Sharon Green - The Warrior Enchained

The day was sunny, bright and fresh after two days of rain. I stepped out of my house onto the Neighborhood lawn, still wondering if Id been wise letting myself be talked into attending the Neighborhood party. After a week and a half of being back on Central, I still wasnt in a party mood.

The blue, blue sky stretched far and wide above me as I walked; a small breeze chased around here and there, stirring my hair; the lawn was cool and green and thick as far as the eye could see. I wore a dress of pale yellow that billowed around me to the ground, making me feel as if I were floating, and my neighbors turned where they stood or sat, smiling and waving and waiting for me to join them. The success of my assignment had been made public three days earlier, but the rain had kept me from being mobbed by admirers right from the beginning. Id had to turn the call off to save my sanity, and that in itself was a new experience. But then, one of my rewards was that I saw everything in a new light.

Terry, come sit over here, Leebril Conrad called, her face animated behind the alternating pink and orange diagonal stripes of her face makeup. Im so excited I may burst!

Not on a Neighborhood chair, if you please, Lee, Sam Raymond put in dryly. Save it for your own furniture.

Samprey Raymond, you stop teasing me! Lee pouted as everyone within hearing laughed. Just because youre Neighborhood Chairman doesnt mean you can tease everyoneisnt that right, Terry?

A large number of eyes turned in my direction, and I could feel the sudden wall of expectation arising from each mind behind those eyes. I was supposed to say something monumental and historic, something legend would some day be built on.

What suddenly makes me an expert on Neighborhood Chairmen? I asked, watching Lee tug at the skirt of the Alderanean leisure suit she wore. She was short and plump and the brief leisure suit looked terrible on her, but shed worn leisure suits before without caring how she lookedas long as she was dressed in the height of fashion.

Notoriety makes the acclaimed an expert on everything. Sam grinned, stepping back to give me access to a chair if I wanted it. If you plan on staying home for a while, Ill probably end up losing the Chairmanship to you.

Not to me, I denied with a headshake. Im not Chairman material. And even if I were, tomorrow Im off on another assignment, so your position is safe.

Sam echoed everyone elses disappointment at hearing the news, but he seemed relieved even as he protested his displeasure. It was the main reason Id said what I had, even though I hadnt originally intended making an announcement of it. His original words had been lighthearted, but hed been seriously worried.

Terry, thats not fair! Lee protested, getting to her feet once she was sure I wouldnt be sitting. You only just got back from talking those savages into letting us build our complex on their silly planet! How can they give you another assignment so soon?

Possibly it happened because I asked for one. I shrugged, ignoring Lees resentment. Im feeling very restless these days, and work is the best cure for that.

It certainly is, Ted Rohman agreed, putting an arm around my shoulders. Tedlor Rohman was a newcomer to the Neighborhood, as tall and good-looking as Sam, but five or six years younger. But dont forget, Terry, work is also the best thing to make us appreciate relaxation. Ive been looking forward to asking you to a real, but youve left me very little time. Youll have to tell me what time to pick you up tonight.

You pick her up? Sam frowned, moving a step closer. What makes you think shes going out with you? I intended asking Terry out myself tonight.

Neighborhood Chairmen and diplomats dont have every privilege. Ray Ladiff interrupted the argument. Ive known Terry longer than both of you, and it so happens I was going to . . . .

Youre not a Mediator, Ray, Sam interrupted with a gesture of his hand. Just working in Terrys department doesnt entitle you to special consideration. As far as knowing her the longest goes, longest doesnt mean best. I can remember. .

Thats right, longest doesnt mean best, Ted agreed, interrupting in turn. It seems to me this can be taken care of by. .

His words trailed off as I moved out of hearing range, disgusted by the way the three of them were acting. They didnt want to take me out, they just wanted to be seen with me, showing everyone what big, important men they were. I could feel everything they felt when they looked at me, no matter how they tried to hide it.

Terry, wait a minute, Lee called, hurrying after me. I stopped where I was until she reached me, and she gave me a broad, friendly smile and asked, Arent they disgusting? Can you imagine men fighting over a woman in this day and age?

I looked back at the three men engrossed in calm conversation and saw, in a flash of memory, three other men facing one another in the rain. All three carried swords and all three had wanted me, and only one had walked away from the disagreement.

I dont know if I can stand the excitement, I commented, again ignoring Lee. This time she was jealous, even though it was common knowledge that shed already had all three men in her bed at least once each.

Well, you can teach them all a lesson. She smiled, smoothing her straight orange hair. If you come to the party Im giving tonight, theyll all be left feeling foolishespecially if you stay over as my house guest until its time for you to leave.

I looked at her easy smile, seeing nothing but warmth in it, wondering why I never realized before how shallow she was. Lee wanted me at her party and as her house guest, but only for the prestige my presence would bring. It was easy to feel that she didnt like me, that she resented my height, my slender build, my un-made-up face, my plain, long brown hair. .The only thing she did like about me was my reputation as a Prime Xenomediator, a reputation she could use to advance her own cause.

Lee, Im crushed but I cant make it, I said, projecting the least amount of honesty and regret. There are still dozens of things to be taken care of before I leave, not to mention all those reports on my new assignment. Ill be spending the rest of the day and night on them.

Thats too bad, she pouted. I guess I was looking forward to having you come more than I should have. She hesitated briefly. Well, youll just have to promise to be my guest as soon as youre home again. You will promise, wont you, Terry?

Of course I promise, I assured her at once, patting her hand. You can give me a homecoming party.

How lovely! she squealed, clapping her hands in delight. No one has ever given you a homecoming party, and Ill be the first!

She turned around and hurried away toward another group of our neighbors, anxious to pass on the word about how important she was going to be. I watched until she reached the nearest group, then turned away and headed back to my house. The party had definitely been a mistake, but now I knew it as a fact.

Once I got the front door closed I leaned against it, automatically clearing my mind of all the emotions that had been prodding at me. I took a deep breath and went upramp to my living quarters, heading directly for the bathroom. Id already had one bath that day, but I felt the need for another. Id been bathing a lot since I got back from Rimilia, but whatever Id been trying to wash away still wasnt gone.

I dialed a hot bath, and by the time I was out of the long yellow dress, the tub was filled. I stepped into the water and sat down, letting my mind go back over the last two weeks and beyond. It was hard to think about, and the passage of time wasnt making it any easier.

Id gone to Rimilia to help convince its natives to allow the Centran Amalgamation to build a complex on their planet, and everything had gone according to planwith one unexpected addition. Id fallen in love with the man Id been sent to help, making the mistake of thinking he loved me, too. Id given him everything within my power to give and he had given me his childand then he had sent me back to the embassy we had on the planet, my assignment completed, my talents no longer needed. I was an empath, a Prime Xenomediator, and feelings are impossible to hide from an empath. Tammad, my beloved, the man I had been willing to give my life for, felt no regret or sense of loss when he sent me away from him. This I knew better than any other fact of my life, and the pain continued to plague me both asleep and awake.