Najud could see the man’s toothy grin. “As long as it takes. We ain’t in no hurry, us. Better settle in for the long haul. If’n you get sick, that’ll just be too bad.”
He picked up the tray and the empty pitchers and pot from the night before. “You don’t make us no trouble, and we’ll keep the food and water coming.”
The door clanged shut behind him, and Najud heard the key turn in the lock.
The pottery bowls and cups were passed all the long way around to Gen Jongto, and he carefully filled all the cups with most of the contents of the first pitcher before starting them back the other way via Char Dazu. He emptied the pot of stew entirely, being as scrupulously fair as he could be. The rest of the water would sit there for breakfast and lunch, unless requested. It was up to each of them
