Anelie's big brother made a good horse.
She knew this from past experience. It had been a while since she had ridden on Bogdi's back, not since before he had joined the army. Him on all fours, trying, yet not trying, to buck her off as she held on to his long hair as he took her around the room. Her laughing gleefully, even psychotically, urging her horsey on.
Now his daughter did the same thing.
Anelie sat next to Adanya on a wooden bench near the river. A park, of all things. A space of greenery in the midst of a land of green, set aside just for Poles and Kikker to sit, play, or even do nothing. Another of the King's strange, wonderful ideas. The flat field, upwind of the docks, even had swings, children of both races taking turns flying through the air. Her niece and nephew, though, preferred the ride which was their Dad. Bogdi crawled past them, daughter astride her mount. As the two women watched, Zuza pulled back on on Bogdi's brown locks.
"Whoa!"
The hulking soldier came to a stop in the grass, shaking his head and snorting. Zuza hopped off, hand holding a clump of hair out as if it was a rein.
"James! Your turn!"
The boy sat in a patch of grass, carved toy soldiers arranged around him. He shook his head.
"Not now."
Bogdi sat up, startling Zuza into releasing her grip on his flowing mane. He looked at his son, concern obvious.
"Tired, Boy?"
"A bit. But I don't want to go home!" he quickly added. "I just don't feel like riding."
Bogdi nodded, pushing himself to his feet. Zuza swiftly went and plopped herself beside her remaining sibling. Adanya patted the empty seat beside her.
"You need a rest anyway, Love. You patrolled today."
"As if playing with my children is work." Anelie noticed he was taking deep breaths as he sat. Leaning down, she dipped a cup in the bucket of water beside the bench. She offered it to Bogdi.
"A good horse needs watering after he's been ridden."
"Very true." He reached over his wife, taking the drink. "Thank you, little sis."
"You'll need your energy for when I ride you."
Adanya's expression told Anelie that probably wasn't the kind of thing she could say about her brother anymore, at least not in places more public. Bogdi just chuckled, arm going around his wife. He handed the empty cup back to Anelie. She dutifully refilled it.
"Dad!"
All three adults looked at James. He was pointing back towards the town. Anelie saw Shanna coming, dressed in her dark blue uniform. Exactly WHY the non-armor uniforms of the 1st Cavalry were blue, and not the red and white of the rest of Poland's army, had never been exactly clear to Anelie. It did look good, she had to admit, and the shields had red and white markings on them so it wasn't like tradition was being flouted. Waddling behind Shanna were her two children, a light folding stool held between them. Anelie smiled. Bringing her own seat. That was Shanna.
"Sit," Shanna told them, forestalling either Anelie or Bogdi from rising in greeting. Stopping, she turned to her twins. "Thank you. You did good! Now go play!"
"Yay!" Shanna grabbed the stool as they dropped it, Betty and Chris racing through the grass to the older twins. Making her way to the bench, she set the stool up beside Anelie, looking down the bench.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, sitting. Anelie smiled.
"Not at all, Lady Shanna."
"Good." She glanced at the four children now giggling fiercely. "He's doing better?"
"Today," Adanya said. The exhaustion was clear in her voice. "This episode seems to be over. Until the next one."
Shanna let out a long sigh. Anelie looked at her. She knew that sigh. It was a sign Shanna did not want to deal with something, yet was going to. Unable to help herself, she reached out, touching her commander's knee.
"What is it, Lady?"
Shanna's eyes flicked to her, moving away before Anelie could interpret them. She did remove her hand, cursing. That had been the wrong thing. Damn it, why couldn't she stop...
"Adanya," Shanna said, hand going up to adjust her glasses. "Word came from the Palace. Your father received your letter."
"And?" Adanya asked, taking and letting out a deep breath. Shanna shook her head.
"And you should have asked me to send the message via flag. No need to send it by ship."
"I, we, didn't want to bother you."
"Jesus Christ, Adanya, we're almost family." Anelie felt herself blushing at her words. If things had worked out differently, she would have been family. Been Anelie's husband. It was better this way, though. Yes. Better. Better for all...
"Anyway, there apparently has been some chaos back there, relating to this. James sent orders today." Shanna took a deep breath. Bogdi leaned towards her, large hand grasping his wife's bare knee.
"And, My Lady?"
"And there may be a way to save your children."
Anelie's heart stopped. A way... Her hand shot back to Shanna's knee, squeezing. Bogdi and Adanya were on their feet, Adanya's hand fumbling to grasp his. Shanna thrust her palm out, face grimacing.
"Sit! Please! This is stupid and complicated!"
The two sat. Anelie kept her hand where it was, eyes never leaving Shanna's face. The brown skinned woman licked her lips.
"OK. Here's the deal. Do you remember Ruta, Queen Ewa's serving girl?" Anelie did, but Shanna must have seen something on the other's faces. "She's the annoyingly cute blonde who's been throwing herself at the Queen's brother."
"Ah," Adanya said. "Yes. She has watched the children."
"Well," Shanna went on, "it seems she had some sort of... vision."
Anelie blinked.
"Vision?"
"Apparently," Shanna said, dryly. "Long and the short of it, something mystical happened and the girl thinks the kids can be healed if they go to someplace called Lake Bled."
"How far?" Adanya asked, voice no more than a whisper. Shanna shook her head.
"No idea. James can't find it on any map, nor can your Father. The girl thinks she can locate it, though. Lead you there. Something magical- flags can only give you so much detail when it comes to this kind of thing." She snorted. "We have to see if we can re-invent the telegraph. We really need it."
"I'll take them," Bogdi said, standing. Anelie looked up at her brother. Gone was the veil of grief, hopelessness, which had tinged every other emotion for the past three years. He stood tall, strong. The brother she had always known. Loved. Worshiped. Only the eyes worried her. Despair had been replaced by... what? She didn't know. Fanatical optimism, perhaps. Anelie wondered if her eyes were the same. She knew what she would do. Had to do. There would be no question of taking another path.
Adanya rose.
"I, too, will go."
"Adanya..." Bogdi started. She cut him off.
"We both go. We both save them. The three of you gone into the unknown will kill me. We stay together. Always."
He took her in his arms, her inhuman body molding to his. Anelie looked away. It always made her uncomfortable. Not because of who her sister-in-law was, no. Not that. Definitely not that. She looked at Shanna.
"I'm going, too. May I take my men?"
Shanna did not look surprised at her request. She placed a hand on Anelie's shoulder.
"Ask for volunteers. No one with a family." Anelie winced. That would exclude Lewy. As if reading her mind, Shanna chuckled. "Unless the wife comes. I'd hate to see her leave the kitchen, but Jaromira is a hardy woman." She looked at all three of them. "James is sending a small group from the Palace to join you. They'll be here in two days. Take what you need. I'll give you a couple light wagons, spare horses. Travel light and fast." Her eyes flicked to the playing children. "And, whatever happens... come home."
****
"You shouldn't be doing this," Ewa said.
Felek sighed, shoving another shirt into his bag. He loved his sister, but her attempts to mother him were never welcome. He was an adult, after all.
"Yes I should." His eyes flicked around his room. He should pack light, yet they could be gone weeks. Months. They could probably buy what they needed, but...
"You just came back, Felek. It's not fair."
OK, that was a shitty argument. He looked at Ewa. Her expression seemed to show even she knew it.
"And I'm supposed to let Ruta go without me? No."
"Give the necklace to someone else. Give it to Adanya."
"Ruta won't do that." He paused, grimacing a bit. "I already asked."
"Oh." His sister's shoulders sagged. Putting his packing aside for the moment, Felek moved to Ewa, giving her a quick hug. Her arms wrapped around him, trapping him into a much longer embrace than intended. Resigning himself, he let out a sigh.
"I don't WANT to go, but I have to. There's no other way. I'll come back. We all will. I promise."
He saw the door open behind her. His Grace entered the room. A bit abruptly, Felek freed himself from his sister, stepping away as he straightened. The King smiled.
"Just for that, you shall be punished. Ewa, give him another hug."
"I should say so." She grabbed him again, squeezing hard. "I'll hug you as long as I want, little brother," she whispered into his ear. Then she was gone.
Felek stood by his bed, embarrassed. He watched as the King closed the door.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace."
"I'm the one who has to deal with her until you come back." He looked at Felek, seeming to consider something. Felek noticed a bundle in his right hand. Shrugging, the King approached. "Mind if I sit?"
"Of course not, Your Grace."
He grabbed the chair by the desk, the room's only other real piece of furniture. James motioned for Felek to sit on the bed.
"For the record, or perhaps off the record, I don't want you to go either. The whole thing is probably a dangerous waste of time."
Felek's eyes widened.
"But..."
"A strange vision is no reason to send loved ones into danger. At least not without waiting, testing, seeing what the hell is actually going on. No, this is foolish."
"Then..."
"Then why?" His Grace let out a sigh, hand running through his short brown hair. "Because of Chief Ajani. He wants this, and the cost is low enough that I can't deny him. We owe his people too much."
The King paused. Felek tried to understand his words. The cost... what cost? The cost of the people going? The cost of them not returning?
A shiver of understanding went through him. His Grace nodded.
"What is best for the Kingdom is not always best for any particular person, especially the King. Your life, to me and your sister, is not a fair exchange for the life of Ajani's grandkids. It is, however, when it comes to keeping this alliance strong."
Felek no longer felt so eager to begin this adventure. The King chuckled.
"That said, I have faith in you. In your intelligence, your ability. If this can be done, if there is in fact something TO be done, you can do it."
"Thank you, Your Grace." He now felt a little better.
"I just wanted to make it clear that, for me, the fate of the children is not the important thing. They are not why I'm sending you. I have a much more vital mission in mind." He tossed the bundle at Felek. He caught it, startled. The rectangular canvas package held what felt like documents.
"That," the King said, "is to be kept with you at all times. It is not more important than your lives, no, but it is worth risking trained soldiers who know their duty." Felek swallowed. "They are letters of introduction. Invitations. As you travel, I want you to keep your eye out for those who might be friends to the Polish Kingdom. Contacts, allies. Be they simple traders, or government officials, of any race or social standing. Any who expresses interest, and you trust, should be given one of those documents. It is an invitation to Nowy Warsaw, a promise of both an audience with me, and of a reward. Be judicious with them, yet generous when you truly feel it is right. I trust you."
"Yes, Your Grace." He looked down at the package. The... well, the responsibility. This was not meeting with some Kikker woman who had gathered some information. No. It was actual diplomacy. First contact. His eyes came up again, saw the King looking at him. "Yes. I understand."
"Good. While you are wandering the world, I also want you to keep a record of all you see, all you hear. Rumors. Legends." He pulled a second wrapped parcel from his pocket. "And, especially, anything regarding this."
He tossed it to Felek. It was a thin letter, sealed with wax.
"Keep that on your person at all times."
"What is it, Your Grace?"
The King stood. Hands clasped behind him, he paced around the room.
"A few days ago, we found a dead elf with a message on him. It was addressed to the Elven Queen, claiming to be from some group still loyal to her." Felek let out a gasp. "Yes. Our reaction, too. Queen Catty, naturally, wants to make contact with them as soon as possible. I am a little more... wary. We will not have an Elven colony here on our borders, let alone within them. Nor am I willing to support any attempt to bring the Queen back to her throne. We are nowhere near strong enough to meddle in their civil war. But." He stopped, facing Felek. "We must find out what is going on. Who these Elves are. Where they are. That is a letter from the Queen. It will serve as your introduction should you make contact." He paused. "Mind you, show it to any other Elf and your lives will be endangered. As will be your homeland."
"I... understand."
"I hope so, Felek. This is a lot to put on you. I truly wanted you to have more training, but life rarely gives us such luxuries." He sighed. "Anelie is a good soldier, trusted by Shanna. I want you to rely on her. Trust her judgment. She knows about the Elven letter, is the one who found it in fact. The children will, naturally, be her first priority. I understand. If it becomes clear, though, that this is a wild goose chase..."
"I'll bring Ruta home."
"Try to bring everyone home, but... yes. Come home."
****
"I'm scared."
Felek stood against the closed door as Ruta paced back and forth before her bed. She had not changed for bed yet, her blue dress showing the wear from a frantic day's activities. Her right hand clutched the bird hanging from her neck.
"I mean," she said, "I haven't heard anything more. Haven't seen... whoever that was. What if it was nothing? What if I can't tell you where to go?"
"Then we come home." He forced a smile. "It will be OK, Ruta. I'll keep you safe."
"I know." She moved to him, blue eyes wide. "I always feel safe with you."
"Good. I can't have my future wife scared of me."
She leaned forward, forehead touching his chin, hands pressed against his chest.
"I talked to Brother Ofim. I... I'm so confused, Felek. I believe the King, when he speaks, yet when I hear the words of Brother Ofim..."
"We will find the truth. Have faith." His own faith was with the King. With his sister. With Ruta. All else was immaterial.
She looked up at him.
"Stay with me tonight."
His breath caught in his throat. Felek's senses suddenly became acutely aware of every point of contact between them. Of every point there COULD be contact. He swallowed.
"Ruta... I..." He shook his head. He had to stay rational. For the King. For the Kingdom. "Ruta, I love you, but we don't know how long we will be gone. I..." Her hands moved against his chest. "I won't have you with child as we travel."
"That... that will not happen. I am safe." Something in her voice called out to him. Demanded he question her. It was drowned out by the action of her palms sliding down his chest. Of her fingers coming to the buttons of his trousers, nimbly undoing them.
"Ruta..."
His pants and undergarments fell to the floor. Her fingers touched him. Wrapped around him. Felek felt faint as a wave of pleasure rushed through him, Ruta letting out a surprised cry.
"Oh!"
His cock let go another spurt, joining the first on her dress. Embarrassment he had not felt since his first erection in front of his sister mixed with his orgasm, fogging his mind even more. Ruta's hand kept pumping, drawing out more of his seed. Her eyes were wide.
"Wow..."
"God, I'm so sorry, Ruta! I didn't mean...!"
"I guess I'm not taking this dress with me!" She released him, his cock done soiling her. She stepped back. "I can't wear it now, can I?"
Even as Felek tried to gather his thoughts, her hands went behind her. He saw fabric loosen.
Her dress fell to the floor.
A Goddess. No other word could describe her. His mind could not even focus on the parts of her, on the smooth skin, firm breasts, or patch of blonde hair above her sex. All he saw was the whole, the beauty which was Ruta.
His Ruta.
"Stay with me," she whispered, approaching again, taking the hem of his shirt. "Love me." Ruta lifted his shirt up, Felek unknowingly raising his arms to assist. A moment later it fell to the floor.
She took his hand.
****
They lay on the narrow bed, limbs intertwined, hands caressing. All was new, exciting. Overwhelming. Felek did not notice the shift in her body under him. Did not know her legs had parted, guiding him down between them. Not until a hot wetness engulfed his cock, her body stiffening as she let out a cry.
He was in her.
He felt her fingers dig into his back. Felt what had to be her legs wrap around him, holding him inside. Felt her mouth kissing all over his face.
He felt what it meant to be loved by a woman.
****
"Stay," she said.
"Forever.”