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 June nodded. “Just so, I don’t see any reason to go, but thank you for offering. There was nothing wrong in that, the others have done more in front of them. In fact there was that camping trip where Will and Janet didn’t even quite get out of sight before the clothes started coming off.”
Violet said. “Nothing! That was unfit! How could you even think. Ordering them like that. It. You don’t need to make it so clear that you treat people like items!”
One of the younger ones said. “You can tell Albert what to do like you with Henry? Do you hit him as well?”
Violet glared at Jade. “See? They shouldn’t be worrying about it! There is enough here without.”
Jade said. “There was nothing in that question that sounded like they were scared, just puzzled.” She looked at the others. “Yes I can tell Al what to do, and occasionally yes I will hit him as well as he has given me the right to do so. Right now, it is just words so he can change his mind, later he will be bound to me like Henry is to him now. It is a mental tie that means they are always aware of the other. It is a part of the oaths that they made, and that will be made to me. Now then there are differences in the types of Oaths, so no it won’t be complete like it is with Henry.  Henry is a bonded Servant, meaning he has no rights. He can own nothing and demand nothing, he is completely dependent on his holders will. Al and the others under my command still have rights, and are viewed as equal to all not in a servant’s bond. Mean they can seek legal aid if they are being treated unfairly and can own some limited property. How much that is depends on the Oath they gave, some give up most, some just agree to obey all orders. Most of that you will not notice, but you will see orders being given, people told they are to go with some or not go with them, or just what game to take part in likely you won’t notice to much unless you hear it, but now you know that you might. That is why I told Al to tell Henry good by, not just approve the plan he had for the day. You needed to know it isn’t just military stuff.” She hoped that made sense. It was a bit hard to know just what to say, but yet they did need to know better just why Fred was so upset that he was giving her his Oath.  Now for the next part. “Where there are orders there are punishments for not following them. Mostly I will not use nonphysical ones of course, but yes for some there will be physical ones. Meaning they will be hit. Less than Henry has. At most it would be no more than the light ruses on the red haired girl that took the plates had. However, you are unlikely to know as they have the no reason not to be dressed around you. At most you could see some sitting a bit stiffly, or slowly. Does that help or did I just make it more confusing? I grew up around it so never had the explanation that those new to the Knights get about the Oaths.”
One of them said. “I think I got it, but it does sound like a mess. You said you could control who they went with? That seems a bit much. I mean well. That should be up to the people involved if they want to or not. Yet you force them to?”
Jade ignored the coughing from the adults. “The servants, yes always. They have no right to say no. The others. Well. I can say that I think it is a good idea, but how far it goes is up to them. Yet for some my saying that they should will be felt as a order to, but that is only if both are held by the largest oath. I can fully tell them that they are not permitted an action, even just to touch another. It is not something to do without a lot of thought, as you are giving another person the right to say where you live and what you do in most areas of your life. There is very little they are able to do without intermission from the bond holder. In return they are sure to have a fit place to live, health care and food. And of course they always know how there hold is and can reach them no matter the distance. Still it seems to me an unequal exchange. If I could I would say no, but I can’t. For all I don’t want it, I need it, and clearly Al does as well, given all the times I have tried to get him to turn away, to change his mind. Even this week I am being harder on him then I need to. Trying to make sure he is thinking about what it means, how it will be.” Henry moved closer and kissed her shoulder. “Yes boy, I know you both want it, and I am better. It isn’t as scary as it was, but it is still a lot. There for I am making a bigger deal out of it. I want you to know what is going on, but I don’t know how much of this you really would have noticed. Come on, it looks like everyone is done so we should get going.” Only about half of them stood up. “We are picking people up in town, but don’t worry there will be enough room. So are you sure this is everyone that wants to come?”
One of the others said. “I know what shopping with them is like. I am not up to spending all day in the Mall, waiting for Dawn to pick between to pairs of shoes that are the same. I will check out the town another time. Keth has said he will go with me, but right now we are going try out a game.” A few nodded.
One of the adults said. “They all sent lists, but want to explore here more, I think some are planing on take off on a bike ride. Likely a few to the base.”
Jade nodded. “I just wanted to make sure that it wasn’t a fear that there was no room for the bags that had them staying back. There is no problem making trips latter, and it is safe to explore as you want to. The neighbors will likely start coming soon. See you when we get back, then. Now the others can answer those things you wont ask me. So talk about what is strange, don’t hide it.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t let it build. You are just doing your thing again. Go on, the shopping will do you good. Get you thinking of something else. It was odd and is a bit upsetting, but of course there are ways that differ. We will get used to it.”
June nodded. “I see why you thought it was need, but now they know and know that they can ask if they need to. You were right to say it. Now come on. I want to see what the stores are like.” Smiling a bit she led the way out. Knowing that Jade was still worried. She would come to see that it was nothing but Fred fussing. None of them were going to be as upset as he had her thinking they were.
Albert made it to the other and found some from other ships waiting with them not that he was surprised. “Good, she let Henry stay with her. That is something. Now how is she really? Don’t even think of saying she is fine. She wasn’t well, we all know it.”
 Victory wrapped her arm around him, and gave him a kiss. “How did it go dear? Want to talk a walk?”
Albert smiled and kissed her. “I would love to, but I can’t.” That had them look. “Sis admitted the Oath! She did.” There were some cheers, for they knew that meant she would theirs as  well. “Now she won’t make it formal before they make her rank formal. However she also said they were set to do just that the day she left. So I expect two weeks at the most. We will keep using Metal for now, but she is waiting to hear about a different ship. We have been making full use of Metal, but we will still need some training on the other ship, so expect a second crew at first, and there will be fighter wings made of folks not in our service, but they are to be given the same respect. That should be expected, but is now more than just a possibility. I will understand any leavening and you are free to do. Rex you are not needed and may leave now. We have a different Navigator for today, and will be taking on one of the incoming ones on General Nicklet’s recommendation.” One look was all it took, that guy was to blind drunk to see. They had best wash him out completely before he got people killed. He got up staggered out, clearly not even caring a bit where he was going. “I don’t know how he even found his way here. One of you call over and tell them we need Sara and Rex is to drunk to know where he is.”
Sara said. “I already told them at HQ  I was with you, once I saw his state. Just couldn’t send him packing. They should be waiting for him, and will get him in a tank. Now stop hiding. How bad is she?”
Albert said. “Better that I expected, really. She isn’t looking any worse than when she left, but she is to stressed. Even after putting Henry on the post and let him see to her. It helped, but not enough. She did do some, but not near enough this past year. Then that was. It is a wonder it isn’t worse. I know that. And like I said she is done running. So in that it helped. She is still to thin and Fred has her stressing even more. Thinking to much on how everything has to look from the outside. Worrying she is going to far in front of them and not far enough. It will help when she is away from them for a bit, but that will be a couple of days. I know you all want to see her, but today she is taking them shopping and so will want to stay close to the house tomorrow, but will be here the next day. There is a neighborhood cookout tonight, so a few of you might could, but.”
Steve said. “Best we wait. She needs it to go slow and seeing us there she will think we are pushing for it to go fast. If we wait, she will better believe that we do understand and will move at her speed. Don’t worry we aren’t going to crowd her. Your bond sets first, then we will see about who is next. After a week or two. Once the first few are done it will get easier, but those first ones will need time between them. We all understand that, don’t you worry any. Just how are you? Are you sure you don’t want Vic there? It has to be hard, and not just doing without.”
Al smiled. “Sis said petting and kissing were it, so yes. However it is just so right. I. Feeling him with her, knowing he was getting what he needed and seeing her needs eased, yet not. It was. I hate it, but it is just what it should be. I would love if Vic was there to hold, but right now. Well”
Victory said. “The Earthings have enough to get used to with out adding in a nonhuman in the house. Let that wait a bit longer. My horns would just upset them. Then to, likely best that your father keeps think you are just with guys. He is bond to be mad enough over the oath, without going there.”
Albert said. “He hasn’t said anything to imply that, but he was the one that made it clear just what the Oath gave her. Well all right he called it enslavement and left her to explain, but still he caused it. Come on, we need to get going. I want us back by three, my uncle is going to be looking for me. Wanting to make sure Jade isn’t trying to fly yet. She didn’t let him know anything until she was at house, but got a lift back from Mul. I don’t know if he will have the wing to place with us here or if we will be picking it up latter, but there will be one sworn to him with us after this. Not that it wasn’t likely before.”
Steve said. “Good, it is only fit we have a wide make up, it is what the scouts should have after all. The brass can no longer say there is no need of them, not with what is out there now. They are what saved us last time. Past time they were rebuilt.” They finished changing and made it to the transport.