Katrina and Yolanda continue to grow closer. When she isn’t cooking and tending to the children, Katrina can be found in the garden watching the Gatherer.
Serafina is in the middle of teaching Ayla to talk when Clarissa walks up to her. “Excuse me, can I have a word?” Serafina is shocked at her interruption. She stands up to face her. “Clarissa, surely you know not to interrupt me while I am busy.” The Scholar smiles nervously. “I’m sorry Creator, it’s just..” She pauses. “Go on,” Serafina stares at her. “Well.. I am honoured to be in your tribe, and I hope to be a valued member. I was just wondering if your slave is promised to anyone?”
Serafina frowns. “Emanuel? What about him?” Clarissa smiles again. “I would like to help the tribe grow, and was hoping to breed with him.” The Creator feels conflicted. Emanuel is a great slave, and is very skilled. However, he has a bad trait. “I appreciate your wanting to contribute, but Emanuel doesn’t have the best traits. He hates children, you see?” Clarissa shrugs. “That doesn’t bother me. He is a skilled fisherman, which means he may pass down skills that a Gatherer will need.”
Serafina is confused now. “We already have a Gatherer.” The Scholar looks around, then back at the Creator. “I’m just not sure she works as hard as she should. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, I just want to make sure we have a backup plan.”
After spending a bit of time thinking about Clarissa’s concerns, Serafina decides to go speak to Emanuel. When she enters the slave quarters, she sees him staring at the empty bed across from his. “Emanuel? Are you alright?” He jumps to his feet when he hears his Creator. “Oh, yes! I am just fine! What can I do for you, Creator?”
Serafina looks at the bed, then at her slave and it clicks. “You miss Ademar.” she states. Emanuel looks sad. “Very much, Creator.” Serafina smiles. “So do I.”
She takes a step closer. “Emanuel, there is something I must ask of you.” He looks at her. “Anything for you, Creator.” She smiles again. He has always been loyal to her and it will sadden her to have to send him away, but Clarissa is right. They need a backup plan. “The new Scholar wishes to breed with you.” He steps back. “With me? Oh, Creator, it would be my honour.” Serafina wishes he hadn’t jumped at the chance like that. Was she not a good Creator? Why was he so eager to leave her tribe?
The decision has been made. Clarissa and Emanuel waste no time getting started.
“Creator, I must thank you for your kindness and the opportunity you have given to me. I only hope that my contribution to your tribe is worthy.”
“Clarissa, I wish to thank you as well. You have allowed me to contribute in a way that I never could have imagined. I thought I would spend my life as an ordinary slave.”
“And little Ademar.. I am glad to have had this time with you and I hope that you continue to work hard. You’re father would be proud.”
As Emanuel says his goodbyes, Dina feels anger welling up inside of her. She is furious that her sister was banished and the one who turned her in was allowed to give a child for the tribe. She knows better than to say how she is feeling, so she keeps her thoughts to herself…
For now.
Emanuel had 18 skill points all up including one skill maxed, so he was sold for $400.
Annie Reid SimLit 