The wanderer, p.6
The Wanderer, page 6
part #1 of The Nogud Legacy Series
Taking out a book that looked like a ledger, she turned to a page in the middle and said, “Woman’s name?”
Viola said, “Viola.”
The woman smiled and said, “And you wish to register as this man’s wife?”
Viola said, “Yes, I do.”
The woman said, “You seem happy my dear. Man’s name?”
I said, “Joshua”
The woman asked, “Is there a last name? Not everyone has one, but if there is one, I’ll record it.”
I said “Jensen”
She wrote down the information and then turned the book around so that it faced me and handed me a fountain pen and said, “Please sign here.”
I signed and she turned the book back around and said, “Congratulations to you both. The license fee is two coins.”
I fished out the copper coins and handed them to the woman. She set them aside and pulled a half-size sheet of paper from a folder in the back of the book and began filling out some the required information. It took just a minute and she turned it toward me again.
She said, “This is your certificate of license. Keep it in a safe place. It tells the name of the Merchant of Women who recorded the license. It’s a requirement, but who ever needs proof? Nonetheless, I hope that you are very happy sister. May I ask, Sir, is this your first?”
I said, “It is. I’m very excited. I love her very much.”
She smiled again and said, “That’s so good to hear. I record many licenses, and not all of them seem like a happy match. Best wishes to you and your new household. Sir, do I understand correctly that you have cared for one of the ‘little sisters’? Thank you. They are special and your kindness will be greatly rewarded by…something. Anyway, thank you.”
I said, “You give me too much credit. She has been very useful and my woman and I have grown very fond of her already.”
She smiled and gathered her things and left us.
Antonio was standing next to us and said, “I am happy for you. I’ll be back this way in a few weeks and you should come and see what new women will be available then.”
I said, “Antonio, I’d like to speak to you for a moment. Can you wait?” He nodded and I said, “Viola, will you run and take care of our other errands, and I’ll see you at the clothiers in a little while?”
Viola said, “Yes, of course, Master. I will see you soon…my love,” and she blushed and turned and hurried away.
Antonio said to me, “Joshua, my friend, you’ve found a good woman. She obviously cares for you. And, if you’ll let me say so, she is pretty in an unusual way. I think that if she had been available, I might has gotten a 150 for her arrangement. Maybe not so much, but in a larger village, maybe. So, what can I do for you?”
I said, “Antonio, I hope this isn’t out of line…”
Antonio interrupted me and said, “Don’t be silly. You did me and the Nogud a great kindness. What can I do for you?”
I said, “Well, it’s about the Nogud, as a matter of fact.”
He asked, “Is there a problem?”
I said, “No. Well, not with her. The thing is that she is actually very useful, and I do intend to give her a good home, but she told me that she’s very fond of the other two that you have. She did me a good deed and I offered to let her ask me a favor, and wanting to return a good deed, I thought to ask you about the two Nogud that are still with you.”
Antonio frowned and said, “Are you suggesting that you might care for them as well?”
I said, “I am.”
He said, “Joshua, think this over. You just registered a license for your first bedmate. Yes, the little ones can be very useful to you and they will make your wife have an easier life in a limited respect, but they have no skills in food preparation or caring for clothing. And, they’re not as strong as normal women. I don’t want to discourage you…you’re suggesting a very kind solution to a problem for both me and for them. But are you certain? Do you have the resources?”
I smiled and said, “I have the resources, and both my woman and the Nogud have asked me to see if it’s possible. My new mate had compassion for the girl immediately. What can I do?”
Antonio smiled and said, “Indeed. I understand. I’m surprised, but when it comes to what the women of our households want, what can we do? You’re a good man, Joshua. Here, let me tell you what I’ll do. If you take them both and swear to make their lives as pleasant as is possible for the poor creatures, I’ll give you both for seven coins. What do you say?”
I said, “Antonio, you do a great service for the community, I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
He laughed, “My friend, I do try to provide a service and I do try to find kind homes for the ‘little sisters’ as the women call them. That’s why men pay me for the arrangements with better women, like they did at the event today. A portion of each arrangement goes to feed and support the untouchables. If you give me seven for these two, it will be enough. I have to charge you something because…well, there are many reasons. Seven is enough. Do we have an agreement?”
I said, “I’ll pay you now. You say that you won’t leave until the day after tomorrow? I’ll pay you now, in fact, I’ll give you an extra coin for another day’s support for them, and I’ll collect them from you tomorrow before noon. Is that acceptable?”
He shook my hand and said, “I think based on your new license, waiting until tomorrow is a wise decision. We have a deal. Eight coins for the two ‘little sisters’ and you collect them from me tomorrow. Done!”
I handed the man a 10 cent piece and he handed me two in change.
He clapped me on the back and said, “Now my friend, a piece of advice: go enjoy some time with your new bedmate. And, trust me, most men won’t tell you this, but don’t be selfish. Please her in bed and let her have her pleasure as often as you have yours.”
I laughed and said, “Good advice my friend. We think alike. I’d better go. I’ll see you before noon, tomorrow.”
Antonio said, “One last thing: should I tell them that they’ll have a new home or do you want me to keep it quiet for now? It would be very kind to give them hope.”
I said, “Then by all means, do what you think is best. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Chapter 5 A Plan For A Home
It wasn’t far to Paul and Susan’s shops and I got there before Viola had returned from selling the second dollar to Tobias, the collector. I took the opportunity to chat with Paul and Susan.
Paul greeted me and said, “Joshua, you’re back so soon! We won’t be ready for dinner for a few hours yet. As you can see, we’re not busy today, so come and sit down and we’ll visit some more. Where’s your woman?”
Susan said, “I can’t believe how lovely she is. You have found a treasure. I’m truly astounded by it.”
I said, “Thank you. I feel the same way. That’s one thing that I wanted to speak to you about. Viola is handling some business for us and should be here to meet me soon. Before she comes, I want to ask you something. Oh, but first, how much do I owe you for the clothing? No, wait. We have to talk about this other thing first. Here’s the thing: you’ve seen the treasure that I found in Viola? Well, I intend to find two more.”
Paul said, “Two more? Of the same? How?”
I said, “I have a way. But my problem is this: I took Viola…here, let me say it plainly. I took a Nogud from the Merchant of Women this afternoon. I found her to be very wonderful and beautiful. I understand the fact that she failed the examination for mating, but I contend that the examination is faulty. When I perform my own examination, I know that she’ll respond exactly the way that I hope. Now, I took this girl and no one thought much of it. I brought her here, and with Susan’s help, she was transformed so that when we went back to the Merchant of Women just now, neither he nor his assistant recognized her as the Nogud that he had sent with me earlier. I paid for the license for her and everything is finalized. Viola has asked me to take two more of the Nogud, girls that she knows and loves and wants to have happiness, just as she does. I’ve already arranged it and given the merchant a fee for both of them. The problem that I see is that if I take two more dressed as Nogud and we’re seen in the village together, people may notice and later will say, ‘That man was seen with three of the Nogud and now he has them dressed as women. And he has licensed them besides.’ And there will be trouble. Even if it’s only gossip, it will be hurtful and work against my wish to bless what I know to be fine women who have been misjudged as untouchable.”
Susan said, “It was a very honorable thing to burn the tunic the way that you did. I think I see what you’re saying. Because Viola was one girl, no one pays any attention. But if it’s repeated, especially two at a time, there will be talk, and you want to save the little sisters any chance of humiliation.”
I said, “Susan, the more that they are treated like fine women, the more they will act like fine women. They are fine women and I want to make them know that about themselves.”
Susan said, “Joshua, you’re a brilliant man. You seem certain about the examination and I’m certain that because of the way that you treat them, they will treat you in a way that makes you very happy in your home. I have a way to do what you want, I think. Paul, tell us if you approve. Joshua, these other two are not with you now; when do you plan to bring them to your household?”
I said, “Tomorrow before noon. I thought that it would be best to wait until I had my first night with Viola.”
She smiled and said, “That’s a good thought. So, tomorrow, you and Paul and I will go to the Merchant. To everyone else, it will seem like Paul and I take the little sisters to our farm to be with us for a day as laborers. We’ll send Amanda, Tanya, and Yuki to work in the shop here and they won’t see what we do. We’ll take them to our house and when we’re inside, away from onlookers, we’ll change their clothing and brush their hair and let them bathe. When Paul’s women come home that evening, we’ll present them as your women. They will know Viola already because you will bring her to dinner tonight. Tomorrow we’ll say that your other women have joined you and they will be as welcome as you and Viola are.”
Paul said, “I agree. No one will even know it. We’ll collect two day laborers, and as far as anyone knows, they’ll be returned to the Merchant of Women and he’ll leave with them when he goes. By the time my women come home, there’ll be only you and your women, and the day laborers will be gone. The village will never know about it.”
Susan said, “Joshua, how long will you stay here? You just arrived in our village. Are you going somewhere?”
I said, “I must have been coming here. I’ll stay as long as it seems good. I have nowhere to go.”
She said, “Good. I have a love for your new women and I want to have them with me so that I can teach them to keep a good house. During the day, and every afternoon, if you like, they will come and keep house with me and Paul’s others.”
Paul said, “Joshua, why should you stay at an inn? Susan, we have a spare room. Can’t we make it comfortable for a man and three women and have them with us for a while?”
Susan said, “Certainly. Joshua, will you come and stay with us?”
Paul asked, “If it’s not out of boundaries, do you have enough money? We’re happy to have you. You have become like family, especially now that we have this wonderful secret of the origin of your household. And, what’s your profession?”
I said, “You’re very kind. I’m certain that we would love to stay at your home if it’s no trouble. You make my new life much easier. To your question, I have plenty of money. Paul, I’m well-off now that I’ve handled my business with the collector.”
Susan’s eyes went wide and she said, “You’re a treasure hunter! That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why we’ve never seen you before and why you were dressed so strangely.”
Paul said, “That’s what I’d guessed as well. What else could he be.”
I smiled and said, “And now I’ve sold a few items and have plenty of money. You’re my friends and I admit that I’m rusty on many customs. Would it offend you if I share my good fortune with you and help with the cost of my food and even reward you for teaching my women how to keep house? Any school would need a fee from the students. And, if you spend your time in kindness to my companions, you won’t be spending it making and selling clothing. Will you let me share my recent windfall with you?”
Paul and Susan looked and each other and Susan shook her head at him.
Paul looked back at her and then said to me, “Susan, I know what you think, but Joshua, if it’s no burden to you, here’s what I’ll do. Susan has a heart for these little sisters as all good women do. If it’s no burden to you, I’ll let you share in a new plan of mine. The next time that the merchant of women comes, he’ll have a few more of these dear creatures and no man in the village will care for them. Susan and I will pay the fee he asks and we’ll bring them to our farm. If they’re good women, we won’t treat them like Nogud. We won’t make them wear hoods and we’ll give them a more comfortable dress. If it turns out well with the ones that you’ve chosen, we’ll use a portion of our income to bless other little sisters and our actions will match our words when they’re told, ‘Bless you little one. We hope you find happiness here on this farm today.’”
Susan was in tears. I smiled and said, “My friend, if you’ll do that, I’ll be honored to have a part in the work. I pledge a 100 coins as a gift to this work of kindness.”
Paul and Susan both gasped, and Paul said, “No, that’s too much!”
I said, “Do the calculations. You’re a merchant. The Merchant of Women is kind and he’ll ask only four coins for each Nogud. But, you are generous and you’ll give him five and tell him to use the extra to help another one that he finds. You’ll start with just a few, but Susan will want to help every one who comes to you. In time, if you have the capacity, you’ll help many of them. Let’s assume 10 for now. If it all works the way that we think that it will. So, you need perhaps 50 coins for those, just to pay the Merchant of Women. How much to feed them?”
Susan said, “Our food for five in our house is about four coins per week. So, figure another four coins per week to start.”
I said, “There, see? 16 coins per month for necessities. My 100 coins won’t last you six months.”
Paul said, “But Susan, can we teach them to sew do you think?”
Susan said, “If they are as intelligent as Viola, I expect that they’ll learn quickly, and not to do just what we teach them, but to come up with better skills on their own.”
Paul said, “So, it is possible that we can have clothes to sell to a traveling merchant who will sell them in villages that doesn’t have a clothier? And the money from what they make will pay for the upkeep. But, Joshua’s right, it will take time before that’s possible.”
Susan said, “Paul, you know that the cobbler is old and grows tired of making his shoes every day, and he has only the one bedmate the same age that he is. It’s time that they rested. You can make him an offer and have some of the girls become his apprentices, as long as he doesn’t know where they come from, or maybe even if he does. If they learn the work, buy his shop and he can retire.”
Paul brightened at the thought.
He said, “That’s an intriguing idea. I like it. But I’m afraid that we get ahead of ourselves. OK. Joshua, if you’ll partner with us in this work, I’ll be grateful for your investment. And it will be an investment. If it makes a profit, you’ll have a share as income. It’s really your idea anyway. You showed us the way.”
I said, “Ah, this makes me even happier than I already was. But, besides the ‘investment’, I’ll beg you to let me contribute six coins a week for our food.”
Susan said, “It’s only four.”
I asked, “Are you including the food that you grow or only what you have to buy?”
She said, “Well, what we buy, of course.”
I said, “And, I need to help with the cost of what you grow. Plus, I’ll ask you to let me compensate you in a poor way for the work of schooling my women to offset the other work that you would do. What do you say to another coin per day?”
Paul said, “Joshua, a coin is half the household income. It’s too much.”
I asked, “Is it? I have three students for your women to teach. Will it take nearly half a day’s labor to teach them every day?”
Paul looked at Susan and she said, “I hate to say it, but if we look at it that way, it’s a fair exchange. But this isn’t a business.”
I said, “No. I know that we really are friends and even like family. My gratitude toward you is very great. And because of our kinship, you want to bless me and you’d rather suffer a small hardship yourself than have any benefit from me. But, as you’ve said, in a way, we’re partners in this. Let’s think of it this way: treat it as a test. I’ll finance the beginning of a housekeeping school for the benefit of any ‘little sisters’ who happen to find their way to the village. I’ll provide the first students and we’ll use my coins to see how this plan works. It’ll be several weeks before the Merchant of Women returns, and if you want to do it, spend those weeks learning how to teach them. When they can be productive, then we’ll have the benefit of it, but until then, I’ll finance the work.”
Paul said, “You make compelling arguments and you find ways to make it sound very reasonable. Are you sure that it’s no burden?”
I said, “It’s no burden. You’re supplying food and shelter and teaching and skills and kindness beyond measure. Let me supply the coins to make it easier to accomplish.”
Paul smiled and said, “You persuade me. OK. Provide six coins per week…”
I interrupted, “Plus one per day.”
He said, “OK, plus one per day…”
I interrupted again, “Paul, the inn charges me two coins per day for Viola and I. If I took two more women, the price would be three coins per day.”
Paul said, “Joshua, I see that I’m not going to win a backward negotiation like this with you. Do you do everything backward from the way we’re used to?”
