Hawk picks up the bucket and nods. “We’re ready.”
“I’d wish you luck,” says Grace. “But I’m afraid you’re going to need far more than just that. Let’s hope this water is enough to please the Commander.”
“It will be enough,” says Sam.
“We don’t know that,” says Mercy, her voice faltering.
“It will be enough.” Hawk puts a gentle hand on Mercy’s back, hoping he’s right. Because if he’s not, they’re all as good as dead.
SAM
Grace pauses outside the Round House. She glances over her shoulder at the four Seekers, her brows pulled low. Muttered voices rumble from within as thick smoke pours out the top. “Corbin must be meeting with his men again. I’ll go in first and let them know you’re back.”
She slips through the doorway before anyone can respond.
Sam chews on her lip. Hopefully Grace is saying a whole bunch of good things. And surely Corbin is going to see the advantage of having them here. She glances at the bucket of water beside Hawk’s feet. Their peace offering.
Please let that be enough.
It’s not Grace who steps back out, but a burly man, his naked tattooed chest gleaming with sweat. His expression is definitely not welcoming. “The Commander said you may enter.”
A quick glance among each other and they all nod. This is what they came here for. Well, technically not Luca. But as he shifts closer to Mercy, Sam’s glad he came, even if it meant completely disregarding the rules.
They’ve already decided it should be Mercy who’ll carry the bucket of water. Luca was the one who escaped his ties, Hawk’s size can be seen as a threat, and Corbin’s already lost his temper with Sam.
It means Mercy will be the first to step through the doors. The first to discover what their welcome is going to be.
Luca is next. Sam follows her brother, conscious of Hawk just behind her. Everything her parents warned her about the Newlands flashes through her mind. These people are planning something. They’re not open to working together.
They just want to take.
Squaring her shoulders, Sam steps through the door. This is their chance to prove there’s good in these people. In everyone, no matter where they’re born. The irony is that it’s her parents who instilled this belief in her.
Mercy’s stopped only a few feet in the door and as Sam’s eyes adjust to the smoky interior, she realizes why.
Just like last time, men and women line the walls of the circular hut. But this time, they’re standing. And already holding their spears.
Sam swallows, telling herself at least they’re pointing at the ceiling and not them. That’s progress…
Mercy clears her throat. “Thank you for agreeing to see us again, Commander.”
Corbin inflates his chest. The silver statue of Ronan gleams in the firelight across from him. Grace is standing behind him, her face downcast and her hands clasped. He pins Mercy with a glare, not responding.
Luca moves to stand on Mercy’s right, and Sam does the same on her left, Hawk her shadow on Sam’s other side.
“We come in peace.” Mercy places the bucket on the ground. “And bring you this water as a gift.”
Luca nods. “We dug a well. There will be more than enough water for everyone.”
There’s a murmur around the room but Sam can’t tell whether that’s a good thing or not. Usually, she’d turn to Hawk so he could tell her, but she knows she needs to keep her gaze straight ahead. There’s no room for uncertainty when you’re a Seeker.
Waiting to see whether you’ll be welcomed.
Corbin’s gaze flickers to the bucket. “Drink it.”
Mercy hesitates, and it seems to be exactly what he was expecting.
His hand tightens around his spear. “As I suspected. It’s poisoned.”
Sam reels back. Why would they do that? They’ve told Corbin they come in peace.
Mercy squats down, her hand dipping into the bucket. Except Sam is already listing all the microbial contaminants that could be floating in there. Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Legionella species, and that’s just the pathogens! Enteroviruses can persist in water supplies for long periods, along with parasites such as protozoa and helminths.
Sam leaps forward, her hand outstretched. “We need to boil it first.”
Corbin’s eyes blaze as he turns to her. “You.” His chest inflates all over again. “You do not know when to stay silent.”
Sam shakes her head. “I’m thinking of everyone’s health. Boiling the water kills microorganisms that can cause disease.” Sam glances at the blazing fire. They might as well use it for something useful. “It would only take a few minutes.”
There’s a movement beside Corbin as someone joins him. Sam recognizes Raiden from their first visit, the Commander’s son. He whispers something in Corbin’s ear.
Corbin nods. “You shall drink it.” He lifts his spear, pointing it at Sam.
Knowing she has no choice, Sam kneels beside the bucket. She tries not to scrunch up her face as she dips her hand in. If microscopes still existed, she’d be able to show Corbin exactly what’s swimming around in this water.
Hawk lands beside her, scooping up a handful and drinking it. “See? Not poisonous.”
Corbin shakes his head. “I want her to drink it.”
Sam throws a grateful glance toward Hawk. At least this way, if there’s anything in the water, they’ll be sick together. Without letting herself imagine the single-celled animals she might be ingesting, Sam scoops up a handful and drinks.
She sits back, acknowledging that the coolness sliding down her parched throat is a welcome sensation. As if to prove a point, she bends over and has another mouthful. She’s already learned what happens if she becomes dehydrated, after all.
“See?” she smiles at Corbin. “Although, I’d still recommend boiling it.”
Corbin glances around the room and Sam’s relieved to see a few nods. He thumps the end of his spear on the ground. “My daughter is unwell in her hut. Water will help her get better, won’t it, wife?”
Grace nods meekly, not looking up.
Sam has to stop her eyes from widening. Corbin thinks Charity’s still here? What will it mean when he discovers she’s not?
“The water is our gift to you,” Luca says quietly, but in a way that seems to have the words carrying through the entire hut. “As a token of peace.”
Suddenly, Corbin sneers. “Or we could kill you and take it for ourselves.”
As if on cue, every spear is raised and pointed at them.
Hawk and Luca tense simultaneously. Mercy seems to shrink. Sam’s heart rate spikes, each sharpened tip feeling like it’s only inches away.
They have to have faith, she tells herself.
Sam steps forward. “But then you won’t know where else you can dig wells.”
Raiden’s brows shoot up as Corbin’s crash down. Grace hasn’t moved.
“You can have this bucket, or we can ensure the village always has water.” Sam extends her hand. “We have a lot of knowledge to share that could be very useful to you,” she promises, hoping she’s not lying.