Jeneria: Defenders of Ausmik

CHAPTER SEVEN - A SOCIETY OF OUTCASTS

The blistered woman invited Jenn, Jesse and the Natal boy to sit with her and her two sons. Like her, their faces were blotched in red blisters. The other Xomenclature were all talking with one another, clearly stimulated by what Jenn had said.

"Thank you so much for inviting us to talk with you," said Jenn.

The woman smiled.

"Yeah," added Jesse. "No offense, but I've heard a lot of terrible things about the Outskirts. Someone told me that it's where cannibals live. I'm just relieved you don't want to eat us."

"Well," said the woman, "considering our food situation, that may not be a bad idea."

Jenn leaned forward. "Sorry for asking," she said, "but what do you need the medicine for?"

"It's quite alright," said the woman. "You can ask whatever you'd like. But as you can probably tell, many of us are sick. My sons and I suffer from a rare disease that, if untreated, will cause our entire bodies to swell. We usually don't look like this, but we haven't had our medicine for months, so our illness is beginning to take its effect."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Jenn. "I wish we could help."

"Trust me, you've already helped."

Jenn smiled.

A woman, about the same age as the blistered woman, approached. "Can I offer any of you some water?" she said.

"Yes, please," said Jenn, answering for all of them. She would have normally declined the offer, but she was unusually thirsty; it must've been something in the air.

The woman bowed and retreated.

"Now," said the blistered woman, "I think we should talk about what you said. I don't think any of us clearly understand what it is that you're asking for."

Jenn could understand, for she barely even knew what she was asking.

"I'm asking for your help—for to take up arms and march with us to Denethgilne. That'll be our starting point, and after we take over the city, we'll head for the Imperial Mass."

"But we have no weapons here," said the woman's son. "And only a few of us have ever held a sword."

Before Jenn could respond, the woman returned with a platter of glasses. As she served each of them a glass, Jenn noticed her hand trembling.

"Thank you," said Jenn, taking the glass from her to prevent it from spilling.

She took a sip, but had to stop herself from instantly spitting it out. The water tasted as rancid as the air smelled. Jesse didn't manage it as well though, barely missing the woman's face as she spit out the water.

"Yuck," said Jesse. "I think that water's rotten." She turned to Jenn, "Can water be rotten?"
"I apologize," said the blistered woman, "but our filtration system isn't great. I suppose we're just used to it."

"That's terrible," said Jenn. "You've survived on this water your entire lives?"

They all nodded.

"I can't believe how poorly you've been treated," said Jenn. "Well, I can, but it makes me so angry—especially that nobody seems to care."

"Well, dear, nobody knows about our situation. Like your friend said, the people believe the stories they hear about us. They don't see us as people, so there's no reason to feel any sympathy for us."

Jenn felt guilty, for she had been susceptible to the same rumors. Even her uncle, who probably knew the region better than anyone else, had misconceptions about the Outskirts.