Time Tourist Outfitters, Ltd. by Christy Nicholas

Author:Christy Nicholas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, maine, canada, scotland, native american, africa, time travel, strong women, orkney, mali
Publisher: Christy Nicholas

*****

As the sun rose, the rain fell.

In the icy sleet that greeted me, Chansomps visited as we huddled inside the wi’gwom. “I remembered you had no large fire and it would take time to stoke it to usefulness. Here, I brought tea for both of you. No, do not thank me. I’m off to bring hot drinks to our other guest.”

When he left, I sipped the tea, grimacing at the sweetness. He must have forgotten I preferred no sugar. I glanced at Mattea through the steam and noticed the bags under her eyes. “Did you not sleep well?”

She shook her head but didn’t elaborate. She closed her eyes as she sipped her tea. Then she put the cup down and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to tame the tangles. I rifled through my pack and pulled out my bone comb. She had her own, but she didn’t look to be in any shape to find it.

I narrowed my eyes as she brushed out her hair. “Mattea, how late did you get in last night?”

She stopped brushing and glared at me. Half her tangles had been tamed and the other half still stood up like a demented Medusa. “Are you serious? You look nothing like my mother.”

The chill made my skin pebble and itch. “Damnit, Mattea, we talked about this.”

“You are correct. We talked about it extensively.”

Gripping my knees, I glared at her. “You agreed to abide by the Maxims.”

She blinked and glanced at the roof while she attacked the other side of her hair. After wincing a couple times for knotty tangles, she gave me an innocent smile. “Did I? I don’t recall that bit.”

“Fuck. You did it, didn’t you?”

She smoothed all her tangles but continued to brush her hair. The waves curled around her hand as she made each stroke. “’Did it?’ Really? Are we children? Yes, I slept with Wula’mbes. But you can relax about any progeny. While they are called “Two Spirit,” having both male and female essences, anatomically, they are female. I’d never get pregnant. So, withdraw your claws, if you please.”

Her prim tone enraged me. “The possibility of issue is only part of the point, as you’ll be well aware. What if they would have been with a male? Someone they might mate with and have progeny?”

“They don’t identify as female. Wula’mbes would never go with a male. They assured me of that. And before you say they’d be forced to, Nokemes Di’dias assured me “Two Spirits” are honored amongst their people. They are considered sacred and lucky, being able to see life from two perspectives. She will not force Wula’mbes into any relationship they don’t wish. We spoke of the possibilities at length before anything happened.”

I had to admit, I could think of no counter-argument to her action. Mattea had acted with some sense and foresight. I clenched my jaw, unable to argue but unwilling to give up the fight. I took a sip of my tea to collect my thoughts.

Mattea handed the comb back and took a sip of her own drink.

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