“What?” said Keirth. He had no idea what she was up to here.
She smiled at him. “Keirth forgets, I suppose, even though I told him, that here on Trioth, once a woman is betrothed, no man is allowed to look upon her until she is married. And the only way to break the betrothal and free her is to compensate her for her lost time.”
“Exactly right,” said the chief. “My daughter has been wearing the robes of waiting for over a year now. She hopes daily for your return. If you are already married, I am not sure if the betrothal is valid.” He looked confused.
“Sir,” said Ariana, going to the chief, “what happened was entirely Keirth’s fault. We are deeply, deeply sorry. Please take us to your daughter right away.” She gave the men with spears a smile. “Oh, and there’s a trunk right inside the ship. If you could be so good as to bring that along as well?”
The chief nodded at the men. Soon, he, Ariana, and the chief were in the back of a horse-drawn cart, heading for the chief’s home. Ariana’s trunk was in the back of the cart. The men had lugged it after them without a single complaint. Keirth eyed Ariana, who was easily engaged in small talk with the chief about his crops and the growing season. She seemed to know everything about the planet. Had she found all this out in the encyclopedia? And why was the chief so easily placated by her? Sure, Ariana was pretty. In that dress, she was...well, she was absolutely beautiful. And Keirth could see how the chief might feel honored just to have a woman like that talking to him. Maybe. But...
Keirth didn’t like not having any idea what was going on. Ariana’s story seemed to have worked. He guessed he’d just go along with it. All of the men who’d lugged the trunk were openly gaping at Ariana. Keirth gave them a sharp look. She was supposed to be his wife, after all. He guessed looking as if he were married to a woman like Ariana gave him a certain amount of stature. He squared his shoulders.
The chief’s home was a large building made of marbled stone. It gleamed purple, reflecting the sky. Once they were inside, the chief instructed some servants—women clad in white garments that went over one shoulder, clenched at the waist, and hung to their knees—to go and fetch his daughter. Ariana, Keirth, and the chief stood inside a room decorated with woven tapestries and animal furs. Ariana’s trunk had been set inside as well.
Within a few minutes, the servants reappeared with the chief’s daughter. Keirth couldn’t say he recognized her because she was covered in black fabric. It was draped over her head and covered her from head to toe. The only thing he could see was her eyes, and that was because the fabric had holes cut out in it for them. But when she saw Keirth, her eyes narrowed behind her black shift.
Oops. Keirth hadn’t realized this girl was going to have to run around covered in black just because he’d run off. He felt guilty. But there wasn’t any way he could have married her. He was a victim of circumstance.
“This is my daughter Freetha,” said the chief.
“Freetha,” said Ariana, going to her. “I wish to give you our sincere apologies for this horrible misunderstanding. You are hereby released from the bonds of betrothal. As compensation for your troubles, we have brought you this.” Ariana went to her trunk, and removed a long, shimmering green gown. She presented it to the chief’s daughter. “It’s made of smartfabric, which is all the rage in the sector, so it should fit the minute you put it on. It will adjust itself to the proportions of your body.”
Freetha took the dress from Ariana silently, but Keirth could see in her eyes that she was awed by it.
Ariana took some jewelry out of her trunk. “And we also offer this gift of precious jewels to you and your father.” She handed the jewelry to the chief.
He smiled at her. “Your apologies are accepted, and we will release Freetha from her betrothal bond.”
Freetha pulled the black veil over her head. Underneath, she was a pretty girl with long blonde hair. She was smiling too. “I’m free?” she whispered.
“Yes,” said her father.
Freetha threw her arms around Ariana. “Oh thank you. It’s been so long since I’ve been allowed to speak to anyone.”
She hadn’t been able to talk? What kind of crazy place was this planet anyway?
“You’re quite welcome,” said Ariana.
“This dress is...” Freetha looked at it, her eyes wide. “Can you show me how to put it on? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Ariana went off with Freetha, their arms linked. But before she did, she whispered to Keirth. “You’re welcome.”