The Once and Future Man - Chapter 3

Chapter3

The main entrance of the palace had been in the crossbar of its A design. As near as David could tell they were still in the crossbar area. As they were ushered into the throne room, the righthand wall was made of floor to ceiling windows. He could see a large courtyard filled with trees and fountains. The room itself was enormous, a hundred feet long at least, and he would need a scissor lift to reach the ceiling. The wall on the left was covered in paintings large and small. There were scenes of battles, sitting rulers, and seafaring. As they walked down the center aisle, they passed a huge map of the island. Wellon was almost pear shaped, and if the scale was right, it was somewhere between New York and California in size. Thaladon was midway up the west coast. A few other cities were marked on the map, but he didn't have time to study it. A clerk went down the line of hopefuls asking them their names and where they were from. When it was his turn he said, "David Winston, from Dallas in America."

They were being pushed past the nobles and onlookers of the court to stand before the throne. The floor of the room was granite tile with mosaic starbursts spread out at even intervals. The throne itself was on a dais made of marble, two steps higher than the rest of the floor. In the center was a high cushioned chair of polished golden wood. The back was carved with a crown and waves. A large banner hung behind, the same three stars on sea blue that flew from the highest tower.

And sitting on the throne was the cutest girl he had ever seen. Maybe nineteen or twenty years old if he had to guess. She was a small woman, her feet barely touched the floor as she sat, straight backed, in her chair. Her soft brown hair was pulled back, a few loose strands left free to frame her heart shaped face. Light shined off the diamond tiara on top of her head and from her blue-grey eyes. She was dressed in a gown that reminded him of fall. It was all velvets and silk. The main body was a dark forest green with accents of burnt orange and red. To David she looked impatient and uncomfortable but trying her best to hide it. A serving girl stood silently just behind her right shoulder.

All of the candidates lined up in front of the throne as directed. David ended up on the left end facing the Queen, followed by the two men in armor. The silk squad took the center while the three poor nobles were on the right. The huge silent man from the other room stood off to the side near the edge of the dais. All of the servants were shuffled off as a group to one side. When they were all settled in line David could see the queen straighten her shoulders and raise her chin. The servant girl touched her on the shoulder, and they exchanged a quick glance.

A man in a uniform that looked uncomfortably starched stepped forward, he called out in a clear voice that could be heard down by the harbor, "Presenting candidates for the hand of Queen Mialana, long may she reign!"

Everyone in the room bowed deeply, David just a hair slower than the rest.

The speaker continued once everyone stood up, "Lord Kenterus Harsk, seventh Count of the Midlands."

The rude silk man from earlier stepped forward from the others. He bowed before the Queen, just enough to not be completely rude. "If it's all the same to you my Queen, I'll wait to the end. Let this riffraff present themselves, and then the serious business can begin."

The other candidates bristled at that, even the other silk dressed nobles standing next to Lord Harsk. The Queen frowned. "As you wish Lord Harsk, you have tried ten times before, why not one more."

Harsk stepped back in line and the majordomo announced the next to be presented. They went down the line, starting with the poorer nobles on the right. They each stepped forward and made their case to the Queen. They were polite, but spoke with no confidence at all. The Queen smiled warmly at each of them and thanked them for coming to see her. She was very nice about it, though it was clearly a dismissal and everyone in the room knew it.

The other silk clad nobles went next. They each bowed low and proceeded to explain how much the Queen and her country would benefit from picking them. Their servants hustled forward when their lords waved them on. The first presented the Queen with gold ring with a ruby set in it. It was a thick, heavy thing. Far too big for the Queen to ever wear. She accepted the gift and quickly set it aside. The next servant brought out a large box when it was his turn. He opened it and pulled out... a penguin. David couldn't believe it. It was a small one, like one of those South African penguins, but it was a real live penguin. The bird shook itself after getting out of the box and waddled around in front of the throne. The Queen giggled at it but otherwise didn't seem impressed.

Either she's a better poker player than I would have guessed, or she's been given some really amazing things from this Courting Line. Shit, I'd be thrilled if someone just handed me a penguin.

The two men in armor went next, one after the other. They were both from the mainland to the west, same as everyone else except Lord Harsk. It turned out the two men were brothers from a kingdom on the coast to the south. They were at war with their neighbors (David noticed a lot of eye rolling around the room at this. Maybe they were at war a lot?) and were hoping for a military alliance to go along with the marriage. They didn't present anything to the Queen, but each pulled his sword from its sheath and laid it on the floor before the dais. The young ruler nodded her head deeply at their offers. She advised them that she was skeptical of pulling her people into someone else's war but would consider their proposal.

When everyone else had stepped back he heard the leather lunged majordomo announce "David Winston, from Dal-las in Am-err-icka"

He shuddered at the pronunciation but stepped forward and bowed low to the Queen. She at least looked interested and responded to his bow with a nod of her head.

What do you say to a Queen?

"Good morning your Majesty. Let me just say how much I have enjoyed my stay in your city. I'm, um, sorry I don't have any land or m... military power to offer you. I've traveled here from far away to offer my friendship and my service. Please, uh, let me present you with this present."

Present you with this present? What the hell is wrong with me?

He motioned Jaym forward. The boy stepped up to the dais and went down on one knee like he'd seen the other servants do. He left the box on the floor before the throne and quickly stepped back.

At least one of us didn't make a fool of ourselves. I'm gonna have to give that kid a raise.

The serving girl behind the Queen bent to pick up the box and set it in her monarch's lap. They exchanged another look and Lady of Thaladon opened the lid of the box.

****

Mialana opened the lid slowly, not expecting much. If it was another 'dragon's egg' she was going to be sick. That was fun the first few times. Now it would just be another carved rock to go with the rest of them. She could almost build a fireplace with the ones she had. This man was handsome enough and she was curious about where he was from, she had never heard of Am-err-icka before. And what was going on with his clothes? Just pants and a thin jacket, very plain but he still somehow looked presentable. Just two more suitors to get through and she'd be free...

"Oh, my. It's beautiful..."

Inside the box was the most wonderful gift she had ever received from the Courting Line. Laying on the green velvet inside the box was a figure of a horse. But it was like no horse she had ever seen before. Its body was platinum, with a tail and mane of gold. The hooves were made of black pearls, sapphire chips were set into the eyes. Oddest of all it had a smooth spiraled horn between its eyes that was fashioned from an opal.

She heard her lady's maid, Caelly, gasp behind her. The Queen reached into the box and lifted it out. Light shined or sparkled from every surface. It was perfectly formed; all the muscles of a horse could be seen in its lines. There was a murmur from the crowd as they saw it. She loved it, but...

"What is it?" It wasn't often a Queen could admit ignorance in front of inferiors, but she had to know the name of this creature.

The tall handsome man bowed again before answering. "It is called a unicorn, your Majesty. Where I'm from people believe they're magical pure creatures."

"What a wonderful place you must come from, to have creatures like this. And I must compliment the work of your artisans. I have never seen anything so exquisitely made."

The man smiled. His teeth were remarkably straight and white. "I'm sorry to say you'll only find them in stories there. And the credit actually goes to your own people. That was made here in the city, by Alden, your Highness."

This caused an uproar in the spectators. Everyone whispering at once about how they might get something similar. The majordomo cleared his throat and the noise died away. The Queen set the unicorn back in its box and closed the lid. She rested her small hands on top and looked at the foreigner in a new light. "So, the smiths of my own island outshine the craftsmen of the wide world?"

Her eyes swept the line of nobles in front of her, lingering on the one that had presented her with that atrocious ring.

"The idea was mine and I provided some of the materials, but yeah, it's homemade. I don't have access to much from home so it was the best that I could do. Your subject was paid handsomely for it, I assure you."

The Queen smiled at that. She was about to ask this intriguing stranger more about his Am-err-icka when Lord Harsk stepped forward. She wasn't surprised at his rudeness, but it was unsettling as always.

"I really must protest my Queen! This man has admitted that he has nothing to offer. No lands, no titles, even his gift could have been made any time you wanted, coming from where it does." Harsk had watched the exchange between this devil and the Queen with barely suppressed rage. This was his time. The Queen had stood him off long enough, there was no more reason to delay. If her parents had lived, they would have been betrothed long ago, possibly even married by now. Who did this no-account foreigner think he was?

Mialana shook her head and then waved her chamberlain over. She whispered in his ear a moment and then he returned to his position.

"The Lady of Thaladon thanks all who came before her today but asks that the room be cleared. Lord Harsk and David Winston will remain. May the Mother watch over you."

****

There was plenty of quiet grumbling by the people leaving. Especially from the rejected suitors. The two men in armor retrieved their swords off the floor before they left. The silent man kept his place by the dais, apparently unconcerned about the Queen's order. Soon it was only him and Harsk left in the room with David.

"Sir?" He jumped. Jaym had stayed behind, too small to be noticed. "Where should I go?"

He had no idea what was happening, it would be nice to have some support here. "You stay here with me, just don't say anything."

The Queen had been impressed by his gift. He was pretty sure HE wasn't the one in trouble. But if she just wanted to chew this Harsk guy a new one, why did he have to stick around for it? She handed the box on her lap to a different servant that was waiting in the wings. The girl behind her didn't move from her place. The Queen smoothed down her dress and then sat up, resting her hands on the armrests of her throne, looking as regal as possible.

"For the last time Lord Harsk, I will not have you grandstanding or trying to bully your way through my court. Is that clear?" She frowned down at the man from the dais. There wasn't a trace of warmth in her voice.

"Yes, my Queen." He even sounded like he meant it.

She relaxed slightly, "Now then, what is it that you want? I have been very clear that I will not pick you. Yet you return every few months to present yourself, as is your right. Do you have nothing better to do?"

Lord Kenterus Harsk bristled, "You know why. This 'Courting Line' is a farce. All these country barons and... foreigners." He gave David a disdainful look at that. "None of them are worthy of the palace or that throne. My father had already begun negotiations with yours when the fever took them. It's not my fault that they died."

Tears formed in the Queen's eyes; the serving girl placed a hand on her shoulder again. The Queen reached up and held her hand, rubbing her thumb along the back of the girl's palm. They exchanged a quick look.

David whispered to himself, "She'll never pick any of them. These guy's have been trying to sell a dog to a woman who likes cats."

"Sir?" Jaym asked, confused. David shushed him with a wave.

"As I have said before to you, my Lord, those negotiations were never final. I am Queen here and I will choose whom I wish."

Harsk barked a laugh, "Go ahead then, choose. Who will it be this time? The three from the north who offered nothing but a name? One of the brothers, who offer war? With their temperament it will hardly be the last time, they're no different than the rest of their family. And the rest? Pale imitations to what I offer. There is no one wealthier or more qualified in the kingdom and you know it. Every month a new group of lesser men presents themselves, and every month I remain the best option for the kingdom."

David had never heard anyone think so highly of himself. He didn't know how big this world was but there had to be at least a few million people out there better than this guy. "Maybe she won't pick you just because you're an asshole?"

"Mind your own business peasant! You shouldn't have even been allowed to be presented here. At least all the others come from old established families, whatever their other faults. But you? David Winston of Am-err-icka... Who has ever heard of such a place? You could be a merchant captain who happened to find a few trinkets across the sea. Or some bandit that killed a worthwhile applicant and stole his gift. You have nothing more to offer, you might as well leave before you are arrested."

Arrested? This wasn't even his palace. He'd noticed the Queen stifle a laugh when he called him out, but she hadn't interrupted. "The Queen asked me to stay, so I think I will. And how do you know what I have to offer? I... I've seen things you wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate." Not the best Roy Batty impression but Harsk was definitely thrown by it, and the Queen looked curious. Good thing they would never know it was just a line from a movie, hiding his discomfort in bravado. The silent giant just stood there listening. David still had no idea what his deal was, he doubted this was the time to ask.

"I will decide who remains in my presence, Harsk. Be careful or you yourself will be banned from this city. You would have to actually visit your family's lands in the country. From what I understand there are very few brothels there to occupy your time. Yes, I know how you like to spend your days. Your vaults would be fuller if you weren't keeping every whore in the city on retainer. I have made my position clear before but let me try one last time. I will not marry you. Not even if the Mother herself asked me to. Leave this court and do not return without some sort of official business to conduct."

Harsk opened his mouth to protest but the giant chose this moment to speak. His voice was so low and deep David could almost feel it in his chest. "That will be all from you Harsk. My niece has been more than patient. Keep pushing and you'll have an extended stay down below."

David watched the arrogant jerk shut his mouth and leave. He couldn't blame him. He almost wanted to leave too. That guy sounded like if the Balrog from Lord of the Rings could talk. To his surprise the balrog-man just smiled at him. "I think I'll take my leave as well your Highness. You know my thoughts on this situation."

The large man bowed low to the Queen, turned and nodded to David, then left the room.

There were guards by the door, the girl servant and Jaym, and just him and the Queen in the room now. He had no idea what to do now. He hadn't expected to be singled out like this. He'd planned to present his gift, be shuffled off to the side, and have to talk to one functionary after another to have a personal audience with the Queen. Now here he was with her and all he could think about was that giant coming back in to cave his head in if he said the wrong thing to her. Or be sent 'down below', whatever the hell that meant.

"That guy is your uncle?" He blurted out.

The Queen smiled, "Oh yes. He was my mother's brother. Lord General Draedon Greeg, leader of the armies of Wellon. He likes to observe all the candidates in the Courting Line and give me his opinion before everyone makes their case. Don't worry about him. He means well and he can't help that voice." The young woman actually giggled, and David was reminded of the fact that she was only around nineteen years old.

He relaxed a fraction, "Am I allowed to ask what he thought of me?"

She rose from her throne and stepped down the dais towards David. She was very small; the top of her head barely came to his shoulder. Her gown flowed behind her like water. "Come with me and you may ask."

The Queen turned away from him and went to a panel of the wall behind the throne. She gave it a gentle push and a door popped open. Before David followed her through, he looked back, Jaym was standing at his place in front of the throne looking scared. "Your Majesty, my servant?"

"Oh, don't worry about him. Caelly will make sure he's well taken care of."

As she said that the lady's maid took the boy by the hand and led him out a different door. Jaym didn't protest, the girl wasn't as pretty as the Queen but her long white-blonde hair and waif-like build had clearly struck him.

****

Behind the throne room was a small sitting room. One wall had the same floor to ceiling windows as the larger room behind it. Comfortable, intricately embroidered couches and chairs sat around a low table. The Queen sat on a couch and rang a bell that was on the table. A footman entered noiselessly from another door.

"A pot of tea and some food please, thank you." The Queen told him as she directed David to sit across from her. The man left without a word.

"So. What did the general have to say about me?" He sat down as comfortably as he could. He had to adjust the flintlock so it wouldn't hit him in the ribs.

The footman arrived with a tray, set it silently on the table and left again. There was a porcelain teapot in the middle with two cut glass teacups. An array of sweets and finger sandwiches filled the rest of the tray. The Queen poured herself a cup and one for David. He declined cream or sugar and they both sat back in their seats.

"He said to find out as much as possible about you. I've traveled to the different kingdoms on the continent, mostly along the coast. And I see the different things sailors bring back with them when they come in. My uncle has traveled farther and for more years than I have been alive. He said he had never seen clothes like yours. And he was impressed the way you defended your servant to Lord Harsk. So, tell me about yourself, where is this Am-err-icka you come from?"

David looked down at his tea, "You'll hardly know who I am or what I mean..."

"Excuse me?"

David was startled. He hadn't meant to say that out loud. He was trying to decide how to explain how he got here. He didn't want to lie, but the whole truth would make her think he was crazy. "I'm sorry your majesty. I was thinking out loud. It's a line from an old poem I like."

The Queen's eyes brightened, "Poetry? I love poems! You spend a lot of time reading when all anyone wants you to do is wait around to pick a husband. Come, tell me your poem."

"Ah... I haven't read it in a long time. I don't know why that line came to me."

"Please, I've never heard a man recite a poem before. As Queen, I could command it you know." She raised one eyebrow at him playfully.

"Fair point. Let me see..." Why did he have to pick Song of Myself? Of all the things to blurt out it had to be a 50 page poem? He was glad she had never heard it before.

"Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems

You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)

You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead,

Nor feed on the specters in books,

You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me

You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self."

David took a sip of tea and grimaced. He couldn't stand tea. The Queen was sitting attentively, waiting for him to continue. He wracked his brain, trying to pull together another decent chunk of the poem from memory.

"I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise,

Regardless of others, ever regardful of others,

Maternal as well as paternal, a child as well as a man,

Stuffed with the stuff that is coarse and stuffed with the stuff that is fine,

Um...

A... A learner with the simplest, a teacher of the thoughtfullest,

A novice beginning yet experiant of myriad of seasons,

Of every hue and caste am I, of every rank and religion,

A farmer, mechanic, artist, gentleman, sailor, quaker,

Prisoner, fancy-man, rowdy, lawyer, physician, priest.

Um...

I depart as air, I shake my white locks at the runaway sun,

I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags.

I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,

If you want me again look for me beneath your boot-soles.

You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,

But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,

And filter and fibre your blood.

Failing to catch me at first keep encouraged,

Missing me one place search another,

I stop somewhere waiting for you."

David was almost sweating with the mental strain of trying to remember it all. Even that was only a fraction of the whole thing. He looked up from his tea, he hadn't been able to look at the Queen while reciting it. It was just too awkward. She had set her tea aside and clapped appreciatively when he was done. Her smile was ear to ear. She really was the cutest girl he had ever seen.

"That was wonderful! It sounded sad but mysterious, how could one person be all those things?"

"He was writing about a whole country using himself as the narrator. It was written before a terrible civil war almost tore the country apart." He never thought he'd be thankful for going through a douchey college phase where he had tried to impress girls by being 'deep'.

"Well, you are certainly an interesting man David Winston." The Queen picked up her cup and took a polite sip. She set it back down and turned serious. "But it still doesn't tell me much about you personally. I believe I know some already. Rumors from the streets about an oddly clothed foreigner throwing coins at people and fighting off hordes of bandits in the streets..."

David set his teacup down on the table and folded his hands in his lap. Her stare could be very intimidating when she wanted for such a tiny woman. It must be a benefit of being royalty. He decided for honesty. Any lie would be too difficult to keep straight long term. Especially when it eventually came time to explain all the boxes in the cave. He told her everything. All about growing up in Dallas, the crash, waking up in the room, waking up again in the cave, and finally his trip into the city.

The Queen sat silently through all of it. She didn't react to any of it, not even the part about being dead/from another world. She thought he was either insane or an incredibly skilled liar. Either way this was the most entertained she'd been in quite awhile.

"So, I did pay fair price for everything I did in the city, but I wasn't throwing money at people. And it was only four bandits. I know all of this is hard to believe but every word of it is true. I haven't come here to marry anyone, I'm sure you're relieved to hear that. Just offer my services to modernize where I can here."

"Why should I be relieved?" Mialana asked, confused.

David stuttered to answer, "I... I mean to say... just th-that I wasn't going to pressure you like Lord Harsk."

She narrowed her eyes at him but let it go. She got up from the couch and went to one of the windows looking out on the courtyard. David waited quietly while she thought. After a few moments she turned back to look at him. Mialana wanted to see how far he was willing to take this nonsense. "You can prove what you said?"

"I think I can." A trip to the cave, come back with a few things she'd never seen before... "I'd have to make a quick trip, but yes, I could prove it."

The Queen smiled and moved swiftly back to the table. She rang the bell again and the footman reentered the room. "Prepare a fast carriage, I'll be going out as soon as it's ready." The man bowed and left. She was practically bouncing with excitement.

"They should have the carriage ready soon and then we can go."

David's eyes widened, "We?"

Mialana rolled her eyes, "Yes, we. This is the most interesting thing that has happened in years! I'm not going to just sit around when I can see for my own eyes if what you say is true. Now come with me!"

She rang the bell again and a different footman entered. "Have Caelly meet me at the carriage."

The Queen waved David to follow her, they practically ran back through the throne room, out a different door and down a long corridor. She slowed down as they exited the palace into a large archway.

Jaym and Caelly were both there waiting for them. They bowed to the Queen and the little boy moved back to his master's side. "Sir! You wouldn't believe how nice it is here. This is Caelly, she took me to the kitchens, and I could have whatever I wanted! The food here is good, even better than at the Leaping Horse. But don't tell Rosha I said that, she wouldn't like it."

David smiled and assured him his secret was safe. A small carriage pulled by four white horses stopped in front of them. Yet another footman hopped down from the back and opened the door, bowing to the Queen. Mialana got in first, followed by Caelly. Jaym had to be helped up into it by the footman, he missed the step in his excitement to be riding with the Queen. David nodded his thanks to the man and pulled himself in. Four uniformed guards rode up alongside them. David didn't envy them the trip. It was a warm day already and their sea blue pants and shirts would be covered in sweat before they even left the city and that was without their steel breastplates. He noticed his young servant staring in rapt attention at the soldiers.

"Would you like to become a soldier one day young man, maybe even a knight?" Caelly asked. Both she and her mistress grinned at the little boy. "It's more than just looking handsome in a uniform. A lot of hard work and discipline are involved. The Army of Wellon expects the best from its soldiers."

Jaym nodded his head, trying to look solemn. "I know miss Caelly. I think my parents would have been proud to see me in a uniform, working for the Queen, but I'm happy working for Master David."

The carriage lurched into motion and the guards clip-clopped their way along with them. Mialana narrowed her eyes at David. "Where are you from Jaym?"

He squeaked, surprised to be addressed directly by his monarch. "I.. I grew up a few blocks from the harbor district, your Majesty. My dad was a journeyman for the stone masons."

"You're from the city? You didn't travel here with your master?"

A nod.

"Do your parents know that you have entered service with this man?" she asked.

David stepped in, "Begging your pardon your Majesty, he doesn't have any parents. I met him on the streets about a week ago. I needed a guide and he's been very helpful so far."

The Queen and her maid exchanged a look. He wasn't quite sure what he was missing here but he knew there was something. When they broke eye contact, Mialana looked at him, "Where are we going for your proof sir?"

"The Leaping Horse."

To his surprise, she started laughing uncontrollably at that. "Have I said something wrong?"

"Well first, the proof that you are who you say you are, is at an inn? And not only that, it's at an inn owned by Lord Harsk." She was almost doubled over in a fit of laughter.

Shit. If that was true, his days staying there were over. He didn't trust that guy as far as he could throw him. There was no way Harsk wouldn't try to kill him once he found out he was staying at the inn. Good thing he and the boy only had a handful of things between the two of them. "No, my proof isn't there, just something I need along the way. And I had no way to know he owned the place."

The Queen got her laughter under control and nodded to Caelly. The younger girl leaned out of the carriage to speak to the driver.

They were at the inn in minutes, the guards cleared the streets ahead of them all the way there. He sent Jaym up to their room to gather all of their things. The commotion of the Royal carriage being at their door brought both Rosha and Liri out front. They tried to question the boy, but he ran right past them. The lunch crowd at the inn kept a respectful distance but that didn't keep half the neighborhood from rubbernecking. Even in the nicest district in the city the Queen didn't just pop in for a visit every day.

David sat back and watched as she leaned out of the window and waved at the people. Each person in turn bowed to the Queen in return. In a few minutes Jaym returned with his backpack, the bag containing their clothes, and the gunpowder keg. David's sword was strapped to his back. He brushed passed Liri again, handed everything to the footman that stepped forward, and hopped back into the carriage.

"I got everything Master David. And I left the key to the room with the bartender. Do you need anything else sir?"

He shook his head, "No you've thought of everything. We'll need to leave by the east gate your Majesty, and follow the road into the forest."

Caelly again relayed the directions to the driver, and they set off again. He leaned out of the window to see the innkeeper and her daughter standing in the road staring openmouthed after them.

****

There wasn't much conversation on the way to the cave. The Queen and her maid seemed happy enough just to be out of the palace for the day. David had made this trip several times already to pick up new clothes and to practice with the flintlock. Jaym was the only one to truly be excited, he had never left the city before. The fields rolled past them out the window and soon they were at the entrance to the forest. He started looking for his stump, hoping he wouldn't miss it. After another fifteen minutes he saw it up ahead.

"Could you have them stop here please your Highness?"

The Queen nodded and Caelly knocked on the roof of the carriage. It slowed to a halt beside the stump and the mounted guards pulled up next to them. Mialana waved at him, "After you, Master David."

He frowned and stepped out. He reached back in and grabbed his backpack. He knew she was just teasing him, but he was still uncomfortable with anyone calling him 'master'. Jaym jumped down beside him and the Queen and her servant got out on the other side.

"It's this way, through the woods." He pointed in the direction of the cave and started walking. His loyal valet walked next to him, having to take three steps to his one. The guards dismounted and tied their horses to the carriage. Three formed up around the Queen while the fourth stayed to protect the horses.

Having made the trip less than a day ago, David had no trouble finding the trail and they were soon approaching the cave.

Mialana couldn't believe there actually was a cave sitting in the middle of the forest. She had hunted and ridden through these trees dozens of times before and there hadn't been anything here. She'd followed this man out here because she found him intriguing, and he amused her. Certainly, more than any other candidate from the Courting Line ever had. When he had directed them into the woods, she thought he was just really committed to the bit, being a man from another world. She kept waiting for him to admit he was just from some nothing island across the sea or a jumped-up merchant who came up with a clever story. It had been tried before. But here was the cave, just as he said. Could everything else he told he be true also? Could the Mother have sent him here?

Everyone stood and watched while David moved the thorn bushes carefully out of the way. He had gotten quite good at doing it without sticking himself. Once a path was cleared, he pulled the brass key out of his pocket and unlocked the door.

He turned back to the rest of them, and the Queen spoke. "I want everyone to wait outside. David Winston and I will go by ourselves."

The oldest guard objected, "My Queen, if something should happen to you..."

"You have your orders, Captain." The guard bowed and went silent.

Caelly made a move to follow them and again the Queen frowned. The maid stayed where she was, but it was clear she didn't agree.

David motioned Jaym to wait with her and followed Mialana into the cave.

****

As always, the torches provided light but no smoke. David had put his hand up to them once. They were hot enough that he didn't try to touch them directly, but they still never burned out. His chests of supplies were still right where they were when he woke up on this world. He sat down on one in the middle row and watched the Queen. She did a full circuit of the cave, taking in everything. She touched a few of the crates as she walked by, as if to check if they were real. She came back to the entrance and stood in from of him.

"So, it's true then..."

He nodded. "Yes, it's true. I was born on a planet called Earth twenty-six years ago. I don't know where it is. It could be in another galaxy, another universe, another dimension? Who knows? But after the crash I was sent here. Told to do whatever I want by whoever sent me."

She took a step closer and looked down at him defiantly. "And what do you want to do here? Do you plan to take everything over? To rule us?! Is that why you came to the Courting Line, to see how difficult it would be?"

David slowly shook his head. "No, your majesty. I wouldn't know the first thing about ruling a country. Especially one where I don't know where anything is. Most of the boxes you see are filled with books."

"Books? You were told to bring whatever you wanted to a new world to start a new life, and you brought books? That's ridiculous."

He reached into his backpack and handed her the ring of keys. "See for yourself."

She hesitated for a moment, then snatched the keys from him. A minute or two later she had the chest next to him open. It was lined end to end with the spines of leatherbound books. She pulled one at random and opened it. She flipped through a few pages, biting her lip. "What is this?"

He looked at the page she was reading, there was a diagram of a large egg-shaped structure with a furnace underneath. "That's a Bessemer converter. It's used to create steel in large quantities."

She nodded and replaced the book. A few minutes later another box was opened and another book was being leafed through. "And this?"

He looked again, "McCormick Reaper. You pull it behind a horse and it harvests grain. No need for scythes."

Another box and he explained sterile medical practices, another and it was the periodic table. On and on until she had all the chests of books open. The last one was the box with the schoolbooks. A full K-12 education in math, english, and science for a dozen people. "What are all these?"

He told her.

"I can't read a single word in any of these books, how will they be of use to anyone but you?"

He realized that even though he could hear what people said as english and they understood him, they didn't know how to read or write in that language. He pulled out one of the early readers for the Queen. It was full of the usual A is for Apple, and pictures of dogs with D-O-G underneath. He showed it to her, and she was quick to grasp its meaning.

"So, you could teach anyone to read and write with these and then they could learn all the rest?"

"That was the idea. I know a lot of things from my world. But I don't know everything, and I don't know how a lot of the things I know about work. But it's been my experience that if you give people a start with the basics, they'll find their niche and fill in the rest on their own."

The Queen put the book back without saying anything and went on opening chests. The clothes she didn't look twice at, with the weapons she raised an eyebrow but moved on without a word. When she got to the drugs and David explained what they were a tear formed in her eye. "You mean you can save people from the fevers?"

He didn't want to over promise. "It depends on what's causing the fever. Being clean will prevent a lot of things, like I said. But these will help with most other sicknesses. Basic ones at any rate."

Having lost her parents to a fever David knew she was especially sensitive to this. She took a deep breath to steady herself and kept going. The only chests left had treasure in them he knew. She opened the first one and actually shrieked.

"You were able to bring this much gold with you?!" She shouted at him. He really hoped that the door kept the noise from traveling. There was no doubt in his mind who the guards would go after if they heard the Queen yelling. "There are more coins in this box than there probably are in the whole city right now not including the palace."

He waited for her to calm down a little and told her "There are 5 more just like it."

She glared at him and unlocked the rest as fast as she could.

Nothing like twisting the knife a little. I can tease too your Highness.

The Queen picked up coins and jewels and dropped them back into the chests. She was breathing very heavily. "The people that sent you here can just give you all of this?"

David shrugged, "It would appear so. They can move my soul to a new body, why should gold be any trouble?"

"Why even bother with the books? Why not just buy what you want, spend your days eating and napping? Have droves of serving girls to cater to your every whim?"

He sat back down on one of the chests and pulled up a few coins. "I've wondered that too. If you had given me this much money in my old life that's exactly what I would have done. Bought a bunch of houses. Taken exotic trips. Bought more things than anyone could need." He dropped the coins back in with the rest. "Dying changes things a little, I think. I had a short life sure, but I still didn't do much with it. Now that I've got a second chance, I'd rather do something, anything, with it. With where I'm from and where I am, a little technological advancement seems like the best way I can leave a mark. Who knows, maybe they'll make a statue of me when I snuff it this time."

Mialana didn't take her eyes away from the gold in front of her. "And no plans on making yourself King?"

"None."

She turned to look at him with a gleeful smile on her small face. "My country has been considered poor for as long as I can remember. Always looked down on by other Kingdoms on the continent. My father was a King, but he might as well have been a cobbler as far as they were concerned. Just a ruler of a large island with nothing interesting on it. Some silver, not much gold, no exotic spices, gems, or animals. Nobles come to the Courting Line only because they're too far down the list to ever sit on a throne in their own kingdoms. I love my country and I love my people. It would be nice to have them move about in the world and be greeted with a little awe and respect. It would be nice to know that no one was going hungry, and the trade captains had holds full of goods that everyone wanted. If you're willing to show us the way, then I accept."

David stood up and bowed low. "My Queen."

She laughed almost as hard as she had in the carriage. "Stand up David Winston. You look ridiculous. In public I expect you to bow and kneel like everyone else. But in private I won't make you. You're not even from this world, let alone from Wellon."

He laughed with her and sat back down. The Queen sat on a chest across from him. "What do we do now?"