NanoWrimo 2022

Choices

American Kingdom Day 27

Previous scene:

I wish I could record all of Duke Francis’s remarks about the workings and structure of the Kingdom. Over the past forty years it had grown from something run by volunteers to an entity of significant wealth and power.

Francis described the growth, the inevitable tensions in creating a society dedicated to the teachings of Jesus that had to operate in the modern world, the wise administration of the Regent, the current situation and plans for the future.

He sketched out what we could expect as members of the military wing. Our job was to defend the Kingdom, preferably without conflict or violence but if that became necessary, we could not shrink from our duty. He gave Sun Tzu another run through our busy brains.

Our work would be interesting and diverse and we could expect significant rewards if we did our jobs well.

“My case in point is our Regent, who joined the Kingdom in 1995 as an ex-Marine colonel, seeking direction in a nation uncertain of its way under Clinton. He found ways to inspire the nobility, married well, became Prince of the Old Dominion, and assumed the Regency three years ago.

“You have been given three texts to study. The Bible, as ever, is our spiritual guide. Listen to the words of our Dear Lord and you cannot be led astray. Sun Tzu tells us how to meet and overcome challenges in a book that is as ageless and relevant as the Bible. The Guide to the Kingdom shows us where we have been, what we are now, and where we hope to go; an outcome to be desired by every Christian on the globe, and I would hope every human on the planet.

“Study those books, think about the lessons they teach us, mould your lives around their messages, and I am confident that the King will return and be grateful for your efforts on His behalf.”

And that was that. He glanced at Sir Duane, who marched over to him while we drew ourselves up straight in our seats, they exchanged salutes, and the Duke left the building.

There was a coffee break now — always vital of an afternoon with a bunch of soldiers sitting in class — and we had a period on pay and allowances before we ended the day.

“You know how some officers rely on their rank to get the troops to do what they say?” I said when we were released. “The Duke isn't like that. He might have a fancy title but he knows his stuff, he’s got the air of command, he’s the real deal.”

I was a fan. And not just because he’d made no mention of requiring payment for his legal services.

“Oh, I agree,” replied Nathan, “but we need to talk. Hazel and I have cracked the code. Like you say, it makes no sense yet nothing else fits.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” said Hazel. “Maybe they aren’t looking for the best troop, or the deadliest fighter or the greatest team player or crackest shot. Maybe they want someone who isn’t distracted by relationships. Someone who doesn’t move in with a lover or a companion. Someone who keeps their mind on the job.”

“Which would be none of us, though,” I said. “I’ve been fighting to keep Nathan out of my pants since the moment he saw me, you and I are study buddies every quiet, and just look at those two.”

We looked at Annie and Oscar, who were stirring each other’s coffee. It was a pathetic sight.

I sighed.

“I just picked up on the vibrations of a woman who knows a good thing when she sees it,” Nathan said. “Can’t blame me for that.”

“Good assessment of my character,” I replied. “You want another knee in the nuts?”

Hazel looked interested.

“I had to fight him off yesterday,” I explained. “He misread the situation entirely.”

Hazel made the “my lips are zipped” sign. I don’t think I was actually fooling anybody.

“Be that as it may,” Hazel said. “It looks like for whatever reason, the staff gives us a room each at the beginning of the course, and when there’s only one student left not sharing, they end the course and send that student off to the Palace. If that doesn’t happen, they keep the thing going for a month and whoever is left in a single room at the end is sent off.”

“So Annie and Oscar are out of the running for top student.” Nathan said. “That just leaves we three, and depending on our sleeping arrangements, one of us — or all three of us — gets the Palace assignment, right?”

“That’s my reading,” Hazel said. “If Molly and I shack up, you go to the Palace. If you and Molly share a room, I go.”

“And if you move in with me, Molly goes.”

“Not going to happen, Nathan.”

“Nathan,” I said, “I've been advised twice now, once by a Princess and once by a Duke, that I wouldn’t be a good fit for a Palace slot. I’m not going to act against that advice but I wonder if you still want it. Or you, Hazel?”

“Did they give reasons?”

“One said that I’d have to be on my best behaviour at all times, which makes sense for a Palace Guard. The other said that the guard detail spends time doing jobs like patrolling and handling security as well as ceremonial duties. They also said that there are a lot of idle people in the Palace and they gossip about those who do their jobs and it can be a toxic environment.”

“Still sounds like a plum assignment to me,” Nathan said. “I don’t intend to play politics, just do my job and get a good rating.”

And most likely carve notches in his bedpost for all the idle women at court who couldn’t resist a hunk. He’d love it.

“Hazel?”

“My job in the Kingdom will be keeping communications safe and reading the traffic of our enemies. I doubt that the Palace Guard does much of that. I don’t want to spend half my time polishing my boots and badges and the other half running around with a rifle. The job’s yours if you want it.”

“I’ll give you a hand to move your things into my room,” I said. “Give the lovebirds a bit of room, hey?”

“You’ll never know what you’re missing out on, Molly,” Nathan said, with a cheesy grin.

I had a pretty good idea, actually, and it was something I could have used a hit of right now.

Next chapter:

The whole story:

Notes

On cracking open The Prince I find that Macchiavelli is not as clear a guide for your average ex-military as Sun Tzu, and more than that his anti-Christian stance is not at all appropriate.

Duke Francis could eat him up, Molly not so much.