CHAPTER 17
I recognized the guard who waited on my doorstep as one of those who had originally brought me to the cottage.
At the time, I was not in my best state, so I hadn’t bothered to introduce myself.
“Greetings, honored visitor,” I said, practicing my best manners.
“I would offer you a cup of Oonag, but I know we need to get going.”
“A blessing upon your house and all who dwell within,” the guard replied dutifully. “If you are ready, I am to accompany you to the palace.”
I wore the satchel with M’Pak tucked inside like a crossbody bag.
It was getting difficult because he was growing so quickly.
Just two weeks ago he was the size of a small housecat, and now he was the size of a grown beagle.
The guard stepped back when the cub peeked out.
“Is that a Granthor?” he asked in disbelief.
“He’s just a cub,” I said. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, so I need to bring him with me.” The guard was clearly unsure about this.
“He’s very well behaved,” I assured him.
The guard backed away and moved to the front of the vehicle. I got in the other side and harnessed myself in, with M’Pak in my lap. I was proud of myself for remembering how to buckle the harness.
“I’m Andie,” I said to the guard. “I’m sorry that I didn’t introduce myself to you the last time we met.”
The guard’s crest, which had raised at the sight of M’Pak, slowly deflated. “I am Andokar. Do not worry. If I may be so bold, you look much better today than the last time I saw you. Village life appears to agree with you.”
“It does!” I replied. “I am grateful to the villagers for their kindness. And to the King, of course.”
“Of course. We should arrive at the Palace in a quarter centine.”
Andokar and I chitchatted a bit as the vehicle drove itself to the city and then through the winding streets to the Palace.
I was much more aware of my surroundings this time and asked the guard a million questions about the buildings and landmarks we passed.
The palace came into view, a massive structure that was covered in thousands of tiny mosaic tiles in various shades of blue.
The overall effect against the landscape of red stone was that of a desert oasis.
It was breathtaking. As we drove through the gates onto the grounds I admired the cultivated gardens, with much taller plants than I had seen anywhere else.
The village had short grasses and vegetable bushes that ranged from knee- to waist-high as well as the ever-present purple and green moss that served as groundcover.
Here there were many plants taller than the Ptexari.
They didn’t resemble trees in shape, though.
They appeared more like giant masses of vines or simply large, round bushes.
They varied in color, and I wondered if they generated their own food through photosynthesis like plants on Earth.
If so, it didn’t appear they produced green chlorophyll.
I had a sudden urge to ask my communications panel all about plant growth on Ptekennan. Maybe when I got home.
Home. When had I started thinking of my village cottage as home?
“Our home,” said M’Pak. I sensed both his confusion and overall disinterest regarding my wandering plant thoughts.
He didn’t have the advantage of tenth grade biology to help him understand my train of thought, but he understood home.
I felt a rush of affection for him. “Yes,” I thought to him as I scratched him behind the ear. “Our home.”
His nose twitched as we exited the vehicle and I could sense he needed to pee. “Is there an area where M’Pak can relieve himself?” I asked Andokar.
“Relieve himself?” Andokar asked.
“Um… urinate?” I said. The translator worked pretty well, but it often got stuck on euphemisms or slang.
Andokar didn’t seem pleased, but led me toward the side of the palace and pointed out a spot. M’Pak did his business, but did not wish to return to the satchel. “Too long sit,” he complained. “Walk now.”
“Ok,” I thought to him. “But stay close to me.”
“Yes, Mother Andie.”
Not surprisingly, M’Pak wanted to stop and sniff everything along the path.
This suited me as well, as it gave me an excuse to stop and gawk at every plant, statue, and even window that we passed.
The mosaic tiles on the wall of the place were mesmerizing, reflecting the sunlight so the whole palace appeared to twinkle.
Andokar grew impatient and reminded me that the King and Princess were not to be kept waiting.
I sighed and urged M’Pak to hurry along.
We made our way to the Palace entrance, with several guards and servants exclaiming over the Granthor cub with alarm, and of me (the supposed Lumanela) with less fear but no less surprise. I supposed we made an unlikely pair.
Andokar led us to the second floor of the palace to a sumptuously decorated receiving room with thick carpets and plush velvety cushions. Standing within were the King and a female who I presumed was the Princess.
“Greetings, honored daughter,” the King said. “Welcome to our dwelling. Allow me to introduce you to your sister-in-law, the Princess Kashtinela. May we offer you some Oonag?”
“A blessing upon your house and all who dwell within,” I supplied the traditional response while bobbing a curtsy.
Camavel hadn’t said anything about a curtsy, and they probably didn’t have the gesture on this planet, but it felt appropriate nonetheless.
“Oonag and a bit of conversation would be welcome.”
“Then let us sit and enjoy Oonag, conversation, and then lunch,” the King replied.
A low table was surrounded by three cushions instead of the traditional pair, and I appreciated the thoughtfulness. I wasn’t sure what I would have done if they were sharing a paired table and I was at a different one.
M’Pak crawled into my lap and stuck his head inside the satchel looking for food. The Princess startled. “Is that a baby Granthor?’” she asked.
“It is,” I replied. “He’s called M’Pak, and his mother was killed, so I’m raising him until he can return to the wild.”
“Is that wise?” she asked. “Surely he is dangerous.”
“He’s only dangerous to ovinas right now,” I smiled.
She chortled. “I suppose he would be. Ovinas are a good meal. He has excellent taste.”
“He’s been good company for me.” I said.
The King observed, seemingly content as Kashtinela and I exchanged pleasantries over Oonag, until lunch was served. “If I may say, daughter, you are looking well. I am very pleased.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate the cottage in the village. Everyone there has been very kind and welcoming. I’m still adjusting, but I am much happier there.”
“This warms my hearts,” he replied. “I am curious about your choice of garment. Is this an Earth creation?”
“It’s similar to something I would wear on Earth, but created by a tailor in the village named Robnar. He’s very talented.”
“I know him!” exclaimed Kashtinela. “He worked in the city for years, but followed his mate to the village for a quieter life. He is very picky about the clients he chooses. He has a long waiting list for his services.”
I was surprised to hear this, given he had made the jumpsuit for me in one day and was working on a whole new wardrobe for me on short notice.
I thought it might be best to keep that to myself.
I didn’t need any native Ptexari getting mad at me for jumping to the head of the line for their most valued designer.
“I believe he found designing this jumpsuit for me to be an interesting professional challenge,” was all I said.
“But of course!” she replied. “He will be able to say he is the designer dressing the planet’s only Lumanela.
Do not let him overcharge you. Allowing him to dress any royal is good for his business.
When people see that he is dressing you, his waiting list will grow tenfold!
Do not underestimate the power of your uniqueness here, dear sister. ”
I sensed she was being kind, but I didn’t want to use my status as the only human here to take advantage of anyone. But I nodded my head as if to agree. “Thank you for your advice,” I said.
The King cleared his throat. “As we discussed earlier, I would like you to study with an instructor on Ptexari history, culture, and protocol. We will be hosting a diplomatic ball for some offworlder visitors in three weeks, and it would be advantageous to our trade talks to have you there. An offworlder as a member of the royal family demonstrates our openness to foreign cultures and goods.”
So glad my rape has provided them with a trading advantage, I couldn’t help but think sarcastically.
“What is rape?” M’Pak asked me.
“Ugh, we can talk about that later.” I had no idea how I was going to explain that and my history to the cub. I hoped he would forget by the time we got home. Fortunately for me, he had the attention span of a gnat.
I silently reminded myself that I was dependent on their continued goodwill, and in truth, they had been nothing but kind and generous to me.
Being shown off at their gala was the least I could do in return.
I didn’t really understand their society, so I probably shouldn’t judge them for taking advantage of my sad situation.
“I am honored by the invitation,” I said, remembering the manners Camavel had taught me.
“Very well. You will come to the Palace every second day to receive instruction. Once per week, you will dine with Kashtinela and me so that we might know you better. We are delighted to welcome you to our family,” the King said.
I sighed. He really was kind. It was just difficult not to associate him with his son, who had assaulted me.
I hoped they didn’t want to talk about him.
There was only so much of the royal family I could take.