The Travellers Chronicles Book Five: To Build A Country

Chapter Seven

The ship docked a few weeks later in Quebec City. There they were met by Monsieur Deschamps, the assistant of one George-Etienne Cartier. In Sybille's and Tess's time he was a Father of Confederation, one of the men who helped form the Country of Canada. Now, in this timeline, he would become known as a Father of Union.

Monsieur Cartier was their contact in Canada, and the head representative of Canada on the Council of Union. The council had been formed to bring together the two nations of Canada and British North America. Its main purpose was to hash out all the necessary legality of the union. It had been a slow process, and the ladies were hoping to speed it up enough for the Act of Union to be signed on the original confederation date; the first of July eighteen sixty-seven.

When they came off the ship, Sybille felt amazing being back in Canada. Even though it wasn't Alberta yet, they would make their way there eventually.

Monsieur Deschamps bowed to them. "Welcome, Your Graces." He stood up to look Sybille in the eyes. "Monsieur Cartier is eagerly awaiting your arrival."

"Thank you, Monsieur Deschamps." Sybille responded. "Shall we leave?"

Deschamps led the ladies over to the waiting carriage. They were to be known as Alix, Duchess of Brittany (Sybille), Mireille, Duchess of Angouleme (Tess), and Juliette, Duchess of Chatellerault (Lisette).

When they arrived at Parliament, the ladies were led into Cartier's office. He stood and bowed to them. "Welcome, Your Graces." He looked to Deschamps. "Leave us."

When Deschamps had closed the door, Sybille spoke. "You are aware of our story, Monsieur Cartier?"

Cartier seemed uncomfortable. "Yes, I am. I received a letter from the French King detailing everything. Not that I believe much of it."

"You need not believe it; you need only listen to us." Tess told him.

He turned to Lisette. "I heard about the death of your fiancé, Your Grace. You have my condolences."

With shaky breath as she tried not to cry, Lisette responded. "Thank you for your kind words."

Cartier nodded his head in recognition before turning to Sybille and Tess. "Starting tomorrow, you will attend the council meetings with me as observers only. Anything you wish to change has to come from me. You are, after all, women. Women do not have a place in government."

"Yet." Sybille added. "They have no place in government yet, but one day they will. After all, there have been many Queen Regnants before, many who have gone down in history as the greatest rulers of their time."

"Yes, yes." He waved off her comments. "I know a woman can rule or lead, it does not mean it is allowed in our country yet."

"Why must you allow it?" Tess asked. "Is there anything in the law forbidding it?"

Cartier thought it over. "I do not believe so, but women are needed elsewhere. Who would raise the children?"

"The men." Cartier chuckled at Tess's answer. She rolled her eyes. "I know, I know. How crazy of me to think such a thing."

Sybille smiled, forcing herself not to chuckle. At least in this time, they couldn't be hunted for speaking their mind, only ignored. "Perhaps we should end this meeting."

"Yes, I will see you all tomorrow."

"My daughter will not be attending." Sybille informed him. "After all, she is in mourning."

"Very well. May you have a safe trip home." Cartier opened the door and had Deschamps lead them to their carriage.

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