We watched as the boys practiced the simple moves Hyun and his Brothers had taught that afternoon. Aiden was very, very good. He’d never suffer in hand to handbat, even my untrained eyes were sure of that. Jonathan and Rees both seemed to have a slight weight advantage, if they could figure out how to use it. Their human ancestry gave them heavier bones and a smaller stature. They both had a lower center of gravity. My men watched them all with critical eyes, knowing what we would have to do to train them to reach their full potential.


    For everything the men had done today, all the excitement and battling, this was more important. The moment they stepped next to Mycah’s family, the boys were the focus of their attention. Damien and his Brothers had not realized how good it would feel to be responsible for their young.


    The halls were again crowded with men as we moved toward the eating area. I saw huge boxes of something stacked outside the dining hall. Bags the women had brought were also stacked there. Mycah’s family tried to climb on them and Damien’s family quickly told them no.


    “That is our food,” Damien said pulling Niah and Mycah back, “it isn’t a ce to y.”


    Abram’s family was at one end inspecting a bag and they greeted us as we walked by. I noted Rue and his Brothers at another bag and saw Arik’s family inspecting a crate further down. Other men I wasn’t familiar with were loading the different items onto transports. The bags they loaded were all marked with symbols that meant “checked” or “clean”, unmarked items were not touched.


    “They tried to poison us?!” I said louder than I meant to.


    Rue’s family heard me and they all snorted before turning to look at me. My truce with them was tenuous, but my outburst gave them reason to act superior. Usually we were just polite and professional around one another.


    “The human that suggested the food may have been tampered with told us this was how wars have been won on your own. Don’t you know your own history?!” Rue asked in a mocking voice.


    Rue kept his voice down, because he was being rude. He knew he was being inappropriate, but he apparently couldn’t help himself.


    Damien wanted to hit the man for being this way, but settled for just staring angrily. His arms crossed in a gesture I was very familiar with. We didn’t want to create more conflict for the Administrators when so much else was going on, best to just walk away. My family would have kept moving, but I was curious.


    “I seem to remember Tosu was part of the delivery group,” I said defending my surprise. “I can’t imagine she would have allowed them to hurt us.”


    Rue’s puffed a little knowing something I hadn’t known. The delivery was made by Nu-reeh, but it had been arranged by several groups of ving women. Tosu seemed to think it possible the other vers would not tell Nu-reeh what she was delivering, if it were tainted. Had Nu-reeh and Dinah been detained, there would have been no lie when they said the food was good.


    Abram’s family approached and heard thest of the conversation.


    “It all appears to be fine so far,” Abram said to Damien. “We’ll go through everything and make sure it is safe for the camp. There’s been nothing so far we’ve found that could be harmful. Still, I’m grateful to Rhonda for telling us it could be a risk.”


    My brow quirked and I realized I didn’t know a Rhonda and that it was an Earth name.


    “She likes to cook,” Abram said gesturing inside. “She is working with our friends now, but she will stay with us as she relearns freedom. The portals seem too dangerous to her, but give her time.”


    Abram’s Brothers agreed that the portals were a danger. None of them felt Rhonda had made a bad decision and they enjoyed herpany. It pleased all of them to help her. When the Administrators had asked for their help, the whole family had felt a real sense of pride.


    Listening to their conversation I got the impression being allowed to help with a ve’s retraining was quite an honor. Personally, I felt Abram and his Brothers were perfect for the job. Their calm friendly demeanors would make anyone feel more rxed.


    “We will teach her freedom and how to survive here. If Rhonda wants contact with her former vers,” Abram said seriously, “it will be done in a controlled environment. All of her needs will be met as she regains her strengths.”


    I grunted augh and looked over to find my family appearing slightly sheepish. The camp knew we’d snuck around together. I guess the Administrators wanted to avoid having that happen again. While I’d enjoyed the absoluteck of structure, things could have ended badly if my men had not been able to change their outlook. This way was safer, to be sure.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Rue and his family had returned to their jobs when it became evident this was just a casual exchange. Damien and his Brothers reigned in the anger as we walked past. Those men were just not worth it. They were perpetually unpleasant. We walked our boys to dinner and just enjoyed thepany of the family. There was enough fighting outside for now.


    We wove our way to the cafeteria and I was surprised to see Mia standing outside with a group of men. In the shop at the vige Mia had always been dressed in simple Paterian ornamentation. Now standing in the camp was a woman in a flowing multicolored gown with intricate designs. This had not been scavenged from the camp and I had no idea where it was from.


    I stared at her until she turned and saw me. Mia walked toward me with a regal air and greeted me in anguage I did not recognize. I had no idea what to say to her.


    Mia had always had a certain confidence, but this was different. She acted like she’d never been a ve. I noted she wasn’t with a family. Mia was alone and meeting everyone here on her own.


    “I am E’rsan,” she said distinctly. “The words I just used are a blessing, one I have thought each time I saw you breeding. I am a high priestess from a called Yallen. I was sold as a ve by my enemies.”