Princess Rescue Inc

by Chris Hechtl

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  Deidra commented wistfully about having a nice icy snack right about now. Ryans grimaced. “True, the summer heat is a pain.” He turned from the balcony, wiping his face with a handkerchief. Despite it being after sun down it was still hot and muggy. He smiled at Deidra.

  She was carrying a Japanese fan, idly fanning herself with it. She was dressed in what could only be a silk kimono. His eyebrows rose. “Nice, get the idea from Wanda?” he asked amused.

  “No, contrary to your belief we do have our own twists on fashion,” she smiled devilishly, curtsying to him. He chuckled. “I wish your wonder machines could make it cooler though. I know about the vehicles,” she waved to the courtyard below. “But they are too small to sleep in.”

  He chuckled. “The camper and science vehicle back at the capital aren't, but they're occupied right about now. And half the town would want to join us,” he said. He shook his head. They were in the Duchy of Emroy's castle, tucked away in their own private suite.

  “What do you do in the castle to keep cool?” he asked. She blinked at him in confusion.

  “Well, the people of the castle move back and forth. In the summer we occupy the lower Eastern rooms since they are much cooler then the Western ones.”

  “Ah. The suns, right,” he nodded thoughtfully.

  She nodded. “In the winter we move to the warmer Western rooms.”

  “Again, the suns,” he observed. He nodded once more.

  “In winter we also save ice and snow in the deepest caves and dungeons. It keeps the food that will pass in time cold and better longer, and makes nice snacks in the heat,” she said. She sighed as he wrapped his hands around her.

  “Snow cones and ice drinks. Gotcha,” he smiled. “We've got them too. Also sherbets, ice cream, and ...” She put her finger over his mouth to silence him.

  “Show off,” she growled mockingly. He chuckled. She kissed him, eyes twinkling to get him to stop. His fingers danced on her sides, she squirmed laughing.

  They play fought, tickling each other until he ended up with his back to the bed. With a deft twist she tossed him onto the bed, and then as he oofed climbed on top. She caught each of his wrists then pinned them above his head.

  “I win,” she said as she smiled wickedly down at him. Her hair made a nice tent around them. He squirmed a bit, then stopped when she pushed down harder and dug her claws into him.

  “All right, I give. What are you going to do with me?” he asked, smiling. Her eyes danced.

  “Oh.... Maybe this...” She nibbled on his ear. He squirmed again, but didn't put up enough of a fight to stop her.

  “Hey...” he protested weakly as she kissed him then nipped his shoulder.

  “You're mine now remember? And I'm not letting you go,” she murmured between nips. He smiled as she kept one hand pinning his above his head while the other rubbed at his chest and hers. Her kimono slipped off one shoulder, showing bare skin. He wriggled a little and the cloth came off other shoulder and was now bare.

  “Stop that,” she murmured, hand exploring his pecs. Her claws dug into his chest hairs.

  “You first,” he murmured as she bent forward and kissed him hungrily once more. Time seemed to go away after that.

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  Two weeks after the momentous battle the army returned to the capital in triumph. They marched down the main boulevard in a stately parade, decked out in their finest outfits as people lined the streets and cheered.

  Many of the people were out, the Queen had declared the day a holiday in order for all to participate. Brightly colored banners of the various noble houses and the royal house hung or snapped from everywhere. The air was filled with flowers and petals as people threw them from the rooftops.

  “Gee, our own ticker tape parade,” Lewis said, catching a flower and sniffing it in appreciation. She waved.

  The nobles rode on their grand steeds, waving to the cheering crowd. But the cheers doubled when the throngs spotted the gaijin. Children flocked to them. A few of the lords were put out by this behavior but Duke Pryor waved it off.

  At the center of the city the burgher met them. He held a small ceremony there. The Queen stood beside him, dressed in her royal outfit under an awning of royal red and gold.

  She rose as the lords dismounted. Ryans met up with Deidra and Perry. “You're going to behave right?” Deidra murmured to him, looking at him out of the corner of her eye as each lord was announced and came forward to receive royal recognition and thanks.

  “Do I have a choice?” Ryans asked as she took his hand in hers. She growled softly. “Thought not,” he said, rolling his eyes to Perry. Perry snorted.

  When it was their turn they let Deidra set the pace. Perry murmured. “We're off to see the wizard,” making Ryans smile slightly at his whimsy. It helped take the butterflies out of his stomach.

  “I thank thee for your service to me and my people,” the Queen said when they arrived at the dais. The burgher was standing there, hands tucked into his vest, smiling. He looked like his cheeks were going to burst. Ryans and Perry bowed slightly to her from the waist; Deidra dropped his captured hand to curtsy.

  “And you our daughter, you have served our people well on the field of battle,” the Queen said, eying the princess.

  “Thank you your majesty,” the princess murmured humbly. The Queen smiled and then waved airily to a servant holding a plush purple pillow. Deidra's breath caught as she saw the ribbons on it.

  One by one the Queen placed a ribbon over each of their necks, each bowing their heads to allow her to do so. Ryans thought about diplomacy and let her get on with it. There was no point in making a scene, and every point not to do so.

  “Each of you will have lands and titles to go along with your deeds. We shall sort that out later,” the Queen said smiling slightly. A servant fanned her from behind with a giant fan on a pole. “But for now let us finish this and get out of this dreadful heat,” she said.

  “Aye aye,” Ryans said with a grin. He turned with Perry and Deidra to wave to the cheering crowd. The cheers doubled as Deidra took his hand in hers once more and then caught up in the moment he bent and kissed her. He caught the Queen's smile of approval out of the corner of his eyes as the crowd thundered in applause and approval.

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  “There are great issues to discuss, otherwise I would leave you to let you rest,” the Queen said the next morning. The three of them waved that off. “What's going on?” Ryans asked as they followed the Queen into the court. He slowed and then paused at the sight of the surviving lords from Duluth.

  The surviving lords of Duluth explained that the monarchy was chosen by the greatest warrior lord if it is open and no surviving patriarch was left. Since the Terrans had beaten them, it was now in the hands of Perry. Perry quickly stated that he was just an officer; he was following orders and pointed to Ryans. “Gee, thanks a lot good buddy,” Ryans snarled under his breath.

  “No problem, anytime,” Perry murmured back cheerfully while smiling wickedly.

  “Remind me to do you the same favor sometime,” Ryans growled. Perry chuckled. Ryans put the discussion off for now; he wanted to get a better idea of Dominus Wedst and Fargut before answering their request.

  Arthur, the King of Duluth had been killed in battle against the Imperium, his only two tiny children having died the previous year during a plague of influenza. Only a handful of lords had survived the battle, they had started to fall upon one another over who was to rule even while in captivity the Queen explained. Last night several demanded that Duluth become part of the Imperium and benefit from the Terrans. This gained favor with some of the others, better to not have to fight over a dying Kingdom. The Queen was amused and aghast at the idea. Ryans was also amused and aghast, but for different reasons. He found that Duke Pyror had a hand in things behind the scenes. Apparently the Duke had sat down with Dominus Fargut and explained the concept of the British constituti
on and how the United Kingdom worked.

  The Queen appointed the Duke as a royal governor with the surviving Duluth lords to form a royal house of parliament. They picked up on the constitutional monarchy and began to debate it immediately. The Queen in a good will gesture housed and treated the Duluth lords as lords instead of in a dungeon. She even sent a convoy of food and materials to Duluth, with news of the battle and a royal summons for any remaining lords that had remained behind, or the heirs of those lost in battle.

  Ryans pointed out to her in an aside at one time that if she required the children of the lords to be trained in the capital for a period of three years or more, then they could be properly educated.

  Perry snorted. “You mean indoctrinated. Besides they'd make great hostages if anyone got any wild ideas of revolting.”

  Ryans shrugged as the Queen gave him a shrewd look. “It would be an enticement as well, some of the lords will have to be in parliament of course,” he said. “Of course they will need their own parliament if the two countries are going to be separate branches with separate parliaments. I believe that is yet to be determined? If they are one house then they can be integrated over time right?” he asked. The Queen pursed her lips.

  She nodded. “So they can be with their family. Yes. I see.”

  He nodded. “And of course they could get vacation time to go home, for holidays or during the winter to see to their subjects needs.”

  The Queen chuckled, eyes dancing. “So we don't have to feed them. Good,” she said. She most hated that here, feeding lazy, layabout lords and ladies who drank and stank up the place. She nodded again. “How are you going to sell it to the lords?”

  He smiled. “Oh, I think we should have a lords' school and college established. If a whisper campaign is started... something saying that it would give the lords a leg up on Terran innovations for their children over their competition... and that the state would foot the bill...” He bowed slightly to her. “...and would also provide military training for those who desire it...”

  She nodded, smoothing out her skirts. “Yes... that could work, especially with your requirement of public education. The competition will force those on the fence to decide quickly or be left out.” She nodded again. “They will want to get in first to best take advantage of things,” she said and smiled again.

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  Duke Rojer met with lord Pettigrew and Serena once the word of this new college was announced. They had mixed feelings about the entire affair, and incorporating Duluth into their country? Sending aide to them? Pettigrew was unhappy but he was not about to risk his neck the Duke realized. “None can stand up to the Queen or the gaijin since they have those terrible weapons,” the Dominus said, shaking his head until his jowls flapped.

  Serena looked at her husband and frowned. “Was it truly that frightening?”

  “Frightening my lady? An understatement! Terrible, just terrible, men should not war with such devices; there is no honor in such slaughter!” Pettigrew said, voice shaking. He looked to the Duke who slowly nodded.

  “We must be patient, build new alliances and we dare not act until the time is right,” the Duke murmured. He was afraid though, afraid of what the future would bring. His wife and lady took in his hidden concern and slowly nodded.

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  “Your present, Princess,” he said coming up behind her. She turned smiling then her eyes widened in surprise. He was pushing a silver cart.

  “Been demoted to waiter I see,” Perry said smiling. Some of the other lords eyed him.

  “No, just had to do this personally,” Ryans answered. He brought the covered tray up to the table then lifted the gilded cover off. “Voila!”

  Deidra’s eyes widened at the sight of snow. “How?” she exclaimed, looking at the icy treats. She looked up to him. He chuckled.

  “Do you have a favorite flavor?” he asked. She blinked. “Berry? Plain?” He pointed to the different colors.

  “How could you do this?” Duke Emroy asked. He like the other lords had all returned to the capital. The Duluth lords present nodded.

  Ryans shrugged. “Simple, I used the freezer we had stored to make ice, and then shaved them with the blender.”

  “Now I see why you wanted that here,” Perry murmured nodding.

  “You have machines that can make ice even in the heat of summer?” a lord asked, hand itching to grab a platter of the melting ice.

  “Here my lords,” Deidra smiled, handing each one a platter. “To your health,” she smiled politely at them. They bowed slightly. She took up the spoon and took a bite. “Oh heavenly, berry,” she smiled her thanks to Ryans.

  “An honor to bring a smile to such a lovely face,” he smiled back, bowing slightly. He turned to the lord. “We can do many things. An alliance of some sort between your countries may give you access to these things. Simple on Earth, but they do make quite an impact here.” He smiled tat Deidra who chuckled, licking the spoon. The lords looked thoughtfully at the icy treats in front of them.

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  He smiled as he rubbed her shoulders in the darkness later that evening. “Hot,” she sighed, feeling the breeze on her silken nightgown. She fanned herself with her fan.

  “Yeah, muggy, humidity does that. There may be a thunderstorm coming,” Ryans said turning to open a cooler he had hidden away.

  “Yes.” She turned. “What are you...?”

  He smiled wickedly as his hand darted out and something icy dribbled down the back of her neck and into her outfit. She shrieked, batting at it.

  A guard burst in sword half drawn. She glared at him, reaching for the ice. Hastily the guard bowed and retreated.

  “Nice reaction time,” Ryans murmured holding up another ice chip. Deidra glowered at him as she shivered then wiggled, feeling the ice leave her outfit. “Want another?” he asked teasingly. She growled, eyes flashing.

  “Oh come on...” he wheedled, grinning in the dark. “You’re the one who was complaining not a minute ago that you’re hot!” he said smiling wickedly. She backed away until her back was to the railing.

  “Come on... it'll be fun,” he grinned. She ducked and rushed past him. He dropped the ice on her in passing. She shrieked a giggle and left laughing.

  He chuckled, pulled another chip from the cooler then closed the lid and went after her. “Keep that away from me!” she yelled laughing with him.

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  “Wow! Things are improving!” Charlie murmured in approval as she watched the team install the wiring into her lab the next morning. “Electric lights...who'da thunk it?” she said shaking her head. The entire castle was being outfitted now that they had access to the stored equipment and Max was hitting his stride.

  “I would. Now if you'll just mosey on out of the way, we'll get this here fan up in the rafters where it belongs,” Max growled at her, hefting a wooden A frame ladder. Hastily Charlie got out of the way.

  “All native?” Charlie asked as they set the ladder down and another pair of hands brought in the box with the fan and lights.

  “Yup, all native built. Electric motor isn't all that great, but it works. Only one speed though. We're still learning. Right boys and girls?” Max asked the group. The workers chuckled.

  “I'm just here to supervise; once they have the hang of it they will run the wiring for the rest of the castle. I've got to get back to the to do list,” he growled. “Never seems to end... just keeps growing.” He rubbed at the small of his back.

  “Still, this is progress Max. Major progress,” Charlie said, fanning herself with a fan.

  Max and his helper set the ladder up under the center of the rafter and then Max held it as the helper climbed it and started screwing in a bracket. The helper was using a cordless drill.

  “Not there, over...” Charlie started to say then paused at Max's dark look. “Ah... never mind?” she said weakly.

  “That's what I thought,” Max mock growled
nodding.

  Chapter 23

  As the summer heat continued to bear down on them the lords regained their bearings and started to settle in. Count Malory of Duluth was the first to start heading back to traditional mindsets. He commented about the Terran women's lack of makeup rather snidely. A growing number of the women of the court were beginning to emulate the Terrans, going for understated makeup and losing their wigs. They were also wearing simple summer dresses. Well, simple for them, one layer but with the hems trimmed in ribbon or soft fabric.

  “Problem?” Wanda asked amused. Charlie smiled.

  “Why do you not use face paint and perfume as others do my lady?” the lord asked. Charlie gave Wanda a glance.

  “Who said we don't?” she asked amused. “We didn't pack much, but we do have some,” she said. She pulled out a makeup kit and showed it to him. “We keep to the minimum. Too much make up is bad for your health.”

  The Queen looked amused. “It is?”

  “Makeup, especially makeup made by your people here has high concentrations of poisons that affect your health over time. Mercury and lead just as an example,” Charlie explained. “Both can cause harm since they are directly on the skin for long periods of time.”

  The Queen blinked. “There's some sense to that,” she murmured.

  “Right. Some of the makeups also can cause skin cancer. So they create some of the very blemishes that they're trying to cover. You have to use more to cover the blemishes up creating a vicious circle with only one ending.”

  “Ah,” the Count said blinking. He was off balance, remembering how his mother had died.

  “Let me guess, your mother added more and more makeup as she grew older?” Charlie asked shrewdly. He looked confused then nodded. She grimaced. “Thought so. The makeup damages the skin over time.” She held up the makeup case.

  “And yours doesn't?” Deidra asked amused.