Ellia awoke that morning to one of the tribeswomen knocking on her door. Ellia snorted and then extricated herself from Nikodemus, whose arms were wrapped tightly around her body. She wore a blanket over her otherwise nude body and cleared her throat awkwardly. “Come in.”

Elizabeth came in and immediately had a look of jealousy on her face upon seeing that Ellia had hogged Nikodemus to herself for the night. In a moment, she gave her leader a salute and said stoically, “There was an announcement from the Zironists over the speaker phone today. They’re going to visit every tribe to personally ask for a sacrifice tonight.”

Ellia was shocked. “That’s unusual… well, we better make sure everything is spic-and-span for their arrival. Damn… I also have to make sure the fortress is running well today, and I have to continue strategizing to ensure that we can defeat the lioness’ upcoming attack. It’s gonna be a busy day.” Ellia paused, thinking deeply. “Elizabeth, I leave it to you and Annie to handle the cleanliness of the fortress today. Additionally, I would like you to take Nikodemus along and have him help you. I will handle everything else.”

Ellia returned to her bed and shoved Nikodemus’ shoulder. “Wake up!”

Nikodemus snorted and his eyes fluttered open. “Wh-what?”

“You wanted to help out, so that means early morning, you dope! Up you go!” Ellia shook his shoulder violently. Nikodemus made a face, “Alright, I’m up, I’m up.”

Elizabeth and Annie left the room, letting Nikodemus and Ellia dress. Ellia looked rather flustered as she raided her closet for a fresh polymer suit. Nikodemus just watched her for a moment; it was hard for him to appreciate her body in full when he was lying down with her (and so close to her…) so he gave himself a moment to appreciate her long, tanned legs, her fan of messy, but attractive, blonde hair, and the little freckles that lined her shoulders.

For a muscular woman, she sure does have a plump behind. Nikodemus found himself thinking errantly.

Ellia turned around, scowling when she saw him staring. “Get up, you lazy ass! We’ve got work to do. You don’t see me ogling your body.”

Nikodemus pursed his lips. “I wouldn’t mind it, though…” he climbed out of bed and put on the clothes he was wearing from yesterday.

Ellia zipped up her polymer suit, blushing from the fact that every woman in the tribe would realize he had gone to bed with her again if he went outside her room wearing the same outfit. She hastily said, “You leave the room first. Go visit our seamstress—she’s just three doors down from here—and ask her for a polymer outfit. I had her make one just for you. Try not to be seen on your way out.”

Nikodemus rolled his eyes. “You’re the boss. I mean, come on. You really think anyone’s going to question you? You’re their tough as nails leader.”

“Just get out of here!” Ellia replied.

Nikodemus chuckled, but obeyed. Ellia waited for five minutes, and then she left her room. She headed down to the showers, hosed herself off, and then got to work. Because Elizabeth and Annie were handling the cleanliness of the fortress (making sure the sheets, floors, walls, and clothes were clean) Ellia immediately checked on the stock of food and minerals and found everything to be in order. Next, she checked on their weapons supply, which she was pleased to see was more than adequate for any attack. In fact, she began putting together more of a tight strategy upon seeing some of the weapons they had on hand.

Land mines… of course. She thought to herself.

After viewing the weapons, she decided to check in with her scouts who had arrived back at the fortress. Those who went searching for minerals had very good news for her. “We found another new ore deposit. The good news is, is that it doesn’t look like anyone else has seen it. The bad news is, is that our old ore deposit seems to have been raided by someone else.”

Ellia listened to this news pragmatically—weighing her options. “Please continue to visit the old ore deposit, but bring more people with you when you do so. As for the new one, raid it as much as possible tomorrow and get as much as you can before it’s discovered. It may be a good idea to try and stake the old ore deposit out so we can see what tribe has been raiding it.”

Those who were searching for food had decent news for her. They had found and slain a few scorpions that would taste good when cooked, found two hyenas and slain them, more cactus fruit, and even a few limes out in the desert.

“Not a bad haul. Good work.” Ellia clapped her scouts on the shoulders and sent them on their way. For the most part, everyone was behaving normally, but a few of the women she passed by whispered to each other when they saw her coming.

Ellia swallowed. She knew they were most likely talking about the fact that she had gone to bed with Nikodemus twice. That’s enough of that, I suppose.