About half of the group accepted mats from the soldiers and went right to sleep. They were all exhausted. Aria was too, but she knew Grace would most likely want to speak with her privately, so she stayed awake.
The other half of the group sat by one of the fires built and filled their stomachs slowly. No one wanted to get sick. And after a while, they were all pleasantly full and drowsy.
Aria looked around. For the first time in what felt like forever, her friends had some peace. They weren’t running scared or worried for their lives. Though she couldn’t help but wonder how long this would last. She wasn't sure that it would. From everything they’d heard about the place they were going, they should be scared. But something told Aria that all was not as it seemed. If these people were supposed to be horrible and terrifying, they were doing a great job hiding it.
Eventually, she was summoned to Grace’s tent. Who was this young girl that seemed to hold a position of great authority among her people? Then again, the same question could be asked about Aria.
Grace’s tent wasn’t much bigger than any of the others. It was warm and cozy, with a small cot for sleeping and furs lining the floor. There was also a small writing desk. Grace was perched on a chair in front of it, reading some documents by the faint glow of a lantern.
Grace glanced up, giving her a blank stare. "Have a seat, Aria," she said.
Aria looked around. There wasn't anywhere to sit, besides the floor or the bed. Since she was filthier than she'd ever been in her life, she chose the floor.
"Tell me about you, your people, your friends," Grace said.
"What do you want to know," she asked.
"Why you came, what has happened since you've gotten here," she said. She wasn't looking at Aria; she seemed preoccupied with the piece of paper she held in her hand.
"That could take a while," Aria asked.
Grace glared at her as if she was surprised by Aria speaking so boldly. "I haven’t heard much of anything. I was sent to collect you by the leader of my people. He heard the story of some people emerging from the ground, people who were supposed to be oh so dangerous, and he agreed to take you. Seems like quite a waste now that you’re here."
Aria wanted to snap back at her, but she knew it wasn’t a good idea.
“I want to hear your story from you. I don’t like secondhand information.”
So she told Grace their story. About their life under the ground, about coming to the surface and not knowing it was habitable, and what happened with the Terra. She knew it was best not to lie, so she didn't omit the part about them plotting a potential escape when they were first captured. She didn't omit the part about some of her people wanting to flee now, either.
Grace studied the paper in her hand the entire time.
After she was finished, Aria waited for Grace to say something. But she didn't.
"Are-are you, the leader of your people," Aria asked. She knew it was a risk. Even though Grace looked younger, she was lean and muscular. She could probably kill her right here right now.
"No, I'm not. I'm something like the king's second in command. Mostly I deal with outside affairs and our army," she said, her tone serious.
"What-what will you do with us," Aria asked. She knew she shouldn't. It wasn't like she expected Grace to actually tell her they would be killed or made into servants or something of that nature.
"That's not up to me, Aria," Grace said, looking at her.
"But you must have an idea," Aria pushed.
"I do," Grace said.
Aria waited, afraid to push any further. She didn't get an answer.
"Go to your people, Aria. Sleep. Eat. You look sick. How did you let your people get to such a state," Grace asked.
Aria was angry. She knew she looked like shit. She knew they all looked like they were on the brink of death. But Grace's comment about her and her leadership fueled a fire in her.
"Well, if you'd been through what we've been through since we got here, you might understand why we look like this," she said.
Grace raised an eyebrow, probably a little shocked at Aria's tone.
"You're dismissed, Aria," Grace said.
Aria got up to leave. Her hand was on the doorknob when Grace spoke up again.
"And Aria? Watch your tone. I may be a little forgiving since this is our first conversation...but not everyone will be as considerate as I am. Keep that in mind."
Chapter 3
Aria didn't say anything. She paused long enough to consider Grace's warning before leaving the tent. She walked back to her people, and Aria made her way to a spot on the unoccupied ground.
She was more tired than she'd ever been in her entire life. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. But just before she went under, she noticed a few guards standing around the edge of the group. It was clear that they wouldn't be left alone for the night. She wasn't sure if that should make her feel more secure or more afraid.
Aria woke the next morning to the sound of her friends talking. She sat up and looked around. For a second, she was confused. And then she remembered where she was and how she'd gotten there.
She joined her friends around the fire. They had water, bread, and fish. Aria ate fast enough to give herself a stomachache. And by the looks of the people around her, so did they.
They sat around and talked in hushed tones. Ben brought up, trying to escape again. This time, he suggested they waited until they reached a more covered area to overthrow the group who was escorting them.
"We’d have no chance. And what about after that? Besides, we
