Tiara- Part Two

by Robin Roseau

  “That is definitely trash talk.”

  I sighed. I lifted my voice. “Lady Olivia, when was the last time someone won her first practice challenge against someone who had at least a little experience.”

  “It happens,” Olivia replied. “Rarely, but it happens.”

  “If you were going to predict odds?”

  “Well, it’s not like anyone would bet on the person during her first challenge,” Olivia replied. “Barring some fairly extreme circumstances, anyway.” She shifted her gaze. “Has someone finally joined the trash talk?”

  “I’ve been trying to stay out of it,” I said. “Someone else, however, thinks trusting in the statistics qualifies as trash talk.”

  Olivia chuckled. “Shalendra, the only way you have a chance to win your first practice challenge is if it’s against someone else also in her first practice, assuming the negotiations over the event aren’t completely one-sided in your favor.”

  Shalendra stared at her for a moment then sighed. “I suppose. What do I have to do if I want to see Darfelsa in red again?”

  There were chuckles. “Get her to challenge me,” Dee said. “I’ll beat her for you.”

  “It’s my turn, Sister,” Bee said.

  “True. That would only be fair,” Dee agreed. Dee looked around. “Most of the people here can beat her, just none of you that came here with her this spring.”

  “I do not like to approve first practice challenges between two people having their first,” Olivia said. “It’s not illegal, but it’s highly discouraged.”

  “Why?” Shalendra asked.

  “Because neither of you know what to do with a new slave. Chances are, even if you were to win, you’d be nearly entirely out of it, and then someone else has to step in.”

  “Like mine with Corale,” I said.

  “Yes,” Olivia agreed.

  “Well. Poop!” Shalendra said. “I really wanted to see Darfelsa in red.”

  “Any time,” Bee replied.

  * * * *

  It got worse that night. Olivia gave us the option to stay at an inn or to press on another hour. Nearly everyone wanted to press on. And so we made another rough camp, this time in a fallow field, by permission of the farmer. The talk picked up while setting up camp, and it was absolutely terrible by the cleanup.

  “You people,” Olivia said. “If you really want all these challenges, we can do them Saturday. I swear, I’ve heard twenty different offers in the last hour.”

  “I don’t want to wait until Saturday,” Lyeneru said. “Can we do mine when we reach Charth?”

  “I’m sure someone will be happy to do so,” Olivia replied. “Do you have this handled, Darfelsa, or did you want to ask my help?”

  “Why are you asking me?”

  “Ambassador Cuprite won’t be there, so unless you assign someone else, you’re in charge of the embassy.”

  “Oh. Um. I’ve never really assisted with a challenge. I mean, um. I’ve helped at the arena, but I didn’t actually set it up or anything. I just entertained the audience.”

  “That’s why you have staff.”

  “Staff who have been challenging each other right and left for years,” I pointed out. “But at the same time, staff who have been at the center of two days of trash talk.”

  “Who don’t you trust?” Olivia asked.

  “You’re asking me that with all of them listening?”

  “It’s not like I don’t already know the answer.”

  I laughed. “I trust all of them. Olivia, do you believe we should ask your guidance?”

  “You’ll be fine.”

  “All right then.”

  But twenty minutes after that, it stepped up again, and people began trying to organize group events for Saturday.

  I stayed out of it. Shalendra did not.

  * * * *

  We made it to Charth. I sent the royal guard to The Baby Blanket, dramatically reducing pressure at the embassy. Without that pressure, we were able to let the embassy staff have their rooms back. My staff doubled up, but no one minded.

  We bathed and otherwise settled in, and then Lyeneru found me. “Darfelsa?”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I was serious when I said I wanted a practice challenge.”

  “I’ll… go make some tea,” Shalendra said. She slipped past Lyeneru. At a gesture, Lyeneru took a seat.

  “Are you asking me to accept your challenge?”

  “There was so much trash talking going on that I don’t know if anyone was serious.”

  “I’m fairly sure they all were,” I replied. “Did you have someone in particular in mind?”

  “You told us the sort of person who does your First is also good for your first practice challenge. But I think half of Allium’s staff was hoping, and I don’t mind someone who might be playful.”

  “Are you asking for a suggestion, or simply encouragement?”

  “Encouragement and maybe a little guidance.”

  “Well, the way this typically works is that either you approach a particular person and invite her, or you ask someone to facilitate it for you. Olivia handled my first practice. So you can ask her to do yours; you can ask me. Or you can ask someone you have in mind.”

  “I was thinking Corale.”

  “She would be a very good choice.”

  “We can really just do it?”

  “They know the paperwork better than I do,” I said. “But yes.”

  “Will you help me ask her?”

  “Sure. Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s go find her.”

  “She’s in the parlor, playing cards with Valsine.”

  “Do you want an audience when you ask?”

  “We don’t have to make it private,” she replied. “Do you think we should let everyone else watch me ask her?”

  “I think they’d like to, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping it private.”

  “Let’s at least round up your staff,” she said. “They haven’t seen this.” We both got up. She went one direction; I went the other. It took a few minutes to find everyone, but then we gathered in the parlor.

  Valsine and Corale offered curious looks. Lyeneru and I sat down, pulling chairs over to Corale. I smiled. “Corale, Lyeneru wants to ask you something.”

  “She does, hmm?” Corale said with a big smile. “Ask away.”

  “Would you like a practice challenge with me?”

  “I’d love one. When?”

  “How soon can we do it?”

  “Allium is authorized to sign paperwork.”

  “Allium isn’t here,” I pointed out.

  “That means you’re authorized,” she said.

  “Only when it’s embassy or my staff,” I clarified.

  “Not me?” Shalendra asked.

  “And you.”

  “Because I’m not your staff.”

  “Right.”

  “As long as we’re clear.”

  “We’re clear.”

  Then she grinned.

  “What should our event be?” Corale asked Lyeneru.

  “What do you like?”

  “Winning.” Everyone laughed. “Do you know what you want to do?”

  “No. What can we do?”

  They talked about choices. In the end, they picked one of the simplest of events: a modest tub where they could sit together, side-by-side, resin, and touching.

  My part was simple. Valsine filled out the paperwork. For a practice challenge, there wasn’t much. I reviewed it and then signed authorization. In the meantime, the others set up for the event, showing anyone who cared what they were doing.

  Lyeneru was nervous but excited. She and Rosaniya teased each other a little bit, but then Corale helped Lyeneru into the tub.

  The event itself took about fifteen minutes. It could have gone more quickly, but Corale was very sweet and gentle. When it was over, she needed help getting Lyeneru from the tub, but then she lured Ru-ru to h
er room.

  * * * *

  Saturday came. I lost track of who was taunting whom. But the entire embassy donned summer dresses and hats and made our way to the arena. Shalendra looked quite lovely, and although it was a cloudy day, it was nice to be out with her.

  I actually hadn’t made arrangements with Olivia, but Bee was waiting near the entrance. She bounced up to us, offered greetings, and then said, “Olivia wants you to sit in her box.” She hooked Shalendra’s arm and pulled her away from me. I followed, amused.

  I’m fairly certain Olivia put them up to it. We reached Olivia’s box. Gionna was there, Ahm at her side. Olivia, Melistara, and some of our other friends were also in attendance. Greetings were exchanged, and then Bee and Dee claimed Shalendra. I found myself between Olivia and Gionna, and it was clearly planned.

  I glanced over at Shalendra. She wasn’t giving me “rescue me” looks. But I leaned to Gionna. “What’s going on?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you really think playing innocent impresses me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Cute. What’s going on?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Why am I sitting here, and Shalendra is over there?”

  “Oh. I have no idea.”

  “I’ve seen those two at this event. They get a little worked up. One is a handful.”

  “You can go sit with them if you don't want to sit with me,” she said.

  I cocked my head. “Are you mad at me?”

  “No,” she said gently. “Your staff. Allium’s staff. Your guards. My guards. Olivia’s guards. Bee and Dee. They’ve been taunting anything that moves for the better part of a week. I’m fairly certain there’s going to be a whole lot of things going on. I got caught up in some of it a bit but realized there was far, far more than I wanted to handle, so I’ve actually been hiding from it.”

  “Is that to say, you’ve been letting your new pleasure slave have her way with you?”

  She laughed. “Yes. Darfelsa, I don’t know what I’m going to do. She’s insatiable.”

  “She’s wearing three colors. Feed the other two.”

  “I might have to get Claary to add more swirls or something,” she replied. “She enjoys other tasks, but they don’t really take the edge off for her, much less really satisfy her.”

  “You poor thing,” I said with a grin.

  “As long as Bee and Dee are available, they’re helping me manage her, but what am I going to do once we leave for Barrish?”

  “Olivia isn’t coming?”

  “She wants to come in the spring, when there’s more warning. We decided if I come with just a minimal entourage, it’s not such an imposition. I want to stay until your birthday, and then I’ll come back for Ahlianna’s. Olivia will come then.”

  “That’s a lovely plan.”

  “So, help me figure out what to do with Ahm.”

  I laughed. “You need a second one.”

  “For twice the handful?”

  “And let them play together.”

  “Oh. I think I need to get accustomed to one before I add more. I’d make her into my personal maid, but she doesn’t know a thing about it, and I promised.”

  “There’s staff in Barrish who can teach her. And when it’s me, I enjoy giving a variety of pleasure. She seems nice. You could share some of the simple pleasures a little.” I grinned. “Ahlianna likes back scratches. But I think you should challenge Valsine and promise to free her once we reach Barrish.”

  “I’m not sure I can beat her.”

  “Well, you’ll think of something. I’m out of ideas.”

  She hooked her thumb. “So. You guys do things differently in Flarvor.”

  “You mean you do them differently.”

  “You-” she gasped dramatically. “-Mate for life. Is she the one? She did well on this trip.”

  “I agree. And I don’t know. It started poorly.”

  “She recovered, and I think she learned something from the experience.” Gionna looked over. I followed her gaze. Bee and Dee were flirting outrageously. Shalendra was laughing. “She loves you,” Gionna said.

  “I love her, too.”

  “The same way you love me?”

  “I love each of the people I love, each in her own way. I love you like I love you. I love Allium the way I love Allium.”

  “Is she the one?”

  “Do you think the answer changed in the half minute since you asked the first time?”

  “I’m just staying focused on the question at hand. You seem to enjoy her company, and I imagine she’s reasonably competent in bed.”

  “I do, and she is.”

  “Can you count on her?”

  “Of course.”

  “If you were able to answer that easily, then you’re not answering the question I’m trying to ask.”

  “Then maybe you should be clearer.”

  “I’ll try. Let’s back away from that question. On this issue, I’m an outsider looking in. We don’t do things that way.”

  “Sure.”

  “But I’ve had years to learn. I’ve talked to you, to Ahlianna, and Allium. I’ve watched your parents. I even talked to Valsine a little on this trip. But I’m an outsider. Still, just like you were able to make good observations about us, maybe I have a few for you.”

  “Sure.”

  “From my perspective,” she said, then paused. I nodded. “A spouse serves multiple roles. She is a companion and playmate, in and out of the bedroom.”

  “For some people, it’s not even that much.”

  “But that’s not what you want.”

  “No. So far, you’ve described my vision for myself.”

  “Because of your responsibilities to Flarvor, I think you need someone at home you can depend on, someone to manage the household and be the primary caregiver for children.”

  “Not to say I won’t be involved.”

  “Between your parents, it is like your Father the King comes home, and he just doesn’t want to worry about that, so Ralifta is the authority, almost as if he’s her consort.”

  “I wouldn’t say that to him, but I can see what you’re saying.”

  “I think when I asked if you could depend on her, you answered that you could depend on her for that portion of her role.”

  I thought about that. “You’re probably right.”

  “You also need someone with some sense of adventure, and because of your own responsibility, someone who can be playful.”

  “Maybe not as much as Valsine.”

  “Maybe not,” she said. “Shalendra seems to satisfy that.”

  I looked over at her. “She does.”

  “Your father doesn’t lean on Ralifta the way he leans on you and Ahlianna. Your father doesn’t lean on her the way you leaned on the prime minister’s daughter in Dennaholst.”

  “The situation was different.”

  “Am I making a fair point?”

  “I suppose, but Flame isn’t here, and she’s not coming.”

  “No. I’m only pointing something out. When you were in Gandeet, you needed to lean on someone, and you could lean on her. You could depend on her.”

  “If she weren’t there, I would have found a different way.”

  “But she was, and she was willing, and it worked quite well.”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you lean on Shalendra the same way?”

  I turned to watch my suitor, not answering, not yet. “You know what those two are going to be like when this gets started.”

  “She can defend herself, Darfelsa.”

  I shifted my gaze to Gionna, then looked over at Olivia, who wasn’t watching any of this. I turned back to Gionna and asked quietly, “Is this some sort of test for her?”

  “I’m hurt you don’t trust me.”

  “I get suspicious when you won’t answer.”

  “I have no knowledge of anything you’re alluding to,” she repl
ied. “Olivia asked Bee to watch for you. That’s all I know.” She leaned closer. “If I were going to hazard a guess, I might guess that Olivia gave them permission for something, and that permission might have been specific to you and Shalendra, or it might have been more open. I might also guess that they’re going to try to lure you down there.” She gestured to the arena floor. “But that’s only a guess. Or this could be entirely innocent, and you might find them going after Claary and Gigi once the action starts. Or us. Maybe they just want to get to know Shalendra better. Maybe they’re going to invite a challenge next week, and they’re warming her up to the idea. But I don’t know anything, Darfelsa.”

  “All right.”

  “Can you depend on her, Darfelsa?”

  “The way you described?” I looked past her at Shalendra. “I don’t know. But she’s here, and no one else is, and she’d be good at the rest, and better at a lot of it than most. I have staff.”

  “Your father has staff, but he still depends on you and Ahlianna.”

  “He’s training us. Without us, he would simply depend on someone else.”

  “Still.”

  “Are you trying to talk me into something?”

  “Absolutely not, other than to help you think about all the aspects. I bet you haven’t thought about this part.”

  I leaned closer again. “Do you think I haven’t compared?”

  “You’re not yet 21,” she said. “You have time, Darfelsa.”

  “Two years ago, I was devastated,” I said. “I had these dreams with Gretchena.”

  “Gretchena was definitely not the right one.”

  “I didn’t know that at the time.”

  “And now you don’t trust your instincts?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted.

  “Do you know what’s most important?”

  “I think so. We have to be personally compatible. I know some people can barely be in the same room together, but they make it work.”

  “It’s more like a business arrangement.” She made a face.

  “It’s not what I want. I know some people who only worry about whether the sex is good.”

  “They’d love their own Ahm.”

  I laughed. “Exactly. I want us to be personally compatible. Shalendra and I are. I don’t necessarily need her to be able to travel with me, but I want that.”

  “She needs to tone it down.”

  “She recovered, Gionna. Can’t you grant her that?”