History of the Changelings Billy Barker, Zorn, Brad Jenkens by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

The thought of vacation

Kile is now a month old and has had a medical clearance to travel. Maribell has been grumbling for a while.

“Brad, Brenda and Rose, Devon and Dad, hell even Gloria.” Then her volume goes to a murmur. This is happening quite frequently

I pull Brenda aside.

“Please tell me you know what is wrong with her.”

Brenda tells me it is complicated and simple.

“She is going through post partem. All the hormones are trying to realign.”

“But what is that about our names?”

“She is fixated. All those she is naming have gone to England. Even Gloria’s brief escape counts in her mind. It’s the omitted, her and Kile that are the only ones that have not been.”

Devon is always here so all I do is call Harcourt on the cell.

“I need you and Judith here. We have a PPH crisis. Ask Judith. Tell her Maribell is in PPH.”

Moments later they come out of the room and Judith goes over to Maribell.

Maribell looks at her mother and says,

“Oh good, I’m not alone. Another who hasn’t gone.”

I hang up the phone then call all the rest in.

“We have a crisis of biblical proportions. It has been brought to my attention, through the cryptic language of the female species, that someone is sulking that she and she alone has not seen England. I just called. The house is nearing completion but not habitable. We now have three of the suites for as long as we need them. They are at the opposite side from the training rooms but the manager has arranged for protection.

The main floor room is now ready.”

I ask Brenda and Rose pack some extra clothes, some for Maribell and Kile. Devon is to help with Gloria. Harcourt and Judith will follow Maribell and I to the hotel room. This way she can say that she is there with me first.

With that, I grab Maribell and Kile, go to the room and flash to the hotel room. I have on the three. The sword, ring and heart never leave me. We step outside the room and her parents follow. Shortly after that the last ones come out of the room.

We are all here now. It must be DNC. There Is a larger than normal crowd. All wanting to see us but especially the two of the three. Devon has come up to me. Brenda has Gloria who is uncharacteristically not trying to fly free. She is just sitting in her mom’s arms.

Devon tells me that Gloria told him, “I go but No fly”

“She is very sorry for what happened the last time. Gloria told me to tie her foot but I told her that if she flies, Pompa will never trust her again. She is more intelligent than any other child. I think that her grandma Gloria gave her a gift. One that she needed”

I again look at Gloria and she looks like she wants to come over. Brenda notices and asks her if she wants to go to DaDa.

“I want to walk to DaDa.”

Brenda puts her down and Gloria walks over and puts her arms up. I pick her up and she smiles. “I no fly here.” Then smiles as the crowd cheer at the sight of her walking.

Now they are taking pictures. Brenda has come to my right, Maribell and Kile are on my left. Rose was at Maribell’s side. The in laws are all behind us. They were later posted as the gathering of Gloria, Kile and Arron.

In a show of ‘we trust these people’ we walk over to the realtor’s office and go in.

“I thought that you should be the first to meet my wives. You have had to work with them but over the net.” He was over joyed. The office has been extensively remodeled, no dust. They thanked him for making their job easy.”

We visit the tourist information center. Something that I did not expect, they broke through the walls and joined the center with the product store. A fact that did not escape the women of my group. Even Gloria was captivated with a rag doll. She walked over to it and had it in a hug. When we were done, Harcourt and Devon were carrying a lot of bags, I’m holding Gloria. She is still hugging the doll. I can’t help but wonder when I hear her talking to it.

“Your name is Arron and my sister.” A portent?

After touring a few more places, we return to the hotel. The women go to the rooms, accompanied by a group of women security. All bow. They are safe. Harcourt, Devon and I also have security with us, all women. We were shown the new office spaces. The manager had a great pride in showing them to us.

“More than half have already been snapped up. I have signed two year leases. I don’t think that the remainder will be open for long. I have turned down a few inquiries. They smelled of rat.”

“I need a list of those. We will look into them but give me the name of the biggest rat.”

“A group of fringe religious group, The pure light. They preach the human race is the only race, all others are beasts that they have to drive back into their place as animals.”

I look at my fathers. They nod and leave.

“Good job. We are looking into them as we speak. Now how are the meeting rooms going?”

He tells me that they are booked up solid. There are two times that the hotel will be totally booked. That is in the next month. Fortunately, we know of an inn close that we can recommend, but it looks like there may be a need for another. Built in the opposite direction.”

“You know of one?”

“There are none, but there is a good plot of land around what could become a tourist spot. It overlooks an historic Norman village remains and battle sites.”

“Give the information on the land to the realtor. We’re building an inn complex. Look at one of yours to be trained by you to run it. Have that one do some research and get involved in what it needs to look like. We will be here for a month on ‘vacation. The house is close to being done. Get whoever you can get to have it finished in a few days.”

“It will be done.”

With that, I go to my room and I am greeted at the door. Gloria, hugging that doll, is standing there. I pick her us and say,

“While we are inside, you can fly if you want to.”

“No, Arron does not want to fly.”

Too damn cute. She is using the doll to reassure me that she won’t repeat the last time.

“That is good but you still need to practice flying. How about you let mama Rose hold Arron when you feel like practicing.”

She runs to Rose and offers the doll to her.

“I need to practice.”

Rose holds the doll while Gloria flies around the room. After a minute or so, she lands and looks at me. “That’s all the practice for now.” Then retrieves her doll and walks off.

I look at the group then to Brenda.

“You have to know that your mother has given her a gift. She is a lot more vocal and is being responsible. I think that you need a mother to daughter talk with her. She needs to know that it is okay just to be herself and giggle.”

After Brenda goes to Gloria, we hear her giggle again.

“I told her and also my mother that it was okay to be a child. Just don’t try to fly away outside.”

She looks at Devon, “I did tell mom that she did not have to worry and try to control Gloria’s impulses, that’s what her Pompa is for.”

With that, Gloria is, now carrying the doll flies into Devon’s face and giggles.

“Gramma told me that you needed this.” And hugged him. She can melt him in an instant.

Judith sees Harcourt breaking a smile and takes action.

“We all see the way you look when you hold Kile. When he starts to walk and exhibits his attachment to you. I’m going to need a bucket and a sponge. You’ll be a puddle when Kile first calls you, but I’m going to be calling you ompa in front of him from now on. Don’t give me that look or I’ll start calling you ompapa.”

We all laugh.

Mid morning, the next day, I receive the word that the mansion is done and ready for occupancy. That will come later today. Right now, we as a family need to pay our respects to the fallen ones of our family. We are using both Karl and Basil. I have asked the manager to get in touch with DNC and say that this needs to be private time. Please respect that.

I get word from Karl that the word just went out. That there is only the ones there that are the guard unit. They are the ones that watch over the graves of our family. As we pull in the scope of the tragedy is laid out before our eyes. One whole section of the same slant grave stones with a large and long upright at the head of the section.

Each stone has a name, each stone has the same date, each one saying Family written on the base. On the large stone it is written that they are victims of a heinous bombing of cowards. Then it gives the names of Kile and Sarah Perkins and Silas Smith Silas Smith was the one that took the bullet that was meant for me.

We find that there is a very somber set of people there at the beginning and ending of each row. Before they could, I stunned them by going to the ones at the last row. They start to bow but I stop them.

“It is for me to bow to you for your unwavering devotion to our fallen.”

I go up to each, bow then shake their hand and thank them. Then we go to the front.

We leave flowers and talk to them. It was in amazement that Gloria walks to Silas’s name pats is and says something that we cannot recognize. Then comes back to me and snuggles my neck.

I make it a point to stop at each stone and place a flower. I have the row guards walk with me. Once we are through, I say that we need to go to the factory.

There is a change. The maintenance shop is now very formal looking. Awning leading up to the door. A new walkway from the main entrance. Very clear and formal looking signs saying the office is there and underneath is the notice that the field office of the labor board is there.

We go in and immediately you know that you are in a modern facility. There is a receptionist that even though that person knew who we were, did the proper thing and checked all identifications. By that time Sharon was there along with Collen. They show us around the office.

“It seems a little crowded. Which do you feel would be right. Up, Out or all new?”

Sharon responds that she would like to see it expand towards the parking lot.”

“Sorry my ladies, this is only for a moment. I pull out my phone and text the manager telling him of a new project. He needs to get the building expanded out towards the parking lot by the same size as the original. Check with Sharon.

“It will be double and I would like the outside to be more inviting.”

Rose pipes up,

“I know just what it needs. Stones, shutters and those fake beams that the Tudor Style is famous for.”

We all step outside and she shows us what she means. All agree that it will work.

I look at my family

“Now we go on vacation. The house is done, our things have been sent there. I am told that someone in the town saw how someone loved her doll and has made a rocking chair just the size that a certain someone can rock her doll asleep”

Gloria isn’t looking interested until mom looks at me and told me that it was my gift to her, a tendency to ignore the obvious. So she picks up Gloria

“DaDa was just saying that someone made you a rocking chair so you could sit in it and rock your doll. Now she is excited. Yes, she got that from me. Sorry Gloria.

There is still time for Kile.

“Maribell, he also made a crib for Kile. The manager said it looked like one of his best.

He will be there to present both to you”

We drive to it. Rose is bouncing. She puts out her hand.

“That’s exactly what I was talking about.”

There in front of us is the most beautiful example of that Tudor Style but it is supersized.

The construction crew is there and you can tell that they are proud of it. Seeing the reaction from my family is all they needed. I thank each one and shake their hands.

Their spokes person told us that they were leaving to allow our family to have their time.

“This Saturday” I tell all of them, “I want all of you and your families to come here. We will be throwing an American Barbecue. I insist that it will be casual. It is a family gathering”.

More than half bow.

We start to explore as the hotel manager shows us through the layout. It’s inside so Gloria is buzzing all over the place. The ceilings in the entrance is open from the floor to the roof peak. It is the very definition of open. She is soaring then landing on beams then flying again.

It is good to see her back to herself. She dove into my arms and asks if it was okay.

“Yes, fly as much as you want but stay where we can see you.”

“Kay” and she is off again and now is singing her song.

The ground floor is mainly for entertaining. A normal sized dining room for family and a few offices. The second floor is the actual family living area. The third floor is the sleeping areas for the family.

The basement level has the quarters for the mansion live in staff. In no means is this a basement in normal understanding. Each have their own bedroom that rival a top rank hotel room. They have a kitchenette in each room but have the entire main floor for their meals. There is a workout room and two gender based wash rooms.

All in all, this is a royal mansion.

We go up to the living floor and, much to Gloria’s disappointment, the ceilings here are only at ten feet. It is an open floor pattern so she can fly.

“Well, is this a good spot for a vacation. A lot of sites to see, things to do.”

Rose asks

“When we pulled up, I noticed that there is a large swimming pool across the street.

Who’s is it?”

The manager tells us that it is something Sharon had done. She felt that there should be a place that isn’t like the cemetery. That is the community owned swimming pool dedicated to the memory of those lost.

“Remind me to give her a bonus. This is what makes our identity.”

We settle in and after dinner and the children are in bed we met to plan what we would like to do. The general consensus is that my wives want to spend most of the time with me. The parents are included but they know that I am famous for finding reasons for doing my job as corporate head. They know that I am always looking at opportunities to grow.

“Can the two of you please stand down for a few days?”

Brenda says as she looks at both myself and her father. We say we will but she sarcastically says,

“For how many hours?”

Both of us did pretty good. Being able to flash is very convenient. Things at corporate needed my attention. A few investigations that I did not want to be sent to me by any electronic methods. That information was on those questionable groups that were not given leases.

The Pure Light, we have most of their propaganda literature and such in our possession. The core group and upper membership names are known and my people are gathering a dossier on each. All that I am bringing back to my office there and meeting with my fathers.

“I look at the founder’s information, there is something off. He did not have these beliefs until he was around his midteens. Then he became very resentful of the demons. It was about the time his father disappeared. Why did he disappear? Harcourt, would you please see what you can find.”

Devon adds an opinion, “What if his father was a demon? Maybe he was killed and it was rumored a demon did it. There has to be a traumatic experience.”

I get a wild idea, “What if he was brought up human. Parents that did not want him to suffer the discrimination that would come with the disclosure. Rose’s aunt told her that her mother did not want her to know that she was a felid. She did not tell us why, but it was a total surprise to Rose when she found out. For Rose, a pleasant one. Being new to this life, is that a common occurrence?”

“Happens more often than we would like.” Harcourt tells me.

I speculate.

“I had absolutely no idea that I had any demon background. It is obviously been happening throughout time. Marriage after marriage, generation after generation. I have

to wonder. Just how many of pure blood humans are there out there. Or maybe I should put it differently. How many people, like me, do not know they are demons?””

I now have their full attention.

“I’m going to try something”

I turn on DMC and say to the network that I want to address the demon world. I get the reply that my address channel is always available. So I start.

“My family, I have a special request for all my family. I need everyone that is willing to help me. As you all know, I only recently found my roots. I awakened to this wonderful new life. I wonder how many others are in the same situation. What I ask of those that can do research is a question. Is there a way of world wide triggering of the change that we all do so easily? To help with world peace, I feel that we need to awaken all those who sleep. What will we find? What are the chances of anyone still that is a pure blood non changeling? Changeling. By my royal decree, we are no longer to call ourselves by the derogatory term demon. We are changelings. That suits us. We are here to change the world. Please help me awaken the sleepers. There is only one condition, Rose must not change until Arron is born but she is awake. For those women who are in the same situation we need to do the same as was done for her. You are all my family and I have faith in you my family. Thank you.”

With that, I sign off.

I see that both of my fathers are in awe.

Devon comments,

“I said it before and say it again, you have a proper way of thinking. Your answer is out there. With access to our worldwide changeling network, I bet it won’t be but a day or two until we have a solution. I’ll alert them that we don’t want anyone trying what they find until you have personally sanctioned it.”

He was right within the day we were receiving the same solution. There was an incantation that would awaken sleepers but would not trigger the transformation in those who are pregnant. They would be aware of their form.

I tell my family that we need to go into town. As we get ready, I send a broadcast to my family in the town to gather in the center and bring their non changeling friends and neighbors. I will explain when we gather.

In town, I can see quite a large group. I stand before them and use a loud voice and explain my background, my awakening and the thought that there are more out there that do not even realize that they are changelings. I tell them that we have an incantation that will awaken them.

“I ask you now, the ones that are changelings, please go to your true form.”

Over half of them change, like before.

“Over the eons, families have hidden the truth. Generation after generation have passed and their origin has gone from their memories. I ask you, that have not changed, are we changelings frightening to you? Deep down, is there a stirring of forgotten envy? I now have a way of triggering that change. I ask those of you that would like to try to stay.

The others please go in front of the hotel. The effect will only be in front of me.”

Much to my surprise and delight, only a few chose to go to the hotel. I tell the remainder that I would start. All but one change. That one says she knows that she is a canid but can’t change. I ask her if she is pregnant. She tells me that she is.

“My wife Rose is the same. She knows she is a felid but cannot change because of the pregnancy. Once she delivers, she will be able to change. That is also true for the ones that are babies.”

Those few came over and asked me to try it on them. I do and they also change.

“I see all my children here. You are all family. I really wonder if there are any true pure blood humans left. Wouldn’t that be wonderful if the world turns out to be entirely changelings. I ask you all to try to change back to the human form”

All are able to do that. I see that people are changing back and forth. The interesting ones are the ones that are avian. Watching the looks on their face as they lift off and for the first time are able to get airborne. Felids speed, canids with tracking and each trying their new skills. I have to boom to get their attention.

“You all seem to be enjoying yourself. I now ask, is there anyone who thinks that they were changed that weren’t supposed to?”

All say the same thing. That once they changed, they were aware of their past ancestors. They knew that it was their true origin. The thing that they all are thrilled about is that they are no longer envious of others. They appreciate others but are satisfied with what they are.

“I ask all of you to please keep a low profile for now and think about how we go about awakening others. It will not be too long before we find out if the whole world is one.”

Leave it to the people. Most of the learned scholars ponder years over why a bumble bee should not be able to fly, when the answer is simple. It flies because it can.

I’m in turmoil on how to start getting the word out and much to my astonishment, the very next day when we visit the town, there are a lot of people walking around in their changeling form. When asked, they say that this feels more comfortable.

Soon there are people that are asking if we would see if they could be awakened. The word spreads through the renamed network, the Changeling News Channel. I am informed that it was my decree that it was not to be used until I sanctioned it.

There was a few calls of deception across the world when it was found out that whole sections of countries were now changelings. No group more vocal than those of The Pure Light.

They issue dire warnings about our evil. I have no other choice. I invite them to a summit meeting. We need to show them that we are not evil. It will be hard because they will be trying to make us out to be animals. They did agree on a site for the meeting.

I had my suspicions. Good thing I have a network.

The site address sounded familiar, it once had a factory that burnt down one night, bad wiring was the ruling. There was a hall built there and is used by the community. It seems that they have done their research on me.

I have arrived at a place close, with my fathers. We start to walk towards the hall. I see that there are quite a few that bow but it feels off somehow. Then I realize, most are not saying the typical greeting that goes along with it, Zorn.

They both look at me and nod. They see the same. I hear over CNC that the changelings are here watching us. They have retained quite a few. For once, I leave it on.

We enter the hall and there are three from the Pure Light waiting there for us. I’m getting exclusive updates. There is a tightening group of humans around the hall. It seems like it may be a trap. We have prepared. I give the silent signal and the incantation is broadcast in the area. Only in the hall it is barred.

The leader starts to chuckle.

“You are now surrounded by my followers. There will be no escape for you animals.”

I just look at him and smile as we hear shouting of joy coming from outside and the name Zorn being chanted. One of his three looks out the window to see all sorts of changelings where his people should be.

“What trap? Everyone out there is of my kind. You three may be the last three quote unquote humans left in this area. Your so-called people are now taking to the air, running faster than they ever could and finding the peace of not being envious of others.

Now do you know why your father left? Would you like to know?”

I call an older man in. The leader recognizes the man.

“What are you doing here? You ran out of my life a long time ago.”

There was hurt and anger in his voice.

“You know why. Your mother was dead set against you knowing.”

His father was doing research and came to the same conclusion. Humans do not exist.

They never did. It was a common shape that we all could do. There were some changelings that wanted to be different and changed into the human form, never changing back. Over time their future offspring never knew their changeling form. There came that day that Zorn’s child was murdered. He retaliated and we were labeled demons.

The leader is now very angry,

“That’s bullshit and you know it”

His father now turns into a nagas and back again.

“You yourself have some form of changeling.”

I intervene and look at the two left.

“Please go out into the street. I have asked everyone to go to the human form, but first, would you please think CNC on. I will tell you that it will be enlightening.”

They do and are amazed that they are now hearing welcome to the CNC. As they go into the street they see all humans. They now hear my words over CNC. Everyone you can go back to your original form.

Just that quick, they see all sorts of shapes.

“Come back inside, we need to talk.”

They do and you can see that they have seen the true light. They tell their leader that they were sorry but they now knew that they really aren’t human.

I tell them to go outside and listen to CNC. They hear the incantation and both fly off towards their homes.

Now my attention is turned to the leader.

“On this continent you are the last one that hasn’t changed. We will not force you. I will say that there is a group in England called Connor that have committed crimes against the family. Their collective punishment is that they will not be allowed to change. In total on this planet there is around seventy so called humans. Enjoy your superiority.”

We turn to leave so I give him one final piece of advice.

“We will never discriminate against you. You may even find an enjoyable life.”

I walk up into his face.

“You ever try to harm anyone of my family you will live long enough to regret it. It’s cold up north but you will have a fur coat.”

I tell my people

“For those of you that have just awaken, welcome to my family. We have a ways to go but we will get there. Now I have two children and three wives to get back to. I’m in trouble. We are supposed to be on vacation.

I was correct. When the three of us got back to the vacation mansion. Wives were waiting. This time Judith, being the elder of the women dresses us down.

“You all are the epitome of male thought. You snuck out, changed the world and did not think we would notice. You all are in such hot water.”

She could not keep the front any longer. Judith took knee in front of me and got all formal.

“I know that you don’t like this treatment but I must do this. Your majesty, what you have done in just a few days, was thought to be impossible only a few months ago. You truly are the ruler. You have shown what those three items really mean. You have spoken with the wisdom that could only come from the ages. You spoke with the strength of knowing that you can protect. Most of all you showed that you have the heart. You are compassionate. You do not want to hurt anyone but will fight for family. I thank you for making the world safe for my grandchild.”

I look at Judith. I hesitate to choose my words well because this is a moment in history. I now summon the courage and speak.

“Judith, I find your words warm my heart but my mind is in turmoil. Kile was right.

Dressed as you are right now, I need a dentist. You are really eye candy.”

With that I do the royal thing,. I turn and run.

I hear a stampede of female feet coming after me.

This life is very interesting.

I turn into my true form but find that I can’t out run someone flying, not that I am trying hard.

Authors notes:

I wrote these separately. I wrote “The Deamon’s Daughter” first the after months and other books, I wrote The Flock leaders Journey” I like rereading my books, after all, I write for myself. It was only this year, I’m thick, that the two were connected so I wrote about Zorn.

By putting these three together, I reedited the two for clarification and consistency. I now like them better.

I now have, in the back of my mind a new later addition.

Gloria is an oracle. She has a connection to the forever life through Grandma Gloris.

Kile is the successor the heir to the Sword, ring and heart Arron is the anchor for the group. She is wise but logical. Never one to go without a plan because she is constantly running scenarios including invaders.

Maybe a future encounter with Randan?

Misguided slavers that are being chased by the goblin fleet?

I do not know until I start pushing the keys and fill in the blank pages.

At now, 74, I still have a good imagination. I will write until it is my time to wake that morning and find the my wife and son greet me. Then my wife and I will go on that hundred year walk I have told her about since she has gone on to that life.

See you then Rae.