by Robin Roseau
“We wouldn’t track it,” I said. “But no, I don’t. But you admit your citizens cross the border.”
“They do,” she admitted. “But not one of them crosses the border to pick berries or to hunt.”
“Do you also admit there are places the border is somewhat fluid, in spite of your efforts to define a more exact line.”
“I do,” she said.
“Do you admit that-” I checked the list to ensure I had the right name. “-Holiday Gyrolite’s family probably did pick berries from that marsh for generations?”
“No, but I wouldn’t dispute the claim. Do you argue she’s not a spoiled brat?”
“I don’t know the woman, but I admit the possibility. Do you have a point?”
“What do you think we should do for someone who knows she is crossing the border, has been repeatedly told she may no longer do so, and does it anyway?”
“A year enslavement is a ridiculous response,” I replied.
She smiled broadly. “Ah, so it isn’t enslavement that bothers you, but the duration.”
“And that response is why I don’t belong here!”
“Relax, Allium,” she said. “You’re coming to some reasonable points. Make them.”
I leaned on the table and pushed the paper partway back to her. “I bet you already know what you intend to do about this. Why are we playing this game?”
She started to smile, then caught herself. “What does Leander want?”
“The immediate return of every woman on this list.”
“Does he know what that truly means, Allium?”
“No. I’m not sure I fully appreciate it, either.”
“And that is why you are the only woman to be in this room with me,” she said. “Now sit back down and let’s figure this out.”
I sat, but it was grudgingly. Olivia looked at me, and I thought it was with some amount of kindness. “Do you want to resume this tomorrow?”
“Do you?”
“You’re distraught,” she said. “You’re trying to accomplish too much at once.” She tapped the list. “If you were one of these women, what would you want?”
“For it to never end,” I said sullenly. “But I can’t tell that to the king. He’ll never understand. No one is going to understand.” I paused. “I want you to treat our citizens like you want us to treat yours.”
“All right,” she said. “Except I cannot give you freedom to roam the entire country until you have had your first time per our laws.”
“How much authority do you have?”
“Enough to continue this conversation.”
“I want a buffer zone,” I said. “An area of free movement.”
“Keep going,” she said.
“I want our citizens to be free to enter Ressaline in a reasonable fashion.”
“No men. Period.”
“You give them back if they are not engaged in despicable behavior.”
“If they are stealing from us, they get pacified.”
“For how long?”
“It depends on what they’re stealing.”
“You know, I’m not sure how much I care about that, actually,” I said. “You know what? Sure. I do not want us to consider crossing the border as illegal behavior. I do not want it considered illegal unless it’s illegal for your citizens as well. Is picking berries in a marsh illegal for a citizen of Ressaline?”
“Only if the marsh belongs to a farmer,” she replied. “We’ve had some minor theft, the sort that requires a minor slap on the wrist.”
“Define that.”
“Normally,” said Jessla, “A limited period of enslavement, most typically owned by the aggrieved party.”
“Fine,” I said. “How limited?”
“Unless the theft is excessive or repeated, usually three days to two weeks. It ramps up.”
“Maximum for theft?”
“Permanent, for outright theft. If it involves forced entry into a building, or theft of livestock. We wouldn’t do that for stealing an apple, but we’d be harsh if someone showed up with a bushel basket.”
“Permanent?”
“No. A single bushel might be two weeks. And she’s not a pleasure slave, Allium,” Jessla said. “We can give you a brief taste, a day or three, if you ask. You need to understand that crime is nearly unheard of, now that we have sufficient food for everyone.”
“Do you feel your punishments for this behavior are fair?”
“Yes.”
I tapped the paper. “That’s not what you did with any of these women.”
“No,” Olivia said. “It’s not. We’re negotiating next time.”
“Fine. I’m satisfied with your laws for crimes when there is an actual victim.”
“Good,” said Olivia.
“But I expect my office to be notified, and there to be due process.”
“Of course,” she said. “So. Buffer zone.”
“Ten miles on either side of the agreed border.”
“Too far,” she said. “Up to the nearest village, or for social visits somewhat deeper, but no more than ten miles. Otherwise two miles.”
“There are places the border fluidity is wider than that.”
“Then we’ll use two miles from the location that is most generous to Flarvor.”
“There are places the border is poorly marked. Ten miles in those areas.”
She paused. “I am fairly certain that there isn’t a person on this list who wouldn’t have been protected by the amount of agreement we’ve already made.” She tapped the paper. “And I want to discuss one detail. We have an agreement regarding trade with waived tariffs. I do not want this agreement to provide a means of bypassing that agreement.”
“Didn’t we discuss people going to market, or farmers offering their goods.”
“Anyone who lives in close proximity to the border is free to buy and sell goods,” she said. “But I want limits. A farmer may sell his produce, but may not bring in goods from further south to also sell, for example.”
“Agreed,” I said. “But I can’t imagine we can phrase that in such a vague fashion.”
“We can’t phrase any of this in such a vague fashion,” she said. “We’re discussing concepts. Ambassador Cuprite, I believe we have a fair agreement, at least in principle.”
“This list,” I said.
“That is a separate negotiation.”
“No, it is not. These women should be treated per the terms of the agreement we’re making.”
“Not a single one will thank you for that, Allium, and you know it.”
I sighed. “Are you going to make me figure out what you suggest?”
She offered a look of kindness. “I’m not the one who has to convince King Leander we’ve made the right arrangement. What could you convince him to accept?”
“Time served and compensation. Return them immediately.”
“Do you really think that’s the best choice, Allium? And do you really think we’re going to pay compensation?”
“You asked what I thought he’d accept,” I said. Then I snorted. “But you keep his wife’s cousin’s daughter.”
They both laughed. “Are you serious?”
I smiled. “A joke.”
“Not bad,” Olivia said. “Think it through, Allium.”
“I already know this is an impossible situation,” I said. “Even if you release all of them today, they’re going to need after care. You’re the expert, Olivia. Why are you doing this to me?”
“We are not interested in a poor relationship with Flarvor,” she said. “On the other hand, I believe some of these women were actively daring us to take them.”
I considered. “Do they know you sold them for a year?”
She smiled. “No.”
“You couldn’t have told me that a half hour ago?”
“I knew you’d ask eventually,” she said.
I skimmed the list. “I need the queen’s cousin’s daughter.”
“Stay here,” sh
e said. She stood and stepped to the door at the far end. She opened it, spoke briefly, paused, and then came back, holding the arm of a first-time pleasure slave. I stared at the woman. Olivia brought her over and directed her into a chair. Olivia took her own seat and smiled.
“Is that her?”
“It is,” she said. “She is answering to the name Zee.”
“Is she talking?”
“For her owner,” Olivia said.
“Am I going to scream at you when you tell me who that is?”
“It’s not me, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“It’s one of the women I chased out, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Please get her.”
Olivia smiled and stood back up. A minute later, I was facing four women. Olivia introduced me to Yieshia. I didn’t offer to clasp hands. “I would like to know how Zee came into your hands.”
“I won the auction for her,” she replied. “Six weeks ago.”
“She speaks to you?”
“A few words at a time,” Yieshia replied.
“You expect to keep her for a year?”
“Don’t answer that,” Olivia ordered.
I offered a glare then a smile. Then I realized she was manipulating me, and I didn’t know how I felt. But I looked into Olivia’s eyes. “I would like to be able to write the king and tell him his family member will be on her way back to Barrish in a few weeks’ time.”
The woman’s eyes flicked at me, but she turned to Yieshia, burying her face in her owner’s shoulder. I thought perhaps she was more alert than I had been, but I wasn’t sure. “In two weeks’ time, it will have been two months,” I said gently.
“I’d like you to ask a particular question,” Olivia said. “Ask her why she was north of the border.”
“Will she respond?”
“Try.”
“Zee,” I said gently. “Did they tell you who I am?” In response, she clutched Yieshia more firmly. “King Leander sent me.”
“Don't make me leave,” she whispered. I wasn’t at all surprised by the sentiment, but perhaps surprised she was able to talk.
“Zee,” I said very gently. “Please look at me. This is important. I had my first-time last year. It was wonderful. But King Leander doesn’t understand.” She didn’t move, not at first, then slowly she lifted her head and turned to look at me. “He thinks he understands,” I said. “But until you’ve done it, you don’t really understand. You understand now, don’t you?”
Slowly, she nodded.
“I bet you know Queen Ralifta better than I do. Do you think she is making life difficult for King Leander?” The slave smiled. “You don’t like the king?”
She paused, then turned and whispered to Yieshia. Yieshia gave her a little kiss and said, “Tell Ambassador Cuprite.”
The woman turned back. “Leander is nice.”
“I think so, too,” I said. “Zee, first time for us is two months. Mine was two months. I cried when it was over. The king won’t understand if you stay longer than that.”
“Ask the question, Allium,” Olivia said gently.
I nodded. “Zee. Why were you north of the border?”
“I didn’t believe,” she said. “Didn’t believe anything. I was wrong.”
“Did you believe your position would protect you?” She nodded slowly, then turned to bury her face again.
“Thank you, Yieshia,” Olivia said.
“You’re welcome, Duchess. Zee, would you like to go home?” Her slave nodded vigorously. We watched as they stood, and Yieshia gently led her from the room.
Once the door was closed, I turned to Olivia. “You’re on some sort of monthly agreement.”
“Yes,” she said.
I reviewed the list again. “Two months,” I said. “First time, for violations to our agreement. Assuming they are eighteen or older. Half of these women have been here for two months or longer. The mayor’s daughter is only sixteen, and you will give her back now. Is that marsh inside the limits of our agreement?”
“Yes.”
“Then two months for the wife,” I said. “And I presume you will see to proper after care. You won’t do this again, Lady Olivia. This was a shitty trick.”
“No, Allium. It wasn’t. Not a single one regretted it, ten minutes after.”
“You didn’t do it for good reasons, Olivia. You played politics with these women.”
“I would argue I had very good reasons” she said. “I would also argue that we made a point that needed to be made. Allium, do you believe, if someone is going to traipse around our country, that she should be subject to our laws and traditions?”
I didn’t want to admit it, but she had a fair point. Finally, I sighed. “Yes.”
“And yet, today we have negotiated exceptions. That was not going to happen unless we got something we wanted. And we wanted an ambassador who we could also consider a friend. Do you really think we were that unreasonable?”
I stared then sighed. “I don’t know anymore.”
“Allium, we don’t begrudge cross-border trade. We welcome it. We welcome cross-border friendships. The only thing we begrudge is being judged unfairly.” She leaned forward and tapped the paper. “Two months. For those who have been here for more than two months already, we will give their owners proper notice, and she has up to two weeks to free her slave. There will then be after care, which can take a few days to a few weeks. After that, the women in question are welcome to come and go in Ressaline, just as you are.”
I shifted at that. Olivia smiled. “You didn’t consider that.”
“No. I should have.”
“You’re dealing with a lot. So. We may need to finalize some of the wording, just so there are no disappointments, but I believe I have given you everything you hoped for, and in only one single morning. I believe I have taken a diplomatic nightmare and allowed you to completely smooth it away. Would you agree?”
“It’s a nightmare you manipulated.”
“You just told me you feel Flarvorian citizens tromping around Ressaline should be subject to Ressaline law. We only agreed with you.”
“Fine,” I said. “You’re right. Thank you, Olivia.”
“Very good. And so there are only two things I require in exchange for my largess today. First, this embassy remains open, with an ambassador pleasing to us. That does not mean you are some sort of prisoner to your position, but if you are ever recalled and are not replaced with someone else who pleases us, then we may choose to close our borders again. This is non-negotiable, Ambassador.”
“I will ensure the king understands this requirement,” I told her.
“Excellent. And the second thing I require is a personal promise from you, my friend, to work with me to find ways to continue our cultural exchange.”
“I think I want to know what you expect.”
“From now until, well, probably forever, we will engage in fresh conversations. The goal of these conversations will not be to convince you to my side, but to find a path to my getting what I want.”
“I can’t promise that!”
“What I will want, Allium, is a promise from you to do your best to help me. I do not require you to make promises on behalf of anyone else. This is a personal promise from you to help me.”
“You could use this promise to ask me to support you when I think you’re being ridiculous.”
“I am never ridiculous.”
“You could tell me to convince the queen to come for a visit.” She smiled. “No!” I said. “You know that is never going to happen. You want me to spend my reputation on something I know won’t happen?”
“You know nothing of the sort,” she replied. “It may be that you could convince me that my goals are too high, and that I should lower them.”
I realized I’d been out-maneuvered again. I didn’t like it, but I knew it would continue to happen, any time Olivia put the slightest effort into it. I didn’t care for that realizati
on, either. “You want a visit from the princess.”
“Queen Lisdee has a daughter. I believe they are of similar ages. Our laws on this are different from yours. Princess Gionna is not necessarily the future queen. If something happens to Lisdee, we may not elevate a queen. If we do, it could be the princess, but at this point, that is unlikely. The position is not inherited but instead is earned. Princss Gionna hasn’t had time to do the sorts of things that would earn the title of queen. It is more likely, if we decided we required a queen, that I would be approached, or perhaps one of the women who has managed the lands north of Ressaline City, although I have done more to ensure the strong health of Ressaline City than anyone else, barring the queen herself.”
“You could be the next queen.”
“I am quite happy right here,” she replied. “It is more likely we would go without a queen. I would have more autonomy here. And so, unlike Princess Ahlianna, Gionna may not be our future queen. Still, we would be quite pleased if the girls got to know each other.”
“And I suppose you think Ahlianna will have her first time with Gionna.”
“Of course not. Gionna is not yet a citizen, another reason she isn’t qualified to be queen. No, I imagine we would find someone far more suitable. Perhaps Queen Lisdee herself.”
“Olivia, you’re daft if you think Ahlianna is going to offer herself as a slave for two months.”
“Of course not,” she said again. “She’s only 17. It is only for a month, if we do it soon.”
“You are being quite vexing.”
“I imagine I am,” she said.
“And you’re enjoying this far too much.”
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am, Allium. So it is settled. You will invite the princess to visit.”
“It is not settled,” I said. “I could invite her with every letter home, and she isn’t going to come to be a slave for a month.”
Olivia tsked. “You aren’t thinking this through, Allium. I’m about to send her cousin home to her. Her very pleased, very besotted cousin, I will add.” She smiled. “I want something, and I offer something else.”
“Fine. What.”
“First, we have an agreement on the rest of this, which we can conclude as soon as you agree to continue to work with me on these other things. You know you’re going to agree. Perhaps you could stop struggling.”