James reined in his mount.
The ocean.
The land dropped down and spread before them, forests and fields extending until they met the dark blue expanse of water. He could feel it. Even from here. There was a certain tinge to the wind, taste to the air, that only the ocean could create.
But... this was not his ocean. His world. Why, then, did it remind him of home?
Riders drew his attention back to what lay closer to his small wagon train. They were humans, he was glad to see. The trail marked by Lech's men was good, and the wheel tracks starting to form a visible path, but there still had been a few unsure moments once they were off the road and traveling cross country. The journey was almost over.
"Your Grace!" The Hussars pulled up before them, saluting. James nodded in acknowledgment.
"Greetings. What's the situation?" That, he had found, was a good, general response to people. It sounded leadership-like, and gave him some time to think of something. The wagon beside him stopped, the driver obviously deciding he, too, wanted to know. James could hear the sound of all those behind them doing the same.
"The Commander sends his regards, and has asked us to lead your wagons into the encampment. He has also asked me to escort you and your party to the construction headquarters."
James looked beyond the Sergeant. The afternoon was getting on, and it was probably still another hour or more for the wagons to cover the distance. He could not even see the encampment, although he was not sure what he should be looking for. There could be nothing actually built yet.
"Piotr, stay with the wagons, have your men keep their escort until they're well within the camp defenses, then you're free to make your own camp. These men will escort Shanna and me the rest of the way. Ola!" The man stood in the uncovered wagon, eyes serious, respectful. "See where they want us, and set up camp. We'll be here awhile. Ewa has full authority to set up my quarters as she sees fit."
He nodded, not even batting an eye. Gone was any hint that this was not proper. Ewa's eyes seemed to glow. James figured he had earned some extra treats come night. He motioned to the Sergeant.
"Lead the way."
****
More was done than he had expected, but not nearly as much as he would have liked. An outer perimeter, quite large, had been marked out, with stakes and some digging. What James could only assume would be strong points along the wall were in various states of construction, earthworks rising up out of the ground. The ones he saw were manned, sentries watching over the approaches. Inside, trees were felled, logs cut, ditches dug or filled depending on the need and plan. Everywhere men worked, uniformed or shirtless, the sounds of hammer and ax ringing above the rhythm of the surf. They paused as he passed, saluting. He returned the greeting.
The largest tent, grey, unadorned, stood on a slight rise a few hundred feet from the beach. The bay itself was not that large, maybe two football fields wide, but James could see it would be big enough for their needs, providing protection from the worst of the storms for their infant navy. He saw no sign of ship construction, but, obviously, there were many things to do before then. Dismounting, handing the reins to one of the people always magically there for such a need, he entered the tent.
"Your Grace!"
The head engineer Tadeusz Kosciuszko was standing before him, grinning happily, hand outstretched in greeting. Not caring if it was too familiar, James took it. Commander Lech Watesa was there as well, his own hand taking the King's.
"We're glad to have you here safely, Your Grace."
"And I'm glad to be done traveling for a bit. So, show me what's going on."
The two stepped aside, motioning James towards a long table in the middle of the tent. He sensed, more than saw, the annoyance on Shanna's face at being ignored. Well, he wanted her here. She was smart, and her perspective on all this would be invaluable. Turning, he motioned for her to precede him. Her nod in acknowledgment dripped with sarcasm.
What the table held took his breath away. It was a model. Diorama. Whatever. A three dimensional preview of the city to be. Six feet long and almost four wide, the detail, compared to what he would have expected, was exquisite. James shook his head.
"OK, I want one of these for my quarters. With toy soldiers, and some toy monsters."
"I'll see what we can do," Tadeusz laughed. "Some of my men did most of the detailed work around the evening fire. You can't stop them from carving."
"They're promoted to royal toymakers." Reaching out, he picked up a small house. It was carved from a solid piece of wood, the unpainted detail incredible. Shanna shook her head.
"That family is now homeless, you know."
"I'm a friendly giant." He placed the house back. "OK, tell me what I'm looking at here."
"Certainly, Your Grace." Tadeusz picked up a long smooth pointing stick. "As you can see, we plan on walling off a rather large area. This will be mostly a defense against the wilds and a declaration of ownership rather than a serious fortification, but it will slow down any attack. We've chosen this area due to the harbor, as well as two fresh water streams, and are running the wall on the high ground as much as we can." He moved his pointer. "The actual keep will be here, around the royal residence and defending the end of the eventual dock. We've found a good potential quarry to the east, so the second phase of construction will involve stone."
"I'd rather put everything into the ships rather than worry about stonework."
"Agreed, Your Grace, but we have only so many skilled carpenters and ship builders, who will only need so many laborers. The stone work will not delay us in any way, and in fact will free up more large wood for the ships- although, yes," he added, responding to James' raised eyebrow, "wood will be needed to work the quarry and transport the stone."
"We're thinking long and short term here, Your Grace," Lech said. "We can build once, then tear it down and rebuild once most of us are over in our new homeland, or we can start here with what we'll need once this becomes just our outpost on the mainland."
"I can't believe we can get anything done in stone before winter, and I want to be in a nice warm palace on the island by then."
"And you will be, Your Grace. Again, this is for the long term. This building here," he pointed to a wooden structure next to a stream, "is your home while you are with us here. They worked day and night, and it should be ready for you as we speak."
"An actual roof?" Shanna's comment drew the two older men's eyes. She shook her head. "It must be good to be the King."
"There are chambers for companions, staff, and guards," Tadeusz said. James could only chuckle at his obvious uncertainty at which the dark skinned girl was. "We felt it was important for you to be settled, and court established, as soon as possible."
"That's why I'm here." He leaned over the table. Streets were laid out, a grid pattern. Most of them were empty, probably indicating tents. "How are we housing everyone?"
"Tents, communal buildings. No personal houses to start with, but eventually. Understandably, the longer people are here the less they'll be satisfied with conditions they accepted while on the road."
"Won't blame them" James straightened. "Now, what about our future home? What can you tell me?"
Lech led them to a second table. A map was already spread, sea shells holding the four corners. James leaned over it as the man spoke.
"No name, that we know of. Fifteen miles long, most of the northern coast facing us rocky cliff face. There is an inlet, though, leading to the interior, which we think is navigable. We'll have to check. Lots of good land in the interior, and the southern coast is a bit less rocky but will still provide a natural barrier to attack."
"And this?" James pointed to a mark on the western tip. Lech sighed.
"That, Your Grace, is a fishing village."
"Which we know about."
"Yes, Your Grace. Our traders have dealt with them, and much of our information about the island comes from their dealings."
"They won't like us taking over their home."
"... no, Your Grace. They won't."
James considered. There was no guarantee that the rest of the island WAS empty. It could be filled with villages, all protected by not just mountain walls, but secrecy. He did not want war. Did not want to fight these fishermen, whoever they were... or whatever city-state or nation supported them. His people deserved peace, after their sacrifice. He traced the distance on the map from the bay to the village.
"How long until we have ships?"
"It depends on what we start with, Your Grace. Our shipyard is about done. That was our top priority, along with your residence." James thought his house could have waited, but he was only King. What did he know. Tadeusz regarded him.
"What is your suggestion?"
"Two or three ships, able to carry...thirty?" He glanced around, Shanna shrugging. "Thirty men. I want to get over to this village as soon as possible. Talk to them."
"Your Grace!" Both men were shocked, Lech almost sputtering out his objection. "You can not risk...!"
"I can and I will. It's a fishing village. Not a fort. I trust my soldiers to protect me, and our sailors, or oarsmen, to get me there and back. I seem to speak any language I need to, so, logically, I'm the one to do any negotiating."
"And," Shanna said, a slight smile on her face, "if you can get this done before the rest of the column gets here..."
The two officers glanced at each other. James could see the wheels turning. Yes. If he could secure their home, without violence, before Captain Putaski arrived...
"I'll talk with our shipwrights," Tadeusz said. "See what our options are."
"I want at least two ships," James said. Shanna nodded.
"Just in case one sinks."
****
Shanna walked down the beach, shoes and socks in her hands. The sand felt good between her toes, nice and wet, squishy. Good sand castle sand. A wave came in, just barely reaching her feet, the cool water flowing over her small toe. The tide must be going out. The next wave went over both her feet.
So much for creating a theory based on one data point.
She looked around. So much activity. What was she to do, exactly? Staying by James' side would be a good choice, naturally, but somewhat limiting. She didn't actually have a duty, and couldn't really think of one she wanted. Shanna wasn't the type to just stand off to the side and be part of his posse. A soldier? Well, her weapons training with Piotr was going well...
Piotr.
She stopped, smiling, another wave hitting the side of her foot. She was engaged. Engaged! God! It still wasn't real. And, maybe, it really wasn't. Things said under the night sky look different in the day, and while they had found time together since, had whispered sounds of love, that did not mean they would be together once they were settled. She hoped so, though. He...
Well, she loved him.
Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing long term, it made her happy in the here and now. That was good enough.
"Hey!"
Somehow, among all the sounds, Shanna knew that was directed at her. She turned, looking inland. A large soldier was standing and waving to her from a group of about a dozen men seated on two parallel logs. She frowned. He was a stranger. Strange men were to be avoided when she was alone... oh, what the hell. It wasn't like nobody knew who she was. She was safe. Dropping her sneakers to the ground and stepping into them, socks still in her hand, she walked towards him. The stranger turned to his companions, saying something. They all stood as she approached.
"It's you!" The man, large, burly, with a bushy brown mustache and brown hair down to his shoulders, seemed almost giddy. Shanna stopped just out of arms reach.
"Yes, it's me. Who are you?"
He looked shocked for a moment, then laughed. A loud, deep laugh, one Shanna found infectious against her better judgment. He grinned.
"Don't blame you! I was with you that night! At the bridge! You liked my ax!"
Shanna frowned. She liked his...
"Oh!" The memory came to her. A soldier with an ax, grinning like a madman as they attacked the burning raft. Her own face broke into a grin. The soldier stepped forward, hand outstretched.
"I'm Bogdi! God in Heaven, I thought I'd never get to see you again!"
"And was that a good or bad thing?" She took his hand. It was rough, calloused, strong. He squeezed, but she returned it with all she had. He barked out another laugh.
"Ha! I knew you'd have a grip like that!" He released her, Shanna quickly flexing her fingers in the hope they were all still in working order. He didn't seem to notice, turning to the others. "She's the one I've told you about. God, what a fighter! The entire bridge would have gone up in flames if it wasn't for her!"
Shanna would have felt more comfortable accepting this praise in her armor. She had discarded it for a simple white shirt, no bra, and blue pants. With luck the ocean spray had not gotten her shirt wet. She felt her face redden under the impressed gazes of the men.
"Your ax helped," she said.
"Don't I know it!" Bogdi motioned her to one of the logs. "Sit! Join us!" The men moved down, giving her room. She hesitated for a second, before deciding what the hell. She had no better plans.
"I'm Shanna, by the way," she said, sitting. Bogdi nodded, sitting across from her.
"Shanna. That's what I thought. Others thought you had some other names, but I thought Shanna was the right one. That, and the Dark Hussar!"
"I am dark, yes." Laughter exploded out of the men around her. Good laughter. Accepting laughter. Shanna could feel herself relaxing. "So, you all from the same unit?"
"Now, yes. They have us chopping trees. We're old friends, though. We all got spanked for the same things every night!"
"Being an idiot?" she asked. Shanna somehow knew that sort of teasing was allowed. Another of the men leaned forward, pointing at Bogdi.
"For HIM being an idiot, and us being stupid enough to follow him!"
She shook her head as they laughed again.
"You have to pick your leaders better than that! I mean, look at him! You only follow him because he's large enough to block most of the arrows!"
"I am a shield!" Bogdi struck his fist against his chest. The man next to him smacked an open palm against Bogdi's head.
"This is the thickest part!"
A hand tapped Shanna's shoulder. Turning, she saw the man beside her holding a wooden mug.
"Drink!"
"I will." She took the mug, taking a quick smell. Beer. Good, she needed a good beer. With the practiced ease of a college freshman, she tipped her head back, downing the drink. It went down easy.
"What a woman!" The men clapped and cheered again. Blinking, the alcohol seemingly already in her system, she wondered what this group looked like to everyone else. Not that she should care. The man beside Bogdi leaned forward, reaching out a hand towards hers.
"I'm in love. Are you free, by any chance?"
"You," she said, smacking his hand, "I'd charge a year's wages." Sensing, despite the laughter, that she should clarify things, she looked between her new found friends. "I do have a man, though."
They all nodded, Bogdi putting a hand on his belt dagger.
"And woe to the man who forgets that! Worry not, my Dark Hussar. We are soldiers, not Elves."
"So I can see. Elves are not quite as ugly."
****
James sat on his throne.
It wasn't comfortable. That was the main thing. The wooden chair, set up on a small rise above the dirt floor, had no cushions. He needed cushions. How could he rule thirty thousand people with an aching bottom? No. That would be his first decree.
He looked around the room. It was sparse. Bare. A rough wooden square, with unfinished walls, thick beams overhead. Add some fur hangings, and it would look like something out of a bad Conan movie. Not at all the elegant artistry he knew these people were capable of. And they knew it. He saw it in the eye of the soldier who had led him here. This was unworthy of their King. And... he was as yet unworthy to sit here. Unworthy to sit on a cushioned, golden throne. He was as unfinished as the throne room.
What would it be like, with this room full of people, nobles, all bowing to him? All pledging eternal loyalty to him?
He knew what he should be doing. James should be trying to turn this into a democracy. Trying to remake society, improve it, modernize it. Create another America, a land of the free. Only, they already were free. So far as he could tell, at least. There were no slaves. Serfs. An upper class, yes, and poor, but you always had that. He would do his best to rein in the former and help the latter. He would look at their laws, adjust what he thought needed adjusting. Small changes. Changes they could accept. Even he knew nation building never worked when imposed by an outsider...
The large double doors to the hall opened, his two guards swinging them outward. Ewa stood there, framed in the fading light. James stood.
"Welcome to our humble home."
She walked slowly, light blue dress clinging to her body. She moved with such grace. Damn it, she moved like a princess. Why couldn't he marry her? He was King. James saw movement behind her, the others in his new family coming in. Deciding not to wait, he stepped down from the dais, quickly walking up to her. As the others entered the doorway, he took Ewa in his arms, kissing her gently.
"The only way to Christen a room," he said, smiling. Ewa blushed nicely. With a sigh, he released her, looking past Ewa to the others. "All is well, I trust?"
"No problems, Your Grace." Ola bowed. As his head came up, James saw his eyes seem to sweep the room. James chuckled.
"You know how things are supposed to be, Ola. Set up my court. There are a few spare bedrooms here, or rooms that can be made such. Once you have the guards situated, assign the others as you see fit. Only those completely loyal, naturally."
"Naturally, Your Grace. Felek, Ruta, come with me. Guards, if you could tell the men to begin emptying the Royal Wagons, we can begin."
****
Shanna watched as the distant Royal Wagons were emptied. Should she go over? Greet them? Offer to help?
No. She was having too much fun.
Helmut handed her back her cup, now refilled. She was pacing herself now, not wanting to get drunk before dinner, yet holding her own with these hulking males. Raising the drink, she saluted him.
"Thank you, soldier."
"You are welcome, Dark Hussar." His gaze went where hers had been, past the head of Bogdi. "You travel with the Royal Wagon, don't you?"
"Yup." She sipped her drink. Helmut looked between her and the wagon.
"What do you do?"
"Not the King, if that's what you're asking."
Another burst of laughter, a bit more drunken. She hoped they were done working for the day, as they were going to be a bit dangerous with an ax after this. Jacek waved his hands before him in denial.
"No, no! We know better than that! You came with him, though, right?"
"Yup."
She kept it to that. New friends or not, she wasn't drunk enough to trust them too much.
"Lady Shanna!"
Anelie's voice came loud and clear over the sounds of the camp. Shanna sighed. Her fan club was back. She was about to rise when Bogdi did so, surprise written on his face as he turned.
"Sis?"
Sis?
"BOGDI!" Anelie was suddenly there, throwing herself up into the giant's arms. He swung her around, everyone, Shanna included, ducking so they didn't get whacked by her legs. Her red braid swung around even faster, almost a blur. As if sensing the weapon the girl had become, Bogdi moved into the open as he slowed down the spin, letting the girl drop to the ground. Both were grinning like idiots, Shanna seeing the family resemblance despite the difference in size and hair color. Bogdi immediately picked his sister up again, squeezing her, before depositing her back where she had been.
"Anelie! Why the hell are you here? Is Mom here, too?"
"I'm serving the Dark Hussar! Remember? I told you I was going to go become her squire! And I did! I'm traveling with her!"
The soldier looked over at Shanna with surprise.
"You didn't tell us that!"
"You didn't say your sister was a talkative redhead." She stood. "What did you want, Anelie?"
"I just wanted to see if you needed me, Lady Shanna."
There was always something to the way the girl asked that question. Some aspect just on the edge of Shanna's understanding. Her brother seemed to be looking at the girl strangely, too, as if he caught it as well. She shook her head, clearing it.
"Not really. Come. Sit." She shooed the men beside her over, scooting over herself to make room on the end. She sat, patting the log beside her.
"Um... sure!" The redhead seemed to blush as she sat down, hands in her lap, knees together. Bogdi, grinning, returned to his seat across from them. Shanna half turned to the girl.
"So, tell us the most embarrassing story you know about your brother!"
"Hey!"
All trace of embarrassment left Anelie's face. She leaned back, arms going behind her for support, feet kicking like a little girl.
"Weeelll, there was this one time…"