Nielson translated and then waited.
Father Kulcyanov looked at her for a moment and then gave a broad grin. And spoke at length.
“Let me see if I can do this verbatim,” Nielson said, shaking his head. “I didn’t even know he’d been in Stalingrad. Here goes:
“And you wish to use some of the Keldara women for this was how he started. I am one of only two of the Elders who fought in the Great War in the army of the bastard Stalin. He was a godless communist and calling him a pig insults pigs, but he had some things to teach even one such as I. When I saw that women were in the army, even carrying weapons, I was shocked. I was a young man, and very easily shocked. But more than once, especially in Stalingrad, I saw the women fight with as much courage, and ability, as any of my fellow soldiers. Better. You, I think, maybe could have fought with those women, Captain.
“The other elders, none of them, even Devlich who also fought in the War, fought with women beside them. They are having a hard time seeing women as anything more than makers of babies and beer: women are for tending to the fires and warming a bed. But I have seen them fight. And I am no longer shockable. You shall have your girl, Captain Bathlick.”
When Nielson finished translating the young woman who had served the water said something to the elder and Father Kulcyanov answered with a shake of his head.
“Serena I agree with Father Kulcyanov,” Nielson interjected. “You’re still sixteen. Give it a year or two at least. Seventeen or eighteen minimum. But preferably unmarried which makes it tough. Not because of the danger, but because if the unit deploys they may deploy with it.”
The young woman seemed to translate that from Kacey’s perspective and then with a very visible sign of screwing up her courage said some names. Father Kulcyanov grunted and answered tersely without looking at her at which the young woman ducked her head and went back in the back of house.
“She suggested some of the girls and Father Kulcyanov pointed out that he didn’t need an unbroached child to tell him who was who in the Keldara,” Nielson said in a low voice. “And he said it that way, which I’ve never heard an elder say to an unmarried, or, hell, a married female before.”
“Women’s lib only goes so far, huh?” Kacey said.
“More like a very junior enlisted making suggestions to a general,” Nielson replied. “Effectively he was just saying: ‘Teach me to suck eggs, girl.’ And the way that he said it was telling. He used the sort of language he’d have used with one of the militiamen. The girl doesn’t realize it, but she just got a backhanded compliment in that insult. He’s already put her in the category of warrior in his mind, even if he doesn’t realize it. And Father Kulcyanov’s opinion on that score is the only opinion that matters to the Keldara.”
Father Kulcyanov asked something and Nielson answered in the affirmative. Then the old man spoke at length and to Kacey’s ear somewhat ruefully.
“I’m trying not to smile,” Nielson said. “And don’t you. What he said was that when he thought of who would make good women for this position it was the same list Serena had suggested. But two of them are already on mortar teams and he doesn’t want to lose their experience. So… ”
“Gretchen,” Father Kulcyanov spat.
Nielson looked at the old man and said something. The old man shrugged and said something back, looking at the colonel as an old sergeant might look at a new recruit. Oh, one with promise, but…
“And you have your crewchief,” Nielson said, frowning. “Gretchen’s English is pretty good. Probably why he picked her. I hope that’s why he picked her.”
“What was that thing at the end?” Kacey asked. She’d heard the word “Kildar” in there and Nielson, at least, was clearly uncomfortable about her new crew-chief.
“Nothing that will interfere with your mission,” Nielson said with a sigh. “Mine… possibly. But you have a crewchief.”
“Well, one thing I just realized,” Kacey said. “I need to start learning Georgian, fast.”
“Keldara,” Nielson corrected. “It’s as different from Georgian as Russian. But you’ll learn. We all did.”
Tim looked up and shook his head as Kacey got out of the Expedition followed by a girl in local dress.
“The good news is that she’s damned near a match for Tammie’s size, so flightsuits are covered,” Kacey said. “Chief Warrant Officer Tim D’Allair, Gretchen Mahona. Gretchen, this is Chief D’Allair. He goes by Chief or Gunny.”
“Never could get over getting shafted into taking a warrant,” D’Allaird said, shaking the girl’s hands. He also was studiously trying to ignore her looks. “Do you speak English?”
“I speak fairly well,” Gretchen said. “I am basic trained in weapons, including machine guns. I can fire, strip and fix basic jam. Am strong. Work farm.”
“That’s a start,” D’Allaird said with a sigh. “Boss, we’re about to start loading. Can you scrounge the flightsuits while I get started? While you were negotiating for crewmen I was finding some backs.”
“Okay,” Kacey said. “We’ll be back.”
For the time being all they had in the way of a ready room was a small shack but there was a crate of flightsuits in it so that was the way she headed. The girl could change in there. It would be cold but she figured she could handle that.
“Captain, is a question okay?” Gretchen said as she opened the shed.
“The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask,” Kacey said. “That means if you have a question and we’re not in the middle of something hot, ask it. Always.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Gretchen said. “Am I having rank?”
“You know, I didn’t ask,” Kacey admitted. “But, yeah, for now you’re a buck private. We’ll get the rest worked out later.”
“Good,” Gretchen said. “Thank you.”
“Rank means a lot to you?” Kacey asked as she opened the shed.
“It means are soldier, warrior,” Gretchen said. “If we die in combat, the Valkyr come for us. Are not condemn to Cold Land. Valkyr rarely come for women of Keldara.”
“Interesting,” Kacey said. “You’re Asatru?”
“I am not hear that name before,” Gretchen replied. “And we do not talk much of our Mysteries.”
“I heard you’re like Norse or something,” the pilot said. “I’ve got a couple of friends who worship those gods. The group’s called Asatru in the States. About all I know about it. Can I ask a question?”
“Of course,” Gretchen said. ” You are commander.”
“When you got picked by Father… Kulcycanov?”
“Yes, is Father of Kulcyanov family,” the girl said.
“Nielson said something about the Kildar?” Kacey said. To her surprise, the girl blushed.
“Is nothing,” Gretchen said.
“Is something,” Captain Bathlick replied. “What is it? Specifically, is it going to affect the mission?”
“No,” Gretchen replied then paused. “Is problem with Ritual of Cardane. Kildar is… I am… Is hard to explain. Kildar… has feelings for me.”
“The Kildar’s got his eye on you?” Kacey asked. “Hasn’t he got enough women?”
“Has many,” Gretchen replied, dryly. “There is ritual opening of Keldara women. Kildar has done this many times. Is Keldara ritual; Kildar has never been… happy with it. He has, however, participated in several such rituals. Called Rite of Cardane. I was last to be broached. He… He and I, though, developed… strong feelings for each other. Is under discussion if I should become Kildaran, the… wife of Kildar instead of my current intended. Will not be, Kildar will not interfere, but… ”