Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Author: Invid Fan
Title: A Nation Forged
Universe: The Saga of Nowy Poland
Summary: A new homeland.  A new city, rising far from the ashes of the
old.  For the young King and his companions, a chance to create something
better.  But, the mistakes of past Kings have consequences --
Keywords: mf, ff, minimal sex, fantasy

   The Saga of Nowy Poland Book 2: A Nation Forged

   By Invid Fan (c)2014

   Chapter 1



   Shanna held up her hand.

   She sensed rather than saw the others stop behind her.  The need to
actually check was long past, if it had ever existed.  She trusted her men.
They trusted her.  That was the core of leadership.

   Then there was Lewy.

   Their scout was coming back towards her through the trees and
underbrush, a worried look on his face.  That was not good.  Scouts should
always look confident, knowing.  After all, they were the ones who were
supposed to know where the fuck they were, and where they were going.  For
it to be otherwise -- well, they could be replaced.

   The mustached man stopped before her, dropping to one knee.  She did the
same, as did those behind her.  He did LOOK like a proper soldier, at
least. All strong and beefy.  She also approved of the new armor.  Black.
Much more sensible than shiny steel in her opinion.

    -�Lady, forgive me. -�

   Never a good way for one of her men to start off.  She sighed, adjusting
her glasses before motioning with her right hand for Bogdi to come forward.
The brown haired giant was at her side before she had even completed the
movement.

    -�Whether I forgive you, Lewy, will depend on how much you -(TM)ve
fucked up.  What -(TM)s ahead? -�

    -�Frogs, -� he said, wincing.  Shanna groaned.

    -�We shouldn -(TM)t be within a mile of the border!  Where the fuck
have you led us, you son of an elf? -�

    -�We haven -(TM)t hit the road, -� Bogdi said, dryly,  -�so we -(TM)re
obviously still north of it.  And we're south of the sea. -� He pulled out
a map as Shanna continued her death stare at her future former scout.  Lewy
looked at his feet.

    -�It -(TM)s a pond, with women Frogs bathing.  I -(TM)m sorry, Lady. 
Back at the large rock, I should have veered us left, instead of crossing
the stream. -�

    -�I don -(TM)t see it, -� Bogdi said.  He moved the map into her lap. 
-�Obviously we don -(TM)t have Frog territory all sorted out. -�

   Shanna let out a sigh.

    -�I -(TM)ll go talk to them.  See if any speak Polish, know where the
hell we are. -�

    -�Lady -- -�

   She raised a hand to cut off Bogdi -(TM)s protest.

    -�A bunch of human males is not going to make this easier.  I -(TM)ll
be OK. -� She took the map, motioning ahead of them.   -�Lewy, show me. -�



   ****



   The Dark Hussar.

   Shanna loved, and hated, the name.  The hate came mostly because of its
racial component.  She had dark skin.  Was different.  Unique.  Being
unique, though, was not always a bad thing.  She could define herself. 
Define what it was to have dark brown skin in a sea of white.  In this
world, she was not part of a historically enslaved, dismissed minority. 
James may have found himself King in this strange fantasy land, but she --
she was herself.

    -�Tell me what you want to do, -� King James had told her.   -�Pick
anything. -� After her first suggestion that she be the Empress, ruling
over him, had been rejected, the eighteen year old had decided to adapt her
nickname, make it her own.  First, the Dark part.  Black armor.  Custom
made, breastplate fitting her female form without looking stupidly  -�sexy
-�.  Colored with some combination of heat and an oil wax.  On her shield,
two white crossed swords under a red Buffalo.  A tribute to a home she
would never again see, yet honoring her new homeland.

   The Hussar part required a bit more adapting.  A Hussar was, basically,
a horseman.  Cavalry.  Someone who charged the enemy with a lance.  As much
as she enjoyed riding, Shanna had no desire to do that.  It was stupidly
suicidal, and she was glad her fianc�(C) was now the King -(TM)s escort and
no longer in that business.  Luckily, that was not the cavalry she had
grown up knowing.  Shanna had loved watching old westerns with her Father.
Cowboys and Indians, fighting it out, with her Dad providing social
commentary on how wrong most of it was.  Not all, naturally.  The better
films, even the older ones, often showed the problem was wrong thinking US
officers, or Whites trying to exploit the natives.  The cavalry in those
films, for the most part, were totally different from Hussars.  They were
more mounted infantry.  The soldiers would ride to where the enemy was,
then dismount and fight.

   Could that work here?

   Well, she was willing to find out.



   ****



   Shanna looked over the bush, down into the shallow valley.

   Yup.  Frogs.

   There were a half dozen of the brownish splotchy skinned creatures,
lounging in a pond.  She wondered if it was a hot spring, if only a mild
one.  The temperature wasn -(TM)t that bad, fall not yet turning into
winter, but she thought she saw, if not steam, then a slight heat haze over
the water.  The women also had a look she knew well, which transcended
species.  She looked at Lewy.

    -�Stay. -�

   With a sigh, she rose, stepping through the bushes.

    -�Hello! -�

   Silence greeted her, six pairs of large eyes looking up from the tops of
the Kikker women -(TM)s heads.  They ducked down until only those eyes were
above water, preserving their modesty despite what little clothing the Frog
creatures usually wore.  All definitely looked startled, and upset.  She
smiled as she slowly walked forward.

    -�Do any of you speak Polish?  I am lost. -�

   The women exchanged looks.  Shanna continued down until she was on level
ground, stopping a good thirty feet from the pond.

    -�I am sorry about this.  My scout, who I -(TM)m going to fire, got us
royally lost. -� One of the Kikker, brownish green splotches visible on her
face under the water, looked over Shanna -(TM)s head.   -�Don -(TM)t worry.
They -(TM)re not looking.  Or, -� Shanna added, turning to look up at the
bushes,  -�THEY -(TM)D BETTER NOT BE LOOKING! -� Returning her attention to
the Frog women, she smiled at their startled expressions.  Her eyes focused
on the one in the middle.   -�And, you must understand me. -�

   The Kikker regarded her for a long moment.  Slowly, she raised up a bit,
her mouth just clearing the surface of the pond.

    -�Yes. -� There was a slight -- Shanna didn -(TM)t want to call it a
croaking sound in her voice.  That wasn -(TM)t the case.  Her accent was
strange, though.  Shanna nodded to her.

    -�I -(TM)m Shanna, an officer of King James.  I am sorry about
disturbing you.  Given we -(TM)re not supposed to be here, I didn -(TM)t
want to just bumble around and bump into any guards who might not like
being bumped into. -�

   The woman rose, standing on the pond bottom.  Her breasts, human like,
came just above the water.  Her head resembled a Disney version of a
talking frog, eyes on top, mouth wide.  She was no cartoon, though.

    -�I am Adanya, daughter of Chief Ajani. -�

   Shanna nodded.  So, the daughter of the head of the fishing village. 
This could be good or bad.

    -�So, how far off course did my stupid scout get us?  We were supposed
to loop around and meet the new road down where it passes between two white
boulders. -�

   Adanya laughed.  A laughing frog.  This world was an unending source of
wonder.  With what could only be described as a hop, the woman was standing
on the pond edge a moment later.  She grabbed a pile of woven red rope,
which became a skirt as she put it around her waist.

    -�You are not too far.  There is a trail from here to there.  I will
show you. -�

    -�Thank you. -�

    -�Thank your King.  He does well by my Father. -� Now dressed, she
looked inquiringly at Shanna.   -�How is King James? -�

   Shanna laughed.

    -�Probably annoyed. -�



   ****



   The teen king was annoyed.

   James hated formal dining.  More so, formal lunches.  Midday meals
requiring fancy dress, good manners, and polite conversation.  They were
just so...  wrong.  More, they took up time.  Time the King would rather
have been using productively.  Even now, a meeting was awaiting him. 
Waiting for him to be done with this pair of sisters and their scheming
mother...

   OK, that was unfair.  It wasn't the girls' fault, nor probably the
mother.  He was, after all, single.  His advisors and babysitters were
getting anxious that he pick a bride from the better class of eligible
girls, and he wasn't going to pick one randomly, or just by looks.  Thus...

   "What do you think, Your Grace?"

   He smiled politely at the older of the two sisters, Morela he though her
name was.  She was attractive, blond, breasts shown off nicely by the cut
of her dress.  The girl was trying too hard, though, searching for some
common ground.  He almost suspected she had been given a list of talking
points.

   "I have to admit," he told her, picking up his golden wine glass, "I
haven't thought about it." Her eyes widened, giving him some pleasure.  "I
never paid much attention to social matters back home, and am happily
continuing that here." He took a sip, considering.  "In fact, if I DO
notice something, those involved usually wish I hadn't."

   The three women smiled uneasily, eyes glancing at each other.  He smiled
again.

   "That said, we are starting over here.  A new nation.  To just copy the
old would be a waste of the opportunity we've been given."

   "And what changes do you have in mind, Your Grace?" There was actual
interest in the younger girl's eyes.  He caught a frown from the mother. 
That made it a more interesting question.  His gaze focused on the girl.

   "Our nation is small enough that no one should starve, no one should go
wanting.  We all arrived here on this island as equals, and I'm not going
to let the nobles immediately go back to their old ways.  The people should
have a say in what goes on."

   James looked beyond them to the guard standing by the door.  He had
changed his pike from his left hand to his right.  Thank God.  James stood.

   "Ladies, I apologize, but I have a meeting with the head architect. 
You'll have to excuse me." They rose swiftly.  Knowing it was expected,
James went to each, taking their hand, bowing his head slightly as they
curtsied.  The youngest, probably not even twelve, blushed furiously. 
Unable to help it, he bowed down a bit more and kissed the back of her
hand. There.  That should make her day, and keep the mother from yelling at
the two too much for not doing enough to seduce him.  As he took the
mother's hand, the woman made one final try.

   "Perhaps, Your Grace, one of my daughters could accompany you..."

   He smiled.

   "Perhaps another time." Turning, he quickly exited.



   ****



   The sun was warm as he emerged into the freedom of the garden.  The air,
not so much, the cold nip of fall all around him, but the daystar above in
the clear blue sky sent its heat down to the grateful King.  He stopped,
taking a deep breath, his two guards waiting patiently.

   That was over with.

   Not wanting to be late, although a King can never, by definition, be
late for anything, he walked quickly.  He was looking forward to the
meeting.  His major, or intended major for those few weeks he had been in
college, had been history.  The ebb and flow of empires.  He had always,
though, enjoyed maps, Lincoln Logs and Legos, blueprints of strange
buildings.  Looking at designs, seeing how others had created.  Now here he
was, helping with the founding of a new city, the land around them a blank
canvas for them to play with.  It was fun.  True, much of what they now
built with logs would eventually be replaced by stone, but the layout would
stand.  The streets, the palace.

   THIS was power.

   He left the palace grounds, rather easy without the outer wall.  He had
argued, successfully, that there were more important things to start with.
If the enemy reached the new palace, there were problems far greater than
his safety.  The Royal Hill, as he had heard it called, sat not far from
the fresh water lake which lay in the center of the island.  Along the
shore, wooden buildings spread out, mostly two story affairs, separated by
dirt roads.  The church rose on another hill, empty bell tower topped by a
cross.  From the growing city, the sound of metal on metal, stone on wood,
the buzz of people going about their day.

   The sounds of this new Poland.

   James still, after all these months, expected to wake some morning and
find it had all been a dream.  Some medication induced fantasy while he was
in a coma.  Yet every morning he awoke in the arms of his beautiful Ewa. 
Woke to find himself the most powerful human in this world.  Had it,
finally, begun to go to his head?

   Probably.

   The people bowed as he passed.  Not a full fall to your knees bow, but a
nod of the head.  That was good enough for him, and by now even the most
fervent of "royalists" had accepted this more casual King.  He wore simple
garb, just blue trousers and a white pullover shirt.  Without the guards,
he could be anyone.  Or so he told himself.

   The Royal Engineering Building was a three story structure near the
waterfront, taking up a full block.  A large, two story tall barn like door
stood in the middle of one side, speaking with its very presence of the
large scale of the constructions designed within.  Around the corner, a
more human size door gave access to the offices.  It opened as James
approached.

   "Your Grace," the guard said, nodding.  "They're in the map room."

   "Thank you." Entering, James made his way through the halls.  He knew
the place as well as he knew his palace.  Better, perhaps, as the building
had been finished even before his residence.  Not that the palace was
finished, by any stretch of imagination.  It was just "good enough" to keep
him nice and warm through the winter, which was the goal for all the
current buildings.  In the spring, the real construction would begin.

   "So, Gentlemen," he said, walking into the room, "how are we today?"

   The ten men standing around the far table bowed, giving greetings.  His
two guards took up their places on either side of the doorway, already
forgotten by James as he took in the maps and dioramas.  Not able to help
himself, he ran his fingers over the small roofs of the model city as he
walked by.  There had not been time to build a copy for the Royal chambers,
and it seemed wrong to "play" with them here (although he was sure he could
get away with it).  He so wanted to take a toy monster and have it rampage
through the buildings.  On the walls were maps, hand drawn, of various
locations in various scales.  Building plans were tacked up as well, that
of the new cathedral still on display even though construction was now
done. Coming to the middle of the room, he stopped before something new: a
model of the Anne river valley.

   Commander Tadeusz Kosciuszko moved to James' side, a smile on his face.
He was clean shaven, rare for an officer.  Mustaches were the order of the
day among Polish men.  The King's habit of shaving was having some effect
on that fashion, but as of yet it was still limited.  Many were probably
waiting for him to give in and cultivate a manly crop of whiskers.  Tadeusz
spoke.

   "Welcome, Your Grace.  You're just in time, as we've just finished
having this set up."

   That very well could be true, but James knew it was also possible the
thing had been finished the day before.  Minor fibs on matters such as this
kept the kingdom running smoothly.

   "Well, tell me what you have, then."

   The man nodded, picking up a wooden pointer.  He indicated a point in
the middle of the river valley.

   "We've done our survey of the rapids.  Your idea of putting in a lock is
a good one.  We've done some tests of various designs, based on what you've
told us, and I definitely think we can do it." James couldn't help but
straighten.  He knew little that these people didn't already know, or that
could be useful in this vaguely medieval society.  However, having grown up
next to the Erie Canal, he did know locks.  Even understood how they worked
enough to pass that on to the intelligent people here.  He motioned to the
Engineer.

   "Show me what you have in mind."

   Tadeusz pointed to another man.  Reaching into the diorama, the soldier
carefully placed carved wooden pieces above and below the river rapids. 
The Engineer pointed with his wand as soon as the hands were clear.

   "Everything is navigable above and below the rapids for the largest
ships that can handle the narrows, which naturally is all we care about. 
Maybe someday we can widen that, but that's for the future."

   "Far future," James agreed.  Without gunpowder, that would be the work
of years.

   "Yet we can do it.  Anyway, if we put the lower and upper gates here,
and here, that should give us enough water depth.  We can raise the ships
the six feet needed to get over the rapids and into the lake."

   James leaned over, nodding.  They currently were using a natural harbor
on the southern side of the island, or the Kikker village on the western
end, transporting supplies overland to the new capital.  The ability to
sail from their village on the shore of the continent right up into the
capital would be a godsend, even with the delay a lock would cause.

   "I like it." The men around him relaxed.  "Defenses?"

   "There are various caves and natural features all along the ravine we'll
be turning into strongpoints.  Dropping fire on any ship that passes should
do the job."

   "And," added a Lieutenant, "Destroying a lock door will force them to
walk the rest of the way."

   "Again, good." James looked around the room.  "Great job.  Now, about
the harbor..."



   ****



   Shanna rode out of the forest, onto the city plain.

   The view kept changing.  It had been empty when she had first led her
men here, scouting the lakeside in advance of the first builders.  Now it
was a bustling town, fully twenty thousand of the over thirty thousand
Poles were now on the island, housed and employed.  The rest were still in
the encampment just north over the ocean, over half of those soldiers. 
That was their toehold, their statement that the Elves had not driven them
completely off the continent.  As symbolic as it was practical.

   This, though, was home.

   The Frog Road, which started in the Kikker fishing village, continued
down towards the lake.  Already, after only a few months, it was well
traveled.  Wagons carried smoked fish and crates of shellfish from the Frog
fishing vessels down to the humans, metal, wood, and cloth traveling back
the other way.  Her troop had passed three wagons after returning to their
mounts.  Another lay ahead, making its way slowly into the city.

   Shanna raised a hand, reining in.

   "Looks like we made it.  Good scouting, Lewy."

   "Thank you, Lady," he said behind her, sighing.  The others chuckled,
not unkindly.  She turned her head to look behind.

   "This is why we're training.  Work the kinks out.  You're a good
soldier, Lewy.  Just not a good scout.  I want you with us.  You're now a
bowman."

   There were murmurs of agreement to that.  He bowed his head, voice
grateful.

   "Thank you, Lady Shanna."

   "That means we still need a scout.  Bogdi, pass the word.  See if we can
steal one."

   "Yes Lady."

   "Now, let's go home."



   ****



   Friendship with the King had privileges.  One of those, for Shanna, was
her own military base.  The barracks and stable lay outside the proposed
city walls, a long two story residence with a courtyard walled in with
posts.  Its resemblance to a Western US Cavalry fort was pure coincidence.

   Stablemen ran out as Shanna led her men through the open gate.  As soon
as Sobczak had a hand on the harness, she dismounted.  As was usually the
case, her body didn't feel the day's effort until the work was done.  Her
armor suddenly felt heavy.

   The front door to the main building opened, a slim redhead bursting out
carrying a bucket.  Two other girls followed, dressed, as she was, in the
long one piece dress women seemed confined to in this world.  Anelie, braid
whipping behind her, skidded to a stop before Shanna.  Dropping the bucket
to the ground, she grabbed a mug which had been hanging off the side and
dunked it in the water, handing the now full cup to Shanna.

   "Drink, Lady Shanna."

   "Thank you." She closed her eyes.  The dust of the road left her mouth,
the cool drink restoring her.  Stronger drink would be needed later, but
for now this was what she needed.

   "Did all go well, Lady Shanna?"

   She opened her eyes to look down at the girl.  The green eyes that
looked back were still worshipful.  It no longer bothered her.  Anelie
was...  well, she was just someone who was always around, helping.  Part of
her new family.  Maybe even a friend.  Shanna let out a sigh.

   "Operation 'travel without a map' didn't end successfully.  We're going
to need a new scout.  Lewy's now an archer."

   "I could have told you that would happen." It came out under the girl's
breath.  Shanna smiled slightly.  For all the apparent hero worship, the
girl was not shy with her opinions.  A hulking shadow fell over them. 
Shanna turned to see Anelie's brother Bogdi.  He put a hand on his little
sister's head, getting a playful groan in return.

   "Any orders, Lady Shanna?"

   "No," she said, shaking her head.  "No, we're done for the day.  Enjoy
dinner.  I'll be with Piotr at the Palace."

   The giant's eyes seemed to flick to his sister before turning to give
the order to the men.  Shanna handed the cup back to the girl.

   "OK, let's get me out of this armor."

   "Yes, Lady Shanna..."



   ****



   The dining room was more crowded, yet for James much more intimate. 
These were his friends.  Companions.  He could talk freely, for the most
part.  Some words were reserved for Ewa, whispered in the night.  Others
for Shanna, who alone knew the Earth as he had.  Those two he trusted
without reservation.

   "So, King, how were today's potential baby makers?"

   Unfortunately, Shanna felt she could talk freely as well.

   Ewa gave a small sigh beside him, although the teen laughed with the
others.  James put a hand on her leg under the table.  Her smile became
more real.  She was the only woman he wanted.  The one who would, in seven
or so months, give him his first child.  That society would not accept a
commoner as Queen was something he could not, as yet, change.  He looked
over at Shanna, sitting next to the head of his mounted guards.  She was
smirking.

   "The younger one had some smarts," he said, bringing his hand up onto
the table and placing it visibly on Ewa's.  "But, no.  Can't say either of
them did anything for me."

   "Gotta pick soon," Shanna went on, cutting up her fish.  "My men are
hearing some rumblings in town."

   James sighed.  He already knew that, his own people reporting the same.
His eyes lifted to his Chamberlain, Ola.  The effeminate man let out a
theatrical sigh, but kept silent as he stood nearby.  The King decided to
change the subject.

   "So, when are you two tying the knot?  He knock you up, yet?"

   Piotr's drink seemed to go down the wrong pipe, the Hussar coughing. 
Shanna just laughed at James.

   "Soon, for both probably.  He's trying, that's for sure!"

   "Shanna!" Her blond lover stared at her in disbelief.  James flicked his
eyes over to Ewa's ten year old brother, and the similarly aged girl Ruta
who now acted as Ewa's maid.  Their eyes were wide.  Ah, well.  Kids grew
up quickly here.  Releasing Ewa's hand, he picked up his wine glass,
raising it in toast.

   "To Love, in all its forms!"

   Ewa's eyes met his, her own glass raised.

   "To love."



   ****



   Shanna stood in the palace garden, looking up at the stars.

   The night sky was as clear as the air was cold, the nip of winter
drawing a shiver from her.  As she did most nights, Shanna wondered if one
of those stars was hers, if the Earth she knew circled a distant light.  It
could.  There was no telling if she was thrown across dimensions or through
space.  Each was as insane, as...  stupid.  Yes.  This was all stupid. 
Green elves, talking frogs, winged warriors.  All stupid.  All...

   Soft footsteps came up behind her on the stone path.  Shanna closed her
eyes as strong arms wrapped around her.  Piotr's body felt warm,
comforting. His voice drifted next to her ear.

   "You OK?"

   "No." Shanna shook her head, leaning back into him.  "I'm tired."

   "Come to my quarters."

   She smiled, turning in his arms.

   "No.  Not tonight."

   "OK," he said, disappointment clear in his blue eyes.  Still smiling,
Shanna raised a hand, caressing a cheek on the verge of needing a shave.

   "We should go on vacation somewhere."

   "Vacation?" He said the word as if it had no meaning.  Her exasperation
rose a bit.

   "Vacation.  Time off.  Stop doing our jobs for a week or two and just
have time to ourselves.  Maybe take a trip.  See another part of the
world." His eyes widened a touch in understanding.  "Just the two of us,"
she went on, "somewhere romantic." She stepped back, Piotr releasing her
without hesitation.  "We'll talk about it tomorrow."

   He bowed, a full flourishing bow, that of a young officer courting a
lady.

   "As you will, My Lady."

   "Damn straight."



   Chapter 2



   James cracked open his eyes.

   It was still dark, morning light not yet peeking unwanted through the
bedroom windows.  The room was cold.  Too cold.  He should have closed
those shutters on the windows, as the glass panes (which he was lucky to
have at all) were not the highly insulating windows from home.  He was
warm, though.  Ewa was snuggled against him, her soft skin all the heat he
needed.  The blankets and quilt, too, helped.  His eyes looked across the
room to the fireplace.  Warm coals glowed faintly.  Franklin stoves. 
That's what these people needed.  Franklin stoves.  He'd have to mention
it. See if, as with canal locks, he knew enough to spur those smarter than
him.  James wasn't even sure what made a Franklin stove special.  Was it
just the idea of a metal stove in the middle of the room?  Did these people
have the extra iron, cast iron, whatever, to spend on that kind of thing?

   He'd have to find out.

   A noise came from beyond the bedroom door.  Probably what had awoken
him. People came in during the night to check on him.  He knew that.  The
fire of late had been tended in the dark of night, reports were sometimes
waiting for him on the table by the door.  A King had no privacy.

   The door opened, no attempt made at silence.  Felek entered the room,
the lamp in his hand spilling light onto the bed.  James sat up, bare chest
shivering as cold air made contact with skin.  The boy, the previous day's
clothing hurriedly tossed on, ran over, placing the lamp on the nightstand
beside the King.

   "Your Grace!  Captain Putaski is here!  He needs to see you right away!
It's important!"

   Given that the man had been on the continent when James had gone to bed,
this really had to be important.  Braving the sea at night, with no
lighthouse yet marking the harbor, was madness.  He threw the covers
completely off, naked lower half joining upper in bitching about the cold.
Ewa rose on one arm behind him, nude body still covered.

   "What is it, Felek?"

   Her brother was already over by the wardrobe, grabbing clothing.

   "They didn't tell me!  I think there are people with the Captain,
though!"

   "Our Captain isn't one to panic," James said, stepping into a pair of
pants.  "Nor is he one to leave a critical situation.  So, I doubt it's
war, unless we've lost the town of Fredrick already and he's withdrawn to
here.  I doubt I'll be back to bed, though."

   "I'll join you." Ewa tossed her covers aside.  Her pregnancy wasn't
visible yet, her young body still trim.  As her feet touched the floor,
sounds began to come from a nearby bassinet.  Her attention was immediately
diverted.  James chuckled.

   "Take care of him, then wake the kitchen.  We'll need food, warm drink."
He slipped the white shirt Felek offered him over his head.  "Actually..."
James looked out the door.  "RUTA!"

   The ten year old girl was in the room in an instant.  She had an
aversion to seeing James dress, he knew.  She stood before him, excited and
nervous.

   "Your Grace?"

   "Wake the kitchen, then come back and help with little Marik.  Go!" She
was out the door as fast as she had entered.  Shoes now on, James turned to
Felek.  "Lead the way."



   ****



   James entered a throne room surprisingly crowded.  Guards and servants
lined the walls, some trying to look busy, others openly gawking.  All were
much more awake than this ungodly hour would suggest.  Five strangers stood
with the Captain before the throne.  They were nervous, somewhat unkempt.
Clothing that had once been fine was now dirty, worn.  Captain Putaski
himself looked...  not nervous, no.  The man who had saved the humans after
the murder of the Royal Family, had led that retreat from the only home
these Poles had ever known, could not be nervous.  Agitated, perhaps.  Yes.
That was a better description.

   Ola, standing beside the throne, raised his voice as James stepped onto
the dais.

   "All kneel before His Grace, King James the First."

   Every human dropped to one knee as James sat on his throne.  His eyes
stayed on the Captain.  The man was definitely not himself.  That worried
him.  He leaned forward, hands on his knees.

   "What's going on, Captain?"

   "Your Grace," the man said, rising, voice tired.  His black hair seemed
to look grayer, clean shaven face more lined.  "Hours ago, before sunset,
scouts found a large band of refugees approaching Fredrick."

   James nodded.  Small bands had been joining them ever since the
migration had ended at the ocean's edge.  Those who had been unable to join
the column as it retreated across the countryside, those elsewhere when the
Elves attacked the small city state.  Every human joining them strengthened
the Polish nation.

   "How many?"

   "Four to five thousand." The Captain almost seemed to wince as he said
it.  James sat there, his mind taking a moment to comprehend.  Four to
five...

   He shot to his feet.

   "God!  Where are they?  What shape are they in?"

   A man rose and stepped forward, hand on the shoulder of a young teen boy
rising beside him.  His eyes were wide, with hope, fear.  His hair was
blond, shaggy, but there was the feel of a noble about him.

   "We are unorganized, Your Grace.  Tired.  Starving..."

   "I have Kosciuszko's riders sweeping on either side of them," Captain
Putaski said, straightening.  "Encircling, protecting.  We should know by
morning..."

   "Jesus above.  Ola!" James turned to his Chamberlain, the man just
standing there mouth agape.  "Send my regards to Chief Ajani with your
fastest messenger.  Ask if he would be so kind as to send everything he has
in his store houses or in his ships to Fredrick.  We'll work out payment
later.  Tell him we'll need everything the Kikker fishing fleet can bring
in.  I also want Tadeusz awakened.  We need winter housing for five
thousand immediately.  Anything he can cobble together, here and in
Fredrick.  I don't care if we have to turn the pews in the chapel into bunk
beds.  Captain!" He looked back at the second most powerful Pole.  "I
assume you're going back immediately.  What do you need?"

   "I think you are taking care of it, Your Grace." He bowed, shoulder's
seeming to slump.

   "Anything you need," James said, moving forward, "just pass the word."
He stepped off the dais, eyes on the stranger.  "Jesus Christ.  Where the
hell did you come from?"

   The man bowed his head, eyes on his feet as the King came to a stop
before him.

   "The Western side of the Warta."

   James couldn't help it.  He shot his eyes to the Captain.  Putaski
didn't meet his gaze.

   "We lost the western bank.  That's what you said.  You pulled everyone
into Nowy Kiev and the Elves swarmed up to the river."

   "I got everyone in we could.  I didn't order the gate shut and the
bridge burned until Elvish devils were riding right up to the docks.  I
saved everyone I could!" His eyes did come up, haunted.  James took a deep
breath.  Now was not the time for this.  What was done, or not done, had no
bearing on what had to be done now.  Besides, they were alive.  No matter
how many had died, trapped outside the city walls, THESE people had lived.

   James caught movement over by a doorway.  Ewa was there.  He turned to
the five survivors.

   "You all must be tired.  I've awakened the kitchen, and hot food and
drink should be here soon.  Come, let's sit, trade stories." He stepped
aside, motioning towards the doorway.  The leader let out a tired sigh.

   "Thank you, Your Grace.  I am Ludoslaw Jasinski.  This is my son,
Lubor." James saw his hand squeeze the boy's shoulder.  Turning, he
motioned to those behind him.  "My wife, Halina, my two daughters, Lusia
and Gizela."

   James nodded to the three women.  The wife was attractive, dark haired,
eyes a bit unfocused.  The younger girl looked to be six, hair the same
shade as her mother's.  The other...

   His eyes lingered an extra moment.

   She was blond, the same blond as her father and brother.  Sixteen,
maybe, close to the same age as Ewa.y Her hair hung loose, past her
shoulders.  Her eyes...  something about them seemed to tug at the young
King.  There was something behind the light blue.  A mind.

   James looked back the others.  There were more important things.

   "Welcome to all of you.  Captain, would you care to join us, before you
go?"

   If the Captain took his tone for one of dismissal, he didn't show it. 
Putaski bowed his head.

   "Thank you, but no.  I must get back."

   "Keep me informed."

   "Of course, Your Grace." He turned, walking swiftly towards the far
doors.  James motioned Ewa over as he turned back to the others.

   "This is Ewa.  Come, let's get something warm in all of you."



   ****



   "When we heard there was a King, well, you can imagine our joy and
surprise.  We had heard of the loss of King Lawenza, and his sons, before
we were cut off from the city.  It was chaos, let me tell you."

   James nodded as Ludoslaw took another sip of his warm drink.  It was
something made from the bark of a tree, the exact details James had not
bothered to learn.  It seemed to have caffeine and tasted good, which was
all a drink of this sort needed.  He wrapped his hands around his own cup,
warming them.  A fire was now started in the dining room hearth, its heat
slowly radiating.

   "All I know is what they have said it looked like from inside the city.
Tell me what happened."

   The man sighed.

   "I was the head of a village a few miles from the western border.  Far
enough for raids to be more likely to hit someone else, and far enough from
the city for us to consider ourselves our own little nation.  Those in Nowy
Kiev didn't treat us badly, you understand.  They just..."

   "They left us alone if we didn't cause a fuss," the oldest daughter put
in.  James gave Lusia a quick glance as her father nodded.  He was
obviously used to her speaking her mind.  Seeing his eyes on her, the girl
looked down, the start of a blush seeming to touch her cheeks.

   "And we appreciated that," Ludoslaw went on.  "Nothing worse than Kings
and nobles sending out decrees telling you what to do.  We paid our taxes,
supported the troops at the border, sold our goods.  All was well."

   He took another long drink.  James waited, Ewa taking his hand on the
table.  He felt the eyes of the others on that union.

   "We knew something was going to happen.  The raid that burned Renki to
the ground was not going to be the end of it.  Either we would strike them,
or they would hit us.  There was talk of running to the city.  Leaving our
homes, our crops.  But...  to just abandon the crops in the ground?  To
leave the sheep and cattle in the fields?  No, we couldn't do that.  Not
unless we knew an attack was certain."

   "Perfectly understandable," James told him.  "I knew of a nation where
everyone, man and woman, could be called to join the army in case of war.
They would only do this if absolutely needed, as it left nobody to do the
work of the nation."

   Ludoslaw gave him a steady look.

   "The Captain said the Relic found you somewhere else, somewhere closer
to the Poland of old than to this world."

   "That it did.  I arrived with the city already lost, its people on the
move." Ewa squeezed his hand.

   "We heard about the King," the man went on.  "We were shocked, of
course. King Lawenza was like any other king, neither good nor bad, but it
was obviously a horrible omen.  Almost at the same time, we heard the noise
of battle.  That was NOT good.  If you can hear fighting, it's too close to
outrun.  Some tried.  My brother took his family into the woods.  I know
not what happened to them.  I told all that would listen to stay put.  The
sounds were between us and the river.  To run towards the Elven border
seemed the height of folly.  So...  we waited."

   "I saw the Elf first," the boy said.  He glanced up at his father, who
nodded permission.  "An ugly green soldier came up and asked to talk to
Dad. I was out with my friends, pretending we were soldiers.  I was
scared."

   "He told us we were cut off.  They didn't want to massacre us, if they
didn't have to, but were more than willing to do the job if we gave them
trouble.  It was the city that concerned them.  I talked with everyone,
sent out runners to the other towns." He took another drink.  "We waited."

   "You could SEE the city burn!" Lubor interrupted, his eyes wide.  "We
could hear the fighting!"

   "Five days we waited.  Five days we waited for the Elves to be driven
off.  Five days we waited for a wave of our Winged Hussars to crash down on
the Elven soldiers marching down our roads."

   "We hid some soldiers," the son said.  "From the garrisons.  They never
found them.  One even slept in my room!"

   "When the city fell," Ludoslaw said, "the Elves came to us.  Said they
wanted our crops.  If we did nothing foolish until harvest time, we could
stay on our farms, in our homes.  Give them most of the crops, but keep our
lives.  Again, we talked.  What was our option?  To burn the crops and die?
So...  we stayed."

   James nodded.  Patriotism and self sacrifice were noble things, but self
preservation was a more powerful instinct.  What could they have done,
against an army which had taken down the walled city?  What would he have
done?

   "There were survivors from the city, too.  Prisoners.  They were sent to
us, to work the fields.  They said most had escaped.  We talked about
escaping too.  Of rejoining you.  But the Elvish scum were everywhere. 
They held the roads, the river banks..."

   James leaned forward.

   "So what happened?"

   "We don't know," Lusia said.  James raised an eyebrow at her.  Her face
blushed a bit as she straightened.  "Seriously.  We don't know.  The crops
were in, and they had, as they had promised, left us just enough for the
winter.  Everything was OK.  Then there was fighting.  Elves fighting
elves. Our storehouses were ransacked.  Looted."

   "And the river was left unguarded," her father said.  "Something bad was
happening, and the way east was open.  We took it."



   ****



   Shanna walked into the dinning hall, scratching under her left armpit as
she yawned.  She could smell the coffee, or what they called coffee,
brewing.  Heard the sizzle of eggs.  Her compound had its own chicken coop,
an addition she was now grateful to Anelie for suggesting.  The girl was
full of good ideas.  Good worker, too.  There were days when Shanna
wondered what the hell she'd do without her.

   "Lady Shanna!" The red head in question came out of the kitchen, white
apron tied over her dark green housedress.  The tray in her hands held a
steaming mug, as well as a plate with four fried eggs, a piece of fish, and
two slices of toast.  It was like the girl was psychic.

   "Morning, Anelie." Shanna plopped down in her usual chair, the tray set
down just a moment later.  "Four eggs?  Were there that many?"

   "You've been working hard," the girl said.  Shanna thought her cheeks
were a bit red, but then they often were.  She shrugged.

   "Well, I am hungry.  Thanks."

   "You're welcome.  Are we sparring this morning?"

   "I think so.  I'm in the mood to hit something."

   "Should I wake my good for nothing brother, then?"

   "I heard that, little girl!"

   Bogdi's indignant shout brought a smile to Shanna's face, even as she
refused to turn to greet the man.  The laughter behind her told of the
other soldiers joining them.  She looked up at the little girl in question.

   "I'll spar with you.  He's too easy."

   More laughter, Anelie's face seeming to flush more.  She whirled, racing
back into the kitchen as other women came out with mugs and platters. 
Bogdi set his huge frame down across from Shanna, others taking chairs
around them as they grabbed empty plates from a stack, filling them before
the women even had the platters fully on the table.  The room filled with
the sound of men being men.

   Shanna was happy here.  She belonged here.  It was...  home.  They did
not treat her like a girl, like a woman, although neither did they ever
ignore her gender.  She was off limits to serious flirting or the like, but
if she called out their manhood Shanna could expect the same in return. 
She was respected, and the protection of her men came from that.  They
would do anything for her.

   Piotr was going to have to understand that, when they were married.  She
wanted to live here.  In the barracks.  She was not moving into Piotr's
quarters, next to the palace.  Next to HIS men.  They each had a job.  That
job required being with their men, as the King could call on them at any
time.  Being married wasn't going to change that.  SHOULDN'T have to change
that.  They found time to be together now, almost every day.  Wasn't that
enough?  If they had children, WHEN they had children, then they could talk
about it.  Decide which of them was moving.

   The fact she had a room built next to her quarters that could work as a
nursery was just planning ahead.

   Bogdi was looking at her, his mouth chewing something large.  Shanna
raised an eyebrow.

   "Yes?"

   He swallowed.  She could see the lump pass down his throat.

   "How's Anelie's training coming?  She won't spar with me."

   "That," said Helmut, at the other end of the table, "is because you
insist on using your ax!"

   "Well, if your opponent doesn't have a sword, you still have to know how
to defend yourself!" The table laughed, Shanna included.  Over Bogdi's
head, she saw Anelie peeking around the doorframe.  Shanna looked away
before the girl saw that she had been noticed.

   "She's good," Shanna said, taking a drink.  "Picks it up fast.  Her arm
strength is getting better, so I think we'll be able to move her to a
better sword, larger shield."

   He nodded, expression pleased.

   "Good, good.  She was always one to want to play soldier.  It's good to
see she's improving." He paused.  Shanna frowned.

   "What?"

   "It's...  well, it's about our scout."

   "Oh." Shanna blinked, looking around the table.  Every eye was on the
two of them.  "Did you find someone?"

   "Well..." Bogdi's expression turned sheepish.  "What about Anelie?"

   "Anel...  what?" She caught the girl ducking behind the doorway. 
Shanna's eyes focused fully on the redhead's brother.  "You're kidding. 
You want to have her fight?"

   "She's agile," he said, raising a meaty hand and ticking items off on
his fingers.  "She's stealthy.  She can fight.  She's GOOD at maps, at
reading landmarks.  She can track a bit, too.  City tracking, yes, but she
once followed a rat back to its nest.  She'll learn." He had run out of
fingers at that point, starting over again with his pinky.  "And, we trust
her."

   That got Shanna's attention.  She looked around the table, over at the
other tables.  Every soldier was nodding.  She shrugged.

   "Well, obviously her gender isn't an issue.  Sure, why not.  We'll give
it a try."

   A loud whoop came from the kitchen.  Shanna closed her eyes.  She
already regretted this.



   ****



   James stood before the large second story picture window, looking out of
the Palace, down the hill to the small city below.  Five thousand.  Five
thousand more people.  Maybe.  He expected more reports soon.  Now that it
was daylight, flags could be used to pass short messages, first across the
ocean from the town of Fredrick to the mouth of the Anne river, then
through the mountains surrounding the island to the communication tower on
the Palace grounds.  The Chief of the Kikker village had sent word he would
do all he could.  That took a load off of the King's mind.  Food would be
tight, the humans already counting on the frog people's fishing boats to
keep away hunger.  It would not be possible for them to increase their
catch too much.  Not with winter approaching, with the seas cold, stormy.
Still, they would make do.  His people were strong.

   The door to his office opened behind him.

   "Your Grace, Lady Shanna is here."

   James turned as the door closed again, Shanna already well into the
room. She grabbed the back of a chair before his desk, flipping it around
and sitting with her legs straddling the back.  She was wearing a black
tunic and blue slacks.  The inability of the Poles to replicate bluejeans
was still a sore point for both of them.  She met his eyes.

   "What's up?"

   "Too much." He walked over to his desk, sliding into the leather chair.
James leaned back.  "You heard?"

   "As soon as we finished breakfast.  Thanks for letting me sleep in."

   "I knew there was nothing for you to do just yet." He let the chair
rotate left, then right.  "This is the worst best news.  That's what's
killing me."

   "Almost makes you wonder if they let them go just to make things hard on
us."

   He shook his head.

   "If the Elves had wanted to, we were sitting ducks all the way to the
coast.  You know that.  We all know that." He sat up.  "It's the thing
about a civil war that has me worried."

   She straightened.

   "What's this now?"

   "The people Captain Putaski brought here think some sort of Elvish civil
war broke out, and they were forgotten about.  I don't like that."

   James could see her mind working behind those glasses.

   "Which side is the Queen, if that was the Queen our Polish King was
screwing around with, on?  Which side do we want to win?"

   "Do we want any side to win?  Do we want a winner, needing to shore up
his support, to decide yet another war against the Humans is a good idea?
We're in no shape to beat anybody."

   "We need information."

   He nodded.

   "I'm thinking of sending you out.  Ride these people's back trail.  See
what you find."

   "No," she said, shaking her head.  "I don't see what good that would
do."

   "What do you suggest?"

   "Traders.  They hear much.  We could go to one of the coastal cities. 
Poke around.  See what the gossip is."

   "Hmm..." He considered.  "I'll talk to Chief Ajani.  See what he
recommends.  Make sure Polocks are welcome." A thought occurred to him. 
"Oh, this works out.  You can take Piotr with you."

   She blinked.

   "Why?"

   "He said something about you two needing a honeymoon."

   Chapter 3



   "So you don't want me coming."

   Shanna closed her eyes, trying not to groan at Piotr's...  what? 
Childishness, at least.  She put a hand to her forehead.  A headache was
coming.  She just knew it.

   "I didn't say that."

   "Yes, you did."

   God.  He was acting like the teen he was.  She opened her eyes.  The
young man stood beside his horse, the animal now saddled, although Piotr
looked like he might be ready to pull it off again.  The palace stable
around them was empty.  Shanna took a deep breath.

   "I said, I didn't plan on our vacation being a whole official mission
with others.  I wanted it to be just the two of us, alone.  I didn't ask
James to send you with us."

   "So you don't want me-"

   "Jesus Christ!" She stepped towards him, the teen's eyes widening in
shock.  She didn't know which always got to him more, when she swore, or
when she called the King by his given name.  Like she was going to bow
before someone who had roomed a few doors down from her just months ago. 
Shanna put a hand on his shoulder.  "Look.  I love you.  I love being with
you.  I want you to come with us.  OK?"

   She saw him take his own deep breath, trying to relax.  He looked...

   Piotr looked his age.

   He was a kid.  Shanna was in love with a kid.  A boy a few years her
junior who had never been in a real relationship before.  Who had probably
heard too many unrealistic tales of true love and the like.  Who just
didn't understand.  Well, he'd have to learn.  She'd help him, naturally.
Not get pissed, give him time to adjust to all this.  Shanna already had a
sinking feeling, though.  This, like all her other loves, was not going to
end well.

   "I'm sorry Shanna.  I'm just..."

   "I know."

   "You spend all your time with them."

   Fuck.  Here she was trying to get this over with, the two of them back
to a happy place, and he won't let it go.  Well, she'd give it one more
try.

   "And this will be us spending time together." She smiled.  "Tell you
what.  When we get to the city, I'll tell the others to go get some rooms,
look around, and the two of us will find a nice inn with a big bed.  We'll
spend an entire day or two naked." Her smile became wickeder at his
widening eyes, her hand sliding down his chest.  "I'll even get on all
fours for you..."

   "Um...  can we leave now?"



   ****



   James would give half his Kingdom for a computer.

   Not the good half.  No.  Without that, there'd be no need for the
computer.  Unless he wanted to play some games.  God, video games.  He
missed video games.  They were so much more fun that...  this.

   The king sat back in his desk chair, shoulders slumped as he looke down
at the scattered papers.  So much information.  Even knowing as little as
they did, it still overwhelmed.  Grabbing one, he looked over at Ola,
seated at a small desk on the left side of his office.  The effeminate man
looked as tired as James felt.

   "Ola."

   "Yes, Your Grace?" He turned to give James his full attention.

   "If the trees in that grove Pawlak is lusting over are that good, yes,
he can harvest them for housing.  But, ONLY for housing, and only that one
patch.  I'm not having this island cleared of trees.  We bring wood from
the mainland, or build the rest of the housing there."

   "Yes, Your Grace." Ola turned back to his desk, making a note.  A page
ran in, a chalkboard slate in his hand.  He stopped before the King's desk.

   "Flag message, Your Grace."

   "Thank you."

   The boy handed the slate over, bowing.  Ola motioned him over.

   "Here, Boy.  Take this." He handed over a similar square slate with a
white chalk message written in a clear, steady handwriting.  "Make sure you
wait to get confirmation from the shore."

   "Yes, Sir." He ran off.  James rubbed his eyes, yawning, before focusing
on the just delivered message.

   "The Captain reports that he has a good five miles of stragglers behind
the main body.  Maybe more.  They're so disorganized, I wouldn't be
surprised if they lost a third of those that tried to come." He shook his
head.  "Damn it.  If I had known, we could have done something.  Left small
garrisons, at least on this side of the Orlan river."

   "We thought they were dead," Ola said, rising.  "All of us.  Don't blame
the Captain for that, Your Grace."

   "My Grace knows better than to pass blame on an empty stomach.  Could
you send for something?"

   "I need some records from my office.  I'll send word to the kitchen as I
pass." He bowed, turned, and followed the page out the door.

   James leaned back, shaking his head in an attempt to clear it.  It was
the seriousness of it all that was starting to get to him.  The weight of
the responsibility.  If he did the wrong thing, made the wrong choice,
people could...  die.  Actually die.  Children.  He could get children
killed.

   He stood, walking to a map tacked to the wall.  It showed the island,
Nowy Poland, with its infant city Nowy Warsaw.  North of them, visible with
the naked eye from the shore, the unnamed continent, the town of Fredrick
(named after his father) spread out around a small harbor.  Twenty miles
west of the town, the Orlan river ran into the sea, the Kikker city of
Saribit resting on the western bank.  A hundred miles further west, the
Warta river also ended its southward journey at the sea.  His eye traveled
up it, past towns, small cities, until it reached the city that was no
more. The centuries old home of the only humans in this world, where the
Wisla joined the Warta river.

   Nowy Kiev.

   How many humans crossed the Warta weeks ago?  How many might still be
crossing?  Traveling west, for almost a fortnight, only to see the mighty
Orlan river in their path.  How many women and children, with only what
food they could carry, were staggering down wagon trails now fading,
following the Polish retreat?

   Damn it all.

   "Page!"

   A girl ran in.  The palace staff must really be stretched, if the
younger sisters of some of the boys were being enlisted.  He nodded to her
as he walked to his desk, grabbing two clean slates and quickly writing.

   "I need you to take this green one to the signal flag master.  You know
where he is?"

   "Yes, Your Grace!"

   "Good.  It's urgent." He paused, laughing.  "Everything is urgent
today." The girl, no more than eight, laughed nervously.  Finishing, he
handed them to her.  "After you've delivered it, and the Signal Master has
indicated he understands it and doesn't need to send you back for
clarification, you are to take the blue one to the stable.  Find a rider.
He is to deliver this to the southern harbor master.  Understand?"

   "Yes, Your Grace!"

   "Good girl!  Off you go."

   She turned and ran, brown pigtails flapping behind her.  It was settled,
then.  If it was at all possible, they'd send troops back over the Orlan
river.  Find out where the Poles had managed to cross, secure the crossing.
Send scouts back towards Nowy Kiev.  Dangerous as hell, with the risk the
Elves would think they were making moves to retake the city.  But, it could
save lives.

   James shook his head as he returned to his desk.  It was too easy to do
these things when others were going to be the ones going into danger.



   ****



   Shanna reined in her mount as the humans came to the end of the mountain
pass.  The stone road opened up, widening as it sloped down towards the
western harbor.  Towards the Kikker village of Visvang.

   It was the fact the fishing village of the frog people looked like some
New England town that got to her.  No exotic architecture.  No strange
cultural flourishes.  Just wood frame houses with tiled roofs, square
windows and rectangular doors.  Only its occupants were fucking weird. 
Bipedal frogs.

   Still, you got used to them.

   Piotr brought his mount beside her.  He looked strange without the
feathered wings attached to the back of his armor, without the decoration
that marked him as one of the elite Winged Hussars.  It had been his choice
to leave them behind, to go as, well, one of her men.  She smiled at him.
So far as she was concerned, he was her only Man.

   The others were her soldiers.

   "Given none of us speak Frog," Piotr said, "this could be interesting."

   "There's always a few who speak Polish." Shanna let her eyes pan over
the small community.  Her own Polish was to the point where she wasn't sure
she wasn't in fact thinking in the language.  Some magic had to be
involved, a pale reflection, perhaps, of James' multilingual ability. 
Maybe she could learn Frog.  It didn't seem too difficult.  No croaking, at
least.  Shanna didn't think she'd be able to croak with any great ability.

   "Lady," Anelie said, bringing her own mount up.  Shanna glanced at the
girl.  Wherever her brother had found that armor, it fit her well despite
its obvious male shape.  It was even the proper black.  In fact, she
thought, it was suspiciously good.  Almost as if the two siblings had
planned its need ahead of time.  The girl, noticing she had Shanna's
attention, seemed to sit up straighter in her saddle, the half football
shaped helmet adding almost a foot to her height.  At least she was no
longer the babbling brook from months ago.  Everything that had annoyed
Shanna about the girl was now, if not gone, muted.  That was good.  Shanna
didn't like being annoyed.

   "What is it, Anelie?"

   "They've seen us.  Someone is coming."

   Shanna looked.  Sure enough, a brown form was coming towards the road.
The girl had good eyes.  A point in favor of her keeping the job.  She
nodded.

   "Might as well meet him at the bottom."

   "Her," Anelie said.  "It's a girl."

   Again, Shanna looked, squinting.  Damn it, she was right.  The Frog was
a bit thinner, wearing just a rope skirt.

   "Her, then.  Let's go."



   ****



   Telling individual Kikker apart was still a chore for Shanna.  Her mind
still tended to group them as animals, despite the stupidity of that. 
Worse, she put them lower than horses, given she had no problem telling
those animals apart, even when the colorings were almost identical. 
Racism, that's what it was, and she was not proud of it.  Still, this one
she thought she recognized.  Shanna even thought she remembered her name.
Figuring it was worth the diplomatic embarrassment, she trusted her memory.

   "Hello again, Adanya." Shanna dismounted before the daughter of the
village chief.  The Kikker woman smiled, a wide smile which seemed to
stretch across most of her greenish brown splotched face.

   "Hello." Her Polish was good, although with that strange accent.  The
eyes on top of her head blinked, then squinted as if in concentration.  "It
was...  Shanna?"

   "Yup." Shanna laughed.  "I assume I'm one of the easier humans to tell
apart."

   "Yes.  You all have the same skin, and mostly the same hair.  It is
difficult."

   "I know what you mean.  Did King James send word?"

   The Frog nodded.  Her upper body moved a bit as well, bare breasts
bouncing slightly.

   "Our docks are empty, most now at your town of Fredrick, but they will
return by nightfall.  We will leave on the morning tide.  I have lodging
for you and your companions until then."

   "We?"

   "I am coming," Adanya said.  "You need a translator, and my father wants
the best for your King."

   "We are in your debt." Shanna motioned to Piotr, now standing beside
her. "This is my future husband, Piotr.  Piotr, Adanya, daughter of Chief
Ajani."

   "My pleasure." Piotr bowed slightly.  His expression was...  not quite
sincere.  Shanna sighed.  How low did he put the Kikker?  Higher than
Elves, she guessed, although respect wise maybe lower.  Glancing at the
others, she saw a speech before they boarded the ship would probably be in
order.  They were leaving the world of humans.  Respecting other peoples,
cultures, would be needed not just to survive, but to get the information
they needed.  The Poles needed friends, and friendship was based on
respect.

   Well, she had a few hours to try to remember what the teacher had said
in those five multiculturalism lectures she had attended before dropping
that class as a waste of time...



   ****



   James watched Ewa gather up the empty dinner dishes from his desk, her
movement as graceful as it was efficient.  Her long black braid slipped
around her left shoulder, falling down her front.  With an unconscious toss
she sent it back out of the way as she straightened.

   "Do you need anything else, Your Grace?"

   She only called him James in their chambers.  Even when they were alone,
or as alone as he could get, she was formal.  In speech, at least.  Her
eyes twinkled as she spoke.

   He glanced around the room.  The two scribes were working furiously at
writing tables beside Ola's desk.  The Chamberlain's own dishes were
stacked neatly on the desk top.  He glanced at the fireplace as a slight
chill hit his body.

   "I think the fire needs some more wood, but that's about it."

   Ola sat up, looking towards the door.

   "Guard!" Duda stepped into the doorway.  "Guard, send for more fuel for
the fire."

   "Yes, Sir." The guard vanished again.

   "Well," James said, smiling over at Ewa, "that's taken care of.  So, no,
I'm good."

   "Good." Leaning in, she kissed him, a light peck on the lips.  The
others in the room seemed to conspicuously ignore them.  Ewa left, stopping
on her way to add Ola's dishes to her stack.

   James chuckled.  His love was better than a queen.  A queen would not
help cook dinner, certainly not serve.  Was that wrong?  Yes, but there was
something to be said about old school gender roles.  Besides, this was all
her idea.  She could be doing anything she wanted, with his blessing.  She
had her own concept of being a wife, and seemed determined to act out as
much of it as she could.

   More power to her.

   "Pardon me, Your Grace."

   The guard Duda was again in the doorway.  His expression was unsure. 
That was never good.  James sighed.

   "Yes?"

   "There is a lady here to see you, Your Grace.  Lady Lusia."

   That name was not familiar.  He glanced over at Ola.  The man didn't
even look up from the text he was consulting as he answered the unspoken
question.

   "The oldest daughter of Ludoslaw Jasinski, who you met early this
morning in the company of Captain Putaski."

   "Ah, right." Why the hell would she be here?  Certainly, in normal cases
such a person would have to pass through a few people before being granted
an audience.  Then again, Ola was in here with him, so where else would she
go?  He shrugged.  "Send her in."

   "Yes, Your Grace."

   Now Ola's eyes did come up, questioningly.  James shrugged again.  Best
to get these interruptions out of the way all at once, before he again was
lost in today's emergencies.  It was already late.  Soon it would be too
dark to see the flags from across the strait.  He rotated his shoulders,
feeling the joints crack.

   The woman who entered bore little resemblance to the tired and dirty
teen who had sat at pre-dawn breakfast with him.  She wore a light blue
dress, not quite perfectly tailored yet showing off her curved form
stunningly.  A silver chain with oversized links was tied around her waist
as a belt, emphasizing her hips.  So, too, her neckline was cut low, white
lace outlining her cleavage.  Her face was still as pretty as he
remembered, with an added layer of confidence and without the exhaustion.
Her blond hair was braided, falling down her back almost to her waist. 
Stopping in the middle of the carpet spread before his desk, she curtsied.

   "Good evening, Your Grace."

   James rose, giving his own half bow.

   "Good evening, Lady Lusia.  To what do I owe this pleasure?" Given how
she was dressed, he feared the girl's mother was already trying to enter
her into the 'become a queen' sweepstakes.  He hoped not, as this was not
the time for that.

   Lusia let out an unladylike, disgusted sigh.

   "Your Grace did not join us in the Palace dining room, so my father
asked me to come spy for him.  He has not sworn loyalty to you yet, and
trust in those from Nowy Kiev was never high."

   James blinked.

   "Honesty.  That goes far with me." He walked around to the front of the
his desk, leaning his butt back against it, arms folded across his chest.
"We've been busy, obviously, but give your father and mother my apologies.
Were there any specific questions you were to use your charms to get out of
me?"

   Her eyes dipped down to her exposed bosom.

   "Are they helping?"

   "No, but they're definitely not hurting.  Ask away."

   "When will we have our own land again?"

   "Oh, Christ on a Christ stick!" The girl took a step back in surprise as
James pushed himself off the desk.  "You just got here.  We have more
important things to deal with, such as feeding, housing everyone.  Keeping
you alive.  Six died today.  Did you know that?  Two mothers, miscarrying,
an old man, and one of our soldiers driving off wolves from the tail of the
main group of refugees.  More are going to die.  That pisses me off, and
I'm going to spend all my effort preventing it.  Go tell your Father he can
go join the city nobles who have been clamoring for estates ever since we
got here.  See if adding his bitching to theirs helps at all.  I predict
no."

   James took a deep breath, calming himself.  She stood her ground before
him, light blue eyes regarding him the same way he remembered them doing
that morning.  He raised his eyebrows.

   "Yes?"

   "You may not yet have Father's respect," she said, softly, "but you now
have mine." She curtsied again.  "Good night, Your Grace."

   She was gone.

   James took another deep breath.  What the fuck was that?  He glanced
over at Ola.  The man shrugged.

   "Women, Your Grace.  I've never bothered with them myself."

   Chapter 4



   James stood at the rail as the ship sailed into Fredrick Harbor.

   He had not been to the mainland in a few weeks.  Ever since the the core
of Nowy Warsaw had been declared ready for occupation, he had been focused
on it.  Fredrick, with its mix of tents and wooden buildings, was put on
the back burner while most of the population moved to their new home.  It
had not helped that sailing between the two ports was a bother. 
Uncooperative winds and currents made the trip around Nowy Poland slow, if
not slow enough to make rowing a better option.  The sooner the lock could
be built on the Anne river, allowing sailing directing from Nowy Warsaw's
inland lake north across the strait to Fredrick, the better.  As it was,
James was almost tempted to put docks at the mouth of the Anne, lack of
harbor notwithstanding.

   Still, he had made it into the harbor before the sun had hit noon. 
Fully half the day remained in which the world's problems could fall like
bowling balls onto his head.  He was already dreading what he'd find.

   There were footsteps behind him.  Given the crew on this small vessel
was incredibly busy making sure the ship missed any rocks and shallows, it
could only be one of a handful of people.  Of those, only one would
probably be bothering him.  Deciding to test his psychic abilities, he
spoke without turning.

   "Mister Jasinski."

   The footsteps stopped.  James wasn't sure how his magical translation
ability was handling his use of 'Mister'.  It seemed right, as this man was
of very minor nobility, despite having been a village head.  He was of the
upper class, though, and no commoner.  Turning, James saw Jasinski's
expression was one of surprise, not insult.  That was a relief.  There was
no need to piss him off too much.  Not, at least, until the King found out
how much of the disorder of the refugees could be laid at this man's feet.
How much these people considered him a leader.

   The man stood there, blinking.  James tried not to look as exasperated
as he felt.  He smiled.

   "What can I do for you?"

   Jasinski walked to the rail a few feet from James.  His hands grabbed
it, probably, James thought, just for something to do with them.  James
turned to look out over the water as well.

   Even more so than with Nowy Warsaw, James felt pride when he looked out
over what they had built here.  In just a few short months earthen walls
had been thrown up around a huge expanse of land, encompassing farmland,
grazing pastures, quarries.  A church, steeple rising high into the sky,
stood next to what had been his palace.  Wooden buildings, both temporary
and built to last, lined streets in the process of being paved with stone.
Stone in some cases left from the first masonry structures starting to rise
from the Earth.  Stone buildings that showed the Poles planned to stay.

   Two wooden docks jutted out from the eastern side of the harbor.  The
ship turned, sailors shouting above as sails were taken in.  Two other
ships, one of Kikker origin, occupied the other dock.  James turned towards
the tiller.

   "Captain!  If you would be so kind as to raise my banner!"

   "Yes, Your Grace!  Seaman, raise the Royal Banner!"

   The man beside him was still quiet as the ship slowly slid beside the
dock.  Lines were tossed, tied, as seamen and shore men brought the voyage
to a close.  James let out a sigh as he felt the ship come to a stop, his
grip tightening at the jolt of their forward momentum reversing for a
slight moment, before even that was stopped by other lines.  Confident it
was now safe to walk with reasonable dignity, James released the rail.

   "We seem to be here." He glanced at the man.  Jasinski was just staring
at the town.  Whatever he had planned to say seemed to have fled.  Possibly
no big loss.  James turned away, just as the man spoke.

   "I apologize, Your Grace."

   The King turned back, regarding him curiously.

   "For what?"

   "For not doing what God and Country asked of me, to the best of my
ability." His eyes stayed on the shore.  "I did not take charge.  Did
not... lead.  When I see around me the result of your exodus, and compare
it to what you will see of mine, I am ashamed.  All yesterday we heard the
people in the palace, telling of the horrible shape my fellow Poles were
in. The latest gossip, the latest deaths."

   Jasinski turned to James.  "Did you lose people?"

   "We got most of the dying out of the way when the city fell, but, yes, a
few.  Soldiers, mostly, protecting the column." Looking at the dock beside
them, James saw an honor guard moving towards them as the gangway was put
into position.  "What's done is done.  Blame is for afterwards.  For now,
it's time to work with what we have, save those we can.  Come on.  I can
see Captain Putaski's unhappy face from here."



   ****



   "Greetings, Your Grace." The Captain bowed, as the honor guard saluted.
James nodded in acknowledgment.  At some point, he'd have to give this man
a rank and title appropriate to his position and power.  Hell, he really
wasn't even Captain of the Royal Guard anymore, not in practice.  He was
hardly at the palace at all.  Or, maybe the definition of that job had just
changed.  A problem for another time.

   "Good morning, Captain.  I trust you have today's emergencies all lined
up for me."

   A slight smile fought to appear on the serious man's face.  He nodded.

   "We have good news as well." Motioning James to walk with him, the two
headed back down the dock as the guards fell in around them.  Jasinski
walked a few steps behind.  "The main body is all within our walls, as of a
few hours ago."

   "Thank God," James said, shoulders slumping in relief.

   "Yes.  We lost a few more.  Two old men, and one child who ran in front
of a wagon.  It wasn't the wagoner's fault, the boy was three and he just
couldn't see him."

   James doubted that would matter to either the mother, or the driver.  He
nodded.

   "Accidents happen."

   "Exactly.  We now are left with a seemingly endless stream of
stragglers. I swear, our riders are reporting a family or two every mile
they backtrack the trail.  We have no idea how many people are still out
there." The Captain's eyes went to Jasinski, scorn barely hidden.  James
kept his focus on his second in command.

   "The more of our people who are still alive, the better." The Captain's
gaze returned to him.  "How far have the riders made it?"

   "They're not yet back to the road.  Obviously, every new batch of
civilians stops them for a bit.  We don't have enough men to line the
entire trail to provide full protection, and our hussars keep having to
turn back to provide escort." He gave a tired laugh.  "Your idea of
crossing the Orlan is a good one, but it will be days before we can."

   "I've thought of that." They stepped off the dock, onto dry land.  He
turned to look back at the single masted sailing ship.  "Remember that
small Kikker settlement the road passed through?  The one with the dock,
half dozen houses?"

   "Yes." Captain Putaski's voice indicated he suddenly understood the as
yet unstated plan.  James nodded.

   "Send a ship there, with supplies.  The one I came in, say.  Set up a
refugee camp there.  With willing help from the locals, naturally.  See if
one of the Kikker here will go as an envoy, help negotiate payment.  We can
bring people back here by ship, send out riders from there up towards
Daraja.  No reason these poor people should have to walk more than they
have."

   "A good plan, Your Grace."

   "Let's hope so."



   ****



   The sound of music drew James towards a large expanse of grass just
outside the grid of streets.  Ignoring whatever destination had been
planned for him, he moved down the wide dirt road between wood frame
buildings which had a definite medieval, yet "wild west" feel.  The music
was happy, joyous.  Not quite a Polka, but only because the accordion was a
modern instrument.  He could hear the origins of that style, and it brought
a smile to his face.  Turning a corner, he stopped, taking in the view.

   Open fire pits and makeshift stoves had been set up at one end of the
green field.  As smoke wafted over towards him, James could smell stew,
fish, lamb.  Thousands of men, women, children, stood in line for a midday
meal, or sat in groups eating, laughing.  The music came from five men
sitting on log seats, playing Kozial, Polish bagpipes, fiddles and
tambourines.  In the space before them, small children danced around,
laughing, singing.

   James turned to the man who had abandoned these people, and the one who
had brought them out of danger.  He could feel the smile on his face.

   "You've both done good."

   Jasinski bowed low.

   "Thank you, Your Grace." His voice was heavy with emotion.  James nodded
to the Captain.

   "OK.  Let's get to work."



   ****



   Shanna stood at the bow of the Kikker fishing boat as it entered Saribit
harbor.

   Now, she was in a fantasy world.

   There had been the occasional unusual plant or animal.  The frog people,
and the one elf she had seen her first day fate and magic had exiled her to
this world.  Other than that, it could have been Earth.  An Earth with frog
people and elves, true, but they could have been the strangers in her
world. Now the college freshman was confronted with the first solid example
of the otherness of this world.

   The city of Saribit was not one whole.  Her eye could see that.  The
base of it, the core, was stone, both carved and stacked.  Stone buildings
jutted out of the ground, out of the cliffside behind the city.  The lines
were all curved, the roofs domes, or a series of domes.  There were no
carvings, no decorations.  Just smooth rock, polished to a shine.  Mixed in
with these were the same wood frame structures she had seen in the fishing
village.  Human-like buildings rising up, square, imposing.  It was almost
as if the Kikker were inhabiting a place built by others, modern man
building among still standing Greek structures without regard for what
aesthetically fit in.

   She looked to her right as the ship passed the fort.  Saribit lay on a
natural harbor next to the mouth of the Orlan river.  A canal had been cut
from the western bank of the river to connect to the harbor, allowing ships
to travel between the two without first entering the ocean.  This left a
rocky crescent shaped island at the mouth of the river and harbor, which
had been fortified.  Large polished stone walls rose up from the water,
curving around the edge of the island.  On the battlements, Shanna could
see large ballistas, catapults.  Just looking at it, the idea of any
military action against this city became foolhardy in the extreme.  Which,
she figured, was the idea.  The stronger your defenses looked, the less
they would be tested.  Something she'd have to work with James on.

   The harbor was large and busy, ships of all shapes and sizes at over a
dozen wharfs and docks.  Some were truly large, vessels Shanna would have
thought modern techniques were required for.  All were wood, though.  No
iron ships.  What would be the advantage of one, without gunpowder?  Hmm.
More food for thought.

   Piotr stood beside her, the salty breeze blowing his blond hair straight
back.  God, he was handsome.  Shanna was definitely having a Titanic
moment. Moving behind him, she wrapped her arms around the teen, head
carefully placed on his shoulder to be out of the hair's way.  She felt him
sharply inhale in surprise.

   "Mmmm...  romantic." She almost giggled the line.  "Are you enjoying the
mission so far?"

   "Y-yes."

   Shanna chuckled.  He seemed to relax at that, as if happy to not have to
deal with an out of character, giggling Shanna.  She kissed his clean
shaven cheek.

   "Good.  I like my future husbands happy."

   "Oh," he said, face turning a bit, "do you have many lined up, now?"

   "Maybe.  Got to keep you on your toes." She kissed his cheek again.  The
ship turned, the sail above swinging as the frog sailors tacked.  That was
the right word, right?  Whatever.  Shanna wasn't a sailor.

   She caught movement out of the corner of her eye, unrelated to the crew.
Turning her head, while keeping her tight hold of Piotr, Adanya came around
the pilot house into view.  The Kikker still wore just the rope skirt, her
body seeming to shine from the salty spray which had doused all of them on
this voyage.  Shanna had caught a few of her men ogling the woman's bare
breasts, and even she had to admit that right then, they actually looked
rather good, almost human.  A glance up or down dispelled that thought, but
she figured for some men their eyes would never need to make that trip.

   Her own eyes looked beyond Adanya.  Shanna had brought six of her own
men on this voyage.  Well, five, plus Anelie.  She had figured that was
enough to provide safety in numbers, and few enough to not raise eyebrows
(or other body parts).  They stood elsewhere around the deck railing,
taking in the harbor.  Bogdi stood close to his sister, his hulking body
leaning down as he whispered in Anelie's ear.  Shanna hoped nothing was
wrong.  She liked the girl.

   Adanya came up beside them, her own webbed hands grabbing the rail.

   "The Captain says we'll be docking over at one of the small wooden docks
on the western corner of the harbor." Shanna saw they were now headed that
way.  She nodded.

   "The ship will wait here until we are done, right?"

   "Sort of." Adanya's wide mouth smiled, seemingly apologetically.  "They
will go off to fish once we are on shore.  Your people need food, and to
waste a fishing boat doing nothing for days would not be good.  A ship will
always be at that dock every evening, though, at sunset, and through most
of the night.  My father promises you that."

   "Good enough." That had not been what they had discussed, but this
ship's Captain had not taken part in those talks and obviously had his own
concerns.  Shanna could see his point.  If worse came to worse, they could
buy passage home.  There certainly were enough ships here, and she could be
very...  persuasive when she had to be.

   The dock was closer now.  Shanna released Piotr, turning to her men.

   "OK, men, saddle up!"

   Anelie turned, eyes wide in surprise.  Shanna grinned.

   "Without the horse part, obviously!"



   ****



   Shanna had truly left the world of humans.

   The streets they walked down were full of people not as they were. 
Frogs, mostly, some dressed as Adanya was, but more covered in actual cloth
of various colors and styles.  A case of city versus country, perhaps, of
"modern" versus traditional.  Certainly Adanya carried herself as one proud
of herself, not embarrassed by her garments.  There were other races
represented.  A short, furry people, in Shanna's mind a mix of Ewok and
Hobbit, fur black and striped.  Some sort of spiderish crab, its main body
held up with six legs, with a smaller "chest" attached to the front with
two arms and its head.  They'd be scary, if the primary coloring wasn't a
pastel pink or yellow.  Their feet seemed to be clad in some sort of boot.
There were a scattering of others, but those two seemed to dominate the
non-frog population.  Certainly, they were the ones who worked some of the
market booths, crewed some of the ships.  They were the ones the humans
would be coming in contact with the most.

   Adanya led the eight humans down wide, curved streets.  They were not so
much paved, as carved into the bedrock, gutters and drains added to remove
rain and sewage.  Much of the city seemed to be a market, befitting a port
such as this.  Frog and spider merchants sold goods from who knew where, of
all descriptions.  Shanna even saw Polish goods, textiles and jewelry.  She
hoped most of it was from Human traders, and not spoils of war.  She noted
the prices.  That was information that could be useful, although costs from
markets much farther distant would be more so.

   Shanna held Piotr's hand as they walked.  It felt...  good.  Right. 
Romantic.  Her earlier worries fled before the feelings she had now.  She
was with the man she loved.  He accepted her, and she accepted him.  There
was nothing they could not work through.

   The road curved again.  It had been slowly leading them upward,
something Shanna's calf muscles had been complaining about.  They had
obviously gone up enough to be above some of the buildings, as before them
lay a small park overlooking the city and harbor.  Anelie ran from her
brother's side, almost throwing herself against the stone wall at the edge
of the park.

   "It's so beautiful!"

   "It is," Shanna said.  Hand unconsciously releasing Piotr, she walked up
next to the girl.  The redhead's eyes were wide, as if trying to take in
the entire view at once.  She looked so...  vibrant.  Alive.

   Shanna found herself looking away from her new scout, suddenly
uncomfortable.  She looked over at Adanya.

   "Your people build a beautiful city."

   "We try." The Kikker woman gazed at the stone buildings around them. 
"Saribit was built long, long ago.  We do not even have stories about it
being built.  It has just always been.  Many peoples have lived here, many
wars were fought over it.  It was not until my kind came that it became
beautiful."

   Shanna could not help but smile at the naked nationalism, the cultural
superiority.  That was a trait which transcended cultures, species.  Humans
were not alone in their smugness.

   "I assume," she said, "that Polish is not spoken much here."

   "A few traders," Adanya said.  "With your people now down here, the
number will grow."

   "Enough that it would be beneficial for us to divide up?  You would
translate for one group, the others would hit the Polish speakers."

   "I don't like that," Piotr said, his voice stern.  "We're too few to
divide."

   "Agreed," Bogdi said.  "I have no intention of returning to the King and
telling him we lost you because half of us were on the other side of the
city." The others nodded, Anelie's head bobbing up and down at double the
speed of the rest.  Shanna laughed.

   "OK.  Fair enough.  We stick together.  Most of the time, at least." She
looked at a large arching doorway, a wooden sign hanging above it.  "Piotr
and I, though, are going to need some alone time this evening, and
definitely tonight." Her men chuckled the way macho soldiers usually did
when sex was the subject.  Piotr let out a sigh, but otherwise didn't make
a fuss.  That was good.  As for why Anelie's face was red, she had no idea.
As the teen looked away from her, Shanna turned to their Kikker guide.  "Is
that an inn next to us?"

   "Yes." Adanya cocked her head as she gazed at the sign.  "The Dragonfly
Inn."

   "It looks like the view from the windows would be great.  See if you can
get Piotr and I a good third floor room with a view.  Then we'll find
lodging for the rest of you.  We'll start our real work tomorrow."

   "Or the day after," Helmut said, grinning.  "We do not want to rush
our..."

   Anelie's gasp silenced them all instantly.  Shanna whirled to the girl,
hand on the pommel of her sword.  The redhead was looking over the waist
high wall, body leaning over as her hands supported her.

   "What is it?" Shanna moved beside her, eyes going down as well.

   "Elves."

   Chapter 5



   The eight Humans and one Kikker half knelt in a half hidden corner of
the park.  Shanna knew they had to look silly to the locals, a bunch of
primitive foreigners doing whatever it was non-frog people did.  The way
Adanya was looking around, the Kikker woman obviously was a bit
embarrassed. She offered no complaint, though, as they discussed their
options.

   "There's no reason Elves shouldn't be here," Piotr said, expression as
serious as Shanna had ever seen it.  It was his war face, she realized. 
The expression was echoed by the others, only Anelie showing a different
emotion: fear.
"I think it's safe to say," Shanna replied, eyes sweeping the group,
"that we're still at war with the Elves.  We've negotiated no ceasefire,
let alone a peace treaty.  I'm sure both sides have standing 'attack on

sight' orders, at least for border guards."

   "If they're just traders, the war has nothing to do with them." Piotr
shifted his leg a bit.  "I could probably blame them for this rock poking
me in my knee, though."

   "I'm sure," Shanna said, grinning, "they placed that there as a trap."

   "Wouldn't put it past them."

   "What do we do, Lady Shanna?" Anelie's eyes were wide.  There was trust
in her voice, though.  A conviction that Shanna would, in fact, know what
to do.  Would keep her, and them, safe.  Not really knowing why it seemed
right, Shanna reached over and placed her hand on the girl's knee.

   "We do what we came here to do.  We're soldiers.  Polish soldiers.  It
will take more than a few pointy-eared freaks to send us running.  Right?"

   "Right!" Anelie's whole attitude shifted.  She was confident again, body
tense as she leaned towards Shanna.  Shanna chuckled as she glanced at the
hulk of a brother beside the girl.  Bogdi had his own beefy hand on
Anelie's shoulder.

   "You'll be OK, Anelie.  Just stay close to us, let us do the fighting
for now.  We need your eyes more than your sword."

   Shanna took quick stock of their supplies.  No bows, or other ranged
weapons.  Anelie did have a pair of throwing daggers along with her sword,
as did Jacek.  Bogdi had his ever present battle axe.  No armor, apart from
breast plate each human wore.  The rest had been left behind.

   "We passed a stall," Anelie said, "selling bows.  They weren't Polish,
but didn't look too bad."

   Shanna regarded her, impressed.

   "How far away?"

   "I remember it," Helmut said, standing.  "Maybe a quick ten minute walk
back."

   Adanya stood as well, crossing her brown and green arms over her breasts
as she moved in front of him.

   "Walk with a bow, and every guard in the city will mark you as potential
trouble.  Swords, we can say are for defense.  Bows are for attacking, and
guards don't want anyone starting trouble."

   "So we don't use them when the guards are around."

   She snorted, which came out as a half croak.  From his expression,
Helmut obviously wasn't sure how to interpret that.  Adanya shook her head.

   "Polish.  Always a pain."

   "And Frogs are better?" Bogdi asked.  His snort of disgust mirrored
Adanya's, and it was her turn to be unsure how she should react.  He stood,
his sister rising with him.  "Really, this changes nothing.  We just have
to be on our guard, which we should have been from the start."

   "Agreed," Shanna said, rising, as did the rest of them.  "Adanya, see if
that inn has rooms for all of us, as we won't be splitting up tonight." She
paused a moment, taking Piotr's hand.  "The best room with the biggest bed
will be ours, though."



   ****



   Lodging secured, the rest of the afternoon's exploration took on a more
serious tone.  The humans were wary, eyes darting into every passed doorway
or side street.  On coming to a narrow flight of stairs leading down to the
lower city, Shanna made sure all noted its location.  It would be the
fastest way to retreat back to the docks.

   A block further on, they came to what appeared to be a restaurant.  The
front wall of the two story stone structure was gone, replaced by squared
wooden columns extending upward to the domed roof.  Inside were round
tables with chairs, half of which were already filled with Kikker diners. A
few of the short furry Watu also occupied two tables, booster seats
allowing them to use the larger chairs.  The second floor, from what Shanna
could see, had even more tables.  There was no railing where its missing
wall would have been.  No safety codes here, evidently.

   "What do you think," Piotr asked.  "Good place for dinner?"

   "Do they have human food?" Anelie asked.  "I'm not too fond of flies."

   "Grilled dragonfly isn't bad," Bogdi said, hand stroking his chin.  "If
it's fresh."

   "Fresh caught is the best," Adanya agreed.  She walked to the nearest
column.  Paper menus were posted on each of its four sides.  Moving to the
back, she stopped, eyes widening.  "They have a Polish menu."

   "That's a good sign." Shanna said.  "They must get trader business."

   "Places locals go have better food," Adanya groused, "but for tonight
this will do.  The prices are not horrible."

   A young Kikker woman came towards them.  She wore a red cloth vest,
holes cut so her breasts were not just exposed, but held the vest in place
as they jutted outward.  Her skirt was of similar design to Adanya's, but
woven of multi-colored fabric strips instead of rope.  She smiled, head
bowing slightly

   "Welkom.  Sou jy graag 'n tafel?"

   Adanya looked at Shanna questioningly.  Shanna shrugged.

   "Sure, why not.  Second floor, so we're not visible from the road."



   ****



   "I am so sick of fish," Helmut said, eyes going over the menu, "even the
bugs are looking like a good option."

   "I'm telling you," Bogdi said, his own menu already discarded, "try the
grilled dragonfly.  If the cook knows what they're doing and doesn't drown
it in sauce, it's quite tasty."

   "Unless it's a Lilly herb sauce," Adanya said from three chairs down. 
Bogdi leaned forward as he turned to her, Anelie leaning back to get out of
his way.

   "Oh, I agree, but at these prices the odds we're getting that is low,
unless it's cheap ass Lilly not fit for the better quality of Frog."

   "Of which I am one," she said, smiling.  Bogdi laughed.  Grabbing his
mug, he raised it up.

   "To the better quality of Frogs!"

   "You're not even drunk yet," Anelie said, frowning at her brother.  He
shrugged, taking a swig of his drink.

   "And?"

   "Nothing."

   "And where," Shanna asked, "did you acquire a taste for Kikker food?"

   Adanya leaned forward, interest clear on her face as he answered.

   "I was down on the southern border for a bit, about five years ago. 
There was a Frog village just beyond our fort.  They were friendly, so we'd
often go there.  There was this one Frog girl, who..." Bogdi stopped
himself.  He sat back in his chair.  Shanna put a hand to her forehead as
Anelie looked at her brother questioningly.

   "Who what?"

   He coughed, not meeting her gaze.

   "Liked to cook."

   The waitress came, delaying further revelations Shanna really didn't
want to know about.  Still, it was interesting to hear Bogdi obviously had
no problem with dealing with the Kikker, although just because you liked to
(eeew) fuck them didn't mean you respected them.  That was information that
could come in handy.



   ****



   The food was good, the conversation better.  Maybe it was the freedom of
being away from everyone, even fellow soldiers.  Maybe it was that they
were alone together in the middle of an alien city.  Alone, as humanity was
alone, bonding to survive.  Whatever the case, stories came flowing, tales
Shanna had not heard in the months she had led them.  So, too, she told
stories.  Stories of home, of her Earth.  And, Piotr...  Piotr, her love,
for the first time seemed at ease with her men, and they with him.

   Even if all else came to naught, for her the trip will have been worth
it.



   ****



   "So, there I am, standing in the middle of this crappy wooden rowboat at
the cabin dock, ready to start the adventure of a lifetime.  I manage to
untie the back rope somehow, and as the stern starts swinging out into the
lake, my six year old brain suddenly realizes, Fuck!  I'm going to float
off and be trapped in this boat forever!  Mrs.  Miller sees me from the
cabin window, and BURSTS out the door, yelling 'SHANNA!' She runs down the
hill, and Mrs.  Miller running was a sight to see, let me tell you, big
breasts a bouncing.  She runs out onto the dock, and...  JUMPS into the
boat!  I jump back, to get the fuck out of her way, hit the side of the
boat with the back of my legs, and go flying over into the water!  Splash!
Mrs.  Miller, without missing a beat, jumps in after me!  BAM!  Belly flop!
Everyone comes running out of the cabin, what with her screaming about me
drowning, and there I was standing in three feet of water laughing my silly
ass off!"

   Shanna took a swig of her drink as the table broke into laughter around
her.  She had left the part about the frog the family had named 'Prince'
out of the tale, although Adanya probably would have taken it well.  She
was laughing along with the others, after all, now officially one of their
number.  At some point, the seating arrangement had changed, the Kikker
woman now settled next to the magnificently mustached Bogdi.  A bowl of
some sort of large marinated insects sat between them.  Shanna did not want
to remember exactly what it was, and was just thankful the bowl was empty
enough that she no longer could see its contents.

   "Lady Shanna."

   Shanna looked at Anelie beside her.  Exactly when the green eyed redhead
had ended up beside her was also a mystery.  She let out a burp before
answering.

   "What?"

   "The time."

   "Time?" Shanna looked though the non existent wall.  It was dark
outside. She could not see any street lamps from this angle, but their glow
was visible.  She nodded.  "Ah."

   "Time to go?" Piotr asked.

   "I think so.  We have to find the inn, and it's a little ways back
there. Who has the purse?"

   "I do," Bogdi said, rising.  "Adanya, come make sure I don't get
cheated."

   "If I must."

   "Oh, you must, as what I do to tavern staff who cheat me would have the
guards here rather quickly."

   Shanna shook her head.  She hoped the two weren't pairing up.  That was
an image she wanted nowhere near her mind.  Plus, it was the village
chief's daughter.  There were political aspects here apart from the matter
of...  species.  Shanna stood.

   "OK, let's go."



   ****



   The streets were, not crowded, but fuller than they had been during the
day.  Groups of Frogs walked up and down the road, more often than not a
couple on some romantic stroll.  Music came from some of the buildings,
strong percussion beats with a sweet woodwind melody.  The humans received
some looks, but not that many, and certainly nothing Shanna would classify
as suspicious.  Certainly, she noticed nobody running off to notify others
of their passing.  Not that a good spy would be that obvious.

   "I like this place," Shanna said.  Piotr nodded.

   "It has a different feel than Nowy Kiev did.  More..."

   "We didn't like non-Polish people in our city." Anelie's voice was sad.
Her brother nodded next to her.

   "You can't blame us, really.  We had to fight to keep our place,
surrounded by all these large nations.  If we let others in, well..."

   "Where would it end?" Shanna tried to keep the disgust out of her voice.
She knew the argument, and it while it had some validity, more so here
perhaps than at home, it was so easy to take it too far.  Saribit was a
vibrant trading center, fully in the control of the frog-like Kikker, but
open to all.  Why couldn't Nowy Warsaw grow to be like this?  A rich
trading center on the southern edge of the world.  Maybe they could
undercut the docking fees, have slightly lower taxes...

   Another thing to discuss with King James.



   ****



   James could hear the sound of fighting coming out of the darkness. 
Steel slamming into steel, screams of anger, of pain.  Human, and non. 
Unable to control himself, he slammed his fist into the dirt wall before
him.

   "How the HELL did they get this close?"

   "We've pulled too many men off of patrols, Your Grace.  We're too thin."
The wooden gate beside them opened.  Two dozen Winged Hussars rode out into
the land beyond the Fredrick fortifications.  The lieutenant let out an
angry sigh.  "We can't patrol, man the walls, AND keep the trail safe!"

   "We damn well can and we damn well will!" Even as the riders vanished
into the night, another came into view.  Leaning over the wall, James
yelled down.  "Rider!  What news for your King?"

   The Hussar reined in before the dirt wall and its dry moat, tired
surprise on his face.

   "Your Grace!  Watu bandits!  The furry monsters hit the supply wagons we
were moving out!  They fled, but it's a loss!"

   "Track them!  Hunt them down!  I want every creature in every village
and city to know we protect our own!  You do NOT fuck with Poland!"

   "Yes, Your Grace!" The messenger whirled, spurring his mount back up the
trail.  James turned to the gathering officers around him.

   "Pull every soldier out of the work gangs.  Replace them with newcomers.
I want a sweep of every ravine and cave within twenty miles of the wall. 
We've been lax.  Until every refugee is safe within the walls, we're at
war. Understood?"

   "Yes, Your Grace!"



   ****



   Shanna had never made love on a lily pad before.

   The two humans had laughed at the first sight of their bed, with its
green sheets and obvious shape.  The room, too, had a froggy feel, tan
reeds set into the wall, the carpet the dark blue of a deep lake.  Still,
it was an actual bed, with a surprisingly comfortable mattress.  In the
dark of night, her love's strong body penetrating into hers, the world's
problems were forgotten.  All that existed was love, pleasure.

   "Turn over," Piotr whispered.  She felt him withdraw his manhood, a
groan escaping from her throat at the loss.  He had already filled her
twice with his seed.  She wanted to feel a third.  In the darkened room,
Shanna rolled over off of her back, raising herself up on hands and knees.
Her breasts hung down as she felt strong hands grab her buttocks.  She
pushed back against those hands, seeking him.

   "Fuck me, Love.  Fuck me."

   Her eyes shot open as he complied.  She was filled.  Filled by her
lover. Her fianc�(C).  Her...

   Shanna's eyes, facing a large window overlooking the lower city, saw
something fly up and hit just above the glass.

   Piotr paused mid-thrust.

   "Did you..."

   "Yes I did," Shanna said.  She felt Piotr pull out, her anger at this
intrusion growing.  How dare something interrupt their lovemaking! 
Rolling, she moved her body swiftly to the edge of the bed, standing as
soon as she could swing her feet onto the floor.  Grabbing Piotr's sword
from its place leaning against a nightstand, she moved, still nude, towards
the window.  His nude body, white skin more visible than her dark brown,
carefully moved around to the other side of the window, her sword in his
hand.  Body pressed against the reed wall, Shanna glanced around and
through the window.

   An arrow jutted out from the top sill.

   "Jesus."

   "Don't think it was him," Piotr said.  His eyes were downward.  "Nobody
down there now.  From the angle, it was fired from the park.  Good shot."

   "We don't know what they were aiming for." She inspected the window
closer.  "Does this open?"

   "Um...  yeah.  Here.  Be careful." Piotr pushed the window outward. 
Shanna, trusting her skin to provide some camouflage, moved her body fully
in front of the window.  Her hand shot out, grabbed the arrow, pulling it
out of the wood.  She leapt back as soon as it was free, Piotr closing the
window behind her.  They moved back into the room, far from where they
could be seen from anyone below.  Piotr grabbed a flint fire starter from a
shelf, lighting an oil lamp after three strikes.  As light filled the
corner of the room, he cursed.

   "It's Elven."

   "You sure?"

   "Hell yes.  Look at how the fletching is done.  There's no doubt." He
took it from her, frowning.  "Wait."

   She saw it as soon as he did.  Something was wrapped around the shaft.

   "An arrow message.  Really?  This place does have someone at the front
desk all night."

   "I suspect they don't trust us to actually stand there and listen."
Piotr grabbed a dagger, slitting the two thin strings tying the paper to
the shaft.  He unrolled it, placing the arrow on the shelf as he held the
paper out between them.  Shanna grabbed the other side.

   It was written in some strange language.

   "Well, this does us no good," Shanna said.  "Is it a threat, or a
message of friendship?"

   "There's something on the back."

   They flipped it around.  A neat, if very rudimentary, map decorated the
paper.  Shanna mentally matched it to the day's exploration.

   "The top of the stone stairway downward.  I assume they want to meet us
there."

   "Do we go?"

   Shanna glanced down at his now wilted manhood.

   "Yes.  If only to bitch slap them for interrupting."



   ****



   The Poles and Kikker moved swiftly down the now empty stone streets. 
Shanna hoped to hell no guards saw them, as heavily armed and armored
foreigners really had no good reason to be out this late.  Not having much
choice in the matter, she had Anelie out front, the girl's young eyes their
only hope of not being surprised.

   Coming to a crossroads near the stone stairway, the redhead stopped,
raising her left hand in a fist.  Shanna raised her own fist, stopping and
moving closer to the stone wall beside them.

   They waited.

   After a few long moments, Anelie lowered her arm.  She then stepped
forward into the open, eyes apparently on something down the dead end road
by the cliff edge.  Shanna let out a curse.

   "Fuck.  Come on."

   She moved quickly, hand on the pommel of her sword.  Bogdi was beside
her, axe already in his hand.  As they closed, Anelie turned her head
towards them, expression more anxious than anything else.  She motioned
downward with her hands.  Bogdi lowered his axe, but kept both hands on the
handle.  Slowing to a walk, Shanna rounded the corner.

   At the end of the short alley, where the stone stairs began their
decent, a lone Elf soldier stood.

   He was as ugly as Shanna remembered them to be.  Green skin, long
pointed ears which extended up past shaggy black hair.  He wore leather
armor, a kilt made of leather straps hanging down to its knees.  The
eyes... round.  Black, small white circles centered in them.

   Human and Elf stared at each other.  Shanna was not sure what to do
next. If the creature did not speak Polish, or Kikker, the chances of some
misunderstanding causing things to go horribly wrong was rather great.  She
glanced at Adanya.

   "Ask what's going on."

   The woman nodded, stepping forward to speak.  The Elf listened, head
cocked as if trying to understand.  When she was done, he spoke, haltingly,
in words Shanna at least half recognized as being Kikker.  He had to repeat
it twice before Adanya turned to Shanna.

   "He wants us to follow."

   "Did he say why?"

   "No."

   She sighed.  Well, James wanted them to find out what the Elves were up
to.  She nodded to Adanya.

   "Tell him to lead the way."

   Chapter 6



   Shanna hoped she wasn't getting them killed.

   The Elven soldier led them further into the city, down winding streets
between stone buildings.  There was little chance that he was trying to
confuse them as to their destination, or trying to get them lost.  All one
need do was look up at the mountain side looming up behind the city to
locate North, and yourself.  Put that to your back, and you could just keep
running until you hit the harbor.  Or a cliff.

   Shanna tried to remember what she knew about Elves.  Not much.  The
Poles themselves did not seem to know much, at least so it had seemed to
her and James.  That was, so they surmised, due to the two only recently
coming to share a border.  Plague, apparently, had devastated a race west
of the humans, forcing all to migrate.  The Poles had moved into some of
the land, although they themselves were still recovering from a plague: the
city of Nowy Kiev, at the time of the Elven war, had half the pre-plague
population, with some of those having moved out into the farms and villages
to avoid death.  As for the rest of the newly empty land, the Elven Kingdom
had quickly filled it.

   An uncertain border, new neighbors...  tensions had just built.  Then...

   Shanna wondered how much the King's stupidity had caused the war.  The
diary of the late young Prince, their only source of information, was
sketchy in the extreme.  How much was even true was in doubt.  How could a
secret affair with the Elven Queen be confirmed, when the King and all in
the Royal Chambers were dead?  Certainly, Shanna did not think she'd be
asking these Elves.  That would be a sure way to insure non-peaceful
interaction.

   The Elf led them around another corner.  It was a dead end.  To be more
exact, the Poles found themselves in a courtyard, a three story stone
structure wrapping around the end of the road.  It looked...  disused.  The
stone did not exude life the way buildings had closer to the harbor.  Did
this city, too, only have a fraction of the population it once did?  Well,
if it had changed hands many times before coming under the sway of the
Frogs, that would not be surprising.  And, coming herself from a city which
had lost half its population over a half century, she knew there need not
be anything mysterious about such things.

   The Elf did not go to the main entrance.  He moved to a stairway cut
into the ground before an eastern wall.  Shanna held her people at the top
as the green skinned soldier knocked on a dark wooden door.  She motioned
Bogdi close, the others leaning in to hear.

   "Stay sharp," she said softly.  "Do not draw first, or assume the worst
of an action, but be ready if we are betrayed."

   "Yes, Lady." Bogdi looked over at the unarmed Kikker woman with them. 
Without a word, he took a dagger from his belt, offering it.  Adanya took
the hilt, examining the weapon.  Nodding to him, she slipped it into the
rope netting which made up her skirt, the blade slipping between and around
the ropes.  The point, Shanna was glad to see, ended up on the outside.

   The cellar door opened, faint light spilling out around a second Elf. 
He, too, wore armor, of similar design.  He was also just as ugly.  Shanna
would have picked "goblin", perhaps, to name the race.  Elves of high
fantasy these were not.  Piotr, with his amazing hair and oh so fuckable
body, was closer to Legolas than these creatures.

   Unintelligible words were exchanged.  The door guard moved back into the
building, their guide turning to Shanna.  He motioned for them to follow.

   Taking, then releasing, a deep breath, Shanna started down the stairs.



   ****



   An Elven woman.

   The creature stood at the far end of a candle lit stone room, yellow
flickers doing nothing to change the unreality of what Shanna saw.  She
understood.  Understood why a King had strayed, had thought nothing of
risking his kingdom for the lust for a woman.

   This was a goddess.

   The Elf was young.  Not a girl, but not long a teen, if indeed they aged
on a human scale.  Her features were human, soft, yet perfect like a doll.
While the male soldiers she had seen, and now saw standing on either side
of this girl, had skin the green of pines, hers was the light green of new
grass on a spring day.  A white dress did not so much cover, as reveal,
baring shoulders, throat, falling loosely not even to her knees.  Hair, as
red as a sunrise, fell down her back.  The eyes...  Shanna could not help
but stare into those eyes.  Black.  On the soldiers, Shanna had felt they
reflected the blackness of their souls.  On this one, though...

   Shanna, more unsure than ever, moved farther into the room.  The others
filed in from the hall, taking their place behind her.  The door to the
room closed.

   Several emotions seemed to cross the Elven stranger.  Disgust. 
Resignation.  Surprise.  The last still on her face, she leaned forward a
bit, eyes fully on Shanna.

   "You are not a Polock."

   Shanna heard Anelie growl.  The others, too, let their anger at this
insult flow through them.  She sensed the shift in their stances, hands
closer to their weapons.  The four Elven guards in the room reacted as
well, she saw.  They moved forward a step.

   This was going well.  Shanna took a deep breath.  She smiled, a smile
friends and foes had learned to fear over the years.  Her voice was calm,
friendly as she spoke.

   "Oh, I'm a fucking Polock.  Who the hell are you?"

   The Elf blinked, straightened.  Uncertainty flowed over her young face.
Royalty, Shanna thought.  This one is Royalty.  Or at least a noble.  The
same vibe she had gotten from the better class of Pole flowed from her. 
Not the Queen, no.  Probably not.  A Princess, then.  Maybe the one
mentioned in the diary.  She looked young enough to be mentioned as a
future mate to a ten year old...

   "I am Catty."

   No title.  No further description.  So, it was to be like that.  Shanna
renewed her smile, taking a step forward, bowing her head oh so slightly.

   "I am Shanna, Dark Hussar, leader of the 1st Cavalry.  How may we be of
assistance?"

   "I wish to travel to the large island east of here."

   "Ha!" Bogdi's bark of laughter seemed to break the tension in the room.
The Elves glanced at each other uncertainly as the humans relaxed,
chuckling.  Shanna gave her friend a half rebuking glance.  He shrugged,
axe loose in his hands.  Shaking her head, she looked back at the mystery
Elf.

   "I apologize, Lady Catty.  As you can tell, that may be a problem.  The
island is currently occupied by Humans, and friendly and noble Kikker."
Shanna turned to give a larger bow to Adanya.  She returned it, amphibian
eyes amused.  "And, as you may have heard, Elves and Humans are not on the
best of terms at the moment."

   "Which is why we have waited here, instead of simply booking passage. 
We require an escort.  I must get to the island."

   "Why?"

   The Elf glanced at her guards, then to a door to her left.

   "It is important."

   Shanna let out a disgusted snort.

   "So is my time.  Your men disturbed me in the middle of a good fuck with
my man.  I don't take kindly to that.  So, you will tell me why the hell
you want to go to the heart of the new Polish Kingdom, or we go back to our
hotel so I can see if I can get one more fuck out of Piotr."

   "I'm good for it," her lover said, voice amused.  A disgusted snort
seemed to come from the direction of Anelie.  Shanna ignored it.

   "So.  I'll ask again.  Why should I bring you, and I assume your armed
escort, to Nowy Warsaw, and risk the people rising up to demand the King
publicly hang you for what happened to their homeland?"

   "Sneak us in," Catty told her, eyes looking for the first time like
those of a young teen.  "Please.  I...  I know it will be hard.  I know
what I'm asking.  But we must go there.  I must meet the King..." She
frowned.  "Although, Spirits know, I do not want to meet..."

   Uncertainty passed over her face.  Catty glanced at one of her men, but
spoke to Shanna.

   "You have a NEW King, right?  One of the Princes?  Or is it still King
Lawenza?  There are so many rumors..."

   Shanna's eyes widened.

   The Elf didn't know.

   That could be good, or bad.  Probably bad, knowing the way the universe
worked.

   "Why do you wish to meet King James the 1st?"

   "King James..." The Elf swung her full attention back to her, black eyes
wide.  Shanna could clearly see the small white circles in the middle of
those dark orbs.  "Not the young Prince?  Or the elder?"

   "Dead," Shanna said.  "King.  Queen.  Princes.  Dead, on the eve of the
war."

   The teen seemed to shake.  Her eyes went to the ground, but they stared
at nothing.

   "Oh.  So, that...  Mother, how could..."

   "We blame the Elves, naturally," Shanna went on.  "You understand why.
So, again..."

   The loud crack of wood being smashed jolted her.  She whirled.  The door
to the basement hallway stood closed, intact.  Another crack came, her
mind, now focused, placing it somewhere beyond the door.  She heard
yelling. Fighting.  Shanna drew her sword, the sound of her friends and
companions doing likewise filling the room.

   The door burst open.

   It was the uniforms which saved the Elf woman's life.  The armor.  Elven
soldiers poured into the room, red chain mail cladding their chests.  On
the hallway floor behind them, Shanna could make out a dead elf, clad in
leather armor identical to that worn by the four guards around Catty.  So,
the humans had not been betrayed.  This had nothing to do with them.  The
soldiers wanted the woman.

   Well.  That was not going to happen.

   "Push them back!" Bogdi roared.  He charged forward, battle axe
swinging. Shanna found herself near the wall as her men spread out.  There
was too much room.  Not knowing how many of the blasted Elves there were,
it was possible the humans could be surrounded.  They had to gain control
of the door, fight them as they tried to enter.

   Then they had to get the hell out of there.

   A soldier came at her, shield raised.  Shanna's own shield was back
home, doing her a hell of a lot of good.  As the green creature's sword
came down at her, she shot in close, hand raising up to grab his wrist. 
Even as his shield pushed forward to knock her back, her own sword swung
low, under it.  She felt steel hit leg.  The soldier let go a grunt of
pain, leg buckling.  Unthinking, the training of months driving her every
move, she struck again, keeping her sword under and behind his shield even
as her left hand and arm struggled to keep hold of his stronger sword arm.

   Another hit, where she had no idea.  His legs buckled, sword falling
from his hand.  Stepping forward, her blade shot into his head as it hit
the ground.

   She had killed someone.

   No time.  No time for that now.  No time to consider the death she had
dealt, the life ended by her blade.  Shanna kept her eyes up as she pulled
her blade loose.  Kept her gaze on the still living enemy.  Her men were
pushing back the Elves.  Four other bodies lay on the ground, all green. 
Taking a moment, Shanna knelt, grabbing the fallen Elf's shield.  She
tested the weight.  Good enough.  With a roar of her own, she jumped
forward, pushing the battle line closer to the door.



   ****



   Helmut was dead.

   Her friend and companion lay on the cold stone floor, one human among a
sea of green monsters.  Shanna had not seen him fall.  Did not even know of
his loss until a horn somewhere else in the building called the Elves into
retreat.

   She had killed.

   She had lost a friend.

   Jacek pulled a final Elven body into the room, out of the doorway.  Lewy
shut the door, its latch now broken, slamming down the wooden locking bar
which had not been used before.  His gaze fell on Shanna.

   "We need to get out of here, Lady."

   "Agreed." Shanna took a deep breath, grip on her new shield tightening
even as she sheathed her sword.  Home.  She needed to get them home.

   "Sit still!"

   Shanna looked over at Anelie, kneeling beside her brother as he leaned
against the far wall.  His shirt sleeve was ripped open, a red gash on his
upper left arm bleeding.  The medic kit Shanna had insisted every soldier
carry was on the ground beside her.  Shanna watched as the girl opened a
pouch, squeezing honey onto the wound as Bogdi took a swig of something
alcoholic with his remaining arm.  Adanya knelt with them, white bandages
in her webbed hands ready to be applied.

   "How are you, Bogdi?" Shanna asked.  He swallowed, lowering the canteen.

   "I'll live.  I've had worse."

   "Good." Taking another deep breath, Shanna turned to the remaining
Elves.

   The girl had not moved during the fight.  Her four guards stayed arrayed
in front of her, swords and shields still at the ready.  Shanna walked
towards them.

   "OK.  Enough bullshit.  Civil war, whatever, don't care.  I need to know
two things.  One, how do we get out of this building and into the streets,
where we have room to run and get the attention of city guards.  Two, why
you need to see the King.  One without the other does you no good."

   The woman said nothing.  Shanna let out a disgusted snort.

   "Fine.  Jacek!  Strip the bodies.  Find something to wrap Helmut.  As
soon as Bogdi can stand, we fight our way out!"

   "Wait!"

   The Elf Catty almost ran forward, slipping between two of her men. 
Shanna stood her ground as the girl came before her.  Again, the sheer
beauty of this creature radiated at her.  Shanna was damned glad she had no
lesbian tendencies, or there'd be no resisting the girl.  Shanna raised her
eyebrows at her.

   "Well?"

   The girl, a half head shorter than Shanna's five and a half feet, looked
up at her.  Her black eyes were wide.

   "My sister."



   ****



   Shanna followed the girl into the next room.  It was small, with no
other doorway.  This idiot had hid herself and her sister in rooms with one
entrance.  Sure, it was secure, but only too easy to blockade.  Was there
no experienced officer among her companions?  On the opposite side of the
room lay a cot.  On it...

   The Elven woman was more beautiful than the sister.  Older, with blue
hair spilling over the thin mattress.  A thin blanket covered her sleeping
form.  Shanna stood by the doorway as Catty walked to the woman's side, a
slim hand touching her sister's forehead.

   "She's hurt.  I can not cure her.  I do not know the spells.  We could
not find the spell book.  Jaka...  Jaka said we had to go to the island. 
We were going there when she was hurt.  I do not know why, just that we
have to." She turned to Shanna.  "Please.  Take us.  We can not go home. 
Those four, wonderful guards are all who are still loyal.  Please.  Save my
sister."

   "Where is the Elf Queen?"

   "Mother is dead." Catty's eyes closed.  "My sister is Queen.  If she
dies, I will be Queen.  Queen of four soldiers."

   "Your guards will be disarmed as soon as we get to a ship.  Agreed?"

   "Yes." Catty's eyes met hers.  "You have my word.  We will do all that
you say." She paused.  A sad, wry smile touched her lips.  "Within reason."

   "And with that addition," Shanna said, "I believe you." She turned,
walking back into the other room.  Her soldiers came to a casual, proud
attention.

   "OK, men, here's the deal.  We're taking them with us.  There's an
injured woman back there, and the Elves can carry her, and poor Helmut,
when we break out."

   "What's the plan for that?" Piotr asked.  "We don't know how far they
pulled back."

   "I will find out." Catty came up behind Shanna.  She smiled slightly. 
"I have magic, but it is limited.  And tiring."

   "Do it."

   "Open the door," the Elf told Lewy, "and stand back."

   He gave Shanna a questioning glance.  She nodded.  Lewy nodded back,
turning to the door and raising the bar.

   "Ready?"

   Shanna saw Bogdi struggling to his feet, Anelie and Adanya half
supporting him.  The four Elven guards entered, two carrying the ends of
the Queen's cot while the others moved past Shanna.  Without a word, they
picked up the now blanket covered body of Helmut.  Catty raised her hands
before her.

   "Open it."

   Lewy swung the door open, jumping back.  The girl's hands made intricate
movements before her, soft unintelligible whispers coming from her mouth. A
light appeared in the air.  Faint, not quite a sphere.  It was all Shanna
could do to stand her ground next to her.  Magic.  Real magic.  Elves and
frogs were one thing, but this!  Catty's hands pushed forward.  The ball of
light shot towards the door.  As it entered the hallway beyond, it split,
going both left and right.

   There was a pause.

   A scream.

   "That was from the exit," Jacek said.  Shanna nodded.

   "Lead the way!"



   ****



   Two limp forms lay in the open doorway leading outside.  One was the
guard who had let the humans in.  The other was one of the attackers.  His
eyes were open.  He could be dead, or stunned.  As they ran past and up the
stairs, the tips of a few swords found purchase in his skin.  Petty, but
Shanna said nothing.  She just stomped on his wrist.

   A half dozen Elves in red chain mail stood in the center of the
courtyard, dazed.  The spell obviously had run out of steam, perhaps as it
expanded in the open air.  The humans fell on the soldiers, swiftly cutting
them down.  Piotr dropped down next to one, hands searching.

   "This one's an officer." He stood a moment later.  "No message pouch."
He looked at Shanna.  "Let's go."



   ****



   Nobody stopped them as they made their way through deserted streets. 
This did not comfort Shanna.  She liked guards.  Security.  What kind of
city allowed armed bands to roam its streets?  One, she considered, which
had decided so long as things stayed quiet, there was no point making a
fuss.  Battle in the streets?  Yes, crack down on that.  Murder in a home?
Well, if only foreigners are involved, let it go.

   Either that, or they were just lucky that night.

   They stopped at the inn, settled their debts, collected the few things
left behind in haste.  Shanna liked the place.  Hoped to return, some day.
A proper holiday.



   ****



   The fishing vessel was in the process of casting off from the dock as
they approached.  Shanna could not help but chuckle.

   "See, Piotr?  If we had stopped for a piss break, the ship would have
been gone!"

   "Well, I can't wait any longer." Turning, the teen faced the side of the
dock, away from everyone, undoing his fly.  Shanna shook her head.

   "And I love you, why?"

   "Because I'm great," he replied.

   "Right.  You keep thinking that." Shanna watched as Helmut, and the
unconscious Queen, were carried onto the ship.  Kikker sailors, wary eyes
on the Elves, took their burdens.  She turned to Catty.

   "OK.  Last chance.  I promise nothing, not even your safety, once you
board this ship."

   "I know."

   "OK, then.  Let's go."

   Chapter 7



   James stepped down onto the dock, the Kikker fishing village of Visvang
before him.

   What the fuck was Shanna doing back here so soon?

   The message, relayed by flag from the city, had been not just
unexpected, but baffling.  Instead of coming directly to Fredrick, Shanna
had sailed to Visvang, sent a rider (Piotr, of all people) all the way to
Nowy Warsaw, where a cryptic communication was sent to the mainland,
telling him to get his ass to the Frog village as soon as possible. 
Something had happened.  Something was STILL happening.  Something secret.

   That was never good.

   Shanna was walking across the village square.  Even from here, he could
see the seriousness of her movements.  Again, not good.  James began his
own walk down the wooden dock, guards following.  Shanna met him as he
stepped on to shore.

   "You made it," she said, as soon as she was before him.  "Good.  I
didn't know how long it would take, or even where you were."

   "I THOUGHT I knew where you were," James told her, unable to keep the
exhaustion out of his voice.  "Why the hell are you back?  What happened?"

   "Fucking shit happened, that's what.  I got Helmut killed."

   He saw it in her eyes behind those glasses.  The pain.  Soon, he knew,
he would be where she was, would have blood on his hands.  Maybe he already
did.  Shaking his head, he put a hand on her shoulder.

   "Damn.  You OK?

   "Oh," she replied, voice bitter, "I'm fine.  Bogdi got his arm sliced.
Doesn't look infected.  Got everyone else home."

   "Good.  So what's the emergency that drew me away from the other five
I've been having fun with?"

   Shanna let out a snort.

   "You're going to love this."



   ****



   James looked across the tavern.

   Elves.

   And not just Elves, according to Shanna.  An Elven Princess.  A Queen,
too, unconscious upstairs, if only a new one with no kingdom to rule. 
Fucking Elven royalty here a short ride from the new Polish capital.  Oh,
this was wonderful.  Nothing but good things could come of this.

   His eyes could not leave the young girl.  She was...  inhuman.  Yes. 
That was what came to his mind.  Beautiful, but inhumanly so.  Someone in
some podcast he had listened to, back when such things existed, had said
that the most attractive movie stars were only partly human.  They were
so...  PERFECT, they seemed alien, a race apart.  So it was with this one.
It was not the skin, the eyes, or the long pointed ears that turned him
off. It was her beauty itself.  He had never found himself attracted to
plastic dolls.

   The Princess was seated at one of the many tables scattered around the
inn.  Her four remaining soldiers stood against a wall behind her, flanked
by some of Shanna's men.  The Elves were clad in what looked like brown
muscle shirts and underwear.  It took a moment for James to realize they
had been stripped of their armor as well as their weapons.  He shook his
head.  The creature at the table could not be the same race as those ugly
things.  But, then, for all he knew male royalty was just as beautiful as
their female counterparts, and most females were big breasted versions of
the ugly males.  Nature could be strange.

   The girl looked up at him, black eyes wide.  There was surprise there,
he thought.  Maybe a little fear.  That wasn't good.  A spell casting girl
afraid for her life could be dangerous.  As he approached the table, James
gave the room another sweep of his eyes.  Most of Shanna's thirty soldiers
were here, armed.  Even the injured Bogdi, upper left arm bandaged heavily,
stood by the fireplace with his sister.  The village Chief stood with them,
as did his daughter.  Chief Ajani nodded to James.  This affected his
people as much as it did the Poles.

   Returning his attention to the girl, James smiled.

   "Hello." He pulled out the chair opposite hers, sitting.  He could
almost feel her shaking, pushing back in her chair.  "I'm James, King of
Poland."

   "Catty," she said.  There was a flute like quality to her voice.  He
wondered what Elvish sounded like.  He would never know, obviously.  The
magic inherent in him in this world made all language sound like English to
his ears, and his words became the native tongue of others.  A handy trait
for a King, but much was lost.  He nodded to her.

   "Catty.  Welcome to the doorway to Nowy Poland.  We weren't expecting
you, obviously, but I hope you are being treated well." Both their eyes
went to the Elven soldiers.  She smiled slightly as her head came around
again to meet his.

   "As well as can be expected."

   "Good, good.  Now, obviously, the question is...  why are you here?" He
put his elbows on the table, fingers interlocked before him.  "As I said,
this is the doorway.  The question will be whether we let you in."

   "We have to enter," she said, voice sad, bitter.

   "Why?"

   Another sigh.  If she thought it was having some effect on him, it
wasn't.  He kept his gaze unchanged until she spoke.

   "It's...  my sister.  Jaka.  She is sick.  I must bring her into your
Kingdom, so I can search for what I need to cure her."

   "And what is that?"

   "A...  book.  Of magic, herbs.  Our Mother had it, but we could not find
it as we were fleeing the castle.  Jaka thought Mother had hidden it,
although why I have no idea.  Surely she could have used it, could have
saved herself..."

   James glanced over at Shanna.  The girl was in the process of wiping her
glasses on a cloth.  She met his gaze, surprised.  They shouldn't be,
naturally.  If this really was...

   "YOU HAVE IT!"

   The Elven Princess leapt to her feet, madness on her porcelain doll-like
face.  Her hands began moving before her, her mouth whispering.

   "Renas...  AAHHH!"

   A dagger struck one of her hands, hilt first, even as James leapt back
onto his feet and away from the table.  Soldiers were there a moment later,
forcing her thin arms behind her back as she yelled and kicked like a
demon.

   "Gag her!" Shanna yelled.  Something fabric was shoved in the Princess's
mouth.  Behind her, the Elven soldiers were surrounded, able to only glare
at the humans manhandling their Princess.

   Within seconds, it was all over.

   James looked over by the fireplace.  Anelie had a second dagger out,
ready to throw.  He nodded to her.

   "Good throw, soldier."

   "Thank you, Your Grace." The girl looked very pleased with herself, an
expression which swiftly faded as her eyes went over to Shanna.  James
followed that gaze.  His friend and fellow otherworlder looked disgusted.

   "Fuck!  Damn it, I'm sorry James.  I should have..."

   "Distrust has to be earned," he said.  "The enemy of my enemy is a still
a second enemy, et cetera.  It was worth a shot being nice, as I, at least,
am a nice person." He turned to the restrained Elf.  "I'm not stupid,
though."

   "We were set up," Shanna went on.  "I lost Helmut because I was stupid
and..."

   "We don't know that," James said.  "It could just be a case of a young
Princess not thinking things through." He could hear the girl growl around
the wadded cloth.  Bending down to pick his chair back up, he returned it
to the table and sat down again.  He waited as rope was tied around her
wrists behind her back.  "Let's start over.  Sit."

   The girl didn't protest as she was forced down into her chair.  Those
black eyes were like daggers, though.  James smiled again.

   "OK.  As I was going to say, before we were interrupted, we do have a
book.  It may well be the one you are looking for.  It might not.  God
knows we don't know what the hell it is.  It was..." He paused,
considering. Shanna's spoke behind him.

   "Everyone but Bogdi, Jacek, Anelie, out.  Duda, call in some more of His
Grace's guards.  Chief Ajani, you may stay, naturally, but understand that
what you hear is under strictest confidence."

   "Of course." If the Kikker was insulted, he kept it well hidden.  His
daughter stayed too, which made sense.  She served as his Polish
translator, although his own Polish was improving greatly.  As Shanna's
men, trusted but in no way used to dealing with secrets, were replaced by
his own guards, James noticed the Frog girl sliding closer to Bogdi.  The
movement drew the King's eyes down to her breasts.  Nice.

   Damn.  Only one night away from Ewa, and he was reduced to lusting after
frogs.

   Clearing his mind of that distraction, James looked at the man now
behind the Princess.

   "Nowak.  Is her hand wounded?  Is she bleeding?"

   "More a bruise," he said, reaching down between the chair and her back,
pushing her body forward.  "Don't think anything's broken, but we can check
later."

   "Good enough.  Actually," James said, standing, "speaking of that, let's
check on this sister of hers."

   "MMMMMMM!" Catty tried to jump up, held down by the large hands of
Nowak. James sighed.

   "Jesus.  I'm not going to hurt her, Catty.  I'm just going to go look.
If we can trust you to speak, you can tell us what's wrong with her.  Maybe
our doctors can do something."

   She glared black eyed hate across the table.

   "OK, we do it the other way.  Nowak, bring her.  Shanna, show me the
Queen."



   ****



   The small second floor room was dark, its curtains pulled closed. 
Anelie walked over, pulling them open.  Sunlight revealed a small bed
pushed against a wall, a grey blanket pulled over the body of a blue haired
woman.

   James slowly walked across the room.  She was pretty.  What looked
strange on her younger sister somehow became beauty, as if age, experience,
had molded her.  Her smooth green face showed evidence of a life lived, a
life...

   He stopped in his tracks.

   She was dead.

   He dropped to one knee, hoping to Jesus he was wrong.  Her chest wasn't
moving.  Moving the blanket aside, he took her hand.

   Cold.

   Damn it.

   He heard the muffled gasp.  Damn it all to hell.  James let out a long
sigh.

   "Remove her gag, let her come over."

   A moment later the short Elf threw herself down onto her knees beside
James, untied hands tentatively touching her sister as soft, inarticulate
sobs came forth.  James had intended that she remain tied up, for their
safety.  He'd have to have a word with his guards.  Or, more likely, he'd
just have to remember to be clearer in his orders if they survived this.

   "I'm so sorry," he said.  It sounded weak, but he knew nothing else
could be said.  Without thinking, as even the slightest of thoughts would
have warned him, James raised his right hand, touching the back of the
girl's head.  Her hair was soft.  "I'm sorry, Catty."

   A moment later, her face was buried in his chest, tears soaking through
his clothing.  Her hands grabbed the fabric of his shirt.  Still
unthinking, he found himself still holding the back of her head as his
other arm went around her back.  She pressed herself against him.  It
felt...  right.  A wave of emotion flowed through him.  She was alone.  He
was her protector.

   Long moments passed.

   "Mother." Catty's voice was muffled.  James leaned down closer. 
"Mother...  the Polish King..."

   "I know," James said, quietly, stroking her back.  "I know."

   "You do?" She looked up, black eyes red.  He nodded.

   "We knew he was with some Elf woman, assumed it was the Queen." The
others reacted around him.  James ignored them.

   "She wouldn't tell Jaka or I why," Catty said, sniffling.  "Why she was
doing it.  We told her to stop.  It was wrong."

   "I think it was love," he said, petting her hair.  "She talked to the
youngest Prince.  Gave him a book, maybe the one you're looking for.  Told
him to hide it."

   "Why?"

   "Don't know.  She...  Your mother also told the boy she hoped he, and
one of her daughters, might marry."

   Catty went stiff.

   "Why...  why would she..."

   "Don't know."

   "You don't know much."

   "True," he laughed.  "A good leader, though, knows his limits.  Knows
what he does not know.  Tries to fill the gaps." James let his eyes meet
hers.  "Who killed the King?"

   "Mother."



   ****



   They again sat at the table in the main room of the inn.  Drinks sat
before each, a plate of salted fried potato slices in a bowl between them.
Catty spoke.

   "We should have known.  Should have asked, at least.  Jaka was always
asking mother about what she was doing.  Sister thought we should have no
secrets.  When Mother appeared that day, furious, not thinking, we should
have tried to calm her.  But we were afraid.  She looked mad enough to
kill. So, maybe she already had.  Maybe she had come from killing your
King. She called the generals in, told them to go ahead, attack the Poles.
The war she had tried to delay, stop, she now insisted on."

   "Why?" James shook his head.  "What would set her off like that?  From
the Prince's diary, everything sounded good."

   "I think I know, Your Grace."

   James turned to Duda.  The Royal Guardsman bowed his head.

   "I was not in the Royal quarters that day, which saved my life.  I did
enter, though, after the fires were extinguished.  We found the King, in
his bedchamber.  With the Queen."

   James inhaled sharply.

   "Oh, God!  That's so..." He looked at Catty.  "Thousands died, because
she was jealous the King was with his own wife!"

   "Mother could be quick to anger," Catty sadly agreed.  "And she was just
as quick to again be herself.  Within a day she was crying, trying to stop
what she had started.  But, it was too late.  Our army was marching on your
city.  Our Generals would not stop short of gaining control of the Wisla
and Warta rivers.  She did, though, stop them there.  Mother let you flee."

   "That was nice of her," someone muttered.  James did not seek out the
source.

   "Then?"

   "Then...  Mother could no longer hide that she was with the Polish
King's child."

   James blinked.  He couldn't have heard that right.  He turned to Shanna,
straddling a chair to his right.  She shook her head.

   "Well, fuck us, and genetics in general.  That can't have gone over
well."

   "They cut my brother out of her!" Catty spat the words out.  "They
ripped Mother open!  Tortured her!  Did horrible things to her!"

   "Who?" James asked sharply.

   "All of them!  All turned against us!  We rescued Mother!  Tore her off
the wall she was chained to, fled!  Then...  then she died as soon as we
were free." Catty's eyes closed.  Unable to help himself, James reached
across the table, took her hand.  She didn't seem to notice.  "Jaka and I
were alone.  Alone with the only of our former people worthy of the name
'Elf'.  We cast spells of guidance.  They said to come here." Her eyes
opened, staring into his.  "And here I am."

   "And here you are." James released her hand, sitting back in his chair.
"Which leads us to what happens next." He glanced past her, towards the
stairway leading up.  "We will help you honor your sister, bury her."

   "She is now a husk.  Her soul is gone.  Do with what is left as you
wish."

   "We'll focus on the living, then.  What do you wish to do?"

   Catty slumped in her chair.

   "I do not know..."

   "There's no hurry," Shanna said.  "Nothing should be done in haste."

   "Very true." James considered.  "Catty, can we trust you now?"

   "Yes," she said, green cheeks seeming to blush a bit.  "I apologize, for
before.  I...  I have some of Mother's temper."

   "Understandable.  Do you wish to stay with us for a bit, or would you
prefer us to take you somewhere else, to find your own way?"

   "I know not where to go."

   "As Shanna said, take your time.  I think..." He looked at Shanna.  "Do
you have room for her and her men at your fort?  Maybe we can keep her out
of view behind those wooden walls you insisted on."

   "They're cool.  Sure, we have room.  Don't know how long we can keep her
a secret, but for now it should work."

   "Good.  We'll do that then." James stood.  "I'll go ahead, see what
chaos is afoot.  Bring her once night falls.  Send word once she's settled
in."

   "Will do."

   James turned to the Elf.

   "Welcome to Nowy Poland, Queen Catty."

   Chapter 8



   The 1st Polish Cavalry made its way through the forest, the road barely
visible in the moonlight.

   This was not how Shanna wanted to return home.  Sneaking back at night,
hoping to God above that nobody saw them.  But, then, this isn't how she
had wanted to be a soldier.

   She turned her head, looking back down the line of her men.  Past the
five Elves, dark cloaks hiding their non-human features.  Past Anelie, the
teen girl she should never have let come.  Her eyes focused on Helmut, his
lifeless form wrapped in linen, draped over the saddle of his horse.

   She had killed him.

   It had been a game.  Despite all these people had been through, all the
death and war around them, she had thought it was a game.  Being a soldier.
Fighting.  Training.  Even as she knew the truth of war, the evilness of
it, the horror...  the movies and stories she had grown up with STILL
romanticized it.  Still implanted in her young mind the idea that there was
honor to be had, glory.  Fun.  And...  it had been.  The months she had
been here, once the loss of her entire family, entire world, was
discounted, had been some of the happiest in her life.  She loved her men.
Loved them in ways she had not thought possible.  The love and
friendship... no, love and LOYALTY they returned overwhelmed her.

   And she had killed one of them.

   She didn't want this.  Wasn't cut out for this.  Didn't want to fight.
To...  kill.  As she returned her gaze to the dark road ahead, the face of
the second Elf she had fought rose before her.  Her blade hacked into his
neck.  Red blood spurting out.  The pain, the horror, in his eyes.

   She had murdered.

   Daddy hadn't raised his daughter to be a murderer.

   Her eyes closed.  Shanna was tired.  That was all.  When was the last
time she had slept?  Truly slept?  Before they set sail from the Frog
village, probably.  Two days ago.  God.  Only two days?

   She wished Piotr was here.

   Anelie rode up beside her.  Back in full armor, the redhead's long braid
extended from the back of her helmet like a tail.  A...  head tail.  Shanna
was distracted for a moment, wondering if the girl had cut a hole in the
metal cone to make room.  It was too dark to tell, and she couldn't
remember if she had noticed before.  She blinked, yawning.

   "What is it, Anelie?"

   "It's our guests, Lady Shanna.  They're not used to horses.  I think
they need a stop, so we can adjust the saddles."

   Shanna was tempted to not care what the blasted Elves needed.  She
wanted to get home, a home only an hour away.  Still, as always, the girl
had a point.  She raised a hand, reining in her mount.

   "Good idea.  OK, everyone, short break.  Jacek, set out four pickets,
make sure we're not disturbed."

   "Yes, Lady."

   "Anelie." The girl stopped in the process of dismounting, moving back up
into her saddle.  "I should have sent someone before.  Go on ahead, get the
fort ready for us.  One room for the Queen, another for her men.  Somewhere
we can guard but which gives them room."

   Anelie considered.

   "There's those three rooms on the west end.  If I kick those two cooks
out, that gives them a common room."

   "It's a thought.  Go see what works."

   "Yes, Lady Shanna!" Even in the dark, Shanna could see the glow on the
girl's face, the excitement at being trusted enough to do this.  She could
only laugh tiredly as Anelie kicked into the side of her beast, setting off
on her mission.

   What would Shanna do without her?



   ****



   The wooden gates of home.

   Shanna led the column into the fort.  Lanterns were lit, hanging from
posts around the parade ground.  To her surprise, it looked like Anelie had
awoken every person in the place.  Cooks, stable boys...  wives.

   Helmut's wife stood alone, surrounded by her adopted family.  The dark
haired woman was almost at attention, shoulders back, eyes on the returning
soldiers.  The other women of the fort were arrayed behind her, silent. 
Shanna felt tears coming once again.  Reining in, she quickly dismounted.

   "Close the gates!"

   Two men ran to swing the large log doors shut.  Shanna moved forward,
eyes on the widow.

   "Melisa, I'm sorry."

   "I'm a soldier's wife.  I...  I knew..."

   The facade broke.  A wail of sorrow burst forth from the woman, face
buried in her hands.  The women of the fort erupted towards her, a wave of
comfort and sympathy.  Shanna stood there a moment, letting grief have its
time.  Her eyes found Anelie, standing a bit aside from the other women,
black armor in stark contrast to their house dresses and nightgowns.  She
didn't know how to interpret the girl's expression.  Nor did it matter. 
With a deep sigh, Shanna raised her voice.

   "We will grieve, but now there is a matter of life and death that you
must know." All eyes fell on her.  "Starting now, we will have guests
staying with us.  Guests who are to be treated well, no matter what hate
you feel in your heart.  They will be kept under guard, but not under lock
and key."

   There were gasps.  Turning, Shanna saw that Catty had let the hood of
her cloak fall away.  Her men did the same, the murmurs from the humans
increasing as the nature of the visitors became clear.  Shanna spoke more
firmly.

   "No mention of our visitors is to be made outside this fort until King
James decides to announce their presence.  If you love him...  if you love
me...." She said the last reluctantly.  She did not feel like she deserved
their love right then.  "You will keep this knowledge secret, safe.  I am
trusting the safety of all of Poland to you."

   She smiled a tired smile.

   "And there are no people in this world I trust more."



   ****



   "I hope these rooms work, for now.  In the morning we can arrange
better."

   Shanna watched as the Elven Queen moved into the first bedroom.  Two
beds, little more than cots, stood on one side, a small nightstand between
them.  A small writing desk, a table with two chairs.  Sparse furnishings,
as un-royal as could be imagined.  Still, they were clean, warm.  Secure.
Catty turned to her.

   "We have slept in far worse.  Thank you."

   "Is there anything you need, while most of my people are still up?"

   The young Elf considered, looking around.

   "Perhaps...  a pitcher of water, and glasses?"

   "Of course." Shanna turned to the woman behind her.  "Brygitta, could
you go to the kitchen?"

   The woman's expression said all, but she nodded to Shanna and left on
her task.  Shanna sighed.  You could not blame them for the hate.  Not
after all that had happened.  Not after one of their own had died for these
Elves.  BECAUSE of these Elves.  Shanna leaned against the doorframe, arms
folded over her armored chest.

   "You can divide yourselves up however you want, as these three rooms are
yours.  I won't set a guard on each door, but there will be guards down the
hall.  They're there to protect you as much as to protect us, so don't do
anything to make them nervous.  If you need something, just let them know
then return to your room."

   "I understand, Lady Shanna.  Thank you."

   The Elf nodded, making a sort of curtsy with her dress.  Shanna just let
out a tired sigh.

   "Oh, you're welcome, Lady Catty.  Good night."



   ****



   Shanna stood in her room, wooden door swinging shut behind her.  It
closed with a solid click, its latch catching.

   She was alone.

   Her eyes closed, the dim glow of the oil lamps someone had lit for her
still seen through her eyelids.  She didn't want to be alone.  Not tonight.
Not after all of this.

   Piotr.

   She wanted Piotr.  Needed him.  Why wasn't he here?  Yes, she had sent
him back to the palace, and, yes, he probably was with his men, doing the
King's bidding, but why wasn't he here?  Why hadn't he set all that aside,
come to the fort to greet her?  Or ridden back up the road to meet up with
them?

   Didn't he know she needed to be held?

   God, she was pathetic.  Opening her eyes, her fingers went to the side
straps on her breastplate.  And why wasn't Anelie there, to help her?  Just
because the girl was no longer her page or squire or whatever, and was a
real soldier, was no reason she shouldn't be there to help Shanna...  OK,
yes it was.  Shanna let out a small laugh.  She could get out of her own
clothes from now on.  She was a big girl.  Tired fingers worked the
buckles.

   With a bang, the black armor fell to the floor.

   Well, that probably wasn't the best way to treat something that had
saved her life.  Maybe she'd polish it tomorrow, to make up for the
mistreatment.  She'd never done that, always letting Anelie do it.  It was
about time she started taking care of herself.

   While the room was not cold, especially compared to the night air
outside, Shanna began to feel some of the chill.  Hands moving quickly, she
shed her clothing, letting them drop to the floor.  Tomorrow.  She'd deal
with them tomorrow.  Boots and socks kicked off, she shuffled to the bed.
Stopping at the side, she contemplated the effort needed to pull back the
covers, to crawl inside.

   With a thump, her nude body fell forward onto the mattress.

   She didn't want to move.  She could just sleep like this.  Her front
would be warm, which would compensate for her ass getting cold.  A trade
well worth it.  She could just fall asleep, alone...

   The sound of the door opening came to her ears.  There was a pause,
followed by the sound of it closing swiftly.  Someone was in the room.  She
could sense it, even without turning.  Shanna let out a groan into the
mattress.  Realizing she needed more room to breathe, let alone speak
coherently, she turned her head to the left, towards the foot of the bed.

   "What is it?"

   There were footsteps.  Soft.  Anelie.  Her voice was quiet, unsure.

   "I came to help you undress, Lady Shanna.  To get you ready for bed."

   "Too late."

   "I know, I'm sorry.  I..."

   "You're a soldier now, Anelie." Shanna lifted herself up a bit, rising
to her elbows.  "You have your own armor and weapons to take care of."

   "Then I don't want to be a soldier."

   "What?" Shanna rolled onto her side, looking down past her body at the
teen.  Anelie stood a few feet away, a loose black shirt and pants
hurriedly tossed on her body.  She held her hands clutched before her.

   "I want to serve you.  I..."

   Shanna frowned, clearly missing something.

   "You are."

   "No, I mean, I want to be your soldier.  Your scout.  I do!  But I also
want to be here with you!  You..." Her voice changed.  Lowered.  "You
shouldn't be alone, Shanna."

   Shanna rolled onto her back with a groan.  Her feet didn't quite touch
the floor as they hung off the bed.

   "That damned Piotr.  I need him, and he's not here."

   "He's never here."

   "Yeah, well, that's mostly me.  He's supposed to know when I need him,
though." A chill ran through her body.  Shanna closed her eyes, arms moving
to hug herself.  An image of her sword thrust into the head of some poor
Elf appeared.  She closed her eyes tighter.

   "I...  I'm here, Lady Shanna."

   The mattress moved.  Shanna felt someone, Anelie, climbing on the end.
She opened her eyes, turning her head.  Anelie stood on her hands and knees
on the bed, head almost directly above Shanna's.  The girl's shirt hung
down, the wide neck giving Shanna a good view right down her body.  She
could see the girl's small white breasts hanging down, light red freckles
visible in the lamp light.  Raising her eyes, she saw Anelie's green ones
looking down at her.  Her tired mind was very confused.

   "Anelie..."

   "Let me...  let me take care of you, Lady Shanna.  I want to.  Please."

   "What do you mean?"

   One of the redhead's hands lifted off the mattress.  It hesitated, then
moved towards Shanna's face.  Shanna's eyes widened as she felt warm
fingers touch her cheek.

   "What are you...?"

   "Iloveyou." It came out as one word, shouted as much as whispered.

   Shanna blinked.  Her mind tried to translate, not helped by the
confusing feelings Anelie's caresses were sending through her body.  She
saw Anelie close her own eyes for a moment, as if gathering herself..  She
opened them again, staring straight into Shanna's soul.

   "I love you, Shanna.  I always have.  I always will."

   Shanna was an idiot.  Always had been, always would be.  Of course
Anelie was in love with her.  Why else would she have been the way she had
been, acted like she had for all those months?  Only an idiot wouldn't be
able to see it.  Thus, she was an...

   Even as those thoughts went through her head, Shanna saw her friend's
head lower.  Saw those green eyes close.

   Their lips touched.



   ****



   The joke had been, as college had approached, which of Shanna's group of
friends would be the first to go Lez.  Which of them, in a drunken moment,
would make out with some girl, be it stranger or roommate.  It appeared to
be the in thing to do, if the internet was to believed.  A way to be
different, rebel against your parents, maybe impress that guy.  A way to
make money, if you were exhibitionist enough to film yourself.  And, hey,
it would probably feel great.

   Shanna had not known if she would ever go that far.  As far as sex. 
Kissing a girl?  Sure, why not.  It's not like she saw such a thing as
'wrong'.  And, maybe, she'd make out with someone she liked, if it seemed
right.  Not if she was with a guy, though.  Not if she had a boyfriend. 
She never cheated.  Never.  Never...



   ****



   Shanna's arm came up, her hand pressing lightly against Anelie's
shoulder.  The kiss broke, the girl raising her head up, green eyes wide as
they stared down at Shanna.  Anelie spoke before Shanna could even gather
her thoughts.

   "Oh, God!  That was...!  Wow!  I've never!" Shanna could not help but
blink as the gushing girl she had first met after the bridge was back
before her.  "God, Lady Shanna, I love you so much!  Let me love you!  My
brother told me stuff, about how to be with a woman, so I know what I'm
doing!  Let me stay with you tonight!  Please!

   Anelie's hand began to slide off Shanna's cheek, onto her neck.  Her
senses coming back to her, Shanna grabbed it with her free hand, the other
still pressing up at Anelie's shoulder.

   "No."

   It came out a bit louder than she intended, perhaps a bit meaner. 
Anelie almost reared up, like she had been slapped.  Only Shanna's light
hold on her hand kept her on her knees.

   "What?"

   "I said, no.  No, Anelie."

   Now it was the girl who looked confused.  Shanna released her hand,
forcing herself to sit up on the edge of the bed.  Anelie sat up too, legs
folded under her.  The girl looked like a hurt puppy.

   "Why, Lady Shanna?"

   "Because..." Shanna paused.  No reason came to her mind.  Not one that
could stand up to the naked emotion on her friend's face.  She did love
Anelie.  A love of friendship, companionship.

   "You said," Anelie said, eyes beginning to cry, "where you came from,
boys could love boys, girls could love girls.  You said it was OK.  That
made me so happy!  It meant I could love you!  I LOVE you, Shanna!  With
all my heart!  Please!  Let me love you!"

   "There's more too it than that," Shanna told her.  "And, I'm with Piotr.
I..."

   "He's never with you!" She almost spat it out.  "He doesn't care for you
like I do!"

   That was probably true.  Beside the point, at the moment, but Shanna had
to sigh at the truth of it.  She reached out, touching Anelie's knee.

   "That's not..." She paused, the words of a few moments ago coming back
to her.  She gave Anelie a confused look.  "Um, did you say your brother
taught you how to be with a woman?"

   "Yes." Anelie's face became confused as well, another instant mood swing
for the teen.  Shanna cocked her head.

   "Bogdi."

   "Yes."

   "Bogdi taught you about sex."

   "Yes."

   "Did he...  did you two..."

   "Oh!  God no!" Anelie's face went from surprise to disgust, before
breaking into laughter.  "God no!  No!  He...  he just told me!"

   "Thank God!" Shanna let herself fall back onto the bed, laughing.  "That
would be so gross!"

   "I know!  God!  Yuck!"

   The tension broken, a wave of exhaustion flowed over Shanna.  Her eyes
closed.  The mattress moved.

   "Here, Lady Shanna.  Let's get you into bed."

   "Bed..."

   Warm, strong hands pushed parts of her body up, the covers pulled away
under her.  She let her legs be lifted up onto the bed, her body swung
around like a child being tucked in.  She did move herself up towards her
pillow, sighing as her head found its home.  The heavy quilt was pulled up
over her chest, stopping under her chin.

   As she slipped into sleep, she felt a kiss on her forehead.

   "Sweet dreams, my love..."

   Chapter 9

   Catty was lost.

   Not physically.  The Elven Queen knew exactly where she was in time and
space.  She sat on a small bed on the second floor of a wooden building
near a new human city.  Her bare body occupied the exact middle of the
quilt covered mattress, legs crossed before her.  No, she knew where she
was.

   It was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually that she was lost.

   She shifted a bit.  The fabric was coarse against her skin.  Stupid,
barbarian humans.

   It was their fault.

   All their fault.

   Their fault Mother was gone.  Sister was gone.  Country was...

   No.  That was the stupid, barbarian Elves' fault.

   Catty had always been the emotional one.  Quick to anger, quick to love.
Where her mother and sister had sought peace, knowledge, understanding, she
had flitted around them, a playing kitten to their knowing lionesses.  They
were the rock, the foundation on which her whole life had been secured.

   Now she was adrift.

   She didn't even know what she was doing here.  The plan, her plan, had
been to trick the humans into letting them come, get the book, cure her
sister, then flee.  Now, Jaka was dead, she had told the human King the
truth- why had she done THAT?  Certainly, it had not been part of the plan.
Lies.  She had wanted to tell lies.  Lies were all these short eared people
deserved.

   No...  no.  That wasn't right.  They were ugly others, but that did not
mean they should be treated worse than animals.  Worse than some, yes. 
Obviously.  But like the better class of animal, they had feelings, maybe
even souls.  At worst, they were to be disregarded, ignored.

   Yet here she was.

   There was a knock on the door.

   "Your Highness?"

   It was Far.  Catty jerked her head down, looking herself over. 
Undressed, there was not much she could do to make herself more
presentable, but she found her hands quickly trying to arrange her small
breasts, half willing them to be firmer.  Giving that up as a lost cause,
she sent her thin fingers through her hair, giving the long red strands a
hurried, mirror-less comb.  Heart beating faster, she turned towards the
door, forcing herself to be calm.

   "Enter."

   The Elven soldier entered.  As always, when first seeing him, her eyes
drank in his face.  It was strong.  Firm.  Oval, almost, longer than most
other males.  A flat nose sat high up, separating two of the blackest eyes
the Queen had ever seen.  Even the iris, white on most of her kind, was
more grey, lending a mystical cast to the low born Elf.  His ears extended
half their length above his head, coming to the most perfect points.

   She watched him half turn, closing the door behind him.  His limbs were
slender, strong.  Wiry.  He wore just a cloth kilt, red, leaving his well
muscled chest bare.  And his back.  Often she had stared at Far's back as
the soldier did some work on behalf of her or her sister.  Often she had
tried to understand her feelings as she watched him.  Thought of him. 
Dreamed of him.

   Far turned to her, head bowing.

   "Your Highness."

   "Catty," she said, biting her lower lip.  "Please.  I'm not a Queen,
not..." She couldn't say "not with you".  Couldn't because she did not know
what that would mean.  Why could she never THINK around him?

   "You are our Queen, Catty," Far said, smiling.  "A good one."

   She looked away, eyes unseeing.

   "If I had been a better Princess..." She shook her head, returning her
gaze to him.  "Is everything OK?"

   "Well enough.  If we could have brought more from the house, instead of
carrying that dead human..."

   "He was the price of our passage," she said.  "We left nothing behind we
can't do without, or replace." She looked down at his kilt, her cheeks
feeling warm.  "I see some clothing was hidden among the satchels."

   "Very little," he said, smiling.  She saw his sharp yellow teeth come
into view.  "Maybe they will give us fabric.  You will need something
warm."

   Her cheeks got even hotter, a dozen responses rising up inside her. 
Catty ducked her head, eyes focusing on her lap.

   Moments passed in silence.

   "I don't know what to do," She said, at last.  Catty looked up, finding
Far still standing near the door.  "I was going to save Jaka, and, now..."

   The soldier, HER soldier, sighed, moving around the empty bed beside
her, sitting on its edge facing her.  He leaned forward, arms on his knees.

   "Either we go back, take sides in this war our countrymen are
fighting..."

   "They are NOT my countrymen!  None of them!" Catty felt herself almost
growling.  "I'm not going back to them!  Never!"

   "OK," Far said, nodding, face serious.  That's why she...  liked him. 
Yes.  Liked him.  He treated her like an adult.  "Well, that leaves us with
the only other option."

   "What's that?"

   "We start over."

   Catty felt her body explode in unknowable feelings.  Start over.  Just
like...

   "Zea.  Ger."

   He nodded gravely.

   "Just like Zea and Ger.  We start a new nation, like our ancestors did
when they found themselves in this land.  You, Catty, will be our new Queen
Zea, and we..." She saw him blush.  It sent a rush through her.  Far gave a
small laugh.  "Anyway, that's for later.  For now, we play nice with the
humans.  Don't scare them too much." Now it was Catty's turn to laugh.  Far
grinned back.  "We talk the young King into giving you the book, and then
you can study it and decide our next move."

   "I can do that," she said, confidence growing.  He smiled.

   "I know you can, my Queen."



   ****



   The room Catty sat in, awaiting the King, was surprisingly bright,
comfortable.  Large windows ran along the northern wall, sunlight pouring
into the rectangular chamber.  It had the feel of a soldier's common room,
a place for those facing death to relax, ignore their fate for another day,
yet was like none she had ever seen.  This was a room built by one who
cared for her men.  Cared for the soldiers they would be sending to be
slaughtered.  That Polish animals would create such a place...

   Catty squirmed in her chair.  It was not uncomfortable, not in the way
the Kikker chairs had been.  Elf and Pole were similar enough in that way,
as loath as she was to think about it.  She was just tired of waiting. 
Turning, she glanced once again at her four followers arrayed behind her.
Their armor had been returned, Far looking splendid in his leather vest and
kilt.  A dozen Polish soldiers, armed, stood casually around the edge of
the room.  The brown skinned woman was with them, another armored female by
her side.  Female soldiers.  These people were animals.  The brown one,
Shanna, came over.

   "Anything you need, Your Highness?  Something to drink?"

   "Water?" Catty was so glad the spell was holding.  Languages had never
been something she had been able to learn, unlike her sister.  Like Mother,
Catty trusted in magic.  Magic, she could control.

   Something outside caught her eye.  Through the windows, she saw a small
group of riders entering the fort.  They had wings of white and red
feathers on their back.

   Her eyes narrowed.  Hussars.  Evil Winged Hussars.  Devils on horseback.
It was said they mated with birds, the wings a sign they had consummated
their immoral lust.  Their bastard offspring were the Harpies of the north,
foul eaters of carrion.  To think she, an Elven Queen, was within even a
day's walk of such creatures.  Truly, the Spirits were testing her.

   As the winged ones dismounted, she saw the Polish King with them. 
Memories of the previous day came to her, shame rising in the girl.  She
had let the Polock hold her.  Comfort her.  That was...  wrong.  Degrading.
She had to be strong.  Strong like a Queen should be.  She watched,
silently, as the King walked towards the building, passing out of view. 
Catty closed her eyes, breathing deeply.  Calm.  Calm...



   ****



   "Good day, Lady Catty."

   The Polish King gave a slight bow, a smile on his face.  She returned
the smile, remaining seated.  Behind him, one of the Hussars stood in the
doorway, wings extending up above his blond head.  Her smile faded, eyes
telling her a lie.  It had to be a lie.  This...  she knew that one.  That
Polock.  He had been with the humans who had brought her here.  He had not
worn his wings, so she had not known him for one of the defilers of birds.
She had been on the same ship with him!  Catty suddenly felt dirty.  She
needed to wash.  The dusty filth of these people felt thick on her skin.

   Catty blinked.  All eyes were on her.  Focus.  She had to focus. 
Smiling again, she picked up the glass on the stand beside her.  The cool
water did wonders to calm her.  Sending her attention again to the King,
she saw he was already seated in a chair in front of her.  Five feet of
plush carpet separated them.  She wished it was five thousand.  He leaned
forward, a position of power, confidence.  She sat up straighter as he
spoke.

   "I trust your first night here was OK, Lady Catty.  I know Shanna is not
the most civilized host."

   "Keep talking," the brown skinned one said, voice pleasant despite her
words, "and the coup will start earlier than expected."

   "It's already late," he said.

   Catty tried to understand.  Were they...  siblings?  Lovers?  She was
over her head.  That was the problem.  Jaka had the diplomatic skills, the
training from mother.  It should be her sister sitting here...

   "I...  slept well," she said, keeping her voice soft, hoping none of her
confusion showed.  She could play the little girl, perhaps.  James nodded.

   "Good.  At some point, if your stay is a long one, we'll find better
quarters."

   She had already been told that.  Catty just smiled.

   "Thank you."

   "Now, then.  On to business." The Polish King motioned to someone.  A
boy, young, if Catty understood how Poles developed, came forward.  He
carried a battered book in both hands.

   Catty's breath caught in her throat.  It was the Llyfr Bywyd.  The Book
of Life.  Forcing her eyes back to the King, she saw his attention
completely focused on her.  As the brown haired boy came to stand beside
him, James took the book.

   "I take it you recognize it."

   "Yes," she said, softly.  He nodded.

   "Good." He opened it, looking down at the hand drawn pages.  "What is
it?"

   How dare he.  How dare he touch such a Holy book.  Catty tried to bite
down her fury.

   "It is Elven."

   He looked up, annoyance clear.

   "We guessed that." He let out a sigh.  "Let me guess.  It's a holy book,
and my touching it is somehow profane, blasphemous, etc.  Right?"

   She blinked.  The king chuckled.

   "Well, we've already pawed through it a few times, so any damage was
done long ago.  It's not written in Elvish, obviously.  I can tell that. 
Apart from that..."

   Catty blinked, not sure she had heard correctly.

   "It's...  not in Elvish?"

   He looked at her, surprise clear on his face.

   "No.  I mean, I could read it if it was in Elvish.  Is it a code?"

   It wasn't in Elvish.  Why wasn't it in Elvish?  Her mother hadn't said
anything about it being in some foreign tongue.  Catty didn't have a spell
for reading texts, only translating spoken words!  And this Pole could read
Elvish?  How was that possible?  She found herself on her feet, mind
reeling as she took two steps towards the King.

   "Please...  let me see it."

   She held out a hand.  James considered, eyes locked on her face.  What
did it show?  Did it betray her inner confusion?  If only her sister was
there, as she should have been!

   Slowly, the Polish King lifted the open book from his lap, moving it
towards her.  Catty took another step forward.

   There was a blurring on the dirty white pages.

   "Oh!" James let out a sound of surprise, both hands suddenly holding the
book as his head shot forward.  Catty froze.

   "What?"

   "It's now in Elvish!  Damn!  I can read it!"

   That wasn't good!  Catty shot a hand forward.  The book was yanked back
by the King.

   "Hold on, there!  Let me..." His face became confused again as his eyes
went to the pages.  She saw it too.  Catty slowly withdrew her hand.

   "It..."

   "It changed back," he said, thoughtful.  His eyes flicked to her. 
"Stand still." He moved the book back towards her.  As she watched, the
pages blurred once again as it came closer.  The King shook his head,
amazed.

   "Well, I'll be.  That's some security on this thing.  It kept humans
from reading it for centuries."

   It took a moment for the words to gain meaning.  Her eyes widened, book
momentarily forgotten.

   "Centuries?"

   "Yup," he chuckled, seeming to enjoy her confusion.  "Shanna knew of the
book before this copy turned up.  It's a famous mystery back home." His
head cocked to one side.  "What is it, Catty?"

   She knew what he was doing.  He was pressing her for information while
she was confused, while her guard was down.  But...

   "It's...  it's a record of where we came from.  The homeland of Zea,
first Elven Queen, written by her..." She paused.  "Wait." Her eyes
narrowed.  "You're not from here."

   "Nope." The King's expression was thoughtful as well as amused.  He
flipped through a few of the pages.  "So, these plants are those from where
the first Elves came from?"

   "Yes." Her hands itched.  The book was so close...

   "But we've seen some of those plants here," Shanna said, walking up
beside them.  Catty shot the brown woman a wary glance.  James flipped
another page.

   "Brought with them, perhaps," he said, "then carried by the wind.  We
haven't seen many, and none near the ocean." He flipped a few more pages,
moving the book towards her.  Catty could read the upside-down text, even
as faded as the brown ink was.  She swallowed as the Pole raised his eyes
to her.

   "It's a spell book."

   "...yes."

   "Why would your mother hide it?"

   His brown eyes stared straight into hers.  Catty found herself answering
without even thinking.

   "No female can become a Princess or Queen without it."



   ****



   The King stared at her.  He held the book out within grabbing distance.
Sensing it was her turn to act, she grabbed it, hands closing the priceless
volume as she pulled it back to her chest.  His hand had released it
without a fight, for which she was glad.  Catty closed her eyes.  She could
almost believe she felt the magic of the book.  Felt the history of all her
ancestors, of every royal...

   "Mother fucking..."

   Her eyes shot open at the curse.  The King's eyes were not on her.  No.
He and the brown woman were staring at each other, Shanna's fists clenched.
She slammed her right fist into her leg, Catty jumping at the impact, eyes
wide.  She flinched as Shanna let out her own curse.

   "Damn it all!  I'm so stupid!"

   "How many know you met her?"

   "No fucking idea!  We just ran!  I didn't have the men, or the idea, to
clear out the building before we got out of there!"

   "Not your fault." James put a hand to his forehead.  "That's it, then.
We have to tell Captain Putaski.  Prepare."

   Catty shuffled back a few steps, book held tight.  She swallowed hard.

   "Um...  what is it?"

   King James regarded her with serious eyes, humor gone.

   "It's your...  'former' people." The fact he phrased it like that
pleased her.  More, it told Catty that the Pole actually listened.  That
was more than she seemed to do much of the time.  She shook her head.

   "I don't understand."

   "They're going to want the book back, right?  Whoever comes out on top
in the War Between the Elves." She nodded.  "Heck," he went on, glancing at
Shanna, "if the spells could influence the outcome, both sides could think
it a good idea to go after it.  Whoever gets it, can pick the new Queen."

   "Or burn it, if they're done with the whole Queen thing."

   Catty could only stare at the woman in horror.  To even be capable of
THINKING of such a thing!  She saw the King's eyes on her.  Eyes which
suddenly reminded her of her mother, of how the weight of the nation could
be seen behind them.  He stood, walking towards her.  His hand went to her
shoulder.

   "Even not knowing what the book was," he said, "we knew the Elves had no
idea we had it.  They wouldn't have let us flee so easily if it was
important and they knew.  We, or at least I, was counting on a few years of
peace.  Time to dig in, fortify.  Hide, basically, while we rebuilt our
nation." She said nothing.  He let out a disgusted sigh, removing his hand.

   "So, what happens?  You come.  If nothing else, your enemies, all of
them, will assume you had the book all the time.  Right?  No reason not to.
So, if they want the book, they'll track you down.  And what do you do? 
You come right to us.  Even if you leave right now, they won't believe us
when we say we're not giving you sanctuary.  They'll send armies against
us. Again.  If the book is THAT important, only if we hand it, and you,
over, will they not try to wipe us off the planet."

   Catty took a step back, legs hitting the chair behind her.

   "You wouldn't..." she whispered.  The King scoffed.

   "Of course I wouldn't.  I'm Polish.  But," he said, glancing at Shanna,
"it means we can't let you go.  We can't face your former people without
the magic in that book."

   "It's..." Catty looked down at the book.  "It's not that kind of magic."

   "Whatever kind it is, you'd better start learning it."

   Chapter 10



   James hoped he was not arranging his own death.

   The inner room of the palace was crowded.  He had chosen it, and not the
throne room, as it was more secure.  Two extra rings of guards could be set
up around them, keeping trouble out...  or in.  Mostly in.  He let his gaze
wander around the room as he sat in what he considered his "spare throne".
Every noble and officer, from both the island and the mainland, stood
before him.  Every important male, called to a gathering of an importance
they were just beginning to understand.  As James observed them, all eyes
were not on him, but on Ola.  The slim Chamberlain stood beside the King on
the raised dais, reading from a small leather bound book.  His words were
clear, practiced.

   "Tonight.  Someone woke me.  It was the beautiful Elf woman.  She was
next to my bed.  She told me she needed me to hide something.  I said I had
a secret spot nobody knew about.  She asked me where it was, but I did not
tell her because it was a secret.  She smiled, and said that was a test and
that I was a good boy for keeping it a secret!  My face got red!  She gave
me a book, told me to hide it.  She said it was a magic book that nobody
should read, and I was not to open it.  She made me promise.  I promised.
The pretty woman then kissed me on the forehead!  She kissed me!  I
promised to hide the book and never tell anyone!  She kissed me again, then
vanished!  She said some words, and vanished!  Wow!  Magic!  I hid the book
here next to this diary.  Now, God, I promised that nobody would read it,
so please do not read it, or let your Son or Wife read it.  I promised. 
Thank you.  Don't tell Mom, either."

   Ola closed the book slowly, reverently, placing it down on a small
carved table before him.  Turning to James, he bowed, stepping back. 
Silence filled the room.  The King let out a sigh.

   "Those were the final recorded words of Prince Kostek, son of King
Lawenza.  The diary was found in a charred chest, given to me by people
unknown." His eyes fell on Captain Putaski.  The man's face was red,
uniformed body as stiff as stone.  James moved his gaze away.  "I have had
it read to you because events are moving in ways which make secrecy our
enemy.  All must be put on the table, so we may deal with it.  If it comes
to pass that those in this room, those who make up the power of this
nation, believe I should no longer be King due to my actions, so be it. 
All Kings must serve at the whim of the people.  There is much which must
be discussed before that comes to pass, however, and I will not go
without...  presenting my case."

   "What have you done...  Your Grace?" The Captain's voice was hard.  No
other sound could be heard in the room.

   "Many things.  First, however, a question." James leaned forward, hands
clasped before him.  "Who here knew of the King's infidelity?"

   His eyes ignored the nobles.  Their hands would be clean.  Furtive
glances were exchanged among some of the officers, however.  Commanders,
those who would have had the most contact with the King.  Piotr's father,
Commander of the Winged Hussars, gave the King a long, hard stare.  Moving
away from the wall he had been leaning against, he came to stand apart from
the others.

   "There were...  rumors, Your Grace."

   "I know," he said.  "Ola said he himself had a servant beaten for
mentioning such a rumor.  I asked who KNEW." The King's eyes flicked to
Captain Putaski.  The man stayed silent.  James nodded.  "OK.  I bear no
ill will for those who might have known, who kept the King's secret.  Only
those who lie while before me will suffer my displeasure." He smiled,
noting who exchanged uncomfortable looks.  He hoped Ola was doing the same.
He sat up a little.

   "Now, then, to more recent matters.  We know, from our newly reunited
countrymen, civil war has erupted among the Elves.  This is NOT joyous news
for our Kingdom, despite the pleasure the thought probably brings us.  An
unstable enemy is a dangerous enemy.  I want the Elves peaceful, content,
not lashing out at those around them."

   "Diplomacy does NOT work with their kind," Captain Putaski said, voice
loud.  James nodded.

   "Neither, we have found out, does its lack.  That leaves us in a bit of
a bind, I think you'll agree." He let his gaze leave the man, traveling
over the room.  "I sent a small party of trusted Poles to the city of
Saribit, in the hope of learning more about the state of the Elven Kingdom.
We were not pursued in our retreat, but the distance between them and us is
not so great that their armies could not march against us.  We must ever be
vigilant, which requires information.  Shanna, the Dark Hussar, led the
expedition.  She returned two days ago, making her report.

   "The Elven Queen is dead."

   There were cries of shock, as well as cheers.  James held up his hand.

   "She was killed by her inner circle, tortured for her affair with King
Lawenza.  The unborn son of our King was cut from her body and butchered."

   Bedlam.  Nobles, shouting, at each other, at the universe in general. 
Those of a military bent were quieter, but no less agitated.  Heads leaned
towards one another, hurried whispers passed.  James tried to sort the
reaction out.  Joy at her death was tempered by the fact Elves had done it.
After all, if the Elves wanted her dead, perhaps the Poles wanted her
alive? And the child.  That, James felt, was going to be key.  The
knowledge that such a boy could exist would be a downside, most likely,
given the xenophobia these people (understandably) had, yet his death could
gain Catty sympathy.  Or it could result in calls for her death so that
could not happen again.  James had to admit he didn't know what he was
doing here.  It was too big.  Still, he was committed.  He raised his hand.

   "Quiet!"

   The guard Duda, standing beside the throne, slammed the butt of his pike
against the wood floor.  The crack reverberated through the room.  Silence
slowly fell upon them.  James lowered his hand.

   "There is more.  The eldest Elven Princess, daughter to the Queen, has
also fallen, brought down by an illness after fleeing her own people.  Only
one member of the Royal family still survives.  A young girl, not yet a
woman.  She is the heir to the Elven throne, but has disowned her own
people.  Disowned her own race.  She fled across the world, seeking
sanctuary.

   "She is now my guest."



   ****



   "That went well."

   James let his body collapse into the large stuffed chair in the middle
of the living chamber.  He felt tired.  Drained.  Two hours.  Two hours of
calls to have the Elf Queen crucified before the church steps, to put her
in a zoo, to convert her to Christianity and send her back to bring her
people to Jesus.  All to have it circle around and end up with things
exactly as they had been.

   He hoped to God he had done the right thing.  At least there had been no
voices raised against him, personally.

   "I heard," Ewa said.  The teen lay on a thick rug before him, playing
with the baby Marik.  The infant was starting to learn how to move around,
half crawling, half pulling himself by whatever was available as he
explored the world of the rug.  Carved and painted wooden toys were
scattered around him, as well as cloth stuffed animals.  As James watched,
Ewa grabbed a toy wagon and pulled it towards her.  Marik's eyes followed.
As it passed by, he made a grab for it.  Ewa let him capture the intruder,
which he then proceeded to bang on the carpet.

   James couldn't help but smile, both at the child and at Ewa.  She had
been listening.  James had designed certain rooms on the first floor in
such a way so that the sound would carry up to the second.  He had also
sent trusted people through to test and confirm the reverse would not be
true.

   Then confirmed it himself.

   "Did anything strike you?" he asked.  Hand now holding a stuffed bear,
she looked up at him and shook her head.

   "No.  They were all confused.  The one in favor of crucifixion was very
vocal, though."

   "Yes," James snorted.  "The loudest are usually the stupidest."

   "You AREN'T going to marry her, right?" Ewa gave the bear to Marik,
pushing herself up into a sitting position.  Her eyes were worried.  James
shook his head.

   "No.  No, that's not happening.  The bigots are right about that,
there's no way the people would accept a royal marriage between Pole and
Elf.  Also," he said, smiling, "she's a bit too green for me.  I'm no
Captain Kirk."

   "Who?"

   "Someone from stories back home.  He'd fuck anyone of any race or skin
color."

   "Does color matter to you?" she asked.  He frowned.

   "No." He hoped he didn't sound as insulted as he felt.  The question, in
a world where only one human had a different skin color from the rest, had
a different connotation than it would at home.  "It's the whole non-human
part.  Shanna is, mostly, human."

   Ewa laughed.

   There was a knock at the door.  Doors.  James was so happy to now be
somewhere with doors, to have some privacy as King.  Not much, but some. 
He rotated his neck, feeling muscles crack.

   "Enter."

   Duda opened the door.  The guard bowed his head.

   "Your Grace.  Captain Putaski would like to see you."

   James groaned.

   "Not now.  Have him talk to Ola.  We'll set up something..."

   The black haired Captain appeared behind Duda.  He pushed the guard
aside, strolling into the room.  James shot to his feet, Ewa doing the
same, scooping up Marik.  The boy bit the teddy bear's ear, unaware
anything was wrong.

   "Guards!" James' command was sharp.  Duda already had his sword out,
moving to put himself between Putaski and the King.  The Captain stopped
where he was.  His face was as it had been down below, hard, angry.  A half
dozen of the King's hand picked guard rushed into the chamber, swords out.
James noticed the Captain was unarmed.

   "Captain Putaski," he said, willing his voice calm.  "There are certain
protocols regarding entering the King's presence.  I do not think all of
them are necessary, true, but this is not a good time to be annoying me."

   "None of us like being...  annoyed, Your Grace."

   "Very true." Outside the doorway, James saw Ewa's brother staring in,
eyes terrified.  James turned to her.  "Ewa, perhaps you should check on
the kitchen."

   "Alright, James." Her use of his name in front of the officer was
intentionally provocative.  Her eyes shot daggers into the man as she
slowly made her way around him.  As she exited, she closed the door behind
her, but not before giving James one final glance.  There was uncertainty,
fear, as well as love, trust.  So much could be said with just those eyes.

   He heard the door's latch catch.

   "OK, then," James said, hands motioning his men to lower their weapons.
Duda was now at his side, the burly man doing much to calm the King just by
his presence.  "What's on your mind, Captain?"

   "I want to know if you've lost yours, Your Grace."

   The look on the guards' faces was comical, almost.  James considered
that lesser men would probably be punished for speaking thus to the King.
Hell, greater men might be killed outright, being as they were a greater
threat.  He regarded the man.

   "Why didn't you tell me about the Elf Queen?" James folded his arms
across his chest.  He was guessing, here.  Obviously the old Captain of the
Royal Guard had kept much from him, but exactly what was unknown.  The
man's eyes narrowed.

   "It was not important."

   "Then it is not important that the information is now public." James
almost thought he heard the Captain growl under his breath.  He held up his
hand, forestalling a reply.  "You withheld information from me, Captain,
causing me to no longer trust you.  I was forced to go elsewhere for my
information.  Would I have come to you when Shanna discovered the Elf girl?
Yes.  In fact, I almost did.  What would you have told me to do?"

   "To send her away.  Elves can not be trusted.  Or," he added,
considering, "kill her."

   "Yes," James nodded.  "That's why you are a soldier, and not a diplomat.
It may be we'll end up killing Catty later, if events come to that, but she
is still valuable.  You can not un-kill someone, so that should be your
last response, not your first."

   "The whole world now knows she's here!  The people will rise up against
you!"

   "We'll see.  There's a saying in my old world, that hiding a mistake or
crime always leads to more problems than the mistake itself.  Rumors were
going to spread.  The people were going to hear, and spread, evil stories
about me, the Palace, just as they had about King Lawenza.  I've put a stop
to that.  They may not like what I've done, but I've done it in public. 
There is no evil conspiracy."

   "So you say, Your Grace."

   There was silence.  James hoped to God he hadn't destroyed his
relationship with this man.  He needed him.  The nation needed him.  James
was still ignorant in so many ways.  It was just...  the man had made him
King.  If that was to have any meaning, ALL had to be loyal, subservient,
at least to some degree.  That had to include Captain Putaski.

   The Captain's whole body seemed to deflate.  Around them, the guards
relaxed, sensing the change in the man they had known for years.

   "It was stupid," he said, eyes looking around the room, "but it is done.
You still have my loyalty."

   "Your loyalty to the Kingdom was never in question," James said.  Which
was true.  It was only whether that trumped loyalty to the King which was
the issue.  The man straightened, eyes meeting the King's.

   "That said, you now must marry.  Immediately, or at least pick your
bride.  There must be NO thought of a union between the Elf Queen and
yourself.  No rumor that the unnatural lusts of King Lawenza have found a
home in you.  They will think you are bewitched."

   "And for me to consider that, they would probably be right." Feeling
tired again, he sat back in the comfy chair, its cushions molding
themselves around his body.  "I assume Ewa is still not acceptable?"

   "Better than an Elf, by far, but...  no.  Not with so many eligible
Noble girls.  And you now need to reaffirm your commitment to them.  Pick
one, your grace, fuck her a few times until her belly swells with a son,
then ignore her in favor of your commoner girl.  It is the way of Kings."

   "The ways of nobility become less noble every day." James sighed.  "I'll
do it.  Let me think.  Pass the word that I will name a bride within a
week."

   "I will pass that on to Ola." The soldier bowed.  James raised an
eyebrow at him.

   "Also pass on that the next guard to let you by without my permission
will be whipped." James smiled, motioning to Duda.  "Escort him out,
please."



   ****



   Shanna watched the nobles walk down the wide stone path, filing from the
Palace like dazed children.  They noticed her, of course.  Almost every eye
seemed to focus on the warrior woman, conversations halting mid-word at her
visual intrusion.  She smiled, enjoying herself.  Making middle aged guys
nervous had become a hobby of hers.

   From the lack of word from the Palace, she assumed James had not fucked
up too much.  From the demeanor of those now making their way to the city
below, open rebellion was not in the immediate offing.  Nor was she seeing
any eyes traveling past her to the fort.  She would increase the watch,
naturally, but it did not seem there would be a threat to the Elf Queen
quite yet.

   Soon, though.  There was always some crazy radical.

   Deciding she had seen enough, Shanna pushed off of the tree she had been
leaning against.  Turning her armored back to the last of the nobles, she
made her way around the side of the Palace.  Dinner.  She wanted to get
back for dinner.  Maybe some quick sparring with Anelie.  After, she could
send a runner to see if Piotr was up for a little late night sparring...

   "Shanna!"

   Piotr was standing before the stables, his mount saddled next to him. 
His men were also gearing up.  Talk about good timing.  Raising her arm in
a friendly wave, she headed over.

   As she approached, her heart sank.  The men were mounting their horses.
Piotr was leaving, not arriving.  She spoke before he could say anything.

   "I suppose an evening get-together is out of the question."

   Piotr let out a sigh, releasing the reins of his mount to take her
hands. He gave an apologetic half smile.

   "His Grace ordered us to do a patrol of the city."

   "What the fuck for?" As always, his eyes seemed to wince when she
questioned the King like that.

   "His Grace said 'public relations', whatever that means.  The rumors are
going to be flying fast tonight.  He wants us out there in full armor,
talking to people." Shanna let out a snort of disgust.  Piotr squeezed her
hands, expression turning apologetic.  "MAYBE I can try to come over after.
It will be late, but..."

   "Nah," she said, shaking her head.  "You'll need your sleep.  Especially
if this PR requires stops at a few taverns."

   "Pee Are..."

   "Never mind." She gave him a quick kiss.  "Go on.  Do some soldiering.
Stop by tomorrow."

   "I will," he said.  Shanna stepped back as he mounted.  He looked so
mature, armored and horseback like that.  Why couldn't he be like that all
the time?

   Turning as he rode off, she went to find her own mount.  She'd have to
find different entertainment.



   ****



   "Yaaah!"

   Anelie's battle yell, as always, brought a smile to Shanna's lips.  It
was more cute than fierce, even as the girl's form became stronger, more
lethal.  Shanna raised her shield, the teen's wooden sword crashing into
the blackened metal disc.  It was a good blow, the force of the impact
traveling down her arm.  Anelie's shield was perfectly positioned to guard
against any attack by her, so she decided to ignore it.  Her body spun,
shield keeping contact with the girl's sword as she moved around behind
Anelie.  Shanna whipped her head around, bringing the girl back into view,
her sword starting its swing...

   Only to find the girl had spun as well in the opposite direction, her
shield in position, barely, to accept the incoming blow.  Shanna grinned.

   "Nice!" She stepped back, disengaging.  Anelie did the same.  The
redhead was breathing hard, her chest heaving under the black breastplate.
Her green eyes widened.

   "Really?"

   "Really.  You're much better than that oaf of a brother of yours."

   Bogdi's deep laugh came from the wooden steps where he sat with the
other soldiers.

   "Did you hear that, Anelie?  She insulted your brother's honor!  Avenge
me!"

   Anelie lowered her sword and shield, turning to him.

   "Wait.  How is my being better than you an insult?  You've just insulted
me!" She pointed her sword at her brother.  "Fight me, Bogdi, that I may
avenge my honor!"

   "I am injured," he said, motioning to his bandaged shoulder.  "There is
no honor in fighting an injured man."

   "Nor," Shanna laughed, "in fighting Bogdi in general!  Let him be,
Anelie.  He's only a MAN after all."

   As the gathered reacted as relaxed solders do, Shanna saw Anelie blush.
Damn it, she hadn't meant to make a reference, however small, to the
girl's...  well, romantic inclinations.  That was not a joking matter.  As
she looked around the fort parade ground, she saw Bogdi also staring at his
sister with concern.  His eyes shifted, catching hers.  There was
something...  unspoken, there.  Some thought which needed words.  He
nodded, responding to something he saw in her eyes.

   She wondered what it was.



   ****



   "She does love you, Lady."

   Shanna could not help but let out a long sigh at Bogdi's words.  They
sat in a corner of the dining hall, the room empty, silent apart from the
sound of the last few dishes being cleaned.  Most of the lamps had been
snuffed, giving an even greater sense of isolation.  Raising her mug,
Shanna took a long swig of her ale.

   "Which doesn't make things easier."

   "True, Lady, but as her brother I'm just happy that she's happy."

   "And when I break her heart?"

   "I beat you up."

   Shanna almost choked on her drink.  Bogdi grinned at her like an idiot,
thick brown mustache like a second smile on his face.  Shanna carefully put
her mug down, reaching up to adjust her glasses which had begun sliding
down her nose.

   "What I mean, Bogdi, is...  I don't go with girls.  I like guys.  I'm
with Piotr.  She has to understand that."

   "She does, and I think she's OK with that.  I've talked to her.  Anelie
will be perfectly happy just being with you, playing with herself at night
to take care of any urges she's built up."

   Shanna's face went red.  She would have choked on her drink again if it
wasn't safely deposited on the table.

   "That's an image I don't need, Bogdi."

   Yet...  she imagined it.  Imagined Anelie on top of her bed, her slim,
muscular body nude.  Saw her legs spread, a patch of red fur glowing in the
moonlight.  One hand sliding down, the other cupping a small breast...

   Saw a larger, yet still feminine, brown skinned hand cup the other...

   "I love Piotr," she said.  Bogdi said nothing, her words sounding hollow
even to her.  She grabbed her mug, downing even more of the smooth ale.

   Drinking always helped.

   Chapter 11



   Ewa sat in the chair before the fireplace, low flames illuminating her
nude body in the dark bed chamber.  She had to be cold, James knew.  Even
there, her back had to be chilly.  That couldn't be good for her, or their
unborn baby.  Or Marik, although the sleeping child had been carefully
wrapped in his blanket when Ewa lifted him out of his crib.  Tying on a
thick robe, feet safely stuck in royally comfortable slippers, James
grabbed a blanket from the bed.

   James didn't know what to say to her.  What he had already said had
obviously been the wrong thing.  She just stared into the fire, Marik
cradled against her chest.  Coming up behind her, James let out a sigh.

   "You'll catch a cold." He placed the blanket over her shoulders, the
blue covering falling down the back of the chair.  Taking the ends, he
wrapped them around her, careful not to cover Marik's head.  Unsure what
else to do, he moved his hands to her shoulders.

   "I love you, Ewa.  You know that."

   She was silent.  He cursed.  She had known this day would come.  Had
talked about it.  Accepted it, even as James had not.  James had pushed the
day of his royal wedding as far into the future as he could.  He did not
want those girls.  He had who he wanted.  He wasn't some harem gathering
monster!  He found his eyes staring into the fire, hands unconsciously
massaging her through the blanket.

   "I'm sorry."

   "It's not your fault," she said, her voice distant.  "It's him."

   It was more than the Captain, naturally, but he didn't correct her.  She
wasn't blaming him.  That was enough.

   "Is there anyone you like?" he asked.  She turned to look at him,
surprise on her face.  James smiled.  "Someone you can be friends with is
more important than most other traits."

   She let out a snort.

   "I don't know them.  They have nothing to do with me."

   Not that there had been much cause for the young ladies to be in the
Palace.  Hell, he had barely spent any time with them.  With a sigh, he
leaned down, kissing her upturned forehead.

   "Do you have any suggestions?"

   She looked back into the fire.

   "A ball."

   "Ball?"

   "A Ball.  A Royal Ball.  You haven't had one since your coronation. 
Have Ola spread the word that you'll be picking a Queen, and dance with
everyone.  Praise the losers, then pluck out your new lover."

   "YOU are my lover," James said, hoping she believed it.  "This girl may
become a friend, I may come to care for her, but you are my wife.  Always."

   Her eyes stayed on the fire.  One of the coals popped, sending a spark
out onto the hearth stones.

   "So you say," she whispered.



   ****



   "A ball?"

   James could not help but chuckle at the Captain.  Sleep had mellowed the
man, but he obviously had not enjoyed much rest in the night.  He stood in
the King's office as one now unsure of reality.  James looked between him
and Ola.

   "A Ball.  A gathering of all that think they're important, and a few who
actually are.  I get a good look at my potential brides all at once, and
when I'm not dancing with them they get to mingle with all the other single
men of the Kingdom.  Odds are almost all pair up within a week."

   "A good idea," Ola remarked, stroking his smooth-shaven chin.  "Social
events have been few and far between."

   "We should pair it with a festival for the rest of the people," James
went on, "here and on the mainland.  I wish we could combine them, let
everyone mingle, get to know each other, but that's not practical."

   "One last feast before winter," Captain Putaski said, nodding.  "Before
we go on serious rations."

   "Yup.  Give them something to look back on, and forward to."

   "When?" Ola asked.  James considered.

   "Saturday.  Five days should be enough time."

   A young boy sprinted into the room, a message slate in his hand. 
Skidding to a stop on the polished hardwood floor, he bowed.

   "Flag message, Your Grace!"

   "Thank you." James took it, smiling.  The pages had taken to having
contests, seeing who could make the fastest round trip, deliver the most
messages a day, et cetera.  The room down the hall he had set aside for the
boys (and now girls) had a chalkboard on one wall filled with complicated
stats.  James was tempted to give a prize to whoever was on top Saturday.

   "What news?" The Captain asked.  James gave it a quick scan.  Then a
longer one.  He handed it over.

   "They think they've located the last straggler."

   "What?!" The soldier went over the message himself, eyes wide.  James
walked over to the map on the wall, finger tracing a line.

   "They found no one on the other side of the Orlan.  Everyone made it
across, apparently.  There are now some very rich ferrymen."

   "THIS is worth celebrating!" The Captain straightened.  "Your Grace,
with your leave I should return to Fredrick.  I'll send another ship up to
that Frog village.  We could have everyone safe within our walls before the
week is out."

   "Do it.  If the Kikker villagers agree, though, I'd like to keep a
garrison there."

   "Yes, Your Grace."

   Another bow, and he was gone, taking the page with him.  James moved
around his desk, collapsing into his chair.

   "Thank God."

   "Thank God, and the army," Ola agreed.  James let out a chuckle.

   "Let there be a small delay, at least, before the next crisis comes upon
us."

   "Yes.  Now, Your Grace, if we could talk about the upcoming Ball..."



   ****



   Shanna didn't like the looks she was getting.

   It was long past the time where she was a strange looking outsider. 
Long past where her wearing male clothing, particularly pants, was
shocking. They should have been well used to her.  Thus, this was something
different.  Something new.

   Something personal, perhaps.

   Shanna walked down the market street with Anelie, shopping basket in
hand.  The day was cool, the noon sun doing little to provide relief.  Nor
was her light jacket doing much to keep her warm.  She needed something for
winter.  Something thick, comfortable.  There would be military issue
winter clothing, naturally, but she didn't want to just wear that.  She was
more than just a soldier.

   "Why are they staring?" Anelie asked, face scowling at a woman behind a
vegetable stand.  The scowl was more cute than not, defeating its purpose.
The girl wore a tunic and trousers not too different than her own.  Two
cross dressing women, walking together through the market.

   God, they must look like total lesbians to these people.

   "I don't know.  Let's ask." Shanna stopped, looking around as she
adjusted her glasses.  Women ran the stores, for the most part.  Society
here may have been sexist, but not in ways she had expected.  If anything,
the fact women owned retail businesses while men felled trees and built
ships and homes out in the cold almost seemed to indicate men had the short
end of the stick.  Her eyes fell on a woman about her age, young daughter
walking next to her holding a doll almost as large as she was.  The black
haired woman looked away, pretending to gaze into a shop window, hand
pulling her daughter closer.  Putting herself in cheerful, don't fuck with
me mode, Shanna walked up beside her.

   "Good day to you."

   The woman turned, surprised.  There was no fear there.  Shanna advanced
her estimate of her age a bit, putting her at around twenty, and thus only
sixteen when the kid was popped out.  Some of the mothers were damned young
among these people.

   "Good day, Lady."

   "I assume there are some good rumors flying around today, after all that
went on yesterday.  Anything about me?"

   "Rumors?  About you?" The woman looked uncomfortable.  Shanna nodded,
smile firmly in place.

   "I assume there are some, given the looks I'm getting.  Must be good
ones, too." Shanna saw Anelie glancing around.  The four of them were the
focus of attention on the street.  "Come on, you can tell me."

   The woman looked away.

   "You brought the Elf Queen here."

   Shanna blinked.

   "Yes."

   She waited for her to continue.  The mother was silent.  Realization hit
Shanna.  She found herself putting her hands on her hips, an unconscious
imitation of her mother.

   "Oh, come on!  That's it?  That's what has everyone upset?  Jesus Christ
almighty, that's stupid!"

   "Is it?" The woman whirled, walking back the way she had come, yanking
her daughter's hand when the girl didn't move fast enough.

   Shanna watched them go, mouth half open.

   "Of all the stupid, moronic..."

   A hand touched hers.

   "Ignore them, Lady Shanna." She turned to the redhead at her side.  The
girl kept her white hand on her brown one, thumb seeming to caress her
skin. "You did what was right.  The people don't always know best."

   Which was true, for what it was worth, but she for one would not go too
far down that path of reasoning.  She shook her head, trying to clear it.
The girl's caress was distracting her.  She didn't even know if Anelie
realized she was doing it.  Shanna had the crazy desire to take the girl's
hand, to hold it as they kept walking.  There'd be nothing wrong about
that, right?  Girls held each other's hands all the time.  It wouldn't be
considered cheating on Piotr...

   The thought of him brought her back to reality.  She let out a chuckle.

   "Come on," she said, moving her hand, breaking the intimate contact
without acknowledging it.  "Let's go."

   "Yes, Lady Shanna."



   ****



   There seemed to be more activity from the Palace.  Shanna saw a flurry
of riders going to and from, messengers, soldiers.  Glancing up towards the
royal residence, she did not see the flag flying which would indicate she
was needed.  Good.  She didn't want to do anything today.

   "Lady."

   Anelie's hand touched her arm, the girl pointing.  Down at the next
intersection, she saw a wagon pass with large chalkboards.  She couldn't
help but laugh.  That had been one of James' ideas, instead of wasting
paper on public announcements.  Obviously, something was up.  Shifting the
wicker basket in her hand, the few ripe fruit in it still not that heavy,
she put her other hand on Anelie's shoulder.

   "Let's go see what's up."

   The smile on the girl's face almost made her blush.



   ****



   A dance.

   A royal dance.

   Was James out of his mind?  Quite possibly.  She read the board again,
the large white chalk letters neatly written on the black board behind the
now locked in place glass pane.  A royal ball to celebrate the arrival of
their Polish brothers and sisters, let off a little steam before the coming
of winter, and, by the way, the next Queen will be chosen that very night!
That was quite a bit to pack into one event.  Plus...

   "Fuck.  I'm going to need a dress."

   She had not needed one for the Coronation, James wanting her to be among
his honor guard.  Now, though, it was different.  She wanted to dress up.
Something soft.  Frilly.  Revealing.  After months of acting butch, she'd
shock them by showing off the body all her training had created.  Shanna
could picture it, her walking into the ballroom, all the men turning, eyes
wide, mouths agape, dicks springing up.  Their women giving her looks that
could kill.

   Damn, she missed that kind of thing.

   More people were gathering around the sign in the center of the circular
plaza.  Shanna stepped away, offering up her place to an older woman. 
There were no words of thanks.  Unable to help herself, Shanna tapped the
woman on the shoulder.

   "You're welcome, Lady." She turned and walked away before seeing what
reaction the woman had.

   "A dance," Anelie muttered.  Shanna nodded.

   "A dance.  Haven't gone to one since...  well, since graduation.  This
one will be a bit different, most likely.  Or maybe not.  The music will be
more polka-like, at least."

   "I've never been to a dance."

   Shanna looked at her, surprised.

   "No?  You weren't at the Coronation?"

   "No, Lady Shanna," she said, shaking her head.  "I was in the square
outside, and danced, but I've never been to a ROYAL Ball!  Nobody like me
would ever be allowed into a place like that!"

   Which was true.  She was the daughter of simple city folk, sister to a
common soldier.  Nobody special.  Except she WAS special, of course. 
Shanna felt her heart go out to the girl.  She found her right hand taking
the girl's left hand.

   "Would you like to go?"

   Anelie stopped in her tracks.  She looked up at Shanna, eyes wide.

   "Do you mean it?"

   "Yes," Shanna said, confused.  It's not like it was a big deal, allowing
the girl to go.  She felt Anelie squeeze her hand.

   "Of course I'll go with you!  Oh, God, Shanna, you've made me happier
than I've ever been!"

   Oh.

   Fuck.



   ****



   Catty sat on a wooden chair set in the dirt.

   She hated dirt.

   Soil, she liked.  Ground which nourished and enriched the plants of the
world.  Soil was the source of life.

   Dirt was sterile.  Ugly.

   As was the fort.

   The parade ground, enclosed by the wall of posts, was a lifeless place.
The earth was trampled, churned up, only a few hardy weeds making their
homes there.  That plant beds seemed to be set up for use once spring came
did nothing to change this.  Destroying life, then recreating a fraction of
it did not do away with the evil of destroying it in the first place. 
Humans were so...

   No.  Not humans.  People.  Were Elves much different?  Not much. 
Kikker? Watu?  What each race destroyed, and what they kept, from nature
differed, but all tried to reshape the world.  All wanted nature to serve.

   Which brought her back to the book.

   She closed her eyes, shutting out the image of her four remaining
soldiers exercising under the open sky.  The book was not what she had
expected.  It was knowledge, yes.  Power.  But, of a kind almost
impractical.  Catty had known it was limited.  Known, from what Mother
could and could not do, but now saw magic was the least important of its
contents.  It was...

   There was a commotion in the world beyond her closed eyes.  With a sigh,
she opened them.  The wooden gates were opening, human guards motioning her
friends away so they could not be seen through the entrance.  A horse and
rider burst in, a long red braid flying off behind the rider's head.  It
was the girl/boy, the female soldier who stood beside the brown Shanna. 
She leapt off her horse, running into the main building.

   Catty closed her eyes again.

   Humans.



   ****



   "So, I've gone and fucked things up, thanks to you and your dance. 
Thanks, King."

   James could not help but laugh as they walked through the empty beds of
the Palace garden.  The fact Shanna was having her own romantic crisis was
almost a relief.  He wasn't alone in his suffering.

   "Do you want me to make sure Piotr can't go?  That would solve the
problem."

   She let out a disgusted snort.

   "No.  That wouldn't solve anything.  He'd hear about us dancing, and
just get upset."

   "Instead of seeing you dancing and getting upset."

   "Gah.  I have to talk to him.  And Anelie.  Sort of...  go with both. 
Sort of.  Except not."

   "Sounds like a plan."

   Shanna glared at him.  James laughed again.

   "At least you've already picked a husband, even if there are
complications.  I'm just a few steps away from just flipping a coin."

   "Is it narrowed down to two?"

   James stopped by the trunk of a large oak.  He placed his hand on its
bark.

   "There are about five I'd consider, based on those one hour lunch dates.
I haven't really met any of the girls from the refugees, apart from..." He
thought.  "Lusia, I think her name was.  Her family is still housed in the
Palace, although I haven't been there much.  So, there's always the chance
I'll see one of the newcomers and something will click."

   "Remember, if it doesn't work out, you can just chop her head off."

   "And have a ghost haunting the Palace?  No thank you.  I can do without
that."

   Something wet touched his nose.  James looked up.  Something wet hit his
forehead.

   "Snow."

   "Wonderful."

   "It's not that cold.  I doubt anything will stick."

   "Yeah, but I'm still not looking forward to winter here."

   James shrugged.

   "Maybe we can introduce them to hockey."

   Chapter 12

   James could not help but let out an annoyed sigh as the three women
approached.

   He blamed himself for their appearance.  James had thought of the older
daughter while talking with Shanna, so naturally the universe would send
her walking across his path soon after he re-entered the palace.  That's
just how things worked.  The blonde Lusia was with her dark haired mother,
and younger sister, whose hair matched their mother.  If one did not know
better, it could be assumed there were different fathers involved.  Maybe
there were, but given the husband was blond James was willing to believe it
was just normal genetic randomness.

   The three stopped where they were in the hall, curtsying with well
practiced grace.  Resigning himself to at least a moment's conversation
before making his way to that evening's dinner, he stopped before them,
bowing his head slightly.

   "Ladies."

   "Your Grace," Lady Jasinski replied.  Her head came up, regarding him
with confident eyes.  "We have not seen you much these last few days."

   "Business," he replied.  To be truthful, he usually forgot they were
around.  He had offered the family a few unused rooms in the palace,
temporary lodging.  There was no point sending them off to live in a tent
while more permanent housing was created.  A thought crossed his mind. 
"Your husband has returned to the mainland?"

   "With our son.  He felt we were better off staying here, for now." Of
course he would.  James knew where Ludoslaw and his son would be sleeping,
and it was no place for well-bred ladies...  at least, the ladies in
question would think so.  James nodded.

   "I trust your accommodations here are suitable.  I will see to arranging
housing for you in the city as soon as possible."

   "No hurry," she said, too quickly.  James caught both of the daughters
rolling their eyes a bit.  That amused him.  So too did the mother quickly
changing subjects.  "Your Grace, if I may be so bold, it occurs to me that
while you have met my daughters, you have not been formally introduced to
the young ladies.  Perhaps, if it pleases you..." Lady Jasinski trailed
off, obviously seeing something on his face.  So.  This one, too, wanted to
toss her daughters into the Queen sweepstakes.  He couldn't blame her, but
that made it no less annoying.  He glanced at the girls again.  Those blue
eyes of the eldest seemed to laugh.  Not at him, but at all around her. 
The younger, not even as old as Ewa's little brother, had eyes more
innocent but no less lively.  He had a thought.

   "Lady Jasinski," he said, turning to the woman.  "I'm on my way to my
usual evening meal with my closest companions.  Perhaps you and your
daughters would care to join me?"

   "Oh!  Of course!" She glanced at the two girls beside her.  "If you will
give us time to freshen up..."

   "Nope," James said, grinning.  "I'm hungry, and this is not a formal
meal.  Let's go."

   He motioned them to proceed.  Ewa would be upset, but what better test
for the blue eyed Lusia than to have her face Ewa's wrath?

   If nothing else, he'd have his entertainment for the evening.



   ****



   Shanna approached Piotr's quarters with dread.

   She could delay this.  SHOULD delay this.  She should just go home, eat,
get some food in her belly.  Maybe come back in the evening.  Or tomorrow.
Tomorrow would be perfect...

   Shanna entered the Mounted Royal Guard's common room.  Only one of his
men was there, Godko, a lithe brown haired soldier not much older than
Piotr.  All his men were in their late teens, if still strong and well
trained.  His father had probably not wanted the young Piotr to feel
unworthy of leading true adults.  A training wheel, she felt, he no longer
needed.  Not that these were poor soldiers.  Not as good as hers, true,
but...

   "Shanna."

   Godko's greeting was less formal than usual.  More, there was a tone she
was not used to from the man.  She paused, frowning, arms crossed over her
chest.

   "Evening.  Piotr here?"

   "Yup." His head motioned towards the closed door.  Again, his tone.  She
nodded.

   "Thanks."

   "You're welcome." His eyes never met hers.  Not liking this, she moved
across the room.  Now it felt like the teen's eyes were on her.  Shanna had
a crazy desire to whirl, catch him in the act.  That would be childish,
though.  Stupid.  Reaching the door, she knocked.

   "Piotr."

   There was a pause.  There was never a pause.  Unless he was asleep?  He
shouldn't be.  Piotr wasn't one to nap.  She placed her hand on the door
handle, just as his voice came from inside.

   "Come in."

   He was standing before the small room's one window, looking out at the
stable yard.  The quarters were neat, functional.  Those of a single
soldier, whose focus must be kept on defending the King.  Shanna's self
designed "fort" was a palace by comparison.  She didn't feel guilty about
this, although at times she felt she probably should.  The small, thin bed
was neat, although from the slight wrinkling of the blankets he obviously
had been sitting on it earlier.  Stepping into the room, Shanna closed the
door behind her.

   "Hi."

   He turned as the sound of the door latching filled the silence.  His
face was one of sorrow, disappointment.  Shanna's heart sank.  This... 
this was not going to be good.

   "Rumors are spreading, I see," she said, trying to keep her voice light.
His head cocked a bit, mouth almost a frown.

   "Are they true?"

   "Which ones?" She shrugged.  "I'm an evil Elf loving bitch, apparently,
which we both know is true on all counts.  What have you heard?"

   "You were in town?  With Anelie?"

   "Yeah.  Did some shopping.  Saw the announcement of the Royal Dance go
up."

   "Were you holding her hand?"

   Shanna blinked.

   "I..." She tried to remember.  Had she held the girl's hand?  She had
thought about it.  Maybe she had.  And...  if she had, so what?  She
frowned.  "Why?"

   "I thought you were MY girl."

   He was jealous.  The guy was jealous.  Well...  shouldn't he be?  That
was why she had come here, right?  To deal with all this, to be honest with
him.

   Only Shanna had not expected news to beat her to her fianc�(C).

   "Look, Piotr...  it's only Anelie.  You know how she is."

   "Oh, I know how she is.  I know she's crazy about you.  Follows you
everywhere.  Probably wants you to dump me and marry her, or something
perverted like that."

   "That...  that's not perverted."

   He was silent.  Anger built in Shanna.  She had been over this with him.
About Ola being gay, about it being OK.  Had he just been humoring her?  Or
had she been foolish to think a few words could overturn deeply held
cultural norms?  She crossed her arms over her chest.

   "So what the fuck is the problem?"

   "Are you my wife?"

   "No." His eyes shot open.  Shanna realized what she had just said,
realized it had NOT been what she wanted him to hear.  Her hands shot up,
palms out, voice pleading forgiveness.  "I mean, not yet!  We're not
married yet!"

   "You're acting like we're not even together!" Piotr stepped forward,
fists clenched.  "Tell the damned girl 'NO'!  It's not that hard!  Do you
see me with any of the young girls chasing after me?  No!  I send them away
at the first sign of flirting, because all I want is you!  Why can't you do
the same?"

   Why couldn't she?

   "Look..." She stepped towards him.  "I'm sorry.  This...  it's a
misunderstanding, that's all.  Anelie said she had never been to a Ball,
and I told her she could go.  She thought I was asking her to go as my
partner.  That's all."

   "So you're going to correct her, right?"

   Shanna's hands found themselves on his chest.  He stayed still, eyes
hard.  She swallowed.

   "I can't do that.  It will devastate her.  Can't...  can't she come with
us?  Please?  The three of us." She slid one of her hands up, cupping his
clean shaven cheek.  Piotr reached up, taking her hand in his.

   "Do you love me?"

   "Yes!" She did.  Shanna loved him.  He squeezed her hand.

   "Do you love HER?"

   Shanna hesitated.  Piotr's eyes widened.  His grip strong, he removed
her hand from his face.  His free hand took her other wrist, pulling that
hand away from his chest.

   "I love you, Shanna," he said, almost whispering, "but you can't have us
both."

   "But..."

   "It's over, Shanna."



   ****



   Shanna stood outside the closed common room door, back against the wood
paneled wall.

   Stupid.

   She was so stupid.

   One fight.  One fight, and it was over.

   Stupid, stupid, stupid.

   She wasn't going to cry.  Wasn't.  Those weren't tears in her eyes,
weren't tears flowing down her face.  She was not going to stand outside
her man's door, bawling.

   Pushing off, she staggered down the passage.



   ****



   James suspected it was the presence of the three kids which kept things
civil.

   They were friends, for one.  James had not realized this.  Six year old
Gizela had been playing with both Felek and Ruta for the past few days, the
two preteens more than ready for a new playmate.  Their laughing and
giggling across the dining room table did much to diffuse any tension. 
Lady Jasinski sent many scolding looks towards her daughter, but seemed
loath to actually say anything in the King's presence.

   One of the benefits of Kingship.

   As for Ewa, she was staying silent.  His hope that some conversation
would develop between her and Lusia seemed to have come to naught.  Indeed,
the girl Lusia herself was keeping quiet, letting her mother do most of the
talking.  A change from what little interaction James had experienced with
her.  Her gaze would occasionally go to James, or Ewa, before returning to
the half eaten meal before her.  James was definitely regretting this.

   "So...  Your Grace." Lady Jasinski caught his eye, straightening.  He
noticed her left hand going under the table, her older daughter suddenly
startled as if goosed.  "We have heard today of the Royal Ball to be held
this weekend."

   Of course she had.  That was the whole point of this gathering, the
whoring out of her daughter.  He smiled.

   "It was Ewa's idea.  I have been very lax when it comes to the social
side of being King." Ewa seemed annoyed to have been brought up, even as
his knowing eyes caught a flash of pleasure at having been given credit. 
He smiled at her, before turning to the mother.  "You and your family are
coming, of course?"

   "Of Course!  One reason we did not accompany my husband and Lubor.  We
need the time to acquire new dresses.  We were not able to bring much with
us, you understand."

   He nodded understandingly, even as his eyes shot an amused look at Ewa.
He saw her biting a lip trying not to curl up into a smile.  The woman's
husband had set sail the night before.  He returned his attention to the
Lady.

   "Do not fret too much about that.  Few here have much finery, as we have
been much more concerned with providing clothing for all as opposed to
pretty dresses for a few.  I am sure there are some tailors with fabric to
spare if you are truly in need, but the price may be high."

   "Well...  we can not go in dresses such as we are wearing.  Surely they
are too plain for such an occasion!"

   If this woman thought he was going to intervene, she was mistaken. 
Smiling, he reached a hand over to take Ewa's.

   "True beauty shines regardless of the dress.  Your daughters will shine
even in their current rags."

   "They are not rags," Ewa said, startling him.  From her eyes it was
clear she got the attempt at humor, but she spoke as if rebuking him. 
"That is a lovely dress, Lusia."

   "Thank you, Lady Ewa." The blond shot a glance at her mother.  "I am
sure what we have will do, Mother.  There are more important things than
our ranking in the newest fashions."

   "But you MUST look your best!" James tried not to laugh as the poor
woman tried to convey her meaning without insulting the King sitting near
her.  "All the young ladies of the Kingdom will be there!"

   "Am I going?" Ruta asked.  James cocked his head at the young lady in
waiting.

   "I don't know.  Has Felek asked you yet?"

   "What?  No!" The boy looked disgusted at the very idea.  The look his
female friend gave him was one it would take years for him to interpret
correctly.  James laughed.

   "I'll invite you, then!  Felek, you're missing out on an evening with
one of the most beautiful women in the Kingdom!"

   "So?  Ouch!" There had obviously been a kick, unseen under the table.

   "Hey!" Now Ruta jumped.  Ewa leaned over, placing a hand on her
brother's arm.

   "Stop that."

   "But..."

   "Stop.  You too, Ruta, or you can't go to the Ball."

   "Yes, Ewa."

   "Crisis averted," James said, looking back at the three guests.  The two
girls were grinning.  Their mother, not so much.  She did force a smile as
she saw his gaze return to her.

   "Your Grace," she asked, "the rumor is you will pick your queen at the
Ball."

   "That is what is written on the notices, yes.  I'm sure the actual
rumors are much more interesting."

   She gave a confused laugh.  James flicked his eyes to Lusia.  Hers
seemed to laugh back.  As he watched, a wave of indecision seemed to flow
across her face.  The girl reached over, touching her mother's arm.

   "Mother, enough."

   "Lusia!" Lady Jasinski looked at her daughter with astonishment.  Lusia
met her gaze.

   "Mother, it's not right to try to trick him." She looked at James. 
"Your Grace, I am not in the running to be your Queen.  I am infertile."

   "Lusia!"

   "It's true, Mother!  I'm almost sixteen and I have yet to bleed!  Would
you have the King marry me, only to have to annul it when I can not bear a
son?"

   James sat back in his chair.  She was barren.  That was...  interesting.



   ****



   Shanna dismounted inside the fort walls, darkness falling on the land.
Lamps were already lit, two hanging on either side of the main barracks
door.  From the stable, two boys ran to her, hurrying through the hint of
snow falling from the sky.  Removing her ridding gloves, she tossed the
reins to the closest one.

   "Any news?"

   "One of Piotr's men was here a while ago.  He left after Anelie got
back."

   Ah.  So that was the start of this.  She nodded.

   "I'm done for the day.  Treat her well."

   "Yes, Lady."

   Shanna walked towards home, the two leading Black Beauty away behind
her. It was past dinner time, or at least in the middle of it.  She had not
come straight here, instead doing some riding through the more empty trails
surrounding them.  She needed to think.  Think, and decide.  It wasn't over
between her and Piotr.  No.  Not after just one fight.  Their relationship
could recover.  They could be together again, even get married as they had
planned.

   But did she want to?

   The door opened, Anelie stepping out onto the long porch running the
length of the building.  She held a lamp in one hand, the other clutching
closed a hastily tossed on light jacket.

   "Lady Shanna!  When you didn't come back we thought you were eating at
the Palace!  Are you hungry?"

   She wasn't, really, but hot food would do her good.  What Shanna wasn't
in the mood for was company.  She walked past Anelie, who fell in beside
her, closing the door as they entered the foyer.  Stairs before them led to
a landing, another set continuing upward set against the back wall. 
Through the open door to her right she could see and hear her men laughing,
talking.  With a shrug, she let her coat fall from her shoulders.

   "Bring my meal to my quarters if you would, Anelie.  Not much, but
something hot.  And a pitcher of beer." Handing her coat over, she went
upstairs.



   ****



   Shanna sat at the small table near the fire as Anelie arranged the tray
before her.  A bowl of fish chowder, with a large hunk of that morning's
bread and a slab of butter.  There was a second, smaller bowl, along with a
second empty mug.  As Shanna watched, eyebrows raised, Anelie pulled out
the chair opposite her and sat.  She lifted the pitcher and poured herself
a drink.  Shanna chuckled.

   "Please, join me for dinner."

   "I think I will." Her eyes met Shanna's, then dropped.  She lifted her
spoon, stirring the chowder.  "I...  you didn't look like you should be
alone.  I hope you don't mind."

   "Naw.  You'd know if I did." Shanna could feel her cheeks heat. 
Probably from the fire.  "Thanks." Lifting her mug, she took a long drink.
Anelie did the same.  As the girl lowered her mug, she looked nervously
across the table.

   "I...  I was thinking, Lady Shanna.  After I got back.  It's probably
best I don't go to the Ball.  I mean, what will people say?  And Piotr will
get mad!  I know you don't want that.  So..."

   It was too late for that, Shanna thought.  Too late.  And...

   "Don't worry about it," she said.  "You've never been to a Ball, and I'm
not going to take this chance away from you.  Don't worry about Piotr.  I
know I'm not going to."

   Her tone must have alerted the girl.  Shanna ignored the redhead's gaze
as she began spooning the chowder into her mouth.  After the second
mouthful, she looked across the table, surprised.

   "This is better than usual!  Did Domka find a new recipe?"

   "Adanya showed up while we were in town with a wagon of supplies.  She
offered to help in the kitchen." Her voice lowered.  "I think she came just
to see Bogdi."

   "Really."

   "Yeah.  You should have seen him get all excited when she showed up.  It
was weird."

   "I can imagine." Unfortunately, Shanna now did, the hulking Pole and the
splotchy skinned Kikker woman passing through her mind.  With a shudder,
she took another swig of beer.

   "I don't mind, though," Anelie said, sipping some of the broth.

   "Mind what?"

   "My brother and Adanya.  I like her.  If she makes my brother happy..."

   And, Shanna could tell, the girl was telling the truth.  She didn't
mind. Her brother supported her in her desire for another woman (or at
least Shanna), and Anelie supported Bogdi with someone not even human. 
Shanna felt a pang at the void in her life that was her family.  Anelie, at
least, had that.  Shanna raised her mug.

   "To being happy."

   Anelie copied her, eyes full of love.

   "To being happy..."

   Chapter 13



   Catty watched as Far slid the small blade along the half carved hunk of
wood.

   The soldier sat in an unadorned chair away from the room's one table,
eyes focused on his work.  His strong hands made the smallest of movements,
flecks of wood falling away from the emerging piece.  The Elf Queen was
fascinated.  That such power, such strength, could be controlled, used with
such precision, to create something so exquisite.  There was nothing her
Far could not do.

   She looked to the room's one table.  Dinner had been cleared away,
dishes foisted off on the humans to be cleaned.  In their place, six
finished, if unpainted, wooden pieces.  Small works of art, beyond anything
her magic could create.  Rising from the cushioned chair against the wall,
she walked over, hand longing to touch them.  Far's amused voice flowed
around her.

   "I don't think it's a full set yet, Your Highness."

   No.  It was far from it.  A Dragon set, a proper Dragon set, needed
forty-two pieces for each of the players, arranged on a three level board.
The board she had grown up with had been made of crystal, each of the flat
rectangular levels divided into clear and ruby red squares.  The pieces had
been made of silver and gold, emerald eyes set into each of the two dragons
dominating the top board.  Catty's hand gently touched one of the carved
Oliphants.  She had played the game many times, never noticing, or caring,
about the pieces she and her sister had moved about the board.  They were
no different from any other part of their world.  This...  this, she had
seen made.  Had seen the hands of Far bring it out of discarded wood, like
a child pulled from a dead mother's womb.  She heard a sigh come from
herself.

   "The humans have a similar game.  I saw some of the soldiers playing
it."

   "I saw it too," Far said.  She turned to look at him.  He had stopped
his work, eyes on her.  "One of the sets was finely carved, but the other
was plain, the pieces smooth, unadorned.  Almost as if worn from use."

   "It only had one board," Catty said, frowning.  "A child's game."

   "It's not the game, but how it's played.  I liked the unadorned pieces.
I may try a set like that, after I finish yours." He lifted the carving
again, knife gently touching the Unicorn's head.

   There was a knock on the door.  It opened almost immediately, both Det
and Wan entering, heads bowing slightly towards Catty.  She nodded back,
glad to see her men, yet annoyed at having her private time with Far end.
Det must have sensed her mood, the Elf's face becoming almost apologetic as
he moved past her towards the fire.  In his arms were logs, freshly split.
She watched as both Elves placed their burden in a wooden box beside the
hearth.

   The door to the hallway stayed open.  Catty was about to rebuke them
when Tae entered, followed by the dark skinned human.  Catty straightened.

   "I trust everything is well with you this evening?" Shanna asked, eyes
taking in the room.  Catty could see her eyes fall on the Dragon pieces. 
She had a foolish desire to hide the carvings from Human eyes.  Instead,
she smiled.

   "Well enough.  The meal was...  better."

   There was a snort from the human.

   "I have no problem with you cooking in here.  You'll have to make do
with what we have, naturally.  Rations for all will be tight this winter."

   "We will manage." She shot a smile at Tae.  The Elf was a good cook. 
Not as good as Biv, but...  well, Tae had made it out of Saribit alive.

   "Good.  I suspect you will be here for awhile, so we will make the best
of it." She paused, eyes passing over the four male Elves.  "How is your
night vision?"

   "In the dark?" Catty frowned.  "Depends on the moonlight.  Why?"

   "Nothing," Shanna said, humor in her voice.  "I keep forgetting this is
reality."



   ****



   Shanna left the Elven common room laughing at herself.  Names had
meaning, and calling these people "elves" was still screwing up her
perception of them.  What next, dwarfs who were as tall as humans?  She
paused at the top of the stairway, thinking.  Hadn't there been a fantasy
series like that, where the dwarfs had just been a BIT shorter than humans,
living underground?  Possibly.  God knew she had read enough books, all
trying to do something a little different.  Or not trying, as the case
might be.

   Laughter came from down below.  Shanna had not spent much time with her
men that day, something she felt guilty about.  Tomorrow she'd order an
excursion into the surrounding woods, do some drills.  That would be fun.

   A vision appeared of Helmut on the stone floor, blood pooling by one
arm.

   This was not supposed to be fun.



   ****



   Most of her men were in the common room, taking up the part of the first
floor not needed for the mess hall and kitchen.  A fire roared in two
fireplaces, the one at the end sharing a chimney with the hearth in the
Elves' room.  Lewy had a Koziol out, not so much playing the bagpipe like
instrument as conversing with it, pausing to consider what it had said
before squeezing the bag again to hear more of its opinion.  Two games of
cards were ongoing, as well as small groups of men just conversing.  Some
women, too, those done with kitchen work.  They sat together or paired with
their man, heads together, hands casually touching each other.

   Shanna felt a small pang at the stupidity of Piotr.

   Bogdi was in the far corner, the others seeming to leave a shell of
privacy around him.  Adanya sat in his lap, a bare arm around his shoulders
as he held her Frog-like form.  Shanna felt she should go over, greet the
Kikker Chief's daughter, but from their expression this was not the time.
She actually felt her cheeks heat as Adanya whispered something into the
Pole's ear, a greenish brown hand playing with the black hairs on his arm.
Shanna turned away.

   "Lady Shanna!"

   The cry came from one of the card games.  Grinning, she walked over,
looking over the heads of those on the nearest bench at the current play.

   "Bronek start cheating yet?"

   "They are not drunk enough yet for that," the soldier laughed, the
others joining in.  "Would you care to join us?"

   "What's the game?"

   "Poker."

   She grinned.  Her contribution to Polish culture had been a great
success.  Pushing apart the shoulders of two of the men before her, she
laughed.

   "Sounds good!  Now, make room for your betters!"



   ****



   It was the longest James had yet talked to any woman here besides Ewa.

   They sat in a small drawing room, lamps illuminating the dark paneling.
James relaxed on an incredibly comfy couch, his body almost sinking into
the cushions.  Lusia sat in a chair across from him.  Her mother and sister
had gone back to their rooms, an observation that the young Gizelda was
falling asleep taken by Lady Jasinski as the hint it was.  She had seemed
more than eager to leave her older daughter alone with the King and his
commoner companion.

   Lusia had just been shocked.

   James watched as Ewa left the room, her motherly instincts telling her
it was time to check on Marik.  He hoped she'd bring the babe back with
her. Continued to let the three of them...

   "I know what you're doing, Your Grace."

   Lusia's tone was tired, perhaps a bit upset.  He looked at her,
surprised.  She sat, knees together, as any proper lady would, body leaning
forward slightly in the well cushioned chair.  The swell of her breasts
were more than apparent.  He gave her his full attention, shrugging
slightly.

   "I have never claimed to be subtle.  What do you suspect?"

   "You marry me.  Ewa gives birth to your heirs.  I live my life without a
real husband."

   "Close enough."

   "I don't like it."

   "Then I won't do it." He raised an eyebrow at her surprised reaction. 
"What?  You think I'm the type to force you?"

   "You're the King."

   "Which has nothing to do with what I'm willing to do with that power, if
it is power." His gaze returned to the empty doorway.  "I don't want to
hurt her.  I'm going to, regardless of what I do, but I don't want to."

   "She is nice," Lusia said, voice softening.  He nodded.

   "As are you.  You're also intelligent.  You two seem to at least get
along, for now.  If I have to pick someone, and it can't be her, that's
what I'm at least shooting for."

   "Marry her."

   "This is not quite a Constitutional Monarchy, with firm restraints on
the King, but I have definite limits and am far from secure.  They want one
of the Noble families tied to me.  Doesn't matter which.  Yours is on the
outer edge, socially, but qualifies.  Ewa doesn't.  They're not fanatical
enough about bloodlines to really care who the mother of the next King is,
so long as I'm the Father." James put a hand to his forehead.  "At least I
hope."

   "And if I suddenly start bleeding after our wedding night?"

   "Then what's done is done, and we do what we have to.  I'm making this
up as I go along, so don't expect a coherent plan."

   She leaned forward, hands clenched.

   "What is in it for me?"

   "What do you want?"

   She was silent, eyes focused on his.  He shrugged again.

   "I asked Shanna that question.  Her answer was her own soldiers, her own
fort.  I asked Ewa.  It was to stay with me, to help with my meals, to take
care of me.  What would you want, that I could provide?"

   "To ask that question..." Lusia looked away from him.  "Would I share
your bed?"

   "I would not force you, no.  Nor would I stand in the way of any love
you found, though it would have to be discreet."

   "And if, as your wife, I wanted to share your bed?"

   Ewa's voice spoke.

   "We would have to discuss it."

   James patted the cushion next to him, the shape of her bum still
imprinted after her absence.  She entered the room, Marik awake and looking
around in her arms.  Lusia held out her arms.

   "May I hold him?"

   "Certainly.  I haven't changed him, so be careful.  He's still dry as of
ten seconds ago, but he could go off at any moment."

   "I grew up taking care of Gizela." Lusia took the babe with practiced
ease, Marik looking up into her face with no sign of the boy turning fussy.
"How old is he?"

   "We don't know.  Under a year."

   "He's not yours?" Lusia looked at Ewa in surprise as the dark haired
girl sat beside James.  She shook her head.

   "He was orphaned in the war.  Felek and I found him, took care of him.
Thanks to James." James could feel the blush come as Ewa took his hand.  He
smiled at her.

   "I did what anyone would."

   "But no one did, before you came."

   "They would have.  These are a good people."

   "You speak as if you're not one of us," Lusia said.

   "I am now.  That's what matters."



   ****



   Shanna walked out into the cold night, in need of a good piss.

   Indoor plumbing existed here.  Not at the fort, not yet, and perhaps not
ever.  It was a low priority.  The palace would have it soon, the system of
pipes and tanks already designed and figured out.  Flush toilets, though,
were not a thing.  They could be, possibly.  Shanna had opened up the lid
on the back of the toilet at home, had seen the rather simple system.  Her
name could become synonymous with shitting.  "Hey, Bogdi, I'm going to the
Shanna to take a piss!" Ah, that would be fame.  For now, though, it was
outhouses and chamber pots.  She was awake and not yet undressed, so to the
latrine she went.

   Stepping off the steps, she looked up over the north wall.  The snow had
stopped, if you could call that snow, but clouds still filled the sky.  She
could still see.  It confused her for a moment.  If there was no moon, and
clouds blocked the stars, exactly what light was she seeing?  Shouldn't it
be pitch black beyond the light coming from the barracks windows?  Life was
such a mystery when she was tired.

   Shanna saw something out of the corner of her eye.  She turned.  Eight
yellow stars were in the sky, framed against the dark clouds.  Moving...

   The bell in the north west guard tower began a frantic ringing the same
moment her mind realized what she was seeing.  It took longer for her to
believe it.  Not until the flaming arrows began their final plunge into the
fort courtyard did she move.

   An attack.  They were under attack.  She sprinted towards the north
wall, eyes on the sky above.  The eight arrows had fallen harmlessly into
the trampled dirt, flames still burning.  Eight more appeared, arcing up
from somewhere beyond the corner of the fort.  Shanna's foot touched the
stairway up to the walkway just as the barracks door banged open behind
her. She saw her men pouring out, armor hastily donned, weapons in hand. 
The bell kept ringing as she reached the top.  From the distant tree line,
she saw eight more bright arrows launch.  Dawid ran to her down the
rampart, spyglass in hand.

   "Lady!" He handed her the glass, pointing.  "I think it's just eight
archers, on the edge of their range." The arrows passed overhead.  Looking
through the eyepiece, she caught the back of someone, moving back into the
trees.  Turning, her eyes swept the fort.

   There had been no damage.  No injuries.  All twenty four or so arrows
had fallen harmlessly before the barracks.  This had not been an actual
attack.  It had been...  what?  Terrorism?  A message?  Or...  her eyes
narrowed, trying to see the wall behind the barracks.  It could be a
distraction.  She looked down.  Bogdi stood at the bottom of the stairs,
her men gathered around him.  From the stable, horses were being saddled.

   She had to decide.  To decide wrong, would be to send friends to their
deaths...

   "Bogdi!  Take first and second squad!  The archers were out where the
leaning pine is!  Sweep the woods!  Lewy, take the rest and do a sweep
around the perimeter, then return here!" She turned to Dawid.  He was one
of twenty soldiers tasked with manning the walls, a number she now saw was
wholly inadequate.  "I want every soldier up here.  Keep a close eye on the
south wall."

   "Yes Lady!  Do we signal the Palace?"

   She looked east.  Would it be showing weakness?  No.  No, this was
important, too important for ego to be involved.  She nodded.

   "Do it."



   ****



   James stepped up off the ladder onto the signal platform, Piotr two
steps behind.  Moving around the perimeter, he kept his gaze west.  He
could see the lantern flickering on and off.  Could hear the bells and
trumpets sounding from near and far.  Coming to stand beside a young man
writing swiftly on a chalk board, he put his hands on the railing.

   "What's the message?"

   "Chicken shit archers did a hit and run.  Am circling wagons and
pursuing into northern woods." The man paused.  "No damage.  Amateurs."

   James nodded.

   "Send a reply.  'Gotcha.'"

   "Your Grace!" James turned to look at Piotr.  The hussar stood before
him, face one of naked fury.  "Let me take my men out!  We'll..." His voice
faded, realization coming before James needed to even raise an eyebrow. 
Piotr's eyes dropped.  "I'm sorry, Your Grace.  Forgive me.  What are your
orders?"

   James nodded.  He understood the man's anger.  His need to go protect
Shanna.  However, it was a poor Royal Guard who left the King's side at the
first sign of danger.  Reaching out, James took the man's shoulder.

   "Do a sweep around the Palace.  Turn out the guards.  Tell Czcibor I
want troops fanning out from the city towards the fort.  Anyone found is to
be brought in for questioning.  Every clump of trees is to be shaken to see
what falls out."

   "Yes, Your Grace!" With a salute, Piotr was on the ladder again, almost
sliding down.  James could not help but smile.  A good, loyal soldier, and
friend.

   His eyes turned again to the distant fort.  This was obviously about the
Elves.  There could be no other reason.  Even if they did not know she was
there, it was directed at Shanna for her involvement.  Terrorism?  No, not
quite.  James did not think an attack on a fort could quality as such.  If
nothing else, that term would imply the army could be terrorized, and that
just wouldn't do.  It was civil unrest, though.  A challenge to his
authority.  His decisions.  Done by those who probably knew they could have
no influence any other way.  It could also just be a bunch of drunks, not
thinking things through.  There need not be anything serious behind it.  To
react too harshly could turn it INTO something serious.

   Good thing he had a lifetime's worth of training in how to deal with
just this kind of thing.



   ****



   Her men had found no one.

   Shanna was not surprised.  If these were just normal townsfolk, pissed
after a night of drinking and talk about evil Elves, all they need do is
drop their bows and go back home.  Indeed, they had found the bows. 
Hunting bows, nothing special, produced by local craftsmen and used by
many. Expensive, though, not something you would want to lose.  That this
little adventure had cost these idiots their hunting weapons cheered her up
some.  She'd pass the word to James.  Maybe they could see who was now in
need of new ones.

   With a tired sigh, she handed her breastplate to Anelie.  Shanna
couldn't wait to get to bed.  She didn't know if she could sleep, if the
stupidity that was Piotr, or Elf hating Poles, would keep her up.  She
wanted to find out, though.  Her hands went to her shirt, lifting it off.
It dropped to the floor.

   "Lady Shanna?"

   Anelie's voice was tentative.  Shanna turned.  The girl had put the
armor on its rack, and now stood near the closed hallway door.  She looked
nervous.  Shanna frowned.

   "What?"

   "Um...  Lady Shanna...  could..." Anelie ducked her head.  "Never mind."

   "What is it?" Topless, Shanna walked over to her.  The girl's face was
red.  "Come on, spit it out."

   "Bogdi...  um, well, he asked if he could use my room tonight."

   "He..." Shanna blinked, understanding.  "Oh." Now she felt her face get
hot.  Anelie nodded.

   "Yeah.  I owe him, so I couldn't say 'no'."

   "No, of course you couldn't." Shanna shuddered, trying not to picture
Bogdi and Adanya spending the night together on Anelie's bed.  The room was
just next door, too.  Luckily, the walls were thick.  "I assume you want to
crash here tonight?"

   "If I could," Anelie said, not meeting her eyes.  "I could take Bogdi's
bunk, but the others in there snore."

   Shanna looked over at her bed.  It was a large one, designed with
company in mind.  More than enough room for her and a teen girl, with a
generous neutral zone between them.  Nothing could go wrong.

   "Sure, why not." Turning away, she resumed undressing.  All she wanted
to do was sleep...

   Chapter 14



   The dream vanished the moment Shanna shuddered awake.

   She blinked, vague, familiar shapes above her in the darkness.  An image
stayed with her, floating before her eyes.  It was...

   It was gone.  Shanna closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.  Her dreams
always fled the moment she woke, all memory of their content vanishing into
the beyond.  She knew she dreamed.  She remembered the act of dreaming,
even at times knew WHILE she was dreaming.  The act of opening her eyes,
for whatever reason, erased even the most vivid nightmare from her
conscious mind.

   Given the last vestige she had felt just then, she was thankful of that.

   Now she had to get back to sleep.  Shanna rolled onto her side.

   There, before her, were two eyes.

   "Gah!" She almost leapt back, an interesting act to perform while
snuggled under thick covers.  Even as she wondered if this was still a
dream, as that was NOT the face of Piotr, her mind recognized the intruder.
Shanna composed herself, hand coming up to her forehead.  "Jesus, Anelie,
don't jump out at me like that."

   "Sorry."

   And the girl did sound sorry.  Shanna could not help but let out a tired
laugh.

   "Don't be, you silly girl.  I'm the one that let you in here, you'd
think I'd remember to expect you when I woke."

   "Did you have a bad dream?"

   Shanna rolled onto her back again, eyes focusing on the dark wooden
beams almost unseen above.  Had it been a bad dream?  Probably.  The
emotion of it had not left her.  Dread.  Loss.  Had it been about Piotr? 
Helmut?  Her family?

   Who could say.

   "I don't mean to pry," Anelie's voice said from the darkness.  Shanna
shook her head.

   "You aren't."

   She lay there, pulling her covers up a bit.  Sealing in the body heat.
She heard somewhere that ninety percent of a person's heat fled through
your head, but she suspected that was mostly because the rest was kept nice
and snug under clothing and blankets.  She thought her curly hair was thick
enough to act as a rather nice insulation.

   "Shanna."

   "Yeah?"

   "Um...  nothing."

   Shanna turned on her side again.  The room seemed a bit lighter, either
her eyes adjusting or more starlight was coming through the window closest
the bed.  She probably should have the shutters closed, both to keep the
heat in and for safety.  An arrow through the glass would not be good...

   "What, Anelie?"

   "Um...  do you want a massage?"

   "A..." Shanna pushed herself up on one arm, looking down at the green
eyed redhead.  "Where the hell did that come from?"

   "You look tense, from the bad dream.  I just thought..."

   Shanna couldn't help it.  She laughed.  Shaking her head, she spoke
before the girl could think she was laughing at her.

   "Sorry.  It's not you.  Well, a bit, but...  God, there's no way you
could know!"

   "What?" Now the girl's curiosity was awoken.  She rose on one elbow as
well, long braid tossed out of the way behind her.  Shanna grinned.

   "Back home, in bad romance stories, people use the excuse of a massage
to seduce someone."

   "Oh." There was a hint of guilt in her voice.  Shanna wasn't surprised
to hear it.  "Did it work?"

   "If the writer of the story wanted it to, yes!" Shanna chuckled again.
Reaching out, she poked Anelie's forehead gently.  "Is this one of the
things Bogdi taught you?"

   "Yeah."

   "Thought so!  He doesn't seem the massage type, though."

   "Oh, he doesn't do it.  He said women have used it on him!"

   They both let out giggles at that.

   Shanna looked at the girl.  She felt like she was a kid again, having a
slumber party with her best friend.  The two, or three, of them in bed
together, whispering silly things.  Never nude, though.  Long nightgowns
had been the order of the day.  And never had there been sexual tension. 
Not that she had been aware of, at least.  If one of her friends had felt
something, they had kept it quiet.  Shanna could feel it rolling off of
Anelie.  She was nervous.  Frightened, even.  Had Anelie even been able to
sleep?  Or had she been awake next to Shanna all this time, worried she
would touch her the wrong way, WANTING to touch her?  Hell, had Shanna
tossed an arm on the girl in her sleep?  That could have sent so many mixed
messages, no wonder the girl was nervous!  Maybe Shanna could relax her.

   "I have an idea," Shanna said, sitting up.  The covers fell off her
upper body, the chill of the room not as bad as she expected.  "How about I
give you a quick back rub?  Try and relax you so you can get some sleep."

   Anelie stared at her, those green eyes wide.  Shanna could see her
swallow hard.

   "Um...  sure." She rolled onto her stomach, eyes staring at the
headboard.  "Like this?"

   "Good enough." Shanna walked on her knees across the bed, pulling the
blanket off of the girl.  As she did, a cloud must have floated out of the
way.  Starlight filled the room, illuminating the girl before her.

   Shanna's breath caught in her throat.

   It was not the shape of the young teen, the curve of her hips, the swell
of her ass.  Nor was it the white skin, perfect in every way.  It was what
lay under that skin.  Muscles.  Hard, firm muscles, well defined after
months of training.  Even without laying a finger on her, Shanna could feel
them.  Feel the power, the strength.

   It was like looking at Piotr.

   Shanna had fallen for him because he fit her type.  Strong, yet
feminine. Long blond hair, yet muscular in a graceful way.  Legolas,
basically.  How was Anelie different?  How was the power in her arms, her
shoulders, less attractive to her?  Yes, her hips were wider.  Yes, what
was between her legs differed.  As she stared down at the girl now,
though...

   Anelie shifted, as if aware of Shanna's gaze, but unable to interpret
it. Her hands went to the pillow, under her head.  Shanna shook herself. 
Moving, she straddled the girl, legs settling on either side of Anelie's
just below her ass cheeks.  Leaning forward, Shanna placed her hands on the
girl's shoulder blades.  She felt the girl shudder.

   "Shh.  Just relax." Shanna moved her hands over the smooth skin.  It was
more a caress than a massage.  Just her getting her bearings, she told
herself.  Discovering the feel of her friend.  She slid her hands down
below the shoulder blades, thumbs tracing either side of her spine. 
Shanna's eyes followed that line down, down to where it became the valley
between those two firm globes of her ass.  Shuddering herself, Shanna sent
her hands up again.  Applying more pressure, she began kneading those
muscles.



   ****



   Time in that cool, darkened room seemed to stop.  All that existed were
Shanna's hands, Anelie's body.  Her fingers pressed into muscles she
herself had given the girl, long hours of training forging her lean power.
Shanna traced the edges of what lay under the skin.  Teased.  Caressed. 
Her hands almost seemed to have minds of their own.  Shanna did not notice
when they slid down Anelie's sides.  Did not catch the sharp intake of
breath as her fingers brushed the sides of two breasts before returning to
the job at hand.  Her focus, all of it, seemed to be on the point between
those shoulder blades.  Below the base of the girl's neck.  Shanna... 
Shanna wanted to lean down.  Kiss it.  Kiss her friend there.  Kiss her
soft skin...

   Shanna wet her lips, shivering.  Her body heat was dissipating into the
room.  Only where her skin touched Anelie's was there heat.  Between her
legs, where they straddled the girl.  Unconsciously, she widened her
stance, as if to break the contact.  The girl's legs followed, though,
themselves spreading, not wanting to be away from the warmth that was
Shanna's skin.  The movement drew her attention away from those shoulders.
Drew it down that long spine.  Her fingers followed, tracing either side
just behind her gaze, unseen.  Slowly, like a bee drawn to the most perfect
flower, Shanna's eyes fell on Anelie's ass.

   It was raised now.  Moving.  Slowly...  undulating.  Dazed, Shanna could
only watch as her fingers made their way to the end of Anelie's spine. 
Made their way into that crevice.  Unable to breath, Shanna saw her thumbs,
briefly, touch the hole which marked the end of that line, drawing a
shuddered gasp from beneath her.  Her hands then spread, caressing the two
white globes on either side.  They were firm.  Strong.

   Beautiful.

   Her friend's body moved faster under her hands.  Shanna's caresses
became firmer.  A thumb again traveled to that forbidden place, drawing
another gasp, a harder press up against her hands.  Shanna felt her legs
being pressed against as Anelie moved her legs farther out still.  Felt
them slide against her skin, as her position shifted.  Saw that ass raise
up off the bed.

   Saw the shadow that was the treasure between those thighs.

   She had not wanted to seduce this girl.  Had not wanted to tease her,
frustrate her.  What Shanna did want, she did not know.  Her mind was a
whirl.  Not since her first time alone with a boy had she felt this way. 
Not since Zak, his body pressed against hers, his heart felt through thin
cloth.  Shanna wanted...  wanted to...

   Anelie...

   All conscious thought gone, Shanna leaned forward.  Hands on those
smooth cheeks, her head lowered.  Lips touched the skin between Anelie's
shoulders.  A gasp escaped the girl.  It became a moan as Shanna let one of
her hands leave those cheeks, let it slide down, between those spread legs.
Her fingers felt the heat.  A moment later, the wetness.  The girl groaned.
Shanna, eyes closed, placed kiss after kiss on the smooth back under her,
her fingers slowly exploring a new world.  Anelie practically shoved
herself down onto those fingers, her legs snapping shut.

   "Oh!  Shanna!"

   The girl shuddered.  One finger of Shanna's pressed against what could
be the most magical of places.  Another found itself partly in the girl,
flesh squeezing hard against it, all movement impossible.  Shanna pressed
her body against the girl's back, her free hand again sliding up against
that smooth skin.  The girl's body now raised, Shanna hand easily slid down
under her, cupping a breast.

   Anelie let out a sobbing cry.

   "I love you!  I love you!"

   Shanna did not hear the words.  She felt them.  Felt all her closest
friend, her...  her best friend, was telling her, the body pressed against
her conveying emotions more pure than any ever spoken.  As the girl
trembled and buckled under her, Shanna turned her head, letting it lay on
that smooth, strong back.

   "I love you, too..."



   ****



   James bounced the baby up and down as he carried him down the hallway.
Marik looked up, eyes half closed, expression one of contentment at a tummy
now full of the best milk being King could provide.  Not as good as
straight from Mommy, no, but given his current Mommy couldn't provide that
there was no point him asking.  And, he was too polite to do so.  James was
glad for that.  With luck, such consideration would continue after the boy
learned to talk.

   Quietly, he moved past the two guards outside the Royal Chambers.  Nowak
held the door open, nodding as the King passed with his burden.  As the
door closed behind him, James saw Felek raise his head from the sleeping
pallet against the antechamber's far wall.  James motioned him back to
sleep in the faint light of the shielded lamp.  Ruta, to his amusement,
never stirred from her bed on the opposite wall.

   Shifting the now sleeping baby in his arms, he freed a hand to open the
door to their bedroom.  James slipped inside, closing it as silently as he
could.  The room was dark, but he knew it by heart.  Tiptoeing in his
slippers, he made his way to the crib.  With a kiss to his adopted son's
forehead, he lay him down, pulling the warm blankets up over him.  He moved
one of the stuffed animals up by his head, slipping it under the covers as
well.  Marik's arms grabbed his furry friend in his sleep.  Unable to help
himself, James leaned down for one more goodnight kiss as he gave the
blankets one final adjustment.

   How had he become so lucky?  He didn't know.  Certainly, it was not
merit.  Nor some grand plan of God.  If so, God had yet to tell him exactly
what was expected in return.  And he was going to be blessed again, in the
spring, a new year bringing forth his own child with Ewa.  He stood up,
looking at the bed.  Ewa was awake, eyes on him.  She was not sitting up,
but stayed nice and snuggled under the covers.  Grinning, James moved
around to his side of the bed, letting his thick robe fall to the floor. 
Stepping out of his slippers, he slid under the covers next to her.  Her
body heat felt wonderful.

   "Very few Kings," he said, quietly, pulling her to him, "would get up
for midnight feedings."

   "Very few Kings," she replied, hand slipping down to grasp his manhood,
"are trying to make up for finding another woman."

   "True.  Most would just bring the woman into their bed, and expect both
women to accept it."

   "Oh?" She squeezed, gently.  James chuckled, hands finding their own
places on her body to grab.

   "It is good to be the King."

   "I like her." Ewa's touch became a caress.  "I don't want to share you,
or see her with you, but..."

   "But maybe we can make her happy.  If she can't bear children..."

   "She won't find a good husband." Ewa ducked under the covers.  A moment
later, James felt her mouth on him.  He closed his eyes, hands on her head.

   Why was he so lucky?



   ****



   Shanna held the sleeping Anelie in her arms.

   What had she done?

   It was not the being with a girl part.  Not fully.  That had been... 
nice.  Not as she had pictured it, not that Shanna had given more than a
casual thought to what it would really be like, but she had no regrets for
that.  Anelie had needed her, Shanna and Piotr were (for now) single, so...
it had been a rather one sided one night stand.  Nothing horrible there.

   But she had crossed a line.

   Shanna caressed the girl's head, Anelie's body unconsciously snuggling
closer.  Anelie was her servant.  Her soldier.  To be her lover, too, was
not right.  There were laws about that back home.  Restrictions on
relationships between boss and worker, General and Private.  Anelie would
never think she had the ability to say, "no".  Anything Shanna said could
be taken to be a command.  It was not right.  COULD not be right.  Yet, she
knew Anelie would never want to leave her.  Would fight tooth and nail to
stay her soldier.  Stay her servant.  Such was her nature.  There could be
no sending her to a different unit, no bringing in someone else to command
this fort.  It would solve nothing.

   And what of Piotr?

   Shanna closed her eyes.  She loved the fool.  That it was a first love
for him, and thus probably doomed to fade, did not change that.  That she
had sensed her own feeling towards him start to do the same also was moot.
The love was still there.  She was glad she had delayed the marriage,
yet...

   Could she have them both?  No.  No, probably not.  And to even ask would
be to insult both her loves.  She could end with neither, and where would
she be, then?

   Sounds came to her from elsewhere in the fort.  A commotion.  She sat
up, frowning.  A door banged open.  A moment later, a knock sounded at the
bedroom door, light from a lamp visible around the edge.

   "Lady Shanna!"

   The male voice was trying to be quiet, yet get her attention.  Not a
serious emergency, then.  She slid out of the bed, grabbing her glasses off
the nightstand, wincing as bare feet hit the cold wooden floor.  She walked
quickly to the door, pulling it open.

   Bogdi stood there, hairy body nude.  He held a lamp in one hand, eyes
wide, long brown hair a mess.  Shanna crossed her arms over her bare bosom.

   "Yes?"

   "I'm going to be a Father."



   ****



   Shanna stared down at the wooden tub of water.

   She could not be seeing this.

   Faint steam rose from the warm water into the cool air.  Just under the
surface, a mass of round, almost clear spheres, stuck together in some sort
of gel.  They were maybe the size of a large marble, a dozen or more.

   Eggs.

   Kikker eggs.

   Shanna put a hand to her forehead.  Bogdi stood on the other side of the
tub, Adanya beside him looking miserable.  The Kikker Chief's daughter was
as nude as Bogdi, although given how little she usually wore, it was not
much of a change.  Shanna let out a sigh.

   "I do not WANT to know how, but..."

   "It's my fault," Bogdi said, pulling the smaller Adanya against him. 
"Ebun must have been too young to mate when I was with her, so when I
caressed that place I knew she had loved on Adanya..."

   "My eggs came out." The woman looked up at Bogdi.  "And he fertilized
them."

   "Oh, sweet Jesus in heaven." Shanna closed her eyes.  Now she had that
image she had to forget.  The door opening distracted her, Anelie coming in
with pants and a shirt.  Shanna reached out for them.  "Thanks.  Now, slap
your brother for me, will you?  He's an idiot."

   "I always knew that." As Shanna slipped on the pants, she saw Anelie go
over and hug Bogdi.  "So I'm going to be an Aunt?"

   "I THINK so," he replied.  The man actually sounded a bit happy about
the prospect.  "I mean, it's weird, but..."

   "It should be impossible," Shanna said, shirt sliding over her head. 
Readjusting her glasses, she looked at Adanya.  "How long until you know?"

   "I know," she said, hugging Bogdi.  "You can see the movement inside the
eggs.  They're alive.  And his."

   "Jesus." She looked back down into the tub, trying to remember what she
knew of Frogs.  It wasn't much.  She did know this was going to cause
problems.  "OK, so, we have some half Kikker, half Pole babies here.  What
do we do?"

   "My father is going to be pissed," Adanya said.  Shanna raised an
eyebrow at her.

   "Only pissed?  Will he accept this?"

   "I don't know.  He likes you Poles, loves your King."

   "That's something." Shanna considered.  "Maybe we can invite him to the
Ball.  You can break the news to him there, surrounded by humans." She
looked at Bogdi.  "You know the people are going to freak over this."

   "I know.  I'll go live with the Kikker if I have to."

   "You will?" Adanya looked up at him, large eyes shocked.  He nodded.

   "If you'll have me."

   "I could move here, to be with you..."

   The loving gaze they shared was sickening.  Shanna let out a groan.

   "Later.  We'll deal with that later.  For now, given I assume the start
of winter is not the normal breeding time, what do we do with the eggs?"

   Letting go of Bogdi, Adanya dropped to one knee, a webbed hand dropping
into the tub.

   "There is a hot spring we usually put our eggs in when it is cold, but
it is too far to reach.  They will not survive the trip."

   That would solve the problem, but Shanna was not going to even hint at
that.  She was about to speak when Anelie reached over, touching her arm.

   "Shanna."

   "You think of something?"

   "I think so."

   "What?"

   "Magic."

   Chapter 15



   Catty woke to the sound of someone knocking at the door.

   The room was dark.  She was sleepy.  Deciding Royalty had its
privileges, she closed her eyes.

   The knock came again.

   "Stupid Poles..." She knew it wasn't Far, or one of her other guards. 
They would have just entered, as anything worth disturbing her for would be
important enough to ignore her privacy.  Only humans would wake a Queen,
expecting her to get up and answer the door in the middle of the night for
something petty, stupid.  Pulling the covers up under her chin, she stayed
where she was.

   A third knock was faint.  Not on her door, but rather the one across the
hall.  They were waking her men.  Probably to ask them to wake her.  With
an annoyed groan, Catty pushed the covers off of her nude body,
un-shielding the lamp between the two small beds.  Stupid, ignorant Poles.
She threw the dress from the day before on, one of three outfits she now
owned.  The promise of new clothing had not yet been fulfilled.  Something
about a sudden rush of orders to every tailor on the island.  No excuse. 
She had needs.

   There was another knock, this time familiar.  The door opened a moment
later, a nude Far stepping into the room.  Catty dropped her gaze
momentarily to the two slender sex organs dropping down between his legs.
She immediately sent her eyes back to his face, hoping he had not noticed.
Far was bowing.

   "Forgive me, Your Highness.  The Poles have need of you."

   Shanna stepped into the room behind him, along with the young redhead
who always seemed to be with her.  Catty crossed her arms over her chest.

   "It's late.  This can not wait?"

   "No," Shanna said, voice seemingly apologetic.  "And I do apologize.  I
do not like being up at this hour either."

   Catty let out a sigh which to her ears sounded more like a snort.

   "What is it, then?"

   "You can move yourself with magic, yes?" It was the girl, stepping
forward.  Catty's eyes widened.  She didn't think that one had spoken with
her yet.  Her tired mind processed the question.

   "Um...  why?" She didn't feel right saying too much.  For all she had
told the King she would help him, the extent of that help had not been
defined.  She did not know what they already knew.  The redhead motioned to
the hall behind her.

   "We have need to transport newborns to a hot spring, as we can not
provide for them here.  They will never survive a trip through the cold
night.  So, I thought, if it was possible for you to travel magically,
carrying them..."

   "We know your magic only works on yourself," Shanna added.  Her voice
was friendly, with only a slight annoyed edge.  Catty respected that edge.
"You can teleport things you carry, right?"

   "Um...  yes." She answered in spite of her herself, tired mind still
trying to understand the girl's statement.  "Newborns?  Whose?"

   "Adanya's, the Kikker Chief's daughter.  It's rather unexpected, and
we're unprepared.  Will you help us?"

   "I..." Her eyes went to Far.  The Elf nodded his head slightly, not a
hint of humor on his face.  "Yes.  Yes, I will try."

   "Thank you, Your Highness." The girl bowed her head low.  Anelie.  That
was her name.  Anelie.  Strange that it came to her just then.  Anelie's
green eyes came up to meet hers.  "Can you travel someplace you've never
been?"

   "It's not about knowing the place.  It's..." Her eyes flicked to Far
again, swiftly leaving his beautiful face.  "I can go to any place, thing,
or...  person, my heart truly desires."

   She saw the eyes of both females flick to Far.  Heat rose to her face.
Shanna nodded to her.

   "What, or who, should we send ahead with Adanya, Your Highness?"



   ****



   If Catty had known, she would not have agreed.

   She stood against the wall in the small Polock bedroom, as far from
small tub and its two tenders as possible.  It was an abomination.  A
horrible, disgusting abomination.  Her few days among the Polocks almost
had her believing that the tales of their mating with other creatures were
false, that these were a somewhat civilized people.  But, no.  No, the male
before her had...  and the Kikker woman!  How could SHE have done such a
thing?  The Kikker were an advanced people!  To have STOOPED to being with
an animal like the Polock!  And that woman was now with her Far, riding to
a distant hot spring.  Would she seduce him?  Would he...

   Catty shook her head, clearing that image from her brain.  Far would
never do that.  Never stray like that.  No.  No, he was a good, noble Elf.
Not like...

   The sound of water pouring brought her attention back to the two Poles.
The girl was pouring water, fresh from over the fire, into the tub.  A
bucket on the floor held cool water scooped from the tub to make room.  The
hulking male sat on a stool, eyes focused on what lay under the surface of
the tub.  He reached down, fingers vanishing below the rim.

   "There," Anelie said, the last of the liquid dripping from her bucket.
"All warmed up for them." She straightened, wiping a few stray hairs from
her forehead.  "I hope they'll be OK."

   "They will," her brother said.  He sounded...  happy.  The crossbreeding
fool sounded happy.  Catty should say something.  Maybe...  maybe they'd
listen to...

   "Bogdi." The redhead lowered herself to her knees beside him, a bare
hand resting on his thigh.  She looked up with concern.  "You know this
kind of thing never ends well.  The children are never..." She swallowed.
"They never come out right.  Even if they survive birth, they're..."

   "I know, Little Sis.  I know." Catty watched as he placed his large hand
on hers.  "And I didn't plan for this.  But I love her."

   "I know you do."

   "I just want to do what's best, you know?  If they live..."

   "IF they live."

   "...I never thought I'd have children.  You know?  Not for awhile.  I'm
not one to spend time with the kind of women who throw themselves at
soldiers, or frequent the whores.  I thought, maybe, after I left the army,
I'd find someone..."

   Catty felt her feelings shift.  This...  this was not the kind of talk
she expected.  They sounded almost...  civilized.  Unaware she was doing
it, she took a step forward, her own words startling her.

   "Why did you do it?"

   The two Poles seemed to have forgotten she was there.  The man shrugged,
eyes regarding her speculatively.

   "Why does anyone do anything?  I was with her because I enjoy her
company.  She was with me because she felt the same.  We laid with each
other because both needed the comfort which comes with the touch of
another. If I had thought, if she had warned me..." Bogdi's eyes widened,
turning to the girl.  "She didn't warn me.  Didn't stop me."

   "It..." the girl's face turned red.  "It can be hard to stop, when
you're with someone you love."

   His hand went up to Anelie's face.

   "Did she..."

   "Nothing I did not want.  I'm happier than ever."

   Catty had no idea what they were talking about.  Nor did she want to. 
She tried to focus.

   "There are stories of you Poles breeding with others.  Of monsters out
there, the result of unnatural unions."

   "And we hear the same about Elves," the girl said, eyes hardening as
they looked back at Catty.  "And about Watu, Kikker, everyone, really.  We
all think the worse about our neighbors."

   "But you said it happens."

   "Now and then.  Often from rape, sometimes not.  The babies are never
born, or are killed when their true nature is revealed.  All the creatures
you may think came from humans were already here when we arrived." She
sighed.  "Mother told us of a half Elf born to a girl when she was
young..."

   Anelie's eyes widened, her head whirling towards her brother.

   "Mother!"

   "I'll deal with her, little sis.  Do not worry." He chuckled, eyes going
back to the tub before them.  "She does want grandkids..."



   ****



   Catty watched as ropes were tied around the small bucket now holding the
eggs, the wooden cover held on tight.  The last rope created a handle. 
Bogdi held the loop of rope towards her.

   "I hope it's not too heavy."

   She almost hoped it was.  Then, she could not do this.  They could find
some other way to save the eggs, or maybe they'd die.  Either way...  Her
hand curled around the rough rope as his hand released it.  She lifted. 
The bucket raised itself off the floor.  It WAS heavy, but for the few
moments she'd be holding it there would be no problem.

   The two humans stood, Bogdi and his sister taking a step back.  The man
nodded to her.

   "Thank you, Your Highness.  This truly means everything to me."

   She said nothing.  It was time to get this over with.  Far and the
Kikker woman would be wherever it was they were by now.  Right hand
gripping the rope tight, she closed her eyes.  Catty pictured Far. 
Pictured his face.  His eyes.  Those wondrous, black eyes.  Her left hand
made the gestures, her mouth mumbled the words taught to her long ago.

   She felt...



   ****



   The air changed.  Catty opened her eyes, a smiling Far before her.  She
dropped her gaze, face filling with heat even as the air chilled the rest
of her.  She knew Far recognized her feelings.  Knew that, despite herself,
she had been obvious in her attention to him.  Still, every admission sent
her heart and mind into a panic.  Was all love like that?  She didn't know.

   The weight of the bucket lessened.  Adanya was beside her, the Kikker
woman gripping the handle.  Catty let go.

   "Thank you, Your Majesty." Adanya bowed.  She was nude, her rope skirt
discarded on the smooth rocky ground.  Catty could not understand what
modesty such a garment could provide.  Humans, at least, covered themselves
to a great degree.  As the woman turned, both hands now gripping the bucket
handle, Catty took in their surroundings.  The spring was set into the side
of the mountain, the walls rising up above them behind the warm pool. 
Small bushes and scrub plants pushed themselves out of cracks in the stone.
The flat rock where they stood could hold perhaps a score of people,
wrapping around half of the lily pad shaped pool.

   Slowly, gently, Adanya stepped into the water.  Catty now realized there
must be steps, or the bottom sloped downward.  The Kikker lowered the
bucket into the pool, suddenly dunking herself below the surface.

   The night was silent.  Shivering, Catty stepped closer to Far.

   "Did she say anything?" She asked.  He shook his head.

   "No, and I did not ask.  It is not our problem.  The eggs will not
hatch."

   "I HOPE they don't."

   "Such things the Spirits prevent.  The world would be filled with such
half breeds in half a lifetime if..."

   The splash of Adanya breaking the surface cut him off.  Catty wondered
at his comment.  Did THAT many lust after those of other races?  It
seemed...  unlikely.

   Far stepped forward, leaving her side as the Kikker woman walked out of
the pool.

   "Are they settled?"

   "I think so.  They look healthy.  Strong.  I will come here in a few
days to see if they have hatched." Feet now on the shore, she looked behind
her into the dark pool.  "I...  should stay.  Want to stay.  But," she
said, letting out a sigh, "I can not."

   "What future can they have?" Catty asked.  Adanya's head swung towards
her.  Catty took a step back.  "I...  I mean..."

   "They'll have what future they have.  Ours is not to ask, but to
accept." Bending her knees, she picked up her skirt.  "Maybe they will
unite us.  Maybe Poles and Kikker will become one, a new nation forged from
the best of both peoples.  Or," she said, fastening the ropes as she stood,
"they will be an outcast clan, forever on the boundaries of both our races,
dividing our peoples forever.  Either way, I will love them." She walked
towards the two waiting horses.  "Come.  It is a long ride back."



   ****



   "You know," James said, "I'm starting to dread your visits."

   He leaned back in his chair, eyes on Shanna.  She straddled the straight
back seat on the other side of his desk, eyes tired.  Between the attack
and everything else that had happened, sleep had obviously been in short
supply.

   "I'm not happy about this either," she said, her voice half a groan. 
"Could my life get any more complicated?"

   "At least you waited until morning to come to me.  I appreciate it,
truly."

   "It was the least I could do."

   Pushing back from the desk, he stood.

   "First Elven Queens, now half human eggs.  This is going to make any
other changes or reforms we want to make all that much harder.  People fall
back on tradition when pushed."

   "So, no gay marriage quite yet?"

   "I honestly think that wouldn't be as much of a problem as you'd think.
Mind you, they'd probably consider it a good way to identify the unholy
perverts.  Give them 'special', easy to see wedding rings." He sighed. 
"You know, of everything we've encountered in this world, I think just the
idea of those eggs disturbs me the most.  They're..." He shook his head. 
It felt wrong to actually say out loud those thoughts.  He was no bigot. 
"All I can think of regarding our half frogs is setting aside some isolated
home for them, but we have no frontier.  Anyplace on the island we put them
will be too close to both our people."

   "I don't like that anyway.  Hiding them does nothing."

   "It gives us time."

   "They're still eggs.  We have time.  It will be weeks, months, before
they're even ready to leave that pond."

   "Oh, good.  Weeks.  Thank God for that.  I was worried."



   ****



   Piotr was leaning against a wall outside the King's office.  Shanna
frowned as she entered the hall, the guard closing the door behind her. 
She had no time for this.  For him.  Bracing herself, she walked towards
him.

   "Morning." She kept her voice neutral.  His boyish face winced.

   "Shanna, I..." He took a breath.  "Can we talk?"

   Letting out a groaning sigh, she stopped before him.  Her hand started
to move to a resting place near her sword's pommel, a silly thing for it to
be doing.  She halted the motion before it became noticeable.

   "You said enough yesterday."

   "Shanna, I'm sorry.  I was stupid.  I...  I can't blame it on drink,
although I did have some before you showed up, but I was just surprised and
jealous, that's all.  It was silly."

   "I agree it was silly and stupid."

   "I still love you, Shanna."

   Damn it.  Just what she didn't want to hear, at least not yet.  Why
couldn't he stay angry for a week or so, like a normal man?

   "I love you, too," she said, hoping to God above he could not tell from
her voice what she had done half a night earlier.  "I told you that.  You
being an idiot doesn't change that."

   "Can we go somewhere?  Talk?  Please, Shanna."

   Her hand went to her forehead.  A headache was coming.

   "Not...  not now, Piotr.  We have a lot of shit to do.  Later.  I
promise." And she meant it.  For all Anelie was confusing her, that stupid
fight could not be the end of them.

   "Is there anything I can do?"

   Piotr was trying.  She had to give him that.  Despite herself, she
smiled.

   "No.  No, we're good."

   "His Grace wouldn't let me go to you last night.  I wanted to."

   And if he had ridden up that night, offering assistance in the heat of
the crisis?  What would she have done?  Taken him to bed, most likely. 
Fucked him silly, petty disagreements set aside.  Would she have wanted
that?  Yes.  Would she have wanted it more than her hour with Anelie?

   She did not want to answer that.

   "We were fine.  It was just a...  idiots being bigots.  But...  thank
you." She stepped closer to him.  "Come to the fort tonight for dinner. 
We'll talk."

   "Will she be with us?"

   His voice was...  not angry, but harder.  She had not even considered
having Anelie there.  Was he asking for her?

   "Why?"

   He sighed, falling back against the wall.  From the corner of her eyes,
Shanna saw the King's guards watching them, amused.  Piotr saw it too.  He
gave a half laugh.

   "This is what I get for not agreeing that we should just talk later. 
Like there isn't enough gossip about us already."

   He was joking, of course.  Those closest to the King kept their tongue
behind closed lips, or they learned the error of their ways.  She could not
help but smile.  He smiled back.  Shanna's heart fluttered.  Damn him.  She
folded her arms across her chest.

   "About Anelie?"

   "I don't WANT to deal with this yet, Shanna.  Believe me, I'm all for
pushing it off as far as possible.  But..." His eyes went to the King's
office.  "I don't think we have time.  I don't know why, but I want this
settled between us.  However you feel, whatever you choose, I want to get
it out in the open and dealt with."

   Shanna just stared.  Those were the words of a Man.  Not a boy, not a
love sick teen.  Maybe...  maybe there was hope.  She stepped to him, hands
touching his chest as she placed a light kiss on his lips.  His eyes were
wide in surprise as she moved back.

   "The three of us will talk.  We'll see if any of us listen."

   Chapter 16



   James looked down at the small boat bobbing in the afternoon surf.

   It was hastily made, canvas pulled over a frame of thin branches which
still retained their bark.  Something designed for lakes, rivers, not the
open sea.  It did have an outrigger, an enclosed pontoon jutting out one
side to add stability.  Its sailors had been risk takers, not idiots.

   "Where did you find it?" He turned to the soldier beside him.  They
stood at the mouth of the Anne river, where the island's central lake
drained into the sea.  Across the channel, a two masted sailing ship was
leaving Fredrick's harbor.

   "About a half mile away, Your Grace.  The surf had driven it up onto the
rocks."

   "Or its crew pulled it up."

   "It's possible, Your Grace, but that would have been a foolish place to
land.  There is no way up the cliffs."

   James nodded, glancing west.  He was sure there WERE landing places a
good, determined climber would find useful.  What would stop an army could
be just annoying to a handful of invaders.

   "I think," another soldier said, "they tried to sink the boat, or push
it back out to sea, and it just washed back onto shore."

   That was certainly possible.  And the boat was human made.  That was
clear.  More, given the currents it could only have been launched from
inside the Polish borders on the mainland.  He did not like the
implications of that.

   Piotr stepped forward, his armor's feathered wings humming in the ocean
breeze.

   "Your Grace, we should return to the palace.  We're too exposed."

   "I think here among my trusted men I'm as safe as can be." James smiled
at the soldiers, saw them puff up in pride at his words.  They were common
grunts, those thrown onto the front lines or used for hard labor.  He
preferred them to the officers, frankly.  "Still, I agree we should go. 
Lieutenant." He turned to those in charge of men.  "I know you're stretched
thin, but I want the entire northern coast scouted.  See what you can find.
While you're doing it, select locations for watch posts.  We're going to
have to start keeping a better watch." The wind gusted.  James looked up.
"Although, I suspect soon the seasons will help protect us."



   ****



   The wind was picking up.

   Shanna looked out over the parapet at the approaching clouds.  A storm
was coming.  A large one.  She could already, she thought, see flashes in
the dark.  Lightning striking the sea, nature testing its weapons before
moving over its true target.  Or, perhaps, there was some unlucky boat out
there, or a whale which had pissed God off.  Who could say.  All she knew
was she was glad it had come now, and not while all were gathering and
dancing.  That would be a bad omen.

   She looked west.  The sun was now gone.  Behind her, torches flickered
at strategic points along the walls, far from the actual sentries so as to
not make them easy targets of a good archer.  Despite her words, that
attack had spooked her.

   "I want the guard increased once the storm hits." She looked at the
soldier beside her.  "I don't want anyone using this as cover to get over
the wall."

   "Yes, Lady." He did not sound happy.  She didn't care.  She was not in a
good mood, and saw no reason for anyone else to be any different.

   Something wet touched her nose.  Snow.  And then a rain drop. 
Wonderful. She was glad she didn't have to out driving anywhere.  Cars
would be sliding all over the road.

   Great.  Add homesickness to the day's mental worries.

   She heard a rider.  Armored, she thought, from the direction of the
Palace.  Moving down the wall, she peered out.  Yes.  It was Piotr, in full
winged regalia.  Was he trying to impress her, remind her of their first
meeting?  Or...  Her smile faded before it could even start.  Maybe the
armor had been needed that day.

   "Open the gate!"

   Piotr was inside before Shanna had finished descending the steps,
handing the reins to two of the stable hands as he dismounted.  His body
looked tired.  His eyes, too, as he turned to her.

   "Evening," he said, removing his helmet.  A gust of wind sent his long
blond hair off to his left, joining the fluttering wings.  He reached a
gloved hand up to clear strands from his face.  "Sorry I'm late."

   "Trouble?" She stood before him, a hand unconsciously going to his arm.
He shook his head, sending more strands across his face.  She resisted
reaching up to clear them herself.

   "Don't know.  His Grace decided to go out and about today, instead of
just reading reports.  We spent half the day out by the coast.  I think he
was just bored."

   There was a faint flash to the north.  They both turned, Shanna
unconsciously counting.  No thunder came.  She laughed.

   "That's quiet lightning."

   "I think it'll get loud enough later."

   "Let's get inside," she said.  "I don't want those feathers of yours to
get singed."



   ****



   "We knew about the cave, of course."

   James nodded absently, looking down at the map spread over his desk. 
The Lieutenant pointed to a spot on the northern coast.

   "We mapped it in the first survey of the island, but it was too isolated
to be of much use.  One of my men thought to check it after you left. 
There was a fire pit, the ashes only a day old.  Footprints.  No other
signs."

   "You're keeping watch on it, I assume?"

   "Yes, but they won't be back.  If they intended to, we would have found
a supply stash."

   "Which means they're out in the forests."

   "Or in someone's home."

   James sighed.  He had not wanted to truly think about that.

   "Your Grace," Ola said, "might I recommend searching the town?  We know
who should be here, and should not.  I have all the records."

   "What," he asked, looking up at the man, "declare martial law?  Send
troops into every home, round up everyone not on some list?"

   "It can be done easily enough, Your Grace," the Lieutenant said.  "The
people will understand."

   "Some, yes.  Others will have it confirm whatever the fears are which
sent these intruders here in the first place." James shook his head. 
"Besides," he added, looking at Ola, "you KNOW those records aren't
complete.  People slipped through, intentionally or accidentally.  Filling
the..." He frowned.  "We don't even have a dungeon yet."

   The chuckles from those around him broke the tension.  James let out
another sigh.

   "I want watches patrolling the edge of the city.  Passwords, in case
these assholes have uniforms.  We haven't had to deal with humans before. I
want this to be the last time."



   ****



   Why had Shanna agreed to this?

   She sat at the small square table in her quarters, a plate of pan fried
fish set before her.  Piotr, armor discarded, sat to her left.  Anelie sat
to her right, her two friends staring at each other across the table.

   She didn't think the two had said a single word to each other.

   This was all her fault, of course.  She had never been great at
relationships.  Never had done the right thing to keep those she wanted to
keep, nor had tried very hard to stay with those who had given up on her.
Worse, she had no experience with two people competing for her at the same
time.  She had never been THAT popular, or 'lucky'.  It had always been a
string of boys, one after another.  She had prided herself at never
two-timing on anyone.

   That streak was now out the window.

   Anelie was just glaring at Piotr, her green eyes full of murderous hate.
That was just wrong!  They had always been...  well, not friends, not
really, if she was to be honest about it.  They had not hated each other,
though.  Any conflict had been reasonably friendly.

   Damn it.  Why had Shanna let it get this far?

   Piotr took a long drink.  Water, she noticed.  Was he expecting to be
called to duty tonight?  Or did he want a clear head?  She had a mug of
beer.  The alcohol was much needed, in her mind.  Putting the cup down,
Piotr looked across the table at the redhead, hands folded together on the
table.

   "I apologize, Anelie."

   The shock on the girl's face was amusing.  Shanna did not dare say
anything.  Piotr had wanted this meeting, most likely had a plan of attack
all set up.  She knew better than to do anything to foil it.

   "Um..." Anelie shot a quick glance at Shanna.  "Thank you?"

   "I mean it.  I haven't taken you seriously, Anelie, and that is
completely my fault."

   "Taken me seriously?" Her green eyes hardened again as they returned to
him.  "What do you mean?"

   "I mean..." Piotr sighed.  "I thought...  well.  I thought you were like
I was." The girl frowned.  "When I was young, I mean.  There was a man.  A
hussar.  He was in my Father's squad.  Tobiasz, his name was.  I...  I
idolized him.  I mean, yes, Father was, is, great, and I always looked up
to him, but Tobiasz was somehow different.  Better.  Whenever I was at the
barracks, he'd stop what he was doing to talk to me.  Answer my questions.
Teach me.  He's the one who first taught me how to ride.  Father taught me
how to fight, but Tobiasz sparred with me as he would a regular soldier. 
Never held back.  I wanted nothing more than to grow up to be like him."

   Piotr leaned forward.

   "When you showed up, I thought you were just like that.  With Shanna. 
You idolized her, just like I had Tobiasz.  It was so obvious.  Cute, even,
and I imagined my Father and the other soldiers laughing at me when I
followed Tobiasz around the same way I found myself doing with you.  And...
Well, there had been nothing romantic about those feelings.  Hell no.  Not
a one.  So how could you be having feelings for Shanna?  You probably loved
her, yes, like I loved Father, but...  not THAT way.  How could you?"

   He paused.  Anelie was looking down at her plate, face almost as red as
her hair.  Shanna felt herself wanting to do something, say something. 
What, she had no idea.  Piotr shook his head.

   "I know better now.  I know you...  love her.  Care for her.  The same
way I do.  But..." He looked at Shanna, and now it was her turn to blush.
"I can't fight you for her.  That wouldn't be right."

   "Why not?" Shanna asked, startled.  He smiled, a sad smile.

   "Do you WANT us to fight over you?"

   "What?  No!" And she didn't!  She wasn't that kind of girl!

   "That's why."

   "Well," Anelie said, leaning forward, elbows on the table, "I'm fighting
for her.  I'll fight you, or anyone else."

   "I don't want anyone fighting." Shanna closed her eyes.  "I just
want..."

   What did she want?

   Both?

   "No."

   She opened her eyes.  Both her friends were staring at her.  She
blinked.

   "What?"

   "'No', what?" Anelie asked.  Shanna frowned.  'No'...  Her eyes widened.
She had spoken that aloud.  Fuck.

   "Sorry.  Nothing.  Forget it."

   "No," Piotr said.  "We're not forgetting it.  What is it?" She felt his
strong hand on her arm.  Anelie's smaller hand placed itself on her other
arm.  Shanna shook her head.

   "It's silly, it's stupid, and against everything I believe in."

   "Tell us." Anelie squeezed her arm.

   Shanna closed her eyes.

   "You'll hate me.  Think I'm selfish."

   "If one of us does," Piotr said, "that would solve everything, wouldn't
it?"

   Shanna let out a bark of laughter.  She opened her eyes to look at him.
Those blue eyes sparked.  Turning, she saw the same love in Anelie's eyes.
They both loved her.  And, she...

   "I want both of you."



   ****



   James looked out the window, down onto the infant city below.

   Another crisis.  Another problem for him to solve.  Or not solve. 
Possibly even make worse.  Not all his choices,nor all his commands, had
been right.  He knew that.  Were some of his people now trying to call him
on that?  Were his mistakes the reason they had slipped onto the island in
the dead of night?

   Lightning flashed, thunder coming five seconds later.  He tried to
remember how many miles each second represented, but couldn't.  Another
burst of lighting, illuminating the scene before him.  Rain was coming down
hard, the streets already muddy.  He also thought he saw white.  Was there
hail, as well?  That the rain might turn to snow was definitely possible.
Great.  Ships still had to bring the nobles from Fredrick over.  If the
weather worsened, that would not be a fun trip.

   Did he care?

   "James.  I brought some dinner."

   He turned, not having heard the door open, then close.  Ewa was carrying
a tray towards him.  He smelled pork.  Silently, she placed the tray on his
desk, removing the silver covers from the various plates and bowls.  Pork
chops, mashed potatoes with a mushroom gravy, sliced carrots and green
beans drowning in butter.  Shaking his head to clear it, he took his seat.
Ewa slid the silverware over on either side of the main plate.

   "I'm sorry, Ewa.  I lost track of time.  You should have sent Felek to
get me."

   "I knew you were busy." She grabbed the chair Shanna liked to straddle,
turning it so the front faced the desk.  She sat down before him, a vision
of simple beauty.  James chuckled as he cut a piece off the pork chop.

   "Not busy.  Just thinking."

   "Thinking is most of what a King should do."

   "Can you embroider that on something?  I can hang it up in here."

   She smiled at him.  He loved that smile.  He did not think he would
still be here if he did not have that smile to wake up to every morning.

   "Did you already eat?" he asked.  She nodded.

   "We all did.  Lusia and her mother and sister stopped by.  Lusia was
disappointed you weren't there."

   "Oh?  What did she want?"

   "I think she just wanted to talk.  If you're going to be married, she
has to get used to spending time with you."

   "With us."

   "With us." Ewa smiled again.  "Oh, my constant hinting finally got Felek
to ask Ruta to the Ball.  They'll both need new outfits."

   "What good is it being King, if I can't make some poor seamstress
miserable with a last minute order?  Take both their measurements, go out
first thing in the morning and see what you can do."

   "I already have hers."

   "How's your dress?"

   Ewa blushed, eyes dropping to her lap.

   "It's beautiful.  Thank you."

   "You're so beautiful, I hate to cover you with anything at all, so this
was the least I could do."

   "It's your Kingdom," she said, arching an eyebrow at him.  "If you'd
like me to stand before all the way God made me..."

   "Oh." James put his fork down, eyes fully on her.  "That sounds like a
brilliant idea.  Let's test it out.  Stand up."

   Her eyes widened.  She rose, breath quickening.  He smiled, elbows on
the desk, hands clasped before him.

   "Take off your dress."

   The look she gave him was not one of fear, or embarrassment.  It was one
he knew well.  Slowly, she reached behind her, fingers nimbly working
unseen buttons in that way women had.  He could see the fabric loosen, slip
a bit against her smooth skin.  Her arms came back around, hands reaching
up to her shoulders.  Eyes fully on his, she slowly peeled the blue dress
off.

   James stood.  She was nude before him, dress and underwear in a pile
around her feet.  He walked around the desk.  This felt...  wrong.  But a
good wrong.  A sexy, kinky wrong.  He suddenly understood President
Clinton.

   "God definitely did a good job making you.  I'm going to have to thank
him, Sunday." He moved behind her.  "Put your hands on the desk."

   She did so, leaning forward, moving her legs apart for support.  Slowly,
James undid the buttons on his fly.

   The day's problems were forgotten.



   ****



   Shanna's two friends, two lovers, just stared at her.  She bit her lip.

   "I...  I mean..."

   "Both of us," Anelie said, voice unbelieving.  "Him.  Me.  Both."

   "Is this something they do back in your world?" Piotr asked.  Shanna let
out a groan, pushing her chair back and standing.  They looked up at her,
surprised.

   "It's not something I want!" Shanna almost shouted.  "I mean..." She
plopped back down into her chair, now a foot or two farther away from the
table.  She raised her fingertips to her temples, rubbing.  "I mean, I love
both of you.  I want both of you to stay with me.  Be my friend.  I don't
want to lose either of you." She laughed, voice sounding pitiful to her
ears.  "God, I'm so selfish."

   She heard a chair move.  Looking up, she saw Piotr kneeling down beside
her.  He placed a hand on her cheek, thumb caressing her skin.  She leaned
into it.

   "Then I'll be your friend, Shanna, and nothing more."

   She gasped, eyes widening in shock.  She heard Anelie let out the same
sound.  His eyes were sad.  As she tried to speak, one of his fingers
touched her lips.

   "You were my first love, Shanna.  My first lover.  The first...  woman
I've ever thought of as a friend.  And I want you as a friend.  Being naked
beside you is wonderful, but I will willingly give you up to her if it will
keep us as friends."

   "No." Anelie's voice sent both their gazes towards the girl.  She was
standing, hands gripping the edge of the table.  "No!  Piotr, no!  If you
love her that much!  I...  you were never around, so I thought you really
didn't care!  I don't want to STEAL her from you!  God, no!  I could never
live with that!"

   Shanna put her right arm out in invitation.  A moment later it was
wrapped around a crying Anelie, the girl's face buried in her chest.  She
looked at Piotr.

   "I'm not sure we settled anything tonight."

   "No." He smiled.  "I don't think we did."

   Chapter 17



   The damned Ball had not even started, and James was already running
late.

   He strolled quickly down the palace hallway, guards behind him trying to
keep up.  The sounds of servants and staff working on last minute
preparations echoed from every direction.  Those who passed him, hurriedly
carrying their burdens, gave the barest of respectful nods.  He understood
perfectly, his own acknowledgment not much better.

   Why had he agreed to all this?

   The dance itself would probably be fine.  An excuse for him to hold at
least two dozen young women as they moved and twirled over the course of
the evening.  A rare chance to enjoy the more immoral side of power.  Not
that he'd be taking advantage of the women, placing his hands in
inappropriate places.  However, he fully expected some of them to be doing
their best to do some last minute lobbying for the job of his Queen.  By
the time the evening was over, he'd probably be, as the saying went, as
hard as Chinese Algebra.

   Nothing about what was down the hall would have that effect.

   He paused before the closed door to his office, composing himself. 
Adamczyk stiffened to attention beside the doorway, his pike coming up to
the proper position.

   "Your Grace.  The Kikker Chief and his daughter are inside."

   "Thank you.  You're relieved."

   "Thank you, Your Grace." The soldier saluted, stepping aside as Duda and
Nowak took their positions on either side of the door.  As the man quickly
moved to his next assignment, James entered his office.

   Chief Ajani rose from the cushioned chair against the wall, a smile on
his large face.  The Kikker leader wore a toga of golden rope, thick
strands braided in intricate patterns but still covering relatively little.
He met James in the center of the room, right hand outstretched.

   "King James!  Greetings!"

   James could not help but smile.  His Polish was getting better.  He took
the Chief's hand, giving and getting a firm squeeze.

   "Greetings, Chief Ajani.  Thank you for coming."

   "You think I would not come, and miss the party?  You Polish throw such
good parties!"

   The image of the large frog man dancing at his coronation, empty wine
glass in his hand, brought another smile to the King.  He'd already
assigned one of his men to keep an eye on the Chief.

   "While you ARE here for the Ball, that's not why we need to talk now."
James glanced over at Ola's desk.  Adanya and Bogdi stood beside it,
nervous.  Ajani most likely thought Bogdi was there simply as an escort. 
He nodded to them.

   "I know something is up," Chief Ajani said, voice now serious.  "There
is much movement, rumor."

   "Too much." James motioned to a chair.  "Sit." Grabbing a different one,
he pulled it out, turning it to face the Kikker.  James sat with a sigh. 
Ajani leaned forward, webbed hands on his knees.

   "What is going on, my friend?"

   "We have, my friend, a situation.  One I did not imagine possible, and
which both our peoples may react violently to."

   "That does not sound good."

   "No, it does not." He motioned to Bogdi and Adanya.  Her father's eyes
widened as the two approached.

   "Adanya?"

   "Father." She smiled a nervous smile.  James saw the hulking Bogdi take
her hand.  The soldier took a half step forward.

   "Sir.  I love your daughter.  We have...  mated."

   The Chief blinked.  Then blinked again.  His face became one of
confusion.

   "Adanya...  I do not disapprove, naturally.  You know I love you, and
whatever your heart tells you I will allow.  You have not shown much
interest in those who pursued you, but frankly I did not think much of them
either..."

   "There are EGGS, Father."

   Another blink.

   "Eggs."

   "Yes."

   Silence fell on the room.

   James honestly did not know how the man would react.  And he did think
of him as a man.  One had to.  It was the only way to mentally cope.  Plus,
he liked Ajani.  The Kikker was just a nice guy.

   The Chief's brown splotchy body sagged in his chair, head bowed.  His
voice was barely over a whisper.

   "Where are they?"

   "In the hot spring, Father."

   "Are they..."

   Releasing Bogdi's hand, Adanya moved to Ajani's side, dropping down onto
both knees beside him.  She placed a hand on his.

   "They are well.  They may hatch in a few days."

   "HOW?" The Chief raised his gaze to James, disbelief on his face.  "You
Poles don't even have eggs!"

   "Actually," James corrected, a tired laugh in his voice, "we do.  Women
release one egg a month, and if it is fertilized it 'hatches' and grows for
nine months inside her before coming out." Now Bogdi had a look of
surprised disbelief.  James ignored him.  "That's not important, though. 
This is beyond anything I'm used to.  I know how my people feel about this
kind of thing.  What do we do?"

   "Do?" Ajani straightened.  Reaching out, he placed a hand on his
daughter's head.  "I do what any father would do.  My people will accept my
grandchildren.  We will raise them in our village."

   A wave of relief flowed throughout James.  He released a breath he
didn't realize he had held.

   "Thank you.  Ask for anything you may need.  It is yours."

   "Thank you, my friend." The Kikker Chief rose.  "Now, I think I need
some of your Polish drink."



   ****



   "Wow!  You're beautiful, Lady Shanna!"

   Young Ruta's exclamation confirmed what Shanna could already tell. 
While she was a jeans and t-shirt kind of woman, she DID look great in a
dress.  More, the woman who had talked her into this one was a genius.  It
simply flowed down her curves, not hugging her body so much as teasing at
what lay beneath.  The neckline was not too low, but then she was not
hunting that evening.  She turned, watching the fabric move in the full
length mirror.

   "Green is my color, I think."

   "I should say so," Ewa replied.  Stepping closer, the blonde adjusted
the yellow rope belt.  "There.  Are you sure you don't want to do something
with your hair?"

   Shanna laughed, a hand going up to her dense curls.

   "I do not think your fashions take Afros into account.  No, I'm good."
She looked across the room.  "How about you, Anelie?"

   A young maid was braiding ribbons into the redhead's hair as she sat at
Ewa's vanity.  Anelie looked at Shanna via the mirror, clearly afraid to
move lest she ruin whatever styling was in the works.

   "I'm good.  Thank you for this, Lady Ewa!"

   "Oh, you are welcome!  We women must stick together!" Shanna watched the
girl as she crossed the room, stopping by Ruta to check the girl's makeup.
The non-Queen was clearly enjoying herself, playing the part of mother to
them.  And, she had to admit, Shanna was enjoying being doted on.  Not
since Prom had she dressed up.

   There was a knock on the door.  It opened a moment later, a female page
stepping inside the Royal Chambers.  She gave a brief bow.

   "Lady Shanna.  Lieutenant Piotr Kosciuszko of the Royal Hussars sends
his greetings, and wishes to know when he will have the pleasure of seeing
you and Lady Anelie."

   She could not help but grin.  Today was a day for silly formality. 
Shanna glanced at Ewa.  Ewa considered, eyes giving Anelie a searching
look.

   "Another half hour, I think," Ewa said.  "There is no reason for any of
us to be early."



   ****



   The look on Piotr's face made the entire rest of the evening
superfluous.

   Shanna curtsied, hands lifting the hem of her dress.  She did not lower
her eyes, though.  No shy maiden she.  No, she kept her gaze on the dashing
soldier before her.  His eyes were almost popping out of his head, hand
clenching the hilt of the sword belted to his waist.  Rising, she chuckled.

   "You like, I take it?"

   "Oh, yes!" He shook his head, as if to clear it.  "You're beautiful IN
armor, but out of it!  Wow!"

   Several comments came to her mind, but she discarded all of them. 
Anelie was beside her, and Shanna had forbidden herself from any extreme
flirting with EITHER of them.  Tonight, they would just be friends.

   Piotr, to her surprise, took a step towards Anelie, bowing to her.

   "You look amazing too, Lady Anelie.  Your hair is exquisite."

   The redhead blushed, eyes down on the floor.  Obviously, he had not made
any such promise.  Well, that was not Shanna's problem.  She reached out,
touching the girl's arm.

   "I think we should enter, now.  Dazzle the nobles with our unobtainable
beauty."

   "Agreed," Piotr said.  Turning, he extended an arm towards her.  Shanna
took it.  Looking at Anelie, he offered his other arm to her.  A
determined, yet mirthful, look came over her eyes.  Ignoring Piotr, Anelie
walked around them and took Shanna's free arm.  Shanna laughed.

   "Oh ho!  So, it's scandal among our betters, is it?"

   "You don't mind, do you?" Anelie asked, voice soft.  Shanna shook her
head.

   "Naw.  Compared to everything else going on, what's a little lesbianism
thrown in?  Hell, it will be amusing to see which other women look
jealous." She reached up with her right hand, disentangling from Piotr so
she could adjust her glasses.  She took his arm again.  "OK.  Let's go."



   ****



   James danced.

   The music was polka-ish, not yet that style but obviously its precursor.
A dozen other influences seemed mixed in as well, some recognizably human,
some not.  The dancing, too, seemed a strange mix.  It was not ballroom,
which did not surprise him.  That was probably much more modern than movies
would have you believe.  The one which seemed the most popular was a form
of line dance, males and females facing each other.  The two lines would
come together, then part, with much clapping and laughing.  At seemingly
random intervals you grabbed your partner and spun around together, finally
releasing them only to find the men and women had switched sides of the
room.  Often one couple would get the timing wrong, ending up on the wrong
side to the amusement of all.

   There was also a couple's dance.  The music here was somewhat slower,
depending.  You could actually pay attention to your partner in these, your
hands usually on their waist, or bare arms.  Much more romantic, sexual.

   Which of the eligible young ladies presented themselves to James before
each dance told him quite a bit about where they stood on the issue of
Queenship.  Freed from the immediate presence of their mothers, a number
merely acted friendly, polite, to the King.  These tried to be picked for
the fast line dances.  Afterwards, more often than not, they made a beeline
to some well dressed young male who was obviously their real target for the
evening.  One, a rather small, pixie of a girl, went so far as to shove a
far larger woman away from a startled noble's son.  She grabbed his hand,
pulling him into the crowd to the laughter of those around them.  James
guessed she firmly intended to get knocked up and married, in that order,
and wanted to get an early start on the first part.

   On the other side of things, there were definitely women who felt they
still had a shot.  They chose the couples dances, letting their hands move
over him as much as they thought they could get away with.  Some tried to
impress him with their brain, but that was in addition to, not instead of,
the unspoken seductive promises.  The most brazen was a brown haired beauty
who, while reaching up to brush aside a strand of hair on his forehead,
slid a finger past his nose.  James caught the distinctive smell of female
sex.  Exactly HOW she had placed that odor there while wearing that dress,
and when, distracted him from the more sexual side of the act.  She stomped
off after the dance, clearly frustrated.

   "Your Grace."

   He turned from the drink table, a smile already on his face.  Lusia
stood before him, dress a light blue surprisingly similar to Ewa's.  He
wondered if they had conspired.  Her blonde hair was up, braided and wound
together in an incredibly complicated manner.  She stood quietly as he just
took her in, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.  Grinning,
he gave a small bow of his head.

   "Lady.  It is an honor."

   "Thank you for inviting us." Looking behind her, he saw both her mother
and younger sister.  The girl was glancing around, clearly bored.

   "It was the least I could do." A frown crossed his face, noticing an
absence.  "Where is your father?"

   "Over by the far wall." Craning his neck, James saw Ludoslaw, deep in
conversation with a dozen others.  He nodded.  The faster the newcomers
integrated, the easier the winter would go.

   The music changed, moving from a slow background tempo to the start of a
dance.  James saw three women start towards him, only to back away at the
sight of Lusia.  Smiling, he offered his arm to her.

   "May I have this dance, Lady Lusia?"

   "Certainly, Your Grace."

   Her smile was genuine.  Whatever doubts she had about the future, she
seemed happy in the moment.  Moving towards the center of the dance floor,
they took their places.



   ****



   "They keep asking me to dance!"

   Anelie fumed next to the long table, Shanna trying not to laugh.  She
obviously did not succeed.  Anelie stamped her foot.

   "It's not funny!  I don't like it!"

   "You're the one who wanted to come to the dance, and that's what happens
to beautiful women at things like this.  It's the cross we bear." Shanna
turned to the table, eyes once again going over the heaping plates of food.
The pig and duck population must have been decimated to provide this much
meat.  Maybe that was part of the reason for autumn festivals, so there
would be less livestock to feed over the winter.  Deciding it wasn't her
problem, she grabbed a rolled up slice of ham.  "At least enjoy the food."

   "Oh, I am." Anelie grabbed a chicken wing from a platter, pausing to dip
it into a bowl which was not QUITE blue cheese, but close enough.  The
almost orgasmic expression that appeared on Anelie's face as she bit into
the wing brought out another laugh from Shanna.

   "So, you like Wings?"

   "Oh, God yes!  You said where you came from invented these?"

   "Yup.  Often copied, never bettered." Looking down the table, Shanna was
amused to also see a stack of what looked like beef-on-weck, thin cut roast
beef on salt covered roll.  James was busting out all the Buffalo classics.
No pizza, though.  Maybe for his wedding.

   She looked around for Piotr.  He was dancing with some girl, doing one
of those stupid line dances.  She was young, pretty.  Just the sort to go
for a dashing soldier like Piotr.  She had told him to feel free to accept
dances from others.  She had already danced with one guy, although Shanna
didn't think she'd do that again.  She wasn't much of a dancer, for one. 
Plus, it had just not felt right to have his hands on her.  She was a one
man woman, after all.

   Well, one man, one woman, woman, kinda.

   "Excuse us, Ladies?"

   Two men stood before them.  Well dressed, if a bit gaudy in their
stylings.  Early twenties, she though, and thus in this world well
established if they were invited to the Ball.  Not military.  She cocked
her head at the one who had spoken.

   "What can we do for you?"

   The unladylike nature of her question seemed to throw them for a loop.
From the corner of her eye, Shanna saw Anelie trying not to grin.  She also
saw the dance had ended, Piotr rebuffing the slut's attempt to stay in his
company.  That lightened her mood.  Possibly seeing that, the man regained
his composure.

   "Um, well, I'm Norbert, this is Achym."

   Shanna nodded, still smiling.  She did not offer their names.  Another
nervous look passed between the two men.

   "Um...  well, we were wondering if you two would like the next dance."

   "That's rather forward, without even knowing our names.  Wouldn't you
agree, Anelie?"

   "I agree, Lady Shanna."

   "Yes.  I must say, I'm insulted."

   "What?!" The man took a step back, shock on his face.  From his
movements, Shanna guessed both were well into that evening's drinking.  She
saw Piotr approach.

   "Lieutenant!" She raised her arm.  "These boorish men are bothering us.
Could you help?"

   "What?!" Now the other man stepped back.  Their eyes went to Piotr, and
the officer's uniform.  Grabbing each other's arm, they moved away,
vanishing into the crowd.

   "I can see," Piotr said as he came up to them, "that you two are having
fun." He grabbed one of the wings, biting into it without first using the
faux blue cheese.  His eyes immediately widened.  "Damn!" He winced, eyes
watering.  "This is spicy!"

   "Wimp." Anelie took another bite out of her wing, already covered in the
whitish cheese.  "You're obviously," she said, mouth full, "not man enough
for her."



   ****



   "They're staring at us."

   "Good." James smiled at the Kikker woman, adjusting his hand on her bare
waist as they moved across the dance floor.  The rope of her skirt had felt
uncomfortable under his palm.

   "Good?" Adanya looked up at him, both amused and confused.  "They're
going to think I'm a prospective bride!"

   "And given you and Bogdi, we have to get them used to the concept." His
eyes swept the dance floor.  Yes, they were drawing attention.  So, too,
were the two Kikker couples dancing among the humans.  The rest of Chief
Ajani's party were against the wall, conversing with a few humans.  Another
pair of dancers caught his eye.  "Besides, it will distract from Shanna and
Anelie dancing together."

   "Oh!" Adanya followed his gaze.  "They do make a good couple."

   "Oh, I'm not disagreeing, or disapproving.  Everything in its time,
though." The music changed tempo.  Raising their joined hands, she twirled
before him, James standing still.  After three rotations their arms
lowered, feet moving again.  "You've practiced this, I see."

   "Human dances are now the thing with us.  The other girls can't get
enough of them."

   "The attraction of the foreign."

   "Yes."

   He felt her hand shift on his waist.  Why was it the more human looking
Elf girl disturbed him so much, yet he was now coming to actually like the
creature before him?  Was it simply familiarity?  Should he bring the Queen
to his Palace?  After he had his own Queen, naturally.  Those were rumors
he wanted to have no basis in reality.

   Something seemed to change in the Kikker woman's expression.  Her touch
felt different, how exactly he could not explain.

   "What is it?" he asked.

   "Nothing," she said.  "Nothing..."



   ****



   Shanna pulled Anelie to the punch table, the girl's face beet red.  She
could only grin at her friend's embarrassment.

   "I said I'm sorry!" Anelie ducked her head down.  Shanna gave her a
light rap of her knuckles on her skull.

   "You also said you had practiced!  That was horrible!"

   "I only stepped on your feet twice!"

   "That's two times too many!  Even Piotr doesn't do that!"

   The face that rose to look at her was no longer embarrassed.  Jealousy
and competitive fire had replaced it.  Much better, in Shanna's opinion. 
She looked around.

   "Speaking of Piotr, he said he wanted the..."

   She stopped as her gaze found him.  Piotr was moving swiftly through the
crowd, cutting a path towards her.  His expression was one she had only
seen on him when in armor.  Grabbing Anelie's hand, she pulled the girl as
she made her way towards him.

   "What's up?" she asked as they met.  Piotr took her arm, directing the
two of them towards one of the exits.

   "One of the guards overheard something about the Elf Queen.  He didn't
catch all of it, just the word 'tonight'."

   "Fuck." Her gaze went towards the far end of the room.  James was
conversing with the engineer Tadeusz.

   "Yes." One of Piotr's men was running up, a thin blonde woman trying to
keep up.  Piotr paused as the man came close.  "Gather the men.  Stay close
to the King.  Tell the guards to stay alert, but don't panic the people. 
I'm escorting Shanna back to the Fort, then I'll come back."

   "Yes Sir!"

   Tugging on Piotr, Shanna led both her lovers out of the ballroom.

   "Let this be nothing," she whispered.

   Chapter 18



   The Poles were dancing again.

   Catty sat near the doorway, watching the soldiers and women spin and
stomp their feet in the dining hall, tables and chairs pushed to the walls
to make room.  There was some big party at the King's palace, apparently,
to which SHE had not been invited.  Neither had the soldiers.  Unlike her,
they were not stewing at the (understandable) slight.  Instead, they were
making their own fun.  Catty could understand that.  She could also, to her
surprise, understand the music.  There was a seductive rhythm to it, a beat
which seemed to seep inside you.  Seemingly against her will, the Queen
found her right leg bouncing up and down in time with the notes.  A strange
sound was heard.  It was her, voice unconsciously mimicking the melody. 
Part of her wanted to stop.  It was embarrassing.  Another part...

   "Catty."

   She looked up.  Far had stood, the other three of her soldiers,
companions, friends, still seated near her.  And he had used her name.  Not
"your Highness", but...

   "Should we try dancing with the primitives, Catty?" His voice was a
smile, his face a song.

   Dance.  He wanted to dance with her.  Dances were...  intimate. 
Emotional.  Catty...  she had never, really, danced.  Not...  not with a
male.  Not like that.  He stood over her, Catty's dream mate, hand reaching
out to her.  His hand...

   "Y...yes."

   How she said the words, Catty didn't know, neither her mind nor body was
hers to command.  As if drawn by his magnetic pull, her hand lifted.  Far
took it.  Their hands had touched often.  Never had her entire being
trembled at the contact.  She stood.

   As if her movement was a signal, the music ended.  The Poles were
laughing, talking.  Those playing instruments set them momentarily aside,
taking long drinks from mugs and flasks.  One of the women, an older,
slightly portly Pole, came over to Catty.  Her face was flush, sweat
glistening on her neck.

   "Oh!  Are you going to dance with us, Queen Catty?  Wonderful!" The
woman turned before Catty could think of a reply, hands giving one clap. 
"The Elves are going to dance with us!  Play a good one!"

   The music started again.  The humans paired off, moving and spinning. 
Catty had no idea what to do!

   Gentle hands turned her.  She faced Far.  He stepped up to her, one hand
touching her waist, the other taking her left hand.  She trembled.

   "Just do what I do," he whispered.  Catty nodded.  Almost instantly she
was moving, circling.

   Dancing.



   ****



   Whether she danced for moments, or an eternity, Catty couldn't say.  She
knew they paused, clapping their hands together as the Poles did to honor
those playing the music.  Her other three remaining friends also took their
turns spinning with her around the room.  For all they had spent months
together, fled and fought for their lives, for the first time she felt one
with them.  Yet, it was when the young Elf woman was once again in her
Far's arms that she felt complete.  Felt...

   Wanted.



   ****



   The music had stopped again.  The people around her talked, refilled
their drinks.  She sensed, in that way she sometimes did, the mood of the
room had shifted.  To what, she was not sure.  There was much touching
among the Poles, casual, teasing.  Catty found herself looking away, both
embarrassed, and...  excited.

   "Here." Det stood before her, a mug in his hand.  She took it, grateful.
"It's just water."

   She drank, eyes closed.  She could feel it going down into her,
refilling reservoirs drained in the dancing.

   "She looks tired, Far, You should get her some fresh air."

   "I think I will.  You three staying?"

   "I think we'll go back to our quarters.  We've amused the Poles enough."

   Catty felt the now empty mug taken from her.  She smiled at her friends,
receiving theirs in return as Far gently guided her out of the room.  Her
body, of its own accord, leaned against him.  He was so...  so Far.  That
was the only way she could find to describe him.

   "This way, Your Highness."

   The blast of cool, even cold, air hit her as Far held open the barracks
door.  The hazy fog fled her, arms moving to hug a body not clad for such
temperatures.  Far was warm beside her, though, her body moving even
tighter against him.

   The brown skinned Shanna had asked Catty if her people could see in the
dark.  A silly thing to ask.  Compared to who?  Catty could not see through
Polish eyes.  Thus, she knew not if those of her people were better, or
worse.  She saw the movement, though, as the two of them paused in the
doorway.  Saw something person shaped fall through the darkness onto the
ground near the western wall.  It hit the ground with a thud, a sound
devoid of life.  Her eyes rose.  On the walkway following the top of the
the wooden wall, a dark form stood.  Behind them, another shape rose up,
climbing over the barrier meant to protect them.

   "Catty!" She was shoved aside, stumbling along the wooden porch.  Her
eyes shot to Far.  Her love had jumped in the other direction.  Behind
where they had been, an arrow penetrated the floor boards.

   How dare they.

   How DARE THEY!

   Fury rose in the Elven Queen.  Unbidden, words formed before her,
vanishing as their meaning slipped out from the aether.  The air shimmered.
Another arrow came.  It flew close to her left cheek, only to spin away as
if swatted.  She stepped forward, not noticing the change from porch to
dirt.  She saw them.  Saw the invaders.  Saw the dead guards, saw the
living guards locked in battle.  Saw her Far, grabbing a hunk of wood to
protect her from the oncoming man.

   No.

   "FLAME!"

   Catty extended her right arm, two fingers extended.  Fire shot out from
between them, rushing forward like burning water.  It struck the male who
had just dropped down to the ground, his entire Polish being igniting as if
made of tinder.  Screams tore into the night.

   Movement above.  Catty raised her arm, whipping the rope of flame
upward. Two more creatures ignited.

   Poles were rushing out of the barracks behind her.  On the northern
wall, someone was running along it, heading for the gate.

   She turned him into a pyre.



   ****



   Shanna pulled back on the reins as flame shot from inside her distant
fort.

   It...  it couldn't be possible.  Nothing in this world could do that. 
She blinked, leaning back in the saddle, as if gaining distance would give
her enough perspective to disprove what she was seeing.

   Another tendril of flame disabused her of that.  It also awoke her mind
to the fact her companions had not stopped.  Anelie and Piotr were now far
down the road.  Groaning in frustration at her own stupidity, Shanna kicked
her heels into Black Beauty, her mount leaping forward.

   At almost the same moment, a horse's scream tore through the darkness.

   "Damn!" Shanna dug her heels even further into her horse, body lower,
every fiber of her being willing them to go faster.  The sounds of an
animal in agony came again, pitiful, heartbreaking.  Whose horse?  She
almost didn't want to know!

   She saw them.  Saw the poor animal on the ground, trying to stand and
failing, head raised as it let out its cries of pain.  Saw, in the road...

   Piotr.

   "NO!"

   She almost broke her poor mount's neck pulling back on the reins. 
Shanna dropped to the ground at a run, not wanting to believe.  No.  No...

   Piotr lay in a rut in the wagon road, body still.  One arm lay twisted,
jutting out the way no limb should.  His horse flailed beside him, an arrow
in its chest.  Shanna threw herself beside him, hands clutching at him.

   "Please, please, please, please..."

   He had been crushed.  She knew it.  Knew the horse had rolled over him.
Knew...  knew...

   The most infinitesimal of gasps came to her ear.

   Shanna let out a wail which drowned out the horse.  He was in agony! 
Piotr was in pain and dying, and there were no doctors here!  No hospitals!
Even if he could be saved, he couldn't be!  She clutched his uniform,
forehead touching his chest.

   "Don't die!  Please!  I love you!" Shanna turned her head, ear on his
heart.  "I love you..."



   ****



   In some part of her mind, Shanna heard the sound of hooves.  The sound
of her friend.

   "I ran one down, Lady Shanna.  The other..."

   Both sounds stopped.  She felt a presence beside her.

   "Oh, God!  Lady, we have to tie off his arm!  My God!  Lady!" There was
a pause.  Shanna pressed herself closer to her man, somehow imagining she
heard his heartbeat.  "I...  I'll do it.  You stay there, Shanna.  Keep him
warm.  I...  just a second!"

   His heart.  His wonderful heart...

   It beat.  She did hear it beat.  She wasn't imagining it.  Shanna raised
her head.  Anelie was beside her, the first aid kit Shanna had insisted
each soldier and mount carry open on the ground beside her.  Her friend,
lover, was tying a tourniquet above Piotr's elbow, just as Shanna had
taught her.

   She could save him.  THEY could save him!

   "I..." Shanna forced herself upright, pushing aside the torrent of
emotions overwhelming her.  "I can do it, Anelie." Her friend glanced at
her, determined, terrified, unsure.  "I'm OK.  Go to the fort.  Get the
wagon out here, blankets."

   "Lady!" Anelie tied off the tourniquet, jumping to her feet when she was
done.  She ran to her horse.  Shanna took a deep, ragged breath.

   "I can do this.  Oh, Piotr, stay alive..."



   ****



   Catty let her arms drop.

   It was over.

   Exhaustion suddenly washing over her, the Elf Queen released her magic.
She felt it floating away from her, back to the world from which she had
taken it.  Shield now gone, she stood exposed to the world.  Trembling, she
looked at what she had done.

   Flames lit the stockade wall.  Polish men and woman were forming a line,
buckets of water passing from the well to the fires.  Two of her friends
were in that line, helping.  Should she help?  Around her lay the dead. 
Many were strangers, in strange armor.  Others...  she knew.  More dead in
the service of her.  That they were not Elven did not matter.

   Catty saw Far approaching slowly, limping slightly.  She had done this
for him.  Fought, killed, for him.  She would do anything for him.

   "Are you OK, My Queen?" he asked.  Tears came to her eyes.

   "Will you be my King?"

   Far stopped where he was, straightening.

   "Yes."

   "Then I am all right."

   "Open the gate!"

   There was a shout from outside the fort.  Both Elves turned, recognizing
it.  Polish soldiers swiftly moved to un-bar the gate, pushing it open. 
Anelie rode into the fort, dress bunched around her waist as her bare legs
straddled the horse.  She reined in hard.

   "I need a wagon, blankets, and a medic!  Piotr's down, and it's bad!"

   "God," the Pole Lewy said, running to her, "this never ends!  We have
wounded here, but I'll go.  Casimir!  Get a wagon!"

   "Come, My Queen," Far said, putting an arm around Catty.  "Let's help."

   "Yes..."



   ****



   The message filled two of the chalkboard slates, the precisely formed
letters belying the horror described.  James read them again.  And again.
Anger built.

   They dared.  They DARED!  His head shot up, eyes scanning the room.  And
there had been a warning.  Conversation overheard in that very ballroom,
nobles or others of rank AWARE of the upcoming attack!  Perhaps even its
instigators!

   James looked down at the message again.  Made sure he had the details.
Forced himself to be calm.  Decisions made in anger never led to happiness,
and decisions he had to now make.  The world had changed.  Nowy Poland had
to change.  Motioning to Ola, he softly gave his commands.  There was no
hint of question in his Chamberlain's eyes.  Nodding, he moved off, passing
on the King's orders.

   James took another deep breath.  Organized his thoughts.  Saw guards
beginning to shift around the room.  He also saw some of the more observant
revelers notice.  He had to act.  Duda and Nowak following, James moved to
the short platform the musicians were using.  He took the two steps
quickly, moving to the center of the stage.  Not quite abruptly, the
players ended the piece at his command.  The crowd murmured in surprise,
confusion.  He saw those young women he had not danced with coming to the
fore, pretty faces upset as they assumed he was now making his pick.

   They would be more upset in a moment.  His guards on either side, a few
more coming to stand before the stage, James raised his hand.  Duda cracked
the bottom of his pike against the stage.

   "His Grace, King James the First!"

   The people bowed and curtsied before him.  This gave him a better view
of the back of the room.  The doors were now barred.  Good.  James shifted
his feet apart, hands clasped behind him.

   "Ladies and Gentlemen of Poland!" He paused.  Yes.  They were of Poland.
Yet, not Poland as it should be.  Anger again flowed through him.

   "My fellow Poles.  As we have danced here this evening, our homeland has
been attacked!" Murmurs from the crowd.  Some distressed, some...  probably
not.  He saw his men scanning the assembled for those with interesting
reactions.  Those nobles he would converse with later.  "Not by outsiders.
No.  We have been attacked by our own.  By fellow Poles who wish us ill."
Now there was confusion.  He took a step forward.  "Bandits, Rebels,
whatever they wish to call themselves, attacked the fort of Lady Shanna,
the Dark Hussar, who herself danced among you this evening.  The attack
most likely was aimed at the Elven Queen, my guest, whose safety I have
guaranteed."

   More murmuring.  He saw Captain Putaski talking to one of the King's
men, getting his own update.

   "The attack has failed.  Utterly.  All are dead or captured."

   Not true, most likely.  Enough had been slain for it to make for a
reasonable public stand, though.  Let the traitors here panic.

   "It was not without cost.  Five of our own were killed.  More were
wounded, including..." his eyes went to Commander Kosciuszko, "the
commander of my personal mounted guard." Even from this distance, he saw
Andrzej's eyes eyes widen in shock.  James nodded to him.  "Commander, I
want your men turned out.  The island searched for more of these treasonous
idiots." From the set of his face, James knew the job would be done more
than adequately.

   James turned his eyes on the rest of the crowd.

   "I have been too nice.  Too...  accommodating.  I was willing to allow
you to remake this society a mirror of the old, to only slowly try and
issue the changes I wished to see." Anger built in him again.  "I am done
with that.  You had your chance.  Your chance to prove to me that Polish
society deserved to continue as it was.  Yet, some of you were involved in
this attack.  You did not come to me with your grievance, did not try for a
peaceful solution, but instead sent armed thugs to attack friends of the
King." He shook his head.  "So be it.  I hereby declare the end to all
privileges of Noble Rank."

   From the stunned silence, James suspected they did not understand. 
COULD not understand.  He motioned Ola forward.

   "I am issuing a proclamation.  From this day forward, no hereditary
titles apart from King and his immediate heirs shall bring with them any
power or influence recognizable by this Court." Now he saw the disbelieving
anger.  "Further more, within a month I shall ask for districts of this
fine nation to select delegates to a Council to advise the King.  There
shall be no requirements regarding heredity, rank, or gender." He turned to
to Chief Ajani.  "Or Race.  I would ask you to send a representative, my
friend.  For your people to be one with our Nation."

   "I would be HONORED, Your Grace." Ajani bowed low, as did the other
Kikker with him.

   "YOUR GRACE!" A Nobleman stepped forward, pushing aside some of the
confused ladies standing before the stage.  He stopped a few feet from the
guards, eyes raised to the King.  "Your Grace!  This is an outrage!  We
will NOT...!"

   "You will, I think.  You have no ancestral land here, no manors, no
estates.  Those things must come from the crown.  I am simply...  refusing
to do so." He smiled.  "You will stand in the same line as the farmers and
glass blowers.  Or leave the borders of this Kingdom.  The walls are to
keep things OUT, after all, not in."

   Someone stepped up to the man, pulling him back into the crowd.  At the
far end of the room, James saw his men stop three men trying to leave. 
More people to question.  His eyes dropped to the gathering of ladies
before him.

   "One final announcement before I retire to attend to the crisis outside
these walls.  This evening was intended to help me select a bride, a young
Lady to become your Queen.  The Nobles wished one of their own to fill this
role, and I acquiesced.  However..." He smiled apologetically down at them,
eyes finding Lusia, "that need no longer be the case.  I am now free to
follow my heart's, and mind's, desire.  Ewa." He turned towards the Eastern
wall, hand outstretched.  Ewa stood against the wall, shock on her face. 
"I choose Ewa, daughter of Marik and Tekla."

   There was some applause, among the general mumbles of unrest.  Applause
from those who knew the Court, knew the King and the obvious feelings
between the two.  As Ewa slowly walked towards him, he saw Lusia one of
those clapping.  There was almost relief on her face.  Once Ewa was beside
him, Duda moving so he now flanked the couple, James took her hand.

   "Lady Ewa is currently with my child.  He or she, as well as all born
from our union, shall be my heirs." There were tears in Ewa's eyes.  James
squeezed her hand.  "I wish to also announce to the Kingdom that we are
adopting the orphaned infant Marik, who has been in Ewa's care since the
Exodus.  He shall be as my son, older brother to our future children."

   Ewa leapt at him, arms wrapping around his body.  He closed his eyes,
holding her.

   "I love you," he whispered.  She squeezed him harder, her tears staining
his shirt.

   "And I, you...  Husband."



   ****



   The mess hall had become a surgery.

   Shanna had not watched as Piotr's arm had been sawed off with a steel
saw cleansed in boiling water.  Nor had she been able to look as the end of
the stump was burned closed with the side of a heated sword.  She had
stayed at his side, eyes averted as she held his other hand.  She hoped she
had taught them well.  Hoped to God and Jesus above that she was right in
her knowledge, right in knowing what local knowledge to reject, and what to
accept.  She sent another prayer up, in case the first twenty hadn't gotten
through.

   She looked around the room.  So many.  So many dead, hurt.  Only one
casualty among her company, a minor slash to the arm.  It was the guards on
the wall who had born the brunt of the assault.  They had died, protecting
the others.

   They had died for her.

   "His Grace is here!"

   Shanna took a deep breath.  Turning, she saw James come into the room,
Piotr's father beside him.  The older man looked like she felt.  How many
men had he seen die?  How many friends?  The two walked through the
occupied tables, saying a few words to the soldiers who were still
conscious.  They stopped beside her.

   "How is he?" James asked.  Shanna sighed, squeezing her love's hand.

   "OK, I think, until we see what infections show up.  I wish I had
watched more medical shows, but I found them boring." He nodded.  She
looked at Piotr's Dad.  "He has at least a cracked rib or two, we think. 
Not that bad.  And at least it was his left hand, not the right."

   He nodded, hand reaching out to touch Piotr's blanket covered leg. 
James motioned with his head, moving away from the pair.  Shanna followed.

   "We have one Noble we're questioning," he told her, softly.  "We'll see
where that leads.  We'll move the Queen into the Palace."

   "I'm sorry," she told him.  He shook his head.

   "Not your fault, and you DID protect her.  This isn't on you."

   "Yeah." She looked back at Piotr.  Someone had pulled a chair over, his
father now sitting by his side.  "I know."

   "Is this still what you want?"

   Her eyes shot back to James.  He was offering her a way out.  A
different path.  She did not have to stay a soldier.  She could...

   "Yes.  I still want this."

   "OK," he nodded.  "Come spring, we'll see about moving the fort
somewhere more strategic, make it bigger, stronger."

   "Sounds good." Her eyes went back to Piotr.  "We'll all be stronger come
spring."



   ****



   "You have my support in all this, Your Grace.  In case you had any
doubts."

   James looked at Captain Putaski in surprise as they walked up the
mountain path.  He cocked his head.

   "All of it, Captain?"

   "Well..." he stopped as the two of them rounded a bend, the hot spring
now in view.  The Kikker Adanya stood half submerged, the hulking Bogdi
beside her.  As they watched, Bogdi picked up a small tadpole the size of
his thumb.  The Captain let out a sigh.  "I will admit, this is a bit
much."

   "Tell me about it," James chuckled.  "It's going to take awhile to
accept it, fully."

   "For the rest, though...  the army is with you, Your Grace.  Fully."

   That military rank was now the ONLY rank probably had something to do
with it.  James was no fool.  He nodded.

   "Still, after housing, I think the Palace walls should move to the top
of our priorities."

   "Agreed, Your Grace."



   ****



   The weddings were held outside the church, the chilly day thankfully
wind-free.  The altar from the new church had been carried out, placed on
the stone walkway before the wooden building.  All around, the people were
gathered, high and low born alike.  Human, Kikker, and Elf.

   James stood next to the Elf Far.  Neither was focused on the other. 
Both had eyes only on their bride.

   Ewa marched down the stone aisle, the Elven Queen beside her.  Soldiers
lined the walkway, motionless.  A band played an unrecognizable, yet
clearly appropriate, song, its notes sweet, yet godly.  A choir of children
sang along, voices lifting to the heavens.  Behind him, James could hear
Brother Ofim softly reciting scriptures, readying himself.  One of the
Elves stood beside him, ready to offer the brief words which would give his
Queen a new King.

   James closed his eyes.  The winter would be hard.  The years afterwards,
harder.  A King's work was never done.  Yet...  he looked again at the
bride approaching.  Yet he would have Ewa at his side.

   What more could he ever ask of a loving God?

   ****

   The End

   ****

   Edited by Packrat

   ****

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