Cast of Characters [Note: Spoiler Alert - this includes updates that may ruin some plot points]

Life as a New Hire

By Nut Ranch and FinalStand

Impossible gratitude to Nut Ranch who not only made this list - he made it thrice. Only my ineptitude had kept the first two creations from the light.

As always, the subject matter is my responsibility.

If you like it, it is probably someone else's fault.

Below is a (Mostly) Complete list of Persons in this story, It is broken down into related groupings such as Known Amazon Houses, Amazons with (as yet) unknown House Affiliation, JIKIT, Government personnel, 9 Clans, Family groupings etc. Some of the groupings are a bit loose so be warned.

Amazons routinely go by 1st names, so some have no last name listed.

Question Marks (?) indicate uncertainty of identification.

Amazon/Non Amazon is the default Identification as some Characters have not (yet) been identified as either Full Blood/Poison Blood (Born Amazon,) or Lost Blood/Runner (Recruited into Amazon Society) in the story line. Half Blood is Born of an Amazon Mother and a male from outside of the Amazon Breeding Program

Some have not (yet) been Identified as to which House they belong to or specific positions within Amazon/Havenstone Society.

Specific relationships/positions have been identified where possible.

I hope this helps you keep track.

Amazon ROYAL HOUSE (Technically a Dead House)

Penthesilea: Queen of the Amazons (Amazon Royal House) during the time of the Iliad, Mother of Kwenhamai (AKA Molpadia) disrespected/killed by Ajax and Achilles, Introduced Ch. 31

Antiope: Queen of the Amazon after her sister Penthesilea is killed, (Amazon Royal House) variously described as having married Theseus and abandoning the amazons or been kidnapped by him, later killed by her Niece Molpadia, Introduced Ch. 31

Kwenhamai: The Unconquered (AKA Molpadia) ('Death Song' in the Amazon tongue, Cáel calls her Kwen), daughter of Penthesilea, Princess of the Royal House of the Amazons. Resurrected as part of the Champion's (Ajax) retinue in order to try and restore her mother Penthesilea's Honor after Ajax and Achilles disrespected/killed her. Kwenhamai/Molpadia was later killed by Theseus, Tyrant of Athens after she (Kwenhamai) killed Antiope, the New Queen of the Amazons and Penthesilea's sister, Introduced Ch. 31

House ANAHIT

Hayden St. John: High Priestess of the Amazons. Mother of Sydney St. John, House Anahit. 1st Named Chapter 1.

Sydney St. John: Mother of Marilyn St. John, Daughter of Hayden St. John, Havenstone S.D., House Anahit 1st Named Chapter 5

Marilynn St. John: Daughter of Sydney St. John. Grand Daughter of Hayden St. John, House Anahit 1st Named Chapter 1.

House ANAT (Technically a Dead House)

Artimpasa: Twin Sister of Shammuramat, Once Head of House Anat. Killed by Shammuramat for being selected to lead House Anat over her. Deceased for many centuries, Introduced in CH 28,

Shammuramat: first ever "independent" queen of a nation-state - Assyria, 9th Century BCE. Abandoned the Host after killing her twin sister who was chosen to lead House Anat, another now dead House. Introduced to Cáel as "The Friendless" the by the Amazon Augur Tadêfi after a vison. Referred to as 'Shammy' by Cáel before she accepts Sakuniyas or Saku, Also known as 'Salmu Eretu,' Sērkuēn, and various other names. Traitor to the Host, murderer of her twin sister Artimpasa and under a sentence of death for the murder of her twin sister Artimpasa. Introduced in CH 25, Named in CH 27

House ANDRASTE

Shawnee: Head of House Arinniti, One of the twenty founding bloodlines, 1st Named Chapter 16

Oneida: Shawnee's Junior/Apprentice of House Arinniti, youngest breeding female in House Arinniti, One of the twenty founding bloodlines, 1st Named Chapter 10

Priya Guerrero: House Andraste, S.D./Camp counselor at Camp Sahka Torchlight'. 1st named CH 26

Slayer of Testicles (SoT) #1 & 2: Amazon Full Bloods, Oneida's personal bodyguards, House Arinniti, Nick-Named in Chapter 17

House BHADRA

No currently Identified members

House BENDIS

Gale: Junior/Apprentice of House Bendis, 1st Named Chapter 17 as Gale, In Chapter 18 as Gael

House COTYTTIA

Daphne Pile: Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services. Sister of Brielle, Granddaughter of Pamela, House Cotyttia. 1st Named Chapter 1. She, along with Desiree, are the first people Katrina informs that Cáel can speak Amazon.

Brielle Pile: Works for Olympia Shore. Havenstone Financial Investigative unit, Sister of Daphne, Granddaughter of Pamela, House Cotyttia. 1st Named Chapter 1. She and an unnamed compatriot make a game of ambushing Cáel in the elevator at the start of each day.

Pamela Pile: Retired, Havenstone Executive Services (Most lethal Amazon Assassin of the 20th Century) Cáel's Knife fighting instructor, Grandmother of Daphne and Brielle. House Cotyttia 1st Named Chapter 15. She is Cáel's soul-mate/psychic twin/surrogate Grandmother/Mentor/guardian/slayer of Cáel O'Shea, Cáel Nyilas/Ishara's Grandfather

House CHANDALA BHIKSHUKI

No currently Identified members

House DURGA

No currently Identified members

House EPONA

Ms. Katrina Love: Head of House Epona, VP of Executive Services. Daughter of Sedona, Caitlyn's sister, Amazon title "'First Bearer of the Sun Spear through the Halls of Night and Death'," (Think Head of KGB, FSB, CIA, MI 5 & 6, GSG 9, Intelligence, Counter Intelligence and Assassination) 1st Named Chapter 1. She is revealed to be sterile, the sister/relative of Desiree & Caitlyn and the Aunt of Loraine, Europa and Aya. With Hayden and Tessa, she created the 'New Directive', though in a stronger format. She remains a close ally and Mentor of Cáel despite some crushing encounters.

Arwen: Katrina's Junior/Apprentice and cousin, House Epona, 1st Named Chapter 16

Desiree Fredrickson: Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services. Technically Half Blood but is Katrina and Caitlyn's maternal half-sister, House Epona, 1st Named Chapter 1.

Sedona Love: Daughter of Andromeda. Mother of Katrina Love, House Epona. 1st Named Chapter 1.

Caitlyn Ruger: Mother of Aya, Europa and Loraine. Katrina's sister. House Epona, 1st Named Chapter 3, 1st Named Chapter 4

Loraine Ruger: (age 16), Daughter of Caitlyn. House Epona, 1st Named Chapter 3

Europa Ruger: (age 13), Daughter of Caitlyn. House Epona, 1st Named Chapter 3

Aya Ruger: (age 9), Daughter of Caitlyn. Absolutely devoted to Cáel, Cáel feels the same about her. House Epona, 1st Named Chapter 3. Cáel and Aya develop a father-daughter bond. Informally allowed to create her own War band the 'Fatal Squirts' at Summer camp (ch27). Also allowed an "honorific" name. In CH39 Cáel begins calling her Dumu (Duma is the OKH diminutive for 'daughter')

House HANWASUIT

Beyoncé Vincennes: Head of House Hanwasuit 1st Named Chapter 1. As of Chapter 5 she becomes a staunch supporter of the New Directive, Katrina and Cáel.

House HYLONOME

Hedwig: Head of the Hylonome band attacked by Ajax, (Presumed Deceased?) 1st mentioned in Chapter 34

Aliz Loma: Amazon That abandoned House Hylonome to marry Dr. Arsenije Loma: Mother of Dijana Loma, Vasilije Loma and unnamed son, Aunt of Zola, Sister of Anna (Deceased?) 1st introduced in Chapter 34

Zola: Amazon, House Hylonome, child of Anna (Presumed Deceased), Niece of Aliz, The Hylonome are dedicated Wanderers/Nomadic Amazon, Inconclusive if it was actually Kwen (AKA Kwenhamai/Molpadia/Death Song) that allowed her to escape to warn Cáel and Aliz, 1st Introduced in Chapter 34,

Kara: Amazon, House Hylonome, (Presumed Deceased) Sacrificed herself for Zola, 1st mentioned in Chapter 34

Anna: Sister of Aliz, mother of Zola, (Presumed Deceased) House Hylonome, 1st mentioned in Chapter 34

House ILLYANKAMUNUS/SZÉLANYA

Sabrina: Head of House Illuyankamunus, Introduced in CH37

Alkonyka: Real name Ildiko Lovasz, unknowingly member of the "Lost" Amazon House Illuyankamunus, (House of the Dragon) Sister of Angyalka Lovasz, Cáel has sworn to sponsor SzélAnya as Matron Deity the new House SzélAnya, Introduced Ch. 31

Angyalka Lovasz: unknowingly member of the "Lost" Amazon House Illuyankamunus, (House of the Dragon), Sister to Ildiko Lovasz (aka Alkonyka), Cáel has sworn to sponsor SzélAnya as Matron Deity the new House SzélAnya, Introduced Ch. 31

Dr. Arsenije Loma: (Sort of Amazon?) unknowingly a member of House Illuyankamunus through the Male line, Serbian Professor of Eastern European Studies, Father of Dijana Loma, Vasilije Loma and unnamed son, 1st introduced in Chapter 34.

Dijana Loma (Sort of Amazon?) unknowingly a member of House Illuyankamunus Through the her father and/or House Hylonome line through her mother, Daughter of Dr. Arsenije and Aliz Loma, 1st introduced in Chapter 34.

Vasilije Loma: (Sort of Amazon?)unknowingly a member of House Illuyankamunus Through the Male line, Son of Dr. Arsenije Loma, Brother of Dijana Loma, Boyfriend of Hajnalka (NLN) 1st introduced in Chapter 34

Bolu: Male Amazon, (Deceased) House Illuyankamunus/SzélAnya, Along with Vranus, one of the Two Adult Ash men to survive the 2nd Great Betrayal and continue the Legacy of the Male Amazon along with the last 3 Arinniti sons, 1st Mentioned in CH 16, 1st Named in CH 34 Male Amazon, (Deceased)

House INARA

Zarana: (age 14) House Inara, Teenager at Camp 'Sahka Torchlight.' Twin sister to Vaski. Initially insults Cáel but learns a valuable lesson. 1st named CH 26

Vaski: (age 14) House Inara, Teenager at Camp 'Sahka Torchlight.' Twin sister to Zaran: (Vaski is also Cáel's Grandmother's name) 1st named CH 26

House ISHARA

Cáel Nyilas: A 'New Directive' intern. Of Magyar and Irish Gaelic descent. The Magyar have cultural roots with the Finnish, Turks, and Bulgarians. Grandson of Cáel O'Shea (Deceased/Resurrected Illuminati Leader), Graduated from Bolingbrook College with a Business Major and a Philosophy minor. Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services, 1st Named Chapter 1. He speaks 4 current languages (English, French, Spanish and Russian) and ten dead languages (including Old Kingdom Hittite, which is also the native language of the Amazons)

He is an oversexed, incredibly fit and morally ambiguous serial dater. His body bears scars from numerous romantic mis-adventures.

Later discovered to be the descendant of Vranus, an "Ash Man" of House Ishara during the 2nd Great Betrayal. Cáel becomes the Head of House Ishara, one of the 1st twenty Houses previously believed to have died out.

His Father is Ferko Nyilas and his Mother is Sibeal O'Shea Nyilas.

Cáel has an Aunt Stella on his father's side. She is a crab-fisherwoman living in Maryland. (Non Amazon) The Isharan House has been passed down through the MALE blood line.

He has 10 (unknown until Chapter 19) O'Shea Aunts and one Uncle. After Ferko's murder, Aunt Stella reveals that Sibeal did not die of cancer and is still alive and in hiding from her family.

Later becomes referred to as Ishara and Wakko Ishara. Aya calls him alternately Daddy, 'Fehér mén' (White Stallion) and Atta (OKH for 'respectful' Father) the term is largely religious and only used in the terms of female divinities referring to divine paternals. NOHIO (Number One House Ishara Official), HCIESI-NDI (Havenstone Commercial Investments Executive Services' Intern - New Directive Initiative), UHAUL - Unpaid Honcho Assigned to Unit L. HIs work with the Great Khan and the Khanate earns him the titles -Prince of Hungary and Transylvania - "Magyarorszag es Erdely Hercege" {Hungarian} - "Prinţul Ungariei şi Transilvaniei" {Romanian}, Royal Prince of Armenia and Georgia - "Prinţul Regal al Armeniei şi Georgiei" {Romanian} - "Armenia és Geoegia Királyi Hercege" {Hungarian}, Royal Prince of Albania - "Albánia Királyi Hercege" {Hungarian} - "Prinţul Regal al Albaniei" {Romanian}

Ferko Nyilas: Cáel's father (deceased Ch 19), technically should have been the Head of House Ishara, Named/1st Named Chapter 19

Buffy Dubois: Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services. 'Lost Blood' or "Runner" Becomes First new member of House Ishara after Cáel Nyilas and Cáel's Junior/Apprentice. 1st Named Chapter 1. Buffy retains an unsanctioned feud with Elsa. Buffy qualified for the Security Detail, but was denied entry by Elsa because Buffy wasn't a full-blooded Amazon. Becomes known as "Yakko Ishara" within House Ishara in CH 26, also is addresses as the 'First,' 'First' implies a deep, romantic relationship with the Head of House including possessing insight into the Head's mindset

Helena Shultz: Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services. "Originally Lost Blood" or "Runner" 2nd Person Cáel inducted into House Ishara, upon adoption into House Ishara becomes the Keeper of the House records, 1st Named Chapter 1.

Madori Yalda: Senior of the 'Runners' inducted into House Ishara after Buffy and Helena, First named in Chapter 22

Vranus: House Ishara, one of 2 Warrior Males members of the Amazon Host that were ordered to leave at the end of the 2nd Great Betrayal by House Arinniti, Cáel's multi-great grandfather, 1st Named Chapter 16

Marsha: Amazon 'Runner,' one of the twenty Runners inducted into House Ishara at Ferko's funeral, 1st Named Chapter 20

Wilma Draper: Havenstone Security team (NOT S.D.) Amazon 'Runner' inducted into House Ishara in CH 28, 1st Named Chapter 22

Jenna: Runner inducted to House Ishara, Havenstone Acquisitions, Part of the initial Amazon team assisting the Ninja Clans, 1st named CH 30

House JAYA

Charlotte: Havenstone S.D., (Cáel's security detail) Amazon, Dies assisting Cáel in killing Ajax in Romania, House Jaya, 1st Named Chapter 18

Mona: Havenstone S.D., (Cáel's security detail) Amazon, (House Jaya ID'd in CH34)1st Named Chapter 18, (identified as Constanza's foster sister in CH 28)

House MARDA

Kohar Marda: Becomes Head of House Marda when Ursula "Went to the Cliffs" after Hayden's final act as High Priestess. 1st named CH 26

Ursula: Former Head of House Marda, 1st Named Chapter 5. Hard-liner. Is killed as a traitor the Amazons by Hayden's last decree

Leona: House Marda, 1st Named Chapter 5. Killed by Hayden for defying the Council's New Directive.

House MEENAKSHI

Madi: Head of House Meenakshi, 1st Named Chapter 1.

Rhada: Madi's Apprentice, House Meenakshi, 1st Named Chapter 1. She is the 'apprentice' of Madi, thus her designated successor on the Amazon Council. She also develops a convoluted and socially dangerous sexual relationship with Cáel.

House MIELIKKI

Febe: Head of House Mielikki, Introduced in CH38

Caprica Mielikki, Leader of the S.D. group that picked up Cáel on his trip to see Aya at "Camp Sahka Torchlight'. 1st named CH 26

House DOBRANI

Messina Dobrani: Head of House Minerva, Fabiola's Mother, 1st Named Chapter 5

Fabiola Dobrani: Havenstone Executive Services (ES), Daughter of Messina, House Minerva 1st Named Chapter 1. Like her mother, Fabiola is a 'hard-liner', believing the Amazons should butcher their old, diseased male population and replace them by kidnapping new males.

House MOOKAMBIKA

No currently Identified members

House RAJAH

Naomi: Havenstone S.D.: House Rajah, 1st Named Chapter 12

House ŠAUŠKA

Troika: Former head of House Šauška. One of the Head of Houses killed my Hayden's final Act, Formerly Head of Havenstone 'Diplomatic Corps', 1st Named Chapter 19

Konstantina: House Šauška, Havenstone 'Diplomatic Corps', Identified in CH28

House ŽIVA

Wiesława: Havenstone S.D., House Živa, 1st Named Chapter 22

Amazon's Without Identified Houses/Havenstone Employees not already identified

*****" St. Marie: Marshal of the Amazon Host, Commander of the Security Directorate (S.D.), Amazon Title "Mistress of the Golden Mare," Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 13, Cáel calls her Pony Lady though he is forbidden to call her that by Hayden.

Rachel Louis: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., (Chief of Cáel's security detail) House? 1st Named Chapter 18

Tiger Lily: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., (Cáel's security detail) House? Native American of Shoshone heritage, 1st Named Chapter 18

Velma: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., (Cáel's apartment security detail) House? 1st Named Chapter 19

Sabina: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., Last surviving S.D. member assigned to Ferko Nyilas', Cáel's father. Also the person who ultimately killed him by accident, House? 1st Named Chapter 20

Sophia: Amazon Full Blood, S.D./Senior 'Camp counselor' at Camp 'Sahka Torchlight'. 1st named CH 26

Genève: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., Camp counselor' at Camp 'Sahka Torchlight'. Introduced in CH26, 1st named CH 27. Younger Sister to Rachel (Cáel's SD head of security)

Crewe: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., House? 1st Named Chapter 2.

Aisha: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., Amazon, House? 1st Named Chapter 7

Stanica: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., House? 1st Named Chapter 12

Felicité: Amazon Full Blood, Havenstone S.D., 1st Named Chapter 22

Krasimira: Amazon title "Keeper of Records" (AKA Amazon Historian/Legal Arbitrator), Amazon Full Blood, House (?), 1st Named Chapter 16

Tessa Carmichael: Head of Havenstone Human Resources (HR). Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1. She is a close ally of Katrina.

Umami Lhasa: Assistant to Tessa Carmichael, Havenstone Human Resources (HR), Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1

Farah Winters: Havenstone Human Resources (HR). Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 14

Rosetta: Amazon Full Blood, a Senior member of Havenstone Executive Services (ES), Amazon, House? 1st Named Chapter 18

Paula Wadena: Havenstone Executive Services (ES.) Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1.

Violet Maza: Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services (ES). Sister of Traska, Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1.

Theresa 'Tigger' Castro: Works for Katrina Love, VP of Havenstone Executive Services (ES). Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1.

Julian Jameson: VP in charge of Acquisition. Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1

Brian Fung: Chinese-American 'New Directive' intern.' Graduated from Harvard. Works for Ms. Julian Jameson, VP in charge of Acquisition. Nick Named 'The Chinchilla' by his co-workers, 1st Named Chapter 1. The 3rd "New Hire" to be relocated and reduced to 'sperm donor' status.

Olympia Shore: head of the Financial Investigative unit (FI). Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1.

Trent Grant: "'New Directive' intern.' Blue blood, Graduated from Carnegie-Melon. Works for Ms. Olympia Shore, head the Financial Investigative unit (FI). 1st Named Chapter 1. It is eventually revealed that Trent lied during the application process, claiming no serious romantic entanglements and not even mentioning his long-term girlfriend, Brooke Lee. He denied her in Katrina's office and volunteered for the Far East Unit - aka washed out, the 2nd "New Hire" to be relocated and reduced to 'sperm donor' status.

Phalli Chandra: VP of International Finance (IF). Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1.

Khalid Adzharia: 'New Directive' intern.' African-American, Graduated from MIT. Works for Ms. Phalli Chandra VP of International Finance (IF). The 1st "New Hire" to be relocated and reduced to 'sperm donor' status 1st Named Chapter 1.

Tia Pharos: VP of Havenstone Business Management (BM). Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 1

Felix Melena: "New Directive' intern." Salvadoran-American. Graduated from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Works for Ms. Tia Pharos, VP of Business Management (BM) 1st Named Chapter 1. He later gets into a feud with Cáel, seduces Brooke to get back at him then makes a public display of his deed on the main floor of the Executive Office Department. Cáel challenges him to fight and beats Felix in a matter of seconds due to Felix's overconfidence.
Elsa: Amazon Full Blood, Head of Havenstone S.D., House? 1st Named Chapter 4. She is an Amazon Traditionalist, worships the ground Katrina walks on and comes to desire Cáel as something besides a breeding male.

Constanza: Amazon Full Blood, Elsa's assistant, Havenstone S.D., House? 1st Named Chapter 4. Eventually another Amazon, Pamela, cuts her left eye out for insulting Cáel.

Tadêfi: Amazon Full Blood, Amazon Augur (Seeress), House (?) Cáel was directed to have sex with the 1st woman he saw (Tadêfi) by the Goddess Ishara after her communication with him in CH 24. Pregnant with Cáel's Daughter. Introduced in Chapter 24

Sikia: Amazon Full Blood, Personal Attendant/Guard for the Amazon Augur Tadêfi. Participates in Goddess directed sex between Cáel & Tadêfi. Future mother of Cáel's 1st son. House? Introduced in Chapter 24

Traska Maza: Amazon Full Blood, Sister of Violet, House? 1st Named Chapter 7. Havenstone Medical Division?.

Layla: Amazon, Physician's assistant at Havenstone medical clinic, Amazon, House (?), 1st Named Chapter 8, 1st Named Chapter 9

Astarte: Amazon, House (?) 1st Named Chapter 3

Sabia: Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 7

Blythe: Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 7

Tegan: Amazon Full Blood, House? 1st Named Chapter 7

Drusilla: Amazon Full Blood: House? 1st Named Chapter 10

Ngozi: Amazon Full Blood: House? 1st Named Chapter 12

Deena: Amazon, Cáel's pool buddy/conquest (?), Sharona's friend, House? 1st Named Chapter 14

Sharona: Amazon, Deena's friend (?) House? 1st Named Chapter 14

Alicia Holt: Amazon 'Runner' selected to be inducted into House Ishara but rejected by Ishara during the Induction Ceremony. Possibly she will be reconsidered, 1st Named Chapter 21

Esmeralda Carbone: Amazon Runner, 1st Named Chapter 19

Mosa Oya: (approximately age 9) Amazon Full Blood, Member of Aya Ruger's informally recognized War Band, the Fatal Squirts in Camp 'Sahka Torchlight.' 1st named CH 26

Yasmin Palhavã: Brazilian, Former state criminal inspector, recruited into Havenstone as a "Runner," One of Cáel's conquests, Later becomes a part of JIKIT, 1st named in Chapter 5

The ILLUMINATI

Cáel O'Shea; Cáel's maternal Grandfather, (Killed by Pamela/Resurrected,) Former/Current leader of the Illuminati, 1st Named Chapter 17 (Also known as "The FOE" in CH 25) One third of the original Baraqu's soul along with Alal, as revealed in CH 27, Determined to be reincarnated in CH 27(?)

Sibeal (O'Shea) Nyilas: [Prophetess], Illuminati, Cáel's Mother (Deceased then not?), Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 19. Using an unexplored intelligence network to plant Delilah Faircloth with Odette then Cáel.

Brianna O'Shea [strong], Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 17

Deidre O'Shea [Melancholy]: Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, sort of the referee that the other aunts don't respect, 1st Introduced Chapter 18

Baibre O'Shea [strange] Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 30 though she was (unnamed) at Ferko Nyilas funeral. Baibre is...nuts. The 'walks the hallways of the old manor house late at night having conversations with the portraits of her dead ancestors' kind of nuts. Definitely detached from reality.

Darcie O'Shea [dark]: Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, Not introduced as of CH 40

Imogen O'Shea [youngest]: Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 30 though she was (unnamed) at Ferko Nyilas funeral. An up-beat and perkily impish sort with the heart of a medusa.

Kelly O'Shea [War]: Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 30 though she was (unnamed) at Ferko Nyilas funeral. A cold-hearted, ruthless, professional killer.

Maitilda O'Shea [strong warrior maiden]: Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 30 though she was (unnamed) at Ferko Nyilas funeral. A cold-hearted, ruthless, professional killer.

Sadhbba O'Shea [wise]: Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, Not introduced as of CH 40

Una O'Shea [lamb]: Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, Not introduced as of CH 40

Fiona O'Shea [Hero]: Illuminati, Daughter of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 21

Carrig O'Shea: Illuminati, AKA Uncle Lumpy - Uncle Blockhead, Illuminati, Cáel's maternal Uncle, Son of Cáel O'Shea, 1st Named Chapter 21. Deceased in Chapter 24.

Faoiltiama O'Shea [wolf lady] (actually Great-Aunt): Illuminati, Not introduced as of CH 40

David Donoghue: Non Amazon, Ireland's Representative to the UN in New York and member of the Illuminati - the O'Shea faction. 1st named CH 30

Nicole Lawless: Criminal defense lawyer, Lawyer for the Illuminati but doesn't know it. One of Cáel's many conquests, Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 13. In Chapter 20 she becomes Cáel's attorney, but has been hired by the O'Shea Aunts.

Mr. Cherrie: Lawyer at the same firm as Nicole Lawless, Represents Illuminati interests (?) Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 17

Heather Pulaski: Lawyer at the same firm as Nicole Lawless, Represents Illuminati interests (?) Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 17

Mr. and Mrs. DeYoung: Senior Lawyers at the same firm as Nicole Lawless, Represents Illuminati interests (?) Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 17

Topaz: Call sign of some CIA technician/operator that Cáel contacts when marooned on a Pacific atoll. Possibly a dedicated Spy satellite system with delusions of Self-Awareness that is operated by the CIA but is primarily controlled (secretly) by the Illuminati, Introduced in CH39

Winchell Sokolowsky: Unknown benefactor for Ferko Nyilas funeral reception, Probable Illuminati, Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 20

JIKIT (& Associated people)

Javiera Castello: Assistant Federal District Attorney assigned to Cáel's father's murder. Later becomes the Overall Head of JIKIT, Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 21

Riki Martin: Non Amazon, U.S. State Department representative when Cáel provides information of the "Anthrax", Later becomes a leader of JIKIT, Introduced in CH30

Susan Collins: Non Amazon, Sitting US Senator (R-Maine, Age 61), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

Addison P. Stuart: Non Amazon, CIA/National Clandestine Service (NCS) Specialized Skills Officer - Targeting (SSO-T), Replaced George Kresky. Member of JIKIT. Introduced in CH37

Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke: Non Amazon, Special Delivery Manager (SPD), of Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service (aka MI-6), Cáel refers to her s Lady Yum-Yum, U.K. Member of JIKIT

Mehmet Ali-Sharif: Non Amazon, Supervisory Program Analyst of the US State Department, National Intelligence and Research -Watch, Riki Marten's Intel back up, Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

Nicholas Billings: Non Amazon, 'signals' Air Force Senior Master Sergeant detached to the DIA, Works for Mehmet Ali-Sharif as a Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

Agent-86,Real Name UNK: Non Amazon, Pamela calls him that: Non Amazon, NSA Agent that 'works' with/for Mehmet Ali-Sharif as a Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

Beatrice Ya Konan: Non Amazon, US State Department Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, a co-worker/subordinate of Riki Marten as a Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

Anastasia Sandusky: Non Amazon, Homeland Security, assistant to Javiera Castello, doubles as a very credible bodyguard and a Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

Odette Sievert: Non Amazon, Restaurant server, One of Cáel's many conquests/ becomes a roommate, Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 1. She eventually becomes one of Cáel's best friends and grounding point. Odette also provides information about Cáel to numerous, scary women. Ends up becoming a "Morale Officer for JIKIT "Unit L" paid by Havenstone.

Delilah (Fairchild CH30) (Faircloth CH34): Non Amazon, an active operative for MI-6 (Rank of Captain)(Britain's foreign intelligence service) that Sibeal O'Shea Nyilas, Cáel's Mom, has recruited by unknown means to help protect Cáel and keep her informed of what is happening in his life. Delilah does not know who she is ultimately reporting to, or even what her assignment really entails. (IN CH 34 Identified as a Royal Air Force Pilot) Probable but not specifically named JIKIT Member, First introduced in Chapter 24.

Charles 'Chaz' Tomorrow: Non Amazon, Colour Sergeant (Same as E6/SSG US Forces) British Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) in CH 28) Body Guard to an un-named senior MI-6 Charge of Station. Pamela respects him. (Later a probable but unnamed member of JIKIT) 1st named CH28

Virginia Maddox: Non Amazon, FBI Special Agent , Selected by USA Javiera Castello to investigate the attack on Cáel at his apartment by Carrig O'Shea (aka 'Uncle Lumpy' ), becomes part of Cáel's traveling circus, (Later a probable but unnamed member of JIKIT) introduced in Chapter 24

Beatrice Ya Konan: Non Amazon, US State Department Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, a co-worker/subordinate of Riki Marten as a Member of JIKIT, Introduced in CH37

US/UK/GOVERNMENT/LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONEL (Possible but Likely NOT JIKIT)

Jonas Baker: Non Amazon, Associate Deputy Undersecretary of Analysis for Homeland Security (ADUAHS} (Oxygen thief/ pompous bureaucrat) Briefly tried to have Cáel arrested, Head of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (?) 1st named CH 30

Victoria Nuland: Non Amazon, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs (ASSEEA), 1st Named in CH 35

Robert O. Blake Jr.: Non Amazon, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs (ASSCAA) Non Amazon, 1st Named in CH 35

Daniel R. Russel: Non Amazon, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASSEAP), Riki Marten works in his Department, 1st Named in CH 35

Tony Blinken: Non Amazon, Deputy National Security Advisor (DNSA), Introduced in CH40

George Cresky: Non Amazon, 'Senior Field Officer of a Joint Terrorism Taskforce?' i.e. CIA, 1st named CH27

Vincent Loire: Non Amazon, FBI Special Agent, Assigned to investigate the attack on Camp 'Sahka Torchlight.' Probably more. Widower, father of three adult daughters. Pamela likes him. (Possible JIKIT member after recovering from wounds) 1st named CH27

Street Moslin: Non Amazon, FBI Special Agent, Dumb ass, 1st Named Chapter 21

Theodora Chumwell: Non Amazon, FBI Special Agent, Brock Miklos partner, 1st Named Chapter 19

Brock Miklos: Non Amazon, FBI Special Agent, Theodora Chumwell's partner, 1st Named Chapter 19

John Rios: Non Amazon, Special Agent with the ATF, 1st Named Chapter 19

Horace Brewster: Non Amazon, Burnham PD Investigator, 1st Named Chapter 19

Lisa Capella: Non Amazon, Chicago PD Homicide Detective. 1st Named Chapter 19

Nikita Kutuzov: Non Amazon, NYPD rookie Cop, One of Cáel's many conquests, Non Amazon, 1st Named Chapter 3. Her mother is a Desk Sargent for the NYPD at the precinct that Marilyn St. James usually ends up at.

Skylar Montero: Non Amazon, NYPD Cop, Nikita's training Officer, 1st Named Chapter 8

Captain Moe Mistriano: Non Amazon, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) representative when Cáel provides information on the "Anthrax", 1st named CH 30

Sir Grant (1st Name not revealed): Non Amazon, Her British Majesty's Representative to the UN in New York, 1st named CH 30

Whatever S. Handy, Mr. Knot, Mister, American Super Spy (aka Mr. A.S.S.) and Mr. Up: Non Amazon, Real name not disclosed. Undercover Agent for the US National Security Agency (NSA). Assigned to track major financial transactions between key global financial institutions relating to possible terrorism ties (i.e. secret societies) Introduced Ch. 31

Ms. McCauley (1st Name not revealed): Non Amazon, U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (?) Theoretical (but never becomes) replacement for Agent Riki Martin on Cáel's team, 1st Named Ch36

Lt. Toffler (1st Name not revealed): Non Amazon, US Navy pilot that picks Cáel and party from the Pacific atoll they have been marooned on. Introduced in CH39

Lt. Robeson (1st Name not revealed): Non Amazon, USMC Lt. that assists in picking up Cáel and party from the Pacific atoll they have been marooned on. Introduced in CH39

RUSSIAN

Major Maxim Stepanovich Bukhalo: Non Amazon, ASVR-RF (Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation) sent to intimidate/secure Hana Sulkanen's "cooperation" in contacting the Khanate, Introduced Ch. 33

Andrey Ivanovich Denisov: Non Amazon, 'Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the People's Republic of China, Given the task of informing Russia was going to 'Assist' China by invading it. 1st mentioned in Chapter 34

Major Tatianna Semenina Volkov: Non Amazon, Russian GRU (Military Intelligence), Also Russian Military Attaché to Bucharest, 1st Named in CH 35

9 CLANS

The Vizsla: The Equivalent of an Amazon House Leader in the Black Hand in Hungary, Cousin of Matthias, Introduced Ch. 31

Selena Jovanović: Black Hand assassin, 1st Named Chapter 20

Matthias: Black Hand Representative that tried (unsuccessfully) to have Cáel's group ambushed by the Condottieri in Hungary. Cousin of the Vizla, Killed by Pamela for threatening Riki Martin, Introduced and killed in Ch. 31

Josef: Black Hand support member/driver that betrays The Vizsla by revealing her and Cáel's meeting location. Introduced and killed in Ch. 31

Miyako Yuki: Ninja. Cáel Conquest, Pregnant with Cáel's daughter, Non amazon, 1st Named Chapter 20

Estere Abed: Hashashin assassin, Probably pregnant with Cáel's child, 1st Named Chapter 21

7 PILLARS (or Chinese)

Lady Zhen Duan: 7 Pillars Senior operative. Twin Sister of Duan Mu, Kidnapped Cáel and Aya, Zhen and Mu are the only survivor's besides Cáel and Aya from a Cyclone/Goddess induced plane crash on a Pacific Atoll, Aya named her 'Lúsìla ninda' (OKH for Cup Cake {as in Tasty Cáel treat}), Dot Ishara promised to make Zhen pregnant with Cáel's son if he could inseminate her, Introduced in CH39

Mu Duan: 7 Pillars Senior operative. Twin Brother of Duan Zhen, Kidnapped Cáel and Aya, Zhen and Mu are only survivor's besides Cáel and Aya from a Cyclone/Goddess induced plane crash on a Pacific Atoll, Aya named him Amar (Calf in OKH) as a play on Mu's name, Introduced in CH39

Tsu: 7 Pillars Gong tau Necromancer that learns the hard way not to fight three Goddesses, Briefly introduced then killed in CH 38

Lu Hao: 7 Pillars, Provincial Governor, Heilongjiang province, PRC. Introduced in CH37

Wang Xiankui: Non Amazon, The Provincial Head of the Communist Party in Heilongjiang province, PRC. Introduced in CH37

AJAX (and Crew)

Ajax: aka The Champion - is the Greek Hero Ajax from the Trojan War, Returned from the Afterlife to seek vengeance on the Amazon's for killing him, His resurrection is revealed to Cáel by the Amazon Augur Tadêfi after a vison. Major hate for the Amazon, Introduced in CH 25

Teucer: Mycenaean Greek, Half-brother of Ajax, Archer/Sniper, Returned from the Afterlife to seek vengeance on the Amazon's for killing him, Wounded by Pamela, Introduced in Ch. 31

Eruthros: (aka Red) Mycenaean Greek, member of Ajax's band, Returned from the Afterlife to seek vengeance on the Amazon's for killing him, Seems ok, likes Cáel, Introduced in Ch. 31

Augewas: Mycenaean Greek, member of Ajax's band, Returned from the Afterlife to seek vengeance on the Amazon's for killing him, Introduced and killed in Ch. 31

EARTH AND SKY (and associated people)

Temujin: Earth and Sky Society, aka The Conqueror/Great Khan - is the resurrected/reborn Genghis Khan, Revealed to Cáel by the Amazon Augur Tadêfi after a vison. Introduced in CH 25

Oyuun Tömörbaatar: Earth and Sky Society, Beg of the Earth and Sky Society - essentially a regional commander, Kazakhstan's 'Permanent UN Representative', Father of T. Sarangerel 1st Named Chapter 25

T. Sarangerel: Earth and Sky Society, Daughter of Oyuun Tömörbaatar, 1st Named Chapter 25

Iskender: Earth and Sky Society, 1st Named Chapter 21

Ferit Hoxha: Non Amazon, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, Not specifically Earth and Sky, Introduced in CH40

Mohammad Mangal: Major General of the Afghan National Army's 201st Corp Commander, Not specifically JIKIT or Earth and Sky, Introduced in CH37

Ishmael "something": Non Amazon, Pakistani ISI (Inter-Service Intelligence) guy in New York, Not specifically JIKIT or Earth and Sky, Introduced in CH37

SULKANEN FAMILY (and associates)

Jormo Sulkanen: Patriarch of the Sulkanen clan. Initially furious with Cáel, he decides to accept Cáel's verdict on his youngest son from his first marriage (Brennan), setting the young rapist adrift in order for his conflict with Cáel to escalate to the rest of his family. His third wife is named Misty and his youngest daughter is Karvala. Has two sons from his first marriage and three other children by his second and third marriages. First introduced in Chapter 23

Hana Sulkanen: Stepdaughter of Jormo Sulkanen, heir to his financial empire. Has an ex-husband named Sten Philip Männik, and a daughter Õnnela (Estonian for 'Luck'), Hana turns out to be one of Cáel' allies. Later becomes Cáel's fiancé in CH 30, First introduced in Chapter 23.

Misty Sulkanen: Third and current wife of Jormo Sulkanen, First introduced in Chapter 23

Õnnela Männik: Daughter of Hana Sulkanen, Introduced in Ch 23, Named in Ch 36

Brennan Sulkanen: Son of Jormo Sulkanen, Step Brother of Hana Sulkanen, Along with Anima, foolishly initiates a (disastrous) feud with Cáel by mis-treating Casper after being warned. Oxygen thief with delusions of entitlement due his father's money. First introduced in Chapter 23.

Sten Philip Männik: Estonian national, Hana Sulkanen's ex-husband, father of Õnnela, and business partner of Jormo Sulkanen, Introduced in CH23 as Philip Named in Ch 36

Ms. Meacham (1st name not revealed): Personal Assistant to Hana Sulkanen, Introduced in Ch 33

Orlando Keyes: MMA Fighter sponsored by Jormo Sulkanen's company 'Fitness Tech', Brennan Sulkanen's "muscle," (Deceased along with his un-named Fiancé) 1st Named Chapter 22

Anima (last name not revealed): evil, super-rich, debauchery enabler and destroyer of purity, virtue and innocence. Brennan Sulkanen's girlfriend. First named in Chapter 22

Donna (last name not revealed): Servant at the Sulkanen estate, non Amazon, introduced in Chapter 23

Mr. Dornier (1st name not revealed): Sten Philip Männik's lawyer, introduced in CH 40

EVERYONE ELSE (roughly in order of appearance)

Timothy Denver: Non Amazon, Gay body-building, hunk, moderately famous tattoo artist from Queens, Cáel's Roommate. 1st Named Chapter 1. Timothy may be the finest, most understanding roommate who has ever lived.

Sovann Mean: Non Amazon, (Timothy Denver's gay date) Second generation Cambodian-American weightlifter, Introduced in Chapter 24

Dr. Kimberly Geisler: Non Amazon, Professor at Bolingbrook College, Cáel's 1st lover, taught him multiple dead languages, Contrary to some people's perception, Cáel and Kimberly maintained a four year affair. Kimberly ended it when he graduated. 1st introduced Ch 1.1st named in CH 4

Vienna Rothmore: Non Amazon (?), friend of Marilynn St. John, 1st Named Chapter 1.

Ms. Ulyssa Reichmann: Non Amazon, Aya's Teacher at a private academy, Nadia's sister, 1st Named Chapter 3. She is an on again/off again Sunday night hook-up for Cáel

Rachel Simpson: Non Amazon, Loraine Ruger's teacher at a private academy, 1st Named Chapter 4

Brooke Lee: Non Amazon, Trent Grant's fiancée (Until Grant's oopsie is revealed CH 9), One of Cáel's many conquests, 1st Named Chapter 4

Libra Chalmers: Non Amazon, One of Cáel's many conquests, Marla Chalmer's sister, 1st Named Chapter 4

Marla Chalmers: Non Amazon, One of Cáel's many conquests, Libra Chalmer's sister, 1st Named Chapter 4
Gene: Non Amazon, friend of Libra and Brooke, 1st Named Chapter 4

Nadia Reichmann: Non Amazon, Sister to Ulyssa Reichmann, 1st Named Chapter 7. She is an on again/off again Sunday night hook-up for Cáel.

Braulio Palhavã: Non Amazon, Yasmin Palhavã's (Amazon Runner) son, 1st introduced, Chapter 4, 1st Named in Chapter 18

Katy Lee Baker: Non Amazon, aka Delivery Girl, 1st Named Chapter 13

Jason (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Bar back at the yuppie bar, 1st Named Chapter 13

Zelda, Marsha: Phyllis, and Rivka Feinstein (ADA for New York County: Non Amazon, All friends of Nicole Lawless, probable future Cáel conquests, 1st Named Chapter 13

Evie (Bi sexual) and Samantha (Lesbian) (Last names not revealed): Non Amazons, girlfriends/lovers, long-time friends of Timothy Denver, Pair of Cáel's many conquests, 1st Named Chapter 15

Mr. Finnes (no 1st name revealed): Non Amazon, Cáel's neighbor, REALY hates Cáel because of all the women screaming in orgasm at his apartment, 1st Named Chapter 17

Winslow Pratt: Non Amazon, Cáel's (very temporary) Lawyer after his father Ferko is killed, 1st Named Chapter 19

Steve McCabe: Non Amazon, Desk clerk, Burnham Hotel, 1st Introduced CH 19

Cameron Sanders: Non Amazon, Assistant manager Burnham Hotel, Cáel's motivation to start working out when she cruelly rejected him in High School. 1st Named Chapter 20 [she'll be back, I promise]

Casper Winslow: Somewhat rich girl, party favor/gang rape victim of the sex party orchestrated by Anima and Brennan Sulkanen. First named in Chapter 22. Her last name is revealed in Chapter 24.

Anais (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Canadian Mounty (RCMP) Another Cáel conquest, 1st Named Chapter 25

Maya (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Canadian, Another Cáel conquest, 1st Named Chapter 25

Evian (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Parasitologist at Meadowlands Medical Center, One of the Dr.'s trying to understand the effects of the device used to attack Cáel by 'Uncle Lumpy'. Also a Cáel conquest, 1st Named Chapter 25

Baraqu: Non Amazon, Born the younger son of a potter in Ancient Sumer, Blessed/Cursed by Sarrat Irkalli, Sumerian/Goddess/ queen of the Netherworld who Tri-sected his soul into three parts. Baraqu, (Cáel O'Shea, Cáel's grandfather), Cáel (Nyilas) Ishara and Alal (the Destroyer) he who stands witness to the end of all he desires; their destroyer. Baraqu means 'struck by lightning' but also 'the idiot.' Identified in CH27, Sakuniyas refers to him as White hair in CH36

Alal: Non Amazon, ( aka the Destroyer) he who stands witness to the end of all he desires; One third of the Soul of Baraqu along with Cáel (Nyilas) Ishara and Alal. Identified in CH27

Umashau: Non Amazon, member of the Sadīdu tribe, first hired Baraqu as a body guard, family helped educate him over the (many) decades he served them Many centuries ago. Identified in CH27

Branko (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, White slaver that is responsible for kidnapping Angyalka Lovasz, Introduced Ch. 31

Orsi (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Hungarian, practical Electrical Engineering Student, one of six Female College Students from the Czech Technical University in Prague that rescue Cáel and Pamela on their converted River Barge /house boat after a clash with Ajax. Introduced in Ch. 31

Jolan (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Hungarian, Barge 'Captain', economics major and the team book-keeper, one of six Female College Students from the Czech Technical University in Prague that rescue Cáel and Pamela on their converted River Barge /house boat after a clash with Ajax. Introduced in Ch. 31

Katalin (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Hungarian, Interior Design Student, one of six Female College Students from the Czech Technical University in Prague that rescue Cáel and Pamela on their converted River Barge /house boat after a clash with Ajax. Introduced in Ch. 31

Monika (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, German, Architectural Student, one of six Female College Students from the Czech Technical University in Prague that rescue Cáel and Pamela on their converted River Barge /house boat after a clash with Ajax. Introduced in Ch. 31

Magdalena (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Slovakian Jewish, Art Student, one of six Female College Students from the Czech Technical University in Prague that rescue Cáel and Pamela on their converted River Barge /house boat after a clash with Ajax. Introduced in Ch. 31

Anya Sarac: Non Amazon, Bulgarian, Mechanical Engineering Student, one of six Female College Students from the Czech Technical University in Prague that rescue Cáel and Pamela on their converted River Barge /house boat after a clash with Ajax. Introduced in Ch. 31

Emil (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Boyfriend of Divna, One of three Macedonians that regrettably insult and attempt to attack Cáel and Pamela in a Hungarian Guest House 'the Seven Fishermen's Guest House' in Mindszent, Hungary. Introduced in Ch. 31

Divna (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Girlfriend of Emil, Sister of Neven, One of three Macedonians that regrettably insult and attempt to attack Cáel and Pamela in a Hungarian Guest House 'the Seven Fishermen's Guest House' in Mindszent, Hungary. Introduced in Ch. 31

Neven (Last name not revealed): Non Amazon, Brother of Divna, One of three Macedonians that regrettably insult and attempt to attack Cáel and Pamela in a Hungarian Guest House 'the Seven Fishermen's Guest House' in Mindszent, Hungary. Introduced in Ch. 31

Officers Gala and Kupec (1st names not revealed): Non Amazons, TEK (Hungary's Anti-Terrorism Law Enforcement Body) Non Amazons, Introduced Ch. 33

Dortmund Schuyler: Non Amazon, German National that Pamela 'convinces' to lend Her and Cáel his motorcycle, Introduced Ch. 34.

Flaviu Molnar: Non Amazon, Agent of Serviciul de Informații Externe (SIE) (aka the Romanian CIA), Introduced Ch. 34

Master Corporal Menner (No 1st Name Given): Non Amazon, Master Corporal is roughly the same as US Forces E4/SPC/Corporal) Romanian Army 24th Mountain Troops battalion, Gives a BIG Assist to Cáel and SzélAnya in Killing AJAX, Ethnic Székely (Hungarian) Born in Romania, 1st Named in CH 34

Col. Giurcă (No 1st Name Given): Non Amazon, Romanian Army Officer (commander of 61st Mountain Troops Brigade) That assist in Killing Ajax's War Band, 1st Mentioned in CH 34, 1st Named in CH 35

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima: Non Amazon, Tibetan, the 11th Panchen Lama. Introduced in CH37

Key terms or Abbreviations as they relate to Havenstone/Amazon Society

A great perceived fallacy of Havenstone is the division of departments. Yes, every division has its 'day job'. They also cooperate across units boundaries without complication. Technically, all the division heads run their units independently with Hayden as CEO. Realistically, everyone reports non-business data to Katrina. The only 'public' division that does not share personnel is the Security Detail. Either you are SD, or you are not.

ES: Executive Service, Havenstone "gophers," also the Havenstone Counter intelligence/Assassination unit. This works primarily because Amazons don't have 'off hours'. They both run errands and train in espionage/counter-espionage.

SD: Security Detail, Security Department also Security Services, provides security guards, personal security details (Bodyguards), Armed rapid response teams. Full-blooded Amazons only. They are the Warrior Elite. All Amazons are fighters. The SD are the very best of the race.

FI: Financial Investigations performs public domestic intelligence operations. Also includes cyber-operations. They act as a distraction for ES covert operations in major metropolitan areas where Havenstone CI has a visible presence.

BM: Business Management. They balance accounts so that the finances end up where they are needed, obtaining outsider supplies and maintaining the illusion that Havenstone Commercial Investments is a capitalist enterprise.

IF: International Finances, International is the public face of Havenstone foreign Intelligence operations. They provide cover for ES covert practices in places Havenstone doesn't publically exist. They also handle the shipment of resources from base to base, though the 'work orders' go through ES.

MS: Medical Services, Provides general medical support as well as some undefined level of medical research/development. They not only handle in-house clinics, they also handle subsidiary medical corporate assets and maintain a massive database of historical medical data.

HR: Human Resources

First directive: The beginning of (semi) systematic recruitment of women into the Amazon society begins roughly in the 1950's. The initial plan was to bring in physically and mentally fit women into Amazon society, train them to Amazon standards and eventually induct them into the Host (the term the Amazons use to define themselves - present day it comprises only of House Amazons). Derogatorily referred to by Full-Bloods as 'Lost-Bloods' in Old Kingdom Hittite/Amazon. Since only Full-blooded Amazons are taught that language, the new women lived in ignorance of what they were being called until Cáel told them. Cáel began to refer to the new women as 'Runners', a practice that has been rapidly embraced.

New directive: The directive to recruit Males into Amazon Society begins roughly in present time. The initial plan by Katrina and Tessa was to recruit 100 ~ 500 men. The Council agreed on FIVE with the codicil that the men be 'morally tested' (sexually entrapped) during the intern process.

Ahhiyawa: The Mycenaean Greeks in the time of the Iliad and are held responsible for the 1st Great betrayal 3000 years ago. Due to the nature of the Amazon-Greek blood feud, Amazons do not utter the Hittite name for their foe out of some unknown fear.

Second Betrayal: The destruction of Amazon society 2500 years ago is called the Second Betrayal. Having brought males into the Host to wage war on encroaching Celtic tribes, the women failed to adapt to the males changing role in their society. Many warrior males sold out the Amazons to their Celtic enemies.

Ash Men: The Ash Men were the males of the Host that stayed loyal to the Host. The name comes from two sources. When the Celtic warriors and the traitors captured the loyalist men, they would burn them alive over an extended period as a warning to the rest. No loyalist ever betrayed the Host despite that punishment. The second source of the name comes from the Amazon crime of slaughtering the few loyalist males that remained when the Amazons migrated from their Second Homeland (present day southwestern Slovakia). Despite being honorable members of the Host, the Amazons killed them without trial thus denying them a proper death - taking themselves to the cliffs - instead they butchered them and burned them to ashes.

In a personal setting, equals use their own/first names. In the workplace/public, first names are always used as this helps Full-Blood Amazons to not stumble over their 'false' surnames. As an example, Katrina, Caitlyn and Aya are all House Epona and would internally (formally) be referred to by their first and house names - Katrina Epona, Caitlyn Epona and Aya Epona. To the public and for security purpose, Katrina's last name is 'Love' and Aya's is 'Ruger'. Any outsider looking for a member of the 'Love' family wouldn't be automatically drawn to Aya.

To be a member of the Host (Full-Blooded), you have to be born of a member of the Host in good standing, survive your 12th year test and be eighteen. In extremis, an Amazon born of an honorable member of a house is accepted as a member of the Host without the 12th year test if taking it is too risky/impossible. Remember, the Amazons spent a good deal of their history as nomads, thus the exception.

Women can be adopted into a house on the orders of the Head of House. Contrary to the current Full-Blood/Runner rift, throughout history Amazons have adopted 'outsider' women. House Epona was recruited en-mass from female Celtic Warriors (probably around 20 to 30 members at inception).

The source of the controversy is that around 1900 ADE, the Amazons rapidly moved from a feudal society to a centralized one. Every House Head had ruled as she saw fit. This made sense when High Priestess were only selected every thirty years, or so, and travel and communication between houses was dicey.

It was easy for the Head of Houses to be fanatically devoted to the High Priestess when she was nowhere close. Suddenly the globe shrank and if an Amazon had a problem with a Head of House, she could take her grievance to the High Priestess within a matter of days, or weeks. The power of the High Priestess and her officers (like Katrina) grew and the power of the Council decreased.

After WWII, the High Priestess of the time was taking in the Big Picture - Amazons needed more numbers than their society could produce, genetics were starting to become a problem, and the Host had a great deal of territory and wealth to manage. Since inducting Runners in WWII worked out so well, she, with the Council's consent, created the First Directive. Then the Council had the 'what have we done' moment. They 'rebelled' against the High Priestess by refusing to induct the Runners, using social shaming to keep the more liberal houses in line.

Before long, non-induction became the Status Quo. The Runners had no idea how induction worked and weren't given benchmarks to aim for. Every other year one Runner would get promoted to keep the others guessing. Things worked like that until Cáel arrives; clueless and shameless. Katrina alone warns the Host of the disaster on the horizon.

Full Blood and Pure-Blood are interchangeable, though Pure-Blood is far more common.

Poison Blood: a new, derogatory name used by 'Lost Blood/ Runners' for overly proud (Stuck up) Full Blood Amazons recently.

Lost-Blood: Derogatory Term for women recruited, not born, into Amazon Society by 'Full Blood/Full/Poison Blood' Amazons. See also 'Runner'

Runner: Name introduced by Cáel to replace the term 'Lost Blood' for women recruited into Amazon Society. Runners can be adopted into Amazon Houses becoming "Full' Amazon.

Cliff Walker: Amazons will "go to the cliffs' (commit suicide) when they can no longer effectively serve Amazon Society. Pamela went to the cliffs in her thirties, but then returned without explanation.

Random Information

Tumens: Unit of organization for Khanate (Earth and Sky) fighting formations. A Khanate army unit of 10,000 soldiers, approximating a US Calvary Division in manpower, mobility and firepower. The Khanate leadership prefer fighting a war of mobility with fast moving columns hitting enemy forces from the rear and flanks.

Mingghans: A Khanate army unit of 1000 Soldiers, somewhere between US Army Brigade and Battalion sized unit.

Zuuns: A Khanate army unit of 100 Soldiers, Approximately the same size as a US Army Company

UCAV/UAV: Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, remotely piloted aerial vehicles, primarily used for surveillance, remote airstrikes and recently, Air to Air Combat where manned missions are considered too hazardous. Aerial Combat/reconnaissance drone e.g. MQ-9 Reaper,

JIKIT: Joint (US agencies) International (US/UK/9Clans/Amazon) Khanate Interim Taskforce (JIKIT). Comprised of three Sections.

- Unit 'Xerxes', the 'Administrative' section - Responsible for the inter-governmental activities.

- Unit L, the 'Action' Section, Revolves around specific activities involving Cáel and his privileged information.

- Unit 'Urchin', Deals with Covert (BLACK) Operations and taskforce activities, i.e. attacking PRC infrastructure and resources. They are completely off the reservation. Neither the UK nor the US higher ups know what they were up to.

Great Secret Societies

Illuminati: Primary Goal, World Domination through Hyper Capitalism (as in anything to make a buck,) Enemies of the Amazon, Possibly Changing as Cáel is a member of one of the Illuminati Primary Families

Condottieri: Primarily Mercenaries and Arms Dealers, Enemies of the Amazon, responsible for Ferko Nyilas death

The Nine Clans: Hashshashin, Ninja, Booth-gan (aka Thuggee), Black Lotus, Coils of the Serpent, Brotherhood of the Wolf, the Black Hand, Cult of the Jaguar and the Ghost Tigers. Primarily Assassins, open to most races or genders. Sorta kinda friends of the Amazon

Egyptian Rite Masons: the oldest enemy of the Illuminati. Primary Goal, a Global Autocratic Government. Open to any race or gender. Sorta kinda friends/not enemies of the Amazon

Earth and Sky Society: descendants of Genghis Khan, Primary goal, Reincarnating of Genghis Khan. Sorta kinda friends/not enemies of the Amazon

The Seven Pillars of Heaven: An ancient Chinese Secret Society. Primary goal- World Domination. To be a member, must be Pure Han Chinese and a man, or bound to one. Sorta kinda not friends/ Definitely enemies of the Amazon by Ch. 27

Amazons: If you haven't figured this out yet, beat yourself to death with a large blunt object, preferably studded or spiked, until your head and shoulders look like the south facing end of a north bound mule [Storyteller's Note: I did not write most of this and certainly not the last bit, but I liked it so I kept it]

There are other, smaller secret societies, usually in small numbers, a lesser ability to impact events, and/or with limited regional activity.

Comments/Explanations (from the Comments section of Each Chapter)

Amazon Command and Control

The closest, and by no means exact, example of the Amazon command and control structure is this: Hayden is the Pope - as long as she does not go freaking nuts, she has absolute authority. This is reinforced by their selection process - 80% mysticism an 20% political. What the story is witnessing is the gradual transition from a feudal hierarchy to that of a modern day, instant communication society. Plenty of geographic leaders feel the right to (almost) challenge Hayden because they are used to being isolated - thus orders from on-high were rare in coming, or easily misinterpreted (if it was something they didn't want to hear).

To add to the complex mess is the ideal of a Council. Traditionally, when the Amazons were one compact group roaming around, a council made sense. Later, as they fractured geographically, the council was something that met when summoned - sometimes as infrequently as the election of a new High Priestess due to the dangers of traveling and of bringing all the Heads of Houses together.

In the modern era, the Council can meet with a weeks' notice, making it a much more effective political body. This also forces Amazons with widely-varying political views to confront one another.

Another complication: Amazon High Priestesses are usually chosen in their early to mid-twenties, so they have a long reign (most Amazons do not 'take themselves to the cliffs' until their mid-sixties). At the start of their reign, they can be rather unsure - candidates for High Priestess have no idea they are in the selection process - and in later decades, they can be very opinionated.

Finally, Hayden's predecessor and Hayden have both expanded on the power of the 'bureaus' (it's the closest name that fits). They existed for some time, but were never unified into cohesive organizations until after WWII. These are things like the Marshal of the Amazon Host (as the idea that Amazons can now pull military assets from all over the globe has become a possibility). The Marshal position existed, but had become largely symbolic.

More important to this story line is the Walkers in Darkness and Night - Katrina's group. Yes, they pick up food, laundry, new cars and play daycare and straighten up your house. They also bodyguard key targets, spy and assassinate enemies. They are both internal and external security. A century ago, they were a very arcane and secretive body with an informal organization. After WWII, this began changing. They became a true, modern intelligence network. Unlike other Intelligence agencies, the Amazons still keep a regional basis for their networks. An agent born in Chad is likely to work that region of Africa her entire life. She reports to Katrina. She also keeps the local West African Heads of House in the loop as common courtesy. This means Katrina does not have a 'lock' on information coming into Havenstone, but it also means that the regional Houses do not mess with her operations.
Lastly, not seen yet, are the Augurs and the Lore Keepers (one group). They keep the Amazon laws and traditions, plus help select the next High Priestess. Technically, they work for Hayden as High Priestess. More importantly, they are seen as impartial translators of the Ancestors wills. The Amazons do not separate their worship of their numerous Goddesses with the veneration of their Ancestors - it is all one Faith to them. Religion is key to Amazon society. It is the glue that holds them together. One the Ancestors have decided on a course of action, it is madness to go against it. This is why what Ursula did by sending Leona to kill Cael was so horrible in Amazon eyes and why no one, but Ursula, batted an eye when Hayden dispatched Leona - Leona had gone against the Will of the Ancestors and had to be put down as a dangerous lunatic.

Before anyone goes 'Ah, a wingnut religion', let me remind you that this is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy story. Do not expect fireballs and dragons, but answer me this: Cael is alive because he A) has more love than hate, and B) Aya missed her first arrow - the one that skidded to his feet. Had Cael callously ignored the arrow, or had Aya's shot been anywhere else, Leona would have killed Cael.

Since it is an issue... (on Clarifying Full Blood, Half Blood and Runners)

Okay. A Full-blood has as a Mother an Amazon of the Host (i.e. not Buffy, Helena and her crowd - 'Lost Bloods/Runners) who breeds with a male of their captive breeding population.

A Half-Blood has a Mother of the Amazon Host, but whose Father is an 'outsider' male, usually mated with out of love and affection. They are still members of their House, thus the Host, yet are sources of shame and ridicule to other members of that House.

It is the mating out of affection that bothers the Amazons. Until the start of the story, it is a sign of weakness thus 'half' the blood strength of the 'fully dedicated, acceptable Amazons. Does this seem stupid? It should until you understand the Amazons are all about avoiding infighting and promoting harmony in their own ranks. Instead of doing this through tolerance, they do this by punishing non-conformity. Yes, this means Fabiola is the rule of Amazon of behavior, not the exception. The rest of Katrina's recruits were chosen for their 'independent' thinking.

To give an example how much of an uphill battle Katrina, Hayden and (kind of) Cael have. The 'First' Directive - the induction of non-Amazon women into the society took place 60 years ago. The process was supposed to work like this: a recruit works hard, proves themselves and is then inducted into one of the Houses. In reality: in 60 years only 50 'Runners' have been inducted into ANY House.

The 'New Directive' is supposed to bring in a new breeding male population. This time they are basing things on a male's intelligence, strength, resilience, spirit and drive. Their population is dying out and needs help soon. Their response - recruit FIVE males and set those men up for failure. That was the BEST Hayden, Tessa and Katrina could force the others to accept for Round One of the program.

That strong Traditionalist streak feeds back into why the status of 'Full-Blood', 'Half-Blood' and 'No-Blood' are so important. As with all forms of prejudice - its ability to distress any society is based on the number and power of the oppressed. In the same way this one Chinese-American hung out with the African-Americans in this small Iowa town back in the fifties, the Half-Bloods (always in tiny numbers) began hanging out with the 'No-Bloods'. Looking down and insulting those two was easy...while those were in small numbers. Now - now 'No-bloods' amount to half of Havenstone's population, yet they have no voice in affairs and little realistic hope of being 'elevated'.

Before you smugly sit back and think 'what a bunch of dumb broads' - what is the US Government' current deficit at? The People's Republic of China's One Child policy has resulted in a glut of sons...and this surprises anyone who understands an 'Eldest Son' based society? The WWF (that's 'Professional' Wrestling for those not in the US sphere of assimilation) has not even pretended to be real for decades yet still millions of people tune in three, or more, times a week to watch bare-chested men - and scantily clad women - roll around a ring (which is a four cornered sparing area) and touch each other. Cut the Amazons some slack.

Cáel's Pheromones

The pheromones are tailored specifically to work on his Mother's Sisters/his 'Aunts', not femininity in general. That would be highly counter-productive to have EVERY woman around you act like an addict. Cáel's Grandfather put that into Cáel's genetic make-up before he was born. It is far easier to tailor a gene before conception after all.

Besides, Cáel was a dating loser throughout High School as was indicated by his greatest humiliation. Then there is the Desk Sergeant where he keeps picking up Marilynn St. James, Desiree, Ursula, Leona, Constanza and Pamela. They may all eventually like him, but they aren't going at him with amorous intentions.

Cáel's dating prowess is a matter of physical attractiveness, a powerful sexual charisma, seductive instruction and the dedicated study of the art of eroticism. According to this tale, anyone who exercised 2+ hours a day developed the confidence and spent enough time pursuing and studying receptive females could do what he does. It is not magic, or super-science that makes Cáel that way - it is the love of the female form that drives him to do what he does, nothing more.

Why wasn't Ferko named Head of House Ishara

A technicality of Amazon law came into play and that is the terminology 'of the Host'. Cael was clearly 'of the Host' since he worked at Havenstone. Ferko? He was the oldest, but not 'of the Host'. There is no precedent for this. You have seen exactly ONE Amazon not of the Host far and that's Pamela. Pamela took herself to the cliffs and didn't die. No one knows what to make of that. They honor her accomplishments, but she is of no House and has no House protection...yet she is considered full-blooded.

You've heard of another Amazon not 'of the Host' - Desiree's Mom and that woman was labelled a traitor and put under a sentence of Death.

Ferko wasn't of the Host, wasn't a traitor and hadn't taken himself to the cliffs...Hayden didn't know what to do with him and his relationship to Cael. The only thing Hayden did know is that Aunt Stella did NOT carry the Ishara gene - so the only female in the family was disqualified from simplifying the situation. Getting Stella to leave her lifestyle would have been a fun conversation in and of itself.

Stella: "Right - cult of Amazons - ancient Goddesses - you think I'm the Chosen One - How nice, but I've got to be on board my ship at 3 a.m. so you land-lubbers need to get going.

Who is the Heir?

The question was addressed above - The Ishara genes carried in the Vranus line are Y-chromosome dependent. The line 'can' jump genders (back to female, thus the hope for Cael's daughters), but is very rare. Stella doesn't have the gene, thus is not a true descendant of Ishara. This is addressed in future chapters, btw. The readers are not alone in wondering why Stella isn't in charge (as most Amazons would prefer). The genetic information was provided to Cael by Shawnee Arinniti off-screen because this was an obvious complication (Stella being female and Ferko being Cael's father).

Stella and 22 (on resurrecting Dead Houses)

As for Stella - from Shawnee Arinniti's research from the DNA of Vranus, Ishara and a handful of remains from House Ishara male and females at that period, she determined there had become an independent, male Ishara, Y-chromosome dependent bloodline. Vranus was not the first male of the line. Others lived and died before he was born. From that, it was determined that Stella, not having the Y-chromosome, could not be considered an heir to Ishara. She could NEVER produce an Ishara offspring.

Now, this does imply two things: 1) the Vranus line can spread to the X-chromosome, thus there can be Ishara daughters once more. That was not the case with Stella. 2) Amazons possess the ability of 'genetic migration'. That means Amazons not born of a line can, over a series of generations, become of that main genetic line. Thus Buffy's great-granddaughter could inherit the Ishara gene. As an example, Tiger Lily, from Shoshone heritage, has her House genetic lineage as well. In turn, that means that almost every member of a house qualifies for Head of House. If not that Amazon, maybe her daughter. Spiritually, it helps bind the Ancestors together as they will all, eventually, be tied to the First Ancestor of their House.

This also means that Amazons actually NEED new blood from time to time, as all their genetics tend to narrow down to the 52, now 53, lines. Induction increases their genetic diversity in a never ending cycle. The current Amazon leadership is actually fighting their own nature - thus failed births and sterility from both the female and (pre-Cáel) slave male sides. Had the Amazons simply honored their promises to the 'Runners' this tale would not have happened. Cáel would have never been recruited by Havenstone.

Looking at it from that angle, Cáel could be seen as a contingency plan for Amazon survival hatched 2500 years ago.

Since it will come up, the same conditions exist for the 'lost' Arinniti sons and the older male warrior that protected those boys with Vranus. The males of those lines will be the generators of their House genetic identity, not their mothers, aunts, etc.

Sorry you feel that way... (on killing Anima/Brennan)

Anima and Brennan were 'bad people', but this chapter isn't about them. Frat boys? I hope no one takes my portrayal of Trent and Brennan as the Fraternity norm. What they are/were is an example of extreme selfishness and an overblown sense of entitlement. That wasn't the point of the chapter.

What was it about? The growth of Libra and Brooke. They aren't doing what Cael wants. They are doing what they think is right and looking back on their own ways of thinking. I am developing their characters.

I don't feel poverty ennobles and that wealth corrupts. It falls to the individual to make their choices.

What happens in 22 meshes with the actions in Chapter 23. I hope it clarifies things.

Oaths and Honesty

From the story's viewpoint: Cáel didn't make an Oath to Casper - He didn't swear to a higher power, or on something of value, to guarantee Casper's safety. He didn't swear by Ishara, his Ancestors, or on Aya's health. What Cáel did was make a promise to Anima that if something happened to Casper, there would payback she couldn't buy her way out of, or escape. She called his bluff only to learn he wasn't bluffing. No matter what the outcome, Cáel would be considered either honest, or dishonest, not an oath-breaker.

What Cáel told Hayden the last time he saw her would be considered an Oath because of the issue (induction into House Ishara), his status as Head of House (thus speaker for his Goddess and Ancestors) and the audience involved.

In the story, a true Oath involves the person making the pledge, the person/people, or ideal, they are making the declaration to, and the Higher Power they are asking to arbitrate the Oath. The Security Detail swears (as new members) to fight beside their sisters in the SD (both as leaders and followers), protect the Host and serve the High Priestess and Council. The Arbitrator of that Oath is the Goddess Ishara. If the SD member fails to support her sisters, acts in a cowardly manner, and/or betrays her leadership, Ishara punishes the oath-breaker - along with the rest of the Host providing mortal punishment.

Now that House Ishara is active once more, the House itself would be tasked with seeking out and punishing wrong-doers on a specific level (think US Marshal's Fugitive Unit). I hope this clarifies the matter.

There is what you know and what you can prove

Put it this way: You and I have been friends for years. I go to the American Northwest. I come home and tell you I saw the real sasquatch. Okay, you have never known me to act crazy...so what do you do and think?

Go the local Police Chief/Sheriff/Magistrate? Even if that individual has a good relationship with you, what would that official do? Call the Governor? The National Guard? The Army? In game context: who are Timothy and Odette going to tell who would both believe them and have the power to act on that knowledge?

Yasmin was brought into Havenstone because she personally witnessed Amazon business and she was a trained investigator - a threat.

Adding to the events is the general attitude of Amazons toward 'Normal' society. Amazons don't consider themselves a criminal conspiracy - despite their mass murdering history, possession of a vast arsenal of illegal weapons and galactic case of Tax Evasion.

Amazons believe in strength through training and vigilance. They want to birth the next generation of Amazons. They do not want to take over the world, sell drugs, commit acts of terrorism (in a conventional sense), or be involved with Murder for Hire. Amazons are not a threat to any federal, provincial, or state government. They may be a threat on a municipal, or county, level - again, in a self-defense capacity.

Now, if Cáel showed up with the location of mass graves and names of Amazon rural holdings, that would be different. That is concrete evidence. Otherwise, there are no male children, or grown men, missing in recent legal memory. Essentially, the Amazons are butchering people that have never existed.

In most ways the Amazons are their own nation-state with no ill-will toward any other established state (except Hellas). That is Javiera's current angle. There is little point in her eyes to try and ferret out the Amazons when she suspects several other, more insidious, conspiracies are at work. At Ferko's house, the Amazons acted both illegally and in self-defense. From Cáel's activities, she is making the calculated risk that turning Havenstone into a massive 'Confidential Informant' is the best legal course of action for the US. Katrina agrees.

So, what can Javiera take to court against Havenstone? Five, or six, arrests with the solid belief that none of those people will turn on the rest. By having a public, moving ritual, Cáel convinced Javiera that Havenstone was a cult/religion with the corresponding fanaticism/constitutional issues. Now, imagine Javiera explaining this to the US Attorney General. Oh, and wait, it is an 'international' organization that could possibly fold up overnight and end up in some other nation in a week. What then? "You see, Mr. President of this new country, you are harboring Amazon warriors who date their culture back to the Trojan Wars..." That is when they hang up.

By blabbing a bit, Cáel gives potential allies an edge in survival and the option of pursuing an information-exchange relationship. This is somewhat akin to the intelligence sharing between the US - UK - Soviets during WWII; hopefully more of a US - UK affair than one enjoyed with the Russians.

As for the Latin King clique and the dead super-rich. These are crimes Javiera would like to investigate, but to what end? In the future, Javiera may believe she can build a viable case against Havenstone and do some real damage to them/enforce the existing laws.

As for the 9 Clans and Oshea's - this is not something they don't know, or strongly suspect. Cáel's very existence is far more valuable to them.

I hope this mini-essay helps.

Is that right? (On Keeping Cael Alive after he starts fights with other Secret Societies and inducting 'runners')

I thought I covered that. If Cael bites it, what are the 'Runners' going to think? Gosh, Cael got gakked because he was stupid...and Goddess ordained? Or, those bitchy full-bloods offed the only one Head of House honoring their promise? I'm not sure why you believe Buffy could be either co-opted, or marginalized this side of death. Buffy is in Executive Services and she knows what they do. Offing her? Yeah...the President of the United States died in a parachuting accident today. In other news, the Vice President ate a tarantula and died of food poisoning...Cael's death not only doesn't solve the mess that is his existence, it makes things worse.

Sigh - why is there a New Directive? Why was there a First Directive (the creation of the 'Runner' caste)? Amazons are DYING OUT! Killing Cael is the opposite of solving their birthing issues, it exacerbates them since Cael is their 'success story'.

Then there is that nagging little problem that there is a War coming. Cael is trying to build alliances, as is Katrina. Let's see...Cael makes some key introductions then ends on the wrong end of a poorly cooked Puffer Fish...yeah, that makes we want to trust the Amazons. Either they killed off their own emissary, or they couldn't adequately defend him...which is worse?

The blabbing I covered in an earlier response to a post.

There are two guiding principles in Amazon Society - protect the Host, breed more Amazons. Nothing else comes close.

NON FS Comment

I had a question about the SD team thinking they met Uncle Lumpy on the way out.

FinalStand gave me this reply that he allowed me to share with the rest of his readers.

The SD team and Delilah were going over matters at the SD apartment across the street. Sure, Cael can take her word for it, but the SD chicks don't. That was the hole in their security. SD was momentarily distracted, Estere was protecting Libra in a bad neighborhood late at night while on a food run, and Pamela, counting on the other two factors, wasn't around.

FYI: The scenes where the SD was running across the street to Cael's because they have his place wired and Odette's screams alerted them to the danger. The Feds/NYPD were monitoring the place visually - no warrant yet, and they see the four SD chicks, followed by Delilah, rushing in.

Fed: "Freeze! FBI!" (Flashes badge)

SD: (flashes their badges)"Havenstone Security - follow us!" (They are the ones in body armor, wielding PDWs after all)

Fed: "Huh...what the fuck?" (Decides not to shoot the women who are ignoring him)

Two SD weapons killed Lumpy (finally, though he was pretty much a goner when he showed up at Cael's anyway). Those are the two weapons Maddox refers to when she interrogates Cael at Havenstone. In fact, that is why she is allowed inside the facility. Katrina is working with Javiera on this matter. Javiera put the SD member wounded in Chicago in a Havenstone medical facility while under round the clock federal surveillance with some 'friendly' interrogation.

Katrina/Havenstone is not up to working with the US Federal Government, but they are willing to work with Javiera, which is a big enough step in, and of, itself.

Again my thanks to FinalStand for a great story. I am grateful to be a neer-do-well

Poor Uncle Lumpy

By the time Uncle Carrig arrived at Cael's building, he was dying from his wounds. The timing of events was critical. The team across the street was interrogating Delilah. The Federal Task Force team didn't understand the relevance of this seemingly drunk man going up the steps. Several groups had left the domicile so Cael had every reason to be anticipating company. Then there was the downpour, thunder and lightning confusing perceptions for everyone involved.

The last bit of 'strange' was that Lumpy was so badly hurt, he rang the bell. Had he tried to knock the door in, Sovann, Timothy and Cael would have been in the living room and fought Carrig at the same time, greatly increasing their chances of holding out until the Feds and SD arriving less than a minute later. But no, Lumpy was in so much pain, disoriented by his injuries and by the force of his final directive that all he could muster was to ring the bell. Seeing Cael's face, reignited Lumpy's rage and the rest is history.
Off-screen, yet hinted at, is that the SD arrived first, finished off Lumpy then surrendered their weapons to the Feds, hinting at some level of cooperation between Havenstone and the Feds established before the firefight. SD is detained, but not arrested (the issue of his 'four' bodyguards). Cael wakes up at Havenstone, not some regular, or military, hospital, but has a federal investigator close by. The World does not stand still.

A few things (or more than a few things)

First off, I, as an author, found the two scenes involving Hayden's demise painful to write. The driving forces behind that decision - 1) these are Amazons, not the Campfire Girls. They are a bloody and unforgiving people and 2) as Hayden said, she was able to regain her courage at the end.

She started out wanting to save her people. When the New Directive was about to be implemented, she balked. Tessa and Katrina fought for an extensive policy. Hayden refused to defy the will of the Council and demanded the original plan be 'trimmed down' - her act of cowardice. The only person who could save the Amazon race was Hayden; it's her job. Had she stood up to Krasimira and Cáel, she would have won and they would have been shamed. Cáel and Krasimira would have compelled to take their own lives. Their deaths would not have solved any of the Amazon problems. Her death can...so she 'Amazon-ups' and faces her end like a heroine.

Not only did she accuse enemies of the New Directive to be traitors, she declared the whole idea of opposing the New Directive as treasonous thought.

At most, Hayden would only reign for 10 more years. Instead of passing on a race clinging to the past and on the verge of extinction, she hands over a people embracing hopes for the future - the adoption of 'Runners' and some level of 'Warrior-Fathers'. Of course, the latter is still very much in the discussion phase about actual societal rights/duties, numbers, and...sons. Not even Cáel has discussed bringing a single man into Havenstone, much less House Ishara.

The Device

The object in Cáel's brain...okay. For starters - this encompasses both the Cyberpunk and Steam Punk genres. Essentially this is 'brain-taping' (actually, memory insertion, but the memories had to be recorded to begin with) with an electro-mechanical device. Do not try this at home. In fact, never try this.

First off you had the suction-like device. It created an air-tight seal when activated. It fired a thermite-style pellet into his head, specifically to pierce a precise amount of skin and skull matter. The heat was sucked up into the cup to keep the brain undamaged.

Next, there was a one inch thick cylinder. Inside was a sonic device that created a primitive map of Cáel's brain, a long, thick needle, a stabilizing device to aim the needle, and a precise charge to propel the needle to a pre-determined depth between the two hemispheres of the brain, causing a non-disruptive amount of trauma.

Once in place, an energy cell inside the needle unleashed its power. The etching on the needle channeled that energy to certain areas of the brain. It also shut his brain down to a minimal level of activity to lessen the damage to his psyche/personality. In the story, channeling all that energy into so much neuro-matter at one time would have broken Cáel, or anyone else. To deal with this issue, the current flowed around the brain and was gradually transcribed into neuropathways - mainly to the long-term memory centers (things like languages) and muscle memory. That resulted in a week-long coma for Cáel.

[Spoiler Alert]

This is NOT the insertion of Cáel O'Shea's persona into his grandson. The guy had back-up plans for his back-up plans. With Lumpy's imminent demise, one such plan kicked in. Lumpy dutifully hunted the 'target' down and injected him. Cáel O'Shea's reasoning being his loyal and dutiful daughters would kill their brother unless they located his true 'heir', Cáel. Face it, why would the daughters want to bring the Old Man back, when they can have his half-baked substitute as a co-dependent slave? They ladies are smart and ambitious...and they've been terrified that their 'Dad' had a way to cheat death he hadn't confided to them in, because, you know, they are EVIL. They were right and that is the problem. Old Man Cáel was ALWAYS one step ahead of his brood. They can't live forever without him, but they don't want him back (yes, Cáel's aunts have lied to him. People do that.)

Suddenly, some underpaid technician in some lab runs a genetic test and compares it to an international database. Procedure? Yeah, they were only to send it off in small samples, not the whole DNA sequence...but that takes too much of the tech's time. Ta-da! Bells and Whistles go off at Casa de O'Shea. They've found what they've been looking for. The new problem is the sample didn't read 'Cáel Nyilas'. It was assigned an alphanumeric code at Havenstone before they sent it out for testing. Breaking into the DNA lab won't do any good. They need to find out who gave the sample to the lab. Reenter Nicole Lawless - figuratively and literally.

Then Briana turns around and looks into her father's eyes...and thinks 'now what?' Is this Dad? Is this one of Dad's experiments? Is this some sort of demented trap? And less the aunts forget, they are junkies, jonesing for some serious 'Daddy Time'. Everyone knows how calmly and rationally junkies approach a situation. In their fearful minds, Cáel Nyilas Ishara might actually be Cáel O'Shea playing yet another mind game, figuring who is 'loyal' and who isn't.

Playing mind games? Brianna is seriously thinking about shooting this person (our hero) when 'Bazinga!' he works for...Havenstone...you know, the people who murdered him. Now think back to this woman having been raised by a genius, hyper-inventing Moriarty with a mean streak a mile long. What is real? What is the really, really Real?

At the funeral, the aunts think they've got the situation figured out. They now need to remove Lumpy (as they had planned all along) and retrieve their 'nephew'. Sadly for those little demonesses with flowing red-manes, ole Lumpy doesn't go down as easily as they hoped. Worse, by the time they tracked Lumpy down they are staring at Cáel's apartment and it is crawling with Feds, cops and Havenstone. To add some rat-droppings to their Béarnaise sauce, the Feds and Havenstone appear to be working TOGETHER. Wa-ha?

Katrina and Javiera are two rather brilliant women and realize sharing at this point is best for both factions. But from the aunts' perspective...are those two also working, knowingly, or unknowingly, for 'Dad'? There are some days they want embrace their sanity, kiss it good-bye, put on their homemade Pterodactyl suit and just jump off the Empire State Building. Who knows? They might yet find happiness before they die.

The Curse

(and please forgive me. I'm in a serious manic phase right now)

The Curse was placed on the Amazon Race by the Goddess Ishara. She had Cael vomit up a rather large yet symbolic amount of the blood Amazons have used to seal oaths over the years. The curse broke down the power of those oaths. In 'Real World' terms, it slowly altered how Amazons prioritized their lives. Your loyalty to friends and family remained the same, but your willingness to put aside your wants and needs for a faceless/unpopular fellow Amazon was diminished. Amazons began seeking out more 'me' time because their devotion to their department, caste, profession was lessened.

As an example, Amazons are immaculate cleaners yet Pamela found dust in the knife dojo. Amazons take to assigned tasks eagerly. A 'Runner' told Desiree 'when I can get to it' as opposed to 'right away'. It starts with the little things. In the long term...Amazons swear Oaths to their Heads of House, to their caste and on major deals. Suddenly you feel fine with shirking duties the HoH gives you. Say you are the Armory guard...you think it is okay to take a coffee break. Katrina sends an ES operative to retrieve a piece of data. The operative decides that the challenge is just too exhaustive this time and comes back empty handed. In Amazon society, Oaths carry with them pride and dedication to their position. It has never come up, but the cleaning staff at Havenstone are Amazons. They dedicate their lives to keeping the building clean and pleasant to work in. It is how they feel they contribute. There is no 'overtime' or 'getting it done next time.' The woman emptying the trash is as diligent and proud of their work as a bodyguard, computer tech, or pilot. That is the power of Oaths in Amazon society and that is the realm of Ishara.

Finally, take a look at Ancient deities. They are a 'Don't fuck with us' crowd. Ishara, in her mind, made it abundantly that Cael was her designated heir, Head of House and rekindler of her name. She was HIS matron Goddess and to insult him was to insult her. That is Amazon Religion 101. The Amazon leadership got pissy and they earned her WRATH. Like ancient curses, there was also a way out. Like ancient curses, there was a heavy price to pay for angering the divinity. Saying 'I'm sorry' wasn't going to cut it. Besides, they weren't sorry...until it was too late.

Killjoy: "I confess to nothing!" (IN Reference to Cael being part of The Great Khans Genetic legacy)

Of course, such a thing is in the realm of possibility. The Mongols did invade Hungary and crush its army. They also ruled border regions of that kingdom for over a century afterwards. 'Tartar' mercenaries were used by various Central & Eastern European powers over the next few centuries. The best means of countering Mongol tactics was to hire some of your own. In turn, Chinese, Mongols, Turks, Koreans, Bulgarians, Russians, Poles, Lithuanians, Persians, Caucasians, Kurds, Arabs, Afghans and Indians all marched at some point under the Mongol banner.

fanfare:

(At the next Amazon Council meeting)

Cáel: "Let me get this straight - during a break in the middle of peace negotiations during the Trojan War, one Greek turned to another and said 'Look at the "Hot Flanks" on that one'...and that's the REAL reason for this 3000 year old feud?"

The councilwomen look around somewhat shame-faced.

Ngozi: "Well...it was rude and sexist. We take pride in the firmness of our thighs and buttocks as befitting those of all true warriors."

Madi: "Yes. Besides, you know what those Greeks were really thinking about."

(Pause)

Fatima: "I heard somewhere that Menelaus began humming 'Baby Got Back'."

(Every stares at her)

Fatima: "I heard it...somewhere."

Cáel puts his elbows on the table then bangs his head repeatedly against the hard, wooden surface.

Brain Power

I agree with your brain facts, Anon. I always meant the 'story facts' to be more of what Cáel translates what he is being told than the actual words he is bombarded with. When the rather baffled specialists are rudely interrupted by their patient, they dumb-down their statements/prognoses to answer his questions so that he will be quiet. They might have said "a 30% increase in the level of activity", or "this section normally registers as an '8', but now...a '30'..." which would make medical sense to the doctors while confusing the Hell out of Cáel. A more accurate explanation to what the doctors are saying is that Cáel's brain is working faster and harder than a standard brain. While a normal brain may replicate his cerebral functions, none could sustain his continuing level of intensity. Again, taken as singular bits of data, not one thing Cáel does is impossible. His brain is still a human brain. It is the Big Picture that has them stumped. Hmmm...it is comparable to him making love, speed-reading War & Peace, while memorizing the combined works of the Rolling Stones, sampling a complete Korean menu, racing a Formula 1 car in the Andes with lava bombs keep raining down on him. A normal brain would prioritize things. Cáel's is fully absorbing all that input as if he was doing each task individually. Does that help?

FYI, I have always had Cáel make bad deductions, leap to mistaken conclusions and selectively hear what he wants to hear. The story is from a 'Cáel's Eye View', not unfiltered reality. Aka - Cáel is an idiot...just a sexually God-like, very intelligent, fearless, multilingual, physically appealing and overly competent Idiot. This is comedic erotica after all.

Dracula was NOT an Amazon (not in my World anyway)

No. Dracula was Son of the Dragon and part of a knightly order that fought for Christianity against the Ottoman Turks, Tartars and Crimean Khanate in their time.

The Primordial Dragon is a common theme in many cultures creation mythology. Now, since multiple faiths do exist in my modern fantasy, you may infer that there really is a draconic influence in that region of Europe. Don't think vampires and large, flying, fire-breathing reptilians.

Think - Children of the Dragon: men and women with superior endurance, resistance to pain and poisons, vitality, long life (living to 90, or even 100 with most of their faculties) and great strength. We are talking about being at the extreme limits of human ability ~ not blatantly supernatural.

If Vlad Dracul had been truly dragon-blooded, he would have exhibited those abilities. Combined with his charisma, ruthlessness and noble status, he would have been a truly terrifying foe to face on and off the battlefield. A Temujin of the Balkans.

Two diplomats - two different missions

The diplomat to the 9 Clans is to help long term cooperation with the 9 Clans on a global scale. Last time they were on the same side (WWI), they didn't communicate and tragedy happened. This time, Cael wants to build up an open line of communication.

The diplomat to the ninja has a much more immediate mission - keep the 7 Ninja families (maybe 6 now) in the fight. That means a quick infusion of Amazons to Nippon and requires much more in depth understanding, and greater trust. Amazons and Ninja are (hopefully) going to be fighting side by side in a matter of days, or weeks. As mentioned several chapters ago, the 9 Clans keep their distance...but if they ever declare you a friend, they are a friend till death.

Why Aksai Chin?

As has been pointed out to me, Aksai Chin is a veritable wasteland - I knew that. What Aksai Chin does have is a strategic road linking parts of Tibet and a history of being wanted (for some reason) by China, India and Pakistan. Natural resources? None that I know of. The issue it that it HAD a Chinese garrison - they are dead now - and that to recapture it quickly (before Pakistan and India get greedy), the Chinese have to move in forces from Tibet and Xinjiang...down to the far southeastern corner of China...along a very tenuous supply line to the ass-end of nowhere. Now, what does that do to the Chinese defensive capabilities in Xinjiang, which has large, oppressed Turkish and Mongolian minorities and a long, open border with Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan? Do you know of any pissed off Mongolian Warlords, or a 500 year old secret society bent on re-creating the Great Khanate? Do you have any idea how much Russian and Central Asian military hardware had gone missing since 2000? Do you have any idea how many Mongolian and Turkish men and women have been trained in their respective country's military then discharged? Don't forget those trained in Russia. Get the picture? [Don't worry - the goings-on in Asia are only a backdrop to the main story]

Fine

Cáel is Cáel. The memories are just that - memories. By embracing them, he can function as if he had those skills. He does not lose himself when he does so, though some experiences are overwhelming from a sensory standpoint.

Alal is, in fact, back.

Pamela has the Baraqu-part of that soul, with this she could kill, temporarily, Alal. She didn't know until she took herself to the cliffs that if she died, he would get the Baraqu part back.

Cáel does have Alal's memories. This also means that he will eventually have the memories of Alal's plan. That means Alal WANTED Cáel to have those memories and the knowledge of what he is attempting to do.

A theme in this story has been confronting fate. Destiny puts you in the place to do great things, but the choice to act, or how you act, is still your own. And, if you don't think that is the case, re-read Alal's story. Remember, Cáel is still essentially the same being he was in Chapter One. He made himself the man he is. He studied, worked out, romanced and embraced the challenges that confronted him. That is key because Cáel doesn't pass the buck. He guesses wrong occasionally, but he learns and moves forward. Whatever spiritual mumbo jumbo and steam-punk science (Alal was growing female clones of himself a 100 years ago) this story contains, it is still about a person making choices he hopes he can live with (and scoring as many chicks as possible).

As for Hana Sulkanen - just imagine the encounter when Aya knocks on Hana's door and asks to have a talk about Hana's fiancé/Aya's 'Fehér mén'.

"Lady, please don't hurt Cáel. If you do...well I'm only nine. Don't make me kill you."

One last thing - Cáel does make mistakes and since the story is told from his perspective, you are given his false assumptions as "Facts".

Cáel and the Ishara/Vranus bloodline

Back before the Second Betrayal, Isharan Amazons had male children. Some of those male children carried the Isharan genetic sequence with them so that their daughters COULD also be Isharans, so the line was recognized. Not all Vranus daughters had the Isharan bloodline though all the males did. Then Vranus is sent into Transylvania with the Arinitti male children (who possessed the Arinitti genetic sequence). Vranus was a member of the Amazon Host. It was thought that he died fighting the last battles against the Celts. Instead, he died honorably, fulfilling his orders. That duty meant his children of the Isharan/Vranus bloodline were automatically members of the Host as well, down through the ages.

Current day, Cáel is of the Vranus bloodline, thus can possibly have Isharan daughters. Cáel's paternal aunt doesn't have the 'Vranus' genetic sequence, thus doesn't qualify to be a member of House Ishara. Ferko, Cáel's Dad, did have it and technically should have been House Head. Not only was Ferko not part of Havenstone, Cáel's ascension happened so fast that Hayden and Katrina never had time to fix the issue. At Ferko's funeral, that is addressed by Cáel to his new inductees.

Day Count for Cael and the Great Hunt

The current story date is Sunday, July 13, 2014. He started work on Monday, June 2nd, 2014, so his count would be 42 days ~ half way through his 84 day intern period (3 x 28 days - internally the Amazons use a Lunar calendar). The 2nd through the 30th would be 29 days in June. The 1st through the 13th would be the other 13 (double-checking my math) which equals 42, thus 42 left to go.

August 24th would be the last day of his internship so the 'Great Hunt' would fall on the weekend of August 29th, 30th and 31st. Most likely, Cael and Felix (yes, he will be a part of it and yes, they can work together) will be given a day or two head start to check out the terrain and make some plans. In the interim, the Amazons can narrow the field of hunters down to 30, or so. Now, only two Amazons can actually win, so alliances will be made and broken. If either, or both men remain free until sunset of the 31st, they win.

The actual prize has yet to be decided upon. The status award alone will be a big deal...and, if one of the winners also happens to be a candidate for High Priestess...

Chapter 36 and stuff

Where to begin? Cael's Mom hasn't come up because Cael is conflicted about whose side she might be on. First, she was dead, then she was alive in the shadows giving him aid...and then the level of control Alal was exhibiting over the time period he was 'dead' has become evident to our 'hero'. Strangely, that comes up in the first 2000 words of Chapter 36. Whether or not Cael CAN and WILL trust his mother is part of the story as it unravels.
History vs back ground vs Character development: I haven't meant it to be this way, but so far in the 10,000 words I've written in Chapter 36, it is about 85% conversation, 10% Background and 5% historical stuff (normally used to put the background stuff into context).

To be clear, in my interpretation History is 'why the world works this way' material. For instance, what happened during the Second Betrayal and how it influences the current Amazons, or what is happening in the 'Unification War' because that determines how much interest/weight Cael has with various factions. History explains why two trained professional British military experts are hanging around with a guy fresh out of a liberal arts college no one has ever heard of. Delilah and Chaz can't hang out with Cael because he's 'cool'. They have jobs and are responsible to their government.

Background is explaining what happens between scenes and beyond Cael's immediate perceptions. As an example, what was happening with Odette as she learned the fates of Charlotte and Vincent, two of her new friends? Who helped her cope? Vincent is being flow to Germany. That wasn't Cael's doing. Javiera is handling the calls to the Vincent's daughters. Mona works with the Romanian medics ~ off scene yet important to the main story. Chapter 36 picks up in Rome. The background material gives a short catalog of events of how they got there.

Character Development includes conversations, Caelisms, person and place descriptors and how Cael thinks. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Cael's instincts are good, but he does make mistakes and misjudges people and events. Do not take everything he thinks and says as gospel. He can be wrong. He knows it and I want to readers to understand that as well.

I'm pretty freaking unstable right now...

To Anonymous and their idea of political rants: I'm a Right of Center Republican. In theory I'm a Christian yet if 'God' tells me to vote for a specific someone, I'm not going to the polls. I'm having the wife drive me to the mental hospital. Beyond that, I have friends all over the political spectrum. I'm pro-Gun, pro-Choice, pro-Defense and generally pro- things that provided freedom of choice and put the burden on personal responsibility.

I once had the Dali Lama (no public figure is safe from me) "Government is what happens when people stop thinking for themselves".

I believe that government has a purpose and that is to navigate the waters of the desires of their citizens balanced with what needs to be done. As far as I know, there is no EPA or Education mandate in the US Constitution and is Amendments. Still, corporations were allowed to police their environmental policies without government interference for over a century and that was a disaster. The Constitution is meaningless if the US become uninhabitable. Higher standards of education make good economic and military sense. A smarter workforce is more productive. Smarter soldiers make better use of the high-tech equipment that becomes part of their daily lives while in service. That's not in the Constitution yet clearly in our Nation's best interest.

And both those things can be abused. If the EPA has the unrestricted power to shut industries down, what do we do with the unemployed? What happens when Federal Educational funding comes with strings attached concerning what can and cannot be taught based on religious or political agendas?

In my experience, few things are clear-cut in life. Few things in Life as a New Hire are that easy either. Who foresaw the Cael-Rhada relationship in Chapter One? Who suspected Buffy had a softer side? Who thought Hayden would chose suicide as a means of saving her People?

From the story POV, Cael is non-political. A theme in this story is that you trust people, not letterheads. There is good government people who seek justice and bad government types who abuse their power. There are good corporate types who feel they have an obligation to help others and evil corrupt entities that are completely carnivorous.

Pamela is best described as a Libertarian, but then look at her personality and profession ~ she single-handedly hunts down and kills people. That tends to make a person a tad bit self-reliant.

The Amazons are actually a very socialist organization. Universal healthcare, education and employment - for themselves. All leadership positions are based on merit, not nepotism. Even though the High Priestess is chosen by the Goddesses, the Goddesses have to choose from the candidates who prove themselves in the run up to the selection. Amazons are taken at their word. Wealth means little to them as all their needs are provided by 'the State'. There is the whole issue with the prejudice with the 'Runners'...and that's being addressed by the Goddesses and the power structure. The fall of Hayden pretty much showed that the Goddesses want the 'Houses' to respect their oaths to the 'Runners' thus bringing about true equality throughout the system.

I pick on the PRC a great deal because they are freaking HUGE and can take a pounding. A shootout in the Vatican City would be over way too fast. In another story of mine ~ over 400,000 words ~ there is a civil war in Russia and internment camps in the United States.

Why do I pick on governments? As a person living in the US, I love our Democratic Republic. Sure, it has its problems, but it is still the best form of government there is for a country this size. In fiction, governments have tons of money and millions of employees. People can rise to positions where they can abuse their power and get drunk on the sensation of making the 'little people' dance.

The same goes for corporations. Like most governments, they are not intrinsically evil, but they can be played that way. Again, they have gobs of money and can go to extremes to fatten up the bottom line.

A person's personal wealth, gender, religion, and profession do not determine if they are good, bad, or indifferent. Can an assassin be good? Well, is killing people who commit crimes yet remain above the standard legal systems a good act, or not? Is killing one person to save thousands a good deed? Things are rarely clear cut.

Take an illegal immigrant veteran construction worker. He knows the cement he is pouring is not the proper grade for the foundation of the building he is working on. He knows it is a cheap substitute that the construction manager is using to pad his own pockets. He knows the building will be at much greater risk of collapsing. He also knows that if the building does collapse, they won't be the one catching the blame. He knows he has a wife and two young kids to support. He knows if he brings this to the attention of the authorities, he will most likely lose his job and be deported along with his family ~ back to a far more dangerous place. He decides to keep his mouth shut and never let his family, or any of the families of his friends come to this building once it is complete. He pours the substandard concrete and goes on with his life. Does that make him evil? Sure the construction manager is committing the crime, but the worker knows he is doing a bad thing as well and letting it happen. So?

In this tale there are only two absolutes: Alal is the most powerful human being on the planet because of his 5000 years of life experience...and, Katrina Love is the smartest person in the room - always.

The Black Lotus

I apologize. I left that unclear. Katrina didn't tell the CIA and MI-6 the precise detail of the Black Lotus. In fact, the name wasn't used - multiple governments use wireless intercepts. Here is what happened - Javiera received the information about the explosions in China then contacted Katrina to see if her Amazon ally could provide any extra info. When the details of the two female 'Resistance-fighter's suicide, Katrina informed Javiera that this was the work of the 9 Clans. Javiera already know the bare-bones basics of the 9 Clans. The Black Lotus had become an active player, capable of launching missions on the Chinese mainland. With Katrina's approval, Javiera spread the word. Both the CIA and MI-6 expressed interest in learning more...then Katrina called Cael's tiny diplomatic team in Japan. The Amazon ambassador talked to the Ninja and the Ninja reached out to their contacts in the Black Lotus. With the Black Lotus on board (and accepting their own personal Amazon envoy), not only will they feed the Amazons data through the Ninja, the CIA and MI-6 can ask for specific things to be done inside China...by way of asking Javiera to ask Katrina/the Amazons to ask the Black Lotus. That way, the Intelligence agencies are clear of any wrong doing. The CIA and MI-6 are a little frustrated that the Amazons will only deal with Javiera and her team and no one else for now. Of course, if the Black Lotus proves useful to the CIA and MI-6, they might feel obliged to help the Black Lotus out in the future. The reason that the Amazons are only using Javiera is both a matter of trust and he realistic fear that the Illuminati, Egyptian Rite, Condos and 7Ps might try to insinuate themselves in the process. All of this espionage chicanery was itself accelerated by Cael's deal between the Russians and the Khanate. Within hours of the UK/US getting the plans for "Operation Funhouse", Russian and Khanate troops were on the move. The whole Amazon-Javiera network is clearly for real and capable of delivering. Wheels within wheels.

Why Some House Heads are still alive after Hayden's decree

First off, Madi is alive. She was a Traditionalist, but not a Cult of Blood Purity fanatic, like Ursula. In their very first meeting, Madi suggested to Katrina that Cael be given over to her because she admired his spirit and thought he would be a good 'breeding male'. She was acting out of Amazon tradition. Ursula was acting against the judgment of the Council and the High Priestess. Hayden's list eliminated the lunatic fringe who would have let the Amazons die before sacrificing her ideals. Hayden had to get remove them. All the lunatic fringe were in the Traditionalist faction, but not all Traditionalists were lunatic fringe.

What has Hana agreed to?

Hana hasn't agreed to anything, yet. Through mainly Buffy's efforts, she's been made aware of Cáel's predilections and obligations. As of the end of this chapter, she is aware that Cáel is willing to try and make their relationship more than a thing of convenience. The 'boy' is passionate, compassionate and a bit immature. She now knows Cáel will try to make her happy because he wishes to, not because he feels sorry for the situation he's placed her in. Hana has NOT agreed to polygamy. What will the future hold? Well, we shouldn't forget that certain women think Cáel belongs to them and see Hana as an obstacle.

Riverwolf0222 - Odette

Odette is living the dream and writing checks her body can't cash. That being said, if you go back to her second 'date' with Cael, her adaptability is evident. Roll forward to her dealing with Oneida plus Slayer of Testicles One and Two. Then there is our introduction to Delilah. Odette sensed something was wrong yet risked herself for Cael. Odette has nearly boundless enthusiasm and courage. Add that to the fact she can't truly comprehend the danger Alal represents and hopefully her actions in 36 make more sense. In Cael's morally grey world, Odette is one of the few, uncomplicated, upbeat, decent people he knows. He needs her and she knows it.

The Hunt

By the time the Hunt comes around Cael's reaction will probably be - "Thank Dot! I'm finally getting a vacation!" Felix: "Dude, thirty Amazons are going to hunt us down." Cael: "Trust me. Compared what my life has been like for the past 84 days, this is Paradise." Felix: "That disheartening. Let's go kick some Amazon ass. You'll feel better."

Hana

It was 'decided' that they would tell Cael that someone made an attempt on Hana's life, but to withhold the extent of the danger she was in. From the opinions of Hana, the E&S person on the scene and the Ghost Tigers, they had everything in hand. Distracting Cael would have been counter-productive. He's got to prep himself for the trials coming up over the next month. He's got to ensure the issue with the two Dragon houses is settled and confirm the status of the JIKIT(ies) ~ that the 9 Clans, Earth & Sky and Amazons feel comfortable. The previous three Chapters have formed the basis for the trust they have for Cael ... and to a lesser extent each other. The Great Khan has made the decision to focus Khanate interest through Cael. Hana was a nice bonus. The 9 Clans know that Cael has fought heroically in five major shoot outs, proving his worth as a 'young' leader, thoughtful and brave. Considering at one point the Amazons voted for Cael to spend the rest of his life in a cage. Since then, he has resurrected a Dead Fist House, saved hundreds of Amazon young at great risk to himself. Then he pushed Hayden until she perished and destroyed the 'Cult of Purity. Then Cael became Chief Diplomat, killed tons of Europeans, including Ajax. After only a few days on the job, he had Amazons teaming up with the 9 Clans in Japan. The effort in Tibet was a much bigger and more coordinated plan that played to the strengths of all involved. Now, by building up the background, I can now show a heavily burdened Cael leaning on his best friends - Timothy, Odette and Aya to help him out. And, a whole new cast of women to pursue and to pursue him. Seeing how I've been up for the past 42 hours without sleep, I should try to crash.

The House Illuyankamunus / SzélAnya Conundrum

Yes, I know it is confusing, so I'll go back to the beginning of Amazon history: By the time the Amazon's formed their first houses, the God Illuyankamunus was already dead. Before dying, he had a daughter, SzélAnya, who was half-Hittite deity and half Cosmic Dragon. He gets killed the then Lord of Hittite pantheon in prehistoric times. Step forward to the Amazon exodus form their initial homeland on the southern shore of the Black Sea. A few Amazons, with the aid of the Goddess SzélAnya, form a new House, which the Goddess wants named after her fallen father - Illuyankamunus. To be of the bloodline of SzélAnya, you must have the blood of her sons in you. That means only the daughters of her sons (her granddaughters) can be Amazons of her house. Her great-granddaughters were adopted into other houses. That WAS House Illuyankamunus' dirty little secret. Step forward to the Second Betrayal and the slaughter of all the males ~ Illuyankamunus fought the decision, but gave in when the Host overwhelmingly voted for the Death Sentence. They accepted their own extinction. Except - one male of the house survived accidentally. He had sons and daughter who kept up the TRUE line House Illuyankamunus. The Amazon House of the same name found a means of survival without their matron Goddess which hasn't been revealed yet. The High Priestesses and Keepers of the Records have to have known this ... so ... 2500 years ago House Illuyankamunus accepted the judgment which guaranteed their own extinction. Now, fate has given them a second chance and, in a way, they are voting in a manner that could result in their destruction yet again.

To clarify, to be an Amazon of House SzélAnya (and the ancient House of Illuyankamunus (3000 years ago), you had to be a daughter of a man of the SzélAnya bloodline. The Goddess has been constantly replenishing (aka mating with her human males about every 5 generation. Later she gives those men their 'newborn' sons to raise. Sons who are part dragon, divine and mortal human. If that man's child is a daughter, she becomes an Amazon. If the child is a son, he carries on the bloodline. That 'grandson's daughter will become the next generation of Amazons and the grandson's sons will carry on the bloodline. The granddaughters' offspring are NOT RELATED to the House at all.

That means the Professor Loma and his two sons are the future of House SzélAnya, not the Lovasz sisters. The Lovasz sister's father died in a train accident ... think about that. The sisters qualify as being Amazons of the house though ~ so they can protect their males until the next generation grows to maturity. The Professor's daughter, Djiana, would also qualify. Djiana could also qualify as a member of House Hylonome, because her mother had been (even though a renegade), just like Desiree qualified for House Epona.

Felix

When I first read this chapter I was pissed at Felix too. However when I communicated this to FS he set me straight. I enclose his reply to me so you can understand the situation and realize what monsters the Amazons truly are.

From FS:

Felix was acting as Katrina's agent. He knew the whole deal and was glad he was chosen ~ more people should get the "Real Melena" aesthetic. Katrina needed someone to handle the upfront meeting ~ to put a face to the treason and who better than Felix?

Felix wasn't the bad guy here. He even found a way to get Aya and Cael their phone memory cards, Cael his honor blade and his gifts for Dot Ishara.

Felix was also 'Cael's out'. Katrina knew the moment he saw Felix that this was all Katrina's doing. There was no way Felix could pull this off himself and no Amazon at Havenstone would trust him to be part of a true conspiracy. Had Cael called out for Felix to help, an Elsa-led Amazon team would have swarmed the building, ending the mission.

By handing over both Cael and Aya, Felix has guaranteed that his 'traitor team' is a credible source of information inside Havenstone. This way, Katrina can guess 7P intentions toward the Amazons by what information the 7P ask for. At the key moment, Katrina can feed them truly damaging data and make them bleed. This is all a plan by Katrina to fuck with the 7P. You know when she makes her move, they will bleed and bleed and bleed.

And Yes, Katrina threw Aya out there to sell the lie. Both Aya and Cael understand that and Aya knows that she is fulfilling the role of every other Amazon by risking her life for the host. Cael knows the same thing, but is still angry about it. Not so angry that he cancelled the mission though.

I hope this helps. FS

Aya, Goddesses and Cael returning to Havenstone

Aya will not be healed. She will bear that scarring for the rest of her life. I have consulted with several real-world female archers and they have guaranteed me Aya will have no significant difficulty shooting a bow. She is a daughter of Epona, not Ishara, so it is not the place for Dot Ishara's to meddle with (or heal) Aya. Even more, Amazons value their scars. Aya will still take her 12th year test with all her other age-mates. She wouldn't want it any other way. Not only has she adopted Cael's humility, she truly believes she only acted as a true Amazon would ~ nothing special (she's wrong, but she likes to think the most of her sisters). As a reader commented above, Cael couldn't have done what he did without Aya and Aya drew strength from Cael. It should also noted that someone else thinks the world of Aya and her abilities ~ Katrina. She supplied Cael an Amazon to stand at his side, hiding in plain sight. Aya was even compassionate enough to warn Mu and Zhen what a colossal mistake they were making by letting either of them (Aya and Cael) live. The Seven Pillars people mocked her over that (off-screen) until the very end. Aya is a Winner.

On the topic of Goddesses ~ this is pretty much it for a while. What I've tried to project is that the world has a supernatural element, but magic in all its forms is highly dangerous to manipulate. Technology is almost always the better option.

As for Cael and Havenstone: There is one last side-trip planned (Brazil). A cease-fire is about to break out, giving the world some breathing space and more of a chance for the professionals to take the lead in JIKIT. Cael will get to return to being an intern until the great hunt. He also has to integrate Saku and Kwen, and the new House SzélAnya into Havenstone culture. That's more than enough to keep him busy at home. Let's not forget Felix. Those two have to get a game plan for dealing with the Great Hunt if either of them is going to win. And 'No'. The two guys can't smuggle Aya into the target area with them. Too many Amazons will be on the lookout for that. Nor may Aya participate in the Great Hunt ~ she's still too young.
5 children on the way

Pregnancies confirmed by Sakuniyas: Miyako Yuki, ninja; Tadêfi, Augur; Sikia, guardian.

The other two could be: Rhada, who will name her daughter- Parvati, after the Hindu mother goddess and Ester Abed, it's true- not confirmed, but a given for future Khanate alliances. Also maybe Hana, but not enough information for speculation. Still pretty impressive for a 5-6 week period. Since he's going to have a bunch more kids, jeez, don't even want to think about his child support payments. Zhen Duan prego

Clarifying The Extinct Houses and a little more on Illuyankamunus/SzélAnya

Anat is the only remaining First House that remains extinct thought the Royal House was not considered one of the first twenty yet is also extinct ... unless the Amazons forgive Molpadia / Kwenhamai / Death Song. Saku could resurrect House Anat in the same way that Cael has brought back House Ishara through daughters and inducted Runners. One thing Saku would have to do that hasn't really been breached yet is that she would have to face the Goddess Anat herself ... which could get grisly considering Anat's nature.

As a general note, each Amazon House has between 150 ~ 250 full-blooded members. Half of those are sterile. That means to MAINTAIN their numbers, each capable female has to have SIX successful pregnancies. That is the huge problem that the other houses have with House Ishara as it heads toward a hundred child-bearing females. Inside two generations, House Ishara could be the largest house WITHOUT the need to induct new blood.

House Illuyankamunus has always had SzélAnya as their matron Goddess so that house was never extinct. Though how there are modern Amazons in House Illuyankamunus has yet to be answered. It has been suggested that those Amazons and the Keeper of Records knew of the deception.

Yes, the books on Amazon are mine. I am also releasing as huge story I wrote back in 2010 in a few weeks when I get off my ass and finish editing that.

Chapter 40 is the last major info-dump for a while and ends up where the next few chapters will be ~ more of the feel of Chapters 15 to 25 with Cael's life re-centering around Havenstone and his life in New York.