by Chris Hechtl
When the treaty was finished the main copy was placed under a sheet of glass and hung on the wall by the tablets. Sydney took additional photos, startling some with the bright flashes. A few of the newcomers were intrigued by the digital camera. Other cameras were set up to video record the event from different angles.
“We're documenting this for future generations. This way they can see their forefathers in this historic time,” Ginger explained diplomatically. She shook her head and waved off an offer to buy the camera by a lord.
“Sorry, it's not for sale. We're going to eventually make some though, so you'll eventually be able to have one of your own. And now that we've got paper and ink in production, you can have a copy of the photos,” she smiled. “Or more than one if it suits you.”
“Well, this is also something you should be interested in,” Ryans smiled waving to the courtyards and balconies. “Folks we've got a small show outside for you.”
The crowd made way outside or to the balconies and courtyard. Deidra found him in the crowd, smiling she wrapped her arm around his. When the crowd was sorted out and comfortable Ryans touched his throat mike. “Show time,” he murmured. Deidra looked up to him, and then held his hand. He smiled just as speakers began to play the 1812 overture.
In the clear night sky fireworks began to blossom. A few of the people were frightened at first, but awe overcame their fear as they realize it wasn't a threat. They oohed and ahed as the music crescendoed, then blinked furiously as the finale turned the night sky as bright as day.
“Quite a performance,” Deidra murmured. She hugged herself to his side. He chuckled.
He touched and caressed her hair. “Oh, I think we can top it,” he smiled, looking down at her as she hid a giggle. “In fact I know we can.”
“Well, it'll be fun to try,” she cooed, then stood on her tip toes to kiss him.
<==={}------------>
There was quite a celebration the next day. He looked around smiling. “Harvest festival or for the constitution?” he asked. They had timed the treaty signing to the autumn harvest festival carefully.
Deidra smiled, hooking her arm through his. “A bit of both. Despite the war we've had the largest harvest the Imperium has ever recorded. I think that's worth celebrating,” she said and smiled, nodding politely to the crowd.
Jugglers of all sorts were making their way down the street. “Are we in a parade?” he asked, noting the giant war beasts dressed gaily in cloth coverings.
“Yes,” she smiled as she reached a royal carriage. She pushed him into the carriage as the footman opened the door. He sighed and climbed in.
“This is mother's newest carriage. I believe one of the engineering students rigged leaf springs for it. Also the fabric roof. Or so Zara said,” Deidra smiled as Zara climbed in with them. She smiled and kissed her sister's cheek. “Nice to see you sister.” Deidra chuckled. Zara was wearing one of her new outfits and looked good in it. It was a formal dress but with a gaijin cut and style to the red and purple silk cloth.
“Nice day,” Ryans smiled. He tried to take the parade in stride. He watched as a minstrel passed, strumming a guitar shaped like a ukulele. Another was juggling sticks with one in each hand. He could balance them on the tips before flipping them up into the air.
“Interesting,” he murmured politely, nodding to people who were looking and waving. He nodded as gymnasts performed leaps along the carriage. The driver clucked and flicked the reins and they were off.
“And you weren't going to tell me about this because?” he asked, turning to the girls.
They shared a knowing conspiratorial look. “Because you would have found all manner of excuses to stay out of it,” Deidra answered. His eyes flashed. Her smile turned to a biting smile, inviting him to argue. He grimaced but held his tongue.
Zara looked from one to the other for the moment. “Perhaps I chose the wrong carriage,” she said. He snorted and looked away. “The classes are doing well, I'm not looking forward to missing out on everything here since I've got to go to Duluth next year,” she said. She grimaced a little at that. That had been one of the stipulations of the new government, that a royal member had to tour Duluth every year. Rojer's hand, Deidra thought with a pang. It was his way of getting a member of the royal house out, away from the court and into danger.
“You'll be back before you know it dear,” Deidra patted her sister's knee.
“Yes, well, it’s still a heathen country,” Zara sniffed. “I don't like missing my classes either.” Ryans eyed her. She'd really gotten into the classes. From what Charlie had told her Zara was picking up on what she'd missed as much as possible. Some of the other students were ahead of her, but not by much.
“Well, you get to change that dear,” Deidra smiled, reaching up to adjust her tiara. She had borrowed a gaijin idea from Ginger and added combs to the tiara to help it stay in place. The combs took some getting used to though. “Just think about all the things you'll get to do to help them sort themselves out.” She flicked a glance to Ryans who was waving politely to the crowd. “Your classes will still be there when you return.”
“Actually, she's going to be taking some books with her so she can keep up with them. Well, some of them anyway. Those we've printed books for,” Ryans answered.
“You mean you've printed books for me?” Zara asked surprised.
“Not just you actually, Sydney worked with the local archivists association and they've set up a printing press. Two actually, one for day to day things and another for books. Now that they have the typeset sorted out and the presses, their only bottleneck is the paper... which we'll get sorted out eventually,” he explained. He smiled and waved to the crowd again.
Zara wrinkled her nose but kept smiling and waving politely to the crowd. “I thought your printing machines...”
He shook his head and looked over his shoulder to her briefly. “Printers like we have aren't designed to make signatures. That's the part of a book. They print a single page. The printing press is a bit better for now, it'll let the archivists have a clean medium to express what they're saying... and it'll give the people who are trying to read the books an easier more sensible way to read them.”
“And it'll make printing faster,” Zara said smiling.
“Exactly,” he nodded and waved.
Zara did the same from her window. Deidra leaned over to wave as well. Ryans couldn't help but appreciate the view and the smell. She had a nice sweet perfume on, not cloying, just a light touch. She glanced at him as she leaned back in her seat. A lurking smile promised more later. He felt his lingering resentment began to ebb.
“Here my lady,” a footman said. He was outside and on top of the carriage. He opened the top panel. The back opened up to expose them all. Ryans looked around and smiled.
“Nice. Another Max innovation I bet,” he said. He looked at the canvas' folding armatures. “Unless this is something you've had?” He turned to Zara who shook her head. She too was intrigued with the folding design.
“Later you two,” Deidra murmured, exasperated. She waved to the cheering crowd.
Ryans noted a pair of hands moving behind the crowd at waist level. “I hope the sheriff and his bailiffs are on top of that,” he said.
“On what?” Zara asked.
“Classic case of distraction,” he said pulling out his phone and making a call. “Perry can you get with the sheriff and let him know there are pickpocket teams working the crowd?” he said.
“That's sorta hard to do since I'm riding behind you,” Perry answered dryly. Ryans looked over his shoulder to see the hummer coming up behind him. Some of the other vehicles were there behind it. “Great.”
Zara gasped a little. He looked over to see an altercation. A bailiff was hauling off a young man while another went around handing back purses. “Ah, never mind, looks like he's got it under control,” he smiled and hung up.
“The sheriff knew?” Deidra asked smiling.
“Apparent
ly. Either that or someone tipped him off. It's a common trick thieves use. It's used in magic shows as well. Get the attention of the crowd looking elsewhere and while they're entertained, clean them out.” He noted a dark look on the face of a juggler who was watching the pickpockets being arrested one by one. He went back to juggling after a moment.
“It's a carny trick too. I wouldn't be surprised if the thieves had an arrangement with the entertainers or at least follow them around,” he said. He tried not to glare at the juggler as they passed.
“I see,” Deidra said trying hard not to look grim. She waved again then bent over and pulled out three bags. She handed one each to her companions. “I almost forgot.”
Ryans opened his as he caught the sight of Zara and Deidra flinging hand full’s of glittering objects into the crowd. “Candy?” he asked.
“And penz,” Deidra said, looking at him then tossing another handful. He nodded and did the same. The crowd lunged forward, snapping up the gifts.
“Just how long is this parade?” he asked.
“To the fairgrounds,” Zara answered, looking at him then back to the crowd.
“To the fairgrounds?” he asked surprised. He felt a sinking sensation. They had used the fairgrounds for training during the war effort. The general had used it at least; the gaijin had used the boot camp lands.
“Yes, we've got the harvest fair of course silly,” Zara answered. Deidra puckered her lips then smiled a little.
“And just when were you going to tell me?” he demanded.
“Later dear,” Deidra said. “Now shut up, behave, smile, and wave,” she ordered. She tossed another handful out his side. He rumbled a sigh as Zara giggled. As Deidra went back to her seat she paused and murmured in his ear. “I'll make it up to you later. If you've got the energy.” She gave him a kiss then a lurking smile promising more and then went back to working the crowd.
<==={}------------>
“Did you do it?” Rojer asked, looking around. Yorick shook his head. “Why not?” the Duke asked, scowling slightly.
“Your patsy cannot get close to them Dominus. And the mark is not tasting the various treats here for some reason, though they seem tempted,” Yorick said quietly to his Dominus.
Rojer grunted in irritation. This had been something he and Yorick had planned for over the past several mens. He'd known the fair was coming and it was the perfect cover for assassination. With luck things would fall nicely his way for once. Alas it was not to be apparently.
“The patsy must be used soon Dominus,” Yorick warned. Rojer grunted again. He nodded slowly. They had taken special care in setting this up. Care because they might not have another chance like this for some time to come. It had taken a great deal of effort to find and maneuver the right fall guy into position. Now the execution remained, he thought with a small inward feral smile.
“If not here then elsewhere, see to it,” Rojer ordered and then left to rejoin his family. His wife was busy following the Queen. That left him with his daughter and young son. “Come on Uther, let us go visit the paddocks,” he said smiling to Albert and Lieandra. “Let the two lovers have some privacy,” he teased.
“Oh father,” Lieandra protested softly, blushing furiously. Albert chuckled, tucking her against his side and gracefully enticing her away with a hand.
<==={}------------>
They made their way through the crowds at the fair. Deidra got a sticky treat for her and Zara, then when she was finished she made a show of licking her sticky fingers suggestively to Ryans. He smiled a little, fighting certain rising urges with difficulty. Her lurking smile and suggestive looks wasn't helping that.
They cheered at the exhibitions of skill and then watched as Perry took a few lottery winners on rides with the vehicles. “The money from the lottery is supposed to go to the local orphanage and the schools,” Zara murmured to them. Ryans nodded.
“We don't need it,” he smiled as a family got into a LAV and Scooter rolled his eyes as he passed them by. The gaijin had their own food in the form of MRE's but also careful investing and stockpiling of printed parts and paper had allowed them all a nice nest egg. Wanda had investments in a lot of industries across the capital. She didn't know it yet but she she was easily a multimillionaire. He wasn't sure he wanted her to know, he was fairly certain she wouldn't slack off and quit but she might demand a vacation.
The crowd oohed as Ginger did a pass with the airplane. She did a few barrel roles and loop the loops before buzzing the crowd. After a couple more stunts including flying upside down she settled down and then landed in the center field. She taxied to a special parking space set up for her. Many spectators rushed to see it up close but soldiers moved to block them off until roping was set up around the plane. Ginger got out and talked to the crowd, waving to her fans and groupies.
She, like a lot of the gaijin, now had a following. Ginger was a celebrity, but she spent a lot of time explaining flight and how they were planning on planes to move things and people, as well as planes to spray crops and target animals.
Balloons on the edge of the field were going up, then being pulled down by winches and lines. The people on them were having a ball until one decided to pee on the crowd below. He was promptly arrested when the balloon landed.
“It's just missing carny rides,” Perry commented looking around. He smiled at the group of people being tossed into the air on blankets by the crowd. Zara gave him a look. “Ferris wheel, roller coaster, that sort of thing,” he explained.
She frowned and then nodded. “I think Max was talking about it. I think he said something about maybe something for next spring or next harvest festival. Either that or the train,” she said and then shrugged.
Perry laughed, shaking his head in amusement. “He would.” He shook his head walking off.
Ryans passed on the jousting and tourney, Zara did as well. They paused to watch a single race. Zara cheered for Baggins, the branack from the royal stables.
“Go Baggins!” she whooped, watching and cheering as the small long legged creature and its tiny rider out ran its competitors.
“I'm glad he's wearing a helmet. It'd suck to take a fall going at that speed,” Ryans commented.
“Mother insisted on it when she lost a jockey when she was my age,” Deidra replied as an aside. She was throwing her hands in the air and cheering as Baggins crossed the finish line. “I like the new ones Scooter created though, the padding inside is much more comfortable,” she said. She patted him on the arm then kissed his cheek. “I'll be back,” she said. He glanced as she got up and left then shrugged and turned back to the next race.
<==={}------------>
Deidra went alone to the sword fighting ring. She met a servant there and smiled as he raised a blanket so she could put her armor on in relative privacy. She surprised many when she entered the ring in her armor. She only had her torso armor on over her dress. She did a short exhibition match, easily winning against her opponent. Perry caught the match and called Ryans.
“She did what?” Ryans demanded, sticking his finger in his other ear to cut down on the din of the crowd around him.
“Calm down, she's fine. Ripped her dress and her mother is fuming but she's grinning like an idiot. The crowd loved it,” Perry said.
Ryans felt his heartbeat rise in panic and then he closed his eyes, forcing himself to think about the words. “Did she...”
“She won. And no, before you ask, her opponent is fine. I'm not sure if he threw the fight or not. If he's smart he didn't. Pissing her off would be the last thing anyone would want,” Perry observed.
“He could have, thinking that losing would have pissed her off even more,” Ryans mused. He shook himself. It didn't matter now, he thought.
“Maybe, but I think he didn't,” Perry shrugged. The Queen waved to the crowd as they turned to leave. Ryans approached and waved. They put their phones away.
“You okay?” he asked Deidra as she came up to Perry.
“Of course,” she smiled, still flushed with adrenalin. He sighed and shook his head.
“The least thing you could have done was warn me,” he said, trying to keep his tone light.
“We've been over this,” her smile turned into a glare.
“Not just that. This,” he said. He waved to the ring. She grimaced.
“If you think I put myself in danger you can save it. I already had that lecture,” she looked at her mother, now angry with both of them. “I don't need protecting,” she growled.
“Hell with that, I would have liked to have watched,” Ryans replied. She turned back surprised. “What you don't think I didn't know you can handle a sword? Hell I've seen you practice princess, you can handle it.”
Her face cracked into a smile of delight. She pulled his head down for a thorough kiss, then gave him another smile of approval as she slowly let go. Some of their audience was laughing and whistling. He returned the smile.
<==={}------------>
As night began to fall he dodged a crowd watching a man on stilts. He paused as the man used a torch to spit flame. The crowd cheered. “Interesting,” he said nodding.
“Indeed. I always wanted to try. Mother had a fit when I told her,” Deidra snickered, hugging herself to him. He smiled. “So where were you?” she asked.
“Max needed a break from the machinery exhibit,” he said. He waved toward the tent. She looked over to it then subtly guided them in that direction.
“What's there?” she asked.
“Well, since we're going there, I might as well show you,” he smiled. The gaijin had known about the autumn harvest festival and had planned for it of course; he just hadn't planned on the blasted parade. The Queen and her retinue were ahead of them. She was moving slowly so they easily caught up.
“So these are some of the machines you've built?” the Queen asked, clearly intrigued. Max nodded. Zara was positively bouncing in her excitement.
“Yes your majesty, we’ve been steadily making progress,” he said, voice rough with fatigue and from speaking all day. He smiled and gave her a slight bow. He pointed and turned the point into a wave of his hand. “This is a rough booth so please bear with me.” He walked them through the aisles with his students, showing them various inventions. The Queen murmured at the toilet exhibit, and was quite intrigued by the motors.
