Everyone kept their weapons trained on the aggressors initially, so I did, too. As the male Administrators approached closer the weapons were lowered, but not put away. I was not part of the Great Spirit, so my actionsgged behind the men’s. It seemed appropriate to follow their lead, though. Dealing with unpredictable Warriors was their domain.


    The Administrators that came in were wearing clothes that had been hastily thrown on, as opposed to sleeping shifts. They carried weapons on their waists, but had not drawn them. They were here to teach and not agitate these aggressive Warriors.


    The Administrators took in everyone down here as they stopped several body lengths away from the troublemakers. I knew these Administrators vaguely and was surprised it was them that hade. Gunth and his Brothers were who I expected, but they were not with us anymore. I shook my head at my own foolishness. It would take me some time to stop looking for the big man and his family.


    The lead Brother in this family of Administrators was named Carg. He and his Brothers were masters of organization. Carg and his family monitored our food supplies and our textile supplies. It was because of them we never went hungry and always had materials avable. Unlike Gunth’s family, they didn’t appear physically powerful. Carg and his Brothers were of small stature and a light build. Their power was in their minds and their capacity to anticipate the camp’s needs.


    “There are no ves in this camp,” Carg said in a firm, but slightly nasal tone. “You are not ves to the women and the humans are ves to no one. You must learn to respect those around you. The way you were taught in thepound is not eptable here.”


    The Warriors cursed a foul stream. They started toward the Administrators with the obvious intent of harming them.


    Tyle’s family tightened around me and Hodlen’s joined them. The camp would not endanger the life of a child during this altercation. My girls would be kept safe by their extended family. Mycah’s young family was inside our rooms. All the precious ones were perfectly safe.


    “We do not listen to shopkeepers!” one of the aggressive Warriors yelled as they sprang forward.


    Damien’s family moved like lightening and in synchrony with the other men to subdue the raucous Warriors. It was over before it began. The Warriors knelt defeated on the ground with swords at their throats in a matter of moments. Their weapons had been summarily stripped from them. I saw their fear and their awe as they took in the men from the camp.


    The silent, organized attack had bewildered the aggressors. It was impossible not to be impressed by my campmates. They made every movement look nned and choreographed, which in a very real sense, it was. As a group, the men from the camp were unbeatable.


    “The Great Harmonious Spirit gives us every advantage,” Carg said in a very calm voiceing to stand in front of the defeated men. “We respect one another and we gain strength together. You wille to understand this fundamental belief and it will give you strength, also. In order to join us you must let go of the evil teaching that prevails in your minds.”


    The defeated Warriors looked just that, defeated. They were held in such a way they had no hope of escaping. It was very obvious the men that controlled them held their lives in their hands. Now that they were forced to listen, Carg spent time exining the importance of respect and equality.


    Transports arrived and men filed quietly in behind the Administrators. I noted that these new men appeared to be guards that were on duty. They were dressed and outfitted with all their weaponry, so they must have been on nighttime patrols. The six families of burly, armed guards from the camp stood stoically watching Carg. The Administrator finished his speech and took a step back.


    The Warriors were pulled to stand and their swords were ced in the scabbards at their waists. That particr act really surprised me. They’d attacked us and we were arming them? It must have confused them also.


    “You have returned our swords?” one man asked quietly.


    He touched the hilt lightly, but did not draw the weapon. The formerly aggressive Warriors were grossly over matched right now, so that made sense.


    “There are dangers all around us, cousin,” Carg said, continuing to instruct. “This is not like thepound where peril is kept at bay by an external force. You will not be stripped of your weapons here, unless it is clear you must die for us to live. In case of attack, you are responsible for the defense of yourselves and this camp.”


    The Warriors stood and looked around at the men they would have called bandits several days ago. Their cohesive organization was obviously disconcerting. The Warriors couldn’tprehend the way things worked here. The lesson was being driven home, though.


    “Since you wish to be awake and you want to fight,” Carg continued, “I will leave you with this patrol. It is apparent your families are having difficulty changing. Perhaps protecting the camp will give you incentive to adjust your attitude.”


    “Our punishment…?” one of the Warriors asked sparing a nce in my direction.


    I met his uncertain gaze before his eyes swung back to Carg.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    “You are being sanctioned,” Carg said firmly. “I have no doubt you would prefer to rest with your Brothers when the moons are up. These men run night patrols for the camp by choice. It is valuable protection they provide for us. They will guide you and you will learn. Your families will stay with them until I feel you have learned from this mistake.”


    The Warriors looked utterly confused. I could see they had expected to be stripped of their weapons and beaten badly. The peaceful way the camp handled miscreants was very confusing to men from thepounds.


    “Pain is not a tool that we use,” I said clearly and Carg seemed to understand the purpose of my statement.


    He didn’t think the way men from thepounds thought. It had not urred to him to harm these men.


    “Your families deserve to be treated with respect,” Carg said looking over at me. “You will learn to respect others the same way. Pain is not a tool that needs to be employed. It evokes the fear response and you do not need to know fear inside this camp. This is your home. This is a safe ce for your family. In time you and your Brothers wille to trust us and we will trust you, then you will join with the Great Harmonious Spirit.”


    I watched from behind my guard as the Warriors were led away. Their guides would teach them tonight, as they let them expend their frustrated energy. Change was difficult on this world and changing to the camp’s mindset would be a staggering feat for these particr men.


    With the danger contained and leaving, I slipped my gun back in its holster. I breathed a sigh of relief that I had not had to shoot those men. The camp would probably have forgiven me, but they wouldn’t have liked it if I had killed a Paterian.


    The moment The Spirit released the men was obvious. Mycah and his Brothers were instantly around my legs watching the retreating backs of the Warriors. They looked up at me and exined in no uncertain terms that very of any sort was not right. Attacking a camp mate was even less eptable. They spoke with clear resolve about what was right and what was wrong.