“When we used toe to the mountains to look for a Lost man,” Master Bane exined, “we often


    stayed until the man was found. We killed and ate things we could catch instead of returning to the


    compound.”


    Memories flitted into my mind of hunting down supper. I knew where to look and how to kill what I


    wanted. My Warriors were masters of survival in the mountains.


    The roasted meat was always a treat after many hours tracking. It melted on the tongue. The thick


    gravy the cooks used to prepare it here was not as pleasing. The stew took away from the natural


    juices. There were much better ways to prepare this dish.


    The meal continued with my opinions over the food not being mine at all. For instance, I craved the


    rubbery green stalks in the center of the table. I’d never seen them before, but I knew they would be


    sweet and tangy. My fingers itched to grab one and devour it.


    “And much too hard for you to chew, Ciara. You cannot have any,” Master Keinughed taking and


    biting into one.


    It tasted amazing. Master Kein had loved them since he was a small child. They were hard toe by


    in the lond andmon in the mountains. It was one of the few things the men liked when they


    were here.


    Master Bane thought about the time they had found a huge patch of it. Master Kein made them go


    there every time they went near that area in the mountains. It had been a long time since they had


    gone to that ce.


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    Master Evan liked theke near there. It was clear, deep, and secluded. He could swim it all day and


    never be bored.


    Master Damien remembered times when they had slept on the bank of theke; it had been peaceful.


    They had really enjoyed their quiet nights there in the middle of hunts.


    “Ciara,” Master Evan called and I Looked up.


    I was so confused. It was too much stimtion to have all their thoughts and memories bombarding


    me.


    “Swallow and take another bite,” Master Evanmanded.


    I did and he smiled down at me.


    “You must rx,” he said petting my head.


    He was right. Putting myself under more stress that I was already under was probably bad for the baby.


    I thought about Rose and her deep breathing.


    If I didn’t think about it, their constant stream of thoughts was just background. The ebb and flow of


    emotions wasn’t as disconcerting if you didn’t fight it. Just go with it, I convinced myself.


    “You find our bond ufortable?” Master Damien asked.


    They expected an answer to be verbalized.


    “Yes, Master Damien, I’m not used to having so much in my head at once,” I answered him.


    They didn’t understand. None of them felt that anything was ‘in their head’ as I described it. My words


    left them confused.


    “Take a bite, Ciara,” Master Damienmanded and the internalmunication continued.


    I became more rxed as we ate. They talked and I listened, to both the internal and the external


    conversation. The men could readily have both at the same time.


    Suddenly, everything was quiet.


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    The talons ttering across the floor alerted me to Nu-reeh’s presence. My head stayed down, despite


    the strong urge to watch her. The men waited quietly.