Out in the hallway, one of the visitors to today's meeting stopped Lady Lily.

“My lady?"

“Yes Moria?"

“What you said. About Lenin. That's not true, is it?"

Lilith laughed.

“No, of course not. But sometimes a lie is a far better thing than telling the truth. Let them think of all of the possible methods I could have for keeping them in line. As you know, I tend to use none of them. The mere threat works wonders, and by the time they are wise enough to see through them, coercion is no longer needed. Wisdom is something that simply cannot be taught."

The woman chuckled.

“With you, my lady, one tends not to take things for granted. That would have been a horrible way to exist."

“Oh, it can be accomplished easily enough, but as you say, it would be a horrible way to be contained. But a slight touch of paralysis to the muscles does just that. My special children are often highly resilient, and so one could remain in a fixed state for years. I have done it; when the need was great; but I do not do such things lightly. As for this Edward fellow; he's going to take some special training. Leonardo did not do him any favors."

“Why didn't you stop him? You were there."

“I nearly did. But in the end, I weighed the potential for good and harm and found the scales to be balanced. The metal inside him helps him in some ways and hinders him in others. There is no net advantage to its presence. Therefore, one might say, it cancels itself out."

“What of the rings?"

“The rings? There is no need to bother about them. He obviously has no need for one, but I will let them keep their baubles. You never know when a kind heart can find a good use for one."

“As in their experiences in Dole?"

“Yes, just as in Dole. It is amazing how easily my children are both too canny to be fooled by a group illusion and yet so deceived by mere minor cosmetic deception. I thought they both did well that day even if they had no idea I was there."

“Did they bring the box with them?"

“As a matter of fact, no they did not. They wisely left it where they found it."

“There is hope for them yet then."

Lilith smiled.

“There is always hope. It was the one thing I had left at my lowest point. And while I had no box, the story still told today says otherwise."

The woman named Moria nodded.

“And they call you by a different name in that story. But then, that is your way. Hide yourself among many tales, telling your life story without them ever knowing they all belong to a single person."

“Yes dear. It's far better that way. Even now with all of the world's accumulated learning, acknowledging my presence would turn everything on end. Regardless of how intelligent even the most learned of scholars are today, having something like me appear in their midst would set off a firestorm of disbelief and controversy.  So I remain in the shadows as I have often done, biding my time, gathering that which I feel is worthwhile, and waiting."

“Yes, the waiting. Don't you ever tire of that?"

“Tire? Deathly so, and rightly so. You would think that with all of the time that has been eaten during my lifetime, swallowing a little bit more would seem like no great thing, but it becomes nearly unendurable."

“My lady?" asked a concerned voice.

“Oh, it's nothing. Call it venting if you will. The world was far easier to deal with even just a mere hundred years ago. I must say it has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and even I find it difficult to keep up with it all."

“I cannot even imagine what it must be like. Do you think these two newcomers will be able to help?"

“I see that there is the prospect for hope in them, if that's what you mean.  Hope for me and hope for those whom I have striven so hard to winnow from the rest. The day of reckoning is coming. You know that. How it comes and when it will precisely strike still eludes me, but with all of the dissonance that mankind continues to generate, it becomes more and more inevitable. “

“Yes milady. It does seem that people fail to learn from their pasts. And yet, is that not how nature works. In cycles?"

“Yes Moria. The rising and falling is inexorable. It matters not if it is the climate, or the formation and destruction of stone, or the creation and devastation of life. It happens regardless of thought or reckoning. That we as a whole might have something to do with our own demise seems too large a concept for people to grasp. Well, by we, I mean them. I seem to weather through it all, come hell or high water."

Moria returned the discussion back to Edward.

“Is he not the one they call the Morsceryx? It was spoken that he had been nullified."

“Nullify death? If not for my own presence here, I would say that is impossible. But yes, he is the one, regardless of the many names the seers have applied to him."

“Strange. He has the bearing of an upright man."

“He is good and kind in his heart, though inexperient in his mind. But unlike us, he is very, very young. Matters that concerned him in his previous life overtook the training he should have been receiving. There is nothing more dangerous than having a little information and thinking that it is enough. For now, he is coming along nicely, once a proper path was chosen for him. “

“And the girl?"

“Not as much a girl as she lets on. True, comparatively speaking, she is quite young, but she holds great potential within her. She has many of the same traits I have, and she comes from good stock. I have high hopes for her in the future."

“They will remain together then?"

“But of course. What happens between them is their own business, though I have been forced to make it mine as well.  Together they hold great potential. They complement each other in a way that makes me almost envious. I have not had a partner like that in many a year. He is quite good when it comes to bedding a girl too, just so long as he doesn't know her true nature."

“You?!"

“Yes dear. Even I. I made sure that his genetic potential was distributed in several different places as well. Once he finds the spine to be completely monogamous, there will be fewer chances of his seed finding its way into other fields."

“Are you sure it was wise to sow it amongst so many?"

“Maggie's gene pool is strong, though nearly wiped off the map thanks to an oversight on my part. If not for the help they received after they were shot and left for dead, I might not have this last chance to set things to where they need to be. That she will bear many children is  a given, but she alone cannot bear all that there will need to be."

“She has the gift?"

“From her father's side as well as her mother's, she has been given nearly every power I have. The only question will be if she is cursed to live forever, which is something I dearly pray she has not been given."

“Can she be tested?"

“She could. But to what end? They already know the pitfalls of seeing too far into the future. Her gift of foresight has been good to them in a hundred small ways, whether it was in having supplies on hand when they are needed, or in seeing that her choice of mate is solid despite those things other people might see as being worthy of having him thrown over in favor of another.  There are times when knowing a thing ahead of its occurrence is invaluable, and other times when it can do no good. This they are learning as they go. I believe that soon they will have to move on, and I believe that that is also their desire. They tire of this portion of the game, as they call it, and who is to blame them?"

“This is no game!"

“Life is what you make of it. You know that all too well. At least in calling it a game you can accredit some small joy in it. That can be a rare thing to find. I will not dissuade them from thinking of life in any other manner. Fate is often there to do just that, and I for one will not be the one to ruin it for them. Though, there will be still some sadness in all of this."

“He sees the death of his beloved…"

“He does."

“Can you not stop this from happening?"

“I might."

“Will you?"

“I can but try. As we both see her beyond the point of her death, then I guess it can be said that I already have."

“How is that possible?"

Lilith sighed. “There could be many explanations. Like Leonardo, I too gave them a gift that may, in the end, have done them no favors."

Moria looked alarmed.

“What did you do to them?"

“I healed them. After retrieving them from their ordeal at sea and leading them to the shore, I had them taken to a safe house. They were in terrible physical  shape after dealing with Stephenson's alter ego. “

“But you said…"

“Don't tell me what I said Moria. I made an exception."

“But to use your own blood…"

“Yes I know. Now they have enhancements they were never meant to have, even if they are not yet fully aware of them. Maybe, just maybe this has all been for the better. I wish none of what my life has been on anyone else, but these two must live. Sometimes I will bend my own rules to see that the greater good is achieved."

“Yes, milady. No one would ever attempt to second guess you."

“They should. I second guess, and I third guess; I agonize over everything I do. Never take any remark I make as errant or glib. There is meaning in everything I say and in everything I do."

“You should take a vacation," remarked Moria, somewhat ironically.  

“Where would I go? I have been everywhere, ten thousand times over. I have seen ice cover the land, and I have been in the heart of the deepest, darkest jungles. Where would I go where my thoughts would not prey upon my mind?"

 “If I might be so bold madam, but I think you need a mate."

“Yes, that would be nice. But who would you suggest? There are many out there who think they would be willing, but so few who could live up to my standards."

“I'm sure I don't know milady. There has to be someone."

“Perhaps there is. Who would I impersonate then? I have had so many different faces in the past, what form would I assume now that would do them justice? My likeness is spread across all continents, and over many eons.  I find that going that much out of my way now to be a bother. Besides, I need to travel, and how would I explain that to a husband? Men are delightful when they want to be, and dreadful when they don't. No, I think that I will stick to those people and concerns that I am familiar with."

“As you wish."

“No, as it must be."

Lilith went to her room and sat in her chair. Looking around at all of the wonderful objects tucked away on shelves and on stands made her eyes tear up She had truly lived too long. Even memories of joy brought tears to her eyes. Everything here was something she had had a part in. She picked up a a coin, one very simi8lar to another that someone else here owned, and smiled at the image. Her sons had gone on to forge the beginnings of a great empire. That she was depicted in her feral form on it didn't demean her motherhood in the least. Who else could proudly claim such a mother as she?

Well, many actually. But the world would never know of that. They believed in too many outré things that didn't hold substance; so why should they believe in her? Even that wasn't all true; here and there were statuettes depicting pagan fertility and mother earth goddesses. She knew the images well. They were her, or of her, or semblances of her.  Given time, people changed their views and thus how she was remembered and revered.

It all started with her. All of it. Thus, the concept of  the goddess came before that of the god. People often forgot that. Why have a male when it was the female who brought forth the offspring? The male had the seed, but what good was a seed without the soil for it to gain nourishment and to grow in? But then, what use was being regarded with high honors when those doing so expected so much from you?

Thousands upon thousands of years and people still expected so much from; well, not her anymore. No, they had expectations, but they failed to understand that the power to make things happen was theirs to wield. Truly, foresight was a curse, but so was the lack of it. It made her very sad at times, when she bothered to ponder it.

But then happiness had not been her friend for a very long time. Spurts of joy; yes. The occasional moments too when she felt that all her efforts were paying off. Moria was right; she did need a vacation. But how does one go about taking something that was; well, inconceivable?  She had done everything within her power over the years; played at being so many different people. What was left for her to do? There was nothing that wasn't in her repertoire.  From before there was writing, to the streets of Victorian London, she had portrayed people, real and imagined. She had inspired so many, and all the while kept her true nature enshrouded. Now; well now she remained totally out of the limelight. She was the reaper, though hardly grim. She gathered those things she saw as important. The rest, no matter who or what it was; it was left by the lonely wayside.

Such thoughts were the fuel for a deep depression, but she did not give it any foothold on her psyche. She had seen too much, been involved in more wars, bedded more lovers, walked, loped or flown over more distances than anyone on the planet. She had seen the sun rise and set more times than even she could count. She wasn't sure she wanted to see any more. No, as lovely as they could be, too many had gone by.

She was startled out of her reverie by a knock on her door.

“Come in," she said, curious who it might be.

The face peering from behind the door was filled with awe. Lilith saw the eyes and tousled hair and knew right away who it was.

“Oh, Maggie! Please come in."

“Thank you. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

“No child. My thoughts disturb me in a way few people can anymore. What's on your mind? I rather thought you and your mate would be having some alone time."

“He's…resting right now."

“Is he? Then so should you. I am no great one for too much propriety, so I would think added time to this break would be accepted by everyone here."

“No, I'm OK. I think he needed it. This has been a lot for him to absorb."

“I'm sure. And what about you?"

“Yes, what about me?"

“I'm afraid your question is vague dear."

“Edward saw me die. I saw it too."

“In your mind or in his?"

“You know about that?"

“Presumed. There are many talents my special children possess, though not all of them possess all of them equally, or at all for that matter. The mindwipe is the extreme version of the mindtouch, which runs in your family. That he has it is unexpected, though with the two of you, unexpected is what delights me."

“Mindtouch?"

“You communicate by touching the other person. It doesn't work both ways unless you both have the ability. The mindwipe is something I do not promote, though I cannot stop people from using it. Again, it can work both ways, though a talented person can wipe the memories from someone who doesn't the ability. And before you ask, yes, I have used it in the past.  How do you think that I handle renegades who wish to flaunt their power? I usually just remove the memory of that ability."

“Remove?" she replied nervously.

“Yes. Your mother only blocked your memories. It wasn't a true mindwipe. You can cloud the mind, or you can destroy it. You can pick it apart, or take from it what you wish without the other person knowing. It is a useful tool when used judiciously.  I do not think she stole anything from you, if that's what you're worried about."

“From me? No."

“Child, something weighs heavily on your heart."

“Yes."

“Let me see. If I were you, what would I have done?"

She sat there for a few minutes, contemplating the young girl.

“If I were you, I might try to help my mate by removing worry."

“Maybe."

“Did you like what you saw?"

“No."

“Would you like me to remove it now from you?"

“No."

“Then what is your problem?"

“Should I have done it?"

“It's rather late to ask that now, don't you think? But if you want my advice, then here it is. Doing the wrong thing for the right reason is nearly the same as doing the wrong thing for the right reason. You took something from him that he should not have had, and yet, in having it, your removal of it has now deprived him from making a clear choice on what to do about it when the time comes. Do you see the difficulty?"

“I guess so. It plagued him so."

“Would you like to clear my mind of all of its woes as well?"

Maggie looked down at the ground.

“I would if it would help you."

“I'm sure you would child. But each and every one of them is what makes me who I am. You can't simply go around trying to help others in this manner, even if it was done to you. You are a bigger person than that."

“Can I put it back?"

“Like stolen candy back on a shelf? It will not work that way I'm afraid. You have now tainted it with your own interpretation. He would know something was amiss."

Maggie was silent for a moment.

“I love him you know."

“Yes child, I know. And he loves you. Never forget that. He has been doing some of my bidding this whole time. Love is not sex. Sex is not love. That you two feel in love is a wonderful thing. That he has placed his genetics in more than one female is something I have considered a necessity. Whether in Dole, or in Russia, or back in your America; every child he fathers increases the chance of my children carrying on. While I would not call him blameless in his philandering, I have also openly approved of it. Do not worry. He is beginning to grow cautious, and with it he grows ever wiser. There will be times when it will be necessary again for him to step out of the normal bounds of human dogma. There will always be rules child, and there will always be a need to break them. Remember that every one of them is made up, and regardless of who's they are or what they say, at one time or another they did not exist. There will come a time when their meaning and value will once again mean naught."

“Meaning?"

“Meaning that a time will come; has come in some parts of this world, where laws and rules do not apply. There is only life and death. How important do you think it is to a starving person if their food is kosher? That it is not pork? That it is not meat in general? Life as you know it is full of choices. Trust me, there may come a time when it is not. Life will make choices for you. You had best be prepared."

Maggie shivered a little.

“Like eating each other?"

Lilith smiled.

“Not quite what I meant, though it is always a distinct possibility. And yes, I am aware of your past. Being what you are brings out the wildness necessary for survival. As for using your neighbors as food, know that you suffered no disease other than that of a sloppy mindwipe. You suffered no illness other than that of having your mind scrabbled. The rings correct many things, but in your case, what you needed was companionship. You needed to be complete. The ring was merely a placebo. Can you see what I say is the truth?"

“I'll have to think on it. But what of that creep Fish."

“Creep? Again, a man tortured and troubled by what he was. Many people are, and they go to extremes to try and deal with it. He caused no great disruption, no more so than many others in your society. He killed fewer than you may think, but I feel that his death was most likely welcomed. Like my old friend Louis, he tried too hard to rid himself of what was the essence of his being. The body and the mind will revolt. Often, the results are not pretty."

“So, you're saying for me to just be who I am?"

“Be that, and be more. You must embrace who you are. Only when you are comfortable with yourself will you have a chance of being truly happy."

“Is happiness really possible?"

“Go back and gaze upon the man you love and ask yourself that question. If that does not answer it, nothing I have to say will."

“OK. What about…"

“Child, enough for now. Go back to him. Don't tell him what you did. For one he will not remember it, and secondly, the matter will afflict his mind just as much as the thing you removed. It is something you will have to live with now, just as he had to live with what you took from him."

“Oh."

Maggie turned and walked slowly towards the door. She turned the knob and started through it. On an afterthought, she turned back to Lilith.

“I would die for him you know."

“Yes child, I know. Let's hope it doesn't ever come down to that."