A matronly woman at the government's building greeted the girls ushered them into a nice sitting room with cushions on every chair and brought out a tray of snacks and tea for them.
"If this is the way they treat brides–" Katia whispered, but Anaisa hushed her.
"So you're here to volunteer as a wife to one of our brave soldiers?" The woman beamed at them. "Wonderful! We'll have to get you changed, of course, a bride needs a good dress and a nice wash! And we'll have our doctors take care of that nasty bruise, Dear."
Something about her made Anaisa uneasy. She lifted her hand to cover the place where Barnabas had slapped her. People almost never did things simply out of the goodness of their hearts, in her experience. And since no one needed to get into their good graces now that they were penniless…
"We have some questions, please." She said politely, though she did not refuse the snacks. Who knew how long it would be before their next meal? Katia took a pastry and tried to eat it slowly.
"Of course, Dear!" The woman gushed. "Every young bride has questions on how to be a wife! I'm happy to help you in any way I can."
"My sister and I would like to be close together… perhaps neighbors, or even better if you could find us brothers who live very close?" She said evenly. "Is it possible to guarantee such an arrangement? Within the city?"
"Guarantee, perhaps not," The woman said thoughtfully. "But I can put you in the same assignment group, so I'm sure you will be given to men who live close!"
"Who does the ultimate assigning?" Anaisa leaned forward. If she could manage to get a powerful husband, it would help her quest for revenge.
"That is done by someone from the palace once they have the list," The bubbly matron replied.
"Thank you, I appreciate your candor–" Anaisa began, knowing that there was no way she could rely on getting a good assignment from the palace. She was about to make their excuses and leave, but Katia tugged on her sleeve and cut her eyes down to the pastry she was still eating.
The message was clear. Katia was hungry, and wanted to keep talking so they could eat more. Anaisa looked at her sister's slim frame and couldn't say the idea was a terrible one.
"Are there… age limits on how old a soldier may be assigned a bride our age?" Anaisa asked the next question that popped into her mind.
"No, but there are no very old soldiers," The woman tilted her head and tapped her chin with her thumb. "War is a young man's pursuit, and the fittest tend to survive best. You should be getting the cream of the crop!"
Anaisa glanced at her sister, who was eating another snack while trying to keep a polite facade.
"And do all the grooms… have a sufficient livelihood to properly support a wife?" The younger sister asked next.
"With all sincerity, Dear," The woman looked over the two sisters, "You could hardly be worse off than you appear to be now."
That stung all the more for how true it was. Anaisa suppressed a sarcastic retort and considered the words.
She glanced at Katia. Even a day and a half of hardship, and her sister wasn't doing well at all. She wouldn't last long trying to survive this way. If Anaisa could keep Katia from starving to death, it would surely be worth dealing with some overbearing terror of a husband, at least until she formulated her plan to get her home back.
"Are there… that is… the husbands… Are there safeguards to ensure the wives are treated well?" She asked. No matter what, she wouldn't want Katia to be abused.
"Our brave heroes are not some local drunkards!" The woman exclaimed with offense. "Have some tea, Dear," She said to Katia, who gratefully drank what was offered.
Anaisa was not convinced. If they were separated, she couldn't protect her sister. But… if they were treated ill, she could always help Katia run away… right?
Anaisa pursed her lips. She didn't especially want to be married. And yet… she couldn't let her sister starve. They both had to eat until Anaisa figured out how to get their home and titles back.
Anaisa looked at her sister, who was smiling with her eyes closed as she chewed on another flaky pastry from the tray.
"I think… those are all the questions I have," Anaisa hedged.
"Wonderful!" The matronly woman exclaimed. "Let's get you washed and changed, I can tell you will both be lovely brides! We can have that bruise on your face healed in no time with our doctors. Oh, I wish I were going with you so that I could see it! I do so love weddings!"
"Wait, we didn't agree yet, I need to discuss it–" Anaisa interjected, but her pleas went unheard. With a clap of the matron's hands, a half dozen maids summoned from somewhere began ushering the sisters out.
"No, wait!" She swung her elbow to shake an arm loose. "Wait one minute!"
"I realize it's a big change, Dear, but you'll be beautiful, and have wonderful new lives!" The matron beamed. "Don't be shy, now, I know men like a demure bride, but you can't be a reluctant one!"
Anaisa prepared to put up a fight, but Katia shook her head.
"I think this is the right thing to do, Annie… for both of us." Katia said firmly.
"Of course it's the right thing to do!" The Matron interrupted. "Now let's get you settled before all the best men are taken!"
Their names were taken down diligently for assignment, though Anaisa purposefully just stated they were orphans without living parents. She'd learned her lesson at the tailor; no need to bring up their father if they didn't have to. Thankfully both of their names were common enough in the city to not draw undue attention. What followed was a whirlwind of washing and dressing and hasty etiquette lessons on being a good wife.
Be seen, but not heard unless spoken to. Look pretty and be charming for your husband. Don't be lazy! Take an interest in your husband's work, but don't be overbearing!
Each instruction pushed Anaisa deeper into a foul mood, while Katia appeared to be paying rapt attention. At least they were being fed, and they each received a dress that was serviceable and prettier than the rags they'd had before.
They were also issued nightdresses, because, the Matron said, every bride should have something new to wear on her wedding night!
Katia turned a beautiful shade of pink while Anaisa looked horrified. The full implications of what they were agreeing to hit her in the face.
She nearly bolted from the room, but Katia gripped her hand.
"It's marriage," She whispered, "what did you think it would be like?"
"Not like a brothel," Anaisa hissed between her teeth.
"It isn't. It will only be one man, who has to protect and care for you and feed you. That's not the same at all." Katia insisted until her younger sister settled back into place reluctantly.
The rest of the lessons passed similarly, with Anaisa constantly on the edge of her seat ready to flee, and Katia becoming apparently more determined that this was the right course of action. Dinner was generous, and they were given a room upstairs to stay in until their time came to be sent off.
That time came two days later, when they accumulated enough young women to pack them up in a series of carts and ship them off to who-knew-where. At least Anaisa's bruise was, as promised, looking much better.
Days on the road passed slowly at first, with the sisters sticking close together and avoiding much conversation with others. Anaisa hated every bit of distance that was separating her from getting her life back.
On the third day, the brides were ordered to line up for inspection when they reached a town. Three eligible soldiers lived here, and would come to collect their new wives. Katia and Anaisa held hands nervously.
Either both of them needed to be assigned here, or neither. Anaisa hated that the brides were not told ahead of time the name and location of their assigned husband. At least then, she could mentally prepare somewhat better.
When the trio of soldiers arrived on the scene already drunk in celebration of their impending nuptials, the sisters exchanged a worried glance.
They were passed over by the man with the list of assignments, and the three 'lucky' women were married to the men on the spot by the official traveling with them. The girls looked resigned, and Anaisa pitied them.
The next town was much the same, and the one after, as the girls' numbers dwindled and the sisters became more anxious. One potential bride tried to run away the next night, clearly terrified that she would be saddled with an awful husband.
She was caught and beaten until her back was horribly bruised. Her face and arms were left unharmed so that she could appear pretty for the next bridal presentation. Anaisa helped the girl stand, suppressing her temper lest she fly off the handle and get beaten as well.
"It's as bad as a soldier deserting his post, for you to abandon your duty." The leader of the expedition berated the girl. "Once you're a wife, you're under your husband's thumb, but as long as you're under my authority, you'd best behave."
He eyed the rest of the brides, and Anaisa set aside her own plans to run away… at least until after they were away from this vile man.
Perhaps, if they were lucky, there would be some better grooms tomorrow. Short-sighted, stupid ones who wouldn't be able to find her when she tried to make her escape.