The Space Merchants of Arachne

by Wendie Nordgren

  "I think I'll go wash my hands." I walked through the sitting room and out to the restroom in the hall. I washed my hands, made use of the waste unit, and washed my hands again. Ethan waited for me in the sitting room. "Where are Sydney and Gram?" I asked.

  "They are checking the menu for dinner. I suggest we leave them to their fun and have lunch in the sunroom."

  "Good. I'm hungry." On the way there, I asked, "Could you please call Yukihyo, so I can let him know I'm back?" Ethan tapped a few times on his small vid-screen. An anxious Yukihyo answered from inside of the large land transport.

  "Hello, Yukihyo. Teagan just arrived home and wanted to call you before lunch." I saw relief wash over Yukihyo's face as he saw me over Ethan's shoulder, which I could only manage since he sat at the table.

  "Yukihyo, it is so beautiful. I can't wait for you to see it. I found the perfect camping spot. There are lots of spiders out there, but they are friendly. Simon is taking me back to the toy store tomorrow so I can get them some balls to play with! How did it go with Mr. Gregory and Arthur Jr.?" Yukihyo threw his head back and laughed. I heard Hiroshi doing the same. "What?" I asked.

  "Yukihyo has been worried about you all day. He is glad that your day was uneventful," Hiroshi explained.

  Yukihyo said, "All went well with Mr. Gregory. He hopes in time, when your safety is assured that you will return. I have facilitated an agreement between the new merchant, Felicia, and Mr. Gregory. Mr. Gregory paid six thousand credits into your account." I clapped my hands.

  "Perfect! Thank you for handling everything for me." A butler entered with a tray. "Be careful, you two. I'll call you tonight." Ethan said goodbye and ended the call. I sat down to a large plate of scrambled eggs and small pieces of grilled meat.

  I went up to my room and found two large boxes on my bed. I heard a scratching at my door and opened it for Thunderdrop. He hurried inside and went to the side of the bed to play with his color shape. I opened a box and pulled out a gorgeous black silk dress. It had a small round neckline held closed by a single button at the back of the neck. The blouse of the dress was loose and gathered at the waist. The sleeves were long and each fastened with a single button at the wrists. The skirt was long and would almost touch the floor. It had only a slight fullness to it. From the button in the back at the neck the dress was open and would show a glimpse of my back to the waist. It had been made from the silk I had seen at the warehouse. I draped it over my arm and carried it to the closet to hang up. The other box held a dress made from the blue silk I had loved. Also, with long sleeves and hem, this dress wrapped across the chest and tied at the side. Its skirt was full and like a waterfall. I decided to wear it to dinner with the necklace Simon had given me. I took a bath, washed and dried my hair, put on comfortable pants and a shirt, and decided to call Mary. We talked for a while, and I told her about my land and about Eliot's new lady. Then, I called Simon to thank him and tell him how much I loved the new dresses. Afterwards, I read Chapter One of the fighter ship training course for a second time, and took the test. I earned a perfect score. Even though the course was just for fun, the score made me feel pretty good about myself. I gave Captain Ice Bear a hug and began reading Chapter Two. The chapter covered procedures, how to evaluate dangerous situations and determine probable outcomes, ship care and safety, and operating practices. Chapter Two required a lot more attention. I read a fourth of the chapter and then had to stop to dress for dinner.

  I brushed my hair and slipped into the blue dress. I tied it at my side and turned in a circle. The fabric flowed. I fastened my necklace of sapphires and opals around my neck. Thunderdrop chirped at me. I decided to call Yukihyo again to show him my new dress. He answered my call from inside what appeared to be a mining facility.

  "I won't keep you long. I just want to show you the dress Simon gave me." I turned the vid-screen stand, so it would show him the room, stepped in front of it, and spun in a slow circle for him. "What do you think?"

  He said, "I don't think I can stand being away from you for much longer."

  "Then, don't go where I can't go in the future. I love you, husband. Call me tonight." I ended the call and enjoyed the hungry look I had seen on Yukihyo's face as Thunderdrop and I went down to the first floor.

  I found Ethan in the sitting room with an amused look on his face. "You look lovely, dear."

  "Thank you. What's going on?" Ethan handed me a cup of tea.

  "I'm just enjoying watching Eliot's mother darting around in her excitement. She feared he would never fall in love."

  "I don't think he expected it either. Have either of you ever met Auria?"

  "No, and Sydney can hardly contain herself. If all goes well, we may have a new daughter after tonight."

  "I hope so! Just wait until you see them together." The butler opened the main door in the foyer, and I put my cup down and hopped up. It was Simon.

  "Simon, come sit and wait with us," Ethan said. Simon kissed my hand, and we sat together on the couch near Ethan.

  "You look beautiful, Teagan," Simon complimented.

  "You are incredibly thoughtful. I love the dresses." Simon winked at me. The door opened again, and ZeeZee entered the sitting room. I grabbed Simon's hand. Cass and Thunderdrop left us to go and play with him. I squeezed Simon's hand as we stood. We heard Sydney and Gram in the foyer as they met Auria for the first time. I strained to hear what was said and failed. Sydney, with glittering eyes and an ecstatic smile, led Gram into the sitting room. Gram looked as though she might giggle. Simon and I went forward to greet Auria as Eliot led her into the room. Auria looked beautiful in a cream silk dress with her long black hair falling down her back, and Eliot's necklace sparkling at her throat. A blush brightened her cheeks, and her nervous eyes relaxed when she saw Simon and me.

  "Hello, Auria! You look beautiful. I'm so glad you're here," I said as we hugged.

  Auria whispered, "I'm glad you're here, too."

  I whispered back, "Don't be afraid. They're really nice. You'll see." We let each other go, and Eliot pulled Auria's hand through his arm. She looked up at him, and all of her fear melted away from her. Eliot's blue eyes seemed to transfix to her brown ones. Then, he seemed to remember that other people were in the room.

  "I want you to meet my father," he said in a soft voice. Eliot took Auria over to his parents who stood together. Gram sat on a couch. Simon and I watched as the introductions were made and Auria curtsied to Ethan. Ethan kissed Auria's hand. Eliot looked expectantly at Ethan who gave him a nod of approval. Simon and I both sighed.

  Ethan talked to Auria about her family and their bakery. Sydney asked about when they had first met. Gram wanted to know about when Auria had first seen Eliot. It had been over four years ago, when Auria was helping her mother in the bakery when Eliot, Eric, and ZeeZee had walked inside. Auria had been in love with Eliot since that day, but admitted she had never dreamed he would ever notice her. I didn't realize I had tears rolling down my face until Ethan handed me a silk square with a bemused expression on his. Sydney was happier than I had ever seen her.

  After dessert Eliot said he wanted to show Auria around. We all had coffee in the living room, while Sydney paced back and forth and bit at her nails. Ethan and Gram could do nothing to calm her down. As I began my second cup of coffee, Eliot returned with a blushing Auria.

  "Mother, Father, Auria has accepted me as her husband. May I present the Lady Auria Alaric?" Sydney squealed and cried and threw her arms around Auria and then Eliot. I clapped and jumped up and down.

  "You've made me so happy! I can't believe my baby is married!" Sydney said. Ethan placed an arm around his wife and shook Eliot's hand. He kissed Auria on the cheek.

  "Welcome to your new home, daughter," Ethan said to her. Gram hugged and kissed Auria and then apologized that she had stayed up much too late. I congratulated the happy couple and then helped Gram up to her room. I left Gram's room and watched from the second floor balcony as Eliot carried Auria into his bedroom.
r />   I went downstairs. Thankfully, Simon was still there.

  "Simon, mind if I stay at your house for a few days?" I asked. Simon understood at once.

  "I'll help you grab some things," he said. Ethan chuckled.

  "Teagan, don't leave!" Sydney cried. Ethan whispered in Sydney's ear. She blushed, "Oh! I see. I'll help you two." Simon grabbed a bag while I tossed some things inside. I added the vid-screen and stand. Sydney added a couple of gowns, a robe, undies, and shoes. I tossed in my exercise top and shorts and grabbed my bear. It had already begun. Eliot barely had control of himself.

  "Let's go," Simon suggested as he grabbed my bag.

  "Bye, Sydney. I'll be with Simon if you need me." We got out of the house as fast as we could. Thunderdrop and Cass caught up to us. "Let's go for a swim before bed," I suggested.

  Simon groaned, "We're not far enough away. Can you drive?"

  "Sure," I said. I tried not to notice Simon's condition. I gave him Captain Ice Bear to hold in his lap on the way to his house. "It's been days since I got to drive a transport! Oh, look! My guards are hustling to follow. Do you have anywhere for them to stay?" Simon's forehead rested against Captain Ice Bear's hat. "I'll ask Stewart," I said. I could feel Simon's frustration. "You know. Eric gave me Captain Ice Bear. Eric knows I find him to be intimidating. He doesn't want me to be afraid of him. He wants me to trust that he won't let the Parvacs take me. The thought of that terrifies me. The past few nights when I've started to panic, worried that those soldiers might hurt my crew while they're on Malta, or that they might catch me here, I hug that bear and think about Eric and his ship. Maybe that could help you right now. Pretend Captain Ice Bear is Eric.”

  "No! That would mean picturing Eric sitting on my lap." Simon's expression turned horrified. After a few seconds, he said, "Oh, never mind. You're right. That did help."

  Chapter Four

  I stopped in front of Simon's house. Stewart came out to greet us. "Lady Teagan, what a nice surprise!"

  "Hello, Stewart. It's nice to see you."

  "Lord Simon and I have missed your company. It is good to have you home," Stewart said.

  "Cousin Eliot got married a few minutes ago. The honeymoon started before we could get out of the house," Simon explained. "Could you please help Teagan to her room? Also, Eric's soldiers have followed and will require rooms."

  Stewart said, "Very good, sir." Simon carried Captain Ice Bear inside. I placed my lips firmly between my teeth, so I wouldn't laugh. Thunderdrop and Cass walked with me inside while Stewart got my bag out of the transport.

  It was nice at the Alaric estate, but Simon's house felt like home. I went up to my room and removed my necklace while I waited for Stewart. I checked to make sure the bathtub was still there. Stewart came in with my bag. It was beeping. He opened it, and I tapped the screen. It was Eric. I picked the screen up. Stewart bowed to me as he left.

  "Why did you leave home and go to Simon's house?" he asked.

  "Because you were totally wrong about the bakery," I said.

  "Explain," Eric commanded. I filled him in on the details.

  "I'm sorry, Eric, but Simon and I couldn't handle it. I asked him if I could stay here for a few days. Frankly, I'm going to go float in Simon's pool and hope it's miserably cold." Eric was grinning.

  "My brother married the bakery girl. I have a sister-in-law. Mother must be pleased. Maybe they will give her some grandchildren to play with."

  I scrunched up my forehead and said, "Eliot was working on it when we ran from the house. I hope I didn't cause your soldiers too much trouble."

  "You have been a very easy assignment for them so far."

  "Eric, I talked to Mary today. She is so happy. She loves it on your ship. Thank you for giving her a vid-screen. Also, thank you for the Fighter Ship Pilot Training Course." I smiled.

  Eric said, "You're welcome. Thank you for making my job of protecting you easier. Good night, Teagan."

  "Good night, Eric." He ended the transmission. I placed the stand on a table by a chair and rested the vid-screen on top of it. I put my clothes away and Thunderdrop's toys on the floor. Then I changed, grabbed a towel, and went down to the pool. I passed by a sitting area and saw Gary.

  "Hey, Gary. You've stayed out of sight for the entire week." Gary bowed to me.

  "Lady Alaric, it is best if we stay hidden and unsuspected."

  "I just spoke to Eric. He understands I am here to give Eliot and his new wife some privacy. Tomorrow, Simon and I plan to go to the toy store and hopefully the bakery. Then, I want to take a few toys out to the spiders on my land. I can't believe I have land and real places to call home. Right now, as you can see, I'm going to the pool. I will try not to surprise you anymore."

  "You are no trouble at all ma'am," Gary said. He winked and said, "I'll make sure you don't drown, but you won't know I'm there." Then, he was gone. I looked for him and couldn't find him.

  "Gary?"

  I went out into the courtyard. My float rested on a table with extra towels. I picked it up and stuck my toe in the water. It wasn't cold. I got in and kicked around to the other side of the pool with my float. I got my hair wet, and floated back around the little center island. After I had gone around twice more, Simon entered with a big splash that rocked me and my float. He came back to the surface and shook water all in my face. I splashed him back. We played in the pool for an hour or so until Stewart suggested that we "might wish to sleep for a while" if we had plans in the morning. I got out and stepped into a towel Stewart held open for me. I wrapped up and covered my hair with another.

  "See you at breakfast, Simon. Good night."

  "Good night," he said. Thunderdrop leapt from a wall and followed me to my room.

  A steaming bath had already been drawn. "Stewart really did miss me." Thunderdrop sat on the sink while I washed my hair. I was out and wrapped in dry towels when my vid-screen beeped. It was Yukihyo.

  "You're in your bedroom at Simon's house," he said.

  "Yes, Eliot and Auria married this evening, and I'm sure you understand why I am here."

  "So, we have another new cousin. This is good. I hope Eliot finds as much happiness with his mate, as I have found with you."

  "Are you almost done on Malta?"

  "It will take us another day, and then we will return to you. I hope you are managing our separation with less stress than last time."

  "I'm okay. Hey, wake me up in the morning, please." Yukihyo nodded and ended our call. I put on some pajamas and fell asleep with my spider beside me.

  A few minutes later and my vid-screen beeped again. I got up and tapped it. "What?" I asked.

  "Good morning, lady wife," Yukihyo smiled.

  "Already?" I asked as I yawned, stretched, and wiped at my eyes.

  "You wanted me to wake you, did you not?"

  "Yes, I did. Thanks." He ended the transmission. I took care of things in the bathroom and dressed in a blue shirt, grey pants, and my black boots. Thunderdrop and I straightened up his toys. I made my bed and put my laundry in the basket before we went downstairs.

  "You are up early, my lady. Would you like your coffee at the dining table?" Stewart asked.

  "I'm getting a little tired of my regular cup of coffee."

  "I'll see what I can do, my lady." I sat at the table and yawned. Stewart returned with a large cup of something topped with whipped cream. He waited while I took a sip. It was coffee, but it was flavored with cinnamon and milk.

  "Stewart, this is perfect. Thank you." He bowed and left. I sat and sipped my coffee and looked out at Simon's tall trees. I had almost finished my cup, when Stewart replaced it with another. Simon joined me at the table.

  "You are up early," he said.

  "I asked Yukihyo to wake me up, so I wouldn't sleep all day." Stewart placed small bowls of fruit in front of us. I ate all of mine and continued to sip my coffee. Stewart returned with two plates of pancakes drenched in syrup. Happily, I took up my fork and pressed its edge into the top
pancake and down through the stack until it hit the plate. I moved the fork and pressed through them again. Then, I speared my pancake wedge and shoved the big bite into my mouth. I closed my eyes and chewed. I finished them in no time and sipped some more coffee.

  "Yum. I have missed Stewart's cooking."

  Simon pushed his plate away. "How did you eat all of that, tiny cousin?"

  "I was really hungry." Thunderdrop and Cass hopped into the room. They knew where we were going.

  "Do you mind going on a few errands with me this morning?" Simon asked.

  "No, but will you tell the guards? I feel badly about last night."

  We went to the transport. Cass and Thunderdrop sat behind us. Our first stop was to the business sector where I had been once before with my crew. I followed Simon and Cass with Thunderdrop on my shoulder into a large office building.

  "Lord Montgomery, it is an honor to see you, sir," said a man in and expensive suit who bowed to Simon.

  "I am interested in seeing your new weaver and what it can create," Simon said with an incline of his head. Simon gestured toward me. "This beautiful woman is my cousin, the Lady Alaric Montgomery Lee."

  "Pleased to meet you, sir," I said.

  Simon said, "The gentleman here is a genius at combining organic matter and computerized robotics. His name is Mr. Bell."

  "At your service, my lady," said Mr. Bell.

  "I am eager to see your newest design," Simon told him.

  "Please, follow me," he said. We went with Mr. Bell in a lift to a display area. Mr. Bell gestured to a machine of about ten feet long and six feet high. The rectangular base only reached a height of two feet, but a plasti-screen the length of the base, rose above my head. The screen looked an inch thick. Mr. Bell showed us the back of the long box. He lifted the lid to show us the clean silk strands inside on their spools. He closed it and went around to the plasti-screen and tapped it. A menu appeared. He showed Simon how to select the thread count and weave design. Simon let me pick the weave design. I picked one that created a paisley design in the silk. Mr. Bell showed Simon how to verify all of his choices and then implement them. The machine began to work and an image of the fabric appeared on the screen as it took form.