to know the truth about the world above. And they should be taught to read and write. Also, how to keep out of the sun, how to build shelter, where to find water, basic medicine, how to –”
He laughs. “One thing at a time, one thing at a time. We can start with reading and writing. I’ll instruct the tutors to begin daily lessons. Does that make you happy, my dear?”
“Yes. Thank you.” There is something so patronising about his “my dear”.
Mr Frye beams. “Well done, General. You’re already proving to be a wise and generous leader. Now, how many of the young people in the colony could you spare for Greenhaven’s workforce?”
The general gestures to Major Zungu, who leans over. Captain Atherton passes along the leather book and the three of them bend over it, muttering. The general jabs the page with his stubby finger. At last he looks up.
“I can give you fifty girls,” he says.
“Um …” I swallow as I contemplate finding beds for fifty people. “I haven’t really got room for that many –”
Major Zungu ignores me. “They will be in the care of the army,” he growls. “They will sleep in a temporary barracks located just outside Greenhaven Farm. They will be marched to Greenhaven at 0800 hours, six days a week, and return to the barracks at 1800 hours. Guards will supervise them for the duration. And, Miss den Eeden, make no mistake: They will be under strict observation at all times. You will feed them all three meals per day – including the guards.”
“Three meals a day?” How am I supposed to find food for over fifty people a day? But I know that if I don’t, they’ll be stuck in the colony. They will probably starve to death.
“In time, the food they produce will be more than enough to feed them and you’ll still have plenty to sell to the City. I understand that Greenhaven Farm does exceptionally well under your care, Miss den Eeden. Mr Frye says it’s quite remarkable how the output has increased since you’ve arrived. It’s your duty, Miss den Eeden, to help solve this crisis.”
Under the table, I feel Mr Frye’s knee nudging mine. I remember his words: Bargain with them.
“General,” I begin, trying to sound professional, “this is an interesting opportunity, but it’s also a big adjustment for Greenhaven. I’m not certain that we want to expand so quickly. Perhaps in a year or two, when we’re a little more established …”
He narrows his eyes. I’m hitting home. I push on.
“However …” I pause. I’m thinking about how strained things have been between me and my sabenzis. It’s so unfair that I have everything and they own nothing. They can’t even live at Greenhaven unless they’re my servants. “I could perhaps be persuaded if you were to do something for me. Something to make up for the inconvenience.”
He leans forward. “What? What is it you want, Miss den Eeden?”
I swallow the boulder in my throat. If I don’t ask now I’ll never get it. “If I could have full citizenship for my friends. Please.”
He thinks a bit, then nods. “Names?”
“Jasmine Constable … um, Letti Sinxo, Fezile Sinxo … Micah Maystree …” I look to see if the general responds as I call each name, but his face doesn’t move.
Major Zungu is tapping his fingers on the table.
I bite my lip. Is that everyone? No wait – Shorty. We were so mean to him when we suspected him of being the High Priest’s spy. And then we discovered Victor was the traitor, and that Shorty had been loyal all along. This will make it up to him.
“And Shorty – I mean, Troy Julius. And …” My mind scrabbles – there’s someone I’m forgetting. Major Zungu’s finger-tapping has speeded up, and I still have so much to ask. “And …”
The general narrows his eyes. “There’s more?”
I’d better hurry up before he gets angry. “I want to select the fifty workers from the colony myself,” I blurt out quickly.
He nods. “Right. Make a note of that, Major. Now, item two on the agenda. The Poladion family will be executed by firing squad immediately after this meeting. All council members are required to attend.”
Executed.
I can’t focus on anything for the rest of the meeting. The voices around the table sound further and further away as a cold block forms in my stomach, freezing out everything except the image of – the wives, the small children, Cassie, my friend, Hal … Lucas …
I can barely breathe.
Too soon the men stop talking, and the general pushes back his chair. “Right, gentlemen and lady, we will now proceed to the courtyard.”
“General …” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turns those cold eyes on me and waves me away like an irritating insect. “No more discussion.”
The three officers glare at me, and I wither.
CHAPTER 3
Come along, Ebba,” Mr Frye says.
The others have left the council chamber already but I’m hovering, hoping they won’t notice that I’m missing.
I can’t go out there.
I can’t watch the entire family being killed.
But he takes my free arm, propelling me down the passage and out of the big double doors onto the colonnade.
I try to pull away, but he holds me firmly, hissing into my ear, “Ebba, you have to pick your battles with the general. This one is not worth fighting. Now, come with me.”
We stand in a row with the other council members, looking over the courtyard. The plinth stands empty now. The statue of the High Priest has been pulled to the ground, and soldiers are dragging it away, jeering.
I have a flashback to the High Priest’s face as the bees swarmed around his head. I push it away. He was evil. He killed Jaco and Shameema and the Year Fives. He deserved to die. But his family haven’t done anything wrong.
The prisoners are nowhere in sight and I relax a little. The general must be playing some sort of game to scare me.
Then a door opens in the wall, and the women and children are led into the courtyard. My legs go numb, threatening to buckle under me. I lean against a column, feeling the clammy sweat beading on my forehead.
The wives are herding the children. The little one, the toddler, is staring with huge eyes at the soldiers. Nomkhululi is weeping, holding her baby close to her breast. Cassie looks up and catches my eye. Her face convulses.
I turn away, filled with shame. I should have tried harder to save her. I glance around frantically, searching the faces of
