“It was more fun when we went alone, without another family and we often did that,” Master Christof


    said. “There is always risk in the mountains though. We were taken and held byrge gangs on several


    asions.”


    A knock sounded at the door and Master Evan got up to answer it. lever as much fun if that happened,”


    Master Damienmented. jecause the women are mean,” I said trying to understand.


    “No, if we got caught up there and didn’t return to our post on time the General would take ash to us


    when we got back,” Master Evan said returning to the table.


    “And not a Light scolding like you got,” Master Christof said, “a real beating.”


    I had thought what I got counted as a beating. It was apparently not that bad. Admittedly, they could


    take a lot more than I could.


    “You did well today, Ciara,” Master Evan said handing me the bowl from the door, “you took each of us


    multiple times. We are pleased.”


    I took the bowl and Looked inside. It was an orange, a Large ripe navel orange. Reaching inside I


    touched the rough skin and wondered at it.


    “We do not know how to feed you this,” Master Damien exined from beside Master Evan.


    “Show us how you eat it,” Master Keinmanded.


    I picked up the orange and started to peel it. The scent of it filled the room and Master Christof wrinkled


    his nose.


    “What a strange odor,” he quietlymented.


    A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y


    Once the orange was peeled I plucked at the seeds to remove them.


    “The man asked us to save those if the ve did not eat them,” Master


    Evan said and had me ce the seeds back in the bowl.


    I separated the orange into pieces and the men were fascinated by it.


    They each took a piece and examined it.


    “Would you like to try it, Masters?” I asked.


    “No, Ciara, this is your treat,” Master Evan told me handing the piece he had taken back.


    I showed them how I ate it and they fed me the pieces I had prepared.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    It was wonderful. I savored each sweet bite. I never expected to taste something from Earth again.


    He did have a little taste of the orange. Some of the juice dribbled down my chin and Master Evan


    licked it off. While he didn’t find it bad, he didn’t understand why I enjoyed it.


    After dinner the men yed cards and I sat and watched them. The game was much more entertaining


    now that I understood it. Master Christof even put me on hisp and Let me y his hand for him.


    “Well, we should go help with the punishment,” Master Damien said stretching.