Diplomat

by Robin Roseau

  “I’m fairly certain none of you has a clue what you’re asking.”

  “Oh, you mean about that little secret you didn’t tell us?” Ressie asked. “If you’d asked yesterday afternoon, you would have been right.”

  I turned to Viella. “Who told?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said.

  “Don’t play that game with me.”

  “I may have pointed out that if people were feeling nervous, asking your favorite staff about you might help alleviate their concerns.”

  “I didn’t believe it,” Ressie said. “None of us did. So we marched across the river and asked.”

  “They didn’t want to tell us a thing,” Wesla said. “But as we arrived with the truth, they confirmed it, but told us we didn’t have all the details and that they weren’t authorized to tell us the rest.” She folded her arms. “You kept it from us.”

  “It wasn’t mine to tell you.”

  “Is that what you were doing when you went over there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is that why it took time before they would let me see you?” Ressie asked. “The last time you were here?”

  “After a fashion,” I said. I looked away. “I had just won. My first win, and I didn’t get to enjoy it.”

  She paused. “I’m sorry.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”

  “That’s why you said you weren’t sure you would be welcome last night?”

  “Yes. I released her and then just… left. The look she gave me killed me.”

  “Who?”

  “I’m not answering that.”

  “Then we withdraw our request to go with you,” Wesla said.

  “Do not blackmail me,” I told her. “I don’t respond well to it.”

  “We’ve been here,” Ressie said. “And between us, we’ve spent time with the six of them over the last two weeks. We can probably tell you if she’s mad at you.”

  I thought about it. “She gave me a significant handicap. I mean a very, very large handicap.”

  “Who?”

  “Pandary.” Liessa and Wesla both began laughing. I grew angry. “If that’s how you’re going to be, I don’t think I want you.”

  “You don’t understand,” Wesla said. “She’s been asking about you. She wants to know when you’ll be back. She said you have unfinished business.” She laughed again. “Now I know what it is.”

  “Is she asking in a nice way?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Wesla confirmed. “Quite dreamy, actually. I assumed it was just coitus missing-you-a-lot-us. We’re going.”

  “All of you?”

  “All of us,” Liessa said. “You need us.”

  “Viella said any other embassy has a staff of twenty at a minimum.”

  “I don’t need twenty.”

  “No, but you need us,” she said. She smiled. “You know some of them are going to panic. You know we don’t.”

  “All of you, one at a time, assure me you have a clue what you’re getting into.”

  “I’ve never been a pleasure slave,” Wesla said. “But I sure do like the things the Ressalines have done with me. I’m going.”

  “I look good in red,” Ressie said.

  We all turned to Liessa. She smiled. “I like learning new things.”

  “Not enough,” I said.

  “Do I have to say it?”

  “If you want to go.”

  “I’m nervous about it, but I won’t embarrass you, Lady Ambassador Cuprite.”

  “I know you won’t. Say it.”

  “I know I’ll be a slave for two months,” she said. “With any luck at all, it will involve a lot of really good sex.”

  I smiled, not quite laughing. Ressie said, “Well, that’s settled. We’ll go see to the coaches.”

  “I intend to walk the bridge,” I said.

  “Very good, Lady Ambassador.”

  * * * *

  I waited until the door was closed and I was sure they were gone before I turned to Viella. “Whom did you use?”

  “Sort of all of us,” she said. “The hardest part was getting the conversation going. No one wanted to be first to admit she had doubts about your leadership style.”

  “Should I feel guilty for manipulating my former staff?”

  “You didn’t manipulate anyone,” she said, “beyond getting us to have a frank conversation. They came to me later and asked if I were sure this was a small delegation with room for more members. After that, they came to their own decisions. They want to work with you, Allium.”

  “I bet they don’t have a gown between them,” I said.

  “Charth used to be a major trading hub,” she pointed out. “Do you know if there are still dressmakers?”

  “Styles are different,” I said. “I don’t know. If not, we’ll figure something out. The Ressalines prefer their leather, but they have gowns. They got them somewhere.”

  “We have a lot we don’t know.”

  “We do,” I agreed. “Fill their names in and send the dispatch. Then we have a bridge to cross.”

  “Yes, Lady Ambassador.”

  “Viella, thank you. Well done.”

  * * * *

  Twenty minutes later, and perhaps an hour later than I thought was necessary, I assembled my now expanded household. “I intend to walk the bridge. The rest of you may do whatever you want.” I didn’t wait but turned and headed for the bridge. I didn’t look around, and my feet were firmly on the bridge before I felt people around me. I looked. Viella was just over my right shoulder, exactly where I wanted her. Wesla, Ressie, and Liessa were to my left. And behind me, the rest of my household, with Marzara and Penelody driving the coaches, taking the rear, presumably with a few mounts tied to the back of the coaches. I grinned at my staff.

  We reached the halfway point, and I came to a stop, turning to them. “There are several symbolic points in our journey,” I called out. “This is the first. Once we cross this point, we are in Ressaline and subject to Ressaline law. For women, from here to the guardhouse is declared a safe zone, so that represents a second symbolic point. Charth itself is the final point.”

  I paused, looking at them. “As far as I am concerned, once we cross the guardhouse, I expect you all to be committed to this mission. Who is having second thoughts?”

  There was a pause, and then Corale said, “I only wish your assurances, Allium.”

  “I have been treated exceedingly well,” I said. “I have absolutely no authority north of this point, but I believe we will all be treated quite well, if in somewhat unexpected fashions.”

  “Do we have to do the challenges?”

  “Only if you want. You will have a first time.”

  “What is your intention?” Wesla asked.

  “I have thought about this for a week. I have every intention of fitting in to the culture of Charth. I will fault no one for making other choices.”

  “What about between us?” Tyleeza asked. “I mean…”

  “I think I know what you mean. I expect everyone to do her duty. I will not take challenges with members of my staff. What each of you does on your time is your decision. But I will be quite unhappy with anyone who pressures anyone else. Do I need to speak more plainly than that?”

  “No, Lady Ambassador,” she said.

  “Good.” I paused again then said, “No one is running away?”

  “Enough talking and more walking,” Wesla said with a grin.

  “So be it.”

  * * * *

  We were expected. Oh, were we expected. There were perhaps thirty people waiting for us, and it was not Corporal Nissault at the gate.

  It was Major Bess.

  I saw, in all, ten people in leather. The rest were in resin, most of it green. As we approached, I felt the people behind me falter for a moment, or at least some of them. I held a hand up to Major Bess but then turned around.

  “Those are slaves,” Mendari said. “Aren’t they?”

&nbs
p; “Yes, Mendari,” I said. “They are.”

  “And they can do that to us the moment we step off the bridge.”

  “The agreement is you have a choice, but if you decline, they return you to Flarvor.”

  She stepped forward, weaving her way between some of the others. She came to a stop, looking me in the eye. When she spoke, her voice was low and a little ragged. “You’ve done that.”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “I want to meet one,” she said. “Please.”

  I nodded then lifted my voice. “Give me a minute. You may wait here or close the remaining distance.”

  I think there was indecision, but in the end, they clustered together. I found myself crossing the remaining bridge. At first, I thought I would remain alone, but then Viella stepped up to my side, and then Wesla on the other side. Neither said a word.

  I came to a stop a short distance from Bess. She was grinning. “Is this an invasion, Allium?”

  “Major Bess,” I said formally. “Perhaps you have heard. It appears I have a new title.”

  “I have heard that very thing,” she said. “Congratulations, Ambassador Cuprite.” She looked past me. “They look a little nervous.”

  “I’m a little new at this, Major,” I said. “Do you need to see my papers?”

  “No, but perhaps I should anyway.”

  I nodded and stepped forward, withdrawing my introduction from King Leander. I handed it to Bess. She read it and said, “I cannot formally accept you as Ambassador, but I can welcome you and your delegation to Ressaline. Really, Allium, what have you been telling them about us?”

  “Bess, do you think they could meet one of the slaves?”

  “Sure,” she said. “On dry ground.”

  “Would you extend the safe zone?”

  “Allium, you know we’re not going to hurt anyone.”

  “I know that. You know that.” I hooked my thumb over my shoulder. “Help me out, Bess.”

  “They can safely travel all the way to Charth and change their mind.”

  “Which they’ve been told. Bess, is that such a difficult request? Please, extend the safe zone for fifteen minutes, a one-time request.”

  “Of course, Ambassador,” she said.

  “Thank you.” I turned around and lifted my voice. “Ladies of Flarvor,” I called out. “This is Major Bess of Ressaline. At my request, and on her authority, the safe zone has been briefly extended. Major, one hundred yards from where I stand?”

  “Can we make it fifty?” she asked.

  “Fifty yards from this point,” I said. “Please, come forward.”

  There was a pause, and then the remainder of my delegation moved forward, although Marzara and Penelody climbed down from the coaches and walked the final distance. Corale was the first to reach me, coming to a stop and smiling. I thought it was bravado, but she looked me in the eye.

  Tarleet and, somewhat to my surprise, Ressie held back, eyeing the slaves carefully. But Major Bess ordered the gate lifted, and I encouraged the women to step from the bridge. When we weren’t all immediately arrested, Tarleet stepped forward. I watched Ressie then walked back to her.

  “You have a good career,” I told her gently.

  Before she could say anything, I heard boots. And then Gibslen was there. “Hello, Ressie.”

  “We’ll go to Charth,” she said. “Right? We go to Charth, and then the duchess is going to give us to someone for two months. Is that how it works?”

  “In a way,” Gibslen said. “If that’s how you want it to work.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “If you ask the duchess to pick someone for you, she will. I imagine what she’ll do is introduce all of you to a number of women, and you will make individual offers.”

  “And what if I don’t like any of them? What if none of them are as gentle as you are, Gibslen?”

  “Then you tell Lady Olivia you want me, and we make it happen.”

  “You promise?”

  “I can’t make promises for Lady Olivia, but if you offer to me, I will take good care of you.”

  Ressie threw herself into Gibslen’s arms. She clutched tightly. Gibslen held her easily but said, “I’m just a farmer, Ressie. You should give Lady Olivia a chance. But if she summons me, I can be there. She’s a good woman. She wants this to be a good experience for you.”

  “Can’t you come with us?”

  “I have a farm to run here,” she said. “And we’re not authorized to do First Time here, not for Flarvorians. The duchess wants to oversee the process herself. If you go any further, you need to go to Charth first.”

  “If I tell her only you?”

  “Then I’ll come, but you’ll come back here. You understand that.”

  “I’m not afraid of hard work.”

  “I know you aren’t,” Gibslen said.

  “Some of those slaves are yours, aren’t they?”

  “We each brought two,” Gibslen said.

  “Will you introduce me?”

  “Of course.” And then, very gently, she helped Ressie finish crossing the bridge. Smiling, I followed.

  “Well,” Bess whispered to me. “I thought we were going to lose that one.”

  “So did I,” I said. “How much of that did you hear?”

  “Most of it. Don’t worry. Olivia wants this to work.”

  I nodded and provided introductions. My staff kept eyeing the slaves, and Ressie wasn’t ready to let Gibslen go. I didn’t exactly blame her. But then Bess said, “I have a surprise for you.” She stepped to the guardhouse and opened the door. A red-clad figure stepped into the light, another behind her.

  “Bee!” I screamed. “Dee!”

  The two ran to me, throwing themselves around me. I pulled them both to me, and they took turns passing me back and forth for kisses, giggling while they did so. Finally, they moved to my side, pressed tightly against me, and I realized my entire staff was watching.

  “Everyone,” I said. “This is Bee, and this is Dee. They belong to Lady Olivia. Dee, is she here?”

  “She sent us,” Dee said. “We were to obey Major Bess, but now we get to obey you, unless you try to take us across the bridge.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said. I leaned over and kissed her cheek, and whispered, “Most of them are nervous. Can you help me?”

  “They shouldn’t be nervous,” she said. “But we understand.”

  I kissed Bee’s cheek, and then said, “You wanted to meet a slave. There are two right here, and they are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet.”

  Chapter Nine

  I was taking my turn driving one of the coaches as we drew closer to Charth. Viella sat beside me, looking around. Finally, I asked her, “Nervous?”

  “No,” she said. “Not anymore. You?”

  “Terrified.” She laughed. “I really didn’t think they would all come. I was half expecting all of you to turn around on the bridge.”

  “Even me?”

  “Well, if I were to write a list of those least likely to run, your name was first.”

  “Seeing the slaves was a shock, knowing in another week, I’m going to look like one of them.”

  “For a while, yes.”

  “You’ll be okay without me?”

  “Yes. I’ll be fine.”

  She giggled. “Will Lady Olivia let you keep them?”

  I laughed. “I doubt it.” She meant Bee and Dee. “I love them to pieces, though. I absolutely love them.”

  “They’re amazing. Bee gave me a foot massage yesterday.”

  “Just a foot massage?”

  “She said they didn’t have permission to really have fun with anyone except you. Have they worn you out?”

  “No,” I said. “You’re going to look good in red.”

  She laughed.

  * * * *

  With Major Bess leading the way, we passed through the south gate into Charth. I didn’t know the city terribly well, and so I was pleased to hav
e Bess showing the way.

  I was a little surprised: we saw very few people on the streets. Charth should have been more vibrant than this, and that made me nervous. But I was premature.

  We turned a corner, and ahead of us was the green outside the Charth Government House. It was full of people.

  Bess lifted her hand. We came to a careful stop. She dismounted, and a blue-clad slave ran up to see to her mount. Bess handed over the reins then walked back. I set the brake on the coach and looked down at her.

  “Perhaps we could walk from here, Ambassador.”

  “Of course, Major,” I said. “Spread the word, Viella.”

  We climbed from the coach. Behind us, I heard people alighting, and then Bee and Dee were at my sides, each clasping an arm. “We missed you,” Dee said. “Wife.”

  I smiled at her. “I love you both, but I bet you’re ready to be back with Olivia.”

  “We really miss her,” Bee said. “But we begged to come meet you. She was going to send other slaves, but we convinced her we were the best choices.”

  “I’m glad she sent you.” I gave them each a quick kiss, and then the rest of my staff was there. “Well, Major. Shall we.”

  * * * *

  The people opened a path. The majority of them were clad in resin, all different colors, but I wondered if the entire town was here. There were so many people.

  But they opened a path all the way to the steps of Government House, and on the steps, Lady Olivia. Before climbing, I looked around, but I didn’t readily see my other friends.

  “You’ll see them later,” Olivia said, her voice low.

  And so I climbed the steps, and I had my papers out by the time I reached her. Viella had coached me on the protocol, and so I didn’t curtsey. Viella insisted that as the direct representative of King Leander, I actually outranked a mere duchess, although it was unlikely she would curtsey to me, either. And so I came to a stop. “We have some talking to do,” I said in a very low voice.” She nodded that she’d heard me. I lifted my voice. “Lady Olivia, Duchess of Charthan, I am Allium Cuprite. King Leander has sent me as Ambassador to Ressaline. Will you accept my papers?”

  I offered them. She accepted and said, “Lady Ambassador Allium Cuprite of Flarvor, I accept your papers and welcome you to Ressaline. Be welcome!”

  The crowd cheered, and they were loud. Oh, were they loud. While they were making all the noise, Olivia moved closer. “You brought more than I expected.”