Free Ascent of the Aliomenti by Alex Albrinck Page B

“I see the problem where we are concerned. We were unaware of your rules prior to consuming the fruit, and thus cannot be bound by them.”
    Ambrose shook his head, his gaze ominous. “No, sir, you misunderstand me. Your fate, and hers—“ he gestured at Hope “—are sealed. You must remain, under penalty of death. We are, however, uncertain what to do with her .” And he turned his gaze upon Eva.
    “Wait!” Hope said. “We’re prisoners here?”
    “No,” Ambrose said. “The two of you will not be restrained in any way, other than being denied any attempts to leave this forest. Nor will you be forced to act as slaves in any manner. You are to be treated as any other here; your eating of the fruit is treated as your acceptance of our requirements, irrevocable as the effects might be. This woman, however, has not yet made her decision.”
    We could learn a lot while we’re here , Will projected to the women.
    Perhaps we can even learn how to undo the effects of the fruit , Hope added.
    Eva looked at Ambrose. “What if I choose not to accept your rules, and choose not to accept the fruit?”
    Ambrose looked surprised. “You should consider yourself honored. Not one person a century is deemed worthy of such a privilege. Why would you decline?”
    “You haven’t answered my question.”
    Ambrose glanced around at his companions, and then he returned his steady gaze to Eva, his eyes colder than they’d yet been. “The secrecy of this group, and of the fruit, cannot be threatened and will not be threatened.”
    Eva cocked her head. “You’re saying I will be detained, then, if I refuse? I am not simply free to choose to leave, vowing never to speak of this place?”
    What are you saying, Eva? Hope’s thoughts were frantic. She’d literally died for the chance to be around Eva again; hearing the woman question the leader of this group about her ability to leave frightened her.
    Be patient, Hope. I am assessing the nature of these people.
    “You will be... permanently detained, in a manner of speaking.”
    Eva nodded. “So my choices are acceptance or death, then. Hardly a choice.”
    Hope sucked in a deep breath, eyes widening.
    Ambrose nodded. “It is nothing personal, I assure you. The knowledge held here is simply too profound for widespread consumption, and that is why we do not allow others in unless they have been personally vetted, a process which happens infrequently. Those who learn our secret, learn our rules, have already made their decision. I do not envy you your position... but I do recommend accepting our offer.”
    Eva rolled her eyes. “I suppose I have no choice, then. But I do wonder... how does one choose to reverse the effects of the fruit? What if one wishes to die? What if one wishes to bear children? In all the years your community has existed, surely you solved those mysteries.”
    Ambrose looked hesitant for a moment, glancing at the assembled masses. Then he laughed, but Will noticed it seemed forced. “Why... would we want to answer those questions? We have all here accepted our condition, the gift we have been given. No... it is not something worthy of our time and consideration. Now, do you accept our conditions or not?” He spoke quickly, and Will noticed the Eva had detected that oddity as well.
    Eva sighed. “I will eat your fruit.”
    Ambrose walked to the nearest tree and plucked a piece of the succulent, fragrant fruit. He walked back and handed it to Eva. She held it, looking at him, as if waiting for approval. Ambrose nodded, and she bit into the fruit, chewing it slowly, and then she swallowed.
    Ambrose smiled. “Welcome to the community. Welcome to the Ambrosia forest. As residents, you will find that the ambrosia fruit provides all the nutrition you need for survival and good health. You will find your health improving over time. And time is something you will have in abundance. For though you can be killed, you cannot die due to the accumulation of