Chapter 213

“My brother, Kein, sir,” Damien said patting the smaller man on the shoulder.

“Well, there you have it,” the General said decisively, “the best tracker in the field found the slave, not the brother with the sense of taste.”

I saw Evan’s face darken slightly and I knew he wanted to say he had been right there with Kein. I smiled at him through my hanging hair. He saw it and his shoulders relaxed some.

“Collar and tame the slave quickly, Damien,” the General said. “The Barcas outpost is not far from here. You may leave the slave there. Keep to your regular schedule,” and then the General turned to the crowd with a warning. “No one is to touch what belongs to Damien. If the slave acts untamed around you, report the infraction. All punishment is left to the owners.”

The General’s brother spoke next. He ordered the second search teams out and told the first teams to take a break. I assumed Damien and his brothers were the first search team, because they walked tow