The ruler of Ferenis has an open mind and listens carefully to news from the east. He wants to hear the stories of his visitors, especially the five extraordinary women.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

39 - Five Recollections

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2021 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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"Do come in and find yourselves seats," Gathol said to his evening guests. "You as well, Mistress Tyra. You are all guests in my house, for this evening I intend that you shall be treated as my other guests."

Tyra curtseyed low. "Your Grace, are you sure? It is not my place."

"Have I not just said? Go on now, sit down with the others. A great wind is blowing through the Valley and you are part of what is happening. Sit, please."

The maid found a seat and lowered herself onto it, obviously feeling uncomfortable. She looked at Ursula for reassurance.

"He is Duke here, we are all his guests, better do as he asks."

"As you wish, Mistress."

The Duke's own servants served out drinks to his guests and then left, closing the door behind them. Remaining inside were the five women from the Visund, Duke Gathol of Ferenis, Duchess Karinet, their son and heir Count Saram and his wife Countess Bartra. The room settled into silence as each sipped their drinks.

"You must all understand," Gathol began, "that Ferenis has recently been invaded by Yod, a circumstance which has happened far too many times in past years. As has previously been the case our attention was entirely taken up by the customary call to arms and the preparations for defending ourselves and throwing back those of Yod." He gave a slight shrug. "I call it customary because we have done it so many times, but that does not mean that it is something we desire to do, any more than we desire the Sirrel to flood our lands each year.

"But the fact that we must often needs do it means that we are all familiar with what has to be done. Thus, we were all occupied with raising levies, strengthening our defenses and so on, when word reached us of a most extraordinary and unexpected occurrence. I speak, of course, of the assault on Boldan's Rock and the subsequent sally to the Sirrel banks below. Extraordinary because we learned then that the assault had been led by a woman, a young woman, and that there were two other women in her small party... and that all three had taken full part in the fighting.

"In Ferenis at first there was general disbelief that such a thing had even happened, Boldan's Rock being considered by the best minds in our armies as impregnable. Then word reached us from Forguland, and from our own forces, of the incredible truth. That which had seemed impossible had been accomplished and by warriors from a far distant land, unfamiliar with either attackers or defenders." He gazed at Eriana. "I must repeat my thanks to you, your women companions and to all your men for what you did then, Your Highness. Ferenis will forever be grateful to all of you."

Eriana inclined her head and then sipped at her drink.

Gathol continued, "But we had already had warning that changes might come to the Valley! Saram had been in Forguland when Prince Keren of Palarand came visiting. The tale that Prince Keren told my son seemed fantastic then, but the events of Boldan's Rock proved that it was no mere tale. A young girl who claimed to be from another world with ideas and customs unknown to any, who could believe that? But it was she who provided the example for other women of the palace, some of whom became determined to take up arms as well. Two of those, Danisa and Heldra, accompanied Eriana to Boldan's Rock and beyond.

"Now, a visitor from another world, that is one thing, but when women servants of the ruler decide they can better serve him another way, then I began to take notice. If it were true in Palarand, it would also be true in Ferenis... and there were many ways that women could aid our struggle against those of Yod. Gentle enquiries were made within the palace and, later, in the city and we now have a fully functioning and enthusiastic Women's Auxiliary Service."

He spread his hands. "I grant you that they may do more in time but without advice or precedent we must needs proceed cautiously. Those women of the Service have proved their worth on and behind the field of battle numerous times. Many have now gone back to hearth and home, of course, but here in the palace there is a small contingent who have become part of the palace defenses and will also attend my wife and daughter-in-law at need."

"Things continued to happen! First, Prince Keren had showed us forks and both Ferenis and Forguland have been making them as quickly as the supplies of metal will permit. Then a packet of a mysterious material called paper came via Joth, with suggestions that it might replace parchment in time. The packet itself was a revelation, being of waxed paper and designed safely to contain whatever was within. Guns of advanced design appeared later to aid the fight against those of Yod. Finally, a young man appeared from Joth with another unlikely tale. He, it appeared, had not been born on Anmar either but came from another world.

"Maralin was close-mouthed for much of the time, as he should be, but he confirmed that both he and Princess Garia came from a distant world named Earth. Though he was in danger from those of Yod he was able to indirectly provide certain information about Princess Garia which only made her seem even more extraordinary. Saram was sent to Palarand for Prince Keren's wedding to this young woman and he has returned full of the remarkable things that are happening there.

"In view of our location next to Yod, and with the certainty that change was coming whether we desired it or no, you can imagine that I was very willing to join the Federation and Saram passed that message on. Maralin recently returned here with the documents of association and also the news that yet another person had unexpectedly arrived from Earth."

He addressed Ursula. "My dear, nothing that is said tonight will be repeated beyond this room. You have my oath on that."

Saram said, "Heard and witnessed."

Gathol leaned back. "So, tonight in my sitting room, here are five women who have, for different reasons, caused great changes in the Great Valley. I would learn what made each of you the way you are today. Eriana, your tale is perhaps the easiest to understand, shall you begin?"

Her expression was something between a smile and a grimace. "Gathol, in Einnland I was the bad daughter of a bad father. The land of my birth is a cold, rough land with few resources except the sea. My father sought to marry me beneath my station to keep me from bidding for the throne. Had I been smaller or gentler then he may have gotten his way but I preferred the sea to the cottage of a tradesman. With some few of my men and the like-minded owner of a ship, I ran away, seeking my fortune in the fabled lands of the Sirrel."

She reddened. "Not for nothing are the lands of the Sirrel fabled in Einnland! Wrecked by storms and driven onto the shores of Plif, I learned there that the son of King Robanar required a bride and so set off to make myself available and thus thwart my father. I had no idea that Keren had already met Garia and pledged himself to her, despite all convention. Palarand was worse! I found myself in a palace so large it could have swallowed Jotlhiem whole and I did not understand any of it.

"It was Garia who took me in hand and showed me how a true Princess should behave. It was she who taught me to fight, with and without swords, she who taught me how to handle beasts and to ride, she who taught me to control my temper, she who became a friend even while we were - as I thought - vying for Keren's hand. I understood then that I could never rule Palarand with Keren, it is an astonishing land, too complex for a mere maiden from a remote coastal land to manage.

"In Robanar's palace I also discovered Danisa and Heldra and marveled at women doing something that I had never thought that any woman would be permitted to do. Also residing there was Milsy, who has a mind so large it would not fit in Your Grace's chambers. She is not from another world. Milsy was a kitchen drudge in Dekarran and it was only her resemblance to Garia that brought her to the palace, to confuse those of Yod, those who wanted to kidnap or kill the girl from another world. Milsy is no longer a drudge but a respected Guildswoman who has designed clocks which are now appearing in many of the palace chambers.

"That got Robanar's attention, I deem! Here was a mere kitchen girl, yet she could think of things that strained even Garia's imagination. If one such could do so much better, what about every other woman in Palarand? A girl from somewhere else entirely might be able to do things no local girl could do but the truth could not be denied. The talents and abilities of half the population had been overlooked, and Palarand was at war with Yod."

Eriana took a drink and put down her goblet. "But I talk too much. You will not have too many Princesses as guests, I deem, so let us hear from those I met in the palace. You desire to hear why normal folk looked at what Garia did and decided to choose something different for themselves."

"I cannot fault you, Eriana." Gathol turned to Bennet and Semma. "What say you? Are your tales of life in the King's palace the same?"

Bennet looked at Semma and received a nod before replying. "Your Grace, we are not the same, excepting that we have arrived at the same place by different paths. For myself, I too was a kitchen servant in the palace. When Lady Garia arrived, as she was then, her antics and activities were the talk of the servants for months! It was plain that she did not think the same way that any other young woman did.

"The first thing she did was what she called exercise, which involved making herself fit in a way that no-one else had even dreamed of. She then showed that this exercise prepared her for a new kind of unarmed combat, which she proceeded to demonstrate on an astonished Prince. This new art was then extended to some of the Palace Guard as the benefits became obvious. A small group were trained by herself and the Prince, to become trainers themselves.

"But once this arrangement was working smoothly she then astonished all again by taking up swords! Your Grace, Princess Garia is shorter than Semma here and could not wield a normal sword. By unexplained means she discovered that women from the Six Cities had been trained to defend themselves using two small swords and she promptly became a master in this art as well."

Gathol interrupted. "The Six Cities? Then the swords of which I have heard did not come from another world?"

"Apparently not, Your Grace, though Princess Garia's use of them was entirely novel. Of course, almost all those women who applied to the guard were larger than Her Highness so are able to handle normal swords. For myself, I noticed that Danisa had asked Her Highness if it were possible to train as she did. Once the first four women were selected for training, many conversations were held in the palace corridors, as you may imagine. After the abilities of those four had been proven the way was opened for others and," she spread her arms, "here I am."

Gathol nodded. "I can see why you might choose the life of an armsman - your pardon, an armswoman. Why, you are as tall and as well-built as Saram, I deem! Yet the attitude of man and woman is different. If you must needs kill another, could you do it, as a man might?"

Bennet's gaze was direct. "Your Grace, if it were a choice between him or me, then certainly I would! If it were to save the life of another, such as yourself, Her Highness, or perhaps a companion in arms, then I would do that too." She paused. "If I were faced with another in the ring, say, I would not be so sure. I might find the act too difficult." She shook her head. "Your Grace, none of us know whether we can do such a deed until we have had to do it. Even Princess Garia admitted as much."

"As you say. Tell me, are you content with your new life? It is not as safe as kitchen work."

"Your Grace, I would guess that most Guardsmen and women, or armsmen and women as would be true elsewhere, have lives little different than those who work in kitchens. It is a life of duties, of preparation, of watchfulness. The tools of a kitchen are just as sharp and dangerous as those of the battlefield." Bennet grinned. "The training is somewhat different! In general we are respected by those we train with and work with, for those men know that we may not be trifled with as they might a palace maid or cleaner.

"However, to join Her Highness on her ship, this is a great adventure indeed! This is an unusual duty but one that neither I nor Semma would have missed for anything. We are doing something that few women do, which is to travel many marks from those places where we normally live and work, to do things we would not normally do, to see places and meet people we would not even know existed before. Your Grace, I deem we are better for it, that we understand the world around us better too."

"I agree," Gathol said. "If it were possible, I would decree that everyone should travel to another land, perhaps, at least once in his or her life. You cannot understand your own country until you see it through another's eyes. Of course, those who have passed through Ferenis recently as levies have done as much, but most will not have strayed beyond camp or tavern. Perhaps this new Federation will mean that our folk may travel more, and further."

"As you say, Your Grace." Bennet turned. "Semma?"

Semma shuffled uncomfortably. "Your Grace, I was a member of the palace cleaning staff. As the rest of us did, I saw some few go off to be trained in the art of arms and wondered if there were more that I might try. At that time I did not think that I could become a Guardswoman, I thought that I was too short and not heavy enough. However, Captain Merek explained that they were still trying to discover who might be suitable and who might not, and to my surprise I found that I could do what was required.

"As with Princess Garia, it seems that my smaller build permits me to do things which a larger person would find awkward. I did not find the unarmed combat to be difficult, and Bennet will tell you that I am better at it than she. Also, a larger opponent may underestimate what a smaller person can do and that will give me the advantage. Sword work," she shrugged, "that is not so good, but I can do what every other person of His Majesty's Guard can do and that is sufficient. I am too short for longbow, spear or lance but I am proficient with a crossbow, though not the heaviest kinds."

"And could you kill if the situation required it?"

"Your Grace, I have not yet been put to the test. However, there was that situation with the grakh..."

"Grakh? What is this?"

Semma looked at Eriana, who elaborated. "Gathol, there was an... incident. Before we departed Joth, we five went out into the country for a ride. Captain Hambran was with us - do you know Hambran?"

"Aye, I met him once in Forguland at a conference concerning the enemy. A good man, from what I remember."

"He is, Gathol. He and armsman Dirgan accompanied us, as is proper." Eriana's face twisted. "However, also inviting themselves along were Wallesan's sons, Mathenar and Luthan. Luthan," she shrugged, "appeared a weak sort before our ride but Mathenar saw five fresh members of the more gentle sex who he may have interested himself in. We rode out some short distance from the walls that afternoon and were beset by five giant grakh who were resting in some trees. They waited until we were close enough - we did not know they were there - and then they launched themselves at us from different directions to harry us."

"Maker!" Saram exploded. "Yet you are all safe here! What happened? Did Wallesan's sons defend you?"

"Not exactly, My Lord. Naturally we were all thrown from our mounts and one frayen was killed in the panic. Bennet and Semma dealt with one grakh and I brought down another with sword and pistol. The others then decided we were too strong and departed. If I may mention Lord Luthan. He and Tyra bravely faced the foe over Ursula, who does not carry arms of any sort."

"Maker!" Gathol echoed. "You brought down two grakh? How big were they?"

"We brought one of the two bodies back to the city with us and Wallesan had it displayed in the Great Hall to amaze the city folk. The wings were about four strides each, Gathol, and the body the size of a frayen's. We were told that it was the largest any could remember being seen in Joth, though doubtless few would have seen such a beast from very close and lived."

"Four strides each? Maker! And between you you brought down two! I am amazed myself! What injuries were there?"

"Hambran dislocated a shoulder when he was thrown, otherwise there were some scratches, little more. Of course the memory will affect us for some time, as any such happening might."

"True enough."

Saram asked, "Highness? You have mentioned Luthan, it is true, but what of Mathenar?"

Eriana's face clouded. "My Lord, what I have to say must not be spoken of elsewhere. When we were thrown from our mounts, Mathenar scrambled into reeds in the ditch and hid himself, as he thought, from the great monsters, forgetting that they could see him as they flew over. He did not emerge till the battle was finished." She sniffed. "If he had done such conduct in Einnland no man would bespeak him again, he has proven himself a coward."

There was a stunned silence in the room.

Gathol eventually cleared his throat and spoke. "I have met with Mathenar, of course, as he passed through on his way towards the fighting. I cannot say that he would have been good at fighting but, of course, no man can know that until he is put to the test. My apologies, ladies, of course the same must be true for women as well. It seems that he returned to Joth for some reason I could not discover, do any of you know?"

The five women looked at one another. This time it was Ursula who broke the silence.

"Your Grace, we do not know exactly what happened while he was away but it may have been something to do with a woman - or perhaps many women. When he returned to Joth and discovered that his father had five women visitors, he essentially stalked me through the city for days, attempting to direct my movements and offering help I did not want or need."

Gathol pursed his lips. "Aye. I have heard rumors - you understand I may not repeat them - and I was loath to believe them. It would appear he has some unsavory habits." He grimaced. "If what I have heard today is proven, then I like it not that he may be the next Duke of Joth."

Eriana said, "Wallesan is now fully aware of his faults, Gathol, and may be disposed to make other arrangements. I know that you do such things here in the Valley, it is not purely by age as it is in Einnland."

"Eriana, in some lands that is true but not in others. However, I will take your unspoken advice and consider the matter carefully." He nodded thoughtfully. "I thank you for this tale. When Maralin was here he told me of many things but not that you had all tangled with grakh. Well. Let us continue. Mistress Semma, have you more to add?"

"Your Grace, you have heard most of it. I will, of course, answer anything else you may desire to know."

"Then let me turn next to Tyra." He gave the maid an encouraging smile. "Will you tell us how you came to be with Ursula, and to carry a sword?"

"Your Grace." Tyra's lips were dry, but she had now met enough nobility that she was no longer afraid of them. "My family live in the city of Joth, my father a fisherman, my mother a laundress. We were expelled by those of Yod along with all others and, when we were permitted to return, discovered that the invader had destroyed almost everything. It had been winter, and the invader had not been able to obtain fuel to keep themselves warm, so they burned everything they could that was of wood.

"This made it very hard for us. Though there was food, by my father's hand, and my mother's contribution just about paid for what was needful, I had to go and find work to help pay for everything else. Your Grace, I was merely upstairs help in the Duke's Mansion, cleaning, changing linen, that kind of work. I imagined no other existence and was content with my lot.

"Then the Visund came and my eyes were opened. Here were women, some like myself, who had made themselves better lives! One of them even owned the ship! Two wore swords, saying that they had been servants in a distant palace, but were given the opportunity to serve their King a different way. It made me wonder if I could do the same."

Gathol nodded. "I am not surprised! When you see two, nay three, doing something that all thought impossible, I do not wonder at your thoughts. What did Wallesan think of your request?"

"Your Grace, he had been to Palarand some while, to attend the royal wedding, and he had already seen that the women of Palarand were able to do much more than anyone had thought. With Captain Hambran, who had visited Palarand with my Duke, they thought to make me a test, see what someone from their own household could do."

"And by the fact you now wear a sword, the test was successful?"

"Your Grace, I do not wear the sword all the time. I am now the maid of Mistress Ursula, it would not be appropriate. Yes, the test was successful and a small number of others from the city are now in training."

"I am pleased to hear it. When the minds of both men and women are opened to new possibilities -" He turned at Bennet's expression. "What is it?"

"Your Grace, the women of Palarand have also gained entry to Palarand's guilds, by Princess Garia's example. Even now many are employed in workshops making paper, working in wood, metal, glass and cloth, other tasks previously reserved for men."

"Do you tell me? Interesting! Perhaps I should have attended the wedding, but it was impossible, of course. With those of Yod not too many marks from here on our own lands, I dare not leave. Well. I would hear of this later, by your leave."

"As you command, Your Grace, though I have no direct knowledge of who can do what," Bennet looked around. "I doubt any of us here may satisfy you, Your Grace. I believe there is a caravan approaching from Palarand which may answer some of your questions."

"Aye, as you say. Maralin did mention the caravan, I shall attend it closely when it arrives. Thank you, Mistress Bennet." He turned. "Mistress Tyra, if you may tell us why, having begun your training in arms, you then decided to leave Joth altogether."

"Your Grace, Mistress Ursula required help! She is a stranger in these lands, she did not know how anything worked or what the customs were. She must needs have a maid or other attendant to assist her until she had become more familiar with our ways."

"So you offered her your services, I assume?"

Tyra looked a little confused. "Your Grace, it did not happen that way." She turned to Ursula. "Mistress, I find that I do not remember exactly how it occurred, if you would explain."

Ursula was surprised to be asked. "I am not sure that I remember clearly myself, Tyra. We just came together, I think." She addressed Gathol. "Your Grace, I was an unattended woman alone in Lord Wallesan's Mansion and I discovered that it would not be possible for me to function that way. Her Highness lent me Bennet for a time but one day, when Her Highness had gone out on business with Bennet and Semma, I needed a chaperone and Tyra was available.

"Our paths kept crossing and I think it was by chance that we came together for a meal. Her Grace saw that I needed assistance and promoted Tyra on the spot." An aside, "I had not understood that a single woman on her own would have difficulties doing day-to-day tasks, Your Grace. Life here is very different than life... where I came from."

Gathol held up a hand. "If I may, Mistress, your origins are naturally of interest but would be best described later. For now I am more concerned with Tyra's change of fortune."

Ursula nodded acceptance of the point and continued, "Tyra has proved to be of great help and knowledge as we both learned our way around Joth. Since I could speak the local language but not write it, Lord Kalmenar offered to teach me -"

"A moment, if you please. You could speak but not read?"

"I can read and write, Your Grace, but not the local script. In fact I can speak four other languages and write in two scripts, but none of those are in use here."

"Ah. I understand, I think. Later, then."

Ursula thought, Of course I have also begun to speak Norse here, which I certainly never learned on Earth! Mentioning that now would only cause difficult questions to be asked, most of which I cannot answer for a number of reasons.

"As I was saying, Your Grace, Lord Kalmenar helped me to read and write your script. Because I needed a chaperone Tyra was sent to attend me while this happened and Lord Kalmenar noticed that she was taking as much note of the lessons as I was. In short, she was learning to read by looking over my shoulder." Tyra blushed at this. Ursula continued, "Kalmenar made her sit down and take proper lessons alongside me."

"Well!" Gathol turned to Tyra. "So, despite coming from a fisherman's family, and being but a maid in Wallesan's Mansion, you found that you could read and write as easily as Mistress Ursula?"

"Your Grace, Mistress Ursula could already read and write but I had never done it before. It was not so easy for me but I have made a start and hope to be able to do more when circumstance permits."

Ursula added, "Your Grace, until now Tyra had no need to read or write. Considering the short time we had to learn in Joth, I think she has done very well."

Eriana said, "Gathol, Garia thinks that everyone must needs learn to read and write, even down to the lowest peasant. On the mother world, Earth, it is so in most lands, so she told me."

"As you say, Eriana. Thank you, Tyra." To Karinet he said, "It looks as if you are right, my dear, and I have no problem in admitting it. Robanar's letters have mentioned the likely need for everyone to read and write and what I have heard this evening merely confirms what we have been told. It also confirms the part that women must needs play in all our lands. Aye, their first priority is to be mothers since men cannot, but it seems that we have overlooked much that they might be capable of, if only they knew it."

The Duchess smiled faintly back. "Did I not tell you, husband? The Auxiliary Service is but a start, I deem. It will be too late for many to change their ways, men or women, but the young folk may have other ideas. I am glad that I do not have to manage Ferenis through what is to come but it will be Saram, aye, and Bartra, who must needs guide our people in the new ways."

Gathol nodded thoughtfully and reached for his goblet. Once refreshed he put it down and leaned forward.

"So. I thought the war was bad enough but we have had wars before, as all know. This will be something different for all of us to consider, but at least as complicated... and expensive. It seems to me that a future Ferenis will be a very different place than it is today. Mistress Ursula, I must now ask you about the place you came from, since your own experiences may inform the plans we must needs make."

Ursula was naturally cautious. "Your Grace, I am not sure what you have been told about me."

"As you say. When Maralin arrived recently he told us a tale we had difficulty believing at first, but together with letters from Robanar and Wallesan we have been forced to accept his words. It seems that when you were together with him in Forguland your origins, and those of himself, Princess Garia and mayhap others, were discovered by chance. Seeking to prevent a similar circumstance he explained to us some of what he knew.

"I know that the three of you, together with another who was in the hands of Yod, come from a different world than Anmar, a place he named Earth." He shuddered. "Almost impossible to believe but I have no choice. Eriana has already spoken that name today so I have confirmation that at least some of the tale is true. Maralin explained that on Earth, it is as if it were two hundred years or so into our future and that many things are different there. He also explained that the three of you are not as you were on that world."

Ursula admitted, "Your Grace, what Maralin said is true. On Earth I had the body of a male. I understand that on Earth Princess Garia was a boy and that Maralin was a woman."

"Yet all three of you function as though born into the bodies you have now."

"To a greater or lesser extent, Your Grace. We still have the memories of what we used to be and that affects how we deal with the world around us."

"As you say. If I may ask, have you had problems? The life of a woman is very different than that of a man."

"Of course, Your Grace, there have been new experiences, but our minds are adapting to our new surroundings and circumstances." She hesitated. "There are, partly, medical reasons why, but I do not think that you would understand the explanation, not yet."

"I understand. Tell me, I wonder if the changes Princess Garia has begun would have happened if she had not changed. A boy, in the body of a girl, she... he? may have chafed at the limitations of her new circumstances. Thus, she may have decided to demonstrate behavior unusual for any normal girl. Do you think that would be possible?"

"Your Grace, if Princess Garia had been a girl on Earth and arrived here unchanged, I have no doubt at all that she would have behaved exactly the same. On Earth the lives of girls and boys are still different but girls - and women - can do so much more than they do here."

"Is that so? Then it seems to me that the changes to come would have come eventually whether any of you had come to Anmar or not. There were no visitors to Earth, so Maralin informs me, and women's lives were improved there, I deem the same would have happened here in your absence."

"Maybe, Your Grace. I think it is a matter of attitude and also time. There are societies on Earth where women are very much subservient to men because that is the way it has always been. Some of them, I believe, think of women as almost another species, the sole reason for their existence being to make more men. Even in more enlightened societies, it has taken centuries before women gained many of the rights that men have always taken for granted, often after long periods of protest."

Gathol pursed his lips. "Mayhap we are some way between those two extremes, then. Protest? How would they protest? Each to her own husband?"

Ursula shook her head. "Think of a mass march around the streets of all the women in your city, Your Grace, some carrying large banners proclaiming injustice. They would quickly bring life here to a halt. Now imagine them doing that every week, or even every day, until they got what they wanted."

Karinet and Bartra stirred. "They would do that?" The Duchess wondered. "Would not the men object?"

Ursula shrugged. "They could try, Your Grace. But the men would go without meals, clean clothes, fresh bedding, maybe even no... close activities between husband and wife."

"But the men would beat their wives!"

"That did not happen very often on Earth, Your Grace. I would think that most husbands would not want to do that. In many countries of the world, women even went to prison for their beliefs."

"Ha!" Eriana slapped her leg in delight. "I never imagined such a thing! Karinet, the only reason that this has not happened in your own lands, I deem, is because nobody has yet thought of it! If Ursula was to bespeak several women in the city in the next day or two, I would wager that by year's end the whole city would be in chaos."

The four nobles were all pale by now. "Maker!" gasped the Duke. "Eriana, you have the right of it. Yet how will we know what is needful and what is not? I could not give in to every demand made upon me, it would be madness. Mistress Ursula, how is this resolved on Earth, then?"

"It is fairly easy, Your Grace. Your laws must be made exactly the same for men and for women. That must mean that all must have the same rights, privileges and obligations." She added, "But that will take some careful planning, I would guess. You'll have women owning property, women earning their own money, women running businesses, women in your armies, women making laws and judging crimes. When I say women will want to do everything, I mean everything."

Saram croaked, "Father, she is right. We must look at our womenfolk in a different way."

He grabbed his goblet and took a long draft, staring in shock at nothing in particular.

Eriana spoke again. "Gathol, if I may offer you some advice."

"Hmm? After that revelation I need all the advice I can get! But, Eriana, what could you say to me that would help? By your own admission your own society - Einnland, I mean - treats its own womenfolk poorly. After all, that was one reason you departed, was it not?"

"You are right, but it is Garia's advice I would give, not my own. When she came to Palarand she explained that much of what she could tell them would be dangerous to our present societies." She wrinkled her nose. "It took some time for them to explain to me what she meant by dangerous. It does not necessarily mean that the tool or device or idea by itself might cause injury, though that is always possible, but that there could be unsought-for consequences when any such is introduced. I cannot offer examples by explanation, when Garia and Milsy explained it to me I did not know what they were speaking about half the time!

"Even so, I began to understand the implications. Someone like myself, from a simpler society, could barely comprehend the simple devices already used in running Robanar's palace. What Garia, Maralin and Ursula bring from Earth, and what Milsy and others will invent, will change our lands so much that many will struggle in years to come. Some means must be made to ensure that knowledge from the mother world, from Earth, should be handled with care, such that the advantages are enjoyed by all and the disadvantages by none.

"For that reason a special committee was created named the Council of the Two Worlds. No, I do not take part in that, I leave that to folk more knowledgeable than myself. This Council is supposed to be secret so I would ask you girls," Eriana glanced around, to receive nods, "not to mention it to anyone outside this room."

She suddenly stood and groped at the right side of the skirt of her evening gown, producing a small metal object.

"This, Gathol, is my Personal Pistol. It is a small gun designed for self defense, when other methods are not appropriate. I have used it twice, once to kill an assassin who attempted to abduct me the night before Keren and Garia's wedding, hoping to use the confusion of the celebration to take me away. I also used it more recently to finish off one of those grakh we have just described."

Gathol and Saram leaned forward with interest. The Duke asked, "If it is permitted, may I examine it?"

"Of course. You both may, and your wives, since they are mainly designed for the safety of women. I must caution you that it is loaded, though it is safe enough as it is."

Saram said, "Father, remember the rule. Never point a gun at anyone."

"Aye, son, I do not need your reminder, it has been hammered into all of us long enough by those of Joth."

Gathol took the weapon and examined it closely, turning it over and testing the grip. He did keep it pointed at the floor, and when he handed it to Saram, his son was just as careful.

Gathol asked, "Is this something that only a noble might carry, Eriana?"

"By no means, Gathol! Both Bennet and Semma have them, though they have had no need to use them so far. Ursula and Tyra, having joined us after we departed Dekarran, do not have them and we have no spares, for fear of loss or theft. You must needs realize what a bandit or assassin might do with one of these."

"Maker, aye!" Gathol considered. "Aye, I begin to see how such consequences might arise. How then do Ursula's words fit into what you have just explained?"

"I would consider that the idea that Ursula has just described would likely be considered dangerous, Gathol. Even I can see why." She waved a hand. "I do not mean that the idea should be buried and never again exposed to the light, since we know that on Earth there is no such Council and the idea gained hold independently. I would also consider that much of what Ursula could tell you would cause as much trouble as this, therefore I beg you, write to Robanar to ask for advice and direction. This is properly a Federation matter, I deem, you need have no fear of appearing weak."

There was a long silence in the room as everyone grappled with these new ideas. Saram passed the pistol to Karinet, who looked it over before passing it to Bartra.

Karinet asked Eriana, "If I may ask, your gun appeared from some concealed place. Can you explain in mixed company?"

Eriana grinned. "There is no secret about it, Karinet. In the side of my skirt is a concealed slit. It allows me to reach in and take the Personal Pistol from a special holder called a holster, which is made of leather and strapped to my thigh, in the manner of a harness. The holster keeps the pistol safe, even when I am riding... though when I fell off during the grakh attack, I fell on it and still have a splendid bruise to show for it."

"Oh! Yes, of course, such a lump of metal as this. Though I deem that you would rather have a pistol and risk the bruise?"

"Oh, yes, considering the alternatives I had. It is possible that I might have managed both times without but I may have suffered a greater injury that way."

Bartra passed the pistol back to Eriana and she returned it to its hiding place.

Gathol addressed Ursula. "My dear, I trust that you do not intend to walk the streets tomorrow spreading the ideas you have spoken of tonight?"

"Your Grace, I already know that I must be very careful what I say and to whom. Her Highness has explained the dangers well. You are the ruler of Ferenis, you would not do anything that would disrupt your country, but you might say something in ignorance of the possible consequences. Her Highness is right, I think you need to speak to that Council, maybe even become part of it yourself."

The Duke sighed. "Aye, you have the right of it. It might be necessary, I deem, for Karinet and I to pay a state visit to Palarand, now that we are officially at peace." He flicked a hand. "That is a problem for tomorrow, though. The stories we have heard tonight have provided more information than I expected, and perhaps it is time that we all retired and considered what we have learned. Eriana?"

"As you say, Gathol. I believe the men are giving a demonstration tomorrow of our new fighting techniques so an early night would be wise. By your leave, Gathol, Karinet, Saram, Bartra. Ladies?"

The other visitors stood. They all curtseyed to the Duke and filed out of the room after Eriana.