Tri-ethereal Ch. 04

Notices were put up all around Norlen. It's going to be a public execution.

William told me that the prisoner would probably be better off dead. Most of the guards think he's crazy. He does some really weird things. He curls up in a ball in the middle of his cell, making strange sounds. He'll stay like that for hours. At other times he runs all around his cell flapping his arms up and down or tries to catch imaginary bugs. But most of the time he either lies on his bed in the fetal position or sits on it and stares blankly at the wall.

He once told the guards that he is a Trimorph and his counterpart is going to come and kill them all. The guards chained him spread-eagled and naked to the wall and left him like that for three days. He never changed sexes. He cursed them all and told them that his counterpart refused to come out until they let him loose.

When they unchained him, he laughed at them and told him that he was a wizard. He was going to change into a bird and fly out of his cell. His cell doesn't have any windows.

William said that he constantly mumbles to himself. He said that he has a particular stone in one corner of his cell that he talks to. It's a different color than the other stones. He gets down on his hands and knees and talks to it for hours and hours. No one can understand what he says; it's mostly gibberish.

If he doesn't like the food, he throws it all around his cell. He says that it's so that his counterpart can have something to eat. Then he goes into his special corner, takes off all his clothes and masturbates.

William continued to tell me about some of the weird things that that particular prisoner did. He also told me about the other prisoners as well as about some of the guards, which ones were particularly sadistic, which ones were noncommittal, just here to do their job, but mostly about which ones I and Johanna could look to for help.

I made a note to myself to give that information to Johanna.

When I was finished eating William asked me if I would teach his son how to play chess. I told him sure and asked him if he wanted me to teach him too. He thanked me but he said that he wasn't interested. I told him to send his son around anytime.

As he was leaving he turned to me and said, "I guess that prisoner's fight for freedom got him the freedom he really needed."

"How's that?" I answered him.

"The demons in his head will no longer torture and antagonize him. He can finally rest in peace."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

He closed the door and locked it.

About an hour or so later William returned. Lord Kennington and William Jr. were with him. William came because Lord Kartier's order does not even allow Lord Kennington to enter without William, Sir Glauco or Sir Glauco's representative. William Jr. came to be with his father.

Lord Kennington told me that he and Lord Kartier have already gotten two more Lords to promise to vote to do away with all the corrupt anti-Trimorph laws when he calls for a vote on it.

He said that he cannot call for a vote until after a new Presiding Officer is elected by the civil aristocrats. That could be as much as two months away, maybe longer.

He told me to be patient. He has no intention of calling for a vote on the measure until he is sure he has enough votes to change the law. They need at least thirty votes; they have thirteen committed to vote to change the laws and another seven leaning that way. He believes that he is sure to get the necessary votes. Each day it seems, another lord "sees the light" and either switches sides or lets it be known that he is uncommitted.

He said that there are a few Lords, notably Lords Nyxion, Rygon and Fiord, who are adamant in keeping the laws as they are. Their reasons for doing so are mostly financial. There are some rich civil aristocrats in their districts who own gift shops where anti-Trimorph charms and other types of good luck charms and souvenirs are sold. The civil aristocrats in these districts pay a heavy tax to the Lords.

If it were no longer against the law to be a Trimorph then these gift shops would loose a lot of business and the Lords would loose a lot of revenue in taxes. At least, that's the ludicrous argument they give.

But the bigger problem is that these three Lords have fourteen other Lords committed to vote along with them. Most of them will vote not to change the law for financial reasons. But quite a number of them will vote not to change the law simply because they are prejudice against Trimorphs.

Lord Rovelt is the leading Unamorph among those individuals. He hates Trimorphs. But God only knows why. Lord Kennington said that it's because he's just another ignorant, intolerant fool guided by his own selfishness and narrow-mindedness.

His district is on the outskirts of Tri-ethereal. Both Lord Kartier and Lord Kennington are glad for that. He rarely comes to Norlen which suits them just fine. They don't have to put up with his brand of self righteous politics.

Anyway, that leaves just eleven Lords -- one more than the number they need for victory -- who have not committed themselves to vote either way on whether or not to repeal the anti-Trimorph laws. Lord Kennington and Lord Kartier are going to try and persuade them to vote yes. But they know that it will not be an easy battle. The opposition is sure to try to convince them to vote no.

Further, the selection of a new Presiding Officer is going to figure into the conflict. Both sides will want a Presiding Officer who favors their view.

It's gong to be a long and arduous fight. Lord Kennington said that it is the kind of politics that he hates. Unamorphs show their darker side at times like this. Civil aristocrats will shower Lords with expensive gifts, take them on extravagant vacations, wine and dine them with rare wines and exotic foods or offer them voluptuous, young prostitutes for their pleasure. If none of that works they will try to bribe the Lords. Finally, they might even try to blackmail some of the Lords.

All just to try to get the Lords to vote their way. Of course, some of the more unscrupulous Lords will allow themselves to be taken in by these types of civil aristocrats. Indeed, some of the Lords will actually seek out those civil aristocrats who are not above "buying" their vote.

In fact, Lords Rovelt and Nyxion were out early this morning watching and talking with a couple of civil aristocrats. The aristocrats were setting up some booths on the road leading to the roundhouse. Besides food and drink, they are going to sell souvenirs, trinkets and good luck charms. Of course, they will probably also sell anti-Trimorph charms there too.

The booths are just beyond the borders of King Andrew's manor. The king will not let them set up shop on his land. He has to allow them the right to sell their goods in the city of Norlen. But he does not want his personal land turned into a brothel or a cheap gift shop.

Lord Kennington said that both he and Lord Kartier will have to resort to making some political deals to get the necessary votes but that they are not going to allow themselves to be "bought" by unprincipled, dishonest civil aristocrats. Instead, they are going to work on the consciences of those Lords who haven't made up their minds yet. They are going to try to convince them of the ludicrousness of anti-Trimorph laws.

He hinted -- apologetically -- that he might try to convince some of those civil aristocrats whose interest is financial that that they would be able to sell more anti-Trimorph charms once Trimorphs were free again. I laughed when he told me that, which surprised Lord Kennington.

I told him that neither I nor Johanna was embarrassed or insulted by such things. We know that it is only the uneducated and superstitious who believe in such nonsense. Lord Kennington was relieved when I revealed that to him. He said that he can now try that tactic with a clear conscious.

Then as they prepared to leave Johanna came out of deep transition. She immediately asked me to ask Lord Kennington if she and I could keep the lantern on at night. I did so. William answered me that it was a prison rule that no lanterns were to be lit after about nine o'clock because of the danger that the one using it might fall to sleep and there might be a fire.

"Remind him that we only sleep when we are in deep transition John." Johanna whispered to me.

"But William Trimorphs don't sleep like other Tri-etherealians. We only sleep when we are in deep transition," I said to William.

William answered, "I will look into it for you. But in the meantime please put the lantern out when the guards tell you to do so."

"John, tell him that there is nothing in here to burn. Tell him that we'll keep the lantern in the middle of our cell. There will be no danger of it catching anything on fire."

"My counterpart is adamant, William. She said to tell you that she will keep the lantern on the floor in the center of our cell, away from anything that might catch on fire."

"Tell her that I will look into it for her. In the meantime please put the lantern out when the guards tell her to do so. If she doesn't, I could get into trouble."

"I think William is right," Lord Kennington butted in. "For now just keep the lantern off at night. I'll suggest to Lord Clyton to have a bucket of water put in your cell at night. Maybe then he'll let you keep it burning."

"John, tell Lord Kennington I said thank you and tell William that I will keep the lantern off. Though I don't know why."

"Johanna said to tell you thank you Lord Kennington and that she will turn the lantern off at night until further notice."

Now I knew why Johanna had the lantern off when I came out of deep transition. I didn't mention that I had had the lantern on all night long, only turning it off at sunrise. But then no one told me that I couldn't have it on. I guess I'll keep it off too.

"Well I've got to be going," Lord Kennington said. "If either you or Johanna need anything just tell William and I'll do what I can to get it for you."

"Thank you Lord Kennington," I answered him. Johanna whispered to me to thank him for her too. "And Johanna says to tell you that she is also thankful."

"My son William would like you to teach him how to play chess," William interjected. "You said earlier that you would teach him."

"I would be happy to teach him," I answered.

Then Lord Kennington and William left. William locked the door to our cell, leaving me and William Jr. alone. I set up the chess board and began to show the boy how the pieces move. He commented that Johanna had showed him earlier how the pieces move. He asked me if I would teach him some chess strategy.

I was mildly surprised when he told me that Johanna had already taught him how the pieces moved. I made a mental note to myself to thank Johanna later when we were alone. Maybe she's not so strange after all.

"I hope you don't mind me teaching him the moves John," she whispered to me. "I thought I would let you teach him the strategy of the game."

"No, I don't mind Johanna." Then to William, "I was answering a question my counterpart put to me."

"Can she hear us," he asked.

"Yes she can. As a matter of fact she can hear, see, taste, smell and feel everything that I do."

"Wow!" is all he said.

We played chess until his father brought me my supper. Quite often I allowed him to take a move back, after showing him the consequences of the bad move. I would show him better moves. But then I wasn't trying to beat him. I was trying to teach him the strategy of chess.

I taught him how to control the center of the board, how castling protects his king, to move his pawns sparingly, to keep his rooks together and several other strategies of winning.

He proved to be quite a good player, showing an excellent grasp of how the pieces cooperate with each other to form an attack or put up a defense. I was proud to play him.

The whole time Johanna just watched us without comment. But then she really couldn't do anything else. That's about the only bad part of being in transition. If your counterpart is doing something that you don't like, there is not a whole lot you can do about it.

Thankfully that doesn't happen very often. Johanna and I usually wait to do the things that the other dislikes when our counterpart is in deep transition.

Melissa and Melyssan both told us that they did the same. They also told us that other Trimorphs did the same. It makes living with your counterpart so much easier.

After William and his father left I apologized to Johanna for boring her by playing chess so long. She told me that she wasn't bored. She said that she learned a little strategy about the game. She surprised me and asked me to play a game with her. She told me what moves to make and I moved the pieces for her. I beat her but she said that she enjoyed playing with me and that she would like to play again sometime.

I asked her if she wanted to go through union but she said she would rather wait until after William Jr. picked up our supper dishes and water buckets.

A few minutes later he did so. But she still wasn't ready to go through union with me. She said that she wanted to wait until after the guard came and made his last check for the night. I didn't ask her but I'm sure it's because she wanted to strip down and write love poems in the nude.

I like to go around naked myself but not nearly as much as Johanna. I'm sure if they ever repeal all the anti-Trimorph laws she will take off all her clothes and never wear them again.

She even walked around at night in the library in the nude before she read that ancient Trimorph book on union. Not that often, maybe once or twice a week. But after she and I read that book . . . well she was naked nearly every night.

Not that I objected to her walking around in the nude. She's got one luscious looking body, with all the right curves in all the right places. I often put off going into deep transition just to watch her bathe; she is that beautiful. No, she doesn't mind. She even watches me bathe sometimes.

She's a lot better looking than many of other female Tri-etherealians I've seen. With the exception of a few prostitutes I've had sex with I haven't seen a whole lot of female Tri-etherealians naked. But the ones I've seen naked . . . well most of them aren't all that good looking, except the prostitutes of course -- and in my opinion, Johanna is even better looking than the best looking of them.

As for the female Tri-etherealians I haven't seen naked . . . well from what I can see, they aren't all that good looking either.

While I'm on the subject of nude female Tri-etherealians, Melissa is another very luscious looking female. About three months ago, the two us had sex one evening when she came to pick up my supper dishes and bucket of water. Our counterparts were both in deep transition at the time. No, I've never told Johanna about it and I don't know if she ever told Melyssan about it.

Nor do I know if Johanna had sex with Melyssan. Johanna and I don't tell each other everything we do while the other is in deep transition. There is no need to. We both love each other and trust each other. We don't have to fight each other to live together or for the freedom to do our own thing. We are both free to do as we please, knowing the other will accept us as we are.

I wonder if all female Trimorphs are good looking, or is it that I'm just lucky enough to have a beautiful counterpart and have met another female Trimorph who is also very beautiful?

As for the prostitutes, it is a legal, respectable profession in all but one district of Tri-ethereal, Lord Rovelt's district. Prostitution in Tri-ethereal is considered to be just another profession, as are shoemakers, bakers and blacksmiths. Many ex-prostitutes are vey wealthy. They are looked upon as excellent business partners; someone who can help one finance a new business venture.

To become a prostitute they have to go to a six month training course where they learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous or aggressive clients, how to give massages, knead someone's body and the like, how to manage their money -- most of them set up their own businesses -- how to dress, talk and make their clients feel comfortable and at ease and many things that they might need in their profession.

Those who don't set up business for themselves in their own brothels have to work in a brothel that is attached to a tavern; the tavern owner takes a small percent of the prostitute's earnings. All taverns are charged a tax and if it has a brothel attached to it then it is charged a higher tax.

Next they have to go to a physician to get examined to make sure that they are healthy enough for sexual activity. They also have to return to the physician periodically to be examined; most go about twice a year. Then they have to register with the Lord of the district. That's so that he can tax them. They have to do that yearly.

Finally, they have to hire someone to help protect themselves from aggressive or unscrupulous clients. Most of the time, this is usually a big strong male Tri-etherealian but sometimes it can be a female who is trained in the art of self defense and diplomacy.

This protector will often guide clients in her direction. It's to his advantage to do so. For the prostitutes only pay him a small percentage of what they make off their clients. Although the prostitute's protector is big and strong, the prostitute is his boss. The prostitute tells the protector whether or not she or he wants to have sex with someone. If the prostitute doesn't trust a client the protector sends their way, she or he doesn't have sex with him.

Also, there are numerous laws protecting the prostitute from unscrupulous or aggressive clients as well as anyone else who might try to take advantage of them. Anyone who violates these laws will not only be sent to prison but they will also have to pay a heavy fine to the prostitute.

It is not an insult to be a prostitute. Nor are the prostitutes discriminated against in any way. Indeed, most Tri-etherealians -- except for those who live in Lord Rovelt's district -- consider prostitutes to be a special class of citizen. It takes a unique kind of Tri-etherealian to be a prostitute. Not everyone has that kind of ability.

I know I don't. The only thing I know right now is that I'm in a fight for my life and Johanna's life. I hope that Lord Kennington wins his fight to have the all anti-Trimorph laws repealed. That will make my fight to avoid banishment into unconsciousness and paralysis to Corporeal a whole lot easier.

To be continued . . .