Libertatis Imperium (Gate)

[charclone]

Richard as bunny King.Happy End.
Jokes aside - temple prostitution was a thing in ancient times.

I'm not surprised. Doesn't change the fact that it was something outside of Richard' purview, technically. Locals would have more or less accepted whatever decision he made, since he is viewed as the lord of Alnus (yes, jokes have been made about this) by the locals in Alnus town, though he still sticks to his outlined duties as a civilian working with NATO.

 

[charclone]

The number of meetings in the two days after the battle seemed to exceed the number before, in Tara's eyes. Some made sense, such as who got the prisoners and loot from the field and camps.

The meeting to determine what constituted humane treatment for the prisoners the Italican's received was odd, as those were all former militia. The ones that were still reliable, despite being pressed into the enemy's service would be reinstated, and the traitors would be executed, so treating them well was either treating one's own soldiers fairly or wasting food on living corpses.

Tara understood the morality of it, as Richard explained it to her, but it still seamed irresponsible to waste the food, especially as Alnus would be purchasing food from Italica for some time, as long as it met certain sanitary conditions.

In the end, the executions would be done the day after the morrow, cutting down on the food wasted on them, and keeping NATO happy by not 'mistreating' prisoners.

The rest of the prisoners, constituting the mercenaries and house troops but barring the two sisters, were separated into combatants and non-combatants. The former would be shipped off to the prisons, to wait for release with the survivors of the initial Saderan attack on Canada. The latter would simply be released.

The two sisters, on the other hand, had their fates in young Myui's hands. What that fate would be, the countess had yet to say.

For his part, Richard was largely a silent observer to the negotiations, conducted by a US Army Colonel, and Major Johnston.

His only act of note during the negotiations was formally delivering Count Formal's remains, having been identified by one of his officers who survived the attack, brought the day after by helicopter, along with what was left of the late count's forces.

Tara wasn't entirely pleased with the countess crying onto Richard's shirt, but she was hardly going to berate the girl for weeping at the loss of her father.

Officially, the remains of the count were that of an enemy combatant, but his troops were classified as 'refugees' who had been caught up in the fighting. Unofficially, as it had been explained to Richard, and later herself, they were using it as a fig leaf to win goodwill and release the count's surviving forces.

Pina seemed baffled that Richard was not leading the negotiations, something Tara enjoyed seeing.

Leaving yet another meeting, this one about determining the borders of Italica, and how far into it NATO would be allowed to move (no permanent garrison in the city, or on its land, but NATO forces had military access otherwise), Tara groaned.

"I understand why you need to be there," She grumbled to Richard. "But why am I needed?"

"You saying you don't like to spend time with me?" Tara thwacked Richard's shoulder. "Ow! That hurt."

"That part I don't mind, but why me?"

Richard rubbed the back of his head.

"Ah… word might have gotten around about you being related to a Queen…" Tara stared blankly at him for several moments. "Pina seems to be under the impression you also have political standing, and I was asked by some American Officer if you had been insulted by not being treated as royalty."

Slowly, the white-haired Warrior Bunny blinked.

"…what was that English word the Americans loved so much that seems appropriate… oh, right. FUCK!" She slumped and rubbed her forehead and sighed. "How likely is it that I get dragged into politics?"

Richard shrugged.

"Seems to have already happened…"

Tara groaned.

"Hey, at least its Lelei that has to translate." Richard laughed and drew Tara into a hug.

The sound of a person giving a polite cough drew their attention.

A Formal maid stood off to one side, escorting Myui who giggled at the scene.

"Ah, I hope I'm not interrupting, Sir Richard, Lady Tara." She smiled. Tara recognised the pain she was hiding beneath it. She still mourned. "But I was hoping to… ask you for advice, Sir Richard."

"Of course. How can I help?" Richard asked.

Myui winced, and her previous cheer evaporated.

"I… I don't know what to do with my sisters. I… should execute them, according to precedent. My advisors say the same, but… they are family. I…" Myui glanced around and led them to a side chamber before continuing. "I don't know what to do with them. We were distant, and with my father gone… I had hoped he could make the decision, but he is gone…"

Tara frowned.

If Tyuule had truly betrayed them, and it fell to her to decide what to do with her… would she be able to order her execution? Tara felt sick to her stomach at the idea and could come up with no clear answer.

Neither could Richard, it would seem.

"I'm sorry, but… I'm not sure either. They married out of your family, correct?" His voice was strained.

"Yes. Though, their marriage agreements, if annulled, would mean they default back to House Formal, which was their plan, and then remarry, taking Italica into the empire." The maid explained for her liege through a veil that covered her lower face.

Richard frowned.

"Well… could they be changed then? Make the marriages default to another house, as a condition for their release and ransom?" He held his hands. "Would that keep them from being able to inherit Italica?"

Myui frowned.

"I don't know."

"I'm not trying to say that's the best option, just understand what the options are." Richard explained. "I… am honestly unsure of what the best option would be. Would sending them back gain you anything, or would it be continued risk? Would their husbands want them back? Would the empire bar the ransom? In all honesty, I have little political experience. You likely have more than I, despite being younger. Tara, your thoughts?"

Tara winced and shook her head.

"My mind went straight to what if my… if Tyuule had truly betrayed us, our people, and if I had to choose if she lived or died. I… I don't know what I would choose."

The maid blinked.

"Delilah has been spreading those rumours again, despite what I… uh, learned, isn't she?" The maid blinked, then bowed. "My apologies, I spoke out of turn."

"No, no. What have you learned?" Myui asked, glad for the change in subject.

"That those rumours are lies spread by Zorzal, even as he brags that she offered to be his slave if he spared her people, and instead took her and conquered them anyway." The maid shifted and smoothed imaginary wrinkles in her dress. "Well, he brags to, uh, officials and people of high status, anyway, which is how I learned it, during one of the late count's… missions for me."

Richard blinked as she lifted the veil.

"Illithids. Of course." He pinched his nose. "Just to calm my nerves, can you read minds and mentally dominate people, or is that fiction?"

"Fiction. Ah, I can read a person's mind when I eat their aura, like a medusa can, though I can read more than just emotions, absorbing recent memories." She shrugged, letting the veil cover the tendrils she had in the place of a jaw. "I don't eat actual brains either… is Illithid what your people call mine?"

"No, from fiction. Bunch of telepathic brain eaters." Richard sighed.

Tara frowned.

"Do… you have any proof?"

"Why not ask Porphyrogenita Pina?" Myui blinked. "Zorzal was her brother."

Richard wanted to facepalm at forgetting that fact. Tara actually did.

 

[LordSunhawk]

Ahhh, politics. It's like a black hole, once you get too close to it, you are consumed. Poor Richard and Poor Tara, but you are doomed, DOOMED I SAY.

 

[charclone]

Ahhh, politics. It's like a black hole, once you get too close to it, you are consumed. Poor Richard and Poor Tara, but you are doomed, DOOMED I SAY.

Tempt me not to post the Doom song. Gir does not have a good singing voice, and its very repetitive.

But yes, Politics is a dark art.

 

[ATP]

Ahhh, politics. It's like a black hole, once you get too close to it, you are consumed. Poor Richard and Poor Tara, but you are doomed, DOOMED I SAY.

Then,we still could have good tragic end,when they die almost touching their hands.
Or bad tragic end,when they become politicians.

Tempt me not to post the Doom song. Gir does not have a good singing voice, and its very repetitive.

But yes, Politics is a dark art.

Modern politics.In medieval times it still could be relatively clean.

Well,no matter.What is important - Myui sisters fate is important for her and nobody else.
When it is easy to proof,that Tyuule is innocent.
So,no reason for other rabbit warriors to do anything.

 

[stephen the barbarian]

Politics is a dark art.

at least no one's throwing around marriage offers, yet.

 

[charclone]

In medieval times it still could be relatively clean.

Despite what Game of Thrones and Crusader Kings imply.

Of course, Sadera is based off the Roman Empire, which did rather famously have more than a few assassinations and civil wars...

 

[ATP]

Despite what Game of Thrones and Crusader Kings imply.

Of course, Sadera is based off the Roman Empire, which did rather famously have more than a few assassinations and civil wars...

Of course,GoT is parody - of medieval Europe,vikings,mongols.GRRM made mistake of making medieval world ruled by people with minds of modern politicians.

And Romans had Empire without clear rules for inheritance of power.It must fall.
To be honest,it is strange,that they do not fall earlier.

 

[charclone]

Of course,GoT is parody - of medieval Europe,vikings,mongols.GRRM made mistake of making medieval world ruled by people with minds of modern politicians.

And Romans had Empire without clear rules for inheritance of power.It must fall.
To be honest,it is strange,that they do not fall earlier.

They did actually have clear rules, its just they didn't always work, or people ignored them when it was convenient to do so. When they were followed, well, it was usually because it was easy to game the system.

This isn't counting, of course, the civil wars that saw legions proclaim their commanders Emperor. Usually because the commander was the one paying them.

 

[ATP]

They did actually have clear rules, its just they didn't always work, or people ignored them when it was convenient to do so. When they were followed, well, it was usually because it was easy to game the system.

This isn't counting, of course, the civil wars that saw legions proclaim their commanders Emperor. Usually because the commander was the one paying them.

As a result,both Romans and later ERE started use barbarian to counter that.It worked,till it not worked.
Ottomans was welcomed to ERE by emperors as merc,after all.

 

[charclone]

Pina Co Lada, born in the purple of the Empire, and Praetor Peregrinus and Envoy of the Empire of Sadera paced furiously across the floor. Her aid, Hamilton Uno Ror, and her teacher and friend, Grey Co Aldo, looked on in worry.

"Your highness…" Grey started.

"Don't, please Grey." Pina snapped and sighed. "My apologies for that outburst of petulance, but father… the emperor sent me to Italica with instructions to try and open a dialogue with these… NATO. Instead, I have not only made foes of two noble houses, but I have been outwitted and outmanoeuvred by Sir Richard. Worse, there are rumours circulating that his… aide, shall we say, is Tyuule's sister."

Hamilton flinched. She had heard the rumour and rushed it to Pina's attention without gaining any more information.

"Hamilton, you did nothing wrong, informing me was the correct choice." Pina gave the younger woman a look before sighing and rubbing her temples. "My knights finally get a chance to prove themselves, and instead are shown up. I, myself, am faced with the fact that I… am a poor leader. An unbloodied knight did better at bolstering the militia's morale, such that they did not even flinch in the face of an enemy charge. On top of all that, the Empire is facing a foe that make us look like amateurs. What hope of victory do barbarians using crude wooden clubs have against a mounted knight in armour? None, the same as us."

Grey and Hamilton shared a look as Pina vented.

"Now, I somehow need to convince them not to destroy the empire, despite the fact that they have every advantage, and could easily do so before winter comes." Pina threw her hands in the air as she shouted. "And I wouldn't be surprised if winter wasn't going t slow them down either!"

"Your highness, are you finished?" Grey asked, his normally jolly face set with an ill-fitting frown. "Yes, they could easily crush us. The questions are, why haven't they and what do they want. Your highness, forgive me if I am speaking above my station, but we know so little about these people."

Pina sighed.

"Yes, your right Grey." She collapsed into a nearby seat. "My apologies, its just… I feel like I have already made too many errors. Seeing how swiftly they moved forces, and destroyed their foes… I can understand how they so easily crushed our forces."

"What I don't understand is why is Richard being side lined." Hamilton said. She blinked as both Grey and Pina stared at her. "Ah, forgive me…"

"No, no, you are correct Lady Hamilton." Pina frowned. "He is being side lined, yet he had been chosen to lead the initial expedition… the… 'Colonel' seemed annoyed with his presence, but the Major despite being lower ranked seemed to have no issue with him."

Pina blinked.

"He's like Zorzal."

Grey cocked his head.

"Your Highness? I'm sorry, but aside from both being blonde and having White haired Warrior Bunnies… I don't see it."

"Politically. When my brother started looking for a way to prove himself, he was sent with a legion to what was then our most stable border, he then took advantage of the opportunity to increase his own renown. The Gate appeared close to an important area, and likewise seeing his chance for renown, Richard likely jumped on it. The reinforcements likely are people he has no influence with, possibly even under a political rival, it would explain the differences in uniforms."

Grey hummed as he considered Pina's theory.

"It would make some sense… and there does seem to be some minor antagonism between the two forces…" Grey shook his head. "But there was talk of them being 'Americans' and 'Canadians'."

Pina winced.

"Different kingdoms then? Or regions?" She shook her head. "I forgot about that. Alright. So, we need to know more… I hesitate to simply ask him, he has already outmanoeuvred me once before… but I cannot be intimidated. I suppose I could…"

Pina froze as a knock sounded at the door. An Order of the Red Rose Knight stuck her head in.

"Pardon the interruption, but Sir Richard is outside, asking for an audience. He and Lady Tara would like to inquire about… ah… Tyuule." The knight winced as everyone's faced fell. "Shall I refuse him entry?"

"No! Ah, no. But… let him know I would… like to ask him a few questions, as well." Pina said.

The knight bowed and left. Moments later, she led Richard and Tara in.

"Good day, Sir Richard." Pina said, a polite smile plaster to her face. "May I ask what sort of questions you intend to ask?"

Richard did his best to mask his nervousness.

"We've heard two stories about Tyuule. I'd like to know which is true." Tara said, making no attempt to hide her antagonism, the bitterness in her voice visible to all.

"I see…" Pina's mind raced. Was Richard looking to further lure the Warrior Bunnies to his side, or was this charity? Was he looking to undermine the Empire's reputation… no, Zorzal had already done that with the Warrior Bunnies. They had no love for the Empire. Truth then, for now. "In the interests of goodwill… my brother… brags about how he broke his word to Tyuule. She offered herself as his slave, if he spared her people… he accepted, then ordered his soldiers in anyway."

A multitude of emotions flickered across Tara's face. After a moment, she deflated, looking exhausted. Richard offered a supportive arm.

"Now, if you don't mind me asking… I know very little about what happened in the initial invasion. I understand that it was destroyed but…" Pina glanced at Hamilton out of the corner of her eye, considering what to ask. "…but I have not heard how you were involved, Sir Richard."

Richard blinked, paled, and swallowed.

"There was a… gathering, of people who maintained old traditions. Competitions, a festival, a market, it was many things, sponsored by several groups who did similar things early, and this year they decided to be a bit grander and pool their resources." Richard licked his lips. "I had participated in a duelling competition. Just as it ended…"

Richard trailed off, memories of that day flooding his mind.

"A dragon flew overhead. Then there were screams, shouts, I… don't remember much. I remember seeing my opponent wounded by arrows, and others wounded by horsemen. Orcs, I now know them as butchered another group. I remember seeing people loading into a transport. Then… I remember fighting someone, killing them, then being swarmed by soldiers." He gave a shacky sigh. "Its far from an interesting tale. After that, well, you've probably heard about the rebellion at Alnus I participated in."

Pina mentally reeled.

"You… were there for a competition?"

"Yes." Richard blinked. "I'm not military, if that was your assumption. Hell, Canada hasn't officially been at war since… what, Korea? Sixty years ago?"

"Don't sell yourself short." Tara poked Richard. "You are being awarded the… what was it called?"

"Most Excellent Order of the British Empire."

Pina blinked and mentally cursed.

"What is the British Empire? Not your nation I take it?"

"Ah, no, though the Monarch is the same. Canada is a Dominion of the British Empire, as well as a sovereign nation, as part of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was released from the Empire. As for the British Empire, it was the largest Empire on Earth." Richard shook his head. "The UK, as it's called now days, is still so large that the sun doesn't set on it, though the Irish claim that it's be cause God doesn't trust the English in the dark."

"I see… so, you were offered this award…" Hamilton started.

"Yes… though I was offered the Order of Canada first… I had personal reasons for refusing it." Richard shook his head. "I… would rather not go into them."

"Ah, of course." Pina said slowly. "May I ask…"

She paused, considering her words, trying to parse the information given. Mentally, she saluted Richard. He gave her what she wanted, and told her more… but left out so many details it left her confused.

"May I ask how Tyuule, my sister, is?" Tara interjected, taking advantage of the pause.

Pina winced.

"I… am afraid I cannot say." Pina winced at her words. Best to end this now, before her mask crumbles completely. "If that is all?"

Richard glanced at Tara, who was lost in her own thoughts.

"I believe so. Good day, your highness."

"And to you, Sir Richard."

 

[ATP]

@charclone ,you are genius.You made story in which Pina belive that Richard is like Zorzal - and,it is plausible!
USA really should use it as bargain chip - they agree to not made Richard Lord of Sadera,if Empire agree to everything else.

 

[charclone]

"You want to talk about it?" Tara blinked in surprise, shaken out of her thoughts. Her green orbs stared at Richard's pale blue for several seconds, before what he said processed.

"… not much to talk about." She muttered. "You know what I know."

"Meant more your thoughts on it. They seem to be eating at you." He joked, rubbing her back.

They had retreated to the room lent to Richard in the Formal Palace, located well away from the wing occupied by the Rose Knights. Tara's was across the hall.

She sighed and leaned against him.

"I just… don't know what to do. She isn't going to be accepted as queen anymore, so that doesn't solve that issue, as much as I wish it did." She took a deep breath. "Then there is the question of what is going to happen to her, and what is being done to her. I… I'd rather not let my mind wander there. The Imperials… don't usually treat prisoners well, not ones that have no value."

Richard frowned and pondered for a moment.

"Well, I brought my laptop. How about we watch something to distract you?"

"Please."

"Okay, one moment." Richard pulled the computer from his backpack and paused. "Okay, I thought I packed more than just two movies… let's see… oh, that's where Zulu went… how about Looney Toons? Classic comedy shorts."

Tara frowned.

"What's Zulu?"

Richard winced.

"So, in short, its about a time when the British Empire held off an assault by locals, called the Battle of Rorke's Drift, only having a hundred soldiers, while outnumbered by a significant margin. Reason I don't want to watch it, is because its… a bit to like the current situation. The whole Anglo-Zulu war is also a complicated topic. The Zulu force wasn't supposed to attack Rorke's Drift, since it was supposed to just be the Zulu defending themselves."

"But the commander instead chose glory over sense." Tara snorted.

"Eh, more to it than that. There had been conflicts and disagreements. Plus, the Zulu weren't treated well by the British. It was in the Eighteen-sixties, so the early form of cartridge loading rifles were in use, and the Zulu used spears and hide shields." Richard shrugged. "There is also the matter of colonialism, which NATO has been accused of, and I can't define it well enough at the moment to explain it properly."

Tara shrugged.

"Fine." She paused, her ear twitching. "Huh, sounds like Edgar."

Before Richard could ask, there was a knock at the door. He gave Tara a look as he moved to answer it, which she just responded to with a grin.

"Richard. I heard you were going to talk to Pina?" Edgar asked as soon as the door was open. "Can I ask you to do something for me when you do?"

"We already did. Talk to her, that is." Richard winced. "Why?"

Major Johnston sighed.

"Alright, I'll be the one to do it. Aerial recon spotted what we are pretty sure her reinforcements." He rubbed the back of his head. "We were hoping that we could have her meet them part way, so there wasn't a misunderstanding."

Richard snorted.

"How far away are they?" Tara asked from where she sat on the bed.

"About…" Edgar did some mental math. "Eh, call it three quarters a day's ride? We'd meet them with a couple Hummers."

"And I'm assuming you want me there for appearances?" Richard groaned. "That's why you want me to ask? Alright, fine."

Edgar grinned.

"Oh, don't be like that. Not every day one gets to ride with a princess."

Richard glanced at Tara and snorted.

She gave him a glare.




Pina swallowed in nervousness as she looked at the growling… thing. They were to meet with her knights that were still on their way.

She knew it was NATO demonstrating their ability to surpass and outmanoeuvre the Empire, despite their claims about wanting to avoid unnecessary conflict. Her forces breaking the truce would only benefit them, after all, with all their advantages.

Still, Pina found the 'Hummer' the Canadians were using to be strange. The idea of a horseless carriage was not that strange, as she had heard stories of similar devices from Rondel, though those tended to be more cautionary tales, with the enchanted wagons disappearing into the night, or never stopping until the wheels broke.

Its constant growling was… unsettling.

As was the speed that they claimed it could reach. They claimed it could reach the same distance a horse would take over a road in a full day, in less than two hours over rougher terrain.

She caught sight of Tara. She was watching her, seemingly amused at her discomfort.

Pina could accept that she had been outmanoeuvred earlier, but she would lot allow herself to be mocked.

Throwing caution to the wind, she moved inside the vehicle. She blinked, realising she had been outmanoeuvred again. In the other seat, Richard dozed, dressed in his armour.

Pina frowned and settled in as best she could.

She would not let her trepidation towards this new form of transport show.

 

[ATP]

So,we would avoid Bozez idiocy.Anime really made it even more stupid then manga.Well,here Bozes would find some american,not japaneese,to get pregnant.
And,now Pina would genuinly told her father,that Richard is true mastermind behind USA.

 

[charclone]

The machine came to a stop.

Pina forced herself to relax. The roads condition had been worse than she thought, making the fast trip worse. The speed the 'hummers' were capable of certainly didn't improve things. She remained sitting, keeping herself calm.

Richard somehow slept through part of it, a fact that further irritated Pina.

She saw out the front window, made of some strange form of glass, her knight's approach, with Bozes in the lead. She grit her teeth upon seeing the flash of unsheathed steel in the blonde's hand. It would be just her luck for that hothead to start something, wouldn't it.

Pina glanced at the door, wondering how to open it. She blinked in surprise when it opened without touching it, revealing Sir Richard holding it open.

"Your highness."

Pina schooled her features and got out of the vehicle.

So focused on not showing any weakness to Richard, she missed the shape in the treeline.

Richard made a strange grunt, as something struck metal, and hurtled over her head. Pina gave an undignified squawk as Richard suddenly stepped forwards as she was only half out of the vehicle, and pushed her back in, closing the door.

There was the sound of the otherworlders weapons firing for a few seconds, before shouting in Saderan and the otherworlder's language was audible even through the metal hull of the 'hummer'. After a moment, she saw through the window several NATO soldiers plunge into the treeline, along with Bozes on horseback. A fact that made Pina wince.

Moments later, the door on the opposite side of the vehicle opened, as Richard pulled himself in.

"My apologies your highness," There was an odd quality to his voice. He was breathing hard and seemed shaken. "for the rough treatment, but when I saw the crossbow bolt after I felt it glance off my shoulder, I figured better safe than sorry."

In Pina's mind, she firmly believed he had done it to put her in his debt, even for a minor thing, or simple goodwill.

"Your knight, the blond one, went off in pursuit of whoever shot at us." He continued. He said something to the driver in the foreign tongue and received a laughing reply. "She said we should just wait for the area to be secured, and that they caught the shooters already. Mercenary that must have escaped the fighting."

Pina wanted to protest that what NATO had done was hardly fighting, but she instead chose to remain silent on the matter. She crossed her arms and settled in to wait.

Half an hour later, Bozes, Panache, and her knights were kneeled before her.

"We are relieved to see you well, your highness." Panache took the lead, after giving Bozes a glare. "But… who are these people?"

"These are the otherworlders the emperor sent us to negotiate with." Pina stated the obvious. "Now, I see the banner of the Yellow, but where is the Blue?"

"Vifita took the Blue to render aid to a settlement nearby. There was smoke, and the scouts had reported bandits." Bozes not so much reported as she did announce. "They should rendezvous with us at Italica."

Pina sighed as she heard Richard translate to a NATO soldier. A moment later she heard him speak.

"Major Johnston reports that reinforcements are already on route, along with some relief supplies." He said.

Bozes scowled but was halted from saying anything by Pina. It was a minor breach of protocol if they had been in even the least bit formal setting. But this was the field, where Grey had pounded into their heads that protocol fell second to convenience. Every second counted on the battlefield. A lesson Bozes, and others, tended to forget.

Pina couldn't blame them, as many acted like that out of loyalty to her, though she would still quietly reprimand her at a later date.

"Thank you, Sir Richard, and please convey my thanks to the leader of the reinforcements." Pina said over her shoulder. "Bozes, please select one of your Yellow Rose Knights to act as a messenger, to avoid any breaches of the temporary truce we have just signed."

The blond with drill style hair blinked, paled, and nodded, shouting order to one of her best riders.

"Now, Sir Richard, I believe we should return to Italica, lest there are any more bandits." She said. The implication being that she did not trust the soldiers to protect her. It could also be taken that she resented being pushed as she had been, though that would be a bit of a stretch.

"Very well your highness." Pina frowned as he didn't react to the insult. Further cementing the idea in her mind that he was a dangerous political foe.

"You mentioned you were to receive an award." She said, once they were once again moving in the vehicles, at a slower pace so that the Yellow Rose Knights could keep up. "Would it be possible for myself and a few of my knights to… bear witness to the ceremony?"

Richard cocked his head.

"I… don't know. It would require flight over the Atlantic Ocean, which would cross several international borders, so likely there would need to be a dialogue between governments, and an agreement to permit you into Canada in the first place, though since you intend to negotiate on behalf of your father, such things are probably already in motion." He paused. "Though considering the timeline, I'm unsure of the time remaining being sufficient. We are leaving Italica tomorrow, that is, myself, Tara, and my guards."

"Well," Pina processed what he had said. Flight over an ocean? Surely it couldn't be that big of one. "I… hope the opportunity becomes available."

 

[ShadowArxxy]

To be fair, the Atlantic is much smaller than the Pacific and Pina does not really have *any* context on the range of Canadian flying machines as opposed to wyverns.

 

[ATP]

Pina report after that: enemy is ruled by USA and sir Richard,who made fake attack on me to look better.
I am on route to place when their rulers live.

 

[charclone]

Pina report after that: enemy is ruled by USA and sir Richard,who made fake attack on me to look better.
I am on route to place when their rulers live.

Why would she think its ruled by the USA? So far, she has seen Richard surrounded by Canadians, and seen him more or less sidelined by other officers.

 

[ATP]

Why would she think its ruled by the USA? So far, she has seen Richard surrounded by Canadians, and seen him more or less sidelined by other officers.

Then,it would be even more funny - Canadians are ruling there,but sir Richard is important,too!

 

[charclone]

Tara tried to crush the niggling feeling in her gut, and the urge to check the clock. They were useful devices, but the temptation to know the exact amount of time Richard was late was great.

They had arrived back at Alnus yesterday, with Pina to follow a few days later. Tara didn't know the details of the agreement, but she knew that Richard had agreed to arrange for Countess Myui to get a computer and some video games.

This morning Tara had asked to meet with Richard, to talk the about the details of her accompanying him to Earth for the ceremony. Her attendance had already been accounted for, but Tara found she was nervous.

She had only been to a small portion of it, in Canada, but the idea of travelling across a great portion of it made her uneasy, partly because she knew there was a great deal about how it was done that she simple didn't know.

But Richard was late.

She blinked when she heard the chair across from where she was sitting in the Alnus Tavern creak, as someone sat in it.

Hannah placed her elbows on the table and rest her chin on her laced fingers.

"Running away and leaving me to deal with all the clans and tribes bickering?" Hannah grinned. "How cruel."

Tara raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, don't give me that look." Hannah rolled her eyes. Then her grin became lecherous. "So, finally got with him, huh? How is he in bed?"

"Haven't gone that far." Tara bluntly stated. "Are you here to mock, tease, drag me into politics, or just alleviate boredom?"

Hannah frowned.

"… their customs are so… prudish, aren't they?" She sighed. "Fine. Mostly to satisfy my curiosity, and to let you know. Word got around of who your sister is. Between you working with NATO, being part of the delegation to Italica, and to Earth, and your… heritage, there is a new political faction forming. Don't be surprised when they ask you to be queen."

Tara froze.

"I… I'm not… I can't… I…" She sputtered, mind reeling. "I'm not pure-blooded!"

"No, but you were related to Tyuule, are educated, have NATO's apparent support, have 'Lord' Richard's support, and are already politically relevant. That's enough. Apparently." Hannah frowned. "Do you believe what Pina apparently told you? About Tyuule and Zorzal being an oathbreaker?"

"Zorzal… doesn't surprise me. I knew Tyuule, though. She could be… very cold and calculating at times. Would she have sold her own skin for us? I… don't know." Tara sighed. "Pina might have been lying. Tyuule… I was trained from a young age to be a Royal Guard and a warrior, so I never spend much time with her outside of my duties. When we were kids… she never did anything like that, but nor did she offer herself for others."

Hannah leaned back in her chair.

"Honestly, part of me wishes the Imperia Princess was lying. The rest of me… doesn't care. We lost, no matter what Tyuule did. But… NATO is kicking the Empire's ass. You are here. I trust you and Richard, while Tyuule is an unknown." Hannah snorted. "Just, if you decide to launch a coup, let me know, cause I want in, and I know a few people who deserve to get purged."

"Don't joke about that, please." Tara laid her head on the tabletop.

"What, the purge, coup, or you being the queen?"

"I am not, ever, going to be queen. A coup would piss off NATO, probably, and the purge… okay, fine, some of the idiots want us to stab NATO in the back. They are going to be… dealt with, one way or another, by us, NATO, or their own stupidity." Tara groaned as she lifted head back up. Her eyes widened slightly, and she grinned.

"Richard!"

"Sorry about being late. Had to handle some paperwork so a butterbar Lt. would get reassigned for dumping all his work on me while I was gone." He said as he walked over. He glanced between Tara and Hanna. "So, what's up?"

"Just letting Tara know that there is a faction wanting her as Queen growing in strength." Hannah smirked as she got up to leave. "You two have fun!"

Richard sat in Hannah had vacated.

"So…" He prompted.

Tara shifted nervously.

"Alright, so… guess I'll start." Richard said after a moment, seeing Tara's nervousness. "I… have no idea how to handle relationships, let alone romantic ones. Hell, most of my friends are either people I met in the same hobby, or people my dad introduced me to before he died."

Tara blinked in shock.

"You made a countess your friend, matched wits with an Imperial Princess, and earned the adoration of a city." She stated. "You call that not being able to handle relationships?"

"I was playing it all by ear. I'm surprised you didn't hear my heart thundering in fear a couple times." Richard joked, then paused and winced. "Sorry, no insult intended."

Tara simply responded by flexing her ears.

After a moment of silence, they broke into giggles.

"Its fine." Tara waved his apology off. "But seriously, you are better than you think. Now… well, what do your people do when… is courting the right word for it?"

"I think dating is the correct term. Yes, English words having many different words, dependant on context, is confusing at times." Richard shrugged. "I… well, its… so, from what little I know, dating would be things like this, just spending time together. It could also be private things, like watching a movie together, or at a theatre. Romantic dinners, which we could do while in Canada or England."

"How does that differ from normal?" Tara asked.

Richard threw his arms wide in a shrug.

"So, uh, what was it you wanted to talk about when you asked me to meet?" Richard asked.

"…two things. One… what was with your deferral to your… parliament? When Myui offered you a title and land in Italica, just before we left?" Tara was stalling, she knew, but the idea of travelling a strange land was still eating at her.

"Oh, right, so. In short, Canada passed a law that forbid any foreign titles or awards being granted to Canadian citizens without the consent of Parliament. Partly because they wanted to elevate the Order of Canada and other domestic awards, when compared to the British Empire's awards, when we were still tied to it."

"I see." Tara chewed on her lip. "Okay, the other thing is… how do we travel? Isn't Canada massive?"

"Yup. As for travel, well, we will be flying from the Toronto airport, to a place in the United States, Washington, I think, before we head to London in the United Kingdom."

"Wait, flying?" Tara blinked.

"You know those jets the Americans have been flying? Image a massive version, like a flying ship." Richard grinned. "I know you aren't afraid of heights. Vel giving you a lift on Thoos is way more dangerous."

"Its not that its just… can they really fly so far? And… how noisy is it?"

"Fairly noisy, but I think we can get some earplugs." Richard shrugged. "As for distance, well, yeah, hell, there are single trip flights, but those are expensive, and while NATO was kind enough to cover our tickets for this flight, as first class, I think they might protest for anything more expensive without reason."

Tara tilted her head.

"How expensive can flights get?"