Britell

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Chapter One

It was, well no one really cared anymore when it was. A generation ago the reptilian Whalhum had come. They had come not as friends, but as conquerors. This they proved adept at, having, with feints and sharp raids, pulled the majority of Earth’s small fleet away from the home world. Drew them away to protect their friends in the budding Confederation. Those ships had been sent out to defend worlds not quite as advanced as Earth. Their friends. Their friends the cat-like 't Fel cHuc and the hydrogen breathing Hoof. What remained guarding the solar system was no match for what came. Earths forces fought bravely, they died just as bravely. Then the planet too began to die, as hydrogen bombs rained down upon its unprotected surface. It wasn’t an invasion as much as an eradication. An eradication of even the smallest resistance. A release of frustration as the invaders realized those forces still existing were not to be so easily defeated. No one knew if any still survived on Mars, or any of the other places humans had inhabited in the last hundred and thirty years of true spaceflight. Hope remained that within their solar system at least some small pockets remained, for Earth had been bombed back almost to the Stone Age. Certainly Selene, Earths single huge moon, now sported many more craters. Yet the Whalhum, as barbaric as they were, soon realized that they had finally run across a force at least equal to their own. Perhaps even more powerful. Eventually they were forced to pull out all but the barest garrison forces as they turned to deal with those who still resisted them.

It was an understandable mistake. Earthlings no longer had even atomic power. Their planet was barely habitable, having experienced one nuclear winter, and the horrors that followed it. No planet had ever risen against them after such a battering, not even when they finally left, left even as they sent those last few dozen more bombs behind them, to reduce each conquered planet to total inhabitability. Or so nearly so it made little difference. It was an understandable mistake. A small mistake. It would eventually prove to be a deadly mistake. 

Rain pounded the highlands of Scotland, as it did now almost daily. Rare were the times when a weak sun shone upon blasted earth. Little had grown upon these lands before the Whalhum had arrived. Now with Earth’s climate shattered by too many hydrogen bombs even less grew. Still life is tenuous, it holds on. Even when accidently crushed by the step of a single exhausted traveler. She was known simply as Katharine, a name she'd taken after the invasion. A name given her by her instructor, because the old Scotsman couldn't quite pronounce s'Urah 'ef Kal sAhaunn. She'd come to Earth to learn the bagpipes and Scottish dance, two human arts she'd been enamored with, had eventually fallen in love with. As a 't Fel cHuc Artisan it was her duty to create, or learn, one new thing in her life that her race didn't already have. As she struggled against the rains incessant force her mind wandered. She remembered the old time, when life was much different. Pausing to rest, she settled under a projecting stone, leaned back against its rough surface and brought the past to life in her mind as she fell into an exhausted sleep. Her dreams ran like a play through her mind, returning the past to her.

She had sat at a rough library table while waiting to be interviewed. Passing the time remembering her husbands last farewell, the looks in her children's sweet eyes as they finally understood that yes, mamma had to go. Yes, mamma would be gone almost three years of their short lives. Even knowing she was doing what was right, that she'd be back, it had been a heart wrenching scene. Arriving on Earth, barely able to speak coherent Standard English, with only a few words of the ancient Gaelic language she was now nearly fluent in, it had made for a stressful few days.

She had been accepted easily, her instructor allowing her barely time to settle her things before throwing her to the wolves that were his senior students. To sing the old songs she must learn perfectly the old language, nothing else would be spoken to her until she did. She worked hard, studied hard, until finally her instructor pulled her from his wolf pack, a smile on his ancient face. “Now you learn” he had told her.

Katharine had been studying in Aberdeen just over two years when the Whalhum attacked. Ten short months before she would have been on her way home. Now she was regulated to slave status, as were all non-Whalhum. A status it took a long time to understand. There had been no slaves on her planet. Not in recorded time. She had nothing to base the word on, hadn't even know it existed until the decrees came. By then she was doing all she could to help keep a few score human children away from prying eyes, doing all she could to stay alive. For her families sake if nothing else. It was with groggy thoughts that she remembered the start of her journey.

Just a week ago she had been comfortably, as comfortably as one could be in a crippled culture, settled in the single room her human clan had given her. Her clan, she remembered that fondly. Humans had accepted her into their family, though there was no possibility that she would bear any human a child. Still she had been accepted. Katharine looked around her, her ragged shelves stacked with precious books. Books decreed illegal to own by the Whalhum. Books on history, law, science and religion. Hidden here under the great, worn down mountains of the Highlands, sharing space with precious relics of Scotland's own rich past, and a few dozen children who's parents were dead, or worse. Unlike the majority of Earth, Scotland had missed the worst of all those long bombardments. Basically a desolate landscape with few technology or industrial centers, any target worth a small bomb had been reduced to ashes in the first wave. Even the few squads of alien marines had left in disgust. A few crazy brave men with strange long swords they called Claymores, and less than a hundred armed military men, they easily reduced all resistance to ashes in less than an hour. Enraged by the lack of targets they had turned on what was left of the cities and towns, then left for some place called Japan. She'd learned what Japan had been, remembered often wondered how those small people had fared under the reptilian jack boot. They seemed much like her race and a smile touched her sleeping lips. No, those people, like her own race, would not have gone quietly to the grave.

Oh yes, in the years since Earth had fallen she'd learned a lot about military history. She'd learned how to hide, how to submit to anything to save others, how to kill. All things an Artisan was not supposed to know, lest it taint her art. She leaned back further in her small space, her furred feline frame remembered settling in the chairs worn upholstery in her little room. She still played the pipes of course, she still danced, but something had been added to her talent. Something the humans understood, and listened too. Now she'd been chosen to travel to a meeting. Someplace named Stonehenge. There she would learn things that might help save more children, for children had again become her life. If Earth had been reduced to rubble, what had the Whalhum done to her own gentle planet. Were her own children still alive? Were they hiding in caves, or ruins as she was, digging grubs from the soil to eat as she did? Her husband had been a lawgiver. Surely he'd have been a primary target.

She knew the 't Fel cHuc race wouldn't have surrendered. Not until the last warrior was dead. They'd shattered over a dozen Emutak invasion fleets before the humans had literally stumbled over them. Discovered only because a human cruiser had been chasing an Emutak smuggler, who, in desperation, made the mistake of diving through a blue-green stars heavily fortified solar system. The Emutak had died, the human cruiser though had powered down and made contact. 't Fel cHuc joined the budding Confederation within a week. but they'd kept their massive defenses, improved their fleets and expanded to other nearby systems. The Whalhum might eventually win, but her races habit of targeting one ship at a time would make any such invasion expensive.

Very expensive.

Katharine wasn't the first of her race to visit Earth, nor by any means the oldest. There had been over thirty of her kind on Earth that dark night. To her knowledge she was one of the last. Somewhere in the

human resistance there had been rumored to be two more, somewhere to her East a husband-wife team of warriors still lived. But she was no warrior. Resistance held no real interest to her. Only the children. "T'is time" a mans voice had whispered softly from the doorway. With a gentle sigh of regret she had leaned forward, stood and picked up a home made leather pack. A quick look around, the ever silent question of if she'd ever see this place again, and she left. 

She had traveled for seven days along treacherous paths to clear the mountains surrounding her home on Loch Monar. Those rain slicked, moss covered barely there paths had led her through the Glen Affric and onto the Glen Moor. Almost constantly wind whistled shrilly across the gray, soggy moor; raising wavelets on Loch Lochy, just scant kilometers south of the famed Loch Ness. Katharine shivered in her temporary protection as she woke, and was again grateful for her natural fur insulation. She wondered how bare humans could live in such environments. Earth’s sun, a pale disc in the hazy noon sky, seemed as grey and dismal as the lake before her. Withdrawing her instructions she refreshed her memory as to the next step in her journey. "Loch Lochy's southern tip. Then Castle Corpach." She knew she would receive food and lodging from the people there, but she was hungering for the human contact and entertainment more. She drew in a breath of foul tasting, near poisoned air, forcing herself to wake completely even though her body begged for more sleep. Struggling to her feet she turned down the path again.

An hour's trekking around the lake brought an imposing stone edifice into view. Revived and rebuilt before the invasion, repaired after it, the Castle Corpach was the first real civilized outpost heading south from Loch Monar. It was situated on the edge of the North West Highlands and Loch Linnhe, which in turn led to the Atlantic ocean. As Katharine approached the doors to the massive keep, she felt as though unseen eyes following her movement. She was met at the doors by two men dressed in a fusion of ancient celt and modern terran clothing.

“What're ye fer?" the larger asked as he allowed her, barely, inside the gatehouse. Inside the small chambers protection the modernizing became apparent. The interior was toasty warm, despite the now howling wind just outside the gates door. Katharine knew that, had this castle been exactly as it appeared, it would have been quite chilly inside this place.

Drawing back her hood to bring her fur covered face into clear light she bent one knee just enough to cause her body to bob. "A nights stay in from the cold if you will allow" she answered gently in slightly accented English. She was careful with her words, for being curt, or cute to a Scot was a mistake no one made twice. Unless of course they were English. The men conferred several moments until Katharine quietly pulled her hood back up, stepped back and was about to turn away to save them the difficult task of rejecting her request, when one suddenly moved in front of her.

"Enter then and be welcome. As guest to this House" the man told her. Shivering slightly from the cold Katharine turned back around and stepped into the courtyard, again braving the rain as she was lead to the great hall itself. She was well aware that many humans now considered all aliens their enemies. She would give none behind these walls any reason to so consider her. Entering the Castle proper Katharine carefully set her heavy leather bags down as her guides returned to their posts. As an older man approached she stepped away from her packs, to allow the now common search for weapons or Whalhum devices. Without a word she lifted her heavy woolen skirt, just enough for the second man to retrieve her only weapon. Or so she thought, until he pointedly stared at the dirk at her waist. She smiled self consciously, drawing the black handled blade with two clawed fingers before holding it out for him, pommel first, to take. Guests did not wear weapons in a strangers home. Not without permission.

"Others?" the first man asked.

"None sir" she responded. "If you will a Lady. I will disrobe for her tah see."

"That will not be required. Human or alien, we take one at their word here. Until proven different. I do not believe that you are lying, you have too much of the Highlands about you to be an Whalhum spy."

"Or English?" she asked seriously.

Both men laughed. "As if those lumps of... No lassie. Nor English either." The first man stood up from her packs, both buttoned up again as well as she could have managed. "What brings you out on a night like this?" he asked as he lifted the heavier bundle onto his shoulder. "Even your thick fur must be letting the cold cut deep."

Katharine smiled in thanks as she picked up the lighter pack while the second man spoke quietly into a device wired to a wall. He'd been unsurprised to discover this held her clothing and food. The other, much heaver pack he hefted so easily, held her pipes and books. "I have been sent South sir, to speak with those waiting for me. About the children. I'm sorry but I was not given names. Only a place to meet and a time. If I am late it will be effort wasted, with a long walk home again." She laughed softly, "I think they picked me because of all the Clan I am the less useful now. I tend the books, the children and sit getting fat while all others work their fingers to the bone keeping my belly full." She patted her stomach as the man watched her. Even with several layers of clothing on it was obvious she was thin. Not too underweight perhaps, but by no means fat. Still he made no comment.

"If you will follow me lassie I'll take you to the Lord. Perhaps he will give you food and a bed. I do not think a bed alone. We are heavy with travelers this season I am afraid. Being the traders crossroads an such."

Katharine took one last look around, noting the ancient stone construction and heavy ironwork. Building techniques she'd so quickly come to love. "A corner out of the draft is all I ask. I carry my own food and water."

This too he ignored. No guest would be made to depend on travel food under this roof. He knew this from long years of service, service that started long before Earth’s fall. Though the alien feline was not a creature he found much liking for, she was a guest. "Little room have we. As I said, you must share I am afraid" he told her as they walked.

"Welcome traveler!" Katharine turned to see a large man striding her way, arms outstretched as if to engulf her in a hug. He stopped just short of her and bowed deeply. "A lady! Why has nobody made this young lady comfortable?" He bellowed the question to the castle walls. They, of course, did not answer. "No say nothing fair, furry one! It has been months since the last bard visited, and we are desperate for entertainment. Surely you shall share your travels with us and regale to us tales of your home world? Here now, I see that my man is showing you your room, you must prepare yourself for dinner of course. You've an hour 'til it's served."

With that, the whirlwind of a man swept out of the room leaving his rakish retainer in his stead. He regarded her with even more suspicion. “This way please."

"I do not mind kind sir" she answered, knowing from his voice, his abruptness that nothing she could do, short of leaving, would make this man happy. "A corner by the outer gate door would be more than enough, truthfully." Even this offer was ignored, thus they walked the remaining distance in silence.

Eventually he stopped before a thick wooden door. "This is the Lords eldest daughters room. I am certain she will not mind sharing with you. All other rooms be filled with men, no place for any woman to spend a night alone." Opening the heavy wooden door he beckoned her to follow him. "Your bags are damp. If you would be so kind, please leave them on the stone. It will also help dry them."

She looked around, noting massive wooden bookshelves, now almost empty. A rug that must have come from that land India, or perhaps Morocco. She hadn't read much about rugs yet. Walking to a far corner she laid her bags down. "Bath to your left. Our staff, small as it is, is overloaded at the moment with food requests. Still I'm certain Lei can find something for you to wear. There is a drying rack in the bath for your clothing. If it is not enough tell the maid Lei, she will bring another. Now if you will excuse me, I really must return to my duties."

Katharine curtsied slowly to the disagreeable man, trying her best not to show any dislike in face or body. 'Gods let us hope he isn't a murder' she thought to herself after he'd left. She opened her pack, drawing out the metal comb she had used for years. It had once been used on horses, horses her clan no longer had. Still it was better than a brush for her soaked fur. Walking into the only other door she found herself thrown back to before the invasion. It was a bathroom from forgotten times. Huge, with all the luxuries she'd taken for granted before the invasion. Setting her comb carefully on a walnut counter she began peeling layers of soggy wool off her aching body, gently laying each on the drying rack. Looking above the rack she noticed a 'bug zapper' and activated it. It was something the humans had brought to her planet, a small thing that had become a life saver. Having full body fur meant a life long battle with everything from dust balls to fleas to ticks. Even ants sometimes. She had envied humans their furless skins, until the first winter storm when everyone was bundled up, almost unable to move while she was running around in a light sweater.

While she continued undressing the zapper barely activated, even then mainly on her outer clothing. None of Earths 'bugs' liked her taste, even if her blood was almost the same as the local feline population. Finally slipping out of her too long worn undergarments she picked up the comb, stepping into the huge shower. Turning the cold water on she let it soak her completely, then shut it off while she combed her fur. At least, all that she could reach. Too long used to the lack of clean fresh water she wasn't aware the castle had more than enough to spare. Another spray of water struck her for a few seconds and stopped. She used the comb to force the icy liquid through her fur. Bugs or not, there was always something to cause knots in her fur. She'd hand wash her clothing in the shower too, as soon as she'd gotten the worst of the grime off herself.

Her hour was almost up when Katharine finally walked out of the bath. Rummaging through her clothing bag she located her best dress. Her only undergarments were now drying on the rack, she'd just have to be extra careful and make certain no one suspected her true desperate condition. It would bring shame on her clan, that it would appeared they couldn't supply her with enough clothing. But there had supposed to have been two others with her, she'd expected companionship. At the last instant they had been called away for another mission, leaving her to re-pack quickly. The error was hers, not her poor clans. Katharine took time to lay out her much patched woolen blanket between her bags, marking where she'd sleep tonight. It was hard not to look at the bed and hope, it'd been a lifetime since she'd slept on anything better than a few ropes running between slats. For her, it was enough to know such still existed. Plumping up her clothing bag for a pillow she double checked that nothing touched the expensive rug, and that no water puddled, threatening to dampen the irreplaceable threads. Satisfied, she slipped on her only other footgear, thick warm slippers with worn leather soles, meant to be worn only indoors. Opening her heavier bag Katharine withdrew the travel case holding her pipes. If they gave her food it was expected that, as an entertainer, she play for them in payment. A quick check of her pipes showed no new damage, no damp had slipped through the oiled wood to damage them, to change their sound. Closing the bag she headed for the main hall.

The dining hall she entered glowed with the warmth given off from a large fireplace located on the south wall. Children and dogs lounged about on the carpeted floors. Two of the older boys were playing a chess game while a younger sister looked on. Several people not of the immediate family were seated at the heavy wooden tables chatting amicably, while a musician, who appeared closely related to the children she had already seen, tuned a guitar on a small stage set off in a corner.

Dinner was a hearty if plain meal of stew and dumplings, generous helpings of baked brown bread and scones with clotted cream for dessert. As the last of the cream disappeared the Lord of the house leaned in Katharine's direction to make conversation. "Apologies lass! I never did learn your name. Mine's Robert. In the morning there will be a group of traders," he nodded his head in the direction of a group of four men dressed in serviceable terran clothes drinking, and licking the last of the cream off of their spoons, "headed off to Glasgow. They'd be more'n willing to help you out by giving you a lift as far as Glasgow, lass." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down, causing a smile to blossom on her lips. "Now how's about a story?"

"Katharine now, Lord Robert" she replied, answering his first question. She'd been so involved looking around and listening to the people she'd barely touched her food. Her stomach growled its displeasure. 'Later' she told it. Smiling gently she touched the thick weatherproof leather bag she'd sat down beside her. "Paps music ‘s well?" she asked. The man's face told her all she needed to know. Pushing her heavy chair back she leaned down to grasp the bags carrying strap. It was still damp from the weather, it would be for days, but it was good Scottish work. It could take a soaking in the ocean for years without apparent ill effects. Lifting her bag she stood and walked carefully around the table, then to the little stage the guitar player had abandoned some time ago. She set herself down on the stages edge, her tail laid out beside her like some fluffy cushion. It took her a few minutes to carefully unpack and assemble her traveling pipes, another few minutes to inspect them again. Finally she sat the empty air-bladder in her lap and looked at the suddenly quiet room.  

"ei cam tah Earth ta lern yer music" she said quietly, her nervousness forcing her into her naturally heavy Scotts accent when speaking English.. "ei dinna spect ta be er nah. Still ei am. ei hope ye enjoy mah music fer it buys mah meal un warm. Lik tha olden tims." Taking the mouthpiece into her lips she began to fill the bag, standing as the air bladder filled she backed up, away from the stages edge. Moments later she slipped into Mrs. Hamilton of Pitcaithlands, following that air with the reel The Grey Bob. Katharine played for nearly an hour, jigs, reels and airs as she watched people alternately dance, listen and on occasion cry silently, before her weakened stamina finally failed her. She decided to finish with Bonny at Morn, her instruments soft dying slow howl an ending to her efforts. At first the room remained quiet, then a slow round of hand clapping started, building until she blushed under her furry covering. Finally Lord Robert stood.

'Twas a grand effort Lassie, Ah grand effort." He brought over a goblet of wine and she drank greedily, her throat dry.

"Ah storie naw" she told the crowd, "is soon ei get mah breath bok." While the room readied itself she replaced her pipes, sealing them again for travel. When she was ready she settled again on the stages surface, brushing her skirts out to a more lady-like flow. "Two" she said suddenly. "one mah world, one yours." Imbued by the hot spiced wine on an almost empty stomach she was slipping between Scots accented English and Standard. A common enough style of speech, but she much preferred the Scots. Still, now only English would do. First she retold the old tail of Diarmad and Graine, then she looked at the magically refilled goblet. "Naw need ta let gode wine waste' she laughed, sipping a third of the goblet before she told her second story.

"tis known mah race was of a power long before the Confederation came" she started, losing her Scots accent as she slipped into another world, and the alcohol ran giggling through her tired brain. "But the way we were made isn't well known. Your well acquainted with the Emutaks legend, that the Gods created them, then they slew the Gods. How the Pahshall were raised from Desert sands, how you were created... Depending upon the currently in favor religion. But we... We were created because we amused the Gods. You see, long ago our world was ruled by a race equal to none that exist today. At least, that we know of. Our race were their pets, we amused them, we guarded their homes from the ghosts of their past. We were like your cats are to you today. But our Gods were changing. They were preparing to leave our planet, to travel among the stars to learn all that could be learned, to visit all the different races that existed. But they didn't want to leave their home empty for just any stranger to walk into. To steal that which they left behind."

She stopped, taking another drink, noting the young boy she'd smiled at was now sitting near her, an insulated container of wine next to him. She smiled at him again as she sat the almost empty goblet down. "They looked long and hard at the possibilities. Intelligent machines, but the Algor War Machines were known to them, and worse. Then at each animal that lived on the surface, under the waves and in the air. All the time we played blissfully unaware next to our Gods. Until they finally noticed us. Unlike their other pets, we had never harmed their children, we carried no illness that could cause long term harm, and we had never abandoned them. So they took us into their laboratories and raised us to sentient status. When they left, they left us with one command. 'Guard our home from all others, until we return.' This we have done for almost four thousand years."

She picked up her goblet, it was heavy again with wine. Leaning near to the young teenagers ear she whispered something that made him blush, then laugh nervously. Sitting straight again she alternately sipped her drink and spoke. "Only one race ever tried to take away our home. This was the Emutaks. Fierce warriors, they battled with fire in their veins. Yet we repulsed them. Again and again. When we joined the Confederation, it was with the hope that we would soon find our Gods, to return to them that they had trusted us with. But they were unknown to you. No mention of anything close to what we searched for was found. Perhaps they are gone. It is just as well, for I fear we failed them. I cannot see how we could have stopped the Whalhum, though every one of use would have died trying." She suddenly stopped, realizing she had said much more than she ever wanted to. "My apologies Ladies and lords. I seem to have allowed my mouth to be ruled by this drink. If you will excuse me..." Katharine stood with her bag, handed the now empty goblet to the boy and hurried as quickly as she could back to her assigned room. 

Someone had been there since she'd left. The bed covers were pulled back, all lights were now turned low. Katharine checked her clothing, finding it dry now and smelling much cleaner. Barely able to manage with a stomach full of spiced wine, and a head full of vapors, she carried her clothing to the little pallet she'd made. Changing proved difficult but repacking was easy enough. Simply fold and roll her dress then shove the slippers in over it. Finally dressed to travel, barely able to keep her eyes open, she laid down on her blanket. In seconds she was at peace. Yet it seemed only for a few minutes, though it must have been longer. It seemed that she was just slipping into sleep when the lights came up and a woman’s voice roused her.

"What is this? A guest sleeping on my floor? I'll have none of that" a young woman’s voice exclaimed.

Katharine groaned. 'Stupid drunk' she thought, 'You insulted someone.' Well sleeping under a tree would teach her to drink without eating first. But the room was so warm. She dragged herself up, barely able to focus. "Sorry" she apologized, hoping they'd give her weapons back at the door. Or at least have the decency to throw them after her. "Dint mean ta insult..." She had managed to roll her blanket and throw it over one shoulder, was pulling at her bags when more than one pair of hands grabbed her.

"Oh no you don't little Highlander" someone female was saying. "You'll not be going out into that storm again tonight. Not after a performance like that. Not if I have any say. Lei, help me get these clothes off her, then go clean them." Katharine tried to escape the grasping hands to no avail. Befuddled, confused and dead tired she barely understood what was going on, when she suddenly found herself sitting on the bed wearing nothing but a bemused smile. "And nothing to eat after all that wine. Don't you think I didn't see that. Lei bring food. Can you drink milk little kitty?"

Katharine barely had the mental abilities to say no before something hissed against her arm. "You'll be a little better in a few minutes now. But that was an awful lot of wine. Let me find you a nightgown. My but you have pretty fur." Her mind began to clear as the de-tox shot went to work, binding alcohol molecules into longer chains, allowing oxygen to reach her brain again. But she was still exhausted, there was more alcohol than de-tox and she found that she couldn't put up a fight when a frilly nightgown was suddenly forced over her head. "Father will be here in a few minutes. You can't let him see you naked. Let me get my brown robe."

Katharine finally managed to focus her eyes, finding herself watching a bundle of energy that must be the Lord's eldest daughter. A dark brown robe flew through the air to flutter in her lap. Carefully she stood, wrapping the thick heavy cloth around her. "ei culd sta here fa lif" she said, thinking she was whispering.

The girl looked up from digging in a drawer. "You let father see you naked and you will" she laughed. "He's got a thing for beautiful women you know. Simply scandalous. He'd lock you away in this castle forever if he ever knew just how beautiful you are." Katharine sat back down and slowly began figuring out what had just happened. She couldn't understand why the girl was calling her beautiful. She wasn't plain of course, but she'd never considered herself beautiful. She closed her eyes against the bright light. Just for a moment.

"Come on wake up lasse" an older woman’s voice was saying. Katharine opened her eyes again, certain only seconds had passed, yet there was a meal table in front of her and the aroma was mouth watering. "You just won't believe it father" the girls voice announced from somewhere behind Katharine. "She was dressed to travel, sleeping on the floor. Who ever told her to sleep there should be flogged."

"Now child. She's been traveling. If no one told her she could use the bed of course she's going to make a pallet on the floor. It's the old way. People didn't assume then, and the best don't now. Let me see her."

"Not now father. She hasn't eaten a bite. Not a bite, and Clive gave her all that wine. No wonder she went off like that about her race. Exhausted. Hungry, with a belly full of hot wine. Its just luck she didn't pass out in the shower. Why didn't someone tell me?" Katharine listened to the argument as spoonful after spoonful of thick hot stew was carefully brought to her mouth. She was too tired to argue, she just carefully accepted each offering until the bowl was empty.

"And she isn't leaving tomorrow. No. I won't have a woman travel alone with four men. It isn't done father and you know it."

Katharine giggled, that sounded so funny. She'd traveled alone so far. What were four men to her? Having been married, and very much into those pleasures marriage allowed, she wasn't a virgin by any sense of the word, so her personal reputation wasn't at stake. That the girl was afraid she'd be sold as a slave, or turned over to the Whalhum as some kind of spy for a few coins didn't come to Katharine's mind. Even after so long those ideas were still alien to her.

Lei tapped Katharine's nose, getting her attention. She held up a glass of something pink. "Computer says okay" Lei told her in a low voice.

Katharine sipped and her eyes went wide. Strawberry. Even if it was artificial, Strawberries and synth-milk. She would have hugged the portly woman if she'd had the strength. She brought the glass to her lips again, slowly but steadily draining the huge glass. It was probably fortified with all kinds of things, but right now she was enjoying the long forgotten taste. It was over too soon and Lei was cleaning up when a mans face came into her fogged view.

"Feel like talking Katharine?" he asked. She patted the bed beside her, absently letting the robe flop open for a few seconds. Seconds the Lord silently took full advantage of. He pulled a chair up, ignoring the offered seat beside her on the bed. "How goes the North Katharine" he asked.

Still drunk Katharine’s mind hadn’t the ability to lie, or hold anything back. Not that she would anyway, if she had been briefed wrongly rather the truth now, than pain and the truth later. She sighed softly, remembering the strawberry taste again. "Katharine's fine mLord Robert" she answered. "Better I thin. twas bad most bad the first years. So many died."

"English lassie" he interrupted. "And a little slower please. Your accents so thick I can barely make out what your saying."

Katharine blinked, trying to concentrate, carefully selecting her words. "It was bad the first year my Lord" she continued. "So few adults still alive, able to work. I did what I could. Caring for the children. I was not trained as a fighter. I had to learn. I am still not good at it. The Whalhum have left us alone. A few fly-overs. I thin... think to scan for power signatures, but wind and weather power is all we have. A little electricity. Not much. Lights. Heat for the children. Little else. We are quickly relearning the old ways. Things are better now. Maybe even a little trade next Spring. If you wish. Wool, some dried fish maybe."

"What about the Resistance. Are they strong up there? Are you taking a message for them?"

Katharine was too far gone to understand the why of those questions, barely able to respond. "Resistance? All that died the first hour. I haven't seen a laser, even a working vehicle. Nothing since that first week. No one thinks about fighting the Whalhum. Only surviving. My journey is so I can learn things that might help the children. My Lord Robert... My world is dead. My people ashes. My husband, children, nothing. What good does fighting do me now? Win or lose I've already lost all that is important too me. No my Lord Robert. There is nothing in the North to bring harm to you. Nothing but ashes and dry legends." She blinked again, trying to understand why she was telling him all this. 'Probably drugged' she decided. It didn't matter. She'd been chosen because she didn't know anything anyway. 'Let them bring their torturers' she decided, not realizing she was vocalizing her words. 'I don't care anymore.'

"Father let her sleep please?" the girl asked.

"Very well” Robert agreed, giving Katharine an odd look as he stood. “Until morning Katharine. Sleep well."

Katharine felt herself being tugged at as the mans footsteps left the room. The robe was pulled off her, vanishing, she felt hands help her lay down. Her head touched the soft surface of a feather pillow and the world slipped away into a gray dreamless sleep. Her drink had been drugged, but the drug had been designed to make her sleep. Not speak.

While Katharine slept a council of sorts was being held not far from her bed. Though she had no suspicion, her very life depended upon what was decided that night. Within Lord Robert’s study all his family above the age of nine were gathered, along with several of his most trusted ‘servants.’ Servants in name only, for their real position were as members on Britains fragile resistance movement against the Whalhum that still remained upon their world. Through various non-technological means, slow of course but still certain, this seemingly insignificant castle was a hub of information transfer. It was a critical part on the Northern European forces being arrayed against their oppressors.

Lord Roberts stood, his back to the chambers outer wall, a wall with empty shelves that had once held thousands of books. Books ruled illegal to own by the Whalhum, books officially destroyed, their remains shown to investigators, who then ordered even those remains burned. “Granted” he said, answering a comment spoken a moment earlier. “She is an alien. She is an alien long aligned with the human race, one we have some reports fights still. Simply because she is an alien does not mean that she is evil.”

“Nor do it say she be on our side, or trustworthy. She be MacRae by ‘er clothing.”

“True” Lord Robert agreed. “Which raises another question. How did MacRae survive, or was it reborn. Not that it matters, it is simply a minor puzzle. Albert, is there a drug that will force her to tell the truth. One available on to us?

An older man looked up from his notes. “I a doctor be” he warned. “No torturer. An yes, there is, though pain intense it will case the lass. She may die, should tha dose be tah great. Or tell nah truth, should tha dose be tah small.”

“Her life against all Earth’s” Lord Robert admitted. “Her own worlds as well. A choice I do not like, yet I have made such before. Do you have it?”

“No” Albert admitted. “A less certain drug I have, at home. For certainly, two days hard journey tah Aberfeldy by horse, an two back for tha other. My apprentice I can send, he’s a strong young lad. For these times.”

“Send him then, have him join me at” he thought a minute, turning his coming travels through his mind. “I will escort her for a time I think. Have him meet us at Falkirk. You know where.” Lord Roberts turned to his wife, who shook her head slightly. “Two days, three at the most I can keep her” she admitted. “Beyond that, no my husband. She has a mission, her kind take such with heavy heart. We cannot hold her more than three, even then only with the promise of transportation for some ways. Her race is gentle, as a house cat is gentle. Yet rile her and as a desert cat she will rise against us.” She turned to one of her daughters. “She sleeps in your room Gladys. Befriend her, we will find way. Perhaps you will draw her out. Use whatever means you must.”

“Or tear my throat out if she discovers the lie” Gladys added. “I will mother.”

“I’ve more daughters” Lord Roberts reminded Gladys. “Only one planet. Like the feline’s life, I must choose, and though I love you dearly, I must place you in harms way again.”

Gladys looked down into her hands. “I never knew the life you and mother knew” she half-whispered. “I would my children know such. Freedom is never free, it must cost blood each generation, else its worth be lost as it will be. Should I discover her a spy, do I try to end her life?”

“Nah, tis my duty” Lord Roberts admitted. “Rather she be what she claims tah be, for such a minstrel we will find a way to keep here. Besides” He smiled to his wife. “She is a pretty thing, and as you all know. Like all men I have a weakness for such.”

“There is room in my family for a sister” Lady Roberts decided. “Her talent has captured my heart as well, though in a different way I think. Should she be what we need, whatever it takes we will do. To keep her for Scotland. At least she does dislike the English, that one point in her favor is.”

“As if it mattered nah” Albert laughed. “Tha old grudge be long past. Nah, others we have tah fight nah. Others darker than even tha worst English.”

Golden warmth surrounded Katharine, warming her short fur and the massive feather tick that engulfed the soft bed she lay on. Drifting in that world which existed only on the peripheral of sleep, she sluggishly wondered where she was. There was no luxury like this at her home in the north. Perhaps she had died and gone to an afterlife...but shouldn't her family be here with her? Sorrow gripped her heart at the thought of her loved ones dead at the Whalhum's hands.

Slowly she opened her eyes and focused on the room around her. She was in a huge bed, her tired, old belongings lay in a neat pile on the chest of drawers against the south wall. A large window was also set into the south wall, the opening for the golden warmth of the rare mid morning sun. Katharine stretched and pushed the covers back. Outside, there was no sign of the ugly storm that had shaken the world the night before. It was one of those now rare days when the sun showed its face. She knew it wouldn’t last many hours. She opened herself to the warmth, letting it play across her body through the thin nightgown. A timid knock at the door drew her attention.

"May I come in?" The voice was familiar, but Katharine could not honestly say she recognized the tall girl with the waist length, chestnut hair. Her eyes were an intense green, like the green of a sun drenched forest glade. "I'm glad to see you look rested. My name is Gladys. My father is Robert, you met him last night."

She examined the freshly cleaned and pressed clothing Katharine had worn and clucked disapprovingly. "These won't do while you stay here. I'll have you fitted for something more appropriate." She fingered a patch on the pants. "Is it really so bad up north, Katharine? Maybe we can help them... Tell me, how do they fare for essentials?"

“Children, those who work first. All others what remains” Katharine answered. “Still hard, will always be hard.”

“Are you one who works?” Glady’s asked, moving away from the clothing. “Or are you one of the others? Where is this Clan you are part of? Glen Affric perhaps?”

Katharine lowered her eyes, refusing to make contact with the human. “You ask more than I wish to answer” she warned.

“I must. We all must. No one above the age of nine is innocent here my alien visitor. You could be a danger to my family, my father has already noticed you. Noticed you in a way he has looked upon no other but my mother since the coming of Hell itself. Do you threaten my mother?”

Katharine reached up, tapping a tiny platinum rose set in her right ear. “Ahm married Glady’s. Ahm no danger tah yer mother. Ah’ve nah interest in yer father either. Or this place.” She thought carefully to answer Gladys's original question. "Aye. tis harsh, na many sheep ta keep all well clothd. e try ta make thing last so tha chilren can have better. Is goo nuff fer me. Chilren coul use mecine, doctor evn. Buh we manage ey think."" She stood, studying the nightdress she was wearing. It obviously wasn't anything of hers. Katharine plucked at the delicate material. "you?" she asked.

"And Lei. I mean Eleine" Gladys answered. “She takes care of we children you see."

Katharine turned back to the bed, evidence of another body was still evident causing her to look guardedly at her hostess. "Well tis my bed after all Katharine. Don't you worry your pretty head, I dinna touch ye. Nor did Lei. Tis truth I tell."  

Katharine smiled slightly. "e dinna mean ta insult" she apologized. "e jes dinna wan seem lik ah tramp." She carefully removed the shift, folding and setting it aside. "ey don need cloth" she informed Gladys as she picked up her things, carefully dressing so as to not rip her underwear. Old and worn it wouldn't do to let Gladys know how poor it was, not after half lying to the girl about why her own clothing was threadbare. Truth be told, it was hard up North. Clothing had to last until it fell to rags, then it was used to patch better clothing. Katharine dressed in silence, more to focus her still fuzzy mind on the task at hand than to ignore her hostess. Finally dressed she started carefully packing her things. "ey shol left morn, is late. Is long ta were ey must be an ey canna dwadle long."

"I'm sorry Katharine but its too late in the day. The Whalhum might pick you up for questioning seeing as you'd be leaving so late. Besides Father wants to talk with you and if I let ye leave before he did...." She grimaced, "It would be a willow switch on my poor bottom." She laughed softly at Katharine's shocked expression, "Father wouldn't do that" she admitted. "But he would be sorely tempted. Its strange, how you slip from nearly perfect English to such a heavy accent” the young human noted. “Is it because you are an actor?”

“LrSal Ghll” Katharine hissed, her words in her own language. She turned to face the girl again. No, she decided upon studying the unhesitant eyes that returned her gaze. Woman, there was no girl about this one. “Don’ ask me tah translate. ‘Tis no a nice saying. I slip, because ahm exhausted, ahm hungry ahn I’ve lon given up on my families survival. One nights meal is no cure for years oh starvin lass, ah give mah food to tha children, poor as it is, ahn survive on what I find myself. Mah race can live on less than yer own. Much less, buh we pay a price. That bein’ our minds tah start, ahn mine...” She touched the hollow of her throat. “Tis near failing. Ah see ahn hear things noh. Things that are not. Its why I was chosen, ahm near dying o’ lack ah nutrition anyway. Another of yer years at mos. Not a great loss to my people. “

“We’d rather you remain here, until you are well. We have knowledge of your race, you can fill in any gaps... What?”

Katharine had held her hand up, a near universal gesture to stop. “Ah day yes, two at mos. Buh.. But I must be at my destination, else my mission is lost.”

“I will go for you then. Father was right, your talent is one now rare in our lands. So few have time to more than survive. Truth be told my alien friend, you are the first real bard to enter theses halls since before the bombs first fell. You are the first I have ever heard. That makes you too important to risk on any mission. Ah, breakfast.”

Lei brought in a tray with a large bowl of hot rolled oats and a small pot of honey. As she placed the tray on the side table she jostled the individual serving size pitcher of thick, yellow cream. Katharine's mouth watered at the smell yet she had to turn away. "ey canna drin dairy" Katharine admitted softly. 'tis near poison, ey fall inna coma days n days lon."

Glady’s raised her right hand, palm towards the feline. "Don't worry Katharine. It's synth cream. Lei checked the computer and we know all bout your race's problem with our cattle products. There's none of tha things here tha can hurt you. I give ma word. Eat up and enjoy, then I will have you a tour of this marvelous place" Glady’s offered.

“'Then ey be honor ta eat" Katharine admitted with a smile. She sat at a small table obviously meant for meals and dug in. It was hard not to wolf the meal, to just enjoy each bite. Yet somehow she managed it. When finished she followed Gladys on a wandering tour of the huge castle. Soon the two were wandering Castle Corpach’s halls, talking of things having nothing to do with war, men or hardship. Time passed, the human girl slowly coming to a conclusion that her furry companion was no spy. Could not be a spy. That knowledge warmed her heart, for she in truth liked the alien woman. They were in some underground passage that ran from one tower to another when Katharine finally managed to ask the obvious. "ow tha Lard no lose all this ta tha Whalhum?"

Gladys looked down at her feet. “ey doona tha true story" she admitted. "Father won talk about it. But were responsible ta tha local high mucky muck. Whe he's not down in Rome 'for his health.'" She sighed, reaching up to run one delicate hand along ancient carved stone. "If wa I've heard about ta new Protectorate is true, e better be more careful. Rumor are she likes ta burn people tha upset her, alive."

Katharine turned green as the thought of such barbaric behavior brought stark images to her mind. "e sorr I asked" she admitted. "lss goo on." It was near noon when they suddenly emerged from behind a tapestry into a long hallway. As Katharine and Gladys wove their way back to the main hall for lunch, Gladys caught sight of something that caused her whole being to straighten with anger. "Jeman! Sean! What in the name of the Lord do you think you are doing!!!" Both boys, two of the eldest, glared defiantly at their indignant sister. Between them they had a fine set of bow and arrows. "Those are Doug's! He'll surely tan your hides fer touchin' what's not yers!"

"Ha! He's not her..>oomph<" Sean's boast was cut short as Jeman jabbed his elbow into his older brother's gut.

"Sean means, Doug's gone hunting on the moor for the day, so he won't know, unless you mean to snitch." Gladys had her younger brother's arm twisted behind his back in an eyeblink.

"Hunting without his bow? What're you hiding?? Talk. Or I'll twist yer arm right off then tell father yer covering up for Doug's foolishness." Jeman grimaced with pain, but years of having three older siblings around had built up his resistance to this kind of family torture.

"Me know!" Katharine started as a wobbly toddler latched onto her leg. "Dougie go bye bye! Give Missy prezzie!" She proudly held up a stuffed bunny, one ear drooping sadly. She hugged against Katharine's leg, quite enjoying the sensation of a life sized teddy.

"WHAT!" Gladys hissed in Jeman's ear. "Did you let him go with those four merchants! You know that father forbid him to leave!" She released her brother, placing a hand to her temples. "They have at least a half day's head start on us! I must inform father quickly. C'mon Katharine!"

"HE WHAT?" Lord Robert roared as his eldest daughter explained what she knew. Katharine pressed herself against a wall, trying to vanish into the shadows as he turned his attention to the two younger children, his storm clouded vestige locked on them like a heat seeking missile on a collage bonfire. "YOUR ROOMS! NOW. I will deal with you two later." When the two had vanished he seemed to collapse on himself. "Gladys. Are ye sure he went with those four?"

"It would be his choice" the girl answered. "I wouldn't put it past em and you know how strong willed Doug can be."

Lord Robert nodded. "An Clive is too young to follow him. I'll have to send Jarvus after him. This will kill your mother."

"What will kill me my love?" a honey soft voice asked. Katharine turned to see a middle aged woman entering the chamber. She was somewhat shorter than her husband, plump, a friendly looking face and apparently unsurprised by the uproar. "Has Douglas finally taken himself off to become a man?"

"Ye know he has" Robert admitted. "An against my express orders."

"That’s Mother" Gladys whispered to Katharine as she returned to the feline’s side. "She's taken Douglas's side on this fer months naw."

Katharine swallowed, she was trapped in the middle of a family matter she had no right, no business knowing about. If Lord Robert took offense... Katharine had never felt the bite of a lash, though she'd treated others who had. "Ma excuses" she whispered back. "Bu ey musn be here. tis noh fer mah ears ta hear." She started to move away, only to have her movement noticed by Lady Roberts.

"Oh, tis the minstrel from las night" she said, changing the subject as easily as one might change a tri-vee channel.

"About Douglas" Lord Roberts tried to continue.

Lady Roberts simply waved her hand. "Not in front of such a dear guest husband. Have a decency..."

He swallowed, looked at Katharine and seemed to calm. "Later tis then. I'll go dispatch Jarvus after the lad."

He stood and left quickly, his wife watching him go. Once the huge door had shut again she walked over to the chair he'd been occupying, settling down with a grace Katharine found herself envying. "Come here. Katharine isn't it? We really must talk you know."

Katharine's hands fluttered along her belly, uncertainty combined with a bit of fear. Her tail fluttered behind her. To one of her own race her body language screamed fear, to a human, simply uncertainty. "ey mus leve sun naw" Katharine whispered. "ey missn tah finish."  

Lord Roberts wife shook her head. "First dear, my Scot's really isn't up to long conversations. Certainly not your thick accent. I'm from Wales ye see. If ye would, please speak Kings English, as best you can."

Katharine bobbed her head in acceptance. "As ye wis Lady. Buh I mus really leave now. Tis a long walk ta my destination."

"And you made no provision for delays? Come now dear, even a fool gives himself a few hours in cases of difficulty, and you my dear are no fool."

"Tru" Katharine agreed as she stopped before the sitting Lady Roberts. "Buh I have new knowledge now of other delays. I wel have ta walk all nit tah make up mah delay."

Lady Roberts broke out with a deep throated laugh. "Oh dear Katharine" she laughed, waving one hand towards the unhappy feline. "Your blind during tha night. Don ye think we have your race inna computer? I checked this morn while Gladys distracted ye with the Grand Tour. An your no Whalhum spy, no warrior, nor thief. Come now Katharine, sit by me ahn talk. Ye can leave on the morrow dear, with fresh supplies. I canna believe ye think we'd let suc ha talent leave us with such poor food." She patted the chair beside her as she spoke. "Gladys, get some juice and fruit for our guest. Strawberries isn't it dear Katharine?"

Katharine nodded, embarrassed. "Buh I'm not import" she pleaded, "Bread, a bit, or sugar oh honey in warm water be fine."

Lady Roberts brought her humor under control. "This is noh prison Katharine. We share what we have, and that includes long hot showers. Nah that sprinkle ye took last night. Our computers monitor all usage, things are in short supply yes, but never that short. You could have frozen poor dear.”

Katharine's hands fluttered, she was totally out of her element and Lady Roberts knew it. A country girl in the Court of Kings could feel no less confused, frightened or embarrassed. Gladys vanished, leaving the two women alone. "Katharine. I'm sorry about your family. I think I was one of the lucky few. We have our ancestral home, food, servants and all but one of my children still live. There's little news of the outside, all I can tell you is the last communication from your people was that they and the Whalhum were at a stalemate. You come from a brave people Katharine, in that message they also said they would be here to free Earth, as soon as they dealt with..."  

"hese buzzn littl bees" Katharine interrupted. "Tha be Admiral a'suLrah 'cu Jah vUanrr. e is ah stubborn man, ahn tha best we have... Had."

Lady Roberts blinked, "You knew him?"

Katharine smiled, "e married mah little sister. Course ah knew him" she answered with the tiniest of smiles.

"Then let me be the one ta say I'm impressed. Dear Katharine, he’s a legend on Earth. Mah husband always wanted ta meet him." Katharine’s smile grew, she was just about to say something foolish when Gladys returned, setting a portable table before them and leaving an elaborately embossed silver tray, its surface covered with all forms of food. "Thank you dear. Now run along will ye? Katharine ahn I have things to say." The look she gave her daughter brooked no response as Gladys vanished. Wither she left earshot or not didn't bother her mother. After all, times were such there could be no shielding children anymore. She picked up a small sandwich and a mug of hot tea before continuing.

"Katharine.... It's been years, before tha war, since talent of ye like as graced these halls. I want ye tah stay. Please? If ye die or ah taken. It could be centuries afor ye like is seen again."

Katharine was busy studying the table, counting types of fruit. She looked up at Lady Roberts laugh. "Only six kinds oh fruit dear. tis no a courtship meal. That'd take seven, correct?"

"Yes mah Lady" Katharine answered. "You know mah race's ways then?"

"Oh tha computer does, so I wanted ta see if ye still held tah your old ways."

Katharine selected a large strawberry, dipping it in a bowl of cream clearly labeled non-dairy. "Both actually" she admitted. "Mah Clan's way ahn mah races." The look of rapture on her face as she bit into the berry was more than reward for the delicacy to Lady Roberts. Idly she reached into one pocket, touching the package holding a single grape. Should she? No she decided. That would be her husbands decision, tho she already knew his mind. Lord Roberts held nothing from his wife. He never had. She pulled her hand from the pocket empty. 

Lady Roberts waited until Katharine had finished the berry before continuing. "Ye need ta know about us Katharine. We serve tha Whalhum. tis the contract my husband forged to save what little could be. There was no thing here any of those black hearts wanted, no grand battles. Scotland was a wasteland in all ways tah them but one. We supply mutton, wool, heather an other foodstuffs fer tha Whalhum table in New Londinium. Lord Roberts supposable rules all within three days walk. Buh Katharine, we dinna want tha Whalhum here. We want tah be free agin. There be precious little we can do but what we can we do."

Katharine stopped her movement, the mug of hot tea just inches from her mouth. "ey no" she whispered. "Buh ey canna help. Ey tak care oh the barr... children. Some boks an a few things from before even Bloody England invaded these launds. ey'm no warrior tho ey've killed. No tactician, no planner. ey jus sing, dance ahn ge fat kepin ahn eye onna children."

Lady Roberts set her mug down, eyeing Katharine carefully. "Gettin fat noh, I know wha starvation looks lik, ahn you’re a starvin lass if ever I’ve seen one. Ye be what we need ahn more Katharine dear. Ahn... well... Mah husband. Well Lord Roberts may set a bowl of seven fruits before ye unless ye run soon. We need tah send messages tah tha North. Start trade among tah clans, open communication lines tha Whalhum canna tap. Wanderin minstrels did it befor agist the English. Here, in Wales an Ireland. We need ah teacher, someone like you Katharine. Will ye think on it?"

Katharine drank her hot tea, enjoying the sweet taste while she mulled over the words of Lady Roberts. Technically she was nothing but a messenger at the moment anyway. There were none learning the crafts in her small Clan, too much work and too few hands. But Lord Roberts... She set her own mug down and pointedly studied Lady Roberts body, keeping an eye on the humans face as she did so. Not a blush, not a change in expression. Hardly a movement. Katharine was a widow by her races laws. With no expectation of survival she was free to remarry. If her husband was still alive she had long hoped he'd remarried. And if her husband did show up, it would be between him and Lord Roberts to decide who she stayed with. If she accepted. "ey never ben with ah human male. Or female" Katharine admitted. "ey admit your other ideas call ta me. ey canna say about tha last tho. ey'd ave tha think long on tha firs. But wha oh tha children? Tha be all ey care bout."

"By all means my fur covered minstrel, bring them here" Lord Roberts voice answered her from an alcove. He walked in, pulling gauntlets on as he walked. "My wife speaks well for me, but let me finish the question. His empty hand passed over the plate and a slice of apple fell from nowhere, landing square in the middle. "I know ye'll be levin in tha morning. Ah don expect an answer before ye leave. Buh I do when ye return. The jobs important Minstrel, so's keepin our heritage alive. We are out numbered, out gunned and under the iron boot of a selfish aggressor. Think on tha offer lass. I've a son to track down. I'd ask you, but I just canna see a cat riding a horse. It'd be... frightening somehow."

He bowed to his wife a moment, kissing her hand. "I'll be back by nightfall, with or without him. Your right. It is time I let him grow up. But I'd be failing in my duties as a father if I dinna at least try." He turned back to Katharine. "I've a trip to tha Wollys tah do. Well the fat frogs in Rome so if I leave tomorrow with tha carts. I just might get there and back before he returns. I'm certain the weight of a single thin lass won't strain tha horses any." He reached for her hand and, pulling it to him with surprising gentleness, give her a delicate kiss. "Play for us tanight please? And Katharine... As my wife knows well. Ye caught my heart on tha second verse" he told her, "An stol it on the third." Turning he strode out of the room calling for his man and horse leaving the two women again alone, a bowl of seven fruits between them.

Two days latter and Kathleen was again upon the road. This time however she was riding in a cart, a much less comfortable way to travel in one respect, still much safer in many others due to their caravans numbers. A thick gloom had settled over the small collection of carts and horses. Grey clouds reached down to touch the cold moor with clammy fingers. The swaying of the carts had lulled Kath asleep, no doubt the late night before and early rising had played a role in that. But a lurch of the cart woke her quickly. Kath peeked over the edge of her cart, oiled cloth draped around her shoulders to ward off the few, fat drops of rain, looking for Robert. She spied him near the front of their procession talking with one of his men and a tall hooded figure all in grey. Despite the copius amounts of spirits he had consumed the previous night, he looked spry and alert. She had to marvel at his fortitude, and his forwardness.

The seven fruit... She had never thought she would again be presented with such. What could she do? He was a caring man, good with children and she was letting herself become distracted! Dropping out of the cart she edged her way closer to Robert and the stranger.

A Hooded man, for his luxurious beard told her he was male, was giving Robert a small package. Straining her ears she caught some of their whispered conversation. "This must go to Sarah Graves in Edinburgh. You recall the phrase?"

Robert nodded. "The healing of the Mother has only just begun."

"You are a good man Robert to take these risks for us, we will do what we can to keep an eye on Douglas' adventures. I'd say he's off to a good start if he's found some of us already."

Robert scowled at the mirth in the man's voice. "Be as pleased as you wish old one. I am not happy with the boy. He's only sixteen and not ready to become involved in politics or your war. He's to take over Corpach when I die. Any of the youngers may play as they wish, when they come of age, but not Douglas. He's got responsibilities."

"Aye Robert. I'll not be tempting the boy further. Safe journey old friend." He stepped off of the road and started his way along an almost invisible trail through the moor. 

"Safe journey." Robert responded as he slipped the oilcloth wrapped package into his shoulder satchel. He caught sight of Kath as she casually came around one of the carts. "Ah Kath! 'Tis good yer awake. Would you like to try riding with me on Matinna, me horse?" Kath though was not too certain she liked him naming his horse after Bannerman of the Dandenong's. Didn't he die a horrible death? She would have to recall the details of the song as they rode. "Ye dinna have to be afraid Kath, I'll hold onna you."

"Nah fraid My Lord" she whispered, pushing her face against his head. "Ye mus know Robert... Ah kno. 'Sarah Graves.' Mah hewarin is keener tha yours. Ye mus now kil me or hold me til ah di. Ah be ah danger ta yer plans. Ye kanna trust one ye kno so little of."

Robert stiffened against her. "What ye know lasse... Can get ye seriously gutted" he whispered back.

"Ah know Lord Rob, buh where ye goin ta find ah violin lon enuf?" Robert suddenly stopped his horse, turning in the saddle to stare at the feline face peering out of the oilcloth as carts labored slowly past. Kath wondered seriously what he intended. Even after so long human emotions were difficult for her to understand and he could easily dump her gutted body in the mud, leaving her to die a painful lonely death.

"Why, in Endinbrough oh course" he answered. She shivered and an instant later he burst out laughing. "Gods girl, mah wife was right abo ye." Turning forward he kicked the heavy long haired horse, quickly catching up with the laboring carts.

They rode for long hours, her body pressed hard against Lord Roberts wide back. So unlike her dead husband, a lith man himself barely larger than Kath. Lord Robert was a mountain, a wall against all that came. She thought of the parting words of Roberts wife, it seemed so long ago. "We dinna ask ye bed tha Lord" Lady Roberts had told Kath in her farewell, "Buh one such as ye we canna let slip away. For Scotland, if nah ourselves." She touched Kath's cheek then, "Buh if ye wan, I can find room in ma bed to share with ye anytime." No matter how she remembered the words, Kath was at a loss as to how she should answer. Tired, lulled by the big horses movements, she slipped into a trance, unaware she'd begun singing softly, unaware her scent had built within Lord Roberts oils, keeping him aware of her no matter what he tried to think of.

"Where topic skies are beaming, love sets the heart a-dreaming.

Longing and dreaming for the homeland again."

She finished the song as Lord Robert's horse came to a halt, waking her from her dream-like state. She was shocked to find her arms tightly entwined around his trunk, her own body almost a part of his. Embarrassed she pulled away, slipping off the mountain of an animal before he could dismount, and falling flat on her buttocks in the mud. "Ahn wares tha vaunted landin on ones feet" Robert laughed, lifting her bodily from the deep puddle. Blushing heavily Kath turned away lest Robert see her face, and the conflicting emotions his touch placed there. Gathering her travel bags from the lead cart she rushed into the inn, fearful of meeting anyone’s eyes until she could regain control. Behind her she heard a laugh, and a mans voice saying something to Lord Robert. But she was so confused even her acute hearing failed to make out what was said.

After washing away some of the grime from traveling the party met downstairs in the common for a shared meal. Judging by the familiarity between them, Kath could see that Robert had been stopping over here for

many years. She settled herself on a wooden chair and tried to ignore the curious sniffs and growls of the dogs lounging near the great fireplace.

"Milord. Anne's making up some of those popovers ye like so much. I'd say she's got a shine on for you." He gave a bawdy wink. "Now you just be staying away from me wife Milord, ye gots one of yer own already." He teased Robert. "In addition to the poppies, Anne's fixin' up a lamb roast and veggies. And fer dessert, " He leaned forward and whispered loudly. "She's makin' some o' her famous bogberry scones. It'll be a treat ye dinna want to miss." Chuckling hugely to himself he served up spiced wines and a good, dark ale then disappeared into the kitchen where they could hear the clanging of pots and pans.

"Kath, if ye dinna mind. Would ye play fer us later this eve? I've grown fond of yer voice in the evening."

Gathering herself together Kath approached what passed as a stage. "Mah sorrows buh ma pipes be damp. Tis mah poor voice ye have ta bear with ahm afraid." She settled on the stool that suddenly materialized, as if by magic, and studied the crowd. Not a single alien. Each and every one a Scottish face. Inside she wondered which were Imperial spies, which would hate her for being alien, and which she could trust. Then the house lamps dimmed, leaving the crowd a vague moving organic mass just outside the pool of light she sat in. A single fur covered alien on a world so far from her own that her sun wasn't visible to the naked eye. A table appeared beside her, followed by a glass of water placed by barely seen hands. She smiled in that direction, then faced her audience.

The Auld Scotch Songs was her entry, the one she most often started a session with and was most comfortable with in an unknown setting. She followed with Annie Laurie, Ae Fond Kiss, Loch Lomon', Ballochmyle and three dozen more before she finally stopped. Not because her voice was weakening, she could, and had sung for hours more. But because Lord Robert was suddenly standing beside her. "Lass, tis not mah place ta say buh I think yeve sung enough fer one night. Asides, tis lon past minnight ahn wee mus leave at daybreak." She smiled up at the huge bulk of a man, her exhausted body unresisting as he lifted her from the chair, turning towards the inn's stairs. "Asides lass" he whispered, "Ye were aboh ta sing Scotland th Brave, ahn some here canna be trusted wi that." She laid her head against his shoulder, unaware of the envious whispers below as Lord Robert carried her sleeping form to his chamber.

Morning found them again on the road, another fog filled day. Many thanked Kath for her performance, more than once she found a long saved coin or jewel pressed into her hand. Climbing onto the cart she looked at the inn, a huge building that seemed as if it had been there forever. Turning her gaze she looked at Lord Roberts back. She'd woken in his bed, with him asleep on a huge chair facing her blocking the rooms doorway with his own mass. She was untouched, she knew. It was one advantage of having been chaste for years, you knew when liberties had been taken. Morning had found Lord Roberts several rungs higher in Kath's esteem. She chided herself. 'He's married' she told herself as the cart lurched towards its next destination. 'Only spacers take more than one mate at a time'. Some other part of her mind peaked out at the argument she was having with herself. 'Stop relating everything to your own race girl. Humans are different.' That thought brought a blush to Kath's face that should have burned a hole through the fog with its own heat. She quickly found something else to think about.

Ardchle showed the Imperial boot. Half the town was still in ruins, the rest barely repaired from what had fallen. Yet the people greeted them with kindness as they passed through. "Nah stop?" Kath asked, studying the low hanging sun. "Nah" the cart driver answered. "Star daybreak, staw sunset. Lord Roberts way. Good way. Nah stop fer meals." Kath already knew the last, and was still embarrassed when Lord Roberts had been forced to ride back for her when her stomach had suddenly turned. The carts hadn't stopped as she leapt out to clear her bowls, by the time she could regain the road they were out of sight and her illness had reduced her normal hardy trot to a sickly stagger. She'd walked alone for two long cold hours before he had noticed that she was gone.

They finally stopped at an inn outside of Lochearnhend. Kath was asleep, exhausted. She never felt the driver hand her down, never felt Lord Roberts take her limp body and carry her to his room yet again. When she woke it was to the chill of the early morning, barely an hour after midnight. Lord Roberts had just closed the door, dropping his weapons belt on a table as he sat. "Lor Rob?" she managed in a weak voice. He looked up, a smile replacing the frown he'd entered with.

"I missed yer songs lass. How de yah feel nou?"

"Better. Ah think" she answered, struggling to sit. Someone had undressed her, someone had cleaned her... and combed her fur. She looked at him, wondering.

"Tha innkeepers eldest daughters" he answered her unasked question. "Ye thin ah'd tak advantage o ah ill woman?"

"Nah" she admitted, sitting up fully. In the rooms darkness, black darkness to her, she didn't think her nakedness would be noticed. She couldn't possible see his reaction, but the indrawn breath warned her. She quickly pulled the sheet up, well aware it was much too late. "Ah forgoh" she admitted. "tis dark tah me."

"Yer ah beautiful lass dear Kath" was his only comment. “Better when yah get som meat onnyer bones.”

She pushed back the pillow, settling herself to chat a few minutes. "Twas tha lamd sir" she explained. "Ahm nah used ta such richness ahm afraid."

"But ye have sheep don ye? Up North ah mean."

She laughed, "Mah dear Lord yes. Buh no for eatin cept thos tha die. Ahn tha children get tha meat, no ah."

He settled in the chair, studying the strange woman before him. For human eyes Kath was well lit, for Kath only the candle was visible, and the sheet was much thinner than she thought. "My wife asked me ta convince ye ta join us. Yer talent... By tha Gods Kath yer likes haddnah passed our gates since long befor tha war. Ta insure non stole ye I'd hav ta marry ye and bed ye, she wants ye in our home tha badly. We studied yer race, but tha castles database isnna tha complete. So little we learned. Tell me. Would marryin a human be distasteful for ye?"

Kath smiled, blushing at the open conversation. “Lord Roberts" she whispered, slowing her speech as she dropped to common to insure her words wouldn't be misunderstood. "I have a mission. I have not been with a man since I left my husband. Truth be told I need. Yes I've seen men, I act as nurse sometimes. On average your not alike, but not so much greater than us as I could not learn to accept. But a human I have never thought. To join such a House, and you have said to bring the children. Sir that would be.... I'm so deeply honored Lord Roberts. But Sir. No disrespect. Your married. I like your wife. I would do nothing to hurt her."

Roberts pondered her speech, aware of how much she'd given up by those words. "She said ye'd say tha" he answered as he pulled something from under his jerkin. It was a holo-recorder, rare as diamonds on Imperial Earth. Sitting it beside Kath he stood. "Ah be bac in ten minutes. Ye listen, decide."

When the door shut Kath fumbled with the recorder, not willing to let her benefactor know just how blind she was at night she had been forced to watch his movements carefully. Finally something clicked, she could see a blob of moving color in her hand. "Hello dear Kath" Lady Roberts voice said. When Lord Roberts returned Kath held out the recorder. "Ah must finish mah mission" she said softly. "I understand. Lord or Lady, Royal or common. One's word is one's bond." She took a deep breath. "as ben long, be gently" she whispered as she pulled the cover away.

St. Fillans, Comrie, Crieff, Gilmerton, Methven... all showed the heavy boot of the Whalhum. Most were almost empty. Starvation, lack of fuel, supplies. People died, moved or fought like animals until only the hardy remained. Her cart driver explained that they had been forced North because Glasgow and Sterling still glowed at night. Nothing lived there now. At Perth they stayed in a huge tourist Hotel. Lord Roberts vanished while Kath sang, and arrived in time to take her to their room. She hated to admit it, but she was growing to look for the humans company, his touch, his caring words. Too long she'd lived like a nun, lived in a way against to her own self. Now she began to dread seeing Edinburgh, the city where Sarah Graves waited. Waited perhaps with danger for the man she was growing quickly to love. Almost she wished she could forget her mission. Could force him to return with her to the castle and the woman waiting to greet her as a sister. Almost. But Scotland had become her blood. Kath was Scotland as much as Scotland was Kath. She would not forget her word. She would not cause dissension. Even if it meant sending Lord Roberts to his death one day.

In the morning they would take the ferry across to Edinburgh.

Lord Robert and his party were on the road early to catch the first Ferry to Edinburgh. Kath found she did not mind horses as much when she rode with Robert, her arms about his slightly thickening waist. He was no young bandycock, not with eight children and a loving wife, but neither was she so young anymore.

The ferry was a simple structure of wood and metal drawn across by guiding ropes and a simple water wheel. No complex machinery yet. The Whalhum had found, to their chagrin, that no complex machines would operate any further inland than five miles. At least, none o' their machines would. There had been experiments conducted after the first squad of the Whalhum Mechanized Infantry had to be painfully pulled back to the coast by teams of slaves when they suddenly lost power. Many still felt the sting of that humiliation. As yet the reptiles had found no reason for the failure.

Edinburgh was close enough to the shore that it had become quickly Whalhumized. In typical Whalhum architectural design, the new city had been built over the existing one, rising high above the Old Edinburgh. Kath shivered at the sight of the steel and cement city, crouched like a fat spider over the drained carcass of Old Edinburgh.

Robert felt her grip tighten and put one large hand reassuringly on hers. "Dinna worry Kath. We Scotts look after our own. If'n ye get inna trouble just mention Castle Corpach and me name to the locals. They'll help ye." He squeezed her hand gently. As much as he hated it, he couldn't take her with him to Rome. One look at her rareness and she'd be taken for a slave, a short lived curiosity in some Whalhum's House. He'd die trying to get her back. Robert felt Kath rest her head trustingly on his broad back. If only she'd give over on this mission of hers and stay with them at Corpach. They could assist her people, no need for her to travel the dangerous ways.

"Father." Jarvus' low voice called Robert's attention to his second son. "Ye'll na be takin' her ta Rome. That nest o' snakes would eat 'er alive. I'll watch her, protect her if'n she means so much to ye. I've to find

Douglas, surely her mission can overlap wi' mine fer awhile."

Robert looked mournfully at his son Jarvus. The early sun caught the fiery tones of his hair and his blue eyes shone with an eerie light. He was still gawky, as only a boy destined to be a large man could be. And a boy he still was! Robert was not at all happy to see his children growing up. Douggie was only 17 and Jarvus followed his older brother by ten months. Still children!

"Aye, Jarvus. I'll speak wi' her when she wakes up." Leaning comfortably against Robert's large back Kath was far from asleep...

"Spare a little candle, Save some light for me" Kath sung softly. Her song was only for Robert's ears and Jarvus, riding only a handspan away heard nothing.

Robert waited until the last refrain. "Ye been listin" he commented softly, "An ye English is very good." Kath snuggled tighter.

"Onl when ah sing" she admitted. "Yer son shol nah go wi me Lord. Tis noh seemly tha tha son be seen alon wid tha Lord's mistress. Tis bad chatter tha old womn will make."

"Aye, twold cause more than ah littl difficulty Kath. Buh da yah thin yah can mak it. After all, ye be near blin at night." Kath stiffened, she'd done all she could to hid her great weakness on this world.

"Ah, ah made yer castle dinna ah" she asked.

Robert laughed, catching his sons attention. "Aye" he replied, "Ahn one da ye mus tel me how ye managed tha."

Kath looked over to Jarvus, smiling at the boy. He could see her face was filled with dreams. "Mah nose Lord Robert, taks ove when mah eyes do fail. Twas yer tourches, ahn yer feast ah did follow."

Robert laughed again. "Food, ah womans weakness" he laughed, then settled down for the final kilometers.

That night was little different than any other since they had started their travels together. Yet that one difference was near deadly. Kath had barely started into her fourth song when Robert slipped out of the room. She knew more by his missing scent than having seen him. To her the audience was nothing more than barely visible faces. Still, it was not her place to question her lovers actions so she continued.

That night too would have gone without comment, had not a group of young Whalhum blundered into the Inn. One look at Kath and they moved quickly to the front. She could smell them and nothing was wrong with her hearing. At first she ignored their comments, then one suggested taking her to London, to see what price she'd fetch at the markets. A rumble of human voices came to her ears, the drunken boys couldn't have understood. But she was in danger, they were not so drunk as to ignore such an exotic alien, and one who could both play and sing. She swallowed, and her pipes began a new melody, one she'd found in an ancient recording from the late twentieth century. A melody no living Scot had ever heard. When she had everyone’s attention she launched into the song, a song still incomplete, but would still prove deadly for the five in front of her.

I sing you a last song, yet it cannot be long

For evil has come to still my voice

Tis in your hand, to reclaim your sweet lands

And bring death and destruction to your Masters

She sang deeply, bringing life to the ancient song until the last notes left her pipes. Then she stood as the last line ended, gathering her skirts as if to leave. The Whalhum decided now was their chance and they rose from their seats. Or tried too. By the time Kath had found the inn's stairwell she could smell their blood. She was safe, until Robert found out. Then he'd have no choice but to send her back to the castle, or kill her himself if the bodies were ever discovered and linked to his party. She was just too unique, to easy to find. There would quickly be a price on her head if she was discovered, for inciting the mens deaths. A price any but a true Scots would reach for. Once she passed Hadrian’s Wall and entered the Commons of England she was a dead woman. Still, as she packed her pipes she couldn't find it within herself to shed a tear. They had murdered her race, they deserved no less.

As she turned to leave Robert entered the room, his scent was unmistakable. Another was with him but she couldn't place the scent, and as the other stood behind Robert she had no other clues. He closed the distance between them quickly, taking her hands. "Kath, I've just been told" he said in a hurried voice. "Why did ye do it?"

She reached up, touching the mans face. "Ah wil noh die unless in yer arms mah love" she answered, suddenly throwing herself into his grasp.

Robert hugged Kath to his chest, engulfing her thin frame in his massive arms. She could hear his heart, pounding furiously in his chest. "Dinna say such things, Kath. None will die if'n I have a say."

"My Lord Robert. We should leave the premises." Robert loosened his grip on Kath and set her gently on the ground.

"Aye Mandril." He turned back to Kath. "This here is Mandril Graves, son of Sarah. He'll be coming wi' us to Rome." Kath's heart pounded in her chest. Us? Go to Rome? Robert noted her confusion. "Aye Kath, Rome. I'll not be leavin' ye here after what's just happened. As we speak, Mandril's twin, Luche is smoothing the matter over in the commons."

Robert placed a hand protectively on Kath's shoulder. His wife would never forgive him if he let Kath die. Skills as hers were much needed in these dark times.

Kath curtsied deply to Graves. "Ahny oh mah Lord's friens arh mah friens" she stated with as much dignity as she could muster. Standing she looked to Robert, "Buh tah Rome? Mah Lord, wha... No, tis noh mah place tah ask soouch. Tis yours tah say jump ahn mine tah ask ho hig. Rome till be, ah do mah bes nah tah dissapoin yeh.""

The 'port was not very crowded at this time of night. Robert and his party, consisting of Kath, Robert, Mandril and Luche stood in the departure lounge waiting for their shuttle to disembark. Luche had procured a deck of cards from one of his many pockets and was baiting his brother with a series of card tricks. Robert stood with outwardly seeming calm, but Kath could sense the agitation running through his body. He had made her wear a concealing hooded sweater and gloves. She just knew she would be roasting by the time she reached Rome, but understood the necessity of not drawing attention.

Slowly the doors slid open and the passengers newly arrived from Rome made their ways into the lounge, headed for the exit. Most were in a hurry, no doubt with reports to hand in and evaluations to record. One figure stood from the crowd and filled Kath with a sense of dread. A tall man, but not as tall as Robert, dressed in a long black cape fastened at the left shoulder with a splash of red. Some sort of official insignia. His long, shiny black hair spilled over his right shoulder from beneath his hood. He moved with the grace of a dancer, or a killer. Robert tightened his grip on her shoulder, not painfully but with a gentle strength that told her to be careful. Kath did not need to be told twice.

The figure paused for a split second then continued on his unhurried way. The doors to the lounge opened then slid shut, hiding his person from view. "Who was that?" Luche asked in a hushed whisper.

"He looked like trouble to me." Answered Mandril.

"Let's conduct our business in Rome then be back quickly. I dinna like the look of an Whalhum Agent in Edinburgh..."

"Whalhum Agnt?" Kath asked ever so softly. "Tha same as ah spy? Mathap ah shol mak mah way bock tah mah clan alon Lord Robert. Tis not seemin tha ah travel ao far ahn leav your Lady in suc danger."

Robert's blue eyes darkened as he thought deeply on Kath's words. He still didn't like the thought of Kath going to Rome, and he certainly didn't like the look of that Agent that had passed them. But to have Kath make the journey back by herself... it just wouldn't do. Jarvus of course would already be on the way to find his wayward brother Douglas, the rest of the handlers would be dispersed across the city by now. There was no time to find them. He looked over at the brothers Graves.

"Kath. It pains me deeply to have to let you go on yer own back to the castle. But it would hurt me more to have ye stolen by some Whalhum. I'd not be able to do a thing ta save ye."

She listened carefully to his words, sensing the emotions broiling beneath the surface. Were those emotions all for her she wondered, or Scotland.

"Luche. If'n I could have you go wit' Kath. The way is less a danger if'n there is two and one be a man. Watch fer those Whalhum that would imprison my Kath for the misunderstanding at the inn." Robert took Kath up into his arms and hugged her gently, his mouth against hers in a passionate kiss. "Take care Kath. I'll see you in a few weeks."

Kath shivered at the human males touch. 'Has it been so long?’ she thought as his lips pressed against hers, 'Or is there something about humans.... Or just this man?’ she finished thinking as she responded hungrily, pressing her too thin body against his muscular frame. She didn't want to leave him, didn't want to go. But Kath was anything but foolish. She knew his words were truth. Rome would be her end. She would vanish there never too be seen again. At least... Not alive. Stories had made their way to her small clan, stories of atrocities even now she had difficulty understanding. "Ah wah" she whispered into Roberts thick beard, "Ah wah...." He had to push her away, she so wanted to be a part of him. Kath watched mournfully as he turned and rode off. How, even after her message, could Kath ever be accepted by another woman into her own husbands arms? Much less his bed. As she turned to face Luche a vague thought fluttered through her mind. Was the Lady also interested in her? She'd never, had never... The idea saddened her. But if it was to be, to taste Robert's lips again, to feel him in her arms. She would do much to experience that again.

Soon after Luche stood with Kath at the horse dealers. His voice, a melodious if untrained instrument, was lowered in a whisper as he bargained with the officious dealer. In the hour that had passed since Robert's departure, Luche had proven himself to be astute at avoiding Whalhum attention, and he always had that sly grin ready to appear. Kath's acute hearing caught fragments of the conversation.

"...and if'n yer cot, Luche Graves? Me horses will be 'pounded and taken fer Londinium."

"Eye'll na be cot, Mac. It'll take more than the local constabulary to put me away. I'll take the lady to her destination and return straight! Ye know as well as I, no lizard durst to shew his face long inland."

Mac thoughtfully stroked his chin. Luche had the point of that one, aye. No lizards inland often. Then only for a day. Two at most. He looked over to Luche's companion, dressed in a hooded cloak to hide her face. She or her cause must be pretty important to drag Luche out of the city. "Aye then. Two o me swiftest, but yer mother will pay double their price if'n they stray and don't return here."

"Aye Mac! N thanks ta ye! Yer truly a gennelman!" Luche looked Kath. "De ye ride milady?"

Kath looked up at the long haired Highland pony's saddle. "Ah mus learn" she admitted. "If it kill me, ah mus learn."

Luche smiled to himself, remembering his own first experience as a child and the soreness he'd felt for weeks after. Added to that Lord Robert's mistress had a tail. She'd be lucky if she didn't dislocate a bone. In the least, walking afterwards would be a new experience for her. Still there was one option, and he did like her singing. "Mac. Ah sih saddle fer tha Lady" he ordered. Mac nodded, already hauling up a Ladies Saddle as if he'd understood before Luche..

A day and four horses later brought them well past the place they'd slept two nights before, but Luche had pushed on. 'Tis noh ah goo idea ta sta this clo ta tha coast Lady" he explained. "Wah rid all nigh need be, if ye cahn manage."

Kath managed a pained smile. Her tail had long ago ceased reporting any sensation. She was certain it had fallen off somewhere kilometers behind them. Her buttocks screamed with every movement of the horse and her leg, where it rode over the side pommel, felt like it had worn to the bone. To stop again would be a mistake and she knew it. Luche had been forced to lift her bodily into the saddle after their last stop. She could barely stand then. Now... Now she'd collapse if she slipped off her horse. "Hah lon tah tha Castle" she asked, trying to hide the pain in her voice.

"This sped, mahhap late on dah after tha morrow" he informed her. "If mount be available. Afor sunris if we push." Kath grimaced. They'd slowed to a walk because of her inexperience, faster than walking herself but much slower than the rugged horses could easily maintain.

"Stoh" she ordered, bringing her own horse to a halt. "Geh yo rope. Bind mah body in plac. We mak tha Castle by tahmorow moonset, oh noh tal."

Luche slipped off his horse, his opinion of the alien woman rising several notches at her orders. Taking his rope he quickly bound her into her saddle, binding even her paws to the tall pommel. By the time he was through she could pass out and not fall off, but he'd noticed the few tiny drops of blood already upon her stirrups. When they got there she'd need attention. Taking her reins into his own hands after he'd remounted he looked into Kath's eyes.

"Don stop. Nah mattr wha ah say. Don stop" she ordered. “Even if ah die.” He nodded, understanding. Both knew she wasn't truly safe until she was inside the castle, and both knew she was almost at her physical endurance already. Turning back in his saddle he urged his horse forward, slowly easing up the speed until both horses were in a ground eating gallop. There would be many more changes of mounts ahead.

Sometime later Kath woke with a scream, sitting up with a start only to feel herself enveloped in warm flesh. "Ssshhh Lass" a woman’s voice whispered. "tis only but ah dream." Kath took a deep breath, blinking unseeing eyes in the inky blackness humans called night. A scratching sound, a flair of light and the room brightened to a dim grayness. Lord Robert's wife turned to look at her. Kath noticed she was wearing only a thin nightgown in the castles chill. The indented pillow she felt to her right said why.

"Tha medical. He sah ye noh sleep lone till ye wake. He twas good in his advic." Lady Robert slid back into the bed, becoming nothing but a featureless blur to the feline woman’s ultraviolet adapted eyes. Earth was dark. Even before the war she could stare unhindered at the humans sun during high noon. Now with all the dust, clouds and other material in the planets atmosphere Kath found noon no better than a storm gray day. Nights, with the stars mainly blacked out, had become impossible.

"Lor Robert?" she asked.

Lady Robert laughed, "Has lef Loundinium and is on is wa back. ‘E decided Rome was noh ah good idea after all. You lass. You ha slept nigh near ah month. Yer poor poor legs. Ye almos lost both, an yer life. Fool tart, ridin forced nigh near barebac. Yeh lucky ye con still walk, dancin's noh possibl. Yen ner tak tha long walk gain lone dear. Ye ruined yeself."

Kath reached down, feeling her legs. At her touch cold watery flame rolled up, flowering in her head like a living thing. She remembered. Remembered ordering someone to bind her in the saddle. Remembered the fire that slowly built, a heavy smell of her own blood. Remembered him telling her only a handful of hours... Then nothing but a vague vision of hands dragging her off the horse. Her legs glued to the side-saddled horse by her own blood. Voices, pain, then nothing. "Ha ah sta slep so lon?" she asked as she continued her exploration. The dyper was self explanatory of course.

"Durgged sleep lass. We stah them two day ago. Ye woke noh, then buh this tim ah think ye be awak fer good. Ahn jus in time too." She smiled, leaning over to lay her hand on Kath's shrunken belly. "We force feed ye, buh ye still lose mass. Tis ah goo hot meal ye need. Ahn non ta soon I think. Nah com tah tha bath. Ye smell ye kno."

Kath struggled out of bed, helped by Lady Roberts. She felt odd. She'd slept with the woman's husband. Not once or twice, nor for simple pleasure, yet the human accepted her as an equal. Cared for her. Kath shivered as her weakened legs failed her, Lady Roberts catching her before she could fall far. "Ah, ye nee help ah think" the human laughed, sitting Kath on the inner rooms toilet. "Firs tha dyper, then ah goo cleanin." Barely able to help Kath soon found herself in a deep bath, Lady Roberts slipped into the huge tub behind her, letting the furred woman float partially, supported by her own body. Picking up a bar of unscented soap and a small washcloth, Lady Roberts began cleaning her husbands crippled mistress. "Ye gonna haf ta wait ah nother tah moons afor yeh share Rob's bed again dear" she whispered into Kath's ear as her hands gently pushed Kath's legs apart to clean. "Buh he's worth tha wait. Ah know."

Several months later another furred form moved in the darkness outside the castles walls. Almost a year she’d been on this mission, now shivering in Scotland's chill fall weather. Oh all the things to find, a castle. Lowering the light amplification glasses the 't Fel cHuc ranger known only as Tash settled down to wait morning. Almost a month on this occupied planet and she was still alive, still hunting. She'd spied from afar on the locals all that time, following their tiny bands. Even cutting the throats of some Whalhum spies she'd run across. Tash licked her lips, she'd liked that killing. Then, she liked killing, unlike most of her race. It was what had drawn her into the military, then into Intelligence. From what she'd discovered this castle was occupied by those who resisted the Whalhum. Not openly, a castle was simply too obvious a target for that. But as an information station, occasional meeting place, supplies. There was a Bard there, a furred alien Bard. It had to be another 't Fel cHuc , there simply were no other furred races to her knowledge. She'd raked her memory of the names that of those who'd been on the planet, but nothing came. Perhaps only because she had lost interest in any non warriors. Not for the first time that day she rubbed one hand along her slightly swollen belly. It appeared she was overweight, in reality a large bio-data storage device had been implanted within her stomach area. It was the only way she could be certain she would not lose it, or have it taken from her. As long as she was alive. It held secrets of the Whalhum's. Technology, codes, bases, trade routes, names. All the things an active resistance would need. All she had discovered during her year long mission. But most was useless without a ships main computer and it'd take weeks to work her way back to her own. Settling in for a nap she waited the dawn.

Kath was snuggled against the human she'd taken as her new mate, on his other side another woman did the same. A human woman. Kath's and Lady Robert's hands were locked in a friendly embrace. Neither felt comfortable with another woman as their partner, but with the huge bulk of Lord Roberts beside them they slept in peace. Their room had just brightened enough for her to make out her human husbands craggy features when a pounding came on the bedroom door. He was awake instantly, probably had been for several minutes. "Who comes?" he called over Kath's shoulder.

"Ah visitor miLord" a guard called. "Ah alien." Robert shrugged, vanishing from the bed almost faster than Kath could believe for such a huge man. He stopped, turning to face the two pairs of eyes that stared up from the bed. "Marge, keep Kath in bed till I return" he ordered. Grabbing his clothes he started dressing as he left.

"mmm Com here pret kitten" Lady Roberts purred as her hands found the felines body. Kath sighed, snuggling against the human. Shared warmth, neither interested in the other. They had become like sisters over the months, human helping feline to move from place to place. They'd become inseparable. Kath stretched a leg slowly, feeling still healing muscles complain. She'd never walk without help again. Certainly she’d never dance again. But maybe if she worked at it, maybe one day she would walk with just a cane. Feeling Lady Robert's pull her into a warm embrace Kath fell back to sleep. Not even a thought given to today’s strange visitor.