Her Sweet Muse

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Rain had come this last morning of Renaissance Fair. Not a long gentle shower to cool the land, with cloud cover and cooling winds to bring comfort. But a short hard storm turning hard packed earth to mud. A storm that blew away to leave a cloudless sky and the sun burning down, with no breeze left behind to help. That had been seven hours ago, seven hours of hot sun before. Now soft mud had dried to dust, puddles had evaporated, to float in thick, unseen clouds of fog. It was a typical broiling late Summer's day... in early Spring.

Four-forty in the afternoon and a mouse was drowning on dry land. Though a hidden fan blew constantly, this out of season weather was more than oppressive for this middle aged woman. Wearing a traditional Kimono, while standing in a fifth century style English tent-pavilion, Miko Ryoga Yano glanced at a hidden set of gauges behind her wooden plank counter. Outside it was ninety three degrees Fahrenheit, eighty nine percent humidity and her barometer hadn't moved in the last three hours. With near ten thousand people crowding Spring Ren-Faire not only was the climate oppressive, so were many of their visitors. Several times she'd barely held her stomach as certain types breathed on her. Stale beer wasn't her favorite scent. Combined with heavy clouds of tobacco and sausage oils, her Mardi senses were often nearly overwhelmed. During a break between visitors she quietly withdrew another handful of sandalwood sticks, carefully lighting the precious incense, before placing them near the hidden duct's exhaust.

"Scorcher today Patty.. Miko" 'Lord Ruben' announced as he re-entered their booth. His six foot plus three hundred plus pound, heavily armored direwolf frame towered over her diminutive, four foot ten self. Wearing leather and plate battle armor over course black fur he should have fallen prey to heat exhaustion hours ago, yet the man's body seemed to thrive under such oppression. "I can't see how you manage. MikoIut's cooking out there, and twice that inside this booth. Need a break?"

"Not for another half-hour, My Lord" she replied, her demeanor automatically shifting from exhausted patience to demure respect. In the Society he was her 'owner', having captured her while on a now legendary quest to the Far East. A quest that had started when 'certain others' (to forever remain unnamed, in the spirit of the better Society legends) had run him from his Scottish home. Outside the Society they were good friends, sharing a love for archeology among other things. Briefly she smiled as the memory of their original meeting came to mind. Him a first year student half drunk, her finishing her Doctorate later in life, walking alone at night. It'd been a rather unusual dig that year, in more ways than one. Returning her mind to the present she retrieved a scroll from beside her. "Forty seven names today, all interested in our society" she told him, offering the paper. "I noted those most interesting."

He grunted, dropping into the pavilion's only chair as he accepted her offering, carefully unrolling it. "Only four you think might be worth my attention? That's thirty one for the entire Faire. Hardly worth the trouble."

"Thirty one we've located My Lord, this fair" she noted. "Others may have had better luck."

"Hrumph" the wolf grunted. "Granted, Heraldry is one of our least popular paths Miko, but we tend to attract the ones really worth keeping. We, the Bards and Chirugeon's. Most people only see fighters, pretty girls in low cut fancy dress, drink and singing. They don't seem to understand that it’s a lifestyle, not a game." He yawned, taking a drink of ice water from a huge mug next to him. "Granted, I saw the same at first, but you showed me other things." He sat his mug down, turning his attention to her. "What's this I hear your moving next month, to our Baronies grievous loss."

"Closer to school, a cooler environment and trees My Lord. Real trees that reach high into the clouds. And Mountains. With cliffs!"

"They don't call it Northaven for nothing. I can see why it'd attract you, your ancestors being mountain bred and all. Still girl, Northaven's barely in the Kingdom, and only a small Shire at that. Cross that interstate and you’re the enemy."

Miko laughed. "To you? To this Barony I helped found and have served seven hard years as Herald? Never."

"Ummm... From you yes, I can believe that. Still. What's this I hear about you an Shungyosai? Words out he's out to kill you. What's the real scoop?"

"It is the sword dance we've been practicing. Something he saw while stationed in Okinawa." Her ears darkened as she blushed. "Granted it was in a cheap samurai movie, still we've worked on it for more than a year now."

"THAT THING? In front of Mundane's?" he gasped in shock. "Patty that's real steel. He could kill you."

"Miko, please. There are Mundane's about" she stage whispered. "Its not that dangerous believe me." She was about to continue when a throat cleared behind her. Turning she found herself staring at a very overweight bear. "Heraldry?" his deep voice asked. He laid a paper down. With a sigh Miko returned to her job of describing devices, and the difference between Devices and Coats of Arms, to people who more often than not would forget everything she'd said. Well before sundown.

Behind her Lord Ruben watched quietly, ready to act if this proved another drunk mundane. After all, a six foot seven inch dire wolf in full armor was more than enough to stop any but the stupidest masher. Not for the first time he wondered at her patience, calm and ability to delve in her visitors real needs. It took less than ten minutes before the bear, his thick furred face alight with understanding, was thanking her.

"You have been most kind. Thank you for coming" Miko finished as the bear walked off. With a sigh of relief she laid her heavy Heralds book back in its protective case.

"Time" Ruben noted, holding up his battered silver pocket watch. "My turn."

"Thank you Lord Ruben" she replied, "Shungyosai is probably wondering where I am. We'd planned on running over everything before starting, now there isn't time enough. I would much dislike disappointing him. As for these mundane's..." she shrugged, "One percent join, one percent of those are worth the effort. For four weekends a year I can stand this. If only for that one tenth of one percent."

Ruben laughed, pulling the heavy oak chair into a bit more shade. "Yer ah strange girlie me Nipponese slave, but ah'll keep ye anyways" he joked. "About this display your doing with Shungyosai. I admit he's petty good, but he hit you what last night. Ten times in practice?"

"Twelve" she corrected. "Only because I wanted him too My Lord" she answered with a smile. "I was not harmed by a base metal blades dull touch, it served to make him more careful. He will not touch me today, not in front of all these... people. Would he?" Her face suddenly became a study in seduction.

The big man laughed again. "You should take up the sword woman, you've enough moves and twice the moxie. I've seen you take lumps Knights would wince from. And that smile. God show that smile to an opponent and watch him fall from shock.."

"What of Lady Mellous" Miko asked with a giggle. "She's in Kings Crown next month, looks to have a good chance. After all, she won three reigns ago. Would my smile bother her do you think?"

"Nay girl, not Hot Pants Mellous. She'd hit all the harder for your attempt. Same for Count Vesper. He has no interest in women. But Contessa Shennell... Ah girl, that vixen's had her sights on you for seven, eight crowns now. One flash of that smile and she'd melt before your weakest blow."

Miko laughed softly, reaching up to slide one hand along her friends sword arm, "Perhaps then, that is why she's wearing my favor this Crown, and why I'm really moving to Northaven. Now I must really go. Shungyosai will be waiting." With a flicker of sweat darkened silks she was gone, leaving a shocked Knight behind her.

"A Queen by right of arms I can believe" he whispered to no one, "But her consort a woman also? Oh my, they'll be war. Bloody limb rending castle crunching bone shattering Civil War." His heavy hand caressed his swords pommel. He laughed as he reached for his mug of iced water. "I can't wait. It's going to be a grand time for certain. A grand grand time" Laughing heavily he downed the remaining water in one swallow.

Miko hurried to her shared tent, slipping quickly through the curtain wall protecting it from prying eyes. Strange as it seemed, she and Lord Ruben had been friends long before joining the society, and remained so twelve years later. He'd gone to gunching, fighting sword and shield while she'd taken to the lighter arts. Dancing was one area she excelled in, just as in 'mundane life' computer programming and writing fiction came easily. Both areas bringing in more than enough income to support her true love, this Society that recreated her favorite historical time. Tossing sweat crumpled silks aside to dry she grabbed a waiting kimono. Made of lesser fabrics, poorly sewn with short whip stitches, of cheap home bleached thread, it was meant to be cut off her. Since this was a Public Faire, with Mundane's wandering about, she also wore a two piece grey swimsuit underneath that closely matched her natural fur colour. At pure events she would wear nothing. Then, this display of Shungyosai's blossoming swordsmanship was meant for a cool night and friends. Not a hot bright afternoon, before the eyes of unbelievers. Grabbing her lessor iron fan she hurried out. Their chosen entry music was already building.

Shungyosai stood silent, unmoving on the field while sweating in the afternoon's heat. His traditional Japanese style armor reflected the suns light in a myriad of colours, while it baked the German born badger as he stood motionless. Slowly sound built as their chosen entry music called all to this display, and he began to wonder. She was late. Would Miko really go through with this? It was real steel in his scabbard, not the zinc alloy toy they practiced with. One wrong move and he could maim her, or worse. Yesterdays practice had thrown icewater onto his soul. He'd thought he was so good, perhaps he'd been distracted by the sight of the mouse's favor on Contessa Shennell's belt. He'd hoped to carry that favor. At least, for a while. That was yesterday, today though he was centered. As the music ended she was there. Bright satins flickered in the light as Miko walked delicately onto the field.

Swallowing his fear he slowly drew his blade. Well polished, it glistened in the light like a living thing. "Woman, thou has't disgraced my family and myself. I shall have your head for it" he called, opening their play. True to their practice Miko slipped into a seductive pose. Her painted iron fan held demurely before her face, hiding all but those huge dark eyes of her's. "Mylord?" her gentle voice answered. "That you assumed I would marry does not mean I must. Certainly not an untried child such as yourself." Her fan flickered, it's iron blades snapping in the sudden silence as it closed. "Your blade against my honor? You cannot expect to win child."

Shungyosai growled deep in his throat, the practiced mock anger within it causing several brightly dressed mundane's to gasp. Softly their pattern music began. It would build slowly, ending, as their play would, in a sudden silence meant to freeze the blood. Shungyosai grinned under his red demon-face mask. Strict to the pattern, no missteps he reminded himself. Run forward, swing at her right arm, she deflects, losing a bit of cloth, follow with a low swing that miss's. Watch for her tail as she counterbalance's. He'd hit it once when they first started, nearly breaking bone. Turn left, two steps, wait for the drum, strike at her left arm as she posed again...

With a roar of practiced defiance he snapped his blade up, running towards the waiting woman as the pattern enveloped him. There seemed no chance of her survival when his blade leapt down, yet the ring of iron against steel belied that image as Miko spun away, a flicker of blue satin left behind. A battle of beauty over the sword.

Finally it was nearly over. Miko stood silently, nicks in her iron fan glittering brightly like silver jewels. Her kimono still held up by one wide strap. Two attacks left, a dozen moves or less. But both were feeling the heat. Miko's tiny swimsuit barely showed yet, but her sweat soaked fur was tightly pressed against her. Of her partner she could tell little. His sword tip wavered a bit, she could smell him (but then, she could always smell the badger) and his movements were slower as he breathed deeply. There were few clues to warn her the man was close to heat exhaustion, that he had been captured by the pattern. One misstep on either's part... She slid to her right, feeling her final strap part, felt the blades touch as it snagged one strap of her suits upper section. It was enough, stepping from her ruined kimono, wearing nothing now but slippers, and her swimsuit, she fell into her last stance, then signaled for their alternate ending.

Cold ice filled her breast when Shungyosai failed to respond. She had two options now as he stepped forward for the last strike, one she was meant to stop with her fan. She snapped it's iron blades open, releasing a small catch so each blade separated. A flick of her wrist sent them flying into the badgers face where they rattled off his demon mask, waking him. It was almost enough. Suddenly alert Shungyosai threw his remaining strength into stopping his blow. His blade slowed just enough that the nimbler mouse was able to capture it between her palms.

Their music ended. It was over. Several people hurried onto the field. Chirugeon's, Knight Marshal and the badgers pretty twin pages. "Sorry" he whispered from under his mask.

"The heat." Miko smiled, a smile that turned into a soft whisper of pain as she saw a thin trickle of blood running down his blade. Felt pain lance up from her left palm. She'd been cut. Carefully she spread her paws, letting his blade free while at the same time examining her injury. Not bad she decided as blood dripped to dust dry earth. Bloody yes, but it'd heal. Then they were surrounded, hustled off the field, away from prying non-society eyes.

Many hours later, dressed in her evening clothing, Miko sat beside her 'Master' Lord Ruben. Shungyosai was a center of attention, the badger currently enjoying a young felines kiss while almost everyone talked about 'The Dance', and its ending. It had appeared as if Miko had caught Shungyosai's descending sword by plan, holding it against his strength just inches from her chest. Those that fought knew the badgers strength, and those that had watched them practice had expected her to block his blade with her fan. Those few who had helped them plan the dance knew how desperate that ending had been. She sat quietly, sipping green tea as people talked around her. Her left palm was wrapped in bandage, one that already showed a thin pink stain. There were no brightly dressed noisy mundane's here, the faire grounds were closed to all but those like her. Those who were encamped here. Tomorrow they would pack up, return home and resume lives something like those of 'the mundane's.' Until then there was the campfire, bards, drink, food and good company to enjoy...

"Stand-by alert. Deathstar approaching" the Direwolf’s deep voice warned in a whisper. His words broke her from her dreaming, as she turned a scent of roses enveloped her, the soft rustle of linen came to her ears as Contessa Shennell settled down beside her. Firelight glittering in the foxes dark eyes.

"You'll do that again? At Crown?" she asked.

Miko giggled. "Before or after you defeat your last foe My Lady?"

The Vixen giggled in return, her long red bushy tail wrapping itself protectively around the smaller mouse. "Why not during the last battle? I might need the edge, especially if I'm fighting a Rhino-hide."

Miko thought about that. Rino-Hide. A most derogatory term, meant for warriors who refused to honor blows. Still of those reaching for the Crown next month only one fighter deserved that title. "You mean Sellemious. It doesn't help he's a bear too. Strong, refuses blows. No Honor. There may be a way I think.. The night before. He has eyes for all women, pretty or not. Perhaps I can tire him."

Hot breath hissed through Shennell's gritted fangs onto the mouse's neck. "You let that wad of pig dung touch you and I'll beat you silly. Then I’ll gut him in front of the King himself. Don't think I spent these long years chasing you to let you slip away just when I have you in my grasp. I'll tie you up and leave you in my tent if you don't behave."

Miko sighed, leaning heavily against her lover. "Promises Promises. Always promises." She closed her eyes, burying her muzzle in Shennell's rich fur. A cat-like purr slowly built in her throat. "Rumors are already flying my love, House's are aligning. When you win there be Civil War. Too many still hold against same sex pairings."

"Not to worry, I had my lawyer check the Charter. Funny thing. It says "The Champion and Consort.' No mention of sex. But war? Oh please, what will they do? Refuse to pledge allegiance to the Crown? Their loss. They won't even be able to attend next Crown Tourney, much less enter it. Anyway, that's for tomorrow my sweet silver mouse. Tonight's for friendship and love."

Miko sighed, surrendering herself to the larger woman’s arms. "For tonight then" she whispered in agreement.

Three Years Later

A soft grunt escaped the mouses thin lips as her armorer tightened another strap. "Last one" his gruff voice announced, giving her a small amount of respite. Miko Ryoga Yano took a breath, decided she wasn't too badly constricted, and nodded her acceptance. "Replaced that chaffed strap last night" her armorer informed her. Large paws turned her with a casual strength that easily overpowered her own. She looked up into her friends face. Lord Ruben's grey flecked fur was so close she could smell it. "Duke Arlian's a rhino-hide" Ruben continued. "Course you expect that with warthogs. But he can hurt you even through this armor. Still sure you want to do this?"

"I have to" she answered, turning her head slightly to look out his tent towards her own. "For her, if never for me."

Ruben shook his head in defeat. "Arlian's not honorable. He won't call blows. I know you and Shungyosai have been working towards this. I've helped best I can. Your fast, I grant you that. Faster than rhino-butt out there. Good too. All that's useless if he gets in one hit. Warthogs are nothing but muscle or fat. Arlian may be fat but there's well trained muscle under that pillow he calls a belly. Countess Shennell doesn't need a crippled lover."

"Its not a game any more old friend. Not this time" Miko admitted. "He doesn't call blows, I won't either. It'll be who's still standing when its over. I've already sent a letter to the King. He and the Knight's Marshall accept, though both disagree. Queen's furious though, she hates us both I think."

"Reindale accepts" the dire wolf snorted, pushing his mouse companion into a corner near the hidden fans breeze. "That lion hates rhino-hides as much as anyone. As for our Queen. She used to be so sweet, but once that Crown touched her fur... I think she hates half the Kingdom, no real loss there. Otters can be wonderful people. But when they go bad, they go real bad." He pulled up a stool, patting its feather stuffed top. "Sit here until Shennell's ready, its going to be half an hour before sunup anyway."

He waited as the mouse gently shifted her weight from armored feet to the stools comfortable cushion. "Now listen to me girlie" he continued. "You're a damn good dancer, best herald this kingdom's ever had bar none and that's fact. Smart, beautiful and cursed with bad luck to be in Egypt when Shennell was hit by cancer. If your doing this to prove something don't. Shennell is getting better, she can see straight again. She's already armored up several times against me and I can see the improvement. Another two years and that vixen'll be out there kicking ass and taking names again. No reason for you to get crippled. So tell this old grunt. Just why anyway?"

Miko thought over his words, words she'd heard before of course from dozens, scores of her fellow 'players.' Still she always thought things over carefully before answering. Probably her archeological training she decided. It was true, two months into her six month research in Egypt, word had come to her. Countess Shennell, or Mary Brimmer as she was known in the mundane world, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Unable to leave Egypt, Miko had worried herself sick, nearly ruining her work before it was done. Returning home she found her love barely capable of caring for herself. Two and a half years of hard work had brought the vixen back to her old self, though she was still unable to fight well. Fighting took balance, something the vixen was still having problems with. Even though the tumor had been benign, it had pressed hard against her brain.

Was it for Shennell she asked herself. Or to prove she could do it. Or simply to rub their faces in it, those so called Knight's who had been happy to see Shennell fall. Why had she thrown her gauntlet into the ring. Bringing herself back to reality she locked eyes with her larger companion. "I wouldn't want you to miss a civil war would I? At least Sellemios is gone, transferred by the military last year. I don't think I could trade blows with him long. But... I think. And I could be wrong. I think its because of how she was treated. It's part pride, part honor. But I'm sick of that group being so vocally relieved they wouldn't have a couple of 'sick lez's on their throne.'"

"A warthogs easier than Sellemios?" Ruben asked bemused. He snorted, then calmly pulling out his pipe he carefully packed it. "Hon, you play my slave. Have for years. Will until I sell your cute butt to Shennell. I got no use with a broken toy. You really think yer equal to that lard headed tin can wearing bubba-boy?"

"No" she admitted. "Just faster. Maybe smarter. He's like a Gorn Battleship, they only turn once per year you know."

"And carry a hell of a punch. Your no Hydran girl. Play Klingon. Dance with him. We both know its your only hope."

"Yes Great Obiwan" Miko shot, giggling as the direwolf's face darkened.

"Vader, High Lord Vader to you young princess. And don't you forget it." He stepped away, looking out his tent while he lit his pipe. A scent of black cherry quickly filled the tents partially enclosed area as he stared silently at the coming dawn. Finally he moved. "She's waiting now" he said softly. "Time to face Sol's rays."

"Then I better hurry. Thank you Lord Ruben. For everything." She stepped on a case, bringing her face close to him she surprised the old man by kissing him. "Take care of her, if I'm hurt."

"No contest" he laughed, stepping out of his protegees path as she picked up her helmet. He touched an old trumpet sitting near her tents entrance. "I'll play the Deguello for you, when he steps on the field."

"You do that" she agreed, then was gone.

Miko walked carefully across the small distance between tents until she reached the waiting vixen. "You have your cane" she remarked as she reached the waiting woman’s side.

"I thought it best" Shennell admitted. She waved her well worn cane, indicating the waiting field below them. "Fitting its mist covered. This is old boy against new age. He won't surrender easily."

"Nor will I. Shall we walk?"

Shennell's red furred arm slipped under Miko's blue armored one. Together they began walking down the hill towards a barely seen waiting crowd. Already hundred's had gathered at the field. Even Duke Arlian was already there, though still getting into his armor. Dozens of bruises were evident under the warthogs short grey fur. All from yesterday, all blows others would easily have accepted. Blows Arlian had claimed were 'light.' Light blows that had taken his armorer half the night to pound out of chrome plated metal.

Like a thin wind trumpet notes filled the air from behind them. "Hell of a way to play the Klingon Battle Song" Shennell laughed, recognizing the notes. "Though its better than last year."

"It's kind of hard to play the Klingon Battle song on bagpipes you know" Miko answered, "Though he did try to learn how."

"Lord Ruben is mad. Mad I say" Shennell sighed. "As are all who hold the dream dear. Patty... call it off. I'll be ready in a few years. I'm the fighter not you. Your too important to me to see hurt."

"Throw away two years of my life? You over estimate his chances."

"Just don't end up with an x-wing up your tailpipe lover. Your no Admiral to be thrown away on a lost cause. That's my territory."

"Mmm..." Miko stopped as the last notes faded away. "You have that pennant?"

"Blood red, like you asked. When do you want it raised?"

"The instant lard butt enters the field" Miko decided.

"Consider it done."

As if those words had been a signal two richly dressed doe's appeared, gathering the limping vixen to them like a tired child they vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Miko herself continued, stopping only when the Knights Marshal stepped before her.

"Your weapon" he said, offering her the ratan Katana she always fought with. "My pardon, I must ask" he whispered, looking down.

Miko studied the ornately dressed bobcat. "You have got to be kidding" she laughed.

"It is his favorite target."

"So why hide it" she asked.

"Its law... Do you?"

"I would be a fool not to, now wouldn't I" she asked, both knowing full well her protective cup was back in Lord Ruben's tent. It could unbalance her at the wrong time and they both knew that.

By law the bobcat should check. There lay the problem for him. Miko was a woman. A Lady. A very popular Lady at that. A woman loved by most of the kingdom that counted. Loved for her selflessness, both for Kingdom and the woman she had chosen to share her life with. Should he touch her that way every gauntlet in the camp that mattered to him would be at his feet. Including both his wives. Never a fool he decided to take her word. Even though he knew she was lying. Even though he should have checked, no matter what the fighters sex. Stepping aside, he let her pass.

As she entered the field a soft touch of wind fluttered scores of pennants. Not to appear weak Duke Arlian, still pulling on his gauntlets, entered from the other side. At that moment Lord Ruban's trumpet sang again. This a different, stronger tune that sent chill's down the spines of everyone who understood, who lived in a state where both song and pennant had been outlawed over a hundred and sixty years. Behind her a sharp squeal of protest as someone's pennant was taken down, to be replaced by a gasp as understanding blossomed. Both tune and pennant were completely unexpected, this was no line drawn in soft sand.

This was Armageddon.

Soft babble ceased, eyes turned to the blue armored figure. This was no battle for the Crown they realized. This was a line in stone. Rhino-hide against Dream. This most realized, was the battle everyone had been waiting for. Though many felt distaste at Miko's private life, when forced to choose, they discovered that the Dream was more important to them than who sat on their throne for six months. Even so, behind the crowd betting was heavy against her.

"Dumb music" Duke Arlian snapped as he stepped up to Miko. "I'll be nice. Only break yer legs."

"Accepted" Miko replied, carefully closing her blue demon mask as the Herald came up to them. She smiled behind her mask at the warthogs scowl.

Most fighters were afraid of him, with good reason. Those that weren't he usually beat down until they wouldn't fight him. He had only faced Miko a few times since she'd started fighting. An easy kill was his opinion, but he'd draw it out for the crowd. Turning his back in contempt he stamped across the pea gravel to his 'corner.' There was nothing for him to do now but wait for the words 'Lay On.' Then he'd show that little dyke what a real man could do. He’d ruin her for life. Just because he could.

Off the field Countess Shennell pushed away the woman trying to brush her hair. "I can't see" she complained.

"Nothing to see My Lady" the tall doe answered, easily blocking her. "Nothing I would want to see. Now let me to my work. Please?" Behind her the sound of rattan striking metal clad plywood caused her to flinch. Kiko never carried a shield, it got in her way. Setting her jaw the doe forced Shennell back down, looking over to her sister for help.

Lord Ruben still sat at his tent, his feet propped up on a covered ice chest as he watched the fight far below him. As time passed the mist had burned off. Cracking open another of his home brewed ales he saluted the field, then took a deep drink.

"Mylord?"

Ruben looked up, noting the otter who stood before him. Not just any otter his brain screamed. Scrambling he tried to both set his bottle down and kneel at the same time. "Your Majesty" he gasped, stunned. "I would have thought you..."

"Down at the field yes" She walked onto his carpet covered area, looking around. "I would rather talk, if you have time."

"Certainly" Ruben stood quickly, grabbing his best chair he placed it in the best position he could think of. "I have until that" he indicated the battlefield with his free hand, "is over. How may I help you?"

Settling down the otter, known to Ruben as Queen Melain, pursed her lips. "There are two things of course. First is your fighter. Will she be a good ruler? Will she allow her personal life to touch her decisions?"

"I believe she'll be a good ruler your majesty. She'll listen to Shennell of course. If Duke Arlian doesn't kill her first. As for her private life. I can't say. I'm not her or Shennell."

"But you think not?"

"I'll lay my name she won't."

Nodding the otter looked out to her waiting Ladies. "I am satisfied, please inform... the King... I will attend him momentarily." Both women curtsied, then left quickly. Melain waited until they were out of earshot before continuing. "During my rein I was forced to play the bitch. It was the Kings request, that we play good cop bad cop. In private life I am a police officer, so it proved an easy task. Now... My rein ends soon. Reindale never has the same Queen twice, as you are aware. I find myself no longer needed. Perhaps you know someone who might aid a homeless ex-Queen?" She leaned forward, giving Ruben a very unrestricted view of her chest. "I have been in love with you for three years Lord Ruben. Your about to lose a slave. Perhaps you might find room to train another? In both lives?"

Miko slipped again, Arlian's heavy mace had glanced off her leg, sending needles of pain through her body. It hadn't gone as she had hoped. Through they had been fighting nearly twenty minutes, an impossibly long time for such battles, the warthog was having little trouble pressing her. She rolled right, coming up behind her opponent to land a vicious blow to his left hip. Freshly repaired chrome plated steel bent under the blow. Arlian simply turned to raise his mace again. 'I'm going to lose' she realized, barely dodging his next blow. Arlian grunted, lifting his mace again. Slower this time, but Miko herself was soaked with sweat. Her body oxygen starved, she was running on what was left of precious little reserves. Her arms felt like soft lead, barely able to lift her weapon. She backed away, gaining time, and valuable oxygen.

Any normal fight would have been stopped long ago. In this Kingdom though, events had come to a head, as most everyone understood. Those that didn't wouldn't matter to either side. Arlian and his 'House' were part of an infection that was killing their Kingdom. No more than drunken party animals, they managed somehow to ruin every event they could get into. Miko was simply the lucky, or in this case unlucky, one chosen to lance that wound. Arlian's kind would never give allegiance to a woman. Certainly not her kind. That meant banishment until she was replaced nine months from now. By then certain things would happen. If she could win.

Feebly deflecting his next swing she missed the two women who stopped near the ropes behind her. Two of the most beautiful women in the kingdom, women Arlian many times had tried, and failed to impress. Quietly they waited until Arlian looked up. So sure of his victory was the warthog that he took a moment to enjoy their beauty. Then, just as he was about to return his attention to Miko, both women let their blouses open, giving him an unrestricted view of their more than ample, and very naked chests. Stunned Arlian gasped, his attention completely distracted. It was only a second or two, but that was the last second or two of this battle. Miko's grabbed the opportunity, her Katana's tip whistled as she swung a highly illegal blow. It impacted Arlian's helm, actually breaking the helms straps. Staggered the warthog fell to his knees, to feel that same rattan blade at his neck even as dust rose from his landing. It was over a moment later.

Miko barely stood, exhausted, her back to where the women had stood she had no idea what had happened.

"Do I call you Queen or King your majesty" one doe asked softly.

"What?" Shennell asked, staggering to her feet. "She won? That damned fool WON?"

"Yes Your Majesty” the other doe answered. "Shall we escort you to her?"

"You can bloody well get out of my way" Shennell laughed, pushing past her brand new Royal Retinue. "I've got a woman to kneel before."

Late that night Lord Ruben had a visitor. Heavily veiled she was unrecognizable to all but half the encampment. "You planned that" he accused his visitor. "It wasn't honorable. How did you find two women who would stoop so low?" 

Soft laughter answered him as the otter Melain settled at his feet. "My problem wasn't finding them" she answered. "It was selecting who to let do it."

"Why?" the direwolf asked. "You've started a civil war."

"Arlian and his House have already left" Queen Melain explained. "Along with him every Knight who won't accept what happened. You may not be aware my dear Duke, but that is almost all the drunken skirt chasing sots in the Kingdom. No. I don't much like how it was done. Still it was done."

"You haven't answered my question Melain. Why start a civil war?"

"How long have you been society" she asked.

"Since AS 17, you know that. King twice until my shoulder went out."

"AS 23 for me, and this was my third time as Queen. Has the Dream remained true in all that time? No. You know it hasn't. Rhino hides we call them. Other things and not just the fighters. House's who feel they must have the best or run them out. How many of Miko's finds remain over a year? Half? That's about average for my people too. Mistress Seamcheckers, snobbish Heralds who feel every dot must be underlined. It goes on. Once it was funny. Now its become a cancer. No one is fooled. Countess Shennell will be the real ruler. Everyone knows that even though Miko will be what? We can't call her King can we. This might not be the right choice. It may be a mistake. Still we, the Dreammakers, made our choice. Lets wait, give them their hard earned chance. Support them and see what happens."

"How long have you been planning this" Ruben asked as a very dim light in the back of his head suddenly flared. "You and Reindale."

"It wasn't just us. When Shennell stepped forward a lot of us had a little meeting. You weren't invited because you were too close. She failed her first attempt by only a little. Then cancer struck her down. We were still hunting a replacement when Miko threw in her gauntlet. Have you any idea how few lesbian, or gay couples who really share the dream and are good enough fighters to go for Crown? Near four years."

Lord Ruben worked over her words, this hadn't been a sudden decision. This could get them all banished forever. "So.. Now what?"

Melain giggled, leaning her cheek against his knee. "You seem to be short a slave, and I am still searching for a Master. Perhaps we could come to an agreement?" His laughter was her answer.

Miko lay flat on her back as Shennell checked her bandages. "Gonna be sore in tha morning" the vixen informed her. "Need to see a real doctor. That leg looks pretty bad."

"You'll have to drive me" Miko agreed. "I'm sore already. By the way, did you see what distracted Arlian? He had me. Then it was like he'd been pole axed."

"No" Shennell admitted. "They" she indicated the two does who had helped her care for the mouse, "wouldn't let me see anything. I know, but I'll never tell you."

Miko groaned as one of the doe sister's gently rubbed ointment into a scrape on her tail. "I had lost. He should have won. Why did he lose?"

Shennell leaned over, putting her lips close to the mouse's ear. "Lets just say" she whispered. "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition."