One step away from Part Three’s completion. As hard as Eloise thinks she has it right now, potentially walking into her own death, she cannot imagine what Aurie might be thinking: “I’ve the power to remake the world and I’m gambling a temporary peace on this girl until Robbie comes back. I can lay waste to Canada… but I won’t. Yet.”

After the next and final installment of P3, I’ll be – hopefully – posting my adventures at LibertyCon from Thursday thru Sunday.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

With friends in Toronto I’ve been to several Masses, Eloise thought, not at all hungover the next morning, standing next to Aurelia and a handful of other Catholics from the fort, but I’ve never been to one that’s in Latin.  Weird.  Everything about these people is weird.

She stood and knelt on the damp ground whenever the Regent did and stayed put for their Communion.  But something hurts in my chest.  I’ve never felt this before.  As there was only one other woman at the far side of their little group – Colour was nowhere to be seen – after Aurelia finished singing the last hymn, she took Eloise’s left hand and led her over.  This even younger woman – black hair, some up in twin-tails, a red shirt with a white cross, and a dark gray short skirt, gave them both a skeptical look.

“Eloise Patel?  This is Livia Hartmann, cousin, but not by blood, and now Crown Prince Edward’s wife.  She is a princess of the imperium,” Aurelia announced.

“I’m also a data analyst who does not need one of your stupid titles,” the girl said a bit petulantly.  “Nice to meet you, Miss Patel.  Aurelia?  I asked last night and you brushed me off to go to bed, so here it is again:  where is Ed and when is back?”

“I don’t know.  I think on Mars.  And maybe for months.  Or more,” she said, holding out her left hand to Livia.

Who burst into tears, staggering into the regent’s side.

“It’s… it’s just like Dad!  He disappeared!  Was gone for years!  Mom and I grew up alone!” she wailed, attracting the attention of everyone within earshot, which was almost everyone in the fort.

With a look, Aurelia let go of Eloise and put her other arm about her cousin.

“We’re all trying very hard for you and him, Liv,” she said very softly.  “All of us.  Our family, your grandmother’s friends, and, probably most importantly, your Aunt Kalí.”

“Your aunt’s missing, I know, Aurie,” the other still cried, “but this is my husband!  We were just married!  I’m not even pregnant yet!  And Kalí always scared me.”

“It’s not just you.  Now run along and get breakfast, one of my men will show you where.  I’ve to say goodbye to the foreign spy, here, first,” Aurelia said, pushing Livia off of her.

“Foreign…!”

“Just go eat, Liv.  We’ll talk later.” With her escorted away, the regent turned to Eloise.  “Go back to your quarters and change into your uniform.  Take with you anything you brought or anything we gifted you.  Your choice.  Then meet me at the south gate.”

She, also, turned and walked away.  Later, following orders, Eloise walked up to where Aurelia was talking to a legionary next to two sedans.  The morning sun caught her hair as she turned; a flash of black and purple.

“We’re in the second one, Friend.  Let’s go!” She got in on the rear right, so Eloise went opposite.  A man held the door for her.

“Thank you,” she muttered.  At least the humans are polite.

“Like the one Robbie tossed his drink at?” Aurelia laughed.  “He’s already been reprimanded.  One more stupid act and he’s out.”

“It was nothing, Aurelia…”

“He insulted my cousin’s guest in public,” she said with a small sway as they started on their way.  “He’s lucky I didn’t crucify him.”

Given this family, I know that is not hyperbole, Eloise thought as they went down the east side of the fort’s hill.  An old stretch of four-lane highway, north-south.  They have patched it up pretty nicely.  Probably to move men and supplies in quickly.  And for VIPs like Livia.

“And you, too.  Ah,” she pointed.  “There’s your ride.”

A smaller, two engine jet was pointed north.  From the noise, one engine was already turning over.  A spindly stairway was forward on the port side.

“This will take you to an airport just across the river from Louisville,” Aurelia explained.  “We were told they do not want us in their airspace and while my first reaction was to just show up with one of our spaceships, I don’t want to make it worse for you.  After that, they say they’re taking you to Ottawa.  Maybe, maybe not.”

“You,” what she just said! “You think is will be bad for me?”

“Of course.” They both got out and the regent came around to hold her.  “But you’ll survive.  Not for me, but for Robbie.”

“Do…” she dragged her military jacket’s sleeve across her eyes, “do you think he’ll want me?”

“Ask him yourself.  Stay alive.”

Eloise took a step back and saluted, per her nation’s military.  Aurelia countered with her right arm straight up, with a cry of “Deus vult!”

And she walked away just like that, Eloise sniffled.  She also turned and plodded up the steps into the airplane.