by Robin Roseau
"I don't want to be rude," I replied. "I'm trying to smooth things over."
"We can worry about that tomorrow," Juleena said. She eyed us. "Dinner in my cabin."
"And perhaps a game afterwards," Larien suggested. "We have a game to teach you, Princess."
* * * *
The hour grew late. We'd long given up cards and had all moved to Juleena's bed, a jumble of people and limbs. Juleena had her back to the headboard. I lay on my side, my head in her lap. Surprisingly, Larien was on the opposite side, facing the other way, with our foreheads touching. Juleena hadn't commented. Terél sat beside Juleena, her legs curled up, and but she and Juleena were sharing my hand and arm. The two maids were curled up around me, one behind, one in front.
It was quite cozy, and it felt really nice.
We'd been talking for a while, but it was difficult. Juleena's Altearan wasn't up to complicated conversations, but Féla and Terél spoke far less Framaran. Larien, Naddí, and I had been translating from one direction to another, but all of us had grown tired.
"I'm the odd one out," Juleena finally said. "That is not something to which I am accustomed."
Larien snorted at that but said nothing further.
"Féla and Terél are learning Framaran," I said. "This is temporary."
"No, actually, it isn't," Juleena said. "We're going to be going back and forth forever, and the other priestesses don't speak a word of Framaran." She sighed. "I was never as good with languages as Mother. Or you, for that matter, Yalla."
"I've had far fewer distractions when learning them than you have, Juleena," I said.
"Princess, did you just ask us to teach you?" Larien asked.
"I believe I expressed the necessity to learn."
"Will you hear my advice?"
"Yes."
"Do not ask Yalla to teach you."
Naddí snorted and quietly translated Larien's words into Altearan. That led to two more snorts.
"Hey!" I complained.
"Yalla has been a good student," Larien said, "but she speaks with an unexpected accent, and there are some sounds she is unable to make at all. To an Altearan, it is somewhat like she speaks with a lisp."
"I do not speak with a lisp."
"Somewhat like," Larien repeated. Then she switched to the language of the Goddess. "High Priestess, will you allow me to offer?"
"This should be interesting," I muttered. In Arrlottan. "Go ahead," I said in Altearan. Great, now we were speaking in four languages, not just two."
"Princess," Larien said, "I taught the High Priestess. Perhaps you would let me teach you."
"Ah," said Juleena, "but you taught her to speak with a lisp."
"Hey!" I complained again. "Perhaps Vérundia will loan us Ulla."
"And her stick," Larien said.
"There is little enough to do during our voyage," Juleena said slowly. "But shouldn't you be focusing on your high priestess?"
"She has her time with Terél," Larien said. "You and I could use the same time. And perhaps for casual conversations, we should all speak careful Altearan. You understand enough, and you would grow more confident."
"She ask permission you?" Juleena asked in her poor Arrlottan.
"Yes," I said. "She did. Perhaps you can pay her in words."
Juleena snorted. "I have no questions to ask her."
"Perhaps she'll give us time alone."
"What are chances?" Juleena asked. "What think you?"
"I think you would learn better from a native speaker than if I try to teach you."
"I not wish a lisp," Juleena said, resorting to Framaran for the last word. Around me, everyone chuckled. I didn't bother complaining.
* * * *
It was three days later that my ability to remain surrounded by those closest to me was pressed. With Naddí and Féla hovering nearby, Terél and I were engaged in a language lesson. Juleena and Larien were holding their own lesson, I thought in Juleena's cabin, and the two of them seemed to have reached a level of diplomacy I wouldn't have expected. But the rest of us were upon the main deck, wandering slowly up and down the railing while Terél quizzed me.
And that was when Captain Jalice stepped into our path. Terél and I came to a stop, facing the captain. From the corner of my eye, I saw Naddí and Féla move closer.
"Are you feeling better, Lady Yallameenara?" the captain asked me.
"The sea air is refreshing," I admitted. "Thank you."
She looked me up and down. "You appear fully hale. Will you join my table for dinner this evening?"
Naddí and Féla stepped even closer, and they weren't subtle about it. The captain noticed them and then considered Terél for a minute. She looked at the maids. She looked at Terél. Then she settled her gaze on me.
"Is there something I should know, Lady Yallameenara?"
"They're a little possessive," I said. "I believe the Goddess prefers I accept their eccentricities."
"What is she asking?" Terél asked. At that, Naddí stepped up to her shoulder and began to whisper into her ear. After a moment, Terél stiffened and clutched my arm more tightly. The captain watched all of this.
"It is only a meal," the captain said.
"You made us a promise, Yalla," Terél said into my ear.
At that, I nodded. "Perhaps, Captain, you could accept a meal at our table instead. It would solve several complications at once."
"Oh?"
I smiled. "Yes. Perhaps you would enjoy a meal unencumbered by the weight of practiced diplomacy."
At that, her lips curled for just a moment. But she cocked her head and looked pointedly between my three keepers. "Are they afraid I'm going to kidnap you and haul you to a foreign nation? Oh wait, that's what they did." Her last words were said with another curling of her lips, this one far less attractive. But she cocked her head the other way. "I thought perhaps they were protecting you, but perhaps they are worried for their own safety. I assure you, Lady Yallameenara-"
"Captain," I said, interrupting. "The Goddess herself dictated the terms of my return to Framara. Allowing my maids and priestesses to accompany me was just one of the terms. Unless you have a far larger table than I envision, I do not imagine your invitation was for five."
She looked into my eyes then said simply, "I don't have much to do with gods and goddesses."
At that, I smiled. "In Arrlottan, the language of my first ten and three years, there isn't even such a word, or if there is, I never learned it." I fingered my hair. "You can imagine my surprise to be presented with living evidence."
She stepped closer and lifted her hand, then hesitated. When I nodded, she ran her fingers through my hair. Then she leaned closer and examined carefully. I turned my head sideways and let her look all she liked.
"It was this long," I said, indicating with the side of my hand. "And a minute later, it was like this." I gestured at the full length.
"This is your evidence?"
"Of the Goddess? I saw her with my own eyes, Captain. We spoke at length. We touched. We hugged."
"The Princess spoke of a statue that formed."
"Yes. And then the statue was delivered directly to Queen Ralalta," I added. I smiled. "With notes written by the princess and myself. From conversations with the queen, and as best we can tell, the statue traveled from deep inside Alteara to the palace in less time than it would take for workmen to carry it from the front gates to its final location inside the palace."
She stepped back a half step, releasing my hair, and considered me. Then she looked to my escort. "The maids, too?" she asked.
"I'm afraid so. Perhaps you should consider me a particularly eccentric guest. But you would be quite welcome at our table."
She shook her head. "If the invitation must be for five, then the invitation is for five, and six if we count the princess."
"And what of Lady Margaletta?"
Her lips curled again, the attractive curl. "Did you know, Lady Yallameenara? Class and social standing are no
impediment in the Framaran Navy."
"Captain Jalice, are you of humble origins?"
"Most humble," she said. "And long after I became a ship's officer, in my own home I sat to table across from a maid."
"But that has ended since you became a captain?"
"First mate, actually. That was when my wife was able to retire from her position."
"I imagine you see many men and women akin to Lady Margaletta."
"Quite so. Do you know why it was Commander Raleet left to deal with her?"
"Because you would have thrown her over the railing?"
"Just so. I cannot imagine what the queen was thinking when she made me captain of a courier ship.”
"Probably the same sort of thoughts when she declared a humble girl of the Arrlotta 'Lady' and welcomed her into her home."
"Perhaps so. But you seemed to handle Lady Margaletta well."
"Would you like me to let her know my household will be joining you this evening?"
"Would you mind?"
"Not at all," I said. "Not at all, Captain. Thank you for understanding."
She offered me a small bow of her head and then stepped past me. Once she was gone, Naddí and Féla clustered closer.
"Thank you," Féla said in a low voice.
"Are you sure you aren't overreacting?" I asked.
"No," she and Naddí said together. "You're stuck with us until we're safely in the Heart of the Goddess. I hope you don't get tired of us."
"You take good care of me. Thank you." I sighed. "We've avoided that woman for three days. I suppose we should go find her."
"This is my time," Terél said. "You can see her after."
I laughed. "You're afraid."
"The Goddess asked us to work on your accent," Terél said, seeming to ignore my accusation. "Repeat after me..."
* * * *
Margaletta snorted. "Your maids are invited to the captain's table? That is quite inappropriate."
"I do not believe we have ever shared a table, Lady Margaletta, so perhaps you do not know this about me. But at times, I..." I leaned forward and spoke in a conspiratorial fashion. "... use the wrong fork." I leaned back. "I am not quite twenty and one years of age. Do you know the first time I saw a table and chairs, I was ten and three years old, only eight years ago? I think I have had more meals from atop a horse than I have where there were two forks. Two I can handle, but sometimes there are three, and sometimes even four."
"Lady Yallemeenara-"
"Lady Margaletta," I interrupted. "If the princess doesn't mind sharing a table with my household, I do not understand why you do."
She closed her mouth, her lips tight. When she finally spoke, her words were clipped. "Do you intend to undermine my diplomatic efforts in Alteara the way you have here?"
"Perhaps if you are engaging in diplomacy that involves me, you should talk to me first," I said. "I was unaware you were engaged in diplomatic discussions regarding the captain's table. However, if necessary, you may certainly inform the captain I will be unable to accept her invitation after all. Please let me know what she says so I have time to make other arrangements."
And then I turned my back on her and stepped from her cabin.
* * * *
I received no notice I should make other arrangements. I walked arm in arm with Juleena, the rest of my household clustered around us. Féla walked with Larien and Naddí with Terél. I would be excused from translating tonight. When we arrived at the captain's cabin, Margaletta had already arrived, and from the look of it, she'd been badgering the captain.
I thought she was a poor diplomat.
Greetings were exchanged, and I provided introductions to my household.
There were to be ten of us: six with my household and Juleena, plus Margaletta, Captain Jalice, Commander Raleet, and Lieutenant Commander Nurain. Raleet was the only man, but if that made him uncomfortable, he hid it well.
It would be a crowded table, although everyone in my household was small, and I didn't mind being cozy with them besides.
"We were discussing seating arrangements," the captain said, once introductions had been completed.
At that, Margaletta gave me a challenging look. I smiled sweetly. I glanced at Juleena, who subtly gave me the signal to do what I wanted.
"What has been decided?" I asked. "If you are worried I cannot leave Juleena's side-" And then I released her arm and stepped away from her. It took seconds before my household reassembled, and I found myself flanked by a maid on one side and a priestess on the other.
Juleena put on a mock pout, but she winked at me besides. "I seem to be without a dinner companion," she declared. "How unexpected. Captain, perhaps I could sit beside you, and one of your officers on my other side."
"You will take the head of the table, of course, Your Highness," Margaletta declared.
I snorted. It was quite deliberate. And then I began speaking in Altearan. "She reminds me of Vérundia, always trying to convince someone to take the head of the table."
"How well did that work for her?" Larien asked.
"At least it's not me this time," I said. "Are any of you willing to tell me how much the older priestesses hate me?"
"Is that a serious question, Yalla?" Terél asked.
"They have served the Goddess with years of devotion. They must feel they are owed some respect because of that."
"You were not disrespectful," Larien explained. "If anything, your actions should have been taken as a sign of respect. You did not feel worthy to take the seat of leadership when there were others with more age and experience."
"And knowledge of the ways of the Goddess," I said.
Margaletta watched all of this. Finally she spoke in clear, careful Altearan. "You know I understand every word."
"Do you believe anyone else in the room does?" I asked.
Margaletta looked around the room, her eyes settling on the princess for a moment. Juleena might have understood some of what we'd discussed, but so much was out of context that she wouldn't have really understood the conversation itself. She settled her eyes back on me.
"I'm sorry, Lady Margaletta, but I do not understand why it matters where anyone sits. Personally I like to sit near the people with whom I am most comfortable. At state dinners, Muranna could lean over to me and warn me if I forgot to place my napkin in my lap." My face clouded for a minute, then I intentionally smoothed it. "Or sometimes I prefer to sit based upon with whom I most wish to speak."
"That is not how it is done," she said firmly.
"Why not? Shouldn't we all be comfortable?"
"If you don't understand, I can hardly explain it to you."
"Of that, I have little doubt." I smiled and turned to the waiting table. I switched back to Framaran. "Captain, I am quite at a loss. Which is the head of the table?"
"Nearest the window," she said with a gesture.
"Ah, then perhaps if Juleena wishes to sit beside you, I could take the tail, unless that is rightfully Commander Raleet's place."
"Foot," muttered Margaletta.
"Ah, foot. Of course. Thank you for the language lesson, Lady Margaletta. Framaran is not my first language, and I still make mistakes."
"Be my guest," Commander Raleet said. "But could I sit near you?"
"And I?" asked Lieutenant Commander Nurain.
"It is complicated, but I must keep my household closest," I said, moving into place. "But if you each take the middle seats, then we have one left for Margaletta, up beside the captain, and everyone is happy. It is not so large a table we can not all talk across to each other."
And then, I'm sure breaking more protocols, I sat. Larien and Terél took the seats beside me, the maids beside them, and then, with only a little shuffling, the rest of the household.
With the captain at the head of the table where I thought she belonged. It was her table, after all. But if Juleena didn't care, Margaletta shouldn't have.
I don't know if there was some hidden signal, but
it was only moments later before there was a knock, and then two young sailors stepped in, perhaps only slightly older than I was when I arrived in Marport. One was a girl, the other a boy, and they were dressed in crisp, white uniforms. They each carried a bottle of wine, one red, one white, which they presented first to the captain, who gestured towards the princess, who gestured back to the captain.
The two servers poured wine for everyone, and then I gestured to the girl. "Is tea available as well?"
"Of course," she said. "I'll see to it."
"Thank you."
She didn't leave right away, and I realized she was staring at my hair. I smiled at her. Then she looked at Larien and Terél in turn. "Talk to one of my maids about it sometime, if you're curious," I said very quietly, and at that, she nodded.
The two left, and the captain picked up her glass. A moment later we all lifted ours. "To absent friends," she declared.
"Absent friends," echoed the other officers, who then sipped from their glasses.
But I stared at mine, and past it, at the captain. She didn't notice my reaction at first. But my household was watching me, and Juleena was carefully not drinking. And then the captain noticed me and perhaps my expression.
"Captain," Juleena asked quietly. "Why that toast?"
The captain looked at Juleena, then at me, then at Juleena, finally settling at me. "It is a toast to those lost at sea," she said.
I stared into my glass. Absent friends, lost at sea. Even that explanation didn't help, as I felt my absent friend, the one lost at sea, was lost to me through betrayal, not the vagaries of life. And so I stared into the glass, feeling the loss.
Then I felt a hand on my arm. I looked over, and Terél was offering a gentle look. She lifted her own glass and said in the language of the Goddess, "To new friends and fresh understanding."
At that I smiled. "Understanding," I said. And to that I could drink. And while only three of us understood her words, everyone sipped from her glass, even Lady Margaletta.
"I said something wrong, didn't I?" the captain said. Juleena leaned over and spoke, too low for me to hear, and the captains weak smile faded entirely. "Oh. Oh. Oh, Lady Yallameenara, I am sorry."
"It is nothing," I said. "I need to move past it. But perhaps if we share future tables, you can find another toast."