I was not afraid, I found my way through the city, to the keep pretty easily. It is the largest building, in the heart of this city of artificial islands. I wonder what would happen if a large wave would wash through? Would all the bridges be gone, leaving them isolated? It would be a disaster. Yes, my pondering was not for my fate, but of this new place.

I found the hall, and a man answering to the name Donovan gave me a quick introduction to the city, and the keep. I stood their stunned, as he explained my responsibilities. They call this slavery? I have a warm, comfortable place to sleep, food, and protection of the city guard. All they ask of me is what I would do anyway? Pick up litter, be kind and polite to citizens, help new comers to the island to find their footing? Though I admit, helping in the fest hall during fest night gives me a bit of pause. But I got the impression it's not asking me to be an entertainer, though I could, just help where able.

I was given a good meal, then was treated to a warm, sweetly scented bath and warmed by a fire. For the first time, since I was a child, I felt clean. Except for my in dream, that sweet dream from a few days before, with the beautiful lady with eyes of a cat.

I am given access to a whole set of books, six shelves full of them, an amazing library, perhaps a hundred or more, I didn't count. This isn't slavery, this is a second chance. But it is, marked, by a collar I must have about my neck. At least it's gold limned. This is what I think of, as I fall asleep in a soft warm bed with down pillows, and dream once more of her.