Pina Co Lada, born in the purple of the Empire, and Praetor Peregrinus and Envoy of the Empire of Sadera paced furiously across the floor. Her aid, Hamilton Uno Ror, and her teacher and friend, Grey Co Aldo, looked on in worry.
"Your highness…" Grey started.
"Don't, please Grey." Pina snapped and sighed. "My apologies for that outburst of petulance, but father… the emperor sent me to Italica with instructions to try and open a dialogue with these… NATO. Instead, I have not only made foes of two noble houses, but I have been outwitted and outmanoeuvred by Sir Richard. Worse, there are rumours circulating that his… aide, shall we say, is Tyuule's sister."
Hamilton flinched. She had heard the rumour and rushed it to Pina's attention without gaining any more information.
"Hamilton, you did nothing wrong, informing me was the correct choice." Pina gave the younger woman a look before sighing and rubbing her temples. "My knights finally get a chance to prove themselves, and instead are shown up. I, myself, am faced with the fact that I… am a poor leader. An unbloodied knight did better at bolstering the militia's morale, such that they did not even flinch in the face of an enemy charge. On top of all that, the Empire is facing a foe that make us look like amateurs. What hope of victory do barbarians using crude wooden clubs have against a mounted knight in armour? None, the same as us."
Grey and Hamilton shared a look as Pina vented.
"Now, I somehow need to convince them not to destroy the empire, despite the fact that they have every advantage, and could easily do so before winter comes." Pina threw her hands in the air as she shouted. "And I wouldn't be surprised if winter wasn't going t slow them down either!"
"Your highness, are you finished?" Grey asked, his normally jolly face set with an ill-fitting frown. "Yes, they could easily crush us. The questions are, why haven't they and what do they want. Your highness, forgive me if I am speaking above my station, but we know so little about these people."
Pina sighed.
"Yes, your right Grey." She collapsed into a nearby seat. "My apologies, its just… I feel like I have already made too many errors. Seeing how swiftly they moved forces, and destroyed their foes… I can understand how they so easily crushed our forces."
"What I don't understand is why is Richard being side lined." Hamilton said. She blinked as both Grey and Pina stared at her. "Ah, forgive me…"
"No, no, you are correct Lady Hamilton." Pina frowned. "He is being side lined, yet he had been chosen to lead the initial expedition… the… 'Colonel' seemed annoyed with his presence, but the Major despite being lower ranked seemed to have no issue with him."
Pina blinked.
"He's like Zorzal."
Grey cocked his head.
"Your Highness? I'm sorry, but aside from both being blonde and having White haired Warrior Bunnies… I don't see it."
"Politically. When my brother started looking for a way to prove himself, he was sent with a legion to what was then our most stable border, he then took advantage of the opportunity to increase his own renown. The Gate appeared close to an important area, and likewise seeing his chance for renown, Richard likely jumped on it. The reinforcements likely are people he has no influence with, possibly even under a political rival, it would explain the differences in uniforms."
Grey hummed as he considered Pina's theory.
"It would make some sense… and there does seem to be some minor antagonism between the two forces…" Grey shook his head. "But there was talk of them being 'Americans' and 'Canadians'."
Pina winced.
"Different kingdoms then? Or regions?" She shook her head. "I forgot about that. Alright. So, we need to know more… I hesitate to simply ask him, he has already outmanoeuvred me once before… but I cannot be intimidated. I suppose I could…"
Pina froze as a knock sounded at the door. An Order of the Red Rose Knight stuck her head in.
"Pardon the interruption, but Sir Richard is outside, asking for an audience. He and Lady Tara would like to inquire about… ah… Tyuule." The knight winced as everyone's faced fell. "Shall I refuse him entry?"
"No! Ah, no. But… let him know I would… like to ask him a few questions, as well." Pina said.
The knight bowed and left. Moments later, she led Richard and Tara in.
"Good day, Sir Richard." Pina said, a polite smile plaster to her face. "May I ask what sort of questions you intend to ask?"
Richard did his best to mask his nervousness.
"We've heard two stories about Tyuule. I'd like to know which is true." Tara said, making no attempt to hide her antagonism, the bitterness in her voice visible to all.
"I see…" Pina's mind raced. Was Richard looking to further lure the Warrior Bunnies to his side, or was this charity? Was he looking to undermine the Empire's reputation… no, Zorzal had already done that with the Warrior Bunnies. They had no love for the Empire. Truth then, for now. "In the interests of goodwill… my brother… brags about how he broke his word to Tyuule. She offered herself as his slave, if he spared her people… he accepted, then ordered his soldiers in anyway."
A multitude of emotions flickered across Tara's face. After a moment, she deflated, looking exhausted. Richard offered a supportive arm.
"Now, if you don't mind me asking… I know very little about what happened in the initial invasion. I understand that it was destroyed but…" Pina glanced at Hamilton out of the corner of her eye, considering what to ask. "…but I have not heard how you were involved, Sir Richard."
Richard blinked, paled, and swallowed.
"There was a… gathering, of people who maintained old traditions. Competitions, a festival, a market, it was many things, sponsored by several groups who did similar things early, and this year they decided to be a bit grander and pool their resources." Richard licked his lips. "I had participated in a duelling competition. Just as it ended…"
Richard trailed off, memories of that day flooding his mind.
"A dragon flew overhead. Then there were screams, shouts, I… don't remember much. I remember seeing my opponent wounded by arrows, and others wounded by horsemen. Orcs, I now know them as butchered another group. I remember seeing people loading into a transport. Then… I remember fighting someone, killing them, then being swarmed by soldiers." He gave a shacky sigh. "Its far from an interesting tale. After that, well, you've probably heard about the rebellion at Alnus I participated in."
Pina mentally reeled.
"You… were there for a competition?"
"Yes." Richard blinked. "I'm not military, if that was your assumption. Hell, Canada hasn't officially been at war since… what, Korea? Sixty years ago?"
"Don't sell yourself short." Tara poked Richard. "You are being awarded the… what was it called?"
"Most Excellent Order of the British Empire."
Pina blinked and mentally cursed.
"What is the British Empire? Not your nation I take it?"
"Ah, no, though the Monarch is the same. Canada is a Dominion of the British Empire, as well as a sovereign nation, as part of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was released from the Empire. As for the British Empire, it was the largest Empire on Earth." Richard shook his head. "The UK, as it's called now days, is still so large that the sun doesn't set on it, though the Irish claim that it's be cause God doesn't trust the English in the dark."
"I see… so, you were offered this award…" Hamilton started.
"Yes… though I was offered the Order of Canada first… I had personal reasons for refusing it." Richard shook his head. "I… would rather not go into them."
"Ah, of course." Pina said slowly. "May I ask…"
She paused, considering her words, trying to parse the information given. Mentally, she saluted Richard. He gave her what she wanted, and told her more… but left out so many details it left her confused.
"May I ask how Tyuule, my sister, is?" Tara interjected, taking advantage of the pause.
Pina winced.
"I… am afraid I cannot say." Pina winced at her words. Best to end this now, before her mask crumbles completely. "If that is all?"
Richard glanced at Tara, who was lost in her own thoughts.
"I believe so. Good day, your highness."
"And to you, Sir Richard."