Free Enterprise - Meet The Anasazi's - Chapter #81
It was trepidation that Tyr and the group was challenged by the Nietzschean Ceremonial Guard, then passed through the front door of the compound.
The Ceremonial Guard were a lot more than just handsomely dressed Nietzschean Warriors. Their occupation harkened back to the day when it was dangerous to be an Arch Duke. When having that title meant there was a price on his head. So an elite corps of body guards was formed. They were the most highly trained and elite soldiers of all. They had pledged to protect the lives of the Arch Duke and his family at the expense of their own. So, they still did today though the Prides were at peace.
Most of the Guard had been personally selected by Barbarossa and in his service for years. Thus they recognized Tyr on sight. Those who did not, knew someone special was in their presence. Especially when the Katay among them immediately went down on bended knees and prostrated themselves before HaxHas.
“Please rise.” HaxHis said. And her subjects stood and Agamemnon lead everyone inside of compound. It was set up much like an Old Earth fort with many spacious homes set along the huge wall. They walked through a large and pristine, city-like, pedestrian square where children played under the watchful eyes of their parents or attendants. Stalls had been set up to sell food and goods in an open air market. Many looked up and waved when they saw Tyr and his brothers.
They went to the very back of the square where a large palatial type estate stood. One didn't need a to be a matter anti-matter specialist to know this was Victoria and Barabrossa's home.
“Mother was in the garden when I left her twenty minutes ago.” Agamemnon said, as they were escorted in. Victoria was indeed in the garden, hanging the tomato vines. When she saw the approaching group, she immediately espied her youngest, dropped what she was doing and ran to Tyr.
All five foot four and 135 pounds of Victoria Anasazi hugged him.
“I told them you would come.” she said, as she gazed up at him adoringly.
“Please forgive me for not coming much sooner. . . . .” Tyr started. And noticed his mother's widened eyes.
“Oh, My Divine! Haxhis? Is that you?” she asked, of the tiara wearing Katay.
“It most certainly is, Lady.” HaxHis replied as she held out her hand paws, palm upwards and bowed.
“It is I who should bow to you.” Victoria said, as she held her hands out, palms out and bowed.
“Tut, tut. Then we will forget the real purpose why we are here.” HaxHis admonished.
“Yes, I will will take you to him. But, remember, Barbarossa is not longer as he used to be.” Victoria warned. “Neither am I for that matter.” she added and smiled.
She indeed had more wrinkles, and her deadlocked hair, which was pinned up in a neat bun, was now white instead of gray. But, she still exhibited pep in her step and glide in her stride when she walked.
“He really doesn't go far these days because he has a tendency to forget where he is and get lost. So his favorite places are the sun room and the garden, and he goes for a long, escorted walk twice daily.” Victoria whispered, as they entered the sun room.
There sat Barbarossa in a comfortable recliner reading a book with a black cat curled up in his lap. The minute the cat saw the group, it jumped from his lap and fled.
“He doesn't look like he's dying to me. . . . .” Tyr thought.
“You don't know that, Tyr. He may yet have some kind of underlying condition.” Tamara thought back. She was always the voice of reason.
“Father.” Tyr said softly, as he stood about five feet away from Barbarossa. He watched his father, look up from his book, squint at him, drop a book mark in place, closed then set the book aside. He stood, slowly and painfully, then shuffled to his youngest son. Tyr stepped in to save him walking any further and gently hugged his father.
Both men held each other back in order to better look at one another. Tyr bent forward and kissed his father on his forehead.
“To know what you will look like when you get old, you need only to behold your elderly parent's face.” Khan thought sagely as he witnessed the touching scene. He pulled his whiskers back with mirth.
“So, you are really here.” Barbarossa said in his characteristic gravely voice.
“Yes, I am Father.” Tyr replied. “Divine have mercy, when did he lose so much weight? I realize you tend to lose muscle mass as you get older, but. . . . .” he wondered. “He certainly didn't look like this the last time I saw him.” he continued.
“When was the last time you saw him, Tyr?” Tamara asked telepathically.
“Seven years ago.” Tyr thought replied and sighed.
“One hell of a lot can happen in seven years, Tyr.” Tamara thought.
“But to grow old so quickly?” Tyr thought back.
He knew in certain and very rare cases, due to the Nietzscheans accelerated growth factor, some grew older, much faster. As a consiquence, they were also subject to some of the same aliments as their Human cousins. This was something Nietzschean genetics experts could not weed out of the genome no matter how they tried.
"Perhaps this is what had affected Father." Tyr thought somberly.
Barbarossa had maintained the same height, but he was slightly stooped. Like his Matriarch, his dreadlocks were white and were neatly plaited, and he sported white bushy eyebrows. Like his son, he too wore a mustache and goatee which was also white.
“He is missing something, but I don't know what it is. . . .” Tyr frowned and thought.
“Sit, Barbarossa. You know what happens when you stand too long.” Victoria fussed, as she helped her consort walk back to and eased him back into his chair. With him seated, Victoria sat in an identical chair next to his.
“Tyr's brought some people he wants you to meet.” she said. HaxHis was the first to step forward, hold out her hand paws, palm upwards and bow her head.
“HaxHis? Is that you? I heard the shuttle butt that you were a Starfleet Admiral now.” Barbarossa said, as he took her paws in his hands.
“Yes, it is I in the fur. Yes, I am a Fleet Admiral. But, I also Queen of the Katay, and I had to come to pay my respects. As it was your father Temujin II who first welcomed us into your alliance.” she replied.
“And what a fruitful alliance it has been.” Barbarossa replied, as his eyes sparkled. His body may have been failing, but his mind was still sharp as a tack for the most part.
“Mother. Father. I have brought my wives.” Tyr said as they stepped forward.
“This is Tamara, my first.” Tyr said. Introducing his Vulcan First Lady, she stepped forward and curtsied.
“This is Xena, my second.” Tyr introduced as his Nietzschean wife stepped forward and bowed.
“And this is my third wife, Amanda.” Tyr introduced, as Retired Admiral Hemingway, stepped forward and bowed.
“This is my adopted little brother, Seamus Harper.” Tyr introduced. Harper stepped forward and bowed.
“This is Monique Harper.” Tyr introduced. Monique bowed, then stepped forward and knelt at Barbarossa's side. She then took his left hand in hers and projected as she smiled.
Barbarossa was stunned. She was the first Tele-Niezschean he had meet in a very long time. They had hidden themselves so well and long, no one was sure they still existed. But here was proof.
“Blessings upon thee, child.” he said, and smiled. “Thank you for coming and honoring an old man.” he continued.
“You are welcome, and Thank You.” she said.
“Thank me, for what?” Barbarossa asked.
“For protecting us.” Monique replied.
“Indeed, you are welcome.” Barbarossa replied. Monique went back to her place next to Seamus.
“These are my friends, Khan, Dylan Hunt, Bekka Valentine, Trance Gemini, and Rommie.” Tyr introduced. All dipped bows as their names were called out.
“Hail and well met. Welcome to our humble household.” Victoria said and beamed at everyone. “ Ugh! What an awful host I've been! Sudas and Chanakya, please bring in some chairs and refreshments for our guests.” Victoria said, to Barbarossa's personal men-servants. Minutes later were all settled.
“Last but not least. . . . .” Tyr started as he took Alexander from Xena's arms, and walked forward to present him “ . . . . this is my first born son, Alexander, out of Xena, by Tyr of the Kodiak Pride.” he recited proudly. Victoria beamed and took the babe and handed him over to Barbarossa. Alexander took one look at Barbarossa and expressed his displeasure by crying.
“Oh my! This sounds just like someone we know.” Barbarossa said, and winked as he cuddled Alexander. Everyone present looked at Tyr who pretended to ignore them all.
“Yes, it sounds just like Tyr when he was a mere babe. ” Victoria piped up, by way of answering everyone's question.
“Mother. Father. This is my second born son, Lysander, out of Xena, by Tyr of the Kodiak Pride.” Tyr stated solemnly as he took Lysander from Amanda and handed him to Victoria.
“Twins!” she said, as she held the smiling Lysander in her arms. “What a wonderful surprise.” she continued and cooed. Lysander rewarded her with giggles. “My, he is a happy one!” she continued.
* * * * * * * * * *
The rest of the morning went well until Victoria told the “Nudie” story, and you would've heard a pin drop on the sun room's floor. It was one of those cases where everyone wanted to laugh, but didn't want to embarrass Tyr by doing so. It was Barbarossa who broke the ice with his Santa Claus like laughter.
“If you want my opinion, I think we have another Nudie in the family. I think Alexander is one.” Barbarossa said. Indeed the infant had been trying to wiggle out of his clothing. Xena had wondered why she was constantly adjusting the boy's clothing. Now, she knew.
“And if I know anything about twins, they are notorious co-conspirators, what one does, the other will follow and do also.” Victoria stated. Tyr actually did the face palm, as everyone laughed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Later after the fresh fruit , fresh baked bread, fruit spreads, cheeses, and tea was consumed. Everyone was shown to their guest rooms, leaving Tyr, Victoria and a napping Barbarossa alone. The cat had crept back in, jumped back on Barbarossa's lap and was napping too. Tyr signaled his mother over to a far corner in order to talk to her without disturbing his father.
“What is wrong with him, Mother?” Tyr whispered.
“The doctors say it's his heart. They can replace it, but he doesn't want to have it replaced. He says he's had a good life, but he's tired, he made his peace with The Divine, and wants to go, Tyr.” Victoria whispered as tears ran down her cheeks. Tyr gently gathered his mother into his arms, as she silently cried.
“What am I going to do without him?” she asked.
“You have us.” Tyr replied. Meaning himself, his brothers, the whole Anasazi clan.
“Yes. Thank The Divine, I have you all. But. . . . It's . . . . .it's not the same.” she sniffled, as she dabbed her eyes and nose with a hanky. Tyr understood. Victoria was extremely close and attached to her consort.
“How long does he have?” Tyr asked hesitantly. He hadn't intended to cause another crying jag, but certain questions had to be asked. . . . .
“Doctor Phormio gives him anywhere from three to six months. He says to make him as comfortable as possible and surround him with family and loved ones. That's why I sent out The Call.” Victoria replied. With that Khan's words came back to Tyr.
“Spend as much quality time with Barbarossa as possible, because this will be the last time you will see him alive.”
“Then I will be his squire for the duration of our stay.” Tyr promised.
“But Tyr, he already has body servants. Plus, you have your family and your own health to see to. Remember, in order to take care for others, you must first take care of yourself.” Victoria admonished.
“Never the less, I will do it.” Tyr said. Victoria recognized Tyr's infamous stubborn streak coming to fore, and shook her head.
“Very well. I will have Sudas and Chanakya show you what to do and assist you if need be. Don't let that enfeebled condition fool you. Sometimes he forgets and he fights and is quite capable of injuring you.” Victoria said.
“Divine have mercy. What have I gotten myself into?” Tyr wondered..
Victoria Anazasi
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