30th day of the 3rd month 650th year of the 8th era

Araki, resplendent in his breastplate with the sword hanging off his belt, had donned a fine pair of black slacks with a knapsack in his hand. He went first and walked down the gangplank. Aquillia followed after Araki, her green skirt fluttering in the gentle breeze, a knapsack resting over her bare green shoulder. Moogera trailed her, wearing a pair of grey slacks, a knapsack over one bare shoulder and sitting on her opposite hip, her green eyes wide in awe at the size of the city. Stella walked down the gangplank with a look of wonder on her face. She was nude and carried a knapsack in her hand. Nanberry carried her knapsack over one shoulder and only wore a scarf that wrapped around her neck and rested over her shoulders as she walked down the gangplank. Rolando let Jeemo head back to land before him and he took up the rear.

“It’s good to feel the sun on my skin again,” Stella said, stretching.

Aquillia eyed her nervously and then nodded.

“Moogera, Nanberry, and Stella,” Araki said, tuning to face them, “welcome to Peace Landing. I know you have been to cities before, but this city is the largest by far. So, please don’t go wondering off until you are adjusted.”

The whitewashed docks were teeming with people from all nations in Sa’sarresh. There were labourers from Ishtaree, nude with high-quality boots; traders in fine mismatched silks from Calcadon; soldiers with topknot hair and leather armour from Crece; refugees with intricate body paint and pointed ears from the Bloodwood Forest; and flying gnomes with long hair wrapped around their bodies.

“There are so many different types of people here,” Stella remarked.

“I don’t see many dwarves,” Aquillia said.

“Nor centaurs,” Nanberry said.

“No centaurs mostly keep to themselves and live in the city of Da’Damode on the south of Tranquillity Bay,” Araki said. “Dwarves generally only live in Pergasus. There are a couple of dwarves but no centaurs.”

“We need to head through to see Mother and start planning the wedding,” Jeemo said.

“I guess the fastest way would be through naval command,” Rolando said.

Araki indicated that he should lead. Rolando moved ahead and took the lead and the whole group followed. They headed up the pier and found the main road. The neat grey warehouses soon gave way to more squat buildings painted black and brown. The merchants stopped passing this way and were soon replaced with the groups of soldiers in gleaming plate armour, flying past on filigree wings.

“Normally I steer clear of large concentrations of gnomes,” Rolando said. “However, these gnomes have taken an oath not to interfere in the affairs of others.”

“Mighty nice of them,” Jeemo said.

“They look very beautiful,” Moogera said, looking up at a group of soldiers flying past them.

“Thank you,” boomed a female voice from inside a metal helmet and a gnome broke formation and saluted before re-joining formation.

Everyone chuckled and Moogera blushed under her light brown skin. Soon a large ornate wall appeared to their right and the sea crashed to their right two metres below them. They moved in a single file as they walked along the coastal road. The wall soon veered off to the right and they found themselves amongst several marble buildings that were up against the edge of the sea cliff. Rolando turned down a road that ran parallel to the ornate wall still visible behind the small office-like buildings. Humans and gnomes moved around them, ignoring them. They all carried bags loaded with paper and all had the determined look of someone with more important things on their minds. The path and the wall met again at a large cross road, with the road splitting off in four different directions. One headed into a gated community, another headed off opposite the gate into a palace compound with towering spires and glittering domes. The last turned to a gravel track and disappeared into a serene garden, filled with large trees spreading their lives and branches wide. The ground was covered in a vast complicated pattern of flowers, interspersed with wide neatly manicured laws.

“It’s beautiful,” Nanberry said.

“What a waste of space,” Moogera commented.

“That demonstrates the luxury that is here, that they can not only afford the space but that they can spend the time to maintain such a lavish demonstration of wealth,” Stella said. “I think I will enjoy my time here.”

“We need to go this way,” Jeemo said, pointing inside the gate. “Do you need to inform your father about your marriage?”

“He can wait,” Rolando answered. “He wouldn’t appreciate being informed of it until the date and time is set.”

“Should I say hello first to Grandmother or to Mother?” Araki asked.

Moogera threaded her arms arounds Araki’s left arm. “I would love to meet your mother.”

Nanberry’s eyes narrowed and did the same on his right arm. “Your mother would love us?”

Jeemo laughed as she took Rolando’s hand and headed off towards the gate. Moogera and Nanberry didn’t relinquish Araki’s arms as they followed Jeemo through the gate.

“Should we be worried about this?” Stella asked Aquillia in a soft voice.

Aquillia shrugged and followed them. “I think that it is fine,” she said. “Remember, we aren’t real wives, they are. Here we are simply friends.”

“I had hoped he would make me a real wife,” Stella said. She slumped her shoulders forward, slouching.

“He is not from Ashford,” Aquillia explained. “Multiple wives are not common here, so if you actually want to remain as his wife then you will have to head back to Ashford with him and live that life.”

“I don’t think I could live like that for the rest of my life,” Stella said, straightening up.

“You were a tailor’s apprentice back home,” Aquillia said. “If I had your skills, I would set up a shop here. I do believe that Irrawella, Araki’s grandmother, did the same thing before she met and married Tunio.”

“You know a lot about them,” Stella said.

“I am blessed with a longer life than you humans who have such short life spans,” Aquillia said.

Stella took Aquillia’s hand and they continued down the street, following the happy group. Aquillia wiped the tears from her face and put a smile on. They followed Araki as they walked down the street, past homes that were large and opulent sitting behind their own walls and gardens with wrought iron gates. Araki turned into a manor house with a waist-high hedge running alongside the pavement. Rolando and Jeemo waved goodbye to them and they continued up the street. Araki and his women turned onto a small path and then came to a marble mansion. As they ascended the stairs, the door swung soundlessly open. A gnome dressed in a black suit held the door open and with lazy flaps of his filigree wings he hovered at eye height. His bored face broke into a smile at Araki’s return and then eyed the parade of women that followed in after him and hung off him. Once they were inside, he closed the door and flew quickly through an open door. Soon Lady Clovea flew into the room, her long white hair wrapped around her pudgy body. She was followed by a short man who came to Araki’s waist.

“Araki, my precious son, you have returned,” Lady Clovea trilled. She wrapped Araki in a pint-sized hug.

“Hello, Mother,” Araki said. “Hello, Father.”

“Hello, son,” Mulgooma said. “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friends? What strange clothing they wear.”

Lady Clovea fluttered out of the hug. “First, you must have a cup of tea. You must be parched.” She flew into the adjoining room. The walls, a soft hue of green, changed into a vibrant red and then a dull green. They all followed into the next room where several sofas were laid out, and they all sat down.

“Mother, Father, I want to introduce you to my wives …” Araki said.

“Wives?” Clovea said, looking amongst the four ladies around the room. “Why is that word a plural?” Her words hung in the air for a moment. Araki looked at Aquillia.

“Lady Clovea,” Aquillia said, “I met your son on his way down to Ashford. Stella and I helped him achieve his goal of finding peace with his grandmother’s tribe.”

“I don’t know who you are or how you know who I am,” Clovea stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

“My name is Aquillia. I am a friend of your son and a friend to your husband’s father and to his father,” Aquillia explained. “Your son married these two women,” Aquillia waved towards the sofa that Araki, Moogera and Nanberry were sitting upon, “to unite a people that lacked leadership. Your son told me of his mission to cast a vote for the chieftain of the clan, but the cause of the problem was a lot deeper.”

Clovea’s face softened. She looked at her son and his wives. “So, these wives are political arrangements.”

Araki nodded. “It might have started out like that, but it has since become much more.”

Tears pricked at Clovea’s eyes. She flew to Araki and hugged him. After the hug she fluttered back to the sofa and sat next to her husband.

“I wish you had married for love, but I am glad that you have found not only love but your place in the world,” Mulgooma said.

“I would love to get to know them,” Clovea said. “How long are you in Peace Landing for?”

“Not very long, Mother. I have returned for the wedding of Aunt Jeemo and her new beau Rolando.”

“How did you hear about that?” Mulgooma asked.

“They came to Pergasus and told me,” Araki said.

“I didn’t know they had even left the island,” Clovea said. “We do have a wedding to prepare for. Your father and I will do our part. I think my son you should take your friends and go and help your aunt. I am sure she will need lots of help.”

Araki stood and everyone else stood. Lady Clovea rose to eye height with a flick of her wings and led them to the door. Outside, Araki led them from his parents’ house down the streets and into his grandmother’s house. The door opened as they ascended the steps. Albert the butler was holding the door for them.

“I take it these four women are for you,” Albert drawled.

“They are indeed,” Araki chuckled.

“I will inform your grandmother that you have returned,” he said.

Kai stepped out from the adjacent room and spotted Araki. “Araki,” she exclaimed. “Lady Irrawella will be pleased to see you. Come with me.” She waved them over towards the room she had just exited. “I will take care of informing the mistress …” she placed a hand on Albert. “Albert,” she finished huskily.

Albert blushed and bowed before retreating through another room.

“You still after Albert?” Araki commented.

“Hm?” Kai asked. “Oh, I got him. Just a matter of time before he realises. Who are these ladies with you?”

“These are my wives: Nanberry, Moogera—” Araki began.

“I am Aquillia,” Aquillia interrupted, “Myself and Stella here,” she indicated Stella just slightly behind her, “are friends of Araki.”

Araki was confused and he frowned as he blinked a few times.

Kai smiled. “I will inform my mistress.” She ducked into the room.

“What was that?” Araki hissed, “I thought—”

“In Ashford four wives are fine, but here two will raise eyebrows, and you never married us,” Aquillia whispered back.

Kai returned to the door and beckoned them in. Araki went first, with a frown on his face. He was followed by Nanberry and Moogera, then Aquillia, then Stella. The tearoom was charming in the early morning light shining through the lace curtains. Irrawella sat with Jeemo and Rolando on the couch, all smiles. She looked up at Araki and his entourage. The room became very crowded with nine people inside. Araki and his wives squeezed onto the last empty chair. Aquillia and Stella sat down on the floor. Irrawella’s face, bright with joy at seeing her grandson returned, evaporated as she lay eyes on Aquillia.

“Aquillia?” she asked. “You haven’t changed in all this time.”

Aquillia squinted at Irrawella, before breaking into a wide grin. “Irrawella, I haven’t seen you in, what is it?”

“Forty years,” Irrawella completed. “I had expected you to write.”

Aquillia’s smiled narrowed a bit. “I am sorry. I became very busy.”

“You daughter,” Irrawella said, “kept me appraised of your comings and goings. Did you know that she and I kept in contact?”

“I did not,” Aquillia admitted, the smile disappearing from her face altogether. “I thought we parted on good terms.”

“We did,” Irrawella said with a sigh “I would have loved to have kept in contact.”

“Mother,” Jeemo said, “I would like the wedding to happen quickly, if that can be arranged?”

“It can, my dear,” Irrawella said. “Why the rush?”

“Well,” Jeemo said, taking a hold of Rolando’s hand, “I had wanted to tell him first—”

“We need to go back home soon,” Nanberry interrupted. “We don’t have a lot of time.”

Irrawella’s gaze switched to Nanberry.

“Your grandson and my sister wife here,” Nanberry said, “need to get back to the clan. We can’t remain away for too long. The clans are in a bit of a delicate situation right now.”

Irrawella glanced back to her daughter. The silence stretched on. “If that is what you want,” she said. “Then we have a lot of work to do. Best we can do is tomorrow.”