After a seemingly interminable amount of time
slipped by I finally begin to have vaguely remembered dreams after those forced
sleep periods. Dreams that are pleasant feeling and at the same time confusing
in their visual content. Life is much easier if I don't dwell on those dreams,
as the emotional stress involved with them is overwhelming.
I finally lost all track of time and quit
even trying to guess the length of my captivity. Eventually my cell door is
opened for the first time since I was put here so long ago. Six women dressed
in flowing robes enter my cell and the light level from the light square on the
ceiling rises slowly, while the six women arrange themselves around two sides
of the cell, then stand silently.
Soon a seventh enters and the rest listen as
she seems to be giving each of them their individual instructions. In turn they
each nod acknowledgment of their instructions, and remain standing as they
were. Finally, the seventh, and obviously the one in authority, turns to me and
speaks in my own language.
She says many things to me having to do with
my apparent suitability for their purposes, but says little that really makes
any sense at the time. Certain words do stick in my mind, but they are
disconnected, and many that seem to carry the meaning of what is being said I
don't know at all. When she finished her speech, she left as quickly as she
came, but the other six remained where they were, although they relaxed
somewhat after the sevenths departure.
Five of the six women seat themselves around
the cell, but the sixth moves to the center and looks directly at me for a
time.
Finally she says: "I am Lana. We are
here to prepare you for life within our city and teach you what you need to
know to get along here."
The five others nod their agreement with what
Lana has just said. Other than that, they make no move or sound.
Lana speaks again, "We six have been
charged with your education and initiation into our community. We are your
teachers, and also your servants for the time being. If there is anything you
wish to know, or obtain, ask us. We will, between us, give you the best answer
we can to any question you may have, and we will bring you anything you ask
for, and are permitted to have by the High Counsel."
She continues, "You will be treated
well, and as an equal by all you will come to know in the future, as long as
you keep our laws. For the time being nothing will be expected of you in
return. When you begin to understand our ways, and laws, will be the time you
are expected to produce or supply something. When you have become adjusted to
living with us, the Counsel will make their decision as to what you will be
required to do as your contribution to this society and community."
"You should know that if you refuse to
live within the confines set for you, you will be handed over to our sisters
who, we feel, are barbaric in their attitude towards the men of the wilderness.
They are not nearly as inclined to allow you any freedom at all, and your life
with them will probably be short, if not painful. I advise you to pay heed to
what I say, and obey us, or your life of pleasantness, which you are now
enjoying will end quite suddenly, forever."
Having spoken, Lana returned to her place and sat quietly, waiting; for what I could not guess.
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