She wore a homespun "peasant's skirt" that was now all the rage in Europe-Cspecially in the Baltic states-and being copied by famous designers and dressmakers all over the world. Like most Slavic women, she had light-brown curly hair which was worn long and unbound, big blue eyes, full lips, and a nose just a bit out of proportion with the rest of her face. But there must have been a Viking in the barn one night, because Anna was also curvaceous and full-figured, with a thin waist bisecting healthy hips and a deep, sexy bosom that made Palcikas stare.

Kolginov coughed politely, stifling an amused smile.

Palcikas quickly asked, "Was anyone hurt here?"

"Human, no," Anna replied. "Animal, yes. Some of the soldiers claimed two of our horses jumped over a fence and ran away, but I think they took them. Some other animals were killed or chased away-a few thousand liths' worth."

"Make a list of the damage and the missing livestock, sign it, and deliver it to my headquarters at Trakai," Palcikas said. "The government will reimburse you immediately.

My men will also help rebuild your barns and fences."

"I don't need your help to rebuild my farm!" the old man retorted. "I just need to be left alone! I used every ruble of my pension savings to buy this farm, and I won't have it torn apart by you soldiers again!"

"Those were Commonwealth soldiers, Mr. Kulikauskas," Palcikas' aide, Kolginov, said.

"Not Lithuanians."

"And who are you?" the old man demanded, his eyes widening at Kolginov's slight Russian accent. "A Russian? First we have Commonwealth soldiers, then Byelorussians, and now Russians . . .

Kolginov gave him a wry smile, but Palcikas interceded for him:

"Major Kolginov is a naturalized Lithuanian and a member of the Iron Wolf Brigade, Mr.

Kulikauskas," he said.

"The Iron Wolf Brigade!" the old man cried out. "How dare you! How dare you debase the name of the Grand Duke's army!" The old eyes sought out Palcikas' uniform and rested with shock on a red patch with a mounted knight on a rearing charger in white in the center. "You wear the Grand Duke's Vytis like a patch to mend tattered clothing? Do you have a Vytis sewn in your crotch as well? Why, that Is.. . that is unholy...!"

"Mr. Kulikauskas, I do not defile the name of the Grand Duke-I honor it," Palcikas said. "The men in my unit who wear the Vytis have sworn an oath, with one hand on the Bible and one hand on the Sword of State, to protect this nation."

"What do you know about honor, or fidelity, or-"

"We follow the very same ritual of training and service, and swear the very same oath, as King Gediminas prescribed in centuries past," Palcikas said. "The training period is two years, as it was then. Major Kolginov accomplished the additional rigors of naturalization before performing the training, and he has earned the right to receive the Sword and make the oath. You are a veteran: if you wish to view this ritual at Trakai, you may do so as my guest. The next full moon, be at Trakai at eleven P.M. The ritual begins at midnight."