Libertatis Imperium (Gate)
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Chapter 12
charclone
Well-known member
"Impressive armour, you have. Sword work is better than I was expecting." Grey held up his hands defensively. "Just seems your people don't use swords. So, what are your people's weapons called?"
Richard lifted his visor and gulped down water from the canteen Tara had handed him before answering.
"Not sure what the best word would be for translation. It's a combination of our words for fire and arm, arm in the weapon sense. In English its 'firearm'." He explained. "Unfortunately, I am a scholar of history, not language."
The portly knight laughed.
"'Figh-er arm'." He sounded out the foreign word. "A ranged weapon I would guess? I prefer blades, but since you are the only one to wear armour, I suppose its not considered useful against such weapons."
"The armour I made myself, with some help." Richard shrugged. "But no. Most firearms can punch through plate armour, unless its thick enough. Once it's that thick though, even the lightest armour would still exhaust anyone trying to move in it."
Grey nodded.
"Well, I can see that. I certainly wouldn't want to fight in jousting armour on the front lines." He laughed. "Hmm? Quartermaster Norma, is there a problem?"
The young male knight spoke to the elder one in hushed tones.
"Is it… safe to talk about your people's weapons?" Tara asked Richard in English. "I didn't knock anything loose in any of our bouts, did I?"
"Just a joint in the armour." Richard joked in the same tongue. "But no, it should be safe. What I know is common knowledge among civilians. I haven't, nor do I intend to, mention the fact that it relies on a burnable powder, or on the expanding gasses to fire. Nor would I mention that if the metal is of poor quality, well, kaboom."
Tara gave him a look.
"Ah, my apologies sir Richard. An issue has arisen that requires my attention. One of the knights has gotten into a fight with some militia." Grey apologised. "I'll return momentarily."
Richard watched the man leave, then blinked in surprise as Tara leaned against him.
He looked at her, noting that both of them were blushing.
'I… does she actually like me? Was… sparing with her a mistake?' Richard's mind roiled. Then locked up.
"Richard." Tara asked, in a tone of voice Richard had only heard once before, when she has asked him what the tampons she and others had been given were for. "… how do couples in your culture court?"
Gears in Richard's head ground against each other as he tried to respond.
"I… honestly am not entirely sure how to answer. I…" He swallowed. "I wasn't exactly… socially active, outside of the various sports I was in. Hell, I can't even ask my parents. I… I know a little about dating, but comparing Canada's culture to Rome… we are more open about some parts of relationships than others, but I am not… experienced in any of it."
"So… we both need to figure out how to go from here?"
Richard opened his mouth to answer. He was interrupted by the sound of cheering and whistling.
Richard gave a glare at the mix of Militia, Imperial Knights and his 'bodyguards'.
He received a mix of grins and smiles in response.
"Hey Richard!" A voice called in English. "Not to interrupt anything, but the Major wants to talk to you."
"On our way." Richard replied to the corporal.
Edgar gave the two a knowing grin, before hiding it beneath a mask of professionalism.
"So, good news and bad. We are not getting some airborne until morning. In addition, while reinforcements are close, the general wants us to sweep all hostiles up. Italica will be the Anvil, the hammer will be a mix of armour and infantry. Airborne units will be deployed by helicopter to build an encirclement. We don't want the remnants of the armies turning bandit, like with the legions we smashed." He explained. "Good news is we only need to sit tight for the night, while units are positioned. If they attack, we should be able to hold them back, and we will have air support."
"So, basically, NATO is relying on the walls holding." Richard observed. "Well… I assume Princess Pina was informed?"
"It was discussed with her. I think she is looking forwards to seeing our capabilities. Should help convince her not to press for war." Major Johnston shrugged.
"What about if the walls are breached? They have a mage, from what I have heard." Tara interjected. "Several of the militia were complaining about magic shielding against arrow fire."
"Pina thinks there are two and I agree based on her argument. One supporting their siege engines, the other the infantry, split between the sisters' forces." Edgar explained. "As for if they do try to breach the walls…"
Richard blinked as Edgar handed him a pistol and holster.
"Don't so much as draw it unless its an emergency. I know you can at least fire that safely." The officer said. "Considering the… local culture, I won't order you to stay away from the fighting. But stick close to the people who are supposed to be your bodyguards. Don't do anything stupid."
Richard nodded wordlessly, staring at the pistol. He swallowed and attached it to his belt.
The rest of the meeting was a blur, Edgar explaining what his people would be doing, and where, and what they would be doing in case of an attack.
Richard started when he realised Edgar had left the room, as had most of the soldiers.
"You alright?"
He glanced at Tara.
"Kinda. I… I've read about and studied sieges; I know how brutal they can be. This one won't be anywhere near as bad as it could be, not with NATO support, but…" He sighed.
"Your remembering parts of the camp." Tara carefully removed his helmet and gauntlets, guiding him to an upholstered seat. She sat next to him and leaned herself onto his shoulder. Her head against his. She could hear his elevated heartbeat. "My mind keeps flashing back to… to the last siege of my people's kingdom. The battle I was captured in."
"I killed before the camp. That… bothers me, yes. But… the part about the camp that bothers me is that I don't remember much." Richard sighed. He took Tara's hand in his. "Talking to the psych back at Alnus helped but… but part of me is scared of making a mistake. Mistaking friend for foe, making a bad slash and hurting an ally."
Tara snorted.
"Sorry, its just… I was going to comment about how my people would psych our unbloodied warriors up for a fight."
"… you get them drunk?" Richard guessed.
"Yeah, on a sacred potion, but a lot of alcohol goes into it. We know, drunk warriors don't fight well."
Tara snickered. After a moment Richard joined her. Soon the laughter was audible in the hallway outside of the room.
A.N. Nope, not dead. Æonian Flame is on a schedule, and was updated, but this I do whenever I had the time... and school ate my time. Still have exams, but I wrote a chapter to destress, so have one from my backlog.
Richard lifted his visor and gulped down water from the canteen Tara had handed him before answering.
"Not sure what the best word would be for translation. It's a combination of our words for fire and arm, arm in the weapon sense. In English its 'firearm'." He explained. "Unfortunately, I am a scholar of history, not language."
The portly knight laughed.
"'Figh-er arm'." He sounded out the foreign word. "A ranged weapon I would guess? I prefer blades, but since you are the only one to wear armour, I suppose its not considered useful against such weapons."
"The armour I made myself, with some help." Richard shrugged. "But no. Most firearms can punch through plate armour, unless its thick enough. Once it's that thick though, even the lightest armour would still exhaust anyone trying to move in it."
Grey nodded.
"Well, I can see that. I certainly wouldn't want to fight in jousting armour on the front lines." He laughed. "Hmm? Quartermaster Norma, is there a problem?"
The young male knight spoke to the elder one in hushed tones.
"Is it… safe to talk about your people's weapons?" Tara asked Richard in English. "I didn't knock anything loose in any of our bouts, did I?"
"Just a joint in the armour." Richard joked in the same tongue. "But no, it should be safe. What I know is common knowledge among civilians. I haven't, nor do I intend to, mention the fact that it relies on a burnable powder, or on the expanding gasses to fire. Nor would I mention that if the metal is of poor quality, well, kaboom."
Tara gave him a look.
"Ah, my apologies sir Richard. An issue has arisen that requires my attention. One of the knights has gotten into a fight with some militia." Grey apologised. "I'll return momentarily."
Richard watched the man leave, then blinked in surprise as Tara leaned against him.
He looked at her, noting that both of them were blushing.
'I… does she actually like me? Was… sparing with her a mistake?' Richard's mind roiled. Then locked up.
"Richard." Tara asked, in a tone of voice Richard had only heard once before, when she has asked him what the tampons she and others had been given were for. "… how do couples in your culture court?"
Gears in Richard's head ground against each other as he tried to respond.
"I… honestly am not entirely sure how to answer. I…" He swallowed. "I wasn't exactly… socially active, outside of the various sports I was in. Hell, I can't even ask my parents. I… I know a little about dating, but comparing Canada's culture to Rome… we are more open about some parts of relationships than others, but I am not… experienced in any of it."
"So… we both need to figure out how to go from here?"
Richard opened his mouth to answer. He was interrupted by the sound of cheering and whistling.
Richard gave a glare at the mix of Militia, Imperial Knights and his 'bodyguards'.
He received a mix of grins and smiles in response.
"Hey Richard!" A voice called in English. "Not to interrupt anything, but the Major wants to talk to you."
"On our way." Richard replied to the corporal.
Edgar gave the two a knowing grin, before hiding it beneath a mask of professionalism.
"So, good news and bad. We are not getting some airborne until morning. In addition, while reinforcements are close, the general wants us to sweep all hostiles up. Italica will be the Anvil, the hammer will be a mix of armour and infantry. Airborne units will be deployed by helicopter to build an encirclement. We don't want the remnants of the armies turning bandit, like with the legions we smashed." He explained. "Good news is we only need to sit tight for the night, while units are positioned. If they attack, we should be able to hold them back, and we will have air support."
"So, basically, NATO is relying on the walls holding." Richard observed. "Well… I assume Princess Pina was informed?"
"It was discussed with her. I think she is looking forwards to seeing our capabilities. Should help convince her not to press for war." Major Johnston shrugged.
"What about if the walls are breached? They have a mage, from what I have heard." Tara interjected. "Several of the militia were complaining about magic shielding against arrow fire."
"Pina thinks there are two and I agree based on her argument. One supporting their siege engines, the other the infantry, split between the sisters' forces." Edgar explained. "As for if they do try to breach the walls…"
Richard blinked as Edgar handed him a pistol and holster.
"Don't so much as draw it unless its an emergency. I know you can at least fire that safely." The officer said. "Considering the… local culture, I won't order you to stay away from the fighting. But stick close to the people who are supposed to be your bodyguards. Don't do anything stupid."
Richard nodded wordlessly, staring at the pistol. He swallowed and attached it to his belt.
The rest of the meeting was a blur, Edgar explaining what his people would be doing, and where, and what they would be doing in case of an attack.
Richard started when he realised Edgar had left the room, as had most of the soldiers.
"You alright?"
He glanced at Tara.
"Kinda. I… I've read about and studied sieges; I know how brutal they can be. This one won't be anywhere near as bad as it could be, not with NATO support, but…" He sighed.
"Your remembering parts of the camp." Tara carefully removed his helmet and gauntlets, guiding him to an upholstered seat. She sat next to him and leaned herself onto his shoulder. Her head against his. She could hear his elevated heartbeat. "My mind keeps flashing back to… to the last siege of my people's kingdom. The battle I was captured in."
"I killed before the camp. That… bothers me, yes. But… the part about the camp that bothers me is that I don't remember much." Richard sighed. He took Tara's hand in his. "Talking to the psych back at Alnus helped but… but part of me is scared of making a mistake. Mistaking friend for foe, making a bad slash and hurting an ally."
Tara snorted.
"Sorry, its just… I was going to comment about how my people would psych our unbloodied warriors up for a fight."
"… you get them drunk?" Richard guessed.
"Yeah, on a sacred potion, but a lot of alcohol goes into it. We know, drunk warriors don't fight well."
Tara snickered. After a moment Richard joined her. Soon the laughter was audible in the hallway outside of the room.
A.N. Nope, not dead. Æonian Flame is on a schedule, and was updated, but this I do whenever I had the time... and school ate my time. Still have exams, but I wrote a chapter to destress, so have one from my backlog.
Chapter 13
charclone
Well-known member
"So, we can expect reinforcements tomorrow, your highness?"
Pina stared at the map of the countryside on the wall as she answered Grey.
"According to 'Major' Johnston, yes. They… claim that they can communicate with their people, back at Alnus, I even spoke with the man claiming to be their general, through one of their devices." She shook her head. "If they are telling the truth, then it is no wonder they have been destroying our legions, and why none of the invading army made it back. Imagine what one of our legions could do, with that ability."
She turned to face him.
"Any word on our own reinforcements?"
"No, your highness. I was however able to learn some interesting things about Sir Richard."
Pina sighed and forced herself to relax. She was too wound up, between the siege, and all the unknowns. It was her first official duty as a representative of the Senate and Emperor. She could not screw it up. Not when these people seemed poised to crush the Empire.
"Alright." She said, as she sat in a chair. "What have you learned?"
"Well, we sparred a bit, he's not bad, but his bladework is basic. He seems to have fought more duels than real fights." Grey internally winced, realising the accidental comparison and insult he had just given Pina. It wouldn't cost him, he knew, but it was still rude. He coughed. "Ah, seems to have trained with a blade for a long time though. He also apparently… forged his own armour. The quality was… impressive. I didn't risk asking, but I suspect it has been reinforced with either alchemy or enchantments. I couldn't even scratch the coating."
Pina chewed her lip.
"A matter of skill? Or is he also a mage?"
"Skill, I think. He mentioned there was assistance, probably a mage for the reinforcement. He knew enough to help criticize the militia as they sparred, correcting their stances. While he did that, I asked his guards some questions. Apparently, most of them were slaves or prisoners of our army, camped on the other side of the Gate. He freed them, and led them to smash the camps, as we heard. He is also, according to some, the leader of what they call the 'Long Patrol', though I wasn't able to get an estimate of its size, located around Alnus. There was conflicting information about him being the lord of Alnus, I believe its something being debated by their senate, or ruler."
Pina winced.
"That will not go over well with the Senate." She thought it over before continuing. "But if its still being debated, we might be able to use that during negotiations."
"Indeed… there is one more thing, that is rather troubling."
Pina frowned. Grey seemed pensive. Normally, he had a lax expression, unless it was truly serious.
"How bad?"
"He and that Warrior Bunny spared. She won… but as they spared, Rory appeared to watch them, and disappeared for some time after he lost… I'm… not one to be superstitious, but…"
"But such omens have been seen before." Pina put her head in her hands. "If, if, it's an omen from Emroy, what do you think it might mean?"
"It reminds me of the start of the Arctic War, from the stories."
A demigod had appeared, to watch a bout between two brothers. One, the more adventurous of the two, lost to the more scholarly one. The demigod chose to disappear, only reappearing near the end, when the Empire had regained the favour of the gods. The adventurous brother would go on to die in the Arctic War.
In the tales, the bout was an omen, that the Empire, if it started its adventurous war, it would meet its end. But if it chose a path of intellect, it would survive.
"So, how does that relate to Sir Richard?"
"He lost to a barbarian. Do we not consider his people barbarians, for all that he is similar to us?"
Pina snorted and relaxed.
"Grey, I think you are reading into it a bit too much. Besides, it could be taken the other way, we of this world can prevail."
Grey shifted for a moment before burst out laughing.
"You are correct your highness, I suppose I am just… on edge. Something seems off." He shook his head. "Its probably just the strangeness of these newcomers."
They sat, discussing the foreigners plans, and what else Grey had learned about them, as the day stretched on.
Slowly, the sun began to set beneath the mountains, casting long shadows over the land.
Pina frowned, as she chewed a pastry Hamilton had brought in with several reports from the militia.
"Grey… does that Warrior Bunny he spared with seem… familiar?"
Her long time friend, advisor, and teacher paused as he was about to drink from a mug.
"Now that you mention it… yes. She had white hair like… Prince Zorzal's pet." Grey struggled find the right words to describe the former Queen. "She also used one of her people's Royal Guard weapons, a long-bladed spear. Eyes are different from the former Queen's though, and I thought your brother had killed all of her relatives."
"He said he did. Boasted of it to the Senate." Pina found the pastry had lost its allure. "Even presented our father with several heads. I'm surprised Tyuule hasn't found out about his… failure to keep to the bargain he made."
"One of my former legion mates served with his guard… I'm not one to spread rumours of course but…"
"But its no secret my brother is strangely well informed, for a hedonistic idiot." Pina said bluntly. "What did your friend notice?"
"…Demi-humans in the shadows. Not… normal ones, but ones of multiple species. Like a chimera, or a mongrel hound." Grey admitted after a moment. "And he claims he saw a Dar, a shapeshifter."
Pina snorted.
"A Dar? My brother is an idiot, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to use them against the only Demi-human race that can… sense them…" Pina paused. "The Warrior Bunny Tribes that raided our borders, before the punitive assault my brother led… didn't they normally just take a few men, maybe kill warriors?"
"…it has been noted that the last raid was strangely ill-timed, considering your brother was looking for sport, with a legion at his command while he was in the area." Grey winced as he put the pieces together. "That's probably where he got the money for the extra legions and mercenaries."
"That raid killed whole villages, massacred everyone." Pina put her head in her hands once again. "My brother was used as a tool by the Dar… and my father probably knew, but didn't care."
"Or your brother hired the Dar to start a war for him." Hamilton spoke up. She winced. "Ah, though, the question of where he would have gotten the money to hire them remains… I'm sorry, your highness, for speaking out of turn."
"Its fine, Hamilton. Besides, you are right. He could have hired them, if others who wanted a war supported him, and lent him the money. The Patricians who are involved in slavery certainly profited, as did the nobility." Pina sighed. "Maybe it was his attempt to gain favour, to be elected heir."
She shook her head.
"Enough. We are wasting time on a tangent. The otherworlders, and the siege."
"Of course, your highness…" Grey paused. "Hmm…"
"Is something amiss, sir Grey?" Hamilton spoke.
"I'm not sure… but that odd feeling I was having, just increased." He frowned. "I don't think its nerves or age. No rain tonight, or these past few days… that's what it is. I bet the sisters, or one of them at least, is going to try using fire, tonight, if I was one of her advisors."
"Hamilton, inform Sir Richard, and Sir Grey, rally the knights." Pina ordered.
Pina stared at the map of the countryside on the wall as she answered Grey.
"According to 'Major' Johnston, yes. They… claim that they can communicate with their people, back at Alnus, I even spoke with the man claiming to be their general, through one of their devices." She shook her head. "If they are telling the truth, then it is no wonder they have been destroying our legions, and why none of the invading army made it back. Imagine what one of our legions could do, with that ability."
She turned to face him.
"Any word on our own reinforcements?"
"No, your highness. I was however able to learn some interesting things about Sir Richard."
Pina sighed and forced herself to relax. She was too wound up, between the siege, and all the unknowns. It was her first official duty as a representative of the Senate and Emperor. She could not screw it up. Not when these people seemed poised to crush the Empire.
"Alright." She said, as she sat in a chair. "What have you learned?"
"Well, we sparred a bit, he's not bad, but his bladework is basic. He seems to have fought more duels than real fights." Grey internally winced, realising the accidental comparison and insult he had just given Pina. It wouldn't cost him, he knew, but it was still rude. He coughed. "Ah, seems to have trained with a blade for a long time though. He also apparently… forged his own armour. The quality was… impressive. I didn't risk asking, but I suspect it has been reinforced with either alchemy or enchantments. I couldn't even scratch the coating."
Pina chewed her lip.
"A matter of skill? Or is he also a mage?"
"Skill, I think. He mentioned there was assistance, probably a mage for the reinforcement. He knew enough to help criticize the militia as they sparred, correcting their stances. While he did that, I asked his guards some questions. Apparently, most of them were slaves or prisoners of our army, camped on the other side of the Gate. He freed them, and led them to smash the camps, as we heard. He is also, according to some, the leader of what they call the 'Long Patrol', though I wasn't able to get an estimate of its size, located around Alnus. There was conflicting information about him being the lord of Alnus, I believe its something being debated by their senate, or ruler."
Pina winced.
"That will not go over well with the Senate." She thought it over before continuing. "But if its still being debated, we might be able to use that during negotiations."
"Indeed… there is one more thing, that is rather troubling."
Pina frowned. Grey seemed pensive. Normally, he had a lax expression, unless it was truly serious.
"How bad?"
"He and that Warrior Bunny spared. She won… but as they spared, Rory appeared to watch them, and disappeared for some time after he lost… I'm… not one to be superstitious, but…"
"But such omens have been seen before." Pina put her head in her hands. "If, if, it's an omen from Emroy, what do you think it might mean?"
"It reminds me of the start of the Arctic War, from the stories."
A demigod had appeared, to watch a bout between two brothers. One, the more adventurous of the two, lost to the more scholarly one. The demigod chose to disappear, only reappearing near the end, when the Empire had regained the favour of the gods. The adventurous brother would go on to die in the Arctic War.
In the tales, the bout was an omen, that the Empire, if it started its adventurous war, it would meet its end. But if it chose a path of intellect, it would survive.
"So, how does that relate to Sir Richard?"
"He lost to a barbarian. Do we not consider his people barbarians, for all that he is similar to us?"
Pina snorted and relaxed.
"Grey, I think you are reading into it a bit too much. Besides, it could be taken the other way, we of this world can prevail."
Grey shifted for a moment before burst out laughing.
"You are correct your highness, I suppose I am just… on edge. Something seems off." He shook his head. "Its probably just the strangeness of these newcomers."
They sat, discussing the foreigners plans, and what else Grey had learned about them, as the day stretched on.
Slowly, the sun began to set beneath the mountains, casting long shadows over the land.
Pina frowned, as she chewed a pastry Hamilton had brought in with several reports from the militia.
"Grey… does that Warrior Bunny he spared with seem… familiar?"
Her long time friend, advisor, and teacher paused as he was about to drink from a mug.
"Now that you mention it… yes. She had white hair like… Prince Zorzal's pet." Grey struggled find the right words to describe the former Queen. "She also used one of her people's Royal Guard weapons, a long-bladed spear. Eyes are different from the former Queen's though, and I thought your brother had killed all of her relatives."
"He said he did. Boasted of it to the Senate." Pina found the pastry had lost its allure. "Even presented our father with several heads. I'm surprised Tyuule hasn't found out about his… failure to keep to the bargain he made."
"One of my former legion mates served with his guard… I'm not one to spread rumours of course but…"
"But its no secret my brother is strangely well informed, for a hedonistic idiot." Pina said bluntly. "What did your friend notice?"
"…Demi-humans in the shadows. Not… normal ones, but ones of multiple species. Like a chimera, or a mongrel hound." Grey admitted after a moment. "And he claims he saw a Dar, a shapeshifter."
Pina snorted.
"A Dar? My brother is an idiot, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to use them against the only Demi-human race that can… sense them…" Pina paused. "The Warrior Bunny Tribes that raided our borders, before the punitive assault my brother led… didn't they normally just take a few men, maybe kill warriors?"
"…it has been noted that the last raid was strangely ill-timed, considering your brother was looking for sport, with a legion at his command while he was in the area." Grey winced as he put the pieces together. "That's probably where he got the money for the extra legions and mercenaries."
"That raid killed whole villages, massacred everyone." Pina put her head in her hands once again. "My brother was used as a tool by the Dar… and my father probably knew, but didn't care."
"Or your brother hired the Dar to start a war for him." Hamilton spoke up. She winced. "Ah, though, the question of where he would have gotten the money to hire them remains… I'm sorry, your highness, for speaking out of turn."
"Its fine, Hamilton. Besides, you are right. He could have hired them, if others who wanted a war supported him, and lent him the money. The Patricians who are involved in slavery certainly profited, as did the nobility." Pina sighed. "Maybe it was his attempt to gain favour, to be elected heir."
She shook her head.
"Enough. We are wasting time on a tangent. The otherworlders, and the siege."
"Of course, your highness…" Grey paused. "Hmm…"
"Is something amiss, sir Grey?" Hamilton spoke.
"I'm not sure… but that odd feeling I was having, just increased." He frowned. "I don't think its nerves or age. No rain tonight, or these past few days… that's what it is. I bet the sisters, or one of them at least, is going to try using fire, tonight, if I was one of her advisors."
"Hamilton, inform Sir Richard, and Sir Grey, rally the knights." Pina ordered.
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So... Ride of the Valkyries incoming, or will the joint US/Canadian force be more professional than that...
charclone
Well-known member
Read somewhere the US airborne aren't fans of 'Wagnerds' as I saw it written once, due to it being overused. But no, they aren't going to be more professional than that.
If it's US Airborne then they need to use Blood On The Risers instead!
charclone
Well-known member
I have a song in mind, but its not US Airborne, not completely. Its NATO, so there are other nations, and there would probably be some argument as to what song is used.
As for the song in question... well, it references a historical event, and fits the situation. That is all I will say.
charclone
Well-known member
Completely wrong genre. Here's a hint, it was not made by Americans, nor does it reference Americans, but is in English.
Bear Ribs
Well-known member
Hmm, well that makes it pretty obvious, coupled with their alliance with the Warrior Bunnies.
Chapter 14
charclone
Well-known member
Tara stirred.
Someone was pushing her shoulder. She tried to bury herself in the warmth she was leaning on.
"Tara, wake up. The Saderan Princess wants to talk to Richard."
'Then why are you disturbing me?' She thought, before putting the pieces together.
After their bout of laughter, she had helped Richard take part of his armour off so he could rest. He was still wearing the under armour… and she had fallen asleep sitting next to him.
She groaned at the loss of heat as she got up.
The under armour was warm when Richard wore it.
"Lord Richard?" The Warrior Bunny that had volunteered to join his guard was from a tribe that Tara didn't recognise. Her accent placed her to the south-west, likely one of the tribes that were being absorbed by Sadera. Tara realised she didn't even know her name, as she watched her try to wake Richard. "Lord Richard, Lady Pina requests your presence."
Apparently, he was a much deeper sleeper than he was.
The girl gave her a pleading look.
"Richard! Wake up!"
Richard flailed as Tara stepped out of arms reach.
"I don't think a seat is a good place to sleep." Tara smiled at him.
"Ah," The Warrior Bunny seemed uncomfortable. "Lord Richard, Lady Pina requests your presence. There is an issue."
She flinched at the expression Richard wore at being called 'lord'. She was using the Saderan word for it, the one that meant master or head of a noble house, rather than the one that implied simple nobility.
"Alright," Richard grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "Can you two help me put my armour on?"
Tara gave a glare at the swiftness the girl moved with to help. She noted the way she bent over to pick up a discarded metal boot. What did Richard call it, a sabaton? She was trying to show off her ass.
Tara bit back a snort when she noticed Richard was paying her no mind, focused on collecting the scattered armour.
With the way it had been scattered, they might have given the maids and other servants the wrong impression of what happened.
Based on the way he was blushing; Richard was aware of the impression they had left.
"Want me to come with you?" Tara asked him, as they fitted his chest plate to him.
Richard frowned.
"No… not this time." He swallowed and blushed. "Ah, hey, David, was it?"
Their driver from earlier stuck his head in the room.
"Hey, her royal cocktailiness send for you as well as the Major?" He asked. "Major sent me to find you."
"Cocktail?" Tara glanced at Richard, who shrugged.
"Okay, I get your girlfriend not knowing what that word means, but you? You never got out drinking?" David gave Richard look. "I thought you were good friends with the Major."
"I am, I just don't drink alcohol." Richard protested. "So, what are you referring too?"
"Pinacolada. The drink?" The Canadian corporal shook his head as they walked off.
"What was that about?" The Warrior Bunny asked, staring. "I don't speak the otherworlder's language."
"I… think the Saderan Princess name sounds like a drink the corporal prefers." Tara replied. "I saw what you were doing, by the way."
The girl had the decency to flinched at Tara glare.
"Sorry. I… I used to serve an officer, some senator's son. Got into the habit of doing things like that to keep him in a happy mood." She gave a dark grin and patted the strange broad and curved sword at her side. "He never noticed when I grabbed his sword."
"So… I don't believe we have been introduced. Edgar invited me along, and chose most of the others as well, but I don't recognise you." Tara said.
"Rasha." She introduced herself. "Of Napoca."
Tara blinked.
"The Saderan city on the old border?"
"Yup. From one of the tribes that was absorbed. They enslaved all they could catch when the bastard of a prince marched through to fund his army and stole our livelihoods. My father was a cobbler, while my mother was a huntress, sold most of her kills to the local nobility. It was a good time." Her tone became sombre. "I miss them. But at least I was taught how to fight. Plus, I have been thinking of starting up my own cobblers."
Tara blinked.
The idea of a Warrior Bunny not being a fighter from birth, and the way she mentioned her father before her mother, left her unsure how to react. She wasn't going to even touch the comment about making shoes.
"Uh. Anyway, don't do those things in front of Richard. He is mine."
Rasha frowned at her.
"But… isn't it common for nobles to have more than one concubine?"
Tara felt her face heat up.
"I'm not his…" She stopped. "I am not his concubine. We… are still working out our relationship, and besides, he isn't a noble. That is only the Patricians in Sadera, anyway. They have a law about it."
"Huh, the nobles in Napoca usually had several." She frowned. "Wait, he isn't a noble?"
Tara opened her mouth, then closed it with a click.
"No, he isn't. He is going to be awarded a… Order of the… something empire. I forget the name. Anyway, its only a knighthood. He refused something else called the Order of Canada, something about it being an award, but not a knighthood, or was it that it was not a government award?" Tara shook her head. "I… don't remember his reasoning either. He didn't talk to me about it. Anyway, no, he isn't a noble."
"Oh. Then... why was he put in charge of Alnus?"
"He isn't, he's just one of the people helping organise it, because he can speak Saderan, and there is the whole 'army of escaped slaves' that chose to stick around that trust him. Oh, and he is apparently friends with Major Johnston."
"Ah. I see."
Someone was pushing her shoulder. She tried to bury herself in the warmth she was leaning on.
"Tara, wake up. The Saderan Princess wants to talk to Richard."
'Then why are you disturbing me?' She thought, before putting the pieces together.
After their bout of laughter, she had helped Richard take part of his armour off so he could rest. He was still wearing the under armour… and she had fallen asleep sitting next to him.
She groaned at the loss of heat as she got up.
The under armour was warm when Richard wore it.
"Lord Richard?" The Warrior Bunny that had volunteered to join his guard was from a tribe that Tara didn't recognise. Her accent placed her to the south-west, likely one of the tribes that were being absorbed by Sadera. Tara realised she didn't even know her name, as she watched her try to wake Richard. "Lord Richard, Lady Pina requests your presence."
Apparently, he was a much deeper sleeper than he was.
The girl gave her a pleading look.
"Richard! Wake up!"
Richard flailed as Tara stepped out of arms reach.
"I don't think a seat is a good place to sleep." Tara smiled at him.
"Ah," The Warrior Bunny seemed uncomfortable. "Lord Richard, Lady Pina requests your presence. There is an issue."
She flinched at the expression Richard wore at being called 'lord'. She was using the Saderan word for it, the one that meant master or head of a noble house, rather than the one that implied simple nobility.
"Alright," Richard grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "Can you two help me put my armour on?"
Tara gave a glare at the swiftness the girl moved with to help. She noted the way she bent over to pick up a discarded metal boot. What did Richard call it, a sabaton? She was trying to show off her ass.
Tara bit back a snort when she noticed Richard was paying her no mind, focused on collecting the scattered armour.
With the way it had been scattered, they might have given the maids and other servants the wrong impression of what happened.
Based on the way he was blushing; Richard was aware of the impression they had left.
"Want me to come with you?" Tara asked him, as they fitted his chest plate to him.
Richard frowned.
"No… not this time." He swallowed and blushed. "Ah, hey, David, was it?"
Their driver from earlier stuck his head in the room.
"Hey, her royal cocktailiness send for you as well as the Major?" He asked. "Major sent me to find you."
"Cocktail?" Tara glanced at Richard, who shrugged.
"Okay, I get your girlfriend not knowing what that word means, but you? You never got out drinking?" David gave Richard look. "I thought you were good friends with the Major."
"I am, I just don't drink alcohol." Richard protested. "So, what are you referring too?"
"Pinacolada. The drink?" The Canadian corporal shook his head as they walked off.
"What was that about?" The Warrior Bunny asked, staring. "I don't speak the otherworlder's language."
"I… think the Saderan Princess name sounds like a drink the corporal prefers." Tara replied. "I saw what you were doing, by the way."
The girl had the decency to flinched at Tara glare.
"Sorry. I… I used to serve an officer, some senator's son. Got into the habit of doing things like that to keep him in a happy mood." She gave a dark grin and patted the strange broad and curved sword at her side. "He never noticed when I grabbed his sword."
"So… I don't believe we have been introduced. Edgar invited me along, and chose most of the others as well, but I don't recognise you." Tara said.
"Rasha." She introduced herself. "Of Napoca."
Tara blinked.
"The Saderan city on the old border?"
"Yup. From one of the tribes that was absorbed. They enslaved all they could catch when the bastard of a prince marched through to fund his army and stole our livelihoods. My father was a cobbler, while my mother was a huntress, sold most of her kills to the local nobility. It was a good time." Her tone became sombre. "I miss them. But at least I was taught how to fight. Plus, I have been thinking of starting up my own cobblers."
Tara blinked.
The idea of a Warrior Bunny not being a fighter from birth, and the way she mentioned her father before her mother, left her unsure how to react. She wasn't going to even touch the comment about making shoes.
"Uh. Anyway, don't do those things in front of Richard. He is mine."
Rasha frowned at her.
"But… isn't it common for nobles to have more than one concubine?"
Tara felt her face heat up.
"I'm not his…" She stopped. "I am not his concubine. We… are still working out our relationship, and besides, he isn't a noble. That is only the Patricians in Sadera, anyway. They have a law about it."
"Huh, the nobles in Napoca usually had several." She frowned. "Wait, he isn't a noble?"
Tara opened her mouth, then closed it with a click.
"No, he isn't. He is going to be awarded a… Order of the… something empire. I forget the name. Anyway, its only a knighthood. He refused something else called the Order of Canada, something about it being an award, but not a knighthood, or was it that it was not a government award?" Tara shook her head. "I… don't remember his reasoning either. He didn't talk to me about it. Anyway, no, he isn't a noble."
"Oh. Then... why was he put in charge of Alnus?"
"He isn't, he's just one of the people helping organise it, because he can speak Saderan, and there is the whole 'army of escaped slaves' that chose to stick around that trust him. Oh, and he is apparently friends with Major Johnston."
"Ah. I see."
Saderan spies: they pretend,that Richard is not Lord.We must use it opportunity and ensure,that they rejects his Rights to Alnus!
USA negotiator: OK,but you must gave us all your oil
Saderans : what is oil?
USA: useless substance which is underground and made land less fertile
Saderans: OK,but Lord Richard could not get anything here!
USA :we have a deal.
Happy End.
USA negotiator: OK,but you must gave us all your oil
Saderans : what is oil?
USA: useless substance which is underground and made land less fertile
Saderans: OK,but Lord Richard could not get anything here!
USA :we have a deal.
Happy End.
charclone
Well-known member
More like:
"Oh, that stuff we use for incendiary weapons, lubrication, and heating, like our ancestors in Rome found and used in Dacia?"
Besides, with all the industrialisation that would be necessary, as well as the infrastructure, it would cost the US a ton to get access to the oil, not to mention the Gate is on Canadian soil, so it would need to cross over the border, and Saudi Arabia would kick up a fuss at increased competition.
Hell, Canadian politics would become incendiary if Ontario started shipping oil from another world. Alberta is big on its oil, even if it isn't exploited as much as other places, and that would decrease its political power and relevance.
In short, US isn't going to go after oil this early, maybe in a couple decades at the earliest. Its more interested in the scientific resources, and the resulting patents, same as the rest of NATO. Natural resources are atm too costly to extract, but once there is peace, and the Saderan Empire is friendly...
Logical.If we ever meet magical world,discovering how magic work and how we could use it would be second priority after winning.
As long as they could get there only by Gate,information would always be more worthy then resources,with possible sxception of gold and diamonds.
Which mean - that local ladies,as long as they have magical powers,would get at best suitors who want their powers for themselves and their children,at worst - some goverment cabal would hire doctors to play in "vivvy-section" with them.
Chapter 15
charclone
Well-known member
Major Johnston sighed.
The princess was trying, but she clearly had no idea how to run proper communication channels. If one of his subordinates hadn't gotten him as well, when they were asked to call for Richard, then he would have had to rely on second hand reports, or at least, Richard would have had to send another runner to fetch him.
He rubbed his nose as he walked through the palace.
'Or is it a political thing?' He wondered. 'Did us presenting Richard as some sort of noble come back to bite us in the ass? I'll have to ask Richard.'
"Sir, may I ask you something?" Captain Riley, his second-in-command for this mission, interrupted his thoughts.
"Go ahead."
The freshly promoted captain fell into step with him.
"Why are we helping them? Isn't the Empire our enemy? They killed a bunch of people."
Edgar resisted the temptation to roll his eyes.
"Captain, we are not an imperial power, out to conquer and expand our territory. We need to establish some form of diplomatic communications, else this war would only be ended with things future generations would come to regret." He explained in a measured tone. It was far from the first time the question had been asked. "In addition, while the apparent connections to the empire are unfortunate, they are not dangerous. In fact, I am betting they will turn out to be advantageous."
"But… why are we still here?" She said. "A couple drone strikes, or an airborne unit… they are savages. They don't have a chance in hell of stopping us with their swords."
"I suggest you study history captain." Johnston stopped. "Are you familiar with Vietnam, or the battle of Isandlwana? If we are careful, no, they cannot hurt us, but such vigilance is impossible to maintain perpetually. Furthermore, fleeing would undermine our diplomatic standing, both here, and with the locals with us. I am not going to stand idly by, and let the town get butchered, especially not when protecting them will help out cause. Helping a foreign diplomat that is imperilled, after all, is not just standard practice and good sense, but the golden grail of diplomacy. Captain, I recognise you are new to your rank, and I thank you for expressing your concerns privately so as not to harm morale or relations, but I strongly suggest you reread the cultural briefs."
The captain saluted, bearing a stony face, and left.
Edgar slumped and shook his head.
"If it isn't a damn corporal trying to get into the pants of anything with two legs, or a lieutenant with a map, compass, and no sergeant in sight, its green officers not understanding politics." He shook his head. "At least she earned her promotion, and purchased commissions are dead. Her combat experience is going to be necessary tonight, if her highness' fears of a night attack are true."
Tara had found it uncomfortable being with Rasha. The girl 'rubbed her the wrong way', as Richard had once said. She looked like a Warrior Bunny, yet she was so different in both accent and temperament. She was so… submissive.
So, Tara took a walk, wandering the halls of the House Formal palace until the meeting was over.
She was slightly hurt that Richard hadn't wanted her presence, but then, she had seen the way he kept blushing whenever he looked at her. It was rather cute.
She caught Richard's voice down a hall.
"…right. So, the Nerevarine, Nerevar reborn, then went on to fight Dagoth Ur." Richard explained. Tara recognised the words, something to do with one of the myths Richard knew, she wondered. "Now, the Hero of Kvatch was also a prisoner, in the Imperial City. When the cult of Mehrunes Dagon, the cult of the Mythic Dawn assassinated the Emperor, it was through a hidden escape passage that went through the prisoner's cell that the Blades tried to sneak the Emperor. It didn't work, but it did set in motion the legend of the Hero of Kvatch, who would bring the… well, it gets complicated, again, but basically there was this necklace they had too take to the Emperor's only surviving son."
"It was a magic artifact as well?" A young, unfamiliar voice asked. "Did it show who was a proper heir?"
"Yup. The Amulet of Kings. Long story short, it ended with Martin, shortly after being made Emperor, sacrificing himself to summon an avatar of Akatosh, who banished Mehrunes Dagon back to Oblivion." Richard continued to explain. He paused. "Oh, Tara."
He smiled, and blushed, with his helmet in his hand. Next to him, a young girl stood.
Tara blinked as she recognised the young Countess Formal.
"Your Grace." She nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Richard… so, what were you two discussing?"
"Ah, fiction. The Elder Scrolls, specifically the Blades, an order of bodyguards and spies, as well as the 'Prisoner', an archetype that shows up pretty commonly in those games." Richard blinked. "Wait, how did we go from discussing defences and history to the Elder Scrolls?"
Myui Formal blinked in confusion.
"I… am not sure, Sir Richard." She winced. "Ah, my apologies. You are Tara, yes? Good evening to you."
"And you, your Grace." Tara replied to the young girl.
Myui glanced at Richard, then her servants, who appeared to double as bodyguards, based on the way they were positioning themselves. She slumped.
"Thank you, Sir Richard, for helping." She muttered, loud enough to hear. "I… Princess Pina tries to help, but the Saderan Empire has been trying to absorb us for generations, and my father…"
She sniffled.
"He was also a noble in the Empire, so he was forced to take his troops… he went through the Gate." She wrung her hands. "Her Highness didn't want me to mention it, but… I can't lie… and I miss him. A lot."
Richard winced and knelt to be at eye level with the young Countess.
"Thank you, for telling me." He rubbed her arm. "I… I also lost my father when I was young. But a lot of the soldiers that went through the Gate were captured. I can ask if your father is among them, so at least you have some hope."
Tara sympathised with her. She sat on a nearby bench, next to a window.
"I never got to know my father, due to our… my people's culture. My mother… she had a lot of responsibilities, so I never got to spend much time with her. The Empire took my sisters, and I don't know if any of them survived." She blinked in surprise at the wetness in her eyes and on her cheek. "I mean no offence, but the Empire got what it deserved. I hope your father is safe."
Myui nodded, tears in her eyes.
"I… he was always busy… I…" She cleared her throat. "My apologies, I… this is… um… undignified. I… I hope your sisters are safe as well. I don't… I'm not angry… I don't blame you. Emperor Molt is why my father is gone. I… I blame him, and I am glad the Empire got beaten by your forces, Sir Richard."
Richard's protests about him having no command over NATO forces died when she hugged him, to Tara's amusement.
"Ah, goodnight, Sir Richard, Lady Tara." Countess Myui curtsied, before leaving, slightly embarrassed, but with a great weight off her shoulders.
Tara laughed quietly as the countess' servants followed her.
"My, aren't you popular with women." She teased. "Should I try to arrange for you to get the Princess alone, and see what secrets you can get from her?"
Richard glared at her.
"She's like, ten, and she was hurting because of her father's disappearance. Besides, I… have no idea how to handle relationships. Also, Pina, while being younger than me, grew up in the viper pit of Imperial politics; I'd rather avoid dealing with someone who survived that, thank you very much."
"Alright, I'll stop." Tara held up her hands. "So, you've never had any sort of relationship?"
"Not the romantic sort." Richard admitted, sitting beside her on the bench. "After my father died… I just kinda retreated inwards for a while. Eventually, I found HEMA, uh, Historical European Martial Arts, and the SCA… Society for Creative Anachronism, and spent a ton of time reading, playing with mock swords, etc. Never… never really pushed myself to look, and no one expressed that sort of interest in me, that I was aware of anyway."
"Well, then they were blind fools." Tara grinned as Richard blushed at her comment.
Richard shifted in his armour in embarrassment.
Footsteps came rushing down the hall.
"Sir Richard!" One of Pina's knights called. "Her Highness requests your presence. The enemy is attacking!"
The princess was trying, but she clearly had no idea how to run proper communication channels. If one of his subordinates hadn't gotten him as well, when they were asked to call for Richard, then he would have had to rely on second hand reports, or at least, Richard would have had to send another runner to fetch him.
He rubbed his nose as he walked through the palace.
'Or is it a political thing?' He wondered. 'Did us presenting Richard as some sort of noble come back to bite us in the ass? I'll have to ask Richard.'
"Sir, may I ask you something?" Captain Riley, his second-in-command for this mission, interrupted his thoughts.
"Go ahead."
The freshly promoted captain fell into step with him.
"Why are we helping them? Isn't the Empire our enemy? They killed a bunch of people."
Edgar resisted the temptation to roll his eyes.
"Captain, we are not an imperial power, out to conquer and expand our territory. We need to establish some form of diplomatic communications, else this war would only be ended with things future generations would come to regret." He explained in a measured tone. It was far from the first time the question had been asked. "In addition, while the apparent connections to the empire are unfortunate, they are not dangerous. In fact, I am betting they will turn out to be advantageous."
"But… why are we still here?" She said. "A couple drone strikes, or an airborne unit… they are savages. They don't have a chance in hell of stopping us with their swords."
"I suggest you study history captain." Johnston stopped. "Are you familiar with Vietnam, or the battle of Isandlwana? If we are careful, no, they cannot hurt us, but such vigilance is impossible to maintain perpetually. Furthermore, fleeing would undermine our diplomatic standing, both here, and with the locals with us. I am not going to stand idly by, and let the town get butchered, especially not when protecting them will help out cause. Helping a foreign diplomat that is imperilled, after all, is not just standard practice and good sense, but the golden grail of diplomacy. Captain, I recognise you are new to your rank, and I thank you for expressing your concerns privately so as not to harm morale or relations, but I strongly suggest you reread the cultural briefs."
The captain saluted, bearing a stony face, and left.
Edgar slumped and shook his head.
"If it isn't a damn corporal trying to get into the pants of anything with two legs, or a lieutenant with a map, compass, and no sergeant in sight, its green officers not understanding politics." He shook his head. "At least she earned her promotion, and purchased commissions are dead. Her combat experience is going to be necessary tonight, if her highness' fears of a night attack are true."
Tara had found it uncomfortable being with Rasha. The girl 'rubbed her the wrong way', as Richard had once said. She looked like a Warrior Bunny, yet she was so different in both accent and temperament. She was so… submissive.
So, Tara took a walk, wandering the halls of the House Formal palace until the meeting was over.
She was slightly hurt that Richard hadn't wanted her presence, but then, she had seen the way he kept blushing whenever he looked at her. It was rather cute.
She caught Richard's voice down a hall.
"…right. So, the Nerevarine, Nerevar reborn, then went on to fight Dagoth Ur." Richard explained. Tara recognised the words, something to do with one of the myths Richard knew, she wondered. "Now, the Hero of Kvatch was also a prisoner, in the Imperial City. When the cult of Mehrunes Dagon, the cult of the Mythic Dawn assassinated the Emperor, it was through a hidden escape passage that went through the prisoner's cell that the Blades tried to sneak the Emperor. It didn't work, but it did set in motion the legend of the Hero of Kvatch, who would bring the… well, it gets complicated, again, but basically there was this necklace they had too take to the Emperor's only surviving son."
"It was a magic artifact as well?" A young, unfamiliar voice asked. "Did it show who was a proper heir?"
"Yup. The Amulet of Kings. Long story short, it ended with Martin, shortly after being made Emperor, sacrificing himself to summon an avatar of Akatosh, who banished Mehrunes Dagon back to Oblivion." Richard continued to explain. He paused. "Oh, Tara."
He smiled, and blushed, with his helmet in his hand. Next to him, a young girl stood.
Tara blinked as she recognised the young Countess Formal.
"Your Grace." She nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Richard… so, what were you two discussing?"
"Ah, fiction. The Elder Scrolls, specifically the Blades, an order of bodyguards and spies, as well as the 'Prisoner', an archetype that shows up pretty commonly in those games." Richard blinked. "Wait, how did we go from discussing defences and history to the Elder Scrolls?"
Myui Formal blinked in confusion.
"I… am not sure, Sir Richard." She winced. "Ah, my apologies. You are Tara, yes? Good evening to you."
"And you, your Grace." Tara replied to the young girl.
Myui glanced at Richard, then her servants, who appeared to double as bodyguards, based on the way they were positioning themselves. She slumped.
"Thank you, Sir Richard, for helping." She muttered, loud enough to hear. "I… Princess Pina tries to help, but the Saderan Empire has been trying to absorb us for generations, and my father…"
She sniffled.
"He was also a noble in the Empire, so he was forced to take his troops… he went through the Gate." She wrung her hands. "Her Highness didn't want me to mention it, but… I can't lie… and I miss him. A lot."
Richard winced and knelt to be at eye level with the young Countess.
"Thank you, for telling me." He rubbed her arm. "I… I also lost my father when I was young. But a lot of the soldiers that went through the Gate were captured. I can ask if your father is among them, so at least you have some hope."
Tara sympathised with her. She sat on a nearby bench, next to a window.
"I never got to know my father, due to our… my people's culture. My mother… she had a lot of responsibilities, so I never got to spend much time with her. The Empire took my sisters, and I don't know if any of them survived." She blinked in surprise at the wetness in her eyes and on her cheek. "I mean no offence, but the Empire got what it deserved. I hope your father is safe."
Myui nodded, tears in her eyes.
"I… he was always busy… I…" She cleared her throat. "My apologies, I… this is… um… undignified. I… I hope your sisters are safe as well. I don't… I'm not angry… I don't blame you. Emperor Molt is why my father is gone. I… I blame him, and I am glad the Empire got beaten by your forces, Sir Richard."
Richard's protests about him having no command over NATO forces died when she hugged him, to Tara's amusement.
"Ah, goodnight, Sir Richard, Lady Tara." Countess Myui curtsied, before leaving, slightly embarrassed, but with a great weight off her shoulders.
Tara laughed quietly as the countess' servants followed her.
"My, aren't you popular with women." She teased. "Should I try to arrange for you to get the Princess alone, and see what secrets you can get from her?"
Richard glared at her.
"She's like, ten, and she was hurting because of her father's disappearance. Besides, I… have no idea how to handle relationships. Also, Pina, while being younger than me, grew up in the viper pit of Imperial politics; I'd rather avoid dealing with someone who survived that, thank you very much."
"Alright, I'll stop." Tara held up her hands. "So, you've never had any sort of relationship?"
"Not the romantic sort." Richard admitted, sitting beside her on the bench. "After my father died… I just kinda retreated inwards for a while. Eventually, I found HEMA, uh, Historical European Martial Arts, and the SCA… Society for Creative Anachronism, and spent a ton of time reading, playing with mock swords, etc. Never… never really pushed myself to look, and no one expressed that sort of interest in me, that I was aware of anyway."
"Well, then they were blind fools." Tara grinned as Richard blushed at her comment.
Richard shifted in his armour in embarrassment.
Footsteps came rushing down the hall.
"Sir Richard!" One of Pina's knights called. "Her Highness requests your presence. The enemy is attacking!"