Fear

Chapter 19

"Anything to report?" Grant asked him.

"We have packed up the main room as you requested. John has returned with food.

The meal is almost complete. Nigel is awake."

Grant laughed. "I have missed all that?"

Luke grinned. It changed him completely. "We like to see you happy, Talgen. It gives us a greater incentive." His eyes lifted to mine. "Sholry." He nodded his head in acknowledgement of me, but the simple act showed his heightened respect toward me.

I nodded back. "Luke." His name was almost silent on my lips. I could see the understanding in his eyes though. He knew I had accepted Nigel's discipline.

Before we ate, I went to visit Nigel. He still lay on the hall floor covered with the blanket. A cushion cradled his head. He was awake and alert. He tried to sit when he saw me.

"Stay. You are still weak." I insisted. "You may honour me when you have regained some strength."

"Sholry." He winced as he nodded, clearly stiff and sore. His voice was husky.

"You will eat?"

"I will attempt it."

"Will you require assistance?"

He will have it, sholry.

"I will manage, Sholry."

"You will accept it, Nigel." Grant ordered. "We move out in two days. You will accompany us. We are going home."

"Talgen." He acknowledged his leader.

I couldn't help wondering if he regretted the previous few days now he knew he would be returning home. Was the punishment worth the brief pleasure he had taken?

Grant steered me back through the doorway and into the kitchen. My place was ready for me to eat, the others collecting plates to eat in the main room. Grant sat by me. Luke took a bowl and spoon.

"Keep mine warm." He said before turning away with the bowl. Charles placed a plate into the hot oven. He sat on the spare seat and ate.

I picked up my fork but Grant stilled my arm.

"Bess. Taste." He commanded, indicating my plate.

Bess didn't hesitate. Using her own fork, she stabbed a vegetable, swiped it across the centre of my meal and popped it in her mouth. She closed her eyes in appreciation as she chewed it.

"Satisfied, Talgen?" She asked.

"Perfectly, Bess. Enjoy your meal." Grant nodded to me to continue. I ate with relish. Charles had worked wonders again. All the ingredients were fresh. I had not tasted anything so good. Although I enjoyed cooking, few fresh ingredients were available and affordable. I had managed with processed food that was edible most of the time. I wondered where they had found it.

"This is lovely, Charles. I'm going to enjoy travelling if you continue to cook like this." I praised.

"We will eat well for the next few days, storing up energy. Food will be a challenge when we travel, but I'll do what I can, Sholry."

"We haven't starved yet, Charles." Grant grinned.

Muscles can't grow or be maintained on a bad diet, I knew that, and every man had a good physique. With the exception of Bess, they all looked well nourished. I wondered why the meal had been placed in the oven.

That's for Luke.

- Where's Luke? I thought he had a bowl?

That was for Nigel. Luke feeds him. It's a rule of the discipline. Whoever deals the punishment, cares for the casualty. Luke will attend to all Nigel's needs until he can manage by himself again. Only when Nigel has eaten, can Luke have his own meal, not until.