Hannah stopped talking and took several deep breaths. She had obviously hidden the relationship Rue had had with me. I wondered why she'd done that for these jerks and not her father. It piqued my temper.

“Hannah, could I speak to you privately for just a moment?" I asked stepping back from the group.

Hannah approached and leaned down waiting for the inevitable question. "You didn't tell them, obviously, that Rue kept me as a slave for a time. Why did you have to tell them what your father did? Couldn't it have been hidden somehow? Couldn't you have convinced them somehow, so your father and I could be together?"

Hannah Looked seriously at me and crouched down so we were eye to eye.

“I couldn't hide what Daddy had done,“ she said.

“The men here have their opinions and nothing I said could change them. I really do believe that you have become too used to your role and need help to regain your independence..."

The next part was said in a whisper, so quiet I had to strain to hear. "I love my family," she said, “and I want to see you all happy and together. If you work hard and Daddy does, too, I think I can help. It will take time and you must all grow, but it can be done."

I saw the glint in her eyes. She hadn't given up on us, but she'd publicly done everything correctly. This wasn't over yet.

“Thank you, Baby Girl,” I whispered.

Hannah just winked at me as she stood.

The forge was a mess and I saw where the accident must have happened. There was a smoldering work area along one wall. Rue and his Brothers were there picking up pieces of what looked like a large cannon and cursing. Reed and Hassar were there explaining loudly that the ore could NOT be ignited and launched. Only power could be projected out safely, power derived from the ore. The ore itself is just too unstable.

Rue got on a chair so he was Reed's height and yelled at her. The large room was silent watching the loud confrontation.

“The only reason you KNOW that the ore’s power can be Launched is because we did it. I am telling you the ore itself could be used as a powerful weapon. If you Limit our studies we will never determine how to do it!" he shouted.

"You do not have to take that tone with me," Reed said calmly. "If you want to study the ore that way, you must petition the Administrators. Allow us to Look over your plans and give you a safe-"

Rue exploded. He yelled and screamed saying he would not allow his family to be Limited anymore. It was a tantrum and his Lack of control shocked me.

Hassar started to speak next and Rue's family just yelled louder. The confrontation was interrupted as Gunth and his Brothers entered the workspace. Gunth took a firm, commanding tone with Rue and it seemed to work. The younger man stopped yelling and got off his chair.

Ratru was whispering in my ear suddenly, “Men raised in the compounds do not work well with the women," he informed me.

“They never learned to talk with the women, they mostly react with either fear or undeserved hostility. They Listen to the male Administrators better. We were warned and try to not be like that. It advertises your origins as a man from the compounds. Free men do not behave that way. Rue often forgets himself in front of the women."

He was right. As we stood and watched, Rue calmed instantly listening to Gunth. Rue and his Brothers even agreed to stop the testing and submit a request to the Administrators. They did everything Reed had asked, just not for her.

“Come," Ratru said directing us toward the area the sword makers worked in.

Rose and I both were measured for swords. Ratru and his Brothers, under the lead smith, would make weapons for us. It took the men time to realize what weight would work for us and what Length. Rose and I were markedly weaker than even the weakest man.

Hannah took Rose and me back to the main area of the camp once we were done. My daughter looked troubled and I was concerned. My worry was forgotten as soon as I saw Kennedy walking toward us.