Visiting the Old Dominion (Closed)

[Atlantian Dominions]

The port of Hampton was bustling with all the activity and energy one would expect to find in a major commercial harbor. While it wasn’t quite the great entrepôt of Grand Harbor, which was the busiest port in the Atlantian Dominions, Hampton was still an important link in the Dominion of Marydale’s commercial chain. It was easy to tell which ships were coming from or bound for destinations within the Atlantian Dominions, for these were steamships with their smoke-belching towers. The ships which would carry Marydale cotton, tobacco, and manufactured goods to foreign ports had no steam engines, and instead relied on the vast cloth sails that hung from towering masts. By law, the International Traders were restricted to sail power only, lest speedy and frequent travel between foreign and Atlantian ports contaminate the Confederation with foreign influences.

It was amid all this commercial energy that the ship bearing Princess Nerea of Voxija arrived to let its passenger disembark. The Princess was met at the quay by a handsome, rugged-looking young man with dirty blond hair, wearing a finely tailored suit. Mason Lockwood, son of the shipping magnate William Lockwood, had been eagerly awaiting Princess Nerea’s arrival ever since the two had met at the Continental Cotillion in Grand Harbor. His friend and confidant Mary Ashby had teased him remorselessly about his infatuation, to which Mason had protested that he simply found the foreign princess unique and interesting to talk to. But he could not deny that his heart leapt a bit when he saw her descending the gangplank.

“Welcome to Marydale, Princess.” Mason gave an abbreviated bow and kissed Nerea’s hand in a show of what he hoped was charming sophistication. He gestured behind him, where a town car was parked waiting for its passengers. A driver in elaborate livery stood waiting by the doors. The car was drawing plenty of attention from passers-by, who rarely saw such a vehicle in the city. Mason Lockwood was determined to impress Nerea, and had persuaded his father to lend the family car to deliver her to the Estate.

That such a vehicle might be the pinnacle of technology and wealth in the Confederation of Atlantian Dominions was a common reason for tourists to travel and visit the nation. The Confederation was a land seemingly frozen in time a century past. The land had been struck by a series of calamities in the 1920s, and civilization had barely hung on. The Confederation had risen from the ashes of the False Tribulation and slowly clawed back to the pre-Collapse technology and industrial base, but it was a conservative nation and determined not to invite repetition of disaster. The result was that visitors to the Confederation of Atlantian Dominions could experience a land with a near-feudal social structure, 19th-century morals, and 1920s technology, all in the year 2020 C.E.

Once Nerea and Mason were in the backseats of the car, the driver - who was blocked from hearing the conversation of his passengers by a partition with a sliding window - engaged the engine and the car began to trundle down the streets of Hampton, out of the city towards Beauvale, the rural Estate of the Lockwood family.

In a short time, the view out the windows changed from the bustling streets of a busy city, to the factories on the city’s outskirts, to vast expanses of cultivated rural land. Outside of the cities, Marydale was covered in vast Estate lands. Indentured field hands, who labored in exchange for food and housing (both poor in quality), grew, harvested, and prepared immense quantities of cotton, tobacco, and indigo. These cash crops were sent, via the port of Hampton or the railroads, to factories in the Atlantian Dominions and to foreign nations. The Lockwood family’s Estate included fields of cotton and tobacco, but their wealth came from the share of the profits they received from every International Trader that they sponsored.

“My father is very excited to meet you,” Mason was saying as they passed endless rows of crops, attended by men, women, and children in shabby clothes. “He’s throwing a grand dinner to welcome you, and he’s invited all sorts of people. Senator Dade will be there for sure, and the Ashbys, and probably some of the Cawthornes too.”

He smiled at Nerea. “Before dinner we can go riding, or walking around the Estate. And then I assume you’re here to attend the Bowie Stakes race?”

[Voxija]

Princess Nerea liked the Atlantian Dominions. Sure, she might have been a bit disturbed by the 19th century social mores, but Voxijan clothes were made from Atlantian cotton. And the steampunk atmosphere of the country was wonderful and charming and also very interesting.

Princess Nerea would have worn a conservative knee-length dress had she been in Voxija, but instead she dressed like the locals. Not only was it good diplomacy to dress in the national clothes of the country you visited, but Nerea liked looking pretty in a floor-length gown.

She had went to a cotillion in Grand Harbor and met Mason Lockwood there. He had made a good conversation partner and a very good friend. Princess Nerea was glad she had a good friend to spend the time with. Or perhaps it could be something more?

Eneko Ydaverri, the Duke of Xirroni, rode next to the driver. The Duke always went where the princess went, if she wanted him to be there, and she did. Eneko was glad that his friend was enjoying her time in the Atlantian Dominions, even if he couldn't hear her conversation with Mason. And it looked like the princess was forging connections, those were always good for diplomacy in foreign lands.

The princess stared at the city of Hampton. It looked a bit like old photographs of Xirroni. Nerea looked at the factories, a bit worried about their impact on the environment. But since the Atlantian Dominions was using technology from a century ago, it couldn't do that much harm.

The view changed from the city to the country. Looking at the Indentured (or Leasing, but Nerea had a feeling they were Indentured) workers in their shabby clothes laboring in the fields was heartbreaking. It still reminded Princess Nerea of the serfdom Voxija used to have in the 18th century.

Mason told Nerea about how his father had planned a great dinner to welcome her, and had invited some important people to dine with her. Nerea was flattered, but she was a princess, such a dinner was appropriate, and she hoped no one would be too obsequious or worse, racist.

Mason Lockwood had asked Princess Nerea a question, and she responded.

"Walking around the Estate would be wonderful. I think that with riding, everything goes by too quickly. And yes, I will attend the Bowie Stakes Race; Voxija is too small for any large horse racing circuit."

Nerea felt a bit like she was affecting the attitudes of this very old-fashioned country, but why not? This was why she came here in the first place, to get a taste of the old ways before fast cars and computers and other modern tech.

[Atlantian Dominions]

Eneko Ydaverri, the Duke of Xirroni, rode next to the driver. The Duke always went where the princess went, if she wanted him to be there, and she did. Eneko was glad that his friend was enjoying her time in the Atlantian Dominions, even if he couldn't hear her conversation with Mason. And it looked like the princess was forging connections, those were always good for diplomacy in foreign lands.

Mason Lockwood had felt a pang of embarrassment when he’d seen the Duke of Xirroni striding down the gangplank behind Princess Nerea. In his eagerness to impress Nerea with the car, he’d forgotten to account for her escort. He should have come with the larger coach with enough space for all three to sit together. Instead the Duke was up front with the driver, a discourteous place to seat a man of class. Mason hoped that the man was not upset at the arrangement. If he was, then hopefully the diversions of the Estate would be enough to smooth the Duke’s ruffled feathers.

The view changed from the city to the country. Looking at the Indentured (or Leasing, but Nerea had a feeling they were Indentured) workers in their shabby clothes laboring in the fields was heartbreaking. It still reminded Princess Nerea of the serfdom Voxija used to have in the 18th century.

Some of the Indentured laborers looked up as they heard and then saw the motor car pass them by. A few overseers were scattered throughout the tableau of hunched over workers, easily identifiable through their nicer clothes and the officious manner in which they surveyed the people under their eye. This was the dark foundation of the Atlantian economy. It was through the labor of these people, who worked nearly sunup to sundown for nothing but the “privilege” of living in a crude shack and eating gruel twice a day, that provided the bountiful products which families like the Lockwoods sold for immense profit.

"Walking around the Estate would be wonderful. I think that with riding, everything goes by too quickly. And yes, I will attend the Bowie Stakes Race; Voxija is too small for any large horse racing circuit."

“You’re in for a treat,” Mason said. “The Bowie is the biggest race of the season. Even the President comes down to attend. My father is a club member, so we’ll have great seats to watch everything.”

Soon, a more narrow branch of road diverged off to the right, marked by a sign that read BEAUVALE. The car turned off the main road and followed the arrow-shaped sign. The endless fields eventually ended at a split-rail fence with a gate across the road. A sign affixed to the fence read BEAUVALE MANOR. Standing by the gate was a bored-looking young man, whose horse was tied to a fence post a few feet away. He hurried to open the gate when the car approached it and doffed his hat as it rolled by. Now the view was different, with uncultivated land dotted with grazing horses and small copses of trees. Slowly, Beauvale Manor itself rose into visibility on the horizon.

Beauvale Front
Beauvale Rear

Beauvale was a Palladian-style frame mansion with an impressive two story portico over the front porch. Surrounding the big house were all the various buildings necessary for the running of the Estate, from stables to smokehouses to guest houses for those visitors not important enough to be put up in the mansion itself.

“There it is,” Mason said. “Home sweet home.”

The car pulled around the carriage circle and came to a stop in front of the entrance, where Mason’s father William Lockwood was standing in front of the assembled staff of the house. There were a few footman in the same livery as the driver, a half dozen young women in maid’s dresses, a cook and his assistants, and an assortment of other domestic helpers. A butler stepped forward to open the door for Eneko to step out from the front, then stepped around and opened the doors for the backseat. Mason was out of the car first, then he turned and held out his hand to help Nerea out of the car.

“Princess Nerea, Lord Xirroni, allow me to present my father, William Lockwood, master of the Beauvale Estate,” Mason said, gesturing to his father. William stepped forward and gave a short bow from the waist, and the staff bowed low or curtsied at the same time.

“Welcome to my humble home, noble sir and madam,” William said in a ceremonious tone. Then he smiled and stepped forward with jovial eagerness to shake Eneko’s hand and kiss Nerea’s.

“Never before have we had such an exotic beauty here at Beauvale,” William told Nerea. “Allow me to present my wife, Rachel.” A woman the same age as William in an elegant dress nodded her head and smiled. “Come, come inside, you must be tired after all that traveling. The kitchen should have some drinks and snacks prepared very soon.”

William Lockwood led the group inside, through the foyer into a large, extravagantly decorated parlor. Portraits of past Lockwoods hung from the walls, along with a few landscape paintings. A marble fireplace sat unused in the summer heat. Everyone was able to take a seat in a plush chair, upholstered in a bright blue fabric, and soon enough two of the maids arrived with platters bearing tea, coffee, and small pastries.

"Mason tells me you're here to tour the Dominions," William said. "You'll find things here are quite different from Grand Harbor. Anything in particular you came to see?"

[Voxija]

Eneko Ydaverri was a bit annoyed at the indiscretion of putting him in the front, but that could be ignored. When he would get to the estate, the Duke would be pleased. He hoped.

Princess Nerea was overcome with excitement. Beauvale Manor was beautiful. A mean part of herself whispered, not as beautiful as the Royal Manor—Voxija's royal palace was called the Royal Manor—but Nerea ignored those feelings and looked at Beauvale's columns.

Mason helped Nerea out of the car—what a gentleman! In Voxija, the person who got out of the car first helped the other person out, no matter what gender. Princess Nerea enjoyed the old-fashioned charm of this chivalry.

William Lockwood didn't seem petty or overly impressed, as Princess Nerea had feared. He kissed Nerea's hand like an old retired knight. He did call Nerea exotic though, which while tasteless, wasn't an insult. Exoticness was relative, and the Atlantian Dominions was exotic to Princess Nerea.

Eneko Ydaverri, the Duke of Xirroni, didn't like William at all. He seemed fake and overly eager to please, and he just kissed the princess's hand like... well, the Duke didn't know, but he was offended! Eneko didn't find fault with William Lockwood calling him "Lord Xirroni", though. While archaic, it was an accepted term in Voxija, at least the translation, and the Atlantian Dominions was archaic anyway. Eneko Ydaverri was willing to ignore these minor breaches of protocol of the sake of diplomacy.

Princess Nerea walked into the mansion and regarded the parlor. The princess was used to splendor, and unlit fireplaces were common enough in subtropical Voxija. Nerea admired the service here; the maids were quick. Nerea wondered if it was because the Lockwoods trained Leasing maids well, or trained Indentured maids well enough...

"Mason tells me you're here to tour the Dominions," William said. "You'll find things here are quite different from Grand Harbor. Anything in particular you came to see?"

Princess Nerea pondered this question. Of course, Nerea wanted to see a boat regatta, and the Bowie race, or cowboys, if they were there, and... well, not a real Indijan. Maybe a real Indijan. Princess Nerea kind of regretted that statement at the Cotillion. She was swept up in the whole "Colonial Faire" thing then. As 9/16ths Viñak herself, Nerea could talk about Indijans that blasé-ly, but it still felt a little strange.

The way William Lockwood worded that question - "You'll find things here are quite different from Grand Harbor" - it made the princess think William meant what Nerea came to see in Marydale. Not anything particular in Marydale, except the Bowie Stakes Race, but if Nerea found out about something good, she would come to see it.

Nerea decided not to ask William straight out whether he meant all the Dominions or just Marydale, and tell her host what she wanted to do all around the country, but politely.

"I am well aware that things here are much different from Grand Harbor. I came to this country to see the Bowie Stakes Race, since my island is too small for a horse racing circuit, the great mountain ranges that simply don't exist in Voxija, and maybe a boating regatta, among other things."

Princess Nerea worried how she came off. She was both a Princess Classic and a modern princess, but the Dominions weren't modern at all, and they had their own expectations of how a princess would behave. Nerea worried that she would cause an incident by not fitting those expectations. Not this early in her trip!

[Atlantian Dominions]

"I am well aware that things here are much different from Grand Harbor. I came to this country to see the Bowie Stakes Race, since my island is too small for a horse racing circuit, the great mountain ranges that simply don't exist in Voxija, and maybe a boating regatta, among other things."

"Well, the big Magellanic Relay is coming up," William Lockwood said. "Biggest sailing race in the Dominions. They start up at New Penzance, in Laurentia, and then they sail down the coast all the way to Caroline, with some stops along the way. The best place to see it along the way is Duxbury, in Sylvania." Mason nodded. The Duxbury Regatta was another major part of the social season, and one he'd planned on bringing up with Nerea at some point while she was visiting.

"As for mountains, you can't go wrong visiting Lake Coronado," William continued. "Beautiful country there with the north end of the Cascades. And it's safe now that they've chased all the Indijans away. Used to be you'd need a Gunslinger or two to come along with you, just so you could relax for a bit. But that's all further down south."

"But I think you'll like our own Dominion the best," the patriarch said proudly. "They call us the Old Dominion, you know. First settlers from Telvira came right here and founded Hampton. All the other Dominions, well they're nice, but they just don't have our history."

"Father," Mason spoke up. "I offered to show Ner...Princess Nerea, around the Estate before dinner."

"Certainly, an excellent idea," Mason's father said. "And Duke Ydaverri, I'm sure we can find something to entertain ourselves while these two have their walk. Tell me, do you shoot in Voxija?"

[Voxija]

"Well, the big Magellanic Relay is coming up," William Lockwood said. "Biggest sailing race in the Dominions. They start up at New Penzance, in Laurentia, and then they sail down the coast all the way to Caroline, with some stops along the way. The best place to see it along the way is Duxbury, in Sylvania." Mason nodded. The Duxbury Regatta was another major part of the social season, and one he'd planned on bringing up with Nerea at some point while she was visiting.

That sounded awe—very good. Princess Nerea didn't know why she was correcting her colloquial thoughts with something more appropriate for a princess, but in her experience, thoughts translated into words, so thinking in a specific manner can lead to talking in that same manner. Maybe Nerea should write a book.

Nerea hadn't heard of the Duxbury Regatta before, but it sounded amazing. Voxija had some boat races, having an island culture, but they'd gone out of fashion when modernity came. Not for that last time, Nerea glorified in the vintage attitude of the Atlantian Dominions.

"As for mountains, you can't go wrong visiting Lake Coronado," William continued. "Beautiful country there with the north end of the Cascades. And it's safe now that they've chased all the Indijans away. Used to be you'd need a Gunslinger or two to come along with you, just so you could relax for a bit."

...And the nostalgia was all gone now. Princess Nerea considered the mixed blessing. When the Cresques first came to Voxija, they had cordial but cold relations with the Viñak people. Over time, relations had grown warmer, and there was a lot of mixing. Now, there almost weren't any Voxijans who could be said to be only Cresque or Viñak.

Nerea considered the attitude strange about it being good to chase the Natives off their land. But if they weren't gone, Atlantians wouldn't have been able to enjoy the beauty of places like Lake Coronado. Hmm. Nerea hadn't thought about it like that before.

"Father," Mason spoke up. "I offered to show Ner...Princess Nerea, around the Estate before dinner."

Ner...Princess Nerea noticed the slip-up. Although she was glad that Mason had corrected himself, it was kind of cute that he almost called her Nerea. It was a another sign that Mason thought of the princess as a friend, and not another princess. But Princess Nerea was interested in protocol, and she did not say "you can call me Nerea". Not around Mason's father.

"Certainly, an excellent idea," Mason's father said. "And Duke Ydaverri, I'm sure we can find something to entertain ourselves while these two have their walk. Tell me, do you shoot in Voxija?"

Eneko Ydaverri pondered the question. Eneko Ydaverri certainly did shoot; he had a gun that was in his family since before the Atlantian False Tribulation, which was also around the time when Voxija changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Interesting...

But if Lockwood meant the people of Voxija in general, no they did not. Voxija had adopted gun control policies. It was hard but not impossible for Voxijans to get their hands on a gun, and it was rare for Voxijans to even want a gun.

The Duke decided to split the difference. "Well, I shoot." He began to like William Lockwood better. A bit better. "Let's go."

[Atlantian Dominions]

The Duke decided to split the difference. "Well, I shoot." He began to like William Lockwood better. A bit better. "Let's go."

William Lockwood slapped the armrest of his chair. "Great! I have a trap shooting apparatus on the grounds, and I've got a spare gun if you didn't bring yours." He rose, waited for everyone else to follow, and then indicated that the Duke should follow him out of the parlor to another room where, he explained, his gun cabinet was located.

"Mason, I assume you can find your way out to the gardens with the princess?"

"Yes, father." Mason smiled and offered his right arm, with the elbow bent, for Nerea to place her hand under and curl back over, so that they could promenade in the stately fashion out of the house. They turned away from Eneko and William and down the hall, back towards the entrance. But instead of going out that door, Mason turned and exited out a door on the opposite side, which opened onto a colonnaded porch overlooking a carefully manicured lawn, with a circular path covered by shade trees. The view stretched on, with a fence in the distance marking the borders of the manor grounds. Off to either side were walled gardens, their brick boundaries covered in ivy.

"My grandfather laid all this out," Mason explained as they surveyed the view from the porch. "He had a green thumb, I remember he was always out lecturing the gardeners about one thing or another."

Meanwhile, William Lockwood was showing Eneko Ydaverri to his gun cabinet, which contained a few ornately detailed shotguns and hunting rifles. "The hunting guns haven't been used in years," William admitted. "My father was much more of an outdoorsman than I am." Once the pair were armed, and one of the house staff sent to fetch the groundskeeper so that he could set up the clay launcher, they made their way out the front door and around to one side of the house, where the ground sloped up slightly to provide a natural platform.

"So," William said as they walked towards the spot. "I'm afraid I don't know much about your country, besides that I ship a fair bit of cotton our your way. Are you involved in that business at all?"

[Voxija]

"Mason, I assume you can find your way out to the gardens with the princess?"

"Yes, father." Mason smiled and offered his right arm, with the elbow bent, for Nerea to place her hand under and curl back over, so that they could promenade in the stately fashion out of the house. They turned away from Eneko and William and down the hall, back towards the entrance. But instead of going out that door, Mason turned and exited out a door on the opposite side, which opened onto a colonnaded porch overlooking a carefully manicured lawn, with a circular path covered by shade trees. The view stretched on, with a fence in the distance marking the borders of the manor grounds. Off to either side were walled gardens, their brick boundaries covered in ivy.

"My grandfather laid all this out," Mason explained as they surveyed the view from the porch. "He had a green thumb, I remember he was always out lecturing the gardeners about one thing or another."

Princess Nerea giggled under her breath when Mason held out an arm for her. Like a true gentleman! When they walked onto the porch showing the garden, her breath caught, and the princess's hands flew to her mouth in astonishment.

"It's beautiful! It's like a smaller version of my personal gardens back home." Although Nerea feared she was laying it on too thick, she really was impressed by the beauty of the Lockwood gardens.

"Let me explain. When I was small, I gained an interest in gardening. Of course, servants did the dirty work for me, but I chose the flowers and said where they would be planted. I thought the result was a mess of dirty flowerbeds, but my family—even the king himself—said it was a very pretty garden. I am still interested in gardening now, but I am afraid I have so many plans that I am glad I have servants to maintain my gardens."

"So," said Nerea. "I must be boring you with my talk about gardening. What would you like to talk to me about?"

Meanwhile, William Lockwood was showing Eneko Ydaverri to his gun cabinet, which contained a few ornately detailed shotguns and hunting rifles. "The hunting guns haven't been used in years," William admitted. "My father was much more of an outdoorsman than I am." Once the pair were armed, and one of the house staff sent to fetch the groundskeeper so that he could set up the clay launcher, they made their way out the front door and around to one side of the house, where the ground sloped up slightly to provide a natural platform.

"So," William said as they walked towards the spot. "I'm afraid I don't know much about your country, besides that I ship a fair bit of cotton our your way. Are you involved in that business at all?"

"No, I'm not involved in the cotton business." Ydaverri smiled a bit. "I don't work in shooting, either. I work in the legal profession." That was it! With Eneko's luck, William Lockwood would turn out to hate lawyers. Eneko Ydaverri, the Duke of Xirroni of course knew that he was very lucky to be born as a duke, but he didn't think very highly of his luck, especially around women. Secretly, Eneko blamed the modern emancipated Voxijan woman, who was tough as nails, but he never admitted it out loud.

[Atlantian Dominions]

Princess Nerea giggled under her breath when Mason held out an arm for her. Like a true gentleman! When they walked onto the porch showing the garden, her breath caught, and the princess's hands flew to her mouth in astonishment.

"It's beautiful! It's like a smaller version of my personal gardens back home." Although Nerea feared she was laying it on too thick, she really was impressed by the beauty of the Lockwood gardens.

Mason smiled broadly at Nerea's reaction to the gardens. Even her comment about them being smaller than her personal gardens didn't upset him; she was a princess, so no doubt she had grand estates larger than anything here in the Atlantian Dominions. But it made him feel proud that his home had elicited such a reaction from her.

"Let me explain. When I was small, I gained an interest in gardening. Of course, servants did the dirty work for me, but I chose the flowers and said where they would be planted. I thought the result was a mess of dirty flowerbeds, but my family—even the king himself—said it was a very pretty garden. I am still interested in gardening now, but I am afraid I have so many plans that I am glad I have servants to maintain my gardens."

"So, you're royalty, you're beautiful, and you have a natural green thumb," Mason said with a smile, hoping his second compliment was not too forward. "Your nation chose quite the impressive ambassador to come and introduce Atlantia to your culture."

"So," said Nerea. "I must be boring you with my talk about gardening. What would you like to talk to me about?"

"I find it hard to think of how you might bore me," Mason reassured her. "Tell me about these plans of yours." They began to descend the steps of the porch and walk along the path. "What does the future hold for a Princess of Voxija?"

"No, I'm not involved in the cotton business." Ydaverri smiled a bit. "I don't work in shooting, either. I work in the legal profession." That was it! With Eneko's luck, William Lockwood would turn out to hate lawyers. Eneko Ydaverri, the Duke of Xirroni of course knew that he was very lucky to be born as a duke, but he didn't think very highly of his luck, especially around women. Secretly, Eneko blamed the modern emancipated Voxijan woman, who was tough as nails, but he never admitted it out loud.

William Lockwood didn't hate lawyers, but he also didn't expect that a Duke would actually be preparing cases and making arguments in court. He assumed that the man meant that he owned a legal firm, or dabbled in law as a hobby. The idea that a nobleman might have to work for a living never occurred to him.

"I was never one for law books," William admitted. "Afraid I just don't have the patience for it. But I suppose if I could do all that contract writing myself, a few lawyers in Hampton would be out of a job." The Lockwood family patriarch laughed at his own joke as they neared the top of the small hill. "Well, I'm sure our little manor here doesn't compare to what you've got back home. Voxija's somewhere in the eastern tropics, right? What do they build castles out of over there?"

When they'd reached the top of the hill, a manservant brought over a case of ammunition for their guns. Another man stood ready by the launching apparatus, which was a spring-loaded throwing arm which would hurl a clay disk in an arc through the air in front of the two shooters. The shotguns were simple enough to load with buckshot, perfect for breaking clays in the air.

"Guest takes the first shot," William said. "Just shout when you're ready and they'll let it fly."

[Voxija]

"So, you're royalty, you're beautiful, and you have a natural green thumb," Mason said with a smile, hoping his second compliment was not too forward. "Your nation chose quite the impressive ambassador to come and introduce Atlantia to your culture."

Princess Nerea giggled. What a compliment!

"I find it hard to think of how you might bore me," Mason reassured her. "Tell me about these plans of yours." They began to descend the steps of the porch and walk along the path. "What does the future hold for a Princess of Voxija?"

Princess Nerea took a long breath. She had a lot of plans, and most of them didn't jive with the Atlantian idea of womanhood.

"Well, first I plan to travel the world. I've already been to Jawetal, and Rusania, and Khemed, and now here as well. But I want to go everywhere. Don't worry, I'm a princess, I have an unlimited budget." Nerea wondered if a princess did have a budget. After all, she had always been surprisingly frugal for a princess.

"Then I will go to college. I don't know what I'll get a degree in, maybe government or Voxijan literature." Nerea had very diverse interests, but she believed overspecialization was a recipe for being stuck in a rut. "I'll marry soon after that, if I meet the right man."

"Then I want to go into politics. I will get elected as a legislator in the Legislative Body. I want to change the world, more than I can just by being a princess alone. I'll stop at being a legislator, and maybe in my late forties I'll retire from politics and manage my estate. That whole life plan of course, doesn't account for the possibility of freak deaths happening in my family and making me queen. I would rather not my family die, even if it means advancement."

Princess Nerea turned toward Mason Lockwood. "What about you? What will you do with the family business, and your life? What does fate hold for you?"

"I was never one for law books," William admitted. "Afraid I just don't have the patience for it. But I suppose if I could do all that contract writing myself, a few lawyers in Hampton would be out of a job." The Lockwood family patriarch laughed at his own joke as they neared the top of the small hill. "Well, I'm sure our little manor here doesn't compare to what you've got back home. Voxija's somewhere in the eastern tropics, right? What do they build castles out of over there?"

"Estorans came to Voxija only after their "knights and castles" phase," said the Duke. "The royal family and their nobles live in manors made of brick usually, but wood is common too. We don't call our palaces castles in my country, but roughly 140 years ago there lived an eccentric noble who built lots of castles in Voxija. Those castles are mostly ruins now."

When they'd reached the top of the hill, a manservant brought over a case of ammunition for their guns. Another man stood ready by the launching apparatus, which was a spring-loaded throwing arm which would hurl a clay disk in an arc through the air in front of the two shooters. The shotguns were simple enough to load with buckshot, perfect for breaking clays in the air.

"Guest takes the first shot," William said. "Just shout when you're ready and they'll let it fly."

"But enough about castles," said Eneko Ydaverri. "Let's shoot."

The Duke of Xirroni loaded his gun and raised it. Eneko pulled together all his knowledge that he learned as a boy shooting Voxijan geese. "Ready!" he shouted.

[Atlantian Dominions]

Princess Nerea giggled. What a compliment!

Mason was glad to see that Princess Nerea had not taken his calling her beautiful as an advance of some kind. Of course, if she had taken it as an advance and encouraged it, he wouldn't have minded at all. But for now he just felt some of her nervousness lift as he listened to her speak.

"Well, first I plan to travel the world. I've already been to Jawetal, and Rusania, and Khemed, and now here as well. But I want to go everywhere. Don't worry, I'm a princess, I have an unlimited budget." Nerea wondered if a princess did have a budget. After all, she had always been surprisingly frugal for a princess.

"Then I will go to college. I don't know what I'll get a degree in, maybe government or Voxijan literature." Nerea had very diverse interests, but she believed overspecialization was a recipe for being stuck in a rut. "I'll marry soon after that, if I meet the right man."

"Then I want to go into politics. I will get elected as a legislator in the Legislative Body. I want to change the world, more than I can just by being a princess alone. I'll stop at being a legislator, and maybe in my late forties I'll retire from politics and manage my estate. That whole life plan of course, doesn't account for the possibility of freak deaths happening in my family and making me queen. I would rather not my family die, even if it means advancement."

It was not the usual life plan of an Atlantian woman, that was for sure. Well, some of it was. Mason knew plenty of wealthy women who had traveled as young women, then married and settled down to raise children and manage their households. Some even did go to college - there were a handful of women's colleges up in Delmarva and over in Sylvania - to become more well-read and sophisticated. But the idea of a woman in government was...not alien, but certainly not what Mason had expected. It was a reminder that for all that he enjoyed spending time with Nerea, she was still a foreigner at the end of the day.

"That's quite the plan," he said, a little unsure of what to say. "But I don't doubt for a moment that you can do it all."

Princess Nerea turned toward Mason Lockwood. "What about you? What will you do with the family business, and your life? What does fate hold for you?"

"I'm afraid it's not nearly as glamorous as traveling the world and then changing it," Mason answered with a laugh. "I'll keep learning the trade from my father. Eventually he'll retire from managing things, and I'll take over. And," he sighed. "Somewhere in there, find the right woman to marry."

"I used to pretend that I was going to run away and join the Navy, or sign onto an I.T. ship," Mason admitted. "A far less comfortable life, but much more exciting."

"Estorans came to Voxija only after their "knights and castles" phase," said the Duke. "The royal family and their nobles live in manors made of brick usually, but wood is common too. We don't call our palaces castles in my country, but roughly 140 years ago there lived an eccentric noble who built lots of castles in Voxija. Those castles are mostly ruins now."

"But enough about castles," said Eneko Ydaverri. "Let's shoot."

The Duke of Xirroni loaded his gun and raised it. Eneko pulled together all his knowledge that he learned as a boy shooting Voxijan geese. "Ready!" he shouted.

The servant at the controls of the launcher pulled back on the lever, releasing the spring mechanism which snapped out towards the sky. A clay pigeon, a disk-shaped target made of red clay, sailed through the air in an arc whose highest point would be at about the spot where it was directly in front of the two shooters. The booming crack of the shotgun resounded across the Estate grounds, and the clay disintegrated into red dust and bits of debris. While the Duke was taking his shot, the servant was loading in a new clay and pulling the launcher arm back into the ready position. He grunted in exertion, straining against the spring's earnest desire to remain sprung. Yet he did succeed in getting the apparatus ready to launch another clay.

"So," William Lockwood asked as he shouldered his gun. "How does a Duke end up escorting a Princess around? Don't they usually have princes to do that?" He shouted for the pigeon, which was soon sailing through the air. William fired and broke his clay, then looked to Eneko for his response.

[Voxija]

"That's quite the plan," he said, a little unsure of what to say. "But I don't doubt for a moment that you can do it all."

Princess Nerea considered that statement. That was a big compliment, even bigger than calling her beautiful. For the first time this trip, Nerea thought that Mason might... be attracted to her.

"I used to pretend that I was going to run away and join the Navy, or sign onto an I.T. ship," Mason admitted. "A far less comfortable life, but much more exciting."

Nerea listened to Mason, but she couldn't figure out how to continue the conversation.

"I see. Let's promenade a little. I would love to see more of your estate."

Princess Nerea kept her thoughts completely blank. She hoped she could continue being friends with Mason, and not ruin a perfectly good friendship by fouling it up with love.

The servant at the controls of the launcher pulled back on the lever, releasing the spring mechanism which snapped out towards the sky. A clay pigeon, a disk-shaped target made of red clay, sailed through the air in an arc whose highest point would be at about the spot where it was directly in front of the two shooters. The booming crack of the shotgun resounded across the Estate grounds, and the clay disintegrated into red dust and bits of debris. While the Duke was taking his shot, the servant was loading in a new clay and pulling the launcher arm back into the ready position. He grunted in exertion, straining against the spring's earnest desire to remain sprung. Yet he did succeed in getting the apparatus ready to launch another clay.

Eneko Ydaverri cringed, aimed with all his might, and shot.

I... hit it? wondered Eneko. He was not used to shooting this type of shotgun, but Ydaverri supposed he was a better shot than he thought. The Duke congratulated himself in an indulgent bit of self-satisfaction.

"So," William Lockwood asked as he shouldered his gun. "How does a Duke end up escorting a Princess around? Don't they usually have princes to do that?" He shouted for the pigeon, which was soon sailing through the air. William fired and broke his clay, then looked to Eneko for his response.

"I can see why one might be surprised at my presence," replied the Duke. His opinion of Lockwood lowered to Eneko's first opinion. "But I have been acquainted with the Princess since she was born. She's like a little sister to me. In fact, I'm the only man around her age she trusts. At least... until she met your son."

Now Eneko'd done it! Lockwood was going to try to set his son up with Nerea! The Duke didn't want that at all!

[Atlantian Dominions]

"I see. Let's promenade a little. I would love to see more of your estate."

Princess Nerea kept her thoughts completely blank. She hoped she could continue being friends with Mason, and not ruin a perfectly good friendship by fouling it up with love.

"Sure," Mason Lockwood said. He felt a bit of worry in his stomach - something seemed to have thrown Nerea off, and he worried he'd said something to offend her.

They stepped down off the porch and onto the pathway that led around the grounds. The pathway was made from gravel, which filled in a space marked by two lines of stones. The gravel crunched softly under their feet as they walked towards the walled garden to the right. As they walked, the occasional sound of a gunshot echoed over the Estate as Mason's father and the Duke shot at their clay pigeons.

"My grandfather wanted to show gardening at its peak," Mason explained as they passed under a small archway entrance. "So he wanted to make sure it wasn't just planting for planting's sake. He wanted to make sure there was function, not just form." Mason chuckled. "He was very fond of that saying."

Before them were six planting beds, divided by gravel pathways, full of a rich variety of plants. Each bed had fruits or vegetables growing in the center, surrounded by flowering plants and neatly trimmed hedges. A few small trees grew at some of the corners, usually with a bench placed in the cover of the afternoon shade. The most striking feature of the garden, however, were the trees that were growing along the walls. The fruit-bearing trees had been pruned and tended in such a way to make them grow flat against the wall. It was the sort of project that required money and labor, and their presence here was a firm reminder to every guest who entered the garden that the Lockwood family possessed both.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about gardening," Mason said. "I was always better at sums, ledgers, that sort of thing." He smiled at Nerea. "So if you have any questions about the flowers, I can't promise an answer." He chuckled as they walked among the planting beds.

"I can see why one might be surprised at my presence," replied the Duke. His opinion of Lockwood lowered to Eneko's first opinion. "But I have been acquainted with the Princess since she was born. She's like a little sister to me. In fact, I'm the only man around her age she trusts. At least... until she met your son."

"Hah!" William Lockwood let out a good-natured laugh between shots. "Mason has always been popular with the ladies, ever since he was a boy. Why, he's been friends with the Ashby girls since the three of them were no taller than my knee." William shook his head and sighed ruefully. "I used to think, why hasn't that boy just settled down with Mary and started a family. But he made it clear that they're just friends. Shame. Together they'd inherit something like a fifth of the Dominion."

William and Eneko talked in truncated bursts, neither man speaking much while the other was taking aim at the clay disks launched from the mechanism. They continued their conversation between targets, while they reloaded their guns and the servants readied the launcher with the next pigeon.

"Anyway, I'm glad she's comfortable around him," William said. "She seems like a lovely girl, and I imagine it was quite a lot to take in when she first got here. Especially coming in at Grand Harbor, for the Cotillion! That's jumping in the deep end for you. But tell me, how have you found our country so far?"

[Voxija]

"My grandfather wanted to show gardening at its peak," Mason explained as they passed under a small archway entrance. "So he wanted to make sure it wasn't just planting for planting's sake. He wanted to make sure there was function, not just form." Mason chuckled. "He was very fond of that saying."

Nerea pondered that. She wished she had a little notebook so she could jot down Mason's grandfather's saying. "Your grandfather must have been a rather wise man."

Before them were six planting beds, divided by gravel pathways, full of a rich variety of plants. Each bed had fruits or vegetables growing in the center, surrounded by flowering plants and neatly trimmed hedges. A few small trees grew at some of the corners, usually with a bench placed in the cover of the afternoon shade. The most striking feature of the garden, however, were the trees that were growing along the walls. The fruit-bearing trees had been pruned and tended in such a way to make them grow flat against the wall. It was the sort of project that required money and labor, and their presence here was a firm reminder to every guest who entered the garden that the Lockwood family possessed both.

Princess Nerea loved how fruits and vegetables grew in the garden. She plucked a berry and ate it. "I was peckish," she joked. Although she knew that the garden must have required lots of maintenance, labor, and money, the princess wasn't intimidated, as she was probably meant to be.

But what was sad, was how the fruit trees were meant to grow flat against the wall. Nerea had always imagined plants to feel pain, and maybe that was why she was a great gardener, besides the fact that it was an appropriate hobby for a princess. Nerea shed a small tear for the hurting trees growing in such an unnatural way.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about gardening," Mason said. "I was always better at sums, ledgers, that sort of thing." He smiled at Nerea. "So if you have any questions about the flowers, I can't promise an answer." He chuckled as they walked among the planting beds.

Nera chuckled back. She justed admired the beauty of these foreign flowers rather than ask Mason their names. The princess wanted to know more about Mason, about his life, his skills.

"You say you're good at sums and ledgers," said Nerea. "Tell me about that. I won't find it boring."

"Anyway, I'm glad she's comfortable around him," William said. "She seems like a lovely girl, and I imagine it was quite a lot to take in when she first got here. Especially coming in at Grand Harbor, for the Cotillion! That's jumping in the deep end for you. But tell me, how have you found our country so far?"

The Duke was glad that Mason's father didn't want to set his son up with Nerea at all. She didn't deserve a commoner, even one from such a wealthy family as this. In fact, considering what William had said, maybe Eneko could try and set Mason up with an Ashby! Eneko began to like William Lockwood. Maybe with more time, they could consider each other friends.

"This country is a beautiful place," said the Duke of Xirroni truthfully. "Although I miss the technology of my country a bit, I find the Atlantian Dominions to have a charm and character I couldn't find in any other country. In fact, I think Voxija could learn something from Atlantia. I haven't put my finger on it yet, though."

Eneko Ydaverri aimed, shot, and missed. He threw the shotgun down on the ground. "Shoot! I grow tired of this endeavor."

[Atlantian Dominions]

"Your grandfather must have been a rather wise man."

Mason Lockwood chuckled. "He had his moments. He really knew how to arrange things to please the eye." The young man had faint memories from his early childhood, half-hearing muffled arguments between his grandfather and his father from behind the closed doors of the study. He'd never asked his father about those moments of discord, but he suspected that his father had been less interested in discussing aesthetics and more concerned about the family's fortunes. Mason knew that they had diminished under his grandfather's watch, spent on elaborate gardens and other projects without being replenished by new ventures and profits.

"My grandfather designed the house, too," Mason added. "Or, my father likes to say that he stood over the shoulder of the architect who designed it and pestered him with adjustments he wanted made."

Princess Nerea loved how fruits and vegetables grew in the garden. She plucked a berry and ate it. "I was peckish," she joked. Although she knew that the garden must have required lots of maintenance, labor, and money, the princess wasn't intimidated, as she was probably meant to be.

But what was sad, was how the fruit trees were meant to grow flat against the wall. Nerea had always imagined plants to feel pain, and maybe that was why she was a great gardener, besides the fact that it was an appropriate hobby for a princess. Nerea shed a small tear for the hurting trees growing in such an unnatural way.

Mason could see that Nerea was upset by the fruit trees, and the way they had been carefully manipulated to contort them in the desired ways. He rested a comforting hand on Nerea's shoulder.

Her sadness was touching, though he did not wholly understand why the sight should evoke such emotions. He chalked it up to feminine empathy, or possibly some sort of pagan belief in nature spirits. The oriental people of Yamai, he had heard, believed that every blade of grass contained a spirit, and so they had to pray for forgiveness for trampling them underfoot each time they left their paper-wall houses. Perhaps the Voxijans had a similar belief.

Nera chuckled back. She just admired the beauty of these foreign flowers rather than ask Mason their names. The princess wanted to know more about Mason, about his life, his skills.

"You say you're good at sums and ledgers," said Nerea. "Tell me about that. I won't find it boring."

"Well..." Mason paused, searching for the words to describe his job. Nerea had said she wouldn't find it boring, but Mason knew that she was just being considerate. It was not an electrifying subject if explained straight.

"My family sponsors International Traders," he said, plucking a piece of fruit from a tree as they passed. "A captain comes to my father and asks him for money to purchase a ship and hire a crew. If he seems like a good man and a capable skipper, then we buy him a ship and advance the money to hire a crew. Then we help them purchase cargo here in the Dominions, and they go out and find a market for it. Then they use the money they make selling that cargo in a foreign port to buy things that they can sell when they return to the Dominions. Every captain that my family sponsors must send us a portion of the profits they earn with each voyage."

"So let's say this piece of fruit is the cargo," Mason held the fruit out with his hand. "And it costs ten dollars to buy it from the Estate. Then the captain might go to Kundu, or Maldonia, or wherever he hears that someone will pay him the most money. And if he's lucky, he arrives in Kundu when there's a shortage of fruit, and he sells it for thirty dollars."

"Now he has to find something to buy and bring back, otherwise he's only made twenty dollars of profit and he won't have much left for himself when he comes back and pays me. So maybe he finds..." Mason looked around, and plucked a beautiful yellow flower from a planting bed. "He uses ten of those twenty dollars to buy this flower, which he knows will sell for forty dollars back here. So by the time he comes back to Hampton and sells the flower, he's made fifty dollars of profit."

"Now he has to pay me a portion of that profit, since I sponsor his ship, and whatever's left gets divided up among the crew." Mason took a bite from the ripe piece of fruit, and handed the flower to Nerea. "So what I have to do, once he's back here, is compare his log and ledgers with our own records, and make sure he's giving us the right amount. I also have to track how much money he's making, and if he's not being profitable for a long time my family might withdraw our sponsorship. I also have to record where he sold and bought things, so we know what the markets look like in foreign ports."

"On paper, it's just a bunch of numbers," Mason concluded. "But those numbers represent the family's prosperity and position. And without the International Traders, the country would be as poor as the Honduraguans."

"This country is a beautiful place," said the Duke of Xirroni truthfully. "Although I miss the technology of my country a bit, I find the Atlantian Dominions to have a charm and character I couldn't find in any other country. In fact, I think Voxija could learn something from Atlantia. I haven't put my finger on it yet, though."

Eneko Ydaverri aimed, shot, and missed. He threw the shotgun down on the ground. "Shoot! I grow tired of this endeavor."

"Technology is all well and good, when it's introduced properly," William said. "That was the problem before the False Tribulation, they were just chasing fads and never thinking about what their fancy new gadgets were doing to their society. We're smarter now." He said it with pride, even though the Atlantian Dominions were a century behind the world in almost every area of development.

"Tradition," he said with emphasis. "You can't just discard the old ways thoughtlessly, or look down on the past because it's in the past. That's where that charm you're feeling is coming from. Everything feels old in a good way, right?"

When Eneko missed his shot and threw the gun down, William chuckled. Some refined noble! But maybe he was used to less challenging sport.

"I can have the staff set up some fixed targets," William offered. "Or we can retire back to the house and wait for Mason and the princess to finish their walk. Dinner should be ready soon." The sun was beginning to go down, though there was still plenty of light left in the day.

[Voxija]

"My grandfather designed the house, too," Mason added. "Or, my father likes to say that he stood over the shoulder of the architect who designed it and pestered him with adjustments he wanted made."

The princess giggled. This was the sort of family story she liked hearing. All the juicy bits and details that make a family a family. She would tell Mason about her cousin's addiction to buttons, or her mother's taste for bad puns, but they were the royal family and it was uncouth to present them in a bad way.

"Well..." Mason paused, searching for the words to describe his job. Nerea had said she wouldn't find it boring, but Mason knew that she was just being considerate. It was not an electrifying subject if explained straight.

"My family sponsors International Traders," he said, plucking a piece of fruit from a tree as they passed. "A captain comes to my father and asks him for money to purchase a ship and hire a crew. If he seems like a good man and a capable skipper, then we buy him a ship and advance the money to hire a crew. Then we help them purchase cargo here in the Dominions, and they go out and find a market for it. Then they use the money they make selling that cargo in a foreign port to buy things that they can sell when they return to the Dominions. Every captain that my family sponsors must send us a portion of the profits they earn with each voyage."

"So let's say this piece of fruit is the cargo," Mason held the fruit out with his hand. "And it costs ten dollars to buy it from the Estate. Then the captain might go to Kundu, or Maldonia, or wherever he hears that someone will pay him the most money. And if he's lucky, he arrives in Kundu when there's a shortage of fruit, and he sells it for thirty dollars."

"Now he has to find something to buy and bring back, otherwise he's only made twenty dollars of profit and he won't have much left for himself when he comes back and pays me. So maybe he finds..." Mason looked around, and plucked a beautiful yellow flower from a planting bed. "He uses ten of those twenty dollars to buy this flower, which he knows will sell for forty dollars back here. So by the time he comes back to Hampton and sells the flower, he's made fifty dollars of profit."

"Now he has to pay me a portion of that profit, since I sponsor his ship, and whatever's left gets divided up among the crew." Mason took a bite from the ripe piece of fruit, and handed the flower to Nerea. "So what I have to do, once he's back here, is compare his log and ledgers with our own records, and make sure he's giving us the right amount. I also have to track how much money he's making, and if he's not being profitable for a long time my family might withdraw our sponsorship. I also have to record where he sold and bought things, so we know what the markets look like in foreign ports."

"On paper, it's just a bunch of numbers," Mason concluded. "But those numbers represent the family's prosperity and position. And without the International Traders, the country would be as poor as the Honduraguans."

Princess Nerea listened very closely to Mason's explanation, drinking in all the details of Mason's job in the company. It was indeed boring, but not as boring as Nerea thought it would be. In fact, Nerea could get the importance of it, especially the money involved.

"No wonder your family's so rich!" exclaimed Nerea. Immediately, another, worse reason came to her mind as to why the Lockwoods were so rich, but it wasn't diplomatic to bring that up. And then Nerea figured out what to say, never mind the social ramifications.

"I enjoy hearing about economics and money matters. My status as a princess tends to make others want to avoid talking about those things with me, but I am interested." Princess Nerea looked into Mason's eyes. "But you're different, aren't you, Mason? My royal status doesn't matter to you one bit. You just want a good friend, or—" Nerea's throat caught. This was it, there was no turning back, "—something more."

Nerea blushed and turned away. She didn't know what she wanted, especially in this traditional country, but she knew Mason was attracted to her, but he wasn't Voxijan! Oh, this was so confusing!

"Technology is all well and good, when it's introduced properly," William said. "That was the problem before the False Tribulation, they were just chasing fads and never thinking about what their fancy new gadgets were doing to their society. We're smarter now." He said it with pride, even though the Atlantian Dominions were a century behind the world in almost every area of development.

"Tradition," he said with emphasis. "You can't just discard the old ways thoughtlessly, or look down on the past because it's in the past. That's where that charm you're feeling is coming from. Everything feels old in a good way, right?"

"Hmm," hmmed the Duke of Xirroni. In fact, Eneko Ydaverri had pondered the possibility of what Voxija needed being more tradition, but it didn't hit the noble until William threw it right in his face. In hindsight, the regions of Voxija Ydaverri admired best were the North, where old social values still rang true, and Vetxirrovo Province, the part of Voxija that clung to Viñak culture the most. Of course, they were also the poorest provinces of Voxija, but, as in the case of the Atlantian Dominions, economics doesn't matter.

"You're right," said the Duke. "You don't need fancy technology or a workaholic attitude when you have culture, tradition, values, family life. Maybe I should take a leaf from this good country, and spread these values back home."

When Eneko missed his shot and threw the gun down, William chuckled. Some refined noble! But maybe he was used to less challenging sport.

"I can have the staff set up some fixed targets," William offered. "Or we can retire back to the house and wait for Mason and the princess to finish their walk. Dinner should be ready soon." The sun was beginning to go down, though there was still plenty of light left in the day.

When William Lockwood chuckled, Eneko mentally berated himself even more. He wasn't being a good example of Voxijan nobility. But then again, even sharpshooters missed sometimes, and the Duke was no sharpshooter.

"Perhaps we should, in fact, retire back to your house," replied the Duke of Xirroni, using Lockwood's phrasing. "I would like to see more of it, and sample some more Atlantian cuisine. I've acquired a taste for your country's food, and I would like to see what it's like here." Eneko Ydaverri had developed a taste for Atlantian food in Grand Harbor, but the food was most likely different in the South. Most likely better.

[Atlantian Dominions]

Princess Nerea listened very closely to Mason's explanation, drinking in all the details of Mason's job in the company. It was indeed boring, but not as boring as Nerea thought it would be. In fact, Nerea could get the importance of it, especially the money involved.

"No wonder your family's so rich!" exclaimed Nerea. Immediately, another, worse reason came to her mind as to why the Lockwoods were so rich, but it wasn't diplomatic to bring that up.

"We've prospered, there's no doubt about that," Mason said. "But sometimes it's just luck. A captain happens to come into port with the right cargo at the right time, and they make a fortune on a single voyage. We're still nowhere near the biggest fish in the pond. The Cawthornes have an Estate that puts all this to shame." The upper crust of Atlantian society had an upper crust of its own, with the oldest, wealthiest, and most powerful families atop the social ladder. The Lockwoods weren't quite a part of the "new money" set that was coming up with the continuing expansion of industry, but they were just below the level of the Dominion's "first families."

And then Nerea figured out what to say, never mind the social ramifications.

"I enjoy hearing about economics and money matters. My status as a princess tends to make others want to avoid talking about those things with me, but I am interested." Princess Nerea looked into Mason's eyes. "But you're different, aren't you, Mason? My royal status doesn't matter to you one bit. You just want a good friend, or—" Nerea's throat caught. This was it, there was no turning back, "—something more."

Nerea blushed and turned away. She didn't know what she wanted, especially in this traditional country, but she knew Mason was attracted to her, but he wasn't Voxijan! Oh, this was so confusing!

Mason's heart skipped a beat, and then it was pounding so hard he could feel it thumping in his chest. He thought it might burst from the rush of emotions that raced through his body when Nerea said those two words. Something more. Two small words that contained so much meaning. But so much uncertainty as well. Was she telling him that she felt the same way? Was she trying to let him down gently? How could he find out without offending or upsetting her? He wished that he could have Mary Ashby whispering in his ear. She'd always been willing to use her woman's intuition to help him with these things.

"I..." Mason started to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He swallowed, and tried again. "I won't deny that my feelings run...deeper, then may be explored by friendship alone." He could feel sweat on the back of his hand. "But...I'm a man of Atlantia, with no noble blood in my veins. And you're a princess of Voxija." You fool, didn't she just say that she enjoyed not being reminded of her station?

"Here in the Atlantian Dominions, we have no royalty," he said. "We have never taken to bowing and scraping to anyone, simply because they have a title before their name. So no, it was never about your noble blood. I was drawn to your beauty at the Cotillion, but I most enjoy your personality. And you would have those things even if you weren't a princess.

Mason let out a breath that felt as though it had been trapped in his lungs for eternity. "But you are a princess, and I am no prince. I count myself fortunate to enjoy your friendship. I would not presume myself worthy of your...deeper affections, if they are not or cannot be returned."

Hmm," hmmed the Duke of Xirroni. In fact, Eneko Ydaverri had pondered the possibility of what Voxija needed being more tradition, but it didn't hit the noble until William threw it right in his face. In hindsight, the regions of Voxija Ydaverri admired best were the North, where old social values still rang true, and Vetxirrovo Province, the part of Voxija that clung to Viñak culture the most. Of course, they were also the poorest provinces of Voxija, but, as in the case of the Atlantian Dominions, economics doesn't matter.

"You're right," said the Duke. "You don't need fancy technology or a workaholic attitude when you have culture, tradition, values, family life. Maybe I should take a leaf from this good country, and spread these values back home."

"I wish you luck in that venture," William said as they began to walk back towards the mansion house. "And I know my other guests at dinner this evening will be flattered to hear that our Dominion has made such a positive impression." William had sensed some ill feelings from the duke when he'd arrived, but those had seemingly passed and now the man appeared to be quite at ease. It was always good to hear a foreigner praise the Atlantian way of life. Too often people who visited the Atlantian Dominions from distant lands expressed shock at the way people lived, or merely came in the first place to gawk at a "backwards" nation. It felt vindicating to finally hear someone understand why the country lived the way it did.

"I would like to see more of it, and sample some more Atlantian cuisine. I've acquired a taste for your country's food, and I would like to see what it's like here." Eneko Ydaverri had developed a taste for Atlantian food in Grand Harbor, but the food was most likely different in the South. Most likely better.

"I promise you we'll feed you better here than whatever slop they gave you in Grand Harbor," William promised with a laugh. "Those big city folks up there are chasing trends - most of it's nasty foreign stuff from Estora, where I swear they'll cook and eat anything. None of that here! I told my cooks to put together some good hearty comfort food for dinner." When they stepped back onto the porch, William handed the guns off to one of the butlers who was waiting for the two men at the door. The man disappeared down the hall to clean the weapons and put them back in their display case, after he had held the door open for William and Eneko to enter of course.

"Here, let me show you around." William led his guest back into the foyer, which was decorated with a few paintings. One was a landscape of Beauvale Manor and the surrounding land, which William explained had been painted after the house had been built by his father. The most prominent was a large gilded frame, containing an exaggerated scene from Atlantian history: a larger-than-life figure stood, Bible in one hand and rifle in the other, with various natural disasters behind him. Two groups faced each other over leveled rifle barrels on either side of the huge, bearded figure: a collection of farmers and preachers, with some suitably swooning women sheltering behind the menfolk, versus a collection of evil-looking men dressed in city clothes and accompanied by fanged harpy women.

"That's a copy of Our Souls in the Balance by Harriman," William explained. The big fellow towering over everyone is Robert Smith, who led the uprising against Randall Flagg during the False Tribulation. It's a bit...overwrought, for my tastes, but it's a family heirloom, so I can't get rid of the thing." He shrugged. "I suppose your country must have had its own troubles at some time. Thankfully ours are well over now."