by Robin Roseau
I frowned. "You must provide someone in trade or offer me something more."
It was her turn to frown. "Arranging a galatzi trade for you, with someone I trust to take care of you, is going to be difficult enough."
"You are offering me a great deal, Cecilia," I told her. "But the trade must not be balanced for only me. It must be balanced for Sudden."
"You will return with an education unavailable on Talmon."
"Sudden must not be bereft for twenty years -- or even longer, if I bear children."
She blue out a puff of air, disturbing her hair for a moment.
"Can you do this, Cecilia?"
"I can," she replied. "I cannot promise an eldest child."
"In recognition of the unusual nature of this galatzi trade," I said, "I do not require an eldest child."
She blew out another puff of air. I sat quietly, waiting for her to decide. "All right," she said finally. "I will think about this a little further, but I will be talking to Sartine about it as well. I will give you a final answer before we return you to Sudden. Chaladine, if I agree to do this, then when we come to take you, you will allow us to tie you without resistance, and you will accept whatever final offer I present to you. This is too complicated to ask me to do all this if you are going to change your mind later."
I smiled broadly. "Thank you, Cecilia."
"I do not know if this trade is with House of Grace, the Governor, or the Vendart of Indartha. It may be a combination of all three. You will not learn this until the night we take you."
"Thank you," I told her again.
She stood, and then a moment later we were hugging. I kissed her cheek and thanked her a third time.
"Don't thank me too heavily yet," she said. "I haven't given my final agreement. I need to consider my options."
I smiled with my cheek pressed against hers, my lips near her ear. "But you're going to do it. You're just figuring out how now."
"Maybe," she agreed. "There is one more requirement."
I pushed away. "On Talmon, we do not change the nature of a trade after agreement is reached."
"I am going to give you your own tablet, and you are going to learn English."
"Oh," I said. "I agree to this modification of our agreement."
She smiled. "I rather thought you might."
* * * *
I would have frozen to death, I was sure of it, if Mordain hadn't offered her bed. She laughed as I pressed against her, and then she turned around and wrapped her arms around me.
But even with her warmth, by morning, I was entirely buried under the covers with nothing at all poking out. Mordain burrowed after me, giggling. "It's time to get up, Vendart's Daughter. Go stir the fire. I'm sure I'm far too young to be trusted with it."
I stuck one foot out from under the covers and hastily snatched it back. Mordain just laughed.
"What's the matter, Chaladine?" she asked.
"You're enjoying this far too much." I rolled over to face her. "Aren't you cold?"
"Not currently," she replied. "You're awfully warm. But I admit, it seems a little cold outside the covers." She grinned. "What is it worth to you if I build up the fire?"
"That's... that's..."
"Carefully timed negotiating tactics."
I thought about it. "I brought you here. That means you have to make sure I don't freeze to death."
"You wouldn't freeze to death. It just might seem like it."
"You're not as funny as you think you are."
She grinned again. "Yes, I am." Then she sobered. "Chaladine, before we went to Sudden when I was fourteen, my sister gave Hilopid and me some advice. I am going to tell you what she said, and then you will decide for yourself."
"All right."
"She told me that visiting a strange place can be scary, but you cheat yourself if you don't make the most of it, even the parts that are intimidating."
I stared for a moment. "Did you just tell me I should go stir the fire? I'm sure it went out."
"Probably," she agreed. "No. I'll get the fire going for us. I won't even do what I normally do."
"What is that?"
"Take the covers with me."
I clutched them tightly. "You wouldn't!"
"I would normally, but I think you need them more than I do. I was more thinking about later today, when we go skiing. When are you ever going to get another chance?"
I shivered at the thought.
"It might be cold. You know, it's not that we're immune to the cold. We just accept it, bundle up carefully, and keep moving. If you sit and think about how cold you are, it's a lot worse."
I stared into her eyes. She smiled again.
"You could, right now, if you had to, in your bare feet, wearing nothing more than you are now, climb from the bed, use the water closet, walk downstairs, step outside, and run twice around the house before coming back inside."
"You're insane."
"You could do it if you had to," she repeated.
"I suppose."
"I don't recommend going outside barefoot in the winter," she said. "You can damage your feet. But if you had to, you could. Well, after you do that a few times, you learn to realize it's not as bad as it seemed the first time. But if you never do it, then it remains bad forever."
"You're a smart girl," I replied.
"No. Sartine taught me that, too."
"Well, your big sister is a smart woman."
She reached over and clasped my hands. "Thank you."
"For bringing you? That was Blaine's idea."
"No. For making it easier for me when I came to Sudden. I was so afraid, and so sure I wouldn't have any friends. Thank you, Chaladine." Then she leaned forward and kissed my nose, giggling.
"You're welcome, Mordain," I said. I took a big breath. "I'll help you with the fire."
"I'll do it you promise to do your best when we go skiing," she said. "Promise?"
"I promise."
She grinned.
"I don't know whose clothes you're going to borrow. You won't fit into Sartine's or Cecilia's, and I don't have enough here anymore for both of us. You might have to dress in some of Hilopid's."
"If they keep me warm, then I don't care."
"You know I'm going to take pictures with my tablet."
"I don't care about that, either." Then I paused. "Cecilia gave me a tablet, too, with the same program she put on yours."
"You're going to learn English?"
"Do you want to learn together?"
"Yes!" She clapped her hands. "Yes. I do."
"Then I think we should ask Cecilia to speak English at us today, as much as she can, so we get used to the sounds."
"That's a good idea," Mordain said. "All right. It's going to get a little colder under here when I climb out. You aren't going to die from the cold. I promise."
I sighed. "I'm ready."
She was right. As she slipped from under the covers, a little of the cold air slipped in to bite at me, and I immediately missed her warmth besides.
But I didn't die from the cold.
* * * *
Mordain was so pleased to spend time with her brother and sister that, after receiving permission from my father and her husband, we stayed for several extra days. Cecilia was delighted by our idea for her to speak English to us, and after that, she spoke very little Talmonese until it was time for us to finally leave. We spent hours with them every day, most of it outside, and while it was, indeed, quite cold, they bundled me up even more than they dressed themselves. I enjoyed my time with them immensely.
I loved watching Sartine and Cecilia together. They had a complicated relationship, but they were clearly very happy together. They kissed and touched constantly, it seemed, and the looks they gave each other were clear. I could not have told you who was more in love.
But they both had duties as well, so when they were busy, Mordain and I practiced our English or she introduced me to her friends around town.
Fi
nally, it was the night before we were to depart. Over dinner, Cecilia switched to Talmonese. "Chaladine, I have considered your request. I require a conversation with your father."
"I told you that you were negotiating with me."
"I am negotiating the overall terms of the agreement with you. But I believe your father will have some control over these terms as well, and I require his agreement. Do you wish me to speak more plainly?" She glanced at Mordain.
"You are agreeing to my terms?"
"If your father agrees to mine, yes."
I lowered my eyes. "Thank you, Cecilia."
She and Sartine flew us themselves. Mordain wanted to sit in front again, but she was relegated to the second row of seats beside me. Cecilia handled our departure from Indartha and our arrival in Sudden, but Sartine did the flying in between.
She grinned almost as much as Mordain.
We landed, and it was a relief to be away from the cold of Indartha, although if I received an offer to return, I would accept it. I said that part out loud.
"So would I," Mordain said.
"We'll see," was all Cecilia would promise. She turned to me even before I was out of my seat. "I require an audience with your father. Sartine and I would love an invitation to dinner, either tonight or tomorrow. Perhaps there could even be a little dancing afterwards. It is rude to invite myself."
"You know Mother would love to see you," I said. "I'll see what I am able to arrange."
Mother was, indeed, delighted to invite the Governor for dinner. "But it is too late to arrange musicians."
"I bet Cecilia can provide music," I suggested.
"I suppose she can," Mother agreed. "All right. It will be an informal dinner with family and friends, but they must receive a proper invitation. Invite Mordain and Balotorid as well. See to it, Daughter."
"I will, Mother."
* * * *
I was nervous over dinner, wondering if Cecilia intended to bring everything up in front of my entire family. Instead, she, Father, Mother, and Sartine kept the conversation flowing on other topics.
Sartine expressed pleasure in spending time with her sister, and the two of them clasped hands. She thanked Balotorid for allowing his galatzi prize so far from home.
Balotorid was a large man, but as gentle as a kitten, and he doted over his wife. "I find it impossible to deny my galatzi wife," he said, offering her face a caress. But the look she gave him was clear, as well.
Father had arranged a good match for both of them.
"Has your galatzi wife told you of her agreement with Sartine's galatzi wife?" Cecilia asked.
"No," Balotorid replied. "But she did tell me of an agreement with the Imperial Governor of Talmon."
Cecilia laughed. "I suppose that is far more accurate." She turned to Sartine. "I am sorry, Darling. I am not always your galatzi prisoner."
Sartine smiled at her wife.
And then I saw Mother and Father were holding hands besides.
Really, the love in the room was far too much, far too much indeed.
"What do you think of your wife's agreement with the Governor?" Cecilia asked.
Balotorid smiled again. "As I said, I am unable to deny her. She really must learn English first?" He stumbled over the word, but we all understood.
"It is the first of my requirements," Cecilia said. "It is not the last, but I will not explain further until she will understand me in my native language. That will be some time."
"I'll study hard," Mordain promised immediately.
"I have no doubt," Cecilia replied. She turned to Mother. "Valtine, dinner is lovely, as always."
"Thank you, Cecilia," Mother replied. "I remember this is one of your favorites."
"We cannot readily get it in Indartha," she replied. "We do not have all the ingredients."
"Why do you not fly them there?" Rordano asked. "Couldn't you do that?"
"I could, but then it wouldn't be such a treat when I come here," Cecilia replied. "There is a temptation when one travels to distant lands. One grows accustomed to the flavors of childhood, and there is a temptation to bring those flavors with us, everywhere we go. But if you do that, then you miss the chance to learn new flavors. I am still learning new flavors in Indartha, and others from the various villages I visit. I much prefer to eat as if I were a native of where I visit. Do you see?"
My brother cocked his head. "I think so. But I would miss Mother's cooking if I went away."
"I still miss my mother's cooking," Cecilia said. "She makes a dish called farvalla stew. It is a simple dish, and quite common on Centos Four, but Mother's is unlike anyone else's. Even though I learned to cook from her, my farvalla stew does not taste like hers, and so when I come to visit, she'll make it for me, knowing what a treat it is for me."
Then she smiled. "Speaking of my parents... Sudden Vendart, I will be inviting my parents to visit. They will spend most of their time in Indartha with My Vendart and me, but could I be so rude as to request you to host an event or two for them?"
"We would be delighted!" Father said with gusto. "Do you know when they will arrive? We will plan for months!" Then he turned to Mother. "With your permission, of course."
"Of course we will plan for months. Will we have months to plan, Cecilia?"
"We may have years to plan," she replied with a grin. "But before you become too pleased, I must make sure you understand. My family may quite choose to descend upon the planet. You know I have a sister." We all nodded. "When last we talked, my sister was between partners, but that could easily change, and she may even have new children, although I believe I would have heard if that is true. But I will be inviting my sister, my children, my grandchildren, and of course, their children. My sister would also invite her children and grandchildren, and I won't be at all surprised to discover she is a great-grandmother."
"Everyone is welcome," Mother said. "You know that, Cecilia. If Indartha is too cold for them, they are welcome to stay here in Sudden. We will happily see to all their needs."
"I do not know who will wish to come. I know my parents will; they have always come when I've invited them in the past. But my sister may not be free on the same schedule. And so we shall see." She smiled. "It may be that a few members of my family will wish to live on Talmon for a while."
"Why would they do that?" Sartine asked. "If they could live on Centos Four?"
Cecilia gestured. "This," she said. "Talmon is a beautiful planet, with natural wonders and a warm, welcoming people. People everywhere covet new experiences, and living closer to the land is a welcome experience. Nowhere is crowded, but it is one thing to live in a small village on Centos Four, where all the technology of The Empire is right at hand, and on a world such as Talmon, where only a small taste of technology is available." She paused. "I spent four years living and surviving on my own on a planet called Yagos Four. Yagos Three is a planet much like Centos Four, if somewhat warmer, but Yagos Four is somewhat harsher, and very few people live there permanently. I pitted my wits against the planet, and while I did not thrive, it was an experience I would not have bypassed. Talmon is far more pleasant than Yagos Four. Even Indartha is more pleasant than most of Yagos Four."
"Hey!" complained Sartine. "That's our home you're talking about."
Cecilia grinned at her wife. "You know I love living in Indartha, but you must also admit it is a difficult place to live, especially in the winter."
Sartine sighed. "She has made Indartha a center of Imperial technology on Talmon. Every home has electric power. We have a modern waste treatment plant, and there is hot and cold running water in every home."
"Shh!" Cecilia said. "You're weren't supposed to tell! Now Baardorid is going to want the same things for Sudden."
"Oh please. You already planned the installation with him."
"Yeah, but maybe he forgot, and I could have used my little presents for negotiating tools." Cecilia sighed dramatically, her hand to her forehead. "I suppose next you think I'm going to
give power to the entire planet."
"Um. Isn't that your ten-year plan?"
"Shh!" Cecilia said. "They don't know."
Sartine shook her head then turned to Baardorid. "Sometimes I wonder if the galatzi wife you traded to me isn't a little too young for me. She acts like such a child."
There were chuckles at that, made worse when Father said, "I do not believe it is that she is too young. I believe we see the signs of advanced senility."
Cecilia's eyes flashed. "That word had better not mean what I think it means!"
Everyone, except the Governor, laughed. "I think, my sweet," Sartine said, "it means exactly what you think it means." She tried to take Cecilia's hand, but Cecilia wouldn't let her.
Then she smiled. "I believe I told everyone quite clearly how old I was before I let you thrust this job on me. If I suffer from senility, what does it say that you all demanded I become your governor?"
"Maybe that a senile governor who loves the planet and its people is better than one with a fully functioning brain who doesn't," Father suggested.
"Or perhaps we felt it was a job that didn't require someone with all her faculties," Mother offered.
"Valtine!" Cecilia said. "Now you join the rabble uprising?" She smiled. "You know, I was going to talk to Baardorid about equipping all of Sudden with electricity, but I can't remember why I would do that. Fessen is smaller and would be much easier to work with next."
"You see?" Sartine asked. "She already forgot her plans were supposed to be secret. I believe your theory is better than mine, Baardorid."
The remainder of the meal was dominated by gentle teasing, and Cecilia was far from the only target.
Finally, the meal began to wind down. Mother said, "Cecilia, we have missed you in our home. I hope you and Sartine understand how welcome you are here. I know your schedule is hectic, but please do not stand on ceremony in the future. You are always welcome and must only indicate when you are available."