There, of course, isn’t going to be a war. They will talk this out. I just don’t know how, yet. We get a glimpse again of demi-human power: while Aurie spoke with these two, part of her mind was with two more. It’ll be interesting if, as a Catholic, she thinks she needs to go to Confession for her diplomacy. We also remind the readers that Texas, while not a Great Power, holds some high cards, too.

There will be another pause as I need to get the next overall scene just so and get the camera back onto Eloise. I may have an idea about what to do with the months I need before she’s arrested. Further, driving home today, I realized I might completely restructure what y’all have been reading. The whole thing, from Sgt. Konev, on. It will make the book three parts instead of four and provide a landing for me around 65,000 words. I think. I never start that kind of major editing until I know I’m finished.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

“I let him go first, polite girl that I am.” Colour snorted. “And he started going on about the Galveston blockade and the closing of bridges into the imperium.  When he ran down a little bit, I asked about my cousin.”

Aurelia paused a moment to kick off her dress shoes as a legionary brought a pair of boot over.  She plopped down on the grass and put them on before standing.  Now that’s a Goth look, Eloise thought.

“You should see Dorina.  Where was I?  So he was talking trade and I was talking family.  Y’all can guess how well that went.” She chuckled.  “Then he accused me of plotting the blockade.  I said I had no idea what he was talking about.”

“You lied,” Colour accused.

“I prevaricated.  Ryland likes to play with ships and we allow our commanders lots of rope.” She gave a playful punch right to the older woman’s shoulder.  “Like someone leading an army to your country.”

“Is that when he pointed downriver?” Colour asked.

“Yep.” She led them northeast along a narrow wooded lane, presumably back to the fort.  “I said that’s toward New Orleans and that we’re not doing anything there, either.”

About a hundred men in tee shirts and shorts came trotting from the opposite direction, four abreast and singing something about the empress.  The three women moved to the side of the road and Aurelia began to clap.  When they realized who the cute girl in the white dress was, several of them nearly fell down, only to be shouted at by their NCO.  They resumed their run.

“Anyway,” Aurelia said, “that’s when the transporter showed up.  The reaction of the Secretary’s body was priceless.”

“Colour said she was surprised he didn’t pee himself,” Eloise contributed.

“Or shit himself!” Aurelia laughed, a little cruder.  “He finally pulled himself together and demand to know what is was and where it’s going.  I raised my hands and asked what he was talking about.”

Colour could no longer help it and burst out laughing at her friend’s bold-faced lies.

“I got the last word:  I told him our nations have been friends a very long time and are tied by blood.  Rash actions by anyone – see!  I can be diplomatic, too! – will echo for generations.” They turned right off the road and started up the hill to their east on what might have been a deer trace.  “Then the mask fell.  I said Livia must be in my arms in forty-eight hours.  No further negotiations.”

Eloise stopped.  After a few paces, the two others looked back at her.

“You… you would… As Colour has pointed out, I’m ignorant about many things down here, but I do know Texas has nuclear weapons.”

“Yes.  But the imperium has me.  Are you coming or not?”

The two humans breathing a little hard as they came near the top of the hill, drew next to Aurelia who had abruptly stopped.

“Wait.  Be still and quiet,” she ordered.

Was there a pack of wolves or something?

“Lee,” a man’s voice said closeby from the trees ahead.  I can’t see anyone, Eloise thought.

“Stonewall,” was Aurelia’s reply.

“Come forward slow… dammital!  Regent!” He broke cover, standing, as he lowered his rifle.  “I’m so sorry…!”

“You are doing your job, Legionary Burke, and I shall commend you for it,” was her easy reply.  “If you desire a change of assignment, let your CO know I have already approved it.  We both serve.  Deus vult.”

“Deus vult,” Burke replied, not saluting.  A gun was salute enough.

“I won’t ask how you knew he was there, because I think I already know the answer,” Eloise said as they came to one of the fort’s gates. 

“You are so much older!” Aurelia smiled.  “I’ve work to do.  Admiral, oh, I just promoted Ryland, says things are fine with her and her flotilla.  Livia’s grandmom, Lily, is talking with her Friends about a way out of this.  I need to do some work.  Y’all are free to do what you want.  I’ll have someone find you if I want you.  Be ready to send your reports home no later than twenty-hundred.  Bye!”

The two human women stood still, each reflecting on the events of this odd morning.