by Robin Roseau
She blinked at me a few times. “Are there other traditions like this, where an unmarried woman would be expected to accept the attention of a man?”
“Our entire society is based on the premise that men and women form marriages,” I said. “That is the only one I know of where it is legal to force attention, and technically she can always bribe the women who stole her clothing.”
“If I am to recommend the princess visits Flarvor, she must never be in a position where she must accept any such attention. For instance, it is unlikely she would be interested in dancing with a man.”
“It is unusual for two women to dance in a social setting. But before you cast judgment, remember that my entire staff is currently a slave to a woman of Ressaline.”
“But they are all very happy slaves.”
“So you don’t see that it is a mistake to be judgmental of the traditions of Flarvor, but you may be offended if someone were judgmental of the traditions of Ressaline? Furthermore, you may decline to participate in all these traditions and still travel freely throughout Flarvor, although you would want company. But a woman of Flarvor may not decline Ressaline traditions.”
She studied me for a minute. “This is why Lady Olivia wanted you to be our ambassador, to help both countries better understand each other.”
“I do not believe I am doing a very good job of that,” I replied.
“You have barely begun,” Olivia said. “And you have already done more than I have after nine years here.”
Jaerella sipped at her wine. Then she smiled. “I suppose you have had your first, but then otherwise avoided practice challenges. I imagine it is a strange custom to you.”
Before I could answer, Dee appeared at my side, leaning against me as she topped off my glass. As she did so, she placed her lips near my ear and whispered, “Remember what I have been teaching you.”
I turned to look at her, but she simply topped off the wine and then stepped back, although she remained closer than she had been. I turned back to Jaerella. “Actually, I have chosen to embrace the Ressaline culture, although I fear I will forever remain a clumsy neophyte.”
“And so you have taken a challenge or two.”
“More, actually, although I have yet to enjoy the rewards of winning.” I shrugged. “It is in fun. Olivia has me practice with Bee and Dee.”
“The lovely sisters,” Jaerella said. “And you have not yet beaten a slave?”
“Not yet.”
“Bee and Dee have significant practice,” Olivia said. “They frequently help with challenges, serving as a sort of wild card. And I am afraid I indulge them.”
“I am only barely 18,” Jaerella said. “I took my first immediately after my sixteenth birthday, but then it was nine months before my first practice challenge, and my mother has been cautious allowing me to take others.”
“So we are both somewhat inexperienced,” I commented.
“Perhaps you would care for a practice challenge with me,” she offered.
Dee stepped forward and topped off my water glass, which was in no more need than my wine glass had been. “Accept,” she whispered. “And then beat her soundly.”
I snapped my gaze to her. She simply nodded, finished filling the glass, and then stepped back again. I watched her retreat and continued to try to read her mind until Jaerella asked, “Why is the pleasure slave so fascinating. Has she been whispering into your ear, Allium?”
“Yes,” I said, turning back. “I believe she feels I need a good lesson. You are the challenger. What terms are you offering?”
“Two-week duration, an event to be held at the arena outside town, the last of the day on Saturday.”
Two weeks would end after my staff was released from their first, but probably before any had been through their aftercare. I commented on that. “What if someone requires little care? I would not want to be away when she is returned to the embassy.”
“Everyone takes time,” Jaerella said.
“The soonest we’ve released anyone after a two month first,” Olivia said. “Has been about two weeks. Most require more attention than that before she is safe. You could take this challenge, if you wished, Allium.”
I studied Olivia for a minute. She gave nothing away. I looked back over my shoulder at Dee, but Jaerella said, “I am here, not behind you. Do you find the concept of a challenge with me unpalatable?”
“No, Jaerella,” I said. “Confusing. As we discussed earlier, I am nearly twice your age. Why would you wish a challenge with me?”
“Because there is no one else in Charth who interests me. With my youth and inexperience, I would have little chance against a citizen. There are young women here, most of them born of Charth, but I have not yet met any, and even if I do, they are not my social equals. You were not born to the same level of society as I was, but you are now the ambassador, and that makes you interesting. Do I intimidate you, Ambassador?”
“You puzzle me,” I said. “I believe there is more to you than meets the eye.”
“I believe that is true of most people,” she observed. “You aren’t really going to decline, are you?”
“I am unsure of the duration,” I said. “And we have not discussed the event itself. I imagine you are far more familiar with these events than I am.”
“We can pick from one you have done before,” she said. Then she lifted her finger. “You move back.” Her tone was sharp, and she was pointing at Dee. “This is between Ambassador Cuprite and me.” She dropped her gaze back to me. “And neither of us receives any other advice from anyone.”
I considered my response. “Dee is my friend,” I said. “And perhaps in Ressaline your most recent behavior is acceptable, but it is not acceptable in Flarvor.”
Her mouth dropped open for just a moment, but then she closed it. “You’re right,” she said gently. “I should not have spoken so harshly. I was vexed.” She lifted her gaze. “Dee, you did not deserve my tone, but if you whisper in her ear again, I withdraw my challenge.”
“Why were you vexed, Jaerella?”
“If I wanted to challenge Olivia’s slave, I would have done so. I challenged you. No one is whispering in my ear.”
“When did you decide you intended this challenge?”
She paused. “Are you going to accept?”
“We’re negotiating terms,” I said. “If I like the terms, I will happily accept.”
“I was wondering if I would find someone interesting during my visit,” she said. “And then you walked in wearing that lovely gown. I made my final decision then.”
Through all this, I thought it interesting that not only did we hold the attention of everyone at our table, but the conversation at the other tables had also grown quiet. Yes, that was interesting indeed. I smiled. “Jaerella, perhaps we could make this more interesting.”
“Oh?”
“You are part of a delegation,” I said. “Perhaps there should be more challenges to experience on Saturday.” Olivia scoffed, and she wasn’t the only one. I turned to her. “It is only a suggestion, Duchess.”
“An intriguing suggestion indeed,” she replied.
“I do not believe this Saturday is the monthly event.”
“No. It was last Saturday.”
“Well, perhaps we could devote a portion of Saturday to an event with the same rules. The delegation from Ressaline City could compete under the same rules as the women born of Charth.” I smiled. “But perhaps this is a foolish idea. I am still new to events here.”
“I find it a very intriguing idea,” Jaerella said.
“Well then, if we can agree on our competition, and if you can convince the rest of your delegation to compete as we’ve discussed, then I accept your challenge, Jaerella.”
“Oh, perfect,” she said. “When should we hold our final negotiations?”
“I cannot imagine they will take long. What do you recommend?”
“A simple event. You will begin tied down-”
; I didn’t wait for her to finish but actually interrupted her. “I thought this was a serious offer. I didn’t realize you were only teasing me.
Her eyes flashed, and then the smile was back. Oh, she wasn’t accustomed to being interrupted. “Perhaps you have a counter offer.”
“As we are women of two distinct cultures, meeting in this place that was formerly a third culture, perhaps we should engage in an event that is a fusion of your culture and mine.”
“Interesting,” she replied.
“Perhaps we should each begin with a pile of materials and tools, and we must first construct an effective means of restraining our opponent. The first one to feel satisfied may then bring the other and restrain her, but if the construction fails, her opponent is given time to complete her construction and assistance in securing the woman whose construct failed.”
She laughed. “Said the woman who builds bridges.”
“Do you have any idea how long it takes to design and build a bridge?”
We went back and forth, neither of us making a serious offer. Then Jaerella said, “We both seem to prefer events in which we are allowed to restrain our opponent. Perhaps we can agree that forms the basis of a good challenge.”
“I can agree, tentatively.”
“And we both also seem to be dancing around a competition in order to secure the other.”
“Except for your first, quite laughable suggestion, you are correct.”
“Why don’t we simplify it. Have you engaged in any challenges in which you must first subdue and restrain your opponent?”
“I have performed quite poorly,” I said. “In my first with Dee, she had very little difficulty pulling me where she wanted me, and I was firmly trapped in far less time than I would have expected.”
“So you have experience,” she said. She folded her arms.
“I don’t think so,” I said.
“We are not the exact same size,” she observed. “But we are of similar size. Neither of us is an active member of the military. This strikes me as an exceedingly even challenge. Or perhaps you feel I should meekly allow you to bind me.”
“This is what you want?”
“I believe it is a perfect event.”
I put on a show of considering, but this was exactly what I wanted from the beginning. However, with it appearing as her idea, I could put my own touch on it. “There will be a variety of devices to choose,” I said. “To win, you must be atop your opponent with your legs in the resin, but you may use any of the devices you choose.”
“Agreed.”
“And none of the devices will be one of yours,” I said. “Any such device will be one Lady Olivia provides.”
“No.”
“In sporting events in Flarvor, some players use custom-crafted tools for the sport. We have several types of sports where this happens. A custom-crafted device always favors the owner. I have no access to such devices.”
She paused then asked, “Do you have other requirements?”
“I wish to know what color you will use, if you win.”
“Red as a base, but with touches of blue. You will be very devoted to my needs.”
“I am unable to do that, and so if I win, you will be entirely red. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Quite,” she said. She partially stood and held her hand to me. I partially stood, and we clasped.
* * * *
I had dance partners. Oh, did I have dance partners. A few expressed amusement at the dinner conversation, but no one offered one word that could have been considered advice.
Jaerella invited me to dance. I moved into her arms and closed my eyes. Halfway through the first song, she said, “You are a delightful dance partner.”
“We’ve been dancing since I stepped into the room tonight.”
“So we have,” she agreed. “The hunter and prey event will begin in a few more songs. Will you play?”
“Yes. And you? I rather imagine you prefer the role of hunter.”
“Tonight, I will be prey. I become too competitive as a hunter, but there are people here who are far better than I am, and they have their eye on you. And so I believe we will divide their attention.”
I laughed. “And so these are to be our only dances of the evening.”
“And yet, we have been dancing for hours, Allium. The delegation wishes to call on you tomorrow.”
“I am ill equipped to serve as a fully gracious host. I will be ready to receive you, but I will not be able to provide a host of slaves to see to our needs.”
“No matter. Should we bring supplies?”
“No. That I can see to.”
“Well, I am perfectly capable of pouring a cup of tea. Is mid-morning acceptable? Do you have other commitments?”
“None.”
“I believe the conversations will be lengthy. We can either arrange for lunch to be catered, or we can take a break and go somewhere.”
“Do you have a preference?”
“My preference does not match that of the rest of my delegation.”
I laughed. “They prefer to eat out?”
“They are all work-a-holics and would ask the meetings to last without interruption until they have browbeaten you into accepting their views.”
“And so you prefer we go out?”
“I do.”
“I will make arrangements. How many should I expect?”
“Eight of us, plus you, and it is possible Olivia will join us. I haven’t asked her.”
“I’ll make plans for ten, then.”
After that, we just danced. She was a lovely dancer and felt quite good besides. I told her that.
“And you as well,” she said.
“I am barely familiar with these styles, but you are being kind.”
“I prefer a good dance over a fancy dance. I do not care for competitive dance on the social dance floor.”
“Then we are well-suited.”
“I agree.”
We danced three songs, and then she said, “I should give you up now. Until tomorrow, Ambassador.”
“Until tomorrow, Jaerella.”
* * * *
She was right. We were both the subject of much attention. I didn’t see who ultimately won Jaerella. I was actually the prize of two members of the Ressaline City delegation, which was quite interesting, as they both held me while we danced.
I let them draw me away, studying them as they did so. Zeelarla was the younger, but still older than I was, perhaps forty. She was tall, and I thought she was perhaps a military officer. Her arms were strong, and she had a commanding appearance. When she spoke, it was in a rich contralto, and I told her I loved her voice.
Plessenda was another five years older, but quite petite, with delicate features and an intense gaze. I thought they were both attractive women and imagined they had once been true beauties.
They brought me to one of the quieter rooms, leading me to a sofa. We sat, with me between them. “How well do you know this tradition?” Zeelarla asked.
“I imagine not well. In effect, I am yours, and it is gracious to remain with you until it is time to leave.”
“Do you mind that we worked together to win you?” Plessenda asked.
“Not at all.”
“We want to know why you suggested the event on Saturday.”
“Was it because you thought we would all decline, and you would not be obligated to accept Jaerella’s challenge?”
“I am told I may decline any challenge I do not care for. I do not need an excuse,” I replied. “I was buying time while trying to figure out what Jaerella really wanted. Then once it occurred to me, I thought it was especially fitting.”
“Oh?”
“I have some sympathy for the people born of Charth,” I said. “Charthan and Flarvor are longtime friends.”
“And so you felt if Queen Lisdee dictated this event for the people born of Charth, that it should be experienced somewhat more widely?”
&
nbsp; “Yes, I suppose. I will point out I was only buying time, but it was Lady Olivia and Jaerella who indicated an intriguing idea.”
“I have not engaged in any sort of blind event in twenty years,” Plessenda said.
“Well,” I said. “I agreed to the same duration as you face, but I bet you have far, far more experience than the average woman living here.”
“It is not necessarily the average woman I will face,” she replied. “It could be Lady Olivia herself.”
“Do you hope I will withdraw the requirement you each compete?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, from my other side, Zeelarla stroked my back and then turned me to face her. She kissed me, one hand against my cheek as she did so. The moment she released me, Plessenda drew my attention, and I received my second kiss.
I couldn’t have told you which was nicer.
“No,” she whispered upon releasing me. “But I wouldn’t mind if I could watch you lose your event.”
I laughed. “So sorry, but you’ll be too blissed out to notice anything at all.”
Zeelarla laughed while Plessenda offered a scowl. I hoped it was in fun. “Jaerella has told me a little about why you are here, but perhaps you would like to tell me yourselves.”
“Tomorrow,” Plessenda said. “We wish another discussion.” And she kissed me again. And then Zeelarla. And then Plessenda began looking at my gown. “How do I get you out of this?”
I grabbed her hands. “You don’t,” I said. “I want to tell you something about me.” I explained my more recent history, how I had suddenly been thrust into this role. And then I explained about the size of my wardrobe. “This gown is not going to be removed in some sort of hurried fashion. Nor am I going to put it back on after engaging in the sorts of activities that require you removing it from me. The kisses are nice, and the touches, too, but if you want more, it will be a different night.”
“You would accept a different night?”
“I would,” I told them. “Are you a pair?”
“Sometimes,” Zeelarla said. “Plessenda was my first.”
“Ah,” I said. “My first was just last year. I still think about her.”
“I still think about Plessenda, and my first with her was over twenty years ago.”
After that, we touched and kissed, but it was tame. We talked a lot, just getting to know each other. I stayed late but then declared it was long past when I should return home.