Between The Crystals

Ch 39 A Gift Returned

I rested beside the crystal, and whenever my boredom exceeded my tiredness, I gathered more leaves, vines, and branches. Even though I hadn't seen a single hint of a green hide lurking in the foliage, I did not braid any more circles.

Movement in the distance had me sitting straighter as I peered through the leaves, spotting the first two hunters returning. I got to my feet and went to greet them. To my relief, they each had two carry bags, and one had a small wild pig slung over his shoulder.

"Here, let me help carry something," I offered.

"Thanks, but we're just going to the creek. We can carry it that far."

I followed the two sweaty men to the tiny stream, where they set everything down and splashed handfuls of water over their arms and face.

Cruz shook out his now-soaked hair and scanned our surroundings. "What's by the crystal?"

"Leaves, branches, vines, and a few odds and ends. Nothing edible."

"It looks like past groups cleaned out this entire area. We haven't seen a single thing in the last half an hour. Did you find much to eat?"

"Not enough to even fill a soup bowl. I'm hoping I can beg something off someone," I replied honestly. I wasn't starving after the two palm-sized mangos, but most of their size had been the pit, and at least two hours had passed since I'd eaten them. The plant soup I'd eaten last night was a mere memory and wasn't about to appease my stomach, not when I was porting groups around and got cornered by a Saursune.

After one last look around, Cruz sat on a nearby log and pulled a small papaya out of his carry net. My mouth watered as he cut a section off and passed it to me.

"Thanks," I murmured, gratefully taking the offering.

I had only expected a few greens, not for someone to forfeit a highly desirable fruit that would have gotten them plenty of praise back in the village. I took a big bite. A glimpse of green in the distant shrubs caught my attention, but the Saursune was already leaving.

Cruz cut a section for himself, unaware of our former observer, and passed the papaya to his companion, telling me, "Porting burns a lot of energy, and there's no sense in going hungry. We just won't tell anyone."

"Besides," the other hunter commented as he cut a slice off, "if you faint while porting, Grant might blame us."

I laughed at that rally, protesting, "I haven't fainted in years!"

Cruz looked amused. "You should have seen Grant pacing after he sent Merryl to check on you the other day."

"He was the one who told me to rest well between ports," I said in good humor, taking another big bite of papaya.

The hunters exchanged an unconvinced look, both smirking around their mouthfuls of fruit. They were keeping the topic light, but my difficulty porting the last group in must have caused some concern, which might also be why I got fruit instead of the usual greens. That might have also been why Grant had reduced the size of my group.

"There's Tib and Brielle," the standing hunter said as he waved an arm to catch their attention.

Cruz handed me a second slice of fruit while the two new arrivals washed their arms and faces. He handed them some fruit as well. No one was brave enough to eat the peppery seeds, not without them being scanned. They were put in a small leather pouch; if they got past the Guard Station's inspection, they'd be quietly shared on the upper ledge tonight.

"You won't believe what we saw on our way back," Brielle said as she sat on the log, cradling her slice of fruit.

"What's that?" Cruz asked, glancing at her.