After breakfast, Elder Thaddeus announced work assignments."Hunter, you're with Brother Marcus in the gardens. Heavy labor. Tilling, planting, hauling soil."Hunter nodded."Seth, you're with Sister Claire. Laundry and cleaning."Seth's eyebrow twitched but he didn't argue."Zane, you're with Ruth. Medical supply inventory and organization."Zane glanced at Ruth, who looked like she'd just been sentenced to torture."Inka," Elder Thaddeus continued. "You'll continue your regular schedule. Meditation with me. Cooking lessons with Sister Leah. Time with the children.""I don't get to work with them?""No. They're here to prove themselves to the community, not just to you. You observe. You watch how they handle service, humility, contribution. You don't help them."It felt cruel. But I understood the logic.I spent the morning in meditation while Hunter sweated in the gardens. I could feel him through the bond—frustration, physical strain, determination.Brother Marcus didn't go easy on
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