4
Fern
If any of the girls noticed I slept late the next morning, they didn’t comment. Juliet also woke late in the day and went about her usual duties with her face weary, full of strain. I whispered to Meadow, who proposed she and I take a group of the youngest girls to Laurel’s home. Juliet agreed with relief.
At Laurel’s hearth, I gathered more bread, not the sweet biscuits or honeycakes but harder buns good for travel. No one noticed, though I felt a bit guilty. I left some wintergreen for Laurel in exchange.
On the walk back, the girls chattering like a flock of sparrows. They threw back their hoods and skipped along, glad to be out of the lodge, even with a warrior escort. It was a fine, if cold day. Berserkers walked ahead and behind us. Most of the girls ignored them, but I fe
