Immunity, page 6
“Oh, please. You were an exuberant participant.”
“And you weren’t?”
“Oh, I definitely was fully engaged, but I’m not the one trying to ditch responsibility for my choices. Don’t try to con us. I bet you’re totally into the kinky stuff.”
“Maybe, but I’m usually the one in control.” She eyed Aniyah. “You look like the sort who wants to let it all go when you’re off duty.”
“Is that what you believe? Or is it just wishful thinking?”
The two bantered for a while. I found it amusing – and quite unexpected. Hillary was usually more articulate than Aniyah, but the latter was no slouch.
“Aniyah,” I said, inserting myself back into the conversation. “Are you active duty?”
“I retired from the US army as a staff sergeant,” she said. “I considered staying for my twenty.”
“What changed?” She didn’t immediately answer. I opened my eyes. “You don’t have to answer.”
“I was offered a significant incentive to join this mission.”
“And you had to leave the army? I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I did say significant. But I admit, I’m motivated. I don’t get the bonus pay if the harpies get you.”
“What about me?” Hillary asked.
“They can have you,” she said.
“Thanks. It’s always been my dream to be a harpy’s slave.”
“Better than their mating partner.”
“Um. I don’t think so.”
“There are no male harpies,” Aliyah explained.
“Then where do little harpies come from?”
“They cross-breed, or so Elanil explained to me one night.”
“With?”
“A male from just about any of the humanoid species,” she said. “Apparently, there is venom in their bite. It steals your will. They grab a man, bite him, then fly away with him.”
“Every male fantasy,” Hillary said.
“They mate in air, and when they’re done, they let go.”
“Oh, shit!”
“Splat,” Aniyah added, as if we needed the image. “She might have been pulling my leg, but I believe her. When they’re feeling cruel, they wait until the venom is wearing off.”
“I imagine timing is everything,” I said in an academic fashion.
“Man-splatting would make one hell of an Olympic sport.”
“I know a few men I’d let them have,” Hillary offered.
“I wouldn’t necessarily offer any,” I said, “but there may be a few I wouldn’t fight for, either.”
After that, we talked quietly, comparing our impressions of what we’d seen so far. Very little I’d previously known applied to the situation on Algonae. The rules seemed to vary from planet to planet. On some fae worlds, harpies do not procreate at all; they use magic to convert human women.
I didn’t understand why the elves didn’t just leave, travel to a different world. Or if the human technology only worked here in the city, why they didn’t just travel three days in practically any direction. Without their technology, humans were no match for elves, after all. Much of what I knew was true primarily of the worlds known as Underhill and Faery, which weren’t the same. And even then, the rules seemed to be in flux, especially Underhill.
That’s what happens when your world is also a somewhat mercurial god.
“The land reminds me of Oregon,” Hillary said. “This is about where Portland would be.”
“If Oregon east of the mountains more closely resembled the Sahara,” Aniyah replied. “And the Columbia traveled due west.”
“But a coastal mountain range, and significantly more arid on the eastern side,” Hillary said, “with a river cutting a deep gorge.”
There was a knock at the door, and then it opened. One of the guards strode forward. “You are invited to dinner,” she said.
* * * *
Four of the guards escorted us to a large dining room. Rhosani was already there along with perhaps thirty other elven women. They turned as we entered. “The humans,” Rhosani said. “Welcome.”
Two of the elves stepped forward, each claiming one of us. Rhosani herself then collected me, wrapping my arm in hers, and I would remain by her side for the duration of the evening. She introduced me to several of the elves but then said, “We will discuss no business this evening. We’ll talk tomorrow after the mid-day meal.”
“Very good, Khaleesi.”
“Rhosani,” she corrected. “What do you think of Algonae so far?”
The conversation over dinner was nearly entirely small talk. I was sufficiently separated from Hillary and Aniyah that I don’t know how well they communicated. Hillary could speak Elvish, but poorly. Aniyah had learned some phrases. Perhaps the elf who had claimed her spoke English. I didn’t ever ask.
The food was excellent, and Rhosani was a gracious host.
I paid attention to how the elves treated the humans. They were treated like servants, but I saw nothing that looked like abuse, and none of the women acted as if they were frightened. Rhosani caught me watching one woman. She leaned to me and asked, “Do you fancy her?”
“Not necessarily,” I replied. “I am people watching.”
“I would think you have seen many humans serving a meal but perhaps not so many elves enjoying the meal.”
“True.” I turned my attention fully back to her, not wanting to share my thoughts. Human rights weren’t my primary mission. But Rhosani wasn’t fooled.
“You judge us.”
“No. I observe you.”
“A true academic.”
“Exactly.”
“Will you write a book?”
“If I learn enough to write about,” I replied. “I don’t believe I’ll be here that long.”
“Pity,” she replied. “Perhaps you’ll choose to remain.”
“I didn’t notice a university with classes in Elven Studies.”
“I’m sure you would find ways to fill your time.”
“I didn’t close my commitments,” I said. “And I can’t imagine there is much here that fits my skills.”
“You have an opportunity to study an elven culture in person, and you would decline?”
“Is that why you asked for me?”
“I had other reasons.”
“Will you share those reasons?”
“Perhaps,” she said. Her tone suggested it wouldn’t be any time soon. I wasn’t all that surprised. “Do you wish I hadn’t asked for you?”
I’d asked myself that question more than once during the journey. I didn’t have a good answer. “It’s complicated.”
“It can’t be that complicated.”
“The journey was arduous, and the return journey won’t be any easier.”
“Humans have undertaken much more difficult journeys.”
“Yes, but not this human. When I first attended college, it took me a single class in archaeology to decide that wasn’t the life for me.”
“You do not care to dig through ruins.”
“I might if they were immediately next to a four-star hotel.”
She laughed. “I can understand that sentiment.”
“I think you should ask in a few days, when the stress of wondering when the next harpy attack will happen has faded.”
“You don’t wish to become a compliant harpy slave?”
“Not particularly.”
“Their venom builds in your system,” she said.
“Bitten enough, and it becomes permanent?”
“The effects certainly grow and settle in,” she said. “Many of the creatures of this world want to either enslave you or eat you.”
“And I imagine they are all very good at it.”
“And thus, you need a little more time, when you feel safe.”
“I do.”
“That is fair,” she said. “It is not an elvish answer.”
“I am not an elf.”
“Your ears are much too round.”
“And I am very short.”
“Not all elves are tall.”
“Discounting children, every elf I have met has been.”
“Goblins and kobolds were both made from elves that had displeased Underhill.”
“She can be volatile.”
“She can,” Rhosani agreed. She reached over and fingered the silk I was wearing. “You look good in this clothing, far better than your attire at that conference.”
“It feels like silk.”
“It is.”
“Even your servants seem to wear it.”
“Here in the palace, yes,” she said.
“What creature is this from?”
“Very, very large butterflies,” she said.
“How large?”
“The caterpillars are about the size of a small dog, but they would give a dachshund an inferiority complex. There are different varieties, but the largest of the butterflies has a two-meter wingspan.”
“There must be an enormous amount of silk thread from a single cocoon. Do you kill the pupa?”
“Yes. Your PETA would be most displeased with us. It is possible to harvest silk after the butterfly emerges, but they damage the threads, and the quality is thus much lower.”
“You spent much time on Earth.”
“Yes. I’ll tell you about it someday.”
“Is that the same day you’re going to tell me why I’m here?”
“Perhaps,” she said. “Do you find me frustrating?”
“Yes. Is that your goal?”
“A side benefit.”
“Do you hate humans?” I hadn’t intended to ask. I just blurted it out.
“No,” she said. Then she grinned. “With the right seasoning, they taste like chicken.”
“That’s not even remotely funny!”
“It’s kind of funny,” she said, holding her fingers up, pinched closely together.
“Cannibalism jokes are rarely funny.”
“Is it cannibalism?”
“I consider eating any humanoid creatures cannibalism.”
“You probably won’t want to accept any dinner invitations with the kobolds.”
“I’m fairly sure I’d be the main meal.”
“Depending upon the number attending, perhaps simply an appetizer.”
“I would insist upon being served as dessert.”
She laughed. “I’m sure you would.”
It was a pleasant meal. Later, I felt like there was meaning behind so much of what was discussed, but I couldn’t have told you what.
Formal
Rhosani summoned me shortly after the midday meal. I expected Hillary and Aniyah to join me, but the guard only allowed me to leave our quarters.
The guards led me to a small library. The Khaleesi waited, alone except for several servants. I took the seat offered. The servants poured tea, and then she sent everyone from the room. We sipped at our tea for a minute, and then she set hers aside. “I did not give your predecessor opportunity to explain what your president wanted.”
“Do you know what the United Nations is?”
“An organization devoted to worldwide diplomacy,” she said.
“Nearly every country is a member,” I said. “There are a few territories that have unique situations and are not yet members.” I paused. “I am here on request of the President of the United States, but my mission is actually for the entire United Nations. I have two goals, one more immediate than the other. We wish to establish general trade. I imagine your silk would be popular. I imagine you have a better idea what Earth products you might covet.”
“And the more immediate goal?”
“I am told some Algonae magic works on Earth.”
“Quite a lot in the immediate vicinity of a portal,” she said. “Very little away from the portals.”
“I am told you have magic to obscure someone.”
“Such as a spy?”
“Yes. I am also told you have the reverse magic, that would counteract the first. We wish to form an agreement where you will not offer the first magic to anyone while offering the second to the entire United Nations.”
“I see,” she said. She picked up her tea and sipped at it. “You wish to secure certain locations?”
“The list could be vast.”
“We cannot export the magic. It’s not a device we make, or a potion we can brew.”
“I believe the assumption is you would send people. I imagine the individuals could be compensated quite lucratively. Perhaps we could have negotiated with individuals, but we wish a more formal agreement.”
She nodded. “I wish to consider the implications and discuss this with my advisors.”
“Could you predict when we might be able to talk further?”
“Not now,” she replied. “But I imagine waiting in your quarters will wear thin. Will your patience have greater resilience if I find means of keeping you engaged?”
“I imagine so, but not indefinitely.”
“Then we’re agreed. You are safe in Algonae City. There is the reception tonight, and I imagine you will begin to receive offers.”
“And my staff?”
“May receive the same offers or their own. As I said, you are safe. Your fierce bodyguard can relax.”
I wasn’t sure if Aniyah knew that particular word.
* * * *
Preparing for the reception was an extended process. There were fresh baths. Back in our quarters, we were powdered and primped. And then my two servants dressed me in a truly fabulous gown of silver and blue along with a pair of silk opera gloves. I felt quite elegant.
Hillary and Aniyah looked every bit as good as I did.
“Is this what the life of an ambassador is like?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Hillary said. “But we wouldn’t be out of place in some DC soirées.”
I turned to Aniyah. “You okay?”
She plucked at her clothing a little then shrugged. “I’ll try to use the right fork.”
“I bet those manners are entirely different,” I replied.
We had twenty minutes to wait, and then the guards were there to lead us to the party.
* * * *
The event began in the audience room, although the dais had been cleared away, the room now suitable for a gathering of this nature. The guards escorted us directly to Rhosani before slipping away. She was surrounded by other elves, all women, but they parted for us. Some of the expressions seemed hard, but the Khaleesi smiled warmly.
“My human guests,” she said. She stepped forward and adjusted my clothing slightly. It felt possessive, and I was reminded of my mother doing the same thing when I was much, much younger. She provided introductions. And then she lifted her hand into the air and snapped twice. Immediately, three human women scurried forward. “I’d like you to separate,” she said. “Let our other guests talk to you.”
Each of the servants took one of us. I was drawn away towards one of the other corners. I lost track of Aniyah and Hillary, but I thought perhaps Rhosani had spread us around in different quadrants of the room.
My servant put me where she wanted me, then she held up a hand in a “stay here,” gesture. She disappeared for a moment, but then she was back with a tray of refreshments. I reached for a glass of what I thought was red wine, but one of the elves stepped up. “You may not want that one.”
“Oh?”
“Elven wine,” she said.
“Isn’t it all elven wine?”
“It is all wine,” she said. “Elven wine doesn’t mean brewed by elves. It means fortified by elven magic.” She took a glass herself, sniffed at it, then offered it to me. “Careful.”
It smelled good, but fortified indeed! I took the smallest of sips before she withdrew the glass. “You’d be out until morning after a single glass.”
“I appreciate the warning,” I replied. “The white is safer?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. I took a glass, and my server disappeared, seeing to others around the room. But she would return to me periodically. I didn’t think it was so much to see to me, not exactly, but more to eliminate reasons I’d leave my assigned location.
“I am Amelie,” I said.
“Shaerra,” she replied. She took my hand for a moment. “How have you enjoyed your visit?”
“I didn’t know what to expect,” I explained. “I’m still catching up. I was happily minding my own business, teaching my classes, and suddenly I was sent on a quest.”
“And has your quest been successful?”
“Well, I haven’t been stolen by harpies yet.” She laughed. “We arrived safely, and the Khaleesi has heard my words.”
“So not yet a disaster.”
“Not yet. There’s so much I am curious about.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t know where to begin,” I admitted. “I’m still working out what I can readily observe.”
“So are we,” Shaerra replied. “Everything changed when the portal came down. We have reclaimed this place, and now we are finding our way.”
“Is the Khaleesi a good ruler?”
“I don’t believe ruler is the right word. She is first amongst equals, you could say. She leads more than rules. But yes, she is good. She led us to our freedom, and now she preserves that freedom.”
We talked. Others joined us, and for a time, I listened.
In many ways, this was no different than any meeting of professionals of academia. But in many ways, it was deeply surreal. I was accustomed to colleagues taller than I was. But I wasn’t at all accustomed to women remotely this tall, and with such overwhelming beauty. That was disconcerting.
I was interested in them and their culture, but otherwise, we had virtually nothing in common. We were quite literally from different worlds with entirely different experiences and priorities.
Some of them were interested in Earth, but I wouldn’t have known where to begin. I answered questions, keeping the answers simple unless encouraged to expand. I admitted I found it unlikely everyone was terribly interested.
I received some jibes for my species and more for my stature, but I didn’t think they were meant with disdain. Maybe I was wrong. I certainly didn’t ask. I was here for a specific mission, and to spread good will. Asking uncomfortable questions was contrary to those goals.
