Someone shook my shoulder. “Wake up. Ella, wake up.”
An order. I was awake.
Areida thrust a roll into my hands. “It’s all I could get. Eat it before the others come in.”
In two swallows I ate the soft white roll, more air than sustenance. But more sustenance than I’d had in days.
“Thank you. Do you sleep in here too?”
She nodded.
“Where?”
The door opened and three maidens entered.
“Look! Queer ducks flock together.” The speaker was the tallest pupil in the school. She pronounced her l’s as y’s, mocking Areida’s accent.
“Ecete iffibensi asura edanse evtame oyjento?” I asked Areida. (“Is this how they behave at finishing school?”)
“Otemso iffibensi asura ippiri.” (“Sometimes they are much worse.”)
“Are you from Ayortha too?” the tall maiden asked me.
“No, but Areida is teaching me the beautiful Ayorthaian language. In Ayorthaian, you are an ‘ibwi unju.’” It only meant “tall girl.” I didn’t know any insults in Ayorthaian. However, Areida was laughing, which made it seem the worst of epithets.
I laughed too. Areida collapsed on top of me, and together we shook the purple chair.
- Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
