Shanna let herself slip further into the cool river, eyelids half closed as the sun touched the trees across the river. She had never, ever, enjoyed a cold bath as much as now. Even with no soap, let alone bubbles, she could feel a week's worth of road and ash lift free, float away. It was also nice to be nude. She had never appreciated how much that freedom mattered to her, until forced to spend a week clothed.
The water touched her chin. Heaven.
The column had stopped two hours before sunset, to the relief of all. Shanna pitied those at the head, those who had left camp long before sunrise. They had not even been able to take their first rest until the last wagon had crossed the bridge, lest they hold up the entire evacuation and endanger those yet to cross. She also pitied those camped on the other side of the road, cut off from the river. They could cross, yes, and she was sure a few of the women she saw around her doing laundry, bathing, had done so. With water so close, a little extra walking would not be a deterrent. The wagons would switch sides the following night, allowing equal access to all.
Deciding she had soaked long enough, the cold not THAT good for her aching muscles, Shanna pushed herself up. She stood, knee deep next to the riverbank, water dripping from her brown skin. She ignored the eyes of the women around her. While every one was different, she was more so, shape fleshier, more muscular. Darker. Shanna stood still, enjoying the feel of the warm breeze flowing over her skin, nipples hardening on breasts no longer encumbered by tight cloth and armor. Armor with built in padding. That's what she needed. Comfort and support.
Heh. That's how she could make her living: designing modern bras for these people.
Shanna climbed back up onto the bank, grabbing a towel. Her eyes went to the wagon circle as she dried herself, still enjoying the moment. How many men were watching? The distance from the wagons beside the road to here was reasonably far, enough to give the illusion of privacy. Some would be looking, though. The young men. So, too, when the women packed up and went back and the males took their place at the river's edge, the younger girls would be sneaking looks at the hard male forms exposing themselves. And who could blame them? Now that soldiers and civilians were mixing more, she could see for herself how many attractive options there were.
None had yet matched Piotr's smile.
She let her own smile cross her face, running the towel under her breasts. Shanna hoped he trained her some more that evening, despite all that had happened that morning. She needed training. Long, hard, hands on training...
"She's over there."
Something about the way the woman said that got Shanna's attention, elevating the comment over the other conversations around her. She, somehow, knew it referred to her. Turning, Shanna saw a teen girl walking up the riverbank towards her, an older woman in a faded blue dress turning away. Ah. That had been Ruta's mother. No wonder the tone had been recognizable. The teen, though, was a stranger. A slim thing, with red hair falling down her back, wet from a recent dunking. Her dress was purple, tied with a green rope at the waist, skin as white as any Shanna had ever seen. She would have guessed Irish, if asked to classify the girl, but all Whites looked the same to her.
"Are... are you the Dark Hussar?"
The voice was soft, nervous, yet somehow strong. Shanna was also surprised to realize she was not really consciously translating. Who knew she'd pick up a language this fast?
"My name is Shanna." Deciding she really didn't want to stay nude in front of this girl, she bent down, began putting on what these people considered panties. "What can I do for you?"
The girl frowned, expression confused. Shanna realized she had spoken English. So, she wasn't adjusting THAT fast.
"Sorry," she said, now stepping into the pair of men's pants Ewa had fitted to her body. Her mind consciously considered each Polish word before she said it. "My language is not yours. My name is Shanna."
The girl's confused expression did not leave as Shanna buttoned up the fly, tying the rope belt. She bent down, breasts hanging like the udders they were, grabbed the "blouse", and slipped it over her head as she straightened. No bra tonight. Looking at the girl, her embarrassment was clear. Shanna was too tired for this.
"What do you want?"
The girl looked down, hands clenched before her. Shanna felt the eyes of the others on them. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ewa stand, the babe Marik trying to suckle her bare breast. The stranger raised her head.
"My name," the girl said, "is Anelie. My... my brother was with you last night. The raft. He told me. Everything. How incredible you were!" Her eyes widened. They were dark green. "I saw it, too! Some of it! We had just crossed the bridge when the raft lit up! My god, you were amazing! I've never seen a woman like you before!"
She was babbling. Shanna felt tired. She didn't like girls who babbled.
"I am what I am. Again, what can I do for you?"
"I want to serve you!" The girl took a step forward, Shanna almost taking a step back in response. "I want you to train me! I want to fight, like my brother! Like you! I'll be your servant, your squire, whatever! Please!"
Shanna put a hand to her forehead, rubbing, a headache coming. She now had sympathy for James.
"Look..."
"Anelie."
"Anelie. I'm tired. I'm hungry. I'm about to go get my butt handed to me in a sword fight..."
"May I watch, Miss Shanna?"
"What?" Shanna blinked. The redhead bowed her head.
"May I watch you use your sword?"
Well... that wouldn't be committing to anything. She let out a sigh.
"Sure. Why the fuck not."
****
James lifted his hand from the white pawn, trying not to grin at the growing frown on Piotr's face. The young lieutenant leaned forward, hands on his knees. James was not the best chess player, but he knew the game. Had read some books, even played on the chess team for a couple years. He also preferred certain strategies which threw off more casual players. Castling on the queen's side had ruined Piotr's entire first plan of attack, and now his white pawns, freed of any defensive need, were advancing down on the black king's defenses.
Poor guy. James felt for the doomed king.
Felek stood next to them, looking down at the game with rapt attention. James doubted the kid had ever seen chess before, or any real board games. He'd have to teach him. And Ruta. The two ten year olds could battle each other.
A groan came from Piotr. James tried not to look smug.
"You are... good, Your Grace."
"I'm just surprising you. You attacked while I had the advantage of being White, without waiting to see what I was going to do."
"Father," he sighed, "always said I was reckless at this game." He moved a hussar back from it's advanced position, threatening an exposed pawn.
"There's a place for it, but not against an unknown opponent. Not until you know what you're up against." James moved his bishop, the diagonal now clear, down the board. "Check."
"Whoa!" Felek said, eyes wide. "You're going to get his rook!"
Shoulders slumping, Piotr moved his hussar to block the attack, James following through by sliding his bishop into the rook.
"I think I have lost, Your Grace."
"You can probably put up a good fight."
"Yes, but..."
The sound of women's voices came to them.
"But chaos returns to us." The three males laughed. James sat up, rotating his shoulders. The chess set, with its golden inlays and incredible carved pieces, showing up like it did had made his day. He had not thought of the game in his time here, but it seemed to fit a need he should have known. His mind felt so much fresher. He held out his hand.
"Good game, Lieutenant Kosciuszko." The teen looked at him for a moment, unsure. James smiled. "My Dad taught me to always shake with an opponent, no matter the outcome."
Piotr gave his own grin, taking the King's hand and giving it a firm shake.
"Good game, Your Grace. You beat me soundly."
"And, by the look on her face, it's time for you to beat Shanna soundly."
"Oh, he can try." The brown woman looked down at them, cleanliness seeming to radiate from her body. Her clothing stuck to patches of wetness on her body in interesting ways, which as King, James felt no shame in admiring. Piotr, too, gave the woman a good long look, eyes seeming to focus on her breasts for longer than would be good for his health. She did not seem to mind.
"Well," Piotr said, standing, "if the foreign commoner wishes to be put in her place, I guess I can oblige."
"My place is standing over your defeated body."
"I wish you luck in that dream, Lady Shanna."
They moved away. James picked up the white queen, turning it over in his hand. Amazing craftsmanship. Amazing carved bosom. The former King who had commissioned this set had some obvious tastes in women.
Former Kings... James looked off to the west, eyes on what could not be seen. These people had still not told him the why of this war. Why the Elves did what they did. They had NOT attacked last night. Nor on the road. And they could have- easily. Harassed. Delayed. But they had not. The Elves... had LET them cross the river. Had let them flee.
Why?
He looked back down at the chess board, the Black King cowering behind his hussar. The war had not been about exterminating humans. It had been about... occupying the city? Had that been the goal? Exterminating the royal family? No, one did not need to take Nowy Kiev to discover if the explosion in the royal chambers had done its job. Unless the two were unrelated? Were the Elves not, in fact, responsible for the loss of the King?
He needed information. Information some, with perhaps things to hide, might not want to reveal.
James closed his eyes. He was seriously considering starting a secret information gathering service. Great. Let's hear it for the American Way.
Wood crashed into wood. He looked up to see the two lovestruck warriors banging their practice swords together. Around them, the other women prepared the evening meal, eyes occasionally going to his companion with unhidden disapproval. Nothing he could do there. Shanna had no use for them, they had contempt for her. If things came to a head, James suspected she could deal with it.
Probably by banging something with a stick.
****
The blows to Shanna's head came swiftly, three quick swings. She brought her sword up, parrying the attacks. She shifted her feet, trying to find some stability in the uneven grass. In the blink of an eye, Piotr's sword appeared down low. Her own weapon had barely reached down to her waist when his wood blade whacked her in the thigh.
"Ow! Mother Fucker!"
"Pay attention."
"I am! Damn it!" Her anger was at herself, naturally. Her defenses were still as strong as wet cardboard. Stepping back, she shook the leg, trying to get rid of the sting. Piotr stepped back as well.
"You can't just parry. Fights don't last long. You have to turn my attack against me, counter attack to catch me off guard."
Oh, she'd catch him off guard. With a yell, she charged him, both hands on the hilt of her sword. He brought his up to defend. Using the force of the impact, her sword rebounded off and swung low. Piotr spun away...
...his sword banging into her left arm.
"Fuck!"
"Like that. You left yourself open by attacking too strongly."
Her eyes narrowed. The teen was much more serious than normal. Something had annoyed him, the guy taking it out on her. She glanced over at James, the Royal Stranger putting away some sort of chess set.
Ah.
"What's the matter? Upset you got whomped at some children's game?"
His expression changed. Now she had done it. Challenged his manhood. Well, it was his manhood she was interested in. Her eyes flicked down. God, she could see it clearly, pushing out his pants. Maybe they could do some hand to hand fighting next, some good old fashioned wrestling...
"PAY ATTENTION!"
She looked up, startled. Piotr was standing before her, face furious, wooden sword... quivering right next to her head. She winced.
"Sorry."
"You're the one who wants to do this."
"I know, I know. I do. I like this. Maybe we can just drill for a bit? Please?"
She saw him relax, take a deep breath.
"Sure. We can do that."
Shanna took her own step back, eyes taking a look around the camp. That girl Anelie was still there, watching her and Piotr with wide eyed amazement. What the hell was going on there, she had no idea. Nor did she think she wanted to. All she wanted to think about was Piotr.
There was a tap on her sword.
"Ready?"
If she was going to focus on Piotr, now would be the time. She looked at him, raising her weapon.
"Ready."
"OK, first position."
****
By the time Felek came over to get her for dinner, Shanna again was a sweaty mass of aching muscles. It felt wonderful. Piotr, too, looked incredible. The guy almost seemed to glow with the results of the training.
"That was good," she told him, handing over her practice sword. "Thank you."
"You definitely got into it. You are getting better. I think we may want to start you with a shield. Get your defenses up."
"Whatever you think is best."
She saw something pass across his face. He hesitated... then just nodded.
"I'm off to dinner."
"Later."
He had been about to say something. Something in reaction to what she had said? What? Oh, god, she knew what he could have said, what she would have thought of saying if that line had been said to her! Why couldn't he say it? They had been alone, somewhat, in the middle of the busy camp. He could tell her how he felt!
"You are incredible!"
Wrong person and gender.
Anelie came up to her, face aglow. Her red hair seemed to reflect the last of the daylight, her hands moving so much Shanna reassessed her apparent nationality to Italian.
"I have never, never, seen a woman like you, Miss Shanna! You're so strong! You held off his attacks so easily! And when you spun, catching him in the back? My heart almost stopped! You are so incredible!"
"You already said that."
"Please, Lady Shanna, let me serve you! A good warrior needs a servant! I'm smart, I'm a fast learner! I can learn your language! Please!"
Shanna could smell food. Wonderful food. Her place was set next to James, Ewa sitting on his other side. Maybe they could offer some advice.
"Look... I'm hungry. Go get yourself a plate. We'll talk."
"Thank you, Lady!"
A full belly had better have this make more sense.
****
James leaned his head in close to Shanna. She kept her eyes on the stranger eating nearby.
"We need allies, Shanna. People who are loyal to us. I'm starting to collect them, slowly, when I can. You should as well."
"But she's annoying."
"She's offering service. Accept it. We can use her."
Shanna looked at him.
"What makes you think loyalty to me equals loyalty to you?"
"I don't. But, I think we can be loyal to each other."
She looked back at the girl.
"Maybe. If she'll just be quiet..."
****
"Oh, God, this is so exciting! I can't wait to tell my brother! If I see him! He might not be with the wagon anymore, you never know, they keep moving the soldiers around. Mom was so happy to see him! I can't wait to tell her! She'll try to stop me, but she won't! Nothing is going to stop me! So, I'll be waiting up the road tomorrow morning, with my things. Once you ride up, I'll be your servant! Oh, God, I can't wait!"
The girl ran off, silence returning to the world. Shanna wasn't even sure she had gotten half of that babbling, the language not even a factor. If this did not work out, if the girl was just an annoying motormouth, she was going to so stick James with the girl. Make him suffer.
Although, with her luck the redhead would end up in his bed and make him even happier.
Shanna began walking across the grass. She didn't feel like being with people right now. After the teen, she wanted some silence. Solitude. Feet bare, she made her way towards the river's edge. She could hear others farther up and down the bank, but there was silence here. Just the faint flow of the water, the sounds of nature. She came to where she had bathed. Another swim was tempting, but for now she just sat, feet dangling in the cool water.
Her family had rented a cabin, up on some lake. Her father and some of his friends would fish, leaving the women and children behind much of the day as they vanished with poles and a cooler of beer. They would return, eventually, with a cooler full of empty bottles, maybe a few fish. Shanna would spend much of the day just sitting on the bank, stick in hand, playing in the mud.
Dad...
"Shanna?"
Piotr sat down beside her. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell the sweat even an hour after their practice. She had to be the same. They sat in silence.
She wanted to say something. Wanted him to say something. Wanted the silence. They had never been silent together. Never been together. Alone. She was alone with him. God. She was going to fuck it up. No matter what she did, she was going to fuck this up...
"Tell me about your family."
"What?" She looked at him in the evening darkness. Felt his hot, callused hand touch hers. Felt tears in her eyes.
"Tell me about your family, Shanna. I... We never talk. About important things. I know you left people behind."
"Did you?" She looked away, across the river. His hand covered hers.
"Mom is here. Sis and her family are about a mile ahead of us. I've been lucky."
"I'm never going to see Mom and Dad again. Or Grandma Teller. Or Grandpa. Never..." The tears came fast. She was tired of holding it in. Of being strong. She didn't want to be strong. She wanted her Mommy and Daddy. She wanted to be the little girl by the lake, watching her Daddy come home. Wanted him to pick her up, hold her, tell her he'd never leave her...
The arm around her was awkward. Unsure.
Sincere.
Slowly, as the tears lessened, she told him. Told him of her life. Of the life before this world. Of who she was.
He held her, never letting go.