“Swim,” Bane said to me as Rose’s men redressed her, “thirty-seven times and then you rest.”
I swam my Laps as quickly as I could. It wasn’t nearly as interesting as swimming around the Keeper’s
inlet, but I made do. Once I was done I dried and dressed myself, much to Rose’s shock, and went to
lay down.
As Iy in the quiet bedroom my mind drifted to what the men were doing. Christof made a point to
concentrate on things about the ore. That seemed to satisfy the little life inside of me. She was
entertained by his cajoling and I restedfortably the entire afternoon while they worked.
The men found me still sleeping on their bed when they got done. They were quiet as they disrobed for
their shower. Evan was insistent I sleep as long as I could.
Damien permitted me to remove the punishment from Evan’s ass before dinner. I was d we did. He
was obviously not meant to wear something like this. Poor man was bleeding a little. He swore not to
make the same mistake that had led to this again.
The pregnancy wore on and settled into a predictable pattern. I read daily and sometimes nightly. My
little girl was relentless in her quest for knowledge. Eventually the men found Christof could calm her if
it needed to be done. When she had not Let me rest for days, that was what had to happen.
We were Lucky in a way, as my belly grew her schedule became more regimented. She knew to be
curious in the morning and let me rest more at night. It was a good change and one I was thrilled to
see.
Hannah visited regrly. Sometimes she gifted me with devotionals, sometimes not. Theck of a
pattern stopped Nu-reeh from catching her. What my girl was doing would have infuriated Nu-reeh. If
she found out what Hannah was doing, I was sure Nu-reeh would kill her.
My daughter gathered information for one of the lead female families that fought for freedom. Hannah
and her Sister were not restricted and moved easily between the mountains. The mature women
tracked them, but only somewhat.
Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
I asked not to be given details, so I would not endanger anyone, but Hannah insisted I know what she
was helping to do.
The stolen men were somehow removed from the mountains orpounds and delivered to safe
ces. There they were told the truth and allowed to make their own decisions. No one owned them
and they mated at their discretion. A woman could ask, but no was an eptable answer. Their rights
were respected by the women around them.
In this new life the men were permitted to learn anything they wanted. ess to knowledge was no
longer prohibited. They could think and study on any topic that was interesting to them. None of them
were Limited in what they could do.
“Warriors that act like Administrators, Mama,” Hannah whispered to me one day.
“Administrators building the weapons that fortify the homes they live in. The men are finding they can
have many and varied interests.”
The men were productive in the small, free societies. They worked and helped the women with every
task. The goal was to eventually have all of them be mostly self sufficient. That would be the sign of
true equality.
ninjanovel
“We talk to them,” Ra said. “They are friendly with us and invite us to dine with them. They touch us
without fear.”
My hackles raised at herst statement. “How exactly,” I hissed, “do they touch you girls?”
Hannah was not old enough for that. I was sure Ra wasn’t either. Both girlsughed at my concern
“We cannot mate, Mama,” Hannah soothed, “we are not old enough and have no interest. Ra means
they touch our arms or brush along side us in tight ces. Don’t worry so much. I have much to do
before I settle down to have my own children.”
Ra cast a worried nce at Hannah and my daughter sighed.
“If it is even possible for me,” she amended.
“Women no Longer conceive easily,” Ra exined. “Breeding numbers are down and have been for so
long, women fear for the survival of this species.”