Master Damien fed me throughout, but made our lunch into a training session. It was fun like Christof and I used to have. He laughed heartily at my approximation of a Warrior, but helped me get a little better at the fundamentals.
At one point he handed me the bowl and told me to feed myself while I watched him. I ate heartily and watched him demonstrate some of their moves. He made a really impressive site.
When lunch was over he walked me back to the compound along the sheltered trail. I was absolutely stunned when he reached down and took my hand. Suddenly he stopped and looked down at me. His other hand cupped my face in a gentle gesture.
"We were very unhappy when you were in the village, Ciara. It bothered us a great deal, more than we thought it would," he told me looking uncomfortable.
"It was awful, Master Damien. I won't do that again. I promise I wasn't trying to escape," I pleaded my case again.
Master Damien chuckled softly and pressed our lips together. It wasn't a short peck, which I had expected. He nibbled my bottom lip and teased my mouth open with his tongue. My legs felt weak as he expertly kissed me senseless in the middle of the forest. Despite my shock, I responded in kind.
Breaking the kiss he pulled my ear to his mouth and breathed heavy for a moment, as though composing his thoughts. "We miss this," he said finally, "when you are not here. This is important to us."
I was confused as he hugged me close. Master Damien had never come into the forest with me, only Master Christof had. They were bonded now, though, I suddenly realized. Whatever that strange attachment was, it must affect all of them.
Hugging Master Damien, I whispered words of love to him. It was what I would have done with Christof. He responded and it floored me.
"So soft, so sweet, and so curious," he murmured into my ear, "you are so important to us. You must not leave us like that again."
It was a generous sentiment; a personal and heartfelt plea. I never expected to hear something like that from Master Damien. Pulling back I looked deeply into his eyes and he smiled ruffling my hair.
"Come," he commanded, back in the no nonsense tone I anticipated, "you must get back, so I can be on time to my post."
In the afternoon I sat with Rose and Fuji on the beach. There was a new grate that rose above the water line protecting the inlet. Despite the added barrier, a chain was attached to my collar.
The new Keepers informed me I could swim all the way to the grate, but no farther. My lead was attached to a metal ring sunk into the sand right by the water line. When I sat on the beach it kind of made me a trip hazard.
I didn't really care about the chain, though. The water scared me; I didn't want to go into it today. I told Rose that and she looked concerned.
"Your Warriors will be upset to know you fear something," she said seriously. "They do not wish us to be fearful creatures. They like us to have a little bit of attitude, even if it means occasional punishment. They will not be happy if they know you fear water now."
I nodded to her and quickly changed the subject. "What happened to the old Keepers?" I asked Rose instead.
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