Page 96 of Phoenix's Fire

When Lessa raised a brow at me, I said, "Punishment is being hit or kicked. Well, or pushed, pulled, and basically hurt in some way. The pain is a reminder that men are closer to God, and our place is to be obedient."

"Fuck that," Lessa said.

"Which is why we're all scared of men," I continued. "Zasen, Rymar, and Kanik never hurt me. They let me read! They showed me things and try to get me to yell across the house. They're my friends, Lessa, and no Mole man would ever be like that. Down there, women aren't even supposed to have close friendships with other women because that's gossiping."

"And that's all Meri knows?" she asked.

I nodded. "That's why I had to tell her about the hunters. She still hopes there's a mistake. I didn't tell her the message I sent back to our friend was an arrow in a man I knew. I didn't tell her about the children who are killed. I just told her they come here to hunt, and she figured outwhatthey were hunting on her own. That's why she was sick."

Slowly, Lessa began to nod. "Well, I'll help, okay? I don't know how, but I will."

So Jeera leaned our way. "Brielle and I will be acting as nurses during the next battle. Meri's going to need someone to look after her."

"I can do that," Lessa agreed.

So I caught her arm. "You don't understand, Lessa. Meri's husband? He's a hunter. He will eventually comehere. I don't know what he'd do if he saw her."

And beside me, the sandy-colored woman began to smile. It wasn't a happy or a nice expression, though. No, this was the kind of smile I'd seen on men right before they tried to punish me.

"I'm still venomous, Ayla. I also grew up with your guys. That means I can keep up with them. Just because Ilikesewing doesn't mean I'm helpless."

I nodded, showing I understood. "Thank you!"

"You can repay me by helping me learn that stupid language you people use."

"Kanik is going to help all of us learn it," I said. "Meri and I will learn to speak perfect Vestrian, and you can learn English at the same time."

Naomi lifted a finger at the other girls and looked over at us. "I have a feeling English is going to become a very necessary language to know. The hunters use it, Lessa. It's how they give their orders, and the more we can understand them?"

"The more we can kill," I finished for her, smiling at Meri to show her it was okay. She couldn't understand what I was saying, but everything was just fine - or would be.

Thirty

Ayla

Eventually, Meri realized the bundle Saveah was holding was a baby. Mostly that was because the sweet infant finally got a little cranky. Lessa and I went to find where Kanik had put the bag with bottles in it. Behind us, Meri asked why Saveah used a bottle, and I heard something about breastfeeding, but I was already out of the room.

Lessa chuckled. "I think we're going to confuse your friend," she said.

"That's the bag," I told her, pointing to one on the kitchen counter. "But why does Saveah use bottles?"

"Because men can't breastfeed," Lessa explained. "Those guys love helping with the kids, so Saveah makes it easy for them. No, she doesn't have to, but I guess a break is nice."

In the distance, a squeal made it clear Tamin was having the time of his life. I looked that way with a bit of jealousy, but picked up the bag for baby Taris.

"Let me have that," Lessa said. "I promise we won't terrorize your friend."

"But..."

She pointed at a pair of glass doors. "Those go to the back yard. That's where the guys are cooking, and you should probably check on Tamin, right?"

I looked back towards where the women were. "Well, but..."

Lessa chuckled. "We're going to make Meri pick out colors she likes, talk about babies, and be nice. I mean, mostly because Naomi would turn me over her knee if I did anything else. But you? Go make sure the guys are okay. It's fine, Ayla. I'll let them know you're checking on Tamin."

"I'll be back in a minute," I promised.

"Or you won't." She shrugged. "Today is about making new friends. That means you need to let us become Meri's friends. Now go flirt with those boys."

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