Chapter 435

The other former slaves watched the interaction with interest. As Ra did whatever she was doing Hannah spoke to Hema. My daughter’s calm, patient tone distracted from her terrifying visage. She asked Hema, the former slave, not to address Paterian women as mistress now that she was in the camp. She was free and needed to act like a free woman.

“I am Hannah, born in the T’aran Mountains. This is Ra, my sister, born in the T’scan Mountains. You are free now and you do not have to be called by the name the slavers gave you. Your free name is yours to use. We will call you whatever name you choose. When free people meet we introduce ourselves the way I just did. Can you tell me your name and where you are from?”

The woman’s body literally shook and I knew it was a combination of excitement and fear. What we were telling her seemed too incredible. She was not a weak person, though.

“I am Molly O’Donnell from Dublin, Ireland,” she said proudly.

Ra looked up from he