The Scourge (A.G. Henley) - By A.G. Henley Page 0,27

idea where to look for the Waters, if they exist at all.”

Fox speaks up. “If we had another source of water we could move to, then we wouldn’t be at the flesh-eaters’ mercy when they come.” Or the Lofties’, he doesn’t say. “Even if we don’t find the Hidden Waters, maybe we’ll find another source.”

“Are you volunteering to go, Fox?” Adder asks.

“Yes, if need be.”

“No, Fox–” Calli’s mother, Acacia, says.

“Who will go, then? Who will search for the Hidden Waters?” Pinion calls out, excitement in her voice.

Sable speaks. “Patience—it is no simple matter to look for the Waters. The Council must discuss the idea before any decision is made. Let us meet in private, and we will speak again this evening.”

The meeting ends, and is followed by whispered conversations in the crowd.

Bear rips into some dried meat, and talks with his mouth full. “People must be feeling desperate, to want to search for the Hidden Waters again.”

“Can’t you feel it?” I ask, listening to the low, uneasy voices around us.

“What?”

“The desperation.”

“All I feel is my empty stomach and my dry throat,” Bear complains. “Oh, sorry, Fenn. I know you’re doing your best.” He must have looked at my face.

“It’s okay.” I stand up, brushing crumbs of bread from my lap.

He grabs my arm. “Really, I’m sorry.”

“I know.” I pull away, and hear him curse under his breath.

I’m not angry with him—it’s not the first time I’ve heard someone complain of their hunger and thirst—but I’m discouraged. Despite all my efforts to stock the caves with food when the flesh-eaters aren’t here, and collect the water when they are, there isn’t enough of either. I’m weary, body and spirit, from doing my duty, while the people still suffer from deprivation. I slouch toward the passageway. No one notices when I come and go now. Except Eland.

He stops me at the entrance to the tunnel. “Here, take some bread and dried meat with you.”

“I’m not taking your ration,” I say, “and anyway, I’m not hungry.” Unlike everyone else.

“Mother’s worried about you. She said you’re losing weight.”

“You still need it more than I do.” I squeeze his hand. It’s covered in grime. “Ugh, Eland, you’re filthy. Why don’t you wash up?”

He hesitates before he answers. “No water.”

My melancholy deepens.

I trudge up the path to the clearing, six sacks of water safely ensconced in the trees. Peree follows above my head, stopping often to shoot at the most insistent of the flesh-eaters. He’s quiet again today, but the creatures aren’t. They crowd around me, shrieking and moaning in my ears. I’m too tired to react. I think about the Hidden Waters as I work—if the legend is true; where the Waters might be; if someone will search for them; and if so, who?

“Peree?” I call. “How are your people doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, how are they feeling?”

“Angry, afraid, wondering when the fleshies will leave.”

“Really? I guess I didn’t think the Scourge would affect you so much.” The flesh-eaters seemed kind of unimportant when I was up in the trees, like so much background noise.

“Of course we’re affected. We’re used to having water when we need it, like you are.”

“But what are you afraid of?”

“Dehydration. Becoming permanent prisoners in the trees. More Groundling fires. And you.”

I stop short, then flinch, worried the creatures will run into me. “You’re afraid of me?”

“Afraid for you, really. That the Water Bearer won’t be able to keep up this pace.”

“My people are worried about the same thing. So am I, for that matter.” I start walking along the path again, trying to stick to the shade. It’s sizzling today, even under the sprawling canopy of greenheart branches. “Have you heard of the Hidden Waters?” He says he hasn’t. “What? I finally get to tell you a story?” I tease, and then I tell him what I know. “Someone suggested we look for the Waters again,” I say in conclusion.

“And?”

“And I’m thinking about volunteering.” He doesn’t respond. “What do you think?”

He swings between walkways before answering. “I think you’ve lost your mind.”

I bristle. “Why, because I want to help my people? What if the Scourge doesn’t leave this time? What kind of future will we have if we don’t find another source of water?”

“Why does it have to be you? You already stock the caves and collect the water. Why can’t someone else do this? And I hate to point out the obvious, but your Sightlessness might be a bit of a disadvantage when you’re searching for something and