Drone

16 Fire Light.

Niklas sat around the fire in the courtyard of the cattle compound. This gathering would mark the first time he actually joined the daily unwind, which seemed to be a tradition for the cattle crew. The Sommerfeldts were present as usual and regarded as equals. They had invited him on more than one occasion, but Niklas felt more comfortable hiding in the Sommerfeldts' Apartment.

When Robin invited Niklas himself, Niklas finally caved.

Niklas sat between Robin and Ivar. The herdsmen and their families relaxed over cups of steaming tea.

A herdsman was telling a story. Something about a hired hand who couldn't count past eleven: it was a strange story. There was no mention or example of valor. Those listening laughed when the hired hand did something foolish. Niklas wasn't listening well enough to understand the punch line.

Niklas looked across the fire at Esther. She was looking at him. He met her eyes. This time, she was the first to look away quickly.

Niklas, unsure what to make it, forced himself to stare down at his boots.

"Move, Robin," a gangly girl in her late teens aggressively asserted herself between Robin and Niklas.

"Daisy!" Robin protested but yielded, knowing it was a futile battle.

Niklas looked at her in surprise, being so startled by her intrusion.

"Are you strong?" the girl asked. "You look strong."

"Uh, I guess so," Niklas said.

"You're cute."

"Huh?" Niklas hadn't ever heard the word before. He glanced at Esther as if for some clue on how to respond. He saw only rage in her eyes.

"Where did you come from? Did Lill really fish you out of the river?" Daisy leaned in, cocking her head to examine Niklas at a near sideways angle.

"Yes," Niklas said, shrinking before the barrage of questions.

"Esther says you licked some of the Rowan thugs. Are you a boxer?"

"I guess so," Niklas muttered.

"So where'd you learn to box? Are you from Pit Forest or Colgar? Are you single? Is it true you have tattoos?"

Niklas helplessly looked at Robin for backup. Robin wisely pretended not to see.

"All right, Daisy. Leave the man alone." Somehow, Esther circled the fire and stood above the girl, her hands planted on her hips.

Daisy looked up at Esther, then leaned in and sniffed Niklas. "You smell like sweat."

"Daisy! Now!" Esther leaned in threateningly.

"Come on, Esther," Daisy whined. "Of course, I'm going to vet him if he's going to stay in the compound."

"That's quite enough."

Daisy looked up at Esther, her lower lip extended in a near-childish pout.

Esther's eyes flashed as an unspoken rebuke passed between them.

Daisy looked from Esther to Niklas and back again, and then her face broke into a victorious grin.

"I see, you like hi– Ow!"

"Let's go for a walk, young lady!" Esther cut in, encouraging Daisy to her feet with a handful of dark hair.

"Esther! Hey! Stop! Let me go!"

Esther towed Daisy away.

Niklas looked to Ivar for answers.

Ivar simply shrugged.