For the first time in a long time I am one of the first to be seated. I lean my head my back, closing my eyes, listening to the chatter around me. The maids and Abbey are still talking about spinning, Emi kisses Mark then goes to the kitchen, Helen is quiet, as are Tobias and Aden. Sophia asks me, 'Are you awake Rufina?' 'Yes, Sophia, what's up?' 'Do we have anything planned for tonight?' 'Maybe, Mark asked if we would like to meet one of the couriers. He wanted to know if you would join us.' 'One of the couriers?' 'Yes, some of the flying species of Dominion work for Mark's company as long distant couriers, delivering goods and picking up orders.' 'I'll be joining you, I would like to meet them.'

"Your majesty, supper is served." says Aden. I lean forward opening my eyes. Looking around the table, everyone is seated, even Tilly, the food is ready, the large platter in front of me.

"Good evening everyone. Tonight is a special occasion as it is the last night that Mark will be with us for a while. Mark we will miss you, please return swiftly. And may you prosper in your business endeavors with the neighboring kingdoms. Enough platitudes, let's eat." Saying that I remove the cover from the platter, revealing a mound of salted grilled mackerel. "Mark, You may want to make note of this dish as it is Emi's favorite. As we didn't know what yours was, we made hers. Mark, your plate please." Handing me his plate I placed a pair on mackerel on it. "Everyone, pass your plate, please." For the next few minutes I am serving fish to my minions, finally serving the last two to myself. Soon bowls of vegetables and plates of buttered bread are making the round of the table. Emi rises and pours tea for everyone before returning to her seat.

"How is this implement used your majesty?" Tobias asks, holding up a fork.

"Good question. Everyone, this is a fork, it is used to hold your meat when you cut it and to stab it so you can bring it to your mouth, observe." Take my fork in my left hand I hold a piece of fish, then use the knife in my right to cut off a piece. Then switching hands with the fork I stab the piece I cut, popping it into my mouth. Chewing the bite of fish, I cut a few more pieces, then take a fork full of beet greens to my mouth. I can see that the people on the other side of the table are copying me, cutting their fish and stabbing it. Soon everyone is enjoying their food using the fork only, the spoon mostly forgotten. Out of the corner of my eye I see Mark studying the fork, swallowing my last bite I tell him,"Forks can be made of wood or metal, in silver, brass, bronze, iron and even gold, if you have especially deep pockets or just want to flaunt your wealth."

"May I have the plans for these. I think I could sell them easily. I see everyone has one, how much did they cost?"

"Twenty four sets of a fork and a spoon in a nice case was just short of three silver, two copper for a pair. These were made by Daniel."

"I guess I will be making a quick trip to see Daniel after supper." turning to Emi,"Would you like to go with me love?"

"Yes, of course."

We continue our meal, chatting of many things, learning that Eliza hadn't forgotten how to spin in the last ten years. Helen gained fourteen spindles of thread in one afternoon of work. Helen and Abbey take care of the clean up this evening as Mark and Emi leave to visit Daniel. As I sit in the study, sketching a skein winder, a simple one, a pair of crossed boards with pegs, mounted on the vertical stand, Eliza enters. She shows me the preliminary sketches for the kings and the backs, which I approve. Finishing the winder I sketch a holder for the spindle so it wouldn't need two people to wind a skein. When I finish I go change to trousers, as I don't know what kind of terrain we will be covering tonight. Then I wait for Mark and Emi to return.

I don't wait long as Mark and Emi returned shortly after. "Did you get what you needed from Daniel?" I asked Mark.

"Yes, I was able to order a set of utensils. When he has finished them, I asked to have them delivered to you. Would you pass them on to the courier for delivery to me at my next stop, please."

"I can do that."

"I see you have changed clothes, are you ready to meet the courier?"

"I believe so, Aden is in the office working on paperwork, if you get him I'll find Sophia." I turn to climb the stairs but Sophia must have been watching for their return because she appears on the stairs.

"We leaving soon?" She wants to know.

"As soon as Aden joins us, Emi went to get him." Looking over toward the office to see Emi and Aden coming our way.

"Is Kalvin not joining us?" Aden wants to know.

"I don't want an armed and armored person in the area when the courier arrives. He wouldn't land if such person is present."

"Land?" says Aden.

"Rufina didn't tell you?" says Mark.

"I was going to on the way there, sorry. The courier is a one of the flying species, I assume one of the larger ones." I tell Aden.

"That's correct, one of the largest. They are the only ones able to fly the long distances."

We leave the palace, passing through the gate house, turning to the right once clear of the moat, a wide dry ditch several meters deep in front of the outer wall. As we walk I am telling them how I had figured out that couriers were one of the flying species. The sun has set but the sky is still bright, full dark still being fifty minutes away though with one of the moons was in the sky it wouldn't be too dark. Once we reached the hill top, Mark builds three small fires. There is a supply of wood piled near one of the fires and rings of stones around each fire. I assume Mark has built fires here before, which he confirms when I ask him.

"Yes, every other night I come here, build three fires, to guide him in. There are four fire rings with ash and charcoal in them, when I ask why he says it's part of the security protocol, if four fire are lit don't land. The four fire rings are laid in a square, normally three fires are lit with the side without a fire being the direction of the wind. He has us sit or stand outside of the ring of fires, saying that the courier needs the space between the fires to land in. Once the fires are burning properly he joins us.

"I will inform him tonight of our agreement, so on the nights he is scheduled to come someone will have to come and build the fires and pickup and deliver any messages or goods. They can only carry so much at one time, so he will reject anything too heavy. The bundle of sugarcane starts was at the upper limit of his capacity if that is any help."

There is a screech from the sky, sounding like a hawk, then I can hear rushing of air as a dark shape flies over our heads. As we stand a shape appears from behind us, dropping from the sky. It's wing flare at the last second, slowing its decent. With a shake it's wings fold against it's body, turning to us, we see that it is appears to be a large raptor, hooked beak, sharp talons and a streamlined body shape. It surprises us when it speaks, "Mark, who are thessse people?"

"Greetings Osrai. May I introduce Her Majesty, Rufina, Queen of Haven, her minister Aden, my wife Emi and finally Sophia, Goddess of knowledge and wisdom. Everyone, this is Osrai, a courier with the Harding company. He is of the Oraoian species, the second largest of the flying species. Osrai, I have signed a contract with the queen and her minister to allow the delivery of letters and small packages by the company couriers. Also I will be opening a shop here on the island after I complete my current journey. I am scheduled to be at my next stop a week from tomorrow, the queen should have something for you to bring to me about then, so please stop and pick it up. Rufina, on that night would you or Aden come here at about this time and light the fires. You will have to assist Osrai with the pack, loading and unloading the items. He would also appreciate a fresh rabbit or fowl as a meal at that time."

When he is standing, Osrai comes about breast high on me but his wings when spread are over four meters. His tail feathers stick out behind him close to a meter, he is a large bird. He is wearing a harness which holds a pack to his breast. Mark has spread the middle fire out, so it is nearly out. After he does that, Osrai spreads his wings and with a flap and hop lands on a large u-shaped perch I had not noticed. Once Osrai has settled on the perch, Mark opens the pack, removing it's contents, several bags and a folio. Opening the folio, Mark, removes a paper which he starts reading. Handing me one of the bags, "This is yours, your majesty. It's more of the seeds you ordered. This says they are the bean seeds." He continues to read. "And they have had a inquiry about the offer for a vintner. A vintner has asked if he can come inspect possible vineyard locations, he wish to ascertain the suitability of the soil, water and climate before committing to a move. There has also been a applicant for the block printer position, he has already secured passage on the first grain ship. The ship sailed the day the morning of the day before yesterday and should arrive in seven to nine days. Several journeymen have applied for some of the other positions, they are being tested now."

He continues to read the letter, nodding a few times as he does. When he finishes he asks Emi for the folio, pen and ink, which she removes from a basket she has been carrying. Taking a water bottle from his hip, he drips a little water on his inkstone, rubs an inkstick in it then begins signing several of the pages, which he returns to the folio. Take a new sheet of paper out, he asks, "What is your reply to the vintner, Rufina?"

"I will pay half his passage and house him a few weeks but in return he will need to write a report on the suitability of Haven to grow grapes."

Mark writes what I said then, "Please sign here, your majesty." Handing me his brush pen, I sign the page. He takes the page, laying it to the side to dry. After removing a stack of papers from the folio he had gotten from Emi, he sorts them into piles, then stacks them together with the page I had signed then placed them all in the folio from Osrai. Taking the folio and the basket from Emi he walks over to Osrai. Opening the pack he places the folio in the pack, closing the pack back up, double checking the closures. He then remove a dead rabbit from the basket, holding it out to Osrai who takes it in his talons.

"Thank you, Mark. Ssso you got married, eh. Mistress Emi, beware this fellow, he likes to chase the females though he rarely catches one."

"Thank you Osrai, just what I need, my wife worrying that I will be unfaithful."

"Oh, I have no worries about that, if he does catch one, he can bring her home for me to check out. If she is comely enough I may share her with him. And if he doesn't he may find he will no longer be able to do anything with her again."

"Yes, dear, keep it in my drawers or bring her home."

"And to keep it straight, I caught him," which caused Osrai to laugh.

"Oh, Mark you are ssso done for."

"Oh, shut it, bird beak. You aren't much better, how many eggs can call you papa? There is a reason you take all the long haul flights."

"Yep, and I enjoy it too."

"I take it you two are old friends. How long have you known each other?" I ask.

"We apprenticed together, nearly fifteen yearsss. We even talked of opening a ssshop together at one time, but I got bitten by the travel bug. I'll let him run the ssshop, I'll jussst keep flying. Ah, that remindsss me, are you expecting a ssship? I sssaw one about two day out though with oarsss they may be here earlier than that."

"Oars? The trading vessels in these waters don't use oars. You had better warn your guardsmen, your majesty."

"Raiders? Thank you Osrai, I'll tell the captain of the guard tonight. I think we should be heading back to the palace, now. Are you done Mark?"

"Yes, let me put out the fires. Safe flights Osrai, see you in about a week." Mark starts putting out the fires, covering them with dirt. Osrai spreads his wings then with a mighty flap and a jump he is airborne. He circles around then heads southeast toward the mainland.

"Let get back to the palace quickly, we need to warn the other villages." We start off at a quick pace but were slowed down as most of us couldn't see that well. When we reached the palace, I told the gate guards to close and secure the gate. Instead of going to the front door or the garden gate we went to the guard tower. Once there I asked the officer of the guard, "Where is the Captain?"

"He is upstairs, your majesty."

"We have information that a raider ship in near the island. I want the populace warned, how long would it take riders to reach Four Rivers, Iron River and Ashford?"

"Most of a day to reach Four Rivers and another half day to reach Iron River, Ashford about a day, your majesty."

"Have horses prepared for the trip, we will inform the captain." He doesn't move, "Well, what are you standing there for, move." He moved, taking off to the stable at a run.

I took off myself, heading up the stairs. Bursting out of the stair well, I throw open the guard barracks doors, "CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD!" I bellowed once I was through the doors. He appears, a peeved look on his face until he sees me, then he goes pale.

"Your majesty, how may I help you?"

"I have information that a raider ship is within two days of the island, I want the guard on alert. And I want someone to ride to Four Rivers, Iron River and Ashford to warn them. The horse are being prepare now, select three men to go." He just stares at me. "NOW."

He jumps,"Yes your majesty." He takes off down the hallway, opening the doors at the far end. "Jeffery, Oliver, Jenkins you have special duty, draw rations for a minimum of four days, extra water flasks and your weapons."

"Yes, sir."

"Emi, where is Kalvin's room?"

"Here, your majesty."

I knock on the door but there is no answer. "He is probably still with Eliza."

"Captain, tell the men not to fight the raiders if they see them, it is more important to warn the towns than the kill the raiders. If you need me I'll be down stairs." Saying that I turn to the stairs.

Coming out on the second floor I goto the Eliza's room, no Eliza. Heading to the garden I stick my head out the door,"Kalvin."

"Yes, your majesty." comes a reply from the pergola.

"We have information of a raider ship in the area, I want you to ride to the outlaying farms and warn them. Tell them that a ship has been sighted, it has not landed as far as we know but to be on guard, if they sight raiders flee, I don't want casualties, farms can be rebuilt, farmers can't."

"Aden, go rouse the heralds, tell them the same things I told Kalvin, get the word out. Mark, go to the dock, warn Captain Jones about the raiders."

We all head out the garden gate, Kalvin heads to the stable to fetch three horses. The guards are there, preparing to mount up. The captain is giving them instructions. As they are about to ride out, Sophia raises her hands which start glowing, "A blessing on your journey." Them and their mounts take on the glow. "Thank you Goddess," they say as they ride out the gate. Once clear of the gate, the draw bridge starts to lift, "Hold the gate," I yell, "there are more to leave."

Aden, Mark and Kalvin come riding from the stable, thundering across the draw bridge. "You may raise the bridge." I tell the captain.

"Captain, let the men rest while they can, if the ship is still out to sea it will be early morning or tomorrow before they attack if they do. Ladies, lets retire."

I enter the palace, as we are crossing the atrium I ask, "What sort of blessing did you give the riders, Sophia?"

"They were given increased night vision, their path will appear nearly as bright has if both moons were full. Their horses are also affected."

I lead them up to my rooms, where we prepared to bathe. Emi, Sophia and Eliza went to their rooms to change from their clothes to their robes and bring their pitchers. Eliza is also to bring Helen. While they are doing that, I shed my clothes, do my toilet then after donning my robe I take my pitcher to the kitchen. As I'm filling my pitcher with cold water, the others come in to fill their pitchers.

Apparently Eliza hadn't told Helen what was going on because Helen asked, "What's up? You all seem worried."

"The courier spotted a raider ship on the way here, so Rufina has the guards riding to Four Rivers, Iron River and Ashford to warn them. Aden, Mark and Kalvin are in town warning the people." Sophia explains to Helen.

"A raider ship! Any idea when it would get here?"

"Osrai said they were two days out but that was by sail, they are equipped with oars so could be here in the morning if they rowed." I explained to Helen.

We were now in my bedchamber, after mixing the water, we drop our robes. Taking up cloths, which we soaped, we scrubbed each others backs. Once our backs are scrubbed, we wash ourselves don our nightwear and crawled onto the bed. After we cuddled up, Sophia asked if we would like to enter dream space, to which we agreed. Soon, we were in Eliza's meadow, laying on the grass.

"This is a nice meadow, who's is it?" Helen wants to know.

"It's mine," says Eliza.

While Eliza and Helen were talking Sophia leads me to the side, "I think you are going to need your great grand's armor, Rufina. Once Aden returns, you should go get it out of the vault."

"I'm not a fighter, Sophia. I did take Karate classes for nearly ten years but I was never very good at it. The teacher said I lacked aggression."

"But that was many years ago, on a different world where you lacked the motivation to be aggressive. Look at your friends, what would you do to keep them safe? And you now have a kingdom to protect, will you allow some barbarian scum to harm your people without a fight?"

Looking at Emi, Helen and Eliza I know she is right, I would fight to protect those I love.

"Will you tell me when Aden returns, Sophia? I'll need time to dress."

"I can do that. I can now sense to the outer walls so will be able to warn you in plenty of time."

"What should I do though. I'm not militarily minded. I don't know how to fight with a sword, how to make bows, armor or thing of that nature."

"Then do what rulers have always done, find a general to command. You may have one already, though he doesn't know it yet."

"Kalvin?"

"No, not Kalvin, though he would be a fine leader. I was thinking of Harry."

"Harry?"

"Yes Harry. How many men could come so close to beating a Goddess at a game that they've just learned. He has a sharp mind. I believe he would make a excellent strategist which is what you will need first. Kalvin may a good tactician, I will have to test him. As for a armed force, you have nearly a thousand able bodied people that have the prefect motivation, to protect their homes, families and neighbors. Form a militia, citizen soldiers."

"A militia, that does sound like a good idea."

"Aden is coming though the gate. Do you want Emi with you? She has been watching us closely."

"Yes, please. Will you stay here with Helen and Eliza?"

"Yes, I will." She leans down and kisses me, "I'll see you in the morning, take care."

I walk over to Emi, who stands up. "You and I have things to do, love, prepare to wake up." As I say that we start fading out.

As I wake up, I feel a hand squeeze my breast, pinching a nipple. "Sorry, love, no time for that right now." I roll over facing Emi, taking her face in my hands, giving her a deep kiss. "We need to go fetch great grand's armor from the vault, persuade Kalvin to command a militia, then sell the idea that he is a strategist to Harry. But first some clothes for both of us." Giving her a slight push she falls out of the bed. I roll over on top of her, pinning her down,"but before that, you need a kiss."

One long and passionate kiss later, I help her to her feet. She leaves, going to get dressed, while I pull out underwear, stockings and put my trousers back on, then a mid thigh length tunic. I open my chest, removing the vault key. I snuff all but two of the candles, one of which I pickup. As I emerge from the stairwell Aden and Mark enter through the front door.

"The heralds are spreading the word, your majesty." reports Aden

"And Captain Jones is aware of the threat." says Mark. "Where's Emi?"

"She is getting dressed, she should be here shortly. Aden, I want to get the armor out of the vault, do you have your key?"

"One moment your majesty." He goes to the domain office, returning shortly, key in hand. Emi rounds the corner as he does. We descend to the vault, Aden inserts his key and I mine, the wheel is turned and the door opens. Stepping inside, I touch the armor which starts to glow, picking up the helmet I place it on my head. Aden and Mark take the scale shirt off the rack, holding it while Emi helps me into the gambeson, as soon as it was on, it shrinks to fit me, glowing the whole time. It also changed materials, turning into what I think is carbon fibre with alternate layers of linen. The guys place the scale on me, it too shrinks, the materials already being changed. Next the vambrace and the greaves, all four pieces shrinking and changing. Glancing at my feet, I saw my boots. I thought hard, the greaves extend, covering the tops of my boots.

Once everything is on and adjusted, I step out of the vault. Assuming the vertical centering position, I relax, then start doing T'ai Chi forms. I do about forty of them, not the easy ones we do in the morning but those that are more combat moves than anything. I hardly feel the armor, I can move like it's not there. Stepping back in to the vault I take one of the smaller swords displayed there. Returning outside the vault, I start doing some of the sword forms but have to stop as I have no headroom. Locking the vault back up we return to the atrium. I resume the sword forms, I am in the middle of them when Kalvin returns. I catch his look as I start again, this time speeding up.

I finish the forms, lowering the sword, breathing deeply. I have not done such a long set of forms in a long time. Handing the sword to Emi I remove the helmet, the armor is not heavy, but it is warm.

"Your majesty, where did you get that armor?" Kalvin asks.

"This is my seventh great grand father's armor, at least that is what Aden told me. It was in the vault."

"And why are you wearing it?"

"Sophia suggested that I wear it. I have come to the conclusion that we may have to fight these raiders or some other raiders in the future, so I must be prepared. Will you train me?"

"If you wish, your majesty. Do you wish to start now?"

"No, in the morning, after breakfast. Did you get the outlaying farms warned?"

"Yes, your majesty. I told them to be watchful, that the raiders may not arrive until morning. Where did you learn of this ship?"

"We went to meet the trading company courier tonight, he saw it this afternoon I assume. He asked if we were expecting a ship, that he had seen one two days out then mentioned that it had oars. None of the trading vessels use oars so it's a raider. I should have asked him describe the ship better. If it is like I think it is, it has at least forty armed warriors on board, armed with swords, axes and shields."

"The raider ships that have been seen are twenty five measures long with twenty oars per side, with a single mast carrying a square sail. They usually attack in the very early morning, before the sun has risen."

"That matches the peoples I am thinking of, the Vikings, a fierce warrior people that raided a large portion of one section of Earth. We will need a way to defeat them or drive them off, defeating them is preferred, driving them off will let them know our tactics and weapons. Weapons, what do the people have in the way of weapons?"

"Their farm tools and a few bows and swords."

"There is no bowyer on the island, correct?"

"That correct, no bowyer."

"Any crossbows?"

"One or two, why?"

"I was thinking of arming a militia with crossbows and spears. Are they not some of the easiest weapons to use?"

"They are fairly easy to use, much easier than a bow or a sword."

"Do we have someone that could teach the farmers to use the spear?"

"We do."

"Aden, do we have enough iron to make one hundred spears?"

"No, the iron we bought is enough to repair or replace the worn tools with a bite extra."

"Mark, as soon as you can order enough iron to make that many spear heads or have half that number of heads shipped to us. I will also need a bowyer and fletcher."

"The same terms as the other craftsmen?"

"Yes, the same terms." He starts writing, having gotten out his ink stone and brush pen.

I sighed, "Guys, it's been a long day, I'm going to bed. What time does captain Jones want to leave in the morning, Mark?"

"Shortly after sun rise if the wind is favorable. I should go board ship now so he wouldn't be mad at me if I'm late. Emi, love, do you mind?"

"I was hoping to spend your last night with you."

"Come on, I don't need to go this minute." Taking her by the hand he leads her up the stairs.

"Aden, the room upstairs is open if you wish to stay. You know you are welcome any time."

"Thank you, your majesty. I'll take you up on your offer. I'll see you in the morning, good night."

"Kalvin, would you have the guard wake us at first light, I would like to see the ship off in the morning."

"Of course, your majesty. Sleep well." he headed up the stairs.

Taking my sword, which Emi had returned to me, and placing the helmet back on my head, I climb the stairs. Opening the door to the bedchamber, I place the sword in a corner, then shed the armor or what I could of it. The buckles are in the wrong places. Moving to the bed I rouse Helen to help remove it. She raises an eyebrow at my attire but soon has it off me. Shedding my clothes I join Helen on the bed, whispering in her ear,"Thank you sweetie." as I cuddle against her back. We were soon asleep.

I wake later when a body snuggles into my back, an arm reaching over and fondling my breast, and a tail wrapping around my leg. Mark must have left for the ship. I wiggled back into her as she conformed herself to me. I drifted back to sleep.

* * *

In a room deep under a mountain a being stands looking a map. A map of the world known as Dominion. The being is waiting.

A quiet knock comes from the room's ornate door. "You may enter, Keira."

The door opens allowing a pettit woman to enter. Once she in she closes the door, walks a few paces toward the being then prostrates herself upon the finely woven carpet that covers the floor of the room.

The being turns, gazing at the woman, a smile forming on their face. "You may stand, Keira." When the being said this the woman rises, her hand clasped in front of her, her head bowed.

"I have a task for you Keira. You will chose two companions; a warrior to protect you has you travel and a scribe to make a record of your journey. Together the three of you will travel to the isle of Haven. I believe you will find a newly arrived God there, I have felt their power. I wish you to convey my greetings to them. Then I wish you to ask their purpose for coming to Dominion. I will contact you every two days. I authorize the use of 40 gold for this mission, speak to the temple administrator." He turns back to the map,"You may go."

The woman turns to the door. As she opens it the being says,"Keira, take care, the humans are not kind to your people."

The woman, murmurs, "Thank you, my lord."

As the door closes the being sighs, "I will miss you my darling Keira, as I miss your mother and grandmother."

The woman Keira, is the last in a long line of Gnomish priestesses of Lugh, God of Craftsmen.