Chapter 557
“The world is full of secrets,” Damien said in a low voice. “If others knew that you understood, it may cause your family trouble.”
“We keep our secrets in the family, Warrior,” Tyle answered for the family. “We knew we had some connection to you, but we have never shared this thought outside the family. The way the women treat weak men, like shopkeepers, more gently seems strange, but we have never discussed it. We know there is something…”
The boys stared at Damien and his Brothers just waiting. They did not have enough information to figure it out on their own, but the suppositions they had made were accurate.
We ate dinner and my family spoke honestly with the boys. They said nothing to them that was overly inflammatory. The things they’d said could safely be repeated without endangering us. I realized this was a test.
If we returned to the compound and the boys repeated what they’d been told, we’d be no worse for it. Nothing being said was all that terrible. I was certain what we told the boys later would be based on their reaction to this test.
After a leisurely dinner the men sat and played cards with one another. I knitted silently as the conversation continued. The boys seemed to be absorbing everything Damien’s family told them.
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There were things in the mountains the men saw infrequently. Dangerous creatures that scaled the steep cliffs and could eat a man alive. Hannah had told us about them. She had called them Racks. If this story got back to us, we’d know the boys had talked.
As the evening progressed the lessons continued. Damien started to explain about other creatures Hannah had told us about. Most of these things existed beyond the mountains. The lessons were given slowly, because the boys had never heard of these things before.
If we were able to save the boys it was information they would need. Should the General come to us with complaints, we would know who talked. It wouldn’t get us in that much trouble, though. I had to appreciate the stealthy way Damien was ferreting out the kids’ Loyalty and discretion.
Before bed I slipped into the bedroom with Christof and Damien. We checked the pad and noted written messages from both Kennedy and Hannah. The girls must have talked because both apologized for sending men that hurt me. That had not been the intention.
The big news was that Hannah would take Bane’s son away. She advised we trust the boys slowly and gradually begin to educate them. Once they were old enough and had enough knowledge Hannah would send us a message. She would tell us at that point how she planned to get them out. NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
Kennedy wanted to know if we could do that with other Warrior families. Freeing men from the compounds wouldn’t be difficult if the men went willingly. ALL we had to do was find one family at a time and educate them. My girls would arrange to have them taken away after that.
The letters unnerved me. If we did what the girls asked us to do and the men reported to the General, there was no telling how we would suffer. I begged Damien not to do it. Perhaps he could just save Tyle’s family and then be done with this.
“We will protect you,” Damien assured me, “and we will be careful. This is something we must do, though.”
“You don’t understand,” I begged in a plaintive voice.
“I saw a man like Evan. He was a free man. They had cut-his-hair. It was awful and I think he was almost broken. I couldn’t bear it if that happened to you all.”
Damien stopped and stared at me for a few moments. I’d never discussed with them the horrors I’d seen inflicted on the men I’d freed. He was obviously surprised the women would go to those lengths.
“We are careful men. They will not catch us,” he said with conviction. I begged and pleaded, even arguing I’d be sick to my stomach with worry. My men weren’t Listening to me. I was fed the root and told to be quiet. Warriors were fighters and these men were fighting back. They were done being obedient slaves.
“Come,” Damien finally commanded, “I wish to clean myself before bed. I will wash you and you will wash me, we both find that relaxing.”
I nodded and smiled up at him. He was right. Having him rub me down was immensely pleasurable. It might give me the chance to keep begging him as well. Although it seemed his mind was already made up.
In the bath I whispered pleas to Damien, he looked critically at me Pulling me onto his lap he spoke into my ear.
“Did you like being a slave?” he asked.