One Pole At A Time: Dragons Run My Life, #10

By tony lavely

The pitfalls of not being prescient.

 

The fake lord is in Lord Vang's prison, the rebellion is over. At the least, Tanial, Falcon Queen, believes the threat of uprisings has ended.

 

The Premier makes good on his promise to send rénmen with the practical knowledge building the telegraph will need, and Aedyt, self-appointed ambassador to the Consolidated States, returns from Zūzhōu City accompanying the first four of the experienced rénmen.

 

The rén engineer will choose a factory or two to draw wire and fabricate tools, keys and sounders for the system; the woman seeks small stature bodynoli to climb the poles and string the wires. Nimah and Tanial direct the final two to survey the telegraph's first route, between Kongens By and Slot Minear.

 

The uprisings foiled in Slot Minear are not the only actions Free the Experiment takes; the surveyors find more than trees and suitable paths.

 

The surprise is the one that leads the way. Not only to the Queen.

 

One Pole At A Time is the tenth book in the Dragons Run My Life series, continuing the epic sweep of Tanial's adventures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: tony lavely
• Release date: Apr 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224560875

Book preview

Dragons Run My Life

Book 10

One Pole at a Time

By

Tony Lavely

Cover Image:

The Fire Dragon

by Johanferreira15 via Flickr

and

Climb

by jasonippolito via Flickr

Both images used under the terms of CC BY 2.0

Modified by author

Copyright © 2024 by Tony Lavely

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Edition 240324

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-tailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Tony Lavely.

The font faces First Order and Quill Sword are ©DMZadorozny, Iconian Fonts, used with permission. Other font faces used in this document (Almendra, Cinzel, and Cinzel Decorative) are used under the terms of the SIL Open Font License, Version 1.1.

The font face Bona Nova is © BORUTTA via Fontspring.

Description

With the fake lord in Lord Vang’s prison, the threat of uprisings seems diminished. The Premier makes good on his promise to send rénmen with the experience building Tanial’s telegraph will require.

Aedyt, self-appointed ambassador to the Consolidated States, returns from Zūzhōu City accompanying the first four rénmen from the Premier.

The rén woman seeks small stature bodynoli to string the wires; the engineer will choose a factory or two to fabricate both tools as well as keys and sounders for the system. Nimah and Tanial direct the other two to survey the route where the first telegraph will be run, between Kongens By and Slot Minear.

The uprisings foiled in Slot Minear are not the only moves Free the Experiment takes; the surveyors find more than trees and suitable paths. The surprise is the one that leads the way.

Map - Territory Two Detail

Map - Consolidated States of Toile

The Sundial Images and Hands

This image heads sections that take place in Territory Two, in the southern hemisphere of the planet. Most of the action takes place during the winter thir’dars of Maryka and Jasel. The image gives an idea just how few hours of light are available, especially recalling that most of the light the citizens have is produced by burning a vegetable oil such as olive oil.

Set on a clock face marking the sixteen hours of the Toile ’dar, black is night; grey is twilight and bright jaune, or yellow, denotes the star has risen.

This image heads sections that take place in Zūzhōu City, which is located in the northern hemisphere. The few scenes there are in their summer; and the image shows the difference in hours of starlight.

Hands

Hands, as used in this story, can have two meanings. One is the usual: hands as found at the end of arms. The other is a measure, equal to four inches.

In some narratives, swords are described as one- or two-handed, referring to the hilt size and how many of the soldier’s hands are used to control the weapon.

In this story, daggers are described as one- or one and a half- or two-hands. These ‘hands’ refer to the length of the blade. Thus a hand and a half (or one and a half-hands) dagger has a six inch blade.

One Pole at a Time

Vest Lindebalgh

19 - 28 Maryka, 553

1: Slot Minear

19 Maryka

The Broken Shovel

TANIAL SMILED AS she watched Litta and Gareth follow Guard Catrin into the Queen’s chamber at the Shovel. As they crossed the floor, she muttered to Liam, Mayhap they bring good news. She stood and beside her, he did too.

She waved off their bows and said, Well met! To what do I owe this pleasure?

Well met, indeed, Highness, Gareth said. Litta has words for you, if you will.

She put a stern cast to her face⁠—something, unfortunately, that was becoming easier to do as interminable meeting followed interminable meeting⁠. "Litta, I enjoy converse with you and the Prince as much as with any. However… I will be most aggrieved to discover that you can na introduce yourself to me without Gareth’s words in advance."

Litta smirked behind her hand, but Tanial noticed. Hmm.

’Tis⁠— Litta began.

I pray I do na make your pique greater, Highness, Gareth said, "but ’tis on me. She allows me to introduce her na because she needs any introduction, but to⁠—"

Litta’s hand on his arm silenced him as well as a club to his head would have. The Queen has no time for this, love. She turned back to Tanial and smiled as she said, "He does it to allow me to catch my breath, moving into this… lofty chamber."

Catrin choked; Tanial looked, worried until she realized the guard was trying to stuff up her laughter.

Well said, Catrin! Gramercy for giving that the honor it deserves. I swear I shall make no more comments.

Gramercy, Tain, Litta said. "And to you also, Catrin. So we do na spend more of your time… I ha’e visited you with word of the doves from Stålwick and Traenthe. Last eve, close on the ten bell, the dove from Regent Clausen in Rendekebing arrived in the dovecote.

"Of course, as soon as the dove-handler advised me, I took the message to King Jenoele and the Regent, and they ken I am here now.

’Tis the same as the other messages: Regent Clausen has no uprisings like ours.

Good news! Gramercy for it. She tipped her head back for a brief contemplation of the ceiling. ’Tis fine, but leaves the question, does it na?

Aye, Liam said. Why here if na everywhere? What is special about Slot Minear?

Aye. Ambassador Naoko, I ween you’ve been listening as intently as I. Naoko gave her a grim smile and a tentative nod. Ha’e you any thoughts?

I do not.

I jested a ’dar ago about visiting the Premier, do you recall?

"I do. I didn’t jest then, and I don’t now. I would attend you if you make that trip."

Gramercy. ’Twill na be to’dar, though.

In that case, Catrin said, smiling, Tyra would offer fresh caffe.

Litta returned the smile. We may enjoy another cup, by your leave, Tain. After that we are off to the torv.

Which one?

Torv Blodyn Pabi. Miri found it a few ’dars ago and enjoyed it.

As important, Gareth said, Prince Tomos enjoyed it, too.

"Ah, that makes sense. I pray you tell them Well met and Gramercy. Mayhap Liam and I can make our way to the Inn in the next ’dar or two."

2: Outside the City

26 Maryka

AEDYT MADE A last nervous check of the lights and such, then waited to see if the automatic⁠—as the master had taught her⁠—systems would act as she expected on landing. The four rén were still asleep⁠—o’course they were. Gateway travel was familiar to them!

The controls chimed just as they’d taught her, and the restraints eased, ready to fade completely.

The girl⁠—woman⁠—rén woke first; she smiled at Aedyt and after releasing the restraints, stood to stretch.

Thanks for the smooth ride. Will you stay with us, or return post-haste?

That, milady. Return. The Premier wishes my attendance on him.

Aedyt smiled as the woman’s eyes roved over her… sticking… O’course they would linger on my tits.

I understand, the woman said, returning the smile. Well! Let’s get these lazybones up to meet our destiny, so you can head back for yours.

The gateway’s portal opened. Thank Regole!

Waiting several paces back were Naoko and Maman. And the Twins. And Gapten… ’Tis Padrig.

She stepped out. Well met, Naoko, Gapten. Here are four rénmen from the Premier, who wish to work with Nimah, Joss and Tomi on our telegraph. I pray you greet miss…

Kalea, the woman said. And when they rub the sleep out of their eyes, Misters Kapena, Akoni and Pika.

Naoko strode to meet them. Hello! Welcome and thank you. I’m Naoko Watanabe. I hope the Premier mentioned that most travel is horseback; we have four mounts for you, reliably said to be docile and unlikely to buck you off. Have you anything to send back⁠—

Nay, Aedyt said from inside an embrace with her maman. Their garments are suitable for the Experiment, so they need na strip and send them back!

Thank you! Now Aedyt, unless I misunderstood, hug Maman and the Twins and… Anneli! Where have you gotten to?

Right here, the small tawny girl said from behind Aedyt’s maman’s leg.

Gramercy. Give her a hug and she’ll be off.

Aedyt squeezed Maman, then scooped Anneli up for a hug and kiss. Tove and Tófa followed instantly. They pushed her toward the gateway which admitted her, closed its portal and sucked her into her couch before departing.

Tove stood, watching the gateway⁠ fade away—Healer Trine allowed her to do that. Her sister, Tófa, was holding the pierced arm; Tove wrapped the other around Cille’s lady, Anneli. Anneli. For all the girl had explained during the ride from the city to this little clearing to the north, Tove had no idea why she’d joined them.

Jonna rode with them to protect her… and Tófa, too, once she Tove was safe. Padrig… she knew why he was with them: to protect Naoko, first, after that Tove and her sister, and finally the four… Aliens was the best descriptor. Foreigners, from another land. Aye.

The aliens. In the twilight their skin… all the same shade of tan. The tall one, she thought, was Kapena. The girl… canna be more than thirteen winters! A full hand shorter than Tófa and me. Shorter than Anneli. Mayhap shorter than Aoife! Nay, but na much taller. Aedyt called her Kalea.

The other two, Akoni and Pika, are not as tall as Kapena.

They are weary. Aye. Four hours in that… thing.

Cefin, Naoko called, can you and Lauge bring the horses for our guests?

Aye, milady.

Adjusting the saddles required the next quarter hour. Tove giggled as they shortened and shortened the stirrups for Kalea so her feet didn’t just hang. None of the four were completely comfortable but it wasn’t their first time atop a horse, either.

Aye, Jonna said, grinning, "’Tis na their first ride e’er, I ween."

Anneli, watching, mayhap recalling her first long trip mounted, giggled. Nay. But look, they are na falling o’er the far side… like some we might mention!

Since they’d all had that experience or one the equal, they chuckled with her.

Once the saddles were adjusted, Naoko raised her hand. We’re off to the White Walls Inn. Lead the way, please, Gapten.

Padrig spoke a few words to his small troop and waved Tove and Tófa to ride the side of the column.

3: Slot Minear

26 - 27 Maryka

White Walls Inn

A HALF HOUR later, Padrig called Halt! outside the inn. With care for her arm, Tove slid off her horse and nodded to her Twin, then trotted to Naoko. "By your leave, we’ll… Tófa and me, we’ll take Kalea with us. Na sure she’s ready for baths and beds with her men."

Naoko laughed and said, That’s true. Good thinking. Don’t lose her, please.

"That we shan’t do. The Queen would have our heads, but flay us first. The four hour?"

Yes. I’ll rap on your door.

Back at the horses, Tófa had Kalea down and attempting to stand. Anneli, if you will, hasten to the Innmaster and order hot water for miss Kalea’s bath. After that fetch balm from Healer Gunna.

I shall meet you in the chamber. I must advise Lady Cille, too.

O’course. Git!

It’s feeling better, Kalea said to Tove. You must ride a lot here.

’Dars at a time. Your ass’ll get tough in an otto’dar. Well, tougher, she said, smirking.

Kalea must have understood perfectly; she smacked Tove on the hip, then winced as her body twisted.

Tove stuffed her laugh back down and instead said, Anneli will bring the balm for your legs and ass. Works fine. I’ll rub it in after the bath. Com’on.

Wait, don’t I go with⁠—

"We didna think you were ready to take your bath with the men. If we’re wrong…"

Oh! Oh. No. And the beds?

’Tis time, I ween. Come with us. Anneli will have hot water and the balm.

Tove entered their second-floor chamber first. When she reached the bedstead, she paused to watch Kalea.

The rén stopped short; Tófa jooked around her. Tove grinned; ’tis a normal chamber for an inn: an open door to the bathing tub, the bed⁠—o’course the bed!⁠—sized as usual to hold eight bodynoli… more if they were all Kalea’s size! A wooden sideboard with three basins for washing up, empty since the bath was being filled. A window giving on the dark of starset now, and on the morrow after star rise, on the wall of the building beside, across the alley. Four sconces and a lantern provided light.

Behind Kalea, Anneli squeezed in. She held out a small tub. After her bath, Healer Morgan said. Rub it in, and firm, else it’s na so effective. She took another two steps in, handed the bowl to Tove and said, Milady Cille Winther greets you, miss Kalea.

Cille bounced in to say, Well met! I’m here to find out if Anneli is correct: she says you may be great fun now we have you away from your mates and Naoko.

Kalea grinned as she stiffly reached for Cille to give her a big hug. Now, if I can walk again after the two flights of stairs… I’ll greet the Twins, I heard them called. And little Anneli, too, of course!

Tove quickly reached her and with an arm around her, took her to lean against the bed. Stand here, I pray you, whilst I work these… whatever these are.

Buttons, Kalea said, as the girl figured out how to slip the button through the slit. Why⁠—

For the bath, milady. Anneli popped up and undid the button on Kalea’s breeches.

Oh. I didn’t think—

’Tis just til the aches and pains leave you, Cille said with a smile in her voice. They’ll do naught to harm you. After all, you will help us make our kingdoms successful.

By the time Cille finished, all of them including Kalea stood bare. Anneli ran into the bath and shouted back, ’Tis nigh ready!

Tove slipped her hand around Kalea’s waist and with her hip nudged the rén through the door and into the bath.

The space was smaller than the bedchamber; the tub nigh filled it.

How many of you bathe at once?

Tove tittered behind her hand before she walked Kalea to sit on the platform surrounding the wooden tub. This bath… five our size are possible but four are more comfortable. ’Twould be excessive if one or two bathed. The Innmaster would charge accordingly for the hot water.

A knock on the small door on the inside wall stopped them short til Anneli trotted round and, with a boot knife in her fist, cracked it to see out. Gramercy, she said, and opened it wide for the two maids to carry buckets of steaming water in. As they poured them into the tub, one said to Anneli, We’re finished, milady. Do ya need us fa scrubbing and such?

Nay. We are enough. Again, gramercy.

Da’rien. I pray ya speak ta the Master if ya require aught else.

Anneli went on her tiptoes and kissed the maid on her cheek. Gramercy. I shall recall that, at need. She closed the door behind them.

Aye, Tófa said. "We’ll do the scrubbing. Anneli, by your leave, we shall go first, afore you and Cille and the others."

As you wish. Her smirk gave the lie to the disappointment she tried to voice.

Tove giggled as she urged Kalea into the pool. The rén admitted later that this was not the first time she’d shared a bath; she did her part to scrub Tove and Tófa before they ceded the tub to Cille and Anneli and a couple other girls Tove didn’t introduce.

Jonna caught them as the three toweled each other dry; I’ll take station at the foot, milady, she said, closest to the hall door.

Have you had a hint of trouble? Tófa asked.

Nay, but ’tis better to take care.

After agreeing, ’twas time to mount the bed and apply the balm. They laughed as Kalea made a valiant attempt to throw herself to the top of the bed, which was almost as high as her breasts. Finally, Anneli called for Tove to find the low bench she Anneli used to climb up.

Tófa pushed Kalea to lie on her belly atop the bed to allow both the Twins to smear handfuls of the balm liberally on the rén’s thighs and butt. Kalea said nothing til Tove set the bowl on the sideboard and crawled back up to pull the quilt over the three of them.

Thank you, she then said. That’s better already.

Aye. Snuggle ’tween us; sleep. Do na mind the others as they come and go.

Against Kalea’s body, Tove felt her breathing slow as sleep took her. She reached her hand to pat Tófa’s arm and allowed herself to drift off too.

In the morning, Tove shook her head gently before she remembered that the rén woman lay facing her… with a hand resting on her chest. Anneli⁠—or Aoife, they were both there⁠—tugged on her foot. Ho! Tove said. ’Tis fine! Have ya roused Tófa?

Aye, Anneli said with a giggle. Most everyone’s readying themselves for the ride to the Shovel.

Unh. Good.

Ride? Kalea’s hand slipped away and her voice had a plaintive note that Tove was not unfamiliar with.

"Aye. In a carriage, I ween. We’ll leave the horses for after the meeting with Nimah and the others."

Oh.

Up and wash your face and we shall off.

The Broken Shovel

27 Maryka

In the Queen’s Chamber, Tanial smiled across the table as Liam placed a cup of caffe for her and then slid in next to her. To’dar promised interesting things, along with a drop of rain if the soothsayers could be believed. Last eve, Naoko had sent one of the White Walls Inns’ messenger boys to let her know that the four rén from the Premier had arrived and were resting after their journey.

But in the instant, she had Madam Lund and the young datter seated before her.

We have Maman Lund… Liam waved across the board and tipped his head to her. … and Mistress Unnr. If I recall it correctly.

Ya do, milord, Maman said. Gramercy fa yar grace. Pa and I pray you may say how Ragna and Bendt⁠—

A sudden squeal took their attention. Naoko and a girl Tanial didn’t recognize stood wide-eyed, gaping at them.

A moment, I pray you, Madam, while I find out what⁠—

Highness! Naoko called as she caught the girl around the waist.

Tanial stared. She’s wearing the same breeches⁠—pants⁠—that Naoko does. And a shirt with buttons and buttonholes! Ah! ’Tis a rén! Mayhap one of the Premier’s gents arrived with Aedyt.

Startled and mayhap fearful, Nimah quickly joined them.

Aye?

Good morn, Highness. Naoko was still breathless. I pray you greet Kalea, arrived from the Premier. She is here to help with the telegraph. She looked at them all, but her gaze stuck on the youngling girl. Unnr, Liam said? She hopes the young miss just there… Her finger marked the small girl. … is available and wishes to work with us.

I suppose it depends, Ambassador. What marks her special? O’course, she and her Maman and Da must approve, also.

Of course, they must agree.

Kalea took a step forward. Good morning, Highness, Maman. My name is Kalea. I’m one of the rénmen arrived to help Nimah build her telegraph. You will have noticed my… diminutive stature… It served me well as I climbed our poles to string the wire. That probably doesn’t interest you, but it means that I seek rénmen who are small. Like…

Tanial waited to see if any would fill in the name that Kalea didn’t ken. She wasn’t going to offer; while the girl would surely be considered diminutive, there were others as small. And Kalea is a girl, so no doubt a girl can do the work.

Unnr, Maman finally said, stand if ya will.

Excellent! Kalea said. Yes! Unnr. May she come closer?

The girl was still a bit unsettled from the unexpected attention, but after a glance at Maman, she shuffled to stand facing the rén woman.

Relax, Unnr, Kalea said. You have a potent name from before time. Unnr’s mouth hung open. Kalea went on, From history, it means wave, as in the ocean. In other references, love. A well regarded name. Turn about, please, so I can examine your back, too.

Umm. Tanial disliked guessing at motives. What do you seek, miss?

Kalea patted Unnr’s shoulder, then turned her to face Tanial. Highness⁠—

Naoko caught Kalea’s arm while on the other side, Nimah took Unnr’s. Hold, I pray, Nimah said.

Yes, please, Naoko added. "Unnr, thank you so much for your patience. Please sit with your maman.

Kalea, your enthusiasm for our work excites me. However, while I agree that miss Unnr appears perfect for your task, Nimah doesn’t yet know what you plan, any of you. Neither does the Queen nor especially Unnr or her Maman. Naoko addressed Maman directly. I hope that in two ’dars time, we’ll have made enough progress that we can offer Unnr and possibly others apprenticeships with us, but we’re not ready for that to’dar. Can you return, you and Unnr and her Da, for a breakfast meeting in two ‘dars?

Ya will explain what ’tis ya would do? An’ what Unnr would do? We shan’t have her used unseem⁠—

Nay! and No! competed briefly before Nimah reached a hand toward Naoko to hold her silent. After a deep breath, she said, "Madam, you have my word that I, and Joss, and Tomi, King Rhion of Aberystrad, none of us will suffer any, boy or girl, man or woman to be used so. We do na seek miss Unnr as a girl to work on her back. I would do so afore she does."

Gramercy, Maman said. King Rhion, he affirms such?

Aye, Madam, I do, Tomi said from behind the crowd.

"As do I! Miriajona, Queen