The dock mistress did not return alone. An entire army platoon flanked by royal guards lined the docks, followed by the Ashaiian and Channerían ambassadors and four presumably high-ranking women dressed in palace livery, each sitting atop a glamorous white horse. Horns blared as the women rode side-by-side between the ranks of saluting soldiers. Rezkin turned from his porthole view of the ostentatious fanfare and donned his equally theatrical mask. He then joined his party on the deck. Yserria and Mage Threll led the way down the gangplank as Reaylin, Frisha, the minder, and Wesson followed behind Rezkin.
The ambassadors, both men, stood back as the four women greeted Rezkin. They remained on their horses as they introduced themselves as members of the queen’s court, Erisial’s most ardent supporters and advisors.
“We are to escort you to the palace,” the middle-aged blonde on the right said. “You should expect to spend several days in our company.
“Under which diplomatic status am I to be received?” said Dark Tidings.
The woman’s painted lips lifted at the corners. “That is to be decided by Queen Erisial.”
Dark Tidings tilted his head. “Then warn her that it is in her best interest not to test me.”
The red-head beside her said, “Bold words for a man displaced from his kingdom.”
“I am often accused of boldness. The claim is not unwarranted. None who have chosen to test me have been disappointed.”
The two who had spoken glanced toward the woman on the left, who had more grey than brown in her hair. She nodded, and the women drew their mounts to the side so that a carriage could be brought forward.
Rezkin had no desire to be trapped in an enclosed carriage. “I will ride,” he said.
The younger women looked to the older woman again, and at her direction, a horse was brought to him. Knowing the Leréshi were fervent for formality, he had already planned accordingly, and their trunks were ready for loading. Rezkin’s companions piled into the carriage, which traveled behind him as he followed the women toward the palace. They rode slowly with the royal guard running beside them as they moved through the city. Each of the guards carried a tall pole topped by a massive, colored flag slapping in the wind. While the flags were part of the fanfare, Rezkin knew they also served another purpose. Since the buildings were so tall and the matrianeras vulnerable in the open, the flags were used to obscure them from onlookers and deflect or entangle projectiles.
As they neared the palace, the buildings became spaced farther apart and had fewer levels, but they were just as colorful. The more opulent estates were surrounded by walls or gardens filled with statues and carved fountains, most of which depicted men serving or prostrating themselves before their matria. Some were of men in battle or women teaching other women, and it was not uncommon to see images of men and women engaging in acts of lovemaking.
Women walked freely and confidently along the walkways, trailed by male and female retainers or family members. The men wore their hair at various lengths, but all had one long braided strand that hung from the temple.
From her seat inside the carriage, Reaylin leaned over Wesson to watch a group of men walk by unaccompanied by a woman. She said, “Why do they wear their hair like that?”
Yserria said, “It indicates their status. A blue ribbon means a man belongs to the house of a matrianera but that he is not related to her or claimed as consort. A green ribbon means he is of relation to the matrianera but not a consort. A red one means he has been claimed by a matria as consort. He will combine it with a blue or green one if his matria is not the matrianera. My father’s was silver. You will not see many of those. After he escaped to Ashai with my mother, she claimed him as her husband, which meant she recognized him as her equal in the relationship.
“The women’s ribbons having similar meanings. If a woman does not wear one, it means she is a matrianera, or the head of her own house. Blue means she belongs to another’s house but is of no relation, and green means she is of relation to her matrianera. Since my mother belonged to her older sister’s house, she wore a green one. After she claimed my father as her husband, she added a silver, and when she established her own house in Ashai, she removed the green.”
Nanessy said, “If a woman can establish her own house, why would she continue to belong to someone else’s?”
“So long as a woman belongs to another’s house, she is entitled to physical and political protection and basic financial support from that house. If she declares her own house, she is giving up all the privileges of the other house.”
Frisha said, “Then it is the same as staying in your family home in Ashai.”
“Yes,” Yserria said hesitantly. “In Ashai, it is the man who establishes his own house, whereas here, it is the woman. A woman is required to serve her matrianera, though, so many choose to leave if they do not want to serve another. Also, a woman cannot claim a man without her matrianera’s permission, so if she wants to claim someone otherwise, she must leave her matrianera’s house.”
“It sounds very complicated,” Nanessy said.
Yserria shook her head. “Not really. A woman trades power and wealth for independence. If she is strong, her house will also become successful.”
Nanessy watched as a young woman who looked like a maid scurried after her matrianera. She said, “Not everyone can be a success, though. I imagine there are many who fail.”
Yserria pulled her gaze from the same scene and said, “They return to their former matrianera’s house in disgrace. It is up to the matrianera whether she will accept her back and what position the woman will hold. If the matrianera does not accept, she may petition to join another’s house, but she will probably become no more than a servant.”
“What about mages? Are there different rules?” Nanessy said.
Yserria shrugged. “I believe it is the same, but someone who has enough talent to become a mage will usually have the wealth and abilities necessary to have her own house.”
“I do not understand why the men put up with it,” Wesson grumbled.
Yserria blinked at him in surprise. “This is the culture. The men have helped to define it as much as the women. My father was very dedicated to my mother. He would have served her for the rest of his life, whether she had claimed him as husband or not. It is a matter of personal honor for the men to belong to houses run by strong women, and they are devoted to ensuring their matrianeras and matrias achieve the greatest respect and recognition. The consort of a strong matria may be of higher status than a woman of a much lower house.”
“So, the men are not just slaves?” Wesson said.
“No, of course not. Women and men both engage in research, music, and the arts, and they may dedicate themselves to a craft. While the women run the government, houses, and businesses, the men are free to pursue other interests for which they are better suited like hunting, construction, or combat training. Leréshi men are great warriors. Champions are prized among the houses, so a man with strength and skill will be sought by many women.”
“Your father taught you the sword even though you are a woman,” said Frisha.