Diplomat

by Robin Roseau

  Chapter Twenty

  In the morning, I made my way to Lassa’s bakery. I had a brief wait, and then it was my turn to talk to a blue-clad slave. “I am Ambassador Cuprite,” I told her.

  “Ambassador,” said the woman. “Unless you are here for something very small, Lassa or Li-li will want to see to your needs themselves.”

  “I have a little time.”

  “I will retrieve one of them. Only one moment, please.”

  She turned and hurried into the back, returning quite promptly with Li-li. She saw me and said, “Allium!” then came around the corner and pulled me into a hug.

  “Good morning, Li-li,” I said. We separated. “I expect as many as ten guests for discussions, and I have no staff to help prepare. I wonder whether there are little treats I could take with me for this morning, and perhaps you can make an additional delivery early this afternoon.”

  “We’d be happy to take care of you.” She drew me to the display case. She described the sorts of things they could provide. I simply asked her to use her judgment, so she filled a box with a variety of treats, some quite sugary and others she described as savory. We briefly negotiated for the afternoon treats, and I told her I may need similar orders for the next several days.

  “We’re happy to help,” she said.

  I paid her, and she asked, “Do you require assistance, Ambassador?”

  “No, no. I’ve got this. Thank you, Li-li.”

  “You are quite welcome, Ambassador.”

  From there, I returned home and discovered a slave wearing blue sitting with Cha and Vi-vi. The three stood. “Ambassador, this is Mi.”

  “Hello, Mi.”

  “Hello, Ambassador Cuprite. I am a loan for your meetings this week.” She stepped forward and took the box from me. “I will see to everything.”

  “We haven’t met previously.”

  “No, Ambassador,” she said. “Lady Olivia borrowed me from Bernadette.”

  “Ah. Well, thank you for your help, Mi. We’ll use the conference room.”

  “Everything is ready for you, Ambassador,” Vi-vi said.

  “I’d like one of you to accompany me and the other to remain here, but you may switch roles periodically if you prefer.”

  “Perhaps during breaks,” Cha suggested, and I nodded.

  “Vi-vi, please join me.”

  The conference room was, indeed, ready. They’d seen to everything I had suggested. There was paper, pencils, and waiting in case we needed them, parchment and a calligraphy set. I had maps of Flarvor available.

  I settled with paper and took notes of my thoughts regarding a visit to Flarvor. Mi appeared only a few minutes later with a pot of tea. There were cups for everyone, but of course, one pot wouldn’t fill ten cups. “I will bring additional tea when your guests arrive,” she announced. She poured my tea. She’d arranged the treats on a tray, which she set on a side table along with small plates and silverware. There were small dry towels for fingers as well as several damp towels resting in smaller trays.

  “Thank you, Mi.”

  “Of course, Ambassador.”

  It was perhaps ten or fifteen minutes later that Cha appeared in the doorway. “The delegation from Ressaline City,” she announced.

  I set my notes aside and stood. Jaerella was first through the door. She greeted me warmly and then reintroduced the rest of the delegation. More greetings were exchanged, and I was amused when Zeelarla openly patted my bottom. But I waved a finger at her. “This is a business meeting.”

  She smiled. “This is Ressaline. Do our ways shock you?”

  “Amuse,” I said. “Shock was last year.”

  “You may pat mine in exchange,” she said, turning sideways. “It would only be polite.”

  “Perhaps another time,” I said. But I admired her backside. “Although I admit, it looks quite pat-worthy.”

  She chuckled but then moved away.

  I hadn’t taken the end of the table but instead the center most opposite the door. I moved back to my seat and then gestured for the others to sit. We all settled, and I found myself facing Baliesta, the eldest in the room. Jaerella sat to her left and Becken to her right. The others grabbed seats.

  “Lady Olivia didn’t come.”

  “She wishes to join us beginning with lunch,” Baliesta said. “Thank you for seeing us today, Ambassador.”

  “All of you come with your single names,” I said. “Perhaps you could simply call me Allium.”

  “Of course. We are here to discuss a visit of Princess Gionna to Barrish and Princess Ahlianna to Ressaline, possibly Charth or possibly even as far as Ressaline City. We would also like to touch upon whether Princess Darfelsa would care to visit. I believe she is two years younger than her older sister.”

  “Nearly three years. She will turn fifteen over the winter, and Ahlianna will turn eighteen in the spring. Regarding Darfelsa, the age of majority in Flarvor is eighteen for women.”

  “We were given to believe it was fifteen.”

  “For men.”

  “You have different laws for men and women?” Calemardie asked.

  “Not as extreme as the difference in Ressaline laws,” I countered.

  I caught a few scowls, but Jaerella offered a smile. “Fair point. Why do you point out the age of majority?”

  “You understand that while I can negotiate the details of Princess Gionna’s visit to Barrish, I have no authority over whether either Princess Ahlianna or Darfelsa visits Ressaline. We can discuss it, but it is not my decision.”

  “But you have influence,” Jaerella said.

  “Some small influence. I was only making a point before I answer your question. I brought up the age of majority to explain why I find it exceedingly unlikely either princess will visit Ressaline prior to turning eighteen and being declared an adult, unless Ressaline drops the requirement she experience her first time.”

  “I do not understand,” Jaerella said. “Why are these issues linked to the age of majority in Ressaline, especially as it is sixteen here. She would be an adult the moment she crossed the border.”

  “Not to Flarvorian eyes,” I replied. “And that also means she is not authorized to make the sort of decisions that would be involved in a first time.” I paused. “We can argue about this, but you are arguing with the wrong person. I can only offer my opinion and advice. Unless you wish to remove the requirement she experience her first, it is unlikely either princess will visit prior to turning eighteen.”

  “If Princess Darfelsa were to visit now,” Jaerella said, “she would be fifteen.”

  “If that is your new goal, then I can advise you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. I would advise you to take this delegation to Barrish and discuss it with the king and queen directly. We would not have time to first discuss arrangements with me, and then engage in the lengthy back and forth with Barrish. I imagine that would require months, and a birthday will come and go before any decisions were reached.”

  “You are…” Baliesta trailed off.

  “Frustrating?” I offered. “A terrible diplomat? Too open and honest for my own good?”

  “Unexpectedly blunt,” she finished.

  “Would you prefer I spend time looking for prettier words to say far less?”

  “No.” She looked around. “We will discuss Princess Ahlianna. She is closer in age to Princess Gionna, and we feel this friendship has a better chance.”

  “Excellent,” I said. “When would your princess like to visit Barrish? Frankly, I recommend late autumn through early spring. It will be quite pleasant, and Princess Gionna could avoid a cold winter. But, of course, she would be welcome at any time. We have major cultural events throughout the year. If she chooses to visit during the summer, she will almost certainly wish to adopt local clothing styles, as even the most comfortable styles of Ressaline would be far too stifling. We could discuss how she might arrive already prepared, but she could rely on ready-made for the first few d
ays of her visit and have clothing custom crafted upon arrival. My recommendation would be to plan ahead, of course, as I imagine there would be a significant welcome, and I imagine she would prefer to appear quite stylish.” I cocked my head. “I am the wrong woman to talk to about questions of style.”

  “Your gown last night was quite attractive,” said Surmarned.

  “And the queen helped me choose it,” I replied. “Assuming I am still here in another two months or so, I will contract with a local seamstress to craft clothing more suitable for autumn and winter in Charth. I have nothing that will suit. It is very likely I will seek Lady Olivia’s guidance.”

  I smiled. “When would the princess care to visit?”

  “We wish to discuss Princess Ahlianna visiting here. Charth is much closer to Ressaline City, and thus it is a good meeting point, much as placing this embassy here is far more convenient for you while being less inconvenient for Queen Lisdee than communicating all the way to Barrish.”

  I paused, the asked, “Do you have any idea how shocking your customs are to the average Flarvorian?”

  “Do you have any idea how uncomfortable we are, sending our princess to a land where walking the streets is unsafe for any woman?”

  “She would be quite safe inside the palace walls.”

  “Here, she freely walks the streets.”

  “Without any sort of guard?”

  “Why would she require a guard?” Jaerella asked.

  “Palace intrigue.”

  “An assassination attempt?”

  “They happen.”

  “There has never been such an attempt in Ressaline,” Jaerella replied.

  I looked into her eyes then finally nodded. “As a woman, there is much I admire about Ressaline.” She inclined her head in acknowledgement. “But I am here, and I have experienced Ressaline hospitality for myself. The people making the decisions have not.”

  After that, Jaerella said little. Baliesta continued to try to convince me to change my mind. I kept suggesting she travel to Barrish and discuss it with the king.

  And then Olivia arrived. “Making progress, I see.”

  “We have agreed on much,” I said.

  “Excellent. Have we agreed on lunch?”

  “I think we are all agreed a break would be timely. We can take a few minutes to clean, and then we are expected at The Golden Tulip.”

  “You may cancel their expectations,” Baliesta said. “I made arrangements for lunch to be catered.”

  “And I cancelled your arrangements,” Olivia said. “And confirmed with The Golden Tulip.”

  “Excellent,” I said, “as whether I was alone or had company, I was looking forward to their braised lamb. It is absolutely excellent. I am pleased to know I won’t be going alone.”

  “No, Ambassador,” Olivia said, stressing my title. “You will have ample company.”

  I stood. “Vi-vi can direct you to the rooms here for refreshing yourselves. I will meet you in the foyer shortly.” I headed for the door and was somewhat surprised when Olivia and Jaerella both fell into step behind me. In the hallway, I turned to look at them, but they were both looking at each other, communicating silently. “Honestly,” I said. “I will only be a moment.”

  “To refresh yourself.”

  “In my quarters.”

  “And you won’t mind if I do the same,” Jaerella said.

  I shifted my gaze to Olivia. “And you as well?”

  “I only wished to know how it is going?”

  I snorted then turned and headed for the stairs. They both followed me.

  * * * *

  Over lunch, Baliesta attempted to make it a working lunch. Olivia, Jaerella, and I took turns to stymie her. I flat out refused to continue the discussion “until later”. Baliesta threw me glares, but Olivia stressed my title a few more times, and finally the woman withdrew herself from the conversation.

  The lamb was divine and the service impeccable.

  Eventually I attempted to settle the bill, but I was told that Lady Olivia had already seen to it. I thanked her. In response, she hooked my arm for the walk to the door. “You’re frustrated.”

  “It shows?”

  “Not as clearly as it does on Baliesta,” she said. “And after only a few hours. Diplomacy takes time, Allium.”

  “This isn’t diplomacy. This is bullheadedness. I don’t know how many times I told her that if she doesn’t like the answers I’m giving her, she should travel to Barrish and see if she receives different answers.”

  Olivia snorted. “And negotiate with a man?” She gave a shudder.

  I laughed. “Welcome to my world. I’m glad you’re here. You can negotiate with them, and I’ll watch how it’s done.”

  “Oh, I hate to disappoint, but I’m not staying.”

  “You have to. We’ll never get anything done.”

  “As I said, diplomacy takes time.”

  * * * *

  I stared after her as she left the embassy. Jaerella stepped to my side. “It’s not so bad.”

  “I am trying to decide why I accepted this post.”

  She nudged me. “Funny.”

  “I’m serious.”

  She turned square to me and looked into my eyes. “You’re not kidding. Baliesta isn’t that bad.”

  “She thinks she can browbeat me into a new answer.”

  “I did warn you,” she said. “You’re doing fine. Give her the same answer for a few more days and then we can discuss my plan.”

  “A few more days?”

  She laughed. “And then we will have our challenge. Imagine how much fretting and plotting she can do for the two weeks you are mine.”

  “I think you’re forgetting something.”

  “Oh?”

  “She’s old,” I said. “And you do realize that the challenged do not get to pick the event.”

  “Oh, no,” she said. She began laughing. “Oh, no. Oh, no.” She laughed more loudly. “Don’t tell her. Don’t tell any of them. I don’t think they realize.”

  “Well, it’s not like I’ve heard any of them actually agree to compete.”

  “Don’t press them for an answer until Friday,” she said. “By Friday afternoon, at least half of them will be willing to do anything to see you wearing resin and answering to me.”

  I laughed again. “Perhaps I should be especially difficult.”

  “You mean this morning is an example of you being agreeable?”

  “I’m trying to be a diplomat.”

  “You’re doing better than trying, Allium.”

  * * * *

  We reconvened. We got nowhere. I lost track of how many times I told her if she didn’t like my answers, she could go to Barrish and seek a more palatable response. It was mid-afternoon when I asked, “Why is this so important?” I asked.

  “I don’t even understand the question. I would think it was obvious.”

  “Perhaps to you,” I said. “Perhaps it would be obvious to someone with more foreign service experience than I have. Perhaps it is obvious only because you have desires that I don’t share. I build roads. I build bridges. The only reason I carry my new title is because there wasn’t anyone else. And that by itself should give you a good idea of the reaction the average woman of Flarvor has when hearing about your customs.”

  She stared at me, but it was Calemardie, the youngest of the group, who answered. “We believe a friendship between our countries is valued on both sides of our border.”

  “I agree.”

  “And we believe that the friendship is strained as long as what you just said is true.”

  “All right. That is fair.”

  “We would most prefer if Queen Ralifta herself were to visit,” Calemardie continued. “We realize we may have more luck convincing the princess to come. Perhaps, in time, her mother would choose to visit. Perhaps, once the princess returns and expresses pleasure in her visit, others will visit, and the reason you remain in your post is because you have grown in
to it, not because you were the only choice.”

  We talked for another hour, but we made little progress.

  * * * *

  And we made even less progress the next day.

  * * * *

  Friday arrived. Win or lose, I was looking forward to Saturday and a two-week break from these pointless discussions. At noon, with Baliesta glaring at me, I suggested we adjourn until after Jaerella and I concluded our event.

  “No,” Jaerella said. “We will go to lunch, and we will come back here and talk.” I offered my own glare, but she said, “Please.”

  I inclined my head. “All right. You and I will talk. Baliesta can sit back and glare.”

  “We’ll see,” she said. “I arranged a picnic for us.”

  “That will be lovely.”

  And so, we enjoyed a picnic on the green outside Government House. Olivia and Jessla both joined us. Olivia brought Bee and Dee, and I found my head in Dee’s lap while she soothed my nerves. That felt nice, and I was doing better by the time we returned to the embassy.

  I made a point of asking for tea, and then I stalled over it. Finally, I said, “This is our last meeting for two weeks, and quite possibly a little longer.”

  “Why would you require more than two weeks?” Baliesta asked.

  “Because while Jaerella may recover quickly, if I lose, I may need a few days before I can trust my judgment again.”

  “You should postpone your challenge,” Baliesta said.

  “It has been advertised. Tickets have been sold.” And then I turned to fully face her. “And I am a woman of my word. I agreed to the event. I have no intention of withdrawing.” Then I paused. “Of course, my agreement was dependent upon something. I have not yet heard confirmation we’re all playing tomorrow. It’s all or nothing.”

  Baliesta looked pleased. I had no idea whether she realized she could upend the plans, or if she had never had any intention of participating. I didn’t give her a chance to say a thing.

  “Of course,” I continued. “I left that night believing we had an agreement. I am sure everyone in this room felt we had an agreement, and you all had time to express misgivings. I didn’t hear a single one of you raise even a slight objection. The time to negotiate was prior to final agreement, wouldn’t you say, Baliesta?”