I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to choose my words as best I can. "Call me soft, but I have no desire to see innocent men die."
Abet lets out a dark laugh. "Innocent according to who? The giants? Each other? Humans are just as capable of betrayal."
I think of all the humans I have seen. Most of them are poor creatures, living in a frozen, quiet fear that never quite abates because of their exhaustion. I think of them sitting around the fires, silent under the watch of the giants. I think of Rodrigo and his group of men. Plenty of people seem like they neither care to be saved nor wish for any special kind of treatment.
I watched my people die. My king believes humans need not suffer the same way, and I agree.
"I believe the world is more than black and white," I say at last. "It is hard to judge. We're all products of Zlosa. Who would you be if you'd been born in a different place?”
Abet lets out a bitter laugh. "I'd be just as bad as those who rule over us. I would scrounge for power and get as many men to cook my meals and wipe my ass as necessary."
Nicolás looks thoughtful. "I think I would want others to have what I have: an easy life.”
"Perhaps you would be just as hungry for power as the giants. But perhaps not. I think men could work together in peace, but it will be impossible to know unless they can drink deeply from the cup of liberty," I say.
Abet continues to watch me with cautious eyes. "You sound like someone who has known such a life."
Memories of Enduvida well up and overwhelm me. The city didn’t have the grandeur of our old civilization, and there were problems, but compared to this place...
But these men can't know about any of that yet.
I tilt my chin upward, getting a good look at the open sky I've come to enjoy. I see the creatures that so often fly overhead at this time. Grouse, as Melisa told me.
“Looking up at the birds in the sky reminds me of what it truly means to be free. When I watch their flight, their formations, I am touched by their sense of togetherness. I’ve never seen a bird dragging another around the sky. If one chooses to latch onto another, neither can fly, and they will both fall to their deaths.”
We are silent for a minute.
“I would ask again: How can we know the nature of any of us, save we get a chance to be free? There is room for all in a place as vast as the sky.”
The words sound like something my father would've said. Emotion clogs up my throat.
Abet gives me a crooked smile. "Your words are interesting."
"I'll say," a voice from behind us says.
I turn to see Rodrigo.
He gives me a strange look. "You sound like one of those scholars the giants are always going on about."
My skin heats. “I’ll tell you again: I have no love for the giants."
“Perhaps, but your allegiance isn't to the slaves."
I take a deep breath, retrieve my ax, and head to the yards. The next few hours are spent chopping as many trees as I can manage and then dragging all our logs away.
But it’s the same result as yesterday. There are at least twenty who do not meet the quota.
Abet leans over. “Think of the men who live because of you. Let it be enough."
I nod, watching the executions.
After the misery ends, and my stomach stretches taut from hunger, I leave my team and discreetly go to Melisa's room. The house is dark. I know she is not here when I knock on the door. My fear sparks.
Was she taken with Eneko?
No, that wasn't the plan. Pacing, I leave a message on the ground. But I can’t stay here.
Chapter 28