Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 51862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“Certainly,” I say, stepping back outside.
I find myself standing rather dumbfounded and out of place in the front garden. I am not sure what to do with myself. I suppose I could simply wait, but that feels invasive of what is clearly Emily’s workspace.
“You’ve got the look of a man who needs some work,” Deek says as he comes past, rifle slung over his shoulder. “That’s woman’s business in there. You’re going to have to find something to occupy your days with. Can’t be under Emily’s feet. She’s got the village to tend to.”
“What does she do?”
“What doesn’t she do? Makes tinctures, ointments, unctions, salves, draughts and drops. You name it, she makes it, and it all works too.”
“So she is a doctor of sorts,”
Deek laughs. “A doctor has to cut you up. Emily’s family has always kept this village whole. Now, you sir, you look like the strong kind. How’s about you haul some lumber?”
I allow myself to be put to work in service of the village. It is clear that there is no other way to earn acceptance here, or to be of service, and I find myself wanting both.
Though my strength is remarked upon positively many times, and though there are many dozens of curious questions aimed my way, I have the feeling that I am being somewhat humored by these humans. They have found something for me to do, but they do not need me in the traditional sense.
It is fascinating that these creatures who would be collared and caged on my world thrive in their own. I have only observed humans in captivity before. Who would have thought how much better they do in situations of community.
5
Emily
It has only been a few days, but Zain is settling into life in Hallow Grove as if he has always been a part of it. There have been a few grumbles here and there, mostly from Bart and his friends, who sneak in to see me during the day when Zain is out helping Deek and the older men work the fields.
“How long you going to let that stranger stay, Emily?” Bart asks the question. “You know, there’s rumors he’s sharing your bed.”
“That’s because he is,” I say pleasantly.
“But… he’s an alien. He’s got skin like a lizard. And tusks. You have to have a baby one of these days, and you’re going to need someone with the blood of the village. Can’t have a scaly tusk baby.”
“I’ll thank you not to remind me of any reproductive obligations,” I tell Bart, though he’s not entirely wrong. My mother had me, and her mother before her had her, and there is a real need for Hallow Ground to always have an occupant Hallow female here to tend to the needs of those who fall prey to various maladies. But now’s not the time to bring that up, and Bart Hamm is not the man to make the suggestion.
Eric Coles speaks up next. “The alien is going to eat us into starvation! He eats the same as five men!”
“And he is as strong as ten,” I remind them. “He has fixed the fences in the field, and that would have taken us all a good week to do. He’s a workhorse, and we should value him as one.”
“BOYS!” A cry goes up from outside my door. “Got another one, boys! Time for target practice!”
I hate it when they do this. Though I know it is important to defend Hallow Grove from interlopers, I can never stop myself from feeling bad, and wondering how it must feel to leave one awful place only to find yourself being treated like an animal in another.
“Zain!” I start calling for him, knowing he’s off in the back fields. We are going to be able to plant a lot more crops this year with his help, which means we’re going to be able to store more at harvest, which in turn means we’re going to need more store houses. They’re little houses that stand on tall stilts with the legs wrapped in metal that animals can’t climb. Grain and vegetables that don’t like a cellar can stay there for a whole season if they have to. Life in our little town has never been better.
Having Zain around has really started to soften my position on strangers. I understood why we had to keep city people out when we didn’t have much, but with so much plenty about to emerge, and with our stores looking solid, I don’t understand why we have to turn away absolutely every person who comes past. We’re making enemies rather than friends. I’ve heard rumors that some of them have settled encampments out here anyway, setting up raiding camps they can swarm out from and overrun a town like ours with their superior city weapons and outcast fury.