Hodlen’s family wasn’t lying, they’d never been in this much water. Damien’s family, as well as, several others around us took the time to instruct them. By the time we left the bathing hall the men had a solid grasp on the movements they should be making in the water.
Breakfast was a happy affair. Rose and her family ate with us and she was honored to be asked to help teach our boys. My friend adored children and the idea of being such a fundamental part of their life really appealed to her. We preformed a valuable function in Armant’s shop, but it wasn’t what we wanted to be doing.
Rose and I both respected the camp’s Administration. We would not change jobs without officially notifying them and being granted permission. Our current job duties split us between the infirmary and the clothing shop. My friend and I put an official written request into the Administrators, but we would to continue our duties until a decision was reached. The leadership was so busy, neither of us expected an answer for a while.
Damien and his Brothers had been assigned to patrol today. Since Hodlen and his family were new, they would follow my men around. Before they left for their duties, the men took Jonathan and his Brothers to the Child Keepers.
I walked with Rose down the crowded main hall to Armant’s working area. The camp felt a little gloomy, because the skylights were all closed. I knew this was necessary for all of our safety. Still I missed the sunlight that used to stream in from the ceiling. It would have made it feel less cramped. It would take time for the women to excavate enough room so the camp didn’t feel overburdened with men.
As we got closer to the area with the shops, I was surprised to see tables ced between the fire pits. Men sat at the tables working on boots, coats, and shirts. It was the shopkeepers from thepounds. These men were diligently doing the jobs they had always done. All of them stopped as we passed by and watched us intently.
“These are free humans,” Armant announced loudly while walking toward us. “They have mates they have chosen in the camp. You may touch them with their permission and we encourage you to speak to them. Just as you are not ves to the women’s demands these humans are ves to no one.”
The men around us murmured, some tried not to stare and others watched us openly. There wasn’t really malevolence in their faces, just abject confusion. They’d never seen a human up close and they seemed to be waiting for something. Armant stood a body’s length away from us, waiting also, and it dawned on me.
“Good morning, Armant,” I said loudly and cheerfully, “Rose and I came to help you sew today.”
Apparently, the conversation was what Armant wanted. He grinned and watched the shopkeepers around us as he spoke. I assumed he wanted them to see a normal interaction between us.
“The shopkeepers from thepounds are helping us now,” Armant said motioning. “We have many more tailors than we need. Perhaps you and Rose should go to the infirmary, your skills may be put to better use there. It is your choice, of course.”
Rose spoke up and I was surprised by her concern. “They need to learn about the world, Armant. It is very important they don’t limit themselves. Sitting and sewing all day will not teach them freedom. This is a very different ce from thepounds.”
“Not all today, cousin,” Armant answered in a gentle tone. “We will teach them slowly, just as we taught you at your pace. They feelfortable sewing, so we will start with that. This afternoon we may have some lessons with swords or perhaps about the creatures that live in the forest outside.”
Rose was insistent as she looked around at the men surrounding us. None of them were armed and some of them looked ready to hide under the tables. Shopkeepers had been kept from exhibiting any form of strength or self reliance.
“You should not let their fear limit them,” she said decisively. “This is a very wild world-”
“Rx, Rose,” Armant chuckled, “you would have them fighting racks by this afternoon. They need to be slowly introduced to new things. We will encourage them to explore more once the aliens are under control. I promise you we will not bind them to this job.”
Rose was hardly deterred, but then she was never deterred. My friend was stubborn and decisive. She’d made up her mind about this and would not stop.
“They should at least be allowed and encouraged to carry weapons,” she said crossing her arms. “If something happened they couldn’t even begin to defend themselves.”
Armant watched Rose with appreciation on his face. She’de a very long way from the girl who refused to look at him.
“It is not forbidden for them to have weapons, but they did not have them in the viges. You have my word that by the end of eight day cycles every man here will have a weapon,” Armant said solemnly. “The smiths will start to measure them today. I will make sure of it myself.”
Rose seemed pleased as we walked to the infirmary. She didn’t like to see the shopkeepers unarmed. This was not a ce to be without a weapon. I had to agree, how many times had I drawn my own to protect myself from danger?
The infirmary was the same story as Armant’s shop. Healers from thepounds were already helping out. Even with all the wounded they were well staffed with trained professionals. Rose and I would not really add anything to what they already had. Rhane and his Brothers suggested we go see if Armant needed help today. They seemed so frazzled by the confusion their extra helpers created we just politely agreed and left.
Our next idea was the hall where they were keeping the freed ves. We had been helping with them, perhaps they could use our talents. It was the next best ce to try to work.
Today Hassar and Reed along with several male Administrators had stopped by to discuss the options the freed women had. Our leaders hade down to have a frank discussion about future choices. There were risks to staying and risks to going. It was all being openly talked about.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.