Rook

by Robin Roseau

  “But I could see her. Often?”

  “As often as you want,” the Goddess said. Then her tone changed. “Yalla, I wish to talk about Mellara in front of her.”

  “Terél,” I said. “Stop translating a minute.”

  She nodded understanding.

  “Were you pleased with Mellara’s service?”

  “Yes, I was.”

  “So you were unhappy she didn’t continue as your maid.”

  “She has more responsibility working for her husband’s family.”

  “So this is good for her, but if you could have her back, would you take her?”

  “I have Féla and Naddí now.”

  “Yalla.”

  “Yes, I would love to have her back, if I had work for her. But she isn’t going to be able to do what you’re thinking about.”

  “You don’t know what I’m thinking about,” she said with a grin. “Terélmarestra can translate again.” I repeated that. “Mellara, did you enjoy your time working in the palace?”

  “I did,” she said. “I was very lucky to find such work, and even luckier when I was assigned to Lady Yallameenara.”

  “It wasn’t luck,” Ralalta said. “You were perfect for the palace, and you were perfect to help a scared young girl learn to love the palace. I don’t know if I’ve ever properly thanked you, Mellara. You made my job much, much easier.”

  “She’s right,” I added. “Thank you, Mellara.”

  “Mellara, if you liked working in the palace, why did you leave?”

  “My husband’s mother.”

  “What about your husband’s mother.”

  Mellara looked away, not explaining, so the Goddess said, somewhat firmly, “I require an answer, Mellara.”

  “She wanted me where she could see me.”

  “So you took the job because your mother-in-law demanded it?”

  “It’s not as bad as that,” Mellara said. “I like it.”

  “Do you like it as much as working in the palace?”

  “It’s different. And...”

  “And?”

  “With, um.”

  “With Muranna gone?” I offered.

  “Yeah. I knew I’d remind Yalla of Muranna, but after working with Yalla for years, I didn’t want another position in the palace. Queen Ralalta offered several, and I could have said ‘no’ to my mother-in-law and claimed the queen demanded I take a position.”

  “This was while Yallameenara was here.”

  “Yes, even before I came to visit, when we didn’t think she’d ever be allowed to return to us.”

  “And now? If Queen Ralalta offered you a position in the palace again, would you accept it?”

  “I don’t know if I want to go back to being a maid, and I don’t know if I want to work in the palace unless it’s for Yalla.”

  “What if Yalla needs you for other duties?”

  “She only has to ask,” Mellara said. “Would I be gone a lot?”

  “As much as she is,” said the Goddess. “This may not happen, or at least not because I meddle, although now that Yalla and Ralalta know how you feel, I cannot predict what they might offer, regardless.”

  Mellara smiled at that, then nodded. “Goddess, could I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “My husband and I have tried to have a second child. Could you tell me if there’s something wrong with me?”

  “Of course, My Dear,” said the Goddess. “Yalla will need to touch you.”

  We kept Mellara in her chair, and the Goddess guided my hands. We spent a few minutes at it, and then the Goddess said, “Mellara, you are quite fit. Are you sure you wish another child?”

  “Yes.”

  “Boy or girl?”

  “Really?”

  “You seem surprised,” said the Goddess. “If Yallameenara and her two wives can have four daughters, do you doubt I can help you conceive of a man? Now, are you sure? And do you want to choose, or should I choose for you?”

  “Daygan would love a son.”

  “And what would Daygon’s wife prefer?”

  “I’d be happy with either,” Mellara said. “As long as it’s healthy.”

  “This child will be very healthy,” said the Goddess. Then she directed my hand, and we began to glow for a minute. I could feel the magic working, and then the Goddess withdrew us back to our seat, and we cuddled together. “There. When next you lie with your husband, you will conceive a boy. Congratulations, Mellara.”

  “Thank you, Goddess,” Mellara said. “Thank you so much.” Then she looked at me. “But how will I take Yalla’s job if I’m going to be pregnant.”

  “Things will work out,” said the Goddess. “Now, I wish to speak to Queen Ralalta for a few minutes, and then Lásenalta, Whitarmandi, and Darnisom. After that, we shall offer a tour to all the acolytes. Lamarta, I do not want you talking about the things we just discussed until I’ve talked to the others involved. You must keep this a secret for an hour. As you are now one of my acolytes, I know I can trust you.”

  “You can, Prestainamatta!”

  “Excellent.”

  * * * *

  We waited until the door had closed and gave them a moment to walk away, and then the Goddess said, “I want to know about this school where the other acolytes attend.”

  “I’ve told you about it before,” I replied. “What do you want to know?”

  “How far is it from the palace?”

  “Oh. It takes two or three hours to reach it.”

  “Oh, that’s much too far. Queen Ralalta, I require a solution. What do you propose?”

  “There are schools in Marport,” said the queen. “Juleena and Yalla both had private tutors, and neither ever attended actual school.”

  “What was the plan for your granddaughters? Tutors?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why are my acolytes taught so far from the palace?”

  “I wanted to use the capital as incentive to study hard,” I explained. “And I was familiar with that school. It’s a long story.”

  “This is where your horses are.”

  “Some of Queen Ralalta’s horses,” I clarified. “Yes. Mine are more convenient.”

  She smiled briefly. “This is a case where you should use your judgment, but I believe I would prefer my acolytes closer to Marport. And I want Whitarmandi, Darnisom, Lamarta, and Radímaroosh all taught the same things that you would have taught them if they were to be future leaders of Framara. Is that possible, Queen Ralalta?”

  “Soldiering?”

  “Well, not soldiering. But the rest?”

  “Yes, this is quite possible. Yalla, this is something I’ll handle directly. Alta won’t be able to do this for you.”

  “You’re going to talk to one of the schools in Marport?”

  “Yes, and I’m afraid I don’t know which one yet. I need to pick a good school that will be flexible, but not expect favors of the crown in exchange.”

  “Politics.”

  “Yes.”

  “Very good,” said the Goddess. “Whitarmandi and Darnisom already speak Altearan. I saw them speaking to the other acolytes. They may begin learning my language immediately. Lamarta does not speak Altearan, and Radímaroosh does not speak Framaran. But I want them to study with Whitarmandi and Darnisom.”

  “Alta should be here for this,” I said.

  * * * *

  Alta arrived with our daughters. We brought Alta up to speed, which meant my daughters heard everything as well. They took it all in stride and seemed pleased. “So we’re not staying here?”

  “Not yet,” I replied. “I hope you don’t mind going home with us.”

  “No, Mama Yalla. We don’t mind,” Mandi assured me. “But is she coming with us?” She pointed to the Goddess.

  That was strange for me; I wasn’t accustomed to anyone else seeing her.

  “Maybe. We’re not sure.”

  “You must both learn to talk to me,” said the Goddess. She gri
nned and looked at me. “I used to read to your grandmother.”

  “Imagine, being tucked in by a goddess,” I said, smiling at her. “But not my mother?”

  “She read to me.”

  We discussed what the girls would learn, and came to some tentative agreements. We’d have to see how they did with their studies before we could determine much more. Alta seemed as relieved as I felt, although she didn’t actually say anything.

  “Ah, excellent,” said the Goddess when there was a knock at the door. A moment later, an acolyte stepped in. “Fresh tea.”

  “Good. And then you can take the girls back to the other acolytes,” said the Goddess.

  A minute later, we were left with adults only.

  “Princess Lásenalta,” said the Goddess. “Queen Ralalta has asked about additional grandchildren.”

  “Oh, hmm,” Alta said. “Yes?”

  “I would like to know how you feel. You are helping to raise four children already.”

  “I imagine my mother-in-law worries about the succession, and worries whether two more daughters will change hair color.”

  “I am not often presented with such richness of choices,” she replied. “I would take both Dawnastaria and Kissagoddessia, but I cannot leave the succession in turmoil. But I did not ask what Ralalta thinks. I want to know what you think.”

  “We haven’t talked about it.”

  “We’re talking about it now.”

  “Juleena should be here for this.”

  “Perhaps, but she isn’t, and I want to know what you want.”

  “Yalla?” Alta said.

  “She wants to know what you want.”

  “But I want to know what you want, and what Juleena wants.”

  The Goddess set her fingers over my mouth, then finished that motion with a caress, brushing my lips and cheek. It was very intimate, and it served to distract me.

  There was a pause, and then Alta said, “I loved being pregnant. Juleena and Yalla took such care of me. Everyone did. And I love being a mother.” She laughed. “I even enjoyed when Yalla was pregnant with my daughter.”

  “They’re all your daughters!”

  “Everyone here knows what I mean,” Alta said. “But in a way I hated being pregnant.”

  “Why?” several of us asked at once.

  “Because they had to take care of me, and I’m accustomed to taking care of them.”

  “If I give you and Juleena a daughter together,” asked the Goddess, “Do you want to carry it, or do you want Juleena to carry it?”

  “Me,” she said immediately. But then she turned to Ralalta. “Unless that muddies the succession.”

  “As long as I know, I can handle that,” Ralalta said. She looked at the Goddess. “We do not have kings in Framara, and it would help if the girl clearly looks like Juleena.” She laughed. “No one could question what happened when you gave her all the symptoms Yalla had, and she could nurse Mandi as well.”

  The Goddess smiled. “Yalla?”

  “If I didn’t want more, I wouldn’t have asked you about it.”

  “Perhaps you ask only for the succession, wondering if Dawnastaria and Kissagoddessia will also be mine.”

  “I love being a mother.”

  “Does Juleena wish to carry another?”

  Alta and I looked at each other, but it was Ralalta that said, “She is more comfortable as the care giver.”

  “Very good,” said the Goddess. “Queen Ralalta, I will leave two for your succession. I have not decided beyond that.”

  “Thank you, Prestainamatta.”

  * * * *

  There were other conversations, of course, but there were two others of particular note I wish to share.

  It was two days later. We had all gone outside for a picnic, the weather beautiful. Far down the valley, we could see more of our priestesses arriving for the solstice celebration, but they wouldn’t arrive for a few more hours. And so there was a pleasant moment of leisure.

  “Yallameenara,” said the Goddess. “Have you thought about Ralalta’s role during the solstice celebration?”

  “Oh, it didn’t occur to me.” I sighed. “I’m a poor high priestess.”

  The Goddess hugged me tightly. “I want her at the solstice celebration. She will walk in with you, but you will leave her at Change before proceeding to Life. She must sing the greeting song.”

  I smiled and relayed all of that to Terél, who clapped her pleasure and said, “We’ll begin immediately!”

  * * * *

  The other notable conversation was that evening in my quarters. The Goddess said, “Your maids had a request.”

  “Yes. They want me to help lure Maráestára and Peralianíta to our household. Frankly, I don’t want them if their loyalty is to Mesenorié.”

  She laughed. “As if I would allow their loyalty to anyone but you. Call Naddíqualestra and Resaírelteena.”

  I didn’t have to move. Over the years, this had become very easy for me. I simply cocked my head and thought first of Féla. “I need you.” Then I did the same while thinking of Naddí.

  It took only seconds before they joined us. “You summoned?” Féla prompted with a grin.

  “I talked to the Goddess about Maráestára and Peralianíta. Do you both still want them to join the household?”

  “Yes!” Naddí said immediately, Féla grinning and nodding.

  The Goddess stood and walked to stand next to Naddí. She studied her for a minute, and then she walked around to look closely at Féla. Then she looked at me, and it was with sadness. “Yalla, I am very sorry.”

  “You don’t think we should invite them?”

  “It’s not that. But I have another problem to solve, and I see two possible solutions.”

  “We’re talking about Vérundia and Hastiá.”

  “Yes.”

  “Two solutions?”

  “Yes.” She paused. “Yalla, do not have Larien translate this for you. Ask them yourself. Do Naddíqualestra and Resaírelteena wish to devote their lives to me?”

  “I’m fairly sure they’ve already done that.”

  “As priestesses.”

  “Oh,” I said. “Ohhh.” I paused, and then I said it a third time. “Oh. I see.”

  “I’m sorry, Yalla.”

  I nodded and switched to Altearan. “Naddí. Féla. The Goddess wishes to change your hair. She feels it is time, but only if you wish to devote the remainder of your lives to her.”

  “We’re already devoted to her, through you,” Naddí said.

  “She’s asking if you wish this.”

  The two looked at each other and then began grinning and -- something they rarely did -- crying.

  “Are you both sure?”

  “Yes,” they whispered. “Yes.”

  I stood and moved to them, walking around behind Naddí. I began stroking her hair, and then the Goddess was with me. It took about a minute, but Naddí’s hair grew, became richer, and changed color. She cried the entire time.

  Then it was Féla’s turn, but I stroked her hair while she and Naddí clutched tightly, both sobbing now. Soon it was done. “Congratulations,” I said to them. “I’m so proud of you, and I love you.”

  “And I love them,” added the Goddess. And then I felt her love flow through me and into them, and the four of us hugged tightly.

  Then Larien and Terél were there, so the hug grew larger. “Congratulations, both of you,” Larien said.

  It was a minute or three later when the Goddess said, “Let us all sit.” We took seats, and then the Goddess again said, “Yalla, I’m so sorry.”

  “I understand,” I said. “So it’s to be Naddí or Féla?”

  “I don’t know. The six of us will discuss it. Explain the situation for them.”

  So I switched to Altearan. I knew Larien would quietly translate back for the Goddess. I explained Vérundia’s situation. “We need someone we trust to assume her duties here.”

  “So you want us to begin
a search?”

  “No,” I said. “We’ve already narrowed the search. Now we want to know who wants to take it.”

  “Oh,” said Féla. “Who.”

  “One or two of the four of you.”

  “Oh, Yalla,” said Larien. “That’s why you look so unhappy.”

  “She’s apologized to me several times,” I said. “Larien, you were her first thought, but she points out Terél probably wouldn’t want to leave if you stay.” I turned back to the maids -- possibly former maids. “It appears the two of you together are her second thought. If she’s considered others, I don’t know.”

  “Considered and rejected,” said the Goddess. “There is one other. The Abbess at Manásuéla would serve adequately.”

  “That old cow,” Féla said.

  Before I could stop her, Larien translated. No one spoke immediately, but then the Goddess said, “She is a good administrator, but I believe Vérundia would be uncomfortable leaving things to her. She is a distant third choice, but she would serve. Yalla, you would need to be here more often so I could guide her, at least until one of your daughters can serve.”

  “Ten years.”

  “Maybe eight. Yes.”

  I sighed and nodded. “Now what do you want us to do?”

  “I wish the five of you to make this decision,” said the Goddess. “One of them, or we must go visit the abbess.”

  I nodded and looked at Larien. “You were her first choice.”

  “You need me.”

  “She needs us, too!” Naddí said. “And we don’t even know the language of the Goddess. The other priestesses won’t follow us.”

  “I don’t know if they would follow me, either,” Larien said. She looked at Terél, who was biting her lip.

  “Yalla still needs me,” Terél said. “But you would be very good, Larien.” She looked across to Naddí and Féla. “So would they. It would be different.”

  “I need all of you,” I said. “Because you’re my friends.”

  “We’re all friends,” Larien said.

  “What do you want, Larien?” Terél asked. “For yourself.”

  “I want to serve our Prestainamatta,” Larien said. “And Yalla.”

  “For yourself,” Terél whispered. “What do you want for yourself?”