Kein mumbled under his breath still cursing my own death wish. I had become unduly interested in things dying. It did not make them happy at all.

The men were busily packing up bags, we were taking a trip today. I stood and watched them. ALL of them were grumbling about my new fixation. It got them really irritated and they were soon nearly throwing things into the containers.

“I'm not obsessed with death!" I fumed. "The only way to ensure silence is to kill her. You saw the General, how angry he was. Would Basin and his Brothers protect Rose the way you protect me? Unless they are willing to fight the General for her, he's going to kill her."

The stupid tears started again and I dropped my gaze to the floor.

Christof took my face in his hands and pulled it up so I was looking at him. He smiled down at me with calm benevolence.

“Basin and his Brothers," Christof said not releasing my face, "would be more upset if their slave was taken. They adore the girl you call Rose. It would be a tremendous blow to them to lose her. Since they are already doing badly, the General will not risk their health."

I nodded and smiled wanly up at him.

“We do not like this preoccupation you have developed with death. It concerns us," Christof said dropping his hands to stroke my shoulders.

“You must concentrate on Living. Do you understand me?"

I answered him affirmatively. He hugged me and held tight.

As we flew toward our destination on the transport I thought about what Christof had said. The General wasn't going to hurt his men. If losing Rose would hurt them, he wouldn't do it. I just hoped he had another option.

We went to a small cabin that was a short ride from the compound. It wasn't a place Warriors used all the time, so the men weren't worried about detection. Also, the cabin sat on a small rise, we'd see men coming Long before they reached us.

The inside of the place was sparse. Christof explained this was a place you could stop and take Lunch. Some men used it to rest during night patrols. The men were supposed to pick up after themselves. It wasn't dirty, just worn Looking.

I was changed into my pants and shirt with the small sword strapped to my waist. We marched outside to do a little training before the midday meal. The men enjoyed my training and were looking forward to this.

My mind was stuck on my friends. Fretting about them was what I wanted to do, but I remembered the stinging slaps Bane Liked to deliver. I had no urge to feel more pain in addition to what I'd felt the night before.

My sword tutor was relentless this morning. I'd proved to them I listened when they'd trained me, so now they were more insistent. Dodge, parry, and strike over and over again.

When Kein shouted a warning about approaching Warriors, I was relieved. Evan picked me up and bolted inside with me slung over his shoulder. He stood me in the sleeping room and pulled the cover closed behind us.

“Are you going to change my outfit?" I asked him as he stood watching me.

“Not yet," he answered stepping out of the room and leaving the cabin. I gripped at the handle of the small sword I carried. It was a sliver of metal compared to the wicked, long weapons they had. The training was fun, but I knew the truth. Trained or not, I was no match for the men of this world. I'd hold my ground with the sword if I had to, but it would merely be a gesture.

I heard the transport settle outside, but there weren't any other sounds until the main door opened. Evan called me to come to him. He was waiting at the main door.

We walked outside and I jerked my head down. I had not realized we had company. Basin and his Brothers stood quietly with my owners. Rose was with them, bundled up in a brown cover.

“You dressed it," Basin said quietly. "You gave it a sword...that is how it knew to attack our cousin..."