Despite Gab’s more compact and shorter physic, Saddy’s leather vest, thin undershirt, and short jerkins fit well. Gab tugged, adjusted, and tried to stretch the waist band. She was sure that Saddy had more girth, but she was at least half a foot taller, if not more. That height must equate to a smaller waist.

For a moment, Gabs marveled at the surge of jealousy. It dissipated quickly. Her wider hips meant that childbirth would be easier for her than Gabs. The undershirt, tight across her larger bosom, indicated that she could care and feed a newborn better than the taller woman.

Surely, Gabs’ thoughts drifted to Aldren, these traits were attractive and important to men over a lanky woman who would have difficulty caring for prodigy. But, if that was true, then people like Saddy wouldn’t exist. Everyone would have optimal physical attributes and intelligence as all of the weaker and less worthy people would be breed out of existence. That is why her race was so strong.

But, Aldren definitely favors…. favored…. Saddy. It left her to wonder what exactly would Aldren find attractive and why it would matter. The body was a fleeting vessel. It grew old. It died. In some cases, Gabs thought, it became substance. It doesn’t matter. It was just meat. It was packaging.

“You must be starved.”

Gabs blinked and wondered how Saddy could read her mind. Was this an offer? Would Saddy present herself for a nibble?

“Your stomach is rumbling which is good. Hopefully, you’re recovering from any shock from the bandit ordeal you had. Aldren is making a good stew. We’ll eat, rest, and head to the camp tomorrow if you feel well.” A brush appeared in Saddy’s hand. She began to run it through Gabs’ hair, tugging gently at the knots and odd branches that remained from the stream.

“It’s good that the clothes fit you. I was a bit worried about that as I’m horrible with a needle and thread. I can’t darn a sock if my life depends on it.” A little smile appeared. “Do you remember the time when you tried to teach me to cross stich?”

No, of course not. That memory was rendered in twain when her tendrils curled around Gabs’ brain and cut it into a thousand pieces of mush.

Instead, Gabs said, “Of course. You’re incapable of learning new skills. It was a futile effort which resulted in wasted time and disappointing results.”

Saddy’s eyes clouded over and jerked on a persistent knot a little harder than the others. “That’s not exactly how I remember it. But, I suppose you’re right. It takes practice and an effective teacher to learn a skill. I did practice. The teacher must have been lacking.” With one last tug, the brush disappeared.
“Let’s return to camp. Dinner should be ready.”

Without speaking further, the two women walked towards the smell of venison and ash. Entering the campsite, they saw Aldren perched over a pot with a healthy blaze. He was adding some black pepper along with a little salt to a concoction made of meat, mushrooms, and some root vegetables he found among the foliage.