By the way, their has not been a rape committed by one of my kind in over five-thousand years."

"That is a very strong law - if I may ask, what if our government asked you to nullify that law because it is harsh by human standards?" Jane asked.

"Then all our females would withdraw from your society and we would agree to follow your law when interacting with your society," Samson said with a frown. "Only our males would interact with humans and in some cases probably only the Herd Stallion, to get supplies."

"Wouldn't that negate agreeing to follow the law?" Jane asked.

"Yes, but as it only applies TO the Herd and not to those without anyway, I am not sure why your government would want us to change our Law," Samson said.

"Don't get me wrong as a woman, I am in complete agreement with that law, as long as it can be proven one-hundred percent to have happened.  Their are some though that would say the punishment is cruel and unusual." Jane commented.

"Yes, but no male of my kind has raped a female, Kelpie, Human or Other in five-thousand-years. So while the Law and punishment are harsh, they are effective. " Samson seemed a little confused and Jane must have figured that out because with the next question she dropped the subject of Laws.

"Kelpie is a Scottish term I believe, but you appear almost Middle Eastern is there a reason for that?" Jane asked.  Samson smiled and leaned slightly forward.

"Yes, my herd is from Sumer, we ran the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Because of changing cultures and religious beliefs, the Celt's were the last of the 'Old Continent' peoples that allowed for women to rule and own themselves, so traditionally we use their term for our people. "

"I see, so it is a sign of respect in a way?" Jane asked.

"Yes, in a way," Samson said without elaboration.

"One more question is about all we will have time for. Why did you choose to be Water Master Scolta's Elemental Guardian?" Jane asked.

"The simple answer is, 'my Lead Mare told me to.' To explain - The Lead Mare met Katriona when she was a child. She saw multiple futures and each one that ended well for our people had me serving as Kat's Guardian." Samson's voice was kind, but it brooked no other questions along that line.

"Thank You, Samson," Jane said and then turned to look straight into the camera, "This is Jane Calloway ending another Elemental Interview." She smiled and held it till the cameraman turned off the camera and light. Then stood up.  "Thank you both for the interview!"

"You're very welcome, It was my pleasure," Samson said as he took her hand again and kissed it. He then turned around walked straight off the seawall and without a splash into the water, disappearing under the murky depths of Lake Tarpon.

"If you have no one else in mind for your next interview, our Armorer said he would be more than happy to go next. Now the thing about Armmaund is that he is D'jiin, so you need to know a few things about them. First, the 'Lamp', it's a focal point, not a find it - use it to force wishes.' And about the Wishes themselves, they will be granted, but they will always and I do mean always backfire on the 'wisher'. He's willing to show how he makes the Darasi spider silk under-armor that we all wear - well those of us who are willing to spend the gold for it." I explained to her.

"So there would be by necessity some rules as to what I can and can not say?" Jane asked.

"Yes, but if you come up with a list of questions about D'jiin, I will try and reword them if necessary. Now you can tell people about not wishing, just make that part of the interview when he is not around. About the Under-armor itself, it is fitted naked, so you," I turned and looked at the cameraman, " would have to do some creative editing or use of angles. Either you can supply the model or I can, but Armmaund has to be paid for the armor itself."

"You are wearing this armor?" Jane asked.

"Yes, neck to ankle, wrist to wrist," I told her

"I don't see anything," she said after walking closer and turning my hand this way and that.

"You won't, it merges with the skin," I said.

"Oh, well yes, I'll let you know, I may have another interview set up for next week," Jane said.

"That's fine, just give me a call," I returned. I smiled at them both and turned and walked away, once I was far enough, I just shifted home.

Alejandro

Stories from Haven : Water Master

"Ms. Scolta exactly where are we going?"  The tall lanky blonde asked.

"You said you wanted to interview some of my friends so that the people could get to know us on a more personal level. Well, Alejandro is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Plus I really want to know what kind of stories you are doing before I let you meet those that you could hurt badly with words."

"Oh, umm this is a cemetery though." She looked rather puzzled at that.

"Yes, it is, you see Alejandro is a spirit or ghost if you prefer." I paused and let that sink in. " I figure it this way, only someone that really believes or has an open mind is going to see him."

She blinked a couple times as those thing's I didn't say sunk in, if she didn't see him, then she could not interview him and I'm guessing she would figure out that I would not introduce her anyone else.

I watched the two of them out of the corner of my eye, the Cameraman and the Reporter. It didn't take long to figure out that he at least saw all the Ghosts and other Elemental's in the Grave Yard. It was a little harder with her, she was looking around, but didn't start or stare.

I had been out a few day's previously and asked Alejandro if he minded giving the interview and told him why. I did not want him hurt in any way, but as he was already dead and wouldn't care two fig's if the reported gave false information about him, he said it was fine with him.  I had one of the Grounds Keepers put some chair's out next to the Tree that held his bones at it's roots.

"Could you give me a little background information on Mr.?" She asked.

"Alejandro, if he has a last name and I presume he does, he has never shared it with me."

"Oh, why do you think that is?" I could see the reporter's curiosity already, but that is what made a reporter a reporter, moral's is what made them good reporters.

"Well it could be many reasons, but I figure he doesn't want his family looked up for whatever reason." she left it at that until we got to where the chairs were set up. She looked around slowly, but I did notice that she paused while gazing right in the direction of two Victorian Era Ladies, so.. she did see.

"When will he get here?"  she asked while looking around again.

"At this very moment Dama," Alejandro said as he walked out from behind the tree.  "So you wish to ask questions, no?"

"Yes, I do. Do you mind if we film this?"

"No, no me importa Dama," Alejandro said I had the feeling that he would answer in Spanish in a way that was very ambiguous if she asked questions he did not wish to answer.

"Who are you? What I mean is, why did you come to Florida in the first place?"  she asked.

"I was a an.. Explorer..um Fui un explorador con Ponce De Leon?" He said.

"Oh, so you were one of the original explorers that came looking for the Fountain of Youth?"

"That is a.. mistake, myth? Excuse?  We were exploring, that is all." Alejandro said.

"How did you die, if you don't mind my asking?" She had a frown on her face.

"The Calusa Indians, I was killed in a battle with them. They were not always happy to see the ships of White Men, with reason.  Many times they were raided, for the Slave Trade others just for what could be taken."

"Do you regret your time as an explorer since you died that way?"

"No, not at all, it was good to explore, to see some of the world." He said, I realized that he was only answering exactly what she asked, but doing so in a way that gave enough information with each question to lead to another.

"You've been around a long time, what do you think of the changes since then?" She asked.

"Somethings are very good, but you must understand I only have a small window into the world. Many less children die each year, this can only be a good thing, on the other side people seem to be less healthy." Alejandro said.

"People live longer now than ever before, but you are saying we are less healthy?" The reporter asked.

"Se'  only the very upper class had health problems from overeating or eating too much meat or sugars. The umm Gota? Gout? now even the lower classes of people are getting these problems." Alejandra explained.

"Ah, I see what you're saying. You don't have to answer this if you don't want to, I know it's very personal, but do you not want to move on to Heaven or..." she trailed off as he started shaking his head.

"No, I do not believe in any Gods and to go to any kind of after-life rest one must believe. I know it is not the way Christians believe it happens. I have been here, I have seen the good and the wicked, those who believe and those who do not. The Wicked move from here if they can, or my friends will send them on, forcefully." he said, he was right, I would.

"You see yourself as some kind of Guardian for those who have passed away?" the reporter asked.

"Se` in a way, I can not do much of anything, but I tell my friend, Katriona and she sends those wicked spirits to somewhere else, though I do not know where," he said.

"Ms. Scolta could you tell us where you send those wicked spirits?" the reporter asked me.

"I send them to a small island that is deserted as it often goes underwater. As long as the Iron box does not move off of the Island and it never will, the wicked spirits also will not leave that island and the location is a secret," I laughed, "even to me as it happens."

"The water doesn't harm the ghosts in any way?" she asked. "Iron rusts and corrodes, so over time couldn't they get out?

"No Dama, the bones of the dead are sealed against the el agua salada -  the salt water."  he paused, "Yes Iron does, but the iron is inside another box that will not." 

 "Also as it happens all the bones are put in a small glass box. Understand that even though the island is a prison, we do not wish to torment the dead."  I told her.

"My last question Alejandro, as all my questions were geared for someone who could leave here. How do you help Ms. Scolta if you are stuck here?"

"Who says I can not leave? It is not easy, but I can leave here and I have. To help my friends, mostly I talk to spirits, also demons, and Others that walk in the Dark." he tipped his head, " I also have much information on the history of this state, what is natural, what is not."

"If you wouldn't mind at some point I would love to ask you about the state's history, from your point of view." when Alejandro nodded and smiled, " Thank you very much for your time, Alejandro.  Ms. Scolta, I will have the footage edited and the whole story up in a day or so. Short as this interview is, I think it will mesh very well with an introductory to the Supernatural, which I was also doing."

"Buenas noches Senoras, " Alejandro said as he disappeared into the shadows. I nodded and smiled but didn't say anything, he was no longer there to hear anyway.

"So it was enough for you?" I asked her.

"Yes and will actually work out better than a longer interview. I had planned on this interview being the second in the series with an introduction into the supernatural starting it. That isn't as long as I would like and with Alejandro's interview, I think the two of them are just long enough to make a segment." She explained.

Jeremial

Stories from Haven: Water Master

 "Thank you, for agreeing to this interview Jeremial," The blonde reporter said.

"You're very welcome Ms. Calloway." 

"Are you ready to get started?" she asked and when I nodded the cameraman turned it on.

"You do not look like the Biblical depiction of a Seraphim, is that by choice or design?"

"Choice, we've found over the ages that most humans are not comfortable with the Biblical version. Our native or real forms are not easy for most to talk to, and many would run screaming."

"Why is that?" She asked, but it wasn't really the question she wanted to ask.

"Mostly because it reminds people that they are mortal and fragile." 

"I know there are many kinds of Angels, what is one of the biggest differences between Seraphim and Nephilim?"

"Seraphim as Greater Fire Elementals, Nephilim are Greater Air Elementals. That is the biggest difference between us.  There are, of course, others. While both of us are very good fighters, there is a degree. My people have always been soldiers, the Nephilim have historically been messengers, that's not to say that they don't fight, or that some of them are not soldiers." I stop there as I have found reporters like to ask questions, not just listen to a monologue.

"How about as a society? Samson's Kelpie society is herd-minded, Armmaund said his people are very individualistic once out of the nest, how is Seraphim society structured?"

"As individuals within our society, we are very monogamous, so much so that we tend to be very slow in forming relationships. As a whole, our society is set up like any military organization."

"So your society is very strict?" she asked.

"Yes Ma'am, we are.  Some might say too strict, but it has worked for us since well before the Tower of Jericho was in the planning stages."

"That said, is everyone in your society a soldier?"

"That is a yes and no question. Everyone has the training to be a soldier, but some are not suited to combat. Those who aren't suited to combat get more training, but in non-combat roles. They still must practice for one hour each day, but the exercise is good for people that spend most of the day sitting behind desks."

"So everyone has a place?"

"That is correct, male or female. We do not make a distinction, if someone does not suit one role, we help them to find one that works for them but also benefits the whole."

"So could a woman hold your position with your people?" I chuckled at this question.

"Yes and several do, I am only the Commander of North America, not including Mexico, which is overseen by the Central American Commander, who as it happens is female."

"Just one more question is all we have time for tonight. Why did you purchase The Grand? I mean I would think as a Fire Elemental you would not comfortable with water on both sides of you."

"You're correct and it might have made more sense to buy a large hotel resort in Kansas, but it's also harder to not be seen. Plus the fact that this hotel has always brought in a good deal of profit. It is not however the only place my people here in Florida live, just the most recognized."

"Thank you Jeremial that makes a lot of sense," with that she turned fully to face the camera. "This concludes another Elemental interview, This is Jane Callowy, have a wonderful night everyone." She remained smiling until the light went off on the camera. "Thank you Jeremial, I think that is just long enough I won't have to edit a question out. Also, I greatly thank your people for sending the information over that they did, it really helped to know what kinds of questions to steer away from. I believe I will also be able to use some of it to lengthen the interview with it and not overlap too badly."

"You are very welcome Ms. Calloway. I appreciate you staying away from questions I would not be able to answer." With that, I took her hand and kissed the knuckles, which always seemed to fluster American women, stepped back, and shifted out with no fanfare.

Zeke

Stories from Haven - Water Master

Kat snickered as she watched Jane smooth down her skirt and lick her lips. I turned to look at the man that held her interest, Zeke was a good-looking man. Not the tallest at 5"6', slim, with a dancer's build, that belied the muscle under his Armina jacket. His dark chocolate skin was a nice contrast to the white suit, his large dark amber-colored eyes missing nothing.

"Pull it back in, his partner would shift you to the middle of a desert covered in honey,"

"What?", Jane said doing a double take.

"Armmaunds moral compass isn't close to human and Zeke is his soul-mate", I laughed. "you'd have a much better chance bedding Samson, as long as it's just for funsies."

"Ah, I will keep that in mind. Zeke is a Fire Master?" she asked.

"No, technically he's a Fire Witch, but you can ask him that kind of question." She nodded at me and then held out her hand as Zeke drew close.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Okoro," Jane said as she motioned for him to sit down in one of the director's chairs. "I should warn you that my cameraman is already rolling, though much of this part will be edited out.

"It is a pleasure to be here Ms. Calloway", Zeke said smiling, "I understand, that is fine with me." I backed another step out of camera range, just in case.

"Good Morning, this is Jane Calloway with another Elemental interview. Today we are speaking to Fire Master Zeke Okoro", Jane turned slightly away from the camera to look at Zeke

"You are one of the Sentinels Guardians?" Jane asked getting the interview started.

"Yes, I am Grendals, human Guardian." I flicked my hands at him trying to get him to say more, this would be a teeth-pulling interview if all he did was give the barest of information. "My job as Grendals human Guardian is to make sure he does not become corrupt."

"Is that a possibility?"

"Of course, any being has the possibility of becoming corrupted, some would be much harder than others to corrupt though," Zeke said with a snort. I rolled my eyes and hoped they would be able to edit out the sound.

"How many Guardians does Sentinel Grendal have?"

" I am the only full-time Guardian that he has, Human Sentinels have the full Elemental grouping, plus a human Guardian, so six altogether. Because Grendal is a Greater Elemental he does not need the kind of support that a human Sentinel needs."

"For our audience could you explain who or what those Guardians are?"

"For a human Sentinel, their first Guardian is usually one in their own Element. Samson was Water Master Katriona's first Elemental Guardian, but Alain was her first Guardian, Earth, and he is human. For an Elemental Sentinel, generally speaking, their Human Guardian would be of the opposite Element, because they might not acquire another Guardian. So if Katriona was a Sentinel she would acquire a Fire or Earth Elemental next, then Air and Earth. Spirit is generally the last Elemental Guardian, if a Sentinel gets a Spirit Guardian, sometimes it's just a matter of asking a favor of one." Zeke Explained.

"So you are Grendals Human Guardian and you're an Elemental Witch or Master? Could you explain the difference?"

"The difference is power, plain and simple, what can and can not be done with your own Elemental Magic. Even with the boost in power that we just got, I am a touch below Master on my own. Now with my mate's power, I am technically a Fire Master now. That is the way it works between human Elemental magics and their Elemental Guardian. While Armmaund is not my Guardian, we have a closer but similar bond." I nodded, I had thought as much, but I didn't want to say it, sometimes Guardians like to keep those things a secret. 

"One more question before we wrap it up. What is it like being the Sentinels Human Guardian?"

"It is both easy and hard. Grendal has worked with most of the Elementals that he often calls upon to help, whereas I am new to them and him. But we train together so I will get the hang of the way they fight." 

"Thank you, Fire Master Okoro, this is Jane Calloway with another Elemental Interview" Jane smiled into the camera until the red light went out and the cameraman put it down, rolling his shoulders. "Seriously, Thank you Zeke for a great interview. I have a lot of the background on what a Fire Elemental is and does, but it was nice to get a personal side."

I nodded at Jane and walked away, we had already discussed her next interview. 

"Would you like me to shift us out or do you have somewhere else to be?" I asked Zeke.

"I'd actually like to be able to shift myself out, but for some reason that is a skill I just can't master, and the last time I tried I ended up in the middle of the Mohave." I looked at him and burst out laughing. Then I thought about it for a minute.

"Were you with Armmaund?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Because the two of you leak over so much it's a wonder you didn't shift the two of you to his home realm." I put a hand on his arm, "Seriously, the two of you leak over way too much, you need to get your wards up and him on the outside".

"I don't understand what that has to do with my not being able to shift."

"You can shift and you did shift, just not to where you wanted to go. You visualized home yes?" at his nod I continued. "I can pretty much guess Armmaund was thinking of home also, but his home realm. Which is desert, and since you weren't trying to leave this plan, 'desert' for you became the Mohave".

"Well, shit."

"Yup, Think of exactly where you want to go, not home, not A pizza parlor, but exactly where you want to go at home and shift us there."

When we ended up on the circular stone patio outside the forge, one of our designated shifting spots, I nodded to him and patted him on the shoulder, and walked to the house. Lesson learned, skill mastered.