by Robin Roseau
“That is not at all in question,” she replied. “Well, in my mind. But it is a long way to Barrish, and so if you wish to meet Queen Ralifta, you will have quite a journey.”
“And that is why I must trust Lady Olivia.”
Shalendra inclined her head, but said nothing else.
After that, we provided the remaining introductions. Lisdee offered little time for most of us. Mariya received some attention, Lyeneru and Rosaniya far more. She seemed surprised that Rosaniya would come. “It is difficult to be away from my children,” Rosaniya said.
“I imagine,” Lisdee replied. “But what does your husband think of this?”
“Whatever I tell him to think.”
The queen guffawed over that. “Oh, I like you. Is that really true?”
“Perhaps not entirely, but he is a typical man.”
Lisdee gestured. “Perhaps you could educate me. I am not entirely without experience facing men, but I dare say every Flavorian here better understands what you mean than I do.”
“Ah. Discounting the opportunity this mission represents, I imagine Halfar warms himself with two basic thoughts. The first is simple: he understood I would be obeying every single order I was given.”
The queen laughed again. “I was given to believe the women of Flarvor were all subservient to their men.”
“That is only partially true,” Rosaniya explained. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“As is life,” Lisdee replied. “And this other thought that warms your husband?”
“A group of thoughts, Your Majesty. He warms himself, so to speak, wondering what, exactly, I’m doing here.”
Confusion shown on Lisdee’s face for a moment, replaced with a smile. “Oh,” she said. “I do believe I understand. There is pleasure from watching a particularly good challenge match, or seeing a slave kneel to her owner in supplication.”
“I suspect, Your Majesty, that his imagination turns to baser images than that.”
“I do believe I understand,” Lisdee said. She did another brief cheek brush, whispering something, and then we finished the introductions.
“Well,” said the queen. “We have business, some of which is very important to me, and some which is less important, but perhaps more urgent. We must find homes for everyone. Even if there is much sharing of beds, I would rather not accommodate everyone in the palace. I dare say, I would be required to turn this room into a dormitory.” She paused. “We can do that if necessary, but then I do not know where we will host our events.” She looked about, settling her gaze on me. “Princess Darfelsa, you did not kneel to me.”
“No, Your Majesty. Have I offended you?”
“I would like to know the reason. Do you not recognize my authority?”
I paused, but then Gionna said softly, “We are an isolated people, and this is a point that isn’t entirely obvious.”
“Ah.” I nodded, then spoke more loudly, so all would here. “It is simple, but it is also complicated.”
“As is life.”
“The simple reason is this. Monarchs between countries such as ours do not kneel to each other. You would not kneel to Father, nor he to you.”
“You are not your father.”
“No,” I said. “Allium did not kneel because she is here representing Father. If she were to kneel, it is as if Father himself were kneeling.”
“Ah,” replied the queen. “I understand.”
“As for me, this is somewhat new for me, but Father has bestowed great trust upon me. I am permanently his envoy. I speak with his authority, excepting in contradiction to his own word or that of the crown princess. And so I also represent King Leander.”
“Of course,” Lisdee said. “And this makes negotiating between our countries so much more convenient.”
“Yes. I will not negotiate any treaties; that is the ambassador’s role. But I will be involved, and when we are done, I am able to ratify the treaty directly.”
“Saving months. None of that seems complicated.”
“Well,” I replied. “It has been Father’s position that his daughters, upon reaching their 16th birthdays, do not curtsey or kneel to any other monarch. If you were known for being particularly jealous of your authority, that would be a questionable position to take in your own court.”
“I am jealous of my authority,” Lisdee replied. “What do you say to that?”
“We have only met today, and I cannot speak from my own observances, but you do not have a reputation for being particularly jealous. I imagine half the people standing here are jealous of their authority.”
She laughed at that. “I imagine you may be right. Well. We must address housing. Gionna, did you come with a plan?”
“I came knowing we could form a plan,” she replied. “We are a resilient, adaptive people.”
“We are,” Lisdee replied. “I wish to judge something for myself. I wish all to ignore my next order.”
“She’s serious,” Gionna said.
“I am always serious,” Lisdee said. She looked about. “Kneel to me.”
The words came with an authority I have only felt while enslaved. I staggered and put a hand out, catching Allium’s shoulder to steady myself. She was rock solid. Most of the Ressaline women, although not all, outwardly remained quite unaffected, as did Allium and everyone from the embassy.
Everyone I had brought with me immediately dropped to their knees, their heads bowed, and I only barely maintained my feet, the pressure to obey was so overwhelming. But then I straightened and looked the queen in the eye. She was watching me, her head cocked.
She gestured. My staff and guards were all kneeling. Here and there, a few others were, as were Bee and Dee. “Your First was over two years ago. You should not have been affected.”
“Darfelsa engaged in her initial challenges while her staff underwent their Firsts,” Olivia explained. “While they were not protracted, she went particularly deep for the first, and moderately deep for one more.”
“Then you did well to retain your feet,” Lisdee replied. “Perhaps in another week or two, my command would have flowed past you, barely noticed.”
“I don't entirely understand what you did. Is this magic?”
“Yes.”
“And this is why you are Queen.”
“You have it backwards. I am Queen so that I may hold this magic. For us, the title of Queen is bestowed in great ceremonies, each one granting me the authority of my title.” She gestured. “Your sergeant struggled, but the rest simply obeyed, and they will remain there until I release them.” She paused. “You may rise.”
Any lingering compulsion to obey her disappeared. Slowly, some of them with help, the Flarvorians climbed to their feet. Some clung to each other. I glanced at Mariya, but she didn’t meet my gaze.
“Yes,” Lisdee said. “Let us deal with this first. Princess, please invite your sergeant to your side.”
“Sergeant Felist,” I said. Mariya nodded and stepped up to join me, but she still didn’t meet my gaze or the queen’s.
“You shouldn’t be embarrassed, Sergeant,” Lisdee said.
“I can’t do my duty like this, Your Majesty,” Mariya replied.
“No, you can’t, but would you like me to resolve that issue for you?”
At that, Mariya looked up. “I was given to understand it took time.”
“Normally, that is the case, but I am the Queen, and you have sampled my power. I have others. I prefer to let this take its course for most of you. Choose one other with you, if you like.”
“Henra,” Mariya said. The woman in question stepped over, saying nothing.
“You may not like the way this works,” said the queen. “You must disrobe.”
“Do it,” I whispered. Lisdee glanced at me, but I couldn’t read what that might mean. Mariya paused then began undressing. Henra took her cue from her sergeant. And then two of the other guards stepped forward to take the clothing.
Lisdee nodded. “
Very fine,” she said. “Very fine indeed.” She turned to me. “I do not normally explain myself. I assume trust.”
“Let her do what she wants,” I said quietly. They both nodded.
Lisdee turned to Henra. “You will be first.” She reached out, set her hand on Henra’s arm, and cocked her head. Henra stiffened, and then black resin began flowing from the point of contact, flowing up her arm and over her body. I stared, shocked, but tightened my mouth. Gionna moved to my side and set a hand on my shoulder. Lisdee noticed, but said nothing.
For her part, Sergeant Felist took a half step away, but she clamped her mouth shut and said nothing.
The resin coated Henra, all in black. When Lisdee removed her touch, Henra dropped to her knees again, her head bowed.
Lisdee turned to Mariya and smiled. It wasn’t the sort of smile she’d been using. It was colder and didn’t reach her eyes. “Will you offer me your arm, Sergeant?”
Mariya paused only a moment then took a half step closer and held out her arm. Lisdee’s smile then did turn warmer, and she set her hand on Mariya’s arm. As it had for Henra, the resin began to flow over her, black again, and when it was done, Mariya knelt to her. “This is not something I do often,” Lisdee said. “Quite rarely, actually. Otherwise I might be able to do it in a less dramatic fashion.” But then she lifted Mariya back to her feet and began stroking the resin away. I don't know where it went, but she brushed it from Mariya’s body. When she was done, Mariya wobbled a little, but I moved to her and steadied her until she nodded.
Lisdee did the same to Henra, and it was Mariya that steadied her.
“There,” said the queen. “Let us try this again. Sergeant, corporal, kneel to me.”
I felt the power. Neither woman did so much as wobble. Indeed, they both straightened and lifted their eyes to the queen. And then Mariya said, “I felt that.”
“You felt it, but you withstood it,” Lisdee replied. “Everyone who heard me felt it.”
“Mother, I don’t think anyone understands what you just did.”
“I enslaved them. That part should be obvious.”
“Yes,” Mariya said.
“When I freed you, I brushed away the enslavement, and everything associated with it.”
“Including lingering submission.”
“Just so,” Lisdee confirmed.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You’re welcome. Well. Princess Darfelsa. Gionna. Can we determine who should remain a guest of the palace, and who should be housed elsewhere?”
“How many can we host here?” Gionna asked.
“We can host everyone,” Lisdee said. “I would prefer perhaps a third. Do not worry; we shall ensure the safety of all our guests. I imagine Sergeant Felist is torn between standing beside her princess and seeing to the safety of her squad. All will be safe, Sergeant.”
“Henra and I will remain with our princess,” Mariya declared.
Lisdee simply nodded.
“Olivia here,” Gionna said. “I presume we have quarters for her.”
“We do.”
“Then she may decide the size of her household?”
Lisdee nodded, so Olivia said, “Bee, Dee, and Melistara.” Lisdee nodded again.
“We’ll need Allium,” Gionna said.
“I’ll need Wesla and Ressie during any talks,” Allium said. “And I’d like Viella. We can share.”
“Very good,” said the queen. She turned to me. “We require Rosaniya and Lyeneru.”
“Yes. And Tess. I would like Renishta, Terla, and Selzen. Is that too many?”
“I can share my quarters,” Gionna offered.
“Then we can make this work. You do not mention your suitor, Princess Darfelsa.”
I glanced at Shalendra, who was watching me. I couldn’t read her expression. “I was thinking about our talks,” I said. “She is my suitor, but not my consort. I believe she is best served by receiving continued care, along with some of the others.”
“I can take care of her,” Valsine offered. “I can tell her all the stories from Darfelsa’s younger years.”
“Great,” I replied.
“Well then,” said the queen. “Colonel Kelriss, please work with Colonel Melstie to see to the safety and security of our guests. Use whomever you need from my staff. See to this yourself.”
“Your Majesty-”
“You don’t need to oversee it, Kelriss, but I do want you to assure the arrangements, to your satisfaction.” She looked at me. “Is this satisfactory, Princess Darfelsa?”
“I will want to visit them,” I said. “But yes.”
“I’ll see to it, Your Majesty,” said Colonel Kelriss. “Right this way.”
We waited as the people not remaining in the palace were herded away. I didn’t worry about baggage; I assumed that would be properly handled, and I would later learn it was.
But then Lisdee said, “Well. I have two questions for you. Princess Darfelsa, do you believe we can come to a trade agreement?”
“There are difficulties to solve on your side, Your Majesty,” I replied. “We’re here to help solve them with you.”
“And Ambassador Cuprite. You once built roads.”
“And bridges, ditches, and other public works, Your Majesty.”
“Which is what eventually led you to be placed in Olivia’s path, and Olivia, if anything, has a fine eye for talent. You should have been the Minister of Transportation.”
“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but the current minister was my recommendation.”
“You were the previous minister’s recommendation. You turned the position down?”
“It was not actually offered to me. I was shown a list. I made a recommendation from that list.”
“Did you not feel qualified.”
“I felt none of the men in the ministry, barring those who had spent time directly reporting to me, would follow me. I thought I would be awash in politics. I am an engineer, Your Majesty. I build roads.”
“And bridges, and other public works.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And so, the loss for your country is potentially the gain for mine.”
“I would argue, Your Majesty,” said Olivia, “that we have already seen significant gain.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Lisdee said. “Tell me, Builder of Roads. Do you believe you can tell my engineers, all of them quite familiar with the difficulties of travel through our mountains, how to build a road from Charth to Ressaline City?”
Allium paused. “I have seen the quality of the work your teams do. The Verlies River Bridge was repaired to higher standards than I am normally allowed.”
“And yet, you are here, and you have not yet said ‘no’.”
“It may be there are things I don’t know. I don’t know why you haven’t done the things I have in mind. There are places the path is barely wide enough to walk, but the rock on either side appears quite solid. Oh, the topsoil is often loose, but the rock underneath seems quite stable. I do not know why you have not widened the path in those places.”
“To what end? Certainly you recognized the locations where that isn’t possible.”
“I recall two,” Allium replied. “In one, you appeared to have attempted a tunnel, but there was a collapse.”
“Not a collapse,” Lisdee replied. “A landslide from above. When the death toll reached fourteen, I called an end to further attempts.”
“And you didn’t attempt a tunnel or any other solution that I could determine in the other.”
“And those are the reasons we haven’t worked on the other places you identified,” Lisdee asked. “To what end, if we are left to slow pack trains regardless?”
“So you could widen the path?”
“In the other places, yes. We don’t need you to tell us that.”
“My surveys were cursory,” Allium replied. “We determined the ground could support what I had in mind, but I wasn’t sure I wasn’t missing someth
ing.”
“I do not believe you were, but I ask again: to what end?”
“Well, Your Majesty. The problem with your first tunnel was one of location.”
“We chose the narrowest point.”
“And that was the problem. Your Majesty, each place I looked at will take time, time to analyze and a lot more time to improve. I can’t promise anything. But I believe we can improve travel into Ressaline City.” She paused. “Even if the worst of the chokepoints can’t be resolved, I don’t understand why you don’t improve the ones you can. Doing so would dramatically reduce the overall difficulty of transportation.”
“Once we solved the basic food problem,” Queen Lisdee said, a little dully, “I… We don’t have anything to trade with you, Princess Darfelsa.”
“My father told me he wants a strong northern neighbor,” I said. “There are problems to solve. If they were easy, you would have solved them. I am determined. Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll find solutions. Father says Allium is the best we have. If there are solutions to the transportation issues, we’ll solve them.”
Queen Lisdee bowed her head then looked up. Her eyes were wet. “I will give anything in my power to give.”
Conversations
Queen Lisdee’s palace was significantly smaller than the palace in Barrish. Every single part of it was smaller, really, and the large room where we met served multiple purposes. They didn’t call it court or a ballroom or a dining room. It was The Great Hall, and it was the only such space in Ressaline City. They changed the furnishings based on requirements.
There were slaves everywhere, some dressed in the black of a clerk, but most in the blue of a household slave. When I heard one speak, she carried a Charthan accent. Oh, there weren’t hundreds, and I would learn that they weren’t always living in the palace. Most of them actually belonged to other women in Ressaline City, but they were loaned to the queen for events. Our visit was considered an extended special event.
They saw to everything.
Accommodations were crowded. We made do, but all of us shared beds. Olivia and Allium’s households each took one bedroom. I took one very crowded bedroom, and Gionna opened her doors to my overflow, and so she was also crowded.