In all the commotion of kissing, yelling and gunfire, no one noticed the detachment of cavalry that rode up. There were eight in all, riding matching mounts.
"Dismount!" the voice of Corporal Anson Williams sounded lound and clear.
Fritz turned and saw the men move. It must've been the fort's honor guard. They were all in dress uniform. He noticed that the style had changed, again. His uniform was based on the french design, whereas theirs were more prussian. They wore helmets with horsehiar plumes. All carried Ames sabers in polished scabbards.
One man held hitched horses, and the rest moved in columns of twos towards the fountain.
"Halt!" Willis called the men to face. They faced inboard. "First Sergeant King!"
Fritz saw movement at his side. Grey Eagle was ready to bolt. Fritz put out his hand.
"Corporal Willis! What's your purpose here today?"
"Colonel Troutman sends his compliments, though he can't be here today."
"You aren't searching for hostiles?"
Willis smiled. "Sir, as far as I know, there are no hostiles here today."
Grey Eagle relaxed. Fritz smiled.
Wllis gave the command to "Draw...Swords!"
The sabers cleared their scabbards, the tips meeting in the air.
'Sleep and Becca moved out, walking beneath the sabers towards the crowd. Fritz took Scarlet's arm and led her through the arch. The end troopers dropped the tips of their sabers across their path.
Willis saluted with his saber and said, "Mrs. King, welcome to the family of the United States Cavalry."
The men lifted their sabers, allowing the couple to pass. As Scarlet past Willis, he struck her smartly across the buttocks with the flat of the blade.
"Ouch!!!"
'Becca giggled. "Payback is sooo sweet!"
Scarlet looked at Willis, then at Fritz.
"It's a tradition, dear," he said. The crowd laughed; Johnny, a bit harder than most.
"Well, you could've warned me!"
Fritz kissed her hand. "Now where's the fun in that?"