Chapter 14: Stepping Off

Dessria Way

The two lieutenants watched the vehicles of 3rd Recon Squad peel out in a cloud of dust with a mixture of relief and worry. They were relieved as the knights had been too taken off guard to give prompt chase and as the vehicles accelerated away, the knights, as Taylor expected, had settled for the birds in hand rather than engage in a futile chase as to their surprise, the other world carriages had no apparent difficulty with the terrain.

On the other hand, the two lieutenants now had the complete and undivided attention of over a dozen unhappy knights.

"So how do we get out of this?" Itami asked Taylor.

"Let me get back to you on that." Taylor replied calmly, never taking his eyes off 'White Rose'. "Who commands here?" Taylor demanded with all the authority he could put into his voice.

"I am Bozes Co Palesti!" 'Yellow Rose' replied, asserting her own authority. "Daughter of Marquis Palesti and Knight Commander of the Rose Order! You are our prisoners!" She insisted, continuing to hold her sword at Itami's throat. "We will go to Italica and you will answer the questions of the Imperial Princess," Bozes eyes narrowed. "And if Her Imperial Highness has been harmed…" She left the threat unspoken but clear.

Taylor carefully turned his head to address her, "We look forward to seeing Her Imperial Highness again."

"Search them," 'White Rose' ordered two other knights,

All right, Itami thought. Just remain calm. This might work out. They're taking reasonable precautions but they don't seem as antagonistic toward Taylor as toward me. Speaking with respect but demanding respect. Maybe that's what I did wrong? My posture and voice were too submissive? Well, It will be alright now. We'll go to Italica and that Princess will straighten it all out. Though I thought she said her knights were coming from the east? If they were coming up this road, why didn't we spot them on our way into Italica? We either should have passed them or they should have beaten us there.

Well, looks like there will be time to figure that out later, Itami decided as one of the knights searched him and removed his combat knife and sidearm among other things, the latter presumably more as an item of interest rather than interpreted as a threat, the former with a little bit of a frown. Stil it seemed that things would sort themselves out. The second knight searching Taylor in a likewise fashion.

Panache waited impatiently. She knew that part of her wanted to find an excuse, any excuse to lash out at these men. Were they not the enemy after all? Were they not of the people who had taken her little brother from her? The same people who now invaded her homeland?

And yet these men were prisoners. And she was a Knight Commander in the Rose Order. She knew that many 'real' soldiers, legionaries thought the Order and its ideals were a joke, that notions of honor and chivalry were meaningless. The question was what did she truly believe. She could take out her anger, frustration, and pain on these men. In exchange, she would admit that the detractors of the Order were right. That her own honor, as well as that of both the Order as a whole and that of Her Imperial Highness, counted for nothing. And that the admiration Tiberius had always shown for his older sister had been misplaced. Yes, she wanted to best this enemy in battle but if they were barbarians and cowards, must she become one herself? And as she uneasily watched these men, she began to think that she had erred in that hasty acceptance of 'common knowledge'. Had they not sacrificed their freedom for their fellows? Was that not in keeping with the same ideals she claimed to believe in?

Millet finished searching the fairer of the two men and presented the items she had confiscated to Panache. Likewise, Zivana had finished searching the shorter one and handed anything of interest to Bozes. Among the items handed to her, Panache eyed a simple coin purse with suspicion as she opened it to find Imperial Cinque and Silver Denarii.Perhaps I was premature in thinking better of these men?

"And what might you be doing with these?" She asked the fairer man in a tone of warning.

"Given to me by Lady Octavia, wife of Legate Germanicus," he replied.

Panache raised an eyebrow in surprise at that name. Octavia was a name that commanded respect even in the absence of her husband. "And what service might you have provided that house?"

"My Lady simply said that if I was to carry the name Octavus, then I should have a proper allowance and also something about commissioning a good swordsmith. Apparently, it amuses mother that my people create amazing things but can't craft a decent sword worthy of Her House name."

"Why didn't you say something about this earlier?" The other man protested, apparently equally surprised and ignoring the stunned look on Bozes face.

"First off, it's bad form to trade off the family name. Second, would you believe it if one of them told you she was adopted by Admiral Togo's granddaughter?"

"Who?" The shorter one asked.

"Unbelievable. You don't even know the name of one of the greatest heroes of your own country… Un-flipping-believable." The fairer man replied in apparent dismay at his compatriot. "I thought we agreed that the first priority was getting our people out of here before somebody made a mistake?" The two men seemed to be too busy to remember they were both still prisoners.

"Of course!" The shorter man agreed. "I was hoping to tell them we have an agreement with Princess Pina but if I can't get a word in edgewise?"

"But OUR copy of the agreement went back with Colonel Kengun," The other man replied. "I doubt they'll just take our word for it."

Bozes cleared her throat for attention, still holding her sword at Itami. "Interesting claims that you cannot prove at this time."

"Whether we accept these claims," Panache added, "You are still our prisoners. However, accepting that you may be speaking truthfully…" Panache paused in thought. Taking the prisoners to Italica on foot was not an option. Time was of the essence and if in fact, these men were not lying, dragging them behind galloping horses might not be a good move.

But Panache and Bozes were not about to simply trust these men either or to take careless chances. Obviously, the prisoners would have to be doubled up each with a knight on horseback and therefore, Bozes and Panache ordered the prisoners secured with wrists tied on the backs of their horses.

Several minutes later, the troop got underway for Italica at a full gallop.

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind!" Itami cried as he bounced roughly on the back of Bozes's horse.

Watching at a wary distance and undercover, the rest of 3rd Recon Squad carefully eyed the proceedings through field glasses.

"Well, at least they aren't dead." Kuwahara quipped as the knights rode off toward Italica.

"So what are we going to do?" Shino demanded.

"First thing we're going to do is to notify command that Lieutenant Itami and Lieutenant Taylor are engaged in negotiations and attempting to build goodwill. We want to keep the threat or use of force to a minimum." Kuwahara reminded them. "Second thing is for us to follow at a distance. I think we can be relatively certain they are heading for Italica but I don't intend to get caught by surprise again."

"Right." Shino agreed.

"Third is that rotating in shifts, everyone is to get a twenty-minute nap. Tired people make mistakes. That's part of what got us in this situation, to begin with." The old Sergeant Major admonished. Whatever course of action they took, they needed to be alert and not fighting their own fatigue.

Horseback riding lessons, Taylor thought to himself as they neared the gates of Italica once more. 'Mother' is going to say 'I told you so' when she finds out about this. She did offer to have someone teach me but no, this was a skill I was sure wouldn't come up. Well, it did and I feel like my lunch might too. Taylor was not exactly sure what had caused it, though perhaps Itami's attempts to steady himself by bracing his hands on Lady Bozes' behind might have had something to do with it as Bozes had suddenly and without warning, bet Panache ten denarii over which of them would reach the city gate first. The following miles had taught Taylor a few things. First was that Lady Panache was highly competitive, accepting her compatriot's challenge without any hesitation. The second was that thankfully, Panache was the better rider as she was able to keep pace with Bozes without jumping over rocks and ditches. The third point was that Taylor did not want to get on the bad side of these women, even in a state of truce as Itami could now attest.

Finally Panache reached the gate of Italica, much to her relief not only finding a city not only secure, as Taylor and Itami had promised but to find the rest of the advanced detachment having already arrived at the East gate as planned as Lady Merisa recognized the Order's colors and commanded the Gate be opened while she sent a messenger to inform Princess Pina that her Knight Commanders had arrived. Panache looked back over her shoulder at Bozes and grinned in satisfaction as Bozes nodded in relief. Bozes entered the gate and addressed Merisa as she approached.

"We have prisoners for Her Highness to question." Bozes declared as she dismounted her horse. As she drew a knife and cut Itami's bindings, the exhausted and thoroughly nauseous and unsteady JSDF officer unceremoniously slumped off the horse and to the ground. To Bozes' surprise, a gasp of shock and dismay came out of the gathering crowd of locals as two of the city guard rushed forward to pick up Itami.

Panache watched this and carefully dismounted, gesturing for Merisa. Panache cut Taylor's bindings. "Help me with this prisoner." As they eased Taylor down, he sank to his knees, spent. Panache and Bozes shared a look. This was going to be a difficult day.

A few minutes later, Bozes, Panache, Merisa, and Millet escorted the two prisoners to Countess Formar's mansion, where Princess Pina was ensconced. Entering the great room where Her Imperial Highness was waiting for them. Itami was now partially conscious though quite insensate and Taylor was trying and failing to follow the proceedings through a haze of exhaustion, his body stiff and sore and the two men slumped, sitting on the floor with their backs against the wall as Bozes and Panache knelt before Princess Pina to give their report.

Bozes began: "Highness, after receiving your message, we elected to form a fast detachment to ride ahead of our main force. Approaching Italica, Panache and I took several volunteers and opted to circle around to the South Gate where your message informed us the bandits were attacking. We hoped to reconnoiter their numbers and attempt to locate their camp. If we could surprise their camp with a determined mounted attack, we believed we could rout them in short order." Bozes took a breath, noting how Her Highnesses eyes were glancing over to where Hamilton was trying to get Itami to respond to her.

"We encountered a small group of unusual carriages heading south, away from Italica, I ordered them stopped. At which point we confirmed that they were part of the other world enemy at Alnus. We demanded their surrender. The two officers surrendering to give the carriages an opportunity to escape. They…" Her report was cut off as Pina dashed a wine goblet at her longtime friend and companion.

"Gods damned! Do you two have the slightest idea of what you've done!" Pina cried in anger, fear, and frustration. "You idiots!"

"Your Highness?" Panache asked, stunned by Pina's violent outburst as she took a cloth to tend the cut now bleeding on Bozes' forehead. "What have we done wrong?"

"Can't you tell?" Pina growled, looking to where Itami had just collapsed.

"They said there was an agreement but…" Panache tried to explain.

"Yes! An agreement that you two broke the day it was signed!"

"We did not know if they were telling the truth!" Bozes explained. "If they had been lying, we needed to detain them. I admit that I did initially strike one of them but once we took them into custody, we didn't intentionally injure them."

"You have no idea of how dangerous their people are. I saw with my own eyes the terrible engines and magics at their command! That you are here at all is by their choice! Their power renders honor, valor, and glory meaningless! If they choose to use this incident as an excuse to attack us, nothing could stand in their way! I will do everything I can to prevent that power from being turned on the Empire." She turned to Hamilton.

"Hamilton! Find Kaine! Inform her that Itami and Taylor are to be treated and cared for as honored guests. She is to take personal responsibility for them!"

"Yes, your Highness!"

Pina then turned to her two beloved friends and sighed. "Your actions were understandable but very unfortunate. Go rest. I must try to think of a way to fix this mess."

Relieved to see at least some of the anger gone from their Princess, liege, and friend, Bozes and Panache accepted their dismissal, bowed and left as Pina worried and tried to think of how to salvage this.

The bed was soft, the sheets were crisp and clean. There was a warm breeze and a gentle fragrance like lilacs in the air and every part of William Taylor's body ached as he woke. It was certainly the most comfortable bed he had ever been in. This was almost certainly a room in Countess Formar's mansion. It probably won't be long before the rest of the squad gets here. Well, I suppose that it's time to wake up. As his eyes focused, he glanced around

Three young ladies in the uniform of the Formar Palace maids stood at his bedside, eyeing him with curious expressions. The first was a bunny girl. It actually sort of figures, Taylor considered, thinking about Lady Octavia's own personal guards and retainers. Well hello, Thumper! He thought as he got a good look at her. Past the ears which were brown, to the blonde hair and hazel eyes. The other girls were a human with striking red hair and green eyes and surprise, surprise! a catgirl. Well, Kurata, they're here, Taylor mused, gazing upon the black hair and Blue black fur. My! Luna! What big eyes you have!

Presently they bowed and smiled.

"You are awake master!" 'Thumper' greeted him. She looked at the red-haired maid. "I will go inform Kaine that Master Taylor is awake." She turned back to Taylor and curtsied. "Excuse me, Master," she said and then left the room, to return but only a couple minutes later with the older, matronly woman, Taylor remembered from the negotiations as being Kaine, the head of Countess Myui's household staff.

Currently, the older woman began to speak.

"Ah! Lieutenant Taylor! Thesa told me you were awake. This is good news! I was just on my way to check on Sir Itami. You both have been treated horribly in exchange for your valor here. We would not blame either of you if you chose to destroy Italica in retribution for the wrongs done to you both. I will pledge Sir Itami my own hands in carrying out his vengeance but I only ask that Countess Myui be spared!"

Lieutenant Taylor blinked at this proclamation. They really thought that destroying a city was the proper response for Lese-majeste.

"I'm certain it won't come to that," He replied.

Kaine breathed a sigh of relief, although there was still considerable concern remaining in her expression. "It is good of you to say that. I only hope Sir Itami is as understanding. I will report to him that the knights responsible for the affront done you both have been firmly rebuked by Princess Pina and she has commanded that you both should receive our finest care."

"Well, I don't recall those knights having been here when we made the agreement with the Princess and with Italica, so I can't objectively fault them for taking action against a presumed enemy. Seriously, there were mistakes on both sides and I am glad that we managed to prevent escalation." Taylor answered.

"Again, I hope that Sir Itami agrees with your generous assessment. In the meantime, I am assigning Thesa, Katrine, and Madelyn to tend to your injuries and any need you may have."

"That's very kind of you," Taylor noticed that the Bunny girl was eyeing him with a smile as were the other two, if more subtly.

"Again, it is nothing for one of the warriors who saved our city." The woman replied and then left leaving the three maids behind.

Well, this HAS to be worth 5 stars in the Michelin Guide. Taylor thought as he resigned himself to cruel fate: Sooner or later the rest of the squad is going to show up and then it's back to work!

Meeting with Bozes and Panache, Princess Pina sighed.

"You attacked the Alliance, to whom we had guaranteed safe passage, taking hostage both Sir Itami and Sir Taylor. This is a serious breach of our treaty. They possess the power to fight off a Flame Dragon. If they make this a reason to make war with us, you can easily imagine what would happen to the Empire."

"Yes," Bozes admitted quietly. The two knights were shaken by how their apprehension of two of the bandits their Emperor had proclaimed were vested on sacred Alnus hill had turned into the threat of a war more devastating than anything they ever imagined.

Their Princess continued. She had to avert this disaster by any means necessary. She looked upon her knights, her friends, with resolve and regret,

"We must make them willing to forget this incident ever happened." Pina averted her gaze from her two friends and stared down into her own lap, dismayed by what she was about to order them to do. "And you need to use your bodies to accomplish that." She met their stunned eyes levelly. "You both deserve better than this but…" Her voice trailed off. Her two closest friends: Bozes could almost certainly claim the hand of any man in the Empire and Panache… Pina did not like engaging in palace gossip but it was generally known, though not spoken above a whisper, that Panache and Pina's half-brother Diablos had been connected until a recent falling out between them. Pina had seen her pain and out of respect and care for Panache, never questioned her about what had happened, though her brother's retainers were apparently much less discreet: Apparently Diablos had deemed it unworthy of his efforts to grant a particular favor to Panache and use his influence on her behalf. And now Pina had no choice but to ask this of her...

"As a daughter born to a noble family, I know what to do in such a situation. I shall offer my body up for the sake of you and the Empire." Bozes answered in true devotion to her Princess.

Panache closed her eyes. It was a necessary sacrifice. She would handle the other barbarian.

"For you, for the order and for the Empire," Panache affirmed, already steeling herself for the ordeal to come.

Taylor remembered touring 'The Breakers', the Vanderbilt Mansion in Newport, once. He recalled how imposing and isolating the bedrooms had seemed. Thankfully, although impressive, Countess Formar's Mansion still felt warm and embracing. As he waited for the rest of the squad to get here, Thesa, Katrine, and Madelyn continued to fuss over him. He would have been lying if he said he wasn't enjoying it. In the meantime, he felt reasonably certain the squad was somewhere in the city by now. Finally, he noticed Thesa's ears raise as if having picked up just the slightest sound.

"We have visitors outside."

"The rest of Sir Itami's men perhaps?" Madelyn considered. "I will see Kaine In case it is someone who would harm our guests, Master Taylor will be safe under your eyes." Madelyn proceeded to the door that connected Taylor's room to the one where Lieutenant Itami was being tended to.

"Mamina and Persia are looking into it," Kaine informed her.

In short order, it was confirmed that 3rd Recon had arrived and Lieutenant Itami had declared a 'cultural exchange', resulting in a veritable celebration in his room. Lieutenant Taylor still not feeling quite up to carrying his weary and still sore body to Itami's suite, waved for his minders to go enjoy the impromptu gathering rather than sit with him, listening to the merriment from a distance. Maybe Katrine will use Kurata as a scratching post? Mind what you wish for Sergeant. Taylor was content to simply rest.

So it was that Taylor was alone as Panache entered the suite. Truly only her devotion to Pina could give her the strength to do this thing. Of all the men in the Empire, Panache had only allowed Prince Diablos to touch her in an intimate fashion and even that was something she had no intention of allowing again. Not after he had so clearly demonstrated how little her concerns mattered to him! But now she had a duty to her Princess and to the Empire. The daughter of Baron Kalgi wore an outfit of only the finest silks available in the Empire. She took a deep breath and entered the room.

The American looked up in surprise as Panache entered. He remembered her quite well from before but the outfit she wore was something unexpected. See through? But then this whole thing had been one unexpected mess. At least it didn't seem as if she planned to kick the crap out of him. Not that he thought that the locals would take well to that if she did but no. Something else was at play here and recalling his long discussions on Saderan customs and societal rules with Lady Octavia, Taylor had a fairly good idea what. The trick was in handling this without it blowing up in his face. First, acknowledge her presence and assess the situation without creating or furthering expectations.

"Mi'lady? I apologize if these are supposed to be your chambers? One of us seems to be confused and I'm sure it's me."

Panache blinked. On the one hand, he was being quite courteous in tone. On the other hand, did this simpleton not understand that she was offering herself to him? Or worse? Was he being insulting by feigning ignorance? Am I not attractive enough? Not woman enough for him? The thought began to raise her ire. She forced herself to suppress it.

Princess Pina's will on this matter was clear. The JSDF and its allies were not to be antagonized into making war against the Empire. Unfortunately, Panache and Bozes had given provocation and would have to rectify this matter.

"Does the sight of me offend you, Sir Taylor?" She asked him.

Taylor blinked. "Not at all My lady. The sight of you is quite pleasing. Although why you would grant me the privilege escapes me."

Panache allowed some of her annoyance and frustration to fade. So he finds me attractive. But could he truly not understand my purpose here? Surely he is not so clueless?

"I have acted in a manner unbecoming toward you and I must atone for my error. Please… allow me to expunge my offense upon your person."

The lieutenant looked wide-eyed. This is really a thing here. This is truly a feudal society. The easy thing would be to go along with her. The right thing though… Damn it! Why can't the easy thing and the right thing ever be the same thing?

"My lady," he began carefully, "I fear you proceed from a false assumption." He raised a hand to stop her objection. "While you would do me a greater pleasure and honor than I merit, my honor would be forfeit. Your beauty is undeniable but I can only shame myself to be with you under your duress."

Panache was dumbfounded. This did not conform to the rules of her own society. It was oddly touching that the preservation of her dignity was considered a point of honor for the 'barbarian'. I guess that too has been a disservice born of ignorance to term a people 'barbarian' without knowing who they are. But it remained that she had a duty to her princess.

"I thank you for your kindness, but I must atone for my error," Panache told him. "And I must fulfill the commands of my Princess."

"Why would she think this was necessary?" Taylor asked.

"Because we violated the treaty she signed with you. Her Highness feels you might wish to use our offense as provocation to war upon us and Her Highness wishes to avoid this. To that end, I will do whatever I must."

Taylor pushed his aching body up out of bed and knelt before her.

"I pledge to you upon my sacred honor that such a thing will not happen. The fault was not yours. If anything, having secured Princess Pina's pledge of safe passage, it certainly should have occurred either to Lieutenant Itami or me to ask for a writ proving that such a guarantee had been given. That we did not is our error, not yours. You have nothing to atone for and my report to my superiors will state exactly that." Taylor promised.

Panache bowed her head in acceptance and relief. "You have my thanks."

Taylor simply nodded. At least until he heard Kuribayashi.

"What? Lieutenant Taylor is proposing!" Shino exclaimed as she happened to look through the open doorway between the two rooms. Taylor and Panache suddenly had over a dozen people staring at them. Most of them with stunned expressions, mostly giving way to smiles and grins.

Itami's grin was perhaps the most insufferable of all. "Do it! He's a great catch!"

That's not helping, Itami! Taylor thought and then a moment later witnessed a certain karmic justice as Bozes, angered from being completely ignored, leaped up onto Itami's bed and slapped him hard across the face.

Panache slumped.

"Oh dear." Taylor sighed.

It was only minutes later that Princess Pina was informed that an incident had occurred involving Lieutenant Itami. Her heart sank as Bozes admitted striking Itami again. Pina scrambled to find some way to repair the damage she believed to have been done. Her sense of panic rising when she was informed that Lieutenant Itami had been recalled to testify before Japan's National Diet. Seeing the situation slipping from her grasp, Pina declared without preamble that she would accompany Third Recon back to Alnus to offer a formal apology to Itami's superiors. After some discussion, the Princess would go to Alnus with an escort, accompanied by Bozes, Panache, and Hamilton. The latter was a last minute suggestion by Lieutenant Taylor as it only made sense for Princess Pina's Aide-de-camp, the very person who had put the negotiations between Italica and the Pacific Allies to paper, to be there to record everything and if needed, to comment on details regarding the agreement. As for Panache, it seemed reasonable….

Or do I just want to see her more? Taylor wondered.That's ridiculous! And at any rate, it was her insistence that she lead an escort for Her Highness.

We've radioed in our escort and passengers and our ETA. I'm sure that General Hazama and Colonel Lowe will make a suitable demonstration for their visit. Rory is right. It might not be Itami's intent, but they want the Princess to know fear like she's never imagined. They can't defeat us. We can break them. We can destroy them. And then what?

With Panache's insistence on an escort for Princess Pina, Taylor informed them that General Hazama had agreed the escort would be allowed to carry swords but not to draw them and that Panache needed to select knights who would not startle easily. Panache selected Merisa, Millet, Zivana, and as her second in command, a knight by the name of Vermouth, a tall lean, blonde haired young woman who had also been part of Bozes and Panache's advanced scouting party earlier.

"You're going to have to leave your horses here," Taylor told Panache. "There's too much chance of the horses spooking on the way in."

"More of your 'Iron carriages' then?" Panache asked.

"No, by helicopter: The 'Iron Pegasi' as Her Highness called them. It will be faster. I'll be flying back with you, so you will be waiting when Princess Pina arrives."

Panache grinned in anticipation. She loved speed. She had wanted to find a trainer to teach her to ride a dragon mount but given Hamilton's descriptions of the Iron Pegasi, this promised to be even more exhilarating. Her excitement only grew as she set eyes on the huge CH-53K King Stallion set down with two squads of Marines on board.

"We will await your safe arrival at Alnus, your Highness." Panache told her liege before boarding the 'Iron Pegasus' The marines keeping watchful eye on their guests though they need not have worried. With the exception of Panache whose fascination and excitement only grew as the helicopter accelerated to cruising speed, the knights accompanying her were too stunned to do more than feign calm and pray to the gods that the ride would soon end.

In a very short time, the King Stallion landed back at Alnus Base, dubbed 'Fort Defiance' by those in the American contingent. After the arrival of Princess Pina, Taylor was ordered to report to Colonel Lowe for debriefing while Pina, Bozes, and Hamilton were escorted to General Hazama's office and Kurokawa and Shino showed Panache and her knights to guest quarters.

Hours later, Pina and her companions returned from their meeting with General Hazama and to the shock of Panache and the others, announced that she intended to go through the Gate to Japan. In the meantime, Lieutenant Taylor had been informed that in the morning he would accompany Pina's group along with Itami and Sergeants Tomita and Shino. Passing Itami's open door, Taylor noted Lelei asleep on the 1st Lieutenant's cot and Itami fast asleep beside it. He gently closed the door. He had plenty of work still to do before he hit his rack for the night.

Tomorrow, after breakfast and a stop at medical for mandatory examinations, it would be time to take Princess Pina through the looking glass.

United States Embassy in Tokyo

Ambassador Stevens set the phone back on its cradle and looked up at his visitor with a smile. "Looks like we've finally found the opening we've been looking for."

William Russell, special representative of President John Merwin, nodded. "It's damn well about time."