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“…stunted…”
“…little stick arms…”
“Have you forgotten your way?”
Apparently, Grixis’s initial distaste for my weak form is the common opinion among his people. If anything, they detest me more than he had.
“They’re better off as food for the beasts.”
Grixis holds his own, his voice booming. “Her people have strength. Not all is as it appears.”
Ramsey’s voice rises. “You think she’s weak now, without her shift, she’s sickly. No hard muscle. Fat in odd places. Barely any hair except on her crown and cunt. Completely unfit to survive.”
Since my arrival at Grixis’s camp, it’s been chaos. First, they were curious, then disgusted, then confused, and finally—angry. So angry at the very thought that I could be fit to breathe.
Which isn’t good for me. For as big and loud as Grixis is, his men cry disgust in unison.
The only way I have a chance of survival is with these men, who value strength above all. I have to show them I’m not as weak as I appear.
And cowering behind Grixis will not help my cause.
So I act brazen.
I step out from behind Grixis and force myself to face his men. I’m met with a sea of shocked faces that are silenced by my forwardness.
“My size and shape speak nothing to my strength,” I say firmly. “Could one so frail take down a clicking beast on their own?”
“Clicking beast?” a man mutters.
“An endergulf,” Grixis says.
“And while my shape isn’t as muscled as yours, my people are learned, knowing irrigation, agriculture, animal domestication, and other important skills.”
“No son of mine is going to have odd fat pockets,” a voice growls.
My hand flies to my mouth as a chuckle escapes my throat. Then I remember that if something as simple as saying ‘please’is a sign of weakness, acting apologetic would be seen as far worse. So I laugh harder.
Unfortunately, the man bares his teeth in response. I make note that it’s probably best not to mock or offend them.
Finally, I reply with, “The women of my culture are soft more than hard, but the men are shaped more like you. A little smaller, but much larger than I am.” It’s not a lie, though I don’t tell them that sweet treats will give anyone a belly.
Thankfully, their tempers lessen, and they take on more thoughtful expressions.
“There’s more,” Grixis says from behind me. “A strength that even the greatest of our people do not possess.”
A man snickers. “Not possible.”
“It is true.” Grixis steps forward, and for the first time, the crowd of men is silent. “Her people are of equal parts men and women.”
Brows furrow. They look to one another as though in disbelief.
“Do they kill their male babes?” a man asks.
“Absolutely not!” I snap, offended. “If anything, a male child is more greatly desired than a female.”
“She speaks lies!” Ramsey growls.
“It’s true!” I stand my ground. “The men are our laborers. They go to war—”
