Alaemnah had once again found herself walking along the paths that the garden provided. A mug of warm cocoa in her hand and her thoughts slowly turning inward to a decision that had been placed before her days ago for her to consider.

It had been decided that even though her mother who had given birth to her had been a slave, it was the fact that she had been raised as a daughter by another woman who was not which gave her a unique opportunity to be free. The choice was hers rather to remain free, or submit to the collar.

For now, however, she had found one spot in the garden which had become favorite to her near the wall bordering the edge of the garden. It was here that she sat and watched sunrises. It was here that she found a place to calm herself when frightened or troubled. And it was here that she chose to be to consider her fate.

Brutin had cautioned her to question anyone she wished, listen to their answer, consider it with her head and then follow her heart. She hadn?t been sure exactly where her heart would lead her, had not even expected the turn that it took. Yet she was finding it impossible not to follow in the end.

She had spoken to Gun about this, for he, as much as she, had something to be gained or lost in this. It was those discussions which had tipped the balance for her. Putting the mug down and beginning to gently draw one weed out of the garden at a time, she realized she had finally come to peace with her decision, at least for now.

The path was her own to take, she only hoped she had the courage of it.