The roof had gone quiet.

I sat in the circle alongside the thirty women. Lamp was in the center now, standing in front of us all and deep in the middle of a story. She spoke with her guttural accent and language, which somehow only made her display and speech all the more captivating.

Of course I didn’t know the language, so I wasn’t sure at all what was being said… but I could tell by the other listeners, the other women, that what was being said was beautiful. Beautiful and heart wrenching.

My own eyes watered to join the rest, and then one by one they begun to weep. What had been a very festive, and rather rambunctious merry-making… was now somber and a gentle sobbing session.

Lamp’s very obvious emotions, and her severe and blatant dedication to what she was saying only further enforced how deeply moving her words were. She clutched her chest, and had begun to whisper. She whispered so quietly, that I wasn’t sure how some of the women had heard her over their own cries and sobs.

I watched as Lamp then thumped her chest, and made a motion. One that was… disgustingly understandable. She seemed to be speaking of what had happened to her. To all of them. The abuse they had endured, and the terrors they had been forced to suffer.

My eyes watered even more as even Lamp begun to weep. It made her gruff language begin to sound scratchy, and high pitched.

As she continued, I realized she was telling their story. Not just hers. Not just the woman’s who had died. But all of theirs. I heard Vim’s name appear a few times, and the mention of a very obvious battle. She wept as she made a motion of stabbing someone, again and again. Had she watched Vim kill someone? Or was she saying she had done the deed?

A few of the women whooped and hollered, glad to hear of what she was saying. Glad to have been able to witness it.

Then after a few more cries and shouts… Lamp became quiet. The circle became quiet.

A few fire pits littered around us, but they were small. Barely audible over the light wind, and the silence. They were more boxes of fire, than anything else. Yet they lit our little circle up well, and kept us warm. Lamp then pointed at me, and I sat up straight at the sudden inclusion.

I had been here since the beginning. From the sacrifice of the sheep, thru the drinking and laughter, and until now. Yet this was the first time any of them had actually singled me out, or addressed me. They hadn’t ignored me… but…

I looked around, and watched as they all nodded at whatever Lamp was saying about me. They all seemed to be agreeing with one another.

Then Lamp said my name, and with a very… very gruff voice said, “Thank you, Renn.”

Blinking watery eyes, I nodded and smiled at her. She smiled back, and many others called out in their own language. Likely saying the same thing.

Over the next few minutes, people clapped and voiced their support for what Lamp had said and done. Staring at the group of women… I wished internally I could speak their language… yet…

Maybe a part of the beauty of this moment was my lack of understanding.

Someone coughed behind us, and it was a rough one. A familiar one. Looking behind me, I found Vim standing in the shadows.

Since Lamp seemed done, and the group was now starting to talk amongst themselves… I figured I was okay to stand up and step away for a moment. It was. None of them even noticed as I walked away from their little circle.

Lamp sat down where I had vacated, and I walked over to Vim. He was standing up against the wall near one of the doors.

“How long have you been watching?” I asked as I walked up to him.

“For a short time,” he said.

I hadn’t noticed, but that was the usual. He was sneaky… and this time I had a real excuse. I had been… very transfixed in that little moment.

Stepping up against the wall, to stand right next to Vim, I turned to watch the group of women. They were all talking together, seemingly happy again.

“Not sure what just happened, but I think it was beautiful,” I told Vim.

“Hm. She had given a eulogy. A final farewell to the deceased. It had been beautifully done. She must have experience giving speeches,” Vim said.

I nodded. It had seemed like it.

“They had been in cages, Renn. When I found them,” he said.

“I heard,” I said.

“Did you hear that I had not known about them until that moment?” he asked me.

I slowly nodded. Brandy had… spent a little time to give me as much information as she could. Information she had not gotten from Vim, but Lamp and the other girls. It seemed that although Brandy had enjoyed my little… spat, as Vim called it, with Vim… she had also wanted to cheer me up. To help me out.

It had been kind of her.

“Brandy said the girls made it clear you did save them. Though they do think that you are… odd, and very strong. They said you are the only reason they’re alive. Not just because you freed them from the cages, but because you faced down the storm of the gods alone and won… Brandy thinks that was a fancy way of saying you defeated someone very strong,” I told him everything I knew.

“Brandy thinks she’s smarter than she is. They meant it literally. We had gotten stuck in a storm. A bad one. One that should have sunk the boat,” Vim said calmly.

“Oh?” That was interesting.

“You’ve earned their loyalty Renn,” Vim then said, changing topics.

“I’ve not done anything that special,” I said with a shake of the head.

“On the contrary. Humans are… unique. They’re willing and able to lay their lives in the hands of those they deem exceptional. Unique. Special. In their eyes you’re all of that and more. So they’re willing to entrust themselves to you,” he said.

“You heard all this in her… eulogy?” I asked.

“I did.”

That was strange. I hadn’t interpreted that at all form Lamp’s speech.

“The reason I say this… is because you’re in a unique position,” Vim said.

“For what?”

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“To make them yours,” he said softly with a wave at them.

Looking away from the girls, I stared at the man who sounded a little too serious. “What’s that mean, Vim?” I asked him.

“Exactly what it sounds. Have you not realized what we do with humans, Renn? We keep the ones close who will, or can be, trusted. That can be utilized. That are useful,” he said gently.

“Ah… you mean there’s a chance we can take them into the Society,” I said as I understood.

He nodded. “It’s just an idea. No one else has mentioned it, not even Brandy… even though she’s usually the first to do so. But I think that’s because I’m here. They know I hate such things, so are avoiding it I think,” he said with a sigh.

“Then why bring it up? If you hate the idea?” I asked him.

“Because it’s you,” he said simply.

Blinking already watery eyes, I smiled at him. “That’s a lovely way to tell me you trust me,” I said.

“Don’t rub it in,” he huffed.

Giggling at him, I nodded. “I understand what you’re saying… but Vim… I want them to get home. I want them to be happy. I promised them we’d try to help them,” I said.

“I know. But that doesn’t mean you can’t give them the opportunity to choose. Take it from one who has seen their lands. Who has stayed amongst them, and lived amongst them. Their homes aren’t anything special. Their lives there no better. Part of the reason they’re so happy right now is because they feel safe. The east is… dangerous. Different than here. Especially for women,” he said.

“Do you want me to give them the chance?” I asked him.

“I don’t know. No. Not really… but I want you to know that you have the right to, and possibly should. I… I believe everyone has a right to choose. If I didn’t tell you that you, and they, have that choice… then I’d be going against my own principles. Which, although infuriating, is the way it is,” Vim said.

I nodded as I understood him. He didn’t like it, but had to give me the choice. That was his entire thing.

“Could they though Vim? They don’t speak our language,” I said.

“So? They can learn. And even if they don’t, you can learn theirs. There’s a tactical usefulness for having people around you that no one can understand. It’d make them useful, in more ways than one. Especially since you being the only one they can talk to would only further enforce their reliance of you,” he said.

“That’s… that’s an underhanded way to think about it,” I said.

Vim shrugged.

We watched a few of the women separate from the circle, to go sit near the little fires. They were getting cold. Which meant they’d probably go downstairs soon enough.

“Before I forget, since my memory isn’t as good as yours… Lamp’s farewell was to you as well,” Vim then said.

“Wait? Me? I’m not dead,” I said.

“She knows,” he said with a chuckle.

“Well?” I asked him to tell me more.

He nodded. “She… well… She and the rest of them like you. They can tell you actually care about them. She thinks that she should stay behind with you, to work and pay off the debts they have to us. To me, and you,” Vim said.

“Wait what?” I glanced at Lamp who was talking with Glanny and another woman.

“It’s not just an eastern thing. Think about it… they’re worried they’ll be in debt forever. A debt they’ll never be able to pay back. Plus… Well… Renn, can I say something that might upset you?” he asked me.

I nodded.

“She’s ugly. Her scar is bad. The kind of bad that probably makes her life hell no matter where she is. It’s the sad reality of today’s era. To her staying here with you is probably a better option than going home, especially since she might not even have one. Slavery is not only legal in the east where they’re from, it’s normal. You think whoever took them all had done so with force? Doubtful. They had been bought. Purchased with coins from their own people. Maybe even sold by their own families,” Vim said.

“You were right. You upset me,” I told him.

He nodded, not surprised.

I sighed as I stared at Lamp. Ugly? She wasn’t ugly. She was beautiful.

“Which is why you suggested I consider asking if any of them wanted to stay here with us,” I said, understanding.

“Well… yes and no. To be honest Lamp asked me earlier. To ask you. I just… wasn’t sure how to phrase it to you without making you want to hit me again,” he said.

I punched him in the arm.

He glanced at me, and then laughed.

Laughing with him, I nodded. “Good. Glad you understand,” I said.

“Oh, indeed,” he chuckled, enjoying himself.

“What do you want me to do, Vim?” I asked. My mind was whirling wildly, as was my heart. I needed something solid to start from, and his desire was the best place to start.

“Me? I want you happy. And I don’t want to lie or hide anything from you… for whatever reason. Really, what is wrong with me?” he asked himself.

“Just answer me, please,” I complained, ignoring his happy smirk.

“I want you to understand that if you send them home… That it is not the same as saving them. They could suffer and die all the same. Many will die on the trip home. Half might not even ever go home. The embassy might give them the same choice I’m suggesting you give, and most might choose to stay here and work. Though what they will do for work,” he shrugged. “Also, I want you to understand their fates are not your responsibility. All duty you have to them ends at the embassy. And I will enforce that, with force,” he added.

“What would you do?” I asked him.

“Carry you out of the city. I’d carry you for miles if I had to,” he said.

“You really would, wouldn’t you?” I asked him.

He nodded without any hesitation.

Although a little… strange, I still smiled at him.

“Personally I suggest taking them all to the embassy. Then give them the option. Tell them that if any decide to stay in Lumen, after hearing the embassy options, to return to the Society. Or well, the Animalia Company. And that they will be given employment, housing, and be taught the local language. Over the years it takes them to acclimate, they’ll become loyal humans who we can utilize. You help them, they’re happy and safe, and the Society benefits. We all win,” he finally gave me his answer.

I was perturbed at how… simple he made it sound. Yet at the same time…

“That’s a beautiful conclusion. And I thank you Vim, for being the kind of man to not just allow that to happen but to think of it,” I said.

“I’m good at socially engineering loyal serfs,” he nodded to himself.

Ignoring his comment, I thought deeply about what he suggested.

“I’ll… think about it. And I’ll let you know if I do it,” I told him.

“Or don’t. How about you don’t? I don’t want to know,” he said.

“Oh I will. If anything just to annoy you,” I said with a smile.

“Great. Lovely.”

“I am,” I agreed.

“You are,” he also agreed.

Hesitating, I glanced at the man who lately had been saying things so brazenly… did he even realize what he was saying sometimes?

“Plus…” Vim paused a moment as he stared at the scene before him. I ignored whatever he was staring at, and instead focused on him.

“Plus what?” I asked.

“If you plan to accompany me, you can’t take them with you. So take that into account,” he said.

While staring at him, I failed to notice that most of the women were headed our way. I coughed and stood away from the wall, and Vim. I had drawn a little too close to him as we had whispered to one another.

“They’re done?” I asked.

Vim waved at Lamp who approached and asked her something. She giggled, as others did, and then Lamp said something with a smile at me.

“They’re done. I’ll take them back to their rooms, if you’ll do me a favor,” Vim said.

Glancing at the mess they left behind, I wondered if I was going to have to clean it up. “I’ll clean it up,” I agreed.

“Huh? No. I’ll do that later. I want you to go get your sword and mine. I’ll meet you back up here,” Vim said, then stepped away to open the door for the girls.

Watching him go, I glared at him as he held the door open for everyone. Several patted him on the chest as they passed; one even kissed her hand before doing so.

Why were they so flirtatious with him? He was average looking! They shouldn’t be so attracted to him…

“Well?” Vim asked me. He wanted me to follow after him.

Walking past him and into the stairwell, I also patted him on the chest.

He chuckled at me, which made me blush.

Damn... they had made it look easy.

As Vim closed the door to the roof and followed us down the stairs, I was forced to listen to his silly chuckle the entire way.