"FREE-43" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jerome Bigge - Warlady 9 - The Freedom Fighters Of Trelandar)Freedom Fighters of Trelandar A Tale of Adventure in the Second Dark Age Book Nine of the Warlady Series By Jerome B. Bigge Chapter Forty Three "We have `visitors'," Jon said to me as I looked up from re- viewing the story that I'd written so long ago here for Lorraine. The rooms of the manor house old and "familiar" after all these years, as were the grounds that brought back so many "memories". It was easy to live in the past, deny "what" was coming in twenty seven years, putting an end to everything that existed on Earth. Some I knew had fled back in time after having their memories al- tered so that they would not alter what was to be. Eric and his lovely Sequoia had spoken of doing that, of seeking safety in the past, perhaps in the "Trelandar" of Queen Amethysta's own time. As perhaps Darlanis' own daughter, Artemis, had once sought it in her unauthorized flight backwards in time, back to the 1980's... The crime rate in the cities was increasing despite the best ef- forts of the guardsmen and those of the black caste to stop such. Others tended to live for today with little thought of tomorrow.* * One could draw "parallels" with our society of today. (J.B.B.) "I came as `soon' as I could," Empress Sharon Duval smiled, her eyes holding my own as I nodded back. Lorraine had been her step mother once long ago, back in a time, a land now but legend. Although sought by many suitors, Sharon had never married, and as Queen of Orgon, had stepped into Darlanis' shoes after her death. Blonde, blue eyed, she was truly a worthy successor to Darlanis. "She `died' as she would have wished it," I smiled in reply. Lorraine had been a woman who had been so very much a Warrioress, a Queen like none that Trelandar had ever known before her too... "She was truly of the Warrioresses as few ever were," Sharon answered, putting her arms around me and drawing me "close" here. "But yet a leader too who `saw' what so few ever could see here." ******************************************************************* "Like old times," Carl said to me as we halted for the night in a small clearing, the sun just setting here beyond the trees. It was chill, being well into the fall, late October I might add. "I hope Sarah will be all right," I said, worried about hav- ing weaned her as early as I had, it being the usual practice not to ever wean a child before their first year, some mothers nurs- ing even longer, sometimes as long as eighteen months. Lana dot- ed on Sarah, and I knew she would be in good hands if the worst was to happen here and neither of us ever returned to the estate. "I worry about the fact that Warsan knows who you are," Carl said to me as we unsaddled our animals and secured them to trees, a few last rays of the setting sun lighting his face as he spoke. "Fear will keep her `honest'," I smiled back at my husband as I now set my saddle and equipment to one side. Lara knew lit- tle about me save for what she'd heard others claim they "knew". "Darlanis could someday put two and two together," he noted. "A coward dies a thousand `deaths', a brave man but once," I smiled back. I had no doubt that Darlanis would have me beheaded if she ever found out just "what" I was doing, but first she had to catch me, and the tactics I was using would make that just as difficult as possible for her. While she might be able to trace me to Lana's estate, proving that I was the person "responsible" was another matter entirely, as I was sure she was aware of too.* * It should be mentioned here that Darlanis sought a "Lady Sanda Harles" which was the "identity" I used during this time, my plan being to confuse the Empress as to just "who" I was. While I was "known" in Thistle to a certain degree, it was believed by Darla- nis' people that "Lady Sanda Harles" was yet another person, this being done by having Lady Lana "pose" as me several times. I did however take whatever "precautions" I could, being well aware of the "risks" that I was taking, which is why so few on the estate knew that I was actually "who" I was, or that I did have a title. While this amazed Lorraine, it should be pointed out here that in a society such as ours without any "mass media" my face was known to only a few, and while many may have "heard" of me, few actual- ly "knew" me as such. My parents' manor having been six miles to the south of Thistle, nearly twenty miles from the estate here. As an adult married woman I'd lived elsewhere, so few people from the area ever met me, although many had heard of my name. (Sanda) "I keep wondering what sort of a world our children will in- herit," Carl said to me as we sat together before the small fire. The smoke rising up into the star sprinkled sky beyond the trees. I was aware that it would take years and years to free ourselves. And even then we would need "outside help", say from Dularn here. Weapons and supplies, the "makings" of another resistance force. "There have been movements like ours in the past," I spoke. "We lack popular `support' among the people," he said to me. "The people of Trelandar support us, they only fear what it will mean to rise up against Darlanis' Empire," I smiled in turn. Princess Tara had burned villages, and put thousands to death as a part of her "scorched earth" tactics that had proved so effec- tive. She had broken the "will to resist" among the people for the most part, but I did not think such "fear" would be effective forever. We might not be able to "resist" in the military sense, but with my studies of terrorist tactics of the past I thought it possible here that we might be able to make life so "unpleasant" for Imperial forces of occupation that Darlanis might consider withdrawing them and relying upon her Lords and Ladies to hold Trelandar now. Especially if she was involved in a war somewhere and "needed" to use all her forces in the war, which would happen if she ever had to fight Dularn, a country ruled by a very "com- petent" Queen, and with a political system that trusted its own people with "arms". A country far "different" than Trelandar...* * This she did in 2555, when she got involved in a war with Du- larn that dragged on for years, coming to an end only in 2565... The Lords and Ladies of Trelandar being given responsibility for the country, which did give me more of a free hand here. (Sanda) "I still feel uncomfortable about it," Carl said to me as he held me close, the warmth of the blanket "comforting" against the chill of the night. "About killing people from ambush and such." "`Ambushing the enemy' is a part of warfare," I pointed out. "In a `declared' war," Carl answered, looking out into the darkness of the night, the boles of the trees only darker shadows now as the light of the fire dimly illuminated those close to us. "What we're doing now is `terrorism' according to the `codes'." The howl of a dire wolf making a cold chill go down my back. "I am Paula's sister," I pointed out, Carl nodding back. "And you feel that you `represent' Trelandar," he agreed. "Can you think of anyone who could?" I challenged him now. "You could never become Queen," he pointed out, something we had discussed dozens of times before. The law was clear that no one but a Warrioress could become a Queen, or a Warrior the King. Such things went far back in time, even back to the era of Janet when it was held that only a "citizen" could hold public office. This no doubt being the origin of the Warriors and Warrioresses. Also the "weapon laws" that still yet existed today in Trelandar. In Sarn, and to a lesser extent in Dularn and Talon. It being a well known fact too that in the 21st Century the "possession" of firearms was "limited" by law to those who had become "citizens". That only those who had served in the armed forces of the NEW OR- DER could bear arms or vote, a policy much like that of Dularn, where militia service was "required" of all those who live there. "I'm not interested in becoming a Queen, but in freeing Tre- landar from the `clutches' of Darlanis," I quickly retorted back. The people could decide for themselves once we got rid of Darla- nis and her Empire of California what sort of government to have! "I've always been glad I married you," Carl said to me then. "Life is never boring with you around," he grinned, kissing me... "What!!" Carl breathed next to me as the light blinded us, a great gleaming saucer nearly brushing the tree tops floating over us, our unicorns snorting and pulling at their halter ropes! The craft then passing on, perhaps drawn by the glow of our fire, the Lorr having instruments that can detect such things, I knew here. "Our `masters' checking up on us," I grinned back at Carl. "Damn things could give a man `nightmares'," he grumbled. "We're just lucky that one didn't come creeping up on us to see what we were doing here," I pointed out. Being awoke from a sound sleep at night to look into the horrid insectoid "face" of a Lorr from a few feet away is not an "experience" anyone would ever want to "experience", although I've "heard" of it happening. The Lorr being able to move almost soundlessly on their six legs. "We meet again," I said, taking her hands in mine, her hus- band standing there watching us, perhaps none too happy now here. He was a burly dark man, broad shouldered, with bulging muscles, a man who worked with iron, pounding it into any desired shape. "I knew `you' would never `surrender'," Four said to me. "Our Queen is dead, but we shall elect another," I said. Freedom Fighters of Trelandar A Tale of Adventure in the Second Dark Age Book Nine of the Warlady Series By Jerome B. Bigge Chapter Forty Three "We have `visitors'," Jon said to me as I looked up from re- viewing the story that I'd written so long ago here for Lorraine. The rooms of the manor house old and "familiar" after all these years, as were the grounds that brought back so many "memories". It was easy to live in the past, deny "what" was coming in twenty seven years, putting an end to everything that existed on Earth. Some I knew had fled back in time after having their memories al- tered so that they would not alter what was to be. Eric and his lovely Sequoia had spoken of doing that, of seeking safety in the past, perhaps in the "Trelandar" of Queen Amethysta's own time. As perhaps Darlanis' own daughter, Artemis, had once sought it in her unauthorized flight backwards in time, back to the 1980's... The crime rate in the cities was increasing despite the best ef- forts of the guardsmen and those of the black caste to stop such. Others tended to live for today with little thought of tomorrow.* * One could draw "parallels" with our society of today. (J.B.B.) "I came as `soon' as I could," Empress Sharon Duval smiled, her eyes holding my own as I nodded back. Lorraine had been her step mother once long ago, back in a time, a land now but legend. Although sought by many suitors, Sharon had never married, and as Queen of Orgon, had stepped into Darlanis' shoes after her death. Blonde, blue eyed, she was truly a worthy successor to Darlanis. "She `died' as she would have wished it," I smiled in reply. Lorraine had been a woman who had been so very much a Warrioress, a Queen like none that Trelandar had ever known before her too... "She was truly of the Warrioresses as few ever were," Sharon answered, putting her arms around me and drawing me "close" here. "But yet a leader too who `saw' what so few ever could see here." ******************************************************************* "Like old times," Carl said to me as we halted for the night in a small clearing, the sun just setting here beyond the trees. It was chill, being well into the fall, late October I might add. "I hope Sarah will be all right," I said, worried about hav- ing weaned her as early as I had, it being the usual practice not to ever wean a child before their first year, some mothers nurs- ing even longer, sometimes as long as eighteen months. Lana dot- ed on Sarah, and I knew she would be in good hands if the worst was to happen here and neither of us ever returned to the estate. "I worry about the fact that Warsan knows who you are," Carl said to me as we unsaddled our animals and secured them to trees, a few last rays of the setting sun lighting his face as he spoke. "Fear will keep her `honest'," I smiled back at my husband as I now set my saddle and equipment to one side. Lara knew lit- tle about me save for what she'd heard others claim they "knew". "Darlanis could someday put two and two together," he noted. "A coward dies a thousand `deaths', a brave man but once," I smiled back. I had no doubt that Darlanis would have me beheaded if she ever found out just "what" I was doing, but first she had to catch me, and the tactics I was using would make that just as difficult as possible for her. While she might be able to trace me to Lana's estate, proving that I was the person "responsible" was another matter entirely, as I was sure she was aware of too.* * It should be mentioned here that Darlanis sought a "Lady Sanda Harles" which was the "identity" I used during this time, my plan being to confuse the Empress as to just "who" I was. While I was "known" in Thistle to a certain degree, it was believed by Darla- nis' people that "Lady Sanda Harles" was yet another person, this being done by having Lady Lana "pose" as me several times. I did however take whatever "precautions" I could, being well aware of the "risks" that I was taking, which is why so few on the estate knew that I was actually "who" I was, or that I did have a title. While this amazed Lorraine, it should be pointed out here that in a society such as ours without any "mass media" my face was known to only a few, and while many may have "heard" of me, few actual- ly "knew" me as such. My parents' manor having been six miles to the south of Thistle, nearly twenty miles from the estate here. As an adult married woman I'd lived elsewhere, so few people from the area ever met me, although many had heard of my name. (Sanda) "I keep wondering what sort of a world our children will in- herit," Carl said to me as we sat together before the small fire. The smoke rising up into the star sprinkled sky beyond the trees. I was aware that it would take years and years to free ourselves. And even then we would need "outside help", say from Dularn here. Weapons and supplies, the "makings" of another resistance force. "There have been movements like ours in the past," I spoke. "We lack popular `support' among the people," he said to me. "The people of Trelandar support us, they only fear what it will mean to rise up against Darlanis' Empire," I smiled in turn. Princess Tara had burned villages, and put thousands to death as a part of her "scorched earth" tactics that had proved so effec- tive. She had broken the "will to resist" among the people for the most part, but I did not think such "fear" would be effective forever. We might not be able to "resist" in the military sense, but with my studies of terrorist tactics of the past I thought it possible here that we might be able to make life so "unpleasant" for Imperial forces of occupation that Darlanis might consider withdrawing them and relying upon her Lords and Ladies to hold Trelandar now. Especially if she was involved in a war somewhere and "needed" to use all her forces in the war, which would happen if she ever had to fight Dularn, a country ruled by a very "com- petent" Queen, and with a political system that trusted its own people with "arms". A country far "different" than Trelandar...* * This she did in 2555, when she got involved in a war with Du- larn that dragged on for years, coming to an end only in 2565... The Lords and Ladies of Trelandar being given responsibility for the country, which did give me more of a free hand here. (Sanda) "I still feel uncomfortable about it," Carl said to me as he held me close, the warmth of the blanket "comforting" against the chill of the night. "About killing people from ambush and such." "`Ambushing the enemy' is a part of warfare," I pointed out. "In a `declared' war," Carl answered, looking out into the darkness of the night, the boles of the trees only darker shadows now as the light of the fire dimly illuminated those close to us. "What we're doing now is `terrorism' according to the `codes'." The howl of a dire wolf making a cold chill go down my back. "I am Paula's sister," I pointed out, Carl nodding back. "And you feel that you `represent' Trelandar," he agreed. "Can you think of anyone who could?" I challenged him now. "You could never become Queen," he pointed out, something we had discussed dozens of times before. The law was clear that no one but a Warrioress could become a Queen, or a Warrior the King. Such things went far back in time, even back to the era of Janet when it was held that only a "citizen" could hold public office. This no doubt being the origin of the Warriors and Warrioresses. Also the "weapon laws" that still yet existed today in Trelandar. In Sarn, and to a lesser extent in Dularn and Talon. It being a well known fact too that in the 21st Century the "possession" of firearms was "limited" by law to those who had become "citizens". That only those who had served in the armed forces of the NEW OR- DER could bear arms or vote, a policy much like that of Dularn, where militia service was "required" of all those who live there. "I'm not interested in becoming a Queen, but in freeing Tre- landar from the `clutches' of Darlanis," I quickly retorted back. The people could decide for themselves once we got rid of Darla- nis and her Empire of California what sort of government to have! "I've always been glad I married you," Carl said to me then. "Life is never boring with you around," he grinned, kissing me... "What!!" Carl breathed next to me as the light blinded us, a great gleaming saucer nearly brushing the tree tops floating over us, our unicorns snorting and pulling at their halter ropes! The craft then passing on, perhaps drawn by the glow of our fire, the Lorr having instruments that can detect such things, I knew here. "Our `masters' checking up on us," I grinned back at Carl. "Damn things could give a man `nightmares'," he grumbled. "We're just lucky that one didn't come creeping up on us to see what we were doing here," I pointed out. Being awoke from a sound sleep at night to look into the horrid insectoid "face" of a Lorr from a few feet away is not an "experience" anyone would ever want to "experience", although I've "heard" of it happening. The Lorr being able to move almost soundlessly on their six legs. "We meet again," I said, taking her hands in mine, her hus- band standing there watching us, perhaps none too happy now here. He was a burly dark man, broad shouldered, with bulging muscles, a man who worked with iron, pounding it into any desired shape. "I knew `you' would never `surrender'," Four said to me. "Our Queen is dead, but we shall elect another," I said. |
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