Mom took the news surprisingly well. She simply nodded and let out a word of affirmation of her husbands death and accepted a sack of what I presume is our share of food, before turning to us three boys, who were all home in expectance of the imminent dinner, and says "Let's eat first, we will talk later". Not that I care that much myself. He was always gone after all, he never really taught me anything or really interacted with me apart from a few scoldings. I wonder if I would have had a stronger reaction, and check to align my expression with my brothers in order to subvert any suspicion. To my surprise, Lod is making a scowl as though this is troublesome, while Sten looks genuinely sad. I decide to show a little somber sadness, not that I wouldn't do so naturally. After all, a person has just died, even though I almost regarded him as a stranger.

"The day after tomorrow" My mother starts after the meal. "We will have to attend the summit. That will decide our new life."

"It will probably be my time to go" The unexpected grandmother interjects. I have barely interacted with her since I could run, so I have only really seen her during meals or when playing with my little sister, in which cases she has been very quiet.

"Mom, we don't know that yet" my mother says half-angrily.

"Of course we know that, it's all inevitable" She retorts.

I can't handle this "being spoken over", so I ask "What's going to happen to grandma?" in a slightly worried tone.

"Look, now you've worried the children" My mother spouts in the same tone as earlier.

"They are better off knowing now than when I go" Grandma barks back sharply. Then she completely changes tone to a slower and calmer one while explaining the predicament to me. "We elders, especially the women, have little use here in our later years. Now that someone else will have to take on the burden of feeding each of you, I will have to go"

A moment of silence falls over the table before I ask "Go where?"

My mother looks at me and smiles "I will try to make it to the city. I hear sometimes, well-off people will house and feed the old in exchange for doing the more mundane tasks of daily life"

I get the distinct feeling that this only the best-case scenario.

"Who will take care of us?" Sten asks

"That's for the summit to decided" My mother regains the conversation.

I don't know much of the summit, except that it happened sporadically and all men, including father, went to it for a few hours each time it was held. Guess it is the governing body of the village, since I have not heard of a chief or elder or mayor.

"Won't we get a say?" I ask, but this was a mistake. Grandmother looks furious and blasts "Your life will be supported only by the goodwill of another person! You will do damn well to remember this only be grateful for it!"

The room turns silent again and not much is said until we turn in for the day, while I worry for what is going to happen now.