The Rules of Hospitality

While Hespaniard customs and mores made Astra uncomfortable, they now came to her aid. Once a Hespaniard extended hospitality, even for someone suspected of being a criminal, he could not cause discomfort to his guest without losing face. So Astra would be safe - for the time being.

Jegar decided to use Sabok as an unwitting assistant in trying to gain information from Astra. He knew that Corona was a part of Sabok's circuit when he traveled. When Sabok had returned, and all were seated, Jegar said, "So Astra, have you come from a distance? Your height and pale complexion distinguish you from other women of our land."

Astra replied, "So I have noticed, to my discomfort."

"Around here you will find that we are less afraid of foreigners than the citizens of some other parts of Hespan might be. So I assume that you have not settled here?"

"No. I was compelled by a man of Allaria to come to the port of Corona. I am trying to go back home."

"Compelled? In what way?"

"I was summoned. There was some form of art involved that brought me to Corona that I do not understand. Some wizard or such. All I know was that I was at a diplomatic function in the great court of Aqualaria, and then I was on the beach by Corona. The man who summoned me sold me to the prince or whatever he is called."

"It would not happen to have been Governor Gilder?"

"Yes, that was the man's name."

One of the women interrupted, "I have always wanted to see Corona, and especially Gilder's palace. Did you get to go in? What was he like?"

"It was fine, as palaces go, but I much preferred it in Polabi and here. I felt like a caged animal at that place."

Jegar interrupted, "Really? Most people would be glad to be a guest there. Isn't that right, Sabok?"

"Yes. Yes, indeed. If you are a singer, an tradesman, or a noble guest, Corona is the jewel of the Hespaniard coast." Sabok paused. Jegar fixed his eyes on him. Sabok knew something, but hesitated to say it. Jegar prodded him. "One would think that anybody would be happy to be Gilder's guest. Except perhaps his rivals. And everyone has a rival. You have been at Corona Palace. You can tell us. It is just gossip."

Sabok replied, "You know, Jegar, he really doesn't have a rival. He is quite friendly with the King, and in Corona his word is very much law. Now some of the old-fashioned men, like the Satrap of Polabi, do not approve of his lax approach to some things. And, well, not to be critical, his methods are sometimes, shall we say, unorthodox?"

"Really? Anything that made you feel uncomfortable, like Astra apparently felt?"

Sabok was uncharacteristicly serious. Then he said, "I have learned a few things over the years. I have visited a number of courts, and one learns what the masters like and what they do not. On the surface, if one were just a guest, Gilder's court is quite merry, and very open in the entertainment that is permitted. But there is an undercurrent of cynicism toward anything romantic. I always had the impression that something happened to Gilder when he was younger, something that made him bitter. I do not know what happened, but it is almost as if he was disappointed in love, and so wants to mock it. Astra, did you get that feeling?"

"It would explain a lot. He demanded that I marry him. And as you said, Sabok, his word is law there."

Sabok said, "That is hard. Now that you mention it, there was one time that I was quite uncomfortable. In some courts, after much wine is drunk, sometimes mock debates are held, on nonsense propositions. Gilder once proposed this proposition - that all women, whether married or not, were at heart prostitutes. The proposition was daring even for a mock debate, but what made me uneasy was the persistence in which Gilder argued for the proposition. Things like this are usually all in fun, but I could not help feeling that there was a line crossed. It was a good thing for me that I was able to change the subject."

1. Sabok continued, "So Astra, how did you get out the 'marriage proposal?'"

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree