Grantville Gazette, Volume 41 by Eric Flint

Author:Eric Flint [Flint, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: Action & Adventure, Alternative History, Fantasy, Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Space Opera
ISBN: 9781618248640
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2012-09-18T12:37:12+00:00

Ein feste Burg, Episode Two

Written by Rainer Prem

Chapter 2: Decisions

Jagdschloss of the Duke of Sachsen-Eisenach, Marksuhl, Thuringia

March 1634

Maximiliane von Pasqualini lay in her king size bed staring at the dark ceiling.

The duchess was right. Max had left home with what at that time seemed like a life's plan. But it had not been able to stand the test of time.

Staying a man in Grantville had been a serious error. In hindsight it was outright foolish. Each and every day somebody could have emerged in Grantville who knew her family. And if this hypothetical person had accused her of conspiring against the United States, based on the fact that she pretended to be someone else? Max had no idea what would have happened.

No. "The times are changing and we have to change with them or we are left behind." She could not remember where she had heard that, but it seemed never more relevant than in this moment.

She decided to try a little big change in the morning . . . and to defer the big big decisions a little longer.

****

When somebody knocked in the morning, the sun was just rising in the east. Max still lay in bed, so she could easily say, "Come in".

Hans entered the room. "Good morning, Herr von Pasqualini. The duchess asks you to attend breakfast at seven o'clock."

"Good morning, Hans. I've got news for you. It's Frau, not Herr. But please call me Max. I never was fond of that petty title."

After a second of hesitation, Hans answered: "So be it. Max, the duchess told me that you can find some gifts in the rightmost wardrobe."

After he had left the room, Max got up and hurried to the indicated wardrobe. When she opened it, she was stunned. Dresses! White, red, green, blue, a rainbow dream. And underwear. Pink, white, and—oh! And—ah! And these thingies the up-timer girls wore to increase their measurement.

She was still musing what to wear, when it knocked again. She heard "Max, it's me, Christine," before she could panic.

"Come in, please."

When a smiling Christine entered the room, Max tried a "Good morning, Hoheit," but got a "Shhh. You are among friends," in return.

Christine spread her arms. "First of all: Let me hug you."

Max nearly jumped into the duchess' arms, half-laughing half-weeping. "Oh, thank you. Thank you so much. For your words yesterday and for these dresses and . . ."

Christine's smile widened. "That's what friends are for. And since we both have decided to be friends, calling me Hoheit is very inappropriate." She stroked the younger woman's hair and continued. "I'm Christine and you are Max. Basta!"

Sometime later they separated.

"Max, I assume that you are not very familiar with the current fashion. Before you spend too much time trying out all these clothes, be informed that the duke decided to do an on-site inspection at the Wartburg with you today.

"Since you are to leave directly after breakfast, I suggest donning something convenient for riding. You are familiar with riding astride, so you should try one of these skorts.

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