Social Testing

Chapter Two

“In two weeks more she said, you are certain?” Lord Bromley asked. It was obvious to Millicent that the bulldog was excited by her words, but as to why she had no idea. “Why, this means that she has accepted you my dear” he finally explained. “My most sincere congratulations. Most sincere. Now come, there are many things that I may tell you now. We should start quickly for we have but two weeks after all. I believe that this will be a final test, as poor Mary vanished into the Army clerical field after her second visit.”

Giving her few things in Monica, who then placed them carefully into the wardrobe by the front door provided for them, Millicent followed her teacher as he walked towards his den. Oddly they passed through the den and into a small and very specialized library. What, she wondered, would she need to learn so quickly. The answer came as Lord Bromley settled behind the great walnut desk that took fully a quarter of his tiny hidden library he waved to the single other chair for Millicent to sit. “When asked about events in Europe you mentioned having insufficient information to form an opinion. We must correct that now. For Lady Lawrence will certainly expect you to have sufficient information in two weeks. First, I think we will start with the Baltic States. They being the most unstable at present.”

Thus it went, day after day. From before sunrise to much after sunset. France, Holland, Germany, Greece... Monica, working with Lord Bromley’s single servant, bringing in meals as needed then just as silently taking plates out when they were finished. Dozens of countries, hundreds of officials and more treaties than she could count even should she take off her shoes. When he came to the Russia’s though, the bulldog stopped. “I will hazard a belief that you are aware of what goes on in those two countries better than I.”

“It is possible sir. For example I am personally aware of the Leveler, and his downfall. I was there after all” she admitted. “Bound naked to a table awaiting his pleasures.”

“A downfall that came at your Tatiana’s paws of course” Lord Bromley noted.

“I fear not sir, you see I almost became a widow that night. A widow, then the playtoy of a madman. Had he survived, that night would have been the beginning of true hell for me. My pelt was intended for one of Starling’s lovers, at least he told me such. It was another who took that direwolf to the darkness his kind deserve.”

“But my dear Millicent. All the official reports. They state that it was the student who discovered her teachers break with the red feathered demon. This is not so?”

“Between us sir? I cannot tell you a name though. And be aware that, should this become knowledge the one who crushed that animal will visit you even though I will beg them not too. Perhaps myself first, though I would fall to that ones paws and Tatiana could do nothing to protect me. Just as her best attempts to protect me from the Leveler failed, at the pain of nearly her own death.”

Taking a drink of his tea the bulldog swallowed. “My most sacred word. Between us then.”

“The direwolf discovered that his power could not equal that of a Spontoon Priestess. Certainly not she who came against him that storm filled night.”

“I see. Well, that would explain the burned body I guess. So we will only touch upon Russia. And Japan?”

“Japan will war within five years. My mother-in-Law has stated that” Millicent admitted. “Nothing will keep that nation from expansion. To whom she will Allie, that is still within the clouds. My mother-in-law hopes that her birth nation will turn to America and England. It is, in her mind, the only possibility of Cipangu’s survival in the coming darkness.”

“As we hoped. But are not yet certain. There is a woman in Washington who seem’s to hold the answer, but President Long is still playing his cards very close to his chest there. Very well then, shall we speak of Italy now?”

“I would be delighted Lord Bromley. How do you find eL Duce today?”

“Well enough” the bulldog admitted. “How do you find him?”

“With Maria of course. Any other way would be to court certain disaster. He is known for certain indiscretions after all, and my wife claims that I may be just attractive enough to interest him. I appear to have interesting formations of the size and type that he loves to explore.”

Lord Bromley’s face darkened and for a bulldog, especially an elderly one, that was a sight to see. At first the feline was afraid that she had gone too far, that he was about to scream in anger at her. Then Lord Bromley broke out in laughter. Millicent could only wait in silence until her tutor had control of himself. Eventually, still wiping tears from his eyes he managed to find a pawkerchief, blowing his nose rather forcible.

“My dear Millicent” he finally managed. “Please. You really must keep your humor in check. At least until you are a woman of some importance.”

“Lord Bromley, sir” Millicent answered in a rather snooty voice. “I am a Lady of some importance. To my wife, my mother-in-law and certain others.” Then she too giggled. “I fully understand sir. I am afraid that I have not enough training as yet. I do look forward to learning from you the correct deployment of my forces.”

“Aye yes my dear. And you shall have that training. Now, what else may you inform me of the nation of Cipangu. Certainly I will have something to add to your knowledge.”