Introduce herself

Since Delphan apparently is uninterested in making introductions, Abbie takes the initiative.

“I’m Abbie,” she says to her new traveling companion.

“Krista,” replies the other young woman, with a shy smile.

Delphan looks at each of them and smirks. “Go on, and get to know each other. And by all means, feel free to leave me out of your smalltalk. It’s been a very tiring day for me.” With that, the eunuch pulls his cloak up over his head and leans against the window to sleep.

Krista looks at Delphan for a moment and then giggles nervously. “He’s had a tiring day! I haven’t slept well in a week!”

Abbie feels herself relaxing, now that she has someone to talk to. “I’ve been the same way. It’s a wonder that I’m even functional right now.”

“But it’s so exciting, isn’t it?” exclaimed Krista. “When my sister got chosen by the king, I thought that was as close as I would ever get to such an honor, but when word came that I was chosen, too, why, I could hardly contain myself.”

Abbie was surprised that Krista had such a different perspective about heir fate than she did. “Your sister? Is she one of the king’s wives?”

Krista shook her head. “No... At least not yet. She’s a concubine, but she’s told me all about what it’s like to live there at the palace. I get to see her twice a year, and it’s so exciting to see how luxurious her life is now. I just hope I can fare as well as her!”

“What is her life like? I have no idea what to expect or what I’m supposed to do.”

Krista shrugged. “I’m a little unclear about the specifics; we mainly talk about the parties she goes to and how nice her quarters are, and all the fine clothes she gets to wear.”

“But the king... How often does she see him, and....” Her voice trails off, uncomfortably.

Krista nods in understanding. “I’m not entirely sure. I just know that he is the one who ultimately decides who gets to stay and who is rejected, and who gets to be a queen and who remains as a concubine. I’m guessing he decides the way any man does — on the basis of how pleased he is with — well — you know.... But someone has apparently already decided that you and I are ‘his type’ so the battle is more than half-way won, don’t you think?”

Delphan stirs. “On second thought, why don’t you two share your little feminine insights later on, in the privacy of — well, anywhere other than where I’m trying to sleep.”

Abbie and Krista exchange looks and ride in silence for several miles. As the sun begins to get low in the sky, they hear the sound of snoring coming from under Delphan’s cloak.