Somewhere Else Entirely -101-

Printer-friendly version

The survivors begin the final day of their return to the palace, all deeply affected by the previous day's battle. Garia has some unexpected meetings which result in her discovering certain surprising and shocking facts.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

101 - Unexpected Meetings


Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011-2014 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.



Garia was asleep. She knew this because she could feel the covers against her arms, keeping the chill of the night off her body. She could feel her own body, but she was in a peculiar state of sleep where she was paralyzed but lucid, able to hear but not to do, aware of everything that occurred around her. She could hear Jenet breathing gently nearby and Merizel snoring just as gently in the next bed.

Garia was also somewhere else entirely. She had been here before, in the vast, inscrutable location in the void she had visited in her sleep on several previous occasions. This time, things seemed slightly different, although she could not have said how or why. What she looked at, although looking was a poor description of the process, she now understood was some kind of Hall filled with what must be machinery. What the machinery did she had no idea and no possibility of comprehending. As well an insect might comprehend Mission Control!

In the Hall, such as it was, were two beings she recognized as those she had seen here before, and there was a minor shock as she understood that she did, indeed, recognize them. The Vast, Multidimensional Beings appeared to her limited understanding as giant amoeba-like bubbles that passed around and through each other but she knew that they were way more complex than that. Again, she seemed to have arrived at a point at which they appeared to be discussing herself in detail.

First Being: It is proven, then? The cloning mechanisms are defective?

Second Being: It is proven that the fault is with the cloning mechanisms, yes. I would hesitate to categorize the problem as a defect. The devices work exactly the way they were designed to.

First: Then that means -

Second: - the design is the problem. It does not take sufficient account of quantum effects.

First: ??? Our whole mathematical calculus is designed to take account of quantum effects! Explain yourself!

Before the discussion could move any further, a third being appeared. It did not exactly arrive, to Garia's eyes, neither did it suddenly appear in the Hall as though from another dimension but one moment it was not there and the following moment it was.

First: Integrator! We anticipated your appearance. We have progress to report.

Integ: So I have learned. This had better be good, and it had better be correctable. The entire project is in jeopardy, our projections of the fate of the galaxy result only in chaos.

Garia was stunned. The Galaxy? What was going on here?

Second: ??? We were not aware that the situation had gotten so bad, Integrator. As you might expect, our attentions were focused on this problem. In answer to your question, a single electron caused the anomaly, during the process where the transferee's body was recreated from the DNA blueprint.

Integ: How is this possible? We can track the exact position, motion and speed of every particle in the galaxy, including electrons. Is the mechanism faulty?

Second: No, Integrator. The mechanisms work exactly as designed. However, insufficient account was taken of quantum effects. This resulted in a single molecule being wrongly preferred at a crucial phase in the early development of the new body. These beings are bi-modal; the result is for the body to take the form of the alternate mode when it is grown.

Integ: And this matters how? I am not familiar with these particular life-forms. Should not the results have been broadly the same?

First: Integrator, it is not as simple as that. In the alternate mode, the transferee has limitations and opportunities not available to the original mode. In particular, the positive aspects of the transferee's presence have strongly influenced the forward calculations in unexpected ways.

Integ: How so?

Second: The transferee must still face some difficult decision points, Integrator. If, however, these points are negotiated successfully, then one predicted outcome is a biological union with the being who will become the next leader of these people. No such union would be possible for the transferee in its original mode, not would the transferee's influence be so great.

First: The balance we desired, between this transferee and its complement at the other end of the grouping of tribes on this part of the target world, is already broken. But our predictions hint at a much better outcome than our original forecasts, made before we transferred these two.

Integ: I do not like this. Is the situation still under control? Will it be necessary to take direct action to remedy the situation?

First: Why do we need to remedy anything? The projected outcomes are already far in excess of anything we have ever predicted, Integrator. I could argue a case for more of these anomalies, not less.

Second [moodily]: The outcomes are so favorable, Integrator, that I wonder if we have ever been in control. In fact, I am wondering if there is something special about this particular transferee.

There was a long pause before the Integrator replied.

Integ: You know we prefer not to use the term special. That implies that the fate of the galaxy may rest on the life of a single individual, or perhaps a small number of such individuals. In such cases it becomes almost impossible to predict the future that we desire, since the decision points have such huge side effects.

First: Such individuals occur at all times on all planets, Integrator, whether we transfer them there or not. We have to work with whatever we are given, as always.

Integ: Let me see your workings. I want to view your original proposal for this planet with regard to this transferee and the calculations you made, both before the transfer and afterwards.

The three beings did something to one of the mechanisms while Garia watched. She now knew more about how and why she had been brought to Anmar and she was curious to learn more.

Integ: I understand. This was to have been a balanced conflict which would have raised the development level of the planet to Industrial Phase Two. The anomaly in the transfer process has heavily weighted the result in the transferee's favor, so much so that they will reach Industrial Phase Four within the same time period. Interesting!

A balanced conflict? That means... that means they brought me and poor Yves here purely to start a war, which would trigger off the Industrial Revolution, just the same way it happened on Earth! The bastards!

There was no red mist, not in that place and time, but Garia was enraged.

...But slow down, wait a minute. That's what happened again and again on Earth, didn't it? The Napoleonic War advanced the Industrial Revolution. The Civil War brought mass production to the battlefield, the First World War accelerated airplanes and radio development, the Second gave us radar, transatlantic flight with modern planes, antibiotics, space rockets and electronics.

Whoa! Does that mean they have tinkered with Earth the same way they are tinkering with Anmar?

Integ: It is here! The transferee in question is present in this place! What have you done?

First: As we mentioned, this species is bimodal. The transferee should be addressed as 'she'.

Second: We did not know she was here. How is this possible? A Solid should not be able to comprehend this place.

Garia: Actually, I don't comprehend most of it. I do comprehend some of what you have been talking about, though. Did you really set me up with that other... transferee... to start a war?

First: We make no apologies, child. The world you now reside on has begun to stagnate and it was thought necessary to provide a little... incentive to continue development. No transferee before yourself has ever been aware that there was a larger scheme in motion. You simply lived your lives as circumstances permitted.

Garia: Are you... Gods?

Second: No, we are not gods, at least by your own definition of such beings. A God would be omniscient and omnipotent, that is, knowing all things at all times and able to create or destroy by the use of willpower alone.

First: We can predict the future, that is all. If we need to know something in fine detail, we must expend time and effort learning it. As for omnipotence, we interfere with the worlds in our custody as little as possible and we must use machines to change things just as you must.

Second: Transferring one such as yourself requires significant expenditure of energy and that in itself affects the future of the galaxy. In general, we effect the transfer and then let you live your lives as you will. We merely watch and predict.

Integ: You have been to this place before, child? You seem familiar with some of its aspects.

Garia: I have been here a number of times before. It took several visits before I understood what was going on. The Galaxy?

Integ: You should not have learned anything about such matters, child. By doing so you affect your own timeline, since you will now live with the knowledge you have gained here. [A pause.] Have you told any others of ourselves, of this place?

Garia: I have. A small number of people know what I have learned here. I take your point about it affecting my future actions, though. I think I had better not pass any of this information on.

First: But can you live your future life as though we did not exist? That is what we ask.

Garia: I don't think so, but I can make sure it does not affect my decisions. However, since I can come here I want to learn more. Why should I not actively help you do what you want to do? The fact that I now know about your Great Plan means that I might be able to constructively make things come out the way you want.

Integ [shocked]: I have never considered such a thing! Neither do I think has anyone else. We will discuss the matter at the Grand Council. [Curious.] How did you come here? How did you find this place? I would think that this place could not be discovered by any Solid.

Garia: I have absolutely no idea. I don't even know where 'here' is. I have no control over my movements in this... space, if that is what it is. Solids? Is that what we are?

First: We call you Solids because that is how we think you perceive your world. In reality you all have the same dimensions the rest of us have, you just lack the ability to understand them.

Second: In time your species may develop the ability to detect and make use of further dimensions. It is how we ourselves evolved to be what you see before you.

First: Perhaps you are the first of your species to be able to do this. [Aside to Second] Could this all be the fault of the failure of the transfer mechanism?

Second: I wonder, she spoke of Gods. Perhaps there really are Gods, and we are unaware of them?

Integ: That is not a rational response. However, the mere suggestion makes me nervous, given what I have discovered here. I have made my decision.

First: Integrator?

Integ: Continuing the present course will provide us with the best hope for a favorable future for our galaxy. Therefore we will adopt a wait and observe policy.

Second: There are other transfer projects in progress, both here and on other worlds. Should we also continue those?

Integ: Do so. Use the mechanisms just as you have done before. If there are other anomalies, make note of them but do not interfere.

Second: Integrator, I have been back through the records and discovered a number of previous anomalies on this world. In fact, one in every four transfers over the last two local centuries has produced unusual results for various reasons. Almost all of these transfer problems happened without anyone noticing, which is why we were surprised by the present anomaly.

Integ: So many? And you are certain that the mechanisms are themselves not faulty?

Second: We are, Integrator.

Integ: Very well. Child, since you have no control over your appearance here we will not deliberately exclude you in future. You must try not to let anything you learn here influence your future life.

Garia: I will. [Surprised] You'll let me come back here? Why?

Integ: A progression like yours beyond the Solid state is so rare I cannot think of another occurrence, at least not for some hundreds of millions of cycles. We would not deny you your new abilities but would teach you what you are capable of learning at your present level. I cannot tell you more at present, since I sense that you will shortly depart.

First: Do not think badly of us, child. In the grand scheme of life we are all related. We seek only to improve conditions for our distant offspring such as yourself.

Garia felt that the Hall was somehow receding away from her, although it didn't appear to become smaller. At some point the three beings became just blobs and then faded from view. Sleep reclaimed her.

~o~O~o~

Garia opened her eyes and for a brief instant saw the world in all its multi-dimensional glory. She gasped. The shimmering effects very rapidly faded to leave her in her accustomed three-dimensional habitat, a sleeping chamber lit by the rays of the early morning sun.

Jenet stirred awake. "Milady?"

"Here, Jenet. Oh, nothing, just an echo from my dream..."

"Those strange beings again, milady?"

Since Jenet already knew about Garia's night-time encounters, she felt it reasonably safe to reply.

"Yes. But," she temporized, "I can't tell you much about this visit, I'm afraid. It's all too strange."

"Will you tell His Highness?"

"There's nothing to tell," Garia lied. "Just more weirdness even I can't make head nor tail of."

"Huh?" Merizel roused. "What heads and tails?"

"The Vast Multidimensional Beings," Garia explained. "I went there again." I wonder what they call themselves? Do they even have names, individually or as a species?

"Oh." Merizel threw back the covers and levered herself upright. "I know it's important to all of us, Garia, but hearing you speak of those creatures gives me a headache. Does anyone know what time it is?"

"I do not know, milady," Jenet replied, "but since the sun is up it must be past dawn and therefore the bathing chamber awaits. Will you bathe? We have a day's travel still ahead before we reach the palace."

"And home," Garia added. "I can't wait to be back in the palace again. I know it sounds disrespectful but traveling all that way with all those carts full of dead and injured isn't going to be much fun."

"And home," Merizel echoed. "I dreamt of the battle last night. I do not think I will easily forget the sounds, the sights, the smells. Garia, do you know if this happens to all who take part in battle?"

"I think it does. I can't see how anyone who has any feeling at all can fail to be affected by a battle. I know we have to talk about it, too. It's the only way to stop it giving us nightmares in the longer term."

"This is wisdom from Earth, milady?"

"It is, Jenet, although I'm not too sure we have it right ourselves yet. Come on, let's go and find some of that lovely hot water."

Garia deliberately dressed in the clothes she had worn the previous day, her torn tabard and stained riding skirt. The rips in the tabard cloth which exposed the underlying steel had been patched by Jenet but the damage was still plain to see. One of Tanon's men had repaired her scabbard straps but she would not wear her swords until the day became warmer and she could remove her pea coat. All of their weapons had been meticulously cleaned after they had arrived at the roadhouse the previous evening.

The mood at the breakfast table was somber. Most talked in monotones and there was almost no conversation. The food was hot and freshly made but it seemed to be uninteresting, merely fuel to be chewed and swallowed. The only spark of interest was when Keren arrived.

"Good Day, Garia, Merizel, Jenet," he greeted them. "Looking forward to getting back?"

"Yes and no," Garia replied. "The sooner our wounded get proper attention the better, but I can't help thinking that rushing home makes it look as if we're trying to forget what happened yesterday."

"Aye, I know what you mean. I'm too young to remember previous battles but I think father holds some kind of parade to honor the men's efforts. Of course, that's usually because we have raised levies and that would be when they are released again." He shook his head. "Apart from Tanon's men this time it's all household troops so I'm not sure what the procedure will be. I'm sure Kendar has a scroll somewhere with instructions."

Garia's heart had done a backflip when Keren arrived but her emotional rush was offset by the after-effects of the battle. He had spoken to her in the heat of battle and offered her a throne. Did he really mean that? Was it just something produced in the after-effects of battle, when they were both dog-tired? The problem was, she would have no opportunity to ask him, to confirm or deny what she thought she remembered him saying. There were just too many people around them now, all with a vested interest in making sure they reached the palace alive.

After eating they toured the wounded, discovering Tedenis and Senidet in a tent feeding Lanilla. She was lying on a pallet, left arm in a sling and unable to rise. Although the color had returned to her face they all knew it would be some time before she would come to terms with the loss of her friend and fellow maid Jasinet during the battle.

"You will be well looked after," Keren assured her. "Even though you are but milady's servant you will receive the same care as any who fought yesterday. We will do all we can for so brave a girl."

"Thank you, Highness," Lanilla replied, trying hard to acknowledge Keren by moving.

He led up a hand. "Stay, I beg you. The wounded need not follow the customs of the fit at any time. Let your friends make sure you have eaten enough for the journey."

As they walked across to the crowded corral Keren asked, "It affects you greatly, does it not? The loss of Jasinet."

"It does, Keren. To have a life ended in so abrupt a fashion... and she wasn't even in the battle, so to speak."

Garia thought how excited Jasinet had been, to visit new lands, to experience things her sheltered upbringing in Blackstone had kept from her. She remembered Jasinet leaning out of the carriage to get a first glimpse of new terrain as their caravan moved along. She recalled the young girl's wonder when they had walked through the corridors of Dekarran, discovering levels of luxury she had never thought possible. She thought of a life abruptly terminated, a life in which she would likely have developed into a solid family retainer like Jenet. The tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Aye," Keren said, putting an arm around her shoulder. "It is hard for us all when we think of faces we know and cherish who will never smile again. Only the Maker knows when we may enter life and when we may leave it again, but for those who are left behind the loss may come hard. This is a different journey we must take, but we will take it together. Agreed?"

"Agreed." The others muttered agreement.

At the corral their mounts came to greet them without prompting. Snep had been attended to by some of Gilbanar's men, three patches pasted over small wounds on his back. Garia had been told that only one of them had been deep enough to bleed freely but they must all have hurt. The practice of leaving saddle, harness and bags on the animals' backs had partly protected them from the discharge of the weapons and there had been relatively few serious injuries. Those frayen who had wandered the battlefield after their riders had been dismounted or killed had suffered worse, several having to be put down with serious injuries from crossbow bolt and spear.

Snep nuzzled her hand and received his customary nibble. Garia eyed his back critically.

"Do you want me to ride you today, boy? We've plenty of spare mounts if you think you can't take a saddle today. What do you say?"

Snep, of course, understood only the tone of the message and not the content but he looked at Garia, at Merizel and Keren, then turned his head to regard his back. His response was clear.

"Okay, boy, we'll kit you up and see how you feel. I don't want anything rubbing those wounds."

It seemed that harness and saddle would not interfere with the dressings but Garia's saddle bags were distributed among the other riders to make sure Snep's back was clear.

"Are you sure you want to ride today, Garia? It would be no disgrace for you to sit a wagon."

"I must ride, Keren. I have to reconnect to Snep and I have to get back in the saddle. If I stay off it, it may get to a point where I never climb back on again." She had a thought. "And I want to honor the men, Keren. They have to ride, I must show them that I value their sacrifices by sharing them."

Keren regarded Garia with new respect. Her concern for the men's welfare was familiar but it showed she did not just think about it when times were good. Some of the men would ride but find the day's travel hard going, bearing wounds that would be painful until they arrived at barracks or lodging.

"Aye," he nodded. "Your thought does you credit, Garia. Let us mount, then. We should leave as soon as we may, since our progress will be slow in any case."

The procession consisted of their six wagons and a large number of two and four wheel carts. Some of these latter carried the wounded of both sides, some carried the dead of the defending troops and wagonmen who would be returned to their families. Those of Yod who had died in the battle had been left behind, laid out in a field at the side of the highway. At dusk tomorrow some of Gilbanar's men who remained near the site would give them a brief and barely respectful funeral burning.

There were two exceptions to this arrangement. One was the young French boy who had been used by Yod to advance their warlike aims and the other was the unknown man who Garia had killed during the fight. Yves Perriard would receive as honorable a funeral as Palarand could manage, even though no-one in the country had even seen him until the previous day, and then only briefly while he was still alive. The other body would be shown to various people in the city to try and find a trail which led back to Yod.

Those of Yod who had survived the battle and whose injuries did not require a cart were made to march in the procession of wagons and carts, closely guarded by those troops who were fit enough to do the duty. The prisoners had their hands tied behind and were linked together with halters. There was no need to force the pace, since the carts could only proceed at a slow walk due to the severity of some of the injuries.

Because of the slow pace Garia found herself talking with the men as they progress southwards. It seemed that they appreciated the few words they could share and so she decided to move up and down the line finding others to encourage. This met with instant disapproval from Feteran, but he could not deny that another attack was now unlikely.

"I cannot fault your attention to the men, milady. Remember, though, the entire battle was aimed at you and you make us nervous by exposing yourself this way."

"I know that, Commander. I also know that Duke Gilbanar is behind us and he has more men crossing the Sirrel every bell. If Yod has the men to attack again, this deep into Central Palarand, then they wouldn't have failed yesterday. They wouldn't have needed to mount another attack." She turned to him and raised a hand briefly. "I know what you're saying, though, and a small ambush force could cause problems wherever we are. I'm keeping my eyes and ears open and I'll be listening for the first bugle call, depend on it."

Feteran nodded reluctantly. "As you say, milady. I'll be nearby should you have need."

The procession went through some small towns along the highway and the crowds gathered to watch them pass, mostly in silence. The word of the battle had spread swiftly, as was always the case. There were a few claps of applause when people recognized Keren and, occasionally, Garia, but in the main those who lined the road were silent. Although the defending forces could be said to have won the battle, the cost had obviously been very high and few of the onlookers saw much to celebrate.

Garia found Senidet and Tedenis riding together.

"Senidet. I didn't see you much yesterday during the battle," she began. "I hope you weren't frightened too much by what happened."

"It was a shock, milady," Senidet replied. "I don't think any of us was expecting such a fight. I was frightened, a little, but I would say that I think Trogan's men frightened me more." She gave Tedenis a warm smile. "The men looked after me, milady, as much as they were able. When the first blow came I hid underneath a wagon and then, when a moment came to breathe, the foreign man of Jaxen's came and led me to the front where Lady Merizel and Jenet were waiting."

"Foreign man?"

"Uh, milady," Tedenis explained, "I think she means D'Janik. I watched him fight, milady, after I knew Senidet was safe. He was good, very good."

"Ah, well, D'Janik used to be one of the Palace Guard," Garia said. "He'd know how to fight, all right."

"Used to be a guardsman, milady? How did that happen?"

"Uh, there was a disagreement between him and D'Kenik over teaching me how to use these swords," Garia explained. "It's a long story and involves some secrets, I'm afraid. The two had a brawl over the business and D'Janik was dismissed the guard because of it."

"Dismissed the guard?" Tedenis's eyes were wide. "Over a brawl, milady? Is the discipline so strict within the palace, then?"

Garia gave him a wry look. "They brawled at my coming of age ceremony," she said, "in front of the King. The King was not amused."

"Oh, my," Senidet breathed. "That wouldn't be good, would it?"

"You're right. But the King knew that honor was involved and that D'Janik was basically good so he was just thrown out of the palace. That's how he ended up working for Master Tanon."

"Oh."

The two looked at one another.

"Palace life sounds like it might be interesting," Tedenis remarked.

"Aye," Senidet agreed. "But it will be up to you to uphold the honor of Blackstone, Tedenis. I don't expect to spend all my time in the palace but in the city, convincing guildsmen that I may learn my craft as well as they."

Garia wasn't sure what would happen to Senidet once they reached the palace so kept quiet. The rambling structure was capable of absorbing a huge number of visitors of all ranks and she didn't expect any problems, but she didn't know and since she hadn't thought to ask Keren it would be a question of wait and see. Senidet seemed determined to prove her independence, now that she was away from Blackstone, but she doubted that the guilds had yet thought up any routine for lodging female members within the city. The smith's daughter would likely have to spend some time living in the palace.

"What about you, Ted? Did you get any wounds during the fight?"

"A small cut only, milady, on my arm, here." He tapped his upper left arm with his right hand, guiding his frayen with his knees. "I was taken unawares, milady. It took some short moments before I understood I was required to fight for my life. When the guns came someone, I don't know who, pulled me bodily from the saddle and made me lie down, for which I thank them greatly. I never saw my frayen again, but I now understand the confusion of battle. Is it always thus, milady?"

"Well, I don't rightly know, Ted. I've only taken part in two battles in my entire life and I spent most of the first one running away. I guess you've about described it, though." Garia smiled at him. "That's why we put so much emphasis on training, Tedenis, so that your body responds without you having to think about it. That can save lives."

Tedenis nodded gravely. "As you say, milady. I will attend more closely to my training in future."

The lunch stop came and Garia joined the other women in checking over the wounded and replacing dressings where necessary. This included injured Yodans who appeared astonished that the object of their attack should be attending them like a servant!

"Why do you do this, Lady?" one of them asked, his accent noticeable. "I saw you fight, you should not lower yourself this way."

"What way?" Garia responded. "I know how to do this so it makes sense that I use my expertise where it is needed. What would you have me do? Stand to one side and direct people who don't have a clue?"

The other looked away. "It is not the way of Yod," he muttered. "You are a strange people."

"Who are a strange people?" she asked. "Who do you mean, those of Palarand or those of Earth?"

He looked at her with apprehension. "It is true, then. You are from the other world. My masters could not believe that a girl could do so much damage but the reports could not be denied. That is why they sent us to find you."

"Did you know that your masters sent your own Earth person along with you?" The man nodded. "Why did they do that?"

"We are not told of such reasons, Lady. I thought it a strange move myself but we do not question our masters' actions. That is the way to earn a flogging."

"There," Garia said, knotting the bandage, "that should see you through until the end of the ride. I don't think you'll face a flogging but invading someone else's country is going to involve some penalty."

"I know it, Lady. Do you know what will happen to us?"

"I don't. I don't know what war in the Valley involves at all. You'll just have to wait until we get to Palarand and find out for yourself."

The man gave her a respectful nod. "Thank you, Lady. I will remember your kindness."

While they were eating a force of about fifty troops arrived from the south. These were composed of a mixture of Palace Guards and City Guards and were led by Marshal Forton, who Garia had met previously. He dismounted and saluted Keren and Garia while they were eating.

"Your Highness, My Lady! Thank the Maker you are both well and uninjured!" His eyes narrowed. "I trust neither of you are injured? I see no bindings."

Keren waved a hand. "Marshal Forton, welcome. Please join us, find a seat. No, we are not injured, at least not bodily."

The two shared a glance which indicated that they recognised the psychological effects every man would face after a battle.

"As you say, Highness. We have come to escort you the rest of the way to the palace." Forton glanced around at the heavily armed and alert company. "Not that I deem you require it, I think. His Majesty was most insistent, though."

"Actually," Keren demurred, "I would be grateful if your men could take over the outrider and escort duties, Marshal. Those of us who have survived without letting blood are few enough, and we are tired. We have prisoners, as you can see," he pointed, "and there are wounded Yodans in some of the carts as well."

Forton nodded. "It shall be as you command, Highness."

"What news from the palace?"

"The King is understandably angry, Highness, as you might expect. A battle so close to the capital! But since the invaders took Joth - you know of that, Highness?"

"Aye, Marshal. The Duke told us when we arrived at Dekarran."

"As you say. Well, the King called for levies at that point and we are well prepared should the command come to take the war to Yod." Forton shook his head. "I like not the idea of fighting in winter, though. 'Tis most unseemly. What do they hope to gain, when the snow, ice and mud come to hamper us all?"

"I don't think you'll have much to worry about, Marshal," Garia said. "What happened was a lightning raid to try and capture me or, if that was not possible, to kill me to prevent me being of use to Palarand. We killed a lot of Yodans back there and they are way overstretched to stay on Palarandi soil for long."

Keren added, "Even now Duke Gilbanar leads a force upriver to Sheldane to attempt to trap their boats there. If he can manage that, the remainder will have no means of getting back to Joth, let alone Yod. The forces of Brikant, warned by semaphore, will destroy those who survive."

Forton breathed a sigh of relief. "That is good news, Highness. It seems the story of invasion has grown with each town it passed through. His Majesty will be relieved."

"To a point, Marshal. Palarand has still suffered an invasion which cannot be left unanswered. Come, take some food and drink with us and we will tell you all that occurred yesterday."

* * *

With the extra men available everyone relaxed slightly. It was warmer, just, and Garia was determined to ride into Palarand with her swords on her back. Her pea coat found a temporary home in one of the wagons and Jenet fitted the scabbards, tutting over the raw cuts in the straps. Marshal Forton was impressed when he saw her ride back onto the highway mounted on Snep.

"My Lady! You look most martial. Those swords are no mere ornaments, then, or so I have heard."

"Marshal, they saved my life a time or two yesterday. They're probably not as useful as a broadsword like you're carrying but they are enough to keep me alive. Few of those who came near me yesterday had any idea how to deal with my style of defense."

"Aye," Keren agreed, "she confounded those who faced her, from what I saw. She did not hesitate to dispatch them, either, given the chance. We were glad to have her with us in the line. I do not know how many she accounted for but it meant that fewer faced the rest of us."

"Would you tell me of the battle as we ride, Highness? I would learn what I could from your words."

Keren grimaced. "No more today, Marshal Forton. It is too near. But we have a new custom, which Lady Garia has introduced to the Palace Guard, that she calls a debriefing. As soon as may be convenient after any battle, fight or incident, those who took part describe their actions while the memory is yet fresh, in front of as many others of their fellows as possible. From this we hope to learn what we did right and what we might have done better. Any knowledge which may keep a man alive we are in favor of."

"Aye, Highness, I cannot disagree."

"Until we meet Captain Merek we will not know, but it is possible you and a few of your subordinates may be invited to our debriefing. You agree, Garia?"

She nodded. "Of course. We'll have to tell them all about the guns before much longer in any event. We forgot when we left Dekarran and it cost the lives of some of Gilbanar's men, I'm afraid."

"Guns, milady? I do not know this word."

Keren sighed. "You'll know all too much shortly, Marshal. Guns are going to change the face of warfare, so Garia tells us, and from my own experience it isn't going to be for the better."

"I'll await your instruction, Highness, Milady."

As before the people in the towns and villages that they passed through lined the highway in silence to watch the caravan pass through. There was both more and less to see since Forton's force nearly doubled the number of riders and most were dressed in palace colors. It was less possible to determine who had fought and who had not, except where some bore bandages. It was possible to see the prisoners trudging along and to see the more seriously wounded lying in the motley collection of carts.

Keren and Garia, followed by Merizel, Senidet and Jenet, were plain to see near the front of the procession and the realization that women had taken part in the battle shocked some of the bystanders. There were some cheers, a few claps but mostly bows and curtseys of respect, conducted in silence.

They were joined by Jaxen.

"What are your plans, Jaxen? Shall all arrive at the palace?"

"Normally I would have said that the wagons should head for our warehouses, Highness," Jaxen replied. "Since they mostly hold your own baggage it would seem best for all to go to the palace this time."

"Aye. I imagine that the city's healers will all converge on the palace, too, so you can be sure your own men will be well attended."

"Thank you, Highness, for your consideration. I'll go and tell the wagoneers what is happening."

Forton's men peeled off once they reached the gate in the old city walls. The palace men he had brought with him formed an advance party, making sure the road ahead was cleared. Crowds lined the sidewalks to watch their Prince return home, again mostly in silence.

The biggest surprise for Garia was the female population. There were many with short haircuts, some similar to her own and others in differing styles and lengths. Unlike the first time that she had arrived in the city everyone was bundled up against the cold, but it was clear that many were wearing styles unknown to Palarand before her arrival. She could see pleats of differing arrangements, circle skirts and tabards like her own. The hem lengths were more varied, although none exposed the knee. There were even women mounted on frayen, waiting in a side street for the procession to pass, although those Garia saw still used the old style of saddle.

Just before they reached the palace grounds Verne rode out to greet them, respectfully saluting Keren. The two conversed briefly, then the Quadrant rode back ahead of the procession to adjust the homecoming arrangements. Keren turned to Garia.

"We'll go ahead when we reach the palace and let everyone else parade past us, Garia. They deserve that much, do you not think? Commander, I trust you'll make proper use of that standard?"

Garia saw the palace for the first time in months and was disappointed. It didn't feel like coming home again, as she had expected, but slightly different. She had been away for too long. Physically nothing had changed but it was perhaps because she herself had changed. She looked at the palace and saw a large, rambling building from where a country was ruled, and wondered if this would truly be her home in the future.

On the steps of the palace porch Robanar stood waiting, fully attired for war and wearing half-armor. On his left stood Merek while Haflin stood on his right, both similarly armed and armored. Terys stood behind them, in the doorway, surrounded by a gaggle of servants and functionaries. The procession halted as the first men entered the courtyard and Keren, Garia and Feteran moved forward. With Feteran between them, Keren and Garia formed a line against the fence facing the King. Feteran still carried the spear with the ptuvil pennant on it, this he lowered to salute the King and then kept it lowered as the procession passed between themselves and the King's party.

As soon as the last men were through the gates and past them Keren, Garia and Feteran rode across to the steps and dismounted. Keren and Feteran saluted while Garia curtseyed. Robanar returned the salute but before he could do anything else Terys sped round the line of men and grabbed her son in a hug.

"You're safe, thank the Maker! Welcome home, my son."

Then she turned to Garia and hugged her.

"When we heard news of the battle we did not know what to expect, but I ought to have known that you would meet this challenge as you have met earlier ones. Welcome home, daughter."

Robanar half-smiled at his wife's actions before descending and enveloping Keren in a hug.

"Father! That armor's hard! Watch my bruises!"

"Son, forgive your father this once. I have not seen you for so long. Let me look at you."

Robanar put his hands on Keren's shoulders and stared at the young man, searching for the son who had ridden away all those months ago. Finally he nodded.

"My Son, it seems you are now a man in substance as well as the telling in years. Every father wishes to keep his children safe but he knows a time must come when they must learn the hard lessons of life on their own." Robanar turned and beamed at Garia. "But it seems to me that you were not alone in your journey. Welcome, daughter. I see that you, too, have survived the trial without injury. I doubt not there will be many evenings when you will both have stories to tell us."

He gave Garia a hug, but it seemed it was not so enthusiastic as that given Keren. Perhaps he was more considerate of his armor and Garia's softer curves. Then he turned to Feteran, standing behind them and still holding the spear.

"Commander, I see that you have acquitted yourself well during your time away. You and your men are worthy of the standard you bear. From what I have learned, your actions honor your father's memory."

Feteran saluted.

"Thank you, Sire. My father sends his best wishes to you. Though the blow that befell us in Dekarran was hard to bear, he has found unexpected contentment as Steward of milady's lands at Blackstone. You need have no cause to fear for his future."

"I am pleased to hear that." Robanar nodded and then turned to Keren and Garia. "Let us go in and rest ourselves, you and your men must needs change from your traveling clothes. I doubt not the ladies will desire a bath. This evening there will be a banquet of homecoming."

"Father," Keren said, "we must go and settle our frayen first, if you would. You saw that some of our men are injured, some of our mounts are also and we would see them properly rested in the stables."

"Aye, of course. Ask, whatever you need, it shall be given you this day. You have performed a great service for Palarand."

Before Garia could mount Snep again Terys grabbed her arm and pulled her close, speaking in her ear.

"My dear, be careful. Much has changed in the palace since you departed. Do not be surprised at what you may see or hear."

With that puzzling warning in her ears Garia remounted and followed Keren and Feteran around the side of the palace to the stables. The other women were already there and between them they made sure that their beasts were cleaned and had a supply of fresh fodder. Keren found the Stable Keeper and discussed the various wounds their animals had received, almost all during the battle. With those details settled, they began to walk through the well-remembered corridors back to their suites.

"Keren, we need to find a room for Senidet, at least for tonight."

"Of course. Terevor might be in his office, do you remember the way? This place seems both strange and familiar to my eyes."

"I know what you mean. There are changes. Look! Are those wires strung along the walls, just above the doorways?"

"It would seem so. It looks like your shadow has started something here." Keren thought. "About Senidet, perhaps if I took her to find Terevor it would allow the rest of you to get yourselves cleaned up quicker." He grinned. "I'm a man, we don't need to bathe so often, remember? I'll get Senidet settled, she'll need a maid assigned as well. We'll see you at the evening meal, which I guess will be in the Receiving Room tonight. Until then."

He tucked Senidet's arm in his own and turned along a different corridor at the next intersection. Garia gazed after them thoughtfully.

"Well, I had thought to do that myself," she said. "But Keren still knows his way around here better than I do." She smiled at Merizel and Jenet. "He's right, of course. I can't wait to get these grimy things off, can you? Jenet, what's the quickest way back to the Cerise Chamber? We'll go there first to sort out Merry and then off to our own chambers."

"This way, milady."

It wasn't long before they reached Merizel's room and she and Garia instantly collapsed onto the bed.

"Maker! To be in my own chamber, with a soft bed again!"

"I thought you preferred the Dekarran beds."

"You know what I mean. Dekarran is different. Mmmm! If I stay here very much longer I'm going to fall asleep."

"Then I'm off. They'll hear your snoring across the courtyard."

"I do not snore!"

"So you claim. Look, Merry, why don't you come with us? Find what you need to wear tonight and we'll all jump in my bath together. There's no reason you have to be on your own, especially since we haven't seen Bursila yet."

"Thank you, Garia, that's a nice idea. Jenet, if you'll help me sort out what to wear -"

It was no time at all before Merizel selected an evening gown to wear with the appropriate underpinnings. Jenet carried them over her arm as they left the room, and Garia led the well-remembered way back to the Royal corridor. They had almost reached the door to Garia's suite when a voice made them turn.

"Milsy?"

They turned to find a tall, athletic-looking blonde girl behind them who had obviously just come up the staircase and spotted them. The girl frowned.

"No... you're not Milsy, are you? Your hair, from the back..."

Garia smiled a greeting. "No, I'm not Milsy, although people say we do look alike. I'm Garia, Baroness Blackstone."

"Ah. I've heard people in the palace speak of you, My Lady." She looked puzzled. "I understood you to be much older."

Garia smiled again. "I hear that a lot, um..?" She raised her eyebrows.

"As for me," the girl's face took on a self-satisfied expression, "I am Princess Eriana, daughter of King Embrikt of Einnland, and I am here to be betrothed to His Highness Prince Keren."

up
393 users have voted.
If you liked this post, you can leave a comment and/or a kudos! Click the "Thumbs Up!" button above to leave a Kudos

Comments

SEE...

Yea!!! I know what I'm going to be doing this afternoon now!! Thanks ever so much Penny! I hope things are getting lined out for you in RL these days.

Blossom

Great read.

My heart seemed to stop when I read that last sentence. Poor Garia. Also am I correct in assuming that Garia is now developing some extra-dimensional abilities?

Hope to see more of these soon!

Lexie

<3
- Lexie

Princess Eriana!???

Neigh! This shall not stand!

DJ

I wonder

I wonder if Palarand has a trial by combat to challenge the wedding plans

There being someone to be

There being someone to be betrothed to Keren is just typical. I have a feeling there will be some shock when Keren makes it he wants Garia as his Queen. Guess we will have to wait and see where this progresses.

Great story, big hugs

Lizzie :)

Yule

Bailey's Angel
The Godmother :p

Eek!

We now know what that things have changed deal is now. I don't think any of them will be happy about this.

Another good chapter
hugs
Grover

Princess Eriana

Elsbeth's picture

Not terribly surprising, poor Garia.

-Elsbeth

Is fearr Gaeilge briste, ná Béarla clíste.

Broken Irish is better than clever English.

S E E is frankly brilliant

Another stunner

Great chapter, Penny

Now we will find out how much trust Garia has in Keren.

I think you captured the depressive after-battle tone very well.

And the hints of the feeling of camaraderie of those who have been through the fire and emerged.

Thank you

Julia

...hit the fan

"I am Princess Eriana, daughter of King Embrikt of Einnland, and I am here to be betrothed to His Highness Prince Keren."

Something smelly just hitted the fan, if that´s not a cliffhanger, then I don´t know what it looks like. It certainly would be interesting to see how she and Keren will solve this little wrench in their plans.

I do not doubt Keren and Garia ...

Because the King says something does not mean it shall come to pass. Of course, I must bitterly accept that according to British tradition, the protagonists are often made to bear heartbreaking disappointment and loathsome trials.

So, shall we know the outcome of this in the next episode or will we be forced to stand my with bated breath?

:)

Gwendolyn

Blackstone

As Garcia hasn't had time to unpack, she should go back to Blackstone. Along the way somebody can remove the knife from her back. This is everything I personally find contemptable about the royalty system. Oh, she should skip dinner, there are just some people you don't want to break bread with. And right now they need her a hell of a lot more than she needs them. Anything new she should develop can be licensed for as much as the market will bear, to whoever she wants. The biggest coin purse wins.

Damaged people are dangerous
They know they can survive

I don't think so

I don't think so
would be better to go and make eyes at him.
get her so pissed that she challengers Garia

Einnland?

Where is this Einnland? It isn't on our maps!

I hate cliffhangers and it does nothing for my nails!

DJ

We can safely say that Anmar ....

.... contains Einnland --- somewhere.

It may also be a safe bet that in fact Einnland is in Alaesia. Particularly since Alaesians know of no other continents ........

I actually have a hand-sketched concept map of all Alaesia - if anyone is interested feel free to PM me. BUT ...... this map has NOT undergone the strict quality control from myself and Penny, this is just more of a doodle than a definitive version. It does cover all the points that Penny has given in her narrative, but the final (if ever produced) version may alter some details.....

Whilst on the subject, I have had some queries about the Bray Valley forests map that I posted.
I thought at the time I mentioned that it was colour-coded only for the two thickest bands of forestation - dark for dense forest and lighter for thick forest. Some seem to think if it's not coloured, then there is not any forest there.

If sufficient demand is generated then I shall update it with a third colouring to show thinner forestation.

Cheers

Diana

"The Cost of Living Does Not Appear To Have Affected Its Popularity"in most, but not all, instances

Not surprised

But it will be an interesting battle royale.

Edit: Or maybe not. We do not know if this princess likes it any better than Keren does. If she turns out to be an ally it will be interesting.

Trouble

Not any realistic way of avoiding diplomatic problems.
Everyone in Palarand by now knows that Garia and Keren are a couple. If the king marry him to another woman this woman will be threatened by Garia`s presence forever. No matter how civilized Garia and the new Queen are this will not end well.
Well, of course there is one way out, banish Garia to Blackstone and practically forbid her to come back to the castle ... yes, with a war were her knowledge is important going on this is a "smart" move.

The other solution is to send the young girl back and this will probably mean war or at least a hard diplomatic problem, in the middle of a war with Yod.

So, they loose Garia or they loose an ally. In both cases they will face Yod weakened.
I agree that if they choose to marry Keren to the other girl Garia has to move back to Blackstone immediately.
Of course Keren can simply renounce the throne to stay with Garia. The king looses his heir, Garia and the alliance all at once.

English is a tricky language... and diplomatic language is...

more so.

I see, or maybe it is not there but I THINK I see, some subtleties that may play in Garia's favor thought she will be hurt in the near term.

What the somewhat prideful -- but maybe that is just Garia’s jealous streak -- did not say she WAS Keren's betrothed but that ...I quote.

>>
"As for me," the girl's face took on a self-satisfied expression, "I am Princess Eriana, daughter of King Embrikt of Einnland, and I am here to be betrothed to His Highness Prince Keren."
>>

That may be a very important difference.

Plus look at how the King greeted the two and the curiously unenthused hug he gave her. And what the Queen said very discretely to Garia seems paramount. I quote.

>>
Before Garia could mount Snep again Terys grabbed her arm and pulled her close, speaking in her ear.

"My dear, be careful. Much has changed in the palace since you departed. Do not be surprised at what you may see or hear."
>>

It seems either the king has in calling upon the troops emboldened this *house* to propose this young woman as a suitable match for Keren.

IE a bit of a political deal.

But if so the King is unhappy with it and the Queen appears to be quietly working on Garia's behalf.

Keren will by necessity become a war leader until the threat of Yod is over .

Mind you its subjects seem ripe for rebellion once they learn how vile/uncaring their rulers are and how generous Parland is.

The wires?

Internal telegraph or a crude bell/alarm system?

Even rudimentary lights/telephone are not impossible. She certainly told them about the electric telegraph and welding has given them a hint at how an arc lamp might work.

Hum, perhaps a FRANK recalling of the battles and all the blood and gore will get the PPD Princess running back to mommy. Hell the damage to Garia’s battle clothing should convince her being hi =s betrothed is potentially lethal.

Mind you she may be a decent person but in no way is she Garia's equal.

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. Plus unless Keren and Garia told them to accept it would the troops that fought with her accept a *foreign* queen? Or would Duke Gilbnar? They would do their duty but the disgust would be apparent.

P.P.S. And what would the multi dimensionals think?

John in Wauwatosa

Not just the troops

Given how the female population seems to have embraced what is possible for women, with Garia blazing the trail, I suspect she will have more popular support then even she realizes yet.

Umm, John

As Keren has been gone all summer he could hardly become betrothed prior to this. However, it would appear the King greatly requires this to shore up some deal he's made. It's an "If-Then" deal, If your son marries my daughter then I will give you my support. That's what political marriages are all about.

And the Queen didn't give Garia any reason to be optimistic, it was a warning that the sands were shifting beneath Garia's feet. I also noticed the King calling Garia "my daughter" more frequently than before. Perhaps there are to be TWO political marriages. Garia would certainly offer a lot as her bridal dowry, she's a baron in her own right, she's very attractive, and she knows all about all these various gadgets. In the long run, marrying her off to some prince could prove to be a better trade than marrying Keran off to some princess.

Remember, first and foremost, Robanar is a KING, a very political animal. Love is nice, but arraigned marriages don't require it. In the end, Keren will do what the King tells him to do because Keren as king-to-be will understand it is best for the kingdom. Frankly, the King is distancing himself from Garia, because he knows he's going to have to do her dirty. The Queen is subtly trying to warn Garia that things are going to happen whether Garia likes it or not. What's the old saying? Oh, yeah (paraphrased) "just lie there and think of Palarand".

And I don't think this new princess and queen-to-be would ever lead anybody into battle, she'll cower in the castle. Like all good princesses and queens do. Ride? Only in a properly-appointed carriage. Battle clothes? Don't be silly!


I went outside once. The graphics weren' that great.

Well if he thinks that of Garia

then he will have to be forcefully reminded of her value to Palarand. Frankly she is more valuable then him at this point and he knows it and consequently he knows risks alienating her. Also if she is married off then she would then be innovating for her new country and that would not be what he would want for Palarand. Should the King die it is not a good thing of course but life will go on.

No I think his reluctance is that he suspects that Keren already loves Garia and probably got further wind of it somehow, maybe via the semaphore and the Duke and he knows Garia will find out and be furious. Of course since the Semaphore passes messages via people, one would suspect the common people already may have caught wind of it.

It is all conjecture of course but with only a few parts left to this story arc so this fits the facts more.

Hold your hors ....er .... frayen

Let's not jump to too many conclusions here.

All is not lost.

For Princess E to get to the Palace, she must have spent some time travelling .... some time as in WEEKS .....

Maybe this was arranged a long long time ago.

The 'definite' plans of Keren and Garia have only been 'definite' in the past recent weeks, only become concrete SINCE THEY LEFT THE PALACE.

Don't be too hard on Robanar - he just acted according to the dictates and the agreements that were in place at the time.
It was said untold numbers of times that Garai could not marry the prince - AND GARIA ACCEPTED THAT - admittedly with a heavy heart.

At this precise moment, no-one in the palace is aware of the depth of feeling G and K have developed.

I suspect from Therys' little whisper, that she has a very strong idea of the way the wind blows.

And to base a dislike of all royalty on the basis of this situation I find to be an over-the-top reaction of those who do not understand.

Palarand has much to gain from various sources - it will be up to Robanar to balance what he wants to gain against what her wants to lose.

And Robanar's brother is batting for G and K, don't forget.

A cliff-hanger it surely is, but one that I can see can be resolved in any number of wys.

It is not yet set in stone.

My only fear is that G is tired after the battle and the journey and is still in that slightly disjointed state of survivors of severe trials.

Will she manage to keep her temper? Failing to do so might lose her points in the "Queenly" stakes.

I M H O

Julia.

Agree I think

She does have Merry there to keep her grounded, thank er Maker.

Plus if negotiations are needed to mollify that King for breaking a betrothal, a bit of technology transfer of what was no doubt witnessed by this Princess (remember she has been talking to Milsy for some reason apparently) would be sufficient I think as a basis for an alliance of some sort.

Always keep in mind that the technological advancement Palarand will go through will push them head and shoulders commercially and militarily beyond any other power on Anmar very soon and render the need for archaic Palarand custom of marrying for alliances with other royal houses eventually moot. It will be other powers who will come hat in hand to keep Palarand on their good side.

Betrothal and wires

As you've said, Eriana is just one of many hopefuls for Keren - as she's a princess, she has to be taken seriously, but her potential impending betrothal may be used by Robinar as yet another test for Keren (as if packing him off to Blackstone with Garia wasn't enough of one!)

As for the wires, they'll probably be for the clocks. Way back when, we heard in a letter that Milsy had devised an electrically assisted clock and a system of synchronising clocks across the palace.

We've already seen some changes - namely fashions and hairstyles inspired by Garia (well, indirectly - as Garia hadn't spent much time outside the Palace before disappearing up to Blackstone, and Milsy's probably been out and about visiting Guildsmen, she's probably been their fashion icon). Maker knows what else has changed while Garia's been away...


As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!

When a little girl spouts

When a little girl spouts that she's here to be betrothed to Keren, it's probably that her father has visited with that intention.
Not that it is cut and dried.
Whilst the civilisation is steeped in stagnation, it is obvious that Garia is here to break the mould and I'm sure she will do it in style such as she is wont to.

Garia will obviously be taken aback and desolee, but that is the point of the story - her ability to overcome such adversity with a smile - a true role model for us all.

"I'd like to demonstrate this gun thing to you sire, first you get someone to stand over there, Princess you'll do......"

Garia Would Never Do That !

Oh Jenchris,

you surely show total misunderstanding of the generous and kind personailty of Garia, when you suggest she would do such a thing ! We will all have to wait and see what the future will contain, it is up to Penny Lane and not to any of us, but I strongly suggest that she will already have decided how this problem solves itself, and we will find out, eventually, to our great surprise.

Briar

Hmmmm.....

From one battle to a completely different one. Will be interesting to see what Keren's reaction to this is.

Great ending to this chapter.

We'll See

I think it's a red herring Penny has thrown in just to make us crazy. Keren has already told Garia that a number of hopefuls had already visited the palace for Keren to take a look. Erianna is likely another hopeful (with a positive attitude). Keren has already committed to Garia that he will give up the crown for her if it comes down to it. Robanar is going to have to get used to hearing "no" from Keren if he's really planning for Keren to marry Erianna, but everything I can recall so far indicated that Keren was going to have a great deal of input into who he marries (within the confines of custom) before Garia showed up; so, it's unlikely that there would be a "surprise" here's your future wife moment upon his return to the palace. We'll just have to see how Penny plays it out.

It's also possible that Terys quick warning was just to tell Garia not to be to worried at what she hears until she an Robanar get a chance to explain what is going on.

The alternative is that I'm wrong and Keren will be convinced to take one for the realm (what with the war and all) and Garia will hang in there (maybe even support the marriage to Erianna) for the survival of the galaxy (now that she knows about the stakes), but I don't think Penny has lead us down this long path to not provide the ending we all want (Keren & Garia married as king and queen with plenty of babies in the future).

Oh yeah, now we know that Garia is a variant clone/duplicate. Thanks for that Penny.

Princess--"Hi, I'm here to be

Princess--"Hi, I'm here to be betrothed to Prince Keren". Garia--"Huh?. "WHAT!!!!" "Well, we will just see about that, won't we?" Garia--"Three out of five falls on the mats should do it." "Snicker".

I just love it!

I'm loving all the speculation my long-suffering readers have made this time. It gladdens my heart to see that you have invested as much time and effort (well, almost) into this saga as I have, and wish to see the perfect outcome.

Well, I'm not going to give anything away. At all. I hope.

This one is tricky, because almost anything I say may give clues as to what is going on. I'll not reply to individual comments but make some notes below, innocuous things that will (probably) emerge in the next chapter:

* Eriana has been in the palace about a week to ten days. Since Milsy is still living in the palace, of course their paths will have crossed.

* Since Eriana is a genuine Princess, Robanar has to treat her petition seriously.

* Einnland is not on any maps? Well, we've not mapped the entire planet yet and we have no plans to. Let's just say the journey took a long time.

* Sending Garia back to Blackstone sounds a good idea but in practice you'd be setting her up to be a rival to Palarand - just like Trosanar wanted to be. I don't think the Kingdom could survive with an alternate power center up there.

* Garia is eminently practical - but also a lot more emotional than she used to be, for obvious reasons. Let's just hope she keeps her temper under control!

Thank you for all reading and commenting. I hope you'll find the next few chapters just as exciting!

Penny

Einnland?

It's not meant to be translated as "Oneland", or something like it, I presume?

And also; Don't torture us so! What a cliffhanger!

Sending Garia back to Blackstone

Sending Garia back to Blackstone sounds a good idea but in practice you'd be setting her up to be a rival to Palarand
perhaps not
With her back in Blackstone Palarand would have protection for the much needed coal and reserve troops

Since Eriana is a genuine

Since Eriana is a genuine Princess, Robanar has to treat her petition seriously.

They also had to take the petition of the toad seriously as well. But they let Garia make up her mind on it. I do not think that the country is in such a bad state that they would need a arranged political marriage at this point.

On a side not Penny you are EVIL with this cliff hanger. Post next chapter NOW!!!

Thanks for the Clarifications/Comments

Your rate of posting since your return from the colonies has been much appreciated. I hope your health, life and muse continue to allow you to post frequently (especially the next post).

Another brilliant chapter,

Another brilliant chapter, Penny. Thank you so much for this great story.

Hugs,

Mark <3

Saving the Best for Last

terrynaut's picture

I've been reading too much and not writing enough. But I had to read this. I saved it for last in my latest reading queue since it's still my favorite story here on Big Closet.

As always, I enjoy reading about Snep. It was good to see Garia riding him back to the palace.

I like how you handled the aftermath of the battle and the homecoming. There's only the last bit that jarred some nerves.

I can't wait to see how Garia handles the princess. I'm sure it won't turn into a cat fight but I'm hoping there will be words. Heh.

I don't think Keren will allow himself to be coerced into a marriage that he doesn't want so I'm confident that my desired outcome will come to pass.

Thanks and kudos.

- Terry

A few more thoughts

Garia is even more special then we ever suspected apparently. What she has done is no less startling then a lab mouse suddenly looking up at you and saying "Hi, watcha doin'?". She has literally taken a quantum leap in species development in being able to perceive n-dimensional space directly. Hopefully her progeny may carry that trait also.

I suspect when Garia becomes queen her life will definitely not be dull as she will have to ride herd on all these developments to minimize any harmful aspects of rapid industralization.

The VMBs apparently despite their advanced state of being are still little better than the proverbial male bovine in the delicate crockery sales emporium. They may not be gods but they certainly play at being ones who make no apology on making decisions that could lead to death for the societies they are manipulating in the search of an 'optimum' outcome. Maybe Garia being there can temper their stupidity also. More work!

Oh and I am dying of curiosity

As to the size of the Yodan force that took on Garia and company ( well I guess half-company given they only had 50 men.)

VMBs the sourdough bread makers

Just take a bit of starter culture from another batch and dunk it in and mix it into another batch. And hopefully the result rises.

Einnland? Hum? Let's see. Ein Land... One land... One Empire...

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer

O.M.G.!

I agree, our EVIL AUTHORESS TM is feeding us a large catch of Red Herrings among the real clues in this chapter.

Assuming this is simply the latest Princess in a long line of minor and major Princesses being offered up to the King as a suitable match for his heir then Garia has a chance.

Given how parochial/old fashioned some of the leaders are I wonder if this is even her idea, more one that her father has encouraged over her lifetime.

And for that matter where is Einnland? Are they of any strategic importance in a looming war with Yod?

We are given hints it is a long journey from Parland. Could-this be a Trojan Horse attack by Yod? IE if the direct attacks on Garia and the Price failed, put their own femfatal in his bed chamber?

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. More likely she is just another hopeful suitor proposed by her lord and privately hoping an arranged marriage will better her life.

John in Wauwatosa

Nope.

Nice try, but Einnland does not mean "One Land". :) There are other ways this name can be interpreted.

Many of your other suppositions have the ring of truth, however. Not that I'm saying they're right, of course.

Heh, heh, heh. So far nobody has come anywhere the correct explanation for all these seemingly curious items. Never mind, most will be revealed in the next chapter.

Penny

Ah, crafty writer ... Heh, heh, heh

I will not try too hard to guess this. That I wish Garia and Keren to marry should not be hard to know. :)

Gwendolyn

Sitting here just helping the French grape industry ...

... when it occurred to me, with, of course, startling clarity.

The whole tale started with a caravan returning from Moxgo.

The big boss was along for the ride. (Master Tanon)

They get to Palarand.

Tanon reports to the King of the success of a 'secret' mission.

Could this have been a trade agreement (or some other agreement) in exchange for a certain consideration of a hand in marriage????

But then there was another 'secret' mission to Vardenale, a country in exactly the opposite direction.

Hmmmm.

Penny's hints of other deeper currents have made me think deeply.

Oh well, maybe I should just go to bed.

Whatever, this is all still wonderful, Penny.

Ta.

J

Argh!

You do this to us every time lol! It's good though as it does give us all darned good reasons to await the next chapter of this most excellent story!

Marriage, HA, not gonna happen with that girl I don't think. Does it?

Vivien

cliffhanger

Another great chapter ending in a cliffhanger that I doubt will be resolved too quickly. Great dramatic moment.

Just caught up

Podracer's picture

After a bit of a marathon read. What can I say? HAD to read it all.
Penny your story has characters I can enjoy, sweeping plot, and imagination. In my opinion it thus qualifies as "epic" - well done. Staying tuned in here ;)

PS what have Robanar's spies been up to? What - he has spies? 'Course he has.

"Reach for the sun."

Jasinet

I think this is my third complete start to finish reading, but I still cry for Jasinet. I know, in fiction as well as real life good people die. The life expectancy of the spear carriers and red shirts is not long. But dammit, Jasinet became more than a spear carrier to me. I'm reading this and bawling my eyes out.

I'm only surprised that Garia didn't have her body taken with them. She deserved a proper sendoff with her friends there to pay their respects.


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

You err, grasshopper

Jasinet's body was taken along with almost all the others - those from Dekarran would of course be returned north - down to the palace.

At the end of chapter 103 she is given a funeral along with those others who had died, at the rear of the palace grounds. Both Garia and Senidet speak of her life.

Dammit, re-reading through to check the facts has made me tear up as well.

Penny

Princess Eriana,

ohhhh ... boy ...

DogSig.png

Wooooeeeeeee!

WillowD's picture

This should be fun. I am so looking forward to reading the next chapter. And as it, already been written, I'll just finish this note and then click, read and enjoy.

Awkward

This is going to get awkward really fast that his dad is trying to marry arrange a marriage.

hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna

Prince and his choice of queen, or commoner?

Jamie Lee's picture

Yodians learned something about Garia they didn't expect, kindness, though it may be the only time it's shown. But the prisoner she spoke with made it clear Yod is barbaric in the way it treats its soliders.

So they strung wire for lighting or something else? Since Garia hasn't told them about how bulbs are made, then it's for something else. Unless...?

Talk about a kick in the gut! They get back to the palace and Garia finds Keren's bride is waiting. Robanar is going to get his eyes opened when Keren finds out, and he ain't gonna like it one bit. Keren has already said he becomes King with Garia at his side or he never becomes King. There is going to be one mell of a hess between four people.

Others have feelings too.