by Robin Roseau
Cecilia translated what mother had said, first literally, then reminding those who could hear what du meant. Finally Mother and Kalorain separated.
“Mama,” I said. “This is Luradinine, Kalorain’s mother.”
Mama looked at me. “Lura…”
“Lu-ra-da-nine,” I said slowly. Mother repeated it, and then I said, “Luradinine’s title is ‘Vendart’. It is somewhat like Bürgermeister, but with more authority. You should call her simply Luradinine.”
Mama nodded. She offered a hand to my mother-in-law, who wasn’t having it. “No, Felda,” she said in English. “Our daughters are married. Unless you stop me, you’re about to get hugged.”
“That was English,” Mother said to me.
“Yes.”
She turned back to Luradinine then held her ground to accept her third hug.
I introduced the rest of my family. And then Baardorid was there with his family. “Mama, the town we are nearest is called Sudden. This man is Sudden Vendart.” I introduced everyone. Mother was gracious to all.
“So many people,” she said.
“Yes. Mama, I cannot introduce everyone at once. You will never remember. And so I have two more now and more later. Mama, this is Governor Cecilia Grace and her wife, the Vendart of Indartha, Sartine.”
“Guten Tag, Frau Herschel,” Cecilia said. “Wilkommen in Talmon.” She offered a hand and chatted happily while mother stared.
Finally Mother said, “I thought you were the translator, Frau Governor Grace.”
“I have many duties,” Cecilia said. Then she grinned. “But you must call me Cecilia.”
“I am Felda.”
“Felda, my wife, Sartine.”
“Welcome to Talmon, Felda.” Sartine wasn’t going to wait for permission, which I realized at this point wasn’t necessary.
“Mama, there are so many more, but I must also greet my friends from Tarriton.” I switched to English and turned to them, gesturing.
“How many languages do they speak on this planet?” Tranquility asked. “Half the people are speaking English. I thought they didn’t speak English here.”
“They’re learning,” I said. I held my hands out and found myself enveloped in a four-way hug. They squeezed tightly and held me for a long time before letting me go.
“Why are there so many people here?”
“The Talmonese have come to greet you and my mother,” I replied.
“No.”
“I told you they were friendly,” I said with a laugh. “Oh, there are so many I must introduce.”
And then Valtine was there. “Welcome to Talmon,” she said in a full voice. The crowd cheered, many of them yelling, “Welcome to Talmon.” I was impressed; it was English. Valtine continued, “Welcome to Sudden. Today is a fair on the Vendart’s Green. We have transportation waiting.”
“My staff will see to the luggage,” I added more quietly. “It will be fine.” Then I gestured to my three friends and pulled them into a more conspiratorial meeting of heads. “Could the three of you help me with a bit of a problem?”
“We’ve been here three minutes,” Serenity said, “and already she asks for help.”
“We have three vendarti and an imperial governor,” I said. “They all speak English, but only the governor speaks German. Can I pass you off in opposite directions for twenty minutes?”
“Of course,” Pippa said. “Which one’s mine?”
I grabbed her hand and led her to Valtine. “Pippa, this is Valtine. She is Sudden Vendart’s Wife. For at least a day’s ride in all directions, she carries significant authority.”
I gave Tranquility to Sartine, who immediately asked about her name. “Does your sister’s name not mean the same thing?” And Serenity went to Baardorid.
Cecilia took possession of Mother, and Luradinine took my arm, beating my wife by seconds. The five of us headed for one of the embassy landaus, the front top down but the rear lifted. Mordain was already in place at the reins. We settled in and then didn’t stand on ceremony. She flicked the reins and pulled us out of the long line of carriages. We weren’t remotely the first, but at least we weren’t at the back of the pack.
“Governor, the planet is beautiful,” Mother said.
“It is,” Cecilia agreed. “But it is the people you will grow to love the most. The planet has its own troubles, but very few of them are social troubles. But have you met Mordain?”
Mordain heard her name and turned around. She smiled. “Welcome to Talmon, Frau Herschel.”
“Who is she?”
“Celilia’s sister-in-law,” I said. “She and Kalorain are my right hands at work.”
Mother considered. “She is your employee?”
“She has many titles. She is Indartha Vendart’s sister. That isn’t a title like Wife is. She is the governor’s sister-in-law. She is an employee of the embassy. And she is my friend.” I turned to Cecilia. “Did I miss any?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I think friend is the most important title in that list,” Mother said. “Tell her to call me Felda.” She shifted her gaze. “I am pleased to meet you, Mordain. I wasn’t expecting these devices.” She gestured at the carriage.
“We have limited ground vehicles,” Cecilia said. “But we don’t use them to travel into Sudden. We could. The streets would accommodate them. But there is too much slow-moving traffic on the roads, and they could be both a distraction and a safety hazard.” She smiled. “And this is diplomacy.”
Mother nodded then turned to Kalorain. “She doesn’t speak German.”
“No. English and Talmonese.”
Mother studied my wife, who smiled at her. Kalorain smiled and then said, “It is difficult to believe this is your mother. If I hadn’t seen the results of rejuvenation, I couldn’t believe. She looks younger than you do, Maddalyn.”
“I wouldn’t have recognized her if I didn’t have images,” I replied. “And then I was expecting her besides.”
“She has changed since you left Frantzland?”
“Yes. I’ve shown you images.”
“Oh, yes. Of course.”
“What is she saying?” Mother asked.
“The Talmonese are growing accustomed to the concepts of rejuvenation,” Cecilia said. “You had an artist involved.”
“I spent time on Tarriton,” Mother said. “Aunt Anna helped to arrange this.”
“We have something in common,” Cecilia said. She fingered her own hair as it cascaded over her shoulders. “For my last major change, I handed myself to my mother and told her to make me into someone new. She did.”
“She did a beautiful job,” Mother replied.
“I thought the hair would be too much,” Cecilia said. “I didn’t know what she would do. But Mother begged me to keep it for a while. Several times I’ve been convinced it was time to cut it, but Sartine forbids it.”
“You do as she says?”
“We’ll explain a few of the marriage customs some time,” Cecilia said. She gestured. “This is the embassy we are passing.”
“This is where you work, Maddalyn.”
“When we’re here,” I said. “But we’re at Indartha more, which is in the mountains to the north.”
“We’ll give you a tour,” Cecilia said. “Perhaps tomorrow.”
We made small talk for the rest of the trip. Mother looked around constantly. I thought she was doing quite well, although if she’d spent time on Tarriton, at least she had a chance to grow accustomed to being outside. It was Cecilia who commented on that.
“You should have seen me on Tarriton,” she replied. “It took serious coaxing to get me to step outside without an exposure suit.” She looked around. “So many trees.” Then she pointed. “What is that?”
We followed the gesture. Kalorain looked and then settled back. It was only a rabbit.
“You’ll see those a lot,” Cecilia said.
“But what is it?”
“It’s a rabbit,” I said.
&nb
sp; “German might be easier for her,” Cecilia said with a smirk. “I believe they are called Hasen.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Yes. I had to look it up.” I’d never seen one before coming here.
“That is an animal?” Mother said. “A wild animal?”
“You were okay with the horses, but the rabbit is noteworthy, Mother?” I asked.
“It’s wild. What is it eating?”
“Carrots would be traditional,” Cecilia said with a grin.
“Good eating,” Kalorain said. She rubbed her stomach. “They’re small.” She lifted up fingers to demonstrated small. “But if you get several, they make a good stew. And the fur is soft.”
“What is she saying?” Mother asked.
“Don’t translate,” I muttered in Talmonese. “Um. Mother. The food here may surprise you.”
“They eat wild animals?” she squeaked. She leaned over the side of the carriage looking backwards, but the rabbit was long out of sight. “Do they at least cook them?”
“They aren’t savages,” I said. “The food is quite good, and if you give it a chance, you’re going to like it more than anything back home.”
She turned back. “Do they eat the fur?”
“No. It is used to line clothing, especially in the winter.”
Mother stared at me. “You’re not teasing.”
“Mother, have I ever in my life tried to tease you?” I smiled. “Perhaps you have noticed what I am wearing.”
“It seems to be one of the local styles.”
“The inner clothing is cotton,” I said “But this is leather.”
“That’s leather?” Mother asked. “Real leather.”
“Yes,” I said. “Real leather.” I reached my arm across, and she fingered the sleeve of my coat.
I could tell Mother was a little put off. I was wearing remnants of an animal, an actual animal. And I wondered if my efforts to convince her to stay were going to come to naught. It was all too strange for her.
“Is it comfortable?”
“Yes,” I said. “And I think I look quite dashing.”
Mother considered me. “You aren’t the daughter who left Frantzland.” I wasn’t sure she meant that in a good way, although she was right. But she continued. “Do they know what happened?”
“Cecilia and Kalorain do,” I said.
She turned to Cecilia. “She was so broken. What that horrible woman did to her.”
“I did it to myself,” I said softly.
“You trusted,” she said. “I knew that woman was trouble, but you weren’t willing to listen to your mother.”
“No. I should have.”
“You thought you were happy. You thought she found you precious. She didn’t. You were a possession, and nothing more.” She turned to study Kalorain.
“She’s not Berdine,” I said.
“She’s talking about that woman,” Kalorain said. “Isn’t she? And she wonders if I am the same.”
“Yes,” I said. “You’re not, although I’m not sure I want to explain a Galatzi trade today.”
She nodded then took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “She would protect you. She doesn’t know that is now my duty.”
“Felda,” said Cecilia. “Maddalyn was young and naïve. She is not quite so young. But perhaps we can agree I am neither young nor naïve. One doesn’t come to my job as a poor judge of character.”
“Perhaps not,” Mother agreed cautiously.
“Maddalyn couldn’t have a better wife. Kalorain is sweet, nurturing, and exactly the woman Maddalyn needed. The two are deeply committed to each other.”
“You know the wives of your employees that well?”
Cecilia smiled. “Yes, and in this case, I also know her mother.”
“You’re still talking about me,” Kalorain said.
“Cecilia said you’re a brat but that I love you anyway.”
“I’m sure she did,” Kalorain replied.
Cecilia snorted then turned back to Mother. “Felda, what good is coming so far if everything is the same as home? I hope you arrived with an open mind.”
“It’s a lot to take in,” Mother admitted.
We reached the green and all climbed out. Mordain pulled the carriage out of the way and would find us shortly. The rest of us moved further onto the green.
“How are you doing?” I asked. “We planned the day. I hope we’re not in the middle of your sleep cycle.”
“I spent the week adjusting,” she replied. She turned me to face her. It was the first time we’d seen each other since I left Frantzland looking like a freak. “You put yourself back.”
“I wanted to feel normal,” I said. “Mother, have you ever done anything like this?” I gestured to her appearance.
“Once, when I was younger,” she said. “Before I had you. Do you like it?”
“Quite a lot,” I said. “If you want to be, you’re going to be exceedingly popular.”
She smiled but didn’t answer that, not directly. “Darling, it seems like some very important people are here today.”
“You could say that,” I said. “The most influential people on the planet are here. Cecilia is the governor. Sartine’s village is not that influential, but she is a very good vendart. Baardorid and Valtine, of course, have been involved with the imperial presence since the very beginning. And of course, my mother-in-law is also a vendart. Beacon Hill is smaller than Sudden, but Luradinine is amazing, and she’s become part of the inner counsel for the governor.”
“I understand that. Why are they here? Is it for this fair?”
“Mother, the fair is for you.”
She stared. “Me?”
“This is the Talmon way. The people I just mentioned, these important people? Mother, they’re my friends. Kalorain and I have a house here.” I pointed. “That one. That’s where you’ll stay when we’re in Sudden, and my friends, too.” I pointed again. “That’s the vendart’s house. We have dinner there once or twice a week. Of course, Luradinine is Kalorain’s mother, but she was one of my first friends here. I met her long before I met Kalorain. And Mother, remember how I said we’re at Indartha most of the time? Kalorain and I have a room in Sartine’s home. You will, too. And I hope you spend time with Luradinine, so you’ll have a room there, too.”
She didn’t say anything, and I continued to watch my hopes she would love the planet slip away. “Mother, Talmon is unlike Frantzland in almost every way possible. Some of them are obvious. The planet is beautiful, absolutely beautiful.” I held my arms wide and turned a circle. “Just being outside under this spring sun, with the breeze.” I sighed, smiling. “There are animals. They’re fun to watch. The food is as different as it could be, but it’s really good, Mother. But you can get that on most of the planets. Tarriton is beautiful, and maybe even more beautiful. Tarriton is halfway between Frantzland and Talmon. But the big difference here are the people.”
I smiled again and clutched her hands. “Mother, the people are so friendly. That’s going to be difficult for you. It only starts with names. That is nothing. If you go to a restaurant, you don’t just go in and sit down. You say ‘hello’ to everyone. If there are people you don’t know, someone introduces you. If you don’t know anyone, the owner or waitress or water boy or someone will introduce herself, and then she will introduce you to everyone else.”
“No,” Mother said.
“Yes. It was shocking at first. But you know what?” I told her about buying my horse and carriage. “And I made such friends,” I added. “I love my carriage. Wait until you see it. I have my own jumper now, too.”
“You have a jumper?”
“I told you.”
“You said Aunt Anna sent one for you.”
“I bought it, Mother. It was used, and she got a good deal. It’s great, and I love it. But you know? I’m far more proud of my carriage, even though it cost far less and isn’t really anything, but it’s the first thing like that I bought for myself. Mother, hav
e you even seen a horse before today?”
“No.”
“I have a horse. Sometimes I ride her, and sometimes she pulls my carriage. She and the carriage stay here, and Mordain uses her now, but they’re both mine. I paid for them both with money I made at my job, and I was able to buy them with confidence because I knew I could trust the people here. It didn’t matter I didn’t know a thing. I stood in a restaurant and told people what I wanted, and they helped me. The entire restaurant gave me suggestions, and then Masalarn sat down with me.”
“She was selling you a carriage.”
“She was being a new friend,” I said. “I bought a used carriage. I bet they hardly made anything selling it to me. But they took care of me. They took care of me really well, and they told me something. They told me they wouldn’t let me buy a bad carriage. And I believed them, not because they seemed honest but because this is Talmon.”
“You found your place here.”
“I did,” I said. “I know it’s different, but I hope you can try to see it through my eyes. Absolutely everything is going to be different, and you may hate that. But there are things here I was sure I would hate when I learned of them. There’s one, which I don’t want to tell you yet, that I was so sure I was going to hate, but it’s become something I love, just like everything else.”
She nodded. “Maddalyn, I love you so much, and I’m so happy to see you. You’re going to have to help me.”
“I will,” I said. “And you know? I’m not the only one who is going to help you.”
She looked around. “These four hundred other people will also help?”
“Yes,” I said. “They will, although some more than others.” I saw Pippa, Tranquility, and Serenity standing together, looking around. They saw me and began walking in our direction. So I leaned in close and said, “Mother, I want to tell you a secret.”
“Oh?”
“My friends? I made four friends on Tarriton. Three of them have come to visit. And we’re trying to convince them to stay. We could really use their help. That will be easier if they see you love the planet.”
“Do not attempt to manipulate me,” she said. But she smiled. “I’ll try, Maddalyn. Honestly, I will.”
“Good. You can practice. Remember, they’re Pippa, Serenity, and Tranquility.”