Aithein tried to understand what Caelwyn said, but he couldn’t endorse it. No one tried to control him. No one ever made him do something he didn’t want to do. No one made him read the Book of Dro. He was a free person.
Caelwyn interrupted Aithein’s thoughts. “That’s the worse kind of slavery.”
“What?” Aithein asked.
“The kind where you believe you’re free,” Caelwyn responded.
Aithein was in shock.
Caelwyn raised his chin.
Aithein grew nervous. He thought to Caelwyn, “Do you see what I think?”
There was no telepathic answer.
“Come, let us return,” Caelwyn said. He walked out of the cavern as if nothing happened.
Relief flowed through Aithein’s body. His mind was still an illegible book. He hurried to catch up.
“Keep this between you and me, right?” Caelwyn asked.
Aithein nodded.
