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“We were all raised in a society where the voice of a man was stronger, more powerful, and more trusted than that of a woman,” Pip said.
“So you’ve never had a female leader?” Astrid asked.
“Never. Actually, they are in the midst of stripping away women's rights even more right now,” Pip explained. “Our government is full of crotchety old men who are trying to limit the bodily autonomy of their female constituents.”
Astrid looked both confused and disgusted. For a moment she didn’t say anything. She opened her mouth, then closed it, as if reconsidering.
“I have been jarlin of Fýrifírar for several ars now. We don’t know why our population has shifted toward male dominance, but our females have always had their rights respected. I am sorry, but its seems as though your homeworld lacks an understanding of what its females need. I don’t want to insult your home, but you will be treated much better here,” she stated.
“It is going to take a lot of convincing for some of the humans that they will be respected as equals. For some of them, their trauma is the reason they were left here by the bad aliens,” Pip explained.
Astrid nodded over her cup of tea, looking thoughtful.
“But you have many that are willing to take on mates?” she asked.
“Several. I have one that wants a baby right now. I think the others will be less intimidated as they see their peers form Elska bonds.”
“Well, that is better than I expected. I have been presenting the human women as off-limits until they show interest. The fact that there are some that are already interested will bode well for our council meetings,” Astrid responded.
“Do you think it is time for me to join the meetings?” Piper asked.
“I think it would be good for you to be at today’s afternoon meeting. Osif will be there,” Astrid said.
Pip nodded, eyes wide, “I’m ready,” she said.
“Are you ready to take on Magna?” I asked, knowing he’d pose a problem.
“Don’t you worry about Magna, love. I may have anxiety, but I also have claws,” she said, stroking my thigh under the table.
“Well, then it is settled. One hour from now. You will both be at the council meeting?” Astrid asked.
“Yes, we’ll be there. We are going to oversee the renovations of our new home, we’ll return for the meeting,” I said.
PIPER
This was it. My first council meeting. I knew they’d been prepped to expect me, but I was still nervous. Agnarr, Astrid, and I went over who would be in attendance, in detail. I was as prepared as I could be. As I entered the longhouse, I was pleased to see several familiar faces. I had already met Emla, Osif, and Astrid. Osif even gave me a small smile as I sat down. I scanned around the room, trying to see if I could match faces with names that Agnarr had given me.
I recognized Jodis immediately, she was the youngest. Agnarr had informed me she was the elder who represented the teachers and was firmly on the side of the humans. She had a warm smile and gave off kindergarten-teacher vibes. I looked to her left to see the only other female, who had to be Runa, the elder of the cooks. She was older than Astrid, looking almost frail. I knew from what Agnarr had explained that Astrid’s son was set to take over the kitchens when Runa stepped down. It appeared as if that would be sometime soon.
I only recognized Osif out of the rest of the elder male orcs. I looked at Astrid as she seated herself at the head of the table with Agnarr to her right, and me next to Agnarr.
“I think some introductions are called for,” she said crisply.
The orc to her left smiled genially as she turned to look at him. He looked to be in his sixties, with graying but tidily braided hair.
“I’m Bram, the elder representing the businesses and merchants of Fýrifírar. Welcome Jarl Agnarr and Jarlin Piper, I am excited about your plans for the future of our tribe,” he said with a warm smile.
I nodded, returning the smile. Agnarr had explained that Bram was already on the side of the human women. I was genuinely happy to meet him. We moved to the orc next to him. It was Osif.
“I believe Jarl Agnarr and Jarlin Piper already know me,” he said gruffly, “but I am the elder of the carpenters.”
“Lovely to see you again, Osif,” I said genuinely.
Next to him looked to be one of the most displeased orkin at the table. Without missing a beat I said, “You must be Magna?”
The orc's eyebrows raised, “And how would you know that?” he asked.
“You look as if you’d rather be anywhere but here and clearly feeling a bit on edge that so many of the others are willing to accept newcomers ,” I said.
