I said, “It is. Just like you say. I think it’s a fine house and I’m very happy for it, but I suspect that a fine builder can make it even better and more comfortable for myself and these fair princesses. What do you say? Will you have time and energy for it? I can pay for more workers if you need them.”
Narhu smiled and said, “Mark, we will renovate your house from top to bottom! New lamps, new floors, new siding, new fixtures. I’ll bring running water and a shower if it needs it. A new oven for cooking and new shelves for storage. The garden will be a place of beauty and the rooftop will be a palace for your afternoons. You will entertain as a captain of Tranna. We won’t boast about it, but your humble shack in the low quarter will surpass the council members houses in high quarter. I won’t even suggest that you move to the high quarter because the homes are overpriced and not as well built. Mark, my friend, we will begin a renovation of the entire neighborhood and guests will be proud to be allowed to visit.”
I said, “Narhu, stop! You honor me too much. Let’s make it a nice home, not the envy of the entire planet the way that you’re describing it. I can pay what you ask. I’ll let Aeyli approve any details. When can you start? And how long will you take to do what you have in mind?”
Narhu said, “I started already. Plans are being drawn at this very moment. I started in my mind last night at the meeting. We started in reality when my draftsman arrived this morning. There are several skilled men in Tranna who’ve had no work, and all of them came to me this morning to ask about work on the Academy hall. And every one of them asked me in secret to allow them to work on the House of Mark for no wages 20% of the time. My regular workers did the same, all unknown to the others. I have 26 men and women asking to work on whatever you need. And the weaver has already asked me to allow them to make curtains and new mattresses and seat cushions for your house. You made a big impression last night. It’s more fun than we’ve had in a long time.”
I said, “Narhu, really, I’m not a great man. I don’t deserve this!”
My new friend laughed and said, “It has nothing to do with you being a great man. It’s because people are happy. My mate thinks that I will drink milk, not because of who you are, but because she’s happy; because of how you being here brings us hope. Dorel said that more children would be born. My mate would love a child in her womb. Who knows if it will happen? But today, no man will take your money. If they did, it would appear back on your doorstep by evening. Trust me, we are not getting the short end of this arrangement.”
I laughed and said, “I think it’s too much, but if you say it’s your own choice and not an obligation or a payment, then I accept it gratefully.”
Narhu said, “Good. It’s settled. Come back this afternoon and we’ll discuss what I want to do for you. Oh, and thank you for choosing not to kill me.”
I laughed and said, “Thank you for choosing not to die!”
We laughed again and he girls and I left his place. Next Aeyli took us to the woodworker. The owner was a man named Oshen.
He greeted us and said, “My friends, what can I do for you? First let me say how much I enjoyed the meeting last night. If all meetings were as exciting as that, I would go to every one. And before a word is spoken, your money is no good here,. Not for at least 40 days. Ask what you want and you will have one of my finest workers for your needs for at least one month and I won’t hear any negotiations. Say it and it’s done for you.”
Rani blurted out, “We want Alexia!”
Oshen was visibly surprised at how directly Rani said who she wanted rather than what we wanted to have built for us.
He said, “Oh. Yes, well, then you shall have Alexia. She is a fine craftsman. I have others who…”
Rani shook her head and Oshen continued, “…but Alexia is very good. Um, perhaps my finest. But… well, I guess you know her. Alexia! Come here!” he shouted.
The girl came from a back room nearby. She wore a protective apron over her breasts and her front, and as she came, her eyes were down and she brushed wood chips from her front. It was surprisingly attractive to me: a sturdy apron and a naked beauty behind it. Without looking up, she undid the tie that held it at the back and pulled it over her head and shook out her hair and hung the apron on a hook and turned to face us.
I was instantly enthralled. The girl was at least six foot-two inches tall. She was more muscular than the girls of my house and her hair was very long; and very blond. Her legs and thighs showed firm muscles, and so did her stomach, arms, and even her neck. The woman’s breasts were about the same size as Rani’s, but she stood six inches taller, and two inches taller than me. I couldn’t help but immediately think about how a ruby anklet would look on her.
She was standing beside Oshen before she ever looked up. And when she did, I fell in love.
My gosh, if I were a woman of Barsoom, my milk would have come in that instant. Her face was beautiful and the look she had, before she saw who stood before her, was deep and hinted at a very intense and quiet personality. I guessed that she spent a lot of time alone and thought deeply with no one to share those thoughts with.
The girls looked at me and Aeyli whispered, “You see now? Three and no more, indeed.”
Alexia raised her eyes and when she saw the four of us, she smiled. She smiled as much at the girls as she did at me, but with me there seemed a little shyness in her gaze.
Oshen said, “Alexia, our new friend needs a woodworker, and they have requested you specifically. In fact, they seem to be most insistent that it be you and no one else. If you are willing, I’d ask you to make whatever they ask. I’ll pay you your normal wage… plus 10%, for at least 40 days, and then you will be back to your normal duties.”
Then he looked at Rani and saw something in her eyes and said, “Or not. We will see. What do you say? Will you work on their projects?”
Alexia gazed at me and waited. Finally she said, “I will go with them. It will be at least 40 days. It will be easiest if I take my tools and work at the House of Mark. I will come back if I need anything; or I will send for it and you can have it delivered to me.”
Without another word, Alexia turned and took her apron from the hook and disappeared into the work room again.
Oshen said, “Friend Mark, she’s a very fine craftsman, but she’s an odd girl. Um, if she doesn’t work out, send word and I’ll send someone else.”
I said, “No, Alexia is perfect for what we need right now. Thank you for making her available for us to help us renovate the house. It’s very generous of you.”
Oshen said, “Oh thank you. As with most of the craftsmen in town, I will have resources to hire several more workers to refit the Academy. Take her for as long as you desire her and I’ll send what materials she needs.”
I laughed to myself at the ‘take her for as long as you desire her’ comment. I could imagine my desire might soon build to where I wanted to ‘take her’ for as long as she would let me. A few days ago, and even somewhat this morning, I had been adamant that I would never love more than one mate. But now, it seemed perfectly natural, and unthinkable that this new woman would not be part of our lives. I could just feel it. Like some telepathic voice from the universe was telling me that it had already happened.
Alexia returned carrying a bag of tools and simply stood in front of me and waited. We said goodbye to Oshen and went out of the shop and Alexia followed quietly.
Aeyli whispered to me, “Mark, I am very happy about the look in your eyes. You understand better now, don’t you. Remember, this time it has to be done by steps and I will guide you. As Oshen told you, she’s a wonderful girl, but odd. There is no one like her.”