Octavia slugged me in the upper arm and growled, making me laugh outloud.
“It is not like I could wear my regular shoes for ourjourney.”
“Your regular shoes!” I tilted my head back andlaughed.
“What? Why is that funny toyou?”
“You said your regular shoes. As if you simply had one pair of them. I do not think that I have seen you in the same pair since I arrived. You have several pairs. I have seen them. They line the floor in a room next to yourquarters—”
“River, do not mock my shoes. I have many public events that I must attend and my footwear must be clean and flawless for eachoutfit.”
We walked on for a while in silence again, though my thoughts drifted again to the boys. I wondered how they were feeling. Were they talking and keeping one anothercompany?
Octavia’s head was turned to the right, as if she had seen something. I got her attention and asked her what she was focusedon.
“It is nothing for you to be alarmed by. See the trees down there with the bright yellow fabric around the trunks?” she asked and pointed to theright.
In the distance, there were many trees, perhaps hundreds of them, that all had pieces of yellow fabric tied around the trunks. She proceeded to tell me that those were the trees where she found the people of Drishane strung up and danglingfrom.
“Every few months, members of the Drishane Committee arrange to have the fabric freshened,” she explained as we continued ourwalk.
“That is a kind way to remember those who lost their lives,” Icommented.
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I felt terrible and sorry for what my father had done to her family. I also wanted to tell her that I was there that night and that I tried to find her. But I was not sure how to work that in exactly. We had walked on in silence until the sun was completelyup.
As the scent of burning wood filled my senses, I began looking around. It was no surprise to me that Octavia had not yet picked up on the scent. I became curious about her advanced senses sheobtained.
“May I ask you something?” Iventured.
“You may,” shereplied.
“Was it just the vision and hearing that were heightened from beingturned?”
“Yes, at least that is all that I have noticed. In a few centuries that I have been around, it had just been the hearing and vision. Why do youask?”
“I was merely curious. We are a little alike, but different too. I was interested in learning about that side of you,” Iadmitted.
After more silence, she commented aboutKlyn.
“Klyn appeared to be the lucky one,” shebegan.
“Oh?” I looked at her as we walked. “How so, or what do youmean?”
“Klyn was blessed not only with the hearing and vision enhancements, but endless energy. The ladies are pleased with his endlessstamina.”
Both of us smiled and laughed alittle.
“The stamina will help him now,” Isaid.
“What do you think they are doing with him? Do you think they are hurtinghim?”
“It is hard to say, however, I believe that they are simply keeping him locked up. Which brings up an important topic that we must discuss; we will be able to obtain some weapons in WesterLea—”
“Weapons?” Octavia came to a stop and stared at me. “What do you mean, weapons? What do we need weaponsfor?”
Was sheserious?
“Octavia, what is your planexactly?”
