Shanna raised her arm, catching the blow in the middle of the round shield. She grunted, the impact absorbed by her body, forearm vibrating. Her body moved to the right, the wooden sword in her right hand swinging upward from below her waist. Piotr's shield easily dropped to thwart the blow. His entire upper body was now exposed, but she was in no position to do anything about it. Deciding she was in a bad position herself, Shanna backed away.
"You have him now! Keep at it!"
She could do without the cheering section. Bogdi and his companions stood around the two duelists, commenting on every exchange of blows. Some of Piotr's men, too, stood there, also cheering for her. This seemed to annoy her lover to no end.
OK. She did like the cheering section.
Piotr smiled, both shoulders rotating as he worked some kink out.
"Good. You didn't press the attack from a bad position." He changed his stance, shield raised. "Come at me."
She set herself, looking for an opening. Maybe if she attacked with the shield? She could then bring her sword in under it...
"Your Grace!"
Helmut's surprised greeting indicated the evening's practice was probably over. She relaxed, keeping an eye on Piotr. It would be like him to make a surprise attack, keep her on her toes. He straightened, moving to lean his fake sword against a tree stump. That lesson obviously wasn't in the cards. Shanna briefly considered attacking herself, but that would just result in him not holding back and probably another bruise on her toughening skin. True, he'd kiss it better later, but she let the thought pass. Discarding her own weapon and shield, she turned.
James was returning the soldier's salute. She didn't salute him, naturally. He was, in her eyes, an equal. What these people thought didn't matter to her in the slightest.
"What's up?"
He smiled at her, amused, she thought, at her continuing lack of formality. It probably was a refreshing change.
"I just talked to the shipwrights. The two boats should be ready by dark."
"And?"
"And I plan on setting out for our new homeland at dawn. The tide should be right."
She nodded.
"And?"
"And I'll want you up and in the second boat when we go."
Shanna found herself looking past James, across the harbor. You could see the island, barely, out past the entrance. A dark shape on the horizon. Mysterious. Forbidding.
"OK."
"Your Grace."
Shanna looked at Bogdi. The brown haired, giant of a brother to Anelie had stepped forward, head bowed. She frowned as James regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
"What is it, Soldier?" he asked, humor in his voice. Bogdi kept his eyes on the ground as he spoke.
"Your Grace, I would like to volunteer to join Lady Shanna on this mission."
"And I, Your Grace."
"And I."
Shanna turned in a circle, eyes wide. Every one of Bogdi's companions, her new friends, had stepped forward. Had offered to join her in an untested boat across an unknown ocean. She didn't know what to say. Even Anelie stepped forward, quickly stepping back at a scowl from her brother.
Piotr, and his men, stayed silent.
"If she wishes it," James said, eyes on her, "I have no objection. We need fourteen oarsmen," he added, glancing at the dozen before him, "minimum, plus two more in addition to Shanna. If you can find some archers to fill those slots, do it."
"I know some men, Your Grace. We'll be ready."
"Good." His eyes returned to Shanna. "You OK with this?'
"Um... yes." She was blushing. She knew she was blushing. Why was she blushing? She mentally shook herself. "Yes. I'll be ready."
"Good."
James turned, retracing his steps, his two guards just behind. Shanna turned to Piotr.
"You're not coming?"
She didn't mean for it to come out hurt. To come out... like some woman wronged. Piotr's wince did not bring her joy. She shook her head.
"Sorry. I know it's probably..."
She felt his hands on her shoulders. Looked up to see him standing before her, eyes whirling. He let out a sigh.
"I'm a Hussar, Shanna. I fight on horseback. The King needs strong soldiers for this, not horsemen like me."
"But I need you," she whispered. He smiled.
"And I you. But, what was it you said? You wouldn't stay home and be a normal wife? This is the life of a soldier. Going off, leaving family, friends. Hoping to return some day." His face became serious. "You'll lead your men. Protect the King. And come home, your job well done. And I'll be waiting."
****
"Don't go."
James looked up at the sad teen. Ewa held herself above the tired King, black hair loose, hanging down to his chest. Her legs straddled his, the royal manhood resting after its recent adventure. He reached a hand up, touching her cheek. The other, out of long habit, found one of her perfect breasts.
"It will just be a day or two, if we camp there rather than risk a tired crossing. Nothing will go wrong."
"I don't trust them."
He didn't ask if she meant those going with him, or those left behind with her. He ran a thumb over the soft skin of her face, over the hard nub centered on her hanging breast.
"Trust me."
"I love you."
James moved his hand to the back of her head, drawing her lips down to his.
"Then love me."
She did just that.
****
Shanna lay her hand on the rough wooden hull.
Did she trust this with her life? She let her gaze go down its length. The boards were not smoothed and painted. The joints were, however, tight. Inside, she knew, waterproofing pitch had been applied liberally. Oars, seven per side, stuck out from round holes in the upper hull. There was no mast, the winds, she had been told, not favorable enough to bother with a sail on this short trip.
She stepped back from the ship. It sat on a road of logs, leading into the ocean. Wood beams held it upright, ready to be loaded. Ready for her and her companions to board, be pushed into the pre-dawn ocean. For them to travel into the unknown.
She looked at her new friends. Bogdi, now in a breastplate and helmet well polished, yet obviously well used, knelt in the sand, talking to his sister. The others, loved ones back with the column, stood around her. Helmut had a hand on the girl's shoulder, expression on the rough man's face one of love. Anelie stood in for all they were fighting for. All they were risking their lives for.
Shanna looked away. She had said her goodbyes to Piotr before coming. Spending the entire night with him, off away from the others. She did not want to appear weak. Like a girl. She was their leader.
James approached, surrounded by his people. Ewa, holding the baby, caught him by the arm. As Shanna watched, the girl drew the King into a tearful embrace, the two ten year olds joining in. James showed no embarrassment as he kissed first the girl, then the baby, kneeling to return the hugs to Felek and Ruta. He stood, motioning to his guards as he continued on his way to the ships.
It must be good to be King.
"Good morning, Captain Shanna." His voice was cheerful. How could he be cheerful? She forced a smile.
"Good morning, King James. Lovely day for an adventure."
"I think so." James looked around, raising his voice. "OK, let's get started. We're wasting daylight."
The gathered soldiers laughed. With a wave of acknowledgment, the King stepped up the ladder and over the side rail of the first boat. His guards and selected soldiers, armor reflecting the torches, followed. Shanna took a deep breath.
Time to do this.
Aware all eyes were on her, she carefully mounted the ladder, pausing to make sure her sword stayed out if her way in its scabbard. Fully feeling the weight of her armor and shield, she stepped over the top, feet finding one of the seats running the width of the ship. Now on board, and feeling very tall and unstable, she slowly walked from seat to seat until she found herself at the bow. Shanna sat, facing the back as her friend quickly followed. Taking seats facing the rear and grabbing oars, they turned their heads and smiled up at her, grins infectious despite her mood. The last man boarding, she saw the ladder removed. She looked over at the other ship, James sitting at the bow. He grinned at her.
"All set, Captain Shanna?"
"Is this a permanent promotion, King James?"
"We'll see. Ready?"
She looked down the double row of men.
"Ready."
"Launch us, if you please!"
Shanna felt the jolt as the boat moved under her, pushed by dozens of men down the log ramp. The splash of the bow into the water signaled they would NOT be stuck on shore, as a small part of her had feared, and hoped. With grunts and shouts, both in and out of the vessel, the ship continued. She could feel the hull under her floating. Could feel the moment the stern left the last log. As one, the men pushed their oars out. A man she was not familiar with stood at the stern, a drum hanging from his neck.
"OK, you maggots! To the beat!" He brought a drumstick down, a low boom rolling up to her. The men, as one, began to row.
They were off.
****
James had forgotten how slow ship travel was.
He hadn't been on many boats. His family wasn't the outdoors or fishing type. They had occasionally gone on tourist ferries and the like, traveling around a lake or harbor. He remembered one trip to New York City, traveling over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The overall sense he had on these ships was not getting anywhere. Maybe it was just the lack of landmarks in the water, combined with the land before and behind you not really changing much as the distance changed.
Having to row the entire way didn't help.
The ocean was calm. That was good. Once they had cleared the harbor, as well as whatever outer reefs were now rendered harmless by the high tide, he had set the craft towards the western tip of the island. There, they would find the fishing village. There, he would have his first real encounter with another people as King.
For the seemingly hundredth time, he pulled out the spyglass and gazed at the shore ahead. The view had not changed. Waves breaking on large rocks, cliff faces, topped with trees. Not at all inviting. However, they did not want an inviting home. A good place to raise families that nobody would want to invade. That's what he wanted.
"Drink, Your Grace?"
He turned, lowering the spyglass. The men had stopped rowing, taking a much needed break. The nearest held out a silver cup. James took it, smiling.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome, Your Grace."
He took a swig. Beer. Good beer. He was definitely ruler of a cultured and refined people.
"Hey! King! You guys stopping AGAIN?"
And then there was Miss Stick Banger.
Shanna stood at the bow of her ship, her men rowing hard as they passed twenty yards away. Seeing she had his attention, Shanna gave a sarcastic wave, before sitting back down and downing a drink. James looked over at his Sergeant, eyebrow raised.
"What do you think, Wojo? Another ten minutes before they have to take a break themselves?"
"I give them twenty, Your Grace. They're energetic fools."
"That they are. Another half cup for all the men, and then we'll continue."
Sitting back, he basked in the resulting cheer. He was a good King.
****
James slowly lowered his spyglass.
Frogs.
To be more precise, they called themselves the Kikker. He had not known what people would be here, but had half expected them. If there was such a thing as fate, and with all this he wasn't going to discount it, it simply made sense for him to have met these people before. Heck, the ship captain from before could even be here.
Too bad he couldn't for the life of him remember his name, and probably wouldn't be able to recognize him mixed among his own kind.
"Shanna!"
She looked over, lowering her own spyglass. The two ships were now close together, separated just enough to not get in each other's way. He motioned with his hands.
"We'll take the right side of the first dock, you take the left. There is to be NO conflict, without my word! Understood?"
"Understood!"
Gone was the playful joking. He saw her turn to her own men, giving orders. He looked ahead again. They were definitely noticed, and identified. Men, Frog Men, were moving swiftly here and there. It was a small village, maybe twenty buildings, arranged on a crescent shaped shore. Three docks poked out, about five ships of various sizes tied up. All were sailing vessels, four of which had what he assumed were fishing nets on their decks. The harbor entrance was narrow, maybe fifty feet across, but marked with red wooden poles. As they passed through, James noted the rocky arms on either side seemed to not quite be natural. The break wall had been built, or at least reinforced. Behind the village, mountains rose. He did see a break, a pass leading into the interior. He would not be surprised to find it led to farms.
Or herds of giant flies.
There was no attempt to stop them, which was good. He had his archers ready, arrows un-nocked but ready to be fired at a moments notice. James stood as the ship came alongside the dock, the men pulling in the oars on that side. He hoped his unarmored body signaled peace, not stupidity. Kikker dock men grabbed the ropes thrown to them, tying up the ship. As soon as he felt secure in his footing, James stepped up onto the dock. The guards Duda and Nowak were there beside him instantly. A moment later, Shanna stepped out of her ship, Bogdi and Helmut at her side. A Frogman, splotchy brown skin partially covered by an orange rope woven toga, approached down the dock. He stopped a few feet away, green eyes on the top of his head never leaving James.
"Greetings, Polack. Welcome to Visvang."
The tone was wary. As well it should be, with thirty or so armed humans at his doorstep. James bowed his head slightly.
"Greetings. I am James, leader of the Polish People. I wish to speak to the leader of this village."
"You come armed, with soldiers." His eyes swept the two ships. James nodded.
"My people have had... a bad month, and friendship is no longer assumed. We come in peace. How we leave is up to you."
The creature nodded.
"We have heard, and seen your camp on the shore. I am Ajani, Chief of this village. Please leave your men here and follow me."
This was it. Did he trust them?
No.
"Allow me to bring one guard. We are a suspicious people now."
The Chief nodded, seemingly not insulted.
"Wise. Come."
James turned to the others.
"Shanna, you're in charge. Stay here, keep out of trouble. The men can stretch their legs on the end of the dock, but go no further. Duda, you're with me."
"Good luck," Shanna said. She stuck out her hand. He took it.
"If I'm not back in an hour, feel free to come rescue me."
****
Two of the Chief's own guards fell in behind James and Duda. He ignored them. He could feel the eyes of the entire village on them. The women, he noticed, were a touch more human than their male counterparts. The heads were smaller, bodies a bit more slender, breasts prominent. He wondered what they could be for, given that frogs laid eggs. Perhaps these people had evolved beyond that, nurturing their young. Or maybe they weren't actually breasts in the human sense. Who could say. He certainly wasn't going to inquire into their mating practices.
As they reached the center of a stone plaza before the largest of the stone buildings, the Chief called for two chairs. Servants, nude apart from a blue rope belt, quickly brought them, setting the pair facing each other on the grey stones. Chief Ajani sat, James following suit. The guards stood behind their respective leader.
"So," Ajani asked, leaning back in his chair, "what brings the King of the Polacks here?"
The continued use of that term told James his people were not well respected. Certainly not enough for their own name for themselves to be used, remembered. Something he would have to change. He smiled, leaning forward, hands clasped in his lap.
"As you have noticed, my people are, indeed, camped on the shore opposite this large island. Soon, very soon, all of the Poles who escaped the Elvish attack on our home will be there."
"Are you founding your new city there?" There was humor in the Chief's voice. Obviously, he knew it wasn't a great location. James shook his head.
"No. No, before I became King, the leaders of my people chose another location for our new home. One isolated, safe from attack."
The Chief's eyes widened. His body shot forward, hands clasping the chair's arms as if to hold him back.
"You dare!"
"I do not." James gestured around him, voice calm. "This is a large island. You, so far as we can tell, only use this small piece. We wish to inhabit the rest, whatever you are not using. Peacefully."
"You wish to take our land!" He was shouting, drawing the attention of all who had been pretending not to listen. This meeting was in public for a reason, perhaps to give the Chief political cover for whatever choice he made. Or to make James feel naked, threatened. James leaned back, relaxed.
"We wish to do no such thing. If the island is inhabited by other villages and cities, then we will go elsewhere. Or stay where we are, making do with that shoreline. If you are claiming what you are not using, though... well, my people will not like that."
Chief Ajani sat back, eyes narrowing.
"What... do you propose?"
"Do you have an accurate map we could look at now?"
The Chief signaled to the servants. Quickly, a table was set up between them, a large map spread out. James was happy to see it was close to what his maps had said. He pointed to the center of the island.
"There is a freshwater lake here, connected to the sea by this narrow river through the northern cliff face. We wish to build our home around that lake, farm in the fields on either side. If the river is navigable, it will be our connection to our town on the shore. If not," he moved his finger southward, "then this would be our harbor. We may use it anyway. Our plans will be vague until we walk the ground ourselves."
The chief slowly nodded. After a long moment, he pointed to a series of small lakes in the hills behind the village.
"These ponds water our people, are... important to us. They are off limits."
"Understood. Mark your boundary, and I shall enforce it forcefully." He pointed to a pass. "A road between our people, though, would be beneficial to all. Would help trade."
"Trade?" The demeanor of the Chief changed. James nodded, smiling.
"We were forced to leave our crops in the ground. While we have enough food for the winter, fish would greatly enhance our diet. Obviously, you already have agreements with others for your catch. We would trade for all you have left, for reasonable prices."
"Polacks," the Chief mused, leaning back, "are good with wood, metal. Are they not?"
"Indeed we are. Help us find mines on this island, and we will trade you high quality metal goods, for better prices than you will get on shore."
Chief Ajani looked off across the harbor.
"The deals have been getting worse, traders in the cities wanting to pay less and less, and charging more and more."
"We will buy most, if not all, of the fish you catch. I have thirty thousand people to feed."
"Deal." The Chief stood, webbed hand outstretched. James stood and took it. The grip was strong, dry.
Peaceful.
****
Shanna paid no attention to the shore. Her gaze, instead, stayed on the only non-fishing boat in the harbor. She frowned.
"Bogdi."
"Yeah?" The large man moved to her side, axe in his hand. He put the head on the ground, leaning on the handle like a cane.
"Do you remember that boat by the bridge? The one blocked from heading south?"
"Hmm... yes. It was pissed. Why?"
"Look at that ship."
He leaned forward beside her. The craft was a cargo ship, larger, shallower than the Frog fishing boats. Shanna looked between it and Bogdi, catching the moment of recognition. He stood up, eyes wide.
"Well I'll be. That's it. That's a coincidence."
"Yes," she said dryly. "It is. What I don't think is, is the way the crew doesn't seem to want to look at us."
Even as she spoke, one of the Frog crewmen glanced across the water at her, quickly looking away as he busied himself with some task. Bogdi frowned.
"What do you think is the reason?"
"The raft... I don't think it was the Elves."
"Son of a bitch!" The ax was up and in both his hands before the curse was even done. "What do we do, Lady?"
"Nothing. Now, at least. No harm, no foul, and we were in their way." Her own hand found itself on her sword pommel. "Mark the ship, though. Remember it, pass the word. We may have a word with them later."
"And more," he said. She nodded.
"Yes..."
****
James stood on the front porch of his wooden Palace, watching the first of the wagons come down the new road to the harbor, down into their final destination. Above him, on a pole high above the roof, waved the Polish flag. He could sense the relief in the people, the joy, the pride. They had made it. They were safe.
Chief Ajani stood at his side, head shaking back and forth.
"You... walked. Your people WALKED! From Nowy Kiev to HERE?"
"We are a strong people, Chief Ajani. We are survivors. Something others will soon understand." He saw the familiar armor of Captain Putaski. "Ah, here's the good Captain. I thought he might be at the head of the caravan. Piotr, invite him over."
"Certainly, Your Grace." The young Winged Hussar kicked his horse, moving to meet the cluster of officers.
James could not help but chuckle. With Shanna still over on the island, looking over the interior where they would build their homes, the Hussar was a much different man. For all the bravado of youth, worry over the girl was never far under the surface. James would have to keep that in mind when giving him tasks.
Piotr returned looking much more stern, soldierly. His father rode beside him, pleasure at the reunion clear in the older man's face. Captain Putaski, however, did not look happy. He reined in before the King, eyes clearly on the Kikker Chief. He just sat there in his saddle for a long moment. James folded his arms over his chest, waiting. Only the others finally dismounting and saying their greetings to the King finally seemed to kick his mind back into gear. He dismounted, taking a few steps forward, eyes finally going to James. He bowed.
"Greetings, Your Grace."
"My Grace greets you." It had been awhile since he had used that joke, and the time seemed right. The Captain gave him a hard stare, which he ignored. "Captain Putaski, may I introduce Chief Ajani, head of the Kikker fishing village we will be sharing the island with. We were just finalizing a treaty and trade agreement."
Their eyes met. The Captain was the first to look away. He bowed his head slightly to the Kikker.
"Greetings, Sir."
The Chief returned the head bow, staying silent, most likely realizing nobody but James spoke his language. James looked around the gathered officers.
"I know you're all tired, yet eager for news. I can tell you that we have been to our new home, and are currently scouting the site of Nowy Warsaw. The Kikker, under our new friend Chief Ajani, have agreed to supply us with fish this winter, in return for finished goods from our carpenters and metal smiths. They have also agreed to assist in our ship building, in exchange for a couple ships once we no longer need them." The relief he saw on their faces cheered him. Even Putaski seemed to be giving begrudging approval. The man did frown for a moment, though.
"Nowy Warsaw, Your Grace?"
"I took the liberty of naming our new city. Warsaw is the current capital of our old homeland, so is a fitting name for our new home."
"Have you named the island, too?" There was humor in the Captain's voice. James smiled.
"Nowy Poland."
****
Elsewhere...
****
The Elven girl lowered her hands, her body drained. The air before her shimmered, reflecting the surrounding trees and grass. It would protect them. Shield them. Shield them from...
Princess Catty closed her eyes. She couldn't call them Elves. No Elves, no true Elves, could do such as had been done to her family. Could ever, in a thousand lifetimes, have tortured their Queen. Not even Polacks were that cruel.
Her sister's crying was louder now. Eyes reluctantly opening, Catty turned. Jaka knelt beside their mother, the older girl sobbing into her hands. Why did Catty have to be the responsible one? Yes, her magic was stronger, but she was the child. Her sister was of marrying age. Almost an adult. Yet she cried like an infant...
Her eyes, against their will, dropped down to Mother. The Queen's eyes were closed, a blessing. Catty did not have to see the pain within. A blanket covered her thin form, covered the burns and cuts on her naked body. Covered the gash where they had removed the unborn child and...
Catty looked away. They weren't Elves. No. None of her race, outside of those in this sheltered glade, deserved that name.
"Your Majesty, we must go."
She whirled. How dare the guard wake Mother! How dare he...!
His hand was on Jaka's shoulder, his words directed to her older sister. The other Elven soldiers stood behind him, heads bowed.
Mother... Mother was...
Queen Jaka struggled to stand. The Lieutenant helped her, Catty quickly moving to take her other arm. The younger girl's eyes went back to the mangled face of her beautiful mother.
"She's really...?"
"I felt her go," Jaka whispered. "Her pain is over."
"And ours goes on. Where do we go, Sister? Where on this world do we go?"
Jaka closed her eyes. Catty could feel the magic gather. Heard the whispered words. As the soldiers gathered, all those of her former race still loyal to the Crown, a ghostly globe appeared before the Queen. Eyes opening, Jaka pointed to a long, thin island off the southern coast.
"There.”
The End
Edited by Packrat