《Ambassadors》


 Ambassadors Prologue

    Lena of Medora


    When Lena walked into the temple after Classes, she knew something was different. She knew from the tension in the air that something big happened today. There was an eerie quiet that made her uncomfortable. The temple was usually full of activity. Slaves were generally in most rooms, and the smell of food usually wafted from the kitchens. Generally, her sister Sirena was at the piano composing melodies she would torture them with for weeks while she perfected them.


    She hurried up the stairs, calling ahead of her for her mother, ¡°Medora! Medora!¡±


    ¡°Lena!¡± Medora called from somewhere upstairs. The oddness to her tone hurried Lena¡¯s feet. She found the entire household assembled in her mother¡¯s private rooms. Sirena was seated cross-legged on the bed, and the six temple slaves surrounded her¡ªon the bed, on the floor, on the chairs and the chaise¡ªand the three garden slaves squatted on the tiles near the washroom. Her mother¡¯s two exclusive House Slaves stood behind her in the center of the room, flanking her like sentinels in Mainland stories of Kings. Her mother¡¯s own mother¡ªIrynia¡ªwas in the room sitting on the straight-backed chair at the desk. Irynia¡¯s two other grown daughters were in the room. One seated on the edge of the desk beside Irynia, and the other standing near the washroom, leaning against the wall.


    Lena¡¯s heart stopped for a moment while she tried to understand what might have caused tears to form in Irynia¡¯s eyes, and somberness in the usually light-hearted slaves.


    ¡°Come here, baby,¡± Medora called, beckoning to her with one raised hand. Lena¡¯s heart began thumping painfully in her chest, and her stomach made flips, but she obeyed her mother. Dropping her lunch basket onto the carpets beneath her feet, she hurried into her mother¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she pleaded, sliding her hands up onto her mother¡¯s face, demanding her sole attention though she was in a room with an entire audience. She lowered her voice to a whisper. ¡°Are you sick?¡±


    Medora smiled, kissing her daughter on the forehead. ¡°No, love. I¡¯m perfectly healthy. We are all fine.¡± She kissed her again, and held her there against her lips, breathing for a moment. When she pushed her back, she held her, hands on either side of her face. ¡°We are experiencing honor, not illness.¡±


    Irynia spoke up, her sharp voice cutting through their private moment. ¡°Medora is being honored. We are being punished.¡±


    Lena looked into her mother¡¯s eyes, concerned, but Medora shook her head slightly, and shot her own mother a quick glare. ¡°Stop it, Irynia. This is an honor for us all.¡± She looked down into Lena¡¯s face, and said gently, ¡°The Queen has selected me to represent her interests in the Mainland. I¡¯m getting a post as an Ambassador.¡±


    Lena blinked in shock, then stepped back and sat hard on the bed beside Sirena. One of the slaves made room for her, scooting to the floor to give her adequate space to fit beside her sister. She shook her head to dispel her disbelief.


    ¡°What does ¡­ What?¡±


    Medora folded her arms loosely, gathering her sheer jacket against her in draped folds. She looked like a queen, standing there amid her family and servants. Her dark brown hair in wild curls around her head was slightly tamed by a silk cord tied across her forehead, like a crown. Regal.


    ¡°We are moving to the Mainland,¡± she stated simply. Lena widened her eyes at her mother, then turned to look at her sister. Sirena nodded, at once agreeing with her shock and confirming her mother¡¯s assertion.


    ¡°We ¡­ I mean ¡­ Mainland is so ¡­ I can¡¯t believe this!¡± Lena finally expelled, and her mother and aunts laughed at her. She pressed her palms to her cheeks, which were beginning to burn with embarrassment and shock.


    ¡°When?¡± Sirena asked then, cutting through the amusement. Silence fell in the room, as Medora¡¯s sisters and her mother turned to look at her questioningly. Lena grasped for Sirena¡¯s hand, and the two girls clung to one another as they studied their mother¡¯s face intently.


    Medora nodded at them slowly, as if answering their inner concerns. ¡°Really, really soon.¡± Irynia drew a sharp breath at that pronouncement but did not interrupt as Medora continued. ¡°We are slotted to take the Dawn Riser when it leaves next month.¡±


    Lena let out a pained breath and felt Sirena¡¯s grip tighten painfully on her hand.


    ¡°What about the Dance of Light?¡± Sirena asked, concern in her face matching the grip of her hands. It made sense she was concerned. She had just attended the Second Festival of Light a couple weeks ago and took home a winner¡¯s ribbon. She was qualified to showcase a solo at the final Festival of Light in about twelve days.


    Medora gave a small laugh and dropped into a squat in front of her daughters. Grasping their joined hands with her own, she assured them, ¡°We will not leave before your performance, my love. But please think of what this means for us. Please ponder what this means for our family, to be selected and honored by the queen in such a way ¡­ I cannot enough express my gratitude to the Goddess for being so good to us.¡±


    Lena nodded along. Her own devotion to the Goddess was much less pronounced than her mother¡¯s, but she allowed her mother to hold onto her own triumph for this situation, saying only, ¡°Your own goodness and the strength of your reputation must be the reason for your selection to such a prestigious post. This is an unbelievable honor.¡± Face coloring slightly, Lena could not help adding, ¡°How will I apprentice-to-trade in the Mainland, Medora? Will I stay behind with Irynia?¡±


    Medora gave another small laugh. ¡°No, of course not. I will take my entire household with me. And some others besides.¡± She stood up and looked across at her own baby sister, several years younger. ¡°Ophira has agreed to come along as Instructress, so your education will not wan in favor of my preferment.¡±


    Lena drew a deep breath and rose to her feet. ¡°Then you mean for us to live in Mainland for a very long time.¡± It was not a question exactly, though Lena¡¯s heart beat painfully as she awaited her mother¡¯s answer.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Lena¡¯s stomach sank, though she tried to look more cheerful than she felt. ¡°Congratulations, Medora!¡± and she hugged her mother to hide her own disappointment in the new arrangement.


    <hr>


    Lady Brooke Storm


    Brooke looked up from the needlepoint in her hands as her mother entered the room. A servant girl followed, removing her traveling cloak and listening to instructions about food and the fire in her chamber upstairs. With a proper curtsy, the girl exited. Lady Carolyn looked then at Brooke with the cool distance of distracted thoughts clouding her gray eyes.


    Brooke rose smoothly to her feet and approached the fireplace where her mother stood against the hearth.


    ¡°You are home sooner than I expected,¡± she informed the other woman quietly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Lady Carolyn answered. She reached a hand out and touched Brooke¡¯s face gently. ¡°I was not with the King very long, my dear.¡±


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    Brooke¡¯s heart took up a fluttering beat, but she contained her emotions as she had been taught. The summons from the King had been a shock to them all, and the speculation it caused in the manor did not cease even when Lady Carolyn started her journey to the palace. There seemed to be only one obvious idea in everyone¡¯s mind: the widowed king was seeking a new bride.


    The door opened, and Truman strode in. Lady Carolyn turned to greet her son, and Brooke stepped back to give him an opening by the fire. He took his mother¡¯s hands as he came and leaned to kiss her affectionately on the cheek.


    ¡°The servant told me you returned. I am sure we did not expect to see you again until next week at the earliest.¡± His gaze flickered toward Brooke, including her in his salutation with a glance. ¡°What did the King say, my lady? Did he¡­?¡± He trailed off, as if thinking better of his own speculative question. Indeed, Brooke¡¯s stomach gave a flutter, and she stared interestedly up into her mother¡¯s softly line face.


    Lady Carolyn shook her head at them both once, then crossed between them in quest of her chair. Folding herself into it and clasping her hands on her lap, she glanced toward the other chairs near her. The implicit order was immediately complied with. Brooke returned to her own chair, though she did not take up her needlework again. Truman seated himself in a third chair, but he only perched on the edge, bright eyes sparkling in the candlelight.


    ¡°What news?¡± he begged their mother.


    Lady Carolyn lifted a finger to silence him and quiet their impatience. ¡°The king was very cordial, as I was presented to him in front of his court. He informed me that he had a duty for me to undertake.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­?¡± Truman pressed when Lady Carolyn paused.


    She shook her head at him. ¡°What you suspect is totally false, my son. I told you both, it is too early for him to think of marrying again. His wife has not been dead six months.¡±


    Brooke¡¯s disappointment was as painful, she doubted not, as a physical blow. She and Truman had been so certain. There seemed to be no other reason the King would send an official summons, would call their mother to court. Despite the suddenness of the proposal, they were certain it was a proposal the King intended.


    Truman sat back in his chair, face crumpled with disappointment. ¡°But for what other reason could he call you to court, my lady? It was not an unreasonable expectation.¡±


    Their mother smiled on them both, a sad smile for their disappointed hopes. ¡°No, my dear. It was not an unreasonable surmise, despite the earliness of the application. Yet, he did not call me to court to make me a queen. He had another piece of business.¡±


    Brooke spoke up at last, unable to contain her curiosity. ¡°What other business could he have for a widowed Baroness?¡±


    Lady Carolyn again held up her finger in an indication that she expected them to silence their questions and their impatience. She answered into the resultant silence.


    ¡°He commanded me to take on a position as Ambassador of a foreign nation. My household and all are called to represent his interests¡ªthe interests of his country¡ªin diplomatic peace in e¡¯Silea.¡±


    They sat in dumbfounded silence. Truman moved first, sitting forward in his seat again, but no words came into his mouth. Likewise, Brooke could find nothing to say. It seemed impossible to her. Ambassadors were always men¡ªnoblemen of the court who knew the King personally and could best represent him to other countries. She was baffled by the king¡¯s expectation that their mother take on such a responsibility.


    ¡°It is a great honor, my dears,¡± she informed them in the silence, in a tone of slight rebuke.


    Truman cleared his throat. ¡°Yes,¡± he announced, shaking himself slightly to clear the perplexity from his expression. He smiled on his mother. ¡°Yes, it is a very great honor. I have never heard of the like, to be honest. Every ambassador I have ever known or heard of was a man of the court. That our mother could be placed on a level with these honored noblemen, and entrusted to represent the King¡¯s name and authority in another country ¡­ it is a very great honor indeed.¡± He reached forward and rested his hand on top of his mother¡¯s. ¡°The king¡¯s trust must be very gratifying.¡±


    Lady Carolyn broke out of his grip, rising smoothly to her feet and pacing away from them. She spoke back to them, though her eyes were now looking inward. ¡°Yes, it is very gratifying. The honor is unaccountable.¡±


    Brooke was confused. They both spoke of honor, but neither of them looked or behaved as if they felt the honor of it. Truman, indeed, looked disappointed, and Lady Carolyn looked concerned.


    ¡°If it is an honor, why do we not celebrate?¡± Brooke asked them, concern in her voice.


    Lady Carolyn spun and smiled gently at her. ¡°My dear child, come here.¡± She opened a hand toward her and obediently Brooke crossed the room to her, giving her own hand to her mother. Lady Carolyn squeezed the hand, then pulled it to her own lips to kiss it gently.


    ¡°My dear, the King¡¯s trust is an honorable bestowal. But becoming an ambassador is a complex business. When men undertake such a responsibility, they generally can come and go. They do not need to uproot their entire family and household to do their king¡¯s bidding. They can travel to the country for some months, then come home to report, then return as needed.¡± She opened her other hand, then, to Truman. He rose and crossed to her, clasping her hand in both of his own.


    ¡°Sometimes, though, a man must be gone too long to deprive himself of his family. He takes them with him, takes a house for them, and brings them into the new country with him. This is what the king has commanded me to do. He wishes my post to last no less than five years in this foreign land, and his words seemed to hint that it could be perhaps longer.¡±


    Brooke blinked in confusion. She pulled back from her mother.


    ¡°We are moving?¡±


    Truman had not relinquished his mother¡¯s hands. Their gazes, likewise, were connected. He answered for his mother. ¡°Yes, Lady Brooke. We are moving to another country. What did you say it was called, my lady? I have not heard of it.¡±


    ¡°e¡¯Silea,¡± Lady Carolyn replied.


    Brooke pushed herself forward again, clasping her own hands around her mother¡¯s and brother¡¯s. ¡°But why would he send you, mother? Not that you do not deserve such an honor, but ¡­ You have no experience as an ambassador! Why should he want you to take on such a responsibility?¡±


    Lady Carolyn gave them an ironic smile. ¡°Why, indeed, my dear. This country¡ªe¡¯Silea¡ªis a matriarchal society. That is to say, women undertake the roles of leadership and business. They have a queen, and the ruling council is all women. I am afraid the king¡¯s usual ambassadors would not have been accepted in e¡¯Silea. He needed a strong and loyal woman of the court to take on this particular assignment.¡±


    Truman was gratified. He smiled again. ¡°But this is a very great honor indeed! There must be many women in his country who could undertake this post. He must trust you very well to assign this to you.¡±


    Lady Carolyn, though, had eyes only for Brooke now. Brooke was concerned and could not help showing that concern on her face.


    ¡°But¡­ Mother, if they are a society of women who run businesses and lead the country ¡­¡± She shook her head in concern, trying with some difficulty to articulate her worries. ¡°What can their men be responsible for? What position could suit them better than leadership?¡±


    Truman¡¯s brows lifted in mild surprise, as if he had not thought of this before. His eyes turned likewise to their mother, awaiting her answer. Lady Carolyn reached out for his hand once more, but her eyes were invariably fixed on her daughter¡¯s face.


    ¡°In e¡¯Silea, men are considered slaves, and have the responsibility of a servant.¡±


    Truman blinked and stepped back in surprise. But Brooke remained where she was, hands in her mother¡¯s grip. Shock¡ªeven horror¡ªenveloped her.


    ¡°Then your responsibility there must be an endeavor to educate these women against slavery. Is that not right?¡±


    But Lady Carolyn said no. ¡°The King was very stern about that point¡ªwe are not in any way to interfere with their customs and practices. My responsibility will be to represent our trade interests with e¡¯Silea. Evidently, trade with them is very profitable, and the king would like to see it extended to our country.¡±


    Brooke withdrew her hands in disgust. ¡°But ¡­ we cannot trade for goods with a country whose goods are got with slavery. It would not be morally justified. God would not forgive us.¡± She clasped her hand around the charm at her neck¡ªa star her father had given her before he had died, with words of caution to glorify God in all her thoughts and actions.


    Truman spoke up in stern rebuke of her arguments. ¡°Lady Brooke, I am sure you are not suggesting our mother disobey her king. Would God forgive us for defying his most honored servant¡¯s commands? No. We must go to e¡¯Silea as he has ordered us.¡±


    Lady Carolyn agreed with a single nod. ¡°We will go as I have been commanded. We will sail in one month. And I do not expect God would quarrel with us for doing our duty, my dear. But, if it concerns you, pray on it. I anticipate, though, that your goodness and loveliness will be an example to these slaveholders. They will learn more from your example than our refusal to enter into trade with them.¡± She grasped Brooke¡¯s arm and planted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°Your scruples do you the greatest credit, I am sure.¡±


    Truman did not agree. ¡°You ought not to be so hasty in declaring what you imagine to be God¡¯s will, little sister. He is just as likely to be pleased that trade has been established between His God-fearing country and one of the Godless nations of sinners. His plan may surpass us all and could result in a future where many sinners come to a knowledge of their wickedness, and repent.¡± He grinned at his mother. ¡°We leave in one month? You must be beside yourself attempting to organize everything in your thoughts. It is much too soon for you to not feel the anticipation of it.¡±


    Lady Carolyn smiled at them both. ¡°It is very soon, but I expect you will both help me to organize and prepare, and as a result, I will not feel duly rushed by it.¡± She kissed her daughter again, then kissed her son¡¯s cheek. ¡°We have been greatly honored.¡±

 One: Dockside

    <h2>Lena</h2>


    Lena watched with wide eyes as the gangplank was lowered to the dock. Every direction gave her something to look at and wonder about. The dock at Atpost had been alarming enough, and it had been mostly e¡¯Silean citizens wandering around. This dock was far more engrossing for her, as she saw endless slaves doing the work that she was accustomed to seeing women do. She heard their shouts and watched their progress with unparalleled concern. She had no idea how to interact with these people.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sirena asked, joining her at the railing and looking overboard at the working men.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Lena lied. She forced her face to smile. She wrapped her arms around her sister, squeezing gently. ¡°I am only nervous. How do you feel?¡±


    Sirena nodded. ¡°Nervous. And excited.¡± Her eyes scanned the dockyards and the busy men on the docks. ¡°It¡¯s really different than e¡¯Silea.¡±


    Lena shook her head slightly. ¡°Not really. These men just don¡¯t understand who they truly are.¡± She studied the men thoughtfully. ¡°I wonder which is the King.¡±


    Medora joined them, smiling. ¡°The King will not meet us at the dock, sweets,¡± she cautioned as she slid herself into the space between the two girls.


    Sirena looked scandalized. ¡°He invited you and then refuses to greet you? What will people think?¡± Lena was likewise troubled by the apparent snub.


    But Medora shook her head at them. ¡°They do things differently here. According to the report I was given, it would not be considered ¡®proper¡¯ or ¡®decent¡¯ to meet us at the dockside. At Mainland, the respectful way is to invite someone to your temple in order to greet them properly.¡± At Lena¡¯s puzzled expression, her mother only laughed. ¡°I know. It will be an adjustment.¡± She kissed them gently, first one and then the other, on the side of the head.


    ¡°How are my two beautiful daughters holding up?¡±


    ¡°I am well,¡± Sirena answered, and Lena was grateful for her quick willingness to respond. Lena herself was not certain she could put into words how she was feeling, or please her mother if she did so. ¡°I am ready to get off this ship, though. Already I dread the return ship, though it very likely won¡¯t be for many years.¡± She groaned and slid her arms around her mother¡¯s waist. ¡°Oh, I am not meant to be a sailor. I have never been so grateful to smell dirt in my life.¡±


    Medora chuckled at her and kissed her again. ¡°Captain Aedon said she will be ready to let us disembark once she speaks to the dockmaster and shows her papers. No more than twenty minutes, I expect. Even now the slaves are bringing the luggage up.¡± She relinquished Sirena with the command, ¡°Go supervise their progress, love. Make sure they bring up only the luggage marked for immediate removal. The larger crates will be attended to by Captain Aedon¡¯s slaves and will be delivered to our new temple as soon as she gets an opening.¡±


    When Lena would have followed her sister, Medora held her back. Looking intently into her face, Medora said, ¡°Are you as unhappy as I suspect you to be, Lena? Has my move to the Mainland completely disrupted your plans for the future?¡±


    Lena looked away from her mother, her emotions warring inside her. She felt disappointed, but also guilty for being so. Her mother¡¯s reputation was sterling, and she had for many, many years been eligible for an Ambassadorial post. She deserved this, and Lena ought to have been supportive of her elevation. It seemed childish to be disheartened that her own future plans must necessarily be put on hold in favor of Medora¡¯s post.


    ¡°I am sorry, Medora. I am so very happy for you, really.¡± She tried unsuccessfully to smile at her mother, but the older woman had eyes too knowing to allow her to lie. She turned away again and brushed the tears from her eyes. ¡°I am very proud of you,¡± she said truthfully, though her tone was now affected by her tears.


    Medora turned Lena toward her, embracing her tenderly. She stroked a hand through Lena¡¯s curls and held her tightly for several moments.


    ¡°Baby,¡± Medora said at length. She stepped back, holding her daughter¡¯s shoulders in her hands and looking down at her seriously. ¡°I am not blind to your aptitudes. I know political life is not your wish, and that following me into my trade is not your expectation for your future. I have never expected you to apprentice-to-trade with me.¡±


    Lena¡¯s tears spilled over her lids. ¡°I very much respect your work, Medora.¡±


    ¡°I know. I know that you do. But your ambitions are humbler, and I can respect that. I know your hopes are all for the Military. I know.¡±


    Lena was startled from her tears, swallowing them down in a shock at hearing her mother voice aloud what Lena had never admitted to her. She blinked several times, looking into her mother¡¯s eyes with surprise. Medora grinned at her.


    ¡°Baby doll, I raised you!¡± she cried in a tone that was at once scolding and playful. ¡°I know where your aptitude lies. Also, I know how many times you sluffed off Classes to go peek in on military training at the Fire Branch. You will be a brilliant tactician, and I fully support your intention to go into Military training.¡±


    Lena let out a heavy breath she did not know she had been holding. In a teasing voice, she said, ¡°If we stayed in e¡¯Silea, I need not have applied for your approbation, you know. There was a part of me, indeed, that thought perhaps you took this post to keep me away from the barracks.¡±


    Medora laughed at her and gave her a playful swat. ¡°Even if, by e¡¯Silean law, you could enter the military without my permission, my own daughters are good enough wards that they will give me the courtesy of applying for my approbation in any trade they wish to enter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mama,¡± Lena replied in a mock-humbled voice, like a little child who had been scolded seriously by her mother.


    Medora kissed her again and said, ¡°Lena, I am not trying to keep you out of the e¡¯Silean military. I intend to throw my full weight behind your application to them, and I have no doubt you will be accepted. But¡ªand please listen to me completely before reacting in frustration¡ªI truly believe you are too young to begin an apprenticeship. A few more years under my name and care will be to your benefit. I am not ready to relinquish you, though you have completed your Classes in record time. Even if we had stayed in e¡¯Silea, I would have insisted you take a couple more years at home before starting your apprenticeship. Eighteen is too young.¡±


    Lena sighed, because she could have guessed her mother would think this way. ¡°If I leave my future up to you, you will keep me at home with you forever.¡±


    Medora gave a self-deprecating chuckle and pulled Lena against her again. ¡°True. But, dearest, please consider the education you can get in the Mainland. When you return to e¡¯Silea to begin your apprenticeship¡ªin perhaps three or four years¡ªyou will have a world of experience beyond what the other apprentices have. You will be best equipped to represent e¡¯Silea in military efforts.¡±


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    Lena backed away in dismay. ¡°Three or four years? Medora, I just¡ª¡±


    Medora pressed her fingers against Lena¡¯s lips and said firmly, ¡°I will promise you this, Lena: I promise that in three years, if you are ready to begin your apprenticeship, I will take the journey back to e¡¯Silea with you and see you rightfully installed in the Fires Barracks. Can you postpone your ambitions for only three years?¡±


    It was a painful concession, but Lena sighed. She nodded in acquiescence. Medora kissed her in response and gave her a final squeeze. ¡°Good girl. I promise you I will make your wait worthwhile.¡± She swatted her again. ¡°Run go tell Ophira, Dido, and Venesssa that we will offload in a matter of minutes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Medora,¡± Lena replied and obediently turned to do her mother¡¯s bidding.


    <h2>Brooke</h2>


    Brooke walked beside her brother, behind their mother as she approached a sleek-looking ship at harbor. It was the only ship at harbor, since the ship that brought Lady Carolyn and her household to Atpost left already. Little as Brooke knew about ships in general, she could tell this was a superior craft to any she had seen. It had three masts and was made of a dark wood with the word Aegis stenciled across the side in letters taller than Brooke herself. The sails were furled, and rigging all stowed, but she had no doubt it would be a beautiful sight when seen at full strength on the sea.


    ¡°Is this our ship?¡± Truman asked. Brooke looked up at him in surprise for the doubtful tone of his voice.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Lady Carolyn answered. ¡°Hait had it from the dockmaster this morning.¡±


    Hait was their servant, the one who had been charged to walk to the docks every day to see what ships came into harbor.


    ¡°About time, too,¡± Truman answered back coolly. Brooke understood his frustration. They arrived at Atpost over two months before. They were informed by letter from e¡¯Silea that a ship would come into harbor specifically to take them the last leg of the journey. At the time, Truman was pleased by the notion, but the excessive wait dulled the pleasure immensely. They waited the first week in a hotel but, at Truman¡¯s urging, eventually took a house. He was unhappy with the crowd in Atpost, rugged and uncouth as they all seemed to be. He insisted his mother and sister should not be exposed any further to their vulgarity. Lady Carolyn reluctantly took a house, even though she was certain every morning would bring the ship to take them to e¡¯Silea. Yet, every morning, Hait returned with the same news: no e¡¯Silean ship at harbor. Lady Carolyn began to despair of ever getting to e¡¯Silea at all.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said sharply, with one chiding glance over her shoulder at her son. ¡°But we must make allowances for differences of culture and understanding, Lord Storm. Though the handsome letter I received from the ruling council of e¡¯Silea assured me that I would ¡®soon¡¯ be sent a ship to bring me to them, I suppose the ideas of time may be calculated at different rates for some than for others. I must suppose they either were prevented setting out sooner, or have a different understanding of the word ¡®soon¡¯ than I have. We must prepare ourselves for many customs to differ.¡±


    Truman gave his mother a rebellious look for a moment, before smoothing his features and softening his tone. ¡°You are right, of course. I ought not to allow my impatience to get the better of me. Yet, it is hard to imagine that ¡®soon¡¯ could be interpreted as ¡®ten weeks¡¯ by any custom.¡±


    Lady Carolyn¡¯s expression seemed to agree with him. Brooke exerted herself to speak up. ¡°We must not suppose that an entire country who lives by the slave trade can have many correct notions, in something even as small as time. Yet, we are here under the King¡¯s service, and are, therefore, at their mercy. We must bear it.¡±


    Lady Carolyn paused in step to give her daughter a long, affectionate look. ¡°Indeed. So we shall.¡± She glanced down at Truman¡¯s arm, which had slackened as a support for his sister¡¯s arm, giving it a firm nod. ¡°Attend your sister more carefully, my son, and let us keep our complaints in until we are alone again.¡±


    Truman¡¯s arm strengthened beneath Brooke¡¯s, and he gave her an apologetic smile. They continued to follow their mother out onto the busy dock. Truman¡¯s arm helped support her, but despite his presence, she was still the recipient of uncouth looks and occasional shouts from dock workers. Her cheeks colored when she heard the foul words, and she kept her eyes down, hoping her hat could shield her from the worst of them.


    ¡°They ought to be whipped,¡± Truman murmured in fury, but his comment only made her blush harder.


    Lady Carolyn glanced again over her shoulder at them and murmured, ¡°I apologize for exposing you to this uncouth attention, my dear. Would you rather return to the carriage? Your brother would attend you, I am certain.¡±


    He would, because it would be his duty, but Brooke knew it would give him pain not to attend their mother all the way out to the ship. She straightened her spine and whispered, ¡°I refuse to hear the vulgar words of the ignorant, Mother. I would very much like to meet the captain along with you.¡±


    Before Lady Carolyn could answer, a commanding shout interrupted their private conference.


    ¡°Oi! Are you calling for my attention, little boys?¡± a woman¡¯s bold shout cut through the vulgar catcalls from the dock workers. ¡°Were you looking to be trussed up and trained for my slave?¡±


    Brooke watched the woman with wide eyes. She was unlike anyone Brooke had ever seen. She was tall, taller than Truman, even, with a large frame. She was as wide as two of Brooke, with a stronger presence than even the king could have. Her hair was shaved on both sides but had some length on top. It was a short crop of unnaturally purple curls that glistened in the morning sun. She wore a black lacy top that covered only her breasts, and had on trousers. These were not trousers like any Brooke had ever seen on a man. These were tight, black cloth, that hugged the rolls of the woman¡¯s skin. The entire ensemble was covered in a sheer silver robe that hid nothing. Indeed, it showed tattoos on the woman¡¯s arms, on her shoulders, across the top of her breasts, down both sides. Brooke found herself blushing again, but at the same time unable to turn her face away from the fearless creature.


    Under the woman¡¯s fiery rebuke, the cajoling men slunk down and slipped away. Brooke¡¯s astonishment redoubled as she saw them submit to the woman¡¯s fierce words and try to slip away from her. Despite the odd attire, the woman¡¯s grand airs made Brooke think only of royalty. Was this the very queen they had been sent to attend?


    She stopped when she was directly in front of Lady Carolyn, who paused to greet her.


    ¡°Are you the Ambassador of Haslett?¡± the woman asked. When she was not shouting, she had a warming, deep voice.


    ¡°I am,¡± Lady Carolyn replied, lifting her chin somewhat. ¡°I am Lady Carolyn Storm.¡±


    The other woman laughed, a bold laugh that caught Brooke and her entire family by surprise. It was not unkind, she realized right away, but neither was it gentle.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be taking a Storm aboard our ship? Best not tell my crew your name or they¡¯ll see bad omens in it.¡± The woman held out a hand toward Lady Carolyn and said, ¡°I¡¯m Naia of The Aegis. And for your safety and respect, you had better take the name Carolyn of Capitol.¡±


    When Lady Carolyn stared at the woman¡¯s outstretched hand, clearly unsure what she was meant to do with it, the bold woman reached out and clasped her hand, guiding her to pump it up and down. ¡°Like this,¡± she said in a jovial, teaching tone. ¡°The way adult women greet one another in e¡¯Silea. How do I greet you in your own way?¡±


    Lady Carolyn recovered her composure with her hand and gave a faint smile. ¡°I am greeted usually with a curtsy and ¡®m¡¯lady,¡¯ as I am of a noble house. Yet, I think I should adjust to the ways of your land since I am to be a guest there.¡± She stepped aside slightly. ¡°May I introduce my children?¡±


    Naia of The Aegis held up a cautioning hand. ¡°You may, but only your daughter, if you please. In e¡¯Silea it is considered bad form for a stranger to look at another woman¡¯s slaves.¡±


    Lady Carolyn could not control her discomposure as she answered, ¡°I have no slaves, Lady Naia, I assure you.¡±


    Naia smiled. ¡°I mean no insult. Let me try again: your daughter is¡­?¡±


    When Carolyn presented her, Brooke stepped forward, relinquishing her brother¡¯s arm. ¡°Lady Brooke Storm.¡±


    The woman reached a hand out, but instead of trying to shake it as she had her mother¡¯s, she swiped an affectionate hand down the side of her face and tapped her under the chin.


    ¡°She¡¯s a lovely girl,¡± Naia declared, speaking to Carolyn rather than Brooke. ¡°Young yet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m nearly eighteen,¡± Brooke asserted. Quite old enough not to be petted like a little child.


    The woman tapped her under the chin again and laughed. ¡°Bold as brass, too, I see. Good. You¡¯ll do well in e¡¯Silea, Brooke of Carolyn.¡± Without waiting for another word, she turned back to Carolyn and said, ¡°We¡¯ve been sent to collect you and bring you the last leg of the journey into e¡¯Silea.¡± She presented the giant ship behind her, as if there was any need to point it out to them. ¡°But as long as you¡¯re on board, please consider Aegis an extension of e¡¯Silean soil. In other words,¡± she added with a wink toward Brooke, ¡°Welcome home.¡±