Dragon's Honor - Kij Johnson [44]
“I am, Father, truly I am,” the Pearl said, “but … but …” She seemed at a loss for words, but quite stricken at the prospect of being left in Beverly’s charge. Why is that? Beverly wondered. She was not offended, merely puzzled. Why is this so important to the Pearl?
“Don’t worry, Lord Lu Tung,” Hsiao Har spoke up. “I can look after your precious Pearl.”
“You?” The young bride appeared offended by the very idea, even more so than by the notion of Beverly watching over her. I guess I’m the lesser of two evils, Beverly thought with some amusement.
“Well, I am both older and wiser,” Hsiao Har said. She strode across the cushion-strewn floor until only a few meters separated her from the Pearl. Beverly noted that the Heir’s daughter was slightly taller than the other girl, who glowered at Hsiao Har. Beverly hoped she wouldn’t have to referee any actual wrestling matches between the two.
“Much older,” the Pearl taunted Hsiao Har. “Much, much older. But wiser? I hardly think so.”
Lu Tung sighed wearily, but did nothing to halt the verbal sparring between his daughter and Hsiao Har. Apparently, the disputes of mere females were beneath his dignity to notice or deal with. That’s women’s work, Beverly thought with a touch of resentment; her opinion of Lu Tung descended one notch. “Madam,” he said, bowing his head, “I wish you good luck.” He waved his hand before the heavy iron door and its guardian dragon. Lasers flashed briefly between the door and his ring, and Lord Lu Tung stepped through the now-open exit. Seconds later, door and dragon rematerialized, sealing Beverly in with her quarreling young charges.
“Brat,” the Pearl hissed at Hsiao Har the instant her father was out of sight. “Crone!”
“Baby,” returned Hsiao Har. “Fetus!” She dropped into what suspiciously resembled a martial-arts stance. Beverly suddenly suspected that the women of the harem might not be the fragile flowers she had assumed them to be.
“Yao-goblin!” the Pearl said, raising her hands before her, karate-style.
“Nan hai tzu!” Hsiao Har responded. She raised one foot, the tip of her slipper extended toward the Pearl. The situation looked to be rapidly escalating out of control. Red alert. Beverly thought automatically.
“Girls!” Beverly clapped her hands together. I sound like the mother in a Victorian novel, she thought ruefully, but it seemed to work. The girls backed away from each other, their tense bodies gradually lapsing back into less aggressive postures. With any luck, she thought, they’ll be reluctant to misbehave too badly in front of a perfect stranger. Hsiao Har glared balefully at the Pearl, who, without much grace or warning, collapsed onto the nearest cushion. She crossed her arms sullenly in front her. Her lower lip formed a definite pout. What’s she most upset about, Beverly wondered, her fight with Hsiao Har, my presence here, or—a thought suddenly occurred to Beverly—her imminent wedding to the Heir? Whichever it was, Beverly figured she was in for a long and awkward evening.
All my years of Starfleet training, she reflected, and I end up playing den mother at a kung-fu slumber party. She was definitely going to have to talk to Jean-Luc about her job description.
She just hoped the others were having an easier time of it.
The wine splashed against Riker’s face, blinding him only seconds before his fists could complete their downward plunge. The harsh, stinging liquid caught him completely by surprise; he had no idea where it had come from or who had thrown it at him. He blinked and sputtered, shaking his head and flinging off tiny droplets of emerald-colored wine in every direction. The alcohol stung his eyes, its cloying, fruity flavor filling his mouth and nostrils. The lukewarm liquid ran down his cheeks and dripped from his beard. Damn, he cursed silently. When I get my hands on the joker who tossed that wine … !
Tu Fu stood up suddenly, sending Riker flying. He felt himself plummeting to the floor, then landed hard on his left side. His hip smacked against marble tiles, sending a jolt of agony shooting up