The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord

Author:Karen Lord
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Literary, Science Fiction, Visionary & Metaphysical, Space Opera, Fiction
ISBN: 9780345534064
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2013-02-11T22:00:00+00:00

THE MASTER’S HOUSE

“Do you think Nasiha will continue with us?” I asked the Commissioner. We were standing on the quayside watching supplies being winched aboard our new shuttle, a vessel capable of air and sea travel. Publicity surrounding the mission had been very positive, with more settlements asking to be tested for genetic or cultural Sadiri traits. As a result, our budget had been increased.

“I’d be very surprised if she left now,” Qeturah said with a smile. “She seems to have some idea that to take time off for pregnancy would set a bad example. Something about ‘not creating the impression that females are fragile and childbearing is unusual.’ She checks out as perfectly healthy, so she can do as she pleases.”

“Maria was fine for Rafi. Gracie gave her a little more trouble,” I began, then shut my mouth. Even Maria’s ailments might have been due to influence and were therefore not the best of examples.

“Satisfied with the verdict?” Qeturah asked after a short pause.

I shrugged. “About what was expected.” Ioan’s highly specific abilities and his apparently genuine contrition had landed him a fairly mild sentence of a year’s rehabilitation to be followed by lifelong monitoring via subcortical implant. And he couldn’t see Maria and the children again. Ever. The prosecutor hadn’t been able to prove ill intent, but there had been reasonable doubt (hah!), and as a result the court’s ruling showed both mercy and caution.

“Homestead’s rented out now, and they’re spending time at my mother’s place. Rafi’s attending a special school. He’s not that impressed with it, but he’ll adjust.” I knew I sounded like I was reeling off a report, but I figured I wasn’t saying anything she didn’t already know, and it catered to the illusion that I was once more willing to talk to her about my private life.

It seemed to work, because Qeturah simply nodded, waited a few seconds, then changed the subject. “Nasiha asked me about medical techniques to prolong a woman’s years of fertility.”

I raised my eyebrows, absently multitasking as I ticked items off the inventory on my handheld and yelled an order to the longshoremen. “Sorry, you were saying? Prolonging fertility? She’s quite young by Sadiri standards; why should she be worrying about that now?”

“Oh, it wasn’t for her. It was for you.”

I nearly dropped my handheld. “What? Why in the name of all … what business … me? What did I ever do to her?”

Qeturah almost laughed out loud. “Relax, Delarua. It’s a compliment … I think. She was saying that you should be registered on the special list for potential Sadiri brides, and when I pointed out that there was an upper age limit for that, she suggested that extending your fertile years would take care of any objections.”

I was already dazedly shaking my head at the wrongness of it all.

“Don’t worry. I told her that with the amount of Ntshune heritage you have, you’ll probably be able to have children for quite a bit longer than the average Cygnian.

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