"Roland..."
Inside the tent, Avril struggled to chew the black bread in her mouth.
Her small, palm-sized face was etched with bitterness.
"When you went to see Dean Graham earlier, did he say when we could leave this place?"
"Dean Graham said... we have to wait a little longer."
Roland felt the coarse, sandy texture in his mouth. He set down the bread, grabbed the waterskin beside him, and took several large gulps.
"Still have to wait?"
Avril, who had been lying listlessly on the table, shot upright, her voice full of complaint.
"It's already been ten whole days! I can't stand eating this stuff anymore..."
As if in a fit of pique, she stuffed the large remaining piece of black bread into her mouth.
Her cheeks puffed out, making her look just like a huffy little hamster as she glared resentfully ahead.
"Just bear with it a little longer, Avril..."
Roland looked at the dark-colored bread in his hand and sighed helplessly.
