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The Blades looked down at the replica armour, pieces splayed over the living room floor, glittering brightly against the beige carpet in the early summer sun.
"My pardon, sir," said Achille, his voice wane. "Might you run that by us again?"
"It's very simple, Agent Legrand," Martin said. "I want to go to a reenactment event next weekend. There will be several talks by preeminent professors on the ancient history of computing. I'm very interested in hearing these lectures, and it's unlikely I'll get another chance. Jauffre has already run the risk assessment and approved it. Because it's a reenactment event, I thought we should... fit in, a little better." Martin clasped his hands, released and clasped them again. "No offence to your lovely dark suits, but you would stand out like sore thumbs. I'd rather not... concern anyone."
"And a half-dozen knights in armour won't?" Baurus said. "Baby, c'mon. Really?"
"Well." Martin looked at his hands, before raising his gaze, wide-eyed. "At least you'd be thematic? And look," he grabbed a chest plate, displaying a dark fabric lining. "They have Kevlar on the inside. Please?"
"Marti, I ain't saying no... but that get-up's gotta weigh a tonne," Aderyn said. "I ain't gonna be able to do shit-all in that."
"Oh. No – yes, I know that. For you, my dear, I had leather armour made up." Martin set down the steel chest plate and picked up a matt-black leather gorget, tooled with delicate leaf motifs.
Aderyn gave it a considering look, then sniffed. "Alright. I'm sold. But word cannot get back to Peryite's crew about this. Ilvel will never let me hear the end of it."
Caroline crossed her arms. "What are you and the non-combats going as?"
Martin grinned, producing a circlet. "I'll be a king, of course. As my assistant, Lena has a very fetching Norse-inspired gown."
"And I get to be a falconer," Arcturus said, stepping into the room, already dolled up a russet doublet and dark hose, one of his drones perched on a wrist.
"How fetching?" asked Caroline, eyeing the silvery armour with a sly smile.
"I'm given to understand she'll look very beautiful indeed."
Achille and Baurus glanced at each other. Baurus sighed. Achille covered his face with a hand.
"How come I don't get a sword?" Aderyn said, as the group moved away from the entrance marquee and into the festival, the bright tents scattered like wildflowers on the summer-dry field.
"Do you know how to use a sword, cariad?" Caroline replied.
"I know how to use a staff. Can't be that hard?"
Caroline chuckled, as Achille snorted.
"At least Ms Drakosdottir got me an épée – something I know how to use – instead of that barbarous meat cleaver," he said, then plucked at the puffy split sleeves on his doublet. "Though I am still not sure about this froufrou."
"My apologies, Monsieur Legrand," said Lena, the gold knotwork on the hem of her dress skating through the brittle grass. "I had assumed you would prefer the courtly style of your countrymen."
"It is at least lighter than these two walking tanks," Achille said, raising an amused eyebrow as he gestured to Caroline and Baurus.
"I think I look rather dashing," Caroline said, grinning.
Lena said something in Old Norse, and Caroline grinned wider.
The day was going well. Nicknacks had been procured, two of three lectures attended without incident, and lunch was being taken below a spreading oak. A slight breeze made the dappled shade dance – one moment protecting, the next causing one to squint against the piercing sunlight.
Baurus shaded his eyes as he watched Achille turn away another curious onlooker, trying to snap a picture of 'King' Martin, holding court under the tree.
"Hey, babe?"
"Yes, darling?"
"Maybe we oughtta go get changed back into civilian clothing now? You've had some fun with the dress-up, but I think it's time to ditch it."
"Oh? You're not too hot are you?"
"No, no. That's not the problem. Your idea of fitting in was good, but the costumes have worked too well." Baurus waved at the small crowd, clustered several meters away. "We're kinda on the other side of 'not standing out'."
"Ah... Unfortunately, I made a substantial donation to the event. In thanks, the organisers have invited us to watch the grand finale battle from the VIP stands. So I'm afraid we can't change until after that."
Baurus pursed his lips. "You understand that if I feel there's a significant threat to your life caused by the costumes, there will be no choice?"
Martin inclined his head. "Of course. And what is your current assessment?"
Baurus grinned. "You can play King a little longer."
Mid-afternoon found Baurus and Martin, Caroline and Lena, and Acturus safely ensconced in a marquee, listening to the last lecture of the day.
Outside, Aderyn lounged against the back of a wagon, looking every bit a rogue of yore as she watched the side entrance to the tent. She checked her watch – nearly the end of the day. Sure she looked good, but leather was sweaty and she was looking forward to a cold drink and a shower.
"Control to Infl one, check in?" came Jena's dulcet voice over the comm.
"Infil One here," said Achille, stationed at the front of the Talks tent. "Everything is, how you say, hunky-dory."
Out of the corner of her eye, Aderyn noticed a dark figure standing further down the lanes caused by the backs of the tents.
Jena gave a soft snort at Achille's turn of phrase and continued the round. "Control to Tank One, check in?"
"Tank One here," said Baurus, his voice low. "We're like peaches in a can, but no threats."
"Control to Infil Two, check in?"
"Infil Two here," Aderyn said. "I've got a bogey. IC2 male, generic clothing but quick-release Magnums."
"What's your read, Infil Two?"
"Looks like he's actively waiting for something. Ain't lounging against nuffin' or looking at his phone." Aderyn paused. "Plus, he's giving me the willies."
"The what?" Achille said.
"Y'a know. The willies. The heebie-jeebies. The scrunchy feeling in your gut when summit's off."
"Do a walk-past," Jena said, "but do not engage. Let's see what he does."
"Copy that."
Aderyn pulled out her phone, flicking her gaze between the screen and her surroundings as if following instructions, as she slowly approached. When she was a few meters away, the man pulled back into the lane he was waiting in.
"Infil Two to Control, he's on the move," Aderyn said, keeping her voice low. "Want me to follow?"
"Confirmed, Infil Two – follow. But if you feel you're being drawn too far from your post, break off."
"Roger that, Control."
Aderyn followed the man as he moved along the lanes, skipping over guy ropes stretched too far back, skirting piles of unused costumes and idiosyncratic pallets of saran-wrapped merchandise.
At a dead-end, she stopped. The area was empty of people. Aderyn moved around, checking in likely hiding spots. "Dammit. I lost him. Doubling back now."
"Copy that," said Jena.
Aderyn turned around, starting back the way she'd come.
Behind her, a tent flap shifted and out slipped the man. He crept towards her. Thin wire unspooled from between his gloved hands. He lept, and the wire wrapped around her neck.
Inside the tent, Lena set down her fan with a frown. Caroline glanced over as Lena pulled out her mobile from a waist pouch, the phone vibrating in her hand.
Lena leant over, whispering into Caroline's ear, "It's the office. I need to take this."
Caroline nodded, squeezing Lena's free hand. Lena rose, slipping out of the side entrance.
The tent flap closed behind her.
A scream, high and feminine, rang out.
"Caroline!" Lena's voice, fading with distance.
Caroline was on her feet in an instant, head twisting from the tent flap to Baurus.
"Go!" he said, and Caroline vanished through the flap.
"Tank One, report," Jena said.
"Sounds like Lena's been grabbed," Baurus said, looping an arm around Martin to draw him back from the tent edge. "Tank Two is in pursuit."
"Copy that. Arty, aerial support."
"On it," Arcturus said, snatching up the stiff leather case beside him and dashing outside.
"Infil One-"
"Moving into position now," Achille said, striding up the aisle as Baurus rose.
"Infil Two, support Tank Two. Eyes in the sky, give directions."
"Little... busy!" came Aderyn's strained voice.
"Baurus?" Martin asked.
"We've gotta go, sorry," Baurus said, steering Martin towards where Achille waited.
"Wait!" Martin pulled out a business card and handed it to the lecturing professor, who blinked owlishly at the commotion. "I do apologise for the disruption. Your talk has been absolutely fascinating. Thank you for giving it."
"Martin."
"Yes, I'm coming."
Achille took position on Martin's other side, as Baurus hustled him towards the tent's main exit.
"All hands, authorities have been alerted and are en route," Jena said, her tone tense but professional. "Infil Two, what's your status?"
"Found... bogey."
"You need to shake him off."
"Trying!"
"Please, Aderyn!" Caroline shouted, her voice pitchy and breathless through the comm. "I need backup!"
"Yup. Coming!"
The gorget was doing its job, giving Aderyn breathing space against the garotte. But her attacker was a tough bastard – unbothered by her attempts to free herself thus far. Aderyn sucked in a breath. Back to the classics with a Glaswegian Kiss then.
Her head slammed back into the man's face. He staggered back, and Aderyn staggered forward, ripping the garotte from her neck. She pivoted, aiming a blow to his sternum, but he blocked. Using her arm as leverage, he brought her down. Aderyn hit the floor with a thud. But her disorientation cleared quickly, and she struck upwards, jabbing the pressure point on his knee. With a cry, he fell. Aderyn scrambled to her feet and ran.
"Arty! Directions!" Aderyn called, sliding down the side of a tent and into the main flow of foot traffic.
"They're headed towards the main arena. Go east."
"Copy."
Aderyn ran, sliding through the crowds, ducking under a man carrying far too many steins of beer.
"Tank Two, come back?" Aderyn's request was met with silence. "Tank Two! Christ. Arty, talk to me. What's happening with Tank Two?"
"The assailants have reached the main arena, and they're going to the north end. Tank Two is still in pursuit. Infil Two, you need to cross to the next street. You've a left turn coming in 300 yards."
"Copy that," Aderyn said, eyes on the gap in the tents. She took a sharp turn down it, nearly colliding with a juggler and her troubadour. The troubadour's gittern twanged. The juggler fumbled her coloured wooden balls; Aderyn caught them, tossing them back to a smattering of applause before she was off again.
"Infil Two, Tank Two has engaged one of the assailants. Damn, she is good with a sword."
"Arty!"
"Focus, Eyes in the Sky," came Jena's reprimand.
"The second assailant looks like he's aiming for the caravan exit. Infil Two, you need to go to the next street over to cut them off."
"Copy," Aderyn said breathlessly, as she leapt over a pair of children playing Magic: The Gathering. "Art, turn?"
"600 yards, left."
Aderyn wove through the press of people, as a shout came from behind her, followed by the sound of something smashing.
"Fuck. Anyone got eyes on my six?" Aderyn asked.
"Let me get another bird up," Arcturus said.
"No need," Achille said. "We can see the large angry man from here. Just keep going Infil Two. I'll slow him down."
"But Gold-"
"Tank One has him. 'Sides, we've not had any trouble."
"Confirmed," Arcturus said. "All their attention is on Lena."
"Copy."
Over the comms came a pained cry. "Aderyn! Hurry!" Caroline yelled.
"I'm coming!" Aderyn said. "This place is filled with people." She took the corner, jostling a stack of caged birds, which clucked loudly. "And chickens. Why are there chickens?"
"Infil Two, your exit is in 600 yards. You'll be coming out almost level with Lena's assailant."
"Copy," Aderyn said as she approached a stall selling forged, blunted weaponry. The proprietor was demonstrating a fancy-looking dagger to a customer. Aderyn snatched it from his hand as she passed, yelling, "Tamriel Industries, I'll bring it back!"
Then she was out of the press of people between tented stalls, and onto a swathe of grass, the arena ahead. A crowd had formed at the southern end, watching Caroline and the kidnapper duking it out, seeming to assume this was part of the event as they cheered for the knight in her shining armour, and booed for the anachronistic bad-guy.
Aderyn dithered. "I'm in position. Caroline or Lena?" she asked.
"Lena!" Caroline yelled.
"Gold agrees," Baurus said. "He said if they're after her, they don't care about the Oblivion Vault, they want company secrets instead. Lena knows just as much, if not more, about TI's workings as he does."
"Copy."
Aderyn moved up towards the VIP stands, decked out in heraldic flags, and ducked under the orange safety ropes below them. Lena was doing her best to fight as the man holding her dragged her towards the exit. With his attention distracted, Aderyn crept towards the man's back, putting a finger to her lips for the one child who noticed and seemed about to warn the assailants. At the final meter, she lept, grabbing the assailant's hair and putting the blunted dagger to his neck.
"Let the woman go, or I slit your throat," Aderyn said.
The man froze.
"I mean it!" she said, pressing harder.
He let go of Lena, holding his hands out, and she fell forward.
"Lena, go up into the VIP stands. Achille will be here soon."
Lena ran.
"You know," the man said, his accent faintly Slavic, "you are holding that wrong."
"What?" Aderyn's attention snapped away from watching Lena escape. The man looped a foot around her ankle, snatching the dagger away as she landed on her back.
"If you really want to slit someone's throat, you hold it like this." He leant over, dragging the smooth blade against the side of Aderny's neck.
"Good to know," she said, kicking him in the nuts. He hissed out in pain, backing off as Aderyn gained her feet.
"Fuck!" yelled Achille.
"Infil One, what's your status?"
"The bastard gave me the slip," Achille yelled. "Arcturus, need eyes!
"Searching," Arcturus said. "There. Damn... Tank Two, Infil Two, he's headed your way."
"Copy," Aderyn said.
"I will divert to secure Lena," Achille said, as Caroline let out a roar. "Or I can not?"
From the other end of the field, the crowd cheered as Caroline's assailant went down like a sack of potatoes.
"Infil One, confirmed for you to secure Lena," Aderyn said. "Tank Two is, uh, having a moment."
"Tank One to Control, I'm taking Gold out via the South exit."
"Confirmed, Tank One," Jena said. "Infil One, as soon as you have Lena, follow Tank One and egress through the South exit."
"Copy," Achille said.
The crowd cheered again, as Caroline flicked sweat-drenched hair from her face. She lofted her sword above her head, roaring, "Let him come!"
"Is anyone else worried about that?" Aderyn asked.
"They tried to kidnap the light of her life," Baurus said, an edge to his voice. "I think she's allowed a little leeway."
"Negative, Tank One," Jena snapped. "Infil Two, get Tank Two off the field before she does something stupid. Authorities are in-bound imminently and site security should be with you now. They'll take care of the assailants. I want everyone back at the van ASA. Copy?"
In the corner of her eye, Aderyn could see heavyset men approaching from the corner of the arena, dressed in studded leather and chainmail. She nodded, backing away from the kidnapper. "Copy that."
Aderyn turned, clapping as she approached the southern end, "Caroline ap Ynys Môn, everyone! Defeating–"
"Behind you!" screamed a trio of young voices, just as Aderyn was barrelled off her feet. She rolled, but before she could rise, a foot found her stomach. Aderyn grunted, the comms just a babble of noise as she curled into a ball, avoiding a steel toe to the face, but not the one to her spine.
Then: the flash of sun on metal.
A roar, like a dragon.
"Ewch oddi arni, fuckers!"
Bodies went pinwheeling away from her. Aderyn groaned, the brief noise of battle dying as suddenly as it began to half-hearted cheers and confused murmurings from the crowd.
"Aderyn bach." Caroline, glittering in her armour reached a hand down, her accent thicker than usual. "Are you hurt?"
Aderyn took the proffered hand and came to her knees. Their assailants were being wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by the large, armour-clad security she'd seen before.
"I hate to admit it," Aderyn said, "but I think the Doc's gonna need to look me over."
She started to use Caroline's strong arm to pull herself to her feet when there was a cry in Norse. Caroline dropped her hand as pounding feet approached.
Aderyn fell on her butt with a curse as Lena flew into Caroline's arms.
Caroline swept Lena up. They swung around, the golden knotwork of Lena's dress flashing in the sun. Lena's feet came back to the ground and Caroline dipped towards her as they shared a passionate kiss. A riotous cheer went up from the crowd.
Achillie came trotting up, stopping beside the still-sitting Aderyn, and crossed his arms.
"And the day is saved once again, no?" he said with a wry chuckle.
"We don't have to put this in our reports, right?" Aderyn asked, watching Caroline and Lena taking in the crowd's delight. "The Director won't be interested in reading about kissing, will he?"
"And deny him the honour of reading about the most pure and passionate kiss since the invention of kissing?" Achille glanced down with a grin.
Aderyn blinked. "Was that a Princess Bride reference?"
"This was a fairytale ending, was it not?"
Aderyn could only laugh in response.
They watched as Lena and Caroline, arm in arm, played up to the crowd – blowing kisses and accepting handshakes – both radiant with joy and love in the glittering summer sun.