Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 01

Standing straighter, she proudly announced, "My name is Sisi Topkoransa Ba'lanchicotl Kandikan."

"Excellent. And how come you have such a long name?"

"Because Mama Zinja loves me and she wanted me when I was all alone, and so did you, Tenant."

"You and Mina make me so happy. I love you both so much. Have you had lunch yet?"

"Hungry, Mama," Mina interjected.

Sisi shook her head, and I heard her stomach growl. Only last week Zinja had said Sisi was in a growth spurt and had already grown two inches since my return.

"Well, we need to fix that, don't we." Picking Sisi up, I parked her onto my hip, and with a caress of Mina and a wink at Ixma, I looked at Izel. "Let's have lunch, shall we?"

With a smile, Izel pointed at my usual spot at the table. Sisi got down as I sat into the chair, but then I lifted her back onto my lap.

Izel sat in the chair next to me. Rattling out in Nahua, she demanded to know what food was ready. The cooks responded, and she ordered them to prepare me a plate.

"I'm... it's tradition for the bride to feed her husband-to-be before the wedding. Because this is my second marriage, it's not usually done, but because this is your first, I wanted to do this for you."

"Thank you, Izel," I said with a smile. "I look forward to it."

"Please, Mistress," one of the servants with a needle and thread begged. "Please allow us to finish the adjustments?"

Grimacing, Izel stood and allowed them to carefully remove her dress. As she was the night before, she sat back down naked.

I heard Sisi's tummy rumble again. "I promise I'll share after I have the first bite, Sisi."

"'Kay, Tenant."

Then I heard Izel's stomach make its own noises. She flushed and looked away.

I asked, "Tell me true, Izel. Have you eaten anything today?"

"I'm sorry, my lord. I've been too nervous to eat anything."

As the cook came around and set the plate down, I said in Nahuatl, "Please prepare a plate for your Mistress as well. And another fork for me." Then I switched back to Queschuan. "Izel, you need to eat something. We're getting married this afternoon. It wouldn't do if you pass out or if you get a headache from lack of food. Please, serve me the first bite, and then I want you to eat with me and Sisi."

"My lord," Izel protested. "The wife-to-be doesn't eat with her husband."

"Look at me and listen to what I say. Whatever you had before with your first husband isn't going to work with me. You are Nahua but I am not. We will compromise on many things, this included. I believe marriage is about the joining of two people as partners so they work together toward shared goals. If the rules are preventing that from happening, or if they tell someone their needs don't matter but the other person's needs are everything? No. I forbid it. You are going to be my wife and I am going to be your husband. To me that means we work together--"

"Llam nuqan!" Sisi interjected.

The plate was set in front of me. It smelled good.

"Yes, that's exactly right, my smart girl. We work together. Eat with me, Izel. Better yet, share my plate. I'm already going to share it with my daughter. It will make me happy to share a meal with you as well."

The food was hot, so I blew on it before I sampled the quinoa, the vegetables, and the sliced meat in turn. In the temperate Nahua lands, venison was a popular meat choice. Unfortunately, it wasn't just hot temperature-wise, it was spicy hot. Rather, it was too spicy. It reminded me of that casserole at the school that had burned in my stomach.

As I drank down my glass of water, I noticed the cook's hesitation.

"Are we going to share your plate, Tenant?"

"I had planned to, but I think this food will make you sick."

At my words, Izel looked at me with rising alarm, then at her cook. Taking the extra fork, she sampled the same things I had. She, too, emptied her glass, and I watched as her face purpled with rage.

Putting my hand on Izel's shoulder startled her, disrupting her opening barrage. "We'll get some food all of us can eat. Remember, Izel, we do not have time for distractions. Deal with this later. Right now, it's lunchtime and people need to eat, we have to get dressed, and then we need to leave."

Her jaw worked for a few moments, then she glanced at me. "I thank you for your kindness and your wisdom, my lord. I am humiliated by what my cooks have prepared for you. All right, Citlalli, Zyana, why? I sampled this half an hour ago and it was fine. This man is going to be my husband! You knew how important this was for me to make a good impression on him. No one else has been allowed in here. Why would you do such a thing? Why?"

Both women fidgeted, afraid and ashamed. The older one pulled out a bottle of pepper oil, timidly setting it onto the table. "Lord Chiatl, my lady. He said it would show the true measure of the man you plan to marry. He said this man would become angry and scare you from the marriage, that it would save you from more misery."

"Did you spoil all the food you prepared? Oh! By the gods, what a waste! As you can see, he is disappointed, but he is neither yelling nor is he angry. Worse, I am shocked that you would tamper with food without letting me know first. Take this plate and throw out the food. All of it. I will deal with you both later. Oh, and if you try and run, you'll just make it worse. This is an Imperial War Base. You won't get away."

"Yes, Mistress!" exclaimed the frightened women.

"Tenant?" Sisi asked quietly. "Are they in trouble?"

"I'm afraid so, Sisi."

"What'd they do?"

"They cooked good food, then did something so it couldn't be eaten."

She watched them throwing out the pans of food, scraping the contents into the bin.

"Are they bad?" she whispered.

"No," I answered quietly. "They forgot who is in charge."

Startled, Izel looked up at me thoughtfully.

"And those other strange men, Tenant?"

"They forgot, too," I answered.

Sisi's eyes widened. "Do we have that many corners?"

"Corners?" Izel asked.

Sisi nodded, her face serious. "For all the time-outs."

"Time-outs?" Izel repeated, puzzled.

"They do that at the school," I explained with a grin. "If a child misbehaves, they put them in a corner, facing the wall, until some time has passed and the teacher believes they will behave. I think they hope the public humiliation will have an effect. I have my doubts."

"My father and my mother both used a switch on me if I misbehaved as a child. I learned to do what they said pretty quickly."

"I don't hit my girls," I said firmly. "If they don't act appropriately, they go to their room. Usually, a good nap fixes them right up."

Izel raised her eyebrows. "What if being alone in their room is something they prefer?"

"That may be something Ixma and I have to talk about with Mina, as she doesn't do well in crowds or new situations. Still, I understand what you're saying. Once, when I was five or six, I had disrespected my mother and was sent to my room. I happily passed the time there, reading and playing with my toys. I ate my meals alone, but then I got it into my head that it was a contest, so even when I was ready to return to being with my parents, I refused to apologize. I was determined to win." Both Sisi and Izel listened intently. "On the fourth day, just after dinner, my mother came to my room. My father stood behind her. My mother knelt, weeping, and begged me to tell her what she had done to merit such anger from her own son. She told me she missed me and loved me. Then she started to cry. Great sobbing tears."

"You made Gamma Shanti cry?" Sisi looked at me, shocked.

"Yes, I am ashamed to say I did. Everyone makes mistakes, Sisi. Sometimes I was a very bad little boy. As my father helped my mother up and they turned to leave, I realized that I had done that to her. I broke. I couldn't stand to see her like that. I ran up to her, telling her I was sorry, over and over. They picked me up in their arms and we cried together, each of us telling the other how much we loved them. After that, if I was ever sent to my room, I made sure I apologized before dinner."

Izel straightened up with a sharp inhale. "The Protection Order. You can't stand to see women cry."

A few seats over, I saw Ixma with Mina, who suckled at her breast, her attention on us.

"That's only part of it," I said to Izel, giving Ixma a wink. "But is that so wrong? Men and women, we are all human beings. Each of us have dreams, hopes, and desires. We want people to love us, and we want to do something meaningful. When we are at odds with others, when one controls the other, we are weaker as a people, and no one is truly happy save a few broken and twisted souls. When we work together, we are able to create amazing and wonderful things."

"I think babies are the most amazing and wonderful creations that men and women can make together." I nearly jumped out of my skin when Calia's hand touched my shoulder.

I hadn't heard her or seen her approach from the corner of my eye. Heart pounding, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Did she scare you, Tenant?" Sisi asked.

"Yes, she did. I was paying so much attention to you and Izel that I didn't see or hear her approach."

Calia tussled my hair, caressed Sisi, then moved around the table. A kiss to Ixma's cheek and a gentle touch to Mina who was already trying to shift to the other side.

"I understand there's no hot food ready," Calia said.

Terra came into the kitchen behind her and immediately began wiping down the counters.

"Terra? Can you please prepare two plates for Sisi and Mina? If there's any of that fruit salad left from last night, give them some of that and some cold cuts. Mina likes dipping sauce for hers. Not too much, though. Just a snack to tide them over."

"At once, Calia." Terra finished the counter, washed and dried her hands, then started digging into the refrigerator.

There was a knock at the front door, and Mack and Akama immediately went to check it out.

"It's probably the Delivery Service," Calia said, moving past us again to join the two guards at the door. "I ordered some take-out a bit ago from the Commissary. Terra, the fruit salad is on the third shelf, all the way to the back."

"Found it!" She held it aloft like a prize, carrying it to the counter.

I laughed, then said, "Terra, skip the meat and sandwiches. Looks like it's Calia to the rescue. If there's any left after you dish out some for the girls, we'll all share. It'll give us something to focus on until the rest of the meal can be prepared."

Sisi slid off my lap and looked with anticipation at the plate with fruit salad carried to her by Terra, who handed her a spoon.

"Here you go, little mistress!"

"Thank you, Terra!" And Sisi dug in.

A tear spilled down Izel's face. I reached over and gently brushed it away. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Rather, everything is right. They were in here for two hours, preparing food and cooking, preventing you from making your own meals, and then they ruined it all. And you just shrugged it off and dealt with it. And your Calia, she too made adjustments. No yelling, no beatings. I keep expecting to wake up and find this is all a dream."

I put my arm around her, and she burrowed into my chest. There was a sniff followed by a muffled, "Thank you."

Sisi saw Izel's reaction and paused in her chewing. "Don't be sad. Mama Zinja said you asked Tenant to take care of you. Tenant takes good care of us. He reads to us and we have full tummies at bedtime." Then she dipped her spoon into the chunky fruit concoction and offered it to Izel. "I like fruit. It makes me happy. Wanna bite?"

Using the hand closest to Izel, I used my thumb to brush away the rest of her tears. "Focus on the good. Go on. Take the bite. She likes to share."

Izel leaned forward and delicately took the bite. She gave Sisi a big smile as she chewed. "It's very good. Not too sweet, with a lot of flavors."

"Terra and I helped Mama Zinja make it." Scooping up another big bite for herself, she filled her mouth and then had trouble chewing, but she persevered anyway.

"Next time, smaller bites, Sisi," I murmured. "Make sure you chew so you don't choke."

Chagrined, she nodded. "Okay, Tenant."

Four troopers came into the kitchen carrying boxes and with them were the tantalizing aromas of hot food ready to eat. Calia directed, and with assistance from Terra, set out plates and large spoons and began dispensing plates of food. The other troopers went out again at Mack's direction and returned carrying bottles of juice as well as cases of electrolyte water and millet beer and still more packages of food.

At Calia's request, Sowitwee found a large tub and filled it with beer at the bottom, and juice and bottled water on top, and then emptied a bag of ice cubes into the tub. Next, he prepared the large urn to brew some cahault.

Soon, Sisi, Mina, and Ixma got a fried chicken drumstick and half a grilled cheese sandwich, along with some hot wedgies with dipping sauce. Mina perked right up, reaching for a wedgie.

I grinned when I saw Ixma grab a second half-sandwich. She flushed and paused, but I said, "Eat up, Little Mama."

Calia set a plate in front of me and then handed Izel and me each a cutting knife, fork, and spoon. "You're supposed to feed him, Lady Izel. Let him feed you, too. Trust me. It works better that way."

Grinning, I awaited the first bite of food from Izel's fork. Chewing, I nodded, and selected some to give her in return. While chewing, she suddenly giggled.

"What do you think?" I asked her quietly.

"You're right. This is much better," she agreed. "This, and everything so far -- it's all so different, but in a good way."

I noticed the line of people coming through. More packages came into the kitchen. More large tubs full of drinks and ice were set against the wall. As the rest of the family, except Janetta and Zinja, sat around the table, I glanced into the family room. I think there were close to two platoons present, all busy eating and drinking and some chatting quietly.

Presently, the servants working on Izel's dress approached. "We have finished the changes you wanted, Mistress."

Smiling at them, Izel told them. "Thank you. I was somewhat sharp with both of you earlier. I'm sorry about that. Set the dress aside with the headdress and the black shoes. Please get into the line and get something to eat and drink. And make sure the cooks get in line, too."

"Yes, Mistress," they replied, and hurried to comply.

"Sowitwee?" Calia called out.

"Yes, Lady?"

"Please take a tray, two tumblers, and the open bottle of Blue Label upstairs to the captain and Zinja. They're upstairs in the master bath." Using a fork, Calia lifted some strips of meat and dropped them onto a hot pan where they immediately sizzled, filling the air already laden with hot food with yet another enticing scent. "Tell the captain I'm nearly done with their lunch and will be up shortly."

"Consider it done," he told her. Getting up from next to Nariya, he smiled affectionately at his wife before he kissed her. Gathering up the items, he set off.

All around us were the contented sounds of people eating and drinking.

I looked at my eldest child sitting on my left. She sat in her chair, rubbing her very full belly.

She saw me looking at her and grinned. "I feel better, Tenant. I'm glad the chicken died."

Ixma snorted, then hid her mouth as she laughed quietly.

"What do you mean, Sisi?"

"Captain said we 'posed to be grateful for the meat we eat. I'm glad the chicken died."

Ixma lost it, covering her mouth to avoid spewing food while she cackled with laughter. I tried my best to keep a straight face.

When Ixma saw me working on an appropriate response, Ixma held out her hand in warning. "Don't say anything, Ranji, please. Mama said she'll learn better when she's older. If you make her think about how the animal feels now, she might stop eating meat altogether, and Mama does not want that to happen. She said Sisi is behind on her growth potential as it is."

Growth potential is part of a genomic profile, and based on some known genetic combinations, things like future height and weight can be predicted in children.

Izel watched our verbal exchange with interest.

I nodded. "Zinja is a very smart woman, and an excellent mother." Leaning over Sisi, I kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad the chicken died, too."

Sowitwee returned and resumed working on his meal. "The captain said to say she was grateful for the refreshments."

Soon, the plates Calia worked on were ready, and she let Terra lead the way.

"Is it usual for your First to be treated like a princess?" Izel asked quietly.

"What do you mean?" I replied.

"Instead of eating down here with you, she and one of her retinue are taking their meal upstairs. I have no basis to judge here. I just want to know if this is the usual thing."

Shaking my head, I said, "No, she and Zinja normally eat down here with all of us. However, she and Zinja have been having worsening menstrual cramps. In fact, Cholan, too, has been having a rough go of it."

I looked across at my Island Girl, who had just arrived. She seemed not altogether there. "Cholan, are you all right?"

She frowned, her eyes were dilated and unfocused. When she answered me, she looked over my right shoulder. "Not sure. I got some prescription to help with the migraine, but everything feels... fuzzy."

I looked at Sowitwee. "Talk to me, Wit."

Taking a drink to clear his throat, he shrugged. "Medications have a general norm, Commander, but everyone's different. Some people get side effects and some don't. And that can vary, too. One person might get one symptom while another might have half a dozen, yet the next three show none. Lady Calia and I are monitoring her, sir. We might have to cut back on the dose, or try to find something different."

"Thank you. Please keep me informed."

"Of course, sir. She only started the medication this morning." He gave me a worried look.

"I'm just concerned for Cholan is all," I assured him. "Knowing that you and Calia are helping her eases my mind."

Getting up, he went to the cabinet. "Cahault, Commander?"

"Yes, please. Izel, would you like some, too?"

She smiled. "Why, yes, that sounds like a perfect way to finish up lunch. When did you pick up the habit, my lord?"

"Ranji, please. Since I was at Tikún last year. Didn't take long before I was hooked. I try to limit myself to four cups a day, though. After that, I switch to water. How about you?"

She laughed. "I grew up with it around me." Then she grew wistful. "It's not as popular or as available at the capital, but in the early mornings in the mountains, it reminds me of the warmer climate of home."

We sipped our hot drinks slowly, enjoying the sweetness of the chocolate offsetting the bitterness of the bean. Ixma got up and got a glass for her and Cholan, too.

I glanced at my watch. "I should get cleaned up and dress. Do you wish to prepare upstairs?"

"My lord... I mean, Ranji, I'm going to put on my dress and shoes and carry the headdress until we get to the temple. We're going to get married and then you and I are going to be intimate together. The more I get to spend time with you, the more I like you. Still, we both barely know each other. I have some fancy undergarments if you would prefer, but I don't know if I have anything you'd even like with me. I managed to get some of my luggage I brought with me from Cuzco, but nothing else. And I've had no time for shopping."

"You make some fair points, Izel. In response, clothes are window dressing. More important to me, I find I like you, too. All right." I rubbed my chin. "I'll go shave again and get dressed in my uniform. Shouldn't take too long." I stood up, looking for Mack. "Mack? Sergeant Mack, where are you?"