The Dragon's Choice

by Wesley Allison

  “Kafira’s tits!” he shouted.

  Then turning, he stomped back into the bookstore. Sherree was still behind the counter.

  “Take Zoey’s books off my account!” he shouted.

  Everyone turned to look at him.

  “Put them on Senta’s tab! That bitch can pay for them!”

  Not waiting for a reply, he turned and left. He didn’t see the large smile that rose to cover Sherree’s chubby face.

  Chapter Nineteen: Yuah and Gladys

  Yuah opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for just a moment. She couldn’t wait for the new wallpaper to arrive. It had been ordered all the way from Brech City. Turning to the side, she found Gladys looking back.

  “How did you sleep?” asked Yuah.

  “Wonderfully.”

  “Good. So did I.”

  “Last night was wonderful,” said Gladys. “Are you sure you’ve never been with a woman before.”

  “I’ve never been, but I’m familiar enough with the terrain.”

  “You’re not bothered?”

  “Of course not.”

  “You don’t find women attractive though,” Gladys observed.

  “Attraction is a funny thing, when you stop to think about it. I remember being caught up in it when I was young. Every time I looked at Terrence, I felt all squishy. Now that I’m older, everything seems so tame. I see the men chasing after women and the women chasing after men. It seems we want what we don’t understand. A fanny seems like such an uninteresting thing. All things considered, there are many more pleasant parts of a woman—the curve of her chin, the long line of her leg, a thick mane of hair. Yet to a man, it must seem as alien as walking on the moon. And yet he wants it.”

  “He just wants it, because it’s convenient to stick his thing in,” said Gladys, disgust written on her face. “Without it, he’ll stick it anywhere it fits.”

  “I confess to a certain amount of repulsion regarding the form of a man,” smiled Yuah, “until the event was upon me. You’ve never been married, so you’ve never known the feeling.”

  “One doesn’t necessarily follow the other.”

  “So you have been with a man?”

  “When I was a girl, my parents died—cholera, you know. My brother was older, and already had a family in Mallontah, so it was too far to go to join him. My uncle took me in, but it was not a charitable act, as he was not a good man. He forced himself on me. I thought it was just something I had to endure, and I did, until he wanted to pass me around to his friends. I left, and even though I was only fifteen, the opportunities for work after the Freedonian War allowed me to support myself.

  “The Freedonian War?” wondered Yuah. “How old are you?”

  “I was born during the Feast of Kafira Mass, 1893.”

  “Why, you’re just a girl! I thought you were older than twenty-nine.”

  “I’m twenty-eight, actually,” said Gladys.

  “Well, I never was very good at arithmetic,” replied Yuah, leaning over and kissing her on the lips. She slid out of bed. “Let’s go down to breakfast. You’ve certainly been good for my appetite.”

  At the dining room table, the two women were surprised to find no one else there. There was, however, plenty of food—toast, fried potatoes, tomatoes, white pudding, and something new. Cook had prepared an egg dish filled with peppers and onions and covered with sharp melted cheese.

  “This is something like an omelet,” observed Gladys, taking a bite, “but it’s much fluffier.”

  Yuah waved for Kayden to step over.

  “How was this prepared?”

  “It isss lizzie dish,” he said. “In oven.”

  “Baked eggs? Who would have thought? Do you know what it’s called?”

  “Frittata.”

  “Their language is so strange,” remarked Gladys. “You must tell Cook that this is wonderful though.”

  “Yes. Give her our complements,” Yuah told the lizzie major domo. “Tell her that she may prepare this as often as she likes.”

  “What are we about today?” asked Gladys.

  “I’m going visiting, though you are not required to accompany me.”

  “I want to come.”

  “Very well then.”

  An hour later, the two women stepped off the trolley and into the street in front of Egeria’s house. Brech custom and law gave the husband control over all of a woman’s possessions upon marriage, so technically, the home belonged to Yuah’s father. However, Egeria had owned it before their marriage and, more importantly, it so reflected her style and taste that Yuah found it impossible to think of it in any other way than as Egeria’s house. Her father felt the same way about it.

  They were greeted at the door by Egeria’s lizzie, who led them to an empty parlor.

  “Where is the lady of the house?”

  “I tell her you here,” said the lizzie.

  “Shall we sit while we wait?” Yuah asked Gladys.

  The both sat on the sofa, golden with a pattern of pink tea roses.

  “I feel so out of place here,” said Gladys. “It’s like sitting in a museum.”

  “I imagine one gets used to it,” said Yuah.

  “Indeed one does,” said Egeria, coming down the stairs. “I wasn’t expecting visitors, so you must excuse me if I’m unprepared.”

  Dot Shrubb and Olivia followed in line behind her. The three of them made a striking appearance, all with red hair—though Dot’s was more coppery—pale skin, and brilliant white dresses. Olivia carried a bright green young troodon, slightly larger than a chicken, in the crook of her arm.

  Dot Shrubb was an attractive woman in her early forties, the mother of four, who lived in the outlying town of Villa Cochon. Her husband, Eamon, had for many years been a stalwart of the Port Dechantagne Police Department, but had retired in order to take part in the industry for which Villa Cochon was known—pig farming.

  “We’re sorry for barging in,” said Yuah. “I didn’t know you were already entertaining. How are you, Dot?”

  “Well, and you?” answered Dot, her nasal voice indicative of someone who had been deaf since birth.

  “I’m well. This is my friend Gladys Highsmith.”

  The women shook hands. A lizzie brought out a tray of tea, setting it on the coffee table. Egeria began pouring, as Dot and Olivia sat in two plush chairs.

  “How is your little pet, Sister?” Yuah asked the girl.

  “He’s coming right along. He already knows how to sit and stay. Mother was right of course, hatching him from an egg was the best thing to do, although I hear that others are having success in training those bought already hatched.”

  “There’s no substitute for doing things the correct way,” said her mother, handing Yuah a steaming cup.

  “Is your family in town for a visit?” Yuah asked Dot.

  “Dot is here to help me with my work?” said Egeria. “We’ve been up in my workshop.”

  “Really.”

  “Yes. As you may or may not know, several years ago I patented my quadruplex telegraph system, allowing for four messages to be sent over a single telegraph wire at once. However, there are a huge number of backlogged messages waiting at telegraph offices. What’s the point of paying 10p a word for a telegram from here to Mallontah that will be two weeks before it is sent, when a letter can reach St. Ulixes in three days by train? While attempting to solve this problem, I came up with something new that I thought could be used to help the deaf or hard of hearing. That’s when I asked Dot for help.”

  “So will it?” asked Yuah. “Help the deaf, I mean?”

  “Perhaps. It’s still too early to tell. However, our research has taken us in an entirely different direction, one that I’m sure will be quite revolutionary.”

  “That’s exciting,” said Gladys. “Can you tell us anything about it?”

  “Not just yet. Biscuit?”

  “Thank you.”

  “What are you about today, Yuah?” asked Egeria.
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  “I don’t know yet. Gladys and I will probably visit a few more friends.”

  “I take it that you’re staying here in Port Dechantagne?” the redhead asked Gladys.

  “Yes, she is,” said Yuah. “Gladys will be my permanent companion.”

  “Companion. Interesting term.”

  “Not really,” Yuah continued. “I don’t have the many activities that you do. Between inventing, teaching at university, being a mother to Olivia, and a wife to my father, I don’t see how you do it all. I’m husbandless and my children are grown. I have friends, but they are busy with their own lives. I need someone to be here for me.”

  “You’re determined not to remarry?”

  “How could I? After Terrance, any other man would be such a huge step down.”

  “You have such a lovely home,” said Gladys, changing the subject. “All of your things seem dreadfully expensive though.”

  “Oh, they are,” said Yuah, with a smirk.

  “I’ve always thought that if one were going to invest oneself in things,” said Egeria, “then they should be things of the highest quality.”

  “I suppose that makes sense.”

  “How are your children?” Egeria asked Yuah.

  “I take it you’ve seen the news from Brech City,” said Yuah, archly. “It seems that both of them have much of their father’s disregard for custom and propriety.”

  “You sound like Iolanthe now,” said her stepmother. “I think that their independence says a great deal about how they were raised… I mean that in the best way.”

  “Interesting,” replied Yuah. “I’ve noticed over the years that you’ve mastered walking the line between independence and propriety.”

  “Sadly, that’s the duty of prominent women in our society. In any case, Terra dating the Prince. That must make both you and your sister-in-law very pleased.”

  “I suppose. That is to say if good comes of it. I worry about her there all alone in the capital.”

  “I think you’ll find she can handle herself. I noted it when she was a tiny little thing.” The redhead smiled reflectively. “She was always a sharp little girl, with her funny little voice. How about your boy?”

  “Oh, Augie is Augie. He does what he wants. He’s even worse than she is—doesn’t give his mother’s advice even token consideration.”

  “He’s still seeing Zoantheria?”

  “There’s something going on there,” said Yuah. “They’ve had some kind of falling out.”

  “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  “I suppose, but if he had broken the heart of a human girl, I wouldn’t much have to worry about her burning our house down.”

  * * * * *

  Yuah and Gladys left Egeria’s and walked back to the trolley stop. When the trolley arrived, they could see that it was pulled by one of the younger triceratops in the fleet. She was slightly smaller than the vehicle but had no trouble with it. They climbed aboard, paying their two pfennigs. They climbed off the public transport once again just down the street from the home of Geert and Honor McCoort. A short walk brought them to the front door. Honor’s younger brother Hertzel answered Yuah’s knock.

  “Hello Hertzel, I didn’t expect to see you.”

  He smiled and opened the door, giving her a silent invitation. She entered, followed by Gladys. In the parlor were Geert, Hertzel’s wife Leoni, and Honor, who climbed to her feet and gave first Yuah and then Gladys a hug.

  “How are you, ladies?”

  “Oh we’re fine,” answered Yuah. “Since it’s lunchtime, we thought we would come by and mooch off your table.”

  “I’m glad you’re here,” laughed Honor. “We have way too much food. As soon as Geert has reset the table, we’ll go eat.”

  Her husband had already gone to add additional seats and place settings to the dining room table.

  “You look lovely today, Leoni,” said Yuah. “Where are your children?”

  “They’re at their lessons,” she smiled back. “It’s the only time I can get Hertzel away from them long enough for us to have some adult time.” She grabbed her husband’s hand and pulled him down onto the sofa next to her. “He’s such a wonderful father.”

  “Of course he is. He is a fine man.”

  “We should be talking about your daughter,” said Leoni. “She could be the first Zaeri princess of Greater Brechalon.”

  “Now you’re just being silly,” said Yuah. “I’m sure Parliament would never let such a thing happen. I’m sure the whole thing will end up as nothing. I just hope…”

  “You have nothing to worry about,” said Honor. “Terra has a good head on her shoulders.”

  “Shall we eat?” called Geert, poking his head in from the dining room.

  Honor had been correct in her assertion that there was too much food. By the time that everyone was seated, large overflowing platters filled the table. There were heaping piles of golden fried fish, lovely chips, and a sweet cucumber salad. A basket filled with thickly sliced herb bread sat beside a square dish of bread pudding with raisins and walnuts and topped with vanilla sauce.

  “This isn’t your usual fare, Honor,” said Yuah, taking a bite of the flaky fish, “but I approve.”

  “It’s not your approval that prompted it,” Honor replied. “I’ve spent many hours learning to properly fry fish for my very Brech husband. My first efforts were less than satisfactory.”

  “Not good to eat,” said her husband, “but definitely good for a laugh.”

  Honor blew him a kiss across the table.

  “Anyone else care for vinegar?” asked Geert, holding up the condiment.

  “Nein,” said Leoni. “Lemon for me, and my Hertzel likes his with only a bit of salt.”

  “The price of lemons has gone down so much this year,” said Honor. “They must have a bumper crop in Mallontah.”

  “Now that we’ve exhausted the topic of fish and citrus fruit,” said Geert, turning to Yuah, “what did you think about our article in the Gazette on your son?”

  “Article? I’m afraid I haven’t read it.”

  “Haven’t read it? It was on the front page—fourteen point type on the first paragraph!”

  “What was it about?”

  “What was it about?” he asked incredulously. “What else could it be about? It was about Lord Dechantagne’s incredible charitable contribution to the health of the citizens of Birmisia Colony—first bringing in that doctor to find a cure to the disease that’s been plaguing the community, and then providing free healing for those who can’t afford it.”

  “Oh, that,” said Yuah. “He always did have a humanitarian bent—even as a child.”

  “Giving back is important,” said Geert, a serious expression on his face. “I remember living in the tenements and scraping by. Every day from the time I was six until age twelve, I would go to the King’s Warehouse and get a bushel of apples. Then I would sell them on the street for a pfennig a piece. I didn’t think a lot about it at the time, but I suppose there were weeks when my selling the apples was all that stood between us and starving.”

  His wife got up from her seat and walked around the table to hug him from behind.

  “Of course the other kids helped out too. Bertice worked in the factory, Maro worked in the print shop, and Senta worked at the café. She was just a little thing then.” He stopped, lost in thought, then recovered and smiled shyly. “I’m sure you must feel the same, Yuah. You were a dressing maid and now you’re a great lady.”

  Yuah pursed her lips.

  “I suppose I’ve never really felt that different. I was always under Iolanthe’s thumb and I still am.”

  “You are the lady of the house,” said Gladys. “You are her social superior.”

  “Everywhere except government,” added Geert.

  “I’m sure Iolanthe doesn’t see it that way. To her mind, she’s at the top. God, Kafira, and maybe the King are just one step down. The rest of us are somewhere around her ankles.
”

  The others laughed. Yuah smiled wryly.

  “Have some more chips,” said Honor, stopping beside her to scoop out some more of the golden fried potatoes, on her way back to her own seat.

  “I predict that you and I will be fat old women,” said Yuah.

  * * * * *

  Yuah and Gladys arrived home about teatime, but neither were hungry after the large luncheon they had enjoyed with the McCoorts and their guests. Leaving the younger woman in the parlor, the lady of the house went to her bedroom, where Narsa was ready to help undress her. Stripped down to her base foundations, she dismissed the lizzie and lay down, and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

  She didn’t know how long she had been asleep, but the mattress shifting awakened Yuah. Gladys was sitting on the edge of the bed. She had taken off her glasses. She reached up to brush away a strand of hair that had fallen across Yuah’s face.

  “I just want to rest a while,” said Yuah.

  “I don’t want to bother you. I just wanted to cuddle.”

  Yuah stretched out her arm, and Gladys curled up next to her, her head on Yuah’s shoulder. The older woman ran her hand through her companion’s brown hair. Then she chuckled.

  “What is it?”

  “I just realized something,” said Yuah.

  “What?”

  “I just realized I’m the man.”

  Half an hour later, Gladys was quietly snoring. Yuah extricated herself from the woman’s embrace and gently rolled to the edge of the bed, before standing up and donning a dressing gown. She took a brush to her hair, and once she was satisfied with it, she left the bedroom, closing the door after her. At the top of the stairs, she came face to face with Iolanthe.

  “What are you doing home?” Yuah asked.

  “I’ve been working in my study. I can have my itinerary printed up for you if you would like.”

  “That won’t be necessary, I’m sure. Perhaps I could just have you wear a bell.”

  “I’m going down to have a bite to eat. Come with me.” It wasn’t a request.