Banshee Illuminated

By Den Pratt

A modern fantasy story following the lives of Bathilda Hans-Yasu and the people in her life and the lives of the Yasu Clan as strange goings on unfold in Sakicha City, where modern technology and magic coincide and evolve together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329003637

Book preview

Banshee Illuminated

Banshee Illuminated

Den Pratt

Copyright © 2012-2015 Den Pratt

Contents may not be copied, stored, or used in other documents in any way without written permission from the author.  All characters are fictional, any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.  All situations mentioned within are also fictional, and any resemblance to past or present events is coincidental.

All rights reserved.

ISBN:  978-1-329-00363-7

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to The Assembly Line Costuming Group, the Omaha Writers League, and all of my closest friends and family, some of whom fall under both ‘closest friends’ and ‘family’.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to thank the Omaha Writers League, the NaNoWriMo Official Forums, the Nebraska: Omaha Region, and Miss Tam Mahan.  I could not have done this without any of you, whether it was your assistance while editing, just being there for shenanigans, or poking me until I stopped sitting on my hands and got this written and edited.  Thank you for all the help along the way.  This is for all of you.

-Den

1

Sakicha City, to most, is a sprawling, suburban heaven.  It has the usual conveniences of a big city, including several shopping districts.  There are signs still remaining that the city of nearly a million souls was once several cities, including the presence of not one but two zoos.  The various neighborhoods and suburbs of the city have their own unique quirks, ranging from what one would expect in any large city, to things that, by all rights, should not exist.  For the denizens of Sakicha City are not what one would expect in a world outside a fantasy novel. 

The majority of the population prefer to be known as 'DenYa', though the local humans sometimes still call them by the ancient and inaccurate term 'Demon'.  They possess a multitude of interesting abilities, among them quite powerful magic.  Some humans tend to be confused by the presence of such abilities alongside modern technology, but it is not uncommon to see a Dragonkin engaged in a cellphone conversation, or to see young DenYa entertaining themselves at the nearest arcade after their classes have ended for the day.  Technology and magic intertwine and strengthen one another, as it has always been since the beginning of the world. 

Within the city limits, there are fifteen police precincts, all interconnected through the central hub in what is commonly referred to as the 'Old City'.  The majority of the staff stationed at the hub and at the satellite stations are DenYa, though their numbers do include a single human woman.  The presence of this human officer is unusual due to the fact that humans generally opt to leave policing of the city to the DenYa because of the dangerous nature of the job. Not only are there the usual, run-of-the-mill criminals, there are also very powerful magic users who would love nothing more than to do harm in order to prevent interference in their plans for power and domination over all. 

Another thing that makes this lone human officer unique is that she was brought on to the team by a DenYa by the name and title Kae Yau Yasu, Matriarch of the Yasu Clan and Lieutenant in the Sakicha City Police Department, Sakicha Precinct Number One, evil, vicious, archaic harridan.  It is a well-known fact that Kae Yau Yasu is very particular about those whom she allows into her inner circ-

Oy! Bathilda! Are you done writing that boring drivel yet?  The Chief wants it on his desk by tomorrow evening! And don’t forget to omit the parts about Kae Yau Yasu!  We don’t want to seem biased! shouted one of the temporary interns as she pushed the rattling mail cart, the one with the wheel that was in dire need of replacement. 

Bathilda Hans Yasu Second Lieutenant in the Sakicha City Police Department, Sakicha Precinct Number One, also known as Banshee, scowled at her computer screen, hating that she could no longer write up her rather detailed reports on the beloved, venerable, black typewriter that Kae Yau had given her as a very belated Christmas gift about a century ago, instead having been forced into a rather unpleasant 'upgrade' by the very intern who was currently giving her a lot of attitude.

I vill have it ready before zhen, or I vould if you vill be so kind as to not interrupt me vhile I am verking, Rosemary Bortsvali.  So do not interrupt me again, or I shall be speaking to ze Chief about your constant need to do so.  It is important for ze citizens of Sakicha City to become more familiarized vith zose who have taken ze Oath to Protect und Serve.  Do not forget zhat.

Whatever.  Any word from that trollop, Kae Yau Yasu?  Or did she finally get sick of your faking and ask to be reassigned?  Rosemary Bortswali smirked as she asked the scathing question.  It was no secret that Kae Yau had the tendency to be sent on missions that were particularly dangerous, though usually she and Banshee would work together.  Banshee was only here today instead of out in the field because the detrimental after effects of a recent gunfight had left her in need of recovery time.  She could only trust that their friend Senaiji Ecray Yasu would not irritate Kae Yau to the point that she strung him up the nearest flag pole by his rather interesting underclothes again. 

No, but if ye don't quit ‘arassing Banshee, I'se gonna give ye somet'in' ta be abroad 'bout, like I did fer Senaiji the last time he irritated me, stated a voice with a strange accent that sounded like something that could have come out of Port Aux Basques Newfoundland.  Banshee couldn't help but smile as the familiar and comforting scent of Kae Yau’s favorite tobacco wafted through the air. 

How vas ze mission, Kae Yau?  Did you leave Senaiji behind again, or did he return to his shop?  Banshee couldn’t help but enjoy watching Rosemary squirm where she was standing in front of Kae Yau.   There was something quite satisfying about knowing that her longtime friend had likely heard everything Rosemary said, and that Kae Yau was currently considering the best way to respond even as she stood there and took a long pull from her pipe. 

Speaking of that pipe, if there was any one thing that Kae Yau was most well-known for, it was her love of pipe tobacco and pipe collecting.  The tall, leggy woman with hair the color of an evening primrose would often spend many hours during her days off searching antique shops and estate sales for the next addition to her pipe collection. 

She'd often said, usually while smoking.  T'ere's t'ree t'ings humans're after doin' better'n DenYa: booze, clot'es, 'n the art 'o the pipe.

It was a standing joke around the precinct that when Kae Yau died Prince Albert Pipe tobacco would be out of business, such was the frequency of her purchases of that particular brand.  That, and it was fun to watch Rosemary fall for Kae Yau's psych out.  Eyes the color of pink tourmaline studied the boorish intern as the young DenYa squirmed before the Yasu Clan matriarch spoke again.

Git outta me sight, ye ungrateful whelp.  Ye ain' old 'nough 're strong 'nough ta' t'ink o tryin' ta talk ta Banshee like t'at.  I'se not got the time ta waste talkin' ta ye, 'n neit'er does she.  Git outta me sight.

Rosemary couldn't have gotten her cart moving any faster than if she'd been a Den Ya of Cheetah Origin.  Banshee smiled in satisfaction as the obnoxious DenYa woman left.

So, vhat did you do to Senaiji zis time, Kae Yau?

Kae Yau smiled enigmatically, making Banshee wonder just what her friend was up to this time. 

Not'in' too terrible.  'E's givin' the rookie from Lowestoft the grand tour... prolly fall asleep standin' up."  Kae Yau took another long comfortable pull on her pipe, then let the smoke out in a ring and considered it with satisfaction.

...I vas not made aware zhat ve vould be getting a new recruit.  Vhat are zey like, und vhat ist zeir name? 

Kae Yau shrugged and continued to blow smoke rings for several long moments before she replied.  She's some young.  Fair sight younger'n you were when I first got ye ta take the job, Bans.  'Er name's Astaria- 'n she's a Winchester too- but I reckon she'll do the job good 'nough.  Jes' a deputy yet, but we'll proly be havin' anot'er Second Lieutenant down the road somewheres.

Banshee nodded, and then a wickedly mirthful expression came to her strongly featured face, as her dark, almost forest green eyes sparkling with mischief, Have you introduced her to Marie Grant yet?

The mirror expression on Kae Yau's face was answer enough.  Nah, not yet.  I wonders what the kid'll t'ink 'o 'er.  T'at Marie's some strange, so the reaction'll proly be good fun, even if the introduction ends bad 'cause the kid’s got 'er head up 'er arse.

Then perhaps you should meet me before you begin to assume terrible things about my personality, the