Felek blinked, trying to get his bearings.
He was not in the tower.
Why he was not in the tower, or even what had happened there, was unclear. His head was a foggy mess. The brightness of the day was not helping. He brought his hand up, forefinger and thumb rubbing his eyes.
"Felek!"
Anelie's voice startled his eyes back open. She stood before him, shock on her face. For a brief moment, he thought she was going to hug him. Her bearing seemed to show she was considering it, but Felek fully realized he was in no shape to make judgments like that. He did find himself disappointed when she just grabbed both his shoulders.
"What the hell happened in there?" she asked. Damned if he knew. Before he could communicate that helpful information, her eyes shifted to his left. "Bogdi!"
She left him, going to her brother. His family looked like Felek felt, confused, uncertain. That was somewhat comforting.
"Felek!"
This time the owner of the voice did hug him, Ruta's slender form crushing his. He tried to free his arms, but she kept them pinned to his side. The mild pain did serve to wake him more. Shifting his body, as well as hers as she stuck to him like a leach, he glanced around the hilltop.
A familiar city lined the lake shore.
Felek's mind came fully awake. He peeled Ruta's arms from him, as gently as he could.
"Anelie!" She looked at him, one hand on little James' head. "What the hell happened out here? Are we home?"
"No idea!" She shook her head. "There was fog, a flash, then you guys just appeared!"
The sound of bells registered in his mind. He had heard them all this time, only now recognizing what they were. He stepped towards the lake.
"The capital is on alert! Soldiers will be coming!" He glanced down the hill. "And we have Elves with us." He shook his head. This wasn't how he wanted to come home, if home they in fact were. "Anelie, get the Royal Banner! Raise it on the shore down there!" He turned. The tower was still there. Part of him had not expected that. Moving to the wall, he placed his hand where the door had been.
It was solid stone.
"Bach! Kazik!" Anelie's voice rang out. "Get to the other side of the island. Meet anyone who lands there! Klocia, tell those blasted Elves to disarm completely! Armor, too! Get them away from the shore!"
Felek saw two patrol boats coming towards them, the oar-men on the long, low craft propelling them swiftly. He made his way down the hill, Lewy and Klocia already halfway down, the girl yelling out orders in Elvish. Lewy planted the flag at the base of the hill. Then, thinking better of it, Lewy raised the pike on which it flew upward, waving the banner back and forth.
"They're not yet in hailing distance," Issa said, joining Felek on the shore. "They're making good time, though."
"Must have been out training or something." Felek shook his head. "What the hell happened, Issa? Did we... did she help the kids?"
"Don't know. We may not know until they don't get sick again."
"The King is going to love having to explain all this to the people."
Issa laughed.
"He has a good selection of people he can blame it on. I'll take some, if it will help. Everyone loves Chief Ajani, so if he forgives my 'crime' of bringing the island here the matter will be settled."
"Heh. I'll recommend it to His Grace." A soldier stood in one of the boats, his hail almost coherent. James readied himself. "OK, let's see if anyone buys our story."
****
Anelie was worried most about the horses.
They had been left on the island. With no dock, nor any way to get large vessels close enough to the shore to use a ramp, there had been no choice. Men of the local garrison had agreed to stay with them, see to their needs. Well, that, and keep curious locals from invading the place. She sighed. Her poor Toria, in the hands of strangers. It wasn't right.
A Kikker cargo ship which had been passing nearby had been commandeered for the short trip from the island to the dock. Issa apparently knew the captain, easing matters. All her men were aboard, as were the Elves. A dozen of His Grace's finest stood watch over them. Anelie thought the green creatures were having second and third thoughts about following the Poles to the island now. As well they should.
Soldiers lined the dock as they approached, keeping the crowds back. Glancing up, she saw archers on two rooftops. What they were expecting, she didn't know, but given that magic was obviously involved here, the idea that she and Felek were not who they appeared to be must have occurred to His Grace. They would, rightly, be treated with suspicion.
It was going to be a long day.
"We're going to keep the Elves down below," Felek said, coming up to stand beside her. "Bring them out at night. It may take that long to figure out a good place to put them."
She glanced up at the Royal Hill, flags flying above the Palace.
"You've managed to get some messages out already?"
"Nope. Didn't think to bring signal flags in the wagons. His Grace will know it's us when we land."
"I'm sure he likes surprises."
"Loves them." He paused. Anelie felt his hand take her shoulder. "This didn't turn out like we expected, did it?"
"Nope," she replied, laughing. "I don't even know what happened. You actually saw a God?"
"Well, something I can believe was one. It's not like I've seen many I could compare her to."
"Why couldn't I see her?" Some of her anger entered her voice. Felek's hand tightened on her shoulder.
"Ruta, Issa, Ofure and I were needed to heal the kids, apparently. One from each gender and race. You could have replaced Ruta, but given she had the vision..."
"Stupid logic."
"If you want to see her, maybe later..."
"Naw. I'm just being bitchy." The seamen called out, lines tossed to those on the dock. The ship rocked as it was brought to a stop. The gangplank was run out, a soldier running up before it could even be secured. Anelie straightened, Felek doing the same.
"Sargeant!" The man whirled at her call. A half dozen other soldiers were now coming onto the ship. Anelie saluted. "Anelie of the Black Hussars. This is Felek, brother to Her Grace." The soldier's expression was priceless. He came to instant attention.
"Sir!"
"Send a runner to the Palace," Felek ordered. He held out a rolled sheet of paper. "Deliver this to Chamberlain Ola, for King James' eyes only. We will then need an escort to the Palace."
****
The journey had not even taken a month, yet Felek felt he had been away for a year.
They marched down the wood paneled hall, travel stained clothing out of place among the relative finery of the Palace staff. Anelie's soldiers had been left behind, sent to some barracks or other. He hoped there would not be much of a problem regarding the four women. Yes, all here knew Shanna, but there was a reason all girls who volunteered were sent to her distant outpost. Many in Nowy Warsaw were still not that... enlightened.
"Wow!" Zuza exclaimed, stopping beside a tapestry. "Who's that?"
"Something to look at later," her mother said, getting the girl moving again. Felek chuckled. He wasn't sure the kids had ever been to the Palace, let alone seen some of the more interesting art His Grace had commissioned. Lady Liberty had always fascinated him as well. In fact... he glanced back. Remove the robe, and it could easily be the Goddess Zywie. More of her influence? Could be.
The doors to the King's office opened. His Grace stood as they entered, smiling.
"This is more than unexpected!" He came around the desk. Felek stopped where he was, bowing.
"Your Grace."
The others stopped and bowed or curtsied as well. Felek heard the doors close and latch behind them.
"Bogdi. Adanya." The King went to the two, eyes on their children. "Did it go well?"
"We... do not know, Your Grace," Bogdi said, bowing again. "Something happened, but..."
"Only time will tell," Adanya said. "But, we thank you with all our heart." She bowed low. "We are forever in your debt."
"As we are to your Father. Friends help friends." His eyes looked at Ofure. The Kikker girl was looking around in awe. "And who is this?"
"Ofure, Your Grace," Ruta said, taking the girl's hand. "She had a vision like mine, joining us as we passed through her town. Zywie could not have helped us without her!"
King James gave the two a long look. With a sigh, he retreated to his desk, leaning back against it.
"OK. Tell me what the hell happened."
****
"Goddesses... Elves... magic roads and towers..."
Anelie could not help but smile at the King's comment. It sounded silly, when you told the tale. What made perfect sense in the moment became a child's tale when given serious thought. If any but Felek had been telling the story, she was not sure His Grace would have believed it.
"Zywie was pretty!" Zuza said, helpfully. "Huge! And nude!"
"So I understand," King James replied, amused. He looked beyond them. "Duda, please inform Her Grace that Lady Adanya and her family are here. The kids look like they could use some food, and playmates."
"Playmates?" Young James looked up, hopefully. The King smiled.
"My sons and daughters. You can meet them out in the garden playground."
"Yeah!" Both kids jumped up and down. The King went to Bogdi, hand outstretched.
"Nowak will show you to the garden. If you and your family need anything, let the staff know."
"Thank you, Your Grace." The soldier turned to the two Kikker teens. "I think you two should come with us as well."
"Agreed," Issa said, taking the hint. "Come on, Ofure." He took her hand. For the first time in days, Anelie saw the girl blush. Bowing again to the King, the others left. When the door closed, only Felek, Ruta, and herself stood before the King.
"Sit," James said, motioning to chairs. He grabbed one himself, settling into it in front of his desk. "So. Let's list the problems you've dumped in my lap."
"It wasn't his fault!" Ruta said. He raised an eyebrow at her, the girl's face turning red at the silent rebuke. "Well, it wasn't!"
"Never said it was. We still have to deal with it, though." The fingers of his right hand went to his temple. "First, the Elves. I told you..."
"We didn't expect to come home today, Your Grace." Anelie felt she had to defend her friend in this. "I would have stopped them from following us on the way home, by force if need be!"
"I'm sure you would have. But, they are here. Families, too, correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Felek said. "Around half are women, with five kids."
"Catty will insist they be settled somewhere. I'm open to ideas. Then, we now have an island in the middle of our lake." The King let out a humorless chuckle. "A coincidence that, isn't it? We settle someplace perfectly suited for her temple island?" He shook his head. "I'm not sure if I want to delve too far into what this Zywie has been doing all this time."
"She's not evil," Ruta said, forcefully.
"Few are," the King said. "But, her goals might not be ours." He thought for a moment. Anelie glanced at Felek, then spoke.
"The island needs a dock, Your Grace. So we can get our mounts off and bring them home, if nothing else." A thought came to her. "It would also be a good place for a battery of ballistas and catapults."
"I'm not sure its current occupant would like that," Felek said. Anelie shrugged.
"She bitched her old tower was torn down. Maybe fortifications would have prevented that."
"That's for later," the King said. "Let's focus on short term problems. Ruta. If we... ignore this Zywie, what will she do?"
"Ignore her?" The girl blinked. The King nodded.
"Yes. Ignore her. I'm not going to have this nation split over religious matters, especially when I'm not the type to blindly change faiths just because some spirit will get pissed if I don't."
"She said she's not like that. Zywie said she rewards those who come to her, but doesn't punish those that don't."
His expression showed His Grace was not convinced. Anelie shook her head.
"My men are going to talk. There will be no keeping this secret."
"I know. But apart from keeping Brother Ofim from declaring a crusade on the tower, I want to put this off. See how things develop." He rubbed his forehead again. "At least, that's my plan after the first hour. It may change after dinner." He shook his head. "OK, back to the first problem. The Elves are still on the ship?"
****
His Grace watched as the Elves knelt down before their Queen.
Catty, seated on a chair in the hold of the Kikker ship, looked over at him. He saw the uncertainty in her eyes. Never before had she, really, had to face up to the responsibilities of her position. A Queen without a nation is not a Queen (four soldiers, one whom is your mate, does not a nation make). Now...
"Rise, Ves."
The light blue haired Tribal Mother raised her head. She stayed on her knees.
"Your Highness. You... you honor us with your presence. Never did we think to once again serve the true descendant of Zea and Ger. Command us." She bowed her head again.
"Ves... did you not read my message?"
The woman's head shot up, as did that of her daughter beside her.
"I... we DID, Your Highness!"
"Then why are you here?" Ves turned to look at James. Catty frowned. "Yes, the King of the Poles is with us. Yes, I am under his protection. Is that reason to disobey me?"
"No!" Ves and her daughter pressed their foreheads to the floor. "We... we thought only that what you wrote under the eyes of these people, and what you..."
"You thought wrong." Catty's eyes seemed to flash. She stood. "I have spent five years exiled from our people. Have had five years to look at the world, at my place in it. I have no desire to rule. Not my former countrymen. Not you. You were not to come. You were not to place my hosts in danger by your presence."
"They did not choose to come here," James said. He could see the shock on their faces, not just of his defense of them in the face of Catty's anger, but at his perfect Elvish. He never got tired of that. "If there is blame, it is with my people and their inability to not be followed."
"Be that as it may. They can not stay here."
"Agreed." He shook his head. "Neither, however, can we just set them free on the mainland. We must find a safe home for them."
"We want to be with you!" Ves stood, her daughter Tre rising as well. So, too, did the rest of the Elves.
"Please!" Tre said, motioning behind her. "Our children need a Queen!"
"They need a home," Catty said, softly. Her eyes again met those of James. "For now, until we find another...?"
He groaned. Any temporary camp had the chance to become permanent. To give them homes here...
"Your Grace." James turned. The Kikker Captain stood in the doorway. He bowed his head slightly. "I am sorry. I understand some Elvish, although I do not speak it. You need someplace for them to stay?"
"Yes, if only for a short time. Long term would be better." His eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"There is a small island I call home, two days east of here as the currents now flow."
James tried to recall the charts from his office. The island in question showed itself.
"Ah. I know it. It is just a small village, yes?"
"Yes, with docks to repair our ships to avoid city harbor fees. However, there is land we do not use. For a reduction in Nowy Warsaw fees, perhaps prime dock space..." He left the offer hanging.
"Hmm. We will talk tomorrow." It was a possibility. He'd want to leave some soldiers there, though. Not just to watch the Elves, but to make sure this didn't turn into some sort of slaver operation. Always look your gift horse in the mouth. James turned to Catty. "Your Highness, if you would like to stay here with your people for awhile..."
"Yes." She walked up to Ves. The older woman seemed to flinch back. "Yes. I think we should talk."
****
The four teens stood on the palace wall, looking out over the lamp lit city. Felek pulled Ruta closer to him, his arm tightening around her waist. Her own arm squeezed him back. Anelie and Klocia stood beside him. They looked different without armor, dressed still in the dark blue of their uniforms. Both less, yet more feminine. He thought they were holding hands, but wasn't sure.
"How long are you going to stay?" he asked. Anelie shrugged, eyes distant.
"Don't know. I have to get the men back home. Report to Shanna." She turned to him, smiling. "I will be back, though. When you need me."
"If you need help with Shanna, just say so. I have rather good connections."
"So do I." Anelie raised her right hand, Felek now seeing it was indeed intertwined with Klocia's. Bringing them to her lips, she kissed the blond girl's fingers. "I think she'll understand."
"Maybe we can have a double wedding," Ruta said, smirking. Anelie's face seemed to go white.
"Wedding?"
"Of course! If you two are going to be a couple, it's only right! I'll have Lady Ewa arrange for you to see the best seamstress in the city. You'll look beautiful in white!"
"It's too early for that," Klocia said. Her face told a different story. Felek laughed.
"It's nothing we have to worry about tonight."
"Aww..." Felek gave Ruta a quick kiss to stop her fake pout. She snuggled closer to him. Anelie laughed.
"Get a room, you two!"
"We already both have one." He cocked his head. "Are you two staying in the barracks, or...?"
"There's a room next to Bogdi's," Anelie said, face turning as red as her hair. Felek chuckled.
"It's getting a bit chilly. Maybe we should head in."
"Yes," Klocia said, eyes on Anelie's face. "Let's."
****
Anelie woke to pounding on the door.
She pushed herself up, limbs untangling from Klocia. Her lover, too, was awake, her attempts to free her limbs conflicting momentarily with Anelie's movements. The door burst open, hallway light illuminating the two nude women half covered by a thin blanket. Anelie raised her hand to shield her eyes.
"Who...?"
Bogdi took a step into the room, his hairy body nude. He held a water filled cauldron before him, steam rising from its surface. His eyes were wide.
"Anelie! I'm going to be a daddy again!”
The End