A.N. Almost forgot to post this. This chapter did fight me though. Next chapter, and the end of the arc, are done. Story will go on break while I work on Humanity's Illusion. Though I will post the next chapter before that, probably Tuesday.
So don't panic. Story isn't dead.
The air was colder here, Tyuule noted as she walked alongside her half-sister, compared to their homeland. Autumn was upon them, but the cold had arrived much sooner than it did far to the east, even sooner than it would in the Saderan capital. Fortunately, despite their people's destitute situation, NATO had provided enough winter clothes to see them through.
The food her people had brought in alongside the people of Alnus (as much as that was nearly one and the same), combined with what was being traded for, was enough that no one would go hungry, either. The 'railroad' going through the Gate presented mind-boggling opportunities to the former queen, just from the speed at which such large loads could be moved.
Tyuule wished she had access to such machines during the war, it would have let her amass her army much faster and ensure a fast supply line. But that would not have led to victory. Her people were not united under her. They had been fractious, many tribes too stubborn to listen to reason, or with conflicting interests that they refused to temporarily set aside, in favour of victory.
Here, at Alnus and under Tara?
Tyuule saw once bitter enemies working together. Old tribal ways were cast aside, in favour of what worked, but still preserved. Tara had told her of what Richard did, how he used the old ways of his people as a manner of sport, to keep them alive. It had inspired the disgraced queen to start forming an equivalent tradition for her own people. While the efforts had yet to bear fruit, it was early days yet. Tyuule only wished that she had thought to start sooner, perhaps using the idea to support Tara's bid to unify her people.
But Tara had done so. NATO so thoroughly thrashing the Empire had certainly won them many favours, as had to win her people's freedom. Part of Tyuule wanted to laugh at how Molt's attempt at using her people to drag NATO down through the weight of needy numbers had exploded in his face. But he was dead. Instead, she settled for the cold, empty satisfaction that Zorzal would likely face comeuppance from his own sister, the man was too pig-headed not to start a civil war, and the warmer comfort of seeing her people alive and free.
The same people who were split between ignoring her, shooting her pitying looks, or angry ones.
Tyuule ignored them all. She had failed them, she knew. Lesser than a betrayal, perhaps, but she did not wear the crown any longer.
"You've been silent," Her successor, Empress, and sister noted. "Something on your mind?"
"Just considering the present," Tyuule replied. "How are you and Richard?"
Tara raised an eyebrow at the change in the subject but did not comment on it.
"We are not expecting children yet, if that is what you are asking," Tara snorted. "Both of us are too busy forcing sanity onto the situation still. The Long Patrol is growing quickly, our people are still settling in…"
"Tara," Tyuule interrupted. "I am well aware of the present situation."
"Sorry," Tara shook her head. "I've been focused on that so much it bleeds over into everything."
"I can sympathise," Tyuule sighed. Their feet tapped against the paved roads that made up the pathways of Alnus as they walked in silence. The weight of duty, past, present and future, fell upon their shoulders.
"Do you remember the Battle of the Forked River?" Tara suddenly asked. "Under our mother?"
"Yes, I remember it," Tyuule replied. "The Blackstone Heart tribe refused our mother's call to unite against Imperial encroachment. So she led a small army that we were part of to force the issue."
"Except they were waiting for us," Tara snorted. "Our mother… was not a good general. We were ambushed crossing that river. Half the army on one side, half on the other. We ended up getting cut off, archers firing on those trying to cross."
"The Blackstones' only mistake was trying to crush both halves at the same time," Tyuule sighed. "I remember vividly the sight of their warriors bursting through the lines towards me, one warrior leaping forwards only to be cut down by a guard."
"What was it I said?" Tara snorted. "'I'm pretty sure you don't want that stuck in you, sister!'"
"No… it was crasser than that," Tyuule shook her head. "I believe you made some joke about the Blackstones compensating for their lack of companionship with their blades."
"Right!" Tara's laughter rang out. "Half of your bodyguard ended up dead or wounded, but we broke them when you yelled out and rallied the warriors, before leading a counterattack through our own breached lines."
Tara's voice became somber.
"Varana, who taught me how to wield a blade, died in that counterattack," Her voice quickly became somber. "I don't remember seeing it. One moment she was there next to us, the next, she was gone."
"… I think I remember that," Tyuule replied, wistfully. "She caught an arrow to her throat, I think. That was… a moment or two before I was jumped by Blackstone warrior, some large woman with a Saderan knight's blade, in a two-handed grip."
"That sounds right. I jumped in, using my sword-staff to stab beneath her guard," Tara nodded. "I had seen her coming and looked to that side. When I looked back as the giant fell, she was gone."
"Mother was furious with us for being at the front," Tyuule recalled; bittersweet memories of their mother in her mind's eye. "… I think that was when we started becoming closer. I realised mother was… not well versed in warfare, and I decided to be better."
Tara laughed again.
"I won't argue against that. Afterwards, I don't think you let yourself leave my sight until we got home. And I remember our talk afterwards," Tara sighed. "We admitted to being scared in the battle, if not in as many words, to each other. After that… we started to train together."
"Mother… after I complained about my combat tutor failing to prepare me for a real battle, she sent me to train with the rest of the royal guard," Tyuule replied. "She was furious with that tutor… and I think a little scared, herself. But she was more furious with the Blackstones."
Tara winced.
"Do you think her punishment was too far?"
Tyuule paused in her steps in thought at the question.
"… Yes. They amassed an army themselves because we were coming to threaten them… they went too far by outright attacking, but it wasn't unjustified. Not to mention how it weakened us against the Empire. Butchering so many of their warriors… they had nothing to send to help me, against Zorzal, even if they were willing to," She sighed. "Mother acted like a Saderan. Expecting the other tribes to obey, just because she was a pureblooded queen."
"Now look at us," Tara gave a bittersweet laugh. "Our homeland is gone, but we are united. Most of the old tribes and clans are gone, and in their place, we are stronger than we were. Much was lost, much was gained."
"And we only had to resist a coup attempt with Richard and the gods' help to do it," Tyuule nodded. "No, strongarming, no armies or threats, needed."
"Not that we don't have other issues," Tara frowned, as she saw a small party of Pina's knights, dressed in traditional Saderan noble garments, go past on the other side of the street. "Are we ready to fight a war?"
"Probably not," Tyuule shook her head. "But, NATO was able to defeat the Empire, using… what was it?"
"A handful of units, I don't remember what they were called, that were just in Canada for exercises and practice, plus whatever they could find on short notice," Tara replied. "But I get your meaning. NATO is prepared for Zorzal starting something, and they know what to expect and where to strike, things they didn't know last time. The war would be over before it began… if NATO supports Pina."
"You think they won't?" Tyuule blinked, frowning pensively at her sister. "… The treaty… they won't break it openly, will they? They are very trusting… but they also abide by that trust that is placed in them. So… that is why the Long Patrol is getting so much support, why Richard is being allowed to tie himself to other vassals. Why we are getting so much support."
"A proxy war, they call it," Tara sighed. "I was reading this morning about an indirect conflict the US had with another nation, called the USSR. They both feared a direct war would see them use their most powerful weapons, which would destroy both of them, so they fought using puppets. They also avoided breaking official treaties and agreements with those same puppets."
Tyuule nodded.
"Canny. Find someone willing to do the fighting for you, when they have their interests in doing so, and supply them," She surmised. "But Richard?"
"Us, Pina, and the fact that the 'Kingdom of Alnus' isn't part of the treaty, nor is it part of NATO," Tara replied. "He could volunteer to support and fight for Pina, without breaking the treaty, especially if Pina wins and rules that the one who helped her purchase NATO weapons was not breaking said treaty."
"Have you talked with Richard about this?" Tyuule asked.
"A little. He knows more about the 'Cold War' than I do," Tara shrugged. "… and here comes Rasha. What's wrong?"
The city-born Warrior Bunny gave a bow, stiff and formal to Tara and Tyuule.
"Empress… there has been a fight, over near the main stables. A disagreement over trade goods between merchants," She said. "I was told to bring you there to resolve it."
"Damn it," Tara cursed, her tone becoming exhausted from similar incidents. "Alright. Are you coming Tyuule?"
"I have something I need to do," The former queen replied. "I will meet you for lunch, as agreed?"
"Very well," Tara sighed. "Lead on Rasha."
Tyuule found Richard in a training field, one of a handful set up for those wishing to continue practising with local, more primitive weapons.
The black blade in his hands hissed through the air as he swung, its edge leaving black mist that drifted behind it before fading away. It was, Tyuule noted, not too dissimilar to the blade Richard had earlier carried, of similar length and could be wielded with one or two hands, though was clearly more effective with both hands on it.
The swing turned into a jab as Richard shifted his grip with a speed that any veteran of battle could respect, grasping the blade just behind a pair of spikes that sat on its edge above the guard. Then his jab turned into a parry, then another jab, before Richard reset his stance and started his manoeuvres again.
Tyuule noted, as the man practised, that he seemed to try and use the entire weapon. The pommel would jab towards an imaginary opponent's face, or a bloke would pivot to catch a blade between the quillon and the blade, letting Richard control his opponent's blade.
It was quite different to the way her people traditionally fought, which was focused on movement and flanking, relying on speed and their ability to grab an opponent's arm to force their blade away. But Tyuule supposed that was also a major weakness of her people. The Saderans were willing to use spears and a slower pace, conserving energy over finishing the fight quickly with an overwhelming pace, a fact that meant it was easier to fight in tight formations and support soldiers, leaving the Warrior Bunnies to face defeat on the battlefield, but victory in skirmishes.
Richard paused as he caught sight of her at the edge of the field, watching.
"Something I can do for you?" He lowered his sword to point towards the ground as he called out.
Tyuule studied him for a moment before replying, noting the sweat on his brow, the tired look on his face (one that she recognised as caused by the stresses of leadership, rather than physical exertion, having worn that look many times herself), and the way her eyes kept being drawn to the blade by some arcane force, as if the blade demanded it be acknowledged.
"Just a few details I wished to discuss with you," She replied. "And you should probably shower. We have a meeting in less than an hour."
Richard gave a confused blink, before he glanced at his watch, wincing as he saw the time.
"Yeah, been at this too long," He sighed, walking over to where he had hung a sheath and towel on a post. "I'll be feeling that tomorrow… and the stacked paperwork. So, what did you want to talk about?"
"I have two general concerns," Tyuule replied evenly. "First… relating to my own mistakes, have you considered the consequences of joining the Saderan Civil War? What it would mean to the Long Patrol?"
She swallowed.
"I did not consider what would happen when I surrendered to Zorzal. I knew what it meant for myself… but not what would happen to my people," Her voice wavered, as memories of her time as Zorzal's slave came to the fore. Her gaze slowly dropped. "At least I thought I knew what it meant for myself. But the idea that Zorzal would not honour the deal… I should have considered it. Made allowances and plans. I did not and failed my people catastrophically as a result."
At Richard's moments-long silence, she glanced at him, seeing him frowning at something. Briefly, she followed his gaze to her hand, where she had left it resting on one of the fences. The wood was gripped in a white-knuckled grip, her hand shaking hard enough to move the entire wooden pole in its slot. With a flicker of shame and surprise, she released her grip, relaxing her hands and letting them fall to her side, still.
Richard coughed, looking up at her face. He took a breath to collect his thoughts, before replying.
"If we fail, NATO would still be able to protect Alnus. They would also be able to administrate it," Richard said. "The danger of failure is still present if we succeed, as well. I do not doubt that, should we march into Saderan territory, there are those that were once enslaved who would do just about anything to take revenge, to make the Saderans suffer, however they can."
Tyuule blinked. Her mind wandered in the face of Richard's accusation. However he meant it, and she doubted it was meant to be directed at her having never seen him ever display that sort of venom, it was not hard to draw up the question; if she had the Saderans in her hand, would she make them suffer?
She was silent for several long moments, as her mind churned like a stormy sea, and like such a body of water, her thoughts grew dark and cold.
"Did I say something wrong?" Richard's words broke through the tempest in her mind and further cemented his unintended actions in her mind.
"No, no," She shook her head, only now noticing her ears had slumped in her sudden foul mood. "I just… was thinking. You aren't wrong."
She sighed.
"I am glad that you have considered this… now, as for the other matter…" Tyuule pushed her doubts to the side. "What are your intentions with my half-sister?"
"You've been hanging around Americans, haven't you?" Richard remarked with a sarcastic tone. "That is a very stereotypical protective sibling question."
"That isn't an answer," Tyuule remarked. "But I have been educating myself on 'Western' culture. Mage Lelei has been quite helpful in that regard, her access and expertise using the 'internet' has proven to be quite useful in acquiring information."
"Sometimes I worry what she will find," Richard sighed. "The internet is… rather diverse in its content."
"We are both aware, Lelei has been striving to keep her mentor in the dark about certain aspects of it," Tyuule replied with a knowing nod, and a slight look of distaste. "Now, my sister?"
"My intentions are simple: to make her happy," Richard met her gave and responded truthfully. "The method is… still a matter we are discussing. Earlier plans have been thrown into disarray and made more complicated due to her new responsibilities. But we are working together on it."
"… I am… glad that you chose to elaborate on your answer," Tyuule said after a moment. "… has Tara told you much of Warrior Bunny culture regarding men?"
"Some. Mostly that the stereotype of 'warrior women that kidnap men for mates' is really only a thing with a handful of tribes near the border, and its more of a farce than a real thing. I knew the 'sex crazed' thing was completely false," Richard replied. "She made mention of communal raising of children being common, but she also mentions… something about families being common as well?"
"It varies between tribes and clans, as well as nomadic and city dwelling groups," Tyuule replied. "It is far from abnormal for men to join a tribe or clan in what would roughly be called a marriage to a member and remain with them until their death of old age. One of my tutors was one such. Though there... was often those that simply laid with a Warrior Bunny for pleasure, with the child being born as part of her tribe or clan. Tara was one such union, and as a result she was raised communally with other noble children. I myself was born as a pureblood, so while my mother didn't care much for my father, it being a political union, I was raised by her as heir."
"Is that related to the worship of Miritta at all?"
"I don't know," Tyuule admitted. "While she is a goddess of fertility, her main method of worship isn't… wasn't common. Prostitution didn't really exist in my kingdom… perhaps because of our culture in that regard?"
She shrugged.
"In any case, your union with her isn't what I am concerned by," She continued. "At the risk of copying yet another piece of media; harm my sister at your own peril."
"I swear that I intend her no harm," Richard replied with utterly naked sincerity.
"Good," Tyuule nodded with a bemused smile.
"Do you mind if I ask a question?" Richard asked. Something about his tone made Tyuule drop her smile as she focused on him. "You mentioned how you were both raised, and the unions that effected that, why did that matter?"
Tyuule paused.
"… I need to think about that to remember my lessons," She snorted. "Let me think… so, I recall that, early on, our people had high rates of child mortality, especially among the males. That is still an issue, but female births are still common. On top of that, children are considered precious, due to several tribes nearly being wiped out by child mortality."
Richard nodded in understanding, following along with her explanation.
"Because of our lands being mostly plains, there was the need to always have hunters, warriors, and farmers, often people doing multiple roles. That meant we had large numbers of women, and few men," Tyuule explained, recalling the distant lessons of her tutors whilst she heard the bustling sounds of her mother's city outside, accompanied by the chattering sounds of the communally raised children playing in the square near the palace, and times in her rule, as heartbreaking as those memories were, when groups of children would pass by her entourage when touring that same city. "That meant mothers could hardly afford to spend their time raising their children. So, children were protected and raised by their villages. As they grew into cities, it became something done by smaller groups. Nobles, for instance, raised their children together, while guilds did the same."
"So, the children of smiths would be raised alongside other children of smiths, by smiths that were not working?"
"Essentially, yes. Sometimes, such as with the nobles, there were professional… I believe the closest Saderan word is teachers, who would educate and raise them, in addition to parents that were free," Tyuule continued. She paused, glancing at Richard, curious. "Why do you ask?"
"Mostly curiosity," Richard shrugged. "Obviously, Canada does it differently, but any such future plans are going to be complicated further by our titles and duties, so we need to discuss it, Tara and I."
Tyuule winced, nodding.
"I cannot say that it was… the best upbringing, under my mother," She said. "And I can imagine the complications that would be present. My mother was… focused on rulership. She governed the city well… but she did not rule the kingdom well."
"… Do you resent her for that?" Richard asked. "Her being so focused on her duties, I mean?"
"No. I resent her… not ruling well," Tyuule sighed. "Part of why we lost, now that I have the time to think about it, was that she sowed the seeds. But the blame lies with me, because I did not correct those mistakes, and I made others by trying not to be her."
The former queen shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I'm going to make you late," She said. "Go, wash. If you have other questions…"
"I know where to find you," Richard nodded, hefting his sheathed blade onto his shoulder. "And thank you, both for answering my questions, and for looking out for Tara."
"Thank you for answering mine," Tyuule smiled. "And thank you for helping her, and our people, get free of the Empire."