A/N: As you will notice this part is 3a and the next part will be 3b, as you read these keep in mind that any chapters labeled in this way are happening at the same time. I am hoping that this helps keep the timeline in order for you as you read. Thank you for your continued support and please feel free to leave your thoughts.

Sam is awakened by the smell of fresh roses. She sits up with a start and looks around the room. The walls appear to be made of a light colored stone that resembles sandstone. the floor is the same. She climbs off of the small bed and realizes that she is no longer in her uniform. She is wearing a simple white gown and what looks like handmade sandals. Warmth creeps up her back. She turns to see an open door with sunlight shining thru it. But it only lasts a moment before the doorway is blocked by a large man in a red robe.

"ah, ir zent vakh in letste," the man says.

Sam looks at him for a long moment before he speaks again.

"ir vet kumen mit mir."

"I don't understand."

He smiles and bows slightly, gesturing for her to follow him. Given that she isn't in restraints Sam decides to go with him. He leads her thru several passage ways both inside a building and some outside, giving her a view of a beautiful garden full of flowers. As she continues to follow the chubby man she sees girls wandering about, some talk with others and some alone in the garden. Finally they stop walking in a small room. In the center of the room is a table with a beautiful white and red lily lying it.

"Trinken di zaft fun di blum," the man says handing the flower to Sam.

She holds it carefully. The man puts his hands under hers and lifts the flower to her mouth and then takes his hands and makes the motion of drinking. Sam slowly tips the flowers and is surprised to find that the liquid inside is sweet. Without thinking she drinks it all. Once it's gone she looks at the man, who is smiling at her.

"Itst ir vet understand us."

"What?"

"Now you will understand us."

Sam looks at him in disbelief, "How is that possible?"

"The milk of the flower contained organisms that act as translators in your mind."

"So you are still speaking..."

"The tongue of my people but you will hear me in the tongue of your people."

Sam looks at the flower, "And this flower did that?"

"No, in its natural state the flower can not do this. We grow these flowers specially for this purpose."

"Oh, so does everyone have to drink this?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It is for my benefit."

"Who are you?"

"I am Viper."

"Viper, like the snake?"

"I am not a snake. In my tongue Viper means wisdom."

"Oh, well where I come from snakes are considered to be very wise."

Viper smiles, "I am pleased to hear this."

"My name is..."

Viper makes a clicking noise with his tongue, "You will have a new name. You will have nothing to remind you of your past life."

"What? Why?"

"Because you are here to be in the service of the great Ahriman."

"And what if I choose not to be?"

"You gave up the right to choose that when you came here. And if you are thinking of escape, you should know that no one has ever escaped from here. The only way to come or go is on the ship of Ahriman."

"Wait, so there is no stargate here?"

"No"

"But Gæ came thru the stargate on Sind to take women from there."

"I can not explain this. Perhaps there is a stargate on the planet but on this moon there has never been such a device."

"On this moon? We are on a moon?"

"Of course, where did you think we were?"

"Am I a prisoner here?"

"You are free to roam where you please," Viper answers, confused.

"Why am I here?"

"For the same reason all the other girls are here. You are here to learn the best way in which you will be able to serve Ahriman. For some it is as mere servants and for some it as musicians. Soon however one will be chosen to be his new queen. It is my responsibility to prepare the ones I feel would make a suitable match with his highness."

"Prepare them how?"

"That is not for you to worry about now. If I deem you suitable then you will know. Until then I wish for you to begin the bathing process."

"The bathing process?"

"Yes, first we must fully cleanse your skin and then we may work on your appearance."

Before Sam can say anything Viper claps his hands twice and three women in red robes enter the room and usher her out. The tallest of the trio has small red flowers woven into her dark hair and from the way the other two act Sam decides that she must be the one in charge.

"Look, I don't know what you are planning to do to me but I will fight it," she says simply.

The tall woman stops walking and turns to face Sam.

"All we were asked to do is help you bathe and begin the preparation process."

"Which takes how long?"

"At least a year."

Sam takes a breath, "A year?"

"Yes there are many changes that must take place before you would be ready to meet Ahriman. I have been here for nearly four years and only now Viper thinks that I could be ready to serve."

"Four years? Why so long?" Sam asks as the women resume walking.

"When I was brought here I fought against everything. I was not brought of my own free will as many here were. You will learn in time that it is for the best if you give in and allow the changes to happen."

Sam stays quiet as they continue walking. After a few minutes they come to a room that reminds Sam of a pool at a fancy hotel; except for the fact that there are flower petals floating in the water. Sam takes a deep breath and smells something that is almost familiar.

"What is that smell?"

"Sandalwood, it is used to help clear your skin of blemishes. We will also use frankincense for your skin and cypress for your hair. The only thing you will be required to do for the next few months is come daily to bathe. This will ensure that soon your skin will be like silk and your hair like long rays of sunshine."

Sam lets out a chuckle, "Trust me, it will take longer than a few months to let my hair grow out."

The tall woman smiles, "Not under our care."

There is something about the way she speaks to Sam that has a calming effect. If she is honest with herself, Sam could see them being friends if the situation were right.

"What is your name?"

"Harmony"

"I'm Sam."

"That is the name of your old life. At the end of today Viper will give you a new name."

"And if I refuse to answer to the name he chooses?"

Harmony looks at her gravely, "No one has ever refused this. It would mean your death."

Sam stands silently for several minutes. Finally Harmony takes a breath.

"You may not be at peace with your situation but fighting against this is not in your best interest. For now do as they wish and perhaps fate will smile on you one day."

"How do you figure that?"

"When your time to meet Ahriman comes one of two things will happen. Either he will be pleased and keep you in the station of his choice or he will be displeased and you will be set free to live in shame."

Sam feels a flutter of hope for the first time.

"Live free in shame? As in he would let me go?"

"Yes"

Sam thinks for a moment, "Okay, do what you have to make me ready to meet him."

Harmony smiles, "I will do my best."

Several hours later Sam is draped in pale blue silk with a simple pair of light brown sandals and a sheer length of fabric loosely wrapped around her head and shoulders. She stands still as Viper walk around her in a circle looking over her carefully. He finally comes to a stop in front of her.

"By your body I can tell a great many things about you. One of the biggest parts about you that I can see is that you were a soldier. Do not think you are the first soldier that I have prepared. I know that you will not easily bend to my expectations but when you do it will be a wonderful thing."

He pauses for a long moment before speaking again, "Because of your life before I must give you a new name, but I wish to honor your past with the new name. For this day forward you will be called Al'mena."

Sam blinks as he says the name.

He smiles at her, "It means strength and purpose. I feel like this suits you well."

Sam bows her head slightly in thanks as Harmony told her to do.