Avug's saga, chapter 3

A quiet question, finally spoken: Avug asks what she has long suspected — and receives an answer that changes how she sees herself, her family, and the world she lives in.

In a silent room above the household, truth is offered gently, almost kindly. Avug learns why she eats when others do not, why she thinks differently, and why some are allowed to choose while others are shaped to serve.

Chapter three of four, where inheritance is revealed, secrecy is required, and a child glimpses the machinery behind obedience — and recoils.

Transcript

Presenter 0:02

You are listening to Stories from Väruld. In this episode, Avug's Saga, Chapter 3.

Narrator 0:13

When Avug awoke, the sun was still up. Her mom was still asleep, as most of them. She got dressed and rolled a mattress together. There was still time before work. She ran to her grandmother. Her granny did not sleep with the other gurns. She worked and lived in the household of a bruni, and he wanted her services at daytime.

Granny 0:41

My dear Avug!

Narrator 0:43

Her granny greeted her when she opened the door.

Granny 0:46

Come in, come in.

Narrator 0:48

In the kitchen, Avug said:

Avug 0:51

I've been thinking.

Narrator 0:53

She bit her lip, not as sure any longer.

Avug 0:57

I was told, Mom is only half grön.

Narrator 1:01

Her granny muttered something, but then gave her a nod to continue.

Avug 1:06

Is Master Makt my grandfather?

Narrator 1:08

Avug was not sure if she saw a quick smile in the old face.

Avug 1:14

Come,

Narrator 1:15

she said, and took Avug's hand. They walked upstairs to the master's domains. And there was Master Mact.

Master Makt 1:26

Hello,

Narrator 1:27

he said when they saw them.

Granny 1:30

Avug has something to ask you,

Narrator 1:32

her granny said, and gave her a little push forward. Avug looked at the pattern of the carpet under her feet.

Master Makt 1:41

Yes?

Narrator 1:42

Master Mact asked. She knew there was no way out of this. She trusted her granny not to wish her any harm.

Avug 1:51

Are you my grandfather?

Narrator 1:53

She did not address him as Master Mact. That she never did when she was visiting, and there were no others in the house.

Master Makt 2:02

You're a smart girl,

Narrator 2:04

he said, smiling.

Master Makt 2:06

Yes, I am your grandfather, the father of your mother. But you also know this must be a secret, yes?

Narrator 2:16

Avug nodded.

Avug 2:18

Is that why I've eaten here?

Narrator 2:21

Every ten days or so, she and Granny was allowed to sit down and eat with Master Matt. He had always been a kind man. Now he guided her to a chair by the table. He sat down beside her.

Master Makt 2:39

Do you feel different from your friends?

Narrator 2:42

He asked. She did not answer. She drew a figure with her finger on the surface of the table.

Master Makt 2:51

You don't have any friends?

Narrator 2:54

She shook her head.

Master Makt 2:56

I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm not surprised. Your friends and their parents and their parents, they all live on water and sunlight. You, you also eat food. Without proper food, a human does not develop as they should. That counts for gröns as well.

Avug 3:19

I think differently because I eat?

Master Makt 3:22

Yes.

Avug 3:24

Why do all the others only get to drink sunlight then?

Master Makt 3:28

I'm not good with children, Avug. I'm not sure I can explain to you.

Avug 3:34

Try.

Master Makt 3:36

I'll try. If you get an education, you can often feel you don't want to work with something that doesn't require any great knowledge. But someone has to do the job. And if that someone can't take another job, you have someone who does not complain doing the work.

Narrator 3:56

Avug jumped from the chair.

Avug 3:59

I've got to go now.

Master Makt 4:01

Remember, Avug, you must not tell.

Presenter 4:07

Thank you for listening to Stories from Väruld. In the next episode, the Lost Sword of Sidensol. If you want to learn more about Väruld, check out the webpage https://desnordlund.itch.io/.