He stepped toward her. “What?”
She pointed at the copper. He stared, then the corners of his mouth turned upwards. “We’ve got some digging to do.” He went back to his bucket, tossed a few large rocks into Savinnia’s, then rejoined Tereka.
By the time the shadows obscured the rocks, they had filled both their buckets. Naco chipped a few extra chunks of ore. “Give these to Relio.”
Tereka staggered up the hill, struggling under the weight of her bucket. Relio was still chipping, hissing every time he swung his hammer. She added the ore to his bucket, filling it completely. Relio looked at the ore, then Tereka, and nodded.
A shrill whistle cut the air. Tereka joined the line of workers, the handle of her bucket cutting into her fingers, the weight threatening to pull her arm from its socket. Each prisoner tossed his hammer and chisel onto a pile under the watchful eyes of the guards, then set the bucket on the scales. The first five met the quota. They were sent to line up near the ramp out of the pit.
The sixth man’s bucket didn’t tip the scales. A guard cuffed him and sent him back to work. “No dinner for you.”
No dinner? Hunger gnawed Tereka’s insides and her limbs were weak. She couldn’t do anymore that day. She could barely stand. And in the dark, she’d never find the seam she’d been working. She put her hand on her amulets. Please.
Relio placed his bucket on the scale. He passed and strolled to the formation without a backward glance. Sebezh, Savinnia, and Naco all passed.
Tereka’s held her breath as she placed her bucket on the scale.
The guard grunted. “Good enough.”
The tightness in her chest eased. She gulped for air as she stumbled to take a place in line, the ground seeming to shift beneath her feet. She stared straight ahead, willing herself to not faint. She pressed her arms against her aching stomach. She had to get more to eat or she wouldn’t last one more day.
Sebezh moved to stand behind her. He stroked her cheek with one dusty finger. “Want to make a trade, girly?” He tapped her lips. “Give me what I want. And I can give you something you want.”
If she gave into him, she might get some extra food and stave off starvation one more day. She wavered, tempted by the chance to ease the pain in her belly.
No. Not worth it to substitute that pain for another kind of emptiness. She spun around and drove her knee into his groin. He bent double and she pushed him over. She smiled as he hit the ground. She sent out thanks to Da for teaching her to fight.
“You’ll pay for this, zhalapu,” Sebezh said, hurling the vile name at Tereka with gusto. He clambered to his feet, his pockmarked face flushing. “I’ll have you one way or another.”
Tereka’s heart thumped and she tensed her muscles. He won’t have me without a fight.
“Stop.” Relio growled his command.
Her stomach clenched. Would he punish her for attacking one of his favorites?
“You can move up two spots, trader girl. And you,” he glared at Sebezh, “leave her for me.”
42
Tereka trudged back to the barracks, flexing her bleeding and blistered hands. Good thing Relio had backed her up with Sebezh. She shuddered to think of what might have been. But not so good that he claimed her for his own.
The dark of the barracks was a relief from the baking sun, but only for a heartbeat. Then the stench assaulted her nose.
“Hey, Tereka.” Relio was already seated in the chair he occupied like a throne. “Come talk with me.”
Great. She just wanted to sit down. She dragged herself over to where Relio sprawled in his chair. “Where’d you learn to fight like that?”
“My da is a trader and I was his apprentice. He taught me to fight so I could take care of myself on the road.”
“He did good.” Relio looked her up and down. “Think about my offer?”
“A little.”
Relio grinned. “I can wait.” He leaned forward. “I haven’t forgotten about the gift you tossed my way. That, and the joy of seeing you thump Sebezh like that, has earned you two rewards.”
“Thank you.” Would she be grateful once she knew what they were?
“The first is,” he reached into the bag he held on his lap, “dinner.” He held out a large hunk of black bread.
Tereka’s eyes widened. Her mouth watered. Now she understood. Only the front of the line got bread with their evening stew. She took the bread from Relio’s fingers. “I appreciate this. Really.”
Sebezh sauntered over and pushed her to the side. “Move, zhalapu. I need to speak with Relio.”
She glared at him and clenched a fist. He would pay for that insult. Relio held up a hand and pointed to the food line. Tereka sucked in a breath and moved to her place in line. It was just a word, not worth fighting over. She nibbled on the dry, tasteless bread as the line advanced and nearly moaned as the pains in her stomach eased. Once she’d drunk from the dipper, she sought out Savinnia.
The woman sat against the wall, Naco next to her. A burly man with heavy ridges over his eyes was on Naco’s other side. Tereka dropped down next to Savinnia and leaned toward Naco. “Thank you for helping me today.”
Naco nodded. “And thank you. If you hadn’t found that seam, none of us would have finished today.” He winced. “And when that happens, Relio isn’t happy. You don’t want to be here when he’s not.”
Savinnia put a hand on her shoulder. “I thank you, as well. And not just for the ore.”
“For what else?”
“For knocking Sebezh on his back. Every girl who’s passed through here has wanted to do it. None of us had the nerve. Except you. That one’s too handsy. It was time someone took him down.”
“Wouldn’t Relio?”
“Not him. He’s got enough to do to keep us all in line. As long as we get our quotas in and don’t get between him and the food, and keep the piss pot emptied, he doesn’t get involved.” She grinned. “You’re lucky he moved you up a spot.”
“I know, I didn’t like being last for the soup.”
“Well, that too, but the low man also has to empty the piss pot in the trench out back.”
“Shouldn’t I have done that yesterday? Or this morning?”
“Relio was so entertained by you it wasn’t hard for me to convince him to let you slide until tonight.” She grinned.
Tereka gaped at her, then put a hand on her arm. “I owe you for that. But won’t the guy on the bottom hate me?”
“Nah. He’s only had the job for a few days. We’ll get another new person in a day or so. Or someone will tick Relio off and end up on the bottom.”
A question niggled Tereka’s mind. “Savinnia, you mentioned other girls. Where are they?”
The woman’s smile disappeared. “Gone. They didn’t make it.” She sighed. “You see, usually the only girls who end up in the men’s brigades were troublemakers in the women’s brigades,” she said. “They’re put here as punishment, fair game for whatever the brigade leader allows.” She closed her eyes and shivered. “They only last a few days.” Forehead wrinkled, she leaned to Tereka. “You and I are the only ones sent here from the start. We must really be bad girls.”
“What did you— ”
“Hey, trader girl.”
Relio stood a few feet away, looming over her. “Don’t you want to know my second reward for you?”
Tereka dreaded what he was about to say. She hoped he didn’t think sleeping with him was some kind of treat.
“The reward is that I’ve claimed you. But just for now. I’ll give you three days to decide if you want me to have you, or someone else.” He paused. “Or you can just agree to start tonight.”
She held her breath for a few heartbeats before replying. She didn’t want to anger this man. He seemed like he was sincere in allowing her a little time. “Thank you.” She took a deep breath and forced a small smile. “I’d like to take some time, if you please.” She tried to ignore the muttering from the listening men.
&nbs
p; He grinned. “I can wait. Makes it more fun that way.” He laughed and stalked back to his seat.
Savinnia grabbed Tereka’s hand. “We need to talk.”
“About?”
“Relio gave you three days to decide. You can pick him, if you like.”
“But isn’t he yours?”
“I’m his, which is different. And believe me, I won’t mind sharing.” She leaned closer and whispered in Tereka’s ear. “The only reason he’s not expecting me to service him tonight is his back is bothering him. And don’t let on you know. Sebezh would be more than happy to take advantage of that so he can take Relio’s place.”
Tereka pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. If Sebezh took over the brigade, her life would be over.
“Or, you can pick someone else.” Savinnia patted Tereka’s shoulder and tipped her head to the side. “Someone like Naco, or Alikse.”
Glancing from Naco to the man next to him, Tereka surmised he must be Alikse. She eyed his massive, scarred hands, and the scar that ran across one cheek up into the blond stubble on his scalp. He looked like he’d been in more than a few fights. She didn’t want to provoke him.
Naco moved to sit on Tereka’s other side. The hair on her neck stood up. “I know this is a horrible choice for you, but I can promise that I would be good to you. And so would Alikse. And we’d fight for you.”
Alikse nodded. “No hard feelings if you don’t choose me.”
“I don’t know what to say.” She went to tug on her hair, then realized she didn’t have hair anymore.
“You don’t have to say anything, at least tonight,” said Naco softly. “Here’s the thing. You need protection. Alikse or I can give it to you. We know Sebezh is forming his own clique to oppose Relio. Seeing the way you fight, we’d rather you be with us than against us.”
Alikse scooted closer. “And just so you know, the one you choose will have to fight Sebezh and maybe one other for you. So not being chosen has its benefits.”
“But,” Savinnia put a finger on the side of Tereka’s face and turned it so they were looking eye to eye, “you will have to sleep with the one you choose. Otherwise, no matter how many times he fights for you, you’ll still be unclaimed.” She tipped her head toward the middle of the room. “And with all of us sleeping in the same room, the others will know what you’ve done or not done.”
Tereka sucked in a breath. She took a sideways look at Naco and Alikse, unable to read much in their faces in the nearly dark room, then glanced around the room. “What will happen tonight?”
“Don’t worry about them.” Naco looked over his shoulder at the other men. “Sleep with Savinnia on one side, and either me or Alikse on the other. You’ll be fine.”
She nodded, then settled onto the straw, feeling as if all the strength had been baked out of her. She closed her eyes. She had three days to figure out what to do. Her body trembled and her eyes stung. How would she choose between scary and terrifying?
43
Harsh morning light assaulted Tereka’s eyes, forcing her out of sleep. Her muscles ached from the drudgery of the day before. The palms of her hands were raw and oozed blood when she stretched them. She staggered up when Savinnia rose. She’d barely slept, waking every time Savinnia or Naco stirred. But Naco had been right. No one had bothered her in the night.
She ate her ration of black bread and followed the others back to the mine. This time she stayed close to Savinnia and Naco, who trailed Relio like ducklings after their mother.
Her fingers protested when she curled them around her chisel. She winced as the metal pressed against her blistered palms. She wondered how she’d survive the day, let alone be able to dig when her fingers were raw and bleeding. Slim chance there were healers among the guards. She dropped her head and let out a huff. How could she forget? She slid her hand into the bag in her pocket and grasped an amulet. “Will you help me?”
The amulet pulsed heat. The stinging in her fingers intensified, then faded. She withdrew her hand. Her blisters had healed into calluses. Slowly she stretched her hand. No pain, and her fingers spread and contracted easily. She looked at her other hand. No wounds and no stiffness. She pressed her lips together to hide her smile. Whatever grand power resided in those amulets, she thanked it again and again.
For hours, she chipped rock, following the seam she’d found the day before. Halfway through the morning, she followed Naco and Savinnia as they skidded down the slope to a new section. Near the bottom, she bumped into Poales.
A smile spread over his dark face. “How’s t-tricks?”
“Hot. And dusty.”
“Same.” He stooped and looked into her eyes. “You getting along with Relio all right?”
“So far. One of his goons groped me yesterday and I flipped him.”
“You didn’t.” Poales grinned.
“I did.”
His grin disappeared. “What did Relio say?”
Tereka chuckled. “He was entertained. He moved me up two spots in the ranks as a reward, and gave me some bread to go with my dinner.”
A frown covered Poales’ face. “He didn’t d-demand anything else, did he?”
Shuffling a step closer to him, Tereka willed her insides to stop squirming. “He did. He wants—favors. Special favors.” She looked into Poales’ dark eyes. “But he said he’s willing to give me three days before he claims them. Or I can pick someone else. Meanwhile, he told the others to leave me alone.”
“You know he holds the power of life and death over the people in his brigade.”
“I’ve figured that out. What do I do?”
“Hold him off as long as you can. That way he’ll value you more in the end.”
“What?” Tereka pulled her eyebrows together. “You’re saying I should give him what he wants?”
“It’s either that or come to a bad end. He’ll either have you killed or let you be fair game for the others in the barracks. Would you rather be under his protection, or the toy of all the rest?”
She stiffened. “Isn’t there another choice?” There had to be. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she gave into him.
Poales shook his head. “I’ve never heard of one.”
“Then I’ll have to create one.” She shivered. “I almost think it would be better just to fling myself into the pit.”
“You wouldn’t do that,” Poales said. He grabbed her arm.
“Why not?” Her face and neck heated. “What do I have to live for? More digging? Being Relio’s latest toy?”
“Tereka— ” He stared at her, his eyes examining her face with an intensity she’d never seen in him before.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about it.” She sighed. “It just seems so hopeless.”
He scratched his neck, grimaced, and shifted his weight a few times. Then he looked at Tereka with a frown. “I’m not sure I should tell you this.”
“Tell me what?”
“I heard the guards talking last night.”
“And?”
“I might have misunderstood or heard them wrong.”
With a glance over her shoulder, she located the closest guard, twenty or more yards away. “Heard what wrong?”
“They were t-talking about a woman.”
Her eyes flew open. “Savinnia?”
Poales frowned. “Savinnia? Who’s that?”
“Never mind. Who were they talking about?” Her pulse quickened and she tapped her chisel against her hammer. When would he get to the point?
“I’m not sure.”
She let out a huff. “Then why are we talking about her?”
“Listen.” Poales paused and took a deep breath. “They started by saying that they were surprised she’s still alive after being here so many years.”
“Me too, whoever she is, considering the way they work us and don’t feed us.”
“Not the mine-worker women. The other women. Who do you think cooks and cleans for the guards? And who,
if they are pretty enough, provides, well, entertainment? Nightly entertainment.”
Tereka waved a hand in front of her face to chase away a sand fly. “So they were talking about someone who was the camp whore years ago.”
Poales grabbed Tereka’s face and jerked it around to look into his eyes. “Before you start calling names, it would do you well to remember that those women had no more choice than you do.”
Sweat dripped down Tereka’s overheated face and she let her head droop. “You’re right. I’m sorry. What else did they say?”
“That she was a village girl.”
“Isn’t everyone here?”
“A village g-girl who was here because she married a Risker.”
“No one does that.” Tereka stared at Poales. “No one, except— ”
“The one guard said the same as you. That she couldn’t have married a Risker. The other insisted that he had proof.”
“What proof would there be?”
“When Riskers marry, they t-tattoo their wrists with the name of their beloved. The guard saw traces of her tattoo. They’d burned it off with acid, but the first letter was still visible.”
“Which means my mother wasn’t the only one who married a Risker.”
“I’m not so sure.” Poales rubbed his forehead. “They said the first letter was an X.”
All the strength drained from her body. Her mother couldn’t possibly be alive. Here, in this prison? Tarkio had been certain they’d killed her. Tereka looked at Poales with wide eyes. “How can I be sure?” she whispered.
“I don’t know. But you’ll never find out if you jump into the pit.”
“Maybe I should ask the guards.”
Poales’ eyes bulged from his head. “No. That’s the last thing you should do.” He gripped his chisel and stared at the ground for a moment. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Look, k-keep yourself alive, get in good with Relio. Give it some time, then see if he’ll help you. He might be able to get information from the guards without ending up dead.”
Flicker of the Flame: A YA Epic Fantasy Page 24
