Mycah's family was quiet at first. They watched everything and everyone in the hall, Looking this way and that way. The curiosity seemed to be building in them and then Jonathan couldn't take it anymore.

“Why are there only two humans eating in here? Why is my female breeder human? Where do humans come from? Why does she look different? Why don't you call her ‘it'? Why were we at the compound and not here?" burst out of his mouth suddenly and he looked quite ashamed.

Mycah looked at Jonathan harshly, but Christof spoke gently.

Apparently, little boys were discouraged from asking questions. The lead Brother was tasked with controlling his family and not letting them “lose control", as the Child Keepers in the compound had called it. Christof wouldn't let that sort of training prevail.

“Questions and curiosity are important here," he told the boys gently. "You should be able to learn about everything around you."

The boys turned to look back and forth between Evan and Damien. They felt a connection to Evan, but Damien was the lead Brother. This was an important decision as far as they were concerned. Christof's opinion had to be confirmed by Damien.

“Christof is right," Damien said solemnly.

“Learn about everything.”

Evan nodded in agreement and seconded Damien's opinion, questions were healthy.

With that out of the way Christof explained as simply as he could about humans and where we came from. I was hesitant for him to explain slavery to them, but he didn't falter. Damien's family had bought me as a slave and then realized that was evil. I'd been freed and decided to stay with the family on my own.

Once Christof was done speaking the boys seemed to be mulling over it all. They sat and ate in silence and we did the same. My men ate slowly savoring the little food on their plates and the company of our children, A little hunger was a very acceptable price to pay to have the family together.

After the meal we walked through the crowds and made our way back to the place we stayed. The boys followed Damien and me obediently and the rest of the family walked behind them. Our young charges were watching everything and everyone around us. It relieved me that our rooms were off the main thoroughfare. I'd worry less about the little ones wandering off to explore. I knew they were curious children.

Men passed us heading for the transport storage area. They were armed and looked ready to fight.

“Night patrols," Damien explained, “we have young ones to watch at night. We will take day patrols. Those men are watching freed adults.”

We turned off the main hall and walked into the complex of rooms where we stayed. It was usually quiet here with just a few men lounging around the central fire pit in front of all the rooms. Today it was crowded with men. Almost everyone had at least one family that were sharing their lodgings with them. They all became silent as they watched us enter.

“There are no slaves here,” Mund announced loudly to the assembled crowd.

“Damien's mate is with him and his Brothers by choice. We respect her and she respects us. This is a free female creature."

The men from the mountains and the men from the compounds seemed confused.

Damien took the lead and spoke to the men. He talked about innate rights to freedom and how wrong slavery was. The authoritative voice settled the crowd and they Listened intently. When he wanted to, Damien could be quite commanding. I wondered to myself how Long it would be before he wanted to be an Administrator.

Chairs were spaced around and Lowered myself into one. Mycah's little family looked at the men and then Looked at me. I saw their gazes dart all over the place. They were curious.

“Those are our rooms," I pointed them out.

“You can go in there and ‘look around. As long as you stay by us, you can Look around out here, also.”