I saw the confusion on the men's faces and felt for them. This was different for all of us.

Reed continued the strange lesson and asked our families not to be violent to their comrades here. The way they'd been trained in the compound was not acceptable here. We didn't inflict violence on one another. Physical strength was appreciated, but so were other forms of strength. If someone had a weakness, we did not exploit it. The camp protected its own.

“We discuss our problems," Gunth said in a calm voice. "When members of the camp cannot come to an agreement on their own, they come to us. We assist the camp members in coming to reasonable solutions. That is how decisions are made."

Our men all looked at Gunth quizzically and he continued to educate them.

“If I wished to punish you for something, I would sanction your family. Perhaps I would assign you work you do not like or forbid you some activity you enjoy. In this camp you will rarely find physical punishment acceptable. That is not in keeping with the Great Harmonious Spirit."

Damien and Basin looked very confused but, they agreed to the rule and thanked the Administrators for the information.

“We will teach you The Great Harmonious Spirit," Gunth said.

“You will learn it from me as all men we rescue from the camps do. I know you do not understand this yet. It will be important to you, though.”

My family and Rose's family thanked Gunth. All of our men were aware there were things they didn't know.

Fujits owners seemed strangely quiet while all this went on. They made no grand claims to change and did not openly agree with Basin and Damien. I got the feeling this reaction was not lost on the Administrators.

“Stayne, you and your Brothers will stay and learn our ways. Your female breeders are old and powerful females. They have joined the rebellion openly and fear their new allegiance would have caused harm to come to you. One day soon you will meet them and then you will understand," Gunth said looking slightly annoyed at Fuji's old Masters.

The men answered politely, but it was obvious they were not happy about this turn of events.

Gunth lead Rose and me away, but I made a point to lock eyes with each member of my family. As I passed, each of them they broke eye contact to pass their Left arm over their chest and bow their head. It was an apology and a sincere one at that.

I would get them back, I swore to myself. It may take time and I'd have to do whatever the Administrators wanted, but this wasn't over yet. My family wanted me and I wanted them. There had to be a place on this world we could be together and free.

Rose and I were led out the archway and away from the Administrative area toward a set of steps. We were still in the heart of this cave system. From here I could see the entrance to the dining room and Armant's small shop. Gunth climbed a set of stairs and let us to a small cave on the second floor. It was six entrances from the stairs I noted.

“We will carve your names here," Gunth said pointing to the left side of the door.

Gunth pulled the thick drape aside and allowed us to enter before following us. Once the drape dropped closed the busy area outside was almost entirely muted. A single torch cast a soft glow on the small sitting area. Gunth showed us where other torches sat in the room and how to use them. We could light them when we liked, but should extinguish them when we left.

The main room had simple elevated cushions to sit on. They reminded me of beanbag chairs. In the center of the room was a large fire pit. Gunth helped us Light it for the first time. The whole area Looked like a comfortable place to rest after a long day.

In a basket beside one of the chairs I saw knitting needles and something that resembled yarn. My girls knew how much I liked to knit.

One of them had obviously left this for me. The small parcel was not the only thing in the room, though.

Behind the fire along the wall was a large tub. Gunth told us it could be filled with water and we could bathe in our rooms. There were pots by the fire to heat the water in. I eyed the heavy Looking bathing tub and Gunth reassured me.

Strong men would gladly help us dump it when we were done. Our physical weakness was not a disability. There were certainly things we would be superior at. The camp would use whatever attributes we had.