In the time of Oharu

The Second Volume November 1936 to November 1937

Chapter 5

by David Reese Dorrycott

Spontoon Island created by Mr. Ken Fletcher. Used with permission.

Songmark and other characters (See Appendix A for complete character listing)

created by Mr. Simon Barber used with permission.

February 19th^th, 1937

Millicent Holmes surrendered her invitation to the German guard, stepping aside enough to allow others better known than herself free passage while the shepard and his supervisor checked her name against the list. “Ah, Fräulein, you may proceed” the officer announced, returning her card to her. His look though was one of distrust. On one her last two visits the English tabby had not been invited, had no card with her yet had bluffed her way past both his guard and himself. Much to his later regret. This time though she had an invitation. How things did change he thought, watching as the attractive feline entered the building. Such an impressive... presence he thought before turning his attention to the next card passed to him.

Millicent though was ecstatic. First the Swedish birthday party, where she found herself watched carefully. Then later the Japanese festival where her connections with a certain Priestess left many uneasy as to how, or even if to approach her. Yet it had been exactly that still tenuous connection that had landed her the invitation. And the American party where so much had happened. Now this, the German Consulates birthday. All events had been where she was able to offer that wonderful ivory pastecard. Those first three times it had simply said GUEST. This time the card had her name embossed upon it in silver. She was official again. No longer slipping along the walls in hopes of not being ejected too soon. Of avoiding everyone not her own age, and even then having nothing as impressive as this gown to wear. Her Tatiana had been correct yet again, and the thrice weekly sessions at Madam Maxine’s had truly given her preparation she had not been given by her parents. Now she understood some of the signals that passed from party to party, along with knowing not to admit she had seen them and certainly never to repeat them. Lest she find herself in an upstairs bedroom, with a locked door between herself and any hope of freedom. She also knew which fork to use with which food, which spoon went where and not to speak unless first spoken too. Certainly never to a male unless introduced first.

Her pride though was the low cut very fashionable dress her own consulate had arranged for her. A pale peach color it showed a great deal of upper fur. So much so that she had expressed discomfort to the seamstress as she worked upon it.

“Nah worry deerie” the doe had explained. “Tis only iff someon opens tha back tha yer gonna show yer true treasures. Say breath out nah...”

At Madam Maxine’s though the answer had been much different. “Tease dear girl. You must tease, not so blatantly advertise.” A thin layer of matching fine lace had been added to her decolletage, muting what had once been to open view. Then Madam Maxine’s seamstress had further tightened certain parts of the dress while loosening others. Especially in one certain place where she was none too politely instructed to wear a dagger. “A lady is a lady, until a cad decides otherwise. Never be afraid to defend your honor, for any gentleman will understand. A cad never will” she was told. Before she could complain one of Madam Maxine’s girls had already arrived with a deadly looking blade, quickly strapping it to Millicent’s leg where she could draw it from a very well hidden slit that had been added to her skirt.

When she argued Madam Maxine herself hushed her. “Your honor may be nothing to you child. It is everything to your Tatiana. How you comport yourself reflects upon her. That blade was chosen by her, not we.“ At those words Millicent had ceased her complaints. Humiliation was one thing, to humiliate Tatiana. No, she most never allow that. Not to her love. Not ever.

Thus it was she found herself standing in the German ballroom wearing a dress her mother would go into shock simply to see, with a deadly blade again strapped to the inside of her leg, thus out of sight. This was the second party she had worn such, and though less self conscious about the matter she still could not quite put away the naughtiness of her devices position and where it touched when she sat. Tatiana had inspected her, accepted what was then warned her to keep her paws away from that knife ‘Unless life in danger.’ Thus she had.

A young collie greeted her, taking her card to the older doberman acting as herald for this event. It was a shiver of delight to hear him announce her name, “Representing the youth of the English Consulate” he finished, his voice deep, commanding. Stepping forward into her few seconds of limelight she curtsied to those present, then made her way to those of lessor rank such as herself. Always now she moved among them with eyes and ears open. How much useful information had she herself let free, prattling along like a canary in her own self importance those other times the feline asked herself. How many now looked upon her as a source of useful, if not yet too important information. As the two young and rather attractive always hunting males, both foxes approached her she ticked off both nations. The Japanese and the Americans. So, she would play them to her best ability, but not try for further. Both would be too much better at this game than she after all. It was her duty to bring back only tidbits of information, not some great military coup. Putting on her best smile she went forwards to greet the two.

“Welcome to the shindig” the American fox said in greeting.

“Shin Dig?” Millicent asked, amused. “I assumed that we were to attend a social event of some importance. Not to dig shins.” Once she would have agreed even though the term was rather crass, trying to fit in. Now all that had changed.

Hardly a flicker of emotion crossed the Japanese foxes face. “I believe that my companion referred to this event” he explained, privately amused at the American’s gaff. This was an impressive female, for a Gajin. A very impressive female. He found it hard to take his eyes off her chest, for Japanese women did not have nor display such... He pulled his thoughts back on tract. “We have never formally been introduced My Lady” he continued. “I am Nakamura Sadaharu. My companion is Mr. Grant Underwood. You are?”

“English” Millicent replied. “Nakamura, your clan is from...” She rummaged through the information her future mother in law had given her. “From Toyama Prefecture yes?”

“My family is from that Prefecture yes. I though was born in Edo proper. How is it you are so aware of such things?” Sadaharu ignored the look his American companion gave him. They were always in battle, this time each attempting to capture this delightful female before them and she had given him first salvo rights. He certainly was not going to let such an opening slip away so easily, though he had been carefully briefed about her connection with the odd exile known as Wei Oharu whom no one now know how to react too.

“I could claim a very lucky guess” Millicent answered. “Yet to be honest I have been studying Cipangu and her history of late. It has been suggested to me that a few years in your country might broaden my outlook of this world.”

‘Broaden’ Sadaharu repeated in his mind, his eyes again traveling down below this delightful creatures neck. ‘Oh I would much like to broaden...’ He shook himself, realizing he had again lost track of his thoughts. Only then did he realize that the hairs of his tail were beginning to straighten. This would not do, it simply would not do. “Would you a drink” he asked, searching for a temporary withdrawal to regroup.

“Why yes. Tea if they have it. A Sherry if not.”

“Very good. Grant? If you will keep our dear lady company please?” Making his successful withdrawal the Japanese fox made his escape. He had been to many of these events, spoken to this woman once before and discarded her. Why did she now have such an effect. Why, she had straddled his hull with her first ranging fire, split a seam with but her presence. Oh what a presence she had. He had to try another course. And that scent, why was she wearing Jasmin? He so loved that scent.

Grant Underwood was used to such battles with his long time friend. It would be quite interesting to hear how the winner came out with this one. He too remembered Millicent, though with less clarity than Sadaharu for English girls were always so plain that he usually ignored them. But Millicent.. Yes, that was her name. “Millicent English?” he asked gently.

Millicent laughed at the name. So someone had remembered her. She well remembered these two though. Most of the younger crowd had a very specific opinion of these two. Fun to play with, but not for long term commitment. “Millicent only” she answered. “I do not use my fathers name for personal reasons. He is somewhat important within the Diplomatic world. I wish to make my own way. Miss Millicent, if you please. My back if you do not.”

‘Ah’ he thought. ‘This one has changed.’ “Miss Millicent then it shall be” he answered. “I apologize for my earlier crassness, however you must remember that the last time we met, a year ago, you were a much different woman.”

“I was a girl” Millicent corrected softly. There was after all no reason to anger the American and he was right. “A foolish young girl. Though it has been only a year I have been shall we say, brought to heel?” She smiled, and her smile caught the American by surprise. He had expected haughtiness from this English girl, like all English women. Yet she seemed approachable. Though from what he could see her approaches would have to be navigated with extreme care.

Grant mentally slapped himself. He was at the German Consulate representing his uncle. He had to keep his mind out of the gutter, at least until after the party. Yet this Millicent had changed, why was she was so attractive now. What in the world he wondered would have created such a change so quickly. Did she have a lover? Yes, she must. It would explain her new found assuredness. But whom, and how could he pry her away from him for at least a night. That was now his main goal. Perhaps letting Sadaharu throw himself against those impressive bulwarks in vain would be the trick. Again he mentally slapped himself, speaking carefully. He was better than this, so why was he tripping up now?

“We all grow as time passes” he said, slipping into his most effective ‘praise them, then slowly edge yourself into their confidence’ mode. “I think you though have changed the most of we three, seeing as I remember a young kitten scurrying along the walls trying not to be approached. I think the change is wonderful really.”

“Thank you” Millicent answered. He had caught her off guard slightly, only Sadaharu’s return with a glass of Sherry gave her a chance to recover. Thanking the Japanese fox she sipped her drink slowly, looking for a way out. By themselves these two might just be manageable, but together they had her at too great a disadvantage. She needed more time to perfect her social abilities, at least a century or too. ‘Father’ she thought as she sipped a bit more of her drink. ‘Why did you and mother deny me social training.’ That her parents might not have been able to afford such for yet another daughter didn’t occur to her.

“Oh, and who is this delightful creature” a dusky female voice asked from behind Millicent. Turning she found herself staring into the eyes of a very well dressed otter. A female otter who’s slightly military cut of clothing announced her as German.

“This is Miss Millicent, from the English side of the fence” Grant announced, pre-empting Sadaharu’s opportunity. “Miss Millicent, please. May I introduce Fraulein Jarvinia Schwarzkopf. Her father is Director of Communications here.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you again Miss Schwarzkopf” Millicent announced, giving the somewhat older looking girl a slight curtsy as she had been taught to do in such cases.

“And so polite” the otter nearly gushed. “Oh I must talk to her alone for time. You boy now go wander away please?”

Millicent had enough training to give both boys a practiced, near pleading look. One both took as ‘please do not leave me with her.’ But social niceties aside, it was the German Consulate so within their own group Jarvinia outranked them all, at this time. Giving excuses both young men backed away, turning for other prey.

“Come. We will talk yah?” the otter asked. Giving up to the inevitable Millicent followed the otter to a slightly more private area, a small balcony overlooking the consulates small garden. With the balconies French doors closed behind them Jarvinia allowed a short laugh to escape her. “You were I think two timed” she explained. “Those two. They are always on the hunt. They are very good. Welcome to my place of private escape.”

“Thank you, I think” Millicent answered. “Those two did not know we are already very well acquainted? That seems strange.” She carefully finished her drink, looking for a place to leave the empty glass when Jarvinia gently plucked it from her paw, tossing it over the balcony into a pool below.

“Is my job search garden after parties, to find such” she explained. “Glass not often break in pool, when hit path is large mess.” She smiled down at the ripples bouncing along the pools surface. “I am not important here Miss Millicent. I am youngest daughter of widower who likes parties. But you have not yet given me last name though you know mine. Yes, they miss some small hints, more interested in hunt I fear. Big mistake that they make. Big mistake I make. Returning home in towel big embarressment.”

“I haven’t given my last name to anyone” Millicent explained. “Like yourself, my father is in the Diplomatic Corps. But he is an Ambassador to another country far away. I prefer not to rely upon his name, yet make my own way in this life. Also, should I create a problem it will not reflect upon him. My father and I do not often agree, still damaging his career with my own errors is not something I wish to do.”

“Ah, that is impressive” Jarvinia agreed. “So many, they want stand on father, mothers reputation. Sadaharu is like that. His father is important military officer. Give him chance he will melt ears off speaking of father and family.”

Was it the Sherry Millicent asked herself, or had the otter moved slightly closer as she had at the American party. It was the otter she decided, for she had only had a very little Sherry. Best to be careful with this one the tabby decided. A game was one thing, a night together another. But she had been so carefully instructed about this one. Tatiana had taken time to tell her how to proceed. Having taken the otter once on a bet, it would be dangerous to do so again without specific instructions. “Like yourself Miss Schwarzkopf, I am proud of my family history and parents” Millicent continued, edging slightly away. “Why, should you ask I believe that I too could talk your ears off with such stories.”

“Touche Miss Holmes” the otter laughed. “We are all like that. To impress others with what we are, what we know. Will there be war?”

“What?” Millicent asked, caught off guard.

“I think you are not such the fool you have lead others to think this last year or so” Jarvinia explained. “And yes your name is well known to me. After our... bet. Today you are much the lady. Do not be upset, for we are all watched. You have been spending much time at Madam Maxine’s. For a cleric that must be of great expense. You have decided to stop playing the spoiled child?”

Millicent shrugged, her visits to that place were open knowledge after all. “I found myself lacking in certain social graces. A good friend suggested Madam Maxine as an effective social instructor. As long as I requested only social instruction. She is paying for my instruction.”

“Not how to say, entice boys” the otter asked. Her finger touched the lace on Millicent’s dress. “Very nice touch. Much her style for higher society.” This time the otter did not laugh. “I have studied there too. What father calls touch up.” She noted Millicent move slightly away from her again, the motion causing her to smile. “We are watched Miss Millicent” she warned in a much lower voice. “Your two paramours wish know if you are really Sappic, or just act for Russian Songmark girl. They not know yet of our, meeting.”

“We are to be married soon” Millicent admitted. Of course her situation with Tatiana would be common knowledge among these people. Well, best to simply let things continue to be in the open. Perhaps her watching of others might be taken as interest in other women, though she in truth was not really. Not with Tatiana always in her arms. “Our date will be posted in the Daily Ellie, should that interest you or your watchers.”

Jarvinia moved closer again. “Then is not act? That night, not adventure?” she asked seriously. “These meetings with your Russian? You are truly hers?”

“If you come any closer” Millicent warned, “I will most certainly prove to you that my love for Tatiana is no act. That night was no act either. I much enjoyed you then my German friend. Yes, she is truly my desire.”

“Ah, then you would shoot me?”

“Shoot?” Millicent asked. “I have no gun.”

Jarvinia actually stepped back, turning to face Millicent at an angle that hid her right side from others view. “You are but unarmed? Among these wolves?” Moving a bit of her dress that could not be seen by anyone but Millicent the otter allowed a slit in her skirt to open, the grip of a luger was then exposed. “Foolish girl. I will protect you then. This time. Be more careful, for though those two are fairly safe, many here are not. Especially when one is so attractive. I will not always be here.”

“And I am safer than those two?” Millicent asked. Boldly she moved closer to Jarvinia. Tatiana had told her that opportunity never comes twice. The absolute worst she could expect in such cases was a slap. Her paw easily slipped into that slit, avoiding the hard iron weapon for softer, warmer places. Much less defended places she was shocked to discover, still it did not slow her movements.

Jarvinia gasped, trying to move away only to realize that doing so would expose where the tabbies paw was. “You are bold” she whispered. “In so... oh my God” she whimpered as Millicent’s fingers found their mark and her legs weakened. “Do not do this. Please. Not here. I will go with you to your room but please. Not here.”

“I am very much in love with Tatiana” Millicent whispered as she continued to explore. Her heart raced, for this moment she was in control, she was the aggressor. It felt stunningly wonderful. “You may freely tell your friends that I am not available for any male, and if forced it will be Tatiana who exacts payment. Tatiana and her mother.” She very slowly withdrew her paw, finally turning her back to the doors so that, as she licked her fingers no one but the otter could see. “Tatiana would like you, you are very sweet” she continued. “I find you even more desirable.”

Flustered the German girl started to move away, then remembered her watchers and instead moved closer. “No woman has ever so” she gasped, bringing herself back under control with difficulty.

“Perhaps then Germany and England should have another private meeting, to discuss the possibility of war. Or should I explore those wild lands again now? Yes Miss Schwarzkopf. Tatiana has asked me to find my own releases since she is so rarely available. Tatiana has explained her fears about the future. I myself have made but a little investigation into such matters, for as you are well aware I am as yet nothing but the lowest of clerks. As yet. I do have dreams, as do you I think. One day, if I continue to work very hard I might become a Diplomats aid. Or even with great luck a Diplomat to some tiny country. That would be a challenge I much would like very much to face square on. Still yes, there will be war. Whom against whom I do not know, but I fear for all of us.”

“You are then a spy?” the German girl asked, finding herself leaning against the younger feline. Finding herself wanting that touch again but knowing to do so would be absolute madness. Only the tabbies unexpected action had allowed her watchers to miss it. They could not do so again.

Millicent smelled the otters scent, enjoyed it. She even made so bold as to lift one paw, placing it against the otters breast that could not be seen by those inside. “Oh yes. I dream to end up with my head on a French wall as well. No Jarvinia, I am no spy. Your own investigations will tell you that.” She released her grip, turned carefully away and looked down at her paws, sighing. “I wanted adventure, instead I found boredom. Until I found my Tatiana. Trust me in this my dear otter, Tatiana is all the adventure I can possibly manage. Now or ever. I will have children for her and be the most happy woman alive. But stick my head into the guillotine for men who will simply shake their heads at my death, then release yet another like me to the wolves? No thank you. You be the spy if that is your wish. Let me enjoy my life, make friends. Let me see what the world has to offer with my Tatiana before all our rulers turn everything to black ash.”

“You are true romantic” Jarvinia decided. “Bold, still romantic. I think maybe I like you. Still. Better we return to party Ja?”

“So that you may escape this dangerous tabby” Millicent asked. “Oh yes, let us let free the otter, that she may amuse her friends with her adventures. I will not speak of that night between us, my word upon that. But I shall not step alone upon a balcony with any other but you today, warn them of that.” She turned to leave, to feel her sleeve pulled lightly. Turning to face the otter again Millicent oddly found herself amused at the emotions crossing that face.

“You not understand, no I see now. You are beginning social. This was not test, not joke. I try save you from hunters, because I like you, but you turn table on me. I think Millicent I might like you as true friend. But must think upon this. What last name you take when marry?”

“Wei” Millicent answered, then gently pulled herself away to open the doors and return to the party.

Late that next morning Millicent finished her report. What she had noted, whom she had met and especially her encounter with Miss Schwarzkopf. She placed no personal views upon her observations, other than to say that she had no idea what had come over her to make such advances to the German girl. Finally she signed her report with the code name she had been given and slipped the entire thing into her Most Secret case. It would be delivered directly from her paws to those of Jacob Dasher. Though Captain Heller was her normal ‘controller’ as Tatiana called them, all her reports went directly to Dasher without exception. Later, after delivering Dasher’s materials to him she continued on her business, unaware and uncaring of what her report would bring in the future. If anything.

Across the way in the German Consulate Jarvinia Schwarzkopf too was giving her report. This one though was in person and in her native language. “And this English woman. Millicent is her name?”

“Yes Major” Jarvinia answered the mastiff. Gone was the helpful young woman, replaced with a harder, more professional personality. Jarvinia had been trained by some of Germany’s best after all. “Millicent, she would give no last name though we do know her father. Se did not argue when I used such.”

“Yes. Incorruptible and not at all too incompetent. For a Diplomat. Your opinion of this woman?”

“She has been turned by the Russian Major. Not that it matters, her interests are of the flesh, not the mind. I do not believe she could be more than the most minor of observers.”

“Yet she took you by surprise.”

“Yes Major, she did. After our night, a bet I lost at your orders sir. After that I expected only words, shock at least to find me armed in what is basically a minor embassy. Yet instead she moved on me. We were watched, I could not defend with violence. By the time I determined a counter she was already at her goal.”

“You do not mind such attention?”

“Major. I was trained to do what needs to be done for the Fatherland, for our leader. No Major, I was not bothered by her action, only humiliated that such a child could so easily place me into such a position. I was also chosen as I do not mind whom I am with, as long as it is my choice.”

“She would be your choice?”

Looking at her paws the otter thought but for a moment. “She has raw talent. She is aggressive but only barely so. She is interesting, attractive, possibly even intelligent. Yes, she could be were it not for the Russian. But only as an aside I believe. She has not the aggression I desire.”

“So you are certain that the Russian controls her?”

“Absolutely Major” the otter answered. “Karl has tracked the money paying for her lessons directly to the Russians. At every moment this Tatiana is free from her studies Millicent is with her, her own career allowing. It is her single warning that bothers me.”

Picking up Jarvinia’s report the mastiff studied it a moment. “Ah, she says that, ‘if forced it will be Tatiana who exacts payment. Tatiana and her mother.’ Then she has been warned well, and has powerful allies. I myself would not wish to cross this Oharu.”

“She is but a stage magician” Jarvinia countered. “Nothing but a confidence artist, a liar, a cheap player of others emotions. I will happily stand before her.”

“And be crushed as others before you have been” the Major warned. “Still I may find myself accepting your offer. Beware, it will probably be the last time I ever see you alive. Could you take this Russian?”

This time Jarvinia delayed her answer, eventually licking her lips. “I do not think so” she admitted. “My skills are not in combat. I have basic skills yes. This Millicent, easily so. I have seen what even a second year Songmark girl can do. Tatiana came already trained in Russias best fighting styles. No Major, even in an unfair fight I do not think that I am any match for the Russian. I am aware of my limitations.”

“Millicent will warn her of your luger, which will warn her of your abilities. Perhaps that move was a mistake, still it is done. We will work around it. I wish you to think of this encounter. Watch her. It may be that we will need to become involved. We may not, still it is an opening for when we invade Russia it would be best to know as much as we can in advance. Now about these twin terror foxes. They were up to their normal activities? You have managed to fully insinuate yourself into their confidences?”

Major Thomas William Hawkins sat aside Millicent’s report. “I know well Jarvinia Schwarzkopf. She is a minor German Agent. A small P, but larger than Millicent.” He pulled out his pipe, absently tapping his open paw with the device. “She is not really a violent woman, so why show our girl a weapon then?”

Dasher turned from opening his window, letting his eyes adjust to the rooms somewhat brighter light at this time of day. “Many possible reasons. Try to befriend her perhaps. Or simply discover why she is marrying Tatiana. It is a rather exciting bit of gossip among the women here after all. And I believe it will be Dhaka who assaults her. The girl simply cannot stop complaining abut this pairing.”

“Perhaps” the bulldog agreed, now absently sucking on his cold pipe. He had stopped smoking when his second wife had become ill though he always carried a pipe. It was a habit impossible for him to break. “Certainly the Germans would wonder why a Russian agent was after an English clerk. There are also those rumors, that house painter might have eyes on Russia. Gather in Millicent, whom we both know could never become a good agent, use her as a wedge to gain Tatiana’s trust? Tell me please. She didn’t acknowledge that she carried a knife did she?”

“How... No sir, she claims she did not.”

“For how. Sergeant Proud found himself instructing her on proper knife work. He of course asked why she would need such training. Millicent of course almost gave the poor fellow a heart attack when she showed him the device, while still wearing it”

Dasher chuckled. “Wha ahll tha bloody CHEEK!” Both men laughed at Dashers imitation of the infamously serious Sergeant. “He probably hasn’t seen that much young English female fur in years” Dasher managed through his laughter.

“Without paying for it” Hawkins agreed through his own laughter. Fighting his laughter Hawkins managed to gain control of himself. “She is awfully innocent in the oddest ways. Much like young Amelia. Why that one move had Proud so flustered it took until next morning for him to return to normal. Yet she had no idea what she had done to him. Still she is the only material we have to work with right now. Order Proud to suck it up and train her as best he can how to use that blade. Remind him that she’ll probably lose her lunch the first time she nicks someone then sees blood. Then tell Millicent that if this Schwarzkopf continues her friendly advances to feel her out. No wait, not...” He broke up laughing again.

“Warn her the German is possible dangerous, but to try and make a friend of her anyway. Such friendships may prove fruitful later?”

“Something like that” Hawkins managed through his giggles. “Oh God in Heaven I haven’t laughed this much in years.”

That night Millicent pulled Tatiana tighter against her, even though the sable was already laying on top of her. “Have I ever told you that I love you” she asked softly. Outside it was raining, as it had been since Friday morning.

“Dah. Couple dozen time now” Tatiana answered. She was tired, it had been a long day at Songmark and only by the skin of her claws had Liberty managed to gain them enough points for a twenty-four hour pass after that bonehead stunt Brigit had pulled. It was something the coyote would never left them forget, but worth the coyotes smirks. Besides, she was beginning to like being with Millicent. Could she be changing the sable wondered. But no, even mother had told her that wasn’t possible for her. Women were not her true life choice, she had simply learned to enjoy what a sister had to offer her. She could though be adapting. “Maybe I nibble more here” she whispered to Millicent, bringing her teeth together somewhat painfully on a sensitive section of the cats anatomy.

“Mmm yes” Millicent moaned, wiggling against her loves body. “You do so know exactly what I most desire. But I have something import to tell you.”

“That is?”

Carefully Millicent reported events at the party between herself and the German girl. “I don’t know why I did that” she finished. “It. Well. You said never pass an opportunity and oh I just don’t know why.”

“You lusty woman is all” Tatiana explained. “I not enough for you is pravda, so you hunt. Is good but care you take dah? Now sleep, is not much time we have together. You, I.”

She lay there, feeling as the contented feline slowly slipped into a deep sleep. ‘Jarvinia Schwarzkopf’ the sable thought, turning her head to look out the hotel room’s window. ‘I will keep close eye on you German. Tread carefully. Harm my Millicent and I will gut you for the fish.’ Her eyes opened fully in the darkness. When had Millicent become ‘My Millicent’ and not just Millicent. Mentally she shrugged, burrowing herself deeper into the soft yielding fur below her.

February 25^th, 1937

Tatiana Bryzov reached down and picked up the scented envelope waiting her. After three days of ‘Intense Survey’ she was muddy, tired and her right ankle ached from where it had been hit by a falling rock. Setting down on the floor next to her bed she let her personal pack drop, its thump much lighter than it had been the when they had left. Provisions had been ‘missrouted.’ All four would have to refill their personal packs tomorrow, there probably wasn’t a meal for one between all four canvas rucksacks and Tatiana’s aching ankle caused her to wince when she removed her boot. She bit her upper lip against the pain, holding her temper. Her problem was that she couldn’t even blame one of her dorm mates for that rock fall and it irritated her. She had been in the lead climbing that cliff when the rocks had fallen. Miss Devinski had been below them, so she hadn’t caused the rockfall. It had just happened. None of her red dorm companions had been hit simply because she had automatically thrown herself between them and the slide, letting her issued backpack take the brunt of impact. One stone though had bounced off her ankle, causing very nasty bone bruise. Unknown to the Russian her selfless act had been observed, reported and placed in her records.

Sniffing the envelope told her exactly who had sent it, even if she hadn’t recognized the style of pawwriting or the pale ivory paper. Millicent. It would be a love letter of course. A new one every other day, each one more explicit than the last. Each one counting down the days until they were a married couple, the days before they would leave for Hawaii, before they would be together uninterrupted for a full month. The girl was a hopeless romantic the sable had discovered, and each letter caused more ribbing by her companions. Each one though had become a break from her day to day existence. If only it had been from a male though. Still she had accepted her fate, her punishment. It could have been a great deal harder the Russian knew. Sliding her letter into one of her textbooks she started stripping, exactly as her dormmates were doing. Everyone was tired, their clothes three days hard work old and near empty stomachs so the normal bickering was either missing, or extremely sharp.

“Do not” Tatiana snapped, though softly as Liberty came towards her. “Not in mood today.”

“Really?” the coyote asked. “Not in the mood for a thank you?” Liberty settled down into one of the rooms two chairs, ignoring the stunned looks of her other two classmates. “I saw what you did Tatiana. As much as I do not like your politics little Russian. I am not foolish enough to ignore that kind of act. One of those large stones your backpack deflected was headed for my hard communist head. I had no place to go, I was dead. If not the stone, the fall would have killed me. Perhaps I would have taken one of our classmates with me. You saved my life. I thank you.”

“Your welcome. This means you will then scrub my back?”

“Not of your little red life” the taller girl snapped, instantly back to her old self. “I am no English floozy.”

Tatiana laughed. “Floozy who gets me official British passport. On hope I marry her.” She shoved her backpack to its usual place. She was just too tired today to really care and they had just barely missed supper. “I take shower now” she decided, forcing herself up to her feet, limping to where her towel was she grabbed it, leaving the room.

“She did save my life” Liberty admitted to her comrades. “Perhaps one, or both of yours as well. I vote we leave her letter alone. Today.”

“Agreed” both of her companions answered, themselves stripping down for a well deserved shower. “For today.”

February 26^th, 1937

Three in the morning and Tatiana was again on guard duty. Less than four hours sleep, no supper and with no more sleep before tomorrow’s classes. What, she wondered, had she ever done to deserve this? Still it was accepted that her tutors would do what they wanted, when they wanted. For good reason or no reason at all. She took a deep breath, holding it a few moments before releasing it. Lately this seemed to calm her anger. Turning to Liberty she pointed at her watch. “My turn walk fence” she explained, reaching down to pick up a short stick. It was all the weapon she allowed herself. “I try not be late like you last time” she continued as she limped away, referring to the ten minutes extra time Liberty had taken on her last patrol.

Walk the fence. Starting at the gatehouse on a clockwise direction decided by a coin toss then break into random patterns and she had to walk the entire fence line. It really wasn’t that long a distance and at least tonight it was clear and cool. Not raining or cloth ripping wind as it was sometimes. Still she was tired. So tired that she almost missed the loop of halfway covered rope in her path. Stepping aside she spotted a figure in the bushes. Stepping carefully up to the silent figure, who must have fallen asleep the sable decided, she abruptly attacked the figure hiding behind a thorny bush. Only to wake sometime later flat on her back with the hound Miss Devinski looking down at her.

“Much better than your classmates” the hound observed. “They all three ended up bound at least partially, having missed the rope loop. Still your paw to paw needs much more practice.”

An ache in the back of her skull warned Tatiana not to move too quickly for the moment. She reached back, but felt no injury to the base of her skull, though it was sore and beginning to swell. “Was not paw to paw you used” she retorted, guessing more than knowing. “More rock to head. Almost maybe you kill me.” She held her forehead, moaning slightly from a sudden bell ringing pain. As she looked back up she noted that beside Miss Devinski was the best made dummy she had ever seen. It even had real fur on it.

“Sand bludgeon” the hound corrected, pulling a fat sock out from behind her. “We have covered these on your first year schooling, correct?” She pointed at the dummy. “I actually shaved myself one summer to make that. Three day fur growth itches horribly.”

“Dah... Yes” Tatiana admitted to the first statement. “It is why Liberty was so long?”

“Liberty stepped into the noose” Miss Devinski answered. “Though she fought very hard, with more skill than I expected her disadvantage combined with her initial attack at my crow caused her to lose. That rope is connected to a two hundred pound dead weight. Now, are you ready to explain what you did wrong?”

Standing slowly Tatiana brushed herself off. “I saw trap. I did not call or go for help waiting. Thus I died.”

“Truth. Unlike say, Liberty, you have people who would miss you. Don’t you.”

“Dah. Mother Oharu. Millicent. I not make such a mistake again.”

Standing herself Miss Devinski brushed off a few leaves. “You really will marry Millicent?”

Tatiana looked away into the darkness a long time before answering. Still looking away she finally answered the question. “Dah. I owe this. Birth mother, father. I can think of many punishments harder to carry. Dah, I marry. I make her happy. I pay fully debt I owe birth parents.”

“Though you won’t be happy yourself. You’re a better woman than the girl who arrived here. Now finish your inspection. Speak of this to no one but your own dorm mates. Then only when no others may hear. Goodnight Tatiana, tomorrow we climb the mountain. A very hard route. With full packs.”

“Yes Miss Devinski.” Picking up her lost stick, a weapon that had failed her only due to her mistake Tatiana walked off down the fence line. Behind her Miss Devinski watched for as long as she could see her student, then picking up the precious dummy she turned back to her own waiting bed. Tomorrow was going to be a difficult day. For all the second years. If they did well they would have the weekend off as an award. If not, there were other ways to build the muscles needed for bare paw climbing.

Later that day and five hundred feet up a forty plus degree slope with a full backpack had Tatiana’s damaged ankle screaming in pain. She looked ahead of her to see her dormmate’s struggling against their own demons. Not far behind them came Miss Devinski, carrying a rather powerful slingshot in her paws. Occasionally she would pause her own climb to fire stones at the struggling girls. It wasn’t the occasional stinging impact that angered Tatiana, it was the fact that the hound was carrying an equally weighted backpack herself, yet making the same climb with apparently little effort. ‘What am I missing’ Tatiana asked herself. She stopped, looking around herself carefully. A sharp impact that would certainly leave a bruise struck her perfectly in her left buttock. She flinched, but ignored it to look down at her instructor some thirty yards below her.

‘She is walking nearly upright’ the Russian thought. ‘A lean forward enough to balance her pack but not too far. So, she is not quite falling forward.’ A thump on her thick leather belt notified her of another strike. Having experienced this instructors aim before the young girl had no illusions as to any area on her body being off limits. Turning slightly she exposed only her right side. That belt strike had been a warning. She knew that had the hound wanted, right now Tatiana would be tumbling down five hundred feet of crumbling stone balled up in pain so great she would not feel anything else for hours.

Crumbling stone. But even crumbling stone... Placing one booted foot on a darker colored stone Tatiana tested it. Her weight did not cause it to slide as the lighter stone did. Sweeping her area with her eyes she noted many other dark spots. Places where sliding stone had washed over stone that would not slide, exposing a new surface. She had just placed her other boot on another stone when she was struck in the right paw. Fighting not to scream from the pain Tatiana balled her fist, not for the first time thanking her foresight in wearing heavy gloves. Had she not chosen these heavy gloves her paw would now be broken. Using the pain to focus her mind she stepped forward again. In minutes she had closed the gap back to its original distance behind Liberty. When they reached the top, some three hundred feet further up, Tatiana was sitting waiting for her first roommate to struggle over the edge. It was only later, when she could open her paw again that Tatiana discovered she was holding the stone that had struck her.

“Five extra points for discovering the secret” Miss Devinski whispered into the sables left ear, plucking the red stone from Tatiana’s still numb paw. “Five for catching the stone. Have Mrs. Oelabe look at that paw when we get back. And that ankle you still favor. I was aiming above your wrist. You stepped forward suddenly. It will never happen again.”

“Yes Mam” Tatiana agreed just as softly, trying to flex her paw. It didn’t want to move fast but it did move. Her glove was distended a bit, indicating that her paw was swollen. It was going to make the climb down very difficult. Very very difficult.

After Miss Devinski walked away Liberty made her way to Tatiana, dropping in an exhausted heap beside her. “How” she asked bluntly.

“Dark areas harder stone” the sable answered. She held up her obviously swollen paw. “Too much in pain to talk when passed. Hoped you see what was doing.”

“Let me see that” the coyote demanded. With Tatiana’s aid she removed the glove, to hiss in anger at the blood that poured out of it. “You have a split pad. It will need stitches I think” Liberty observed. “Not as bad as it could be, still bad.”

“Had been a bullet. Would be crippled now” Tatiana reminded her roommate. “Was accident. Not meant to happen.”

“Had to be an accident” Liberty agreed as she pulled out her own first aid kit. “I’ve enough bruises from that horrid slingshot to know she only hits what she is aiming at. And I know she treasures us all too much to maim us on purpose.”

“Yes” Tatiana hissed as Liberty applied iodine to her wound. “Burns” she admitted. “We maybe her new Amazons I think.”

Liberty laughed, a sharp bark of reaction that drew the other two attention. “I best finish, then warn the others. Your glove will not fit for some time.”

“Then I buy bigger glove. Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

Knowing the trick made getting down easier than expected. It was still no bed of roses, unless one remembered the thorns said roses hid under such beautiful petals. No slingshot sent spinning red pebbles after them, it was simply too dangerous. Even so all four reached the bottom with more bumps and bruises than when they started.

“Quick march, water taxis is waiting. They are expensive” Miss Devinski ordered. Tired, battered, bruised an in one case limping the four made their way to the waiting water taxi. As they headed for Eastern Island none of the four could help but glance towards Casino Island. Let those Spanish girls try that climb with full packs they all thought.

February 26^th, 1937

“Oh my darling. What has happened to your paw” Millicent gasped when she opened her door to Tatiana’s knock and spotted the bandaged paw.

“Minor” the sable reported as she embraced her loving feline. “One stitch. Heal quickly I think. You are?”

“Fine.” Her next words were a bit of time in coming as she surrendered herself to the stronger Russian’s embrace. “Oh dear Tatiana” she continued finally. “Come in, I will get your favorite drink. Why do you hurt yourself so much just for an education from that school? Why.”

Settling carefully in a chair that had not been there her first visit, one designed specifically for a sables body (and thus must have cost Millicent a pretty shell) Tatiana felt her bodies complaints. “I hurt now” she answered. “So I able protect you later. You are armed?”

“Only my dagger” Millicent admitted as she brought in a drink that would have shocked the sables roommates. Cold chocolate milk. “Is it important?”

“Is” Tatiana answered, dropping Millicent’s dagger on the table. “I teach you this weekend how not let that happen again. Dah?” She accepted the drink, relishing in its rich taste.

“You have the full weekend? That is wonderful beyond words. But my love, is that all we will do this weekend?”

“Nyet” the sable admitted, sitting her now empty glass aside. “But I hurt too much for great exercise. May we only cuddle. Until supper?”

Folding herself into the sables grasp Millicent released a sigh of purest pleasure. “Oh yes my love. That will be wonderful” she answered. “I will take you someplace special tonight. My treat.”

Very late that night Tatiana woke. Looking about her she saw nothing, but some sound, some vibration had woken her. It hadn’t been Millicent’s snoring, for at her worst the English feline gave only the tiniest of sounds. Sounds Tatiana had long ago decided were amusing, and sweet. Another half sound, half vibration came. It was from the parlor. Easing Millicent’s arm off her the sable slipped as soundlessly as she could from their shared bed. She had no weapon, yet wait. Millicent’s deadly little dagger lay on the bed table. Moving with more care than her dormmates would have believed the Russian made her way in the near perfect darkness to that weapon, for she well knew Millicent’s apartment by now and had long ago warned the feline not to move furniture around without telling her.

Sliding the daggers scabbard under the bedcovers Tatiana slipped the blade free, the blankets hiding that unmistakable sound of steel sliding across steel, then in nothing but her fur made her way towards the open bedroom door, bending over so as to show the smallest silhouette.

There was a figure in the other room. A thin figure. She waited for its scent to come to her. That he, or she could smell Tatiana and Millicent didn’t bother the sable. Their scent filled the small apartment and was of more than simple housecat and sable. A crack of light from a front window struck the intruder. Mink, male his scent told her. To her knowledge Millicent had spoken of no minks allowed in her apartment before. For a moment she thought of attacking the intruder, until Miss Devinski’s latest lesson came to mind. There was her own injured paw to remember as well and her still very sore ankle. So slipping out of the bedroom she made her way in a low crawl along the wall, eventually putting the tiny dining table between herself and that unknown figure.

Abruptly a small light came on for a moment. Somehow tinted red it made little illumination and that only for half a second, but enough for Tatiana to spot the heavy automatic in the furs paw. He had moved to Millicent’s other room. A second bedroom that Millicent had turned it into a study. In seconds the intruder realized it wasn’t the bedroom he was looking for. Turning around he took Millicent’s dagger directly in the heart. For long seconds there was no sound, then the automatic spoke.

Once.

Millicent’s hardwood floor exploded into splinters as Tatiana both dove under the dining table and lifted it at an angle.

            Twice.

  A chunk of the tables surface spalled off as it deflected the bullet, sending it through an outside wall.

                         A final third time.

Again the floor exploded, sending shards of hardwood across the room towards Tatiana.

Millicent’s gasp of shock warned Tatiana that the feline might be a deep sleeper, but that the sound of a firearm could certain wake her. “Down” she ordered. “To floor.” That Millicent obeyed almost instantly warmed the Russian sables heart, but there might be a second intruder. Slipping away from the ruined table Tatiana scuttled across the floor, not raising any part of her body (especially not her tail) higher than she had too. Cries of alarm from the three adjoining quarters and whistles of alarm from outside told her the consulate’s security forces were not quite sound asleep.

It took Tatiana only as much time as she needed to insure that there were no more attackers hiding in the apartment. During her inspection she discovered how the intruder had managed his entry. An open bathroom window. By the time she made it back to Millicent several someone’s were banging on the front door. “Robe” she ordered. “For myself also.” While Millicent, still in shock, hurried to follow her loves orders Tatiana grabbed the punctured tablecloth, using it to cover her own naked body before answered those demanding knocks.

It was much later and now only two Englishmen remained in Millicent’s tiny four room apartment. While they sat in chairs taken from Millicent’s study, across from them on the settee sat Millicent and Tatiana. Of the intruders body there was no sign, as the blood soaked rug had been taken away as had Millicent’s dining table. Of the floor, well a new rug had appeared, this one large enough to cover both holes in the floor. For now.

“Italian. No mistaking that one” the border collie Jacob Dassher announced. He was writing in a notebook, carefully keeping track of everything, no matter how minor. “I have seen him in the Italian Consulate myself. He escorted me to my counterparts office just this week. A clerk they claimed. No clerk ever had those eyes. I wonder why an Italian agent came here to murder two young women.”

“As do I” the deeper rumble of Major Thomas Hawkins agreed. “Have either of you any ideas that may shed some light on this subject?”

“No sir. I honestly have no idea.” Millicent answered. Tatiana’s answer was a simple “Nyet.”

Hawkins stood, the bulldog making an imposing figure in the room. Clasping his paws behind him he walked to the rooms single window. “We are aware that young Millicent has not attended any events in the Italian sector since activating herself” he said to that window. “Tatiana, have you in any way insulted or threatened a third year student by the name of Maria? She would easily have the lines of communication to do something like this.”

“Nyet” the sable answered. “Had I, Maria would kill me herself. I not yet equal to her in several ways. Paw to paw being most important at moment. If though certain American gangster doe is involved..”

“I should think not. This does not make any sense. It is public knowledge that the two of you are to be wed. Killing you in bed together will accomplish nothing. Certainly no scandal. Millicent’s parents are already aware, leaving Tatiana’s adopted mother. I strongly doubt that she is unaware of this coming union. Italy and Soviet Russia are not on speaking terms at present. Millicent’s only external interest may be that German young lady, yet then again Germany and Italy are not quite strong enough partners as to allow such. In any case they would send their own agent. Those two skirt chasers Millicent shot down in flames last week wouldn’t bother, too many fish in a very small pond to bother either of them. After all, even I am aware that they have been shot down in flames before. They are American and Japanese anyway and I doubt that the two, together, could draw such a favor. I must admit that this truly puzzles me.” He turned away from the window, taking a single step that took him out of its direct line of sight before returning to his chair. “Most puzzling. Dassher?”

“Could it be an assault against yourself” the younger hound asked. “After all, you have allowed the buzzing bees to believe that you and this Russian girl are serious lovers. Perhaps even more.”

“Then why kill her.. Oh I see. Killing Tatiana would supposable shatter my heart. It being so soon since my second wifes death. To lose that warm body would be a crippling blow to me. So they might believe. How typical.” Sitting he looked again at Tatiana. “It wouldn’t. Be certain of that. My dear sweet Tatiana, whom I have supposable given my heart too. You repay me by having an affair with this woman? Why, what could she possibly have that I do not? What can this lowly clerk possibly offer you that I cannot many times over?”

In answer Tatiana silently opened Millicent’s robe wide. So deep in shock was the feline that she didn’t notice for over thirty seconds. Then with a cry of distress she pulled her robe closed. “Tatiana. How could you” Millicent gasped in embarrassment.

“He ask what you have he not have” the Russian explained. “Simple. I show him.”

“But...”

“Please” the sable continued softly. “You are mine. I am yours. We share a secret, that Major Hawkins is not lover. Other than kiss, roaming paw nothing ever happen between us. Never will. I am not attracted to any bulldog though one day he may see my body, to make lie seem real to watching others. Being mine I may show you, but only to select few. Few whom I choose. Your sweet heart is great conquest for one simple girl like myself. I show him great treasure I own that he never able to afford.”

Under the thin fur of her face Millicent blushed deeply. “We shall talk about this” the feline growled, but there was a hint of pride in that growl.

“We shall” Tatiana agreed. “Major?”

“I.. I” Hawkins swallowed. “Well then, that is certainly something I cannot defeat” he admitted. “Millicent, you are very healthy.”

“Thank you Major, I hope that Mr. Dassher’s little camera took my best side.”

Hawkins looked to his companion. “Jacob?”

A tiny camera appeared in the younger hounds paw and a very sheepish grin came to his face. “Sorry old man. Simply couldn’t resist. I simply could not.”

“I see or hear of any prints getting out, your next posting will be a very chilly one” the bulldog warned.

“Quite.” Dassher stood this time. “You have made yourself an even more important target Miss Wei” he said as he too walked to that window. “Ah yes, our men are in position. Very good.” Moving away from the window he stopped in front of Millicent. “Are you” he asked the young feline. “Capable of living a life such as this? Not knowing when, or if someone will slit that pretty throat of yours just to hurt someone else? Just to hurt her.”

“I could catch the influenza next season” Millicent answered. “And die. I could die in an aircraft crash, or a motorcar crash or even childbirth. I have promised Tatiana that I will have many children. We will be a family. Mr. Dassher...” she turned her eyes on the bulldog. “Major. There is as much chance of my dying those ways as this. Oh yes, I am currently frightened nearly out of my wits. Still Tatiana saved my life. Not your army. I will take my Tatiana back home to beautiful England if she will allow me. I am in love sirs, this means I accept whatever comes with that love. Though in truth this was more than I had expected when I originally professed my feelings. Publically break up with Tatiana Major, then this problem ceases to be a problem. If you don’t. Remember Major, as I told both of you. My heart and my life are Tatiana’s. My soul though belongs to England. Those things will never change.”

Major Hawkin’s snorted in amusement. “Break up with Tatiana. Say over you. Child, if it were that easy. The point here is we really do not know why they two of you were targeted, or if only Millicent was and Tatiana’s presence was unexpected. Or if I or Dassher or your father was the one meant to be warned. Right now dear girl we are proposing possibilities. Throwing out the net you might say, to see what is brought in. Should I ‘break up’ with my sweet Tatiana now they would believe that conjecture is true. She would then become a very important target for my enemies. No dear Millicent. Your wife to be will remain my believed sweet pleasure until this is seen through. Perhaps for years afterwards. I have an important use for her.”

“He wants make me Anastasia” Tatiana explained, her words causing Hawkins to wince.

“Dassher wasn’t supposed to know that yet” the bulldog explained softly. “But yes, there is a great deal of fluidity in White Russia’s government. In truth who rules today may wake up a cold corpse tomorrow. They have no line of succession, each attempting to prove more royal blood within them than the other. Its like a river empire. Until something comes from outside nothing can change internally. I have been training my supposed lover those nights we are believed to be enjoying each other. If she is needed. Millicent. There is a good possibility you could find yourself on the Russian throne. Being wife to the new ruler.”

“As much we both find unmarked grave” Tatiana warned Hawkins. “As did great Zar and real Anastasia.”

“For Mother Russia?”

Tatiana nodded yes. “Yes Major. Only for Mother Russia. As Millicent would for Mother England I will for Mother Russia. I much hope that deception never be needed. If is, and is successful. I set up English style government only. I pray each night such attempt never be needed.”

“You” Millicent asked. “You pray? To whom?”

“Birth mother. Birth father” the Russian admitted. “Sometime adopted mother. Once you. Millicent, I raised to believe there no Gods. I have seen different. So I choose make own Gods. That as good as any I think.”

Millicent had placed a paw to her mouth in her surprise. Lowering it she faced her two visitors. “Oh. Gentlemen. If there is nothing else?”

“Ten am, my office” Dassher answered. “Both of you. While you are gone all evidence of our visitor will be removed. Major?”

“I agree. Ten am. There are six very good soldiers guarding this building for tonight. Sleep well.” Taking his hat he stood, waited for Dassher to follow his lead. Then they both left to more work than Millicent could imagine.

“Leaving. Leaving us to cleanup their mess as always” Millicent complained. “Well that can be done tomorrow. Let us go to bed my love. I so desperately need you now.”

“You are not afraid?” Tatiana asked.

“I” Millicent answered in a calm voice. “Am frightened much out of many years of life. Yes I am afraid. But you are here to protect me. With my white knight with me I will fear nothing. Should the throne of Russia one day be your destiny be well assured that the person your feet rest upon will be myself. I love you, I will do almost anything for you. Besides, your mother has told me that we will have a very long life together.” She stood, swinging her tail in what would have been a very enticing way, had Tatiana truly the interest. “Coming?”

“With you” the sable asked, leaning forward to pick Millicent’s cleaned dagger from a side table. “Always. A moment though.” Standing she walked to the front door, locking it behind their two visitors. Then only after making a careful check of the remaining windows and door did she follow Millicent into the bedroom. In years to come she would find that swinging tail enticing, and wonder why she hadn’t this night. Love she would discover, can grow as a flower. Even in solid granite cliffs. If given only a pawfull of earth to begin with.

About the same time Major Hawkins was standing before Millicent’s window, in the Italian Consulate two figures stood alone in a very secure office. “He did what?” the older asked, speaking his native tongue.

“Entered the wrong apartment” his only slightly younger companion explained. “What they call apartments. Apparently a mix up in his orders. A letter was inverted by the clerk copying his orders.”

“Such a foolish mistake. Send home the one who made it immediately. With a very poor performance report. There was no damaging evidence?”

“Duilio was a very professional man sir. Other than his American made weapon and locally made clothing he took nothing with him. The threat he was to relay was memorized. I do not think he spoke much before death. If any.”

“The English will suspect. But not knowing this was a mistake they cannot possible discover the truth. Very well. Perhaps it will be enough that this occurred. We must have that information. Having a sudden attack of morals or patriotism simply isn’t acceptable. Once you are purchased, you must stay purchased. I will deal with the English myself. They will mention this event quickly. Have a cover story created by sunrise.”

“Yes sir. Is there anything else?”

“Nothing. I must prepare a message to our great leader regarding this failure. I may only hope that he understands. Goodnight.”

Millicent was asleep, finally. Tatiana lay upon the felines soft body, holding her head up with her paws as she watched the English girl sleep. So innocent she thought. Asleep Millicent’s face was one of a child, not a single worry or frown line was hidden under that delicate soft fur. ‘She loves me’ Tatiana reminded herself. ‘Yet, other than as an effective tool. I feel nothing for her. She was to be a way to a prize, discardable. Now I find myself in such a position. She must suspect, for in at least this she is no fool. Yet I can not find within myself the ability to love her more than as a friend, though I have tried so hard.’ Looking within herself the sable saw that even now there was no love within heart for the English housecat. Somehow there must be, or she would begin taking her frustrations out on the one person in this world who did not deserve such. If only there was a way.

Tired, she lay her head on Millicent’s right breast. A pillow softer than any she had ever had, the felines body a mattress softer than any she had ever laid upon. In seconds the Russian was asleep, unaware than in her own sleep Millicent had moved her right arm. Supporting that breast so that Tatiana’s head would not slip off in her sleep.

“You are safe my daughter” a well known voice asked.

Opening her eyes Tatiana found herself in that place Oharu had trained her to find. The dream plane her adopted mother called it. “You are here?” she asked, surprised.

“My daughter, my soon to be daughter in law were in danger. Of course I am here” Oharu answered with a gentle laugh. “Are you safe?”

“We are mother. Thank you for watching over us.”

Oharu laughed again. “Your intruder turned towards the wrong room, even though no scent of yourself was there. Why would he turn his back on a known danger, other than he thought he saw movement in that other room.”

Tatiana felt the shock of discovery of her mothers ability. “Thank you mother.”

“It was all I could do for you Tatiana. She is beautiful, is she not?”

Turning around Tatiana saw as though through a window herself and Millicent asleep. “She is mother. Yet I can not feel any love for her.”

“This bothers you. That you have no real desire to be with a woman all your life, though you will accept it. Would it be easier for you, if you could feel love?”

Settling on a stone that was not a stone, yet was Tatiana examined that question. “Yes” she admitted finally. “That is not why I am angry at myself for not being able to feel love. Millicent does love me. Almost as much as you once loved Molly. Mother, she does not deserve a life without returned love and I would soon begin taking my anger out on her for my own failing. She is a good woman mother. Can you not ask the Gods who gave this to me to grant another punishment, even a harsher one? To let Millicent free to find true love.”

“What the Gods grant my daughter. It is not for we mortals to refuse. Millicent is a bittersweet punishment. She gives all she can, throwing herself into the waters that will not accept her. Should you discard her now she would be dead in less than a week. So is her heart bound to you now. Yes, of this I am certain. She could never accept such a blatant rejection by the one who owns her heart. Yes, you are right. Daughter, there is a way, but it is a Great Change.”

Tatiana looked down at her paws, flexing them. In this place her injured paw was whole, a fact which amused her. “You cannot...”

“Wrong. I am fully accepted daughter” Oharu corrected. “And you are my daughter after all. Both facts change many things. Though I am on retreat, I am your mother. I cannot deny you my aid. You must be aware though that this will change you. What you are. It will be a great change that will help you begin to love your Millicent as she deserves. Yet in doing so your outlook will change. It is possible that you yourself may change. Will you accept such a possibility? That you might become something you are not?”

“Is it a great chance mother” the sable asked, still looking at her paws.

“No more than your failing Songmark” the mouse admitted. “Yet it is there. It can happen, if you allow it. I can not turn your heart to love her, I can only open a place that, should you desire you may choose to place a seed of love for her. What you do then is completely within your paws. Only a God could so change your heart as to love a woman when it is not your full path.”

Making her decision Tatiana looked up at her adopted mother. “Then please. Give my Millicent that which she so deserves.”

Oharu stood from her place, walking over to her adopted daughter. “You are certain? Once done, I will not undo this no matter how you beg.”

“I am certain that I will destroy her if you do not. I am certain that she does not deserve such destruction. And mother, I am certain that the Gods would be most angry should I crush my punishment.”

“Then I shall do so. As a mother aids her daughter in need, not as a Priestess aiding one whom petitions. As this is mother to daughter, there will never be any price to pay, for this is my gift to you my daughter.”

Tatiana watched as her mother closed her eyes and began chanting in her native language. It surprised her when Oharu placed her paw on her stomach, even more so when that paw slowly vanished into her dream self. She felt a strange fullness, yet she had learned to trust this mouse as completely as she would have trusted hr own birth mother. Oharu’s paw moved upwards in her daughters dream self, until it held that beating heart within its grasp.

Her mothers chant stopped, though her eyes remained closed. “There is no place within your heart to love any woman” Oharu informed her daughter. “I would have to create such and there are many dangers in doing so. Are you certain? You will feel a great emptiness until your Millicent fills it”

“Do so. Please” Tatiana answered. She could feel her mothers paw holding her heart. Something warned her that if she wished, her mother could crush her dream heart. In doing so her real, mortal heart would die. She would die. Yet she felt no fear. Not from this woman, who had changed her life so much already.

Again Oharu chanted. As she did so Tatiana felt as though her heart were changing. Forming into something new. When her mother finally ceased her chant, having removed her paw from her daughters chest Tatiana suddenly felt a great emptiness. It was as though a great gulf had opened within her heart.

“It is only a little place now” Oharu explained. “A thimble sized place in a great ocean. All I may create. Unnoticeable. Except to you.“

“It can grow?” Tatiana asked.

“If you wish. Yes. Daughter. I do not know how this will change you. This you must discover.”

“Thank you mother. Now I must ask, what payment must I give you for this. There is always payment no matter what you may have said.”

Oharu returned to her stone, sitting before answering. “A gift from a mother to her daughter has no price. Tatiana, I have found that in my heart you are as much my daughter as if you grew within my body. You have changed me as well. There is no price, though I ask you to be careful for a time. You have a small place where the seed of love will settle. If you allow it. Be careful that it does not grow wildly as it blossoms, or you will find yourself in the same situation I did with Molly.”

“I will be careful mother.” Tatiana stood, looking back at that window still waiting. “You are right mother, I can see it now. She is very beautiful. Thank you.”

Oharu smiled at her adopted daughter. “It is what mothers are for. To be there when their daughters need them. Now it is time you woke, for I have the sunrise song to sing, and you your love to plant.”

“Mother. One thing please?”

“That is?”

“In my heart. You are no longer my adopted mother. You are my mother, for you have been more a mother to me in just this one thing than my real mother was in all her life.”

“If you wish. Now I truly must go.”

As Tatiana watched Oharu vanished. Turning back to that window she stepped through...

To awake with Millicent’s scent in her nose. It was a delightful scent she suddenly realized. Before it had only been Millicent’s scent. Now. Now there was a difference. It was in some way enticing. Opening her eyes she found that Millicent was still asleep, a sweet little smile upon her face. Looking over to the alarm clock Tatiana saw that it was almost sunrise. Even as she thought that a priestess’s voice came through the window. Looking again at Millicent she felt something enter her heart. With a strange smile on her face the sable began slipping under the covers.

February 27^th, 1937

At nine am Jacob Dasher was escorted into the office of his Italian counterpart. “Good morning” he said to the bull standing behind his desk.

“And to you a Good Morning Mr. Dassher. You are here why?”

“This morning a middle aged mink was killed while attacking one of our people. On consulate grounds. This does not involve the local authorities therefore. To be blunt, it was the clerk that escorted me to these offices just a few days ago.”

“No diplomacy my English friend? No beating around bushes? Why so blunt today? You never have been before.”

“You have never sent an Assassin onto our grounds before” the collie answered.

Sitting the bull waved towards a chair he knew Dassher preferred. “He was spy” the bull explained. “He was to watch your Millicent and her Russian lover. To report. He was not to enter your walls. What happened please?”

Sitting carefully Dassher looked around the office. That there were electric ears listening he had no doubt. Recording devices as well. “Simply put, he broke into Millicent’s quarters with gun in paw. Millicent’s wife to be dealt with the problem. Quite professionally I might add. Defense of a loved one. We both know that a woman is most dangerous when defending her children or the one she loves.”

“That Songmark. Again they show how dangerous they are” the bull snapped. “Do not look so surprised my English friend. When he sent her here, El Duces niece was a flyaway party girl. Useless. Dangerous in her tastes but ignorable otherwise. Now she is a professional. She is dangerous in all things.”

“You wanted her for yourself?”

“But of course. I still do. Still she ignores my most gentle advances. She is a great figure of a woman. She would bear many many strong children.”

Dassher smiled. “Before you drop her for a younger version?”

Shrugging his shoulder the bull winked. “Such is the fate of all woman yes?”

“But Songmark made her too dangerous. You simply couldn’t take her now. She’d have to give herself.”

“But of course. We sent our agent to spy upon those two. He has done so many times already. By the doing so we hoped that we would learn how this Songmark changes women. That we can reverse such a change. My friend, strong women are a danger to we males. In this world men rule, women do as they are told. Such the Holy Father himself has said many times.”

“I see. And your agents actions?”

“Zealous overstepping of his instructions. I myself now apologize. You and your ladies. A letter from our esteemed Consular General will be at your door before noon. With full apology. Such things should not happen. Yet always there is one who thinks himself above all others. I assure you, I will choose another Songmark child to study. After all, Maria is well known. I will have her in time. I assure you of that. I understand three shots were heard. Was anyone injured?”

“Thankfully the only casualty was your over zealous agent. In that matter we are all blessed.”

“Then there was property damage. Send to me personally the bill. I will pay from my own pocket. He was my responsibility, thus his actions my responsibility. And my debt. Is there anything else?”

Dassher stood then. “No, I think not at the moment. Speaking clearly has taken care of this problem rapidly. Where diplomatic speak would have taken weeks. Thank you for accepting that clear speech was required here.”

“Weeks? Oh my English friend. It would take years and still never be resolved. Again, I apologize for this regrettable incident. I look forward to this weekend. You will send your Millicent to our party? She has become quite popular within a certain social group.”

“It will be her decision, still I will offer the invitation to her should you send one. Good day sir.”

“I look foreword to paying that bill my English friend. Good day.”

As soon as Dassher had left the office another door opened and a groundhog entered. “You have it all?” the bull asked.

“Everything excellency.”

“Good. Have that chair sterilized then returned. Then have my lunch delivered. This was easily taken care of, though at some expense to myself. That niece will eventually hear of this and I much dislike being known. My project will simply have to be delayed. Thinking of this, send a message to that female bull. That I would speak of this to her quickly. Better she knows the truth and why it must be silenced that find out herself. It would then end up in one of those articles she writes. Go.”

“Yes your excellency.”

A little after ten Dassher had given his full report in front of Millicent and Tatiana. Hawkins leaned back in his chair, causing it to creak ominously. “And your observations Mr. Dassher” he asked.

“That he hates Songmark. No one could act that well. That he is infatuated with Maria? Probably. That this agent went over the bounds of his orders? Not in a pigs eye.”

“And ourselves” Millicent asked.

“I doubt either of you were the target” Dassher answered. “Though in all honesty I can’t think of any other reason he would have entered your apartment.”

“Unless by accident” Hawkins added. “Even if we consider it an accident there is no clue where he thought he was going. If he was even at the correct building. No Dassher, your going to have to keep hunting your mole. At least we know that he, or she is working for the Italians. That is a little help at least.”

“Is more?” Tatiana asked.

“No. I think this about closes this case. You though young lady are going to have a rough ride with your teachers. We had to report this to them. It’s a matter of. Well it’s a matter we deal with. I think you should take a long walk somewhere private. Millicent’s quarters will not be ready for at least another four hours. Maybe five.”

“Yes sir” Millicent agreed. Taking hold of Tatiana’s left paw she stood.

“I understand that Luakinikia Park is a nice place for a walk, with someone you love” Hawkins suggested. He watched as the two left his office. “Notice anything different about them Jacob?”

“They were holding paws. Tatiana never simply held Millicent’s paw before.”

“Correct” the bulldog agreed. “There has been a major change in that relationship. One for the better I think.” Pulling a file folder towards him he opened it, spreading four black and white prints out. “Our young courier does have quite an attractive body” he commented.

“She surely does sir” Dassher agreed. “She surely does.”

“You’ve changed” Millicent said after the two had been in Luakinikia Park several minutes. “I think I like it.”

“Changed? How” Tatiana asked.

“For one, the way you woke me this morning. For another, we are holding paws and you are not pulling me someplace. Besides that you look at me. You really look at me, not just my face.”

“Last night I discover how important you became to me” the sable admitted. “I think about while you sleep. We live to old age together. Pravda I prefer male in my bed, that pravda. Still in my heart is place for you. I like you in that place.”

“My heart is yours and all you have for me is a place?” Millicent asked. “Why! I should be insulted.”

“Then marriage is over before begin” Tatiana sighed. To Millicent’s ears there was a flavor of true regret in those words.

“No silly. After all this work to catch you. To find a place, any place in your heart you think I’m going to let you go now? Oh no my Russian sweet, you will grow long of tooth, old and grey with me still a millstone about your neck. I promise you that. So what have you to say now?”

Her answer was Tatiana pulling them together, her lips hard upon the felines. Like warm butter Millicent molded her body against the sables. When they finally parted Millicent took a deep breath. “Wow. I can live with that.”

“GEORGE! Did you see that” a woman’s voice screeched from nearby. “Those two cheap TARTS were kissing each other. George, get a policeman. Hurry. They should be locked up and... oh my...”

Millicent had broken away from Tatiana, moving with a stately walk to the bellowing tourist, her long skirt billowing about her in the light wind. Swinging her arm back as far as she could she swung to slap the poodle. Instead her arm stopped in mid swing. Looking to see what had stopped her she found Tatiana holding her arm.

“Nyet” the Russian laughed. “Let fat animal scream. Is not her country, is our country.” Having said that she pulled Millicent into another kiss. This one within only a few feet of the flustered tourist. A kiss complete with a great deal of wandering paws.

February 28^th, 1937

On Casino Island a delayed archery match was being held. Originally scheduled for the week before, a long stead rain had postponed the match. Rain and bowstrings did not much go well together. By noon the match had been reduced to the Miko Urako and the Priestess Oharu alone. Both had proven their skills yet neither were better than the other. Oharu though had noted a weakness in her opponent that no other had. The vixen held her arrow just too softly, her pride to tightly.

“I would propose a change in distance” the vixen said softly. “We have been using the standard distance. At this, all day and neither would prove superior.” She winked at Oharu. “I heard of your last match. My bow against yours, two arrows in one heartbeat, both to strike the target.”

“Loser to buy the winner supper” Oharu countered. “You already have a bow.”

It was, Oharu, a rather nice dinner that Urako paid for, and the company was good too. It was a sweet delight to speak only in her native tongue again, and speak of temple things that both were so delighted by.

While on Songmark another meeting was being held. “You have had an interesting morning” Miss Nordlingen stated from her chair behind a long table. A table just long enough to hold all four of Songmarks faculty. All of which were present. “Would you care to explain?”

“I had choice. Die or kill. I prefer to live” Tatiana explained.

“An off pawed knife throw, in the dark” Miss Devinski asked.

“My only choice” Tatiana admitted. “I practice both paws, so if such happen have chance.”

“And the English” Miss Windlesham asked.

“Like mother say about Songmark girl. She taste good.”

Miss Blande spoke next. “I see. There has been a change in you. How you spoke of Millicent during your report. This is because of this action?”

“Nyet. I realize I not love Millicent. Cannot love Millicent, any woman. So in dream I ask mother to help. She open place in heart let Millicent in. Is not large place, but is place now where never before.”

“A Great Change” Miss Devinski gasped. “Child, have you any idea how dangerous such is?”

“Dah. Mother explain carefully before do. Make certain I really want. Instruct be careful for time until understand blossom color. So I not have problem she have with Molly.”

“Dismissed” Miss Devinski snapped, surprising her three companions. When Tatiana was gone she turned to her friends. “Tatiana never left Millicent’s side. She never left Casino Island. Oharu never left South Island, she is still in retreat by order of Saimmi. Do you see what this means?”

“We know Oharu was accepted fully” Miss Blande answered. “That would mean all bets were off. Of course she would draw from her Shinto training. Being more comfortable within that path for such a work.”

“All bets” Miss Windlesham laughed. “She did it remote. From a distance. I’ve never heard of a priestess do a Great Change without the person standing near them.”

“There is Kama” Miss Devinski warned.

“She has her mothers. If she wants to, she’ll mess with them. I think she honestly likes the mouse, though that mouse is obviously frightened of Kama. Kama would change no one else I think. At least no one that doesn’t deserve it” Miss Blande decided. “Dream Plane, it’s the only way. Goddess what power Oharu hides in that small body.”

“One day we will need it” Miss Devinski admitted. “One day, and it has already aided us several times. Enough of this, it is truthfully frightening to think of. Who has the unmarked cards?”

Meeting her dormmates was a different trial for the Russian. “What happened” Liberty asked. Blunt and to the point as always. Quietly Tatiana explained. Every last detail, not missing one bit the bloodthirsty looks her roommates gave her.

“Now am very tired” she admitted later, having exhausted her tale. “Paw aches. Mrs Oelabe change dressing. Say is healing well. Tomorrow Monday. Somehow I think we be lucky see bed Wednesday.” So saying she rolled into her hard bed. For the first time she compared Songmark’s version of a bed with the one she had left this morning. There was no comparison, why even the pillow now felt like a rock. ‘Mother warned me’ she remembered as sleep neared. ‘Must be careful, or have problem cannot bear. Mother stronger than I that way.’ Then sleep found her until morning brought another day.