Carbine, Chicago
House Comstock
White smiles at the King, a smile of relief. Good news. The alliance was confirmed. Not only was the alliance confirmed, but the marriage. He would, of course, have to pass along the idea of the strike against the Nebraskan Empire to the Chief, however, he was certain that he would find the plan more than acceptable.
He nods at the King.
“Thank you, your Majesty. I will pass along the good news to the Chief. As well as the plan against the Nebraskan Empire. As I am sure you can understand that I must first receive his approval of the strike, however, I can say that the plan goes along with our current plan of strategy against the Empire that we ourselves have already been working on. I will pass this along quickly. The Chief and the Princess will both be heading here soon for the wedding ceremony, where our commanders and your commanders can work out the War Council once the ceremony is complete. I am very grateful that we were able to work out such an arrangement here, I hope that this alliance will remain strong not only in our lifetimes, but in our children and grandchildren’s as well. Thank you, your Majesty, I will leave at once.”
With that White rises and bows low, he heads out quickly.
Crow Nation, Montana
Plains Nations Confederacy
March 3
The long line of horsemen move quickly through the mountains, cutting quickly through the hard terrain. The cold winds were sharp and bit harshly at the rides as the moved over the rolling peaks and hills heading south, towards the capital. There were around 30 of them. The Royal Guard. These were not as ornately decorated as the Royal Guard at Oglala, where their task was generally ceremonial. They did of course, protect the Chief, however, threats there were scarce and limited. Here, on the other hand, threats were real. Raiders and Super Mutants had camps set up all along the mountains, attacking and raiding the main towns and encampments of the Crow Tribe. These warriors themselves were returning from the tour at the front. Patrolling the long border and the terrain scouting and attacking any raider or mutant camp they encountered. A few of them were bloodied and scarred from the long days and battles of the patrol.
At the head of the column rode the High Princess Rebecca and the flag bearer of the Crow Nation and of the Plains Nations. The flag of the Crow was also etched on the front of Rebecca’s coat, a long brown fur coat, over which the leather and metal armor rested.. She turns back to look over the column, her hand clutching her hood over of face tightly. A rider moves up quickly towards her. He salutes, placing his right arm across his chest, a gesture she returns. The rider smiles at her.
“Word from your father, the Chief, wíŋyaŋyatapi. He is asking for you to make your way south, to Oglala. Ambassador White has arrived in the Commonwealth, I believe it is related to that.”
Rebecca frowns slightly. She was tired, the 3 week patrol was tiring. The action on the rode was limited, but the effect was still hard. This had been her first real command of a patrol, her promotion in the warrior society to Captain coming in only a few days before the patrol was selected. She had chosen that her own Guard provide the patrol. Now they were ordered to make the long trek all the way south, to Oglala, then, more likely than not, all the way to Chicago. Not a simple ride.
“Thank you, Captain. We will stop to refresh and resupply and get fresh horses for the ride south.”
March 6
Oglala
The Royal Guard and the Princess had rode fast, cutting through the terrain as fast as the horses would let them. As they reached the outskirts of the city, Chief Whitefeather rode out himself to greet the incoming riders, his own Royal Escort with him. He smiles warmly towards Rebecca who smiles back.
“Welcome home, Rebecca. It is great to see you again.” He says to her.
“Thank you, father. It has been far too long, my time as the Crow leader was eventful to say the least over the past few months.”
“I can imagine, I have heard that you have done quite an amazing job up there, leading the patrols yourself, commanding the troops. The Warrior Society is proud of your duty and your courage commanding the frontier.” He responds. He falls in next to her as they move towards the town.
“I have heard word of the ambassador in the Commonwealth. I assume the talks went well?”
“From what I have heard, yes, they have. Our proposal was accepted by them. We will head to the Commonwealth together to unite our two great nations together, then… Then we ride to war.” He says, looking at her solemnly as he speaks. She turns and looks at him sharply.
“Nebraska?”
“Yes, they share our concern over their increasing activity and their incessant desire to expand their borders northward. Towards us and them, our scouts report them resettling men and woman in North Dakota, which is cutting us off and building a barrier between us and our new ally. We will need to act fast and strike first, before they even know we are coming. I have recalled as many as the Society as I can muster, the Confederal Guard will provide the ground force and the security once we ride.”
Rebecca nods. Her mind still focused on something else. “And the marriage?”
Whitefeather looks at her softly now, a loving smile on his face. “Yes, they have agreed. How do you feel?”
“Well, I am nervous. I have never met the man I am to be married, I don’t know their customs, their rituals their society. But I think it will be good. Important.” She responds, trying to sound confident.
“Yes, it is important. It is also important to me that you are happy. I know about as much about this Prince as you do, but from the Ambassador’s words, it would seem that they are good people, in charge of a large and successful kingdom. I am riding with you, along with Jesse Hills and Annabelle, you know them right?”
Of course, Tʼeyé šaké’s reputation is known among all, and Annabelle is a good friend of mine, our warrior class was the same.”
“That’s right, they will attend the wedding and after, they will be at my side for the War Council, from which they will command our forces on the attack.”
“We should pray for success then.”