Chapter 7: Introducing the Taskmaster

Olivera's POV: The field stretched before me, though smaller than the one where Jeremy was working. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of labor awaited me here. As I trailed behind Leonard, I tried to mentally prepare myself for the next set of challenges. The air was heavy with a strange tension, like the calm before a storm, and it didn’t make me feel any better about this new place. After walking a few more minutes, we reached a large clearing filled with girls, all wearing the same odd attire. There were at least thirty of them, busy with various tasks. Some were washing clothes, others were cooking or threshing grain. Their movements were methodical, almost robotic, and they all ignored us as if we were invisible. The atmosphere was suffocating, and my instincts screamed that trouble was lurking beneath the surface. Leonard’s voice broke through my thoughts. “This work is simpler than what Jeremy is doing, but don’t be fooled—it’s still demanding.” “Yeah, I can imagine,” I m