My family got closer and closer. They were holding something back from me, but I couldn't tell what it was. Something had upset them and they didn't want to Let me know what it was, yet. I thought perhaps it was Gunth's death that had them anxious, so I didn't push the issue.

I felt the moment my family entered our camp. The elation was like nothing I'd experienced before. I bolted from the healing room and ran as well as I could for the transport storage area.

The sight before me had me standing in awe.

There were hundreds of transports, loaded full of men, being directed to land. I saw men dressed like shopkeepers and Warriors from the compounds. Other men appeared to be wearing what the men in the mountains wore. They had brought everyone back here.

“They brought the whole world to this camp?!" I heard Rose say beside me.

She sounded as shocked as I felt.

“Not the whole world," a man Laughed beside us. "We took who we could, other camps have done the same thing. No one is left at the compounds or in the mountains. We had to split the men up between several different camps. Some of these men are from the Barnas compound, some trom the Caras, and some rescued from the T'aran Mountains. The compounds and the mountains are not safe and our resources are here. The women's ships are defending the ore in the mountains, but we will defend our cousins."

“As we teach them," the man's Brother said watching with us, "we will teach them freedom and The Great Harmonious Spirit

ALL around us were murmured promises. It was time these other men understood. They had been kept in the dark for much too long.

I didn't dare move and stood still watching the carefully organized landing. I felt my family and knew they were there. In the mass of men, I just wasn't sure where they were.

Once the transports were settled the men all waited for instructions. A wave caught my eye at the far wall and I saw Christof's face beaming at me. I ran for him without another thought.

My men looked tired and dirty. Christof's left temple was bound where he had been injured. Still I couldn't stop myself from wrapping my arms around him. He hugged my shoulders tight. A hand drifted down to greet the offspring still in my belly as he smiled at me.

“We have missed you, wife," he said softly before handing me off to Damien.

Tears were running down my face as I passed my hands over Damien's shoulders and felt the tense muscles of his back. His face was rough with stubble and I could smell several days worth of sweat on him. Getting here safely had been a harrowing journey.

“I promised you," he whispered in my ear as he held me tight.

“We all did, but we aren't sure..."

I backed away and looked at him. He was unsure. Over his shoulder Evan looked even more unsure. They didn't know how I would react and they didn't want me to panic. They'd been told stress was not good for the baby I carried, but I had to know.

The women had implants and controlled the men. They had used the implants to erase our little boys’ memories of their mountain birth. It wouldn't do to have them remember their female breeders and a time when the mountains were a safe place.

Damien moved and I saw the sight I had waited many moons for. Little Jonathan, standing to just above my knee. My baby was dirty and his clothing scuffed, but he was unharmed. Jonathan stood with four other boys and they Looked so very confused.

Instinctively, I reached for my son and he backed away, as did his Brothers. They Looked nervously from Evan to Damien as though seeking reassurance. My heart broke as I drew my hand back.

“This is family," Evan said gently.

“We told you about this. This is not a slave and you can touch her. You know this human Jonathan; she is your female breeder.”