Astra Takes Charge

While Paula was working to dye Astra's hair a dark brown and cut it in the short ponytail that was associated with a Dunchovian herder, the three women talked.

Astra started by asking about "the master" again. He seemed to be the key to solving this mystery. If she could defeat him, then she should have enough power and knowledge to defeat the Silver Horsemen. If only she knew where he was now living, or what he was looking for, that would give her something. She asked, "What do you know about him?"

Unfortunately, neither Copernica nor Paula could help. "The master" was a shadowy figure. They did not even know if was physically present in the Ryngaerd, although the Silver Horsemen were his sometimes called his "disciples."

Astra observed that she had heard this exact word in the caves of the Shreken by the man called the master, just before the first of two events that she called which she called "breaks," as both time, location, and the established order of things seemed to change. The first "break" was her transport into the swamp and then to the throne room of a benignly mad Camelyn, and the second "break" was when she followed the deer to this subjugated Themyscira. Astra gave the bare details that Reaibn was the power behind the throne, and Lord Fred was newly coronated as King Fred. Even that was news to the two women, as Allaria had become something of a hermit kingdom that could not be penetrated even by the Hespanians.

Astra then said, "I cannot stay here like a frightened rabbit, waiting for a fox to find and kill me. We have to take our lands back."

The Captain replied, "Yes, my princess. What is your plan? Maybe you have you have the aid of a wizard that can counter the invincible armour of the silver horsemen. Or you have won friends from the outside that will distract the Hespanians and give us a chance to throw off their yoke?"

Astra looked into their faces. The captain was not being sarcastic. She was trying to imagine what solutions Astra might offer. But both women looked skeptical and battle-weary.

Astra answered, "I will speak plainly. I do not have any magic bolts, or spells, or help from foreign princes. I do not have any comfort to give, except for this. The love for our land and for our brothers and for our sisters has not died. You both have that love. I can tell. As long as that love is there, then they have not won. They will never be able to rest. We will get stronger, and we will be ready when the goddess of fortune tilts the wheel back toward us. When, where, and how that happens, I can not tell you. But the one thing that I will promise, is that the livery of the Silver Horsemen will one day hang as a trophy in the halls of the Capitol."

Astra looked at the two soldiers. Their backs were a little straighter, and eyes fixed on her. Astra thought that she was having an effect. Now she would change tactics.

"But, first things first. Captain, do you acknowledge me as the Princess and heir to Queen Maia?"

The captain replied, "Yes, Princess, I do."

Astra replied, "Then you also acknowledge me as the Prefect of the Squadron as well?"

The captain hesistated, then said, "Yes."

Astra replied, "You hesistated. Do you have doubts? I want to hear them."

The captain said, "Princess, to be plain, I fear that you will be like your sisters, and let your indignation rule you. If you ask me personally to sacrifice my own life, I will do it without hesistation. But I would not do the same for the squadron."

Astra replied, with a smile, "Captain, thank you for speaking honestly. My idea is not to die for my country. I would prefer to make the Hespanians die for theirs."

Astra heard Paula chuckle, but the captain was still concerned.

Astra continued, "I see that you want to hide me. I am agreeable to that. I believe in picking my battles whenever possible. Now is the time for observation, so that we may choose what to do, rather than just react to what the Hespanians do. Do you disagree?"

Copernica replied, "No, my lady."

Astra then said, "Good. The first battles are not likely to be fought with the sabre and lance. The Hespanians now ride proudly and comfortably. I am going to want to change this. But not until I am ready."

Astra then turned to Paula. "Ancient, what will I be disguised as?"

Paula said, "You will be in a Dunchovian herder's robe. The scarf will cover your mouth, and the cowl will make it hard to see your face."

Astra replied, "Clever. And what plans did you have for me?"

The captain said,

1. "I am afraid that you will be shoveling horse muffins at the Hespanian consulate. It is not dignified work, but it does put you in a good place to observe."
2. "Themyscira is far too dangerous. We will be smuggling you to the hinterland, in a place where you will be safer."

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