Chapter Text
The next morning I came back to the Lau camp, soaked through again. Esau and the rest of the file were absent on their duties, and the camp was quiet, so I went to talk to the women. Lalani was there with Eleni, showing her how they prepared the midday meal.
“Don’t drip on the food, Ryo! Is everything all right with the warriors?”
“Yes. Derovo will send to Sariani, or else she should let him know if otherwise. The inKera women will be trading at Raha Sen. I have a letter to deliver to the headman of Dumau Sen, regarding a different matter, if you will tell me where I should go.”
“Of course, Ryo, but you might want to get dry first.”
“Thank you, warrior, for your help,” said Eleni. She looked at me as she spoke, which most Lau women would not do.
“How is your son?”
“Tyo is well enough now,” she said. “The army medics have looked after him.”
“Tyo is an Ugaro name.”
“Of course I gave him an Ugaro name. I couldn’t stay with his father, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.”
“He may wish to visit the north when he is older. Soroya inKera instructed me to say to that inKera will protect you both.”
“Thank you.” Now Eleni did look down, sighing.
“Ryo, please go and get dry. I’ll see you later about that letter,” said Lalani, obviously wanting to get her work done.
I was quite content to stay in wet clothes, because it was cooler, but I went back to the tent. The soldiers were returning for the midday meal. They were pleased to see me.
“Ryo! Esau, he’s back!” said Kosas.
“Do you have somewhere you have to be, Ryo, or can you stay another couple of days?” said Laraut. “Thing is, there’s this bet on – if you’re with us it’ll be a sure thing.”
Another file leader, Gouret, had bet against Esau. Esau was well known as the best wrestler in the division, but the bet was not as stupid as it might seem because Gouret’s file had two very strong fighters. The soldiers often wrestled, or sparred, for training and sometimes for their entertainment when off duty. Such a match between two men would cause no problem. But when a whole file took on another, and betting became serious, there was always the possibility the match might become a larger brawl. For this the soldiers would be punished.
This was not a type of fighting that was common among the Ugaro, and the punishment for brawling was fairly severe, but when the soldiers were bored these fights were not an infrequent occurrence.
Yes, Ryo,” said Esau. “We need eight. I told him it couldn’t just be from our file because we’re short anyway, but he won’t be expecting you. So, six of our file, you, who else do you reckon?” I joined the quiet discussion over the midday meal. Sehoras and Pelas were already under punishment for another reason and would not be stupid enough to join in, but they had opinions.
I would welcome the chance to fight alongside Esau, I thought, even if I could not use weapons. It was good to remember that I was a warrior, even if I was also a captive.
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