Gateway to HeVan (16 page)

“What do you mean by mistake?” asked Rale.  He didn’t understand what Glynnis was talking about.

“You’re a man
, too, so you wouldn’t understand either,” she said, shaking her head. “Never mind; I’ll explain it to you tomorrow.  Let’s go to our rooms and have our own meal. I need to think.”

The four of them left the office and walked to Rale, Rufan
, and Recca’s wing of the compound.  They walked in silence because they didn’t want any conversation they had about what they were planning to be overheard.  Until they knew which guards were loyal and trustworthy to their agenda, they would have to tread carefully.  Upon arrival, Rale rang for a meal to be brought to them. 

“Don’t forget to find out where Cassandra and her parents are,” Glynnis said, as she walked over to her suitcase.  She opened it up and pulled out a negligee.  Then she went into the bathing chamber to wash and change.

When they were all comfortable and seated around a table having their late meal, Glynnis finally spoke of what was on her mind. 

“Do you have memory savers of when Malpha was a young girl?  I’d like to see how she grew up,” she said.

Rale gave her a sharp look.  He was getting to know her moods.  “What are you hoping to find out?” he asked.

“I would like you to think of one thing.  Growing up, you three had each other.  You were companions, warriors together, always watching each other’s backs, always having others to trust and rely on.  Who did Malpha have? 
Who were her companions, her confidants?” 

She looked at her
Ankida
.  She saw confusion, sadness, and acceptance flash over their faces. 

“
You know what?  I can’t watch them tonight.  I’m going to bed; I’m tired,” she said, getting up from the table.

The three men stood and watched her go.  Then they sat back down.  They knew and understood her tone of voice.  She was angry.  They would give her some time before they
joined
her.

“Why is she so angry?” asked Recca.

“I don’t know,” said Rale.

“I know,” said Rufan
, and the others looked at him.

“She came here to defeat a dragon and there
isn’t one,” said Rufan.

The three of them thought about it for a little while. 

Then Rufan spoke again.  “Or―more accurately, the dragon she intended to fight isn’t a dragon, after all.  Only there is still a dragon and it’s a bigger, uglier one.  The one, who has been fighting it for us, is now leaving.  She is leaving without receiving a thank you and she will never be welcomed home again,” Rufan said.  He realized he was angry, too.

Glynnis got up early.  She realized it was going to take her a while to get used to being on land again, not feeling the vibration of the ship’s engines on the deck beneath her feet.  It was very subtle.  After the first couple of days on board, she had never noticed it again.  Now here she was on land and she felt the lack. 

Stepping out of the room, she
saw the two guards outside her door; they hadn’t been there yesterday.

“Good morning.  I’m a little turned around.  Would one of you direct me back to Malpha’s rooms?” she asked.

“How should we address you, lady?” asked the guard on the left.

“For now, you may call me Glynnis.  I’m mated to those three reprobates snoring away back there,” she said, pointing her thumb over her shoulder.  “What’s your name, young man?”

“I am Lando and this is my brother warrior, Larsk,” he answered.

“Thank you, Lando.  Now, can you give me my directions?” she asked.

“We would be happy to escort you, Lady Glynnis.  My brother and I will be your personal guards when you’re not accompanied by your
Ankida
.”

“Why should I need guarding?” she asked, getting straight to the point.

“There are very few women on HeVan.  Some of the warriors have tried taking women when they don’t think they’ll have one any other way,” he said gently.

“Let’s talk as we walk
,” she said, gesturing for them to lead the way.  “Tell me what HeVan has been like.  From your point of view, what are the main problems facing our people now?” Glynnis asked, wanting to know.

The two men
were surprised.  They were guards and normally didn’t converse with the dignitaries and administrative personnel who worked in the Regent’s palace.  When she insisted, they began telling her stories and rumors, as she had asked.  She knew those working around the compound would know just as much, if not more, than anyone else.  By the time she’d reached Malpha’s rooms, she’d learned quite a bit.  Stopping in front of the door, she shooed her guards away.  They reluctantly split to opposite ends of the hall.  The two guards who had been in front of Malpha’s office the night before were gone.  Two new guards were there now.  Glynnis gently knocked.

“Go away, I don’t wish to be disturbed,” said Malpha from inside the room.

“Malpha, dear, I would go, but I’ve sent my guards away and I’m afraid I’d only get lost if I tried to go someplace in this huge place all on my own,” Glynnis said in a soft voice. 

She’d raised two teenage girls.  She could tell when one of them needed a little mothering.  A few moments later, the door opened. 

Glynnis pretended not to notice the signs of tears on Malpha’s face.  She knew Malpha would be horrified to know they showed.  She took Malpha’s hand and led her over to a pair of chairs. 

“Now, dear, I know everything you saw last night was a real shock to you. 
Why don’t we sit down over a hot breakfast and I’ll answer all your questions.  I know you must have hundreds.  We can have a nice woman-to-woman chat.  At least, I thought you might have some questions about King Ben.  I can tell you he really needs a strong queen.  He may not know it, though.  I’m sure you’ve noticed men are quite simple, emotional, and are often muddle-headed creatures.”

Malpha couldn’t help it
—she snorted out a small laugh.  Glynnis was pleased to see Malpha was getting some of her gumption back.

“I have some advice to give you, young lady.  The first is to start as you mean to go on.  You can change your clothes, but don’t change who you are.  The second thing is to never go to bed with anger between you and your husband.  You aren’t going to have to split your attention between three husbands.  You’ll be able to
focus all your attention and smart brain of yours on one man.  He has a false impression of you.  It’s up to you to let him believe it or to change it.” 

At the shocked look on Malpha’s face, Glynnis rushed to console her.

“No, dear―what happened in the past is not his business.  You were not complicit and not guilty of anything more than having a great love for your people and your culture.  Whether you tell him about the history of your family is your decision and yours alone.  Now, my third piece of advice is to become friends with his sister, BianCa.  Her father forced her into a disastrous marriage.  Her husband attempted to murder her and kill the
Nam-Nin
.  Well, Natalie killed him, saving everyone on board.  We married BianCa off to one of the Nephilim officers.  I understand they’re very happy together.  BianCa can be your confidant and your greatest ally in helping the women of KowLer find the freedom to choose their own futures,” she explained.

Malpha interrupted her
, “Why are you telling me all this?  Why do you care about me?” she asked.  “I am Purgat, the scourge of HeVan,” she spat out.

“I think we should leave that title to your grandmother.  She was a crazy, murderous bitch.  You, on the other hand―while you’re not as pure as the driven snow, you do have honor and integrity
. I could tell that about you in the first five minutes after we met.  You will make a great queen.  I know, had you been given the opportunity, you would have been a great
Nam-Nin
, as well,” said Glynnis.

“A great many people would disagree with you,” said Malpha in a rueful voice.

This woman was very sympathetic and Malpha wondered for a second if it were a ploy of some kind—then dismissed the thought.  She would have no need for ploys; she was now the Regent.

“It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, so long as you believe it.  Now, while I haven’t been married to your uncles for very long, I was married to one man for nearly sixty years.  So, order us
the breakfast I mentioned; we’ll eat it together and then I’ll help you pack your things.  While we’re working, I’ll try to pass on to you as much wisdom as I can,” Glynnis said.

“I’ve been dealing with men longer than you’ve been alive,” said Malpha in a dry voice.

“First lesson―husbands are not men; they’re husbands―different kettle of fish altogether.  For instance, a man might admire your breasts; your husband will think they belong to him,” she said and once again Malpha was shocked into a short laugh.

Glynnis went over to her purse; she still never went anywhere without it.  She pulled out a picture of herself; it was taken at the retirement home where she had been living.  Eighty-five years old and looking every year of it. 

“They’ve adjusted my genes a little, set back the clock to give us another few hundred years together.  However, I’m not coming in to start a new House of Purgat lineage.  The line will end with your uncles.  I’m not saying this to hurt you.  I just want you to understand that if there is anything here you want to take with you, you should have it.  It could be family artifacts, jewelry that’s been passed down, a wine cellar of aged Seraphian brandy,” she said with a wink, causing a longer laugh out of Malpha; her preferences were well known.

The next few hours passed quickly.  Only once
, did her
Ankida
interrupt.  Glynnis made them wait in the hall and asked Malpha what furniture pieces or other things she would want to take with her.  Her
Ankida
would be responsible for seeing they got to the ship undamaged.  After considering it, Malpha decided there were a few things she wanted to take with her, after all.  When they broke for lunch, Glynnis asked if Michelle and Cassandra could join them.  By this time, Malpha had softened enough that Glynnis believed it would do her more good than bad to meet more human women.

When Cassandra and her mother arrived, the four of them sat down together.  It didn’t take long to break the ice.  Michelle took one look at the six-foot tall woman with Amazonian curves and thick brown hair to her knees, and she immediately went into hairdresser mode.

“Oh, what wonderful hair you have!  You don’t mind, do you?” she asked, already reaching to run her hands through Malpha’s hair and check for split ends and texture.

“You’ll have to excuse
my mom.  She’s always worked in hair salons.  She had her own salon back home and plans to open one here, along with a day spa,” said Cassandra, seeing the somewhat worried look on Malpha’s face.

Michelle laughed.  “Oh, I’m terrible, aren’t I?  And we haven’t even been properly introduced.  I’m Michelle, Cassandra’s mother.  As you can see, I have another on the way,” she said, giving her burgeoning belly a loving touch. 

Malpha was struck by the look of love she saw on Michelle’s face as she touched the part of her body holding her unborn child.  She’d never seen it before. 
I want that
, she thought.

Just before they finished eating, Cassie slumped over in her seat.

“What’s wrong? Is she all right?  Would you like me to contact a medical?” Malpha asked, very concerned.

Michelle reached over to make sure Cassandra’s hair wasn’t getting on her plate.  She stood and held up her daughter’s shoulder so she wouldn’t fall out of her chair.

“Cassandra is a Seer.  She’s having a vision. We’d prefer no one knew about her gift,” said Glynnis to Malpha.

Malpha gave Glynnis a searching look.  “No one will hear it from me,” she said.

“Thank you, dear.”

“She’s so vulnerable like this; you should guard her closely,” said Malpha.

“Don’t worry, we shall,” said Glynnis.

“Why do you trust me so easily?” Malpha wanted to know.

“I’ve raised two girls of my own.  You can’t hide who you are from me,” Glynnis answered her.

Moments later, Cassandra came out of her trance.  She took a minute to gather herself together, drinking some water and straightening in her chair.  All this time, she hadn’t looked at Malpha.  Finally, she did and couldn’t help going off in a fit of giggles.

“Cassandra, child, you’re being rude,” said Glynnis.

“Sorry,” she said
, before going into another round of laughter.

“Well, you really have to tell us now,” said her mother.

Cassie nodded and took some deep breaths to get herself under control.

“Malpha―how do you feel about children?” she asked.

“Children?  Well, I would like to have children, of course.  I’m afraid the Goddess is not happy with my lineage and would deny me this blessing.  I would be overjoyed to have children,” she added.

“Well, that’s good; you’re going to have quite a lot of children.  You see, your husband is going to want a son.”

Cassie couldn’t help it; she went off on another peal of laughter.

“What’s so funny about him wanting a son?  Lots of men want sons,” Glynnis said, getting exasperated.

“It’s just that he’s going to have to be patient.  He won’t get one unless you get pregnant more than twelve times,” Cassie said.

“Twelve?” asked Malpha, her jaw dropping.

“Twelve girls,” clarified Cassie.  “They’ll be your army, Malpha; you’ll be teaching them.  You’ll be teaching your son, too.”

The four women looked at each other and they all burst into laughter.  Glynnis’s
Ankida
, who had spent the morning lugging items back and forth to the shuttle, were hungry and tired when they walked in to find the women laughing.  Glynnis shooed them out to eat their own lunch.  With orders to come straight back after, there were more things they needed to take to the ship.

“Alright, Malpha; let’s let Michelle and Cassandra take care of packing the rest of your things.  If they miss anything, we can always send it to you later.  You and I have things to discuss in the office before you leave,” said Glynnis.

Reminded she was leaving, just when she thought she had made friends, sobered Malpha.  Losing her smile, she led the way into the office.

“Don’t give me that look.  Just think of those twelve little girls and how you’re going to start the women’s liberation movement on KowLer. 
And—since women can travel now, you can expect visitors.  I especially want you to contact me when you’re pregnant with your first child.  I’ll come for a nice long visit then.  Now, let’s get this done,” said Glynnis in a brisk voice.

Thinking of all that Glynnis had said, Malpha squared her shoulders.  Standing tall, she led Glynnis to the other room.  The two of them sat together behind the desk.  Glynnis worked on the computers while Malpha gave her instructions.  Glynnis had an old-fashioned notebook she’d brought with her and was taking notes in shorthand.  Malpha asked her what the strange writing was.

“Is this how you write your language on your planet?” she asked.

“No, this is a type of phonetic writing.  It allows me to take down a conversation at the speed
with which people talk.  I can make notes as you’re giving me instructions so I don’t forget later,” she explained.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the outer door.  Malpha called out and the door opened.  In walked twelve individuals.

“You must be the Council,” said Glynnis from where she sat. Then she turned to Malpha.

“Malpha, dearest,” she said, patting her arm, “would you go and get my purse?  I left it in the other room.”