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"Some bored officer's playing at soldiers because he can," he said. "This is a hardship post for guys someone in Des Moines doesn't like. Most of what trade there is goes through Sioux City, farther south."
The men were in full gear, jointed two-piece breastplates, arm-pieces and thigh-guards of polished steel, helms shaped like the old American army headgear, and metal gauntlets. The ones here all had either sixteen-foot pikes or something that differed from what the Willamette country called a billhook only in detail-a chopping blade on a six-foot pole, with a spike on top and a cruel hook on the back; short straight-bladed footman's shetes hung at their waists.
Ritva spoke softly: "I saw something move behind the firing slits on the north tower. Murder machine. And there are crossbowmen on the crenellations."
Odard nodded. "If they're just going through the motions, they're going through all of them."
Rudi took off his bo
Ah, the one in the lead is in charge, Rudi decided.
If the soldiers' armor was polished, his was blinding with a luster possible only with chrome steel, and his shete was the long curved horseman's model.
I think this is a man who stands on his dignity. He dismounted, signaling the others to do likewise. As he'll be resentful if I look down at him from the saddle.
He couldn't help being six foot two and he was cursed if he'd slouch, but fortunately the Iowan officer was only a little shorter, and his helmet with its tall horsehair plume made up the difference. As the man approached, he muttered to the one beside him.
"Oh, all right, Sergeant."
"Thank you, sir. Stand at ease! Helmets off!"
There was a rattle and thump as the polearms were grounded and leaned against shoulders. The soldiers were unexceptionable young men; big, muscular and fair-ski
No reason to think they wouldn't fight well, given good leaders, he decided. But this man isn't the one to do it, I'm thinking.
The officer had a small yellow mustache and pale green eyes set a little too close together and an expression of permanent discontent.
"I'm Captain Schlenker, Iowa National Guard," he said, his tone suggesting that the name should mean something.
Which, hereabouts, it may, Rudi thought, with an expression of polite interest.
"In the service of His Excellency Anthony Heasleroad, Governor, President Pro Tem for Life of the Provisional Republic of Iowa, the Sheriffs' Choice, Protector of Farmers and Vakis, Bossman of All Hawk-eyes. You can stop your merry band right there until you've answered a few questions."
The Iowan had a flat harsh accent much like Ingolf's, one that turned the vowels in words like Mary and marry and merry into the same sound. It sounded much less agreeable in his mouth than in their companion's.
"So, who are you people?" he asked less formally.
Rudi introduced himself. "We're travelers from the Far West, sir," he said.
It didn't hurt to be courteous on someone else's land.
"Traders?"
"It may be, if we find anything to buy in Des Moines, which is where we'll be heading, to see the remarkable sights of the city, so far-famed it is," he said.
Schlenker's eyes narrowed. "We don't allow armed vagrants to wander around Iowa," he said.
For the first time he seemed to pay real attention to the party. Rudi had left his sword slung at Epona's saddle, but there was no point in trying to conceal that they were well armed, or the quality of their horses. With Mathilda and the twins and Virginia they were slightly implausible as a bandit gang… but they looked as much like that as anything else, and it wasn't absolutely unknown for women to take up that trade. Or for genuine traveling merchants to indulge in a little banditry on the side, if they saw an opportunity.
Sure, and Mary's smile would look more reassuring without the eye patch.
They certainly didn't have the wagons or pack-animals you'd expect of serious traders, and it would be ridiculous to claim they were traveling across the continent for the pleasure of it.
"We're well able to provide for ourselves, sir," Rudi went on. "If there's a regulation for posting bond, in gold shall we say…"
According to Ingolf there wasn't, but the officer's face brightened at the diplomatic offer of a bribe. When he still hesitated, Rudi continued:
"And we'll be staying with a friend near your capital, a Farmer and Sheriff. A Colonel Heuisink, with whom you may check if you'd be wishing it."
That brought a definite change in attitude. "Let's get into the shade," Schlenker said. "Sergeant Morrison! Bring them into the fort. And pull a watermelon and some beer out of the well."
You asked what land I love the best
Iowa, 'tis Iowa,
The fairest State of all the West,
Iowa, O! Iowa,
From yonder Mississippi's stream
To where Missouri's waters gleam
O! Fair it is as poet's dream
Iowa, 'tis Iowa.
See yonder fields of tasseled corn
Iowa, 'tis Iowa,
Where plenty fills her golden horn
Iowa, 'tis Iowa,
See how her wondrous prairies shine.
To yonder sunset's purpling line
O! happy land, O! land of mine
Iowa, O! Iowa.
And she has maids whose laughing eyes
Iowa, O! Iowa.
To him whose loves were Paradise
Iowa, O! Iowa
O! Happiest fate that e'er was known.
Such eyes to shine for one alone,
To call such beauty all his own.
Iowa, O! Iowa
Go read the story of thy past.
Iowa, O! Iowa
What glorious deeds, what fame thou hast!
Iowa, O! Iowa
So long as time's great cycle runs,
Or nations weep their fallen ones,
Thou'lt not forget thy patriot sons
Iowa, O! Iowa
The song rang out in children's voices as they climbed down from the railway; it came from a frame building not far from the depot, where a choir was apparently practicing. As the travelers unhitched their horses from the rearmost wagon the eight- and nine-year-olds spilled out clad in shorts and T-shirts, mostly barefoot in the warm summer afternoon. They came ru
"All out for Valeria!" the conductor cried, walking down the line of cars and flourishing her speaking-trumpet. "Refreshments available in the station building! Train will embark for Des Moines in one hour!"
"What a surprise," Mathilda said, as they stretched and rubbed parts affected by the hard bench seats and Garbh growled at a village mutt that went into a dancing, barking frenzy until a boy pulled it away. "Another hot, humid, hazy day!"
"Could be worse-" Rudi said.
"-could be raining," Edain finished with a tired grin.
He nodded towards clouds on the eastern horizon-which were very visible, flat as the land was. They towered into the sky, black at their base and shading off into a froth like thick whipped cream at their summits, with the topmost heights starting to glow gold as the sun sank westward.