Outside Ascension

by Amy Proebstel

  Amanda was well versed in the teachings of the Bible from Earth and was naturally curious to read what other cultures believed about creation. Right from the beginning, she felt a tug of recognition; this book spoke of the world starting from nothing and Jehoban thinking it into being… and it was.

  She was pleased to discover it was common practice to rest on the last day of each week, which they called Sabtu; she had practiced the same thing on Earth. Amanda then realized she had counted Sabtu as one of her working days. That’s why Captain Ahn told Barla I had many things to learn, she said to herself, a Tualan would know work wouldn’t get done on Sabtu.

  Amanda’s routine was changed the next day when Barla showed up at the office earlier than usual with dinner and an armload of cloth. “I have something different planned for us this afternoon; consider it as a part of your education of Tuala,” she said as she deposited her burdens on the now empty desk.

  “What’s going on?” Amanda touched the fabric on the desk. “Did you bring me some clothes?”

  “I did,” she replied as she assembled their simple dinner of a rich foxl soup with hearty vegetables and bread to dip into the broth. “Here,” she said as she handed over the bowl, “let’s hurry up and eat so you don’t miss everything this afternoon, okay?”

  Barla’s excitement was contagious; Amanda quickly took the bowl and brought the spoon filled with steaming broth to her lips. When the smell of the foxl broth touched her nose, Amanda quickly put the spoon down and exclaimed, “I can’t eat this, it’ll make me go to sleep!” She tried to hand the bowl back to her confused host.

  Barla frowned and shook her head. She did not attempt to take the bowl back as she said, “I think you’re mistaken, Amanda. I’ve heard of people wanting to take a nap because they were so full, but not because of the soup itself. What makes you think it’s the broth?”

  “Every time Petre gave me this broth I would pass out and have weird dreams,” she replied anxiously.

  “Then he must have drugged it, Amanda,” Barla replied. Concern evident in her expression, she held Amanda’s free hand and said, “Remember we told you not to trust anything to do with people who wear the rings of deception? Remember Petre wears the master’s ring?”

  Amanda felt her tension ease as Barla reasoned with her. She knew she could trust Barla with her life; she already had. Seeing both the concern and reassurance in Barla’s face she mustered her courage to try a sip of the soup. “Oh, this is wonderful. It’s really nothing like the broth Petre made for me; this has a much thicker and richer texture than what he made. Sorry to create such a fuss.”

  “It’s no problem,” Barla replied instantly, again touching her arm with concern. “You’ve been through a lot, some things will take longer to get over than others. I understand completely.”

  Once she started to eat the soup, Amanda quickly realized how different it was from what Petre had served her; she was also curious to see what activities Barla had planned for them once she was done eating. It did not take her long to finish the broth, she even wanted to use the bread to sop up the remainder of liquid from the bottom of the bowl.

  “Okay,” Barla grabbed the empty bowl from her hands and practically threw it into the dinner basket, “now we can get to the fun stuff.” She reached for the clothes on the desk and held them up for Amanda to inspect. “Well, what do you think?”

  Amanda did not know how to react; the clothes appeared to be overly large with an overall shapeless cut. She tried to think of something polite to say when Barla burst out laughing. “What?” Amanda asked.

  “Oh, the look on your face is precious! These aren’t meant to be a fashion statement, they’re meant to make you anonymous. Trust me, this is not how people your age dress here or anywhere else on Tuala, for that matter,” she replied through her chuckles.

  “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear it!” Amanda exclaimed. “What exactly are we going to be doing?”

  “We’re going to give you a social education tonight. I’m taking you out to the market so you can see Tualan’s interacting with one another. I also want you to get a better sense of how Tualan’s use their money and the types of things available at the market.”

  “Is it safe? What about Petre?” Amanda asked anxiously.

  “It’s okay, Amanda. This outfit will take care of any casual observers,” Barla reassured her as she gestured to the bulky garment.

  “As long as you’re sure. Are we going to be buying anything or just watching?” Amanda inquired, secretly hoping they would buy something.

  “There are a couple of things I should get while we’re out there. Don’t worry, you can participate, too, if you want. Now hurry up and put this on so we can get going.”

  Amanda pulled the fabric over her head and let it fall shapelessly down the length of her body; the dark red fabric was plush and soft where it touched the bare flesh on her arms and legs.

  Lifting the hood at the back of the garment Barla covered Amanda’s head until only her nose was left visible. “I think this should do it.” Grabbing the basket off of the desk with one hand and Amanda’s hand with her other she very nearly towed Amanda out of the office in her excitement to show Amanda everything at the market.

  “What’re we going to be buying?” Amanda asked breathlessly as they walked briskly through the front office and out the door into the street. Amanda looked around curiously. It seemed like the first time seeing everything around her.

  “I just need to get a few vegetables and some medicinal herbs. There’re a couple of sick kids at the school, and we’re running low on some common remedies,” she replied as she continued to tow Amanda down the street.

  “Don’t you think we should slow down so we don’t draw attention to ourselves?”

  “Oh, I’m just so excited for you. I remember my first time to the market. It was great fun, and I want you to enjoy it!” Her pace did slow, however, as she saw the wisdom of Amanda’s words. She drew Amanda’s hand in to rest in the crook of her arm and together they continued down the street at a more leisurely pace.

  Barla pointed out the street signs and reminded Amanda to pay attention to the direction they were heading. “If for some reason, we were to get separated in the marketplace you should know how to get back to the office.”

  They turned down a series of narrow streets getting more and more crowded with people until they reached an open square full of farmer’s carts and their wares. Voices were raised and lowered depending on the stage of the bargaining. People were carrying goods and herding children.

  Amanda almost felt drunk viewing all of the activity bustling around her. The scene was a forceful reminder of how alone she had been for the past several weeks since arriving in Tuala. She was already feeling the agony of returning to the office and being left by herself.

  As if sensing her thoughts Barla leaned sideways and whispered to Amanda, “I’ve made arrangements for you to spend the next two nights at our house. I know you’ve been really cut off from people, and a change of scenery will do you some good. If nothing else maybe it will get some color back into your complexion!”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Amanda replied with a grin plastered on her face and a sigh of relief. Now she felt able to relax and enjoy this new experience without having to dread the end of the foray.

  They wandered up one side of the market and circled around to the other side to get familiarized with the quality of the different wares before they tried to negotiate any purchases. In between booths Barla quietly quizzed Amanda about various items they had seen displayed to test her knowledge of the more obscure fruits and vegetables. She showed her some of the common household items of which Amanda may not readily recognize.

  Overall, Amanda answered the questions accurately. She was pleased to know all of her studying had not been in vain. There really were many differences between Tuala and Earth and this lesson was becoming quite educational.

  She kept her arm linked wit
h Barla’s as they walked through the busy market. Amanda watched the crowds as much as she did the stalls. The people dressed in various styles and quality of clothes, but the children puzzled her; no matter how they were dressed, they each wore a pendant with colored stones on an expensive-looking chain around their necks. She made a mental note to ask Barla about it when they were finished buying their supplies.

  Together they sidled up to a herb vendor which they had agreed looked to have the freshest and most varied assortment of items. Barla discreetly indicated which herb was which and the most readily known use for each. She gathered a couple of bundles of herbs which would replenish their diminished supplies; then she made a point of bargaining just loud enough for Amanda to listen and learn. They ventured to another vendor’s stall to finish her herbal purchases. Again, Barla negotiated the price while Amanda listened.

  With her purchases wrapped and stored in the dinner basket, Barla turned to Amanda and said, “I’d like you to negotiate for this next one. I’d like to pay less than five shills for a bushel of cucumbers. Are you ready?”

  Amanda smiled and nodded with enthusiasm, “No time like the present. Do you want me to pick the booth as well?”

  “Sure,” she replied and handed Amanda the money purse.

  Tapping her bottom lip with her index finger, Amanda glanced from one end of the market to the other trying to remember where she had seen the best-looking cucumbers. They started to walk back the way they came when she remembered the stall closest to the entrance seemed to be the freshest. She walked with confidence to her selection; without seeming too eager, she began negotiations by asking the vendor, “Excuse me, do you have a bushel of cucumbers available?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Just picked this morning, I say, and only seven shills for the bushel,” the small old man replied with a wink.

  “Seven!” Amanda exclaimed while displaying a shocked expression to Barla. “I couldn’t possibly afford so much. I’ll have to keep looking for another vendor. Sorry to waste your time.”

  She made a move to leave the stall at once, but the old vendor grabbed her arm quickly to forestall her departure. “No need to rush off, my lady, it’s late in the afternoon and all, and I’d rather not return to face the missus with such inventory still in the cart. How about five shills for the bushel?”

  Amanda pretended to hesitate and slowly replied, “How about four shills with four ears of corn added to it as well? I’ve never seen corn look quite so tasty, and I suddenly have a craving for it, but my purse is small.” She smiled winsomely at the old man.

  His smile quavered, and he wrung his hands as if in pain at making such a small profit. “On the condition, you won’t tell anyone else how low I sold it to you, even though my wife will skin me. Fine…you have a deal!” He gestured for her to choose her bushel from the three available behind the cart.

  She selected her bushel and counted out the four shills without letting the old man see how much was available in her purse.

  The vendor selected the four largest ears of corn and added them to the top of her bushel.

  Amanda smiled at his kindness and handed him the four shills delicately and said, “Thank you for your generosity. Please tell your wife she is lucky to have you in her life.” She picked up the bushel, nodded cordially to the vendor, and walked away from the cart with Barla at her side.

  When they had gone a sufficient distance away, Barla smiled openly at Amanda and said, “You were brilliant! I’ll have to remember the added benefit to my next deal. Oh, Ahn will get a kick out of it! He loves corn, too. Well done!” She was positively beaming with pride in her pupil’s first purchase as she led them back toward the office and then veered off the previous path to take them to her own home.

  The Captain’s house was not too far from the office, but far enough where the streets widened, and the buildings were spaced further apart. Instead of weathered gray wood, the houses were various shades of white or salmon-colored stucco. Immaculately sculpted yards became the norm as the two-story houses were set back further and further from the road.

  And then she saw it…her first glimpse of a telepod. Even though it was more than a few hundred yards away, it was unmistakable. She stopped dead in her tracks, raised her hand to point in the direction of the telepod, and asked Barla incredulously, “Is that what I think it is?”

  Confused, Barla looked toward where Amanda indicated and then smiled as she replied, “Yes. Thank goodness we were alone the first time you saw it, too.” She shook her head and then looked seriously at Amanda. “If you want to blend in you’ll have to pretend it’s as normal as it really is,” she gently chided.

  Accepting Barla’s criticism, Amanda quickly put her hand down and continued walking, but asked, “How big do you think it was? Was it what I’d typically see?”

  “It’s hard to tell from this distance, but I think it’s safe to say it was a family telepod, not as big as they can be, but not as small, either. And now,” she stopped walking and turned to her right, “we are officially home. What do you think?”

  Amanda turned and appraised the white, two-story house. She appreciated the four columns on the front porch and how the windows were symmetrical to the entry. The landscaping was pristine; the green grass neatly clipped, and the walkway carefully planted with little purple, yellow, and pink flowers she could not identify. “It’s very grand. It must be a pleasure to come home every night,” she exclaimed.

  Pleased, Barla smiled. “Wait until you see the inside,” she said, grabbing her elbow and propelling them down the crushed gravel walkway, up the three wide steps of the front porch, and through the massive double doors. “This is where we’ve called home since Ahn was elected to be the Harbor Master. This is another thing you should know about: housing. All elected offices come with living accommodations; some are better than others, depending on the prominence of the occupation. As you can see, the Harbor Master is considered of utmost importance to the citizens. Harbor management directly affects the livelihoods of almost everyone in the coastal towns, since it’s how we receive almost all imported items.”

  Amanda complemented the grandeur of the foyer which opened into a grand sweeping staircase to the second floor, and several doorways opened on both sides into various rooms of equal opulence. They walked beside the staircase, past a library, a formal dining room which could easily seat thirty people, and a butler’s pantry before they reached a vast and sparkling clean kitchen.

  “Just set the cucumbers down on the island, if you will, and I’ll put this corn away,” Barla said as she took the corn and crossed the room to the cooler. “Do you want to see where you’ll be sleeping?”

  “Yes, please.”

  They retraced their path to the staircase and ascended to the second level. Barla led her down an equally lavish hallway past several closed doors. Amanda admired the art hanging on the walls as well as the fine furniture placed along the edges of the hallway. Almost at the end of the hall, Barla turned to her left and pushed open the door gesturing for Amanda to take the lead into the room.

  The massive bed was the focal point of the room; the four posters reaching almost to the ceiling. Cushions and pillows were piled against the carved wooden headboard on top of the silky green comforter. Beyond the bed were two tall windows on the far wall with wide, deep cushions on the window seats.

  Amanda crossed the room and paused as her feet landed on a plush carpet covering the glossy, wood plank floor. She leaned over, touched the soft fibers, and exclaimed, “This feels wonderful! What’s this made out of?”

  “It’s foxl hair. Amazing, huh?”

  Amanda did not remember seeing any pictures of a foxl in any of the books which she had been studying. She asked, “Does your library downstairs have anything on the animals of Tuala? I should probably know how to identify animals as well, don’t you think?”

  “Probably. We can look for it if you like. A foxl reminds me of a cross between a sheep and a cow.”

&n
bsp; “I can’t even imagine what it would look like,” Amanda laughed. “I can’t wait to see it. Is it relatively common?”

  “Yeah, most everyone has it as part of at least one meal each day, unless they’re vegetarians.”

  “Do they call them vegetarians here as well?”

  “Surprisingly, they do.”

  Amanda walked over to the window and looked out at the view. The house was just high enough to be able to see the Gulf of Thulen as well as a small jetty of land protecting the harbor. “The view is wonderful,” Amanda said as tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. “I really miss home, Barla!”

  Barla came forward and circled her arms tightly around Amanda’s shoulders. She rubbed her back and murmured, “We’ll find a way to get you home, don’t worry. It’s okay, it’s okay, hun.”

  “Do you really think so?” Amanda sniffed as she tried to control her tears. “You didn’t get to go back.”

  “You have it wrong, Amanda. I chose to stay; I fell in love, remember. I miss home sometimes. My family probably believes I died in the Gulf of Mexico, and it makes me sad. Other than that, I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of for my life.

  “Come on, no more tears now. Let’s try to enjoy your time here okay?” She moved her across the room and opened another door which Amanda had not yet noticed, which led to her own private bathroom. “Why don’t you take a nice bubble bath? Then, when you’re relaxed, put on this robe and come down to the library. We can look for books for you to continue your research. Does that sound good?”

  Amanda nodded and crossed the threshold into the bathroom. She took the offered robe from Barla’s hand and set it down on the chair next to the tub. “Barla?”

  Barla stopped midstride on her way out of the bedroom and turned around to reply, “Yes?”