The Scourge (A.G. Henley) - By A.G. Henley Page 0,29

this morning.”

“But, Fenn, how will you find your way?” Calli asks timidly. She’s not used to speaking in front of the community.

“How will anyone find their way? Like Sable said, the torches won’t stay lit forever. I’m not afraid of moving in the dark, and when the caves end I can leave without fear of the Scourge.”

“And what then? Will you smell your way to the water?” Adder asks, his voice as irritating as a bee sting.

“If I have to,” I say.

“I’ll go with Fennel,” Bear says. “I’ll serve as her eyes.”

There are several outbursts, but the voice I hear is Thistle’s. “That’s outrageous! An unpartnered boy and girl traveling together?”

Aloe says, “Thank you for offering to assist my daughter, Bear. But as her mother, I cannot allow it.”

“Better luck next time, hero,” someone mock-whispers nearby.

“Shut up, Moray,” Bear mutters.

“I’ll go with Fennel!” Eland calls out from across the room.

“No!” Aloe and I say together.

“But–”

“No!”

After a moment’s pause, I hear him sit down again. I face the community, clasping my hands together in front of me to keep from squirming.

Sable says, “Fennel, are you willing to go alone?” I nod. “Aloe, are you willing to collect the water while she’s gone?”

“I’ll do what’s needed for the community, but I’d like a word with Fennel—in private—before this is decided.”

“Of course,” Sable agrees.

“Come with me,” Aloe says.

I pick my way across the main cave, listening to the hushed conversations of the people. I can’t tell if they’re for or against the idea of me going. Maybe they’re just relieved it won’t be them. I won’t say it out loud, but Adder is right. I don’t know what I’ll do when I leave the parts of the caves I know well. I remember how vulnerable I felt in the trees, without a map in my head to move by. My chest tightens, and I swallow hard.

Aloe chooses the tunnel where I met with the Three, the night Rose and Jack died. I realize we haven’t really talked since then. When I’m not collecting water, I can usually be found curled up in a dark corner, sleeping. Aloe’s been busy with Council work, keeping the community organized while trying to dampen discontent. I have no idea if she’s still angry about my disobedience of the Council’s orders.

I follow the rhythmic sound of her stick, and stop when she does. I feel the absolute silence of the vast, black caves beyond us. It’s sobering. I brace myself for a lecture, but instead Aloe hugs me. She smells as unwashed as any of us, but underneath that I can still smell her particular scent of herbs and iron. Her hands clench my arms, reminding me how strong she is. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asks.

“I’m sure.”

“Why?” She sounds curious, not challenging.

“I want to help the community however I can. If the Scourge doesn’t leave, then we may have to. We’ll need a source of water.”

“Fennel,” Aloe says in the clipped tone she uses when she’s about to call Eland out for some transgression or another, “I’m your mother. I know when you’re not telling me everything, and I want to know what it is before I agree to let you disappear alone into these caves.” She pauses. “Does this sudden desire to find the Hidden Waters have anything to do with Peree?”

I'm surprised, but I try not to show it. “No, why?”

“You spent the night in the trees with him.” It’s a statement, not a question.

Shock shoots through my belly. “How did you find out?”

Aloe chuckles. “We weren't born yesterday, child. Shrike saw you leaving the trees that morning. He questioned Peree, then informed their Council. We still have to communicate with the Lofties at times, even while we’re in the caves.”

“Why wasn’t I punished?”

“Peree explained how the flesh-eaters behaved when you fell asleep. Sable and I agreed you’d been punished enough, given the circumstances.” I notice she didn’t say Adder agreed. He probably wanted to banish me.

“Peree didn’t tell me you knew.”

“The Lofties keep their own secrets, don’t forget,” Aloe says.

“So he told them I was bitten?”

She gasps. “No, I didn’t know you were . . . are you all right? Where were you bitten?”

I touch my arm. “It didn’t break the skin. I think it’s healed now. It doesn’t hurt anymore, anyway.” I hesitate. “Did you know our protection fails when we fall asleep?”

“Of course not, or I never would have agreed to the punishment.” I feel a rush of