The opening of the door near the beginning of the twentieth period announced the arrival of the children’s parents at their home.

“Greetings Da, greetings Ma,” the children greeted their parents in unison, getting “Greetings children” in reply.

*********

How tired they sound, maybe they’ll pick up with my news, Cami thought.

*********

“Dar has not returned yet?” Jarmel, the father, registered the absence of his oldest child as he slowly removed and hung up his coat and hat. Camis mother murmured her thanks for Camis assistance at the same time.

“No father,” Tremma replied for the others as, with tired steps their parents made their way to the dinner table.

“Evening tide is ready,” Cami assured her parents.

“He should be home by now.” Yives sis Nep muttered to her husband as they stood at the table.

“Perhaps he took an extra job.” Jarmel suggested. “He is a good worker and wants to move on.” Yives sniffed but made no reply.

Cami filled two plates with vegetables along with a little meat and, handed them to her sisters. Koral took one to her father while Kinna took the other to her mother. Following the traditional bows, the pair sat down and began to eat. They had just started when the oldest son, Dar arrived.

“Greetings all,” he muttered, “There was a breakdown with the conveyance and all the passengers had to wait for a replacement.” There was an undercurrent of anger in his voice. “Typical, the government can’t get any of us anywhere on time. Bunch of bloody incompetents and parasites.”

Don’t worry about that, Dar,” Tremma spoke quickly before either of their parents could, he saw that they had both stiffened at the criticism of the government. Dangerous at any time, with a recent rise in agitation amongst the underclass and others, criticizing those in power was particularly unhealthy now. “I have evening tide ready for you.” Cami added.

Although he did not look much happier Dar nodded his appreciation and took his accustomed place at the table, after giving the traditional bows. Accepting his meal from Koral with thanks, he ate in silence, not contributing to any of the conversation between others in the family. All too soon the meal was finished and Koral, Kinna and Damma, the last pulled back out of the boys’ room, gathered up the plates and cutlery carrying out the same chores as earlier.

Sitting back in their chairs, both parents relaxed with a hot drink of tea prepared by Cami. Dar had declined a cup, not to any of the family’s surprise. His newly acquired disdain for many of the traditions of Ti Lepus had been made clear. While the family usually gathered in the sitting area, tonight they sat around the table to talk. Taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, Cami drew in a deep breath and spoke.

“Mother, father, family, I have some news for you.” Her parents and Dar’s heads came up while the rest tensed with excitement, carefully suppressed. Her father stared at Cami, his eyes narrowed, he had been expecting this. So had Dar.

“Yes dear, what is it?” Cami’s mother asked, apparently calm, even as Cami caught the knowing look her father and mother exchanged.

“I was called into Counsellor Remi ion Nessar’s office this afternoon. She had something important to tell me.” Cami was almost breathless with excitement over the news she was about to impart.

Dar sat up straight and was about to say something but a sharp look from his father silenced him. “Go on Cami, give us your news.” Jarmel spoke calmly to his oldest daughter.

“Well, she told me that she has received a request for an assessment of me with regards to a contract placement in a salon!” Cami was quivering and just about jumping up and down in her excitement and had to exercise all her control to maintain a facade of calm.

“That’s wonderful dear. Can you tell us more? Which salon is it?” Her mother smiled, knowing that this was an important step for Cami. “Is it Tremblers Place?” Mentioning the most prominent local salon.

“No mother, it is a club called The Trigon Club, and it’s in Lepus Mal!” All the family stared open mouthed at this unexpected bit of news, even Dar, none had thought that a club in the capital would be interested. “It’s a club that has a large membership of women only! High status women! No men allowed!” Cami stressed the last points. “I did a search for them when I came home.”

“Lepus Mal, that’s pretty far away.” Her father sat back in his chair, frowning as he stared at his daughter who was so excited that she was practically squirming in her chair. “I am not sure …” He looked down the table at his wife.

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Dar was glowering while Tremma was looking proudly at his sister and Damma was even showing surprise. Her two sisters were surprised and Kinna was happy for Cami but although Koral appeared happy at first a frown lining her forehead suggested otherwise.

“I mean, I don’t know why they selected me, I mean, how did they even hear about me. This is so exciting!” Cami babbled away in her enthusiasm. “Counsellor Remi told me that the assessor will be here in the next two days. I am not sure what happens after that but I can’t go until I turn fourteen anyway.”

“What about schooling? I mean, Cami, you will have to maintain your studies.” Yives pointed out loud then added, “And what is your pay for working at the club?”

“I don’t know. I suppose that the assessor will tell us that when he comes.” Cami replied.

“Well, I don’t like it!” Dar could not contain his opposition any longer.

“Dar!” Cami exclaimed, anger in her eyes and clear on her face.

“Now son, this is an exciting time I know.” Yives spoke calmly, she knew her son.

“No mother, it’s taking these young girls like Cami and putting them on display.” Dar left the table and paced back and forwards. The younger children stared at this open display of emotion. “I just don’t like it! And to be sent all the way to the capital, it’s just wrong! I bet high status girls don’t have to go through this!” Dar was letting out all his angst. Tremma, Cami and the others were clearly showing their surprise at the oldest siblings’ outburst and their father saw that Cami was on the point of either bursting into tears or exploding in anger. The only one who seemed unaffected was Damma, who just stared at his big brother.

“Son, sit, you are upsetting your brothers and sisters as well as yourself.” Jarmel spoke calmly but firmly. “Anyway, the decision is not yours to make. It is Cami’s and ours, her mother and father.” He turned to Koral, “Could you make some more tea please. Kinna, please help.” Unhappy at leaving the table and anxious not to miss anything, but at the same time happy at being tasked with the important task of tea making, the two girls went into the kitchen and began their job, all the time throwing looks at the table and listening carefully.

*********

Slowly, resentfully Dar returned to his seat, a frown showing that he was still unhappy but bowing to his father’s authority. Silenced for the time being, it was clear that he had not changed his mind about Camis assessment but could see no way to stop it. He also realised that talking to Cami would be useless. This made him even angrier and Tremma watched his brother closely. I will have to talk to him, he thought.

*********

After a fractions thought, Jarmel spoke again. “Well Cami, this is very exciting, but how do you really feel about it?” Her father looked closely at her. “I mean you would have to go to the capital to live and that is really far away.”

Returning her father’s look, Cami pursed her lips in thought. A glance at her mother brought the rare reassuring smile that occurred only between family members. “Speak your mind daughter, tell us what you really think.” Yives nodded to her oldest daughter as she spoke, while the rest of the family waited expectantly for Camis’ reply.

“Father, I want to do this. I mean, it is such a big, big chance for me to get a really good position and help you and the family.” She took a big breath and continued. “I told you that I had looked up the club on the comm. It’s a big and exclusive club, only high status wives and mistresses belong to it. Important citizens, not like the local ones where anyone can join!” Dar had flinched at ‘Mistresses’ but had remained silent.

“Hmm, I see.” Jarmel took a sip of the tea that Koral placed in front of him. “Excellent Koral, you make a good cup of tea!” Hiding her pleasure at the rare compliment, Koral turned to her mother.

“Would you like a cup, mother?”

“Yes, thank you Koral, and thank you Kinna for helping.” Yives turned to speak to Cami. “You will be a long way away as father said, Cami. Are accommodations provided for you?”

“I really don’t know mother, Counsellor Remi didn’t say and I was so excited that I didn’t ask.” A frown appeared on Camis’ face. “I suppose that the assessor would know, however.” She looked around at her family, “I really don’t know any more.”

“Yes, we will have a lot of questions for this assessor when he comes,” Jarmel leant back in his chair. “In two days you say?” He got a nod in reply from Cami. Checking the time on his comm unit, he noted that it was into the twenty first period.

“Well. Look at that, time for bed.” He gave a tired smile as he stood, “Except for Dar of course.”

“Father, may I use the comm for a fraction? Please?”

“Of course, but not for long, understand?” He gave his oldest daughter one of those father, daughter looks, then finished with, “And say hello to Leda and Ava for me.”

*********

Later, laying on her bed Cami thought over the events of the day. Laying still and controlling her breathing she suppressed the excitement that threatened to erupt. This is so important she thought I cannot mess this up, I will get this contract! A frown creased her forehead as she remembered Dars outburst. He better not do anything to mess this up or I will be really angry, I mean really angry. Should I threaten him with the Vow of Unshakable resolve? The thought turned her frown into a scowl and Cami turned her face away so her sisters could not see it. No, that would tear the family apart, she conceded. She had learnt about the vow just this year, it was a part of the culture. Once made it was binding on the person making it and was only taken when status was badly affected for those involved. Once public no one could interfere with it.

Rolling onto her side, Cami faced the wall. I will get out of this backwards town and make something of myself! I swear it. She closed her eyes on her last thought but another intruded when what Tremma had said earlier came back to her. The Dark Lord, how silly, he probably doesn’t know I exist! Relaxed and reassured, Cami drifted off to sleep.

She didn’t know how wrong she was.