“We’ll carry as much as we can back to the others.” Balph’s firm tone belied the turmoil he felt facing this comrade who was obviously only cooperating with him out of fear. He had seen enough of Kade’s prostrate form and wanted to be out of there.
Gabry narrowed his eyes considering what may happen when the Commander returned, if he returned. “Of course, the others must have their share.” Gabry concluded. Glancing at Kade he added: “What about that?”
“It was an accident.” Balph sighed. “He shouldn’t have come at me with a knife.”
“Of course, an accident.” Gabry’s tone belied his words, but he stooped and picked up a box. The Tiglathian script on the outside proclaimed ‘Gorma Kemla Akun’ (Best Peanut Bars). Balph picked up the remaining 2 boxes and followed Gabry back through the tunnel.
Kip complained loudly that they had probably either eaten or stashed the best
of what they had found, only bringing the rubbish to their poor, injured companions. And why wasn’t there any bat meat? The complaints stopped abruptly when Kip realised Nestor and the others were eating and filling their pockets and packs with the delicacies gleaned from the Commander’s private store. No one asked about Kade, no one seemed to miss him. Balph felt too sick to eat. He had never realised life was such a fragile thing, so easily gone. As he watched the others, he felt certain that Kip could not taste the food. His face was sour and determined, as though the food itself was not important, only ensuring that none of the others got more than he. Nestor, despite his
professed hunger, ate slowly savouring each mouthful with a look of bliss on his face. He also managed to fill Prago’s pockets and the pouch on his pack with treats, though he had no success in enticing him to eat.
Mordon had become very alert at the sight of the food and kept thanking
Balph and Gabry for “saving us” between large mouthfuls of potato and carrot cake. His wounds still looked ugly, but were no longer bleeding.
“My head feels much better!” Reko beamed after consuming three peanut bars in rapid succession. If anything the lump on his head looked bigger than before though.