Felek looked up the hillside.
The second wagon had reached the first turn of the trail, the half-dozen soldiers manhandling it around that tight bend. The other wagon was beside him, supplies already being re-loaded by Issa and Ofure.
He hated this.
The Elves had not been seen in two hours. Not since they had vanished with the note from their Queen. What did the note say? Felek had no idea. Nor did he know what their reaction would be. He DID know he didn't like not knowing. Were the Elves friendly? Were they safe here? They could not throw up defenses for their evening camp. There were no trees close, nor the manpower to bring the wagons, set pickets, AND construct even the most basic fortifications. And he wanted pickets. At least they had the slope behind them. That offered sort of a barrier, protecting one flank. The trail up also re-assured him, even if logically he had no idea how to get home from there once they retreated back to the top of the valley.
Not that retreating was an option.
"Felek."
His eyes focused on Ruta. She came up to him, a steaming mug in hand. He took it, smiling.
"Thanks."
She maneuvered beside him, slipping his free arm around her, holding it against her chest like some sort of wrap. He squeezed her.
"Mmmm," she purred. Ruta squirmed a bit, her arm pulling back between them, then wrapping around his waist. Felek took a long sip, then laughed.
"I should take the armor off more often."
"Yes. I don't like you in armor." She placed his hand over a breast. He squeezed. Only once had he touched it without the barrier of cloth. Maybe he SHOULD have bought her one of those Kikker outfits. The Kikker had it right: female breasts are far too beautiful to cover.
He looked towards the fire. Jaromira and Adanya were just starting dinner, the kids helping. Ruta's hand squeezed his around her breast, then lifted his hand off.
"I know," she said. "I have to help, too. I just wanted to bring you your drink."
"Thank you." He leaned into her, lips touching hers. Both her arms grabbed Felek, who shot the hand holding his drink out as far away as possible as Ruta kissed him back. He closed his eyes, feeling her entire body pressed against his.
Then she was gone. He opened his eyes, watching Ruta walk towards the fire. Her hips swayed beneath her blue dress. He took a deep breath, slowly releasing it.
Who needed goddesses, when he had Ruta?
****
Felek sat on a large rock protruding from the hillside. It put him about man high above the ground, giving the view before him a different perspective. He could half way convincingly say he was on watch, but truth be told he just wanted to sit. Think. Or, not think. There was too much to think about. Too many choices, while at the same time too few. Things were going too fast, yet too slow.
Or he was just tired.
The second wagon sat beside the first, the soldiers who had brought it down resting in the grass. Dinner was being prepared. The horses were grazing. There were no immediate problems.
"So, you think you're above us, now, do you?"
Anelie's voice made him smile. He looked down, raising his mug to her.
"Just getting a new perspective on things."
"Anything useful?" She began walking up the hillside. Felek scooted over on the rock. With an athletic move, she swung herself into the vacated spot.
"Nope."
"Darn."
The wind shifted. Felek smelled dinner. He looked towards the river.
"Should we stay here a day? Do some hunting and fishing? Fresh food would do us good."
"No." He looked at Anelie. She shook her head, red braid swinging behind her. "We can suffer through dried and smoked food for a while longer. No delays." He nodded.
"OK. I can live with that. I think we're close, anyway."
"I know."
They sat silently. Felek saw the two kids move away from the fire, plates in hand. Not needing any dinner bell, soldiers began making their way over. Anelie let out a sigh beside him.
"I wish I knew what I was doing."
"Same here."
"What does the Queen's note say?"
"No idea. His Grace didn't say."
"Great." After a moment's pause, she groaned. "Oh, fuck."
"What?"
She pointed. From the patch of trees downstream, figures came into view. Felek climbed to his feet, Anelie rising beside him. He let out his own groan.
"Couldn't they wait until after dinner?"
Felek counted at least two dozen Elves, maybe even thirty. A bit over half were female. He could tell that, even from this distance, from the hair color. While males only had black hair, female Elves could have red, blue, green, or any other color so far as Felek knew. Princess Catty was the only female Elf Felek had seen, although he knew from soldiers who had seen her that the late older Princess, Jaka, had hair as blue as the sea. There even seemed to be children among the group. Not many, but a few. He had never seen Elven kids. Three wagons were being pulled by male Elves, as the group slowly headed towards them.
"Well," Felek said, tossing his mostly empty mug down onto the grass below, "let's go see what they want." He carefully stepped from the rock onto the grassy slope, half stumbling down to the valley floor. Anelie's trip was much more graceful. Ruta, eyes worried, ran up to him with his armor in her hands. He shook his head.
"Don't think I'll need it."
"He can hide behind me." Anelie was tightening her breastplate, not having removed it. Her soldiers, too, were gearing up. "Let's meet them as far from camp as we can."
"Agreed." Belting on the sword belt Ruta handed him, Felek gave Ruta a quick kiss. She turned away as soon as their lips parted, hurrying back to Issa and Ofure. He took a deep breath. "OK. Let's do this."
****
The Elves stopped in the middle of the meadow, huddled together. They looked less imposing like that, resembling refugees more than a dangerous enemy. Felek and Anelie walked towards them, Klocia a few steps behind. There would be no secret talk in Elvish behind their backs if Anelie could help it.
Three Elves began walking towards them. The male was the one who had talked to them earlier. Anelie recognized him, although she was not all that good telling Elves apart (she still got Det and Wan confused on the rare times she saw the Queen's companions). Flanking him were two women. Like Queen Catty, their skin was a light green, smooth, beautiful. Their faces were like porcelain dolls, eyes large, black, alien. They stood a bit taller than the male, long hair a light blue. Both wore simple white dresses, clean but worn. Anelie had the distinct feeling they were the leaders of this group.
Both parties stopped a few yards apart. The Elven male bowed low.
"Greetings. I am Qui." Qui motioned to the woman on his left. "This is Ves, our Tribe Mother. And this," he said, motioning to the other, "is Tre, her daughter and our Mystic." Both women nodded slightly. Anelie stayed as she was while Felek bowed his head.
"I am Felek," he said, smiling. "Brother to the Queen of King James the First. This is Lady Anelie, Commander of our expedition." She nodded, slightly, as the three looked at her. The two women, especially, seemed interested. Female soldiers were... well, to hear Lady Shanna bitch about the Elf Queen, women such as they were obscene in Elven eyes. Some Polish eyes, too, but that just made every victory even sweeter.
Felek paused, not introducing Klocia. She was just a soldier, after all. The three Elves seemed to be waiting. Anelie let out what she hoped would not be translated as an exasperated sigh. Felek chuckled beside her.
"So," he said, casing a mirthful glance as Anelie before returning his attention to the Elves, "What can we do for you?"
"We..." Qui bowed his head again. The women did not. "We wish to thank you for delivering to us the words of our Beloved Queen. We have read her message. Grieved for her Mother and Sister. Again, thank you."
That was some pretty quick grieving. Anelie glanced behind them. All the Elves, male, female, child, stood with head bowed.
"You are welcome," Felek said. "However, while I carried that message on the chance that our paths might cross, it is not why we travel. We have our own urgent quest, which we will be on again at first light." Anelie glanced westward. The sun had almost vanished below the valley ridge.
"Our Beloved Queen has told us of your quest, although not what you seek. She has told us to assist you in any way. Thus, we shall travel with you."
"No." The words were out of Anelie's mouth instantly. She shook her head, ignoring the raised eyebrow from Felek. "No. No way. I am not slowing us down by bringing hand pulled carts with us. We travel mounted. Time is of the essence. No, I'm sorry."
Qui looked lost, her answer obviously unexpected. Now Anelie really wanted to know what that message had contained. What promises had been made. The two female Elves were giving her death stares, Anelie's hand going to her sword hilt instinctively. At their prodding, Qui quietly spoke in Elvish, probably translating her reply. The women spoke to him, tone commanding. He straightened.
"May I ask," he said, "what your quest is?"
"We seek a tower on an island on a lake," Felek said.
Qui took a step back, horror on his face. He spoke sharply to his companions, their expressions mirroring his as comprehension came. Qui raised his right hand, thumb, middle, and pinky extended, like some ward against evil.
"Why?" he gasped. "Why do you seek such an evil place?"
"So you know it," Anelie said, dryly. All three nodded, not even needing the translation. "How far?"
"Not... not even half a day's travel!"
"Upstream?"
"Y-yes!"
Excitement surged through Anelie. Half a day! She wanted to break camp then and there, head off through the night! They were almost there! James and Zuza would live!
"Thank you," Felek said, voice calmer than Anelie would have thought possible. "Your debt has been repaid."
"No." Qui shook his head, the women speaking swiftly beside him. "No, we can not let you go into danger. Our Queen commanded us to protect you. This we MUST do! To prove our loyalty to Her!"
"Our King, His Grace James the First, has commanded us to go to this place, to save the lives of those we hold dear. Our journey is for nothing if we do not continue." Felek crossed his arms over his chest. "We will not be stopped by creature, spirit... or Elf."
"But a spirit you will find on Lake Bled! An evil spirit!"
"What is evil to Elves, who cast us from our lands, may not be to us." Felek paused, letting out a laugh. "Not that we are sure of all this ourselves." He shook his head. "We're not getting anywhere. It is getting late. You came on us as we were about to eat. Make your camp where you stand. We will discuss this more across the evening fire."
****
Anelie looked away as Bogdi held his sobbing wife.
"What's wrong, Mommy?" The two children were at her side, tugging on her arms, eyes wide with fear. Adanya reached out, grabbing the nearest, Zuza, pulling her against her breasts. Bogdi, face composed but eyes wet, opened an arm to his son. James threw himself into his embrace.
"Nothing's wrong," Bogdi said, hand caressing his son's back. "Mom's happy, that's all. I'm happy. We're almost there. You're going to be OK, James. We're going to make you well. Maybe even tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Both kids looked up, startled. He nodded.
"We could be at the tower tomorrow. After that," Bogdi said, pausing to kiss James on the forehead, "we make both of you well."
Anelie wished she had the same confidence. They were there, yes, with only the problem of a bunch of Elves camped before them. But... what was in the tower? God? Spirit? Witch? Monster?
Hope?
"Little Sis." Anelie met Bogdi's eyes. He was trying to blink them dry, hands too occupied to wipe them. "I want to leave at first light. Before, even. Arrive as early as we can."
"We can do that." She nodded, eyes glancing down at Adanya. "Few of us will be sleeping well tonight, anyways."
"Yes."
Anelie sighed, getting to her feet. Her brother needed some alone time with his family. She needed... well, there would be time for that later. Figuring it was now unneeded, she loosened her armor, lifting off the breastplate. She placed it in a safe spot on an empty canvas bag.
Her eyes roamed the camp. Consciously, she was looking for Klocia. She was not on watch. Maybe they could spend some time together. Talk. Her eyes fell on Felek, though. He sat again on that rock, alone, eyes far away. Ruta, Issa and Ofure were nearby, talking quietly. Not able to help herself, she walked across the camp to him.
"You like that seat," She said. He smiled at her through the dimming light. Patting the stone behind him, he slide aside.
"It is comfy."
Feeling Ruta's eyes on her, Anelie climbed up onto the rock. Almost as soon as she settled beside him, Anelie felt at ease. She ran her hand along the stone between them.
"You're right. It is nice."
"Told you."
The three teens below went back to talking, their soft words drifting up. She tried not to listen, catching her name, Bogdi's. She closed her eyes, leaning back.
"Tomorrow," she said.
"Tomorrow." Felek's voice was as tired as hers.
"We're leaving early. Bogdi would leave now. So would I."
"I know."
Her eyes opened, looking towards the river. The Elven camp had one fire, tents set up around it. She wasn't sure if she heard distant voices.
"I'd have thought they'd have come over again," she said. Felek shrugged.
"Maybe they're talking it over. I just hope," Felek said, voice becoming pained, "Queen Catty didn't promise them a home. That's my number one order regarding them: no Elvish towns in Nowy Poland. No way, no how."
"Why?"
"Because, eventually, they'll want to be independent. Do their own thing. His Grace does not want our island homeland divided up like that. It's ours. And the Kikker's," he added, "but that's different. Plus, he's not too keen on tons of foreign Kikker coming to live there either."
"I would hate to be King," Anelie said, stretching her legs. She saw Felek glancing at the pant covered limbs.
"It does have its downside," Felek agreed. Then he laughed. "My sister does love being Queen, though."
Anelie tried to remember the woman. She had not seen her in ages, certainly not the last time she was in the capital. She was pretty, yes. Perhaps beautiful, if not the kind of beauty Anelie liked. She was soft.
Klocia was walking through camp, armor still on. That was her type of woman. Strong. Confident.
Didn't giggle.
She glanced down at Ruta. She was a giggler. Frankly, Anelie didn't know what Felek saw in her. Sure, her breasts were nice, if you liked them soft like that, but she was so flighty. Not at all athletic. No, scratch that. She could use a bow. That was something. And, truth be told, she'd probably make a good wife, pumping out babies.
Babies. Anelie glanced at Klocia again, the soldier now beside the fire with four other soldiers. They'd have no babies, her and Klocia. Not unless what her brother had told her was completely wrong.
There was movement below. Issa and Ofure were walking off together, close, but hands not touching. Still not a couple, she saw. Probably just as well. Cyla had confided that she kind of liked the attention the Kikker male had been giving her. Jealousy this late in their journey would not help. Ruta she did not see at all.
"I have a question for you," Felek said, suddenly. There was a nervousness in his voice. Anelie looked at him questioningly.
"What?"
"You've said you're going to keep serving Shanna, after this."
"Yes." She blinked, wondering where he was going with this. His gaze was away from her.
"Well... I was wondering... if His Grace gives me a post which requires it, would you serve me?"
"Serve you?" She cocked her head, wondering what the hell had gotten into him. He just nodded, still not meeting her eyes.
"Yes."
"How?"
He laughed, finally looking at her. The gleam in his eyes could not help but make her smile.
"Damned if I know. Head of my guards? Captain of my Royal Marines? No idea. I don't even know where His Grace will post me. But, I know two things. One, I want Ruta by my side, and two, I want you with me."
She felt her cheeks flush. Reaching out, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I trust you, Anelie. Respect you. You complement me. You'll do well out there on the frontier, yes, maybe one day command your own fort. Make Shanna proud. But, I think you can be more."
She took a deep breath. It felt as if he was proposing marriage. A marriage she had never considered, yet suddenly found herself excited by. To leave Shanna...
"Shanna..."
Felek squeezed her shoulder.
"I'm asking you, not her."
"That's not what I mean." Anelie gave a tired chuckle. She liked the feel of his hand. "You said you hoped to travel."
"Yes," he nodded. "In the service of the King, with luck, on my own if not. You would travel with me."
She nodded slowly, eyes glancing at the valley around them.
"My men?"
"Yours to pick. Male or female, so long as they meet your standards."
To travel. To command. To keep doing what she had done these past few weeks. Had she missed the routine patrols? The drills?
No.
Felek shifted beside her. She looked at him. His eyes were on the stars.
""Look," he whispered. She glanced up.
"What?"
"They're different."
"No they're not." She frowned. "I recognize them. They're higher than they should be, but..."
"Exactly," he said, softly. "Just like the sun, the stars are different. See that cross over there? That would be too low in the northern sky to see back home. If we kept going north, it would keep rising. I've always wanted to see new stars..." His voice was full of wonder. She gazed at his face in the starlight. Reaching over, she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I will serve you.”