Inherited Danger

by Brian Rathbone

  * * *

  "Do you think Catrin is purified yet?" Osbourne asked over the evening meal.

  "With as much manure as she shoveled over the years, they've got a lot of purifying to do," Strom said, laughing.

  "Do you really think they'll make Cat cut her hair?" Chase asked.

  "There's a good chance," Benjin said. "I only told you it was a possibility so you would not be surprised. She may not be very happy about it."

  "I can't imagine Cat without any hair."

  "It'll grow back," Benjin said softly, and he looked around the common room. Tables were beginning to fill up. They had agreed to keep Catrin's activities to themselves, and he did not wish to be overheard. The murmur of many voices filled the air, but still he kept his voice low. "Just keep doing what you are doing, and everything will be fine."

  "I know," Osbourne said. "I'm sorry. I just keep thinking about what they might be doing to Cat, and it gives me the crawls."

  "This whole place gives me the crawls," Strom added.

  "Things here may seem strange," Benjin said, "but if these people journeyed to the Godfist, they would find our ways just as strange. You'll get used to it."

  "I just want to see Catrin do whatever it is she's supposed to do, so we can all go home," Chase said.

  Benjin looked at the faces around him, knowing none of them would be going home soon, knowing their homes may no longer even exist, but he said nothing. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence.