by Robin Roseau
That surprised me greatly.
Father insisted we begin speaking English to each other as much as possible, and if he overheard a casual conversation conducted in Talmonese that could have been held in English, he found creative ways to punish the participants. He even punished Mother and me one day, but then two days later, we caught him in a casual conversation with one of the horses, and he accepted our punishment with grace.
His argument that "the horse doesn't know English" didn't get him very far.
We didn't all learn at the same rate. Mordain was the clear winner, outstripping the rest of us. Mother and Father appeared to have the worst time of it, although they applied themselves as diligently as anyone.
All told, sixteen residents of Sudden worked very hard learning English while the Governor was gone.
Other than that, life went on. All the duties and responsibilities we had continued. Sudden still needed its Vendart, after all, and Father required the rest of us.
But he began moving many of my duties to my brother, Rordano. We didn't discuss why. But to make up for it, he gave me other duties. He told me to find three teenage boys and three teenage girls, all of them sixteen or a little older, willing to accept the Sudden half of a galatzi trade. I ended up with two boys and four girls ranging in age from sixteen up to twenty-one. Father then sent me to Malaratine's Cove, four days' journey north along the coast. I took the six galatzi trade offers with me, along with a troop of six couples. And so there were six from Sudden to offer as galatzi trades with thirteen of us as escorts.
"Do you wish me to trade all of them?"
"If you can. You can make additional stops on your way home, if you feel doing so would be fruitful. If you return with any, you can head south in a month or two."
I met with the Vendart of Malaratine, displaying our offer before him and his wife. He immediately offered to trade five for three, if I were one of the three.
"I am already promised," I said, "and am not part of these negotations."
And so he tried to turn his offer around, offering to take all six but giving me a choice of taking three from amongst all of Malaratine. I declined. "One for one," I said.
He and I went back for an entire afternoon. Finally his wife said, "These negotiations are over for now. We will host a dinner tonight. You will come."
The dinner was far less formal than events in Sudden, and the attendees were all older than I expected. No one was under twenty-five years of age, and some were quite elderly. Some of the people I met were very nice, and there were one or two I might have accepted in a trade. But some of the people were rude or dismissive, which surprised me.
At one point, I couldn't find Farratain, a sweet girl of sixteen, and when I finally found her, she was fending off unwanted advances by a man older than my father. He had her half out of her dress, and if it had taken me any longer to find her, he would have had the other half off as well.
I began screaming my head off, adding to the noises Farratain was making. I was still beating my fists against the man when the room filled with more people, a mix of people from Sudden and Malaratine.
It took three of them to drag me off the man. A sobbing Farratain found herself surrounded by her fellow villagers, the woman clustering around her to help her pull herself back together. I struggled to free myself, sufficiently enraged I would have killed the man if they'd let me go.
The Vendart arrived and demanded to know what was happening.
"That woman attacked me!" the man yelled, pointing at me. "She is a mad woman, and I demand she be whipped for what she has done."
"I came in here to find him forcing himself upon our galatzi trade offer," I screamed. "I demand you turn him over for trial in Sudden."
"There will be no trial in Sudden," the Vendart said immediately. "Any transgressions were committed in Malaratine, and so any trial will be held in Malaratine as well." He looked around for a moment, then turned his attention on the man.
"Soridano," he said, "What happened?"
"I was talking to the galatzi trade offer when that woman-" he pointed to me, "arrived. She threw herself on me. Look! My clothing is torn, and she struck my face. I'm sure you can see."
"Damned right I hit him," I said. "He wasn't talking to Farratain. He was ripping her clothes from her."
"These are serious accusations," the Vendart said. "You admit to attacking him, and so the only question is whether he was, indeed, forcing himself inappropriately. Were there any other witnesses?"
Farratain stepped out from her circle of protection. "I am a witness. Soridano was very gracious in public. He offered to introduce me to someone he thought I would like very much. He lured me here, all smiles, but when we arrived, there was no one else here. He told me he desired me, and said we should get to know each other better. By that he meant he wished to... to touch me. To kiss me. When I attempted to leave, he wouldn't let me go. He forced a kiss upon me. His breath is horrible! He clasped my breast, and he popped the buttons of my dress while attempting to force me."
"She lies," Soridano said. "I sought only a sample before deciding if I would claim her for the galatzi trade."
"You will never have her!" I yelled. "You will have no one from Sudden." I turned to the Vendart. "He admits his guilt."
"Actually," said the Vendart. "He doesn't. He admits to asking for a kiss."
"He asked for a 'sample'," I said, "and he wasn't satisfied when Farratain said 'no'. Look." I pointed. "She must hold her dress closed. Is that how Malaratine treats a galatzi trade offer? Furthermore, why is everyone here so old? Why does someone like this man think he has a right to our galatzi trade offer?"
"Soridano has been a trusted advisor to me my entire time as Vendart. I promised him first choice."
I stared at the man, then I said coldly, "His guilt is clear. I demand he be punished."
"I never forced the girl," Soridano said. "She came willingly, and she played the coquette, but if her dress is torn, she did it herself after this crazy woman arrived to cast blame on me. She was here willingly."
"I came to this room willingly, but what happened once the door closed was not done at all willingly," Farratain replied.
I was proud of her.
The Vendart looked back and forth between Soridano, Farratain, and me. Finally he said, "I find this is a case of he said, she said, and we cannot arrive at the truth." He studied Soridano for just a moment then turned to me. "You did not damage him beyond a few bruises. You will pay restitution for his clothing, which you admit to damaging."
I stood in shock. "Tell me, Vendart. Is this how other galatzi trades to Malaratine should expect to be treated? You will give 16-year-old girls to ancient, odious creatures such as that shriveled excuse for a human being?" I pointed to Soridano. "And when they object, you will accuse them of lying about it? When they are rescued from someone like that, you will also expect the rescuer to pay restitution for preventing a crime? Is that what you are telling me?"
I didn't wait for an answer. I pulled my money pouch from my belt and threw it to the vendart. "People of Sudden, we are leaving. Immediately."
We didn't wait but filed swiftly from the room. The further we got from the scene of the crime, the angrier I became. I began to hurry my people, urging them to even greater haste.
"We need to get out of here before they realize we will tell all of Talmon what has happened here," I said quietly. "Keep moving. We ride through the night. Go."
We barely collected our things from the inn where we had stayed, and I wouldn't even let anyone take time to change out of their finery. We rode for an hour before I pulled us well off the trail and called a break.
"Change in shifts," I said. "Six on guard at all times."
And so we took turns, shifting into more appropriate traveling clothes. I knew our finery would have suffered abuse, but there was no reason to make it worse. Once I had changed I pulled Farratain into my arms. "Are you all right?"
"Thank you, C
haladine," she said, clutching at me. "Thank you."
"I'm so sorry," I said. "I cannot believe anyone of Talmon would behave in this fashion. I am especially shocked they would treat someone of Sudden in that way. I'm so sorry, Farratain."
"It wasn't your fault, Chaladine," she said. "I'm sorry you had to pay for saving me."
"Don't worry about that," I said.
"Chaladine, I wish to withdraw my offer to be a galatzi trade in this fashion. I wish to only be traded if the Vendart of Indartha or the Imperial Governor is involved."
I stilled. It hadn't even occurred to me to do anything but hurry them all home. Farratain continued to hold me, and I held her, but I didn't say anything.
"Are you angry at me?" she asked. "For changing my mind."
"No, Dear," I told her. "No. I had thought to take you all back home."
"Sudden needs galatzi trades," she replied. "Don't we? Mordain and I are friends, and I see how happy she is. And she says her sister is a good woman. And the Governor is a good woman, too."
"We'll take you home, and then if you wish a galatzi trade, we will discuss it with the Governor and the Indartha Vendart."
"Thank you, Chaladine." She hugged me more tightly.
A few minutes later we were again on our way, and we continued south. If Malaratine's Cove sent any pursuit, we never saw them, and we pulled into Beacon Hill shortly after sunrise. We rode straight to the Vendart's home, dismounting in the courtyard before his front door. We were all weary, and our horses were exhausted. I hoped for refuge for a few days.
It was a younger son that met us. I introduced myself, stressing that I was the eldest daughter of the Vendart of Sudden, and begged to see the Beacon Hill Vendart immediately.
"I will find Mother," the boy said. He looked around, and I could tell he didn't know what hospitality to offer us.
"If your mother will be more than a few minutes," I said, "then perhaps she will give you direction what to do with us. Please apologize to her for me."
We remained alone for ten minutes. My people clustered together, but I stood apart. I was still quivering with anger -- and shame. I had led this party. It wasn't my first galatzi trade mission, but it was perhaps the biggest.
I vowed... I don't know what I vowed. I vowed to never let something like this happen to someone under my charge again.
It took perhaps ten minutes, and then a woman stepped out the front door. The young boy who had greeted us was with her, but he fell behind. She had clearly dressed in a hasty fashion, but she moved quickly to me. "I am Luradinine, Vendart of Beacon Hill."
"Chaladine, eldest daughter of the Vendart of Sudden," I said. We clasped hands. "I apologize for our unexpected arrival. We have ridden through the night, seeking shelter."
"Is someone of your party ill?" she asked.
"No. We had an unfortunate incident and wished to be free of it. Sudden begs refuge."
"Sudden does not beg," she said. "You shall have refuge." She turned and called out to her son. "Wenelopid. Attend me!" The boy hurried to his mother. "Show these people to the stables and help them settle their horses, then bring all of them home. We shall see to their needs."
"Yes, Vendart," the boy said. His mother gave him a quick hug, and then he was hurrying. I told my people to go with the boy, and then I followed the Vendart into her home. She led me to a small sitting room, closing and locking the door.
"I know you have needs, but I believe your first need is to explain what has happened."
And so I told her, concisely and without embellishment. Her lips tightened during the telling.
"What an idiot," Luradinine said when I was done. "Both of them, actually. We haven't had this type of problem with Malaratine's Cove before, but we have had other disputes. We no longer trade with them. The old vendart was a good woman, but her eldest son is a weak idiot and is beholden to corrupt advisors, men and women alike."
"My father spoke well of the old vendart," I admitted. "I do not believe he knew the situation had gone downhill, or he wouldn't have sent us there."
"Undoubtedly not. All right. Your horses require rest, at least a few days. You require shelter and succor. And your girl requires friends and comfort." She stood up but gestured me back to my seat. I watched as she moved to the door and called out loudly, "Darratine! Kalorain! You are needed." She repeated the names before withdrawing from the doorway, leaving the door open.
"Chaladine, will you allow me to take charge?" she asked me.
"This is your town, Vendart," I replied.
"These are your people. Does the girl in question have friends amongst your party?"
"We are Talmonese," I replied. "We are all friends, or so I thought. But I believe she had a falling out with her closest friends from Sudden, and that was why she accepted this expedition."
"Well then, my daughters share a double room. I believe we will declare an extended slumber party between their two rooms. How many of your party are galatzi trade offers?"
"Four girls, two boys." I explained. And then I explained what Farratain told me.
"Well, the girls will stay with my daughters. Are the two boys well-behaved? They are somewhat older than my youngest son, and his older brothers live in the homes of their wives."
"Wives?" We didn't usually use that word.
"I know," she said. "But they are both enamored, and the girls in question treat them well. They have all declared these are to be permanent relationships."
"The boys will treat your son with respect," I said. "I will see to it."
"We have spare rooms for the rest of your party, if they do not mind sharing." She paused. "Is there someone who shares your bed?"
"No, although I am not available for a galatzi trade."
She smiled. "Well, you are nearly a Vendart yourself. And so perhaps we should share a room. I have a large bed, or we can bring in a second bed."
"You don't need to do this."
"Nonsense. Unless my offer offends you, we will do this my way."
I bowed to her. "We place ourselves in your hands, Luradinine."
At that point, two girls, one perhaps nineteen or twenty and the second a year or so younger, appeared in the doorway. "You called for us, Mother?"
"Yes. This is Chaladine, eldest daughter to the Vendart of Sudden. They are on a galatzi mission."
"Really?" said the eldest daughter. She smiled.
"Your youngest brother has shown the rest of Chaladine's party to the stables, and is directed to return here with them, but I require you to run ahead. Find a girl named Farratain. I want you to treat her very gently, as she is probably somewhat fragile. Bring her back here. I need you to both be your most charming and most gentle."
"Yes, Vendart," said the oldest.
The two girls turned away, moving quickly, their mother ushering them out of the room. From the doorway, she called out another name, then again retreated to me. I found myself watching her, marveling.
She smiled to me. "You find my style unsettling."
"You are very different from Father," I said.
"Of course I am," she admitted. She took a seat next to me, turned sideways to face me. "I know you are tired, and we shall get some warm food into all of you, and then we shall settle you in to rest. I think perhaps today and tonight shall be a night just for the household, but perhaps you will allow Beacon Hill to serve where Malaratine's Cove failed. Will you allow a reception and consider a trade?"
"I would," I said.
"Is it your intention to trade half your offers, and make matches for the other half?"
"Father is fond of inviting galatzi trades into the household," I said. "He told me to arrange trades for everyone I brought, if I am able, and to return with our trades. I'm sorry. Unless you come to Sudden, I can not introduce your trades to their future wives and husbands."
"Well then, can I count on you to arrange only happy trades? They should have a choice."
"And you will allow ours a choice?"
/> "Of course. We shall allow everyone to choose."
"Agreed."
We sat quietly for a few minutes, both of us lost in our thoughts, but we smiled to each other. I hadn't really looked at her before, but she was a lovely woman, somewhat older than I was, but not old. I thought perhaps she had been a young mother and a very young vendart. But she was full of energy and kindness, and I found myself comforted by her.
I felt we were safe in Beacon Hill, and I thought perhaps she was helping to rescue my failed mission.
We smiled at each other, but said little. And then there was a commotion at the door. We looked over, and the daughters filed in, drawing Farratain with them. The girl saw me and pulled away from the other girls, hurrying to me.
Luradinine and I stood up, and I pulled Farratain into my arms.
"Farratain," I said. "This is Luradinine, the Vendart of Beacon Hill. You have met her daughters."
She turned to the vendart, who opened her arms welcomingly. Farratain glanced at me, and I nodded, so she went to the Vendart and allowed herself to be enveloped.
"You are safe here, Child," Luradinine said. Then behind Farratain's back, she gestured to her daughters and to me, and soon Farratain found herself enveloped in a five-way hug.
"Thank you," she said after a few minutes. "I'm all right. He didn't hurt me, at least not very much." She looked over at me. "If Chaladine hadn't come along, I don't know what would have happened."
"Darratine, Kalorain, there are four girls and two boys on this galatzi mission. Would you mind hosting a slumber party for a couple of nights?"
"Including the boys, Mother?" Kalorain asked. She made a face.
"Oh no. They shall be in the other wing, with your brother."
"We would love a slumber party," Darratine said.
"Our guests have traveled through the night, and so we will let them recover for several hours." Luradinine summarized the plans, finally saying, "Farratain, my daughters will take gentle care of you, and your friends will join you when they arrive."