Chapter 4: Gird Your Loins

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The sun rose on the first dawn of the fourth week since their attack, and the two women were already pushing through the woods. 


“I need to do something about this dress.” Amber said, as the dress caught on yet another bush. 


Theresa looked back. “I could teach you to gird your loins.”


“Isn’t that something people say? They say it when they need to brace themselves for something bad.”


“It comes from older cultures, before people started wearing trousers. It refers to a way of tying up a robe or dress so that one can walk and run. It’s not attractive, and your legs will be more exposed to getting scratched. But it will make walking through the brush easier.”


“Is this what an adult should do?” Amber asked.


“If you like. An adult would find a way to manage and make do under the circumstances.”


“Then please show me. I want you to know that you can rely on me. I won’t slow us down.”


“I’m your bodyguard, my lady. You can rely on me. It is not your job to be reliable.”


“But I can. And I will. We could die out here. We probably will die. And I’m not going to be the reason you die. I’m not going to be the reason that we die.”


“Thank you, my lady.” Theresa said, hacking at a patch of berry bushes. ”Let me clear this bit, and then I’ll show you.”


Theresa showed Amber how to pull the front of her dress through her legs. And then Theresa had Amber wrap the dress back around the front of her waist. The process of girding her loins exposed her lower legs. And, as Theresa had said, Amber found she could walk without tripping. But Theresa had warned her. And Amber found that branches and prickles began to scrape and cut her legs as they walked. 


Theresa powered through the bush. Amber said nothing of her discomfort. She watched Theresa and hoped the bodyguard would notice her stoicism. 


They made camp that night and discovered that they had eaten all but one remaining serving of food. 


“My Lady, take the remaining food,” Theresa said.


Amber shook her head, “You take it.”


“My lady, please.” Theresa again pressed the rations towards Amber.


“You need to be able to fight. Otherwise you can’t protect me.” Amber said.


Theresa grimaced. “I can’t eat while my Lady goes hungry.”


“Then we split it.” Amber said. “I’m not eating unless you’re eating. So it’s either split the food or throw it out.”


Theresa sighed, “Very well. We will split the food. And we will take the appetite suppressant potion. That will help prevent us from feeling miserable for a while at least.”



Read more in "Daughters of the Digital Empire," Available soon! Check me out on AO3 https://archiveofourown.org/users/ddwardiswriting Check me out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ddwardiswriting

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