Praetorian Rising by J. McSpadden

Author:J. McSpadden [McSpadden, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Into the Storm

Camille left her bedroom, ascending two floors before gliding between the artfully frosted glass doors of the kitchen hall. It was barely two hours past sunrise, and the circular room's entirety was packed with the roaring hum of aimless chatter. Shoving her hands into her pockets, she glanced around the expansive room, immediately recognizing Theo sitting at a table to her left. After their interaction the previous evening she wasn't sure how prepared she was to eat with him, but Vesyon had told her she'd be training with him later that day. There wasn't much choice; she'd have to face him eventually. Might as well be sooner rather than later.

Gathering her courage, she headed into the center of the hall to take whatever food was being offered. She selected a ceramic plate from the stack and maneuvered her way to the table laid out with oven-warmed toast, butter, a bowl of very ripe fruit, and a pile of greyish-looking eggs. It was a meager offering of sustenance, but Camille felt like royalty.

Asperians didn't even attempt to hide their obvious ogling as she shifted through the spread of tables, passing men in basic cotton shirts and pants as well as Rogues in full Romeo green uniforms. The women dressed in an array of homespun long dresses and thick petticoats, the clothing appearing worn and well-used yet hearty and ready to combat the weather topside. There was a smattering of women in Romeo uniform, the green pants and stark white shirt covered by a bulky green coat—a complete contrast to the women in feminine wear.

As Camille smiled casually at the gawking strangers, she felt a warm sense of familiarity having experienced just the same response walking in the main square after her first week in Sierra Village. It seemed Sierra Village wasn't the only wary group within Aspera. Apparently, all villages would look at her like a strange bug creeping into their status quo.

Despite the turn of the head, and the quick hush of conversation, as soon as Camille passed each table, they reverted to their morning routine of breakfast and gossip. It was very ritualistic, a rhythm the entire village appeared to enjoy. She wondered what the reasoning was behind hiding everyone underground. It was against her nature to live beneath the ground, but everyone there seemed to enjoy the safety—the knowledge that the High King and his many soldiers couldn't touch them.

Having only spent a day in the compound, it was hard to tell how many villagers lived in Romeo Village, but those present were apparently healthy. It perturbed her to think of all the struggling Asperians back in Sierra Village, ones who didn't have the benefit of a hot, free meal three times a day. Her lips thinned in distaste as she set her tray down across from Theo on the smooth pine table with an unforgiving thud.

"Hello, Camille. Surprised to see you here," Theo said, his voice an odd mix of astonishment and guilty pleasure.

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