In the evening the transport dropped us at the bathhouse. The men cleaned themselves quickly and we went upstairs. They dressed and I was wrapped in several pieces of clingy fabric. It was a new style from Fredrick and the men couldn't decide if they Liked it. Even with the fussing, we were ready quickly.

Fuji and her owners showed up first. Rose‘s family arrived last just as the food came. I wanted to say hi to her, but she wouldn't Look at me.

The men sat to eat while Fuji, Rose, and I knelt. It was a lively, raucous conversation as the men discussed new techniques and old battles. They had been friends it seemed for a long time. From the sound of it Basin and his Brothers had grown up with Damien. Fuji's owners were newer to the compound, but still long time friends.

Eventually the men retired to the crowded sitting area. I knelt on the floor somewhat leaning on Evan. The conversation paused and Damien asked Basin what the entertainment was.

Basin Laughed and told Damien he had the very same entertainment in his house. Perhaps we would Like a sample of what was most lately amusing to his family?

Basin stood and pulled Rose up. He stood her in front of the fire. She looked at the floor until he Lifted her chin with his finger.

"Our slave," he said suddenly serious, "has been here many moons. We have listened to many stories the slave made up to amuse us...The truth has been far more entertaining."

Rose spoke then at Basin's prodding. The big man stood Looking calmly down at her. She talked about the women and the mountains. She said Nu-reeh's name and described her in detail to the gathering. With tears falling down her face, she explained how the men were owned. I felt Evan stiffen as she talked.

The story wasn't long, thankfully. I didn't breathe the entire time she spoke. I sat on the floor trying to sink into it.

I never would have thought Rose would repeat the things I told her. It had never occurred to me the men might ask her. She could not lie to them, none of us could. Obviously this was the only outcome that was probable.

Basin pulled her to kneel beside him when she was done. He stared at Damien.

“We asked it to tell us about the extra health drink as a joke," Basin said sounding hard. "We anticipated a wild and funny story as our slave often concocts for our amusement. Instead we heard the harsh sound of lies filling our ears...The truth soon followed and that was no less harsh."

Damien chose his words carefully. I got the feeling he didn't want to fight with Basin, but the other family looked furious. He asked them what they wanted to know.

“Everything," Basin seethed, "we want to know everything."

Damien turned to Fuji's owners and asked if they wanted to know or if they wanted to leave. After a mere moment of consideration, Fuji's owners stayed. They seemed neither upset nor anxious about the events.

Rose was weeping and shivering beside her owner. Despite his anger he pulled her to sit in his lap and soothed her. He told her she was a good and loyal slave.

I chanced a glance up at Evan and did not see the same forgiveness in his eyes. My family was really upset with me. An involuntary shudder coursed down my spine when I thought about what they would do to me.

Damien spoke slowly and thoughtfully. He explained what he knew and what had happened to them, mostly. Things the men in the mountain had explained about the world were openly discussed. The experiences they had personally with Nu-reeh clarified some of the more confusing points. Damien tried to be as clear as he could.

Basin wanted more information. There were things Rose had said Damien had no way of knowing. Most of the things centered around what Hannah had shared with us. Damien was forced to explain Hannah and her relationship with the family.

Hannah had been a rich source of new information. Damien explained a great deal of what he knew about the world came through her. The strange box that had been delivered was pointed out and the letter discussed.

The other family didn't believe, not entirely. Damien had held too much back for too long. Rose couldn't lie to them. Basin demanded she read the letter and tell them what was in it.

Rose was forced to read the English in my Letter from Hannah, which she did slowly. It had been a long time for her. The words she read matched what Damien had told them. The men were slaves, the women owned them, and my daughter believed it was a flawed system. She finished and handed the letter to Basin.