Bridal Hut

Peter had gotten up early that morning to help Mayra prepare for the new brides. He knew she was worried that Naomi hadn't returned, but as neither of them knew a single thing about fishing, they had to rely on Cora's word that there was nothing amiss yet.

The beds and pallets had been gathered from all around from families that didn't need them anymore for various reasons, with the promise that they would be returned after all the brides were properly settled.

Mayra needed Peter and the two Rhone guards to help get everything arranged the way she wanted, but they'd finished just in time for the arrival.

He finished straightening one last thing as she went outside, and took a look around. He didn't know how women liked to live, but it looked satisfactory to him.

Walking outside, he heard his name mentioned and walked towards the group, where Mayra was speaking.

"It's not like that," She said pointedly, apparently at her brother, who Peter was glad to see.

"Not like what?" He asked curiously.

Strangely, Mayra's face began to burn and a few of the others chuckled.

Peter looked around, perplexed.

"Nothing," Ashley broke in to assure him. "We were just teasing Mayra a little."

"About what?" Peter enjoyed teasing the girl and would like to learn any topic that made her react so strongly.

"Let's get these ladies settled, shall we?" Mayra cut in. "This way, everyone!"

She ushered the girls in with a dark look at her brother, who simply grinned at her and then slapped Peter on the shoulder in greeting.

Peter saluted his superior officer but Riley waved him off. He was never one for formality outside of the necessary settings.

"Sir, if I may ask…" Peter began.

"Better not to ask too many questions when it comes to women, Peter. They're a mystery that you have to unravel yourself." He winked at the younger man and put his arm around his wife. "If you still can't figure it out later, perhaps I'll lend you my expertise." 

"It's wonderful to see you, Peter," Ashley smiled at her old army friend. "I hope Mayra didn't give you too much trouble."

Peter's heavy sigh made Ashley cover her mouth to avoid laughing at him.

"That bad?" She asked.

"Worse, probably. I mean, um, respectfully, Sir." Peter realized he'd just slandered his superior officer's sister in front of the man.

"Ha! As if I don't know what a troublemaker she is. I wish you all the luck in the world." Riley grinned.

"What do you mean, Sir? Now that you're here, won't you be taking over babysit… I mean, supervision of her efforts?" Peter mentally kicked himself for the second slip-up. Mayra really was driving him mad.

"I wouldn't dream of getting in your way," Riley assured him.

"What he means," Ashley elbowed her husband, "is that we'll be helping formalize and smooth the working relationship between Klain and Ceto. You are free to continue assisting Mayra with the Rhone-Cetoan arranged marriages."

"I see," Peter replied. It seemed his time with Mayra would continue fairly indefinitely. He had strongly mixed feelings about that prospect.

He stepped closer to guard the door as she addressed her new charges after they'd settled for a few minutes. 

"Welcome," Mayra finally said, addressing them all together. "I'm Mayra, your official matchmaker for the duration of your time in the Bridal Tent. I'm here to help you find a good match for your husband and make sure you are treated well and settled nicely here at the sea.

"While I'm originally from a farming village, I've lived almost two years in Klain, and have spent my time here among the Cetoans learning their customs, as well as Rhone's, so that I can help ease your transition into your new lives.

"Of course you are free to choose a husband without my involvement whatsoever," like Naomi had, Peter thought wryly as Mayra continued speaking, "but I have also spent some of my time getting to know some of the prospective grooms so that I can help you make informed decisions about their personalities and whether they would fit well with your preferences and desires.

"Think of me as a kind of bridal and cultural mediator. Feel free to ask me any questions you have. If I don't know the answer myself, I can certainly try to find out for you." Mayra finished. 

He wondered how the Rhone girls were reacting, but it would be invasive of him to look inside, even if the door was currently open. 

"Is there anything I can do for you now?" Mayra asked.

"What is the plan for getting us husbands?" A skeptical-sounding girl asked.

"Oh, an excellent question," Peter could hear the smile in Mayra's voice. "I thought you might all want to rest for a bit, or freshen up, or go for a walk on the beach to destress after the journey. We have arranged for a large communal meal this evening where you can be introduced to many of the bachelors.

"If you find that too intimidating or not your preference, you can just tell me the kind of man you're looking for, and I can arrange you to meet one-on-one with a man I find who most closely fits your desires."

"What's the social system like here?" A another voice asked. "Is there royalty, nobility, gentry, peasantry?"

"There are people with varying levels of possessions, but mostly to my observations it seems fairly in line with how hard they work rather than any other factors. When a man comes of age here, he builds his own house with his own hands, along with a small seafaring boat. The larger ships, of course, are a group effort by the community.

"As far as royalty, there's the Commodore, Haf, who is the political leader here. He has two sons, and I believe the elder of the two is meant to take over leadership someday, but I have not confirmed that."

"What's his name?" The same girl asked.

"Edmar, I believe, I wouldn't set your sights on him. My understanding is that there is a Cetoan girl he's meant to marry." Peter wasn't sure if Mayra was right on that last point or not, but it seemed like a good idea to discourage the girls from setting their sights too high. Was it cruel to think that beggars couldn't be choosers? 

After a few more simple questions, the Rhone girls set about various tasks, from unpacking what possessions they had brought to taking naps, to washing with water from the basins that Mayra and Peter had filled early that morning.

He delivered a meal around midday that Mayra set out for the girls to enjoy, and then she and Ashley led a few of them on a walk down the beach. As Peter followed, Ashley and Mayra spent some time catching up on all the news of Finn's babies, Naomi's marriage, and all the other things that had happened since Mayra's departure, while the Rhone girls got to know their surroundings. Although they had all spent time around sand in the desert, the beach was something quite different.

By the end of the walk, several had their shoes off to feel the waves lapping at their feet. One surprisingly large wave washed up against their calves, prompting squeals and giggles that dissolved into splashing and play.

Mayra smiled and played with them as Peter guarded a short distance away. The Rhone girls had let down their veils since there were no potential grooms nearby, and the scene was worthy of a painting.

His eyes followed Mayra as she splashed Ashley and then turned to run, laughing as her hair caught the sunlight and the droplets of water shimmered across her head like diamonds.

She was undeniably beautiful. When they had met two years ago, she was a slightly scrawny fifteen year old who was nosy and presumptuous. He had enjoyed her as a friend, and found her fascinating to be around, but had held no romantic designs on her. 

After his long tour away when he had grown so tall, he had looked forward to her girlish reaction to his manly appearance, but had come home to find that she too had changed quite a bit. No longer scrawny and childish, she had become womanly in a way he wasn't prepared for.

He cringed, remembering how he'd told her to 'grow up' yesterday. It was an uncalled-for comment. She still had her fire and spunk, not to mention her overly curious ways, but there was more to her than there had been. He wasn't entirely sure what it was, he only knew he wanted to find out.

As if she could hear his thoughts, she looked up and met his gaze. He wanted to glance away as if he hadn't been staring, but somehow he couldn't.

The laughter faded from her face and she became a mirror of his serious scrutiny. Mayra tilted her head with a silent question, and he answered with a half smile. The Rhone girls continued onward down the beach with Ashley, but Mayra lingered. He walked closer to keep everyone within his eyesight, doing his duty as a guard.

"What's wrong, Peter?" Mayra teased as she walked up from where she'd been playing in the shallow surf. "You're watching me as if I need to be arrested or something."