Page 61 of Knot All Is Ruined: Part 2

The guys all looked at each other. There were a few shrugs and a nod from Cris in this strange nonverbal communication.

“We accept that, but you will remain here with us tonight,” Sorin determined. “Your men will be out for quite some time. There’s no need for you to return right away.”

Opening his mouth to argue, Sorin just narrowed his eyes, which caused Branko to sigh and sit down. “Do you at least have some food? I was kidnapped before I had a chance to eat anything.”

Cris grabbed a rations packet and tossed it over. “That’s supposed to be beef stew. They aren’t the best tasting thing in the world, but they do the trick.”

“This is what all your soldiers get for rations?” Branko asked, looking the whole thing over as if it was a miracle. “How can it be safe having traveled around in your pack? Do I need to heat it?”

“I mean, you could heat it if we had boiling water for you to put it in. Otherwise, most of us just rip off the corner and squeeze,” Toma explained. “As for how it stays good… I try not to ask too many questions. The old timers tell us about the powder meals they had to mix with water then drink. I’ll take mystery meat any day over that.”

Doing as Toma suggested, he ripped off the corner and sniffed, only to gag a little.

“Sorry, forgot to warn you not to look all that closely at it. Just slurp it down, my man,” Toma said with a grin. “When there is no other option for food, these things are amazing, but you never forget your first one.”

“Ask Dani about her first experience,” Petru commented and had to dodge out of the way as I chucked a canteen at him. “Now, now, Wildflower, I’m just trying to make him feel better about the situation. He needs to know we’re not poisoning him with the thing.”

I turned to Branko with a serious expression as I explained. “Don’t question what it is or how it smells. Just close your eyes and swallow, knowing it will keep you alive for another day. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a mouth full of something vile and throwing up all over yourself.”

Toma started to snicker, Only when I glared at him did he stop, appearing a little guilty. “To be fair to her, we didn’t give her any warning whatsoever about them. She also ended up with the one that most people hate as it is.”

“As she said, it will keep you alive,” Sorin agreed. “Over the years, there have been many alternatives, and this seems to be working the best even if it leaves plenty to be desired.”

Still not seeming convinced, Branko closed his eyes and did just what I told him.

“Oh god,” he gagged. “How the fuck is that food?”

“See, that’s the one thing we never called it,” Victor pointed out. “It’s not food, but it is full of life-giving nutrition.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Branko murmured, his head between his knees.

Victor slapped him on the back a few times. “Hang it there. Your stomach will settle, just give it a minute.”

With a thumbs up, Branko just sat there silently for a little while as the rest of the guys told stories about the worst things they’d ever had to eat. I was eternally grateful that I got to enjoy my candy bar before this all occurred, otherwise, I’m not sure I could have stomached it. Once Bran recovered, he joined in the conversation, sharing his own experiences in and out of the Northern Army. I couldn’t help but smile as everyone relaxed, and the evening felt like a gathering of friends. This would only help us when we got to the stronghold because if Bran was indeed on our side, it would make all the difference in the world.

This was it, the final step we needed to make this possible. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, we’d know what the fates had in store for us. Would we change the world, or would our world be changed, locked away with the rebels? Truthfully, in either situation, I was winning out since both scenarios left me with the ability to stay with my men. There wasn’t much I couldn’t adjust to as long as we were all together.