My brow quirked and I realized I didn't know a Rhonda and that it was an Earth name.

“She likes to cook," Abram said gesturing inside. "She is working with our friends now, but she will stay with us as she relearns freedom. The portals seem too dangerous to her, but give her time."

Abram's Brothers agreed that the portals were a danger. None of them felt Rhonda had made a bad decision and they enjoyed her company. It pleased all of them to help her. When the Administrators had asked for their help, the whole family had felt a real sense of pride.

Listening to their conversation I got the impression being allowed to help with a slave's retraining was quite an honor. Personally, I felt Abram and his Brothers were perfect for the job. Their calm friendly demeanors would make anyone feel more relaxed.

"We will teach her freedom and how to survive here. If Rhonda wants contact with her former slavers," Abram said seriously, "it will be done in a controlled environment. All of her needs will be met as she regains her strengths.”

I grunted a laugh and Looked over to find my family appearing slightly sheepish. The camp knew we'd snuck around together. I guess the Administrators wanted to avoid having that happen again. While I'd enjoyed the absolute lack of structure, things could have ended badly if my men had not been able to change their outlook. This way was safer, to be sure.

Rue and his family had returned to their jobs when it became evident this was just a casual exchange. Damien and his Brothers reigned in the anger as we walked past. Those men were just not worth it. They were perpetually unpleasant. We walked our boys to dinner and just enjoyed the company of the family. There was enough fighting outside for now.

We wove our way to the cafeteria and I was surprised to see Mia standing outside with a group of men. In the shop at the village Mia had always been dressed in simple Paterian ornamentation. Now standing in the camp was a woman in a flowing multicolored gown with intricate designs. This had not been scavenged from the camp and I had no idea where it was from.

I stared at her until she turned and saw me. Mia walked toward me with a regal air and greeted me in a Language I did not recognize. I had no idea what to say to her.

Mia had always had a certain confidence, but this was different. She acted like she'd never been a slave. I noted she wasn't with a family. Mia was alone and meeting everyone here on her own.

“I am E'rsan," she said distinctly. "The words I just used are a blessing, one I have thought each time I saw you breeding. I am a high priestess from a planet called Yallen. I was sold as a slave by my enemies."

Bane reminded me to close my mouth with a slight nudge. I was staring unabashedly at Mia...E'rsan. She seemed so different and in such a short time.

“The clothing you have...?" I stammered staring at the gown and the swirling pattern of gold thread all over it.

"I made it with found items," she said simply and her attention wandered to a group of men passing us. She offered them what sounded like another blessing and raised her hand with her fingers twisted in a strange gesture.

I thought back to the transport with the scared women and the room I'd been in just this morning. E'rsan had been in none of those places.

“Have you been here this whole time?" I asked.

“I was taken to another camp," E'rsan said waving her fingers as though casting a spell and murmuring a greeting to another group. "I wish to travel this world before I leave it. I must leave my blessing, so this world is not cursed by the ill thoughts I have had."

I wasn't sure what a high priestess of Yallen could do with ill thoughts, but she must think they were powerful. E'rsan's large oval eyes told me the sincerity of her words. She really believed she could hurt us.

“How did you get here?" Damien asked, clearly confused. The next closest camp was a three day transport ride away.

E'rsan turned to Look at the lead Brother with a subtle grin. A moment later we were looking at the space she'd been in; it was empty. E'rsan was down the hall, almost out of sight, a moment Later she was back in front of us. She moved Like the wind.

“Slavery kept all of us from our true potential..." Kein said in awe. E'rsan did not join us for the meal, she flitted about the camp and I heard she left later, traveling to the next camp as the second moon rose.

Life in the camp got stranger and stranger over the next several day cycles. Women, slaving women, appeared regularly. Some would bring gifts, some just demanded entrance; the camp didn't deny any of them. One group tried to grab some men doing patrols. The pathetic attempt was stopped quickly and the women reprimanded by Hassar. Considering the hold those women had prior, their Lack of power now was shocking.