Encircled

by Robin Roseau

  “It would have come from your taxes,” she said. “That being said, I haven’t heard an apology. Have you?”

  I stopped. After a moment, she turned to look at me. She offered a smile. “Have you? I haven’t.”

  “Shit,” I said.

  “If your council had treated me honestly from the beginning, and if they had offered an apology, and if they had offered reparations paid by those most responsible, I was ordered to accept, subject to a few other agreements.”

  “Never do it again?”

  “And replace the council,” she said. “And we had veto power over the candidates for ten years. It would have been an all-woman council, but we wouldn’t otherwise have interfered.”

  I shook my head.

  “I won’t be impressed by an apology at this point, now that I’ve told you,” she said. “They had their chance.”

  “They might offer one when we get back.”

  “And if so, I’ll take it into consideration, but after being repeatedly called a liar yesterday by people who knew I was telling the truth, this land is annexed, and that is not negotiable.”

  “What happens afterwards?”

  “We’ll discuss that afterwards.”

  “Why won’t you let complete families leave?”

  “The land and its women are annexed,” she clarified.

  “That doesn’t explain why.”

  “We don’t want more empty land,” she said. “You have rich farmland, and we intend you to continue to work the land. We intend you to continue to operate as a crossroads for trade.”

  “I imagine many would stay.”

  “Would you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s something,” she said. She gestured with her head, so we continued walking. “What do you know about our society?”

  “Almost nothing, except you have a queen, and you don’t seem to like men.”

  She nodded and didn’t explain why she had asked.

  * * * *

  A soldier rode up on a horse. “The Charthan council wishes your return.”

  “Tell them we’ll be there shortly.” Olivia gestured, and we began to reverse our path, walking more quickly. We didn’t talk until we had nearly returned. “I wish you to remain and bear witness to the discussion. I have heard your protests, but either they are completely forthright, or the nine council members from yesterday will be pacified and given to Queen Lisdee. I can guess what she will do with them, but it will be outside my control. You’re free to tell them that if you want.”

  I didn’t answer, but when we reached the meeting point, I walked around and took a place to the side, clearly stating my allegiance was to my city and not to this woman.

  “Well,” Olivia said. “What have you decided.”

  “You want something,” Feelie said. “We want to know what.”

  “I would think what I want is fairly obvious.”

  “So you would make us guess?”

  “I want a peaceful conclusion to these events,” she said. “I want to be free to be as kind as possible, given the current status. Whether that happens is up to you now.”

  “Olivia, that’s not what she’s asking,” I said. “And you know it.”

  “If it’s not what she is asking,” Olivia replied, “she is capable of speaking more plainly.”

  “She’s asking about the council.”

  “You assume that’s what she’s asking. And I have come to the same conclusion. But not once has she said so.”

  “Tell them what you want, or I will.”

  “Go ahead,” she said.

  “Fine. She wants an apology. Frankly, unless she’s been lying, and I don’t think she has, I think she’s owed several. And she wants you to be completely forthcoming as to whom should be held most responsible, so she can cast a careful net. I don’t think she’s being unreasonable about that, either. The people who voted to invade her country did this to all of us, and now far more people are going to pay for it. Don’t you think they should be held responsible?”

  The councilwomen exchanged looks. There were nods, and Feelie turned to Olivia. “On behalf of the council, I apologize for the way you were treated yesterday. The bulk of the ill treatment came from one person, and I cannot apologize for him, but I can apologize on behalf of the council.”

  Olivia inclined her head. “Thank you. Have I lied, Ms. Marsh?”

  “If you have, I don’t know of it.”

  Olivia inclined her head again. “There were nine council members present yesterday. Three of them have returned today. Of the six not present, do you personally hold any blameless?”

  “Gavert Thrush argued at every turn,” Feelie said. “There may have been some votes in which he cast an Aye, but they were the sort of votes where Nay was not really possible.”

  “Give me a hypothetical example.”

  “Imagine it was voted to improve the road, and then it was discussed how to build the road. Imagine the road seemed fine, and Mr. Thrush felt the work was an unnecessary expense.”

  “All right. Go on.”

  “Once there was a commitment to improve the road, if there were two means of doing so, and one was a better choice than the other, Mr. Thrush might have voted for the better choice.”

  “Will you share a specific example, Ms. Marsh?”

  “Perhaps later.”

  “Perhaps later,” Olivia said. “That leaves five votes. I believe it required at least six in each of a number of issues for the repeated series of events to have occurred as they did. That means at least one of the three of you were in agreement.”

  “Not necessarily,” Feelie said. “Ms. Yellowroot’s mother was on the council until late last summer.”

  “And you offer the deceased woman to me?”

  “I am only pointing out another explanation.”

  “Fine. I’m done playing games. Tell me what I want, or my demands stand.”

  She sighed. “Mr. Thrush consistently argued against the actions as they occurred.”

  “And?”

  “I went along until last fall, when I changed my position. I was not in support, but I have let Tarith browbeat me for years. I voted against interfering with what was presented as a private enterprise. It wasn’t until your queen grew insistent that I grew a backbone.”

  “Ms. Wethollow?”

  “I didn’t speak up. I didn’t vote to interfere, but I voted ‘No’ to send the military.”

  “Ms. Yellowroot?”

  “Last fall, I was too young to buck the majority,” she said. “This spring, both times, I voted to send the military. I shouldn’t have. It was a mistake, and not because of how events came to pass.”

  “They why was it a mistake?”

  “Because it was theft, and as you said, we had previously had a long, friendly relationship. That is ruined. Even if your military had been no larger than we thought it was, we ruined the relationship. Friends don’t treat each other that way. I deeply regret my decisions.”

  I stared, saying nothing. I wouldn’t have expected Marsen to have voted to use the military.

  Olivia considered them for a while then said quietly, “Thank you for answering me.”

  “Missy,” said Mistee. “You weren’t expecting those answers, were you?”

  “Not particularly, no.”

  “And now you don’t know what you’re going to do, do you?”

  “No. Wait. Yes. If those most guilty are handed over to me, I will consider some degree of mercy for the others.”

  “You realize we’re toothless,” Mistee said. “And I’m not referring to my dentures.”

  “What sort of mercy?” I asked.

  “I’ll go with you,” Marsen said softly. “I deserve whatever happens to me. I should have been stronger.”

  Olivia shook her head. “Of those guilty, you are the least guilty, and you offer that. I rather doubt those guiltier would say the same.” She turned to look at Feelie. “The earlier votes in which
you didn’t vote to interfere. You voted nay.” Feelie inclined her head. “How many votes would it have required to interfere?”

  “Five yea votes, but there was only one yea.”

  “The five most guilty could have blocked attempts to interfere with the private enterprises, as you put it?”

  “Yes.”

  Olivia nodded. “Fine. If you force us to take the city, then the entire city will pay as discussed yesterday. Furthermore, the nine council members from yesterday will be pacified. Those most guilty of these events will be sent to Queen Lisdee. If additional violence is avoided, and I am given those responsible, including the additional owners of these private enterprises, then I will show mercy for the others.”

  “Mr. Thrust?” Feelie asked.

  “He will leave the country, but I will not penalize him further.”

  “And us?”

  “All three of you are at least partially guilty. You did not vote to end this two years ago, although it appears it wouldn’t have mattered. However, perhaps you would have swayed votes; perhaps you would not. We don’t know. You will be pacified but be allowed to stay here. Your friends and families can take responsibility for you.”

  Feelie hung her head then nodded.

  “It is not terrible,” Olivia continued. “It is actually rather pleasant, perhaps quite pleasant.”

  “How would you know?” I asked.

  “Personal experience,” she replied. “I do not care to say more than that at this time.”

  “You have been pacified?” I asked with some disbelief.

  She studied me. “Are you calling me a liar?”

  “No, Olivia. I am just confused.”

  “Fair enough. Yes, I have been pacified, and for me, it was a year. I will tell you the story sometime, if this ends well. But for me it was pleasant, and should be for the three of you. It is a release of responsibility, and it can be quite seductive. That is enough, Ms. Rosebush.”

  I nodded acceptance.

  “How soon may I expect an answer?”

  “You said we had until noon, two days hence.”

  “If you wish to surrender the city, but you cannot force the men to leave,” Olivia said, “You may open the gates and invite us to enter. However, if that happens, then we will pacify all men before sending them away. That is better than if we must take the walls by force.”

  Feelie nodded.

  Capitulation

  I returned to work. Word was already all over town, which wasn’t surprising, and everyone wanted to ask me about it.

  “We don’t have a choice,” I said. “There’s little to discuss. I’m going back to work.”

  I don’t know how many times I said that.

  The new council met in private. It took them only hours to agree to surrender. And then they called a town meeting for that evening.

  Mr. Blackbird attempted to stage a revolt. That turned into a revolving circle of accusations until the captain of the town guard called out, “Why won’t they just let those leave who want to leave? Those who want to stay and fight can stay and fight.”

  No one had a good answer. I finally stood up and said, “I should think it’s obvious. Leverage. They want sane voices to convince the rest of you to capitulate. And I think they want the town intact. Some of you are stupid enough to burn it down if you can’t win.”

  The arguments went around until Feelie stood up. She banged her gavel over and over until finally she had enough silence to be heard. “Captain Bluemoss, the council has voted. I am now directing you to arrest the following individuals.” She read the list of names, twelve in all. That resulted in more protests, but when she finished, she asked, “Now, are you going to lead a foolish revolt against the council, or will you do your job?”

  The man paused perhaps ten seconds and then began giving orders.

  He arrested the twelve men, half of which fought.

  “The boys over age five, and the men in this town have until noon, the day after tomorrow, to begin to vacate the town, per the agreement. You can thank these twelve men for what has happened, and to lesser extent, the three of us. The women will return to their lives here. Captain Bluemoss, you will open the city gates. You will deliver your twelve prisoners to the waiting soldiers. Once you have done so, then I thank you for your service and wish you and the men serving with you the best of luck in your new lives.”

  The man stood straight. He offered a salute. And then he gave orders to his men.

  Half the town followed. I found a route onto the city walls, just to the left of the gate. When it started to rise, we drew attention from the Ressaline soldiers. When Captain Bluemoss and his men stepped out, leading twelve prisoners, it really drew attention.

  I saw Olivia. She walked forward, surrounded by a more significant guard than she had in our previous meetings. They met in the middle. The handoff took moments. Most of the soldiers retreated, Captain Bluemoss turning back to the gates, the Ressaline soldiers turning away.

  Olivia with her four guards and secretary waited. And then Marsen was at my shoulder. “Feelie wants you.”

  I nodded and followed her. She and Narce Wethollow were standing at the center of the gates, looking out. Marsen stepped into place beside them, and Feelie said to me, “Walk us out, please.”

  “You’re surrendering now?”

  “We’re offering. She may want us to oversee the turnover. I don’t know.”

  I nodded, and so, walking four abreast, we stepped through the gates. Olivia waited for us, and we came to a stop.

  And then the three members of the town council all knelt to the ground. I did not.

  “Get up,” Olivia said. “Unless you’ve been replaced on the council, I need you to oversee this until the men are gone. I’ll accept your surrenders once we have taken proper management of the city.”

  The three stood. Feelie nodded.

  Olivia looked at me. “Why are you here?”

  “Feelie asked me to come.”

  She nodded. “I want you to come to dinner tomorrow evening.”

  “Dinner is our busy time. The city will be in chaos. I have responsibilities.”

  “Fine. Breakfast tomorrow.”

  “All meals are our busy time,” I replied.

  “You are vexing.”

  “I’ve been called worse. Once the men are gone, I don't know what to expect.”

  “Fine. Once the men are gone, we will share a meal.”

  I nodded. What choice did I have?

  “I will enter the city when the men are gone. If you require our assistance, you must ask, but we will not tolerate subterfuge.”

  “The council intends no subterfuge,” Feelie said. “And the worst of the dissent is now in chains in your camp. The captain accepted my orders, and I imagine he’ll be the first to leave.”

  “The guard should be last,” she said. “They must maintain order during this time of disruption. When they leave, I will allow the guards one mount each, but no weapons beyond knives.”

  “So it will be.”

  * * * *

  The city wasn’t void of men by the agreed deadline, but that was only because the town could only empty so fast. The Ressaline soldiers searched everyone who left, and from about a third, they confiscated something. From a few, it was a weapon of some sort. From others, jewels. When they did so, they clearly explained, in loud voices, what was not allowed. And yet, others refused to listen and attempted the same tricks.

  A few women tried to escape with their families. I can’t say each was caught, but I rather thought they were. When that happened, the soldiers separated the family, several soldiers per individual. And then they held down everyone age fourteen or older and emptied a cup of liquid down their throats, a cup taken from a barrel on a wagon.

  The struggles faded over the course of a minute after receiving their drinks, and then they were released, the boys and men to travel in one direction, and the women returned to the town. Once it got around the Ressalines
weren’t kidding about pacifying people, attempts to escape ended, or appeared to.

  The town emptied. Well, half emptied. Everyone remaining was in shock. The inn remained busy, but far less busy. No one knew what to expect, and no one knew what would happen financially.

  Finally, the day arrived. The men were gone. I’ve never heard from my brother or cousins since.

  The women remained. Olivia, atop a mount this time, rode at the head of the Ressaline army, right through the main gates. Within moments, the army was going from house to house, searching for any holdouts.

  They found a few. Those were pacified and led away. I don’t think they went to the border. I think they went to a slave market somewhere.

  But there was no fighting. The town surrendered without a fight.

  What choice did we have?

  Unwanted Attention

  After that, it seemed like not much happened, not immediately. The Ressalines took over homes inside the city, choosing from those that hadn’t had a woman to inherit from a departing man.

  I was summoned to the council chambers, escorted from the inn by four Ressaline soldiers. They were polite but fearsome. I went where they directed.

  The full council was present, as were Olivia and her secretary plus an additional honor guard. I walked straight to Olivia. “Please don’t do this.”

  “I have little choice,” she said. “However, I would offer you an education.”

  “I’m not sure I want one.”

  She held up a vial of colored liquid. She didn’t look at it, but I did. “Is that it?”

  “Yes. This lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days.”

  “You said it was permanent.”

  “This is a carefully measured amount,” she replied. “They will be accepting far more.”

  “Then what is that for?”

  “You.”

  “What have I done to deserve this?”

  “You have performed as a leader, and now I am offering to let you experience what this means. This is not punishment, Ms. Rosebush. This is an opportunity.”

  “Are you forcing me to do this?”

  “No, but if you wish to argue with me in the future, you will accept. Otherwise this is the last time I will listen to you.”

  I wasn’t sure how much I cared. I had acquired attention I didn’t want. But at the same time, I wanted her to listen to me this time, even if it was the last time we ever talked. “If I take that, what happens?”