Evaluations of the Tribe - Prossia Book 0 : A Coming of Age Space Opera Read online

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  “More pressure,” Catty told Aly as she wrapped Glani’s leg.

  Aly hugged the thigh as hard as she could, turning her head so she wouldn’t have to look at the wound while blocking Glani’s view. The mastra still tried to look, regardless.

  “Truly, how grave is it?”

  Aly forced a smile and rubbed Glani’s leg. “It is not severe.”

  “Were we not told to say such things for the sake of keeping people at ease?”

  Aly didn’t say anything else, but looked back at the mending process.

  “There.” Catty moved away from the leg, finishing the wrap. “Requai?”

  Requai took an extra look, examining the quality of the job. “It appears well enough. Even so, we best keep it clean and avoid excessive moisture.”

  Aly noticed Glani staring at her arms and top. She faked another smile, and acted like wiping blue into her loincloth wasn’t that big of a deal.

  “Truly, you have a great amount of blood on you,” Glani said. “I beg, do not lie. Shall I be well?”

  Aly looked at Catty, not wanting to answer.

  “Truth be told, I am not sure.” Catty checked how much more daytime they had. “Other predators may smell your wound from milos away. Thus, the remaining combatants against us may very well be the least of our worries, I fear.”

  Glani rubbed her leg and tried getting up. She gritted her teeth.

  “Putting weight on it hurts, yet I shall not let my mess-up jeopardize everyone else’s safety.” Requai offered her a hand, but Glani shook her head as she hobbled around. “Apologies. Why did I not move when I saw that creature? You lot have my thanks, all the same.”

  “We best spare our gratitude for later,” Catty said. “Our plan for going on the offensive is no longer valid. Thoughts?”

  Aly turned and pointed out some potential lookout positions. “I propose we stick to the mid-levels and remain here. Let us set a base of operations and wait the ordeal out, yes?”

  “Surely, you are not serious, nay?” Requai said.

  Aly backed up a little. “Um, I am. Truly, it be as Catty said. Our circumstances have changed. This be not an assessment only based on hit counts. Survival antics are vital as well, yes?”

  Catty rubbed her chin. “Agreed. We have taken a healthy number out of the ratio, thus we best rely on maintenance for the moment being. I believe Teacher and Master Slew would appro––”

  “Teacher and Master Slew are milos away, Mastras!” Requai shouted. She pointed at the wounded mastra’s leg. “Are you blind? A monster nearly ate Glani!”

  Glani raised a hand. “That be a little harsh, yes? As ferocious as it was, it could not even fit my entire leg in its––”

  “Enough of this. Why, look at us.” Requai held out her palm and counted. “We be tired, we reek, we hunger, and we see no end to this. There shall be other assessments in the future, yes? Why should we not take out as many as possible and be rid of these worries? Truly, we have done enough to earn good credit on our records.”

  Catty shook her head. “This is to be more than a mere scoring session.” She stumbled back when Requai got in her face.

  “And who was to put you in charge, Little Mistress?”

  Aly shook her head. Time after time, Catty let that mastra walk over her; over them. And she was such a better leader than Requai; a natural!

  She hated it. These were the Evaluations, and some things were still the same, even milos away from civilization. Someone needed to put an end to this nonsense... Aly went as stiff as green oak wood when it hit her. She took a step forward, and froze. No, it couldn’t be her. How silly. Even she knew she wasn’t brave enough.

  “Oh, be damned with it. I… Enough, Requai.”

  The other three mastras eased their faces to Aly, who quickly covered her mouth.

  Requai closed her eyes and tried not to laugh. “What did this one just say?”

  Aly’s eyes darted from side to side. “I...I said we are not departing. Catty has provided the soundest plans thus far, and has yet to lead us astray.”

  Requai’s jaw dropped. “Who does this one think she be?”

  “One who has enough sense to realize Catty has earned our trust.” Aly raised a brow, baffled by her own words, and smiled.

  Glani’s eyes widened. “Woah.”

  Aly then got between Catty and Requai, and to her satisfaction, the maroon-tented mastra stammered back. “Now, I shall only say this once. Blow off.”

  No one made a peep. Aly knew if it were yesterday or tomorrow, she might have held her peace. But today was just that – today.

  She didn’t know that one of her Sungstra reactions made her pupils dilate, so she was impressed by how fast Requai followed her instructions. The other mastra backed away from Catty and walked off, not saying a word.

  Glani hobbled after her. “I know that one’s pride has probably been put into shock, thus I shall make sure she does not trail too far off.” She paused and smirked at Aly before leaving.

  Aly exhaled. She had held her breath, not knowing how Requai would react to her words. Catty then playfully punched her in the arm.

  “My, so this one does have a spine when need be, after all, yes?”

  “Apologies. I was too blunt, yes?”

  “Who is to care?”

  Aly watched Requai and Glani trail off, and felt guilty a little longer before shrugging the notion away.

  “Fair enough.” She cleaned her hands again with her loincloth. “Beyond this, I never really liked her that much, anyways.”

  Catty wrapped her arms around her, and squeezed. “For what it is worth, my thanks, Mastra. And truly, I am proud of you.”

  “It be no big deal.” Aly shrugged and winked. “Beyond this, I feel I owed you a return to numerous favors.”

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