“I'm screwed," I said in English.

Rose laughed and translated for Fuji.

We talked casually for the afternoon. I chose not to perseverate on my new duty, so the conversation was varied. When it got Late enough we kept the conversation very light, in case the men came in.

“Again," I heard Basin say, "this doesn't sound like a slave that wishes to die and two who are fighting.”

The dividers dropped as Fuji's men agreed. We sounded Like three happy friends left to talk without interruption all afternoon.

Basin stopped in front of me and released my bonds. He told me he was my Keeper for the evening. I was also informed that if I hurt myself on his watch, he would heal me well, so I could know true pain.

“Where are my Masters?" I asked hesitantly.

“They made the General angry," he said as he wrapped my ornamentation around me. "They are being punished."

We Left the Keeper's compound and I stared into the forest beside it. I knew the thick growth hid my daughter and her Sister. Quickly and discreetly, I blew two kisses in that direction. I hoped my girls saw.

The transport Landed in the main compound and I walked off with Rose. The men Led us in a direction I didn't typically go. It wasn't clear to me where we were going.

I didn't look up. I watched their heels and followed with Rose. She took my hand in a comforting gesture and squeezed it as we walked.

The men were grumbling and griping. They didn't want to go, but they had to make an appearance. It was expected of them, even if it was their friends.

"We do not take part, we only observe," Basin said. "We cannot help, but we will not assist."

That made no sense to me. The statement in itself was contradictory. ALL the men agreed with him, though.

We walked through an assembled crowd all facing the same way. Wherever we were everyone was watching the same thing.

I heard it. The sound of a man's pained grunt in front of me. I'd recognize Christof anywhere. My head jerked up and the sight took my breath away.

My family stood on a low platform with their hands chained over their heads. Their shirts had been stripped. All of them were bleeding and I could see bruises forming on their faces and stomachs. Another Warrior was currently pummeling Christof in the abdomen

It was a gut reaction, built from memories that weren't mine. I leapt on the stage to defend my Brother. The man hitting Christof had a short sword on his leg, so I took it.

Positioning myself in front of Christof, I lunged at the man. He side stepped away from me with surprise on his face. I moved toward him again along the length of the platform, my weapon at the ready. Before I'd made contact I was grabbed.

Arms around mine I could have handled. Legs were a different story and I was dragged back scraping my knees on the stage as I fell.

“Stay still!" Evan demanded tightening the strange grip he held me in. Twisting my head I saw him staring down at me. All his weight was on his battered wrists and the blood was flowing down his arms. He didn't loosen his grip even after the knife fell from my hand.

"No slave will harm a Warrior!" I heard a man yell.