by Robin Roseau
“I’d like one,” Cecilia said. “And so would you, Vendart.”
Sartine laughed.
“Tell them how much,” Nalatine said. Tranquility had the number ready and then Nalatine made her count the coins, explaining, “She still makes mistakes, so I make her count them.” Then Tranquility passed out baskets and markers.
“Tell them.”
“Go inside,” Tranquility said. “Girl side.” She pointed. “We meet.”
Sartine gestured, but I held back and leaned on the desk. “Tranquility, are you happy?”
She beamed. “Yes. Happy. Easy. Fun. Good learn. Nalatine teach good.” Her grin widened. “Nalatine kiss good, too.”
“You better believe it,” Nalatine said with her own grin.
“That didn’t take long.”
“Her idea,” Tranquility said. “Surprise! Girl on. Fingers.” She wriggled her fingers at me. “Um. Tick.- ”
“Tickle,” Nalatine said.
“Yes. Tickle. Not stop I say yes.”
“She wouldn’t stop until I said yes,” Nalatine said.
Tranquility nodded. “She wouldn’t stop until I said yes.”
Nalatine smiled at me. “Maddalyn, it’s in fun. I made sure she knew. It’s just for now.”
And here, I’d been worried about Nalatine.
“Nalatine, did she tell you how old she is?”
“Yes. I don’t care. She’s beautiful, and she’s really sweet, and wow! She’s amazing in bed.”
I laughed. I knew that.
“She taught me that other dance,” Nalatine added. She fanned herself. “Are we going to have another barn dance? I think we should dance that style for the last hour.”
“Recommend it in the baths,” I said.
“I will,” she said. “You better catch up.”
I turned and ran for the dressing room.
* * * *
Serenity and Estalarn came to breakfast the next morning bringing rolls that Serenity had made. “All myself,” she declared, beaming. “Never before bake.”
“Congratulations,” Sartine said. She took a bite. “They’re very good.”
“Thank you,” Serenity replied. Then her tone changed. “Vendart.”
“Serenity.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Sartine said.
“Maddalyn.”
“Serenity,” I replied.
“Understand now. Good people. No one Tarriton do this.”
“Not on Frantzland either.”
“Vendart, want ask sister talk English.”
“Why?”
“One talk,” Serenity said. “Tranquility and me only.”
Sartine studied Serenity then said, “Permission granted.” Then she switched to English and repeated that but then said, “But you need permission for any conversations in English. So one conversation. If you want another, you must have fresh permission.”
“Thank you, Vendart.”
* * * *
I’m going to come back to Serenity and Tranquility in a minute, but Pippa was doing her own learning. Three weeks is not a long time to become proficient in a skill, but shortly before our trip to Indartha was to end, she came to dinner with Lishbain and Metarine. She brought a cutting board cut into the shape of an animal. I didn’t recognize the creature, but apparently Sartine did. Pippa presented her with the cutting board and said, “This is a gift for your kitchen, Vendart. I made it.”
“Pippa, it’s beautiful,” Sartine said. And it was. It appeared to be made of two different types of wood, glued together, and was smooth and rich in color.
“Best I can learn this fast,” she said. “Different tools.” She mentioned the tools, words I didn’t know. “They say come back, teach more.”
“She’s a good student,” Metarine said. “And a good dance teacher.”
“All family dance each night,” Pippa said. “Even little ones.”
* * * *
Mother and Laradain spent every minute together, and Mother’s Talmonese improved at least as fast as anyone’s. I was so pleased to see them getting along so well. And Mother seemed truly happy, happier than I’d ever seen her. I chalked it up to the beautiful location with fresh air, and perhaps that she wasn’t going to a job she didn’t really care for.
I was wrong, and I discovered this in a rather surprising fashion.
It was the night that Pippa had given the cutting board to Sartine. I wanted to talk to Mother about our next plans, so I knocked at her door. I heard a noise, so I turned the knob and stepped in.
On Talmon, few doors have locks. And for the first time since arriving, I thought perhaps they should.
Mother and Laradain were in bed together, and it was very, very clear what they were doing.
I stared for a good three seconds before I said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I backed out the door. A moment later, I heard giggling.
I closed the door and hurried to my own room, then leaned against the door. Kalorain looked at me then began laughing. “You are so clueless sometimes.”
“You knew!”
“Everyone knows,” she said. “Your mother had a love mark this morning, and Laradain had two visible in the baths yesterday. No, you didn’t notice. You didn’t notice they started eyeing each other even before we left the rejuvenation center. You didn’t notice your mother knew exactly whom she wanted to partner with. You didn’t notice that Sartine let her pick first.”
“Guest of honor!”
“Maybe,” Kalorain said. “They’ve been holding hands at dinner.”
“They have not!”
“And they’ve been practicing some of the more untamed dance steps.”
“Tranquility and Serenity dance like that together, and they’re sisters.”
“Well, Laradain and Felda aren’t sisters,” Kalorain said.
“I walked in on them.”
“That’s why we knock.”
“I did knock.”
“That’s why we wait for a response.”
“I thought I heard a response.”
“Poor baby. Are you scarred?”
“Yes. Hold me.” I crossed the room and into her arms. Kalorain laughed and pulled me to her. “I’ve never seen her show affection to anyone. She’s a different woman.”
“Talmon does that to people perhaps. Your mother has said over and over that you’re a different woman, too.”
“You did that.”
“I helped do that, but I wasn’t the only one,” she replied. “Do you like Laradain?”
“Yes, I do.”
“So no problem.”
I thought about it. “No, I suppose not.”
“Good. Before we leave Indartha, we are explaining what a Galatzi Trade is.”
I thought about it. “All right.”
“I understand this is difficult for star people to understand, and so we will be demonstrating.”
“All right,” I agreed again.
“You understand what I am saying.”
“You’re going to tie me in front of my mother.”
“That’s right.”
“I am your proud Galatzi wife, Kalorain. I only wanted to wait because I didn’t want to shock them before they got to know the planet.”
“Good. Tomorrow at dinner.”
“All right.”
* * * *
We turned and looked. Mother and Laradain were standing in the dining room doorway, clearly holding hands. Mother looked a little nervous, but Laradain smiled and nodded to her. “Vendart,” she said. “Felda wishes permission to speak in German.”
“Granted,” Sartine said.
The two of them stepped forward. Mother shifted weight and then looked at me. “I didn’t want you to find out that way.”
“I’m told I’m utterly clueless, and everyone else has known from the beginning. Mother, I was surprised, but I’m happy for you.”
“Good,” she said. “Frau Governor Grace, I am not sure I
completely understand, but Laradain said she has to go back to the rejuvenation center. I think she said she has to work there.”
“Yes,” Cecilia said. “Once she has completely recovered, she owes the center two years. This is how we’re staffing. We hope most of the people will learn English and help with new patients.”
Mother nodded. “Governor, I have a quandary.”
“Is this something I can help resolve?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Governor, the planet has sixteen rejuvenation pods. My daughter and her wife skipped rejuvenation so that I could come here. I don’t want to grow old, but unless you are far more successful than anyone seems to believe, it will be decades before you have sufficient pods for everyone.”
“Ah,” said Cecilia. “I think you should say the rest, Felda.”
“I wish to immigrate, Governor. It’s a little complicated, but I think Laradain has proposed marriage. She talked for a while, but it was too much.”
“Did she use the word ‘Galatzi’?” I asked.
“I don’t think so,” Mother said. “I don’t remember that word.” She turned to Laradain. “Galatzi?”
Laradain offered a puzzled expression then turned to me and began laughing. “I knew she didn’t understand. No, no. Your mother is not one for that, and while I might enjoy a Galatzi wife, I am not willing to play that role, either. I invited her to help raise children.”
“Ah,” I said. “Mother. Kalorain and I will explain Galatzi tonight when everyone is here. The Talmonese don’t marry in quite the same way others do. Instead, they commit for as long as the relationship is healthy. She has asked if you would help to raise children. That implies a lengthy relationship, but it might not be forever.”
“Two decades or more,” Mother said.
“Yes. What did you tell her?”
“I said ‘rejuvenation’ about ten times and that I had to speak to the governor. Maddalyn, I want to stay.”
Realization of what Mother was saying overwhelmed my emotions. I began crying. Mother and Laradain both moved forward and held me, and then Kalorain and Cecilia were there as well.
I looked for my wife. “Kalorain?”
“On this, I will support you, my Galatzi wife.”
I turned to Cecilia. “Governor. Could you hire her?”
“That would take Anna, and she hasn’t offered,” Cecilia said. “At least to get what you’re trying to get. There are other options.”
“She is owed. They both are, if they can get to a rejuvenation center that has room.”
“Yes.”
“We could alternate. Kalorain and I would go every ten years.” I looked at Mother. “Every ten years. You and Laradain, then five years later, Kalorain and me. We’d go in five years. You would have to wait ten.” I turned to Cecilia. “Can you do that, at least until we can fit more people here?”
“Yes, Maddalyn. I can do that.”
“Governor Grace, I wish to immigrate,” Mother said immediately. “And I would like to work at the rejuvenation center with Laradain, if you will hire me. But if Laradain and I are making babies, that has to happen at an imperial hospital. Do we have to wait ten years?”
“No, Felda. Two years, after Laradain has completed her service for the rejuvenation center. I’ll make it work.”
“Laradain,” Mother said. “I stay. I stay. Love you. Babies. Yes.”
And then the two embraced and kissed passionately.
And Even More
My mother was staying.
My mother was staying!
I could hardly think of anything else.
I don’t know how many times I thanked Cecilia. I asked her how she could make those promises. She smiled. “I saved money.”
“How did you do that?”
“I would have had to pay to send you and Kalorain to Frantzland. Two round trip tickets to Frantzland are twice as expensive as two round trip tickets to Tarriton. So I had a single one-way ticket from Frantzland, and the cost of the return trip, which I won’t have to pay, is nearly exactly the cost of sending both of them round trip to Tarriton.”
“So you didn’t save money, but it cost the same.”
“Well, and I didn’t lose you and Kalorain for as long as a year,” she added. “I’m way, way ahead, Maddalyn.” She grinned widely. “And while your mother may not speak English, she’ll learn. And she understands the technology. And I got that for Talmonese dollars only. She didn’t ask for a house or a jumper or even a buggy. She didn’t ask for an implant, like one of your friends wants. Plus I have her loyalty, and your gratitude.” She leaned back in her chair. “I am so, so far ahead.”
I laughed.
“But.”
“But?”
“She works for me, not you.”
“That’s probably best.”
“I’m glad we agree so readily,” she said. She laughed. “You know, just because I’m a Galatzi wife, and you are, and Chaladine is, it’s not the most common arrangement on the planet. You know that, don’t you?”
“She said it was complicated. What could have been more confusing?”
“Well, true.” She laughed again. “And now you have to explain it tonight.”
“Kalorain laid down the law last night,” I said. “That was already planned.”
“Ah. Good.”
“She said there will be a demonstration. She’s already talked to the vendart.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Every Galatzi wife will be involved.”
She stared, and I could see her trying to decide if I were teasing. Finally she shrugged. “If that is what my wife decides, that is what will be.”
“You’re not going to bluster?”
“Either you’re teasing or you’re not. I’m just as happy with my marriage as you are with yours. If Sartine wants to demonstrate, I don’t mind. We don’t usually play those games like some people I know, but that can be fun, too.”
“Have you always gravitated towards a submissive role in your relationships?”
She laughed again. “Never, but it’s different with Sartine. It means I can just relax once I’m home. I like the way she treats me. And it balances our relationship. It makes it impossible to step all over her, which would otherwise be the risk.” She paused. “Ready to talk about work?”
“Yes.”
“Cancel any commitments until our guests are no longer guests,” she said. “If anyone wants to see me, she can come here or we can meet in Sudden. In fact… No.”
“What?”
“I was going to tell you what to do with your staff.”
“Governor, we all work for you.”
“Consider this: Mordain would love to fly all over the planet.”
I thought about it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea unless Colonel Blue or Admiral Grace spend more time with her first.”
“She’s a good pilot.”
“She doesn’t really understand long distance navigation as well as I would like. She’s going to get lost, Governor, and she doesn’t know what to do if the jumper produces error codes.”
“All right. But otherwise?”
“Otherwise, yes, I think that would be good. You’re suggesting we set up some sort of airlines?”
“Talk to Arthur about it,” she replied. “Before you talk to Mordain, maybe.”
“Just Arthur? Is there a reason not to include the Colonel?”
“No reason at all, but she’s on vacation.”
“Then I’ll make it her choice if she wants to join us.”
“Good. When you cancel, tell them this isn’t permanent, but I’m tired of public relations trips. You go on some.”
“Yeah, no, or was that an order?”
“A strong suggestion.”
“I’ll go if I can take Kalorain and my mother-in-law.”
“That’s between the three of you,” she said. “Please go take care of cancelling everything so I know it’s done. I want to stop worrying about where
I need to be next week.”
“I will.”
But the first call I made was to Kalorain.
* * * *
Kalorain warned all the Talmonese what we were to discuss. We waited until dinner was over, and everyone was there. Well, not the entire village, but Sartine’s extended household with my friends and their hosts. We moved to Sartine’s ballroom, and there were already the things we would need.
“Kalorain and I want to explain a Talmonese tradition,” I said in English. Cecilia translated into German for Mother, and Margotain translated into Talmonese. I talked about the non-wedding customs and then I explained how I had learned about this tradition seated in this very house.
“But the Talmonese do have a wedding custom. Unlike English and German, they do not use different words for husband and wife. When we translate, we might use those words, but a better translation is spouse. This tradition is called a Galatzi trade.”
At that point, Kalorain took over. She explained the entire tradition.
And then Sartine said, “Cecilia is my Galatzi wife. I took her quite by surprise only a few days after we first met.”
“And boy, was I both surprised and angry,” Cecilia said.
Mother looked back and forth. “Maddalyn, you have called Kalorain your wife.”
“Yes,” I said. “And I am her Galatzi wife.”
And that was when nearly every Talmonese in the room pulled on a sash. They broke into two groups and grabbed Cecilia and me. We both laughed as they tied us in the traditional style. We were even gagged and pulled to the side before Sartine and Kalorain took turns explaining the rest, including the nature of the relationship.
Pippa began laughing and pointed to me. “Now everything makes sense! Oh, everything makes a lot more sense about the two of you. But why do you wash her feet, Kalorain?”
“Because we are in love, and she is not my servant. She is my Galatzi wife. It is my responsibility to see to her needs, and that is one way I remind her.”
Mother said, “Maddalyn asked me if Laradain invited this.” It was in German, and the two who could translate were both still gagged. Everyone stared at her, then Sartine began chuckling and removed Cecilia’s gag.
Mine would remain in place a while longer.
“She did,” Cecilia said. “But Laradain is not inviting that. Frankly, that’s not how it works. It is an arrangement between two vendarti, and as with me, it is not always with permission of the people to be in the trade.”