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’ve fucked up. What’s ahead?”

	“Frogs,” he said, wincing. Shanna groaned.

	“We shouldn’t be within a mile of the border! Where the fuck have you led us, you son of an elf?”

	“We haven’t hit the road,” Bogdi said, dryly, “so we’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’s a pond, with women Frogs bathing. I’m sorry, Lady. Back at the large rock, I should have veered us left, instead of crossing the stream.”

	“I don’t see it,” Bogdi said. He moved the map into her lap. “Obviously we don’t have Frog territory all sorted out.”

	Shanna let out a sigh.

	“I’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’s protest.

	“A bunch of human males is not going to make this easier. I’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 fiancé was now the King’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’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’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’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’s head. “Don’t worry. They’re not looking. Or,” Shanna added, turning to look up at the bushes, “THEY’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’t want to call it a croaking sound in her voice. That wasn’t the case. Her accent was strange, though. Shanna nodded to her.

	“I’m Shanna, an officer of King James. I am sorry about disturbing you. Given we’re not supposed to be here, I didn’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. 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 looked 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 fiancé. 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 fiancé.

	"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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