The Delegation

by Robin Roseau

  “Pity,” she replied. “I’d love to see you in it.” She grinned at me. “I understand you even let them rub your buns.”

  I shook my head. “If no one knows who I am, why do you know those sorts of details?”

  “Because my husband knows that when it comes to social settings, my spies are better than his, and he asked me to keep an eye on the Ressalines.”

  “Do you wish you’d been there?”

  “Are you kidding? If they made Olivia wear a collar and leash, what do you think they’d have done to me?”

  “Framed you for murder, I imagine,” I said. “We could have shared that tiny cage.” I smiled. “You know, I had a very good time.”

  “In spite of being framed for murder and wearing nearly nothing at all?”

  “Did you meet Olivia’s slaves?”

  “No.”

  “Pity. You would have liked them. My character spent the evening married to one of them.”

  “I heard they are amazingly lovely, although perhaps somewhat simple.”

  “The first part is absolutely true. The second part isn’t fully accurate. They are the sweetest people I have ever met, and very quick to share their joy.”

  “Then an evening of marriage sounds quite wonderful.”

  “It was,” I said. “Plus I got to see Olivia tugged around on her leash.”

  She laughed. “Now that would have been good to see.”

  At that point, the coach came to a stop. As soon as it did, I said, “Ralifta, I don’t know any of the protocols. I don’t know if I’m supposed to get out first or last. I don’t know anything.”

  “The protocol is whatever I want,” she said. “I would like you to climb out and then offer your hand to me. After that, we’ll remain together. I don’t know what sort of greeting we will receive, but it is likely there will be questions. I’ll smile and wave and probably ignore them.”

  “All right, then. Now?”

  “The footman will open the door,” she said. “As soon as the guards are satisfied.”

  That was just another moment. At her gesture, I climbed from the coach then turned around, displacing the footman. And so the Queen of Flarvor emerged from the coach to my hand, and then she wrapped my arm in hers.

  I have no idea what anyone thought of that.

  We turned for the door. She waved to some of the waiting people, but there were already people manning the doors, and we strode right through. After that, at a regal pace, we proceeded unhindered to the Queen’s Box at the same theater where I’d first met Yearly Chrome.

  There were ten other people already in the box, plus serving staff. Ralifta made a tour of the people, greeting them and introducing me. And, surprising me, she made a point of greeting the servers and told them what she would like that evening.

  We spoke to people for a while. Well, she spoke. I remained quiet, but I enjoyed watching her, and I enjoyed pretending to ignore the looks I was getting. It was clear absolutely no one knew who I was, and Ralifta wasn’t offering any information.

  But then we turned to our seats, right at the railing. I handed Ralifta to her seat then took the one beside her. She took my arm back, and we would spend most of the concert that way.

  The music began shortly after we were seated. It wasn’t a simple concert. There was singing, and they appeared to be telling a story. Except I didn’t understand a single word.

  Even then, it was absolutely beautiful.

  During a pause, I leaned to the queen and asked, “What language are they singing?”

  “I don’t think it’s a language,” she said. “I think they’re trying to let their tone and pacing tell the story. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s brilliant, Ralifta.”

  “Leander would hate it, but I agree with you.”

  She gestured one of the servers over and whispered to the woman, who hurried to perform some errand.

  By the end, I was brushing tears from my cheeks. Ralifta turned to me, and there were tears crawling down her cheeks, too. She brushed mine away and offered a ragged smile. Then we were on our feet, applauding with everyone else.

  We stood. I was more than a little overcome by emotions. The queen collected her poise and spoke to the others. And then the rear curtains opened, and several people stepped though. I recognized the two lead singers, and I stared for a moment.

  Ralifta laughed and said, “When you’re the queen, and you summon someone, they come.”

  There were some gestures, and we waited while the three people descended to join us. “Absolutely brilliant,” Ralifta told them.

  It turned out the third person was the composer, the queen’s mother’s friend’s son. “How do I know when they’re performing your next composition?” I asked.

  He gaped at me. “Um.”

  “Devirst,” said the queen. “Surely you have a mailing list.”

  “Mailing list?” he echoed.

  The queen shook her head. “You need to tell your mother I suggest she hire you a manager.”

  The female singer said, “I’m his manager.”

  “You are?” asked the composer.

  “I am now,” she said. “Aren’t I, Devirst?”

  “Um. Yes.”

  She patted his cheek and turned to me. “I know who you are.”

  “You do?”

  “Frame anyone for murder lately?”

  There were several gasps. Ralifta and I laughed, and it was the queen who said, “As I heard it, she was the one who was framed.”

  “Ah, how these details get turned around,” said the woman.

  “I understand completely,” I said. “And I haven’t been framed for murder for at least the last two weeks.”

  “Wait,” someone said. “Murder?”

  Ralifta and I laughed again. “Yearly Chrome framed me,” I explained.

  “Yearly Chrome the actress?”

  “It was one of her shows,” said the singer with a laugh. “Ms. Cuprite, I’ll ensure your name is the first on the new mailing list.”

  “You mean the first behind mine,” said the queen.

  “Of course, Your Majesty.”

  * * * *

  Later during our ride back to the palace, the queen said, “So, I wonder if all Barrish is going to be abuzz about how I was seen at the theater with a known killer.”

  “I was even convicted,” I said. “The trial lasted at least three entire minutes.”

  “Murder trials are very somber events. I’m heartened to know they didn’t rush yours.”

  At the palace, she hugged me then held me with a palm to my cheek. “Be safe,” she said. “When you get back, I’m going to want all the salacious details. I intend to live vicariously through you.”

  I laughed.

  Two days later, I was on my way to Charth.

  Chapter Nine

  Even before riding onto the bridge I recognized the waiting figure. Her bright, red hair was a dead giveaway. I approached, then dismounted and closed the remaining distance on foot, my mount following along behind me.

  “Hello, Lisolte. Fine day for a ride.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” she replied. “Got a hug for me?”

  “I don’t know. Got a kiss for me?”

  “I just might.” We embraced, and yes, we kissed then held each other for a few moments.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I would think that is obvious. I’m waiting for you.”

  “First off, why? And secondly, you waited two weeks for me?”

  “It was either me or a military escort. For your own protection.”

  “I thought one of the advantages of kicking out all the men was a far safer country for women.”

  “And yet, I really am here for your protection.”

  “And who protected you for the last two weeks?”

  She ignored that question. “As for question number two: we don’t have farms in Ressaline City, and I’ve been very curious. I used the time to give myself
an education. I presented myself to one of the farms and traded labor for a chance to learn as much as I could. So actually I only waited two days for you. I had to recover from my ordeal.”

  I laughed. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. Seriously. I had to recover.”

  “Funny. You really worked on a farm?”

  “Yes. That’s actually one of our customs. If you want to learn a little bit about another trade or profession, you can, well, it’s a sort of short-term apprenticeship. I’m not suddenly qualified to be a farmer, but I now have a far greater understanding of what they do.”

  “If you ever want to learn about road repair, I can put you to work sometime,” I said.

  She laughed and said she’d consider it. “I have a letter for you.”

  “So you’re the postman as well?”

  “From Lady Olivia, Duchess of Charthan.”

  “So formal?”

  “Yes, actually. You are not allowed past this point of the bridge until you read it and agree to the outlined terms.”

  “Oh, my,” I said. “All right.”

  She produced the letter. The envelope carried my name in careful script, and it was sealed quite formally. I broke the seal and withdrew a single piece of parchment.

  My dear Allium Cuprite,

  Welcome to Ressaline. I look forward to your arrival in Charth. For me to grant permission to proceed into our country, you must offer a personal promise to obey the lawful orders of my representative, Lisolte of Charth.

  Please do hurry. I very much have enjoyed becoming friends and am anxious for that to continue.

  Lady Olivia, Duchess of Charthan

  “I have to promise to obey you?”

  “You do,” Lisolte confirmed. “Unconditionally. You have to decide if you trust me.”

  “Is there some sort of formal ceremony?”

  “No, but don’t promise if you’re not going to keep it.”

  I looked into her eyes then read the letter again. “Why?”

  “Do you really have a problem with it?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I’m not here to make trouble, but this is a little strange.”

  “I know,” she said. “We’re going to travel to Charth. I’m responsible for you. Olivia didn’t know what we may encounter on the way, and so she is giving me absolute authority to deal with it.” She tapped the letter. “This is part of it.”

  “Will you promise you won’t abuse my promise?”

  “I have no intention of abusing you or giving you one single reason to regret trusting me.”

  “But no one trusts me without this promise?”

  “Of course we trust you. It’s just a verbal promise, Allium. It would be trivial for you to break it. But if I tell you to do something, or not to do something, I need you to comply and then ask why, not the other way around.”

  “In other words, you don’t want to have this particular conversation at every turn.”

  She laughed. “Yes, that is a good way of putting it.”

  I nodded. “I’ll promise but can you tell me one example of why it’s necessary?”

  “Tell me: did anyone explain the custom I’m leading you to?”

  “No.”

  “Olivia wants to control that. I think she’s being overcautious, but we haven’t done this very many times. So if I see something that might give you clues she doesn’t want you to have, I may give you several very trivial orders to disguise the real order.”

  “Lisolte, I don’t want to spoil this.”

  “I know you don’t.”

  “I’ll fully cooperate,” I promised. “I will obey your orders, unconditionally. Please don’t order me to hurt anyone.”

  “Of course not,” she said. She hugged me again. “Thank you for not being a complete pain about this, Allium. I know it’s weird to you.”

  “It’s fine,” I said. I smiled. “Thank you for meeting me. And I’m glad it’s you escorting me and not some member of the military.”

  “I am, too,” she said. She looked past me. “No carriage? You fit everything you brought on a single pack animal?”

  “While I’m here with the blessing of my government,” I said. “I’m not here as a portion of my official duties. That means I couldn’t rely on government resources to pay for a carriage. You do remember the conversation about the cost of silk. The horses are mine. I bought the pack horse for this trip and will sell it when I get home.”

  “Please tell me there’s a gown in that luggage.”

  “There is, and it’s even new. But I will point out it’s autumn, and it will be high winter before I leave, and there is no way I own a single piece of clothing suitable for winter in Charth. You do have shops, don’t you?”

  She laughed. “We do.”

  “This is my warmest cloak,” I said. “If it’s going to get any colder than this, I may need to buy something in one of the villages between here and Charth.”

  She fingered it. “This is your warmest?”

  “Well, unless you want me to look like a rough member of the road crew. I have plenty of that style of clothing.”

  “No, I do not,” she said. She eyed the pack horse. “You didn’t bring any of that, anyway.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Well, let’s get you off this cold bridge.” She turned, and side-by-side, the animals following, we walked the remaining distances. Once we reached land, she said, “Welcome to Ressaline.”

  “Thank you, Lisolte.”

  She gestured to a farm yard on the right. “Our coach. The nearest village is two hours, but if you have immediate needs, we can see to them here.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Excellent.” She led me to the coach, and by the time we arrived, a driver descended. She smiled and welcomed me to Ressaline. I barely understood her. But both of them helped me move everything from both mounts, stowing my things as appropriate. Then Lisolte helped me into the coach, and we both settled in place.

  “Feel free to get comfortable,” she said. “I’d take off the cloak.”

  “I’m cold,” I said.

  “Freezing?”

  “No. Just a little chilly.”

  “There’s a stove,” she said. “Do I need to light it?”

  “There’s a stove?”

  “It’s here,” she said, indicating a space opposite the door. I hadn’t recognized it. She showed me how it worked. “Wait here.”

  She stepped back outside and talked to the driver. It was another five minutes before I heard noise from the back of the carriage and a minute after that before the door opened and the driver stepped in with an arm of firewood. She emptied it into a box beside the stove and then built a fire.

  “I bet this is strange to you,” I told her.

  She looked over at me. “I bet I would hate summer in Barrish.”

  “You wouldn’t want to wear your very dashing leather,” I replied. “I’m sorry for the trouble. I should have planned better.”

  “It’s very little trouble,” she replied. “I’m making a small fire. It won’t burn long if you don’t continue to feed it, but it will take the chill off.”

  “Thank you.”

  The driver finished then lit the fire, closing the stove door once she was satisfied. “That will take a few minutes. Welcome to the warmest part of Ressaline.”

  I laughed. “Thank you.”

  She stepped out and Lisolte climbed in. A minute later, we were moving.

  “We’re going to buy warmer clothes for you,” she said. “Olivia authorized funds.”

  “I can buy my own clothing.”

  “And yet,” Lisolte said. “I am going to.” She waved a finger. “No arguing.”

  “At all? You said earlier I could argue as long as I comply first.”

  “You’re right,” she said. “No arguing about this.” She paused. “Allium, Lady Olivia is being overly cautious. She gave me orders, and I am interpreting those orders even more overly cautiously.”r />
  “It’s fine, Lisolte.”

  “You don’t get to look out the windows.” And with that, she reached over and closed the curtains, first on one side, then the other.

  “And you probably guessed I had hoped to see the countryside.”

  “Yes. Furthermore, whenever we stop, I have blindfolds for you.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes. I have simple scarves, but I also have some that lock.”

  “I knew you didn’t trust me.” I wasn’t sure if I were being serious.

  “I don’t want them to come off inadvertently,” she explained. “Please don’t be angry.”

  “I’m not angry,” I said. “Frustrated, perhaps. This is beginning to feel ridiculous.”

  “I agree with you. I imagine Olivia does, too. Allium, you can count on two hands, with fingers left over, the number of Flarvorians who have gone through this custom. I’m not entirely sure why Olivia is being this cautious with you.”

  “Was she with the others?”

  “Until Yearly and Tess arrived, the only others have been part of Kylia’s and Rishia’s trading company. They arrived in Charth by somewhat more common means. I believe Yearly and Tess were treated similarly to how I’m treating you, but I didn’t travel with them, so I don’t know. Olivia is trying to figure out what works best.”

  “I’m not sure, but I don’t think this is it.”

  “I am reserving judgment,” she replied. “But I do not want to arrive in Charth and tell her you were uncooperative or sullen. Nor do I want to report I failed to deliver you as ignorant as you arrived on the bridge.”

  “I’m not being uncooperative,” I said. “And I don’t think I’m sullen. I do, however, believe if you aren’t going to let me watch the world go by that you have an obligation to keep me entertained.”

  “I agree,” she said. “I have a case of books. They’re from Charthan before we moved in.”

  “Is that a euphemism for invaded?”

  “Yes,” she said. “It is. I also have decks of cards and several other games we can play.”

  “Well then. What’s first?”

  * * * *

  The carriage came to a stop. I looked at Lisolte expectantly, but she said, “Our driver is arranging a little clothing shopping.”

  “Gotcha.”

  It was perhaps ten minutes later that I heard the driver say, “There is a shop open, Lisolte.”