The rest of the preparations pass quickly, and then the food is finished.
Just as we start to prepare every dish in the place, several more Enduares poke in and out, asking for what we need. I hear the human language filter through the space as the women begin to arrive to eat.
Along with them, Enduares hang back to the edges and corners throughout the space, watching.
Only one approaches me as I serve bowl after bowl of the soup.
It’s a young Enduar girl. I know her—she interrupted Ulla more than once. Velen’s daughter.
I wish I could remember her name, but smile down at her as she approaches me.
“Queen,” she starts in her broken common tongue. “Missed you.”
Then her mouth splits into a grin, and she holds out something for me.
It’s a gem the size of her palm. I recognize the deep shades of purple and the almost chalky raw edges.
It’s amethyst, one of my favorite stones.
“For you. Happy,” she tries to form sentences with her eyebrows drawing together.
My heart expands in my chest. Amethysts do reflect happy songs, ones that bring joy to anyone who hears them.
I take the stone and hold it close to my chest.
Ulla, who’s been watching the exchange, sings a few notes and causes the crystal to glow in my hands.
My eyes grow wide. Even though I knew it would happen, it still amazes me to see the crystal in action so quickly and feel both its song and the joy that melody amplifies. My surprise must still be evident because the little girl starts to laugh.
I also laugh and look down at her. When I repeat the notes with my limited singing ability, the gem barely glows for me.
“That was very kind of you, Rila,” Ulla says affectionately.
Rila!That was her name.
The girl in question grins once more.
“Good! I help?” she looks pointedly at the empty bowl still in my other hand.
I nod and hand her the empty dish. She seems capable enough. When I ladle in the hot soup, her brows scrunch together as she turns and heads back out to the group of women, looking for an empty set of hands that still need a bowl.
As I watch her, I find nearly every slave watching me.
Each eye pierces the exchange with mixed expressions. A few look like they’re about to cry, some are almost amazed, and others almost appear mistrustful.
Each different emotion has been one I’ve witnessed or felt. But I hope our display cements their thoughts about Enduvida.
They should know that we are willing to give anything to ensure this life doesn’t disappear under Rholker’s rule.
By the time every bowl is given out, Liana has joined us.
“We should talk to them about what happens next,” the wise woman says to me. “Arlet should be here soon.”
I nod, washing my hands and standing in front of all of them.
Teo hangs back.
“¿Todos tienen comida?”?3 I say in the human tongue.
