John Ringo - Against the Tide

“They can, but we can’t keep it burning all night,” Flora sighed. “We’ve got to cut the wood by hand, you know. And the wood gathering parties have to be protected from raids by the Changed. I was going to put them by the fireplace; it will stay warmer there longer. But we can’t keep the fire burning.” She paused and shrugged. “Most of the women sleep in here anyway; it’s warmer than just about anywhere else.”

“This is warm ?” Ashly snapped.

“Yes, it is,” Flora said, giving her a hard look. “Especially the stones right around the fire. It’s a privilege to sleep by the fireplace in Castle McClure, missy. One that we’re ceding to you, as guests. Just as we’re not making you wash up from dinner, tonight . But tomorrow night, I don’t care who your friends are, you’re by God going to help or you’ll be put outside the walls and find out what real hardship is.”

There was a murmur of agreement from the women gathered behind her and Megan grasped Ashly’s arm as the woman opened her mouth to retort.

“Ashly, a moment of your time?” Megan said, smiling in a friendly manner as her fingers closed on a nerve point in the woman’s upper arm.

“Sure, Megan,” Ashly said, grimacing.

Megan drew her aside far enough away that she might not be overheard.

“Ashly, we’re dependent upon these people for the next few days, until a ship comes,” Megan whispered, fiercely. “And they don’t have any more to give. Bitching about it isn’t going to get us anything but problems. And if you make enough problems I’ll let them pitch you out in the snow. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Megan, but listen to me,” Ashly said, her face working as she tried to marshal her thoughts. “These people have been living in this for years. They’re used to it. They don’t like it but they can survive it. We’re not used to it and I’m not sure we can survive it. There is such a thing as dying of hypothermia.”

“Like she said, huddle up together,” Megan replied. “I’ll try to get you all close to the fire.” She paused and then nodded at an inner thought. “I can expend some energy, enough to make sure that the babies and the pregnant women stay warm. If I can figure out a program to use. But quit bitching , okay? We’ve got to work the problem, not make new ones. And, tomorrow, we’re obviously going to be put to work. Make sure that the other girls don’t decide that’s beneath them, clear?”

“Yes,” Ashly sighed. “I almost said I wish I was back in the harem. But I don’t. I didn’t like being there, either, Megan.”

“It will be better when we get to Norau,” Megan promised, then frowned. “One question, are you having problems with the men?”

“Not since the scene in the hall,” Ashly said. “I think they’re petrified of you.”

“What the girls want to do is up to them,” Megan said. “But it’s up to them . Let them make up their own minds. I doubt that Shanea would blink at sharing a blanket with one of the soldiers.”

“I’m not so sure,” Ashly said with a grin. “They really smell.”

“I think we’ll get used to it.” Megan frowned. “I need to talk to Flora now. Work the problem, Ashly, don’t be one.”

“Got it.”

“Flora,” Megan said, walking back over to the group, “Ashly makes the valid point that we’re not adjusted to this temperature. Nor are we dressed for it. I’m going to expend a small amount of power to make sure that none of them go into hypothermia. But we’re going to need to get more supplies. Do any of the surrounding clans have spare material?”

“Not much,” Flora said, frowning. “And I hadn’t really thought about the fact that you’re not used to it, although the clothing was pretty obvious.” She made a grimace at that and Megan had to drown an angry reaction.

“We didn’t choose how we dressed,” Megan said, admitting that they did but not the general form. “What I was thinking is that I have a small amount of power that I can expend. I could probably do something for the other clans if they could come up with some blankets and clothes. Anything would be preferable to this,” she added, gesturing at her own clothing.

“Agreed,” Flora said, glancing at the soldier that had accompanied Megan to the kitchen who was discreetly eyeing the wide selection of female flesh on display. “If for no other reason than to keep the young bucks from rioting.”

“That too,” Megan said, frowning. “Given where we’ve just come from I’m going to put this as delicately as possible. Bed the babies and their mothers by the fireplace. The rest of you snuggle in as close as possible and use all the blankets that we can get. But if any of the girls want to share a blanket with one of the soldiers, I’m not going to raise any fuss. As long as it’s the girl’s choice.”

“I won’t mind,” Shanea said, winking at Megan’s escort.

“I’m on duty,” the young man replied, blushing. “But… I get off in a couple of hours.”

“Well, I don’t know about getting off,” Shanea said with a grin, “but we might see what can be arranged.”

“Behave,” Megan said, frowning. “It better be clear that it has to be willing bedding and I will have the balls of anyone that takes advantage.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Flora said.

“I’m going to bed here,” Amber said, her face working. “I think I’ve had all of men I can handle for a while.”

“That’s settled then,” Megan said, wiping her face. “Flora, is there somewhere we can talk? I know it’s late…”

“No, not a problem,” Flora said. “The rest of you get some sleep, early day tomorrow. Earlier than you’re probably used to.” She gestured at the cloak that Megan had set on one of the tables. “Take that.”

“They can use it down here,” Megan protested.

“Be damned,” Flora said, definitely. “Take itÑwhere we’re going it’s colder.”

Megan put the cloak back on and then, trailed by Baradur and the soldier, followed Flora out of the kitchen and up more of the interminable stairs and down corridors until they reached a small room. It was set up as an office and it was pretty clear that it was Flora’s sanctum.

“You two can wait out here,” Flora said, gesturing at the -corridor.

“Yes, mistress,” Baradur said, taking up a position by the door.

“Thank you for intervening,” Flora said, sitting in her chair and rubbing her face. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t. You make a good point that we’re more used to the cold…”

“It is horrible isn’t it?” Megan said. “It almost feels worse than being outside.”

“It’s the stone walls,” Flora said, shrugging. “And the lack of heat. I should have handled it better but that Ashly…”

“Ashly is… Ashly,” Megan said, shrugging. “She puts on airs like a queen.”

“But you don’t,” Flora noted. “And you’re the closest thing to it that Clan McClure has seen.”

“All I am is a Key-holder,” Megan protested. “I don’t even know how to use it properly. I talk about doing healing, but I don’t really know how .”

“Well, the last bad injury we had died last week,” Flora said. “But I’ll send out runners to Innes tomorrow and find out if they have anything to trade. And anyone who needs healing. In the meantime you can be figuring out how to do it,” she added with a faint smile. “With more mouths to feed and clothes to make from whatever cloth we can get, there’s going to be work to do. I won’t get any trouble out of your girls from it, will I?”