Gilbanar makes an intriguing suggestion to Garia before she is confronted by Marlin, who tries again to offer marriage. It leads her to re-evaluate her course of action and makes her doubt her decisions. Later, the second steam engine demonstration goes off as planned and leads to some interesting suggestions.

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.

---

At the end of breakfast Garia had been approached by Gilbanar, a look of apology on his face.

"I regret, Milady Garia, that we will not be able to have that talk on... wild animals we spoke of. It seems we must hasten home as soon as we may, the rains have come early."

"They have?" Garia said involuntarily. She turned and looked through the window, where the usual brilliant morning light still streamed in. "Uh, Your Grace, I mean, how can you tell? It looks no different to me."

"Can you not tell?" He gave her an amazed glance, then reason prevailed and his expression changed to one of understanding. "But of course, you cannot. You are recently arrived, you will not be familiar with the change in the air. I doubt it will rain today, but that is in our favor. If we depart before lunch then we should be able to cross the Sirrel while we are still able to find our way. It is but a short ride from North Slip to our castle at Dekarran, we should be able to manage that if the rain should start falling by then."

"But... Your Grace, everything seems exactly the same to me. Look, the sun is as bright as it always is this time of day."

"Come, come. Let us walk into the garden, you may be able to tell the change. Vivenne, shall you join us?"

"Of course, my dear."

"What's going on, uncle?" Keren asked as he joined them.

"Milady Garia has not been here long enough to sense the change in the weather, Keren," Gilbanar explained. "Shall you join us in the garden a moment?"

Keren smiled. "Surely, Uncle Gil."

As the four walked into the garden Garia sensed that the air was different than it had previously been. She hadn't spent too much time outside the palace confines for a while, which meant that the change in the air was noticeable even to her. She looked up into the sky. The fluffy clouds which had been sailing across the last week or two were still there, blue sky between them, but today the clouds were slightly darker centered, more solid-looking somehow. She sniffed again, trying to work out what the difference was.

"There's something," she said finally. "I don't know what, though."

It was like being around during the tornado season. Only here, the air wasn't dry but...

"Ah! Your Grace, there's more moisture in the air, is that it?"

Gilbanar beamed at her. "Just so, milady! Once the air dampens like this, the rains cannot be far behind." With a quick glance at Vivenne he added, "And, since you are now officially part of the royal family, I think that you might address me as 'Uncle Gil', just as this strapping lad does. 'Your Grace' sounds so formal, don't you think? Shall you do that for me?"

Garia was taken aback, but replied, "As you command... Uncle Gil."

"Good." Gilbanar continued, "Now then, young lady, I have proposed to the King a visit to Dekarran once the rains have finished and the roads are open again, and I expect you and Keren to be coming as well, understand?"

"Yes, Your... I mean, Uncle Gil." Gilbanar was just so much more easy-going than his brother, and Garia felt sure that it wouldn't be long before she would be calling him Uncle Gil as though she had done so all her life.

"What I will suggest to my brother is that you remain behind when the royal party returns here to the capital. I shall then take you up through North Palarand, probably with some of your Guild friends, to visit the lands I have released to you. It's not an area of North Palarand I have visited very often so I may refresh my memory at the same time. I'll introduce you to your people and you'll be able to inspect the countryside and these rocks you claim are going to make us all rich. What do you say to that?"

Garia was surprised. On reflection it seemed like an interesting idea, it would get her out of the palace and let her see some more of this strange world she now inhabited. If only she wasn't so busy! A change of scene, a change of pace, perhaps she would need something like this in a few months.

"Your - Uncle Gil, I would be delighted. It will give me a chance to see something other than the inside of the palace or a guild workshop."

"Uncle Gil," Keren asked, "There are questions. Will she be away long, and will she be safe? You know that there are those who want to lay hands on her."

Gilbanar nodded. "Of course, Keren. I would not have proposed such a journey if I didn't think we could keep her safe." He grinned. "Although, by recent example, she will perhaps be safer than any of the rest of us! As to timing, yes, the weather will turn as winter approaches, but there will be plenty of time to travel to Blackstone and all the way back to Palarand before the cold weather properly sets in." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you consider joining Garia on her journey north?"

It was Keren's turn to be surprised. "Uh, Uncle Gil, the thought hadn't occurred to me, but now you mention it..." He nodded thoughtfully to himself. "Hmm. I think I'll ask Father after you have departed and see what he thinks about the idea. I must admit I'd quite like to see what this coal looks like." He grinned at his uncle. "And, of course, I'd be another sword arm if that were ever necessary."

"You'll see coal long before then, young Keren. Your father sent me a message before we left for the festival, and there should be a wagon loaded with samples of coal on it's way down from the mountains. With any luck, it will get across the river before the ferries have to stop and then you and the guildsmen can work on it while we wait out the downpour." Gilbanar gave a rueful smile. "I had some reluctant replies to my instructions north. My stewards seemed to think the request was some kind of joke, my asking for coal. I had to repeat myself very firmly before they complied."

He switched his attention to Garia. "The people in the area you'll be going to are, hmm, independent is not quite the word I'd use, but they are... traditional, let us say. You'll need all of your charm and abilities to make your new position clear. I'm perfectly sure that you won't have many problems, though."

"Thank you... Uncle Gil. I'm not sure about what I have to do, though."

"Don't worry, girl. We'll make sure you know everything you'll need to before you leave Dekarran for the north. So you'll accept, then?"

"Uh, I think I'll have to speak to the King and Queen first, if you don't mind, Uncle Gil."

"Of course. And now, we have to leave you, go and make sure my servants have packed everything properly. If you will excuse us?"

"Your Grace."

Garia watched Gilbanar and Vivenne walk away across the courtyard, wishing that their stay at the palace hadn't been quite so short. On the other hand, if she were to be visiting them once the rains ended she might find out more about them, as well as spending some quality time with Terinar and Korizet. She turned as footsteps sounded behind her to find Marlin approaching, a determined look on his face. He stopped and bowed - to Keren.

"Your Highness. I wonder if I might speak in private with Baroness Garia."

Both Keren's and Garia's eyebrows rose, and then Keren nodded reluctantly.

"Very well, Marlin. I'll wait for Garia over there."

Keren beckoned Jenet to accompany him and the two took seats within the cloister, keeping Garia and Marlin in plain view. Marlin waited until they were out of earshot and then spoke.

"Milady, I take it that you do not look favorably on my offer of marriage. I beg of you to reconsider. As heir to the second-ranking title in the land I can promise you a secure and privileged position you would not have if you remain in the capital. We do not know much about each other, but we are both young and we would have many years to adapt to each other's personalities... and abilities. You are a stranger in Palarand, I offer you a safe home from which to learn of our customs and traditions. I am as tutored in the arts of letters as those of war, I can provide protection to you as you adjust to our particular way of life, I can provide help as you learn those things a noble lady of Palarand must become familiar with. My sisters would doubtless provide you with companionship before we set up our own household. What do you say?"

Garia was surprised. He's not going to give up without a fight, is he?

"Firstly, Lord Marlin," she began calmly, "I haven't been on Anmar long enough to even consider marriage. I am far too busy to think of things like that. I am training the Guard during the mornings, in the afternoons I am talking to Guildsmen and Questors, there are meetings most evenings. Perhaps by this time next year things may slacken off some but not before."

"Is all this haste really necessary? Perhaps you are working too hard, you must learn to work more steadily. I do not see that Palarand will be the poorer because you attend meetings less often. You will have many years to make your ideas known to Questor and Guildsman alike."

Damn him! He's going to try and use reason to get round me. Well, he isn't, and that's that!

"Yes, it is really necessary," she replied, her blood heating. "There is much to be done, and this particular period is critical. I'm not going to slow down just because someone who doesn't like the changes I'm bringing asks me to. Besides, you want me to slow down, you have to go through the King. He's right behind this project."

Marlin's lips tightened as she continued. "There are other reasons I wouldn't marry you. One is that I think we're both too young to be making these decisions. On Earth people our age do get married but they'll have known each other for a long time beforehand." Assuming the girl didn't get knocked up after a party, that is. "I've known you what, four, five days? I can't say I like what I've seen so far." She glowered at him. "And when I do find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with, it'll be my decision, not someone else's. I may even decide not to get married at all. There's no reason I have to."

Marlin boggled at her. "But, milady, that's not possible! A woman cannot survive alone in Palarand, it just isn't done! Especially a girl as attractive as you, you must needs have a protector."

Garia felt the red haze rising, but there was little she could do to resist. The morning sun was hot...

"Listen, you oaf! Can't you get it through your thick head that I'm not a girl, not a normal one, anyway. I'm a boy's mind inside a girl's body, and I don't think the way you seem to think I ought to. If there's one thing I don't need, it's a protector!" She glared up at him. "And I don't need someone like you telling me how to live my life, either! That's all this offer of marriage really is, isn't it? You just want to put me away somewhere safe so that life goes on the way it always has, don't you? Well it's not going to happen."

She could feel the blood filling her cheeks but there was little she could do except stand her ground. She had already decided that she wouldn't attempt to touch him physically, but it took all her concentration to stop herself slapping him. Marlin's response came as a complete shock.

"Me tell you how to live your life? Milady, is that not what you do to all Palarand? You threaten our ways with new, unsettling methods and practices, without even considering whether we wished them or not. I accept, reluctantly, that some changes are probably to the gain of our people, but you threaten everything we all hold dear. I merely wished to smooth the path, both for yourself and for our people. This unseemly haste of yours will cause chaos, confusion and unhappiness throughout the land, simply because you are unfamiliar with our ways."

Garia stared at him as the full import of his words hit her, and then she was forced to turn her head so that he wouldn't see the tears brimming in her eyes.

OhmyGod he's right, isn't he? I've just gaily installed myself in the palace and started changing everything in sight. Look at me! I know more than you, aren't I clever? Fool! What am I doing to this world? I just assumed... OhmyGod what have I done?

"Milady?" Marlin was disconcerted by Garia's sudden change in temper. He held out a hand towards her.

"Leave me alone, can't you? Get out of my sight." The tears streamed down her cheeks.

"But, Milady Garia -"

"Go Away!"

Keren and Jenet were already hurrying across the courtyard, alarmed by the turn of events. Marlin saw them approach and bowed to Keren.

"Highness, I had no intention of distressing Milady Garia. I shall remove myself."

With that he turned on his heel and walked away. Garia fell into Keren's arms, by now sobbing.

"What did he say to you?" Keren grated out, glaring at the retreating figure.

She raised her tear-stained face briefly to look at his determined expression.

"He told me the truth," she said, in a voice so quiet he could hardly hear it.

Bewildered, Keren turned to Jenet, who was holding out a cloth to mop her mistress's face.

"Help me get her over to the cloister, Jenet. Let's go over that way, it's in deep shadow and few will be able to see us."

They walked Garia over to a shaded seat, sat her down, and then Jenet attempted to clean her up.

"Highness, should I take her back to her chambers?"

"Tricky. If we do so she will probably miss my uncle and aunt departing and that might make things more awkward. Can you clean her up, do you think?"

"I'll try, Highness."

Keren squatted in front of Garia as Jenet worked, his expression intense. "What did you talk about? His wedding proposal?"

"Yes," Garia replied, her voice low. "He said he wanted to give me protection, help me learn how to become a proper Palarandi noblewoman. He said I'd be better off if I lived with him as I'd have an assured title."

Keren swore, an expression that didn't translate. "He just doesn't give up, does he?"

"No," she agreed. "Then he asked if I should be doing so much so soon. I accused him of trying to get me out of the way, keep me quiet, since he didn't like the changes I was bringing. I said I wasn't going to be told how to live my life and he said that was exactly what I was doing to everyone in Palarand." The tears started again. "And it's true, isn't it? What right do I have to screw up everyone's life like that? I came here with the best of intentions, full of new ideas to help this world advance itself, and I never considered whether I should or not. I just jumped in and started changing everything!"

Keren fumed at Marlin's meddling, but he could not bear to see her so distressed. Without thinking he sat next to her and gathered her in his arms, and she turned her face to his chest.

"It's true and it's not true," he told her softly. "Yes, you did come here, and yes, you did start changing things, but no, you did not just jump in and change everything. If you recall, we had several long and involved conversations with my father and mother and knowledgeable people like Gerdas, Parrel, Bleskin and Margra. Garia, most of us want the changes you bring. We're not doing anything without talking it through very carefully first. That's why we have the Council of the Two Worlds, after all."

She raised her tear-stained face to see his. "You think so? When - when Marlin put it like that I thought -"

"Marlin's one of a small number of people who don't like things to change around them. They've gotten comfortable with a steady life, and they may be afraid of what they don't understand. He's making an attempt to take charge of you, to control what you might tell us, to slow down or prevent anything he might not like." His expression became fiercely protective. "He's not going to do it while I have anything to say about the matter."

He suddenly became aware how he was holding her, and with great reluctance he made her sit upright upon the bench.

"Jenet, attend your mistress. We'll have to join my parents at the front entrance shortly to see my uncle depart, and she ought not to look quite so storm-tossed."

Between them they managed to restore a semblance of normality to Garia's face, and then the three set off slowly for the palace's main entrance. When they arrived the front courtyard was full of carriages, wagons and bustle as the servants, both palace and visiting, made the vehicles ready for departure. Of the nobles, only Terinar and Korizet were present, both looking suitably bored and quite ready to be on the road.

"Highness, Garia!" Korizet greeted them. She looked closely at Garia's red-rimmed and bloodshot eyes. "What's the matter?"

"Marlin's the matter," Keren answered shortly.

"Oh." Korizet scowled. "I didn't like that boy before, I like him less by the moment."

"I won't ask what happened," Terinar said. "I wouldn't want to spoil our journey home." He smiled at Garia. "Whatever happens now, Garia, know that you'll be treated with friendship and respect when you visit us later in the year."

"Thank you, Terinar," she replied softly. "I look forward to coming."

An explosion of servants at the entrance announced the arrival of Robanar, Gilbanar, Terys and Vivenne, all talking animatedly amongst themselves.

"Ah!" Gilbanar turned as he caught sight of the waiting four. "You're here already, good." He walked over to Keren's group with a wave at his brother and bowed briefly to Keren and Garia.

"Keren and Garia, we will expect you once the rains cease, without fail, am I understood? The King has agreed your visit, and approves of my plan to take Garia north. I think once the skies clear you'll be glad of a change of scenery." He was now close enough to have a good look at Garia, and his expression changed. "What happened, milady?"

"Marlin happened," Keren said. "Don't concern yourself, Uncle Gil, we'll deal with it once you've left. The Brikants will be following you out of the palace quite soon in any case, if they want to reach home without getting completely drowned."

"As you say, Keren." He raised an eyebrow at his children. "You two ready to leave? Of course you are, or you wouldn't be standing out here already. Come on, then, let's get settled in our carriage."

Gilbanar turned and led the way to the front carriage. This was suitably ornate, but unlike those that had been used for the festival this one had a solid roof, and rolled-up tarpaulins on every side. Garia noticed that every carriage driver and wagoneer had a rolled-up waterproof of dull yellow beside or behind them, and even the outriders of Gilbanar's own guard had wet-weather gear ready to hand.

Gilbanar stopped at the top step and bellowed across the courtyard to a servant in his own livery. "Well?"

The man wilted and looked toward the side of the building.

"Your Grace, there was a difficulty with the last wagon. It should be here shortly. And we are missing two of Her Grace's trunks."

Robanar and Terys came to stand by Keren and Garia, while Visselen, Marlin and the twins emerged from the entrance. Marlin took one look at where the King was heading and moved off in the other direction. After much shouting a palace servant appeared with the two errant trunks loaded on a sack truck, and these were hastily transferred to a wagon and the tarpaulin lashed down, just as the final wagon rounded the corner of the palace.

"Fare you well, brother, till we next meet," Gilbanar said, hugging his brother before bowing deeply in the direction of the royal party. Terys and Vivenne exchanged hugs with everyone in sight. Gilbanar then helped Vivenne into the carriage, Terinar and Korizet followed and finally he settled himself inside beside his wife. A herald blew some kind of tune on a long cornet-like instrument, and the train of vehicles jerked into motion. Everybody waved as they exited the front gate and headed for the road north.

"That's that," muttered Robanar. "It's a pity the rains are early this year, I see little enough of my brother as it is. His idea for an autumn visit is a good one. I'm looking forward to a change of scenery myself. What do you say, dear?"

Terys was looking at Garia. "What did he do, dear?" she asked her.

Garia's eyes filled again. "Not here, ma'am, please. Can we go somewhere private?"

"Marlin," Robanar said.

"Yes, father, but it's complicated," Keren said. "Can we go to your parlor? It shouldn't take long."

"As you wish, Keren."

The four, surrounded by a cloud of servants, made their way through to the parlor. Once there the maids busied themselves with the production of the inevitable pot of pel while the nobles made themselves comfortable.

Between them Garia and Keren explained what had happened earlier, Robanar's expression becoming more thunderous by the moment as he learned more details. When the explanations were done he rose and pulled one of the ropes beside the fireplace.

"Summon the Lord Marlin to my presence immediately," he told the footman who appeared.

"And request that the Duke of Brikant accompany his son," added Terys.

"Immediately, you hear?" repeated Robanar.

The man scurried off and presently Visselen led his son into the room. From the look on his face Marlin had figured out what was about to happen and he remained standing as his father took a seat.

"Visselen," Robanar began, "It has become apparent that your son does not share our common wish that the knowledge Milady Garia brings shall be shared with the peoples of this world. He attempts to obtain her hand in marriage, with the intention of ensuring that her abilities and knowledge remain under his own control. What say you to this circumstance?"

"Sire," Visselen replied with a frown, "I understood that my son considered a match between himself and the Lady Garia to be a reasonable one, but I had not thought that there was any particular motive behind the offer," a smile, "other than her beauty and exceptional personality, that is." He looked briefly at Marlin. "The charge you make against my son is a serious one, Sire. Do you wish to exercise the royal prerogative in this matter?"

Robanar made a dismissive wave with a hand. "No, old friend, I am content to leave that matter to yourself, as is only appropriate. It is well that I state the matter directly to him, though, while he is here present amongst those who wield the authority in this kingdom." He turned to Marlin. "Lord Marlin?"

"Sire." Marlin lowered himself to one knee and bent his head.

"Know now that your King has already determined that the knowledge that Mistress Garia shall provide to us, at her own choice, shall be made available freely to all the peoples of Palarand, and that we shall not prevent this knowledge from reaching the farthest reaches of Alaesia in its own time and at its own pace. There are councils established already which will oversee the introduction of new devices and ideas, such that they should not cause undue disruption to society. We understand that there will be those who will not readily accept the changes to come, and that it is likely that you are one of them. We are prepared to listen to what you say, but our decision is made. These changes will come to our world whether we wish them or no, and it is better that they occur in an organized manner than otherwise.

"It is our belief that Milady Garia has not appeared at this time and in this place by mere chance, but that her presence is a signal to us that change is required. We do not know how this will change the future, but then we did not know what future faced us before she was made known to us. I do understand that there may be confusion, resentment and misunderstanding in the days and years to come but the descriptions of the world Milady Garia came from encourage me that there will be a much better world for all at the end of it.

"For those reasons your King informs you that your attitude is a false one. If you persist in denying the inevitable, then your future rule as Duke of Brikant after your father will be an unpleasant time. Do I make myself clear?"

"As you command, Sire."

"Do I make myself clear?"

Marlin looked up at the King, his face white. "Yes, Sire." He bowed his head again.

"Marlin."

He looked up at Terys. "Your Majesty?"

"I have no doubt that your motives were pure, dear. But you are very young, and you may find that you will consider these matters very differently in ten years time. Garia is also very young, and needs time to learn about the new world she finds herself in. She is not the one for you, she will need somebody very special to complement her knowledge and abilities. I have no doubt that in a few years you will find a girl who will make you a much more suitable wife."

Marlin bowed his head to the Queen. "As you say, ma'am."

"Son?"

"Yes, father?" Marlin stood.

"We will discuss this whole subject presently, in private," Visselen said. "I am sorry, I was not aware that your opinions on these matters were so strong or we would have spoken earlier."

"I -" Marlin closed his mouth with a click. Almost anything he said now might just make his situation worse.

"Sire," Visselen addressed himself to Robanar. "I regret that this unpleasantness has happened today. For myself, I must declare in front of those here my full and complete support for your decisions regarding Milady Garia." He sighed. "Whether I can convince my son to do the same is another matter, of course. With your leave?"

"Of course, old friend. You know my door is always open to you."

Visselen rose and, beckoning Marlin to follow him, left the parlor.

Robanar turned to Garia in the silence that followed.

"There! Now he can be in no doubt that if he pursues this course, he is defying his sovereign. He is very young, I do recognize that the young often hold views contrary to their elders. Only time will tell if he will appreciate why I have made the decision in this matter which I chose to do. Milady, is your mind now at ease?"

Garia was silent for a moment, looking at the King.

"Sire, I - I don't really know," she answered finally. "I know we've talked about this before, but it still seems that I'm meddling in something I know very little about. What if Marlin's right? What if there's uproar over the ideas and machines I'm introducing? I really don't want to go down in history as the person who ruined your kingdom."

"Why else, dear," Terys said, "do you think you were brought to this world in the first place? It would seem strange for you to be delivered to us with the knowledge you have, if that knowledge were then to be ignored or concealed. If that were so, you would endure a very miserable existence amongst us, would you not?"

"Put that way, ma'am," Garia reluctantly agreed, "you have to be right. But no-one has told me why I'm here or even how long I might be here. I have to operate under the assumption that I'm here for keeps but I don't know that. I don't even know if I've been put here deliberately or if the whole thing is a stupid accident. If the latter, then perhaps I shouldn't be changing too much."

"Milady," Robanar said, "it is far too late for that. I cannot think of a single person who has tried one -" he glanced at the parlor door then, "- hmm, perhaps just one, maybe, who would willingly return to eating their meals without using a fork. Your martial arts have captured the imagination of my guards and those who witnessed the steam engine demonstration yesterday are already planning great things which will alter our lands forever. No, we are set upon the path of progress, we have no choice but to follow it to the end. You have already achieved much to earn the gratitude of those in Palarand, and that is why you are now Baroness Garia. You have thoroughly deserved it."

Garia's eyes began to fill again. She was still unused to having her praises sung so much. She was unused to even being noticed that much. "Thank you again, Sire, for believing in me."

Robanar smiled then, and in an instant the mood in the room changed completely. "And now, milady, now that we have disposed of that unpleasantness, we shall choose a much more interesting subject to occupy us until the lunch bell. I trust my brother has told you of the invitations he has made, for us all to go north after the rains? While the maids serve pel, we can tell you what we expect to happen."

~o~O~o~

There was another crowd in the laboratory this afternoon. The composition was entirely different, since the ruling elite were not present, but all the younger nobles had attended. Beside them were some of the guildsmen who had been present the previous day, together with others who Keren informed Garia worked inside the palace. This had surprised her to begin with, but she realized that a building like this required maintenance staff by the dozen to look after the fabric of the palace, the miles of pipework inside, the drains, the kitchens, the lighting... the wonder was that she hadn't thought of the need for these people before today.

Marlin was also present, standing at one end of the workbench and closely bracketed by his sisters. He refused to look Garia in the face at all, and she suspected that he was only present at the demonstration because his father had ordered him to be. Terinar and Korizet had of course left for home, so she and Keren only had Willan and Stebenar for company, although both Bleskin and Merek had also decided to attend today to see what all the fuss was about. Along with those was a small number of functionaries from within the palace whose purpose Garia didn't know.

"Who are all these people, Keren?" she asked him in a whisper.

"Oh, just some of the palace officials," he replied. "I don't know that all of them should be here, but yesterday's show has gotten people interested, so some of them have probably sneaked away from their duties to see what everyone else is talking about. You needn't worry, I recognize all of them by sight, naturally, so there's no chance of a stranger sneaking in."

"Mistress?" Tarvan asked. He reddened. "Uh, I mean, Milady? Would you like to see what modifications I made since yesterday?"

"Of course, Tarvan."

She approached the gleaming brass model and leaned over.

"The control rod, which bent yesterday, if you recall -"

Tarvan showed her what he had done, to Garia's approval. They talked about some of the other aspects of the model, and she viewed it carefully. Perhaps this one would be good enough to enable her to take the next step? If Tarvan was going to be spending some of his time in the palace, then maybe... She would have to have a talk with Guildmaster Parrel first, before she could steal one of his staff from under him. But the lad had possibilities, and they would have two months of rainy weather in which to take the first steps into yet another new realm of progress.

"That's good, Tarvan," she told him. "Do you know if Master Parrel intends to leave this model here, or will you be taking it away and re-using the parts? I have had some ideas about things I could use it for."

He looked doubtful. "I don't know, milady. We hadn't really gotten beyond making it work and demonstrating it to the King and the nobles. Are you saying that you wished to keep it in here?"

"Perhaps. We'll talk to Master Parrel about it at the next meeting. Are we ready to begin?"

"Of course, milady. Shall I light the burner?"

The second demonstration replicated the first, with the exception that nothing became bent. As Tarvan pulled the burner tray out from under the boiler at the end the audience all gathered closely around.

"Careful!" Keren warned them. "That brass is as hot as boiling water, remember! Don't burn yourselves."

There was a lot of excited questioning from the audience, some of it more detailed and perceptive than Garia had expected from people so young. In particular, she realized that the twins were much smarter than their brother by a long stretch. Both of them zeroed in on Tarvan leaving Marlin looking lost.

"Another wonderful device, milady."

She turned to see the two captains beside her. "As you say, Captain Bleskin. Has it given you some ideas?"

"Indeed, milady, although I fancy it will be my colleague Merek's job to determine how best the martial forces of Palarand may utilize such an amazing machine. As Master Tarvan said, it looks complicated but the principle is simple."

Garia thought for a moment. "I'm not sure it would be of great value immediately, captain. You can move men and equipment faster by frayen and dranakh at the moment than ever any steam powered vehicle could do." She considered. "Now, if you were mounting a siege, for instance, there might be ways a steam engine could help you. Otherwise, the biggest improvement I can think of is going to be steam powered boats. It will make traveling up and down river real easy."

"As you say, milady," Merek replied. He raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps this is not the best place for such a conversation?"

She shrugged. "We haven't said anything yet that an ordinary person couldn't have figured out, captain, but you're right, of course. Now, I can think of something in the palace where a steam engine might benefit you, although it would be an extravagant use of one, for sure. It's called an elevator."

Everyone stopped at the unusual word and gathered round to listen as she explained how a small box with a gate could be hauled up and down inside a building to save the inhabitants from having to climb stairs and ladders.

"It's just like a specialized crane, really, with somewhere for people to safely stand," she concluded.

Captain Merek looked at her intently. "You are of course referring to the watch tower," he said.

"That's right," she replied, "although as I say it would be a waste of a machine. There's not enough people going up and down to justify the expense. Now, if you replaced those treadmills at the base of the tower by a steam engine, it might be possible for one to serve both purposes."

Both captains instantly looked thoughtful, and then Bleskin brightened. "A place where such a device could be used most profitably would be the Lookout," he said. "Milady, would it be possible for an elevator to climb the height of such a cliff, do you think?"

Garia mulled it over. "It's certainly possible," she finally replied, "but Palarand would need to develop a little while before I'd consider tackling that cliff. You'll need steel all the way up for guides, and I would recommend steel wire to haul up the car as well. Over that distance ordinary rope would stretch too much." She shrugged. "Ten, fifteen years, maybe."

"As you say, milady." The two captains looked at one another.

The onlookers gradually dispersed until she was just left with Tarvan, the two captains and the young nobles. Marlin surprised her by coming up to her and bowing.

"Milady, I must offer you my deepest apologies. I did not understand the situation. This," he waved a hand at the steam engine, "proves that I have misunderstood you completely. This is beyond any possible imagining."

Garia was at a complete loss for words, so Keren responded for her.

"We all feel the same way, Marlin. Just when we think we've seen the most amazing thing it's possible to ever have, Garia comes out with something completely new. Perhaps you should attend your sisters. They show great interest in the mechanical world, and I would wager one or other might become a guildswoman in time."

Tarvan and Marlin did a double take, while both Dalenna and Terissa acquired smug smiles.

"Both of us, Highness," Dalenna said. "You don't think I'd let her do that on her own?"

Willan asked, "Milady Garia, did I hear you mention steam powered boats just now?"

Of course. Kendeven was essentially the seaward coast of Palarand, and the two would have much interest in matters nautical. Garia talked a little about steamboats of various kinds until the bell indicated dinner would shortly be served. It was a very thoughtful group who dispersed throughout the palace in order to change for dinner.

~o~O~o~

"Milady," Jenet said as the two made themselves ready for bed, "we must go to the wardrobe department tomorrow to find you some wet-weather gear."

"Oh? What does that consist of, Jenet?"

"Boots, a sort of overdress, a bonnet and a cape," the maid replied. "Of course, everyone else in the palace already has their gear but as a newcomer you are without. It shouldn't take us long, milady."

"Oh. How often am I likely to be going out, then? Does everyone just carry on when it's raining, or do you all stay indoors?"

"Mostly we stay inside, milady. If the rain is particularly heavy, it can become dangerous on the streets. But I know you will have meetings with the guildsmen, and it will be possible for carriages to move about most of the time."

"Oh. It's going to be interesting for me, Jenet. At home we don't have the sort of rain everyone's been telling me you get here, so it'll be a new experience for me."

"It is an experience I would gladly do without, milady. Though I know there are places around Alaesia which have hardly any rain, so I must be thankful that at least we have enough to grow all our food. How is your stomach today, mistress? Do you still think your... call may be coming early?"

"It is certainly possible, Jenet. I didn't expect to be so upset this morning, certainly! Why? Do you think I should talk to Margra?"

"That is your decision, milady. I ask because I can make the usual preparations if you think you are near. This is an unusual experience for me, for someone to have a call that we do not know the date of."

"All women are like this on Earth, Jenet. I guess they just go by how they feel. It's what you're used to, isn't it? Here you can use the calendar, there it's more going by the signs."

"As you say, milady. I shall make preparations tomorrow when we rise."

"Good night, Jenet."

"Good night, milady."