"Thank you." Reta bowed her head and said breathily. Her old bones were exhausted, barely able to keep her upright. Her knees felt like they had nails stuck in them, her back and hip also threatened collapse from right under her. The other nights she would be on her bed groaning in solitude, but tonight she felt the push, a hand guiding her, helping her. Despite the pain she felt she could go on the whole night. It was the hope that they got after months because of this woman in front of her. So just as small little showing of her gratitude she thought at least she should offer personally.
Ava looked at her from her side, only slightly turning her face and nodded. She was not one for the talking like Reta was used to from other women. Even when with the men, Ava only listened baring a few questions here and there. So when Reta only got the nod as a reply she didn't feel disappointed.
Ava was sitting on stool made of a piece of log. Deep in her own thoughts and keeping careful eye on them. Reta had heard that she was to heal the folk after they were one with their meal. But almost every single one of them had passed out by now. Relief mixed with the liquor was her guess behind it. She wished she had kept some hidden for herself, to share with their savior as they at last partook in the feast. But that was not to be.
Reta sighed audibly and plopped down on the floor beside Ava who turned her head to regard Reta with a raised eyebrow.
"You haven't eaten?" Ava asked and the leaned in peer inside the nearly empty cauldron. It was dark behind the grey smokes from embers underneath but she knew there was still some scoops of the broth left.
"Oh I couldn't." Reta readily answered with both her hands raised against her chest as the very idea had been forbidden. "After what you have done, doing for us, to even eat your share before you… No I couldn't do that." It was made easier by her the old habit she had developed over the years, eating only after everyone else was done.
"You need not, it was meant for you all-" Ava turning completely toward her now started to explain.
"-But" but Reta stopped her with a calm tone. Between the two of them, she didn't know who was older but, she definitely felt like she had the outsider beat in terms of years. "We have already taken enough. Please madam, just have your meal."
We are not that shameless, remained unsaid but probably for the better as the men definitely were that shameless to not even invite Ava to dine with them when they did.
Ava herself appeared frozen and stared at her as she seemed to be at loss for words. She hadn't expected to be offered at all.
Reta smiled widely, only a couple of teeth showing in her gaping. Ava didn't recoil as her grandson Bartol used to do. She frowned at the thought, comparing the outside nearly her age with her grandchildren, she must have been growing senile.
"Why don't I grab you a bowl-" She tried to rise but the world swam as soon as she put weight on her aching knees and stumbled sideways. She didn't hit the floor however, Ava's hand was around her holding her safely as she was steadied into the floor again.
"Tell you what? Why don't we eat together?" Ava suggested softly and handed her an empty wooden bowl and spoon.
She took one in her own hand and used the ladle to scoop out the last scraps from the cauldron. Much to her surprise they got nearly two full bowls of broth with some solid meat chunks even. Dark red gravy with grey meat and pale stalks, with grainy spices floating on it of different color. The last three remaining pieces of loaf were equally divided by Ava between themselves. Reta didn't complain even though her mind was screaming to give up her half, but she had a feeling if she did that then she would only end up having two pieces instead of one.
"They must have been quite tired…" Reta noted, taking bite of a chunk of dipped bread and forcing herself not to wolf down the rest like a hungry… wolf.
Looking around in that dim light of the fire-pit and the torches on the far walls, they were the only one awake at the time. Most have left into their chambers, complaining about being sleepy and some even had laid down and were now snoring where they ate just moments ago.
"Hmm… the last month had been difficult from what I had heard." Ava hummed thoughtfully, taking small bite off her own bread. Her gravy remained untouched.
Reta took another bite, savoring the taste, only if there was something to drink instead of water.
"I am sorry, they had finished my supply of ales." Ava said grimacing at all the discarded bottles and wooden cups that littered the floor. Reta frowned, she was about to say the same thing, apologize for not being able to offer her some of it.
Ava again looked to be in some deep thought, eyes faraway as she absentmindedly chewed on her dry bread. Reta was almost done with her own meal. Despite the slow eating she already finished her bread and poured the thick broth down her throat. Best meal in quite a while. Even when things were normal their meals were not this rich. She felt content, surprising seeing the meager size she just ate. She thought she would be sleeping on empty stomach again. Sleeping… she wanted to, so very much, but so much was left to do.
"Why don't you lie down for a little while Reta? I will help you clean afterwards." Ava asked softly as she gently ran her hand over Reta's head.
"Dons needh-" Reta slurred, suddenly finding even twisting her lips to form a word to be difficult.
Just a little shut eye, she deserved it after all…
Slowly she lowered herself on the mat she was sitting and curled sideways and let herself go. She was just so tired, this last month had taken everything from her. She missed her Bartol, his constant need to be carried on Reta's back, stories every night, running from his erratic mother to her to get out of another punishment. Maybe she spoiled him too much, but how could she not, she only had the one.
She dreamed of the older happier days, when she had a son and daughter in law and a cute as a button grandson, a small ball of energy that bounced wherever it went. A smiled tugged at her lips and she let out a soft breath and surrendered herself completely to the sleep.
Nearby unbeknownst to her side Ava put two finger inside her mouth and massaged the back of her throat and retched. Soon a stream of something warm flowed up her stomach and she puked the half eaten bread into the shallow bowl in her hand. She spat and leaned back taking two deep breaths and rose, pushing on her trembling knee.