This morning, all my brothers are being collected and taken to wherever their help is needed. Hrad is going to be doingsomething with animals. He thinks the humans plan on catching and taming some. Last night as we laughed at the idea of taming the screamers, we drew attention. Today as we talked, we were more careful.
Although there wasn’t much to joke about over breakfast.
I don’t know what they put in the bowl, but it was the worst thing I have ever eaten, and I ate some pretty bad things in the first few months I was banished. However, it was the only food on offer and even the humans didn’t seem very impressed by it, so I shoveled it down. The meals they serve are not big enough for a Honey warrior.
Tiril said it’s because food is rationed.
Another reason we should be out hunting and bolstering food supplies. Food should be a priority, not an afterthought. No one can work if they are hungry, or thirsty, or cold.
It is no wonder the humans revolted against their previous leaders.
But the humans also do not want our help to hunt, so we will all starve together. We were eating better on our own.
Hrad steps out of his room and leans against the wall.
I nod my head at him.
“I never want to eat that slop again,” Hrad grumbles. The food was so bad it’s caused Hrad to speak.
“Agreed, brother. Can we convince them to let us forage?” While the tubers are a little different from the ones growing at home, they are sweeter and smaller, we have been eating them for months with no effect.
“I’ve already spoken to Tiril.”
“Perhaps they should farm our tubers instead of the plants from their planet. Are we allowed to create our own garden?” We had started in our little village, but all that work has now been lost.
He shrugs.
Tonight, over dinner, we need to discuss the severity of the food situation some more. That is where I should be working, even if they don’t trust me with a weapon.
The short-haired woman who said my name last night walks towards us. Her dark hair drapes over her forehead, almost covering one eye. And while she is so short she doesn’t reach my shoulder, it is clear she is fit and strong.
Her gaze flicks between the two of us. “Which one of you is Yva?”
I peel myself away from the wall. “I am…and your name is?”
“Harper. I run laundry and repairs.”
I place my hand over my heart and incline my head. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“Same.” She smiles, and it’s clear she’s trying to keep her teeth hidden. I like her already. “Do you have any laundry? Clothing that needs washed or mended?”
We both nod.
“Right. In your room, there should be a bag with the room number on it. You put your dirty clothes in it and drop it off at the laundry.” She stares at me as if she’s waiting for me to do something.
“You want our dirty clothes now?”
“Yes, unless you don’t want them washed. You can tell your friends what to do tonight, because no doubt they have dirty clothes, too.”
If I didn’t know about the laundry, I would’ve washed my clothes under the waterfall. But I don’t tell Harper that. Instead, I do as she asked. Finding the bag in the wardrobe and placing my worn clothes inside.
She takes the bag from me and shows me the number on the bag. “Can you read?”
“Of course I can. Your markings are different from the ones I can read, but the ones on the bag match the ones on my door.”
“So delivering the clean laundry won’t be a problem?”
“I do not expect it to be. Nor will it take me long to learn your numbers.”
