Page 4 of The Ruler
It’s okay to be scared, I comforted myself.I would be inhuman if giving up my freedom to the men of the north didn’t scare me.A deep sense of regret filled me and I allowed myself a few minutes of self-pity, wrapping my arms around my waist and focusing on all the people I would miss and potentially never see again.
With the back of my hand, I dried my eyes and took a deep breath before lifting my head to answer the incoming call from my mother; it had been inevitable.
“Mom,” I said with a voice as soft and unaffected as I could muster.
“Pearl.” She tilted her head with a glance of deep sympathy. “We need to talk about the specifics.” So typical of her to focus on the way ahead instead of dwelling on the emotions involved.
“I know.”
“Your decision is wise and unselfish, but I want you to know that if at any point you can’t hold it together you have a way out.”
I drew in a deep breath. “I’m listening.”
“As part of the negotiations you’ll insist on regular contact with me – it’s a way for us in the council to be sure you’re all right and not being mistreated.”
“Yes.”
“There’s no question that any communication we have will be tapped by the Nmen, so your code word to tell me that you need help is rainbow.”
“Rainbow?”
“Yes, if you mention that you’ve seen a rainbow I’ll know to act.”
I folded my arms and stepped closer to her in her chosen virtual room, a lush greenhouse with light shining in and butterflies flitting from one plant to the other.
“And what will you do then?”
Her pristine expression was ruined by the way her nostrils flared up and her eyes narrowed slightly. “I will raise hell with them,” she said with decisiveness, and batted away a fly that came too close to her dark blonde hair pulled back, as always, in a practical bun.
“Please don’t start a war,” I urged her.
“Of course not. But I’ll make sure we invoke the hardest sanctions the Northlands haveeverseen.” She paused for a second before she said, “We’ll refuse to send them their boys.”
Tensing up, I let out a deep sigh. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. If the Northmen don’t get their boys they will react violently, and they’ll cut us off from our supplies too.”
Isobel scoffed. “You mean their sperm? I’m not sure breeding our children with Nmen genes is very wise to begin with. I’m hearing disturbing reports about youngsters being defiant and difficult. It’s the Nmen blood in them.”
“Yes, I’ve heard such reports too, but we don’t have much choice, do we? Our men are loving, wise, and gentle, but unable to reproduce,” I reminded her.
“Not all of them,” Isobel pointed out.
“No, luckily not all of them, but still…” I gave her a sad smile. “The Nmen need us to sustain their population but unfortunately, we need them too.”
Isobel was quiet so I continued. “I’m confident that with love, care, and patience the children will grow up to be excellent contributors to our society.”
Her non-verbal expression revealed her doubt.
I put on my most optimistic face. “It’s my hope that in time there will be no border to the north and we’ll all live in harmony.”
“That’s a beautiful thought, my dear. Go in peace, and let me know how the negotiations go.”
“Thank you. I will.”
“Rainbows,” Isobel reminded me.
“Yes, rainbows,” I repeated and was just about to end the call. “Mom.”
She lifted her hand and looked at the butterfly landing there. “Yes?” she said without taking her eyes off the purple imitation of a live insect.
