Starlight Gleaming Ch. 19

"But it's the truth," she muttered defiantly.

Layeena tersely rattled off something to the disappointed cook, who re-covered the carcass and rolled it back to the kitchen. Coming back into the room, he bowed before the lady of the house.

"We must have a main dish, Hadwin. What else do you have for us?" Layeena demanded.

"There's duck and pork in the cooler. I could prepare and serve it cold, I could warm the dish on the griddle, or fry them up as desired. Whatever Mistress wishes."

"Do either of those appeal to you, Lord Kandikan?" Layeena asked, her smile tense.

Menallo and Breena watched the exchange. Tanti kept her face passive, hands in her lap, not engaging anyone.

"Cold pork sounds perfect," I replied. "Some salsa on the side would be good, and if you have any, a slice of pan bread with butter to go with it."

"Pan bread!" exclaimed Cholan's mother. "That's fare for the lower classes!"

I gave her a polite smile. "That doesn't make it bad. I was raised on my mother's rotis as a child, but since living at High Guard, I've come to enjoy fresh, hot pan bread. It may be perceived as lower class, but it is wholesome and filling. Maybe it's the way it's cooked, hmm?" I winked at Cholan.

"More likely, it's who's doing the cooking," Cholan snickered.

"There is that," I admitted. It really was a delight Zinja and Ixma prepare food together, and after years of practice, I could not tell the difference between rotis prepared by my mother or by Calia. And, with more practice, Ixma's flat bread had gained the same uniformity as Zinja's.

I ran my thumb over Cholan's hand under the table. "I also remember having some fried pan bread for breakfast once upon a time. The food was almost as delicious as the woman who made it."

Blushing furiously, Cholan grinned at me at the shared memory.

Layeena announced, "Cold pork for his lordship and my daughter, with salsa and... pan bread, if we have any. Menallo, do you wish your pork heated?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Both of ours warmed, Hadwin. Breena? Tanti?"

Tanti shook her head. Breena said, "I'll take mine like the commander."

I noticed her mother decided what Cholan was to eat, yet the older daughters were asked for their preferences.

Servings for the entrees were dished up, and with a simple declaration from Menallo that the gods bless everyone in the household, we began to eat.

"Do you two have any plans for the future?" Breena asked, looking at her youngest sister.

"What sort of plans do you mean?" Cholan responded, scooping up a spoon of quinoa topped with yogurt.

"You've been together for almost a year now. Any plans for marriage? Or children?"

Cholan glanced at me. "No, nothing like that. It's... complicated."

"I see. So you're just his whore then."

I sat up straight, looking at Cholan. She put down her utensils, staring at her sister.

Layeena choked on her food, and Menallo roared out, "Breena! That was uncalled for!"

The oldest daughter rolled her eyes. "Oh, come now. What's the big deal? All women are whores for their men. A whore exchanges sex for money or goods. Men give us food and a home, and in return, they tell us when to have sex, decide how long it lasts, how often it happens, and what hole they will use. They decide whether or not we can even breed, and how many children we are allowed to have. Husbands even tell us who we should fuck to advance their career. Cholan and I -- we are whores for our men, Father. Tanti's not. She's a respectable widow. Past her year of mourning and eligible to remarry. So, two whores and a whore-to-be."

By Breena's rule, Layeena should have been one as well, yet she'd said nothing about it. Parental respect, I suppose. Still, some of her arguments made me feel guilty about Calia. I exhaled slowly.

"You had a lot of wine earlier. Are you drunk, Breena?" her father demanded angrily.

"No, but I think I should be. It would certainly make things more bearable." Unconcerned at us staring at her, she stuffed more vegetables into her mouth. Suddenly her mouth opened, and she waved at it with one hand while picking up her wine glass and draining it. "That's a hot chilli!"

"Breena!" her mother hoarsed out. "How can you be so... so crude, and in front of our guest!"

"What? I can't be honest here at home with my own family? His lordship is a military man. I'm sure he appreciates honesty. Well, at least, I hope he does." She looked thoughtful at that last bit, even while stabbing at more vegetables.

"I'm not a whore, Breena," Cholan growled. "I earn my paycheck and I pay my way."

"Who's name is on the place where you live?" her sister tossed back.

"The Commander's. But--"

"Aha!"

"It's not like that! With his grade, he's able to get a house big enough for all of us to live together. Everyone but Calia contributes to the rent, even my officer. My captain insists on it. Calia pays in-kind by keeping the house clean and taking care of all of us."

"Have you ever told him no?" Breena persisted.

"Of course not--"

"My point exactly," the oldest sister declared.

"You don't know anything, Breena! I have to share him, and with our busy schedules, I only get the opportunity to be with him once, maybe twice a week. It's not a chore and it's not required. Whores use sex to earn a paycheck. Being with Lord Kandikan is a chance for me to show him how much I love and want him, and to enjoy him wanting and loving me right back. It's a loving, wonderful experience, Breena. Every single time."

"Thank you, my dear," I murmured.

Breena didn't say anything in response, but the look she gave Cholan? If I had to make a choice, I'd say it was envy.

Hadwin returned at that moment, moving briskly while carrying a tray loaded with food. I thanked him as he slid a large slice of pork onto my plate along with a large slice of warm pan bread with melting butter on top, and setting a small bowl of salsa nearby. Moving next to Cholan, he gave her a much smaller slice, also providing her with pan bread and salsa. Scooting quickly back down the table, he dropped off Breena's portions.

"How many of you are there living together?" Breena prompted, breaking the silence.

"Twelve."

"Twelve! Commander, you must be absolutely amazing in bed. I'm speechless."

"I wish you were," Layeena hissed.

Cholan grumbled. "You always make assumptions and infer the worst. I hate it when you do that, Breena. The commander's aide and his wife live with us. There are also two servants to help with the housework. Calia rescued them."

"Rescued? And who is this Calia? That's twice you've mentioned her."

"She's Lord Kandikan's Personal Servant--"

Breena erupted into laughter.

"-- and she runs the commander's household."

"I just bet she does!"

"Watch it, Breena!" Cholan grated out. "Calia's my friend and I won't let you talk badly about her. She also helps take care of Sisi and Mina, the commander's daughters. Calia is a skilled healer, and she's a kind and gentle person. You make our personal lives sound tawdry and base. It's not that way at all! It's one thing to mock me, but I won't let you talk like that about people I care about."

Ignoring the rebuke, Breena turned her attention directly to me. "You have children, Commander? How old are they?"

"Sisi is going to be five soon," I answered. "Mina is turning three." Cholan's comments were well taken, and I was proud she stood up for Calia like that. I also had a growing dislike for Breena.

"Who's their mother?"

"Zinja is Sisi's mother. Mina is Ixma's child." I took another bite of salsa-covered pork. The salsa was good, and the pork was tender. Oh, yes, I thought to myself. The oldest sister was being deliberately provocative. I wonder what her game is.

Breena turned her attention back to her sister. "Zinja and Ixma. Aren't those the women you work with, Nabbie?"

Cholan threw her napkin onto the table, scowling. "I hate that nickname, Breena! I haven't been here in two years, and this is how you are?"

"You didn't answer me, and I really want to know. I thought women in military service couldn't have children. Did he sire them before they enlisted? I'm unclear on this, because I thought you two met at Tikún last year. And why does he have children with them and none by you? I am trying to understand your position in his household."

I picked up my glass and cleared my palate. The wine was decent, if a bit sweet. "If you must know, Breena, I adopted Sisi and Mina. Cholan's position in my household is secure, I assure you. I'm thinking that you don't know your sister very well, if at all. Last summer, five armed men and two draconian males, all of whom were armed, threatened Ixma, her friend and crew mate. Armed only with her fists, Cholan didn't cower and she didn't run away. Instead, she stood her ground, doing her best to defend her friend. She was badly beaten, and if help hadn't arrived, she likely would have died."

Her family glanced briefly at Cholan. Cholan, for her part, glared angrily at her older sister.

I paused to give her arm a quick squeeze of reassurance. "I love Cholan. I also admire and respect her. Not only is she brave, worthy to wear the uniform of a warrior, she is brilliant and a wonderful dancer. I cherish her sense of humor and her good heart. I trust her with my life. Her feelings and her happiness matter to me a great deal.

"Mistress Xochatsm, this may be the home of your parents, but you wield words like a bludgeon, carelessly battering all those around you. I don't know what's motivating you to act the way you are, but I'm warning you. Whatever that word nabbie means, it offends Cholan and that's all I need to know. I'm telling you in no uncertain terms -- stop using it. I'm fine with civil inquiry and discussion, and I truly welcome a genuine interest in your sister's life. However, I'm giving you warning. Be very careful how you proceed. Cholan is mine, and I'm rather protective of what's mine."

Suddenly exhaling, Cholan's anger dissipated. Wiping at her eyes, she gave me a look full of love and gratitude before resuming her meal.

Looking contrite, Breena lowered her eyes in deference. "My apologies, Lord Kandikan. I assure you I mean no insult. Rather, I'm concerned for my sister-- "

"You have a good cook, Mistress Yakalme," I interrupted, pausing take a bite of some vegetables. "The pork is tender, the salsa is nicely flavored, and the pan bread is fresh and tasty. My compliments to your chef and his culinary skills. Very well, Lady Xochatsm, I accept your apology. Old habits can be hard to break, but simply ceasing the offensive practice doesn't work. You have to replace the old behavior with something new, otherwise you relapse and risk losing all the goodwill you've regained."

I resumed eating.

"Thank you, my lord," Breena replied. "Does he treat you well, Cholan?"

"Breena!" her parents exploded.

"He said I could ask!" she protested.

They eyed me nervously, but I ignored the question.

Cholan chuckled, partly with exasperation. "Breena, is it always going to be the same with us? I talk to you and yet you don't listen to a word I say. Let me say it more clearly. Lord Kandikan treats me extraordinarily well. I count the times spent in his loving, strong arms as the happiest of my life."

Turning to me, Cholan's eyes bespoke warmth and love. Speaking Vedan, she added, "I love you, Ranji."

Doubly pleased her use of Vedan and her use of my given name, I set down the silverware and grinned. Then I responded In Queschuan so the others could hear and understand. "I love you, too, Cholan Yakalme."

Turning back to her sister, Cholan resumed speaking. "Being in the military can be difficult for a woman. You can get ordered to have sex with anyone who is of higher rank than you. When you are in boot camp, that's every man around you. Fortunately, the training is segregated, so most of the time it's not so bad. At graduation, however, the men graduating boot camp get to visit the women's quarters and they get to have their way with us. Training schools aren't much better. Eventually, as I gained rank, things got somewhat better, but that took years."

I hadn't known that about the enlisted women's boot camp or what happened at the training schools. This meant that some of what the women endured was deliberate, designed to encourage them to give up and leave the service. I knew a lot of enlisted women in uniform, and to think they'd all gone through this? Yeah, it bothered me.

Cholan set down her silverware. "You need to understand, Breena, the men who hurt any of us in Lord Kandikan's household -- they are dead. Every. Single. One. The men and the aliens who hurt me? Dead. We don't eat monkey in our home. Do you know why? Men tried to take his daughters from him, intent on selling them to draconians. Did you know they buy human children? Not for sex, but for food, Breena. For food! And they call human children baby monkey meat."

Breena paled, Layeena covered her mouth, and Tanti looked at Cholan in shock. Menallo appeared stunned.

Cholan leaned forward, warming to her task. "Those men who took his daughters were either killed outright or they ended up at the temple for sacrifice. The commander was gone for months on a special mission. While he was away, a foul monster, one Captain Tonca hurt Ixma, Calia, Sergeant Chita, and Captain Lovyanchiti. Tonca was the Aerie Captain with the Eagle Temple. When the commander came back to High Guard War Base, he fought that bastard and he made sure Tonca died. Tonca's body was left staked out on the seashore for the rats, the crabs, and the seagulls to pick at. My officer took Ixma, Zinja, and me to see his carcass. She said it means the commander will do his best to protect us, and that anyone who hurts us earns his wrath. My captain has fought by my lord's side and I know she will do so again without hesitation. I will do whatever I can to help them keep our family safe."

She took a long breath, calming herself. "As a woman, walking alone and especially at night can be dangerous. At Copán War Base, it still is. It's not perfect at High Guard, but it's a lot safer now, and has been since he issued the Protection Order. Even the marines and navy had to listen to Lord Kandikan."

I hadn't known about Janetta taking them to see Tonca's body.

"Protection Order? What's that?" Breena prompted.

Cholan glanced at me, and I encouraged her with a smile. "Go ahead. You're doing fine."

"No one can force another person to have sex against their will, and the rule applies to civilians, too, including servants. The commander officially announced it on the radio! Everyone at High Guard obeys it or they get punished."

Breena sat back in her chair, staring at us. "That's... unbelievable."

"Believe it!" Cholan said. "It's the truth! Lord Kandikan did that -- for all of us!"

The news caught Tanti's attention, the middle sister looking at Cholan and me with sudden interest.

Layeena looked at us oddly. "That means--"

"Yes!" Cholan exulted. "It means we can say no, Mother. A man tells a woman he wants to have sex, and the woman can say yes or no! Her decision! There's over fifty thousand people living at High Guard. Think of it! Everyone there is living with this new rule. Men aren't afraid for their wives and girlfriends or their daughters. Women are still careful, but we aren't looking over our shoulders every single second or hiding in our rooms. The commander made that happen. We are so proud of him."

Almost as one, the others drained their wine glasses. The servant girl hurriedly refilled them.

"Unbelievable," Breena repeated.

"And my weight loss?" Cholan declared, pointing at herself. "That's because of him, too. I was sick and getting sicker, and I didn't know it, and he made the doctors figure it out."

"You never said a word of this to us," Layeena said quietly. "Not a word."

She frowned at her mother. "I sent you an email letting you know I was injured, and that I was feeling better and exercising. You never inquired any further, Mother."

Layeena glared at Cholan. "You told us you were taking a few days rest after getting injured outside a store! You're my child. Don't you think I would want to know what happened to you? That you nearly died?"

"You never approved of my enlisting," Cholan retorted, "always telling me to quit and to find a husband."

"Well, you should! If you'd stayed at home where we could protect you, your father and I would have found a good husband for you. You wouldn't have had to worry about getting hurt like you have been."

"That's not true, and you know it," Cholan insisted. "In the Eastern Islands I could have become a licensed engineer in my own right. An engineer, like you were, Mother. But we live in the Empire now. As a woman, I can't be an engineer because the civilian Guilds won't allow a woman to be certified in her own right. They don't want women to be competing or owning businesses. All your work for father goes uncredited, and if it got out, he could be fined. Here in Copán, only a few Guilds allow women to become a Master after their Journeyman training. But in the Air Service, I'm an electrical engineer. I get to use my mind and gain experience in a technical field that I'm good at!"

"It was better for us to move here," Menallo interjected. "Better for all of us."

"I'll say," Breena added meaningfully.

"You hush!" Layeena's tone was acid. There was a thump and Breena winced. "Not another word, Breena! I won't have you spreading malicious gossip."

"No, she obviously meant something," Cholan said. "Otherwise she wouldn't have brought it up. All right, Breena. What did you mean? Spill it!"

"Do not say a word," Menallo growled at his oldest daughter.

Breena dropped her fork onto her plate and folded her arms, looking away.

"Tanti?" Cholan asked, appealing to her other sister.

"Say nothing," Layeena demanded.

Tanti looked sadly at Cholan. "Have you never wondered why your eyes are brown, not hazel -- like the rest of us? Why you're so many inches shorter? Yet are darker of skin?"

"That's enough!" Menallo barked. "I am the head of this household! All discussion on this matter is ended! Do you hear me?"

Cholan faced Menallo. "Papa? What is she saying?" A pause, then with a look of alarm, she shook her head. "No! No, it's not true. I've seen the pictures. Yes, I'm shorter than the rest of you, but I look just like Great Grandmother Dósinee. She was short and darker skinned -- just like me! But Tanti and Breena are saying it's not that at all. Is that why, Papa? Why sometimes you'd hug Breena and Tanti and... and not hug me? Because you believe I'm another man's child?"

A tears escaped Cholan's eyes. Then another as she looked at her father and then to her mother for their denial.

"You shouldn't have said anything," Layeena admonished Tanti.

"Why not?" Tanti asked.

"She's your sister!"

"Yes, she is. Cholan is also grown up and deserves to finally know the truth."

"It was our private business," Manello said. "Your mother's and mine. No one else's."

"Are you sure I'm not your child, Papa?" The plea in Cholan's voice was painful to hear. He refused to look at her. "Mother? Tell him -- it's not so!"

"He's sure enough," Breena replied. "If he had your DNA tested, then he'd know, but then he wouldn't be able to look at you. What he has now is a shred of hope."

"How do you know so much, Breena?" Cholan demanded.

"Because while father was away, building one of his greatest achievements, the Sayzono Rail and Highway Bridge, Lord Haruna visited Mother. Being a baby still, Tanti needed Mother's milk, and we shared a crib together. Everyday for almost three months, while fall turned to winter, Lord Haruna visited Mother in her office. I watched while he pushed her down over her own desk, mounting her while she cried out."