by Robin Roseau
The final letter was a formal invitation from Princess Ahlianna. It was phrased very carefully but served as an open-ended invitation for Princess Gionna, “In the spirit of friendship between us as representatives of our respective countries” to visit Barrish as best befitted Gionna’s schedule. There was also a suggestion that winter in Barrish was far more pleasant than it might be in Ressaline City, but assuring the princess she was welcome whenever she might choose to visit.
I read my copies a second time. I was halfway through when Cha returned.
“All right,” I said. I collected everything together. “Do I have an appointment?”
“Olivia welcomes you to Government House or to dinner, as you feel most appropriate.”
“I think we’ll go now,” I said. “Cha, I need these papers locked in my office.”
“Very good, Ambassador.”
* * * *
We walked. I wasn’t sure if I was an approved escort for Bridgie, but I thought Olivia could tell me if I wasn’t. We did pick up an escort at Government House, but there was no delay as we swept into Olivia’s office.
She was standing by the time I saw her. I stepped forward and accepted a brief hug. “Lady Olivia, this is Bridgie Tourmaline, a member of the Royal Couriers. She, along with perhaps three others, has been assigned here.”
Olivia greeted Bridgie, welcoming her to Charth. “Shall we sit?”
“Thank you.” I waited until we were settled and then said, “Have I violated the law by serving as Ms. Tourmaline’s escort for the walk from the embassy?”
“No, but I am not authorizing any other non-citizen guides for Flarvorian citizens, Ambassador.”
“I understand, Olivia. Thank you, Olivia. I wanted to provide this introduction, and we have things to discuss.” I turned to Bridgie. “Did you have immediate questions?”
“No, Ambassador.”
“Please wait outside.”
“If this conversation looks likely to be extended,” Olivia added, “I will arrange an escort back to the embassy, Ms. Tourmaline.”
Bridgie stood. “It has been my pleasure, Duchess.”
I waited until the door closed before returning my attention to Lady Olivia. “Clearly, the king has replied to the dispatch you had delivered for me.”
“So I assumed,” she said. “So serious, Allium? Is he upset with you?”
“Oh,” I said. “No. Quite the contrary, actually. There is just a lot. Let’s start with the least complicated. The king has asked me to very privately express his regrets for the more, how to put this? Unpleasant turmoil caused by some small number of Flarvorian citizens.”
Olivia nodded. “As I told you, we never blamed Flarvor, but only the individuals involved.”
“He understands, but he wanted to be clear. It is a private apology, and he also wants me to assure both you and Queen Lisdee that anyone engaged in such blatantly criminal behavior deserves to be suitably punished.”
“Thank you,” she said. “That is actually a relief to hear.”
“You were worried?”
“Yes, actually. It’s not like we can readily get them back if he made demands.”
“King Leander makes no such demands. In fact, he was somewhat brief. He told me he ratifies the agreements we have made so far.”
“All of the agreements, Ambassador?”
I smiled. “Yes, Olivia. All the agreements.” She joined my smile, and then it widened even further. I laughed. “Oh, if that pleases you, then you’re really going to like my best news, but you have to wait. I’m going to need to take this back with me, as I want my own copies.” But I gave her the portion regarding shared territory.
She looked through it, and then together we went over the map, identifying the sites in question. We talked for perhaps ten minutes, and then she let me collect it. “I will duplicate this and pass the originals to you. It will take me a day or two, I imagine.”
“I’ll send some maps to the embassy, so at least you won’t need to redraw them entirely.”
“Thank you,” I said. “That will help. I’d like to know what you think.”
“Hmm.” She paused a moment. “This is more than I can promise.”
“I don’t believe this is an urgent issue.”
“I agree in principle, but perhaps not as expansively as the king requests. I don’t actually know a thing about any of these sites, and I’m going to have to send people.”
“I think I’d like Ms. Kunzie or Ms. Lazuli to go as well,” I said. “And perhaps this is a learning opportunity for Ms. Sardonyx.”
“So no immediate urgency.”
“We should reach the correct agreement, and as neither of us know anything about these sites, we should take the proper time to learn more. You are not personally opposed?”
“If this is as King Leander suggests, then I am in support, but I cannot speak for Queen Lisdee on this. She tends to be extremely sensitive to issues related to the border.”
“I suppose I don’t blame her.”
“I’ll mail her once I have my copies,” Olivia said. “A response will take time, anyway. She may flat out refuse. Or she may tell me to use my judgment. It is even possible she will indicate a desire to visit the areas before final agreement.”
“I will tell King Leander his proposal has been met with some degree of interest.”
“Yes. Good.”
“Thank you, Duchess.” I paused then changed my tone. “Olivia, you should know: the king has told me he supports my decisions regarding my personal choices.”
“Oh, does he?” Olivia asked with a fresh smile. “And which choices are those?”
“He wasn’t exactly specific, but I think you can guess.”
“He likes the idea of you belonging to my slaves, does he?”
“I do not believe that had happened prior to my previous dispatch, and he may change his mind if he learns about it.” We both offered a little laugh. “I only wanted you to know he is supportive.” I talked for another half minute on that.
“I am pleased.” She gestured. “You have more papers. Saving the best for last?”
“Yes, but we’re not to the last yet.” I told her what he’d said about pacification tonic, including the temptation for abuse. “He asked me to continue discussions. Consider this me continuing discussions.”
“I do not know if I can offer to send Judge Jessla to Barrish,” she said. “That would require approval from Her Majesty. But I can offer to accept, on rare occasion, a delegation from Flarvor.”
“Including a prisoner, who is quite likely to be male, and who would be safely returned to Flarvor if he is judged innocent of crimes?”
“We would negotiate travel details,” she said. “I will be vexed if a troop of soldiers crosses my border without invitation.”
“Could you make a formal proposal of the sort of arrangements you would prefer?”
“Let me work on that,” she replied. “I can have something in a few days. Allium, this will be far easier if I can assure the queen anyone who comes is either a prisoner for interrogation or a woman.”
“Are the women subject to a certain somewhat pesky custom?”
She paused. “I don’t know. What if they were?”
“Would Ressaline be willing to take responsibility for the physical custody of the prisoner, with an exchange at the border? This would reduce the number of Flarvorians who must cross the border.”
“We would almost certainly insist on that, actually,” she said. “Yes.”
“I don’t know how many others the king would wish to send. I imagine at a minimum an unbiased observer, but it may be that I could serve that role. However, I am neither a lawyer nor jurist. I imagine a representative of the prosecutor’s office would need to come, and I imagine also some sort of lawyer for the accused.”
“I want to be clear, Ambassador. If you bring us a prisoner, none of the people you just mentioned will be asking a single question from the moment we apply the toni
c. We will allow witnesses but absolutely no interference. And I do not promise we will limit our questions. Nor do I promise to ask every question requested. We will limit ourselves to our very careful laws.”
“Anyone who arrives in this fashion would be accused of murder or treason,” I said. “Do you think we’ll have any trouble reaching the truth of either matter?”
“No,” she said. “But do not bring me someone accused of being an enemy of the king.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Some rulers like to rid themselves of anyone they find inconvenient.”
“Oh. I understand, Duchess. So, you will discuss this with Queen Lisdee.”
“Yes. I cannot guess her reaction.”
“We can do no more than ask her.” I smiled. “I have a sweetener.” I gave her three envelopes.
“Are these what I think they are?”
“Lady Olivia,” I said. “I want to be absolutely clear. These do not in any way imply a reciprocal invitation would be accepted. One of those is addressed to you.”
“Do you know what they are?”
“I received copies.”
She opened the letter and grinned while reading it. She was still grinning. “I want you.” I laughed. “I’m serious,” she said. “Two-week challenge. We can hold it immediately.”
“Funny,” I said. “I have responsibilities, some of which are represented by the woman trying to get your secretary to talk about being enslaved. Olivia, you heard me. Tell me you heard me.”
“I heard you,” she said.
“There is value in a friendship,” I said. “But I firmly believe that friendship will be based in Barrish, not Charth, and almost certainly not Ressaline City.”
“You made promises to me about that, Allium.”
“Oh, don’t play that game with me.” I tapped the envelopes she was holding. “I’d say I’ve done well so far.”
“Agreed,” she said. “I want to ask you something, and I want an honest answer.”
“Of course.”
“Imagine Princess Ahlianna were to ask your opinion.”
“Ah. I would tell her I am the wrong woman to ask regarding the politics, but that it would be a highly enjoyable experience for her.”
“Could you assure her as to her safety?”
“No. I would assure her I had faith in you.”
“Even better,” she replied. “Are you sure I can’t have you?”
“You’re very naughty.”
“There’s nothing naughty about it,” Olivia replied. “Come to dinner tonight.”
I looked at her and finally admitted, “I can’t tell if you’re really suggesting I should set aside my responsibilities.”
“What responsibilities?”
“I have a house guest,” I said. I hooked my thumb to the door. “You met her ten minutes ago.”
“I don’t let the comings and goings of Queen Lisdee’s couriers dictate my choices.”
“Do Queen Lisdee’s couriers stay in your home? And are they effectively prisoners besides?” I smiled. “I tell you what. Give her safe, free roam of Charth, and I’ll come to dinner.”
“I can’t.”
“Then until you’ve taken her off my hands, so to speak, I’ll have to ask for you to wait.”
“And I don’t want to deal with that tonight,” she said. She sighed quite dramatically.
“I knew you were just teasing.”
“Actually, I wasn’t,” she said. “But I wasn’t considering the lovely courier. You’re right. You could accept. She’s a courier, not a social responsibility. But you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t look out for her.” She paused then gestured to the stack of papers that included the map. “The sooner you make your copies, the sooner I can write the queen about all this.”
“I’ll put Cha and Vi-vi on it.” I stood. “I’ll accept that invitation when I have a free evening.”
“Good.”
* * * *
The next day, I received a note from Olivia. She sent the maps but then said, “I’m sorry. I have other responsibilities for the next three nights. Please come to dinner four nights hence, and bring your new courier.”
And so, we had a plan, although I didn’t tell Bridgie. Events would overtake those plans, anyway.
Chapter Sixteen
“Allium, there is a message from Lady Olivia. She requests your presence at Government House.”
“Thank you, Cha. When?”
“Immediately.”
I straightened. “Immediately.”
“Yes, Allium.”
“Thank you, Cha.” I stood and followed her to the foyer, then said, “I’ll be back when I can.”
“Yes, Allium.”
During the walk, I worried. What could she need so urgently. Was there a problem with one of my staff members? Had something happened somewhere? I ran scenarios through my head, but I realized I could guess randomly.
Reaching Government House, I collected a small honor guard. They led me not to Olivia’s offices, but in the other direction, to one of the larger rooms used for entertaining. They opened the doors and announced me, and I passed between them, coming to a stop and looking around.
Olivia stood, waiting for me. With her were ten other women. Half were dressed in leather. The other half wore a variety of attire such as any I might find common in Flarvor. Two of them turned to me openly, but the other three pressed into the sides of one of the Ressalines.
“Good afternoon, Lady Olivia.”
“Ambassador Cuprite,” Olivia replied. “Thank you for arriving so promptly. I am sorry. I had intended better warning, and it was only when you weren’t here that I realized I hadn’t actually invited you.”
“Quite all right,” I said. I looked around.
“You’re the Flarvorian ambassador?” said one of the women. She spoke in a Flavorian accent. She appeared to be in her low twenties and somewhat more self-assured than the other women. She stepped forward. “Do you know who I am?”
“Lady Olivia,” I said. “Are introductions in order?”
“Ambassador,” said Olivia. “These five women are Flarvorian citizens. They were each discovered inside our borders and invited to share in our customs.”
“The first you’re giving back,” I prompted.
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to go back,” said one. She pressed more tightly into her prior owner. “Please, I don’t want to leave you, Renalia.”
“I cannot keep you, Rennda,” said the woman. “It is illegal. You must recover from your first. That is the law. You need more time.”
I stepped forward. Rennda was young and quite pretty, although it was hard to tell, as she turned away from me. “Rennda Gyrolite,” I said gently. “I am Allium Cuprite.”
“I don’t want to go,” she said. “I don’t want to go home.”
“Is that because you don’t want to leave Ressaline, or because you don’t want to return to Bilarkeet?”
She turned enough to glance. “I hate it there,” she said. “I want to stay with Renalia.”
“I’m sorry, Rennda. I would keep you if I could, but it isn’t allowed. You must have time now.”
“Then I want to stay here. I can have my time here. How much time?”
“Six months,” she said.
“Then you can take me back?”
“We aren’t discussing that,” Renalia said. “You must focus on standing on your own two feet again.” The woman spoke for a minute. She was kind, but Rennda was crying quietly before she let Renalia step away from her. “You have been a lovely slave, and I am pleased and honored that I was your first.” And then she backed away and headed for the door, giving a little sob before she began running.
“Renalia,” Rennda whispered. She hung her head, but when I pulled her into my arms, she let me. I held her.
The other women were somewhat easier. Their former owners spoke quietly, and then they slipped from the room, each leaving behind a wo
man of Flarvor. One of them came to me, so I pulled her into the hug. When I looked, another was hugging the last woman. And the first to speak was staring at me.
“When you’re done with them,” she said.
“Do you remember me, Valsine Sapphire?” I asked. She inclined her head. “Your mother’s cousin sends greetings. You made a mess, Ms. Sapphire, and we will be talking.”
She stared at me for a minute, but then she dropped her eyes and nodded acknowledgement.
“Other than that, how are you doing?”
“Better than those two,” she said.
“I see that.”
“I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“That part gets better,” I replied.
“How would you know?”
I snorted. “I volunteered,” I said. “Ms. Sapphire, are you a good woman, or are you a spoiled brat?”
She stood up straighter. “Probably both.”
“I need a few minutes alone with Lady Olivia. Can I count on your help here?”
She looked at the other women then nodded. “I’ll practice being a good woman.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t get too used to it.”
“Right.”
She stepped over. It took a little effort, but I managed to move the two women to her, and then gestured to the door. Olivia and I stepped into the corridor. I closed the door and then moved further away, thinking furiously.
“I want to verify my understanding.”
“Of course,” she said.
“Those five women are now welcome anywhere in Ressaline.”
“Yes. However, I imagine the queen may enact modifications to some of the rules if they were to take up residence.”
“What sort of modification?”
“She may order they be treated like the women born of Chath.”
“Meaning?”
“A requirement to visit the arena twice a year, and perhaps subject to a permanent challenge.”
“I suspect several of them would accept if offered.”
“That is often the case, even in Ressaline City.”
“It is my far-from-expert opinion that what they each need is time and distance. I want to send them home via Barrish. But I want to tell them they may come back if they so desire. Will you support me?”