My valet bows, her long brown hair swinging with her movement. “Commander, I am here.”

Again, I am impressed. Obviously, she has been studying the language program and has understood why she is here. Not only is she healthy and strong, but she is also clever. Water people are known for being intelligent, just too impulsive, which always gets them into trouble. But I plan to educate this Water woman well so she will not be imprudent.

“Good,” I say and remind myself to speak clearly and slowly for her as she’s still learning. “You will be my new valet.”

She walks a little closer to me but still keeping a good distance between us. I find this amusing as we shared a bed and bathed together, but I do not encroach on her. I don’t know what she suffered at the farmhouse, but it couldn’t have been good, given the bruises and burns she had all over her small body.

“Every morning, you will set out my uniform,” I instruct her as I show her my wardrobe. “And you will take the one I am wearing away every evening.”

“I understand, Commander.”

I lead her into my bedroom and show her my military pins. “These must be removed from my uniforms daily and placed here before you go and clean the uniforms.”

“I understand,” she says, then adds, “How many?”

“There should always be eight pins,” I reply slowly.

I show her around and explain the rest of her duties. I could have let one of the other servants show her, but I wanted to do it myself as a ‘thank you’ to her for saving me and also to make sure she fully understands. And also, because my other servant is annoyed at having to take on some of Volunteer 4711’s duties as she cannot yet do them all herself because of her lack of language. But as I lead her around my quarters, I think, Her language will come along quickly, she’s already learned a lot without any formal instruction, which is again another sign of her intelligence.

After we finish the tour of her duties, I say, “Now, you take off your clothing.”

She moves towards me, and I step back, realizing she has misunderstood. “You take off your clothing.”

I can see that she is confused.

“I must check the doctor healed you. You are my responsibility, Volunteer 4711.”

When she points to herself, I can sense fear in her.

“I will not harm you,” I say. And then I motion to my eyes. “I only want to see you.”

I can tell she is still worried I will harm her, but she clearly doesn’t have the language skills to understand me, so I mark this as her bravery. She takes off her valet uniform and undergarments and stands in front of me with her head bowed. I look over her body, similar to a Silver female’s, but different. “Turn around,” I say, and when she doesn’t immediately comply, I add, “In a circle.” Then she understands and does as I say. “Lift your arms.” Once I am satisfied that my doctor healed her completely, I instruct her to put her clothing back on. When she is dressed, I tell her sincerely, even though I know she probably won’t understand me, “As my valet, I am responsible for your health, and I take that role very seriously.”