Garia is confronted by a number of puzzles which serve to occupy her on the day following the festival. The highest powers in the land want an accounting for the recent attack, and they learn much about her homeworld. Marlin's peculiar attitude continues throughout the day and results in a development unexpected by all!

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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That couldn't have been a dragon! There are no dragons!

Garia was in her usual thinking position, seated against the headboard of her ornate four-poster bed, her legs drawn up under her lightweight summer nightdress, her arms wrapped around her knees, her gaze directed at the marble fireplace, her vision somewhere else entirely. It was very early morning, and she had spent a restless night. No-one else was about yet, it was so quiet she could hear the ticking of the roof tiles as the sun heated them up.

Even thinking about that huge flying creature sent her insides into panic, but she fought to control her instincts, fought to examine what it was she had actually seen. Eventually, with much attention to her breathing control, and with sensei's instructions firmly in her mind, she quietened her racing pulse and attempted to analyze what exactly had occurred the previous afternoon.

Dragons aren't real! Therefore, whatever I saw, I must have associated with a dragon because it's something familiar. Much like the dranakhs and the frayen, it must be a local creature.

Mustn't it?

Every single creature I've seen since arriving here has been something I've never seen before. Okay, I've only actually seen dranakh and frayen alive, everything else has been at the dinner table, but...

That's not a safe conclusion to reach. Humans appear to be much the same here as on Earth, and dranakh look almost exactly like hippos, don't they? Come to think of it, frayen look like what a rhino might have become if it had evolved differently. They don't appear to have horses here, so suppose a frayen is a horse analog. After all, a long time ago, horses were the size of small dogs.

Suppose... the creatures here are Earth creatures, taken a very long time ago, so long that they have had time to evolve differently.

Suppose... dragons were taken from Earth as well, and they've prospered here and died out on Earth.

That doesn't make sense! If humans were taken from Earth and brought here, they might not have evolved exact the same way they have on Earth. Palarand is a recognizable medieval society one might have found anywhere on Earth. Meh, okay, anywhere in Europe.

Her brow furrowed as she tried to reconcile the contradictions in her arguments.

Then there's grakh. I didn't get a close enough look at them but to me they looked distinctly prehistoric. Dinosaur types, even. How do they fit in? What does that make a dragon, then?

Her pulse began to pound again and she fought to keep it under control.

What does that mean, that I go crazy at the mere thought of those things? I noticed every single other woman out there reacted the same way, as though it was some kind of built-in response. I have to learn to control myself! It could be vital.

What did I actually see? Keren said they could be seven to ten strides long. Say twenty-one to thirty feet. Okay, maybe a third, perhaps more than a third of that was tail. Maybe another third, perhaps a little less was neck and head. That gives me a body of about seven to ten feet long, much more manageable. In fact, about the size of the average dranakh, only since it flies I'm guessing it has hollow bones and stuff like that, like birds have. It would never get off the ground otherwise.

Still, a fearsome enough beast, if one was to let it get close enough. With a neck that can swing that far, it would be difficult to get near enough to kill. Heh. I'd have to use modern weapons, then. A surface-to-air missile, perhaps. Or anti-aircraft guns. If it was on the ground, I'd use an RPG. Might not kill it outright but it would know it had been nudged.

Oh, God, what am I saying? Am I using... ptuvil, they called it? as a justification for introducing modern weapons?

I wonder how many of the things there actually are? How much in danger are human populations from these creatures? Would my actions make them extinct? Have I the right?

I need more information!

Gilbanar said they existed in the mountains around his part of Palarand, perhaps I'll ask him.

She paused in her thoughts, pursed her lips as something struck her.

Ptuvil... the auto-translate in my head didn't turn that into dragon, did it? Wonder why not?

Am I looking at this whole problem from the wrong angle? If so, would somebody - or something! - please give me a hint? I'm totally confused.

Gerdas said some of the Questors were philosopher types, perhaps I ought to have a good long talk with them sometime soon.

Perhaps I ought to be considering some of my many other problems instead right now. Like coal. Steam Engines. Training guardsmen. Finding out who tried to get me yesterday. Yolda. Marlin! What's with him?

She allowed herself a wry smile. Perhaps not necessarily in that order. First, I have to get through breakfast.

A little later, the closet door opened and Jenet appeared, yawning.

"Milady! Did you not sleep too well?"

Garia gave her an apologetic smile. "After yesterday? I was thinking about those creatures -"

She broke off as Jenet's eyes widened and her face paled.

"No! I don't mean that, Jenet!"

She swung her legs to the side and jumped off the bed, crossing quickly to her maid and hugging her.

"There's nothing to trouble you here, Jenet. Even thinking about it frightened me at first, as well, but I've managed to calm myself down. After all, there's no... creature here, is there?"

Jenet gave her a sheepish smile. "No, milady, I suppose not. We're safe inside the palace, aren't we?"

"Doesn't matter, Jenet. It's gone. Now, shall we get the bath going?"

Afterwards, Garia surprised Jenet when her maid brought out her training tunic and skirt.

"No, Jenet, I don't think I'll need those today. After all, if you remember, the training rooms are full of visitors mending carriages and tending frayen. I'll wear a day gown this morning."

Garia chose one with a short, full skirt, experimentally raising her leg to see if she could deliver a kick without falling over. She sighed with pleasure as Jenet laced it on, realizing that she had come to enjoy wearing the clothes she had been given. A brush of the hair, a pair of the ubiquitous satin slippers, and she was ready to go.

No-one was about yet so she and Jenet made their own way down to the Receiving Room. Gilbanar and Vivenne were there, talking to Visselen. None of the other teens had yet arrived, so she judged that she had made herself ready earlier than usual. She curtseyed to the three elder nobles.

"Milady Garia! I trust you feel well, after yesterday's events?" Gilbanar asked her.

"Your Grace, I feel almost normal again, if such a thing is possible."

Gilbanar grinned at her. "I would hesitate to offer an opinion, milady, wherever you are concerned, but I will accept your given word."

"Your Grace," she began, "sometime before you return home, I would like to learn more of those -"

The faces of the three stiffened immediately.

"- um, creatures," she continued, "since you implied experience of them yesterday. Would that be possible?"

Gilbanar relaxed slightly. "Milady, it is true, and you shall learn all I might remember about them. But, pray, at a private meeting, if you will. As you may tell, the subject is an awkward one in company."

She bowed her head. "As you wish, Your Grace." She hesitated, then continued. "Your Grace, I know nothing about the business of becoming a noble. We don't have such people where I come from."

He gave her a gentle smile. "Milady, we know and understand this. We do not expect you to take up your full responsibilities without instruction, which I'm sure the King will provide for you. In any event, I do not think there will be much for you to do with your new demesne, at least at first. I understand you have heavy responsibilities here in the capital -" she nodded agreement, "- so there will be ample time for you to become accustomed to your new privileges and duties."

He paused and his expression became thoughtful. "If what my devious brother has arranged comes to pass, you may become more than a baroness in time, but that is for the future. For now, all you need know is that your lands are some small part of my own responsibility, and that I will become your immediate liege lord. Because of this, and since the lands in question were mine to donate, I will continue to administer them on your behalf in the same way as they were administered before. You may assume direct control when it becomes convenient to you."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"I'll try and describe your lands to you, milady, before we leave. And we must needs leave soon, before the rains come in earnest, since once they begin the Sirrel becomes impassable. Two days more, perhaps, no more than three, we may remain at the palace." He gave her a sharp glance. "I understand that you may have demonstrations for us? We have heard of your encounter with Duke Jarwin. Also some of the other matters you may have discussed at council."

Garia didn't know quite what to say. Were Gilbanar and Visselen privy to the council's deliberations? Common sense said yes, but she wasn't sure. As the room had begun filling with people expecting breakfast it was not a good time to find out.

"Your Grace, I ought not to speak of such matters here. I do not know what the King has told you."

"No, indeed, milady. We are to meet with the King following breakfast, I believe. All may become clear then."

The room filled up and everyone sat to breakfast. On the Teen Table some of the diners were still subdued after the previous day's events. Marlin was back to his original grumpy self and barely said a word to anyone. However, he did keep staring at Garia so much that she said some short words to him to make him desist.

When they rose from table Robanar came to them, as they were standing in a group trying to decide what to do.

"Milady," he said to Garia without preamble, "there is a meeting about to begin in my parlor at which your presence is required. Shall you accompany us?"

Garia paled slightly. It was entirely likely that she was about to get chewed out for exposing herself to possible abduction at the festival. There seemed no choice but to accept her fate.

"As you command, Sire."

"Father," Keren asked, "did you require my presence, or that of any of the rest of us?"

"Not this time, Keren, only Garia. Were you all planning to go off together?"

"Yes, father. We've been using the sitting room in Morlan's chambers to keep out of everyone's way, so I thought we would go there again this morning."

Robanar nodded. "A sensible choice. We will send there if there is need for any of you."

Garia turned to her maid. "Jenet, give the key to Bursila, please. " She turned to Keren. "Check again for any disturbances, won't you?"

"As you wish, Garia. If someone could get in before, they might have tried again."

"What's this?" Robanar asked with a frown.

"May I explain in your parlor, Sire?"

"As you wish, milady."

Robanar led the way to his parlor, where Gilbanar, Visselen, Prasard, Terys and Vivenne were waiting. Garia was shown to a seat and the King opened the meeting.

"We are not concerned this morning with the appearance of certain avians yesterday," he began. There was a nervous shuffling as he brought the later incident back to everyone's minds. "Neither are we concerned with the recent ennoblement of a young woman, or the gift to her of certain lands. We are, however, concerned with the actions of the young woman which led her into possible personal peril amongst the crowds of the festival." Robanar emphasized concerned to show that he was giving the word a different meaning. He turned to Garia.

"Milady, shall you tell us your story?"

So Garia recounted what had happened when the group had congregated behind the awning and was informed that they were making too much noise. How they had determined to explore the delights and amusements on offer, and how they had split into three groups so as not to make too big a crowd as they made their way through the maze of booths. How she and Merizel had gone off accompanied by maids and four armed and armored guardsmen, supposedly enough to protect them as they traveled round.

Questions were asked then. Which booths they had visited, and who they might have seen? To Garia, who had spent practically all her time since arriving cooped up in the palace, everyone they met was a stranger. The arrangement of the fair, as might be expected, was completely novel to her. Jenet was also questioned, but most were strangers to her as well. Terys asked what they had had to eat and drink, and Garia explained about the food they had bought and eaten as they walked, and the booth where they had stopped to have a drink.

"Was it wise to let your guard drink, also?" Visselen asked. "Did you not think it might impair their judgment, make them slower to react when trouble occurred?"

"Your Grace, they drank only small beer, which any man in the palace drinks all the time. I judged it was better to let them have a drink than to have them impaired by thirst on a very hot day, especially considering they were dragging all that armor around."

Visselen nodded. "As you say, milady. You seem to balance consequences very well."

Garia then told of the moment that Jenet told her that she thought she had spotted Serdel in the crowd.

"Who is this Serdel, brother?"

"Recently a footman in the palace," Robanar replied. "He disappeared the day after the attempted kidnap of Lady Garia from her chamber at night. He has not been seen since that time, and we suspected him of direct involvement in the affair. It seems our suspicious were correct. Proceed, milady."

Garia then went slowly through the fight, trying to remember in detail all that had happened. Terys was surprised by one circumstance.

"Jenet brought down the second man? It seems your outlook on life has spread to your maid, dear."

"Ma'am, she said that my safety was her business as much as it was the guardsmen's. Her intervention was unexpected, and it made all the difference."

"And so your safety is her duty," Robanar agreed. "But we would not expect a maid to do so much. Jenet, step forward. You have the personal thanks of your King for the actions you performed yesterday."

Jenet, her face flaming, stepped forward into the ring of nobles and curtseyed before stepping back again.

Garia continued her story, ending with their arrival back at the awning.

"I am truly sorry, Sire, for the day to have ended that way," she concluded. "I cannot think that any blame attaches to the guardsmen, who performed their tasks as well as they were able to, given the crowds. It was my mistake, Sire, that made me misjudge the numbers who were going to be there. I have learned my lesson, and I will think more carefully before doing anything like that again. I do not know enough about conditions here, and I have learned that I should ask others before attempting something like that again."

She stood and gave a low curtsey to Robanar.

"Milady," he said solemnly. "Garia," he said, his face softening. "You could not have realized that you were in any significant danger yesterday. We all underestimated the persistence of those who sought to abduct you. Still, considering the circumstances, you not only defeated the attempt but managed to secure two prisoners as well, despite being hemmed in by crowds and not prepared for any kind of combat yourself." He nodded thoughtfully. "If it were any other, the day would doubtless have ended another way. We do not hold you to blame for what happened yesterday."

"Thank you, Sire," she stammered.

"You are still young," Robanar continued, "you have many years ahead of you to gain the experience of life. You behaved as any your own age might, and we accept that. Your knowledge we have no argument with, you have already accepted that your judgment was faulty."

"As you say, Sire." She bowed her head in acknowledgment, and returned to her seat.

"So," Gilbanar said, "you suspect that all of these incidents are connected? Are we to consider that Yod is behind these events?"

"We have no proof," Robanar said heavily, "but what evidence we have leans in their direction. All we may do is watch and keep alert. We may obtain more evidence from the prisoners, but Bleskin is not confident they may tell him much. All three men that Milady Garia encountered were known in the town as bar-room toughs, familiar to the City Guard as petty thieves and hirelings." He shrugged. "I will let you all know more when we have more to know."

"And the footman Serdel?" Visselen asked. "What of him?"

Robanar grunted. "He is another matter," he said. "Jenet, you are certain that it was him that you saw in the crowd?"

"Sire," she said, "if it were not he, then it were his twin brother. Serdel had been a footman in the palace for many years, though not a servant as long as I, and he is known to me. Yes, Sire, it was him."

"Then we have to face the fact," Robanar said sourly, "that an agent of Yod has been working in the palace, my palace, for some years." He flicked a hand. "Oh, I know it is standard practice to gain intelligence by that way, every state in the Valley does it, but this particular occurrence I find disturbing."

Count Prasard said, "Sire, perhaps there may be others? Is there any way we may determine such a thing?"

Terys gave the answer to that. "We would have to question everyone, Prasard. That would cause unrest and suspicion within the palace, no doubt something that our enemies would wish to happen. We would not do that to staff we know are trusted by us."

"Terys is right," Robanar added. "We could not do such a thing, that is not the way of Palarand. However, we shall have to take precautions, find ways we may entrap any other agents which does not disrupt the palace routine."

"Aye, brother," Gilbanar said. "If such is happening here, perhaps we should all look to our own security. Once we return home, I will think of measures I may venture with my own people."

"Agreed," Visselen said, and Prasard nodded.

Robanar frowned and turned to Garia. "Milady, in the Receiving Room you mentioned something in connection with Morlan's chambers. This seems to be related to our present discussion. Shall you explain?"

"Sire, I will. As I explained earlier, we decided to take the other young nobles with us to Morlan's sitting room, since everywhere else in the palace appeared to be busy preparing for the festival. When we got there we found the door unlocked, which was not how we had left it. We searched the rooms, and found that items in his study, which we had been sorting, had been disturbed. We found other signs of disturbance in his laboratory, but those may have been made before we started cleaning the quarters."

Visselen stared at her. "Milady, do you tell me you were cleaning palace rooms?"

Garia explained the circumstances, then added, "We did find some sheets of parchment with secret writing on them, Sire. We intended to bring the matter to your attention but everyone's been so busy."

"Secret writing?" asked Gilbanar, interested. "How did you find out, milady?"

"Bursila - Lady Merizel's maid - found a box of apparently blank sheets at the very back of a shelf, hidden. The method used is common knowledge on Earth, Your Grace. A fruit juice is used instead of ink, that disappears when dried. If you hold the sheet over a heat source, the writing re-appears. We checked some of the sheets, but they are covered with strange symbols no-one recognizes as writing. The sheets were apparently not found by the intruder, Sire."

"This is serious," Robanar said. "Master Pitchell may be able to help us here, he would know the symbols if anyone would. Will you bring them to the next council meeting, milady?"

"As you wish, Sire. But, I should point out that it is possible there is an innocent explanation. On Earth, our version of Questors used secret writing like this centuries ago to communicate with each other."

Gilbanar shuddered. "Maker! She says that so calmly. If I didn't know you came from another world before, milady, I think I would do so now."

"Very well," Robanar said, winding up the discussion. "I think we shall order a full council meeting, all present company included, for tomorrow evening following dinner. Garia, if you will bring with you these sheets you speak of when you and Keren attend."

"As you wish, Sire."

"Before then," the King continued, "we shall have seen a demonstration of your abilities, milady. I intend that this shall be arranged following breakfast tomorrow morning, so if you would wear your normal training attire?"

"As you wish, Sire," Garia repeated. "But, Sire, the training areas are all filled with visitors and carriages and frayen, where shall we go?"

"We shall use the Receiving Room," he replied. "I have already asked Captain Bleskin to bring the mats you usually use, will that be all you require?"

"Yes, Sire, that is all we will need."

"Very well. And now, milady, there is a subject of which the others here are all eager to learn more. While the Queen's maids busy themselves providing pel for us all, shall you begin telling us of your world? I realize that there is much that we will not understand, but I believe it is important for the others here to hear about the place you lived in before you came to us, and consider what may become of Palarand, and indeed all Alaesia, in time."

So Garia spent the rest of the morning describing Earth, and the United States, and Kansas, and Hays, and the people and places Gary had grown up around and known. She described, briefly, modern methods of transport and communication. She told of shops, houses, schools, sports venues and places of entertainment, trying to give the Dukes a flavor of her civilization. She spoke of scientific advance, of man's mastery of land, sea, air and space. She spoke of medicine, of the miracles modern surgery and drugs could produce. She spoke of religion, of the good and the bad that it seemed to provoke. She spoke of war, of the terrible weapons which man had invented to kill each other, and of the mutual distrust of times past, ending with the cold war and the threat of complete annihilation.

The lunch bell was ignored, the Chamberlain having to search them out to discover if there had been some kind of problem. When they eventually joined the others in the Receiving Room for lunch there were concerned looks from many of the other diners.

"My people!" Robanar said eventually, to quieten them. "We have been engrossed by Milady Garia's tales, we did not reckon the time. Do not concern yourselves, there is nothing wrong."

But many took note of the somber and thoughtful expressions on the faces of those who had attended the meeting, and became thoughtful themselves.

"What happened?" Keren asked her over lunch in a low voice.

"Nothing too bad, fortunately. They wanted to hear complete details of what happened to Merry and me yesterday."

Sitting the other side of Keren, Merizel gave a small blush of pleasure at the use of a diminutive of her name. Garia might now have a greater rank, but this proved they were now close friends!

"Oh. Were you expecting to be shouted at?" Keren asked Garia.

"Yes, somewhat. It seems I got let off because the whole situation was unfamiliar to me, and the crowds were greater than I realized. I told your father it wouldn't happen again. I'm not that stupid, I can learn a lesson."

"I should have been there."

This statement provoked a sharp glance from Marlin, swiftly disguised.

"No, you shouldn't, Keren," Garia said. "If you had been there, the whole situation would have been different, true, but you might have put yourself in danger. I'm not about to risk the next king of Palarand over someone unimportant like me."

Terinar joined in. "You're hardly unimportant, Garia."

"No, but whether I'm here or not Keren is going to be the next King, isn't he? That's more important than whether Palarand jumps a few years in development, development which is going to happen anyway."

"Can't argue with that," Terinar said. "Although personally I look forward to faster development. Some of those devices you spoke of sounded quite interesting."

Garia rolled her eyes. "Men and their toys!"

Did I really just say that? Perhaps I'm becoming female faster than I thought. The line between 'them' and 'us' is becoming increasingly blurred. Or do I mean 'us' and 'them'?

"It'll make a change," Korizet said, "from watching him drool over a new sword or a bit of armor. Sometimes you can't get any sense out of him."

"Was there any in there in the first place?" Keren asked, a smile on his face.

"Careful, cousin!" Terinar said with a grin. "I might just challenge you over that insult."

The table didn't quite disintegrate into a free-for-all food fight but the next few minutes were chaotic. When order had been restored, Garia was surprised to get a sensible question from Marlin.

"Milady, have you given thought to your future? Do you plan to stay in the palace, or shall you go and live in your newly-granted lands? Surely, now that you have a title, you would not choose to remain a guest of the King."

Garia shook her head. "I haven't considered that far ahead, Marlin. So much is happening in my life right now it's difficult to plan, and I don't expect matters to improve for many months. I hadn't expected to be granted lands, and I don't know what's there anyway. I think I'd want to go and have a look before I made any big decisions over my future, wouldn't you agree?"

"Maybe, milady. There are a number of nobles who do not live on their lands, one I know of who has never set foot on his but leaves all to subordinates. Do you know anything at all of the lands granted to you?"

"Only what Keren told me yesterday, and I barely remember what he said then. Blackstone is a small town right up the Palar Valley, with an even smaller valley leading off it that's mine as well. Is that right, Keren?"

"Essentially, yes, Garia. I'd never heard of the place before Uncle Gil mentioned it but it sounds particularly appropriate for your purposes, doesn't it?" He grinned at her, reminding her what the 'worthless rock' probably consisted of.

"Yes, it does, I guess. But I think I'll be spending most of my future time here in Palarand, if not in the actual palace itself. This is where all the expertise currently lives, this is where the important decisions are going to be made, after all."

Marlin seemed satisfied. "As you say, milady." He gave her an indecipherable glance and returned his attention to his food.

What's gotten into him? she wondered. At least he's not being actively hostile at the moment, but I can't figure him out at all.

~o~O~o~

When they rose after lunch she grabbed Keren's arm.

"A moment, Keren. Your father said we were going to do a demonstration after breakfast tomorrow morning, did you hear?"

"Yes, he told me on the way down to eat this morning. Why, what's the matter?"

"No matter, I just want to have a word with Captain Bleskin about it before he disappears and then, another word with you on our way back to our rooms, if that's okay with you."

"Garia, dear," Terys intercepted them, "coming to your room for your nap?"

"Ma'am, we have to speak to the Captain first, then Keren and I will be up to join you."

"As you wish, my dear."

"Captain! I'm glad we've caught you before you left."

"Highness, milady." Bleskin gave a small bow. "What may I do for you?"

"You know about the demonstration planned for tomorrow morning, captain?"

Bleskin nodded, interested. "Yes, milady."

"Well, -"

There was a short, intense conversation between the three before Bleskin left them with a departing bow and a smile.

"I don't know how you do it," Keren remarked as they walked back to their suites. "I don't think I would ever have thought of what you just suggested to the captain. Now, what was it you wanted to ask me about?"

"It's Marlin."

Keren gave a grimace at the name, but Garia continued, "No, he's not been too bad today, in fact that's my question, really. What do you think he's doing? Has he some grievance, and now it's been corrected? Has he some scheme in mind? He kept looking at me today, both this morning and just now, and he asked me some very odd questions over lunch. What do you think?"

Keren shrugged. "Who knows what is going on inside someone like that? I certainly don't. There are some boys who I pretty much understand, like Terinar, but Marlin is just not someone I'm ever likely to be close friends with." He shrugged again. "You know what people our age are like, Garia. Father says we change a lot both mentally and physically because we're about to become adults. Sometimes that makes boys - and girls - do some very strange things, and get very odd ideas. In mother's words, perhaps he's just 'going through a phase'."

Garia was startled to hear her own parent's words thrown back at her, but realized that the translator had probably substituted from a very similar local phrase.

"If you say so, Keren," she agreed reluctantly. "But I wish I wasn't the focus of whatever is bothering him. I have enough to deal with as it is."

"I wouldn't be too concerned," he told her cheerfully. "He's been brought up reasonably well, like all us higher-ranked children have, and he knows the limits of good behavior - or I thought he did, until that business with you and him in the corridor the first day. In a few days, he'll be returning home with his father and the twins and you won't have to worry about him any more. It'll probably be next year before we meet them again, possibly at the Spring Festival."

"Well, that's a relief. So, a Spring Festival, then? Is that going to be anything like the Harvest Festival?"

Keren grinned at Garia. "The idea of festivals making you nervous, is it? No, the spring one is completely different than the one we've just celebrated. I wouldn't concern yourself over that problem, we've many months before the time comes to prepare for it, and who knows what state we'll all be in by then?"

~o~O~o~

"Merizel! Do come in."

"Thank you, Garia. You look well-rested."

"I feel well-rested, Merry. It's funny, I never used to do anything like this on Earth, there just wasn't the need for it where I lived." She explained, "There are some much warmer parts where people customarily had an afternoon siesta, but not everywhere by all means. Here, though, I just feel like it's a natural thing to do."

Merizel nodded. "It is, in the heat of the summer months. In the winter, it's different. Some folks still take an afternoon break, but others go back to work immediately after lunch."

"Oh!" Garia was startled. "It never occurred to me that everyone didn't do it all year round. Okay, I'll remember that as the seasons change and see how I feel." She giggled at a thought. "You do realize I might not have much choice in the matter, don't you? If the Queen commands it, I shall probably take a nap whether I need to or not."

"You're right," Merizel said thoughtfully. "Tell you what, I'll make some discreet inquiries around the palace and find out what happened in previous years. That might give us a clue."

"You could just ask Keren."

"True enough. Now, the reason I'm here is because I have just received a note, on your behalf, from the Metalworkers Guild. It seems that they have managed to get the Steam Engine model working, and they want to bring it over tomorrow for a demonstration."

Garia's face lit up. "They have? That's great! Yes, possibly the best timing of all, since I wanted to let the visiting Dukes see it before they all left for home. Have you made a reply yet?"

"No, I only just received the note after waking from my nap. It seems that you are in favor, I'll also have to talk to Kendar, of course, and either directly or through him to the King. When should we arrange it, do you think? After breakfast, if everyone agrees?"

Garia shook her head. "No, it seems we have another demonstration planned for the morning."

She explained about the martial arts display, which was probably as important to the Dukes as the Steam Engine might be.

Merizel nodded. "Oh, I see. Then, about this time tomorrow, I would suggest. That's probably better in any case, give the guildsmen time to set things up and make sure everything is ready. I suppose you want to hold that demonstration in the laboratory?"

Garia nodded. "Yes, that's why we cleared that area at the end, and everyone can come and go through the end door. Oh! And, in case you hadn't yet been told, there will be a full council meeting tomorrow evening, at which Duke Gilbanar, Duke Visselen and Count Prasard will be present. That was decided at that meeting I got dragged into this morning."

"No, I hadn't heard that." She frowned. "It seems I'd better go and find Kendar."

Merizel stood and walked to the door, which Bursila promptly opened for her. She paused at the doorway, turned and smiled at Garia.

"Thank you for calling me Merry, Garia. It means that I know we are properly friends now."

Garia blinked. "Could you ever have doubted it? Of course we are!"

~o~O~o~

The evening meal had been another State one, but mercifully this time there had been no music. Garia managed to deflect requests for her to sing but she knew it wouldn't be too long before she would have to give in. She had determined that if she had to go through that ordeal, then it would be in front of a much smaller audience, the smaller the better.

After the meal, she had been requested to accompany the King and Queen, alone, back to their sitting room before they all retired for the night. Puzzled, and wondering whether there was something else she might have done which might require a royal telling off, she joined them as they made themselves comfortable.

"Milady Garia," Robanar began, "we must talk about a somewhat delicate subject tonight."

Oh, great! Now I'm going to get the Birds and the Bees lecture. Not that there appear to actually be any birds or bees on this planet.

"During this evening's meal," he continued, "we received a rather unusual request."

Robanar paused, and it appeared that the subject was an awkward one for him to speak of. He turned to catch Terys's eye.

"What the King means, my dear, is that these requests are not really that unusual, but where they concern you, because of your... different past, we consider them unusual, especially at this time."

Garia's gaze went from one to the other as she became more and more alarmed.

"Ma'am? What -"

"Lord Visselen has petitioned me, as your legal guardian," Robanar overrode her, "on behalf of his son Marlin. The Lord Marlin wishes to request your hand in marriage."

Her mouth dropped open and she stared blankly at the King.

That's... crazy! He can't, he wouldn't, why would he even think it was possible? I've given him absolutely no reason to suggest that we even have anything in common! I know nothing about him at all! The only time we ever even touched was when I threw him that time! This is crazy!

Then her brain finally meshed into gear and she began to think.

Oh, crap. It's not crazy at all, by their standards. They do arranged marriages all the time, don't they? And I'd be considered of prime age to marry someone suitable, wouldn't I? And the King is technically my adoptive parent, which would give him the right to... Oh, crap.

Her expression went from astonished to angered to annoyed to appalled to horror. She looked at the expressions on the faces of the King and Queen and drew the obvious conclusion.

I've been given away, haven't I? It's good business in this society, and it keeps me relatively close to the crown. I've been traded like one of Uncle Brad's prime heifers, and like a prize cow I have no say in my destiny. I'll have to go off with that stupid boy, and he'll want to make me have his children and... Oh, God, no!

The tears came fast, and immediately Jenet was there with a cloth to help mop her face. She raised her eyes to look miserably at Robanar and Terys. Both appeared to be astonished by her response.

"My dear! It is surely a compliment to be asked, but we seem to have overwhelmed you. Why do you cry?"

Her stomach churned as she fought to steady herself. Why were they asking these things? Wasn't the act enough? Or... had she misunderstood?

"You... haven't agreed, ma'am?" she asked in a small voice. "I thought that was why you asked me to come..."

"Oh!" Terys seemed finally to realize what they had done, and immediately came over to Garia to give her a hug. "No, child, we would not do such a thing! Of course, you would not know how such matters are handled in Palarand. Oh, look! Now we've quite upset you, and it is all unnecessary. Shall you have some pel, perhaps, to help you recover?"

Garia thought of the wine she had recently drunk and shook her head.

"No thank you, ma'am. A little water, perhaps."

An embarrassed Robanar spoke. "My apologies, Garia, of course you would not know the rules. We should not have caused you such distress."

A little later, after a sip of water and another dab at her face, she faced the King and Queen with somewhat more composure.

"Since the approach was formally made," Terys said, "then we felt bound to tell you of it. Since it was made by Duke Visselen, we feel that the offer is a serious one."

"That's as may be, ma'am, but I could never marry Marlin! He is not grown up enough." Garia added in a lower voice, "Neither am I, really. I've barely been here a month, I am still finding my way around, and I really haven't gotten accustomed to this body yet. After all," she gave a very weak smile, "Kalikan has only called me once so far."

"This we understand," Terys said. "This we agree. Our opinion is that it would be far too soon for you to undertake such a commitment, having so recently arrived among us. We also agree with your opinion of Marlin, whose behavior has concerned us these past few days. But it was still necessary for us to make the offer, and for you to consider it. You are not our natural child, and so there would be no tie to the crown in such an arrangement, but we would not consider it to have been in your best interests."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Your situation is strange to us," Terys continued. "Since you have no blood ties to any, you may marry whoever you wished, providing his family was agreeable, of course. Of course, we might desire that you should consider one of the noble sons, since your connection to the palace and to Palarand is so strong, but in time there may be others whose path you may cross. We would not part with you to a husband without your own agreement, dear. And we will continue to look after you until that time comes."

The tears flowed again, as Garia understood that they only had her best interests at heart, and that she was truly accepted as part of the royal family. Jenet dabbed again.

"What about Marlin, ma'am? Why do you think he decided to do this?"

Terys shook her head. "I do not know, dear. Keren might have a better idea than we do. The thoughts of someone your own age are a mystery to us, even though we were once that age ourselves."

"I asked Keren just after lunch, and he had no better idea," she said.

"Perhaps the twins might be able to help you, dear," Terys suggested. "They are close to Marlin, perhaps they know of his thoughts."

"A boy telling two younger sisters his thoughts? I suspect, from my own experience, that they might be the last to know. However, I'll give it a try, tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?" Robanar raised an eyebrow. "You do not seek to injure the Lord Marlin?"

"What? Oh! No, Sire, he'll be all right. I might hurt his feelings, if he has any."

"If he did not have feelings," Terys pointed out, "he would not have asked for your hand in marriage."

"Uh, yes, ma'am, of course. I'm just not sure they were feelings for me."

~o~O~o~

"Your nightgown, milady."

Garia held out her arms so that Jenet could slide the garment on them and then over her head.

"That was a bit of a shock, earlier," she said.

"Milady?"

"The proposal from Marlin."

"Yes, it was a surprise, wasn't it? You would think that someone like him should know better, milady. What are they teaching Lord Visselen's children? And I agree with Her Majesty, it is far too soon for you to be thinking of such matters. Maybe next year, perhaps."

"I didn't expect to get all shook up over it like that, though. Uh, that's a thought. How many weeks has it been since..?"

"Milady?"

"...since Kalikan came to call. Am I leading up to that, again? Is that why I took it so hard?"

"No, milady. Kalikan will call next week, on the third day. Didn't you know that?"

"Know what, Jenet?"

"Oh, how could you know, milady! Is it not the same on Earth, then? Does the... period, you called it? Does that not happen on the same day each month there?"

"Eh? You mean it happens on the same day each month here? That's amazing!"

"But of course, milady! That's why each month is the same number of days, and why those Questors like Master Gerdas announce adjustments every now and then, to make sure that the rhythm of Kalikan is strictly kept, so that women know when the call is to come."

Garia sat on the edge of the bed and Jenet eyed her curiously.

"Milady, how does it work on Earth, if I may ask?"

Garia shrugged and then climbed into the bed, pulling the sheet down as it was still warm.

"I don't know, Jenet. Our moon goes round in twenty-nine and a bit days, I forget how much extra. Our months, well, seven have thirty-one days, four have thirty and one has twenty-eight or very occasionally twenty-nine. I think the periods aren't so tightly tied to the Moon as they are here. I have no idea how our women work it out, and of course I never had the need or the interest to know."

"That seems... strange, milady. How, then, do women know when the time is come?"

"Same way they do here, Jenet, I guess. Moodiness, breasts getting heavier, short-tempered, cramps, flushes, those sorts of things, I guess. Sounds like it's a lot easier here, if you always know the day."

"Oh, it is, milady! Knowing the date gives us time to prepare, and if you are one of the unfortunate few who have very bad visits then you may arrange not to have visitors at that time. I think perhaps we are more fortunate than Earth women in that respect."

"As you say, Jenet. Well, we'd better get to sleep, I guess. Tomorrow sounds as if it could be quite a busy day. Good-night, Jenet."

"Good-night, milady."