The herdbeast was mouth-wateringly plump, but Gwillanth paused for a moment before digging in. She felt...
Many of the holds in the territory had been damaged. Nothing the hardy holders couldn’t bounce back from, but with the dry season still climbing to its peak... Everyone in Dunespike was hoping that the ranchers would not be much affected. They were the lynchpin upon which the Weyr was balanced, and if the supply of herdbeasts dwindled, the Weyr would suffer.
For now, the Weyr had begun tracking rations for their dragons, counting their herds fastidiously and making sure they would not cut into the the stock the holders needed for their own hungry mouths. But Gwillanth, as both a casualty and clutchtender, was not on ration...
She felt guilty, but she needed to eat. She tried to forget the feeling and focus on the tenderness and quality of the fresh beast, savoring every bite with special intensity.
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Eating isn’t a new concept for you, but the source of food might be -- how does this change your conception of the holds and holders? Is there more you wish to know, or do you find the idea of even more distant people more confusing? Do you share Gwillanth’s worries, or feel the guilt she does? Why does Gwillanth thinks so often of the holds? Why does she savor the meat?