Terra Nova: An Anthology of Contemporary Spanish Science Fiction by Mariano Villarreal Read Free Book Online

defend himself. He accepted it and lost. I can
assure you that it was humiliating for him and if he ever did
something like you told me, I don’t think he will do it again.
Ever.”
    Both women remained silent, Charni to be
unnoticed and her mother to be sure Qjem had finished talking.
Then, very calmly and gently, she said:
    “ Thank you, Qjem, really.
Thank you for what you’ve done and the time you invested in this
issue. I understand how difficult it must have been for you to make
a decision like this, and I appreciate that you’ve been so
considerate. Forgive my ignorance, but there’s one thing that I
didn’t understand. He accepted it and lost? Does that mean he
admitted he was guilty? Please, I don’t understand everything.
Would you be kind enough to explain it to me in words that a woman
like me could understand?”
    “ I offered him a fight
with our best warriors to show his innocence. If he had been
innocent he would have won, or he would have fought to the death
rather than admit defeat. We did justice two weeks ago. I didn’t
come here earlier because I was waiting for his wounds to heal and
to tell you that although you might see him here, there’s nothing
to fear. I’m not stupid, Kesha. I might not know how you organize
things down here, but I’ve noticed that it’s always you who comes
and tells me about the problems of other women. So I imagine that
in spite of your simplicity, you are capable of organizing
yourselves with leaders and that you’re one of them. Although I
didn’t think I needed to come and explain anything to you, I
thought I ought to. Problem solved.”
    “ Let me thank you again
not just for what you’ve done but also for troubling yourself to
come here. Although, Qjem, I’m not a leader in the sense that I
think you mean. Women simply trust me and tell me their problems. I
don’t know why. And since I’m such a blabbermouth I can’t be quiet
when I’m around you.”
    “ Whatever you say,” he
replied after a grunt. “I’ll let you play your games. Just this one
time.”
    “ I appreciate your respect
for me. I assure you I won’t forget it. You’re a good man, Qjem
Sath, and that makes me feel attracted to you. Would you like to
satisfy your member with me? I know I’m not as attractive as I used
to be, but …”
    “ I would,” he interrupted
while he clumsily tried to find her.
    Writing quickly, Kesha told Charni to go far
enough away to cause no problems, but to be close enough to
perceive what would happen next.
    Noises, panting, and a scent that grew
stronger and stronger filled the room. Charni, as usual, could not
decide if it was disagreeable or strange. Unusual but familiar at
the same time. Still, unlike what had taken place other times with
other visitors (something that did not happen often in recent
cycles), it was not fast. And Charni got bored quickly. With all
the questions that she wanted to ask her mother …
    Eventually: the final grunt, the final sigh,
and the sound of feet dragging on the ground. And then they were
truly alone.
    Charni drew close to her mother, who had
taken out the cloth for blood and was wiping it between her legs.
She curled up as usual on her lap.
    “ What’s the spilling of
information like?” she asked.
    “ It’s something I can’t
explain to you, Charni. You have to experience it for yourself. I
can only tell you that not everyone perceives it the same way, and
with a little luck and patience, I’ll get Qjem Sath to be the one
for your initiation ritual. He’s elderly, which means that his
information is powerful, and for a man he’s smart. He’s the best
option for you.”
    “ What I don’t understand
is why, if you’re queen, you let him talk like that to you. Why do
you act is if you were one of the assistants that come to our
house?”
    “ Oh, Charni, you’re a
young woman, but you still need a few cycles and a couple of
productions to be an adult. Everything is based on perceptions. Men
are born