“Why have you turned pink?” Gannen asks, breaking the uncomfortable tension that has thickened.
She groans and slaps her hand over her eyes, only to quickly drop it with a hiss. “Fuck, that hurt.”
Despite her earlier refusal, I walk over to the supply table to put some distance between us. With a trembling hand, I snag the vessel and return to Elodie’s side. “Drink.”
She wrinkles her nose, whatever embarrassment she may have been feeling gone. Or at least hidden. “It tastes like ass and makes me drowsy.”
Gannen makes a noise deep in his throat. “You have tasted ass before?”
Elodie jerks and looks at him. Her lips press together and she snorts, which is followed by a groan. “God, don’t make me laugh. And, no, I haven’t tasted ass before. It’s just an expression when something tastes awful.”
My kit cocks his head like he does when he does not understand something. He turns toward me. “I do not want to eat or drink anything that tastes like ass, Gogo.”
“We will speak of this later.” I turn back to Elodie. “Drink…please.”
She huffs, but complies after I hand her the vessel. Her hand shakes and she nearly drops it, but I catch it before it falls.
“Damn it. Why am I so weak?”
Instead of answering, I place the cup at her mouth and tip it until she gestures she is finished. Elodie grimaces and makes a noise of disgust.
“Blech.”
I have ingested my fair share of burim root, but the flavor has never bothered me. Perhaps the humans are more sensitive.
“Now that you are awake,” Gannen speaks up. “How did you fall into the trap?”
Elodie’s mouth opens, but a beat later, she closes it. “I’m having a hard time remembering things.”
“But—”
“—Leave it.”
My kit flinches at my harsh tone. I will apologize later. His question appeared to cause discomfort to Elodie. She does not need more.
“Drink.”
She waves me off. “I’m good now, thanks.”
Although I am hesitant to do so, I return the nearly full vessel to the supply table. Gannen remains at Elodie’s side, studying her with much intent. She does the same to him. I join them once more, but keep distance between us. She glances at me and back at my kit.
“You said you found me in one of your traps,” she breaks the silence. “What kind of trap?”
“Gogo and some of the other warlords have dug giant holes in the ground in order to catch the large beasts that roam the forest,” Gannen explains before I am able to. “It is one of the ways we hunt to fill our stores. They used to be scarce, but ever since the Tavikhi have become our friends, they have taught us how to survive far better than when we lived in King Armik’svillage. I now have plenty of food to eat. Before that, hunger always clawed at me.”
Although I am aware it is not my fault, shame fills me that I was not able to provide properly for my kit. I will have to live with the fact and do all I can to make up for it.
Elodie softens as she observes Gannen. “I’m glad you are able to eat your fill now and am sorry you used to have to go hungry.”
He shrugs, a human gesture he learned from Sorin who learned it from Talek. “It was the way of the Krijese.”
Brief silence falls before Elodie breaks it. She smiles, and my hearts nearly stop beating. “I’m lucky you two came along then, aren’t I? I mean, if you found me at the bottom of a giant hole, where a great beast could have fallen in and eaten me. I have the both of you to thank for rescuing me, since I have no desire to be some animal’s next meal.”
The sound that emerges from Gannen startles me. It is one I have only heard made by Sorin and Iris, although they sound nothing alike. Elodie blinks and startles slightly. Her lips curl upward even more. It makes my stomach swirl. Without warning, the hide door flap swings away, and Healer Sage walks in carrying a small bowl. Her steps pause briefly and her gaze darts between Elodie, Gannen, and me.
“You’re awake,” she says and continues moving forward. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I fell into a hole in the ground.”
