Message-ID: <17212eli$9811170427@qz.little-neck.ny.us>
X-Archived-At: <URL:http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17212.txt>
From: nostrumo@nienor.s.bawue.de (Nostrumo)
Subject: TG: "Milady's Wiles"   by Brandy Dewinter  (19/22)
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories,alt.stories.erotic,alt.sex.stories.tg,alt.sex.stories.moderated
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d
Path: qz!not-for-mail
Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam
Approved: <usenet-approval@qz.little-neck.ny.us>
X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded <story-admin@qz.little-neck.ny.us>
X-Story-Submission: <story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us>
X-Original-Message-ID: <72n4dd$639@nienor.s.bawue.de>

Hi.

  This is the latest story of Brandy DeWinter. A story about war and
the casualties of war.

  As always: I DIDN'T write this story and haven't any claim to it. If
you have some useful hints or some good comments, your mail is welcome.
Flames, you know, will be piped to /dev/null.

  If you are an author and wish to remain anonymous or just try to
avoid the replies to your work. I offer you the chance of posting your
stories and collecting the response for you. This offer only stands
for story postings and for nothing else.

Enjoy the story.

Ciao
	Nostrumo

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cut here with a sharp knife <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Milady's Wiles
by Brandy Dewinter


Chapter 19 - Vinegar and Honey

     My delay at the balcony had caused me to be the last to arrive in 
the dining hall.  Just before I entered, I heard Julia's crystal laughter 
spill out.  My heart lurched once again and it was with sick certainty 
that I knew I would find her in Elgion's company.
  
     And so it was.  My place was vacant at the table but that didn't 
seem to bother Julia, nor even Lyonidas for that matter.  When the ser-
vant pulled my chair out (and how often had Lyonidas done that instead?) 
I sat quietly.  Some instinct made me look up to see Mother's frown, but 
I just couldn't work up any cheer right then.

     "I trust there were no serious problems that delayed you," Lyonidas 
said.

     "No," I sighed, "I only stayed overlong watching the sunset."

     I was gratified to see a moment of guilt on his face.  But before he 
could reply, Elgion spoke up.

     "Highness, if you are going to arrive late, you should use the occa-
sion for a grand entrance, not slip to your seat like a quiet mouse."

      "I don't believe I have ever been likened to a mouse before," I 
said stiffly, then found sadness rather than humor in my voice when I 
tried to make a small joke.  "Perhaps my cat will stop enjoying my 
company."

     The silent 'too' echoed at the end of that statement.  

     Lyonidas again looked guilty and I felt additional sinful pleasure 
in his discomfort.  However, any excuse he might have made was again 
forestalled by Elgion's quick words.

     "Ah, yes, the infamous cats of the women of your family.  Has 
Lyonidas told you of his mother's cat?"

     He was not interested in any answer though, continuing immediately.  
"Her cat is blacker than midnight and I swear they talk to each other, 
though not with words."

     Julia inserted herself into his stream of chatter, "Her cat is more 
grey than black, but they do seem to have a closeness.  Of course, she 
spoils it rotten."

     Elgion looked at Julia with a grin that I found infuriating, "And 
what do you spoil, Milady?"

     "A girl has to have some secrets," she grinned in return, "but you 
need not worry.  It is not possible for me to spoil you."

     "And why not?" he replied, though in his tone he made it clear he 
was knowingly giving her the opportunity her comment implied.

     "Why, because it has already been done, of course," she giggled.  

     "I am not the one dressed like a dandy of this gentle country," 
Elgion snickered in response.

     "No, you are the one dressed in shapeless, colorless rags," Julia 
snorted.

     He protested, "But these clothes are quite proper for High Canyon."

     Julia looked around the dining hall, as though seeing it for the 
first time, "Goodness, I didn't know we were in High Canyon."

     "No, and it appears there is little of High Canyon left in those who 
have been here for a while," he observed.

     This brought a growl from Lyonidas, "Careful, sword brother, you go 
too far."

     I decided to try some sort of positive contribution for a change and 
made a peacemaker's offer, "Perhaps, Elgion, if you tried an outfit more 
like Milord Regent is wearing, you would find it comfortable, too."

     "Good idea," Queen Selay seconded.  "I'll have something made for 
you right away."

     Now Elgion was in the position of accepting or being rude, so he 
merely nodded.  Then his humor returned as he looked once again to Julia, 
"I must admit, the brighter colors of Achaiea are most pleasant to the 
eye."

     "What colors most suit your fancy?" asked Julia, shamelessly fishing 
for compliments.

     Which she received as Elgion answered, "I have become partial to 
bright copper, and crystalline emerald green."

     At least that tart had the grace to blush at his comment.  Queen 
Selay stepped into the silence with a question.

     "Count Elgion, what was the condition of the roads between here and 
High Canyon?"

     "For the most part, in good condition," he answered.  "I must admit 
you Achaieans do a good job of building roads.  The high passes in the 
mountains between here and High Canyon are still very difficult.  But 
once you are on the plains the only problems are with swollen rivers."

     "Then perhaps, Milord Regent," she continued, now speaking to Lyoni-
das, "you would consider beginning the spring inspections.  You might 
remember the case of Samuel the farmer, who stole his neighbor's ram?  He 
has petitioned for release from his servitude on the basis of skills 
learned over the winter.  If he has indeed learned to be a more effective 
farmer, the evidence will be found on his farm.  We should also inspect 
the irrigation project in that area."

     With that trigger Lyonidas launched into an enthusiastic explanation 
to Elgion of the benefits of restitution over punishment in justice.  
Elgion relaxed into his seat with a smile but I saw a look of surprise 
behind his always-laughing eyes.

     "Goodness, Lyonidas, it seems more than clothes have changed about 
you," Elgion said when Lyonidas finally ran down.

     "Perhaps," Lyonidas answered with a grin of his own.  He next 
launched into stories about the many interesting challenges he had faced 
during his tenure as regent.  His reports were not as glibly entertaining 
as Elgion's tales but it was clear that his enthusiasm was honest, not 
only for the technology we possessed but also for the intelligence of the 
people who had developed it.

    I noticed though, that he made no mention of Reynal in all his com-
ments.  The ex-general was too important a personage to be ignored so I 
assumed he had covered that situation with Elgion in private during the 
day.  

     As the meal was drawing to a close, Elgion slid his chair back and 
stood up, "With your permission, Majesty, I think I will go enjoy the 
evening air.  I am somewhat unused to being indoors after my long jour-
ney.  The stars are calling to me."

     Queen Selay nodded but her eyes flickered toward Julia.  She needed 
no additional direction and was already signaling a servant to withdraw 
her own chair.

     "You could easily get lost in this old rockpile," she explained.  
"Perhaps you could use some help finding a suitable vantage point."

     It was a good thing I was leaning a bit forward in my seat, for with 
the backwards motion of Elgion and Julia, all eyes but mine were looking 
behind me.  They did not then see the tears that filled my eyes as the 
one who had promised me her heart, and accepted mine in return, threw 
herself at the dashing intruder.  I managed to cover up my distress by 
fiddling with a bit of bread and by the time they had left the hall I was 
merely quiet.

     I felt more than saw Mother's look of concern but it was Lyonidas 
who next required my attention.

     "My Princess, perhaps some of this fresh spring air would be of 
value to us as well."

     I nodded without words and let him pull my chair back.  My soft hand 
slipped into his large one as naturally as it had done a dozen times 
before.  Yet I still said nothing.  He respected my silence as he escor-
ted me to the balcony I had once considered ours.  When I leaned against 
the surrounding ledge, he moved to stand behind me.

     "You are very quiet this evening," he declared the obvious.

     I merely nodded, still looking outward.

     "Will you tell me what is bothering you?" asked my tall companion.

     No, I thought to myself, for that would undo everything.  What lie 
could I use in its place?  The thought that leaped into my mind full-
fleshed carried with it the realization that it was not truly a lie, for 
it had much too much basis in truth.

    My voice was barely more than a whisper.  "I missed you at sunset."

     "Oh," he dismissed the problem, or so he thought, "Elgion and I were 
just catching up on things."

     "That is what I expected," I said, still barely louder than the sigh 
of wind through the eaves.

     "Then what is the problem?" he asked, confusion in his voice.

     "That is the problem," I answered, though I knew it would not reduce 
his confusion.

     Actually, I was wrong.  He said nothing for a moment, but when he 
spoke again it was clear he had worked out at least part of what was 
troubling me.

     Wrapping his arms around my armored waist, he said with softness of 
his own, "My Princess, do not worry.  Though I owe my sword brother my 
life many times over, time spent with him will not make me lose my 
enjoyment of sunsets on our balcony."

     Sometimes, the easiest way to mislead is to accept a statement that 
is the truth without being the whole truth.  I said nothing as I leaned 
back into his embrace.  We watched the stars in companionable silence for 
a while, still comfortable in each other's company.  

     I should have turned to look at him.  If I had done so, I would not 
have seen the flicker of motion at another balcony, one that had on ano-
ther occasion held a High Canyon noble and an unfaithful Achaiean maiden.
One that had witnessed the murder of Olrin at Drayson's hands.  One that 
this time held Elgion and Julia.

     They were too far away for us to hear their words but the pure tones 
of Julia's laughter carried all too clearly.  Each note seemed like a 
dagger in my heart but the silence that followed was much, much worse.

     I could see that they were facing each other.  

     I could see his hand reach out and insinuate itself within her soft 
waves of dark copper.  That was too much and I gasped at the sight.

     "What is wrong?" Lyonidas asked.

     His attention, returned from the stars to look at me, followed my 
gaze to the other balcony.  He laughed as he saw Elgion take shameless 
liberties with Julia's hair.  

     "What is wrong?" he asked again, though this time there was laughter 
in his question.  He turned me to face him without releasing me from the 
surrounding prison of his arms.

     "He has his hands in her unbound hair!" I hissed in shock.

     "You mean like this?" Lyonidas asked as his own hand worked its way 
into my golden cape.

     "It is wrong," I gasped, weakly.

     His response was so soft that I had to lift my face to his in order 
to hear, "For them, or for us?"

      The gentle embrace of his arms tightened enough to lift me to my 
toes even as his own head bowed lower.  The sensual magic his fingers 
worked whenever they caressed my hair pulled my eyes closed and pulled 
my perceptions inward to a world that had no space for cares beyond our 
own balcony.  The soft touch of his lips provided a path for all the 
intense emotions that had been tearing at me since Elgion had arrived and 
I poured my heart into our kiss, grasping desperately at the linkage to 
another in a world that had become incredibly lonely within the space of 
barely more than a day.  

     It was impossible to feel lonely when his lips were crushing mine.  

     I put my arms around his neck so that I could pull myself even 
closer to him, molding my curves to his strength.  My own fingers danced 
within the hair that guarded his collar and I forgot myself for a moment.
For the first time I let my tongue sneak out in an invitation to a more 
intimate dance that I had previously only shared with Julia.  At first I 
felt him stiffen, then I felt his lips open to my invitation.  

     It seemed he knew this dance.  If not the same dance as Julia had 
taught me, then a cousin close enough to find a compatible theme.  I 
had once thought there could be no touch more sensual than the feel of 
his hands in my hair, then learned to my joy that his lips were even 
more captivating.  Now, we shared a touch that made all previous to-
getherness seem as distant as hails across a wide chasm.  

     The whipsaw of emotions that had weighed on my heart had made me 
more vulnerable than I knew, for the release that poured out through our 
kiss swept me along into passion that I was not able to control, stealing 
my breath away as thoroughly as my once-tight corset had done.  My last 
thought as I felt darkness closing in on me was a more fervent wish than 
ever that I could be released from my steel guardian, so that I could 
press my unbound softness into the more natural hardness that had arisen 
between us.

     My next sensations were strangely familiar.  I felt strong arms sup-
porting me with a rhythmic pulse as I bounced slightly with each step 
Lyonidas took down the staircase.  Since I found my arms still draped 
around his neck, I added my own hold to the bond between us and whispered 
in his ear, "Do you want to go back?"

     He was so surprised at my brazen invitation that he almost dropped 
me and I clutched at his neck in real need.  Then he laughed and let my 
feet swing to the steps.  

     "You haven't had that particular problem for a while," he snickered.

     "Maybe we just needed the starlight," I giggled.

     "No, I don't think you need anything more than the passion that 
lives within your soft . . ." and he ran down in embarrassment.  

     Instead of saying any more, he turned to continue down the stairs.  
I could see the flush gradually recede from his neck.  After a moment or 
two he asked a question that lit a flame in my cheeks so bright made the 
very torches of the stairway seem dull.

     "Where did you learn to kiss like that?"

     "Like what?" I stammered in a wasted stall.

     "You know what I mean," he gave me no relief.

     What could I say?  I had no reasonable answer.  My fiery blush was 
answer enough that I knew what he was talking about, but revealing my 
relationship with Julia was just not possible.  My panicked mind searched 
fruitlessly for an answer that would be at once believable and safe, when 
Lyonidas provided one that met those needs, though it did nothing for my 
embarrassment.

     "Did Julia show you how to do that?" 

      I had merely thought my cheeks were aflame before.  The unerring 
accuracy of his guess brought so much heat to my face that I feared my 
hair would catch fire.  It was an answer that allowed no denial, and 
again I was at a loss for words.

     "I just wondered," he mused gently.  "In High Canyon, it is rumored 
that younger maidens often ask those with a little more, um, experience 
for, uh, instruction in how to be pleasing to men.  It seemed reasonable 
that Julia might have instructed you."

     "You're not disappointed in me?" I asked in surprise.

     "Goodness, no!" he laughed.  "I'm flattered, actually, that you 
would want to learn more, um, effective techniques for me."

     "You did learn them for me, didn't you?" he asked gently.

     "Oh, Lyonidas, there are no other men in my life, nor will there 
ever be," at least this was the truth.  For once.  

     The next morning I arrived early at the stables.  Julia came down 
shortly after I did.  We looked at each other, but didn't say anything.  
Who was most embarrassed?   Who had most reason to be embarrassed?  She 
had only done what her duty required of her while I knew that I had lost 
control completely.  I had forgotten her!  I had initiated a further 
intimacy with Lyonidas myself, far beyond any excuse from duty.  For long 
moments I had no world beyond the arms, and the lips, and even the tongue 
of Lyonidas.  Surely nothing she did could be worse than that.  Since I 
had betrayed her so badly, I knew that it was up to me to offer an 
apology, but it was hard to find anything to say that would not make my 
actions sound shameless and cheap.   Yet, for the love and honor she had 
showed me, I owed her no less.

     "Julia, I . ."  "Cherysse, I'm . . ." we interrupted each other.  

     I was about to speak again, but she put a slender finger to my lips
and made me wait.

     "My darling, I'm sorry for what happened last night.  I did more 
than duty required of me.  I found that the arms of a strong man have an 
attraction I had forgotten.  It was a passing fancy, but I surrendered to 
it.  I kissed him, eagerly, when the opportunity arose.  This was not the 
same as Strane.  That made me feel cheap.  This made me feel, well, won-
derful.  It is only today that I feel cheap.  Please forgive me."

     "My love," I whispered, "there is nothing to forgive.  I have sur-
rendered many times to those urges, more so than you.  Instead, I must 
beg your forgiveness.  Last night when I saw Elgion holding you I, um, 
gave myself more fully to Lyonidas than before.  I, uh, well, I kissed 
him like you have kissed me."

     "How?"

    "I, oh Julia I'm so sorry!  I let my tongue become part of my kiss."

     The blush that lit her face seemed most strange to me, for a moment,
then an insight that had the ring of truth raised itself in my mind.

     "You did the same!" but I said it with a grin, such a weight off my
shoulders from my own guilt that no jealousy could pull me down.

     She nodded, her cheeks as bright as her hair.  I embraced her and 
giggled into her ear with a further whispered revelation.

     "He asked me where I learned to kiss like that.  Then he guessed 
that you had taught me!"  

     "No!" she giggled in her turn.

     "Yes," I confirmed.  "Apparently the girls of High Canyon give each
other lessons in love.  He was flattered that I cared enough to learn!"

     "Just like a man, to assume that all we do is focused on pleasing 
them!" she snickered.

     Then she whispered in my ear as we still held each other, "So, did
you learn anything from Lyonidas?"

     My answer was a demonstration.  I might not have learned anything 
new, but even the "old" knowledge I had gained from Julia was magical, 
and wonderful, and . . . 

     "Ahem," we heard a soft voice.  A masculine voice.  It caused us to 
jump from each other's arms.

     Hugh of Sandars stood there.  His face screwed up into the most 
interesting combination of amusement and pleasure and concern and embar-
rassment I had ever seen.  Of course, the individual emotions he dis-
played were not particularly dramatic.  I knew the embarrassment on my 
face, for example, made that on his seem subtle.  Still the array as a
whole as quite surprising in our staid Chamberlain.

     "Highness, Milady, it would be a good idea to be more, um, discreet
until Lyonidas is gone and your betrothal is announced."

     "You know about that, too?" Julia gasped.

     "Who do you think told Amy?" he replied archly, then continued.  
"The men of High Canyon will be here shortly.  Perhaps you should use the
time to remember your risks rather than celebrate your hopes."

     We both nodded demurely, suitably chastened.  It was well that he 
had interrupted us, for no sooner had we accepted our just scolding than
Lyonidas and Elgion appeared.  I was pleased to see that Elgion wore an
outfit in the Achaiean style, though not as richly embroidered as the 
one Lyonidas wore.  In a few moments we were mounted and clattering 
through the entryway to Stalwart Guard.  

      Since there was still a chance for bad weather, the outing was only 
expected to take a few hours with a break for lunch.  Our first stop was 
the farm where Samuel lived.  We found it in surprisingly good shape, 
considering how close on the heels of winter our inspection was con-
ducted.

     Samuel now had his own small pond, dammed with an ingenious little
floating roller that kept the level quite controlled.  At this time in 
the spring there was a goodly amount of water spilling down the water-
course, but it was clear that as the spring runoff slackened his floating 
roller would lower itself to retain a higher portion of the water in his 
pond.

     "Your Highness, Lord Regent," Samuel said with a polite nod of his
head as he removed his cap.  

     "Good day, Samuel," I smiled in return.  He blushed like I had just
offered a great compliment, but I saw pride in his face as well.

     "I see you have your own small lake now," I offered him an opportu-
nity to explain.

     "Yes, Highness, Harris helped me to build it."

     "But I thought you were to help Harris," Lyonidas challenged the 
man.

     "Oh, I did, Milord.  We built a roller dam for his pond first.  But 
it was my design, so he helped me build one here, too."

     "Your design?" now Elgion interjected a question.

     "Yes, um, Milord?" Samuel replied, uncertain as to Elgion's rank in 
his compromise clothing.  An Achaiean would have displayed formal coat of 
arms information on his tunic, yet Elgion's was almost bare.

     "This is Count Elgion," I answered quickly, then urged him to con-
tinue, "but his question is a good one.  Did you design this?"

     "Yes, Highness, over the long winter, I just got to thinking about
the shape of the pond that I wanted, and worried that it would vary too 
much with different rainfall."

     "Why didn't you just use a spillway?" I asked.

     "A spillway?" Lyonidas interrupted the answer.

     "Yes, a low spot in the dam that would allow water to flow away if 
it got too high," I replied, beginning to get irritated at the constant
interruptions.

     "Well, Highness, this little stream has a good flow most of the time
and building the dam wall while the water was flowing would be hard.  
The stream would always be flowing over the spillway, too, which would
lead to erosion at the key point.  This way I could build the dam while 
the water still flowed, and then lower the roller into position.  If the 
ground underneath erodes some, the roller will adjust."

     "And you worked all that out yourself?" Lyonidas demanded with a
tone that implied disbelief.

     "Oh, no, Milord.  Harris explained about the flow of the stream and 
all.  But in the long winter, when the ground was too frozen to dig any-
way, I thought up how to use the floating roller.  We tried it on his
pond first, like I said."

     Samuel stammered a little now, somewhat guiltily, "Actually, Milord,
I am not as good as Harris at actual building yet, but I have been able 
to come up with some ideas on what to build that seem to work well.  
Harris helps me with the actual construction.  Or, maybe I should say 
that I help Harris with the actual construction."

     "In either event, I think it is a good thing our Lord Regent decided
not to have you executed after all," I smiled.  

     "You see, Elgion?" Lyonidas chortled in self-congratulation, "I told 
you that restitution is better than punishment."

     "Indeed.  If the common men of Achaiea are able to do such diverse 
things, it is a wonder that we ever conquered them."

     Julia bristled at that statement, and almost snarled at Elgion, "The 
people of Achaiea have not been conquered, only our army is defeated."

     I was worried for a moment that she would go further into our most
basic secret, that while our army was defeated, we were nonetheless even
then in the middle of a plot to recover our kingdom.  But before she said
any more, Elgion laughed.

     "Your pardon, Milady, it is clear that the fire in the hearts of 
Achaieans has not been extinguished."

      Then he leaned over and whispered loudly enough that it was clear
he intended us all to hear, "And the fire in your eyes when you are angry
is a breathtakingly beautiful window to your heart."

     "See that you don't burn yourself on the flames," she answered, but 
the smile that had replaced the anger in her eyes made her rejection into
an invitation instead.  

     My tension at their blatant flirtation transmitted itself to my 
horse and it shifted around nervously for a moment.  Julia flashed me a 
look as angry as she had earlier fired at Elgion, thinking that I had 
made my mount move deliberately.  I tried to let her know with a look 
that it had been an accident but Lyonidas interrupted yet again with a
laugh at my unease and a turn of his own horse back to the roadway.

     As we rode off, he called over his shoulder, "Samuel, if Harris will
agree that you have met the demands of the judgment, you may consider it 
fulfilled."

     Samuel nodded, and sort of bowed, and clutched his cap, and looked 
at the dam, and was probably going through yet more signs of pleased ner-
vousness when we lost sight of him around his cottage.  

     "How did you know about a spillway?" Elgion asked me as we rode 
along.

     "She knows about all sorts of things like that," Lyonidas answered 
for me, and I felt a pride in his pride that carried a complex undercur-
rent of shame.  I should want Julia's pride in me, not his, but as God 
is my witness, I wanted his approval.  I then had to listen while Lyoni-
das recounted all the stories of the simple things I had recognized in 
our previous inspection tours.  

     It was soon time for lunch in our little outing and once again some
of the peasant families had offered fresh, hot bread.  We added a few
things from the provisions we had brought and made a meal beside a gently 
babbling stream.  Blankets had been spread for us to sit on, though to my 
dismay Julia's had been spread some distance from mine.

     My dismay was well-founded, for I could not refuse as Lyonidas 
joined me which left Elgion to escort Julia.  They sat together much too 
closely for propriety, leaving me only a most disquieting combination of 
silence while they whispered together, punctuated by carols of bright 
laughter as they shared some joyful notion.

     "It would almost appear you are jealous of Julia," Lyonidas chided
me, but I could hear a note of concern in his voice.

     "Hmm?  No, not at all!" I denied, and once again a kernel of truth
gave force to my claim.  It was not Julia who excited pains of jealousy
within me, but Elgion.  

     Lyonidas nodded in acceptance of my declaration.  It didn't matter, 
though, because it was soon clear he intended to return my focus to him,
regardless of what distraction had drawn it away.

     His large, strong hand reached out to an errant lock of captured 
sunshine from my golden tresses and brushed it clear of my face.  His 
fingers didn't stop there, though.  They continued their polite motion
into much more dangerous territory, a simple assistance transforming into
a twining caress that lifted my heart into my throat and caused my breath
to hold itself for a long, delicious moment.  

     "My Cherysse, you need not be jealous of anyone," he claimed, even 
as the irresistibly gentle pull of his hand in my hair worked once again
to draw my eyes closed.  

     I felt my cheek drift over to compress his thick wrist against my
shoulder, trapping his hand in a thrall no more compelling than his hand 
captured my senses.  

     We were interrupted by the sound of a slap and a quick rustle of 
skirts.  Julia had stood up and was walking toward her horse.

     "What did I do wrong?" Elgion asked plaintively.

     "Just because we have begun to get to know each other in private, 
does not give you license to claim me publicly, yet," she yelled back
over her shoulder.

     "Yet?" he seized on the word with a laugh.

     It caused her to break her stride, but the look she threw back over 
her shoulder failed miserably if her intent was to discourage him.


-- 
+----------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `--------------+
| <story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us> | <story-admin@qz.little-neck.ny.us> |
| Archive site +----------------------+--------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ |
<http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/>----<http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/faq.html>