Earth and Ember by Lindsey Pogue

Author:Lindsey Pogue [Pogue, Lindsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lindsey Pogue

25

Kaia

As we walk past the woodcarver and herbalist in the market, I tell myself I should be happy about my agreement with Jo. The wares, the food—the truce alone would help my people beyond measure. These thoughts turn over and over in my mind as I search the soshos’ faces and study the contraptions they’ve welded from metal and glass.

Although Cole is gone, it soothes my soul a little to know his death was not completely in vain, that it has come to mean something to these people whether they realize it or not; it was his meeting with Jo that has changed everything.

“We can take corn seeds from the farm with us when we go,” Jo says absently as she picks up a red fabric with a gemlike sheen to it. “But . . . do you think it will grow?” She holds the fabric up to the light, and while parts of it are dull and a few areas are worn, it is rich and beautiful. Jo pulls a drawstring purse from her pocket and picks out a few shiny coins before handing them to the woman behind the cart.

The woman nods to Jo, looks skeptically at me, then tears her gaze away, as if she’s worried something ill might befall her if she stares for too long.

“It’s for Scarlet,” Jo explains, lifting the fabric. “My sister makes clothes—she’s making a gown for her wedding. I thought this material might make her a nice cape. It’s her favorite color.” She looks at it again and shrugs. “Then again, maybe not.” Jo sighs. “I’m no good at these things.”

“We wear white during a marriage ceremony,” I tell her.

Jo laughs. “So do we, usually. I guess ruby red wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?” She shrugs and tucks the fabric under her arm, then runs her fingers through a curtain of ribbons hanging at the next cart we pass. “So, the corn . . .” Jo prompts.

“There is little sun on the mountain. Herbs and root plants are what we grow.”

“But Luke mentioned you had mint and spices. They need sunlight—”

“The valley floor,” I tell her. “We make trips two times in a year, when the sun is the closest. Or, we used to.” I give her a sidelong look. “Our hunters and gatherers only went out once this year, but . . .” I don’t need to tell her they didn’t return home. Jo already knows, and no amount of guilt or blame will bring them back.

Jo blinks, steadying herself with a deep breath. “All right, then . . . cured meats and grains, for sure. We’ll take jerky and corn meal—we can even take corn stalks to show them. If you cannot grow them, we must show them what we can provide instead.”

I almost smile, imagining how large Muna’s eyes would be if I dumped a wagon of food in front of her. She would never acknowledge my doing anything right, but she wouldn’t have to say anything. Her expression would be enough.

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