Page 101 of Artemysia
Apparently, over the next eight days, Throg, Ivy, and I are to attend class to prepare for my mission into North Kingdom.
“The curriculum is one they put together for Syf spies preparing to enter North Kingdom,” Eira says. “I’m to take class with you for my own continuing education.”
Ivy squeals, looking ecstatic. “I stopped school when I was sold off and married, but before that, I was really good at it.”
Throg is less enthused. “Why do we have to attend if we aren’t going? I need a mission.”
“Your mission while I’m away is to learn more about the Artemysians,” I say under my breath so Eira doesn’t hear.
“Doesn’t Riev have to learn this stuff too?” Ivy asks.
“He is being tutored by King Foss,” Eira explains. “Plus, the instructors are afraid of him.”
Eira leads us to what she calls their council room, which looks similar to King Galke’s war room. Two older Syf instructors, one male and one female, are to tutor us on the North Kingdom accent. I suspect they are wary of us. They refuse to come within arm’s reach and maintain their distance at the front of the class. Having a king’s guard like Eira present is probably more for their sense of safety than anything else.
As the lecture begins, I see Throg’s eyes glaze over. Ivy enthusiastically nods constantly at everything the instructors say, taking lots of notes.
The language in North Kingdom is the same as ours, but there are variations in the accent and intonations. For example, “farmer,” is pronounced more like “fah-mah.” The “r” sound is less prominent, and the intonations are flatter. Small differences in vocabulary and slang. They usenecktieinstead ofcravat, andscrubmeansbar of soap.
Lunch is brought to us in the early afternoon—pastries and tea, along with a large bowl of dried fruits that Owlfred would have loved.
By the end of the day, our jaws and tongues are exhausted from hours of “repeat after us,” and the sun has gone down.
We are fed a dinner of sugary meats in our quarters.
Throg wants to practice maneuvers and physically train. Since our living room is large, we shove the furniture against the walls. The Syf allowed us to keep our weapons on my word that we would not use them against Syf, so Throg and I spar until we’re breathless.
Ivy joins in when I lead us in strength and agility exercises.
I fall into bed that night, mentally exhausted.
While Ivy and Throg sleep together in one room, the only sounds I hear from them tonight are muffled conversation until they fall asleep. Both of their snores comfort me.
I stare up at the domed ceiling and wonder why there is no sign of Riev.
I don’t push it, because officially, we are their captives, albeit treated well. For now, going along with their orders is our best and only way out.
The second day is all about culture, including etiquette and dance. The third day’s lesson covers geography and some patchy history, ending with a review of language again.
On day four, Eira brings us an illustrated children’s book depicting humans. “This book teaches Syf children about humans.”
Ivy flips roughly through the pages and laughs. “Why are we all half-sized, squat, and hairy? We don’t ride sheep. This is so grotesque!” She angles the book to show me the illustrations before shoving the book in Throg’s face.
“Well, that one kind of looks like you.” He points to a human wielding a butter knife, chasing a Syf child with a sack of sugar.
Ivy cackles, utterly delighted for reasons that escape me.
Eira grins. “I think it’s similar to your children’s stories about pixies, elves, fae, and nymphs. They are all distorted, imaginary creatures that humans made up to make fun of Syf.”
She escorts us out of our quarters, ushering us down the corridor to the council room, where our two dour instructors await.
Politics and government cover the fourth and fifth days, and then everything is repeated in condensed form on days six and seven.
The week passes surprisingly quickly. They keep our schedules full so that we are too busy and mentally exhausted to do much else.
A lot of it is basic human culture. North Kingdom shares similarities with South Kingdom, but their population is twice the size. Instead of wool, wheat, and ore, they specialize in coal, potatoes and oats, and cattle.
When I ask what Syf produce, I get a terse response, but they reluctantly give up a few commodities: sugar, timber, and medicine.
