by Robin Roseau
“You know he wasn’t going to send his daughter.”
“Not my problem,” she said. “My point is: I am not the one who decided who to send. Your king is. I am pleased it is you. And I think so are you.”
I turned away again, walking to a different bookcase. “He barely sent anyone with me. My best advisor is barely twenty years old. She knows some of the protocols, and she has perspective I don’t have, but she hasn’t an ounce of real experience.”
“I know, Allium,” Olivia said gently. “He sent the best woman he could find for the job.”
“He could have had a wider variety of choices if your queen were more reasonable.”
“No,” Olivia said. “Allium, look at me.”
I hesitated, but I slowly turned to her. “If she were unwilling to accept our way of life, she would forever judge us. You know I’m right.”
I stared at her before dropping my gaze.
“If you don’t want to be here,” she said, “I will collect every citizen of Flarvor and send all of them back with you.”
My eyes snapped up. “And stop stealing them?”
“You and I will negotiate how we are to handle this. I will be reasonable and suffer the queen’s wrath when she finds out I sent the ambassador back. It’s not like Leander will send someone else until the next diplomatic mess.”
“That isn’t fair,” I said.
“Not your problem,” she said. “That one is mine. If you are truly angry with me, tell me. So far, you haven’t said you’re angry. You’ve said you believe you are unqualified in spite of my faith as well as Leander’s. You’re wrong, but if you want to return to Flarvor after arranging an agreement, I won’t stop you.”
I stared at her. “It’s a pretty fabulous house you gave me.”
She laughed. “It is, isn’t it?”
“And you sent Bee and Dee.”
“I did.”
“Although I was pretty sure you were going to take them back.”
“You know you’ll be able to spend more time with them, if you stay.”
“It would be a shame not to stay long enough for my staff to experience Ressaline hospitality.”
She laughed again. “True.”
“I’m still scared. I want you to tell me what else you did to manipulate my situation.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Ha! I knew you had done more.”
“What could I have done from way up here in Charth?”
“You have a very long reach. Not only do I want to know what else you’ve done, I want you to tell me whether I was going to have to browbeat you before you’d tell me.”
“I hadn’t decided,” she replied. “I may have asked people I know to whisper into the ears of people we thought the king might talk to ahead of you.”
“Olivia!” I screeched. “They would have been better.”
“No, Allium, for a very simple reason.”
“Do tell.”
“I trust you, and by extension, so does Queen Lisdee.”
I stared. “Anything else?”
“No.”
“You swear.”
“Nothing else.”
“All right,” I said. “You made my job harder.”
“Because you don’t have anyone along who will help you lie with pretty words?”
“Was that intentional, too?”
“It was part of the whisper campaign.”
“Did the king have a proper choice at all?”
“He could have sent his own daughter, Allium. It is quite common for a king’s daughter to serve as ambassador, even at that age, perhaps with an older advisor. I’m told she is quite intelligent and no more unreasonable than any other king’s daughter.”
“Is that what you would have done?”
“If I didn’t have someone else with far more experience. In his position, I would not have sent you. I would have sent my daughter, or I would have pressured someone with far more years of experience. Frankly, I think I’m better at getting my way than your king.”
“He prefers a different approach.”
“And he’s not necessarily wrong. If this were a more important post for him, he may have done it the way I would have. Well, I made it a more important post than it was, and frankly, I have no intention of apologizing for it.”
I thought and then said, “All right.”
“If there is more, I want it done with, Allium.”
“Not from me,” I said. “But from the ambassador.”
“Then tomorrow,” she said. “I want a hug and a kiss.”
We closed the distance, hugged, kissed, and then held each other tightly. “I’m so happy you’re here, Allium. Truly.”
I tightened.
* * * *
Olivia had invited my entire household for an informal dinner. She promised a formal event once we were settled in. We found everyone in the ballroom, but they all turned to us as we entered.
We were holding hands. I led us forward and said in a clear voice, “I want to be very clear about something. Even though I am Lady Ambassador, many of the people in this room are my friends, and I continue to treat them that way.” I lifted her hand to demonstrate. “Tonight, I am simply Allium, and that is my name to everyone here tonight. I will accept titles when I am engaged in my official duties.”
“I am Olivia,” she said. “And I am so pleased to have this friend here beside me, and to see new friends ready for the making.”
I looked around. Olivia dropped my hand, and I walked straight to Lisolte, coming to a stop. We smiled at each other. “Everyone,” I said. “This is Lisolte. She was my first.” And then I reached for her, and we hugged very tightly. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“I’ve missed you, Allium,” she whispered. “Are you mad at Olivia?”
“We have official discussions to hold, but we have resolved any personal issues.”
“Good. Will you be accepting challenges?”
“Oh, yes,” I said. “Once things settle down.”
“Good. Get a few more, then I want you again.”
“Yes,” I said.
I greeted others, and then Olivia said, “Allium.” I turned to her. “I wish to make a suggestion.”
“This is your home, Olivia. You do not need my permission to make a request.”
“I would like the women of Flarvor to choose a woman of Ressaline as her companion for the evening, and I would like you to indulge me besides.”
“Oh?”
“I would like you to let them make their own choices.”
“And do you also wish to choose my companion, Olivia?”
She smiled. “You are mine, Allium.”
I inclined my head and crossed the room, taking her arm.
What happened after that was actually a little funny. Wesla took a direct path for Lisolte, edging out Tyleeza by two steps. Marzara was first to Bess, and most of the others found whoever was close.
Three times Viella turned to an available woman, only to be too slow. But then she looked at me, smiled, and then purposely walked to Bee. “Would you be my companion this evening?”
“I would love to!” Bee said happily, then offered her arm.
In the end, everyone was partnered, and then Olivia led us to dinner.
* * * *
“Lady Olivia,” Tarleet asked, perhaps halfway through the meal.
“Tonight, I am simply Olivia. Are you enjoying dinner?”
“It is lovely,” Tarleet replied. “I wished to ask a question.”
“Of course.”
“Did we just decide who will own us for the next two months?”
Olivia paused then said, “I want to pretend you didn't bring that up.”
“But-”
“Ambassador,” Olivia said. “There are certain topics that once I start, I am obligated to finish.”
“Ah,” I said. “Of course. Tarleet, when the duchess is ready for that conversation, she will let u
s know.”
“But-”
“If you like,” I added, “you, Olivia, and I could continue this conversation in private, but I would prefer to maintain most of my delegation for another day or three.”
“Oh,” she said. Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
“Do I need to speak more clearly?”
“No, Lady Ambassador. I am sorry.”
I glanced at Olivia, who was pointedly ignoring me, and I realized so was every other Ressaline woman. “This is a social event and not any sort of commitment. I will point out two people are accompanied by the very lovely Bee and Dee.”
She looked down for a moment, then over at one slave, then the other, before looking back at me. “Does anyone blame me for being nervous?”
“No,” I said. “But I would rather discuss this privately later.”
“Yes, Ambassador,” she said.
“Good. Olivia, dinner is wonderful as always.”
“That is Claary’s doing,” Olivia replied. “We catered.”
“Well, Claary,” I said. “Please compliment the chef for us.”
“I will,” she said.
“Olivia, I do have a question for the duchess. What freedom do we have over the next day or three?”
“You personally are free to travel the width and breadth of Ressaline,” Olivia answered. “I would ask your staff to confine themselves to your embassy unless under escort. Coordinate with Major Bess.”
“I need to visit the market,” Mendari said. “For supplies.”
“I will arrange your escort,” Bess said. “The markets open at first light.”
“Then if possible, I would like to leave to reach them as they open.”
“I will see to it,” Bess said.
“Olivia, we have funds, but they are Flarvorian. I believe there is an agreed exchange rate.”
“There is,” she said. “The merchants will not know the rate, however.”
“We can exchange some funds in the morning,” Bess offered. “I can see to that, Lady Olivia.”
“Thank you, Major. Now, who has a story for us?”
* * * *
After dinner, our escorts pulled each of us in different directions. I found myself taking a walk with Olivia. “We should talk about it, and I don’t think we should stay late.”
“You’re right,” she agreed.
“You must have a plan.”
“We have issues to officially discuss, and I take it you would prefer to do that sooner rather than later.”
“You suggested tomorrow. That works for me. How hard are you going to make me work for a solution?”
“It depends upon how reasonable you are,” she said. “My plan, as you put it, is to hold initial discussions tomorrow. Perhaps we will reach agreement. Perhaps it will take time. As long as you and I can retain a cordial relationship, then we will give your staff an opportunity to get to know more of us.”
“And then what?”
“And then we give them choices.”
“Do you have a timeframe in mind?”
“A few days,” she replied. “I thought about doing it tonight, but I think we need to see how our conversation goes tomorrow.”
“I think I agree,” I said.
“In the meantime, it would be easiest if you kept them home. And if any of them are caught somewhere she shouldn’t be, she’ll be wearing red before you see her again.”
“I’ll make sure they know to behave,” I said. “Frankly, I think they’re all more nervous than they’re letting on.”
“Probably.” She set her hand on my arm, drawing me to a stop. “Unless you are entirely unreasonable, we’ll reach an agreement.”
I nodded.
She smiled. “And you’ll look like the hero.”
“That’s not why I’m here, Olivia.”
“Perhaps not,” she said.
“I have another issue.”
“You are just one big problem child,” she said with a smile. “Yes?”
“I am fairly certain some of my staff are inadequately prepared to serve in an embassy.”
“I’m fairly certain you feel that’s true of everyone, including the ambassador. I think you refer to something in particular.”
“Wardrobes. I collected two engineers and a road worker on my way through Tebradine.”
“Ah. And?”
“And, do you even have dressmakers here?”
“Oh, yes,” she said.
“Can we start that process prior to the big conversation we’re currently avoiding? That way we’ll have everything ready and won’t waste two months.”
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll have to send them to you.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, but it makes it harder for you to shop around.”
“Could we find time for someone to at least take me about, even if you don’t want to let them travel Charth?”
“If we’re not screaming at each other, we’ll go tomorrow afternoon. We’ll hold our initial discussions in the morning, if that pleases you. If you and I are unable to be friends tomorrow afternoon, I can arrange someone else to take you. Perhaps Lisolte?”
“Perhaps someone who won’t confuse me,” I said.
“Gigi? She has impeccable taste.”
“Gigi would be perfect, if she is free, and you and I are best apart.”
“I’ll talk to her about it then. I’m sure she’ll be able to find time.”
“Olivia, could we have a dance before the big talk?”
She smiled. “I think that would be lovely. Do you want to host, or are you asking me?”
“I would prefer doing it in the Ressaline style, but if we can do that and host at the embassy, I think I’d like that. It’s short notice.”
“Let us cohost, but at the embassy,” she said.
“My chef cannot handle a meal that large yet. She said she needs to train her help before she handles something large.”
“We’ll make it after dinner. We can cater if she doesn’t want to prepare anything. I will also provide slaves so that your staff can be free to enjoy themselves.”
I stared for a minute, then nodded. “Thank you, Olivia. When?”
“Let us decide that tomorrow after lunch.”
“Very good,” I said.
“Anything else?”
“Yes.” And I moved to her for a hug.
“You’re going to be fine,” she whispered to me.
“I’ve been taking overnight challenges.”
“Not tonight.”
“No, not tonight,” I said. “Not until after we resolve our most immediate issues, and not if you are hosting anyone’s First. But are you interested?”
“Quite,” she said.
“Good.”
Chapter Eleven
I strode through the Charth Government House. I had everyone from my delegation minus the basic household staff, and we were flanked by a squad led by Major Bess.
We reached a double door. A slave in black opened the door and announced me, and then we strode through the doors.
Olivia sat at the center of a long table. Jessla beside her. I didn’t recognize the five other women. They all stood as we entered, and I stepped forward to the opposite side of the table. “Good morning, Duchess,” I said. I reached across to offer my hand.
We clasped. Introductions were made, and then she indicated we should sit. I let everyone else do so, but then I leaned on the table. “Lady Olivia, Ressaline is holding a significant number of Flarvorian citizens as prisoners. We have granted the women of Ressaline free travel throughout Flarvorian, and we do not appreciate you taking our citizens as prisoner. If you wish continued good will between our countries, you will return them with a promise to cease this unlawful behavior.”
She looked up at me, her expression dispassionate. “Ambassador,” she said carefully. “If you wish to discuss other issues, we may, but I cannot discuss this particular issue with anyone who is not yet welcome to trav
el my country.” She flicked her eyes to my left and right, letting me know who she hoped to evict.
I felt a flash of anger. She could have warned me yesterday. She had to know I wasn’t going to arrive at this meeting alone. I stared at her, wondering whether I should display my anger and unsure I wouldn’t if I opened my mouth. Finally, I asked tightly, “What game are you playing with me?”
“No games,” she said. “Send them out of the room and I’ll discuss this issue.”
I clenched my fists, then pushed off from the table, turning my back on her and folding my arms.
Finally, I turned around. “Them, too,” I said.
“Jessla stays,” Olivia replied.
“Everyone else leaves.” She inclined her head. “All of you,” I said. “Please step back outside.”
“Ambassador,” said Viella.
I turned my gaze to her. She stared at me for a moment then dropped her gaze before climbing to her feet.
My staff, accompanied by Bess, went one way. Olivia’s went the other way. Once doors on both ends of the room were closed, I turned back to Olivia. “You did that intentionally. You could have warned me last night.”
“I didn’t know you would come in here barking demands at me,” she said. “You’re not thinking clearly, Allium. Sit down and talk to me like we’re friends.”
“You’re playing games with people’s lives, Olivia!” I said, not quite hotly.
“Do you think yelling at me is going to make this go better?”
“What are you doing?”
“Teaching you, Allium.” I stared at her then slowly sat down. “Better,” she said. “Do you want this to be a friendly conversation or adversarial?”
“The king is rather put out,” I said.
“And he told you to make sure I understood just how put out?”
“Yes. And frankly, I’m not happy about this, either. You’re playing politics with those people.”
“All right,” she said slowly. “We can discuss that. Do you think any of them was unaware of where the border was?”
“You and I both know the border is fluid in places. You and I also know that there are people who have spent their entire lives living very near the border and crossing freely in both directions. In some places, the nearest village is on our side of the border, and citizens of Charth cross. In other places, it is the opposite. You’ve been here long enough to know that.”