Emerald (Mother)

The Mother, formerly Emerald

The Chatcaavan female in the Imperial Harem who was pregnant and gave birth during the timeframe when Lisinthir Nase Galare was Alliance Ambassador ad'Chatcaava. She likes children.

Follows the old religion.

Physical Characteristics

Emerald eyes, four arms. As the Mother, was given special jewels to wear during the duration of her pregnancy; the Slave Queen bestowed them on her.

History

Family

Bore the Emperor a son after a long and difficult labor.

Recent History

Prior to accepting the jewels to become the Mother, the female was known as Emerald for the color of her eyes. The Queen had "many reasons to think fondly of [her]," and considered that pregnancy "had molded her into something kinder." She often had a kind word for Khaska, and was more willing than others of the harem to speak to her. The Mother was also part of the Queen's ritual of collecting and saving a piece of jewelry for each harem member murdered by the males; the Mother discreetly retrieved them off the dead bodies. She felt genuine joy to seek to conceive, and felt "resonant bliss" when she received the face-jewels of the Mother.

Her pregnancy weighed on her, and though she entered the retiring room only when her labor had begun—unlike some who took advantage of their state to gain sympathy and privacy—she labored there for three days, whereas the birth should have come within mere hours. Examination by the Queen indicated that she was very likely to die in labor, and her child with her, but Lisinthir Nase Galare intervened and compelled the Surgeon to tend to her, resulting in the birth of a healthy son.

She was possibly the only mother who's made the trip to the nursery more than once. While in the nursery, she tells stories of the old religion, learned from her mother and her mother before her.

She is the one who tells the Queen about air-dancing, and gives her bright red fabric streamers to do it with -- despite misgivings about the safety of the activity. She also gives the Queen post-flight massages (accompanied by worried lectures).

During Solanth's visit to the harem, the Mother helps her practice her Chatcaavan, and is the one who trims Firemint's claws, despite her unwillingness to consider such for herself. For the harem's performance, the Mother suggests the dancing with sails, acquires the musical instruments, and introduces the performers along with Moon.

Quotes

• "It would be pitiful poetry if having been born winged gave you any emotion you still claimed now that your wings are the Emperor's."
• "For the children, I can be brave."
• "I am sorry if I fret at you. But... a Breath after all these years! And I have seen it!" [...] "[I]t is so hard to believe in hope, even when you are seeing its promise fulfilled."
• "No one is allowed to do as they please. In this or any other life."

Trivia

• Found the Knife attractive.
• She speaks "accented Universal".

Body Language

Tends to quiver/shake when distressed.

Story Appearances

• Even the Wingless
• Amulet Rampant
• Major Pieces
  • "Opening Maneuvers"
  • "Air Dancing"
  • "Hope's Navy"
• In the Court of Dragons
  • "The Color of the Sky at Sunrise"
• Dragons' Fealty