The freed slaves needed to be calmed down before we went anywhere. I tried to relax them by explaining what had happened and where they were now. It didn't seem that I was making much progress.

My efforts were cut off when a Large Paterian woman Landed beside me and another behind me. Several of the freed slaves screamed and I saw the terror in their faces. I was irritated with the women until I turned and looked at them. I'd never been so glad to see Hannah and Ra in my life.

“Baby Girl!" I cried throwing my arms around Hannah's waist. "I'm so glad to see you! I worried about you both.”

Hannah looked worse for the wear. Her arms were cut up and she had a deep, healing gash on her side. The smooth, human looking skin on her face was scratched and marked. None of it appeared Life threatening, though. Ra stood behind her and I Looked her over as well.

“Your birth Sister, Kennedy, how is she?" I asked anxiously.

“Her Sisters, were they hurt?” "They fared better than us, Mama," Ra snorted.

“Kennedy and her Sisters are thinkers, Mama," Hannah said grinning. "We thought we'd have to defend our campmate men. Kennedy knew more about their weapons and thought differently. Ra and I took a beating before we learned to trust the men.”

I couldn't stop touching Hannah and evaluating her wounds. She laughed at my concern.

“Mama, we Love you and we just wanted to check in. You don't need to worry for us. Kennedy and her Sisters will check in soon. They took a patrol on a wider loop. I told her I'd see you and let you know we were all well."

I smiled with relief at her and saw one of the former slaves step cautiously toward us.

“This is your...child?" the woman asked hesitantly.

“My oldest and her Sister, yes, this is my child," I responded gently, but proudly. Hannah and Ra were a lot to take in.

“I had a boy," the woman said as a tear dropped from her eye. "He was taken from me. I have not seen him in four turns of the moon. I do not know if he survived...this."

I felt horrible for the woman and didn't know what to say. Her boy could be anywhere, dead or alive. My heart ached for her loss. I should have known Hannah would know what to do.

“Can you tell us the name you gave him?" Hannah asked quietly.

The woman Looked terrified of my child, but Hannah was asking about her son. She refused to cower away.

“Branden, Mistress," the woman told us.

Ra had a communication pad strapped to her waist. She pulled it loose and started to slide her fingers over the face of it.

“What name did the slavers call you?" she asked the woman.

“Hema, Mistress," the woman answered wrapping her arms around herself The other former slaves watched the interaction with interest. As Ra did whatever she was doing Hannah spoke to Hema. My daughter's calm, patient tone distracted from her terrifying visage. She asked Hema, the former slave, not to address Paterian women as Mistress now that she was in the camp. She was free and needed to act like a free woman.

“I am Hannah, born in the T'aran Mountains. This is Ra, my Sister, born in the T'scan Mountains. You are free now and you do not have to be called by the name the slavers gave you. Your free name is yours to use. We will call you whatever name you choose. When free people meet we introduce ourselves the way I just did. Can you tell me your name and where you are from?"

The woman's body literally shook and I knew it was a combination of excitement and fear. What we were telling her seemed too incredible. She was not a weak person, though.