She could not sleep that night; instead, she tossed and turned under the silk covers. Did the Navi know each other? Brynt had called her an apprentice, was the other Navi a teacher? So many unanswered questions.
Several times the stowaway jumped out of bed ready to flee back into the wilderness. But the Navi quarters provided comfort and luxuries she had rarely seen and never before experienced. Without a fire to hint at the second capsule’s location, Brynt had decided to gather a larger, better equipped search party the next day. Since she found no means to escape or survive in the wild, eventually the temptation of one peaceful night won. I sure would enjoy Fiana’s life. The stowaway fell asleep with that thought.
A knock on the bedroom door woke her.
“Come in.”
A young girl slipped inside, her blond plaited hair swaying from side to side in sharp contrast to her dark gray uniform. A colony worker then.
“Navi Fiana.” The girl bowed. “I’m Maya. I’m here to assist you.”
Assist me? What am I to do with this girl? Fiana tried to sit up, but the sudden movement flared up the pain in her ankle.
“Are you alright Navi?” The girl was immediately at her side.
“Mhm.” Fiana nodded. “Just a bit weary.”
“Should I get the medic? Brynt said you should rest.”
“No! Uhm, I mean, no need. It’s just a few scratches.”
Maya gave Fiana a suspicious look, but did not object.
“I need to talk to Brynt about joining the search party.”
“The marshal explicitly said—”
“Are you not here to assist me?” Fiana raised her voice. “I want to see Brynt even before breakfast.”
“But Navi Fiana, he—”
“Who ranks higher here?” Fiana got out of bed, grabbed a clean dress from a hanger and made her way towards the bathroom. “Brynt can talk to me in person if he wants to tell me what to do.”
It was a gamble, since she wasn’t sure whether she did outrank him.
“But he’s already left,” Maya blurted out just as the bathroom door closed.
The gown refused to slip over her head and her arms got stuck in the sleeves. When Fiana finally stomped out of the bathroom her fists were clenched.
“He didn’t speak with me first?”
The girl cowered under Fiana’s gaze and answered in a trembling voice. “No Navi, he wanted you to rest.”
“Never mind,” Fiana waved her hand. “I can still catch up with them.”
At least he won’t be able to say no. “Let’s grab some breakfast and you can—”
“Navi,” the girl interrupted. “It’s lunch time now.”