It took a little while but now we return to Alnus.

Thanks again to all my readers and especially my commenters.

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The Janus Campaign

Chapter 19: Crossroads

Compared to the party which had accompanied her to Tokyo, the procession which now joined the Imperial Princess back through the Gate was a veritable triumph. In a way, there was as much truth as irony in that statement, for in coming to Tokyo, Pina Co Lada had secured more of a victory than the combined armies of the Empire and its allies had been able to manage.

In all, some five hundred Imperial citizens had elected to be repatriated in this first group. Some of these intended to remain at the Alnus settlement but most would continue on to Italica and then to their respective homes across the Empire. Joining them would be the first contingent of the Janus Academic Mission: A collection of scientists and scholars ranging from geologists to sociologists, linguists to zoologists, and astronomers to historians. Trucks filled with equipment and supplies and with military assigned drivers joined the column of horses and wagons that proceeded through the gate.

"And most of this mess is now my responsibility." William Taylor sighed, scowling as Itami laughed.

"How do you figure?"

"Simple: After escorting the Lady Agrippina home and hoping she doesn't find her spouse dwelling within, I take up residence as liaison in Italica. I get to make sure the science jockeys heading there are taken care of and kept happy, while at the same time making sure they don't over-step their bounds and create an incident of some sort. At the same time, as Pina's knights will be conducting patrols out of Italica, I have to make sure that Lady Panache and our people are on the same page so there isn't another incident like what happened to us."

"You're the best person for the job," Itami replied nonchalantly.

"I highly doubt it."

"Better you than me anyway," Itami countered. "Too much responsibility."

"I hate you," Taylor replied.

At least he wasn't entirely alone in his new posting, he reflected. With the first reduction in the population of detainees in her care, Colonel Mihara had reassigned Senior Chief Richardson and a number of other personnel to Italica with Taylor. This included Corporal Nakamura, who had been only half-jokingly dubbed the 'Disciple of Death' by her squadmates. What particularly disturbed Taylor about this is that Nakamura had reported to him hefting her own naginata, at which time she confirmed her status as a practitioner of naginatajutsu.

Of course, this didn't account for Aurelia. The Warrior Bunny was fast becoming a more constant companion than Taylor's own shadow. Fortunately, she was quick to grasp the boundaries required by operational security even if her understanding of personal boundaries was a bit different from Taylor's…

"She's what?" Colonel Mihara asked in surprise as she and Lady Octavia watched the convoy get underway.

Octavia smiled wryly. "I said that Aurelia is my husband's oldest daughter, born to Videlia, my husband's favorite concubine."

"I imagine that would be awkward," Mihara told her.

"Only in that as non-humans, Videlia, and Aurelia not allowed the rights of marriage as recognized under Imperial Law. Under those same laws, Aurelia cannot claim any rights of inheritance from Germanicus. The irony is not lost on me that I can adopt a foreigner and since he is human, he can inherit my father's titles but because of her heritage, Aurelia is denied the same rights."

"And I'm suspecting that you had something very specific in mind when you assigned Aurelia to be Taylor's minder," Mihara replied.

"Of course!" Octavia admitted. "While I understand your culture has a different view on such things, The title of 'concubine' is not a dirty word in our society. Were something to develop between them, I would be quite happy."

"It was my impression that you were hoping something would spark between Mister Taylor and Lady Panache?"

"I still am! I've noticed how they've been looking at each other when they didn't think anyone was watching. And their marriage would cement him in the upper reaches of our society. Panache's mother is a good and sensible woman, so I expect she too would quickly see the advantages of such a union. Even if the light in her daughter's eyes wasn't more than enough," Octavia answered.

"But in our culture, the two situations would not be viewed as mutually excluding. My husband has been with Videlia almost as long as he has been with me. We all understand each other quite well and there have been days when even the great soldier has found himself outnumbered and outmaneuvered. It is for them to choose. If my son finds himself with both of those very strong-willed young women at his side, I will be happy for him. If he chooses either of them, I will still be happy for him, and if he ends up with neither of them, I will simply hope that he finds the happiness he seeks. These things will resolve themselves as they should. Even an arch-plotter such as myself can only nudge the course of such things."

"I think if any such situation arises, it would be best kept on the other side of the Gate. The details of such best not discussed." Mihara replied drily.

"I suppose you are correct," Octavia agreed. "Though I must admit, that for such an advanced culture, your people could probably stand to loosen up a little." She smirked at the Colonel.

"I suppose that includes me as well, My lady?" Mihara asked mildly.

"Perhaps just a little. If I get back to the Empire, there's a wonderful little place I would like to take you, where the masseuses are all Vulpins," she said only half teasing. "They really know how to work the stress out."

Somewhere in the void between worlds, as the convoy transitted the Gate, William Taylor Octavus shivered.

"Is something wrong, my lord?" Aurelia asked, immediately noticing his discomfort.

"I don't know," he admitted. "To be honest, I'm not sure I want to know. Don't worry about it," he told her.

"Yes, my lord," Aurelia answered, venturing a small smile. When Lady Octavia had informed her that she would be accompanying the heir back to their homelands, Octavia had explained everything that was expected of her but also that this was an opportunity, that she hoped Aurelia would know the feelings that Octavia and Aurelia's mother shared for her father.

Just be open to your possibilities, Octavia had told her.

Soon transit was completed. While Her Imperial Highness was understandably anxious to hurry on to Italica, she needed to gather up Millet and Vermouth, her knights in residence, and debrief them before becoming acquainted with the horses Panache had selected for the return trip. In the meantime, Lieutenant Yanagida was waiting for them with instructions to escort the diplomatic party to General Hazama's office.

For his part, Taylor reported in to Colonel Emerson before going down to the settlement camp to check on Aenaire and her son. With only three elves in Alnus settlement, he worried about them. Tuka seemed content as long as she was near Itami but Aenaire was a single mother cut off from her culture. Her considerable skills of less importance at Alnus. Taylor had some ideas on that as he and Aurelia walked down the neat line of cottages to one where a plum tree and a pair of blackthorns were now growing, carefully tended out front, still quite small but adding a definite touch of warmth and character to the environment. Taylor firmly but politely knocked.

After a moment or two, the door opened to the pleasant face of Aenaire. At three hundred, the High Elf combined classical beauty with a quiet serenity.

"Ah! Hello, Taylor!" She greeted. "Your journey went well, I trust?"

"It was eventful," he replied mildly, glancing over at Aurelia. "Oh! This is Aurelia, my newly assigned minder."

The Warrior Bunny bowed in deference to the Elf. "It is a pleasure to meet one of the High Race, though I am surprised to meet one so far from the Great Northern Forests."

"While the vast majority of our people live there, there are villages scattered across the continent at least. I have, in fact, heard tales of seafaring elves. So it is possible that our people reach beyond Falmart." She shook her head. "But forgive me. We need not stand in the doorway all day! Please, come in." Aenaire smiled, inviting them inside."Please, sit!" She retrieved two cups and filled them with cider before filling another for herself.

"I'm glad someone is keeping an eye on this one," the elf indicated Taylor to Aurelia. "It seems he has a talent for falling into trouble."

"My Lady has noted the same thing," Aurelia remarked.

"Indeed?"

Taylor rolled his eyes. "I'm sitting right here, you know." He reminded them.

"A good thing too," Aenaire teased. "You're where we can both keep an eye on you."

"Itami's the one getting into trouble!" Taylor objected. "I just happen to be there when he does." It was time to change the subject. "Anyway, I came by to see how you and Galador were doing."

Aenaire gave a wistful smile. "I cannot complain. We are alive and together thanks to you. Our needs are met. I make a little money by making preserves and other things. There is still small game to be had and I've finished building a simple bow." She paused. "Mainly, I worry about Galador. It isn't that the other children are unkind. But he is the only elf. It's hard for him to fit in."

"I may be able to help with that," Taylor considered after a moment of consideration. "I'm being sent to the City of Italica. My people want to learn more about this world so they're sending scholars of all kinds and The Imperial Princess has agreed to let them set up their studies in Italica. I have a fair relationship with the knight she's leaving in charge there so I'm supposed to be the 'go-between' between her and these scholars, making sure everyone gets along. I'd like you and Galador to come with me. I'm certain there will be people who will want to talk to you at length about your culture, your language, the history of your people and your stories. And I know that there are races other than humans living in Italica. Galador wouldn't have to feel like he was the only one different there."

Aenaire considered the offer. "I'm not sure. Where would we live? And we can't rely on charity forever. What would I do when not conversing with these learned men of yours?"

Taylor thought for a moment. "You'll both be welcome in my home. And you said it yourself. I need as much help looking after myself as I can get. I mean it."

"Are you sure?" She glanced between Taylor and Aurelia. The Warrior Bunny's eyes seem to twinkle mischievously.

"I insist. Please come?"

Aenaire thought carefully and nodded. "Alright."

"Good! It's settled then!"

Aenaire nodded. It wasn't like anyone would ever hold them to the details of this little agreement.

In the meantime, Aurelia suppressed a smirk. She wasn't entirely certain but if she was correct in her understanding... Oh! My Lord! If you only knew what you've gotten yourself into!"

Not far from Aenaire's quarters, Rory Mercury was receiving a visitor of her own. The worn features of the shepherd were by now a familiar sight to the soldiers and refugees around Alnus and few seemed to take any particular notice of his comings and goings as he talked about looking for his flock. It was of no real surprise that the old man would come to pay respect to the Apostle of Emroy as she was seen by many as the patron of the Alnus settlement.

"Shall we take a walk, your eminence?"

Rory nodded pleasantly at the invitation.

"So little one? I heard that you went on a little adventure?"

Rory nodded, reminding herself once more that though mostly ignored among the deities of Falmart, that Corus was far from merely an aspect of the forge god Duncan and was in fact much older than Duncan or indeed, older than any of the twelve exalted ones. "It is an amazing world beyond the Gate."

The old one nodded. "I would imagine! I have seen that their weapons are far beyond those of this world. Probably beyond what Hardy imagines but what else did you see?"

"A city that stretches as far as human eyes can see, towers rising into the sky and filled with millions of people!" Rory considered everything she had seen carefully, especially the people who looked at her and the others with curiosity and those who had wanted to use them for their own ends. "Millions of people. They have great wealth and abundance. Still, all human… the noble and the petty, generous and greedy. Humans with ambitions… As a people, they are the same as any other but their knowledge gives them the potential to do both great and terrible things."

"Just as do we," Corus reminded her. "Which is more dangerous, knowledge or ignorance?"

Rory smiled. "Knowledge can either harm or help. Ignorance can destroy but it can never create."

"Very good!" The old shepherd replied.

"And that knowledge is coming as I see that Hardy has let the children jam the door open," Corus noted. "I'll have to have a talk with her soon."

Rory shivered slightly. Hardy made even her nervous but if Corus said that he was planning to go into Hardy's realm, then the underworld would be no safe haven for its mistress if the older god decided to 'admonish' her.

Corus noted Rory's expression and waved it off. "Even with all of her flaws… Even though I have had to fix a few of her mistakes... I would not wish to see her hurt. But change is coming. Ignoring it won't help."

Rory frowned as she considered the sights she had seen in the other world.

"Of course, we've done our collective best to keep the races of this world from advancing too much. Whether that means too much for their own good or what we're comfortable with is the question," Corus noted. "Children need to grow. Sometimes, they even need to feel pain, as much as we would wish otherwise."

Rory turned to look upon the old god. "What are you thinking?"

"That by keeping them from growing, we're inhibiting our own advancement. The gods play with their toys and break them when they get bored. That's not enough for me." He stopped and smiled.

"In the meantime, your final ascension will be only a few years. You must be excited."

"There are things I will miss," Rory admitted.

"Oh? Tell me."

"I will lose the ability to feel! I want to live, not just exist."

At this, the old shepherd laughed in genuine amusement. Rory flashed him a look and he held up his hand in apology.

"I'm sorry child but you believe that nonsense?" He asked in disbelief.

"Nonsense?" Rory objected.

"Total nonsense! Do I strike you as a being who doesn't feel? Is a lack of feeling why Hardy pines to have you in her chambers?"

Rory threw him a disgusted look at that but Corus merely continued.

"This lack of emotion must be why Emroy is such a calm, mellow figure. Oh! Rory! A sword is still a sword, no matter what metal it is forged from or how it is reforged. All born of mortal flesh! We are who we are!" He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"If a new age is to come, there will be a need for someone to help guide it. "

"I am still the Apostle of Emroy. I must follow his will." Rory reminded.

"As long as he gets his blood and souls and trust me! As long as mortals are mortals, he will! Emroy does not care how you carry out your duties. Trust me on this." Corus smiled.

"Well! I feel I have taken enough of your time, your eminence! I must be about my flock! May the gods find you in their favor!" With that, the shepherd left Rory with things to consider, including one particular and personally relevant observation.

Youji... I think this game just became much more interesting!