Fit for Life

[Kulindahr]

206
Pins ​

The map dominated the entire west wall of Ryan's office. The other walls had windows that looked out on the world beyond the tower soearing above Cavern Hold, but where it had once been possible to watch the setting sun wood covered with paper hid the glass. None of the other Snatched had seen it before. Besides the obvious markers for villages, roads, castles, semaphore towers, and the like, it sported pins with bright red heads.

Melanie wandered over and touched a pin. Ryan responded to the unanswered question. "Fragaria vescana", he stated softly. "The ones with yellow flags" -- he tapped one, near Melanie's finger -- "are different -- I call them 'f. vescanna fragrans', because the smell is like ten times as powerful. They've got yellow-edged petals, too." He grinned at the questioning faces around him. "Come on, sit -- I'll talk when everyone's here." People took seats, looking at the map and making guesses.

"From when you said there had to be people here", Crystal recalled when he had explained the map to everyone. The pins showed places where the plants had been reported. "And RIta saw some who'd been Snatched with us." Her gaze wandered the partial circle the pins covered in a scattered fashion. "Okay, why track them? Bored?"

Rigel laughed. "Ryan, doing science because he's bored? Rye does science in his sleep!"

"Ah." Rita's soft remark cut through the rest and got their attention. "Lord Swenson, you're looking for those people." Everyone understood she knew she was right.

"In one", Ryan congratulated. "Look -- the Yankees have been a gift to us, right? and the Lost British, too. But it wouldn't hurt to have more with tech capacity! So: fragaria vescana was developed as a cross between the regular garden strawberry and a wild one, to make it tougher. It couldn't be done by breeding; the two have different numbers oif chromosomes. But it could be done in a lab, and some Scandinavians--"

"Swedes", Rita amended; Ryan nodded acknowledgment.

"-- managed it in test tubes. Fun scinece, making new plants -- something no one could do before like the late seventies. So whoever brought them here was at a technological level good enough to put a person on the moon." He let that sink in. "And that means people who can help." His eyes grew... well, not hard, but firmer and more commanding than his friends ever recalled. "That hit me when I saw the newer petals, with those yellow edges. So I started asking everyone who travels to send word of where strawberries are found." He turned to the map, scratching his head with his left hand while his right traced a border around the pins.
"It isn't as easy as drawing the circle and looking for the middle. The Celts found the berries and carried them on purpose, so this isn't natural spread. But the chiefs have good guesses at when their clans got them, and the Escobars have records. So I adjust for the human transport. Anyway, when I track it, I say them came from" -- he paused momentarily, swinging his right arm in a loop, planting the index finger on the map -- "here. The place some earlier Snatched got dumped, bringing fruit with them."

The spot was far west and a little south of the Stone, which stood out more clearly on the map than any of the castles or villages. It was a location that brought some sucked-in breath, though only Melanie gasped. "Rye, that's seriously in Foe territory!" Rigel excalimed softly. "And you want to go there?"

"Better question", RIta chimed in. "You think they're still around?" Survival of Snatched groups was something they'd come to regard as hit-or-miss, and being dropped deep in the lands where the Others dominated sounded like a death sentence. "And next question: how would we get there?"

"Yeah, us and what army?" Crystal asked.

Austin spoke up. "Don't need and army", he pronounced. "Air ships -- the British will have them soon." He grinned. "Bomb the Others while we go!"

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Are they that far along?" he asked. Rigel shrugged and looked to Rita.

"Not this year", she responded. "And I'm not sure they would -- they're going to be making observation balloons for their mainland defense, first.

Rigel nodded agreement to that last. "And they should -- the easier to slaughter Others, the better. On the other hand", he continued, "they did send an ambassador with us, with those sealed messages. Rye, bring us all up to date about things here, and then it's time for a chat with Sir Wade".

 

[DonQuixote]

And the saga continues - up up and away in my beautiful balloon?!

Contemporary technology transplants who can help them leap frog technologies.

Yes, we're back in the saddle.

 

[Kyanimal]

Aw! New, and Exciting, directions!!

Way to go, Buddy!

(And, it's darned well about time. )

Keep Smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[DonQuixote]

I know - I figured he'd be laid up for months with the dual hip surgery and be writing.
No - he's got to advance his recovery by going out, doing the lawn, visiting the sand bar, and more . . .

 

[Kyanimal]

I knew that ...

Just letting him know, with a friendly "jab", how Thrilled I am that he's back to writing.

 

[Kulindahr]

Actually on my last trip to the project -- the area right by the parking lot, is all -- the last piece of that little chapter coalesced. I've been playing with it for... well, I worked on it during the FIRST hip replacement!

 

[Kulindahr]

207
Needles​

““... by the grace of God ruler of Lost Britain, Elizabeth Regina, her seal”, finished Sir Wade Appleway. He lowered the page of parchment with its ribbons and seal. Rigel stared at that seal, which had looked to him like wax but hadn’t cracked when Sir Wade had opened it to begin reading. It was made of something flexible, not brittle like wax. He knew Ryan had the same thought about it he had, that it might prove to be useful as a water-proofing material.

Not that he was going to ask about that; the content of this last of the messages was too important. His thoughts about the seal were just a way of avoiding thinking about what he’d just heard.

Rita cut into the silence. “In summary: your Queen Elizabeth, through her Bride’s Spokesman, Lord MacNeil, has offered her hand in marriage to our Lord Fitzwin.” Sir Wade nodded.

She wasn’t about to let Rigel open his mouth with one of his usual protests. “Sir Wade, I thank you. We need to discuss this among ourselves.”

The Lost Britisher stood and bowed. “Of course, milady. I will leave you all to your efforts.” He actually managed to back out of the room, then followed a page who tugged at his sleeve.

“Okay Rigel – go ahead, sound off”, Rita said a few seconds after the door had closed.

He paused and took a deep breath first. “Okay, you’re going to make me talk about it rationally, right? Fine. First, does anyone really expect me to marry someone I’ve never met? Second, doesn’t this sound desperate? We know their politics are kind of tangled, and their queen is a bit short on support, but a total foreigner? Third, it’s all political!” Rigel stopped, closing his eyes and taking another deep breath to stay calm.

Rita didn’t risk him bursting into a rant. “Of course it’s political”, she agreed. She recognized the look on his face, but so did Ryan.

“Bud, we’ve talked about how some of us are going to have to marry for political reasons”, Ryan pointed out softly. “You and I are high on that list. Seriously, think about it: for ties to the Lost British, can you think of a better possible marriage?”

“You’re not the one being asked”, Rigel pointed out. The set of his jaw told his friends he was in stubborn mode. “By someone I’ve never met!” His feet hit the floor and he paced. “Okay, we need good ties to the Lost British – that would be true even if all we wanted from them is Austin’s air ships! But” – his fists clenched and unclenched, hands wandering in the air, as he fought frustration to find words. “There’s no way I’m marrying someone without at least meeting her! And am I supposed to trust someone who wants to marry me when she hasn’t even met me?!”

Ryan chuckled. “Hey – who’s her ‘Bride’s Spokesman’? Didn’t we just spend a whole lot of time where he could observe you? And you don’t think he reported every last detail? Think about it: you’re a hero, there. You fit in as a sailor, and learned all about their ships. You – well, Anaph, but he’s your man – handed them a whole new sea to sail, with islands that will be free of Others. You showed them weapons that are great for killing Others, too! And you promised horses, real horses, not just those ponies they know are too small for them. Just about every one of their nobles who met you liked and respected you.
“So when the Queen reads all that, sure, it’s politics – but she also has reports that tell her what you’re like. She’s young, and do you think she would approve of that proposal if she thought she wouldn’t like you?”

Rigel sighed and sat down again. “So she knows stuff about me – I still don’t know her.” Rita shook her head; every muscle in Rigel’s body said the stubborn was still there. “Okay, we need ties to the Lost British – fine. Well, I met a noble lady I do like, so if we need a marriage to tie us together, I’ll propose marriage to her, not some queen I’ve never seen. So let’s write something flowery and diplomatic like they sent us, and ask Lady Meriel to marry me.”

Rita repressed a frustrated sigh. His tone dared any of them to disagree. Well, there were other ways to handle a stubborn Rigel. “‘Flowery and diplomatic’”, she quoted. “Let’s start with your titles, then. Ryan, should we put ‘Overlord of the North’ first, or ‘Grand Earl’?” The two grinned at each other, both ignoring and enjoying Rigel’s protest.


The expression on Sir Wade’s face could have frightened children, Rita thought. His horror at the mention of Rigel sending a message proposing marriage to some noble lady other than the Queen left him speechless, his mouth opening, then closing.

“Try some tea”, Rita suggested. “If you can swallow, you can probably talk.” She had to stifle laughter at the rapid changes in the nobleman’s expression.

Finally he sighed. “Indeed.” He lifted his teacup and regarded it meditatively. “Lady DeLuca, it would be a great insult to the Queen, for Lord Fitzwin to propose to another while knowing she is seeking his hand. Yet if that is in truth his desire, a reply to Her Majesty indicating he is honored, but has another in mind, would be appropriate. Yet it would not be so simple: it has long been the case that marriages of nobles, most especially to foreigners, must be approved by the Crown.” He sipped, looked at his cup, then downed it in a gulp. “So Her Majesty would be given an, shall I say ‘interesting’ choice”.

Rita sighed. “I wondered if things worked that way.” She stared at her own tea, untouched since she’d taken a deep breath and launched this subject with Sir Wade, wishing briefly that if she drank it down, whatever was left in the bottom could actually give guidance. “How about this, then: a response to Her Majesty that expresses Rigel’s preference to know someone before considering marriage, but a letter to Lord MacNeil making known his willingness to marry Lady Meriel, and asking advice in the situation?”

The Lost British knight nodded approvingly. “Yes, very good. It is an aspect of the duty of the Bride’s Spokesman to hear anything honestly, judge what ought to be passed on, and phrase it appropriately.” He flashed a wan grin. “I would offer to assess your efforts, once drafted, but you seem quite capable. Your Rigel is supremely fortunate to have you in his service.”

“So why do I have to jab him with needles to make him see sense?” she quipped.


Rigel leaned back with a sigh. “Okay, Wise Woman, your wisdom wins the day. I don’t like playing politics, but being honest with MacNeil evens things out – and you wrote it better than I would have. So – send it.” He laughed. “I wonder how long it will take to get there?”

“Make two copies, give them to Scouts, and make it a race”, Ryan suggested playfully. “We can bet on who we think will get there first.”

Rita looked upward, channeling Tevya from Fiddler on the Roof. “Oh lord”, she intoned. They all laughed. “Seriously, we send it by our best Rider, with a Scout, and an escort. They can sit tight in castles along the way when the weather is bad. The only hard part is the gap between Osvaldo’s southern outpost and Fort Winchester’s watchtowers. But Kevin will be reading these before Christmas, and I predict a reply by early spring.”

 

[Críostóir]

Am I the only one who thinks this is getting an admixture of Regency romance?

If not, am I the only one who thinks that's not at all a bad thing?

 

[DonQuixote]

Ah, and the business of uniting this world recommences. Of course, we all know something they, and Rigel particularly, don't.

Somehow, I suspect Lord MacNeil will have a rather good chuckle at his parchment. As will Her Magesty.

Well played, Master Scrivener. Well Played.

 

[DonQuixote]

Our good Criostoir,
You are well received - we have not much crossed paths as of late - hell it's been a year or better, methinks.

I agree - the New Great Britainer's are definitely looking to expand the gene pool and fight off those ills that can accompany a closed gene pool over too long a period of time. I think Rigel will make good stud for Her Magesty.

 

[Kulindahr]

Am I the only one who thinks this is getting an admixture of Regency romance?

If not, am I the only one who thinks that's not at all a bad thing?

I'd never heard of a Regency romance before this.

Hmm.


From the Wikipedia description, I don't think they would have included skinny-dipping off the side of a warship.....

 

[DonQuixote]

Hey, one of our Presidents used to go skinny dipping in the Potomac to cool off back in the day.
So this is a modern royal romance.

 

[Críostóir]

I was speaking stylistically. The romance with the hero (in this case heroine) in disguise, the attempted arranged marriage, the resistance because the heroine (in this case hero) is in love with someone else, so (s)he refuses to marry the arranged person...who turns out to be the hero(ine)!

 

[DonQuixote]

Ah yes, the twists and turns and convolutions.

Do Rigel and Ryan get Boys' nights privileges?!

 

[Kyanimal]

HA! You guys are cracking me up!

Excellent chapter Kuli!

It's thrilling to be back in the world of Rigel and Friends!

Keep Smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[Kulindahr]

I was speaking stylistically. The romance with the hero (in this case heroine) in disguise, the attempted arranged marriage, the resistance because the heroine (in this case hero) is in love with someone else, so (s)he refuses to marry the arranged person...who turns out to be the hero(ine)!

It's that common?

<sigh>

 

[Críostóir]

It's that common?

<sigh>

You're doing it in a new way (though the disguise isn't for a new reason).

But it's essentially the plot of You've Got Mail.* Note, however, that it's only ONE SMALL PART of YOUR plot.

*Hiring her as a children's book seller stands in for the arranged marriage.

 

[Kulindahr]

You're doing it in a new way (though the disguise isn't for a new reason).

But it's essentially the plot of You've Got Mail.* Note, however, that it's only ONE SMALL PART of YOUR plot.

*Hiring her as a children's book seller stands in for the arranged marriage.

Okay, but I'd hardly call it a romance -- neither Elizabeth/Meriel nor Rigel are actually in love with the other; they just find the other acceptable, both being motivated by "reasons of state".

 

[DonQuixote]

Good thing he can hit for both teams, then.

- - - Updated - - -

(I know, I know, my mind's in the gutter.)

 

[Críostóir]

Well, I thought they were mostly resisting the idea of being in love...that's also a romance trope. In Regency novels, the heroine usually realizes in the last few pages that well, gosh, she's been in love with the hero all along! (I find this tremendously annoying, for some reason, so I don't read Regency romances.) But you've "paid your dues" on that - the characters have had a chance to work together and develop a friendship.

DonQuixote, I know what you mean. Much as I'm enjoying the story, I'm hungry for a little more queer content. Doesn't have to be Rigel*, for my money, but...

*His name makes me think of a hungry muppet slug. Can't imagine why.