by Robin Roseau
"I haven't made a single crown that way since..."
"Perhaps not. You were part of a team, a team that required both of you to work. And now you are part of other teams. You and I are a team. You, Larien, and Terél are a team. You and the Goddess are a team. You and Vérundia are a team. Do you see?"
"I see," I said quietly.
"I'm proud of you, Yalla."
Her praise felt good, really good. I'd admired her since the day I first met her, all those years ago, and to think perhaps she admired me meant a lot to me. But I looked down at our clasped hands, uncomfortable with the attention and not truly feeling worthy.
"I haven't done anything," I whispered.
She leaned forward with her free hand and lifted my chin. "Maybe not the way I have," she said. "But maybe your place in the world is not do act as I do, but to act as you do."
"I don't understand."
"Things happen around you, Yalla. Perhaps it is your place to influence others. That is more subtle than poisoning a well, but it can be far, far more effective in the long run."
"That's the Goddess."
"It is you. Look. I just want you to accept what I've said and stop fighting it. You can decide in time whether you agree with me or not. I am proud of you. I think you're beautiful. And I love you. Can you accept those?"
I smiled tentatively. "I'll try."
"Good." She smiled, and it wasn't at all tentative. "I wonder if our chaperones will give us any time alone."
"What are the chances?" I asked. "They're taking your mother's threat awfully seriously, especially considering how hedonistic they are."
* * * *
"Did you and Princess Juleena have a nice evening?"
I smiled at Alta. "We did."
"And did you discuss my request?"
"We did, and I am yours as you requested."
"Excellent," she said, clapping her hands. "I have everything planned. We are invited to dinner in the palace this evening."
"Casual?"
"Family only."
"Your brother?"
"I can't promise he won't be there, but this isn't the night I am giving you the petition. That will be another night. We'll disappear later."
"And my household?"
"They are part of all my plans," she said. "Have no worries. But we might ditch them briefly now and then, but only in complete safety. Naddiqualestra and Resaírelteena know they can trust me." She looked over at the two, who were pretending to give us privacy. "Don't they?"
"Of course, Princess," Féla said without even looking.
"Little eavesdroppers," I muttered.
"We heard that," Naddí said.
"You were supposed to," I said.
"Well," said Alta. "How do you feel about art galleries."
"I haven't been to many," I said.
"Will you let me take you to my favorites?"
"I'd like that. Are these the sort of galleries where you buy the art?"
"There is no obligation, but they will certainly make that effort."
"I didn't bring those sorts of funds," I said. "And no, you aren't buying presents like that for me."
"Ah, but you now have a sizeable bank account here. But for that I am afraid you need to speak to my brother. He'll probably just introduce you to someone else."
I nodded. "I suppose I was going to have to talk to someone about that. I don't understand the papers your father gave me. Land requires managers. And... That bank account is to pay my expenses as High Priestess."
"No. Didn't Lady Margaletta tell you? I bet she told you. That was just an excuse."
I looked away. "I didn't want anything like that, Alta."
"Your gatekeeper refused to step aside without it, Yalla. She could have asked for so much more, but she didn't. And it was only citizenship that was the real problem. If you couldn't accept that, then we would have found another way. We could have assigned you a portion of the earnings of the land, but I wanted you to have the title, and for that, you definitely needed citizenship."
"I thought you didn't have that kind of influence."
"I don't on anything else, but Prodótar was so wrong about how to treat you, and I was right. And I've been right since. So when it comes to you, it appears I have quite a bit of influence."
"They made me a duchess instead of apologizing?"
"Perhaps you shouldn't be impatient about that part," she said. "They made you a duchess."
"I don't know the first thing about being a duchess. I didn't when Ralalta did it, and I don't here, either."
"Perhaps that is a conversation for tonight as well."
"All right, but why did you care about the title?"
"For selfish reasons."
"I don't understand."
"Well, as High Priestess, you outrank me. You outrank us all. Duchess is the highest title we have below the ranks of royalty. As a duchess, I outrank you."
"And that was important to you?"
"Not that I outrank you. I wanted it muddled. I outrank you. You outrank me. Do you see? And it is one thing to be friends to the High Priestess. It is something else to be friends to the Duchess of Indorítanda. I wanted it more muddled, to upset the balance a little."
"But without a title at all-"
"Then you are entirely outside the system, and no one knows what to make of you."
"I don't think anyone knows what to make of me now."
She laughed. "Perhaps most people don't." But she set her hand on my arm and squeezed. "But perhaps I do, and I am not the only one."
I smiled. "Perhaps so. I still am not comfortable spending that money. It doesn't feel like mine. I didn't do anything to earn it."
"You were owed, Yalla. You were definitely owed. What was done to you was illegal on both sides of the border. And you cannot receive justice in the courts of law, and so you will accept this instead. It is required for healing. Your queen could not begin to forgive us if you did not receive something like this, and I do not know if we could heal internally without feeling some degree of balance. This can't really be compensation, but it is the best we can do. Well, almost best, but you'll have to wait."
"All right. I'll try to see it your way, but I don't promise to succeed."
"If you see something you want, you can buy it. If you see nothing you want, there is no obligation."
* * * *
I loved the galleries. Muranna had never been interested, so we hadn't developed our own habit of going to the galleries in Marport. I'd been in a few, but I hadn't found a passion for them.
But Alta loved the art, and being on her arm meant I felt her passion and found myself sharing it, seeing the pieces through her eyes.
Oh, there was a great deal neither of us cared for, but she always found a few pieces she liked in each gallery.
It was at our second that we encountered a pair of friends of hers, a couple whose names I couldn't even hope to pronounce. Alta exchanged hugs and provided introductions, but when I got a chance, I slipped from her arm and collected Terél and Larien, drawing them to the side to look at a painting.
"I haven't asked either of you. What do you think of events this week, especially yesterday?"
"So much has happened," Larien said carefully.
"We're deeply pleased, of course," Terél said. "But I think you're asking about something specific."
"This duchess thing."
"Oh, that," Larien said. "I haven't said it yet. Congratulations."
"You're a smart ass," I replied. "Aren't we supposed to live a simple life of simple possessions? That's what the religious people in books do."
"Are you going to suddenly begin buying gems and jewelry?" Terél asked.
"Of course not, but-"
"But, what?" Larien asked.
"Ralalta gave me lands that belonged to the crown. And I think these lands belonged to the crown. Without that income, won't something suffer somewhere else? They'll have to raise taxes to make up the loss."
&
nbsp; "That's not a bad argument, and when it comes to Queen Ralalta, what I'm about to say doesn't apply," Larien replied. "But that money can be used for your expenses, but it can also be used for your projects. Who would you rather decide how to spend the money? Prince Prodótar or yourself?"
I laughed. "You make a good argument."
"Do you want to know what I think?" Terél asked.
"That's why we're staring at this painting while Alta laughs with her friends, but I think we're running out of time."
"She's been throwing glances at us and wants you back on her arm," Larien said. "What do you think, Terél?"
"I think you should accept for all the reasons everyone has already told you," Terél said. "And I think you should find something you like and have it sent to the temple in Marport."
"Oh," I said slowly.
"And I think you should find something the Princess likes and have it sent to the palace."
"Oh," I repeated, even more slowly.
"And I think you should commission a few more clothes to leave here, and more to leave in the Heart of the Goddess, so you can travel lightly but always be prepared."
"That is a very good idea, and for the rest of my household as well."
"Yes," Larien said. "Thank you, Yalla."
I laughed.
"And after that," continued Terél, "there is no rush. I think you should talk to the Goddess, and to Vérundia. And I bet the Goddess tells you to spend some of it as we've discussed and thanks you for helping the order with the rest. And Vérundia will tell you how we spend the money we already receive. And then the two of you can decide what else to do, with guidance from the Goddess."
"You're brilliant, Terél," I said.
"She is," agreed Larien. "Now go to Alta. She wants to show you off, and you should let her. She's been good to you, and I think she is turning into a very good friend."
"She's not Muranna's replacement."
"Don't think of it that way," Larien said. "But yes, she is. You need someone like her, Yalla. We can't see to this side of your needs. Alta can. And you like her, so just go with it. But make sure to give her what she needs, too."
"I will."
And so I slipped away from them and stepped back to Alta's side. She glanced at me with a smile but continued her conversation with her friends. But then she slipped her hand into mine, and we stood together, holding hands.
It felt nice.
* * * *
"You like it," Alta said.
"Have I told you about the temple we made in Marport?"
"No, you haven't. I think you should tell us over dinner tonight. I'll ask you about it."
"All right, but I have to tell you this." I explained about the shelves. Then I gestured. It was a small statue of a girl and a horse. The girl didn't look like me, and the horse wasn't an Arrlottan horse. But the proportions didn't match an Altearan horse, either, unless the girl was either very tall or the horse was very young. And so the relative proportions were right, the size of the girl and the size of the horse.
And it was beautiful.
"But it won't fit on one of the shelves," I said.
"Then make another place for it," she said. "Can you do that?"
"I like the pedestal it's on," I said. "Would they sell it to me?"
She laughed. "They'll sell you anything you want, Yalla, if only you agree to pay for it."
"Is it expensive?"
"They may expect to bargain," she said. "I've seen this artist's work before, but she is not famous. She has received no major commissions, and her work is small, like this piece. I think she is young, but I haven't met her."
Together we walked around the little statue. "She carves the bronze?"
"I do not believe so. I believe the process involves working in wax and making a cast, but I don't really know."
"A lovely piece."
I turned to the speaker, a woman of perhaps fifty years, dressed carefully and standing very straight.
"Is this your gallery?"
"Yes, High Priestess."
"This is for sale? And the stand underneath?"
"The stand is only for display."
"The stand fits, but perhaps you cannot replace it."
She smiled. "We can negotiate a separate price for it, if you like. We must agree on a price for the statue, so I know what to pay the artist."
I gestured. "Is this expensive?"
"That is a relative question, isn't it? About half of what we show is unique. There is only one, and the artist does not make one like this and another just a little different. Each is unique."
"I understand."
"And of the other half, some are not unique at all. The artist is able to make one after another, or perhaps not quite so readily, but several, all quite similar. But they are lovely, and I enjoy showing them, and so I do. Do you see?"
"I do."
"This piece is unique. The artist has a particular style, but this is the only piece she has done of a girl and a horse. I believe she has done one other horse, but it is a horse alone, rearing."
"Do you have it as well?"
"No. I have only heard of it. It was an early piece, I believe."
"I understand."
"So, of the pieces that are unique, like this one, this is small, and the artist does not yet carry a reputation. And so this piece is not expensive when compared to the other unique pieces in my shop. But if you were to compare to the less unique pieces, or were to compare to something you would find from a street vender, then yes, it is expensive. But do you see the difference in value?"
"I do," I said.
"I know what the artist wishes to earn from this piece," said the woman. "And I know what I normally desire for a commission." Then she smiled and stepped closer. "My name is Harniéartaleeta. You can call me Éa." She said it like Ee-ah.
I took her hand, and we clasped for a moment. "Altearan names are difficult for me."
"They are difficult for Altearans," she said. "Oh, but you are now Altearan as well, or so I hear."
I smiled. "I do not believe that makes your names any easier. Thank you for offering a simpler form."
"Perhaps not. And I understand I should call you Lady Yallameenara."
"You said it well, but I grow weary of the title."
"Of course. Let us discuss a price."
And then she named a figure, and if the price had been in Framaran crowns, I wouldn't even have bothered to counteroffer. But instead I clarified, "That is in cartas?"
"Yes," said Éa.
Alta leaned to me and whispered, "That is less than I expected for a final price."
"I can afford that?" I whispered back.
Alta laughed and nodded. "Oh, yes."
"Éa, do you believe the artist is fairly compensated, and you as well, at that price?"
"I believe the artist's reputation will increase dramatically when I tell others that the High Priestess herself bought a piece from her. What will you do with it?"
"I will make a place in the temple in Marport," I said. "That is why I need the stand. It fits the piece, and I don't know how to explain to someone else how to make something I would like as much."
The woman's eyes widened. "You are going to display this piece in the Temple to the Goddess?"
"Yes, of course," I said.
"I believe," said Alta, "that this temple is different from temples here. It is a more personal space."
"It is in the palace," I said. "It is for me, and the priestesses who come to me, and maybe a few who live in the palace. The Goddess asked me to make a place I would enjoy, someplace near to me. Someday we may make another temple for all of Marport." I smiled, thinking about the space we'd made. "I will need a place to leave a note that describes why I wanted to share this piece with the Goddess, although maybe everyone can guess simply from looking at it."
"You will show this piece in the Temple to the Goddess, in the Palace of Marport, the home of Queen Ralalta."
"Yes.
"
"And does the queen come to the temple?" Éa asked. "She would see this piece?"
"Of course. She says she finds it very peaceful and asks me to explain the words."
"Then you may have this piece. It is a donation, to you, and to the Goddess."
"No," I said. "I will pay the price you asked."
"But-"
"Let us discuss the stand, and how I will get it home." I turned to Alta. "Princess, I don't know how to get it home."
"That part is easy. Éa will crate it for you, and we will keep it here until you return. You will carry it aboard your ship. Or if you go home by another way, we will send it to you. It will arrive safe and sound."
I turned back to Éa. "You can do this? It must be protected for a sea voyage, both against rain and the motion of the ship, possibly in a storm? Or should we send it over land? I wouldn't want it damaged."
"We have shipped by sea before," she said. "I cannot prevent a shipwreck or ocean battle, but I can protect against a storm. It will be two crates, somewhat larger than either piece, to protect them properly, and you may need help moving them."
I nodded. "We have a price for the artist and your basic commission. Now we must have a price for the stand, and to carefully crate this piece, and to send it to the palace here to wait for me. And I do not want a donation. I do not want you to groan at the cost the next time I step into your shop."
She laughed and named a second figure. "It is my cost," she said. "And a little more in case the price has gone up."
"If the price has gone up more than anticipated, you will tell me," I said. "You must promise."
"I promise," she said.
And so I held out my hand. We shook, and then I said, "But I have absolutely no idea how to pay you."
Alta laughed. "Éa, there will be a transfer of funds in the next day or two, if you can write out the figures for us."
"Of course."
"Let me handle this part," Alta said. "Your maids seem to want your attention."
* * * *
It was two galleries later that Alta's desires became evident, a beautiful mask made of bisque, designed to adorn a wall. It was quite lovely, and I could tell she wanted it. But she turned away and didn't make an offer. So I slipped to Terél and asked, "How do I buy that without Alta knowing?"
"Naddí will handle it," Terél replied. "If the price is good."
