Conrad went back home trough secret path. As soon he went into dark forest the path disappeared and the few individuals that followed him came back fearfully. ""Chief, he disappeared inside. There is a thick forest. It seems he knows some secret path. For now, is hard for us to track it.""Illo shook his head. ""Don"t try anymore. Conrad was always good at hiding his tracks even in our world. There is no need for us to poke our heads in their secrets. We have a few of our own anyway.""
The people nodded and started preparing. The next day they will wait for Conrad and his friends to go to the sea. But what to take...
The moment Conrad came back everyone started asking questions so he just rose both hands in the air to stop them. ""Please everyone, sit down. I will explain one by one.""
Everyone went to their main room, sat down and waited. Conrad stood in the middle and started explaining. Everyone had questions. But he calmly answered every single one. In the end, the silence was in the room when Isaa"s voice could be heard.
""Who will you take to the sea?"" She had no wish to go there without Kendra so she didn"t even think about it.
""We can send there 15 people. I planned to take at least ten men as you are all safe inside the s.h.i.+eld. The more we gather there the more we have for winter. The work in the garden is done. So I think it"s fine if we leave that for you. Do any woman want to come?"" Few hands rose as they wanted to change a bit.
Isaa suddenly stood up as she remembered something. ""Take your commoner clothes from your world. Don"t take these red ones. We don"t know how they will react if they find out we have something good like this. Just take simple clothes. At least three sets. Its still spring and you will get wet, often. Everyone takes the creams that Cynthia made before. The salt is not an easy thing. Once a week send a couple of people home and we can exchange always. Trust me. It is hard work.""
Conrad smiled. ""Isaa is right. That is a hard job. For girls, I recommend staying always just for a few days at a time. For men weekly exchange. Like that, we won"t be overtired.""
So they made everyone go in weekly s.h.i.+fts. Isaa knew that she had to go as well. Accept the two pregnant women everyone else had to join in. Luckily the girls will have to go only once in a month.
Isaa somehow knew that Kendra won"t be coming anytime soon so she chose to go in the first group after all. Thinking bout the good time she had in childhood her smile permeated trough the day.
the next morning everyone got ready for the trip. Isaa took with herself the clothes her parents prepared and smirked. These seemed simple but were actually very durable, water-resistant and in same time breathable. She took the big backpack filled with her tent, basic necessities and waited for the rest.
When everyone came they looked at her backpack and nodded. Over the winter Kendra made them all sew their own backpacks and gear in case they need it ever. Everyone had backpacks prepared and as they waited for the other village to send their people.
The first time Conrad and Illo spoke they choose to be in the first group of people to join the group. Even from far there was difference between the two groups. The ones wore almost destroyed clothes while others wore almost new ones.
""How did you succeed to save your clothes from getting ripped?"" Illo looked at almost a new jacket on Conrad in awe.
""We used for activities and work one pair of clothes and rest when we are at home. We didn"t want all our clothes to get broken."" His answer was calm just like his expression.
One woman came to Isaa and Kimi that walked almost on the end of the group of people. ""I became like this after coming to this world, do you know how to get rid of it?""
Over her face was pimples in different kin of sizes. Isaa glanced at Kimi that had in begin the same problems and just exchanged places with her in front of the surprised woman. Kimi smiled at her and then took her hands.
""Look. Your nails are long and dirty. Your hair is dirty and all over your skin. Tell me do you wash your face regularly and do you sometimes touch your face when it itches?"" She had the same problem but Kendra would hit her every time hse wanted to scratch her face and get angry. On the end, Cynthia had to make cremes under Kendra"s instruction.
The woman nodded at Kimi"s question. ""I really scratch my face whenever I feel itchy. But about was.h.i.+ng... winter was long and cold. I washed it only when I felt that is really dirty.""
Isaa scrunched her eyebrows and remembered how Kendra scrubbed her for a long time until she was all red like a cooked lobster. When she thinks bout it, she felt as Kendra had right with it. Not only that woman was dirty. Her stench was strong as well. If Kendra were here she would kick woman into first water and let her rub all her dirt from the body. No matter how cold the water is.
Kimi smelt woman as well buts he felt sad for her. ""Listen, as soon we arrive close to the sea we will make camp anyway. We will need to make bathrooms anyway. First, we need to find drinkable water, cook it and you can wash. You are a woman, and very pretty. Only those things on your face came from filth. If you continue scratching you will have marks all over your face. Do you really want that?""
She shook her head and by that Isaa sighed in relief. At least she is not unreasonable. ""Good when we get there we will make plans then. We girls will come to the seaside only once or twice a month. Its a long way and we will exchange positions every now and then. For you, I would recommend staying in the base camp until they find a new place to build the village.""
Kimi smiled at her and soon the young woman rushed forward where other females that had similar problems walked together.
Isaa sighed. ""Their problem is not only filth...""
Kimi looked ta her and then with sigh. ""Yes. The whole winter they ate only meat and some strange plants. They probably have an allergic reaction, is that the right word that Kendra said?""
Isaa shook her head. ""No, it"s not that either. They have a bigger problem and I think Only Cynthia can help them.""
""Don"t say they are sick?"" She couldn"t understand.
""Yes. I read about it in my father"s study when we learned light energy. there are many sicknesses related to... mating."" Isaa"s face turned red as she said that word.
Kimi staggered for a moment. ""You mean...?""
Isaa nodded. ""They all are mating with each other. No real partners. Just mating like rabbits.""
Kimi felt her heart getting cold as she saw a few men sending them long gazes. Isaa chuckled. ""You fool. did you forget something?""
""What?"" Kimi"s brain was no in panic mode. Suddenly she felt a light hit on her head. ""Aw, what is that for?""
Isaa came closer and whispered. ""Do you think our men are babies? They are strong, well-nourished and on top of that, we still have powers.""
Kimi hit her head now. They chose to use powers only in an emergency. But considering that the rest of them had no powers, they can be considered quite powerful in this world. Suddenly she looed at Isaa and both of them gave the men cold stare that made them give up in fear.
These are not same women, deffinately not...