The women walked toward the ground level entrance of the transport storage area. The men didn’t stop them, but they watched observantly from all around. Except for Tosu, these women had not been invited here, but The Great Harmonious Spirit would not turn them away. They were Paterian and at least one of them was in need of our help.


    Nu-reeh and her Sisters passed into the entrance and walked slowly through the transport storage area and into the main cave. There were countless men controlled by The Spirit still inside. They came out and lined the hallway as the women passed through.


    Men from thepounds and men from the mountains hid behind my campmates and in the interior caves. Most of them had not been grabbed by The Spirit. They didn’t feel safe with the ve owners here.


    Seeing things that my mates saw was one thing. Over many moons I’d be ustomed to seeing with their eyes. Watching the world through the kaleidoscopic lens of thousands was somewhat different. There was no ce in my mind to take in everything that the men controlled by The Great Harmonious Spirit were perceiving and acting on. To end my difort I got up and went to watch this for myself.


    “Watch the boys for me?” I asked Rose and she nodded.


    Her little ones were quietly coloring together. They were not bonded to the men here, yet, and they were oblivious to what was going on. Edas and his Brothers were continuing the task Rose had put them on.


    Mycah’s family sat quiet and pensive. I didn’t think they’d go anywhere right now. The Spirit would keep them safe. Rising as quickly as I could I bolted out the door and into the hallway. The guards at the door didn’t spare me a nce as I passed them, but they did re-lock the door. All of them, even the Warriors from thepound, had been grabbed by The Great Spirit.


    As I ran I considered the implication. Men from thepounds were limating to the camp, some faster than others. It was good to see, because being bonded to The Spirit gave them enormous strength.


    I moved quickly and quietly, intent on watching this strange disy for myself. Much like the men, I had no idea what vers were doing in this camp. They didn’t act like they were here to take men, but I was sure that was the point.


    Perhaps they wanted to make a trade for whatever it was they carried? I just wasn’t sure.


    The scene in our main passageway was amazing. The men from the camp stood in vast numbers watching and waiting for the women to walk past. They didn’t speak and they didn’t move around. It was unnerving. I made my way behind them down the passage.


    I moved until I saw Nu-reeh and then I stopped cold. She was almost to the Administration area. The big woman noticed me and I saw her eyes sh in anger, but another more pressing matter got her attention. Still, my hand was already on my gun and I was ready for anything.


    “Nu-reeh!” Hassar called out. “What a surprise to see you and your Sisters in our home.”


    Hassar stood on the stage in front of the Administration’s main room looking left and right, taking in the crowd lining the halls. The men were absolutely quiet. It was that eerie silence that The Spirit imposed on them. Reed joined Hassar and the Sisters shared a look before turning their attention back at Nu-reeh.


    “It appears you have taken all of our men,” Nu-reeh said calmly, but pointedly. “Our loyal cousins that saw this ce have alerted us. We could not leave them here without sustenance for their bodies.”


    The bulky bags must be grain or some sort of food product, it was an interesting turn of events. Nu-reeh and her Sisters had loaded supplies from thepound or mountains and brought it here. It was a good, believable ploy to get inside.


    Hassar and her Sister had no time to answer as the hall responded to Nu-reeh. The men grabbed by The Spirit spoke to her as one being and it was thoroughly creepy and unexpected. The walls seemed to vibrate with thebined sound.


    “We took our cousins from your bonds and have given them freedom,” the men said clearly. “They did not belong where you had them and they were in danger. We will stay together. You may leave the food you have brought in our dining hall.”


    Honestly, judging by their faces, I don’t think even Reed and Hassar had seen the men respond to someone like that. Nu-reeh and Dinah had certainly never seen it. Tosu’s face looked so tired, but I saw her almost smile. She was surprised, too, but obviously pleased.


    Hassar cleared her throat and pointed down the passageway.


    “The men eat in a ce just several openings down-” she said and the men interrupted her as a group.


    “We will escort the ving women Nu-reeh and Dinah to our dining hall. Tosu will be taken to the infirmary for rest and healing.”


    Nu-reeh stiffened her spine and her eyes zed with anger. She didn’t like being told where to go one bit.


    “My Sister, Tosu, will heal from her wounds if she is able,” Nu-reeh said in a growl. “My family will not act like those weak-”


    The men cut her off, not by speaking, but by moving. Waves of men controlled by The Spirit forced Tosu past the other Sisters. Transports swarmed the hall above our heads, reminding the women the men could fly. Tosu’s load was taken from her and she was pushed forward and away from her Sisters until she sat on a transport. It began to glide toward the infirmary.


    “THAT WOMAN IS NOT YOURS TO CONTROL!” Nu-reeh roared dropping her bags.


    The men did not answer. Tosu would be helped by us and Nu-reeh’s opinion was irrelevant. Tosu had not refused our help. The silence enraged Nu-reeh and Dinah further. They looked furious and the men continued to look impassive.


    This camp just would not let a Paterian die without doing everything they could. The men here felt an obligation to the other men and the women on this world. In addition, Tosu had been in this camp as a friend many times. The men had a personal reason for wanting to save this woman. Tosu was our friend.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    “You will heal and you will help us rebuild our world,” the men stated as they took Tosu toward the infirmary. “We will not see good women die when we have the power to stop it.”


    Nu-reeh started to curse and push at the men, but it was like fighting the sand. They avoided her ws and held her at bay by constantly moving and shifting. The swarming transports above even stopped her from taking flight. The men wound around her in a graceful ballet of movement. Nu-reeh was livid and I was shocked.


    “Do not fight them,” Tosu called back weakly. “I wish to heal and help rebuild the world with them. I have not been honest before now, Nu-reeh, my allegiance lies with the rebels. Their beliefs are my beliefs and have been for a long time.”