by Robin Roseau
"Oh," said Luradinine. "It isn't a table. It is a piano. A type of musical instrument."
"It's so big."
"And my son plays beautifully," she said. "Will you dance with me?"
She anticipated her daughter, who said, "You should all pick dance partners. We'll play two songs, and then we'll go back to stories. But everyone has to dance." She looked around staring here and there to make her point. We laughed.
And so everyone rose, forming partnerships. I saw Farratain was with Kalorain. Darratine made sure everyone was ready, and then she picked up her violin and whispered to her brother.
A moment later, music like I never had heard before began to come forth from the piano. Shortly after, Darratine joined in with her violin. And then I was dancing with Luradinine.
She was a joyful dancer. We didn't talk; we simply danced to the music. It was lovely.
Some of the dancers exchanged between songs, but neither Luradinine nor I made any attempt to separate
* * * *
We stayed up moderately late, dancing, telling stories, or sometimes just listening as this person or that one played a song or two for us. We sang a few songs and drank more cider.
But it grew late, and finally Luradinine said, "It is time for everyone to travel to her bed for the night. I expect there will be a certain amount of giggling from some rooms, but I do not want anyone staying up too late."
"And if one were to traipse past your bedroom door, Mother," Darratine asked, "What sorts of noises might she hear?"
"She would hear the sounds of two women finding joy in each other," Luradinine said immediately. "But the guests you host are here as galatzi trade offers, and so I had better not hear similar noises from your bedroom."
"You wouldn't!" Darratine said. "We know how to be quiet."
I couldn't help it. I laughed.
And so, Luradinine and I ushered everyone off to their rooms, seeing to it they were settled in and had their needs met. Twenty minutes later, hand in hand, we approached her bedroom door. She pulled me to a stop just outside the room.
"There is no dishonor if you have changed your mind."
"I haven't, but perhaps-" She covered my lips with her own, and her intentions were clear.
I let her draw me into her room. She turned me to face her and said, "I want you to let me do everything tonight, Chaladine. Please."
"All right," I agreed.
And so she began. She undressed me, and she took her time, kissing my skin as she exposed more and more, her hands touching everywhere as well, teasing me alive, and I stood aquiver long before she removed the final stitch.
Then she walked around me, trailing her fingers over my bare skin. "You are amazingly beautiful," she said throatily. She took my hands. "Come."
She pulled me to the bed, then pushed me down gently atop the covers, crawling onto the bed after me, helping to position me exactly where she wanted me. She knelt above me, looking down, smiling at me.
Then she went back to touching and caressing me, brushing me with her lips or teasing me with her tongue.
It was excruciating and wonderful.
Whenever I reached for her, though, she pressed my hands back to my sides. "You promised," she said. And so I nodded.
Slowly, while still teasing me, she withdrew her own clothing, setting them aside one piece at a time before returning to drive me even crazier for her. I squirmed madly and moaned frequently.
Finally, she was as naked as I was, and she moved up my body, pressing me to the bed with hers, and she kissed me deeply, holding my head while she did so. I parted for her, and she invaded me, searching deeply, and even more I melted from the heat.
But then she broke the kiss, lowering her lips to my neck. She kissed her way to my ear, then she spoke. "Tonight you are mine."
"Yes," I agreed.
"And tomorrow as well."
"Yes. Please let me hold you." She nodded, and so I wrapped my arms around her.
"And during our trip to Sudden, you remain mine," she declared. "And you remain mine until I depart Sudden a few days later. Do you agree?"
"I agree, Luradinine. Yours."
She shifted on the bed, and then her lips moved to a nipple. She teased me awake, and then the other, and her hands didn't stop moving.
She took her time, but finally her hand reached my center. She used a leg to nudge mine wider, and I opened to her.
She teased me for a long time before she parted my lips, and then she teased longer before she entered me.
I was so worked up, it took very little before I cried out in my bliss.
* * * *
We made love for hours, some of the best hours of my life. She gave much to me, and she took from me what she desired, crying out my name more than once. But finally, we lay quiet, nestled in each others' arms.
"Thank you," I whispered to her, and moments later, I slept.
Trades
"This is a lovely party," I commented to our hostess. "However did you arrange it so quickly?"
"There are three important keys to successful leadership," she said. "Delegate, delegate, delegate."
I laughed.
Together, we watched over the party. Several of the village girls took possession of my two boys, and from their glazed expressions, I knew they'd say 'yes' to any offers they received. Luradinine and I laughed quietly over that.
"Boys," I said.
"Yep."
"Can I trust the girls?"
"They are all very kind," she replied. "Some are known for their gentle natures; others are more forceful, but all of them would take care of their galatzi prize."
"I do not believe either boy will be able to offer an opinion if asked," I opined.
"I think you might be right. And so we shall see if there are offers?"
"We shall," I said. "But I am somewhat concerned."
"Oh?"
"Absolutely no one has tried to chat me up. No one wishes to leave with us."
"Give them time. They are deciding if they wish to compete for the choices here, and some are deciding if the opportunities you promise are worth leaving home. I believe we will find ourselves with an excess of offers for the six you bring, and an additional excess of offers to leave with you."
"I only have five to offer."
She laughed. "If Farratain can remember what happened before yesterday, I would be surprised." She gestured with her nose. I saw the girl in question accept a morsel of food from Kalorain's hand.
"Your daughters appear to be as bewitching as their mother."
She laughed. "Are you bewitched?"
"You know I am."
"Good. I like having you under my spell. And under me."
I laughed. I liked it, too.
And so, I tried to enjoy the party, although I fretted, and I used my tablet to take photos throughout the evening. "Oh, clever," Luradinine said. "I didn't even think of that. I should have."
"I have grown quite attached," I admitted. "And I have had this one for only a brief period. Cecilia gave it to me so that I might learn English, but it has all the features of Father's."
Luradinine's predictions proved accurate. By the middle of the evening, territory around my six charges had been firmly staked, although there appeared to be a certain amount of competition. I saw five girls vying for the attention of two boys. I saw a number of boys paying attention to my three girls. But Kalorain and Darrantine kept Farratain to themselves, expertly fending off anyone who even looked interested in her.
"Your daughters are very territorial," I observed after seeing the fourth boy driven off.
Luradinine laughed. "They share that trait in common with their mother as well. Have you noticed no one has dared to ask you to dance?"
I laughed. "No, I have been too pleased with my existing dance partner to seek another."
"Oh, ho," she said. "A vendart's daughter, through and through. You flatter me."
"You know it's true," I said.
"I dare say, you
would let me keep you, if not for this agreement with our Governor."
"I would," I admitted. "And so we must be careful not to care too deeply for each other."
"We shall share joy for a time, and then we will always remember each other. And perhaps someday, you will return to me after your adventures far, far from home."
"Perhaps I shall, although perhaps I shall remain a galatzi wife for a very long time. I do not know."
"Time will tell," she said. "But what have we here? Do I detect competition for your attention?"
That competition came in the form of pair of girls. They approached slowly, stopping a short distance away. Luradinine gestured them closer.
"Chaladine," she said. "These two are Reeannaine and her sister, Riardarn." And so I found myself greeting a first and third daughter.
"We had questions for you, if we're not interrupting," Reannaine said.
"Of course you aren't. That is what this party is about."
"If we went with you, would we really meet the Governor?"
"I can promise you will meet the Governor," I said. "I do not know my father's entire plan, but I believe he will encourage you to learn English, in order for Sudden to more readily assist the Governor as she seeks to assist all of Talmon. I can only make guesses how that will finally happen."
"Meeting the Governor is not sufficient reason to volunteer for a galatzi trade," Luradinine said.
"But if we will learn English, and help the Governor, isn't that a good reason?" Riardarn asked.
"Yes," Luradinine replied. "Those are good reasons."
We talked for ten or fifteen minutes, and partway through, two more girls and a boy joined our circle. We had to answer the same questions a couple of times, but all of them were polite, and no one complained if a question appeared more than once. I decided I liked all of them, but anyone can give a good impression over the course of a few minutes. I used my tablet to take more photos, adding notes tied to each picture. I could ask Luradinine more about any that chose to volunteer.
Eventually, they wandered off, although I was sure we would receive at least a few offers. Then we noticed Farratain watching us, Kalorain and Darratine flanking her on other side. She was holding hands with Darratine, and Kalorain held her arm.
"This is an interesting dynamic."
"They are only offering her comfort," Luradinine replied. She gestured them closer. They approached, and Farratain said, "Could I speak to both of you?"
"Of course," Luradinine. "Did you want my daughters present?"
The girl looked to both sides. "If they want to come."
It turns out they did. Luradinine led us to the room she and I had used yesterday, ushering us in before closing the door. Farratain extracted herself from her attendants, and they released her, holding back. The girl faced us.
"Chaladine," she said. "I would be willing to slightly alter what I told you early yesterday."
"Of course."
"If either Kalorain or Darratine wished to claim me as her galatzi prisoner, I would not fight. However, I do not wish to be offered to anyone else. If neither of them wants me, then what I told you yesterday stands."
I nodded. "If you are invited to remain, and we are satisfied with the offer of who to take with us, then of course, you may stay."
The girl turned to Luradinine. "Would I be welcome, Vendart?"
"Yes, Farratain," the Vendart replied. "If one of my daughters wishes to claim you, and if a resident of Beacon Hill who represents a worthy trade for you offers to go, then I would love to have you become a member of my family. We would take good care of you."
"I want children," she said. She turned to the two sisters, who were both watching her avidly. "I would not wish to choose between you. Would you continue to treat me as you have been?"
"Perhaps you would not require such gentle care," Darratine said. "But yes. We are not luring you with false words or misleading touches." Then she turned to her sister. "I saw her first."
"By a half second!" Kalorain. "Just because you're older doesn't mean you automatically get first pick. She and I are almost exactly the same age."
"Exactly. Farratain needs someone older and wiser to take care of her."
"I would take excellent care of her, with Mother to guide me," was Kalorain's retort. "If you gracefully allow me to claim her, that leaves you free to offer to go to Sudden. I saw the way your eyes lit up about that."
Darratine turned to me. "I will not offer unless I am guaranteed it will be my choice who claims me, and I wish to learn English and to help the Governor. If I stay here, I will serve Beacon Hill. If I go with you, I will serve all of Talmon. Can you promise me that?"
I thought quickly. I knew Father would stand by any promises I made, or he wouldn't have sent me in his stead.
"Yes," I said. "I can make those promises."
She turned to her sister. "If you went to Sudden, you might get a chance to ride in a jumper."
"We are taking horses," I said.
"Yes, but someday." She turned back to me. "Do you think we would get to ride in a jumper?"
"There is a galatzi wife, formerly from Indartha, who has been promised to be taught to fly a jumper, if she can make a convincing argument in English. I cannot promise trips in a jumper, and I certainly cannot promise you would be taught to fly one. But I believe I can promise rides. I cannot promise they would be frequent."
"You have this much authority?" Luradinine asked.
"The Governor would not deny my promises," I said. "But she may interpret the promise somewhat conservatively."
"In other words, that might mean a single ride now and the next ten years from now."
"Yes," I said.
All three girls watched this back and forth happen. "Chaladine," said Farratain. "Am I helping Talmon?"
"Yes, Farratain," I said. "You are helping Sudden to make more friends, and to bring more people to Sudden. And in that way, you are helping us to better serve the Governor, and she helps all of Talmon."
The girl turned to Luradinine. "If one of your daughters keeps me, but if in the future an opportunity to help Talmon more directly appears, will I have that option?"
"Yes," Luradinine said immediately, "but your wife would also have to approve. She may have other plans for you."
"I would let you help," Darratine said, "as long as your other duties are also handled. Your duty would be first to me and to our children, and then if you have time remaining, to Beacon Hill and then finally to Talmon."
"She's right," Kalorain said. "I have a question. Are you willing for one of us to claim you, or do you hope one of us claims you?"
Farratain lowered her gaze to the carpet for a moment, then said in a quiet voice, "Hope."
Kalorain turned to me. "If my sister claims Farratain, then I would offer myself in galatzi trade. Would you have me?"
"Yes," I said. "I would be pleased with either of you."
"And I would allow this trade," said Luradinine. "Although I would miss terribly the daughter who would leave me. I would rejoice at the addition of a new daughter to my household." She paused. "I will only allow this trade if the one who stays agrees to remain in this house."
Both girls laughed and agreed immediately.
Darratine looked at me carefully. "Farratain is a lovely woman," she said.
"One of a kind," I agreed.
"If it were anyone other than my little sister, who I love from the bottom of my heart, I would claim Farratain and let someone else go to Sudden. But because it is my sister, I am torn. Can you help us decide?"
"I don't know," I said.
"Can you promise we would not be forced to take a poor match?"
"You have my word."
"I wish a match only with a woman," she said. "Can you make that promise?"
"I can, and I do."
I hope Father wasn't too angry with me.
Darratine looked at Farratain, and then at her sister. She looked at Farratain. "Unless my sist
er would most rather go to Sudden, I believe we remain undecided."
"Do you have a recommendation, Darratine?" her sister asked her.
"I don't know if it will help." She closed the distance to Farratain. "May I touch you?"
The girl nodded. Darratine pulled her closer, wrapping one arm around her waist and using the other to caress her face. "Do I frighten you?"
"No. You don't frighten me."
"I want to kiss you."
Farratain closed her eyes and nodded.
It was not an experienced kiss, but it was sweet and gentle. Darratine lingered afterwards, and when she finally looked up, I saw she was deeply flushed. She looked at Farratain, her eyes still closed, then at her mother, then over her shoulder at her sister.
"I-" She looked at her sister again. "You should kiss her, too. It would only be fair."
Kalorain nodded, and she approached the two. Darratine handed off the girl, who never opened her eyes. She stood, waiting, quivering slightly, but I didn't believe it was fear, and when Kalorain took her, she clasped Kalorain's arms.
Kalorain was even less experienced kissing, and I wondered if it was at all a good kiss. But when they separated, both girls were panting lightly. Kalorain looked over to her sister, then up to her mother. "Mama. I cannot decide. Can you help us?"
"We should first see if Farratain has changed her mind after these kisses."
Farratain only shook her head. "No. I would stay with either of them, and I believe I would be very happy."
"I believe you would, too," Luradinine said. "The three of you step out into the hallway, but wait there."
"Yes, Vendart," Darratine said. She and Kalorain escorted Farratain between them, and a moment later, the door closed behind them.
Luradinine turned to me. "Do you know the girl well?"
"I know her. Not well. But I know her well enough to recommend her."
"Was she this fragile before the events in Malaratine's Cove?"
"I would not have thought so," I replied. "I believe she will bounce back, but it has only been two days."
"I understand. I ask these questions not because I question whether we want the girl. But my daughters are not both the same. They are both nurturing, but Darratine is more so. Kalorain is somewhat more adventurous. But if Farratain will bounce back, she may not need Darratine's extra nurturing and may more completely enjoy Kalorain's sense of adventure."