Page 53 of Leveling

Luna wasn’t sure why she did it, but she said, “Excuse me.”

The entire group turned and looked at her, the stranger.

“I know where there’s supplies.”

The young man to the right of Sky looked at Luna with furrowed brow.

The older man said, “Luna Saturniidae, I’m Odo. welcome to the family. A lot of supplies, accessible?”

“Well, it’s a long distance, out, south. And there’s nothing between here and there. But it’s there. Water filters too.”

The others in the circle muttered and murmured to each other.

“How’d you come by this information?”

“It’s the Outpost I visited before I came here, three days ago. It’s stocked with packs containing food and filters as a way station for Nomads headed to the settlements on the mainland. It’s unoccupied now. The trunk has thirty packs at least. Full.” More murmuring.

A woman to the left of Luna said, “There might be a chance it’s all been taken.”

“True, but I didn’t see any Waterfolk until I saw you. The chances of anyone traveling there are slim.”

The young man next to Sky said, “I still think north up the coast is the better bet. We’re exposed out there, there’s too much risk. We’re a big group. We move slowly.”

Someone else added, “Storm season is starting too. There’s a storm on the horizon right now.”

The young man said, “How do you even know the Outpost is still standing?”

“I don’t. The risk is high, but the payoff is big. Enough supplies for everyone and for trading, for weeks.”

Side discussions and whispering began again. Finally Odo said, “Buzz, I hear you, you made an impassioned plea last night to go up the coast and your argument won the day, but with this new information we need to change our plans. Without supplies we’re not at optimal strength.”

Buzz said, “Of course.” He cut his eyes at Luna.

Luna said, “I don’t think everyone should go though.”

When people started to object, Odo raised his hand. “Hear her out.”

Luna continued, “I agree that Waterfolk don’t ever split up on principle, but this is a big group and with the storms...”

Odo said, “That’s true, we have been traveling slowly. We could send a party to the Outpost. Our strongest paddlers.”

A woman on the other side of the circle said, “It’s not how we go, we stick together, always. The group moves at the rate of the weakest member, it’s how we survive.”

Odo said, “But we’re a big group, two families, with Luna, three. We can divide without it changing our tradition. I think it’s what we have to do. Things are changing.”

Luna looking down at her paddle. “Every inch of water makes this a whole different world. One that we have to adapt to survive in.”

Odo nodded. “You’ve certainly survived. So I believe we’re decided?”

People all around the circle nodded.

Odo said, “I’ll go to the Outpost, how about seven volunteers to accompany me.” Many hands went up, including Luna’s.

Odo said, “Luna, no one expects you to return across that distance, you can tell us where the supplies are.”

“I’m a navigator. Also, I’ve been there, I’m familiar with the building. I’ve seen where the food is. I’ll go. I can do it.”

Odo said, “Okay, how about Buzz and Sky and...” With the handle of his paddle he pointed around the circle until he had chosen seven to accompany himself.

Then Luna explained to everyone the Outpost’s location, earning an appreciative whistle from some in the crowd.

Buzz asked, “You did that distance by yourself?”

Luna nodded. Sky hugged her around the shoulders.

Odo said, “We should leave within the half hour, we’ll want to be there in the early afternoon tomorrow.”

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