Catty watched as Far slid the small blade along the half carved hunk of wood.
The soldier sat in an unadorned chair away from the room's one table, eyes focused on his work. His strong hands made the smallest of movements, flecks of wood falling away from the emerging piece. The Elf Queen was fascinated. That such power, such strength, could be controlled, used with such precision, to create something so exquisite. There was nothing her Far could not do.
She looked to the room's one table. Dinner had been cleared away, dishes foisted off on the humans to be cleaned. In their place, six finished, if unpainted, wooden pieces. Small works of art, beyond anything her magic could create. Rising from the cushioned chair against the wall, she walked over, hand longing to touch them. Far's amused voice flowed around her.
"I don't think it's a full set yet, Your Highness."
No. It was far from it. A Dragon set, a proper Dragon set, needed forty-two pieces for each of the players, arranged on a three level board. The board she had grown up with had been made of crystal, each of the flat rectangular levels divided into clear and ruby red squares. The pieces had been made of silver and gold, emerald eyes set into each of the two dragons dominating the top board. Catty's hand gently touched one of the carved Oliphants. She had played the game many times, never noticing, or caring, about the pieces she and her sister had moved about the board. They were no different from any other part of their world. This... this, she had seen made. Had seen the hands of Far bring it out of discarded wood, like a child pulled from a dead mother's womb. She heard a sigh come from herself.
"The humans have a similar game. I saw some of the soldiers playing it."
"I saw it too," Far said. She turned to look at him. He had stopped his work, eyes on her. "One of the sets was finely carved, but the other was plain, the pieces smooth, unadorned. Almost as if worn from use."
"It only had one board," Catty said, frowning. "A child's game."
"It's not the game, but how it's played. I liked the unadorned pieces. I may try a set like that, after I finish yours." He lifted the carving again, knife gently touching the Unicorn's head.
There was a knock on the door. It opened almost immediately, both Det and Wan entering, heads bowing slightly towards Catty. She nodded back, glad to see her men, yet annoyed at having her private time with Far end. Det must have sensed her mood, the Elf's face becoming almost apologetic as he moved past her towards the fire. In his arms were logs, freshly split. She watched as both Elves placed their burden in a wooden box beside the hearth.
The door to the hallway stayed open. Catty was about to rebuke them when Tae entered, followed by the dark skinned human. Catty straightened.
"I trust everything is well with you this evening?" Shanna asked, eyes taking in the room. Catty could see her eyes fall on the Dragon pieces. She had a foolish desire to hide the carvings from Human eyes. Instead, she smiled.
"Well enough. The meal was... better."
There was a snort from the human.
"I have no problem with you cooking in here. You'll have to make do with what we have, naturally. Rations for all will be tight this winter."
"We will manage." She shot a smile at Tae. The Elf was a good cook. Not as good as Biv, but... well, Tae had made it out of Saribit alive.
"Good. I suspect you will be here for awhile, so we will make the best of it." She paused, eyes passing over the four male Elves. "How is your night vision?"
"In the dark?" Catty frowned. "Depends on the moonlight. Why?"
"Nothing," Shanna said, humor in her voice. "I keep forgetting this is reality."
****
Shanna left the Elven common room laughing at herself. Names had meaning, and calling these people "elves" was still screwing up her perception of them. What next, dwarfs who were as tall as humans? She paused at the top of the stairway, thinking. Hadn't there been a fantasy series like that, where the dwarfs had just been a BIT shorter than humans, living underground? Possibly. God knew she had read enough books, all trying to do something a little different. Or not trying, as the case might be.
Laughter came from down below. Shanna had not spent much time with her men that day, something she felt guilty about. Tomorrow she'd order an excursion into the surrounding woods, do some drills. That would be fun.
A vision appeared of Helmut on the stone floor, blood pooling by one arm.
This was not supposed to be fun.
****
Most of her men were in the common room, taking up the part of the first floor not needed for the mess hall and kitchen. A fire roared in two fireplaces, the one at the end sharing a chimney with the hearth in the Elves' room. Lewy had a Koziol out, not so much playing the bagpipe like instrument as conversing with it, pausing to consider what it had said before squeezing the bag again to hear more of its opinion. Two games of cards were ongoing, as well as small groups of men just conversing. Some women, too, those done with kitchen work. They sat together or paired with their man, heads together, hands casually touching each other.
Shanna felt a small pang at the stupidity of Piotr.
Bogdi was in the far corner, the others seeming to leave a shell of privacy around him. Adanya sat in his lap, a bare arm around his shoulders as he held her Frog-like form. Shanna felt she should go over, greet the Kikker Chief's daughter, but from their expression this was not the time. She actually felt her cheeks heat as Adanya whispered something into the Pole's ear, a greenish brown hand playing with the black hairs on his arm. Shanna turned away.
"Lady Shanna!"
The cry came from one of the card games. Grinning, she walked over, looking over the heads of those on the nearest bench at the current play.
"Bronek start cheating yet?"
"They are not drunk enough yet for that," the soldier laughed, the others joining in. "Would you care to join us?"
"What's the game?"
"Poker."
She grinned. Her contribution to Polish culture had been a great success. Pushing apart the shoulders of two of the men before her, she laughed.
"Sounds good! Now, make room for your betters!"
****
It was the longest James had yet talked to any woman here besides Ewa.
They sat in a small drawing room, lamps illuminating the dark paneling. James relaxed on an incredibly comfy couch, his body almost sinking into the cushions. Lusia sat in a chair across from him. Her mother and sister had gone back to their rooms, an observation that the young Gizelda was falling asleep taken by Lady Jasinski as the hint it was. She had seemed more than eager to leave her older daughter alone with the King and his commoner companion.
Lusia had just been shocked.
James watched as Ewa left the room, her motherly instincts telling her it was time to check on Marik. He hoped she'd bring the babe back with her. Continued to let the three of them...
"I know what you're doing, Your Grace."
Lusia's tone was tired, perhaps a bit upset. He looked at her, surprised. She sat, knees together, as any proper lady would, body leaning forward slightly in the well cushioned chair. The swell of her breasts were more than apparent. He gave her his full attention, shrugging slightly.
"I have never claimed to be subtle. What do you suspect?"
"You marry me. Ewa gives birth to your heirs. I live my life without a real husband."
"Close enough."
"I don't like it."
"Then I won't do it." He raised an eyebrow at her surprised reaction. "What? You think I'm the type to force you?"
"You're the King."
"Which has nothing to do with what I'm willing to do with that power, if it is power." His gaze returned to the empty doorway. "I don't want to hurt her. I'm going to, regardless of what I do, but I don't want to."
"She is nice," Lusia said, voice softening. He nodded.
"As are you. You're also intelligent. You two seem to at least get along, for now. If I have to pick someone, and it can't be her, that's what I'm at least shooting for."
"Marry her."
"This is not quite a Constitutional Monarchy, with firm restraints on the King, but I have definite limits and am far from secure. They want one of the Noble families tied to me. Doesn't matter which. Yours is on the outer edge, socially, but qualifies. Ewa doesn't. They're not fanatical enough about bloodlines to really care who the mother of the next King is, so long as I'm the Father." James put a hand to his forehead. "At least I hope."
"And if I suddenly start bleeding after our wedding night?"
"Then what's done is done, and we do what we have to. I'm making this up as I go along, so don't expect a coherent plan."
She leaned forward, hands clenched.
"What is in it for me?"
"What do you want?"
She was silent, eyes focused on his. He shrugged again.
"I asked Shanna that question. Her answer was her own soldiers, her own fort. I asked Ewa. It was to stay with me, to help with my meals, to take care of me. What would you want, that I could provide?"
"To ask that question..." Lusia looked away from him. "Would I share your bed?"
"I would not force you, no. Nor would I stand in the way of any love you found, though it would have to be discreet."
"And if, as your wife, I wanted to share your bed?"
Ewa's voice spoke.
"We would have to discuss it."
James patted the cushion next to him, the shape of her bum still imprinted after her absence. She entered the room, Marik awake and looking around in her arms. Lusia held out her arms.
"May I hold him?"
"Certainly. I haven't changed him, so be careful. He's still dry as of ten seconds ago, but he could go off at any moment."
"I grew up taking care of Gizela." Lusia took the babe with practiced ease, Marik looking up into her face with no sign of the boy turning fussy. "How old is he?"
"We don't know. Under a year."
"He's not yours?" Lusia looked at Ewa in surprise as the dark haired girl sat beside James. She shook her head.
"He was orphaned in the war. Felek and I found him, took care of him. Thanks to James." James could feel the blush come as Ewa took his hand. He smiled at her.
"I did what anyone would."
"But no one did, before you came."
"They would have. These are a good people."
"You speak as if you're not one of us," Lusia said.
"I am now. That's what matters."
****
Shanna walked out into the cold night, in need of a good piss.
Indoor plumbing existed here. Not at the fort, not yet, and perhaps not ever. It was a low priority. The palace would have it soon, the system of pipes and tanks already designed and figured out. Flush toilets, though, were not a thing. They could be, possibly. Shanna had opened up the lid on the back of the toilet at home, had seen the rather simple system. Her name could become synonymous with shitting. "Hey, Bogdi, I'm going to the Shanna to take a piss!" Ah, that would be fame. For now, though, it was outhouses and chamber pots. She was awake and not yet undressed, so to the latrine she went.
Stepping off the steps, she looked up over the north wall. The snow had stopped, if you could call that snow, but clouds still filled the sky. She could still see. It confused her for a moment. If there was no moon, and clouds blocked the stars, exactly what light was she seeing? Shouldn't it be pitch black beyond the light coming from the barracks windows? Life was such a mystery when she was tired.
Shanna saw something out of the corner of her eye. She turned. Eight yellow stars were in the sky, framed against the dark clouds. Moving...
The bell in the north west guard tower began a frantic ringing the same moment her mind realized what she was seeing. It took longer for her to believe it. Not until the flaming arrows began their final plunge into the fort courtyard did she move.
An attack. They were under attack. She sprinted towards the north wall, eyes on the sky above. The eight arrows had fallen harmlessly into the trampled dirt, flames still burning. Eight more appeared, arcing up from somewhere beyond the corner of the fort. Shanna's foot touched the stairway up to the walkway just as the barracks door banged open behind her. She saw her men pouring out, armor hastily donned, weapons in hand. The bell kept ringing as she reached the top. From the distant tree line, she saw eight more bright arrows launch. Dawid ran to her down the rampart, spyglass in hand.
"Lady!" He handed her the glass, pointing. "I think it's just eight archers, on the edge of their range." The arrows passed overhead. Looking through the eyepiece, she caught the back of someone, moving back into the trees. Turning, her eyes swept the fort.
There had been no damage. No injuries. All twenty four or so arrows had fallen harmlessly before the barracks. This had not been an actual attack. It had been... what? Terrorism? A message? Or... her eyes narrowed, trying to see the wall behind the barracks. It could be a distraction. She looked down. Bogdi stood at the bottom of the stairs, her men gathered around him. From the stable, horses were being saddled.
She had to decide. To decide wrong, would be to send friends to their deaths...
"Bogdi! Take first and second squad! The archers were out where the leaning pine is! Sweep the woods! Lewy, take the rest and do a sweep around the perimeter, then return here!" She turned to Dawid. He was one of twenty soldiers tasked with manning the walls, a number she now saw was wholly inadequate. "I want every soldier up here. Keep a close eye on the south wall."
"Yes Lady! Do we signal the Palace?"
She looked east. Would it be showing weakness? No. No, this was important, too important for ego to be involved. She nodded.
"Do it."
****
James stepped up off the ladder onto the signal platform, Piotr two steps behind. Moving around the perimeter, he kept his gaze west. He could see the lantern flickering on and off. Could hear the bells and trumpets sounding from near and far. Coming to stand beside a young man writing swiftly on a chalk board, he put his hands on the railing.
"What's the message?"
"Chicken shit archers did a hit and run. Am circling wagons and pursuing into northern woods." The man paused. "No damage. Amateurs."
James nodded.
"Send a reply. 'Gotcha.'"
"Your Grace!" James turned to look at Piotr. The hussar stood before him, face one of naked fury. "Let me take my men out! We'll..." His voice faded, realization coming before James needed to even raise an eyebrow. Piotr's eyes dropped. "I'm sorry, Your Grace. Forgive me. What are your orders?"
James nodded. He understood the man's anger. His need to go protect Shanna. However, it was a poor Royal Guard who left the King's side at the first sign of danger. Reaching out, James took the man's shoulder.
"Do a sweep around the Palace. Turn out the guards. Tell Czcibor I want troops fanning out from the city towards the fort. Anyone found is to be brought in for questioning. Every clump of trees is to be shaken to see what falls out."
"Yes, Your Grace!" With a salute, Piotr was on the ladder again, almost sliding down. James could not help but smile. A good, loyal soldier, and friend.
His eyes turned again to the distant fort. This was obviously about the Elves. There could be no other reason. Even if they did not know she was there, it was directed at Shanna for her involvement. Terrorism? No, not quite. James did not think an attack on a fort could quality as such. If nothing else, that term would imply the army could be terrorized, and that just wouldn't do. It was civil unrest, though. A challenge to his authority. His decisions. Done by those who probably knew they could have no influence any other way. It could also just be a bunch of drunks, not thinking things through. There need not be anything serious behind it. To react too harshly could turn it INTO something serious.
Good thing he had a lifetime's worth of training in how to deal with just this kind of thing.
****
Her men had found no one.
Shanna was not surprised. If these were just normal townsfolk, pissed after a night of drinking and talk about evil Elves, all they need do is drop their bows and go back home. Indeed, they had found the bows. Hunting bows, nothing special, produced by local craftsmen and used by many. Expensive, though, not something you would want to lose. That this little adventure had cost these idiots their hunting weapons cheered her up some. She'd pass the word to James. Maybe they could see who was now in need of new ones.
With a tired sigh, she handed her breastplate to Anelie. Shanna couldn't wait to get to bed. She didn't know if she could sleep, if the stupidity that was Piotr, or Elf hating Poles, would keep her up. She wanted to find out, though. Her hands went to her shirt, lifting it off. It dropped to the floor.
"Lady Shanna?"
Anelie's voice was tentative. Shanna turned. The girl had put the armor on its rack, and now stood near the closed hallway door. She looked nervous. Shanna frowned.
"What?"
"Um... Lady Shanna... could..." Anelie ducked her head. "Never mind."
"What is it?" Topless, Shanna walked over to her. The girl's face was red. "Come on, spit it out."
"Bogdi... um, well, he asked if he could use my room tonight."
"He..." Shanna blinked, understanding. "Oh." Now she felt her face get hot. Anelie nodded.
"Yeah. I owe him, so I couldn't say 'no'."
"No, of course you couldn't." Shanna shuddered, trying not to picture Bogdi and Adanya spending the night together on Anelie's bed. The room was just next door, too. Luckily, the walls were thick. "I assume you want to crash here tonight?"
"If I could," Anelie said, not meeting her eyes. "I could take Bogdi's bunk, but the others in there snore."
Shanna looked over at her bed. It was a large one, designed with company in mind. More than enough room for her and a teen girl, with a generous neutral zone between them. Nothing could go wrong.
"Sure, why not." Turning away, she resumed undressing. All she wanted to do was sleep…