The next day I was a bundle of nerves from the moment I woke up. The nagging question of what the queen wanted of me lay heavily in my thoughts. Nuala arrived right on time, bringing me out of my gloomy mood with a tray of fruit. She also brought something else.

"Here", she said cheerfully, "I found this and I it made me think of you". Her soft blue eyes were full of delight as she handed me a small book. As a scholar, the gift of a book made my face light up, which Nuala clearly noticed, her own face brightening in response.

"Thank you!" I told her emphatically, turning the book in my hands, looking at it. I opened it and scanned the pages. I had no idea how to read Orthish so I understood nothing in it, but the fact she had thought of me made me ripple with happiness.

Nuala blushed lightly, her fair, flawless cheeks turning a tinge of pink. "I realize you don't know how to read, but I imagine Adrelia can help you."

I nodded. "What’s it about?"

Nuala shrugged softly, “It’s just a collection of short stories that are good for someone learning to read”.

At my continued requests over breakfast, Nuala relented and tried teaching me some of the letters while I ate. The alphabet was simple containing only 25 letters. Given I knew how to speak the language, it seemed it would not take long to learn. However, Nuala was not the teacher Adrelia was. She would often get confused and stop to correct herself. She lacked a certain order and progression that is natural in a good teacher. I suppose being a teacher myself I recognized the trait.

I spent most of the day back with the wood chopping group. After many weeks of such work, it was no longer as difficult. My hands had formed callouses and my arms did not tire out so easily. I was now chopping and carrying the same amount as the other men.

When I arrived back at my room, I noticed the book laying in the fur blankets. Picking it up, I sat down, leaning against the beam in the center of the room and flipping through the pages trying to recognize the letters I had already been taught.

"Oooh! A book!", Adrelia appeared at my door much earlier than usual. Her eyes shining as she looked at me. she carried in her arms a new tunic and towel, as well as a bottle of liquid. "What book is it?" she asked curiously.

"I'm not sure", I responded honestly, "It's a collection of short stories. Nuala gave it to me."

Adrelia approached, her eyes on the book. "That was very sweet of her." she said. Then her eyes widened, "I know this book! My mother read it to me when I was young! It's a collection of stories for children."

I frowned, not sure if I should take the gift as an insult.

Adrelia must have noticed because she quickly chimed in, "It’s actually a really good idea. These are stories everyone in Orth knows from their childhood. it would be good if you were familiar with them.”

I nodded, realizing she was right. Nuala was simply too kind to perform a gesture in mockery. Adrelia’s explanation was far more likely.

"Oh! Here is your change of clothes for tonight. Follow me and I'll take you to the baths", Adrelia said helpfully.

Since arriving, I had never received a bath. Once every day or so I was given a rag, a bucket of water, and a bar of soap. The baths belonged to the queen and were used mostly for people close to her. That she wanted me to use them only increased my anxiety. Most of the village washed by rag and bucket. The imata who had their own baths, bathed daily and there was always a pleasant scent in the air around them.

I followed Adrelia down the stairs and across the Maze-like bridges and platforms. The height no longer bothered me. The baths were down a flight of stairs which led to the ground. The walls of the baths were high and thick and the only exit was back up the stairs. The room was dark due to the high walls blocking out most of the light. There was a hard stone floor which was already wet from previous use, on which stood a large basin.

Adrelia placed the items she was carrying on a table and went to the side of the room, pulling on a lever. A loud thunk sounded above and a moment later water splashed into the basin. Once full, Adrelia turned the flow of water off and went upstairs to give me privacy.

I undressed uncomfortably in the room. Even though I was alone, I watched the stairs, conscious that someone could come down at any moment. I entered the basin, and using the washcloth and the bottle of liquid I began to wash. As the soapy liquid touched my skin it instantly created a warm, tingling, sensation. More surprisingly, the suds it created were of a began to glow. On occasion, bubbles would break off and float upward. Soon I was surrounded by floating purple bubbles, their soft glow filling the room with an almost dream-like light. I looked around in wonder at the beauty and wondered if this was made from a bioluminescent plant or another example of magic. I had not forgotten the old woman from my first day in the village, though I had not seen her, or any examples of magic since then. I poured some on my hair, washing it as well before dunking my body under again, the suds spreading in the basin into a cascade of radiant waves.

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As I picked up the towel out fell a flat razor. With the light given off by the soap, I was able to use a mirror in the room to shave. I was left with several small cuts, but when I was done I looked myself again. I hurriedly dried myself off and dressed. Gathering all the items in my hands and walked back up the stairs to meet Adrelia, who was sitting on a small chair talking to another girl. All this preparation was only adding to my growing anxiety.

Adrelia smiled, seeing me. “This is Lisea”, she said, her hand motioning to the girl who had now stood. Lisea wore the two piece animal clothing of a guard, though she carried no noticeable weapon. Her hair was bright red and matched Adrelia’s, though it was short cut, barely reaching her ears. “I have to get ready myself for Mother’s address. Lisea will escort you there.”

Once again I was lead through the maze of the village. I had started to learn some of the passageways. Most importantly, I could find my way from my room to the ground. As we approached, I saw a small amphitheater. I recognized the place as one I had been to several times before to drop off wood. Aside from the seating, It was surrounded by bridges, houses, and platforms which jutted out, providing a view of the stage from above.

Both the stage and seating were empty, with a few people milling around. I was walked down a long flight of stairs and sent behind the stage. There, a group of men were seated. They ignored me as I took my seat beside them. There was some talk among them regarding what the announcement might be, but none of them seemed to be sure.

After a few minutes, a large man with black hair and a thick black beard who was seated next to me, decided to make conversation. As we talked, I learned his name was Nies, and he had been captured and brought here to the forest as a young boy. He, and all the other men here were personal slaves of the High Mother.

“Has anyone ever escaped?”, I asked in a quiet voice.

Nies stood there, an almost fearful look flashing over his eyes as he scanned the area, watching to see if anyone had overheard.

“We do not speak of it.” He said in a hushed, yet forceful voice. “Slaves must stay here and serve. For those who do not, punishment is swift and harsh”. His face was flushed somewhat with panic as he looked around again. It was odd seeing a man with such an intimidating look act so fearful. “Besides”, Nies added quickly, obviously to change the subject, “It’s not like serving the High Mother isn’t without it’s pleasures, yeah?”. He gave a wry grin, elbowing me suggestively. I nodded, smiling back. The queen, of course, was very beautiful, and I certainly had fantasized about her. I wondered if I was the only slave here who had not been used by her. Having no experience, I wondered how disappointed with me she would be, and if I would be punished.

Nies seemed particularly interested in my being an outworlder, and asked some questions about my world. Our scientific advances astounded him, and he seemed almost doubtful of them. He was also fascinated by how differently the sexes interacted. The idea of mates being equals was difficult for him to comprehend. Adrelia and Nuala had difficulty with this concept as well.

Then came a voice, “The High mother will be approaching soon. You will all take your places.”

The group of men started to move. Forming a line, they begin to walk out from behind the stage. As I followed them and stepped up onto the stage I looked up. The place was no longer empty. Thousands of people, almost all women, were watching us. The seats had been filled. The bridges and platforms were full of women, looking down. Some had men with them, which I assumed were their personal slaves. Faces peeked out of house windows. As we took our place on the right hand side of the stage I found myself in the front row. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling self-conscious at all the people staring down at us. I could see fingers occasionally pointing in my direction.

A stillness fell over the crowd as the High Mother entered. She was wearing a long silk red robe, which floated elegantly behind her. She stood in the middle of the stage. Suddenly, a steady, drumming sound begin to play. I could now see that drummers were placed throughout the crowd. They played together as the sound filled the air. At the start of the drumming, two by two, the imata processed in. Each girl wore white silk robes with matching white ribbons in her hair, carrying a bouquet of vibrant flowers. Every eye watched them as they advanced toward the front. Two at a time, they approached the High Mother, bowed deeply, and placed the bouquet of flowers at her feet. There were hundreds of them, all exquisitely beautiful. I saw both Nuala and Adrelia, standing side by side as they walked. I gaped at them open mouthed. As I stood staring, I felt Nies’ elbow against my rib, hearing his chuckle. I quickly closed my mouth, but my eyes continued to follow them.

Each imata, having placed her flower, moved to an empty spot on the ground near the front, and sat delicately with her hands in her lap. When they had all sat, the music stopped and there was silence.

The High Mother addressed the crowd, “Children! I am so glad to see you all!” There was an applause, as if to return the sentiment. “As you all know, I have been your mother for 80 years and would happily do so for 80 more.” There was more applause. I blinked. “Eighty years? I must have misheard that!” I thought. “She couldn’t be a day over 30”.

“And now”, the High Mother continued, “The reason I brought you all here, my daughters. I must announce that I am with child!”

There was a thunderous applause from all around. The crowd to their feet. The slaves started talking among themselves. I heard one of them behind me bragging that he must be the father. The imata smiled and stayed seated, but gracefully clapped their hands. I wondered if it were possible for any imata to look or do anything imperfectly.

As the applause died down and people began to retake their seats as the sound of murmuring continued. The queen held up her hands and silence fell.

“To celebrate, I declare tomorrow as a day of jubilee”, she said. The crowd cheered and applauded. “Tonight, we shall have a feast! There will be music, food and currena for all!”

The crowd cheered again. The queen nodded her head, and the imata stood. Gathering in a line they made a path, with imata on either side allowing the queen to depart between them. As they did so, the drums began to beat again, the crowd breaking into song. Adrelia had her back to me. I admired her long red hair cascading down her shoulders tied up with two white ribbons. Across from her was Nuala, who looked up at me. As our eyes met, she gave me a beaming smile for a moment before looking away.

I felt a nudge. the men were filing out of the stand. I quickly turned and followed. “That wasn’t so bad”, I thought to myself, my stomach tightening. “But what does the queen want of me?”. I was about to find out.