by Robin Roseau
I didn’t tell her I was miserable.
I didn’t tell her everyone here hated me.
But the governor left, and she assigned me no additional duties in her absence. On the other hand, she didn’t kick me off the planet, either.
* * * *
The shuttle came. The shuttle left. Cecilia was not on it. Instead, we received word she would come on the next shuttle. I would have been here for an entire year by the time she returned. And I was sure I would be leaving four months later.
I received a letter from Aunt Anna. She told me to learn everything I could, and to do the best I was able. But I wasn’t responsible if Governor Grace didn’t see my value. But she also admitted she may have rushed sending me to Talmon, and if the governor decided I wasn’t what she needed, Anna would recall me to Tarriton. She would find work for me while I more completely absorbed the things I would need to know.
I felt that would be a failure, and I was sure the only reason I’d still have a job was because they needed value for the implant in my head.
I hated that thought.
* * * *
Several days after the shuttle came and left, Chaladine appeared before my desk, another woman with her. She used English to introduce Luradinine, Beacon Hill Vendart. I offered greetings in Talmon then said, “Governor Grace did not come.” I did the best to explain when we would see her.
Chaladine seemed disappointed, but then she said, “Luradinine want learn English. Have tablet.” At that, Luradinine set a tablet on the desk. I eyed it carefully, but Chaladine added, “Cecilia give all vendart tablet. Give English program?” She produced another tablet and showed me the one she meant.
“Yes,” I said. Then I considered what I needed her to do, so that I could send her the right program, and I knew there was no way I was going to explain it in Talmonese or that she would understand if I spoke English. And so I said, “Please unlock,” and handed the tablet back to Luradinine.
The woman understood through my accent, so she authorized her tablet. I took it from her and collected from it the information I needed. Then I used my implant to send the right programs. That was quite easy, and Melina was very kind when I thanked her. Then I turned the tablet around and showed Luradinine how to access the program.”
“I know,” she replied. “I have used Chaladine’s. Thank you, Maddalyn.”
“You are welcome,” I said.
Together, the two turned and began to leave, but I called out. “Chaladine.” They turned back, and I said, in Talmonese, as best I was able, “I am sorry. I was rude the last time you were here.”
She stepped back. “You were doing your job.” She spoke very, very carefully, and I was able to understand her, or enough anyway.
But then it became harder for me. “No.” I tried to explain, but I grew frustrated. I couldn’t find the words, and I thought this was important. And so I sent a note to Madge, asking if she would please do a favor for me. She agreed, and so I told Chaladine, “I am sorry. Madge come.”
The two women talked quietly. Madge didn’t make us wait. I waited for her to speak with Chaladine, accepting greetings, before I spoke in rapid German. I told her about the first time I met Chaladine, and how I had been rude. Yes, I was trying to do my job, but I didn’t understand that Chaladine was truly important, and that I was so frustrated trying to learn to speak proper Talmonese.
Madge listened carefully and finally said, “And you want me to tell her that.”
“I want to apologize properly, Madge.”
“All right.” She turned back to Chaladine. The two spoke for a minute or two, and then they all looked to me.
It was Chaladine who spoke, and I only understood some, but Madge translated for me. “Maddalyn, I think you need to be around more native speakers. You do not come into Sudden often. Luradinine and I are going to lunch and then will go shopping. Why don’t you come with us? You won’t understand everything we say, and that’s okay. You’ll understand some. We’ll speak very carefully, and with more practice, you’ll get better.”
I stared. This woman and her wife, or who I thought was her wife, the way they looked at each other, were inviting me for their afternoon together.
And I remembered what Aunt Anna had said about the people of Talmon.
I felt guilty. I didn’t want to intrude. But they were both smiling at me, waiting to see what I would say, and I knew that it was an honest invitation. “You are inviting me? Did I understand?”
“Yes,” Chaladine said. “Come with us.”
I looked at Madge and verified I had understood. I had. “I was so rude to her.”
“This is the Talmon way, Maddalyn,” she said. “It’s an honest offer. And frankly, if there is any woman on Talmon you should befriend, it is Chaladine, future Sudden Vendart. Spend time with her. Get to know her. Let her get to know you.” Then she smiled. “And spend some of your money. Buy some new clothes. You would look amazing in the local couture.”
“You are not teasing me?”
“No, Maddalyn. I am telling you there is nothing you are doing here that is more important than accepting this offer. If Cecilia ever needs something in Sudden, it is not Baardorid you see. It is Chaladine. If you need a friend, it is Chaladine you will see. If you need introductions in Sudden, it is Chaladine who will provide them.”
“I do not want to thrust myself on someone else who doesn’t want me,” I said.
“They want you to come,” she said. “Trust me, just this once.”
“You really think I should let them take me shopping?”
“Use your own money,” she said. “Do you have local coins?”
“Yes. I am paid half in local money and half in Imperial credits.”
“Bring a few hundred in coins,” she said. “And spend it. Let them help you find the right clothes. You’ll have fun, and you’ll get to know a vendart and a future vendart.”
“All right. Yes. But I don’t know what to say about shopping.”
“Leave that to me.” And then she turned and spoke to Chaladine.
And her face lit up in joy. Her face was filled with joy that I was letting her offer a favor to me.
I didn’t understand, but I wanted to see that look again.
But they turned to me, and Chaladine held out her hand. I stared at it before climbing to my feet, hurrying around the desk. I gave her my hand and said, “Money my house.”
She responded, and then the three of us were heading for the entrance.
* * * *
We collected my money, and I changed into better shoes for walking, and then they led me to two of the horses. I stared.
It got worse when I realized that Chaladine was going to ride with Luradinine, and I was being left the other horse. “Chaladine.”
They both turned to me. Luradinine said something I didn’t understand. Chaladine stepped closer. “You know?” she pointed to the horse.
I shook my head. “No.”
She smiled. “We ride.” I didn’t know that word. But she patted the seat. “Maddalyn here.” That part I understood, but I shook my head rapidly. She parted the seat again, behind the first pat. “Chaladine here. It’s good.” She said more things. Then she patted the seat again and said, “Up.”
“Up.”
“Up.”
“How?”
“Luradinine,” she said. She gestured, and I watched Luradinine climb atop her horse. Then Chaladine helped me. It was a long way up, but I managed to climb atop. Then she had me remove my feet from the stirrups so she could climb aboard. She leaned forward, pressing against my back, and gathered the reins.
And then the five of us, if one were to count the two horses, began the walk into town.
I wouldn’t say it was comfortable, but I couldn’t have been happier. They were both being so kind. They spoke slowly, and I didn’t understand much, but I understood some. I replied when I could, but mostly I listened and tried to understand.
We didn’t go s
traight to a restaurant. Instead we ended up in a place for horses. Luradinine dismounted easily then came over to help me. I got down and was thankful for the woman’s help. We smiled at each other. “Thank you,” I said.
“You are welcome,” she replied. I was so proud. I understood her. I was communicating, really communicating. Poorly, but it was a start.
I watched as they saw to the horses, removing their saddles, rubbing them down, and then sending them into a fenced yard to play with the other horses. Then they turned to me and each hooked an arm. As a unit, we turned and began walking.
The two talked the entire time. Chaladine pointed out important sites. Some were shops. At one point, she said, “We come later.” I knew she was speaking with as few words as possible in hopes I would understand.
“Good,” I said. “Good shop?”
“A good shop,” she confirmed.
We made it to the inn. Chaladine greeted everyone and then had fun introducing both Luradinine and me. I used my implant to record names, and got everyone to say their names slowly. Chaladine beamed at me then eventually pulled me to a table. We all settled down, and they talked about the food.
* * * *
I didn’t understand that much, but I understood enough. It was actually Luradinine who ordered for us, one some sort of stew and the other pasta with an unfamiliar sauce. There were vegetables I recognized and two I didn’t. They taught me the names of everything, and I vowed to avoid using the implant if I could.
We ate. They talked. I talked a little, too, but only a little. And then Chaladine paid the bill before I could.
“I have money.”
“I invited you.” She reached over and closed her hand over my purse, pushing it closed. “Say ‘Yes, Vendart’s Daughter.’”
I laughed, understanding that, and then repeated the words. Then I said, “Is name. Vendart. Vendart’s Daughter. Cecilia say no say your father Vendart.” I looked at Luradinine. “No say Luradinine Vendart.”
They both smiled. “Cecilia is right. Vendart’s Daughter is safe.” I looked the last word up and understood. I nodded.
“Say Chaladine is safe safe.”
She laughed. “Yes. I teach an important phrase. Ready?”
“Ready.”
“This is very important. Understand?”
“I understand.”
“Two words: Yes Chaladine.”
I laughed. “Yes, Chaladine.”
Then Luradinine grabbed Chaladine’s chin and turned her attention. “What are your two words?” She spoke carefully.
Chaladine laughed. “Yes, Luradinine.”
I laughed, understanding, then asked, “You say Yes. She Vendart.”
“Yes, Luradinine is Vendart,” Chaladine said. “But that not why. Understand?”
“Yes. No. Why?”
“Hmm.” She paused. “Maddalyn know word?” Then she said a word I didn’t know.
“Have paper?” I asked. “Write word.”
Luradinine called for paper, and Chaladine spelled it. I took the paper and then asked Melina for the definition. I received an English word I didn’t know, but then Melina translated further, and I smiled. “I know word.”
“Chaladine is Luradinine’s prisoner.”
Suddenly I didn’t at all believe the translation made any sense at all. I asked Melina to verify and was assured there was no possible confusion. And so I said, “Prisoner mean Chaladine no leave.”
“That’s right,” Chaladine confirmed.
“I don’t understand.”
“I am love prisoner,” she said, smiling broadly at Luradinine.
“Oh,” I said, my mouth wide. Now that I understood. And I suddenly wondered if Chaladine and I had something in common, although I wouldn’t have believed it of this woman. “Luradinine say. Chaladine do.”
“Yes,” Luradinine said quickly. “I say. She does.”
“I understand now!”
“Remember, Maddalyn,” Chaladine said. “Maybe Luradinine say, Chaladine do.”
“Yes.”
“But Chaladine say, Maddalyn do.”
I laughed. “Yes, Chaladine.”
“Good. All understand.”
“All understand,” I agreed.
We climbed from our chairs. And then on the way out, we said goodbye to people. Once on the street, they each grabbed an arm again. “Shopping!”
I knew that word and grinned.
* * * *
The two were like children on their birthdays while helping me find two complete outfits. And when they saw how much money I had brought, they were anxious to spend it, all of it.
Then I realized something. “Luradinine Vendart.”
“Yes,” the woman confirmed.
“Beacon Hill.”
“Yes.”
I sorted through my coins, and I found one with Chaladine’s image. “Chaladine.”
She laughed. “Yes.”
I gestured to Luradinine, waving my fingers. “Luradinine coin.”
The woman laughed and began digging through her pouch. She finally pulled several out. I realized the sizes were the same from the ones Sartine had shown me and the ones I held, but the art was different. She let me examine them, and then I dug through my own supply until I had an equal amount, handing back Sudden coins for the Beacon Hill coins I took from her. “Is okay?”
“Yes,” Chaladine said. Then she spoke more words, too many to understand.
“Luradinine coin good Sudden?”
“Yes,” she said. She tapped the coins. “Good coins.”
I smiled, gave the coin a kiss, then slipped it into my purse. Luradinine laughed. “You kiss me.”
“Kiss?” She puckered and made a kissing sound. So I laughed and agreed.
Chaladine laughed, grabbed Luradinine’s arm, and waved a finger at me, but Luradinine said, “Maddalyn may kiss my coins.”
I was so proud that I understand.
“Maddalyn may kiss your coins,” Chaladine agreed. “But she may not kiss you.”
“Yes, Chaladine,” I said with a grin. “Only coins.”
“That’s right.”
We went through several shops. They didn’t let me buy anything at first, but then the two conferred before Chaladine said, “Maddalyn want Talmon clothes.”
“Yes.”
“All Talmon.” Then she pointed to my head and my feet and words I didn’t know, but I decided she meant top to bottom.
“Yes. All Talmon.”
“Make Maddalyn a Talmon girl,” Luradinine said. She looked me up and down. “This okay. Talmon girl better.”
I decided she meant looking like one, and I said. “Talmon home now.”
“Talmon home?” Chaladine said. “Yes?”
“Yes.” I pointed to the ground. “Talmon home. Maddalyn Talmon girl. Make look.”
They grinned broadly and pulled me to the next shop.
I don’t know who had more fun. I bought in total two complete outfits: boots, leggings, blouse, one tunic and one vest, and two cloaks. I asked what the cloak was made of and didn’t know the word, but I was amused as anything when Luradinine made sheep noises at me. They helped me find gloves and a pair of shoes I could use for dancing. For that, the two danced together before I understood.
They looked amazingly happy together.
“No know dance,” I admitted.
“You learn,” Chaladine said. “You buy. Chaladine says.”
I laughed. “Yes, Chaladine.” I bought the dance shoes.
They each bought a few things, too, and I had as much fun watching them trying on the clothes as I had myself.
It was the best day I’d had since arriving.
As we finished in the last shop, Chaladine said something to Luradinine. She stepped out while Chaladine and I finished with the purchases.
Finally I said, “Thank you, Chaladine Vendart’s daughter.”
“Friends,” she said. She took my hand and held it. “Friends.”
“Friends,” I said. My first friend since arriving. Right then and there, I narrowly avoided crying.
Luradinine was gone just a few minutes before returning. She said something to Chaladine, and then she began helping to collect my purchases. The three of us grabbed everything, and then we followed her out.
There was one of the carts waiting, this one with a driver and room for four passengers, two facing forwards and two facing backwards. We all climbed up, and I found myself riding backwards while facing the two of them, my purchases on the seat beside me, and some on the floor. Chaladine smiled. “Maddalyn good Talmon girl now.”
I smiled. I liked the idea of being a “good Talmon girl”. I liked that a lot.
It wasn’t a long ride back to the embassy. They spoke, but I was Talmonesed out, and so I sat quietly, smiling, happy for the first time in months. On arrival, they helped me bring my things to my home, and then Luradinine said, “Maddalyn call Madge.”
I used the implant then said, “Sorry, Madge gone. Everyone gone. Just us.”
She spoke to Chaladine, who seemed to like what was said, but it was too complicated for me to understand. I heard “Beacon Hill”, but I didn’t understand more. Then Chaladine turned to me and tried to speak in English. “Too hard to explain. Paper?”
“No paper,” I said in Talmonese. But if they wanted to write a note, we had an easy solution. I pointed. “Tablet.”
I didn’t know how to ensure Luradinine she’d get it back. I only wanted her to write a note. But she unlocked it. I found the right application and handed it back. She wrote the note. I sent the note to myself and gave her the tablet back. “I send Madge. Say words tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” Chaladine agreed.
We hugged, and I gave kisses to each cheek. Luradinine laughed and said, “Maddalyn kiss Luradinine!”
Chaladine laughed and didn’t censure my behavior. And then I watched them go.
And tried all my new clothes on in different combination. Shopping on Talmon was fun!