Chapter 102

One of the guards had come through the door and was handing me a large pot. My eyes shot down and I didn't make a move. I was sure I was not supposed to look or speak to this man. He muttered something, sitting it beside the fire.

"Feed it to them, they have to eat," he ordered again pointing to a bowl and spoon lying beside the pot.

I had no idea who he was talking about and just stood staring at the floor. He cursed several times and grabbed my chin forcing me to look at him. The man pantomimed eating.

"Feed-them-this," he said slowly enunciating each word and pointing to the pot. "Do-you-understand?"

This was the mountains, I reasoned. Hopefully the same rules did not apply about not speaking to or looking at other men. They must not, because this man was demanding I answer him

"I understand you, sir," squeaked out and he looked relieved.

The man turned on his heel and left without another word.

I turned back to the fire and stood