Once a man became nameless, he could never regain his name unless it was re-awarded by the crown or a house representative, who had been awarded that power. Ana wasn't sure how frequently that happened, but she did know that once a man became nameless, it was common for his wife and children to seek another landowner who could provide for them. Being nameless as a family was never wise, and even a woman who loved her husband dearly would find it difficult to stay with him once he found himself in that situation, for the sake of the children. The fact these families were still together, united in their status as nameless, was quite extraordinary.
Ana lifted her shoulders. "I'm new here," she admitted. "I'm not sure exactly how this place works yet. But I am not here to upset the life you have. It makes no difference to me what you call yourselves."
"The nameless don't have any rights," one the children piped up. She had to be about five. "They’re not ’llowed to have family names and have no value," she recited.
Her words tugged Ana's heart. She had taken on the burden of being nameless so young. "Maybe not in the kingdom," Ana said to her. "But you can tell me what you call yourselves."
"Well," Joe said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "Maddoc gave us permission to use our names or to choose new ones. Most of the families here have chosen new names, particularly when they have young children who may one day go into the kingdom, so they don’t give names that have been listed as stripped."
Ana nodded in understanding. "That makes sense," she said softly. "I have no interest in reporting anyone. I'm sorry if my presence causes you discomfort."
Everyone around the campfire seem to relax slightly, all except the five-year-old. “We know you’re not mean, Princess,” she said, as if it was the most ridiculous thing. “Doc said you’re nice.”
“Doc?”
“Yes,” she nodded solemnly. “He said you could never be mean. He said you’re our—”
“All right, Trea,” the woman next to her said firmly. “That’s enough. I can see there is cake going to waste, that must mean you’re ill.”
Trea’s eyes opened so wide, and she stuffed her cake into her mouth without any further hesitation. Ana couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” the woman said, turning to her. “Trea is one of our most outspoken, but she is right. We know you wouldn’t report us willingly, but you are bound by duties, just like we are.”
Ana smiled but before she could say anything the Alpha spoke again. She suspected he was the head of one of the families, possibly this particular camp.
"Indeed. You could never cause us discomfort by your presence. It's just the type of reaction people give us sometimes… It is hard for many of us not to be sensitive to what people say. And as Alice said, we don’t want to cause conflict with your duties or beliefs."
Ana glanced at all of them. “I understand. I do have some questions about this place.” The Alpha nodded at her, and gestured for her to speak, but suddenly she was nervous with them all staring at her.
She sipped her wine, and again was shocked at the fruity delicate flavor. She stared into her cup and then raised her head in astonishment. "What do you do to your food here?"
The entire camp laughed. "We do eat better here than when we were part of the kingdom," one of the men admitted.
Ana shook her head, laughing with them.
The rest of the hour was spent laughing and talking with them, answering questions about the palace and what it was like to be a princess. Trea in particular was fascinated by the knights. Ana, in turn, asked her own questions.
She discovered that the base was called Moonvale, and each family had arrived at different times, and therefore had varying knowledge of the place. Each family said Maddoc had brought them here when they were struggling in the kingdom, but all of them seemed reluctant to talk about their struggles, particularly in front of the children. They didn’t know how many people were at the base, but guessed that there were more than thirty camps that catered to groups of families; attached to this one there were four.
Around the base, sections were cordoned off for growing produce, making and producing weapons, training, and schooling areas for the children. A fresh water stream ran through one part, and there was a river about an hour away if they needed it. Moonvale was full of tradesmen, and the twinkly-eyed Alpha, called Conrad, explained that their knowledge of trade was the base’s biggest strength. They had bakers, builders, carpenters, plumbers, farmers, tailors… all the skills needed to build a successful community, and that it was the philosophy to share and trade freely.
Ana’s mind reeled at all the information. Their answers caused even more questions, but she couldn’t figure out a way to ask them. They were very complimentary of Maddoc, but they had to know all the things he’d done. How could they condone it?
As discussion moved on to other topics, she examined them again, and they were completely at ease. No worry adorned their faces. But she forced herself to be objective. This may not be representative of the entire base.
Soon everyone was ready to continue with their afternoon activities, and Ana rose to bid them farewell.
"I don't mean to be forward, Your Majesty," Joe said, rising with her. "But it would be nice to have you back to visit us. I know you’ll be busy, but you’re welcome for a meal with us anytime, and we’d very much like to see you again." The rest of the families nodded, and little Trea and her brother both yelled in agreement. Ana laughed, grinning at all of them. "Of course, I would love to return."
As everyone got up, Joe pulled her aside to give her directions back to Maddoc’s pavilion and pressed a flask of wine in her hands. “We are camp sixteen,” he said. “If you ask anyone where we are, you’ll be able to get back ’ere.”
“Thank you. I’m very grateful for your company today.”
“You’re the one who is a princess,” Joe remarked. “Trea is bursting to tell everyone when she has her classes in three days. I’m not sure we’ll be able to calm her down.”
She laughed with him. “Who did she mean when she said Doc?”
Joe’s smiled widened. “Maddoc.”
Ana’s mouth dropped open. “She speaks to him? He… speaks to her?”
Joe nodded, chuckling. “She won’t leave him alone when he visits. She insists she wants to be a highcloak, so she follows him around to ‘protect him.’”
“A highcloak?”
“Yes, they are…” Joe thought for a moment. “They are the most visible and recognizable members of Maddoc’s guild. They tend to be the ones in direct conflict in the kingdom. They wear cloaks.”
Ana shook her head in confusion. “Guild?”
Joe nodded. “The ones who support Maddoc. There are active members who do things out in the kingdom, then the passive members like us.”
Help Maddoc? “I’m not sure I—” Suddenly she remembered the wedding. All of Maddoc’s warriors wore black cloaks. She quickly sobered. “You mean the highcloaks are Maddoc’s army. They kill people.”