“She's just an unpleasant human is all."

Tyle's family looked at me and then at Vesa. I'd laid a hand on my weapon. Their instincts told them I wouldn't do that unless I felt threatened and the camp protected it's own. This situation had to be resolved quickly.

“She's nasty," I said directing the comment to Molly, “not dangerous, just mean. We fought before, but I doubt she'd do that now. She's just out of sorts now. I don't like her and she dislikes me. She's hard to get along with.”

Molly spoke softly and wouldn't meet Tyle's eyes, but she agreed with me.

“That girl is all talk. She doesn't feel confident enough here to attack anyone. For her it is all about looks and she is trying to look like she understands. None of us have been able to tolerate her attitude," Molly said while staring at the stone at her feet.

Tyle's family was hardly sensitive to human needs, but it was obvious Molly was frightened of them. Had they not been surrounding us, I'm sure she would have attempted to run away.

“Relax, human," Tyle soothed in a low voice, "I am Tyle rescued from the Caras compound. My Brothers and I will not harm you. Ciara is mate bonded family to my Brother's male breeder. We are not like the men you knew from the compound. We know that slavery is wrong. My family and I will not cause you any pain or harm."

Tyle's Brothers all introduced themselves and encouraged Molly to look at them. She did slowly and the boys seemed pleased. They encouraged her progress with gentle words.

“It's been very stressful," Molly said softly.

The girls I am with are so agitated and there are so many men here...

“Good men," Tyle reassured, “these men from the camp will not harm you We will teach the men from the mountains and compounds. This is not a place you should have fear. If it is too bad, you can Leave. Our women will arrange portals. They have promised this. You are not trapped here."

Molly looked cautiously at Tyle as she spoke. I saw her flinch with every other word, but she was determined to overcome her fear.

“I have a child on this world," she told the Brothers. "I don't want to leave him. There are no offspring from me on Earth. I shall...I must find a way to live here."

The young men Looked at Molly for a moment as though having a deep internal conversation. Knowing The Great Spirit it could have been a much larger conversation than even I guessed.

"Stay with us then," Tyle announced and his Brothers all smiled. "We will share our Lodgings with you and since we stay near Ciara's family, you can be near Ciara. My Brothers and I will help you learn freedom as you prepare to meet your male offspring again.”

Molly's mouth fell open and mine did, too. She stumbled over a few words, but couldn't seem to decide what to say. I saw her hand drift over the closure to the pants she wore and I understood suddenly what she feared they wanted from her.

“Female humans are used to be being used for sex on this planet," I said bluntly, there was really no other way when talking to men controlled by The Great Harmonious Spirit.

“Molly might think you want to have sex with her."

Tyle frowned and looked back and forth between us. "We are not old enough to breed, yet. My Brothers and I will not be of age for at Least two more turns of the sun. Rhane and his family have discussed it with us. Beside that, you know we would not force sex with anyone, Ciara. Our family creates honorable men."

“She was a slave used for sex and breeding, Tyle," I reminded him gently, as I laid a hand on his arm. "You have to be very clear about what your intentions are.”

The young men seemed to accept the answer. ALL they wanted was to help Molly learn to be free on Pateria. No one shared their lodgings with them right now and she was welcome to join them. They could give her a safe, quiet home. Tyle's family had a strong sense of duty when it came to anyone in the camp.

"You could have a job," Aryn offered hopefully. "We are training with the Healers. It is well known humans are good Healers. Would you like to learn with us or perhaps teach us some of what you know?"